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Darling Girls
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2024)11 hours, 15 minutes
SISTERS, SECRETS, LOVE, AND MURDER... Sally Hepworth’s new novel has it all.
For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.
But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?
A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.
SISTERS, SECRETS, LOVE, AND MURDER... Sally Hepworth’s new novel has it all.
For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.
But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?
A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.
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First published April 23, 2024
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About the author
Sally Hepworth
22 books48.4k followersSally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, most recently Darling Girls. Sally’s novels have been called “darkly charming” and praised by authors Emily Giffin and Liane Moriarty as “totally absorbing” and “fiction at its finest.”
Sally's novels are available around the globe in English and have been translated into over 30 languages. She has sold over two million books worldwide.
Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family.
Sally's novels are available around the globe in English and have been translated into over 30 languages. She has sold over two million books worldwide.
Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 22,715 reviews
July 11, 2024
let's call this a fiction with a mysterious plot. nothing thrilling or even super mysterious about this book. the plot was interesting which is what kept me reading, but I was more interested in what was gong on in the character's lives VS the entire mystery of the story... and maybe that is the point but when calling a book a mystery thriller I guess I expect it to be a little more thrilling and mysterious.. also the entire moment at the end... nope.
July 7, 2024
The last 50 pages were great!! Beginning was slow for me and I didn’t love the writing style, but not a bad thriller by any means! Great reveal!
January 17, 2026
“Darling Girls" presents another masterfully crafted psychological mystery within the realm of women's fiction, showcasing Sally Hepworth's unwavering talent for storytelling. 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.
At the heart of this tale is Jessica, who entered Miss Fairchild's care at the tender age of five. Desperate for her foster mother's affection, Jessica unknowingly endures isolation due to Holly's controlling ways. Norah, an eleven-year-old with a propensity for violence borne out of necessity, and Alicia, a gentle twelve-year-old who joins them following her grandmother's accident, complete the trio. These girls endure Holly's physical and mental torment for nearly two years until the abuse escalates to a breaking point, forcing them to confront the horrors they have endured.
Fast forward 25 years, and the narrative reveals the aftermath of their shared ordeal. Jessica's once-successful life crumbles as she's caught stealing drugs from a client's home, succumbing to her own struggles with addiction and estrangement from her husband. Norah battles her inner demons, struggling with anger issues and facing the threat of imprisonment. Alicia, now a social worker, strives to find children safe homes while grappling with her own insecurities, hindering her chances at a healthy relationship and a family of her own.
A haunting call from law enforcement informs them that the remains of their haunted childhood are unearthed beneath the farmhouse they long to forget. As they return to the place that shattered their innocence and futures, they confront not only the painful past but also the potential for closure and healing.
Unearth the truth about whose bones lie beneath the earth, and unravel the mysteries that bind these women to their tragic past. Is one of them a cold-blooded killer? Or is an even darker force manipulating their lives?
This heart-wrenching narrative deftly moves between past and present, granting readers insight into the evolution of these three women's characters as they forge their defense mechanisms for survival. The breathtaking revelations that unfold within the gripping mystery will leave you stunned and deeply moved.
Each of the three protagonists resonates powerfully, but it's Norah's unique blend of sarcasm and vulnerability that captures the heart. Alicia's kind and caring nature endeared her to me, as she deserves the happiness she seeks. Jessica's complex layers slowly unravel, allowing empathy to flourish.
The culminating moments had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting the stunning twist that was delivered with precision. Thus, I wholeheartedly grant "Darling Girls" a resounding five-star rating. This intricate, poignant narrative sheds light on women's empowerment and mental health awareness, adding depth to its dark and sorrowful undertones.
I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for generously providing me with a digital reviewer's copy of this exceptional book in exchange for my candid thoughts.
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At the heart of this tale is Jessica, who entered Miss Fairchild's care at the tender age of five. Desperate for her foster mother's affection, Jessica unknowingly endures isolation due to Holly's controlling ways. Norah, an eleven-year-old with a propensity for violence borne out of necessity, and Alicia, a gentle twelve-year-old who joins them following her grandmother's accident, complete the trio. These girls endure Holly's physical and mental torment for nearly two years until the abuse escalates to a breaking point, forcing them to confront the horrors they have endured.
Fast forward 25 years, and the narrative reveals the aftermath of their shared ordeal. Jessica's once-successful life crumbles as she's caught stealing drugs from a client's home, succumbing to her own struggles with addiction and estrangement from her husband. Norah battles her inner demons, struggling with anger issues and facing the threat of imprisonment. Alicia, now a social worker, strives to find children safe homes while grappling with her own insecurities, hindering her chances at a healthy relationship and a family of her own.
A haunting call from law enforcement informs them that the remains of their haunted childhood are unearthed beneath the farmhouse they long to forget. As they return to the place that shattered their innocence and futures, they confront not only the painful past but also the potential for closure and healing.
Unearth the truth about whose bones lie beneath the earth, and unravel the mysteries that bind these women to their tragic past. Is one of them a cold-blooded killer? Or is an even darker force manipulating their lives?
This heart-wrenching narrative deftly moves between past and present, granting readers insight into the evolution of these three women's characters as they forge their defense mechanisms for survival. The breathtaking revelations that unfold within the gripping mystery will leave you stunned and deeply moved.
Each of the three protagonists resonates powerfully, but it's Norah's unique blend of sarcasm and vulnerability that captures the heart. Alicia's kind and caring nature endeared her to me, as she deserves the happiness she seeks. Jessica's complex layers slowly unravel, allowing empathy to flourish.
The culminating moments had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting the stunning twist that was delivered with precision. Thus, I wholeheartedly grant "Darling Girls" a resounding five-star rating. This intricate, poignant narrative sheds light on women's empowerment and mental health awareness, adding depth to its dark and sorrowful undertones.
I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for generously providing me with a digital reviewer's copy of this exceptional book in exchange for my candid thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
October 3, 2023
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
This is my fifth book by this author and as much as I enjoyed the others I was kind of disappointed with this one. I am an outlier once again as I did not love this book as much as others have. I am finding it hard to give this a rating to because I was enthralled by the story and the main characters.
I did love the format of now and then chapters and having all three characters' points of view. As is typical with me I enjoyed the then chapters a lot more than the present time. I felt like I got to know Jessica, Norah and Alicia through their younger years. They have a lot to be upset about but they stuck together no matter what they went through and that carries into their adult lives.
I get that fostering is a game of Russian Roulette, no one knows how a parent or child will meld and I know there are evil people in this world but Jesus are all of them that bad? Too much was over the top in my humble opinion, this could have been close to a four star rating except for that ending. The emotions I felt for the three main characters is the only thing that redeemed this book for me.
Hepworth certainly knows how to write a compelling plot but what lost me was what happened at the very end. I think it was added just for the shock value, I am not triggered by anything that I read I just thought it was really stupid and I didn't buy into the no one knew it all happened in secret line that the author was trying to sell. Many triggers abound in this tale most notably child abuse as this is one messed-up story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
This is my fifth book by this author and as much as I enjoyed the others I was kind of disappointed with this one. I am an outlier once again as I did not love this book as much as others have. I am finding it hard to give this a rating to because I was enthralled by the story and the main characters.
I did love the format of now and then chapters and having all three characters' points of view. As is typical with me I enjoyed the then chapters a lot more than the present time. I felt like I got to know Jessica, Norah and Alicia through their younger years. They have a lot to be upset about but they stuck together no matter what they went through and that carries into their adult lives.
I get that fostering is a game of Russian Roulette, no one knows how a parent or child will meld and I know there are evil people in this world but Jesus are all of them that bad? Too much was over the top in my humble opinion, this could have been close to a four star rating except for that ending. The emotions I felt for the three main characters is the only thing that redeemed this book for me.
Hepworth certainly knows how to write a compelling plot but what lost me was what happened at the very end. I think it was added just for the shock value, I am not triggered by anything that I read I just thought it was really stupid and I didn't buy into the no one knew it all happened in secret line that the author was trying to sell. Many triggers abound in this tale most notably child abuse as this is one messed-up story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
June 12, 2024
This was so good wtf
March 25, 2024
Not the next Gone Girl but there is enough here to entertain
One of my favorite mystery tropes pervades this novel—a before and after timeline with additional pieces of the puzzle being slowly revealed.
Darling Girls is set in Australia focusing on three foster children, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia who all lived at Wild Meadows with their maniacal foster mum, Holly Fairchild.
The overall reading experience was enjoyable, particularly the plot. Take the very first page. Someone is talking to Dr. Warren, the psychiatrist. Who is it?
However, there is one thing holding back Darling Girls from being exceptional—its characters. These characters were not very convincing; they felt flat and predictable. It felt as though Hepworth created a character outline describing the three main characters in two sentences. Some form of the word “organized” was used 23 times!
This weak character development ended up seeping into and tainting the narrative voice and the ending.
The narrative voice was rather dull. For a great modern example of a spectacular narrative voice, explore The Fury by Alex Michaelides . Darling Girls is written in the third person; however, Hepworth should have considered the first-person perspective to increase the suspense, really leaning into the narrator’s desperation and terror, quickening the reader’s pulse. Darling Girls also lacked the humor of Hepworth’s The Good Sister.
Because the characters were cliché, the ending was lackluster and overly cozy—downright forgettable.
Not a seminal piece of the mystery genre but Darling Girls solidly holds its own.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
How much I spent:
Electronic text – Free/Nada/Zilch through NetGalley provided by publisher
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One of my favorite mystery tropes pervades this novel—a before and after timeline with additional pieces of the puzzle being slowly revealed.
Darling Girls is set in Australia focusing on three foster children, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia who all lived at Wild Meadows with their maniacal foster mum, Holly Fairchild.
The overall reading experience was enjoyable, particularly the plot. Take the very first page. Someone is talking to Dr. Warren, the psychiatrist. Who is it?
However, there is one thing holding back Darling Girls from being exceptional—its characters. These characters were not very convincing; they felt flat and predictable. It felt as though Hepworth created a character outline describing the three main characters in two sentences. Some form of the word “organized” was used 23 times!
This weak character development ended up seeping into and tainting the narrative voice and the ending.
The narrative voice was rather dull. For a great modern example of a spectacular narrative voice, explore The Fury by Alex Michaelides . Darling Girls is written in the third person; however, Hepworth should have considered the first-person perspective to increase the suspense, really leaning into the narrator’s desperation and terror, quickening the reader’s pulse. Darling Girls also lacked the humor of Hepworth’s The Good Sister.
Because the characters were cliché, the ending was lackluster and overly cozy—downright forgettable.
Not a seminal piece of the mystery genre but Darling Girls solidly holds its own.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
How much I spent:
Electronic text – Free/Nada/Zilch through NetGalley provided by publisher
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
December 19, 2025
**4.5-stars rounded up**
Oh my gosh, I read this so quickly. I always find Sally Hepworth's stories incredibly readable. They're addicting. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.
All the twists and turns gave me whiplash. Also, I loved the three main characters. Bonus, this left me with the devilish grin that I always enjoy at the end.
But what's it all about?! Let's discuss.
In this story, we follow three sisters: Jessica, Norah and Alicia. While not biologically-related, the girls spent many of their formative years together in a foster home run by Miss Fairchild. Their experiences there bonded them for life.
From the outside, it looked like the idyllic place to be a child. Certainly better than the circumstances the girls came from, however, there were secret things happening behind closed doors, as there often are, and Miss Fairchild wasn't necessarily as sweet as she appeared from the outside.
Eventually, the three were able to break free from Miss Fairchild's home, and although they never saw her again, the hurtful memories remained.
As adults, they have kept in very close contact, and are all living mostly satisfying lives well away from their traumatic childhood home. Then one day out of the blue, they receive word that a body has been discovered under the home where they used to live with Miss Fairchild.
Shocked by the discovery, the three women join up and travel back to that place they left long ago, but are they returning as possible witnesses, or suspects?
I had a blast reading this. It was a super intriguing set-up and I loved learning about all three women. They were each unique and well-developed, and even though they were quite different, their shared history made for very close and believable relationships.
This story is expertly-constructed using past and present timelines, both of which I found equally interesting. I think Hepworth did a great job of creating suspense, as well as characters that you could care about.
Finding out the truth about the girls' time with Miss Fairchild was fascinating. I never knew what was going to come next. It made me tense, in a good way.
IMO, Hepworth is an incredible, dramatic storyteller. She never fails to draw me in quickly and hold my attention. Although I guessed some things, it made it no less enjoyable, or impactful. In fact, I think I was probably realizing things at the pace in which Hepworth was intending.
The pace picks up closer to the end and I found the conclusion to be fun and satisfying. There were some surprises left in the tank and I walked away a happy girl.
I would recommend the audio format, as the narration was very well done and seemed to fit the overall story nicely. It kept me focused and relaxed.
Thank you to the publishers, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I always look forward to the latest from Sally Hepworth, and this definitely did not disappoint.
10-out-of-10 recommend!!
Oh my gosh, I read this so quickly. I always find Sally Hepworth's stories incredibly readable. They're addicting. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.
All the twists and turns gave me whiplash. Also, I loved the three main characters. Bonus, this left me with the devilish grin that I always enjoy at the end.
But what's it all about?! Let's discuss.
In this story, we follow three sisters: Jessica, Norah and Alicia. While not biologically-related, the girls spent many of their formative years together in a foster home run by Miss Fairchild. Their experiences there bonded them for life.
From the outside, it looked like the idyllic place to be a child. Certainly better than the circumstances the girls came from, however, there were secret things happening behind closed doors, as there often are, and Miss Fairchild wasn't necessarily as sweet as she appeared from the outside.
Eventually, the three were able to break free from Miss Fairchild's home, and although they never saw her again, the hurtful memories remained.
As adults, they have kept in very close contact, and are all living mostly satisfying lives well away from their traumatic childhood home. Then one day out of the blue, they receive word that a body has been discovered under the home where they used to live with Miss Fairchild.
Shocked by the discovery, the three women join up and travel back to that place they left long ago, but are they returning as possible witnesses, or suspects?
I had a blast reading this. It was a super intriguing set-up and I loved learning about all three women. They were each unique and well-developed, and even though they were quite different, their shared history made for very close and believable relationships.
This story is expertly-constructed using past and present timelines, both of which I found equally interesting. I think Hepworth did a great job of creating suspense, as well as characters that you could care about.
Finding out the truth about the girls' time with Miss Fairchild was fascinating. I never knew what was going to come next. It made me tense, in a good way.
IMO, Hepworth is an incredible, dramatic storyteller. She never fails to draw me in quickly and hold my attention. Although I guessed some things, it made it no less enjoyable, or impactful. In fact, I think I was probably realizing things at the pace in which Hepworth was intending.
The pace picks up closer to the end and I found the conclusion to be fun and satisfying. There were some surprises left in the tank and I walked away a happy girl.
I would recommend the audio format, as the narration was very well done and seemed to fit the overall story nicely. It kept me focused and relaxed.
Thank you to the publishers, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I always look forward to the latest from Sally Hepworth, and this definitely did not disappoint.
10-out-of-10 recommend!!
April 23, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Whenever I have the opportunity to read a new Sally Hepworth book early, it goes straight to the top of my overflowing TBR pile! 📚📚📚
After all, I have never given one of her books less than 4 stars-with most earning 5 stars……until now.
Although, I think it’s impossible for her to write a BAD book-this just wasn’t a favorite.
Jessica, Norah and Alicia share a bond that takes them back decades, to when they were girls, and they lived on a farm with a wicked foster mother named Miss Fairchild. They may not be sisters by blood, but they are as close as three sisters can be.
When bones are discovered buried under the farmhouse of their childhood, they are summoned by Police to tell what they might know.
The story opens in the office of Dr. Warren, Psychiatrist- but which woman is speaking with him?
We then alternate between the PAST and the PRESENT, examining both through the viewpoints of all three girls/women. It isn’t confusing at all, but I rarely enjoy spending half of a book with children, especially those who are being ABUSED in FOSTER CARE.
But, that’s a “me thing” as the book has all 5 star ⭐️ reviews so far!!
As ALWAYS, Sally Hepworth writes another SHOCKING ending, which will probably be met with more controversy and mixed feelings! I always ENJOY them (extra half star for the surprise reveal!) regardless of how DISTURBING or UPSETTING the ending might be.
And, I only hope that this time, she gets to KEEP the ending she wants!!
NOW AVAILABLE
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Whenever I have the opportunity to read a new Sally Hepworth book early, it goes straight to the top of my overflowing TBR pile! 📚📚📚
After all, I have never given one of her books less than 4 stars-with most earning 5 stars……until now.
Although, I think it’s impossible for her to write a BAD book-this just wasn’t a favorite.
Jessica, Norah and Alicia share a bond that takes them back decades, to when they were girls, and they lived on a farm with a wicked foster mother named Miss Fairchild. They may not be sisters by blood, but they are as close as three sisters can be.
When bones are discovered buried under the farmhouse of their childhood, they are summoned by Police to tell what they might know.
The story opens in the office of Dr. Warren, Psychiatrist- but which woman is speaking with him?
We then alternate between the PAST and the PRESENT, examining both through the viewpoints of all three girls/women. It isn’t confusing at all, but I rarely enjoy spending half of a book with children, especially those who are being ABUSED in FOSTER CARE.
But, that’s a “me thing” as the book has all 5 star ⭐️ reviews so far!!
As ALWAYS, Sally Hepworth writes another SHOCKING ending, which will probably be met with more controversy and mixed feelings! I always ENJOY them (extra half star for the surprise reveal!) regardless of how DISTURBING or UPSETTING the ending might be.
And, I only hope that this time, she gets to KEEP the ending she wants!!
NOW AVAILABLE
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
February 6, 2025
i have one solid belief when it comes to mystery/thrillers and it is, no matter how good the book is, the ending can make or break the story. and wow, the last chapter really saved this one for me.
the beginning to middle of the story is sooo intriguing. the flashbacks are done really, really well and weave an engaging story about the past catching up to the present. i found the three sisters experience with miss fairchild horrifyingly captivating and was dying to figure out whose body was found underneath the house.
but, towards the end, i got worried that the reveal wouldnt live up to all the build-up. luckily, the last chapter gave me everything that i was wanting from this and completely satisfied my need for some kind of twist.
so, i can safely say this story had my attention from the first to last page.
↠ 4 stars
the beginning to middle of the story is sooo intriguing. the flashbacks are done really, really well and weave an engaging story about the past catching up to the present. i found the three sisters experience with miss fairchild horrifyingly captivating and was dying to figure out whose body was found underneath the house.
but, towards the end, i got worried that the reveal wouldnt live up to all the build-up. luckily, the last chapter gave me everything that i was wanting from this and completely satisfied my need for some kind of twist.
so, i can safely say this story had my attention from the first to last page.
↠ 4 stars
September 23, 2023
I love being surprised by an author who switches things up. In Darling Girls, Sally Hepworth still delivers her trademark domestic suspense/mystery, but this time the “family” is far less traditional, yet no less fascinating!
Twenty-five years ago, unfortunate events brought three girls - Jessica, Norah, and Alicia - one-by-one to an idyllic-looking farmhouse called Wild Meadows and into the foster care of a woman named Miss Fairchild. The biggest irony? This woman was never FAIR to any CHILD, as the three girls continually found out. She may have been Mary Poppins on the outside, but she was far from it underneath!
Now in the present, the three women who have a ‘sister’ bond tighter than most biological ones, have been brought back to Port Agatha and the memories of Wild Meadows when they’re informed by three detectives: Patel, Hando and Tucker that human bones have been discovered buried under the farmhouse.
Who do those bones belong to? Were the girls involved? If not them, then who?
As the lingering effects of the past catch up with Jessica, whose OCD and a secret habit are threatening her career, Norah, who can’t escape her inner rage or the repercussions of a date gone wrong, and Alicia, whose insecurity is blocking a potential new relationship, they find themselves needing one another more than ever.
The story is primarily told through their eyes, in both past and present chapters, with interspersed chapters of an unknown POV who discusses her past with a super creepy psychologist named Dr. Warren. The rotating POVs kept things interesting and allowed me to feel more bonded to each of the three women.
While stories of abuse are always hard and can threaten to go too dark, I thought Hepworth balanced the tone of the book so well by giving us three protagonists who were strong, intelligent, resourceful, kind, funny, and loyal, while also maintaining a realistic vulnerability from their traumatic past. I loved these three! Norah’s fiery temperament and spunk created a lot of LOL moments for me particularly, and dog lovers will enjoy finding out why her dogs are named Converse, Couch and Thong … though you may be able to guess!
The pace is a bit on the slower side, but the ending twists were worth the wait, and if nothing else, I think many readers will enjoy their time with these three kick-ass girls who grew into amazing kick-ass ladies! It’s so refreshing to see female friendship portrayed in a positive, supportive way.
One last recommendation: read the author’s note. It gives special meaning to the whole book!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Sally Hepworth for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published on April 23, 2024
Twenty-five years ago, unfortunate events brought three girls - Jessica, Norah, and Alicia - one-by-one to an idyllic-looking farmhouse called Wild Meadows and into the foster care of a woman named Miss Fairchild. The biggest irony? This woman was never FAIR to any CHILD, as the three girls continually found out. She may have been Mary Poppins on the outside, but she was far from it underneath!
Now in the present, the three women who have a ‘sister’ bond tighter than most biological ones, have been brought back to Port Agatha and the memories of Wild Meadows when they’re informed by three detectives: Patel, Hando and Tucker that human bones have been discovered buried under the farmhouse.
Who do those bones belong to? Were the girls involved? If not them, then who?
As the lingering effects of the past catch up with Jessica, whose OCD and a secret habit are threatening her career, Norah, who can’t escape her inner rage or the repercussions of a date gone wrong, and Alicia, whose insecurity is blocking a potential new relationship, they find themselves needing one another more than ever.
The story is primarily told through their eyes, in both past and present chapters, with interspersed chapters of an unknown POV who discusses her past with a super creepy psychologist named Dr. Warren. The rotating POVs kept things interesting and allowed me to feel more bonded to each of the three women.
While stories of abuse are always hard and can threaten to go too dark, I thought Hepworth balanced the tone of the book so well by giving us three protagonists who were strong, intelligent, resourceful, kind, funny, and loyal, while also maintaining a realistic vulnerability from their traumatic past. I loved these three! Norah’s fiery temperament and spunk created a lot of LOL moments for me particularly, and dog lovers will enjoy finding out why her dogs are named Converse, Couch and Thong … though you may be able to guess!
The pace is a bit on the slower side, but the ending twists were worth the wait, and if nothing else, I think many readers will enjoy their time with these three kick-ass girls who grew into amazing kick-ass ladies! It’s so refreshing to see female friendship portrayed in a positive, supportive way.
One last recommendation: read the author’s note. It gives special meaning to the whole book!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Sally Hepworth for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published on April 23, 2024
September 18, 2025
When I get a Sally Hepworth novel it immediately goes to the top of my TBR pile and this is a solid 4 star read.
The novel is told from four points of view —
Holly Fairchild – the malevolent foster mother who finds more and more ways to manipulate and terrorize her young charges.
She relies on the girls not only for help but wants the money she will receive for fostering them!
Jessica - in the novel she is the first child that comes to live with Ms. Fairchild. She is very young, aged 5, and is easy to win over. Jess is desperate for attention and love and she thinks that is what Holly is offering! AT LEAST AT FIRST!!
Norah - Norah is 11 and has been in many foster homes throughout her life. She knows a thing of two about how to handle Miss Fairchild. WILL SHE HELP HER “SISTERS” WHEN SHE’S NEEDED??
Alicia is 12 years old and is supposed to be a short term foster - her grandmother is in the hospital recovering from an accident. She is sweet and shy but is quickly included in the trio!
Alternating Voice – we have a mystery voice that belongs to someone who is at a psychotherapy session. Creepy and mysterious, I enjoyed these chapters a lot
These three thought they were free of Ms. Fairchild and their entire childhood, though they remained close friends.
UNTIL A CALL THE FROM THE POLICE - HUMAN REMAINS HAVE BEEN FOUND UNDER THE HOUSE AND THEY ARE ALL SUMMONED BACK TO THAT DARK PART OF THEIR LIVES.
I enjoyed the Author’s notes which include the ways that she researched the book! The theme of sisterhood and friendship is woven throughout the novel. Childhood trauma can follow a person through adulthood and manifest in many ways!
This would have been a 5* but I thought there was a lot of repetition of the days spent under Ms. Fairchild’s care. It slowed the book down a bit.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
August 31, 2023
Another winner in the books for Sally Hepworth!! 🌟 To be honest, I enjoyed this book the whole way through, but the ending- the last chapter just blew me away, and turned what would have been a four star book straight up to five stars!!! That’s how you close out a book! Well done, Ms. Hepworth. Well done 👏
Darling Girls focuses on three foster “sisters”, who grew up together for a couple of years at Wild Meadows foster home in Port Agatha. They are all grown and living their not so best lives, when they each receive a phone call 25 years later from a detective about the discovery of human bones on the site of Meadows Hill.
All three of the women who are so close they call each other sisters, go back to Meadows Hill to be interviewed by the detectives on the case. Jessica, Alicia, and Norah all have flashbacks from their time at Meadows Hill and with their cruel and abusive foster mother, Miss Fairchild. It’s a mystery who the bones could belong to, because as children no one ever believed them and they were gaslit for years.
This book was a very good portrayal on the life-long lasting effects of being raised by an abusive, narcissistic foster parent/parent. There was also a good character study done on that of Miss Fairchild, and how she was able to manipulate everyone around her.
I highly recommend reading this book, as the twists and turns were plentiful!! I read this book late into the night, and the ending was well worth it!!
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and the author for an Arc of this book which I had the pleasure of reading! All opinions are my own. Publication date: April 23, 2024
Darling Girls focuses on three foster “sisters”, who grew up together for a couple of years at Wild Meadows foster home in Port Agatha. They are all grown and living their not so best lives, when they each receive a phone call 25 years later from a detective about the discovery of human bones on the site of Meadows Hill.
All three of the women who are so close they call each other sisters, go back to Meadows Hill to be interviewed by the detectives on the case. Jessica, Alicia, and Norah all have flashbacks from their time at Meadows Hill and with their cruel and abusive foster mother, Miss Fairchild. It’s a mystery who the bones could belong to, because as children no one ever believed them and they were gaslit for years.
This book was a very good portrayal on the life-long lasting effects of being raised by an abusive, narcissistic foster parent/parent. There was also a good character study done on that of Miss Fairchild, and how she was able to manipulate everyone around her.
I highly recommend reading this book, as the twists and turns were plentiful!! I read this book late into the night, and the ending was well worth it!!
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and the author for an Arc of this book which I had the pleasure of reading! All opinions are my own. Publication date: April 23, 2024
September 16, 2023
3.5 STARS
Past and present chapters give insight into how three foster girls grew up together at Wild Meadows Farm and formed a unbreakable bond that was based on their survival.
An investigation has been opened, a crime that may have occurred while the girls were living at the foster home. Now, the girls are reliving everything that happened 25 years ago and it may prove to their worst nightmare. This gets DARK.
I felt heartbroken for the girls, Jessica (suffers from OCD and was my favorite), Norah (who tends to react with anger) and Alicia (she became a social worker).
It was hard to read about the abuse, the crimes at the foster home, and the horrible way they were treated by the foster mother, Miss Fairchild. I can't say that I "enjoyed" the backstory. I did like the chapters with Dr. Warren, the therapist. His jaw even dropped at some of the revelations 😱. I was super curious about who he was counseling, although he seemed a bit incompetent!
A 3.5 star rating because I was invested to see how things played out, who was responsible and if justice would be served!
Thanks to NG for my ARC. OUT 4/23/24
Past and present chapters give insight into how three foster girls grew up together at Wild Meadows Farm and formed a unbreakable bond that was based on their survival.
An investigation has been opened, a crime that may have occurred while the girls were living at the foster home. Now, the girls are reliving everything that happened 25 years ago and it may prove to their worst nightmare. This gets DARK.
I felt heartbroken for the girls, Jessica (suffers from OCD and was my favorite), Norah (who tends to react with anger) and Alicia (she became a social worker).
It was hard to read about the abuse, the crimes at the foster home, and the horrible way they were treated by the foster mother, Miss Fairchild. I can't say that I "enjoyed" the backstory. I did like the chapters with Dr. Warren, the therapist. His jaw even dropped at some of the revelations 😱. I was super curious about who he was counseling, although he seemed a bit incompetent!
A 3.5 star rating because I was invested to see how things played out, who was responsible and if justice would be served!
Thanks to NG for my ARC. OUT 4/23/24
September 22, 2023
Sisterhood!
Three girls from separate homes, all placed under the foster care of Miss Fairchild. To the casual observer the home and Miss Fairchild seem ideal. In reality, it was a house of horrors. Including but not limited to mental and physical (starvation) abuses that they all would endure.
In order to survive the nightmarish life handed to them they formed an un-breakable bond! Sisters forever! Together they were mighty.
Now as adults they’ve kept that bond alive, always vigilant for one another. They couldn’t be more different, but together they’re a force to be reckoned with.
After human bones are discovered under the aging foster home of Miss Fairchild, the sisters return as requested by the police. Maybe they’ll find some answers of their own.
Sally Hepworth writes a gripping, suspenseful tale that will keep you guessing to the end!
I kept predicting small pieces along the way, but not enough to put the whole picture together!
That’s the best! When you guess just enough to be proud of your detective skills but the author still slips one past you, keeping you humbled and in the dark for the overall picture. Like a cat toying with a mouse…and a recipe for the perfect thriller!
I’ve read and enjoyed all the books from this author and cannot wait for more!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press
Three girls from separate homes, all placed under the foster care of Miss Fairchild. To the casual observer the home and Miss Fairchild seem ideal. In reality, it was a house of horrors. Including but not limited to mental and physical (starvation) abuses that they all would endure.
In order to survive the nightmarish life handed to them they formed an un-breakable bond! Sisters forever! Together they were mighty.
Now as adults they’ve kept that bond alive, always vigilant for one another. They couldn’t be more different, but together they’re a force to be reckoned with.
After human bones are discovered under the aging foster home of Miss Fairchild, the sisters return as requested by the police. Maybe they’ll find some answers of their own.
Sally Hepworth writes a gripping, suspenseful tale that will keep you guessing to the end!
I kept predicting small pieces along the way, but not enough to put the whole picture together!
That’s the best! When you guess just enough to be proud of your detective skills but the author still slips one past you, keeping you humbled and in the dark for the overall picture. Like a cat toying with a mouse…and a recipe for the perfect thriller!
I’ve read and enjoyed all the books from this author and cannot wait for more!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press
July 16, 2024
Fast paced, easy read. The twists were good but I still just wasn’t impressed. I might recommend depending on who is asking.
May 8, 2024
Not my favorite by the author. It was still good, but a bit too slow for my liking.
March 28, 2024
Sally Hepworth has done it again! Another hard to put down book that is both thought and emotion evoking. As with her other books, Darling Girls is well written, well thought out, gripping, twist filled, moving and shocking.
Alicia, Jessica, and Norah bonded during their time living in their foster mother, Miss Fairchild's home. All came there under different circumstances and quickly bonded, forming lifelong bonds. They suffered together under thecare rule of the highly unpredictable, extremely strict, and often cruel Miss Fairchild.
When they left her home the three of them thought they were free. But she was always there in their memories, their nightmares, and in flashbacks. They have all carried with them what they experienced in Miss Fairchild's home, whether it be low self-esteem, anger issues, anxiety, relationship issues, etc.
The three women are contacted by police when bones are found buried under Miss Fairchild's former home. Sometimes the past refuses to stay buried. Sometimes, you can create physical distance but not emotional distance from troubling events. Sometimes, going back to where it began is the only way to move forward.
This was such a gripping and well thought out book. I felt for Alicia, Jessica, and Norah. I loved that they always had each other's back and had such a tight bond. I felt so much for them during this book. I appreciated how Hepworth showed the strength of their relationships with each other.
I found myself fully invested in this book from the very beginning and found it hard to put this book down. I wanted to know about the bones, how they got there and whose bones were buried under the house.
I found this to be a suspenseful and shocking read. I enjoyed reading the POV chapters and learning more about each character. I also enjoyed the therapy sections and did not know initially who was talking to the therapist. This book does discuss the mistreatment and abuse of children, and it may be a trigger for some, so please be aware of this.
*The audiobook version of this book was well done and the narrator did a great job.
Gripping, well written, shocking, well thought out, and hard to put down!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Alicia, Jessica, and Norah bonded during their time living in their foster mother, Miss Fairchild's home. All came there under different circumstances and quickly bonded, forming lifelong bonds. They suffered together under the
When they left her home the three of them thought they were free. But she was always there in their memories, their nightmares, and in flashbacks. They have all carried with them what they experienced in Miss Fairchild's home, whether it be low self-esteem, anger issues, anxiety, relationship issues, etc.
The three women are contacted by police when bones are found buried under Miss Fairchild's former home. Sometimes the past refuses to stay buried. Sometimes, you can create physical distance but not emotional distance from troubling events. Sometimes, going back to where it began is the only way to move forward.
This was such a gripping and well thought out book. I felt for Alicia, Jessica, and Norah. I loved that they always had each other's back and had such a tight bond. I felt so much for them during this book. I appreciated how Hepworth showed the strength of their relationships with each other.
I found myself fully invested in this book from the very beginning and found it hard to put this book down. I wanted to know about the bones, how they got there and whose bones were buried under the house.
I found this to be a suspenseful and shocking read. I enjoyed reading the POV chapters and learning more about each character. I also enjoyed the therapy sections and did not know initially who was talking to the therapist. This book does discuss the mistreatment and abuse of children, and it may be a trigger for some, so please be aware of this.
*The audiobook version of this book was well done and the narrator did a great job.
Gripping, well written, shocking, well thought out, and hard to put down!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
September 25, 2024
Darling Girls is an adrenaline-fueled psychological thriller that will grip you from the first page to the last. Don't miss the explosive beginning of an unforgettable adventure of the journey of three strong women that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It is the first book I've read from the author. I had a hard time putting it down. The ending was a real jaw-dropper that I didn't see coming. My head spun; it was hard to swallow.
This book isn't for everyone dealing with the foster care system and the abuse. It may be triggering. So please read all the TW before reading.
I enjoyed that the author included an extended denouement that traces Jessica, Nora, and Alicia's lives after the shocking outcome that is bittersweet and realistic. I fell in love with the main characters. They were well-developed, deeply flawed, and so relatable. It's a well-paced full of suspense and reveals that unravels into a compelling page-turner.
Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are foster care children placed at Wild Meadows, a farmhouse owned and run by Miss Fairchild. The trio form an unbreakable bond, and their story shows the strength of sisterhood and resilience of children. The sisters have done everything possible as adults to forget the atrocities they witnessed firsthand at "Wild Meadows." Still, when a contractor discovers human remains under their old foster home, the girls are pulled back to Wild Meadows; they are not happy about returning to the small country town of Port Agatha at first and have to dredge up their painful past but become eager to uncover the truth about who the bones belong to and who hid them underneath the house. Is one of them hiding a secret?
Darling Girls alternates between multiple points of view from Jessica, Nora and Alicia's and parallel timelines. We learn about the girls' time in foster care while a similar plot line follows the investigation into the mysterious bones. There is also a mysterious character who talks to DR. Warren. I found these chapters fascinating. The character development in this book is unmatched. From the narcissistic and manipulative Miss Fairchild to the neurotic Jessica, an angry and volatile Nora who gets herself in some legal situations and Alicia, an insecure with a vast heart, Hepworth expertly built equally relatable and heart-wrenching profiles.
I admire her shining a light on the harsh realities of the failures of the foster care system and how much research the author put into this novel and did it with sensitivity.
I highly recommend you read it; you won’t be disappointed!! I highly recommend both the hard copy and the audiobook. Jessica Clarke did a fantastic job narrating. I found her voice to be compelling and brought the characters to life.
Expected Publication Date in Canada and the USA: April 23, 2024
I want to thank St. Martin's Press, Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Expected Publication Date in Canada and the USA April 23, 2024
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book isn't for everyone dealing with the foster care system and the abuse. It may be triggering. So please read all the TW before reading.
I enjoyed that the author included an extended denouement that traces Jessica, Nora, and Alicia's lives after the shocking outcome that is bittersweet and realistic. I fell in love with the main characters. They were well-developed, deeply flawed, and so relatable. It's a well-paced full of suspense and reveals that unravels into a compelling page-turner.
Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are foster care children placed at Wild Meadows, a farmhouse owned and run by Miss Fairchild. The trio form an unbreakable bond, and their story shows the strength of sisterhood and resilience of children. The sisters have done everything possible as adults to forget the atrocities they witnessed firsthand at "Wild Meadows." Still, when a contractor discovers human remains under their old foster home, the girls are pulled back to Wild Meadows; they are not happy about returning to the small country town of Port Agatha at first and have to dredge up their painful past but become eager to uncover the truth about who the bones belong to and who hid them underneath the house. Is one of them hiding a secret?
Darling Girls alternates between multiple points of view from Jessica, Nora and Alicia's and parallel timelines. We learn about the girls' time in foster care while a similar plot line follows the investigation into the mysterious bones. There is also a mysterious character who talks to DR. Warren. I found these chapters fascinating. The character development in this book is unmatched. From the narcissistic and manipulative Miss Fairchild to the neurotic Jessica, an angry and volatile Nora who gets herself in some legal situations and Alicia, an insecure with a vast heart, Hepworth expertly built equally relatable and heart-wrenching profiles.
I admire her shining a light on the harsh realities of the failures of the foster care system and how much research the author put into this novel and did it with sensitivity.
I highly recommend you read it; you won’t be disappointed!! I highly recommend both the hard copy and the audiobook. Jessica Clarke did a fantastic job narrating. I found her voice to be compelling and brought the characters to life.
Expected Publication Date in Canada and the USA: April 23, 2024
I want to thank St. Martin's Press, Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Expected Publication Date in Canada and the USA April 23, 2024
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2024
4⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ Australia
Publication date ~ April 23, 2024
Page Count ~ 368 (60 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 6 minutes
Narrators ~ Jessica Clarke
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ multiple timelines, child a use
Foster sisters Jessica, Norah & Alicia lived their teenage years with Miss Fairchild, who was not a nice person at all.
Now years later bones have been found at their old foster home and they're heading back to a place they never wanted to visit again.
The alternating POV's give us a good sense of each of these women in the now and in the past. We, also, get a few chapters of psychiatrist visits that gave me mixed feelings at the end.
Overall, fast paced in now and slower in the past, but gripping nonetheless and will surely be a best seller. I love when the author has done research and she tells us about it in the author's note.
I was lucky enough to have both an ebook and the audio. Both ways worked perfectly fine.
Narration notes:
Jessica did a great job even though there wasn't too much of a variation between the characters voices.
*Thanks to the author, St Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and Netgally for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ Australia
Publication date ~ April 23, 2024
Page Count ~ 368 (60 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 6 minutes
Narrators ~ Jessica Clarke
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ multiple timelines, child a use
Foster sisters Jessica, Norah & Alicia lived their teenage years with Miss Fairchild, who was not a nice person at all.
Now years later bones have been found at their old foster home and they're heading back to a place they never wanted to visit again.
The alternating POV's give us a good sense of each of these women in the now and in the past. We, also, get a few chapters of psychiatrist visits that gave me mixed feelings at the end.
Overall, fast paced in now and slower in the past, but gripping nonetheless and will surely be a best seller. I love when the author has done research and she tells us about it in the author's note.
I was lucky enough to have both an ebook and the audio. Both ways worked perfectly fine.
Narration notes:
Jessica did a great job even though there wasn't too much of a variation between the characters voices.
*Thanks to the author, St Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and Netgally for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
March 21, 2024
Darling Girls engaged me right from the beginning. I prefer my thrillers to be more about the characters than the fast paced action and this fits that bill. I immediately bonded with these women! Brava to Hepworth who can project a fully formed character with just a chapter or two.
Jessica, Alicia and Norah were three foster children who spent their preteen years at Wild Meadows, which belonged to Miss Fairchild. They were told how lucky they were, but that was only because no one knew what was happening there. Miss Fairchild was unpredictable, to say the least. So, 25 years later, when the police ask for their help as material witnesses because human bones are discovered on the property, they have no clue what to expect.
Alternating between the past and the present and between the three POVs and the psychiatric sessions with Dr. Warren and an unknown patient, the story moves along at a fast clip. It didn’t take long to figure out the identity of the unknown patient and what was coming. The book ends with the kind of twist I expect from Hepworth.
Hepworth takes the reader on a trip into the girls’ past and why they have turned out the way they have. Each is damaged, in their own way. This is a character driven story, so if you’re looking for a nonstop action, you might be disappointed.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
Jessica, Alicia and Norah were three foster children who spent their preteen years at Wild Meadows, which belonged to Miss Fairchild. They were told how lucky they were, but that was only because no one knew what was happening there. Miss Fairchild was unpredictable, to say the least. So, 25 years later, when the police ask for their help as material witnesses because human bones are discovered on the property, they have no clue what to expect.
Alternating between the past and the present and between the three POVs and the psychiatric sessions with Dr. Warren and an unknown patient, the story moves along at a fast clip. It didn’t take long to figure out the identity of the unknown patient and what was coming. The book ends with the kind of twist I expect from Hepworth.
Hepworth takes the reader on a trip into the girls’ past and why they have turned out the way they have. Each is damaged, in their own way. This is a character driven story, so if you’re looking for a nonstop action, you might be disappointed.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
April 26, 2024
It has been twenty-five years since Jessica, Norah, and Alicia left Port Agatha and Wild Meadows. the farming estate that had been their home where they lived under the care of their cruel and manipulative foster mother, Miss Fairchild. Their memories of those years are far from happy ones and though they are no longer the scared teenagers they were when they reported Miss Fairchild to the authorities all those years ago, their experiences have left an indelible imprint on their lives. But they had each other and together, they endured and survived their ordeal. Though not related by blood, they consider themselves sisters, and their love and unwavering support for one another has only grown stronger over the years. When a body is discovered under the farmhouse, the ensuing investigation draws the sisters back to Port Agatha, where they are forced to revisit their past and the memories that have haunted them.
I thoroughly enjoyed Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth. The narrative is shared from the perspectives of the three main characters with segments from sessions between a character, whose identity is revealed later on in the story, and a psychiatrist interspersed throughout the narrative. The author does a commendable job of depicting the flaws of the foster care system and the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma. I really liked how the author defines the three main characters and their distinctive personalities – strong women who have survived, complex and flawed yet vulnerable, each battling their own demons. The author deftly weaves between past and present timelines into a consistently paced ( a tad on the slower side), suspenseful narrative with convincing characters (even the unlikable ones) and enough twists and turns that keep you turning the pages till you reach the final revelation, which did surprise me ( I always love that!).
I paired my reading with the audiobook and I have to say that I loved Jessica Clarke’s narration and thought she did a remarkable job of breathing life into this story and the characters.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
I thoroughly enjoyed Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth. The narrative is shared from the perspectives of the three main characters with segments from sessions between a character, whose identity is revealed later on in the story, and a psychiatrist interspersed throughout the narrative. The author does a commendable job of depicting the flaws of the foster care system and the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma. I really liked how the author defines the three main characters and their distinctive personalities – strong women who have survived, complex and flawed yet vulnerable, each battling their own demons. The author deftly weaves between past and present timelines into a consistently paced ( a tad on the slower side), suspenseful narrative with convincing characters (even the unlikable ones) and enough twists and turns that keep you turning the pages till you reach the final revelation, which did surprise me ( I always love that!).
I paired my reading with the audiobook and I have to say that I loved Jessica Clarke’s narration and thought she did a remarkable job of breathing life into this story and the characters.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
May 6, 2024
Someone get this gal a new editor.
June 30, 2025
5/5 ⭐️ This is told in the POV of three foster sisters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia. My heart broke for what those little girls had to endure in the foster care system 😞. While this was hard to read at times because of some of the detailed child abuse, it was also beautiful how the girls stuck together even after aging out of the system. It also has present and past chapters. I liked both timelines which is rarely the case for me with dual timelines.
I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It kept me invested in the mystery revolving the dead body found in the previous foster home of the girls. It wasn’t the most thrilling but it kept me invested in the mystery and that last chapter??? My jaw was on the floor!
The only thing that kept taking me out of the story was all of the grammatical/spelling errors. I spotted like 10! I usually can ignore a few, but with this one, it was too much lol.
I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It kept me invested in the mystery revolving the dead body found in the previous foster home of the girls. It wasn’t the most thrilling but it kept me invested in the mystery and that last chapter??? My jaw was on the floor!
The only thing that kept taking me out of the story was all of the grammatical/spelling errors. I spotted like 10! I usually can ignore a few, but with this one, it was too much lol.
August 8, 2023
That’s Entertainment.
Another winner by Sally Hepworth with this story about three sisters united by foster care.
Snarky humor abounded early and I could barely control my laughter during a second chapter blind date play-by-play.
Being an old girl before swipe right or left, I’ve had my share of pitiful dates and judging from this uproariously funny scenario, nothing has changed across generations but technology. Blind dates are still living up to their notorious reputations.
Except Norah, the character in this book, handled it with more aplomb than I ever did. Worth the price of admission alone, I’ll buy a copy for my shelf to repeat at some point.
Being familiar with several of the author’s novels, I’ve loved her character development which includes the folks here. Ms Hepworth has a penchant for writing interesting if slightly neurotic types adding to my enjoyment.
The comic relief was appreciated for balance as the darker psychology of children placed in foster care was explored. Trigger warning for child abuse and challenging subject matter.
There were also heartfelt moments, a satisfying conclusion, and a twist making for a fantastic read.
All’s well that ends well. For the most part, ha ha.
Thank you to Erica Martirano at St. Martins, Sally Hepworth, and NetGalley for my Advance Reader’s Copy!
Another winner by Sally Hepworth with this story about three sisters united by foster care.
Snarky humor abounded early and I could barely control my laughter during a second chapter blind date play-by-play.
Being an old girl before swipe right or left, I’ve had my share of pitiful dates and judging from this uproariously funny scenario, nothing has changed across generations but technology. Blind dates are still living up to their notorious reputations.
Except Norah, the character in this book, handled it with more aplomb than I ever did. Worth the price of admission alone, I’ll buy a copy for my shelf to repeat at some point.
Being familiar with several of the author’s novels, I’ve loved her character development which includes the folks here. Ms Hepworth has a penchant for writing interesting if slightly neurotic types adding to my enjoyment.
The comic relief was appreciated for balance as the darker psychology of children placed in foster care was explored. Trigger warning for child abuse and challenging subject matter.
There were also heartfelt moments, a satisfying conclusion, and a twist making for a fantastic read.
All’s well that ends well. For the most part, ha ha.
Thank you to Erica Martirano at St. Martins, Sally Hepworth, and NetGalley for my Advance Reader’s Copy!
July 20, 2024
Miss Fairchild promised safety, love and security to the foster children in her care. For kids who may have bounced between homes or escaped horrific circumstances, her idyllic farm of Wild Meadows in Port Agatha should be a second chance for any and all who step foot on the grounds. What social services and Miss Fairchild’s neighbors don’t know, however, is that the picturesque house and bucolic fields hide a multitude of sins. For the girls who have come to live there, though, they know of the darkness that resides there all too well.
Even twenty-five years after they escaped from their abusive foster mother, Jessica, Norah and Alicia still carry the trauma of what they went through together. So when they get a shocking phone call from a detective in Port Agatha, their past comes rushing back. It seems a body has been found at Wild Meadows and they would like the sisters to return to town in order to be interviewed. After all, they left under a cloud of suspicion two and a half decades ago. Will their return be much of the same? Are they witness—or suspects? What really happened at Wild Meadows?
Holy amazeballs amazing-ness! A masterful tale of domestic suspense, Darling Girls showed Sally Hepworth at her best yet again but somehow also a completely different way. With emotive characters and a finely layered plot, the story pulled me in from the mysterious start and didn’t let go until the infuriatingly perfect conclusion. I do have to say, though, that this novel was far more women’s fiction than mystery/thriller as compared to Hepworth’s prior books. Skillfully navigating the ramifications of emotional child abuse and a broken foster care system, the feeling of helplessness simply oozed from the pages.
That’s not to say, of course, that there weren’t plenty of shocking twists and uneasy suspense that kept me agog. There most definitely was. However, the dynamite characters were easily the biggest stars of the show. With distinct identities that were well-developed and relatable, they demonstrated Hepworth’s characteristic skill for creating somewhat unbalanced individuals. For this reason, Miss Fairchild was probably the biggest slam dunk of the bunch. The monster in the shadows, she was the much loved character you love to hate. Between them all, though, the deftly drawn character studies were simply divine.
With a dynamic round robin of dual timelines and multiple POVs, a setting that came alive and an ever escalating pace, this dark portrait of child abuse still managed to be delivered with care. And I don’t know what it is about Hepworth’s plots, but they always seem to keep me on the back foot throughout. This one was no different and even managed to deal out one heck of a twist in the finale. By the end, the addictive narrative cocktail expertly crafted a dark history that won me over hook, line and sinker. I’m ready whenever you are, Ms. Hepworth, for the next book in your arsenal! Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to Sally Hepworth and St. Martin’s Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 23, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: child abuse, foster care, blackmail, drug addiction, gaslighting, drug overdose, sextortion, mention of: kidnapping
Even twenty-five years after they escaped from their abusive foster mother, Jessica, Norah and Alicia still carry the trauma of what they went through together. So when they get a shocking phone call from a detective in Port Agatha, their past comes rushing back. It seems a body has been found at Wild Meadows and they would like the sisters to return to town in order to be interviewed. After all, they left under a cloud of suspicion two and a half decades ago. Will their return be much of the same? Are they witness—or suspects? What really happened at Wild Meadows?
Holy amazeballs amazing-ness! A masterful tale of domestic suspense, Darling Girls showed Sally Hepworth at her best yet again but somehow also a completely different way. With emotive characters and a finely layered plot, the story pulled me in from the mysterious start and didn’t let go until the infuriatingly perfect conclusion. I do have to say, though, that this novel was far more women’s fiction than mystery/thriller as compared to Hepworth’s prior books. Skillfully navigating the ramifications of emotional child abuse and a broken foster care system, the feeling of helplessness simply oozed from the pages.
That’s not to say, of course, that there weren’t plenty of shocking twists and uneasy suspense that kept me agog. There most definitely was. However, the dynamite characters were easily the biggest stars of the show. With distinct identities that were well-developed and relatable, they demonstrated Hepworth’s characteristic skill for creating somewhat unbalanced individuals. For this reason, Miss Fairchild was probably the biggest slam dunk of the bunch. The monster in the shadows, she was the much loved character you love to hate. Between them all, though, the deftly drawn character studies were simply divine.
With a dynamic round robin of dual timelines and multiple POVs, a setting that came alive and an ever escalating pace, this dark portrait of child abuse still managed to be delivered with care. And I don’t know what it is about Hepworth’s plots, but they always seem to keep me on the back foot throughout. This one was no different and even managed to deal out one heck of a twist in the finale. By the end, the addictive narrative cocktail expertly crafted a dark history that won me over hook, line and sinker. I’m ready whenever you are, Ms. Hepworth, for the next book in your arsenal! Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to Sally Hepworth and St. Martin’s Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 23, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: child abuse, foster care, blackmail, drug addiction, gaslighting, drug overdose, sextortion, mention of: kidnapping
May 8, 2024
As the famous old saying goes... Hurt people hurt people 🥺🥺🥺
Wow this was my first Sally Hepworth book and i was sooo engrossed with this one. I am so ready to read her whole backlist and I need you guys help on which book of hers to read next!?
Darling Girls is about three grown women, Jessica, Norah and Alicia, who when younger were rescued from their individual family tragedies and placed in the foster home of Miss Fairchild. But life on the idyllic farming estate with Miss Fairchild was far from rosy and kind and now 25 years later the 'sisters' have all been called by a detective to let them know that a body has been found under the home they once lived in and they are now keys suspects in the investigation.
Ok so firstly this for was not a typical 'thriller', there's no real sense of fear or danger but there is an unsettling feeling throughout the book and for me it read more like a character driven domestic novel.
I had absolutely no issue with that because i do enjoy character driven books when done well and this was done WELL!
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ The three POV's from the women
➽ The switch in timelines (more so the 'before' chapters)
➽ Short chapters
➽ You can see how much research the author put in regarding the foster care system
➽ The bond of the sisters was so beautiful to read
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDNT LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ Slow Burn (but i understand why it was needed)
➽ The 'Therapy Session' portions in the books were so scattered it confused me for a hot minute but I eventually caught and appreciated it.
All in all, this book kept me on my toes and because of how well the characters were developed i didn't want to put the book down till we got bottom of the underlying mystery. The chapters that involved abuse truly hurt me to my core and it was those times that really stood out to me that although this book is fiction, there are thousands and thousands of innocent children going through this in real life. Its so heartbreaking.
The ending left me satisfied. BUT those last two pages of the book had me audibly gasping and now I'm left mystified. Round of applause for this author who can truly write a compelling novel.
I want to highlight that if you grew up in foster care this will not be an easy read for you, also TW for CA has to also be mentioned.
3.5 ⭐
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
This is my first Sally Hepworth book so I don’t know what to expect.
The blurb is very intriguing!
Fingers crossed I’ve found a new auto buy author 🤞🏾❤️❤️
Wow this was my first Sally Hepworth book and i was sooo engrossed with this one. I am so ready to read her whole backlist and I need you guys help on which book of hers to read next!?
Darling Girls is about three grown women, Jessica, Norah and Alicia, who when younger were rescued from their individual family tragedies and placed in the foster home of Miss Fairchild. But life on the idyllic farming estate with Miss Fairchild was far from rosy and kind and now 25 years later the 'sisters' have all been called by a detective to let them know that a body has been found under the home they once lived in and they are now keys suspects in the investigation.
Ok so firstly this for was not a typical 'thriller', there's no real sense of fear or danger but there is an unsettling feeling throughout the book and for me it read more like a character driven domestic novel.
I had absolutely no issue with that because i do enjoy character driven books when done well and this was done WELL!
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ The three POV's from the women
➽ The switch in timelines (more so the 'before' chapters)
➽ Short chapters
➽ You can see how much research the author put in regarding the foster care system
➽ The bond of the sisters was so beautiful to read
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDNT LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ Slow Burn (but i understand why it was needed)
➽ The 'Therapy Session' portions in the books were so scattered it confused me for a hot minute but I eventually caught and appreciated it.
All in all, this book kept me on my toes and because of how well the characters were developed i didn't want to put the book down till we got bottom of the underlying mystery. The chapters that involved abuse truly hurt me to my core and it was those times that really stood out to me that although this book is fiction, there are thousands and thousands of innocent children going through this in real life. Its so heartbreaking.
The ending left me satisfied. BUT those last two pages of the book had me audibly gasping and now I'm left mystified. Round of applause for this author who can truly write a compelling novel.
I want to highlight that if you grew up in foster care this will not be an easy read for you, also TW for CA has to also be mentioned.
3.5 ⭐
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
This is my first Sally Hepworth book so I don’t know what to expect.
The blurb is very intriguing!
Fingers crossed I’ve found a new auto buy author 🤞🏾❤️❤️
February 23, 2024
4+
Jessica, Norah and Alicia are foster girls rescued from different family situations and placed with Miss Holly Fairchild at Wild Meadows farm in the 1990s. In the present day, Jessica is orderly to the point of obsession and so a successful home organisation business suits her down to the ground. She’s buried the past good and deep, or is it an illusion? Not so Norah, who is often in trouble, and it has ever been thus, as she doesn’t tolerate fools gladly. Alicia has utilised the past and works in crisis care with kids. When Detective Ashleigh Patel calls them about historic bones found when Wild Meadows farm is demolished, it’s a call they’ve been expecting for twenty five years. Living with Miss Fairchild looks like an idyllic placement for three unlucky girls, who go on to call themselves sisters. However, Miss Fairchild isn’t always fair, she has rules and it’s not wise to cross her. although the three break away, they are never truly free of her, the shadow looming long. Now the three women are back in the spotlight again. As what? Suspects or witnesses? Only time will tell.
This latest novel from the talented Sally Hepworth is a compelling psychological thriller, which pulls on the emotional heartstrings in a multitude of ways. It’s told principally as three narratives by the sisters, in the past and present which works well, because it maintains or even enhances the suspense and tension. They are powerful narratives, they make me feel empathy or anger on their behalf, and they enable the reader to fully understand these three characters, their relationship and whether they have coped or not. They really care for each other which is heartwarming. Their characters feel authentic and their narratives drive the storytelling which becomes increasingly chilling. There are inserts of an interview with a Dr Warren and these are effective and very creepy.
As for Miss Fairchild, I think the less said the better as readers will discover her for themselves and make their own decisions. All I’ll say is this character is powerful and her portrayal is outstanding. The plot is tight, the pacing feels just right for the story being told, it has plenty of twists, it shocks, it sends shivers down the spine, and so, keeps you turning pages. There are some moments of humour, too, often courtesy of Alicia’s childhood cheesy jokes. They contrast quite chillingly with their situation and make you sympathise all the more. It’s a rollercoaster read and as for the twist at the end, oh boy, it’s so good that it blows my mind.
Overall, this is a cracker of a read which is hard to put down. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Jessica, Norah and Alicia are foster girls rescued from different family situations and placed with Miss Holly Fairchild at Wild Meadows farm in the 1990s. In the present day, Jessica is orderly to the point of obsession and so a successful home organisation business suits her down to the ground. She’s buried the past good and deep, or is it an illusion? Not so Norah, who is often in trouble, and it has ever been thus, as she doesn’t tolerate fools gladly. Alicia has utilised the past and works in crisis care with kids. When Detective Ashleigh Patel calls them about historic bones found when Wild Meadows farm is demolished, it’s a call they’ve been expecting for twenty five years. Living with Miss Fairchild looks like an idyllic placement for three unlucky girls, who go on to call themselves sisters. However, Miss Fairchild isn’t always fair, she has rules and it’s not wise to cross her. although the three break away, they are never truly free of her, the shadow looming long. Now the three women are back in the spotlight again. As what? Suspects or witnesses? Only time will tell.
This latest novel from the talented Sally Hepworth is a compelling psychological thriller, which pulls on the emotional heartstrings in a multitude of ways. It’s told principally as three narratives by the sisters, in the past and present which works well, because it maintains or even enhances the suspense and tension. They are powerful narratives, they make me feel empathy or anger on their behalf, and they enable the reader to fully understand these three characters, their relationship and whether they have coped or not. They really care for each other which is heartwarming. Their characters feel authentic and their narratives drive the storytelling which becomes increasingly chilling. There are inserts of an interview with a Dr Warren and these are effective and very creepy.
As for Miss Fairchild, I think the less said the better as readers will discover her for themselves and make their own decisions. All I’ll say is this character is powerful and her portrayal is outstanding. The plot is tight, the pacing feels just right for the story being told, it has plenty of twists, it shocks, it sends shivers down the spine, and so, keeps you turning pages. There are some moments of humour, too, often courtesy of Alicia’s childhood cheesy jokes. They contrast quite chillingly with their situation and make you sympathise all the more. It’s a rollercoaster read and as for the twist at the end, oh boy, it’s so good that it blows my mind.
Overall, this is a cracker of a read which is hard to put down. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
April 25, 2024
It's not always the length of time that's important.....sometimes you just know.
Suspenseful and unforgettable family drama!
My auto-read author does it again! Sally Hepworth knows how to open her story and pulls you in with an unknown voice at a psychiatrist! Needless to say, she keeps you guessing the identity of this person and how it all ties up with the story until a very twisty ending.
Families come in many different forms. In the case of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, the three "sisters" grew up together under the care of Miss Fairchild at Wild Meadows farming estate. Sounds like an ideal place to grow up? Far from it, their foster mother, Miss Fairchild is nothing but strict and disturbing.
Twenty-five years later, the home is sold and then torn down when bones are found...
I enjoy dual-timeline stories and find that Hepworth does this so well. The three MCs are different and easy to remember. There's a good mix of suspense, friendship, and sisterhood. Highly recommend this on audio read by the talented Jessica Clarke.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC.
Available April 23, 2024!
9H 6M
May 7, 2025
Compelling. Shocking. Tragic. Twisty...
Jessica, Norah, and Alicia - three foster daughters and found sisters - live at Wild Meadows. But the facade of this happy home is deceiving, and there are many strict rules to follow. Miss Fairchild can be, on occasion, a bit temperamental. This foster mother is not one to cross...
Darling Girls is the fifth book I have read by Sally Hepworth, and she remains the only mystery-suspense-thriller author I read. I love how she dives into the many aspects of family dynamics in her storytelling. The outcome is a diverse mix of characters, a surprisingly twisty tale, and an Australian accent that comes free with the narrator if you choose the audiobook, like I did. Jessica Clarke's recounting and voicing were spot-on for this one.
Jessica, Norah, and Alicia's story is compelling, and told in two timelines: "Before" when they were girls, and "After" twenty-five years later, when it takes on another dimension. Additionally, I craved more about the girls growing up, less about their adulthood, and a much swifter wrap-up.
Darling Girls is a quick, engaging, and addictive read or listen. Getting to this ALC took me a while, but it was satisfying and entertaining nonetheless!
3.75⭐
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Sally Hepworth for the gifted ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Jessica, Norah, and Alicia - three foster daughters and found sisters - live at Wild Meadows. But the facade of this happy home is deceiving, and there are many strict rules to follow. Miss Fairchild can be, on occasion, a bit temperamental. This foster mother is not one to cross...
Darling Girls is the fifth book I have read by Sally Hepworth, and she remains the only mystery-suspense-thriller author I read. I love how she dives into the many aspects of family dynamics in her storytelling. The outcome is a diverse mix of characters, a surprisingly twisty tale, and an Australian accent that comes free with the narrator if you choose the audiobook, like I did. Jessica Clarke's recounting and voicing were spot-on for this one.
Jessica, Norah, and Alicia's story is compelling, and told in two timelines: "Before" when they were girls, and "After" twenty-five years later, when it takes on another dimension. Additionally, I craved more about the girls growing up, less about their adulthood, and a much swifter wrap-up.
Darling Girls is a quick, engaging, and addictive read or listen. Getting to this ALC took me a while, but it was satisfying and entertaining nonetheless!
3.75⭐
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Sally Hepworth for the gifted ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
June 29, 2024
**Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sally Hepworth for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 4.23!**
Twisted, dark, emotional, and...funny?!
If there's any author who can strike JUST the right balance of those 4 elements...it's the reigning QUEEN of domestic suspense, Sally Hepworth, who is BACK with a frightening tale of found family in the foster system...and how the macabre intentions of the "perfect" foster mother MIGHT just have crossed the line from demeaning to DEADLY!
Jessica, Alicia and Norah each remember their first day at Wild Meadows foster home with clarity. Each coming from different tragic situations, it seemed like a godsend to have a new home and someone to call 'mom,' and each girl looked at Ms. Fairchild, their foster mother, with the sort of wide-eyed innocence and boundless hope that is so easy for children. But it doesn't take long for the manipulation to begin...and for the girls to learn that 'my darling girl' is FAR from a genuine term of endearment. Ms. Fairchild has no problem washing their mouths out with soap, working the young girls to the bone, and even expecting them to 'parent' other babies that end up at the foster home. Despite their terror and exhaustion, the girls form an unshakable bond and all manage to leave Wildwood Meadows in one piece...and hope to leave this horrific shared experience in the past, where it belongs.
Years later, Jessica has turned her OCD tendencies into a successful cleaning business...and if her job just HAPPENS to afford her easy access to her client's prescription pills? So be it. Feisty Norah, who has never been afraid to throw hands, is the 'date em and leave em' type who basically sees her dating prospects from various apps as handymen for hire...and isn't afraid to use her 'assets' to her advantage...even when it gets her in trouble. Alicia has managed to maintain a tremendous amount of empathy in her field of social work, despite her troubled upbringing at Wild Meadows, but she is now contemplating making a change that will alter her life forever...and is longing to jump feet first into a relationship that COULD bring her everything she's been missing...if she could ONLY find the confidence to tell the object of her affections just how MUCH she feels for her.
But it's a phone call from a detective that brings these Soul Sisters back together...and the detective doesn't hesitate before dropping a bombshell: BONES have been found underneath the farmhouse in Port Agatha where they spent so many hours together...and with no clear suspects OR even a suspected victim, all eyes are trained on the three girls. Do they know WHO the bones belong to, WHEN they were buried, and WHY the murder occurred? And just WHERE were the three of them when the crime took place, anyway? Will Ms. Fairchild come storming back into their lives one FINAL time... or did the trio ALREADY get their revenge?
On the side of every Starbucks cup, you'll usually find emblazoned "that first sip feeling," and in some ways this metaphor works perfectly in terms of how I felt picking up this Hepworth read. Within a few chapters I KNOW I'll be laughing, intrigued, and I'll feel as though I have a solid grip on the personalities of her always-dynamic characters. (In this particular read, there's also a mystery narrator revealing their past to a psychiatrist, but I'll get more into that later). After a few Hepworth reads, you know exactly what that 'first sip feeling' is like and even in her less impressive efforts, this initial draw is ALWAYS there...and Darling Girls is no exception. These wily ladies took no prisoners and had a sort of fearless, open, and tantalizing narrative style that pulls the reader in, and I found myself thinking this could very well end up a 4.5 or maybe even a 5 star read: I was just THAT lost in the mystery and felt an affinity for these characters and their tortured backstories from the jump.
Somewhere along the way, though, the endless atrocities committed by Ms. Fairchild honestly FELT endless...even to the reader. In some ways I'm sure this was an intentional decision, and according to the author's note, not one Hepworth took lightly. Lots of research and countless conversations went into making this book as realistic and horrific as it often felt, and in some ways it was refreshing to read about a different 'kind' of family...one brought together and bonded almost solely through trauma. Hepworth also never shied away from exploring the link between the trauma the girls experienced in their youth and the resulting mental health and addiction struggles that followed, and all of this exploration was nothing if not consistently DARK. In some respects, the humor almost felt VITAL to the plot to keep it from becoming a complete tearjerker...so when it petered off in later chapters (my loudest recorded out loud laughs DEFINITELY occurred in the first 30% of the book) it was a noticeable loss.
I also felt that Hepworth's twists weren't QUITE as twisty as I would have liked. For starters, I found it pretty obvious who the mystery narrator was from early on...and these sections with the psychiatrist also were sort of a snooze fest in comparison to the other action. I also found it highly unlikely that the doctor would even BELIEVE everything this person was saying: it seemed pretty obvious to me that this patient was saying things for shock value or possibly making EVERYTHING up, and I found it hard to take stock in these portions of the book for that reason alone. This device was necessary for several reasons (none of which I can discuss to avoid spoilers) but I guess I just wish there were fewer of them included because they slowed down a plot that already felt a bit plodding at times. Once I had figured out a certain amount of the plot, I felt like I had to put on my Patience Cap and simply wait for the final twists to be revealed...and it WAS a bit of a wait to get to the final 'good stuff' (much like the chocolate at the bottom of a Drumstick cone...IYKYK! 🍧)
When it did arrive, however, Hepworth managed to deliver a solidly SATISFYING ending, even though I wouldn't call it mind-blowing by any stretch. I also appreciate the clever nuance of this cover too (you'll appreciate it more after reading the book, although it IS pretty dreamy and summery even without context...poolside margarita, anyone? 🍸) While I do feel this is a MUCH heavier read due to the subject matter than some of Hepworth's other efforts, I also applaud her willingness to dive into a different type of drama: as much as she has mastered the scandals of sibling rivalries, marriages and relationships gone awry, and Gossip Gone Wild, she handles very sensitive subject matter with a considerate pen and an air of authenticity that helped to balance out the less plausible parts of the plot and kept me contemplating the future of ALL of these women long after I turned the last page.
As a roller coaster junkie, there are probably those out there who can't understand how taking the same 200 foot plunge could be TRULY thrilling every time...after all, you can look up at the giant structure and SEE every twist and turn you'll take long before you take a seat in the car. But much like that a roller coaster ride, knowing exactly where you COULD end up in this story doesn't take ANYTHING away from the thrill of the journey. 🎢
Just don't forget to keep your hands and arms inside the ride at all times...my darlings.
😉
4 stars
Twisted, dark, emotional, and...funny?!
If there's any author who can strike JUST the right balance of those 4 elements...it's the reigning QUEEN of domestic suspense, Sally Hepworth, who is BACK with a frightening tale of found family in the foster system...and how the macabre intentions of the "perfect" foster mother MIGHT just have crossed the line from demeaning to DEADLY!
Jessica, Alicia and Norah each remember their first day at Wild Meadows foster home with clarity. Each coming from different tragic situations, it seemed like a godsend to have a new home and someone to call 'mom,' and each girl looked at Ms. Fairchild, their foster mother, with the sort of wide-eyed innocence and boundless hope that is so easy for children. But it doesn't take long for the manipulation to begin...and for the girls to learn that 'my darling girl' is FAR from a genuine term of endearment. Ms. Fairchild has no problem washing their mouths out with soap, working the young girls to the bone, and even expecting them to 'parent' other babies that end up at the foster home. Despite their terror and exhaustion, the girls form an unshakable bond and all manage to leave Wildwood Meadows in one piece...and hope to leave this horrific shared experience in the past, where it belongs.
Years later, Jessica has turned her OCD tendencies into a successful cleaning business...and if her job just HAPPENS to afford her easy access to her client's prescription pills? So be it. Feisty Norah, who has never been afraid to throw hands, is the 'date em and leave em' type who basically sees her dating prospects from various apps as handymen for hire...and isn't afraid to use her 'assets' to her advantage...even when it gets her in trouble. Alicia has managed to maintain a tremendous amount of empathy in her field of social work, despite her troubled upbringing at Wild Meadows, but she is now contemplating making a change that will alter her life forever...and is longing to jump feet first into a relationship that COULD bring her everything she's been missing...if she could ONLY find the confidence to tell the object of her affections just how MUCH she feels for her.
But it's a phone call from a detective that brings these Soul Sisters back together...and the detective doesn't hesitate before dropping a bombshell: BONES have been found underneath the farmhouse in Port Agatha where they spent so many hours together...and with no clear suspects OR even a suspected victim, all eyes are trained on the three girls. Do they know WHO the bones belong to, WHEN they were buried, and WHY the murder occurred? And just WHERE were the three of them when the crime took place, anyway? Will Ms. Fairchild come storming back into their lives one FINAL time... or did the trio ALREADY get their revenge?
On the side of every Starbucks cup, you'll usually find emblazoned "that first sip feeling," and in some ways this metaphor works perfectly in terms of how I felt picking up this Hepworth read. Within a few chapters I KNOW I'll be laughing, intrigued, and I'll feel as though I have a solid grip on the personalities of her always-dynamic characters. (In this particular read, there's also a mystery narrator revealing their past to a psychiatrist, but I'll get more into that later). After a few Hepworth reads, you know exactly what that 'first sip feeling' is like and even in her less impressive efforts, this initial draw is ALWAYS there...and Darling Girls is no exception. These wily ladies took no prisoners and had a sort of fearless, open, and tantalizing narrative style that pulls the reader in, and I found myself thinking this could very well end up a 4.5 or maybe even a 5 star read: I was just THAT lost in the mystery and felt an affinity for these characters and their tortured backstories from the jump.
Somewhere along the way, though, the endless atrocities committed by Ms. Fairchild honestly FELT endless...even to the reader. In some ways I'm sure this was an intentional decision, and according to the author's note, not one Hepworth took lightly. Lots of research and countless conversations went into making this book as realistic and horrific as it often felt, and in some ways it was refreshing to read about a different 'kind' of family...one brought together and bonded almost solely through trauma. Hepworth also never shied away from exploring the link between the trauma the girls experienced in their youth and the resulting mental health and addiction struggles that followed, and all of this exploration was nothing if not consistently DARK. In some respects, the humor almost felt VITAL to the plot to keep it from becoming a complete tearjerker...so when it petered off in later chapters (my loudest recorded out loud laughs DEFINITELY occurred in the first 30% of the book) it was a noticeable loss.
I also felt that Hepworth's twists weren't QUITE as twisty as I would have liked. For starters, I found it pretty obvious who the mystery narrator was from early on...and these sections with the psychiatrist also were sort of a snooze fest in comparison to the other action. I also found it highly unlikely that the doctor would even BELIEVE everything this person was saying: it seemed pretty obvious to me that this patient was saying things for shock value or possibly making EVERYTHING up, and I found it hard to take stock in these portions of the book for that reason alone. This device was necessary for several reasons (none of which I can discuss to avoid spoilers) but I guess I just wish there were fewer of them included because they slowed down a plot that already felt a bit plodding at times. Once I had figured out a certain amount of the plot, I felt like I had to put on my Patience Cap and simply wait for the final twists to be revealed...and it WAS a bit of a wait to get to the final 'good stuff' (much like the chocolate at the bottom of a Drumstick cone...IYKYK! 🍧)
When it did arrive, however, Hepworth managed to deliver a solidly SATISFYING ending, even though I wouldn't call it mind-blowing by any stretch. I also appreciate the clever nuance of this cover too (you'll appreciate it more after reading the book, although it IS pretty dreamy and summery even without context...poolside margarita, anyone? 🍸) While I do feel this is a MUCH heavier read due to the subject matter than some of Hepworth's other efforts, I also applaud her willingness to dive into a different type of drama: as much as she has mastered the scandals of sibling rivalries, marriages and relationships gone awry, and Gossip Gone Wild, she handles very sensitive subject matter with a considerate pen and an air of authenticity that helped to balance out the less plausible parts of the plot and kept me contemplating the future of ALL of these women long after I turned the last page.
As a roller coaster junkie, there are probably those out there who can't understand how taking the same 200 foot plunge could be TRULY thrilling every time...after all, you can look up at the giant structure and SEE every twist and turn you'll take long before you take a seat in the car. But much like that a roller coaster ride, knowing exactly where you COULD end up in this story doesn't take ANYTHING away from the thrill of the journey. 🎢
Just don't forget to keep your hands and arms inside the ride at all times...my darlings.
😉
4 stars
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