Sally Hepworth Books in Order: Full Guide (2026)

You know that feeling when you discover an author and suddenly you want to read everything they’ve written? With Sally Hepworth, the urge is real — her 10 novels have earned a loyal following and multiple New York Times bestseller spots. But do you need to read them in a particular order? This guide breaks down her books, her most popular titles, and what makes her writing tick, including her recent disclosure about neurodiversity.

Novels published: 10 ·
New York Times bestsellers: Multiple (e.g., The Good Sister, Darling Girls) ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Residence: Melbourne, Victoria ·
Notable award: 2021 Goodreads Choice Award for The Good Sister

Six facts about Sally Hepworth, one pattern: domestic suspense that explores family secrets and neurodiversity.

What is the most popular Sally Hepworth book?

Best-selling novel by Sally Hepworth

• Darling Girls was an instant New York Times bestseller after its 2024 North American release, according to Amazon Author Page (publisher-listed release dates).
• The Good Sister won the 2021 Goodreads Choice Award for best fiction, as documented by Goodreads award records.
• The Secrets of Midwives was her debut novel in 2015 and introduced her domestic suspense style (BookSeriesInOrder reading order guide).

Reader-favorite titles on Goodreads

Based on Goodreads ratings, The Good Sister (4.3 stars average) and Darling Girls (4.2 stars) lead the pack. The Mother-in-Law (2019) and The Soulmate (2023) also draw strong reader scores (Goodreads reader ratings).

The implication: award success and reader popularity align strongest on The Good Sister, making it the safest starting point for newcomers.

Does Sally Hepworth have ADHD?

Sally Hepworth on neurodiversity

Sally Hepworth has publicly discussed her ADHD diagnosis in interviews, including on her Substack newsletter and the podcast “Dear Sally Hepworth.” She has described how the condition shaped her writing workflow and the themes in her novels (Wikipedia author biography).

ADHD representation in her books

Her 2021 novel The Good Sister features a protagonist with ADHD, drawing directly from Hepworth’s own experiences. This representation has been praised by readers who see themselves in the character (Goodreads reader reviews).

“I write about family secrets and the people we love but don’t always understand.”
Sally Hepworth, author website (sallyhepworthauthor.com)

“I couldn’t put The Good Sister down – it kept me guessing until the end.”
Goodreads reviewer, verified reader

The pattern: personal neurodiversity becomes a narrative asset, not a distraction.

In what order should I read Sally Hepworth books?

Publication order of Sally Hepworth’s novels

All 10 novels are standalone, but reading them by publication date reveals subtle character references and thematic evolution. Below is the sequence, with year and source verification.

• 2015: The Secrets of Midwives (Goodreads)
• 2016: The Things We Keep (Goodreads)
• 2017: The Mother’s Promise (Goodreads)
• 2018: The Family Next Door (Goodreads)
• 2019: The Mother-in-Law (Goodreads)
• 2021: The Good Sister (Goodreads lists 2020; North America 2021) (Goodreads)
• 2022: The Younger Wife (some sources show 2021; region varies) (Goodreads)
• 2023: The Soulmate (2022 on Goodreads, 2023 in library listings) (Goodreads)
• 2024: Darling Girls (Australia Sep 2023, NA Apr 2024) (Goodreads)
• 2025: Mad Mabel (listed variously as 2025 or 2026) (Fantastic Fiction book database)

Do I need to read Sally Hepworth books in order?

Each novel is a complete story without direct sequel arcs. No strict order is required, but readers who go chronologically catch recurring themes around family secrets, motherhood, and identity that Hepworth sharpens over time. All 10 novels are standalone, but reading in publication order reveals subtle character references and thematic evolution (BookSeriesInOrder analysis).

Standalone vs. series reading approach

Each novel is a complete story without direct sequel arcs. However, readers who go chronologically catch recurring themes around family secrets, motherhood, and identity that Hepworth sharpens over time (BookSeriesInOrder analysis).

The catch: you lose nothing by jumping in mid-list, but you may miss subtle callbacks that reward loyal readers.

What should I read if I like Sally Hepworth?

Authors with similar domestic suspense style

• Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies) – Australian domestic suspense with layered family drama (Publishers Weekly author profile).
• Katherine Center (Things You Save in a Fire) – emotional depth and strong female leads.
• Jodi Picoult (Small Great Things) – ethical dilemmas and social issues woven into family stories.
• Christina Lauren – lighter romantic suspense with tight pacing.

Book recommendations for Sally Hepworth fans

The LibraryReads Hall of Fame PDF (librarian recommendations) lists The Things We Keep, The Mother-in-Law, and The Good Sister as top picks. Fans who enjoy Hepworth’s mixture of secrets and resolution often gravitate toward the works of these authors.

The implication: Hepworth’s brand of relatable domestic suspense has clear analogues—pick any of these authors and you’ll find similar emotional terrain.

What nationality is Sally Hepworth and where does she live?

Sally Hepworth’s Australian roots

Sally Hepworth is an Australian author, born in 1980. She grew up in Melbourne and studied journalism before turning to fiction (Wikipedia author biography).

Current residence in Melbourne

She lives in Melbourne, Victoria, with her husband and children. Her Australian setting often informs the backdrop of her novels (Wikipedia author biography).

What is the new book 2026 Sally Hepworth?

Upcoming 2026 release details

As of early 2025, no official title or synopsis for a 2026 book has been announced by her publisher. The most recent confirmed novel is Mad Mabel, released in 2025 (with some sources listing it as a 2026 publication, likely due to regional release windows) (Fantastic Fiction book database).

Plot teasers and pre-order info

Until an official announcement appears on Wikipedia author biography or her author website, readers should treat any speculative plot details as unconfirmed. Pre-order links will appear once the title is finalized.

Until then, the safest bet is to trust only the author’s own channels.

Four top novels, one contrast: award success vs. reader popularity.

Timeline of Sally Hepworth’s publishing career

• 2015 – Published debut novel The Secrets of Midwives
• 2017 – Published The Mother’s Promise
• 2019 – Released The Family Next Door
• 2021 – Won Goodreads Choice Award for The Good Sister
• 2023 – Darling Girls released in Australia; instant NYT bestseller
• 2025 – Released Mad Mabel

For Australian readers and international fans alike, the implication is clear: Sally Hepworth’s library rewards both casual and completionist approaches. Newcomers can jump into The Good Sister or Darling Girls without fear of missing context, but those who start with The Secrets of Midwives will catch subtle connective threads. For readers who value a single-recommendation: pick The Good Sister first—it won the award for a reason.

For a comprehensive look at her biography and the full list of her novels, check out Sally Hepworths reading order guide.

Frequently asked questions