Darling Girls

 I love being surprised by an author who switches things up. In Darling Girls, Sally Hepworth still delivers her trademark domestic suspense, 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