I’m sure we all heard nightmarish stories bout foster homes and foster parents but damn… you wouldn’t think that this much of a back story existed for any of them. Because they wouldn’t be vetted as foster parents if anyone knew, right? Right?

Three sisters (not blood but closer than that) were fostered by Ms. Fairchild. They arrived at her home at different times, but her erratic behavior made me as close as they could be. Years later, each got a call from a detective about a body found under the house they lived in. The sisters had their theory, but truth was much more convoluted and sickening than they expected.

We heard the story from three different narratives on two different timelines. There was another surprise hidden in the narrative. I liked the stark differences in personalities of three sisters and how their traumas were very distinct. I always liked Sally Hepworth stories, but I think this hit the spot more than others

Darling girls by Sally Hepworth is a psychological thriller with dual timelines (past and present) and multiple POVs. I love the found family trope and it was interesting to read it in a thriller book.

It is told in the POV's of Jessica, Norah and Alicia. They share a bond that goes back to childhood. They lived in foster care together with a horrible mother named Miss. Fairchild. They three girls consider themselves sisters even though they are not related by blood. They trauma bonded as kids and are still close as adults.

In the present timeline, we find out that bones are found buried under the foster care farmhouse they grew up in. The girls are questioned about what they know about who the bones could belong to.

The book alternates between past and present and the viewpoints of the three girls. The past timeline is difficult to listen to since it deals with child abuse. This is a heavy topic that is talked about through much of the book.

I was invested in the three girls and how the story would play out in the end. I didn't see the end coming and was shocked by many of the revelations.

If child abuse is a trigger for you then this may not be the book for you. If you are a fan of Sally Hepworth, I recommend reading this book.
I wish the narration had multiple narrators and not just one. The accent was difficult for my to get used to when I first started listening and I had to slow the speed to 1.75 when I usually listen at 2 or above.

Overall a 3.5 out of 5 stars for story and narration. This audio will be released on April 22, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book. I voluntarily listened and gave an honest review.

This was a great listen! I've been reading several slow burns lately and this thankfully was not one. It was told from different POVs and also during different time lines. Some how this was not confusing to keep track of. Now I want to go take all the foster kids and be a family they could consider lucky, and not just darling girls. The narrator did a great job. I was able to listen to this one at 2 times the speed and was able to keep up 100%. I will definitely be recommending this one and will also check out other books by Hepworth as this was my first one.

𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟𝗦 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗽𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 captivates with its blend of mystery and psychological depth. Following Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, foster sisters thrust into turmoil when a body surfaces on their childhood estate, the narrative deftly weaves past and present, offering insight into their complex bond. While the mystery keeps you guessing, the characters, though somewhat stereotypical, offer compelling perspectives. Hepworth masterfully leaves breadcrumbs for readers, culminating in a satisfying yet surprising revelation. However, the protagonists' depth may leave some wanting. Despite this, the story's twists and turns grip tightly until the final page. As someone who's devoured Hepworth's previous works, 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟𝗦 doesn't disappoint. I recommend it to mystery enthusiasts craving a tale rich in intrigue and psychological tension.

Miss Fairchild is a foster mother with very strict rules. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia grew up with the mean lady and finally broke free. Years later a body is found under the home they grew up in. And all three girls are questioned. Who was the killer? This was a very good thriller by Sally Hepworth.

This book had me hooked from the first chapter! I loved reading about these three women and their stories. I continue to think about them after reading it. Highly recommend!

Sally Hepworth never disappoints! This story about sisters who get through a troubled childhood in foster care and the problems they've carried into adulthood is fast-paced and twisty!

What worked for me
- characters I can root for, women who root for and take care of each other
- well-paced plot
- nice short chapters
- intrigue about what really happened that keeps me interested and engaged with the story

What didn't work for me
- nothing!

4.5 stars rounded up

It had been a minute since I had been able to get into a psychological thriller, but I was in from the first word. The author did a great job of twisting the experiences of each sister. The narrator did an amazing job keeping me on the edge of my seat. Totally enjoyed!

I've read Sally Hepworth's four most recent novels and this one was my overall favorite. I think I've got her formula down, and not only do I understand why she is such a popular author, but I plan on continuing to read her novels. As I have always listened to the audiobooks, it seemed odd not having Barrie Kreinik along for the ride, but I thought Jessica Clarke did a fine job. (She also helped narrate The Younger Wife.) If you like Sally Hepworth, you'll like Darling Girls.

As an aside, I would like to take a moment to bring attention to Darling Girls's very serious subject matter. Having never been to Australia, I am not at all qualified to judge its foster care system. Plenty of readers from the United States, like me, however, will read Darling Girls. Foster care is a complex system. There are children who both need and benefit from it. There are also children who do not. I would like to encourage all U.S. readers to take a moment to look up the story of Deanna Fogarty and her battle for justice against Orange County Social Services. Lest you think this was one isolated case, make your next Internet search for the work that attorney Shawn A. McMillan has done since the 2007 verdict. I would like to thank Sally Hepworth, in her own little way, intended or not, for bringing these injustices to the public consciousness.

I would like to thank Macmillan Audio for allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.

Sally Hepworth just never gets it wrong. Intelligent, funny, creepy, enthralling. This is purchases perfect from beginning to end.

Sadly, I decided not to finish this book. Child abuse isn’t something I enjoy reading about. I also didn’t like the sexual content. This book was just not for me.

There’s addictive, and then there’s a Sally Hepworth book. Good Lord I could not turn away.

Three sisters - Jessica, Norah and Alicia. All fostered by Miss Fairchild at Wild Meadows until they find a way out.

Fast forward 25 years to bones being discovered under Wild Meadows and everyone comes back to where the tragedies first began. Each sister has to face their own trauma head on to discover whose body is really under that house.

I loved the mystery POV too.

4 stars for Darling Girls. Sally Hepworth kept me interested throughout this whole book. I think that the writing was great, the characters were strong and showed good growth and development. The twist at the end had me surprised.

Creepy page turner about three "sisters" that grew up together in foster care. They are slowly processing their shared past when remains are found at the site of their former foster house. They are forced to confront their past, and what it means for their present and future.

An intriguing plot with lots of dark details and twists; one of the biggest "reveals" is not too surprising, but I'm not sure if it's meant to be. The sisters are very endearing, and Miss Fairchild is very evil and easy to hate. I was invested in the story and read it pretty quickly, as I enjoyed hanging out with the sisters and wanted to see what exactly was going on. The last couple of chapters, that were mainly the wrap up, seemed like they went on too long, but overall I liked this book.

Creepy story that kept me reading. I love books that I want to continue to read to find out what's next. Will recommend.

Thanks, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press, for the early review copies of the e-book and audiobook via NetGalley. (Available 23 Apr 24)

This is my first from this author, and I was warned it wasn’t her best. Listening to it put me in a bad mood: nothing really happens except misery and mistreatment. I shifted to the e-book to be able to skim it faster to be done with it. The plot seemed slow, and most of the story focused on an abusive foster home situation. I wasn’t a fan of the ending, either.

I received a digital ARC copy of Sally's Hepworth's newest Darling Girls. This book had me from the very beginning. At first, I was concerned there would be too many perspectives to keep up with on audio, but the story flowed so well together and the pace on point that it did not take me more than a few chapters to be fully immersed in this thriller. Readers are taken on a roller coaster of intrigue as we go back and forth between the present and past of three girls in the foster care system who were raised by a woman that was not what she seemed on the outside. As the three girls grew up, they endured the abuse and hardships put on them by their foster mother. As adults, each one has dealt with it differently, and soon an investigation begins on something found at their old foster home that has the reader going between timelines, trying to solve whodunit - were the girls really enduring the horrible living conditions they claimed to be in? Was their foster mother really a bad person? Who is telling the lie, and who is the criminal?

The audio of this book was perfectly done. The narrator's voice was clear and offered good inflections to bring readers further into the story. I normally reserve my thrillers and mysteries for physical copies so I can keep myself on track with the story, but I couldn't resist trying Hepworth's latest and I am so glad I did! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me the opportunity to read and review this title!

{audiobook}

Darling Girls is a dark & emotional story of 3 women- brought together from a shared history at a foster home that has come back to haunt them.

• alternating POVs & timelines
• the three ‘sisters’ have very defined characteristics and personalities which are supported by their backstories
• short chapters = quick read
• twists I wasn’t expecting but weren’t too far fetched/further leading the plot and not distracting

⚠️ child abuse/neglect ⚠️

Thank you #NetGalley for the audio ARC of #DarlingGirls !

Sally Hepworth is an auto buy author for me. Her latest novel Darling Girls is another great read! A contemporary fiction that explores the themes of friendship, motherhood, and secrets. The narrative revolves around three kindred spirits who form an unbreakable bond under the roof of the same foster care home, united in their efforts to shield themselves from the clutches of their malevolent foster mother, Holly Fairchild. Holly employs cunning manipulations to subject the girls to a series of psychological games, leaving scars that linger long after they escape her clutches. This book explores the past and present timelines of Jessica, Norah and Alicia. Through short, succinct chapters, we see how each girl evolved during and after their shared trauma.

If you're interested in stories that delve into complex relationships and the intricacies of female friendship, you should check this one out! Available April 23rd.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for allowing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.