Darling Girls: A Novel

Caution: Don't pick up this book when you are likely to be interrupted - it's hard to put it down. I think of it as a horror book where the monster is human. It's one of the best plotted thrillers I've ever read, with unforgettable characters. The four main characters are Alicia, Jessica, Norah and Miss Fairchild. There is also an unnamed person who has sessions with a psychiatrist - I didn't figure out who that was until late in the book. The story switches between past and present, and there is at least one unreliable narrator so at times, what you read may not be true. When Alicia, Jessica and Norah were young, they were each placed with a foster mother, Miss Fairchild, who lived in an isolated area. The girls were not related. Miss Fairchild was unpredictable, and the girls soon learned to be very careful around her, although they could never be careful enough. They were finally removed from her custody while they were still teens. One of the girls had not been allowed to attend school while in Miss Fairchild's custody, and all of them have emotional damage from that time in their lives. Years later, they are living their separate lives with varying degrees of success. Then the body of a child was found buried under the house where they had lived with Miss Fairchild, and the three women are brought in for questioning. This book kept me guessing until the end. I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The book itself from Amazon was good, new and delivered fast. But my goodness, so many typos and misspelled words! Publisher should have done a way better job progressing it! I went to do an online search about all the errors in the book and was amazed how many people commented the same thing. It was very distracting while reading.

This was a quick read and entertaining. Rather predictable, but not bad at all. It frustrates me for the sisters in this novel as foster kids who just aren't listened to, which happens frequently. It reminds me of the true story of Marie, a foster girl who reported a rape and no one believed her for YEARS, they based the Netflix series Unbelievable on her story and others. Worth a look into. Overall, this novel was interesting though and I do love the love between the three foster sisters. It also hurts my heart for what they have been through and that they all need some serious mental health help to get through all their various traumas! Interesting book that I picked up for a book club and I am excited to discuss with them!

24 - 5 STARS DESCRIPTION : From the outside, Alicia, Jessica and Norah might seem like ordinary women you'd meet on the street any day of the week. Sure, Jessica has a little OCD and Norah has some anger issues. And Alicia has low self-esteem that manifests itself in surprising ways. But these three have a bond that no one can fully understand. It's a bond that takes them back decades, to when they were girls, and they lived on a farm with a foster mother named Miss Fairchild. 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 they thought they were free. But the reach of someone with such power is long, and even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When bones are discovered buried under the farmhouse of their childhood, they are called in by the police to tell what they know. Against their will, they are brought back to the past, and to Miss Fairchild herself. DARLING GIRLS asks the questions: what are we capable of when in a desperate place? How much can we hide the demons inside us? And can the past ever truly be buried? REVIEW : Previous books by this author were The Soulmate (‘23 - 3 Stars), The Younger Wife (‘22 - 4 Stars), The Good Sister (‘21 - 5 Stars), The Mother-in-law (‘19 - 4 Stars) and The Family Next Door (‘18 - 4 Stars). Sales $11.99 (-3.00 Kindle Rewards); reg 14.99 The author is great at getting you interested in the characters right away. For anyone that child abuse is a trigger, you should definitely skip this one. Quite a few times in the book something was mentioned almost as an afterthought that made me go “oh no” or “a oh”; simple sentences that could be easily missed. I loved how the whole story unfolded; very original. Even though there was child abuse, I loved how the 3 main characters bonded together forever and worked through their awful beginnings. I went with 5 Stars because of the never-ending connection of the main characters, even though they were so different. I definitely loved these girls and would love to see another book with them.

Riveting story that will keep you reading until the early morning hours! I had a very hard time putting this down and finished it in one day. If you like Freida McFadden you will enjoy this author too. I will definitely be reading more by her!

Love a fast paced novel that tackles tough topics in a way that educates and entertained. A book about Foster kids and the system they are placed in that results in more damage. Loved this book as much as her last one, Mabel. Great read. Enjoyed

A very realistic and tragic story, but also very good!

5sterne

I adored this book. I cant quite out my finger on what genre it was. The way the author built the characters, i loved them all and rooted for every sister even though they were so different. A tale of how bonds can be built on the most awful foundations. These girls had my heart. Easily one of the best books ive read this year. The writing was superb and genuinely made me laugh out loud at times even though the subject matter was quite sad. Cant wait to go and read more by this wonderful author.

"Darling Girls" by Sally Hepworth is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that kept me hooked from the very first page. The story weaves together the lives of three women, bound by their shared past in a foster home, as they confront long-buried secrets and unresolved trauma. The characters are incredibly well-developed, each with unique struggles and perspectives that feel authentic and relatable. The alternating timelines between their childhood and present-day investigation add layers of suspense and emotional depth. This book is not just a mystery but also a poignant exploration of resilience, friendship, and healing. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the ending was both satisfying and thought-provoking. If you enjoy stories with strong female protagonists, a touch of mystery, and plenty of heart, Darling Girls is a must-read. I couldn’t put it down and highly recommend it! 📚✨