Dorie - Cats&Books :) 's Reviews > Darling Girls

***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***

When I get a Sally Hepworth novel it immediately goes to the top of my TBR pile and this is a solid 4 star read.

The novel is told from four points of view —

Holly Fairchild – the malevolent foster mother who finds more and more ways to manipulate and terrorize her young charges.

She relies on the girls not only for help but wants the money she will receive for fostering them!

Jessica - in the novel she is the first child that comes to live with Ms. Fairchild. She is very young, aged 5, and is easy to win over. Jess is desperate for attention and love and she thinks that is what Holly is offering! AT LEAST AT FIRST!!

Norah - Norah is 11 and has been in many foster homes throughout her life. She knows a thing of two about how to handle Miss Fairchild. WILL SHE HELP HER “SISTERS” WHEN SHE’S NEEDED??

Alicia is 12 years old and is supposed to be a short term foster - her grandmother is in the hospital recovering from an accident. She is sweet and shy but is quickly included in the trio!

Alternating Voice – we have a mystery voice that belongs to someone who is at a psychotherapy session. Creepy and mysterious, I enjoyed these chapters a lot

These three thought they were free of Ms. Fairchild and their entire childhood, though they remained close friends.

UNTIL A CALL THE FROM THE POLICE - HUMAN REMAINS HAVE BEEN FOUND UNDER THE HOUSE AND THEY ARE ALL SUMMONED BACK TO THAT DARK PART OF THEIR LIVES.

I enjoyed the Author’s notes which include the ways that she researched the book! The theme of sisterhood and friendship is woven throughout the novel. Childhood trauma can follow a person through adulthood and manifest in many ways!

This would have been a 5* but I thought there was a lot of repetition of the days spent under Ms. Fairchild’s care. It slowed the book down a bit.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.