Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
4.5 / 5 Stars
359 Pages
Originally Published in 2023
Finished Reading on September 5, 2024
There’s nothing like a twisty, emotional thriller to keep me up past bedtime, and Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth did not disappoint. As a mom, I found myself extra invested in this story about three foster sisters whose dark past comes crashing into their present. The suspense had my coffee going cold because I couldn’t stop turning the pages!
💡Trigger warnings: child abuse, emotional manipulation, and psychological trauma
“Some families are built from love, not blood. And sometimes, those families are the ones that save us.”
What I Loved
The sisterly bond between Jessica, Norah, and Alicia absolutely stole the show. Their fierce love and loyalty to each other, despite their traumatic upbringing, made my heart ache and cheer. Sally Hepworth masterfully wove between past and present, slowly unraveling the truth behind their foster mother’s chilling hold on them. And the twist? Chef’s kiss!! Just when I thought I had it all figured out – bam! Another revelation had me questioning everything.
“The past doesn’t let go just because we want it to. It lingers, waiting for the right moment to pull us back under.”
What I Didn’t Love
While the suspense kept me hooked, some of the darker themes were heavy. There were moments where I had to pause and take a breath because of how deeply the emotional abuse was depicted. This isn’t necessarily a flaw – Sally Hepworth writes with gut-wrenching realism – but it’s worth noting if you prefer thrillers with a lighter touch.
“The truth has a way of rising to the surface, no matter how deep you try to bury it.”
Final Thoughts
Darling Girls is about resilience, trauma, and the power of found family. It explores how the past shapes us but doesn’t have to define us. It also serves as a chilling reminder that not all caregivers have good intentions. Survival sometimes means breaking free from the people who claim to love you.
This book is perfect for:
- Fans of psychological thrillers with deep emotional layers
- Readers who love sisterhood and found family themes
- Anyone who enjoyed The Mother-in-Law or The Family Upstairs
Sally Hepworth never misses! Darling Girls proves why she’s one of the queens of domestic thrillers. The perfect mix of mystery, emotional depth, and jaw-dropping twists. This one’s a must-read! Just prepare some heavy moments along the away.
This was 4.5 stars for me!
Have you read? Let’s discuss!
Leave a Reply