Book Review: Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

Hi friends! I wanted to pop in for a blog post because I just finished a great new book by Sally Hepworth! Published just last week, this book was gifted to me from Net Galley as an advanced reader copy – huge thanks to Net Galley!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Similar authors: Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapina, Rachel Hawkins

Triggers: Child abuse (mostly verbal/emotional)

If you are a big fan of quick, fast paced reads that wrap you into the story from chapter one to the end – this book does just that! The story starts in present time, focusing on 3 women whom met when they were young pre-teens under the care of the same foster mother. While the three women have grown up and are traveling through regular adult life, their world is halted by a phone call from a detective summoning them back to their childhood foster home where a body was discovered under the house upon it’s demolishment. At this point, the story travels back in time from past to present and switches from each girl’s perspective as they essentially “survive” foster care under the care of a woman named Miss Fairchild.

From the beginning, you’re left questioning whom the body belongs to, what happened to the women in foster care, are they innocent, is the foster mother guilty, and so much more!

Cons: Child abuse is never easy to read, however I think this book was tastefully written and not over the top. If you’ve read Colleen Hoover’s Verity, this is nothing compared to that lol! Mostly verbal, psychological type abuse. It also lends to character development and helps paint the whole picture.

This was my first Sally Hepworth book and I will definitely reach for more in the future. Highly recommend Darling Girls!