Fern Castle works at her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister, Rose, three nights a week & she avoids bright lights, loud noises & crowds like the plague. She has a perfectly structured life & that's how she likes it thanks very much. One day Rose discovers she can't have children so Fern decides to have a baby for her, easy peasy, she just needs to find someone to be the father. Fern's decision will stir up the past & bring some shocking truths into the light...
Wow!!!!! This was my first Sally Hepworth & I loved it! It's totally unputdownable! Sally Hepworth is a master of taking a story & turning it 180 degrees & you won't see it coming. I loved Fern & totally empathised with her throughout the whole book (although I didn't agree with her decision to have a baby for Rose, sorry Seon, I don't love you THAT much lol!) I'm looking forward to reading more of Sally Hepworth in the future.

I loved this! I figured out the ending pretty early on but it was still really enjoyable. ( )

Predictable romance with an added element of suspense and crime. ( )

A complex story about two sisters who essentially raised themselves since their mother was negligent and homeless relying on the kindness of others for food and shelter. The girls have a few rare pleasant memories when her mother had a boyfriend. They found Gary kind before her mother moved on to Daniel who had a young son, Billy.

The book begins describing a tragedy that occurred one day while Rose and Fern were swimming with Billy. The story alternates between perspectives of Rose, told through her diary, and Fern. They practically grew up in the library because it was a safe place to go as homeless people during the day. They felt the maternal instincts from Mrs Delahunty, the librarian, who sensed they were neglected.

As adults, it’s no surprise that Fern becomes a librarian. At 28 years old she is one of the youngest librarians at the library. She has difficulty making and maintaining friendships due her being on the autism spectrum. She is efficient and capable but still feels dependent on Rose who has always been there for her.

Rose gets married to Owen and desperately wants to have a baby. She is overly obsessed with this desire so much so that her husband goes away on business. He hopes that time alone and therapy will help her cope with her fertility issues. She continues to be a strong influence on Fern who trusts her sister to always look out for her. Their relationship becomes strained when Fern develops a relationship with Rocco Ryan, a man she meets at the library, but calls “Wally”.

Both girls have different memories of what happened all those years ago at the lake when Billy drowned. Fern always carried the guilt of having accidentally killed him. They rarely discuss it but often reflect on their childhood especially given their mother is in a nursing home. There is a pivotal point where memories from the past emerge to expose the truth that lay hidden for many years.

It’s a story of family, loyalty, betrayal, new beginnings.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This review is my voluntary and unbiased opinion. ( )

One of the twin sister gaslight the other sister which makes the story a bit terrifying. One can try to avoid manipulative person, but you can't avoid your family members. ( )