The Good Sister

Author: Sally Hepworth

Genre: Thriller

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pages: 309

Date Started: 24 January 2022

Date Finished: 28 January 2022

This book was recommended by Goodreads and I have not read many books in the thriller genre and decided to pick it up. The synopsis also mentioned a hidden family secret which made me choose this immediately!

Fern and Rose Castle are fraternal twins, who were raised by a single mother after their father left the family. Rose is married and badly wants to have a child and is unable to due to her being Type 1 diabetic, and for having Premature Ovarian Aging (POA). Rose also has problems in her marriage with Owen, and due to the disagreement, Owen moves to London, or at least that's what Rose tells Fern.

Fern Castle works in a local library and has a very structured life. She also is sensitive to sensory stimulation and avoids crowds, bright lights, and loud noises. Any disruptions in her life can be dangerous! Fern also visits their mother every month and is the only daughter to be in touch with her mother who lives in a care center recovering from her drug overdose sixteen years ago. Rose sees her sister to have a baby for her, and Fern agrees. But while Fern plans to have a baby for her sister, her life takes a turn when she meets Rocco, in the library.

While Fern is pregnant, the life, the buried secrets come to life and shake Fern's life, which she has built carefully.

I really liked Fern's character for standing up for herself after learning about Rose and her plans. All the way it felt weird to read about Rose and how she manipulated Fern. Fern although not smart enough, or at least she feels so stands her ground when she feels things don't make sense.

It was a good read and the author kept the story gripping until the end. The story is only through the eyes of Fern and Rose, and how they interpret the past events. The author succeeds in keeping the secret till the end too. But somehow the reveal of the secret and the story around it was not that impressive. I was definitely expecting a twist, but it was not as surprising as I was expecting it to be.

Favorite lines from the book:

• As Fern and I watched, I remember thinking that somehow what mum was doing was worse than hitting. And how I wished she just hit me instead.

• Angry is a pen name for sad.

• The library is for everyone, but some people need it more than others.

• My first Thursday, I realize, as a mother, and without a mother.