What do you think?
Rate this book
The Good Sister
An alternate cover edition of ASIN B08BYCWK6T can be found here.
Sally Hepworth, the author of The Mother-In-Law delivers a knock-out of a novel about the lies that bind two sisters in The Good Sister.
There's only been one time that Rose couldn't stop me from doing the wrong thing and that was a mistake that will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Fern Castle works in her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister Rose three nights a week. And she avoids crowds, bright lights and loud noises as much as possible. Fern has a carefully structured life and disrupting her routine can be...dangerous.
When Rose discovers that she cannot get pregnant, Fern sees her chance to pay her sister back for everything Rose has done for her. Fern can have a baby for Rose. She just needs to find a father. Simple.
Fern's mission will shake the foundations of the life she has carefully built for herself and stir up dark secrets from the past, in this quirky, rich and shocking story of what families keep hidden.
Sally Hepworth, the author of The Mother-In-Law delivers a knock-out of a novel about the lies that bind two sisters in The Good Sister.
There's only been one time that Rose couldn't stop me from doing the wrong thing and that was a mistake that will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Fern Castle works in her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister Rose three nights a week. And she avoids crowds, bright lights and loud noises as much as possible. Fern has a carefully structured life and disrupting her routine can be...dangerous.
When Rose discovers that she cannot get pregnant, Fern sees her chance to pay her sister back for everything Rose has done for her. Fern can have a baby for Rose. She just needs to find a father. Simple.
Fern's mission will shake the foundations of the life she has carefully built for herself and stir up dark secrets from the past, in this quirky, rich and shocking story of what families keep hidden.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2020
About the author
Sally Hepworth
17 books43.9k followersSally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels.
Sally's books have been heralded “enchanting” by The Herald Sun, “smart and engaging” by Publisher’s Weekly, and New York Times bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Emily Giffin have praised Sally’s novels as “women’s fiction at its finest” and “totally absorbing”.
Sally's novels are available worldwide in English and have been translated into 20 languages.
Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia with her three children.
Sally's books have been heralded “enchanting” by The Herald Sun, “smart and engaging” by Publisher’s Weekly, and New York Times bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Emily Giffin have praised Sally’s novels as “women’s fiction at its finest” and “totally absorbing”.
Sally's novels are available worldwide in English and have been translated into 20 languages.
Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia with her three children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 18,053 reviews
October 1, 2022
Happy book birthday to one of my favorite thrillers of the year! 🥂🥳📚
Another big, bold Wowza! This book captivated me from the first moment I started to read the intriguing opening and for 5 long hours, I pulled the plug off myself, rejecting to connect with outside world, ignoring my husband dearest who kept asking me why he didn’t have any clean shirt and how I achieved to burn takeout leftovers.
I didn’t hear my partying neighbors who recently turned their home into Airbnb circus or blaring German words from TV( Husband dearest decided to watch Dark’s last season without me as a punishment) I just kept reading and I have to admit: THIS IS THE BEST BOOK OF SALLY HEPWORTH! And FERN IS ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING CHARACTERS I’VE EVER INTRODUCED.
The story is told by twin sisters: Rose and Fern, not only sharing a womb and awful childhood memories, but also sharing a big secret.
After her fertility problems and troubles of her marriage, Rose starts seeing a therapist and she is advised to keep a diary to pour out her bottled up feelings she has been keeping since her childhood. The twins’ story start with her diary pages tell us something tragic happened when twins were little. A boy was drowned. It seems like Fern is responsible of boy’s dying and Rose saved her sister from being held behind the bars by keeping her mouth shut.
And from the POV of the diary we realize their mother has sociopathic tendencies, targeting Rose ( because she takes the blames to protect her dear sister) by mentally and physically abusing her. Then after being overdosed, the sisters find themselves at the rusty wheels of foster care system.
When we read the parts of Rose, we start to empathize with her and we think how adorable, protective sister she is.
But when we read Fern’s parts, we cannot help but root for the character wholeheartedly. She is on the spectrum of Asperger’s syndrome, sensitive to light, voices, touch (when she has to attend a gathering at the crowded place she has to wear googles and earpods to protect herself), an efficient librarian: because she is highly intelligent, focused on details and the libraries were always her favorite place since her childhood. She also has abrupt, inappropriate social approaches but her emotional side, her directness, straightforward honesty makes her unique.
She loves her sister and sees she cannot conceive a baby so she decides to get pregnant and give the child to her sister. She meets Rocco at the library (but calls him “Wally” because with his hat and loose pants, he truly looks like the character from Where’s Wally) who is intelligent computer programmer, suffering from Autism as like her and her intention to give her sister baby and have sex with a stranger turns into an intimate romantic involvement.
As we continue to read both sides of stories, we start to question what if Rose is not who we think she is. Is she really a protective, caring, adorable sister or is she manipulative, controlling, irritating bitch who wants to turn her life into hell?
Or Fern has also secret sociopathic tendencies like their mother and harm people without thinking a second?
Read and enjoy each impeccably written characters to find out!
Overall: I loved the twisty, riveting, high tension, breathtaking pacing, well crafted characters. Fern and Wally stole my heart! No more words, I’m giving five gazillion stars! I just reviewed one of the best upcountry thrillers of 2021! Yayyyy!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this incredible ARC with me in exchange my honest thoughts and review.
Another big, bold Wowza! This book captivated me from the first moment I started to read the intriguing opening and for 5 long hours, I pulled the plug off myself, rejecting to connect with outside world, ignoring my husband dearest who kept asking me why he didn’t have any clean shirt and how I achieved to burn takeout leftovers.
I didn’t hear my partying neighbors who recently turned their home into Airbnb circus or blaring German words from TV( Husband dearest decided to watch Dark’s last season without me as a punishment) I just kept reading and I have to admit: THIS IS THE BEST BOOK OF SALLY HEPWORTH! And FERN IS ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING CHARACTERS I’VE EVER INTRODUCED.
The story is told by twin sisters: Rose and Fern, not only sharing a womb and awful childhood memories, but also sharing a big secret.
After her fertility problems and troubles of her marriage, Rose starts seeing a therapist and she is advised to keep a diary to pour out her bottled up feelings she has been keeping since her childhood. The twins’ story start with her diary pages tell us something tragic happened when twins were little. A boy was drowned. It seems like Fern is responsible of boy’s dying and Rose saved her sister from being held behind the bars by keeping her mouth shut.
And from the POV of the diary we realize their mother has sociopathic tendencies, targeting Rose ( because she takes the blames to protect her dear sister) by mentally and physically abusing her. Then after being overdosed, the sisters find themselves at the rusty wheels of foster care system.
When we read the parts of Rose, we start to empathize with her and we think how adorable, protective sister she is.
But when we read Fern’s parts, we cannot help but root for the character wholeheartedly. She is on the spectrum of Asperger’s syndrome, sensitive to light, voices, touch (when she has to attend a gathering at the crowded place she has to wear googles and earpods to protect herself), an efficient librarian: because she is highly intelligent, focused on details and the libraries were always her favorite place since her childhood. She also has abrupt, inappropriate social approaches but her emotional side, her directness, straightforward honesty makes her unique.
She loves her sister and sees she cannot conceive a baby so she decides to get pregnant and give the child to her sister. She meets Rocco at the library (but calls him “Wally” because with his hat and loose pants, he truly looks like the character from Where’s Wally) who is intelligent computer programmer, suffering from Autism as like her and her intention to give her sister baby and have sex with a stranger turns into an intimate romantic involvement.
As we continue to read both sides of stories, we start to question what if Rose is not who we think she is. Is she really a protective, caring, adorable sister or is she manipulative, controlling, irritating bitch who wants to turn her life into hell?
Or Fern has also secret sociopathic tendencies like their mother and harm people without thinking a second?
Read and enjoy each impeccably written characters to find out!
Overall: I loved the twisty, riveting, high tension, breathtaking pacing, well crafted characters. Fern and Wally stole my heart! No more words, I’m giving five gazillion stars! I just reviewed one of the best upcountry thrillers of 2021! Yayyyy!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this incredible ARC with me in exchange my honest thoughts and review.
August 23, 2024
The Good Sister is a tale of two sisters, Fern and Rose, who rely on Rose to help Fern with her quirks. Rose slowly reveals the past and the sisters are now confronted with the future. Only....who should decide what the future is? And what really did happen in the past?
The first half of the book was extremely strong, and I LOVED almost every single minute. Fern is a very analytical and literal person who often relies on rules to help her manage societal interactions, many of which are hilarious. There were so many laugh out loud moments (possibly some tricks that I should consider implementing). It was really such a joy to read the first half.
But then I remember oh wait, isn't this book supposed to be a thriller? For the second half of the book, it was largely predictable and crafted to throw in the thriller element. Personally, I believe that this book would have been better off just focusing on Fern than introducing the thriller component. However, it was still a very enjoyable read, and it was really well laid out - clear who was speaking. Fern is unforgettable character, and I definitely enjoyed this one!
If you like being "in the know", Sally Hepworth has a new book coming out, April 4, 2023 entitled The Soulmate. I am certainly going to check it out!
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta My Bookstore at Pango
The first half of the book was extremely strong, and I LOVED almost every single minute. Fern is a very analytical and literal person who often relies on rules to help her manage societal interactions, many of which are hilarious. There were so many laugh out loud moments (possibly some tricks that I should consider implementing). It was really such a joy to read the first half.
But then I remember oh wait, isn't this book supposed to be a thriller? For the second half of the book, it was largely predictable and crafted to throw in the thriller element. Personally, I believe that this book would have been better off just focusing on Fern than introducing the thriller component. However, it was still a very enjoyable read, and it was really well laid out - clear who was speaking. Fern is unforgettable character, and I definitely enjoyed this one!
If you like being "in the know", Sally Hepworth has a new book coming out, April 4, 2023 entitled The Soulmate. I am certainly going to check it out!
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta My Bookstore at Pango
May 12, 2023
There's only been one time that Rose couldn't stop me from doing the wrong thing and that was a mistake that will haunt me for the rest of my life.Fraternal twins Fern and Rose are as close as two sisters can be. Fern has sensory processing issues, and Rose has looked out for her all her life. When Fern unexpected comes across a chance at love, secrets from their past start to surface. And soon, it's not at all clear who really is The Good Sister.
I found the initial chapters of the book to be riveting. Both Rose and Fern are well-developed characters, and they really jump off the pages. Fern, in particular, with her unique difficulties, is so sincere and loveable. She tries hard to fit into the world around her, but she's constantly bumbling it up just a bit. The love story in here is my favorite part of the book, and it was a joy to read the interactions between Fern and Wally.
But to imply that this is a thriller of any kind is really stretching it. This is first and foremost a domestic drama, with just a hint of a secret in there to propel the narrative forward. I found the pacing to be quite slow, especially after the initial setup. Maybe I didn't have the right expectations going in, but I kept waiting for something exciting or shocking to happen, which didn't materialize. It was clear where the story was headed by the halfway point, after which all the suspense fizzled out. As a result, it started to lose steam for me, and my attention drifted away.
Still, the ending pulled it all together. It delivers the secrets that have been promised all along, and wraps everything up with satisfaction. While nothing truly surprised me, I did enjoy the story overall. It's my first time reading Sally Hepworth, and I'm impressed with her characters. They really made this story shine.
I think fans of women's fiction centered around intriguing family drama will very much enjoy this story, as long as expectations of shocking twists are kept in check.
My heartfelt thanks for the copy that was provided for my honest and unbiased review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
The Younger Wife
The Soulmate
~~~~~~~~~~~~
April 13, 2021
Fern and Rose are twins, not identical, as different as two people can be. Fern is fair, slender, and tall while Rose was a shorter, plump child, with darker hair. Eventually Rose was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes while Fern struggles with sensory processing disorder. Rose had been the more outgoing child while Fern had and still does shrink from noises, light, smells and all the things that bombard her senses. Rose is Fern's protector and this protection continues into their late twenties, even as Rose marries and Fern lives in a small apartment near Rose.
Rose is an interior designer and Fern is a librarian, a job that Fern loves as much as she loves her never changing routine. I'm so fond of Fern, with her colorful clothes, shoes, skirts, and overalls. She is great with both children and the elderly, at the library, but DO NOT ask her to help you with the printer or photocopiers because she'll pretend she didn't hear you or pretend she hears someone calling her in another part of the library. And Fern will discard your food if it's too stinky...I think I might have a bit of Fern in me.
Rose's diary tells us that Rose and Fern had a painful upbringing, via a cruel, mood changing mother, a mother who always favored Fern over Rose. When Rose and Fern were twelve, Fern did something very, very bad and Rose helped make up a story so that what Fern did wouldn't be discovered. This bad thing is what reminds Fern that she can never really be on her own, that she'll always need Rose to look after her and fix her mistakes. Still, Fern is very good at her job and she is well liked by her co-workers and the library patrons.
Rose and Fern are so very close, Fern needs Rose to survive, it's as if they can't tell where one really begins and the other ends. But things in the past might not be as they seemed and things in the present might not be as they seem. One of these women wants something so badly that she'll do anything to get it.
Publication: April 13th 2021
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Rose is an interior designer and Fern is a librarian, a job that Fern loves as much as she loves her never changing routine. I'm so fond of Fern, with her colorful clothes, shoes, skirts, and overalls. She is great with both children and the elderly, at the library, but DO NOT ask her to help you with the printer or photocopiers because she'll pretend she didn't hear you or pretend she hears someone calling her in another part of the library. And Fern will discard your food if it's too stinky...I think I might have a bit of Fern in me.
Rose's diary tells us that Rose and Fern had a painful upbringing, via a cruel, mood changing mother, a mother who always favored Fern over Rose. When Rose and Fern were twelve, Fern did something very, very bad and Rose helped make up a story so that what Fern did wouldn't be discovered. This bad thing is what reminds Fern that she can never really be on her own, that she'll always need Rose to look after her and fix her mistakes. Still, Fern is very good at her job and she is well liked by her co-workers and the library patrons.
Rose and Fern are so very close, Fern needs Rose to survive, it's as if they can't tell where one really begins and the other ends. But things in the past might not be as they seemed and things in the present might not be as they seem. One of these women wants something so badly that she'll do anything to get it.
Publication: April 13th 2021
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
April 13, 2021
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY, DON'T MISS THIS ONE***
This is the second book I’ve read by Sally Hepworth and it’s phenomenal. It’s so much more than I thought it was going to be, part family drama, part mystery, part exploration of how people on the low spectrum of Asperger’s syndrome function in our society.
Rose Castle and her sister Fern are twins, but they could not be more different. They even look very different. Fern is tall and willowy, Rose is short and “round” as her mother always called her.
These two have had a difficult childhood, raised by their mother who has her own mental issues, they once spent an entire year living in libraries and their car. This was fine with Fern as she loved books. Very early on she learned that she could get lost in the story and not think about her day to day life.
This novel is told from two points of view, one is told in Fern’s voice as she tells us about her childhood and how Rose has always been there for her. Fern works as a librarian and loves her job, she thrives on routine and organization. One day a man enters the library whom she assumes is homeless because of his overall appearance. They start having some great conversations, she learns that he lives in a van by his own choice. He doesn’t need to have a lot of “things“. They go on a few dates and realize that they really have a lot in common. His name is Rocco but Fern calls him Wally because of the silly hat he wears which reminds her of the “Where’s Wally” character. Fern finds herself experiencing love for the first time.
Meanwhile we learn from Rose’s diary that she is more manipulative than it seems at first. She looks out for Fern but also keeps her from maturing by constantly telling her that she is forgetful and unable to be counted on. A very sad event happened when they were children and Fern has always felt responsible, Rose constantly holds this over her. You will learn a lot more about Rose during the novel. She has her own ideas about how she wants the future to play out.
I really don’t want to ruin this great story for anyone. It’s a wonderful novel with lots of surprises and twists. The characters are well developed and I was so invested in the story I stayed up until 1:30 am to finish it!!
I can recommend this book to anyone who enjoys drama, mystery and family relationships with amazing characters.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
This novel is set to publish April 13, 2021.
This is the second book I’ve read by Sally Hepworth and it’s phenomenal. It’s so much more than I thought it was going to be, part family drama, part mystery, part exploration of how people on the low spectrum of Asperger’s syndrome function in our society.
Rose Castle and her sister Fern are twins, but they could not be more different. They even look very different. Fern is tall and willowy, Rose is short and “round” as her mother always called her.
These two have had a difficult childhood, raised by their mother who has her own mental issues, they once spent an entire year living in libraries and their car. This was fine with Fern as she loved books. Very early on she learned that she could get lost in the story and not think about her day to day life.
This novel is told from two points of view, one is told in Fern’s voice as she tells us about her childhood and how Rose has always been there for her. Fern works as a librarian and loves her job, she thrives on routine and organization. One day a man enters the library whom she assumes is homeless because of his overall appearance. They start having some great conversations, she learns that he lives in a van by his own choice. He doesn’t need to have a lot of “things“. They go on a few dates and realize that they really have a lot in common. His name is Rocco but Fern calls him Wally because of the silly hat he wears which reminds her of the “Where’s Wally” character. Fern finds herself experiencing love for the first time.
Meanwhile we learn from Rose’s diary that she is more manipulative than it seems at first. She looks out for Fern but also keeps her from maturing by constantly telling her that she is forgetful and unable to be counted on. A very sad event happened when they were children and Fern has always felt responsible, Rose constantly holds this over her. You will learn a lot more about Rose during the novel. She has her own ideas about how she wants the future to play out.
I really don’t want to ruin this great story for anyone. It’s a wonderful novel with lots of surprises and twists. The characters are well developed and I was so invested in the story I stayed up until 1:30 am to finish it!!
I can recommend this book to anyone who enjoys drama, mystery and family relationships with amazing characters.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
This novel is set to publish April 13, 2021.
August 9, 2020
“My sister holds the key to my sanity.”
3.5 stars
The Good Sister is a highly entertaining, psychological thriller/domestic drama about twin sisters, and the lengths one sister will go to get what she desires, even if it means costing her twin her sanity.
Twin sisters Fern and Rose are extremely close. Fern is on the spectrum, and Rose makes sure her twin is taken care of, something she has done since they were children. When one twin needs something, the other is there. But one of these twins is CRAZY, so crazy that she tries to steal what her sister holds most dear.
This book emanates a heavy sense of foreboding, and I was quite tense while reading. I was reluctant at times to turn the page because I was scared to read what was going to happen. However, at a certain point, quite early on, it becomes obvious what’s going on. If you read a lot of thrillers, the plot is going to feel predictable. The sense of foreboding lifts and then it just becomes a drama, drama, drama. But I enjoyed the drama!
There is something about this book that made me want to keep on reading, and that something was one of the characters. I don’t want to say which one, as it would be a potential spoiler, but this character had me flipping the pages. I loved her and was rooting for her.
The Good Sister is fast-paced with some good twists and turns. It spins out of control towards the end and gets a little messy, but I loved one of the characters, and I enjoyed seeing the other one get what she deserved!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
The Good Sister is a highly entertaining, psychological thriller/domestic drama about twin sisters, and the lengths one sister will go to get what she desires, even if it means costing her twin her sanity.
Twin sisters Fern and Rose are extremely close. Fern is on the spectrum, and Rose makes sure her twin is taken care of, something she has done since they were children. When one twin needs something, the other is there. But one of these twins is CRAZY, so crazy that she tries to steal what her sister holds most dear.
This book emanates a heavy sense of foreboding, and I was quite tense while reading. I was reluctant at times to turn the page because I was scared to read what was going to happen. However, at a certain point, quite early on, it becomes obvious what’s going on. If you read a lot of thrillers, the plot is going to feel predictable. The sense of foreboding lifts and then it just becomes a drama, drama, drama. But I enjoyed the drama!
There is something about this book that made me want to keep on reading, and that something was one of the characters. I don’t want to say which one, as it would be a potential spoiler, but this character had me flipping the pages. I loved her and was rooting for her.
The Good Sister is fast-paced with some good twists and turns. It spins out of control towards the end and gets a little messy, but I loved one of the characters, and I enjoyed seeing the other one get what she deserved!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2024
**4.5-stars**
Fern and Rose are fraternal twins, and as often happens with twins, they are opposites in many ways.
From the outside, the difference seems clear; Rose is the responsible one, while Fern is the quirky one. The Good Sister follows both of their perspectives, gaining an inside view to their fascinating relationship.
Rose has placed herself in a quasi-caregiver role for Fern, who is codependent in her interactions with Rose. So much so, that when she discovers Rose cannot become pregnant, she decides to have a baby for her.
This may seem like an odd statement, but once you meet Fern's character and learn a bit about the way her mind works, it actually makes sense.
Through flashbacks to their early life, it is clear that Rose has always felt the need to protect Fern. Firstly, from their mother, and later, seemingly, from herself.
When they were kids, Fern did something bad. Throughout the course of the narrative, what that is, comes to light. Poor Fern has let this one event, although admittedly horrifying, define her.
As Fern starts to follow her new plan to become pregnant, she learns things about herself she never knew. She also begins to see things about Rose she never noticed either.
I was oddly captivated by this story. I wouldn't consider it to be a Thriller, but I'm not sure what else to call it? An eerie character study?
Regardless, I found it to be interesting as heck. I couldn't take my eyes off the sh*tstorm evolving on the page!
It was really fun watching it all play out. I was impressed with the pace at which Hepworth reveals the truth behind Rose and Fern; so well done, it kept me engrossed the entire time.
I would absolutely recommend this for Readers who enjoy complex familial relationships. This was my first novel by this author, but I am looking forward to picking up more.
Thank you so much to the publisher, St. Martins' Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review! I appreciate the opportunity to provide my thoughts.
Fern and Rose are fraternal twins, and as often happens with twins, they are opposites in many ways.
From the outside, the difference seems clear; Rose is the responsible one, while Fern is the quirky one. The Good Sister follows both of their perspectives, gaining an inside view to their fascinating relationship.
Rose has placed herself in a quasi-caregiver role for Fern, who is codependent in her interactions with Rose. So much so, that when she discovers Rose cannot become pregnant, she decides to have a baby for her.
This may seem like an odd statement, but once you meet Fern's character and learn a bit about the way her mind works, it actually makes sense.
Through flashbacks to their early life, it is clear that Rose has always felt the need to protect Fern. Firstly, from their mother, and later, seemingly, from herself.
When they were kids, Fern did something bad. Throughout the course of the narrative, what that is, comes to light. Poor Fern has let this one event, although admittedly horrifying, define her.
As Fern starts to follow her new plan to become pregnant, she learns things about herself she never knew. She also begins to see things about Rose she never noticed either.
I was oddly captivated by this story. I wouldn't consider it to be a Thriller, but I'm not sure what else to call it? An eerie character study?
Regardless, I found it to be interesting as heck. I couldn't take my eyes off the sh*tstorm evolving on the page!
It was really fun watching it all play out. I was impressed with the pace at which Hepworth reveals the truth behind Rose and Fern; so well done, it kept me engrossed the entire time.
I would absolutely recommend this for Readers who enjoy complex familial relationships. This was my first novel by this author, but I am looking forward to picking up more.
Thank you so much to the publisher, St. Martins' Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review! I appreciate the opportunity to provide my thoughts.
May 21, 2021
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
A diabolical and compelling read filled with emotional drama that tugs at the heartstrings and entertains with its twists and turns.
Twenty-eight-year-old twin sisters Rose and Fern are completely different in both looks and personality. Fern works as a librarian. She's not your typical librarian. She wears her hair like Princess Leia (it’s practical!) and she’s partial to bright and sparkly clothing adorned with things like rainbows and unicorns. Fern takes her job VERY seriously. However, if a patron needs assistance with the photocopiers she’ll do almost anything she can to avoid them. Rose is married and works as an interior designer. She’s quick to point out that she’s the type “who designs office spaces, not the type who chooses scatter cushions.”
The sisters spend a lot of time together. Fern has dinner at Rose’s house at least three times a week.
Rose’s husband, Owen has been in London working for the last three months. Rose was not able to accompany him. She needed to stay to help Fern. Rose has always felt the need to protect her sister. They had a difficult childhood with a very manipulative mother. Something happened when they were twelve years old that changed their lives forever. Only Rose and Fern know what really happened that day. It’s a secret they have both kept all these years.
Some people find Fern very peculiar. She has sensory issues and gets overloaded easily by bright lights, loud noises, large groups of people, and more. She also has difficulty reading social cues. These things can make life difficult for Fern. Rose understands all of this tries to make things easier for her. Fern appreciates how much her sister does for her. That’s one of the reasons why she wants to help Rose fulfill her lifelong dream.
“This could be my chance to pay Rose back for everything she’s always done for me.”
But things don’t always go the way we think they’ll go.
And sometimes, things aren’t always what they seem…
Will the secret the sisters are keeping finally come to light? And what if that isn’t the only secret being kept?
I loved this book!!
This was the perfect read to help me escape from reality for a while. Sally Hepworth writes about family drama in a way that’s often relatable. There were many endearing characters in this novel and the interactions between them had me laughing out loud at times.
The story alternates between Rose and Fern’s point of view and includes flashbacks to their childhood. Some things may seem obvious but I feel like the author intended it to be that way. So while I did figure out a few things early on, I was so engrossed and entertained that it didn’t bother me at all.
A clever story about family dynamics and dysfunction, manipulation, complicated relationships, and of course secrets!
I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
A diabolical and compelling read filled with emotional drama that tugs at the heartstrings and entertains with its twists and turns.
Twenty-eight-year-old twin sisters Rose and Fern are completely different in both looks and personality. Fern works as a librarian. She's not your typical librarian. She wears her hair like Princess Leia (it’s practical!) and she’s partial to bright and sparkly clothing adorned with things like rainbows and unicorns. Fern takes her job VERY seriously. However, if a patron needs assistance with the photocopiers she’ll do almost anything she can to avoid them. Rose is married and works as an interior designer. She’s quick to point out that she’s the type “who designs office spaces, not the type who chooses scatter cushions.”
The sisters spend a lot of time together. Fern has dinner at Rose’s house at least three times a week.
Rose’s husband, Owen has been in London working for the last three months. Rose was not able to accompany him. She needed to stay to help Fern. Rose has always felt the need to protect her sister. They had a difficult childhood with a very manipulative mother. Something happened when they were twelve years old that changed their lives forever. Only Rose and Fern know what really happened that day. It’s a secret they have both kept all these years.
Some people find Fern very peculiar. She has sensory issues and gets overloaded easily by bright lights, loud noises, large groups of people, and more. She also has difficulty reading social cues. These things can make life difficult for Fern. Rose understands all of this tries to make things easier for her. Fern appreciates how much her sister does for her. That’s one of the reasons why she wants to help Rose fulfill her lifelong dream.
“This could be my chance to pay Rose back for everything she’s always done for me.”
But things don’t always go the way we think they’ll go.
And sometimes, things aren’t always what they seem…
Will the secret the sisters are keeping finally come to light? And what if that isn’t the only secret being kept?
I loved this book!!
This was the perfect read to help me escape from reality for a while. Sally Hepworth writes about family drama in a way that’s often relatable. There were many endearing characters in this novel and the interactions between them had me laughing out loud at times.
The story alternates between Rose and Fern’s point of view and includes flashbacks to their childhood. Some things may seem obvious but I feel like the author intended it to be that way. So while I did figure out a few things early on, I was so engrossed and entertained that it didn’t bother me at all.
A clever story about family dynamics and dysfunction, manipulation, complicated relationships, and of course secrets!
I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
September 19, 2022
This is a Psychological Thriller that I have saw so much about it. The first Fern chapter I read I know that the Fern character has Autism, but the book never says that is what she has. I do not want to say to much about the book because it being a thriller I want to not give away anything. The characters are developed very well, and the storyline was great. The twisted where not super big, but they where really good. I loved everything about this book. I am so glad I decided to read this book. If you love psychological thrillers then you should give this book a chance. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (St. Martin's Press) or author (Sally Hepworth) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
April 18, 2021
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
Just finished an Unboxing & Review Video for a PR box sent from St Martin's Press along with Once Upon a Book Club's March boxes (YA & Adult)! And whew! What a wild ride. LOVED LOVED LOVED the books this round!
My reading rep code: MIRANDAREADS10
September 8, 2022
3.5 stars. To be clear, I consider a 3 star rating to be a good, enjoyable read.
Sister relationships are complicated, and fraternal twins, Fern and Rose, have a more complicated relationship than most.
Fern is on the spectrum and has sensory processing disorder. Rose has been her best friend and protector since they were young children growing up in an abusive household. Fern knows she could never make it on her own. She is indebted to her sister for many things and comes up with a plan to repay her that you know will not be as uncomplicated as Fern believes.
This seems to be a pretty straightforward story but things are not as they seem. After the halfway mark, there are a few surprises and twists in store. The story is told in a dual perspective from Fern’s point of view and in flashbacks to their childhood through Rose’s diary.
I loved Fern’s quirkiness, innocence and good heart and I fell in love with her friend Wally. I loved the library setting and Fern’s job as a librarian, as well as her love of books and reading.
Which sister is the ‘good sister’? Are either reliable narrators? Is someone lying? Was I right to root for one of the sisters? The ‘good sister/bad sister’ story has been done before. Was it predictable? Yes. Did I care? No. I still found it an engaging fun read that I read on the beach in one day at a time when I needed an easy page-turner.
Recommended for fans of women’s fiction with a side of humor, romance, and light suspense that won’t stretch your ‘little gray cells’ too hard. This will be a good one to throw into the beach bag next Spring/Summer.
• I received a digital copy of the book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
• *Publication date 4/13/21 by St Martin’s Press
• This was a buddy read with Marialyce, one we both found to be an easy light read.
Sister relationships are complicated, and fraternal twins, Fern and Rose, have a more complicated relationship than most.
Fern is on the spectrum and has sensory processing disorder. Rose has been her best friend and protector since they were young children growing up in an abusive household. Fern knows she could never make it on her own. She is indebted to her sister for many things and comes up with a plan to repay her that you know will not be as uncomplicated as Fern believes.
This seems to be a pretty straightforward story but things are not as they seem. After the halfway mark, there are a few surprises and twists in store. The story is told in a dual perspective from Fern’s point of view and in flashbacks to their childhood through Rose’s diary.
I loved Fern’s quirkiness, innocence and good heart and I fell in love with her friend Wally. I loved the library setting and Fern’s job as a librarian, as well as her love of books and reading.
Which sister is the ‘good sister’? Are either reliable narrators? Is someone lying? Was I right to root for one of the sisters? The ‘good sister/bad sister’ story has been done before. Was it predictable? Yes. Did I care? No. I still found it an engaging fun read that I read on the beach in one day at a time when I needed an easy page-turner.
Recommended for fans of women’s fiction with a side of humor, romance, and light suspense that won’t stretch your ‘little gray cells’ too hard. This will be a good one to throw into the beach bag next Spring/Summer.
• I received a digital copy of the book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
• *Publication date 4/13/21 by St Martin’s Press
• This was a buddy read with Marialyce, one we both found to be an easy light read.
May 11, 2021
I can't believe I originally put this on my SKIP-IT list! The cover and the title made me think I wouldn't like it. Luckily I paid attention to other reviewers who obviously know better than me because I loved this book!
The writing and the plot were so captivating that I probably would have read the whole thing in a single sitting if I could have.
And Fern 😍..... What a great character. She really added to my enjoyment.
I'll definitely be reading anything Hepworth puts out in the future.
The writing and the plot were so captivating that I probably would have read the whole thing in a single sitting if I could have.
And Fern 😍..... What a great character. She really added to my enjoyment.
I'll definitely be reading anything Hepworth puts out in the future.
June 20, 2021
This was my first Sally Hepworth novel, but after reading this, it definitely won’t be my last … this was really good! I was expecting a psychological thriller, but it’s more of a domestic suspense/mystery and family drama heavy on the psychology. What surprised me most though, was the unexpected heartwarming romance that drove much of the plot. I went in expecting cold, calculating, hand-twisting characters and was met with Fern and “Wally”, one of the quirkiest, most charming and sweet pair I’ve seen in a book of late, and I’ve met a few this year. Jayme referenced Eleanor Oliphant in her review, and she’s spot-on as far as Fern’s personality is concerned - just add in debilitating sensory issues with light, sound and touch, and the similarities are there.
Fern and Rose are fraternal twins - Fern being taller and more fair and pretty and Rose being more petite and fleshy. Since childhood, Rose has always taken the role of protecting the more innocent-minded Fern from the things in her world that overwhelm her due to her sensory processing disorder. Rose has also protected Fern from their mother’s narcissistic ways, taking the blame for all her sister’s mistakes, so she would never get in trouble, despite it putting a strain on her relationship with their mother. Unfortunately, one of Fern’s childhood mistakes is very big, and the two women have spent a lifetime keeping the secret of what really happened.
At least that’s how Rose’s journal tells it.
Now adults, Fern is happily living the single life as a librarian, and Rose is struggling in her marriage to Owen, trying to save her marriage and desperately wanting a baby. When Rocco (or “Wally”, as Fern calls him, due to his similarity to the Where’s Waldo character) comes into the library one day, Fern sets in motion a plan to help her sister fulfill her dreams.
Life has other plans … and those plans get messy.
For all the feel-good aspects of this book, I have to say my stomach was in knots for a good three-quarters of it. The dysfunction between the mom and her daughters, and the smothering dysfunction between Fern and Rose created an uncomfortable but necessary tension that lingered through the whole book. I thought the whole book was really enthralling, but if I had to find one flaw in the story - and it’s a minor one for me - I thought the transition into the ending was pretty abrupt. One second the threat is there, and then POOF! It nicely and neatly isn’t. The saving grace was the explanation for events afterwards. I’ll knock off a half-star for that, but since I’m rounding up it still gets an enthusiastic 5 stars from me and a ‘heart'y recommendation!
★★★★ ½ (rounded up to 5) ❤️
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Fern and Rose are fraternal twins - Fern being taller and more fair and pretty and Rose being more petite and fleshy. Since childhood, Rose has always taken the role of protecting the more innocent-minded Fern from the things in her world that overwhelm her due to her sensory processing disorder. Rose has also protected Fern from their mother’s narcissistic ways, taking the blame for all her sister’s mistakes, so she would never get in trouble, despite it putting a strain on her relationship with their mother. Unfortunately, one of Fern’s childhood mistakes is very big, and the two women have spent a lifetime keeping the secret of what really happened.
At least that’s how Rose’s journal tells it.
Now adults, Fern is happily living the single life as a librarian, and Rose is struggling in her marriage to Owen, trying to save her marriage and desperately wanting a baby. When Rocco (or “Wally”, as Fern calls him, due to his similarity to the Where’s Waldo character) comes into the library one day, Fern sets in motion a plan to help her sister fulfill her dreams.
Life has other plans … and those plans get messy.
For all the feel-good aspects of this book, I have to say my stomach was in knots for a good three-quarters of it. The dysfunction between the mom and her daughters, and the smothering dysfunction between Fern and Rose created an uncomfortable but necessary tension that lingered through the whole book. I thought the whole book was really enthralling, but if I had to find one flaw in the story - and it’s a minor one for me - I thought the transition into the ending was pretty abrupt. One second the threat is there, and then POOF! It nicely and neatly isn’t. The saving grace was the explanation for events afterwards. I’ll knock off a half-star for that, but since I’m rounding up it still gets an enthusiastic 5 stars from me and a ‘heart'y recommendation!
★★★★ ½ (rounded up to 5) ❤️
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 3, 2022
4.25 stars ✨
Before anything else , I had zero expectations from this book like I wanted it to be good because all the new releases have so far been a huge disappointment for me. But SUPRISE this turns out to be really good.
Moving on, the beginning almost felt like a fun contemporary novel albeit with a sense of dread building with each word.
I was all set with my grey cells and blanket to solve this case but it turns out this isn't a thriller it's more than that. It's a dark, sinister , conniving and different take on sisters relationship.
Let's break it into sub points :-
👭 Plot thing
A domestic thriller about two sisters - Fern who is quirky sister with certain sensory challenges while Rose who is a type A over protective sister and their mother who is sociopath or is she? We also get to see a romantic angle between Fern and this man Wally which was really refreshing .
At its core this book is an exploration about family relationships. The plot overall was subtle, realistic I’d say, in terms of the characters and the situation.
👭 Narration
It’s told as a dual narrative – Rose tells hers in the form of diary entries whereas we get Fern’s inner thoughts and daily life as she’s living it. It was an effective way of telling the story and an efficient way to depict the events from both POVs. I enjoyed reading both views though Fern’s view was like a breath of fresh air with her ways of understanding things and simplicity of living.
👭 Characters
I really like Fern. She is passionate, intelligent, hilarious and seriously witty. Rose on other hand was ugh? I can't say much because you know. But Characterisation wise the book really stood strong.
👭 Twists / ending
The first half of the book laid foundation about past and present of both the sisters lives. Midway through the book I guessed what's gonna happen and trust me it's no rocket science almost everybody must have guessed it but what surprising is the fact I was still shocked at the end though things worked out the same way I predicted but it was so satisfying seeing the events unfold the way you predicted. I was impressed.
👭 Setting
This is a special point I wanna talk about in particular. Fern work in a library and I love how her love for books has been explored in this book and how library play a major part in our lives. It showcased that in the community, a library is much more than just a place to borrow a book.
Bottom line :- Sally Hepworth writing is phenomenal and I am looking forward to reading more of her books. But overall this book was engrossing , endearing and chilling. Read this if you are looking for something more than a thriller.
Before anything else , I had zero expectations from this book like I wanted it to be good because all the new releases have so far been a huge disappointment for me. But SUPRISE this turns out to be really good.
Moving on, the beginning almost felt like a fun contemporary novel albeit with a sense of dread building with each word.
[...]
Sisterly relationships are so strange in this way. The way I can be mad at Rose but still want to please her. Be terrified of her and also want to run to her. Hate her and love her, both at the same time. Maybe when it comes to sisters, boundaries are always a little bit blurry. Blurred boundaries, I think, are what sisters do best.
[...]
I was all set with my grey cells and blanket to solve this case but it turns out this isn't a thriller it's more than that. It's a dark, sinister , conniving and different take on sisters relationship.
Let's break it into sub points :-
👭 Plot thing
A domestic thriller about two sisters - Fern who is quirky sister with certain sensory challenges while Rose who is a type A over protective sister and their mother who is sociopath or is she? We also get to see a romantic angle between Fern and this man Wally which was really refreshing .
At its core this book is an exploration about family relationships. The plot overall was subtle, realistic I’d say, in terms of the characters and the situation.
👭 Narration
It’s told as a dual narrative – Rose tells hers in the form of diary entries whereas we get Fern’s inner thoughts and daily life as she’s living it. It was an effective way of telling the story and an efficient way to depict the events from both POVs. I enjoyed reading both views though Fern’s view was like a breath of fresh air with her ways of understanding things and simplicity of living.
👭 Characters
I really like Fern. She is passionate, intelligent, hilarious and seriously witty. Rose on other hand was ugh? I can't say much because you know. But Characterisation wise the book really stood strong.
👭 Twists / ending
The first half of the book laid foundation about past and present of both the sisters lives. Midway through the book I guessed what's gonna happen and trust me it's no rocket science almost everybody must have guessed it but what surprising is the fact I was still shocked at the end though things worked out the same way I predicted but it was so satisfying seeing the events unfold the way you predicted. I was impressed.
👭 Setting
This is a special point I wanna talk about in particular. Fern work in a library and I love how her love for books has been explored in this book and how library play a major part in our lives. It showcased that in the community, a library is much more than just a place to borrow a book.
Bottom line :- Sally Hepworth writing is phenomenal and I am looking forward to reading more of her books. But overall this book was engrossing , endearing and chilling. Read this if you are looking for something more than a thriller.
April 13, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
I have LOVED all of the Sally Hepworth novels that I have read so far, so I was thrilled to be invited to read a VERY early ARC of her latest , directly by the Publisher through NetGalley.
I just couldn’t WAIT any longer to read it!
She truly excels at DOMESTIC SUSPENSE, and this was her best yet!
Rose and Fern are fraternal twins who are as different inside as they are outside.
Fern has Sensory Processing Issues and is often overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights, and pungent smells and Rose has always been her fierce protector. Their mother lacked some mothering skills, and they even had to develop a way to communicate without words-a warning tap of their matching bracelets, when Fern should remain quiet.
The threesome were even “homeless” for a year, spending every day in the Public Library, and every night in the home of anyone who would loan them a couch for the night.
But this ended up serving the girls well, because when Rose moved on to marriage, and a fierce desire to become a mother herself, Fern found herself a job as Librarian, which she excelled at, and found that she could live independently after all.
When Rose discovers that she may be unable to have a baby of her own, Fern decides that she may just be able to repay Rose for all the things she has done, and for all of the shared SECRETS that she protected.
I had no idea when I started this book that I would find the next Eleanor (Oliphant)!
Although Fern often has to decipher what her co-workers and Customers are asking of her-she VERY OFTEN sees the World more clearly than you or I, and her outlook is delightful!
My favorite chapters were those spent in the present day with Fern and Rocco (affectionately dubbed Wally by Fern).
They meet in the library when he comes in to use the shower and she mistakes him for a homeless guy-though he actually has chosen to live in a van. #VANLIFE.
The sister’s earlier years are shared with the reader through the “Journal entries of Rose Ingrid Castle” in alternating chapters.
As the story progresses I became quite ANXIOUS as to what may happen, as I became quite invested in wanting a happy ending for Fern, but knowing that life doesn’t always give us what we want.
Whether I yelled at my Kindle with triumph or with anger, is for you to find out!
One of my favorites this year!
And, another fun buddy read with DeAnn! 💕
I have LOVED all of the Sally Hepworth novels that I have read so far, so I was thrilled to be invited to read a VERY early ARC of her latest , directly by the Publisher through NetGalley.
I just couldn’t WAIT any longer to read it!
She truly excels at DOMESTIC SUSPENSE, and this was her best yet!
Rose and Fern are fraternal twins who are as different inside as they are outside.
Fern has Sensory Processing Issues and is often overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights, and pungent smells and Rose has always been her fierce protector. Their mother lacked some mothering skills, and they even had to develop a way to communicate without words-a warning tap of their matching bracelets, when Fern should remain quiet.
The threesome were even “homeless” for a year, spending every day in the Public Library, and every night in the home of anyone who would loan them a couch for the night.
But this ended up serving the girls well, because when Rose moved on to marriage, and a fierce desire to become a mother herself, Fern found herself a job as Librarian, which she excelled at, and found that she could live independently after all.
When Rose discovers that she may be unable to have a baby of her own, Fern decides that she may just be able to repay Rose for all the things she has done, and for all of the shared SECRETS that she protected.
I had no idea when I started this book that I would find the next Eleanor (Oliphant)!
Although Fern often has to decipher what her co-workers and Customers are asking of her-she VERY OFTEN sees the World more clearly than you or I, and her outlook is delightful!
My favorite chapters were those spent in the present day with Fern and Rocco (affectionately dubbed Wally by Fern).
They meet in the library when he comes in to use the shower and she mistakes him for a homeless guy-though he actually has chosen to live in a van. #VANLIFE.
The sister’s earlier years are shared with the reader through the “Journal entries of Rose Ingrid Castle” in alternating chapters.
As the story progresses I became quite ANXIOUS as to what may happen, as I became quite invested in wanting a happy ending for Fern, but knowing that life doesn’t always give us what we want.
Whether I yelled at my Kindle with triumph or with anger, is for you to find out!
One of my favorites this year!
And, another fun buddy read with DeAnn! 💕
June 17, 2022
4.5 ⭐
WOW!! No, I didn't expect The Good Sister to grab my attention from start to finish. This is very suspenseful and intense family drama. The story is well written and the voice narration gives a mellow feel, but underneath something about the sisters just isn't right.
Fraternal twins, Rose and Fern are unique with completely different personalities. Fern has sensory processing disorder. Rose protects Fern since childhood and continues to do so as adult. Their mother, unreliable and had many boyfriends. I thought I've read too many books with these "moms", but Sally Hepworth somehow made this fresh and addicting. Readers get a glimpse of their childhood from one of the girl's journal.
I had my suspicion, but still uncertain if I will get slap with an ending twist. I was cringing the last two hours of the book. Awesome!!
WOW!! No, I didn't expect The Good Sister to grab my attention from start to finish. This is very suspenseful and intense family drama. The story is well written and the voice narration gives a mellow feel, but underneath something about the sisters just isn't right.
Fraternal twins, Rose and Fern are unique with completely different personalities. Fern has sensory processing disorder. Rose protects Fern since childhood and continues to do so as adult. Their mother, unreliable and had many boyfriends. I thought I've read too many books with these "moms", but Sally Hepworth somehow made this fresh and addicting. Readers get a glimpse of their childhood from one of the girl's journal.
I had my suspicion, but still uncertain if I will get slap with an ending twist. I was cringing the last two hours of the book. Awesome!!
November 6, 2022
huh. i feel like im missing something. because this was neither mysterious nor thrilling…
i mean, right from the beginning you know this is strictly a case of a manipulate sister controlling her twin. there are no secrets, no hidden family past, no actual mystery that needs to be figured out. its strictly a story about two sisters and how one manipulates the other. thats it. the only redeeming aspect is the relationship between fern and wally/rocco - its surprisingly very cute.
so i think if you enjoy domestic fiction and family drama (think ‘eleanor oliphant is completely fine’), then you might have a more positive experience with this. but i personally found it so bland.
↠ 2.5 stars
i mean, right from the beginning you know this is strictly a case of a manipulate sister controlling her twin. there are no secrets, no hidden family past, no actual mystery that needs to be figured out. its strictly a story about two sisters and how one manipulates the other. thats it. the only redeeming aspect is the relationship between fern and wally/rocco - its surprisingly very cute.
so i think if you enjoy domestic fiction and family drama (think ‘eleanor oliphant is completely fine’), then you might have a more positive experience with this. but i personally found it so bland.
↠ 2.5 stars
Read
May 14, 2020Coming your way soon x
March 28, 2021
Contrivance
The Good Sister is a cleverly imagined story of sibling relationships and influences, especially as they are twins with one more dominant than the other. There is a backdrop of danger and uncertainty, as one of the sisters has a destructive personality disorder. The plot is extremely well delivered with a horrible secret hanging over the family, and a sociopathic mother that targets her displeasure and wrath at one daughter in particular.
Fern and Rose Castle are twin sisters and have lived most of their lives with their single mother and her different partners over the years. As one POV we look back in time with Rose as she recalls and notes in her diary the life and experiences she and Fern have endured. Fern provides an added first-person POV, as we discover her as a wonderful and highly likeable character who has a sensory overload problem and exists on the autism spectrum where social etiquette is just non-existent. The dialogue and perspective Fern exhibits have endearing humour, as she rationalises situations in her own unique manner and is astonished why people are easily offended.
Rose is married and has a problem conceiving a child due to premature ovarian ageing. In selfless support of her sister, and with her own unique analysis of the situation, Fern decides to become pregnant and give the child to Rose. The man she identifies as the potential father-to-be is called Rocco Ryan or as Fern calls him Wally because he looks like “Where’s Wally” with his bobble hat. Wally is also an intriguing character that adds another important thread to the story that helps Fern grow and gradually develop her independence.
I much prefer novels that gradually paint the symptoms of a personality disorder and allow us to build our own diagnosis. So much more could be said about the characters in the novel but the less said the better. If we follow the notion that there is a Good sister then we can surmise that there is an implication of a Bad sister, but the story has many secrets and surprises ahead.
The Good Sister is a very engaging story full of suspense and drama, with compelling characters that keep this novel fascinating and with intelligent humour that rounds this novel off as a great entertaining read. The novel is impressively threaded together even if predictable and convenient at times. Sally Hepworth is establishing her place as a great storyteller with sharp social and domestic observational quality. I would recommend this book, and I would like to thank St Martins Press, Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.
The Good Sister is a cleverly imagined story of sibling relationships and influences, especially as they are twins with one more dominant than the other. There is a backdrop of danger and uncertainty, as one of the sisters has a destructive personality disorder. The plot is extremely well delivered with a horrible secret hanging over the family, and a sociopathic mother that targets her displeasure and wrath at one daughter in particular.
Fern and Rose Castle are twin sisters and have lived most of their lives with their single mother and her different partners over the years. As one POV we look back in time with Rose as she recalls and notes in her diary the life and experiences she and Fern have endured. Fern provides an added first-person POV, as we discover her as a wonderful and highly likeable character who has a sensory overload problem and exists on the autism spectrum where social etiquette is just non-existent. The dialogue and perspective Fern exhibits have endearing humour, as she rationalises situations in her own unique manner and is astonished why people are easily offended.
“It’s astonishing what can be offensive to people. For example, apparently, it is the height of rudeness to ask someone his or her age or weight, which makes absolutely no sense. Why be mysterious about something that is quite literally on display for all to see? And yet, these rules exist, and everyone seems to understand what they can and can’t ask. Everyone except me.”Fern recognises that she causes issues with her irregular approach, so she often defers to her sister to make many of her life choices. Fern is a librarian, marvellously suited to her job as she recalls and recommends the huge number of books she reads. She believes that she cannot be trusted because she is absentminded with dangerous consequences – none more so than the massive family secret where a boy was killed at Fern’s hands.
Rose is married and has a problem conceiving a child due to premature ovarian ageing. In selfless support of her sister, and with her own unique analysis of the situation, Fern decides to become pregnant and give the child to Rose. The man she identifies as the potential father-to-be is called Rocco Ryan or as Fern calls him Wally because he looks like “Where’s Wally” with his bobble hat. Wally is also an intriguing character that adds another important thread to the story that helps Fern grow and gradually develop her independence.
I much prefer novels that gradually paint the symptoms of a personality disorder and allow us to build our own diagnosis. So much more could be said about the characters in the novel but the less said the better. If we follow the notion that there is a Good sister then we can surmise that there is an implication of a Bad sister, but the story has many secrets and surprises ahead.
The Good Sister is a very engaging story full of suspense and drama, with compelling characters that keep this novel fascinating and with intelligent humour that rounds this novel off as a great entertaining read. The novel is impressively threaded together even if predictable and convenient at times. Sally Hepworth is establishing her place as a great storyteller with sharp social and domestic observational quality. I would recommend this book, and I would like to thank St Martins Press, Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.
July 30, 2021
i've never read anything by sally hepworth before, although The Mother-in-Law has been recommended to me by several people. despite their impassioned "you need to read this!" beseechments, i never felt any urgency to pick it up. it seemed like it would probably be fine—middlebrow domestic suspense, maybe a decent twist, but there wasn't anything about it that struck me as special.
but hell, i've misjudged a book before.
if this hadn't shown up at my house in a box FAR too big to ignore, i probably wouldn't have picked this one up, either, but since i can be easily bought off with a trowel, i dug in (chortle), and i wound up having a great time with it! the mystery elements were fairly predictable*, but i absolutely loved fern, and there was much more depth and nuance to her character than i'd expected, as well as more humor and some genuinely moving moments.
plotstuff: fern and rose are twins, but they are as different as two strangers who got off an elevator on the same floor, and hepworth reinforces their differences with how she shapes their alternating POVs: fern's is a standard, although digressive, first-person narrative, while rose's version of events is relayed through a series of journal entries.
fern has sensory-processing difficulties; she is hypersensitive to touch, and when faced with crowds of people, excessive or sudden noises or lights, she becomes overwhelmed into a sort of panic attack. she's also neurodivergent, which can make the interacting-with-patrons part of her job as a librarian a little precarious, but also very funny. and for me—neurotypical but small-talk averse and impatient with imprecise queries, wincingly familiar. additional fern-and-karen samesies are that we are both excellent at the readers' advisory parts of our jobs and both suspicious of/confounded by the computers-and-printers aspect.
not a spoiler, just a delightful but overlong passage you may or may not choose to read.
although fern's sensory sensitivities make her life challenging, she has developed routines and strategies to manage them and she has rose to help her through any tricky situations that may arise.
rose is an efficient, take-charge kind of woman, married with a successful career as an interior designer, but she always makes time for fern—they have dinner together several times a week, and she involves herself in every detail of fern's life. rose established herself as fern's protector when they were children, even before their mother overdosed, and she is the only person who knows fern's darkest secret and the reason she needs to be protected from herself.
because of this secret, fern has always gratefully deferred to rose for guidance, and her side of the story is liberally sprinkled with rose's advice and opinions, like so:
when rose's desire for a baby is thwarted by her own biology, fern decides she owes it to her sister to conceive one for her. she meets a man 'named' wally who understands and shares some of her idiosyncrasies, and as their relationship develops into more than just a means to a procreational end, rose becomesa bit territorial concerned with fern's newfound independence from her, and wally has his own concerns about the sisters' relationship.
fern may have difficulty with everyday social cues, but she nails the complexities of sororal dynamics:
anywhooooo, this is a much longer review than i meant to write when i sat down, and very few people are bothering to read this far so i guess this is a private enough place to confess that i had myself one of those rare misty moments during the scene where fern is riding the bus to the clinic and sits in the pregnant-passenger seat. not a full-on cry, but since it's so rare for me to even get that tight-throat pre-cry feeling when reading, i'm gonna fib a bit and put it on my "books that made me cry" shelf and hope that this is the beginning of a whole new me; a me who is able to be moved to tears (and, more importantly, to be SCARED) by books like everybody else.
an observation interesting to no one:
between this one, the murderbot series, and The Maid, i've read quite a little cluster of books lately whose main characters, for various reasons, struggle with human interactions: navigating social cues, wrestling with idiom or subtext, defaulting to literalism, developing coping mechanisms—putting so much effort into understanding and being understood. and either authors are getting better (more sensitive and thoughtful) about writing these kinds of characters, or i'm losing my curmudgeonly edge, because in the past, these character types came off annoyingly twee and inauthentic, and yet these recent few have not rubbed me the wrong way at all. bonus points for lessons in how to human better:
on it.
additional observation interesting to no one:
if you read this book or the spoiler passage i laboriously typed out, you will know that sartorially, fern is rita:
in conclusion, hepworth's cover designer is phoning it in.
tl;dr—sisters. secrets. schemes
* REAL SPOILER
*********************************************
once upon a time
this enormous box showed up at my house:
long story short—i now own a trowel
come to my blog!!
but hell, i've misjudged a book before.
if this hadn't shown up at my house in a box FAR too big to ignore, i probably wouldn't have picked this one up, either, but since i can be easily bought off with a trowel, i dug in (chortle), and i wound up having a great time with it! the mystery elements were fairly predictable*, but i absolutely loved fern, and there was much more depth and nuance to her character than i'd expected, as well as more humor and some genuinely moving moments.
plotstuff: fern and rose are twins, but they are as different as two strangers who got off an elevator on the same floor, and hepworth reinforces their differences with how she shapes their alternating POVs: fern's is a standard, although digressive, first-person narrative, while rose's version of events is relayed through a series of journal entries.
fern has sensory-processing difficulties; she is hypersensitive to touch, and when faced with crowds of people, excessive or sudden noises or lights, she becomes overwhelmed into a sort of panic attack. she's also neurodivergent, which can make the interacting-with-patrons part of her job as a librarian a little precarious, but also very funny. and for me—neurotypical but small-talk averse and impatient with imprecise queries, wincingly familiar. additional fern-and-karen samesies are that we are both excellent at the readers' advisory parts of our jobs and both suspicious of/confounded by the computers-and-printers aspect.
not a spoiler, just a delightful but overlong passage you may or may not choose to read.
although fern's sensory sensitivities make her life challenging, she has developed routines and strategies to manage them and she has rose to help her through any tricky situations that may arise.
rose is an efficient, take-charge kind of woman, married with a successful career as an interior designer, but she always makes time for fern—they have dinner together several times a week, and she involves herself in every detail of fern's life. rose established herself as fern's protector when they were children, even before their mother overdosed, and she is the only person who knows fern's darkest secret and the reason she needs to be protected from herself.
because of this secret, fern has always gratefully deferred to rose for guidance, and her side of the story is liberally sprinkled with rose's advice and opinions, like so:
I try to avoid conversations about things other than books, although I'll occasionally indulge Gayle in a conversation about her garden or her grandchildren, because Rose says it's polite to do this with people who we like.
when rose's desire for a baby is thwarted by her own biology, fern decides she owes it to her sister to conceive one for her. she meets a man 'named' wally who understands and shares some of her idiosyncrasies, and as their relationship develops into more than just a means to a procreational end, rose becomes
fern may have difficulty with everyday social cues, but she nails the complexities of sororal dynamics:
Sisterly relationships are so strange in this way. The way I can be mad at Rose but still want to please her. Be terrified of her and also want to run to her. Hate her and love her, both at the same time. Maybe when it comes to sisters, boundaries are always a little bit blurry. Blurred boundaries, I think, are what sisters do best.
anywhooooo, this is a much longer review than i meant to write when i sat down, and very few people are bothering to read this far so i guess this is a private enough place to confess that i had myself one of those rare misty moments during the scene where fern is riding the bus to the clinic and sits in the pregnant-passenger seat. not a full-on cry, but since it's so rare for me to even get that tight-throat pre-cry feeling when reading, i'm gonna fib a bit and put it on my "books that made me cry" shelf and hope that this is the beginning of a whole new me; a me who is able to be moved to tears (and, more importantly, to be SCARED) by books like everybody else.
an observation interesting to no one:
between this one, the murderbot series, and The Maid, i've read quite a little cluster of books lately whose main characters, for various reasons, struggle with human interactions: navigating social cues, wrestling with idiom or subtext, defaulting to literalism, developing coping mechanisms—putting so much effort into understanding and being understood. and either authors are getting better (more sensitive and thoughtful) about writing these kinds of characters, or i'm losing my curmudgeonly edge, because in the past, these character types came off annoyingly twee and inauthentic, and yet these recent few have not rubbed me the wrong way at all. bonus points for lessons in how to human better:
Asking questions is a tactic I use when small talk is required—it makes you appear interested while simultaneously putting all the effort of the conversation on the other party.
on it.
additional observation interesting to no one:
if you read this book or the spoiler passage i laboriously typed out, you will know that sartorially, fern is rita:
in conclusion, hepworth's cover designer is phoning it in.
tl;dr—sisters. secrets. schemes
* REAL SPOILER
*********************************************
once upon a time
this enormous box showed up at my house:
long story short—i now own a trowel
come to my blog!!
June 4, 2021
"The Good Sister" by Sally Hepworth is a Domestic Thriller, a bit of Mystery, with doses of Suspense and Sister Drama mixed in!
Paternal twins Fern and Rose look nothing alike. They don't act alike either. They are different is every way...
Fern is a Librarian. She has Sensory Processing Disorder. Being around a lot of people, bright lights and noisy places are triggers for Fern. Emotional triggers. She needs structure and consistency in her everyday life. Being a Librarian gives her that. Rose gives her consistency, too!
Rose is an Interior Designer. She has Diabetes. She's married to Owen who is currently working in London. Rose also wants a baby and has secretly planned a four week trip to London to visit Owen. She's hoping to take care of business!
Fern has always known that Rose has watched over her. She knows, while growing up, Rose took the brunt of the cruelty from their abusive, temperamental mother. Rose filtered Fern's reality of their lives together when they lived on the fringes of homelessness.
Even three months ago, Rose didn't go to London with Owen. Instead she chose to stay home to ensure Fern was safe. After all, isn't that what a 'good sister' does?
Now Fern wants to help Rose. She's on a mission to make that happen but she can't do it alone.
Then: In walks 'Wally'...
This story is told in first person POV's of Fern and Rose. I love what first person narrations lend to a story. Fern and Rose give their personal reflections with depth and heart, reverting back and forth between their current lives and their recollections growing up. There's great detail given in their individual backstories!
Within the additional backstories, the character development is superb! I will tell you that Fern and Wally are my faves! For me, these two characters ranked right up there with Eleanor Oliphant and her friend Raymond! Fern is definitely the star of this book and Wally...he's...well, you just have to read this book and find out!
I listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend it as the choice to make. The narrator, Barrie Kreinik, has diverse and believable voicing skills and her voice inflections are on the mark! It's an amazing listening experience! Love her Aussie accent! Stirs fond memories of my Mom!
Simply stated, I loved this book! Loved it! I listened to it in two early morning sessions while walking. Needless to say, I walked a little further and a lot longer than I intended both days. I just couldn't stop listening! Actually, I believe it's Fern's fault!
I highly recommend this book to all who have the ability to read!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. This is Fern's fault, too!
Paternal twins Fern and Rose look nothing alike. They don't act alike either. They are different is every way...
Fern is a Librarian. She has Sensory Processing Disorder. Being around a lot of people, bright lights and noisy places are triggers for Fern. Emotional triggers. She needs structure and consistency in her everyday life. Being a Librarian gives her that. Rose gives her consistency, too!
Rose is an Interior Designer. She has Diabetes. She's married to Owen who is currently working in London. Rose also wants a baby and has secretly planned a four week trip to London to visit Owen. She's hoping to take care of business!
Fern has always known that Rose has watched over her. She knows, while growing up, Rose took the brunt of the cruelty from their abusive, temperamental mother. Rose filtered Fern's reality of their lives together when they lived on the fringes of homelessness.
Even three months ago, Rose didn't go to London with Owen. Instead she chose to stay home to ensure Fern was safe. After all, isn't that what a 'good sister' does?
Now Fern wants to help Rose. She's on a mission to make that happen but she can't do it alone.
Then: In walks 'Wally'...
This story is told in first person POV's of Fern and Rose. I love what first person narrations lend to a story. Fern and Rose give their personal reflections with depth and heart, reverting back and forth between their current lives and their recollections growing up. There's great detail given in their individual backstories!
Within the additional backstories, the character development is superb! I will tell you that Fern and Wally are my faves! For me, these two characters ranked right up there with Eleanor Oliphant and her friend Raymond! Fern is definitely the star of this book and Wally...he's...well, you just have to read this book and find out!
I listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend it as the choice to make. The narrator, Barrie Kreinik, has diverse and believable voicing skills and her voice inflections are on the mark! It's an amazing listening experience! Love her Aussie accent! Stirs fond memories of my Mom!
Simply stated, I loved this book! Loved it! I listened to it in two early morning sessions while walking. Needless to say, I walked a little further and a lot longer than I intended both days. I just couldn't stop listening! Actually, I believe it's Fern's fault!
I highly recommend this book to all who have the ability to read!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. This is Fern's fault, too!
June 3, 2021
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is a 2021 St. Martin’s Press publication.
Fern and Rose are fraternal twins. Yet, Rose is stable and mature, while Fern is on the autism spectrum. After a tumultuous childhood, Rose looks after her sister, who works at a library. Because Fern once did something really, really, bad, and because Rose’s marriage has hit a rough patch, Fern wants to make everyone happy again- and she knows just what she can do to make that happen.
While Rose is away, Fern sets her plan in motion…
What could possibly go wrong?
I breezed through this one in record time. For a little while I was not exactly sure where Hepworth was leading me and sat nervously on the edge of my seat waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Obviously, some terrible things have already transpired as we get a glimpse into the twins’ childhood. We also know that the girls were directly involved in a disquieting tragedy as children, and now it looks as if trouble may be brewing again. What is so alarming is that we don’t know WHO will strike, or when, or how…
The only downside to being a lifelong crime fiction loyalist, is that original plots are often far and few between. The good/bad sister trope is hardly original, having been done six ways from Sunday.
Once it became clear which direction the story was headed, the wind went out of my sails a little, but I was so concerned about the characters, I kept turning pages at warp speed. Turns out that although I knew- and I suspect, once most readers reach a certain point in the book, they will have caught on, as well- what the big plot twist was, there were a few stunning developments I did not see coming and the last chapter was truly psycho!!
Once I had a little time to think about the story, I realized that, in hindsight, it was much more cunning than I had originally given it credit. Still, the cleverness is in the well-drawn characterizations, without which, the doubts, concerns, and suspense, wouldn’t have been possible.
This is only the third book I have read by this author- but this one is a little different, having an edgier quality, utilizing another form of suspense from what I was expecting. Some of the emotional depth and relatability were lacking here, but overall, this was an absorbing, twisted little page turner!!
3.5 stars
Fern and Rose are fraternal twins. Yet, Rose is stable and mature, while Fern is on the autism spectrum. After a tumultuous childhood, Rose looks after her sister, who works at a library. Because Fern once did something really, really, bad, and because Rose’s marriage has hit a rough patch, Fern wants to make everyone happy again- and she knows just what she can do to make that happen.
While Rose is away, Fern sets her plan in motion…
What could possibly go wrong?
I breezed through this one in record time. For a little while I was not exactly sure where Hepworth was leading me and sat nervously on the edge of my seat waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Obviously, some terrible things have already transpired as we get a glimpse into the twins’ childhood. We also know that the girls were directly involved in a disquieting tragedy as children, and now it looks as if trouble may be brewing again. What is so alarming is that we don’t know WHO will strike, or when, or how…
The only downside to being a lifelong crime fiction loyalist, is that original plots are often far and few between. The good/bad sister trope is hardly original, having been done six ways from Sunday.
Once it became clear which direction the story was headed, the wind went out of my sails a little, but I was so concerned about the characters, I kept turning pages at warp speed. Turns out that although I knew- and I suspect, once most readers reach a certain point in the book, they will have caught on, as well- what the big plot twist was, there were a few stunning developments I did not see coming and the last chapter was truly psycho!!
Once I had a little time to think about the story, I realized that, in hindsight, it was much more cunning than I had originally given it credit. Still, the cleverness is in the well-drawn characterizations, without which, the doubts, concerns, and suspense, wouldn’t have been possible.
This is only the third book I have read by this author- but this one is a little different, having an edgier quality, utilizing another form of suspense from what I was expecting. Some of the emotional depth and relatability were lacking here, but overall, this was an absorbing, twisted little page turner!!
3.5 stars
May 1, 2021
Now 99p on kindle UK!
An engrossing and suspenseful drama about secrets, lies and the complicated bond between sisters
This is a story about twin sisters and their bond,
This is a story about childhood trauma,
This is a story about what it's like to be on the Autistic spectrum, with Sensory Processing Disorder,
This is a story about boundaries,
This is a story which asks what makes a good sister?
It's been a long time since I devoured this book in a day, and stayed up very late to finish it, but The Good Sister was such an entertaining page turner, that I just couldn't help myself! This book had got a lot of hype from my GR friends, so I am so happy that it lived up to, and exceeded my expectations!
So how can a book be a twisty drama, which filled me with a sense of foreboding and unease also be so heart-warming and wonderful? I'm not sure how Sally Hepworth managed to achieve this, but she did! I was addicted to this nail-biting story, and felt deeply worried about the vulnerability of one of the characters, and the danger that they possibly faced, and yet smiled at the humour, the romance and the lovely characters!
The Good Sister was so well written, it just flowed incredibly well, weaving together so many issues in a remarkable and sensitive way. I enjoyed the contrast of the chapters, written from one sister Rose's POV in the form of her diary, with some flashbacks to their childhood, and from her twin sister's POV as the narrator. It was emotional reading about these characters, and trust me, the characters definitely make this book!
Rose, the sensible, protective, responsible sister, who takes care of her twin, supports her and is her person.
Fern, the innocent, quirky sister, with a heart of gold, who has to have a routine, misunderstands social norms, and has several sensory difficulties.
These characters had me caring about them, invested in them, rooting for them! The character growth was amazing throughout the story, and I relished in it! The dynamics between the sisters as they grew up, and as their lives evolved was so fascinating.
I adored the library setting, where Fern worked, and the secondary characters whom I met there.
Did I have an inkling where this book was going? YES! It did have a little predictability that seasoned thriller readers will figure out. Did this affect my enjoyment? HELL NO! I delighted in every step of the journey!
I'm not going to say too much about the plot because it was wonderful discovering it myself! And my review cannot do this lovely, yet dark book justice, but if you're looking for a quick and engaging suspense, which also has family drama, unreliable narrators, romance and some amazingly fleshed out characters, then give this one a go!
Avaialble April 15th 2021!
Many thanks to NetGalley UK and Hodder & Stoughton for my ARC, in exchange for an honest review!
An engrossing and suspenseful drama about secrets, lies and the complicated bond between sisters
This is a story about twin sisters and their bond,
This is a story about childhood trauma,
This is a story about what it's like to be on the Autistic spectrum, with Sensory Processing Disorder,
This is a story about boundaries,
This is a story which asks what makes a good sister?
It's been a long time since I devoured this book in a day, and stayed up very late to finish it, but The Good Sister was such an entertaining page turner, that I just couldn't help myself! This book had got a lot of hype from my GR friends, so I am so happy that it lived up to, and exceeded my expectations!
So how can a book be a twisty drama, which filled me with a sense of foreboding and unease also be so heart-warming and wonderful? I'm not sure how Sally Hepworth managed to achieve this, but she did! I was addicted to this nail-biting story, and felt deeply worried about the vulnerability of one of the characters, and the danger that they possibly faced, and yet smiled at the humour, the romance and the lovely characters!
The Good Sister was so well written, it just flowed incredibly well, weaving together so many issues in a remarkable and sensitive way. I enjoyed the contrast of the chapters, written from one sister Rose's POV in the form of her diary, with some flashbacks to their childhood, and from her twin sister's POV as the narrator. It was emotional reading about these characters, and trust me, the characters definitely make this book!
Rose, the sensible, protective, responsible sister, who takes care of her twin, supports her and is her person.
Fern, the innocent, quirky sister, with a heart of gold, who has to have a routine, misunderstands social norms, and has several sensory difficulties.
These characters had me caring about them, invested in them, rooting for them! The character growth was amazing throughout the story, and I relished in it! The dynamics between the sisters as they grew up, and as their lives evolved was so fascinating.
I adored the library setting, where Fern worked, and the secondary characters whom I met there.
Did I have an inkling where this book was going? YES! It did have a little predictability that seasoned thriller readers will figure out. Did this affect my enjoyment? HELL NO! I delighted in every step of the journey!
I'm not going to say too much about the plot because it was wonderful discovering it myself! And my review cannot do this lovely, yet dark book justice, but if you're looking for a quick and engaging suspense, which also has family drama, unreliable narrators, romance and some amazingly fleshed out characters, then give this one a go!
Avaialble April 15th 2021!
Many thanks to NetGalley UK and Hodder & Stoughton for my ARC, in exchange for an honest review!
March 13, 2021
Rose and Fern. Fern and Rose. Twin sisters and so it goes......
It seems that it has always been the two of them looking out for each other...well, Rose looks out for Fern. Rose is a married woman who wants to have a baby while Fern will happily tell you that she is a librarian - a quirky printer avoiding librarian. She also wants to help her sister have her heart's desire and this is where things get interesting.
The novel is told from both Rose and Fern's viewpoints. We also gain insight through journal/diary entries. They have always been there for each other, looking out for each other and will do anything for each other, right? They are good sisters, aren't they? What would you do for your sister? Where do the boundaries lay?
Sally Hepworth has woven another juicy and interesting tale. Just when you think you know what is happening, she will stir the pot! Predictable? a tad, but oh, so enjoyable. This is a book where I am happy to throw predictable out the window because I like how the plot is unfolding. As we get to know each sister through her POV chapters, Hepworth shows us the personality and characteristics of the sisters, the dynamic of their relationship and perhaps sheds some light on who is the more reliable sister, or shall I say, "The Good Sister".
This was a quick read that entertained with it is devious, delightful and diabolical fun. An engaging family drama high on the drama. With family like this.... well.... you get the picture.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
It seems that it has always been the two of them looking out for each other...well, Rose looks out for Fern. Rose is a married woman who wants to have a baby while Fern will happily tell you that she is a librarian - a quirky printer avoiding librarian. She also wants to help her sister have her heart's desire and this is where things get interesting.
The novel is told from both Rose and Fern's viewpoints. We also gain insight through journal/diary entries. They have always been there for each other, looking out for each other and will do anything for each other, right? They are good sisters, aren't they? What would you do for your sister? Where do the boundaries lay?
Sally Hepworth has woven another juicy and interesting tale. Just when you think you know what is happening, she will stir the pot! Predictable? a tad, but oh, so enjoyable. This is a book where I am happy to throw predictable out the window because I like how the plot is unfolding. As we get to know each sister through her POV chapters, Hepworth shows us the personality and characteristics of the sisters, the dynamic of their relationship and perhaps sheds some light on who is the more reliable sister, or shall I say, "The Good Sister".
This was a quick read that entertained with it is devious, delightful and diabolical fun. An engaging family drama high on the drama. With family like this.... well.... you get the picture.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
April 13, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
What do you get when you throw a domestic drama, a budding and original romance, and a simmering thriller with unexpected turns into a blender? THE GOOD SISTER.
Fern and Rose are twins, but are as different as night and day. Fern has sensory issues. Rose has diabetes. Fern has been single for most of her 28 years. Rose is married, although the marriage is estranged. Fern has never even thought about having children. Rose and her husband have always wanted children, but never thought they’d have them. This plants a seed in Fern’s head that she can help her sister out with the ultimate gift.
There’s so much more to say, but I don’t want to give anything away. I will say that this far exceeded my expectations. The story is gripping from page 1. The chapters alternate between Fern and Rose’s POV. Fern is one of the best characters I’ve read in some time. With her sensory issues and being a bit different than everyone else, it was fascinating to see how her mind processed information and took everything so literal. She’s also one of the best examples of character growth I’ve read in some time. Fern is also a librarian (which was my dream job when I was a child), and I loved the relationships between her and her coworkers...which grew as the book progressed.
As other reviews pointed out, this doesn’t really hit suspense/thriller territory until about halfway through (54%). However, you will not be disappointed getting to know the characters and learning about their quirks. It’s all part of the groundwork for the second half. There are plenty of surprises and dark turns ahead, and the whole journey is 100% satisfying! Sally Hepworth is now an auto-read author for me.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Sally Hepworth, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What do you get when you throw a domestic drama, a budding and original romance, and a simmering thriller with unexpected turns into a blender? THE GOOD SISTER.
Fern and Rose are twins, but are as different as night and day. Fern has sensory issues. Rose has diabetes. Fern has been single for most of her 28 years. Rose is married, although the marriage is estranged. Fern has never even thought about having children. Rose and her husband have always wanted children, but never thought they’d have them. This plants a seed in Fern’s head that she can help her sister out with the ultimate gift.
There’s so much more to say, but I don’t want to give anything away. I will say that this far exceeded my expectations. The story is gripping from page 1. The chapters alternate between Fern and Rose’s POV. Fern is one of the best characters I’ve read in some time. With her sensory issues and being a bit different than everyone else, it was fascinating to see how her mind processed information and took everything so literal. She’s also one of the best examples of character growth I’ve read in some time. Fern is also a librarian (which was my dream job when I was a child), and I loved the relationships between her and her coworkers...which grew as the book progressed.
As other reviews pointed out, this doesn’t really hit suspense/thriller territory until about halfway through (54%). However, you will not be disappointed getting to know the characters and learning about their quirks. It’s all part of the groundwork for the second half. There are plenty of surprises and dark turns ahead, and the whole journey is 100% satisfying! Sally Hepworth is now an auto-read author for me.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Sally Hepworth, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2021
I listened to The Good Sister on a roadtrip last week, almost entirely in one sitting. Domestic suspense with a heavy dose of subtle humor, I was laughing often as I listened.
Fern and Rose are fraternal twins in their late 20s. Fern has sensory processing issues — She doesn’t like loud noises, big crowds, or disruption to her routine, which includes her job at the library and dinner 3 nights a week with Rose. When Fern finds out Rose is unable to become pregnant, she plans to have a baby for her sister, to repay the favor of a mistake Fern made years ago — She just needs to find a man to have the baby with.
The story alternates between Fern in the present day and Rose, through her past journal entries. A few plot elements were predictable but not enough to detract from the story which kept me interested the whole way through. Fern was a great character and I loved her constant loathing of the photocopiers/ printers in the library.
The Good Sister was my second Sally Hepworth book and my first audiobook by her. Barrie Kreinik was the narrator and did a great job.
Fern and Rose are fraternal twins in their late 20s. Fern has sensory processing issues — She doesn’t like loud noises, big crowds, or disruption to her routine, which includes her job at the library and dinner 3 nights a week with Rose. When Fern finds out Rose is unable to become pregnant, she plans to have a baby for her sister, to repay the favor of a mistake Fern made years ago — She just needs to find a man to have the baby with.
The story alternates between Fern in the present day and Rose, through her past journal entries. A few plot elements were predictable but not enough to detract from the story which kept me interested the whole way through. Fern was a great character and I loved her constant loathing of the photocopiers/ printers in the library.
The Good Sister was my second Sally Hepworth book and my first audiobook by her. Barrie Kreinik was the narrator and did a great job.
January 1, 2021
Twin sisters are supposed to be as close as, well...two peas in a pod! Right!?👭🏽
At least that’s the way it worked out for twins Fern and Rose. With Rose taking on the responsibility of looking after Fern. She has sensory issues that have consumed her life. And a past that Rose isn’t about to let her forget.
Sisters! Oy! Could I write an encyclopedia-size book on that subject!
But I digress…
For these two, the question is when does a functional loving ‘sisterly’ relationship stop being healthy? Well you might want to ask these two ladies!
Though somewhat predictable, (I had most of the book figured out nearly immediately) I still enjoyed every bit of the ride.
Sally Hepworth writes a highly engaging read you won’t easily be able to put down. Certainly true for me!
For a light, engaging thriller that delves into family dysfunction...look no further!
A buddy read with Susanne that we both really enjoyed!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC to read and review.
At least that’s the way it worked out for twins Fern and Rose. With Rose taking on the responsibility of looking after Fern. She has sensory issues that have consumed her life. And a past that Rose isn’t about to let her forget.
Sisters! Oy! Could I write an encyclopedia-size book on that subject!
But I digress…
For these two, the question is when does a functional loving ‘sisterly’ relationship stop being healthy? Well you might want to ask these two ladies!
Though somewhat predictable, (I had most of the book figured out nearly immediately) I still enjoyed every bit of the ride.
Sally Hepworth writes a highly engaging read you won’t easily be able to put down. Certainly true for me!
For a light, engaging thriller that delves into family dysfunction...look no further!
A buddy read with Susanne that we both really enjoyed!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC to read and review.
May 16, 2021
There was something about this novel that made me love it.
I don't know if it was Fern with the way she processed the world or if it was Wally and his hat or if it was the way the author decided on the resolution of the suspense. I just ended up being delighted by it!
Could I guess where the story was going? Certainly. Yet, I love and appreciate the delivery!
The book is about two fraternal twins.
Fern Castle is a tall blonde girl who has sensory processing disorder. She prefers to follow her routine day by day and hates when her schedule gets changed. Fern works as a librarian and loves her job except when the manager wants her to greet people or learn about the printer or copy machines, then Fern fines her hidey-hole and stays there until she feels safe enough that she can go out again.
Rose is the other sibling. She is a brunette, shorter than Fern. She's an interior decorator. She is married but she has always looked out for Fern. Her diary is full of passages about how her mother behaved when they were kids and how she protected Fern from her neglect.
When Rose confides in Fern that she can't have children due to premature ovarian failure, Fern decides that the best way to help Rose is to get pregnant herself and give the baby to Rose. She just needs to find a man and have sex with him.
Enters Wally, I mean Rocco, an IT genius who is living out of his van. He's nice to Fern. He's patient with her and he seems to understand Fern's limitations and tries to make things easier for her. Having himself some issues, it was easy for him to relate to Fern. Yet can their relationship work?
I love Fern with all her quirkiness, her love for books, her special hidden space. She made the book for me. I did fall for Wally too. Such a nice guy! I want to be friends with them and meet at the library. I just need to wear my goggles (which I already use for work--thank you, COVID) and borrow the noise-canceling headphones from my hubby.
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
I don't know if it was Fern with the way she processed the world or if it was Wally and his hat or if it was the way the author decided on the resolution of the suspense. I just ended up being delighted by it!
Could I guess where the story was going? Certainly. Yet, I love and appreciate the delivery!
The book is about two fraternal twins.
Fern Castle is a tall blonde girl who has sensory processing disorder. She prefers to follow her routine day by day and hates when her schedule gets changed. Fern works as a librarian and loves her job except when the manager wants her to greet people or learn about the printer or copy machines, then Fern fines her hidey-hole and stays there until she feels safe enough that she can go out again.
Rose is the other sibling. She is a brunette, shorter than Fern. She's an interior decorator. She is married but she has always looked out for Fern. Her diary is full of passages about how her mother behaved when they were kids and how she protected Fern from her neglect.
When Rose confides in Fern that she can't have children due to premature ovarian failure, Fern decides that the best way to help Rose is to get pregnant herself and give the baby to Rose. She just needs to find a man and have sex with him.
Enters Wally, I mean Rocco, an IT genius who is living out of his van. He's nice to Fern. He's patient with her and he seems to understand Fern's limitations and tries to make things easier for her. Having himself some issues, it was easy for him to relate to Fern. Yet can their relationship work?
I love Fern with all her quirkiness, her love for books, her special hidden space. She made the book for me. I did fall for Wally too. Such a nice guy! I want to be friends with them and meet at the library. I just need to wear my goggles (which I already use for work--thank you, COVID) and borrow the noise-canceling headphones from my hubby.
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
October 19, 2020
A domestic drama about twin sisters that
entertained all the way to the end!
Fern and Rose are fraternal twins and very protective of each other. They grew up with a mom who wasn't always looking out for them and they didn't have the best of childhoods, but they had each other.
I enjoyed the characters and though somewhat predictable, I was surprised by one turn of events. If you love some twin sister drama, this one is sure to entertain and you will be quite entertained as the whole baby plot plays out!
Thanks to the publisher for my Review Copy. OUT April 13, 2020
Fern and Rose are fraternal twins and very protective of each other. They grew up with a mom who wasn't always looking out for them and they didn't have the best of childhoods, but they had each other.
I enjoyed the characters and though somewhat predictable, I was surprised by one turn of events. If you love some twin sister drama, this one is sure to entertain and you will be quite entertained as the whole baby plot plays out!
Thanks to the publisher for my Review Copy. OUT April 13, 2020
January 2, 2021
Review published on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Wickedly Devine.
Sisters. They REALLY Can’t be Trusted, Can They?
Speaking from experience, I’d say that answer is no. (And I really am “The Good Sister.” (JK!))
Baaawaaahh!!!
What can I tell you about this Wildly Captivating, Entertaining, and Enthralling Domestic Thriller?
It’s DEVILISH.
It’s Fun.
It’s Crazy.
And it’s Hella Good!
Is it a tad predictable? Yes. Admittedly, I guessed what would happen early on but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment in the least. In fact, I couldn’t turn the pages of this one fast enough.
It's twisty-turny and there are still surprises to be had!
A Brilliant Buddy Read with Kaceey!
*To my sister, Karin: As for who is the “Good Sister” - we can agree to disagree. Love you!
A huge thank you goes out to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the arc. This was a delightfully wild, wicked read. I can’t wait to see what Sally Hepworth comes out with next.
Published on Goodreads on 12.27.20.
Wickedly Devine.
Sisters. They REALLY Can’t be Trusted, Can They?
Speaking from experience, I’d say that answer is no. (And I really am “The Good Sister.” (JK!))
Baaawaaahh!!!
What can I tell you about this Wildly Captivating, Entertaining, and Enthralling Domestic Thriller?
It’s DEVILISH.
It’s Fun.
It’s Crazy.
And it’s Hella Good!
Is it a tad predictable? Yes. Admittedly, I guessed what would happen early on but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment in the least. In fact, I couldn’t turn the pages of this one fast enough.
It's twisty-turny and there are still surprises to be had!
A Brilliant Buddy Read with Kaceey!
*To my sister, Karin: As for who is the “Good Sister” - we can agree to disagree. Love you!
A huge thank you goes out to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the arc. This was a delightfully wild, wicked read. I can’t wait to see what Sally Hepworth comes out with next.
Published on Goodreads on 12.27.20.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 18,053 reviews