Reviews

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

goodgollymissmollee's review against another edition

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3.75

The hype for this book was high. And it didn’t quite live up to it. 
I was expecting a 5 Star. 
I’d heard about twists and turns and a wild ride from start to finish, but I wasn’t as thrilled as I expected to be. 
I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong and it read very easily and quickly it just wasn’t as good as I was hoping it would be. 
That last chapter though really did me in. That I did not in fact see coming and wow I can’t stop thinking about it. That upped my rating in and of itself.  

ebanton's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

rlijewski's review against another edition

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5.0

Gripped from the start. Enjoyed guessing throughout book who the therapist narrative is with. Love a twisty twist.

hkeiper42's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes

4.25

glew8's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

themysterymaven's review against another edition

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4.0

Well, this was one crazy ride of a book

a_m_plified's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

birchcanread's review against another edition

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4.0

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pick this up if you like: Suspenseful dramas, tales of sisterhood, and psychological thrillers.

**Title:** Darling Girls
**Author:** Sally Hepworth

**Review:**
For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. Rescued from family tragedies and raised by a seemingly loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate, they were given a second chance at a happy family life. But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thought it was. Miss Fairchild had rules, could be unpredictable, and was never to be crossed. In desperation, the sisters broke away from Miss Fairchild, but even though they never saw her again, she remained a shadow in their minds.

Decades later, when a body is discovered under their childhood home, the foster sisters are thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses—or are they prime suspects?

The story unfolds through now-and-then chapters, providing perspectives from each of the three women. The "then" chapters, where we delve into their younger years, are particularly engaging, offering deep insights into their characters. The present-day narrative, interspersed with a mysterious POV discussing a creepy psychologist named Dr. Warren, keeps the suspense alive.

Hepworth masterfully balances the dark themes of abuse and trauma with the protagonists' strength, intelligence, resourcefulness, kindness, humor, and loyalty. Norah’s fiery temperament adds humor and lightness, especially for dog lovers who will enjoy the quirky names of her pets.

The pacing is slower, but the ending twists are worth the wait. The bond between the sisters is beautifully portrayed, showcasing female friendship in a positive and supportive light. The author's notes on her research add an extra layer of depth to the reading experience.

While the book's repetition of days under Miss Fairchild's care slows the narrative, the compelling characters and intricate plot make it captivating. "Darling Girls" is a thought-provoking tale of sisterhood, resilience, and the shadows of the past.

freequency's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

librarian_jennbass's review against another edition

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5.0

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy read. Two words... Miss Fairchild!

Darling Girls had me hooked from the beginning with all of its psychological twists and turns with excellent character development. Sally Hepworth is a queen when it comes to writing psychological thrillers proving that she is a master at her craft! This was an engrossing read that I devoured in two days because I needed to know what was coming at the end! Miss Fairchild is a twisted and sick villain that I will not soon forget. It saddens me to know that there are children out there who may have foster circumstances similar to these horrific experiences. Thank you again for the opportunity to read this disturbing thriller!