The Good Sister is my first book by Sally Hepworth, who I have heard great things about. I have one of her other books plus an e-galley of her upcoming book, The Younger Wife , that will be published in April 2022, which I’m now excited to read.

Quick Synopsis

The Good Sister is a dramatic and entertaining story about two sisters – twins – who could not be more different. Between them, they keep a secret that could destroy their lives.

Publisher’s Synopsis

Emmy Harlow is a witch but not a very powerful one—in part because she hasn’t been home to the magical town of Thistle Grove in years. Her self-imposed exile has a lot to do with a complicated family history and a desire to forge her own way in the world, and only the very tiniest bit to do with Gareth Blackmoore, heir to the most powerful magical family in town and casual breaker of hearts and destroyer of dreams.

But when a spellcasting tournament that her family serves as arbiters for approaches, it turns out the pull of tradition (or the truly impressive parental guilt trip that comes with it) is strong enough to bring Emmy back. She’s determined to do her familial duty; spend some quality time with her best friend, Linden Thorn; and get back to her real life in Chicago.

On her first night home, Emmy runs into Talia Avramov—an all-around badass adept in the darker magical arts—who is fresh off a bad breakup . . . with Gareth Blackmoore. Talia had let herself be charmed, only to discover that Gareth was also seeing Linden—unbeknownst to either of them. And now she and Linden want revenge. Only one question stands: Is Emmy in?

But most concerning of all: Why can’t she stop thinking about the terrifyingly competent, devastatingly gorgeous, wickedly charming Talia Avramov?

Book Review

It is hard to categorize what genre The Good Sister falls into. It is part family drama and part thriller. I think it can be compared a bit to Verity, aka the internet’s favorite book. There is even a bit of romance.

The Good Sister is told from two POVs – Rose’s diary and Fern’s current perspective. Fern is a neurodivergent and very likeable character. She is a beloved librarian who will not help you with printers and copies. Rose is a sympathetic character who just wants to help Fern along in life. They also happen to be codependent.

Sally Hepworth has written a very readable and enjoyable book with The Good Sister. I read it in one sitting. While reading you are waiting for the bomb to drop, knowing something bad is going to happen. It is just a question of what. I enjoyed the twist although it was not an entirely new plot device to me.

Overall, The Good Sister is an intricately woven family drama and twisted story that will even make you chuckle. I really enjoyed and definitely recommend it!

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