Kat 's Reviews > Darling Girls
Darling Girls
by
by
Kat 's review
bookshelves: domestic-suspense, friendship, mystery, power-dynamics, trauma
Sep 23, 2023
bookshelves: domestic-suspense, friendship, mystery, power-dynamics, trauma
I love being surprised by an author who switches things up. In Darling Girls, Sally Hepworth still delivers her trademark domestic suspense/mystery, but this time the “family” is far less traditional, yet no less fascinating!
Twenty-five years ago, unfortunate events brought three girls - Jessica, Norah, and Alicia - one-by-one to an idyllic-looking farmhouse called Wild Meadows and into the foster care of a woman named Miss Fairchild. The biggest irony? This woman was never FAIR to any CHILD, as the three girls continually found out. She may have been Mary Poppins on the outside, but she was far from it underneath!
Now in the present, the three women who have a ‘sister’ bond tighter than most biological ones, have been brought back to Port Agatha and the memories of Wild Meadows when they’re informed by three detectives: Patel, Hando and Tucker that human bones have been discovered buried under the farmhouse.
Who do those bones belong to? Were the girls involved? If not them, then who?
As the lingering effects of the past catch up with Jessica, whose OCD and a secret habit are threatening her career, Norah, who can’t escape her inner rage or the repercussions of a date gone wrong, and Alicia, whose insecurity is blocking a potential new relationship, they find themselves needing one another more than ever.
The story is primarily told through their eyes, in both past and present chapters, with interspersed chapters of an unknown POV who discusses her past with a super creepy psychologist named Dr. Warren. The rotating POVs kept things interesting and allowed me to feel more bonded to each of the three women.
While stories of abuse are always hard and can threaten to go too dark, I thought Hepworth balanced the tone of the book so well by giving us three protagonists who were strong, intelligent, resourceful, kind, funny, and loyal, while also maintaining a realistic vulnerability from their traumatic past. I loved these three! Norah’s fiery temperament and spunk created a lot of LOL moments for me particularly, and dog lovers will enjoy finding out why her dogs are named Converse, Couch and Thong … though you may be able to guess!
The pace is a bit on the slower side, but the ending twists were worth the wait, and if nothing else, I think many readers will enjoy their time with these three kick-ass girls who grew into amazing kick-ass ladies! It’s so refreshing to see female friendship portrayed in a positive, supportive way.
One last recommendation: read the author’s note. It gives special meaning to the whole book!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Sally Hepworth for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published on April 23, 2024
Twenty-five years ago, unfortunate events brought three girls - Jessica, Norah, and Alicia - one-by-one to an idyllic-looking farmhouse called Wild Meadows and into the foster care of a woman named Miss Fairchild. The biggest irony? This woman was never FAIR to any CHILD, as the three girls continually found out. She may have been Mary Poppins on the outside, but she was far from it underneath!
Now in the present, the three women who have a ‘sister’ bond tighter than most biological ones, have been brought back to Port Agatha and the memories of Wild Meadows when they’re informed by three detectives: Patel, Hando and Tucker that human bones have been discovered buried under the farmhouse.
Who do those bones belong to? Were the girls involved? If not them, then who?
As the lingering effects of the past catch up with Jessica, whose OCD and a secret habit are threatening her career, Norah, who can’t escape her inner rage or the repercussions of a date gone wrong, and Alicia, whose insecurity is blocking a potential new relationship, they find themselves needing one another more than ever.
The story is primarily told through their eyes, in both past and present chapters, with interspersed chapters of an unknown POV who discusses her past with a super creepy psychologist named Dr. Warren. The rotating POVs kept things interesting and allowed me to feel more bonded to each of the three women.
While stories of abuse are always hard and can threaten to go too dark, I thought Hepworth balanced the tone of the book so well by giving us three protagonists who were strong, intelligent, resourceful, kind, funny, and loyal, while also maintaining a realistic vulnerability from their traumatic past. I loved these three! Norah’s fiery temperament and spunk created a lot of LOL moments for me particularly, and dog lovers will enjoy finding out why her dogs are named Converse, Couch and Thong … though you may be able to guess!
The pace is a bit on the slower side, but the ending twists were worth the wait, and if nothing else, I think many readers will enjoy their time with these three kick-ass girls who grew into amazing kick-ass ladies! It’s so refreshing to see female friendship portrayed in a positive, supportive way.
One last recommendation: read the author’s note. It gives special meaning to the whole book!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Sally Hepworth for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published on April 23, 2024
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Reading Progress
September 17, 2023
–
Started Reading
September 21, 2023
–
Finished Reading
September 23, 2023
– Shelved
September 23, 2023
– Shelved as:
domestic-suspense
September 23, 2023
– Shelved as:
friendship
September 23, 2023
– Shelved as:
mystery
September 23, 2023
– Shelved as:
power-dynamics
September 23, 2023
– Shelved as:
trauma
Comments Showing 1-50 of 114 (114 new)
message 1:
by
Kaceey
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Sep 23, 2023 01:12PM
Excellent review Kat! Loved “It’s so refreshing to see female friendship portrayed in a positive, supportive way.”! We need more books like that!💗
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Kaceey wrote: "Excellent review Kat! Loved “It’s so refreshing to see female friendship portrayed in a positive, supportive way.”! We need more books like that!💗"
Thanks, Kaceey! I agree. It shouldn't surprise us to see a book that features that ... it should be more common! 💕
Thanks, Kaceey! I agree. It shouldn't surprise us to see a book that features that ... it should be more common! 💕
Excellent review, Kat💙and I’m still torn on whether to read this one or not. I really enjoy this author’s storytelling, a slower pace doesn’t worry me, and your thoughts are pushing me to go for it.
Terrie wrote: "Excellent review, Kat💙and I’m still torn on whether to read this one or not. I really enjoy this author’s storytelling, a slower pace doesn’t worry me, and your thoughts are pushing me to go for it."
Thanks, Terrie! Because you like family fiction, I think you might enjoy this. The three MC's relationship is pretty special! 💗
Thanks, Terrie! Because you like family fiction, I think you might enjoy this. The three MC's relationship is pretty special! 💗
JaymeO wrote: "Super excited to read this one! So glad it was a winner for you Kat! Terrific review!"
I hope you'll like it too, Jayme! Thanks! 💗
I hope you'll like it too, Jayme! Thanks! 💗
Margaret M - wrote: "Wonderful review Kat. Well I’m adding 😁💖"
Yay! I hope you'll enjoy it, Margaret. Thank you! 💗
Yay! I hope you'll enjoy it, Margaret. Thank you! 💗
elena ❀ wrote: "LOL the names of the dogs, love it! so glad you enjoyed this, kat! wonderful review! 💙"
Aren't they fun?! 😁 Thanks, Elena! 💗
Aren't they fun?! 😁 Thanks, Elena! 💗
Shelley's Book Nook wrote: "Excellent review, Kat. I am pleased you enjoyed this as I have it coming up soon. 💕🤗"
Thanks, Shelley! Fingers crossed you like it as much! 🤞💗
Thanks, Shelley! Fingers crossed you like it as much! 🤞💗
MarilynW wrote: "Wonderful review, Kat, these sisters are the real thing! 💜"
Thanks, Marilyn! I wish I'd been as close with my own two sisters! 😆💗
Thanks, Marilyn! I wish I'd been as close with my own two sisters! 😆💗
Federico wrote: "Sounds quite a thriller, another Hepworth winner, and a great Kat reviewer!"
Thanks, Federico! 😁
Thanks, Federico! 😁
Liz wrote: "Thrilled by your enthusiastic review as I have this coming up."
I hope you'll love it as much! I can't wait to see your thoughts on it, Liz. 💗
I hope you'll love it as much! I can't wait to see your thoughts on it, Liz. 💗
Darla wrote: "Go, girls. So glad to see all those stars, Kat. Looking forward to this one. Marvelous review! 🎆"
Right? It's nice to see us ladies working together! 😁 Thanks, Darla. I hope you enjoy this one! 💗
Right? It's nice to see us ladies working together! 😁 Thanks, Darla. I hope you enjoy this one! 💗
I'm glad to see Hepworth has another hit on her hands. I'd love to read this one sometime. A fab review Kat!! 🌟
Tina wrote: "I'm glad to see Hepworth has another hit on her hands. I'd love to read this one sometime. A fab review Kat!! 🌟"
Thanks, Tina! I think you might enjoy it! 💗
Thanks, Tina! I think you might enjoy it! 💗
Lisa wrote: "Fantastic review sounds like Hepworth. Is still delivering Kat! ❤️🩹"
Indeed she is. Thanks, Lisa! 💗
Indeed she is. Thanks, Lisa! 💗
So glad you liked this one, Kat. :) I have added it to my later TBR. Figured it was a safer choice. Terrific review.
I adore Sally so much, and I'm looking forward to meeting this trio of ladies! I really wanted to dive into this one now, but my ARC backlog is looming, so I'm trying to hold off, but boy is it hard! I am especially looking forward to the final twist you mentioned and the author's note: she's a master at both! Stellar review, Kat! 💞
Holly wrote: "No Mary Poppins for sure! Fantastic review Kat and glad you enjoyed! 😍"
Not at all! Thanks, Holly! 💗
Not at all! Thanks, Holly! 💗
Nevin wrote: "Excellent review Kat 💝 This book is on my TBR. Can’t wait 😊"
Thanks, Nevin! I hope you love it! 💗
Thanks, Nevin! I hope you love it! 💗