This was a great book! I read it very quickly as it was “unputdownable”. And as luck would have it I was in Australia when I read it… not realising it was set in Victoria.
Fern & Rose are twins - one of them has diabetes, one has sensory issues, one is the “good sister” - or is she???
Thoroughly recommend this!

My first experience of Sally Hepworth, and I thoroughly enjoyed this. A well written story that will keep you reading all night long!

This book is short and sweet. It gets through the point of the story quickly without too much fluffing up. I like the premise of the story and the explanations from the main character about how her sensory difficulties impact her and how she misunderstands situations. It's a brilliant way to bring awareness to how neuro-typical people should consider their speech and actions to assist people with neuro-divergent traits. I found it very enlightening and hope the information in the story is based on some research of the matter.

The story has a good twist, though not a shocking one, as I feel it could be guessed fairly early on in the book.

It is a nice easy ready with and interesting plot. I didn't give a 5 stars because it didn't quite grab the attention enough, and I feel it will be easily forgotten. The story itself was good, though, and the characters were reasonably explored.

Gripping and emotional domestic suspense, set in Australia and unreliably narrated by twin sisters.

Fern has sensory processing issues, likes to stick to her routine, and since their mother's accident, increasingly relies on her twin sister to keep her safe and remind her about things she forgets.

Rose is an interior designer and married to Owen who is working away in London. When Fern learns that Rose is having difficulty getting pregnant, she realises she can repay Rose for all her help over the years by having a baby for her..

Fern loves working in the library, although she doesn't always recognise social clues or relish talking to people. She has limited opportunities to meet anyone, until a somewhat eccentric and handsome American visits to use the facilities. In their own way they hit it off and thus begin a series of events which lead to Fern opening up more to her colleagues and they start to realise what a valuable asset she is.

Meanwhile, Rose is growing increasingly concerned about Fern's forgetfulness, and encourages Fern to move in with her so she can keep her safe.

As time goes on, dark secrets begin to emerge, putting lives at risk.

Sally Hepworth is such a popular author for a reason, her books are such wild rides!

I found this one to be truly captivating, I couldn’t put it down!

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the complex relationship between twin sisters, Fern and Rose. Told from alternating perspectives, the novel dives deep into their past and present, unraveling secrets that keep you hooked from the start.

Fern, a socially awkward librarian with sensory processing issues, is highly dependent on Rose, her confident and protective twin. When Fern decides to help Rose by having a baby for her, what seems like a selfless act quickly spirals into something much darker. As the story unfolds, the layers of the sisters' relationship are peeled back, revealing long-buried truths that challenge everything you think you know about them.

Hepworth’s writing is sharp and engaging, keeping the pace brisk while developing the characters in a way that makes them feel real. Fern, in particular, is a standout character—her quirks, vulnerabilities, and moral compass make her deeply relatable and sympathetic. Rose’s perspective adds a darker edge, creating tension as the novel alternates between their points of view.

What sets The Good Sister apart is its ability to blend suspense with emotional depth. The plot twists are unexpected but grounded, and Hepworth balances psychological tension with heartfelt moments between the characters. The novel touches on themes of mental health, family loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect those they love.

In the end, The Good Sister delivers a satisfying and surprising conclusion that will leave readers thinking long after they’ve finished the book.

Review
It's been a hot minute since I picked up one of Sally's books and my goodness how I've missed them.

I flew through this book in a day, I couldn't put it down. It was wonderfully written and Fern was just such a beautiful character. Her sensory issues were beautifully talked about and her relationship was lovely to read.

An absolute must read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fantastic thrilled fast paced I enjoyed it so much this book kept me guessing from start too finish this is worth a read

This was a fun and fast paced book
Sadly the book wasn’t written very well at all
I didn’t feel like this was a thriller. It felt more like a family drama

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

While I love the idea of the novel and one of the the main characters; I also sincerely wish for the more nuanced both the villain and the crime here. The reality of what has really happened in the past shows pretty soon. Also the psychology aspect is not elaborated enough - I am somehow tired of “all bad just because they are that way” villains. And it is a pity, because Ms Hepworth shows that she could paint more colourful story that the black and white one.
The saving grace here is the cute romance and even cuter heroine.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is a captivating novel that explores the complex relationship between twin sisters Fern and Rose. Fern is on the autism spectrum and relies heavily on Rose, who has always been her protector and caretaker. When Rose starts trying to conceive a child, Fern decides to do everything in her power to help her sister, even if it means breaking the law.

Hepworth does an excellent job of portraying the nuances of the sisters' relationship and the challenges that come with caring for someone with autism. The story is told from alternating perspectives, which adds depth to the characters and keeps the reader engaged.

One of the strengths of this novel is how it explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and what it means to be a family. The ending is unexpected and emotional, leaving the reader with a lot to ponder about the complex relationships that can exist between siblings.

Overall, The Good Sister is a thought-provoking novel that is sure to resonate with readers who enjoy stories about family dynamics, love, and sacrifice.

This was an enjoyable story with a well written main character, the plot twists were somewhat obvious in places but still enjoyable. I was really rooting for the main character and the pacing was very good.

the twins at the centre of the story - Fern and Rose - juxtaposed for maximum effect.

There were definite 'Gone Girl' vibes about this one, with half of the novel narrated directly by Fern and the other half via Rose's diary. Everything you think you know in the first half begins to unravel in the second, at the perfect pace - slow enough that it feels insidious, but never so slow that it gets boring.

An easy read and one I would recommend

This book started off a little bit slow and lulled me into a false sense of security. Fast as you knew it it all changed and there I was racing through.

Three very intriguing and very different characters shine in this book. Making you read on and on and on.

The latter part of this book was unputdownable and there was a race to the finish. Definitely highly recommend this

I haven't read much by this author, but once again I wasn't disappointed. Book focuses on twin sisters. The one has issues with people and crowds and the second one is a take charge type of person. You get the idea that the second twin (Rose) might have manipulated her sister in the past. Then they discover Rose can't have children, and she manipulates Fern into being a surrogate. This was a good solid read with twists until the end.

This was a heartbreaking and sad story following the complex relationship between two twin sisters scarred by childhood trauma.
Both sisters are now adults - 28 years old. Rose is married but due to her diabetes, her ovaries are weak and she’s unable to have a child. She travels to be with her husband, who is working in London. Back in Australia, her twin Fern, who I suspect is on the spectrum but hasn’t been diagnosed, decides to repay her sister by getting pregnant so she can pass her baby onto her sister. We then see Fern meet Wally, a charming American who is also on the spectrum.
This was a charming read. Fern had a lovely tone to her voice. She’s so innocent and naive. Rose’s POV is more darker, the older more responsible sister. She’s suffered more trauma and is dealing with a lot.
I will say this though. My issue with this book was my misplaced expectations. I thought this would be a thriller, however it’s more psychological drama and not really a suspense. Fern’s character reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant. So don’t go in expecting a pacy, thriller read.

The Good Sister Sally Hepworth
Now this is my kind of book! Dark and twisty and kept me up late reading it. I absolutely loved Fern and her character is so well built I felt I knew her so well. I love books like this, and love it when everything you think you know is turned on its head

Loved it loved it loved it.

Fern was an interesting character and I loved her relationship with her job and the people in it.
I could tell there was something wrong with Rose but oh my, I was not expecting the twist!

I found this one a little difficult to get into, but glad I persevered as it was an enjoyable read in the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.