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thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's hard to say too much about this book without venturing into spoiler territory, but I'm going to do my best. I loved this story, and I think a lot of it had to do with the audiobook! The narrator was so good and I wanted to always be listening to her Australian accent haha.
The characters were fantastic. I loved the growth and development in our main character, and the romantic relationship was just adorable. I wasn't expecting a cute romance in a thriller book, but it's definitely there. The relationship between Rose and Fern was compelling and is really the backbone of this story.
I will say that the plot was a bit predictable--I figured out pretty early on where it was going to go and it didn't surprise me--but that honestly did not take away from enjoyment of the story at all. I was laughing aloud at a lot of it and grinning ridiculously at other parts and crossing my fingers that a certain character would get the happy ending they so clearly deserved.
All in all, I highly recommend this audio! Thank you so much to Libro.fm, Macmillan Audio, and the author for my ALC.
The characters were fantastic. I loved the growth and development in our main character, and the romantic relationship was just adorable. I wasn't expecting a cute romance in a thriller book, but it's definitely there. The relationship between Rose and Fern was compelling and is really the backbone of this story.
I will say that the plot was a bit predictable--I figured out pretty early on where it was going to go and it didn't surprise me--but that honestly did not take away from enjoyment of the story at all. I was laughing aloud at a lot of it and grinning ridiculously at other parts and crossing my fingers that a certain character would get the happy ending they so clearly deserved.
All in all, I highly recommend this audio! Thank you so much to Libro.fm, Macmillan Audio, and the author for my ALC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault
emileereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you for the gifted book Libro.fm, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley.
I loved The Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth when I read it two years ago, and I was stoked for this book and it blew me away. I don't normally rave about thrillers. I enjoy them but rarely do they get a loved rating from me. But I adored this book. Hepworth writes thrillers that are less about the plot and more about the characters and geez oh man can she write some characters! I kept thinking I had all the complexities of this story figured out but then she introduces a little tweak and I would once again be questioning everything. Fern is one of my favorite characters in a long time and I was rooting for her against all odds. I don't want you to read anymore about this book, because I think the less you know the even better the reading experience will be. Even those people who don't love mystery/thrillers and are more literary fiction inclined will like this book.
Also, Barrie Kreinik is a gem of a narrator and I hope she always narrates Sally's books.
I loved The Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth when I read it two years ago, and I was stoked for this book and it blew me away. I don't normally rave about thrillers. I enjoy them but rarely do they get a loved rating from me. But I adored this book. Hepworth writes thrillers that are less about the plot and more about the characters and geez oh man can she write some characters! I kept thinking I had all the complexities of this story figured out but then she introduces a little tweak and I would once again be questioning everything. Fern is one of my favorite characters in a long time and I was rooting for her against all odds. I don't want you to read anymore about this book, because I think the less you know the even better the reading experience will be. Even those people who don't love mystery/thrillers and are more literary fiction inclined will like this book.
Also, Barrie Kreinik is a gem of a narrator and I hope she always narrates Sally's books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
Minor: Rape
danadoesbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and the author for the gifted copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
Fern and Rose are as close as twin sisters can be. They have dinner together multiple times a week and Rose always rescues Fern. It all started that one night at the river. Rose protected her sister then and she knows she has to keep an eye on Fern now because she's dangerous. When Rose learns that she can't get pregnant, Fern decides that she will get pregnant instead. This will be a way to pay Rose back for all she has done.
I loved The Mother-In-Law by the same author when I read it a few years ago so I was excited to read The Good Sister. Honestly, between the child abuse and the ableism, I was ready to DNF this book at 20%.
I am actually really glad I didn't. While parts of The Good Sister are incredibly difficult to read, the romance that blooms between Fern and Wally is so sweet. While this is a thriller, I found myself reading more for the romance than finding out what was actually happening!
Fern and Rose are as close as twin sisters can be. They have dinner together multiple times a week and Rose always rescues Fern. It all started that one night at the river. Rose protected her sister then and she knows she has to keep an eye on Fern now because she's dangerous. When Rose learns that she can't get pregnant, Fern decides that she will get pregnant instead. This will be a way to pay Rose back for all she has done.
I loved The Mother-In-Law by the same author when I read it a few years ago so I was excited to read The Good Sister. Honestly, between the child abuse and the ableism, I was ready to DNF this book at 20%.
I am actually really glad I didn't. While parts of The Good Sister are incredibly difficult to read, the romance that blooms between Fern and Wally is so sweet. While this is a thriller, I found myself reading more for the romance than finding out what was actually happening!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
plantbasedbride's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Good Sister is an exciting page-turner with an eerie vibe. While a bit predictable, the novel is well written with excellent character development - especially when it comes to our protagonist, Fern, who lives with a sensory processing disorder and works as a librarian. Fern is one of the most complex, engaging, and loveable protagonists I've read about in recent years, and I loved spending this book with her.
I don't want to share too much and risk spoiling this twisty, stay-up-all-night-frantically-turning-pages thriller, so I'll end by saying, simply, pick this one up if you're in the mood for a dark mystery that is also, somehow, incredibly endearing!
I don't want to share too much and risk spoiling this twisty, stay-up-all-night-frantically-turning-pages thriller, so I'll end by saying, simply, pick this one up if you're in the mood for a dark mystery that is also, somehow, incredibly endearing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Death, and Sexual assault
skyeer's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content
jack_e_bee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, and Toxic relationship
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