Little Darlings is a well written dark psychological thriller than keeps you on the edge of your seat. Constantly I was torn between believing the main character and thinking that perhaps she was truly mentally ill. The author does a great job keeping you on the fence. The pace of the book was wonderful, there was just enough description and information given to let you paint a clear picture. I found myself enjoying each main character, even the ones you are less apt to like. Also, I really found myself enjoying the folklore added into the story. In regards to the main character, Lauren, the author really hit the head on the struggles as a new mom. Especially one with twins. The exhaustion and sleep deprivation really add to the "messiness" of life. Lastly, the ending... Oh I wish that the author had continued on just a bit. My mind really went all directions with what could potentially happen next.

I really enjoyed reading this debut novel. I am so thankful to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read tin exchange for an honest review. Melanie Golding has done a really good job creating this debut novel. It was fantastically written, mainly from Lauren, the mother of the twins, point of view. As a mother myself, I identified with some of the post- pregnancy thoughts and feelings of exhaustion that Lauren experienced. You just can’t help but sympathise for her.

Little Darlings was inspired by dark fairy tales and atwin folk tales, frequently referring to tales of changelings; children that have been secretly substituted by fairies and elves during infancy. The storyline made me question whether Lauren was in fact having a psychotic break due to postnatal depression or if there was in fact a figure after her twin boys. I even thought I had guessed it, with Lauren having a split personality! This is a reason why I thoroughly enjoyed the book, that it kept me guessing right until the final chapter and didn’t give away too much too soon. I would have liked a ‘one year later’ type of chapter just to wrap up the novel entirely.

The storyline included Jo Harper as the reliable policewoman; it dipped into her past slightly, as well as looking at a blossoming romance. Although these were nice personal touches I am not completely sure the purpose.

If you’re looking for a twisty, creepy read, this is definitely a book for you. It is not too dark or disturbing but still provides an airy atmosphere. It is an enjoyable read, especially if you enjoy myths and folklore. I’ve included a link to twin folk tales at the end of this post if anyone is interested in further (creepy) reading materials,.

Little Darlings is available for pre-order now on amazon, released 2nd of May 2019.

This is one of my 2019 recommended reads. I have awarded Little Darlings 4 / 5 stars!

Little Darlings by Melanie Golding was a great read. It had the perfect amount of suspense, folk-lore/magic, and police procedure.
Lauren is a new mother of twin boys, on her first night in the maternity wing of the hospital she overhears a woman in the next bed singing to her own set of twins. The woman tells Lauren it's not fair that she has everything and when she is not looking the woman will switch her twins with Lauren's and make it so that no one knows. Lauren becomes hysterical and locks herself in the bathroom and calls 999. Staff at the hospital are convinced that Lauren had a hallucinogenic episode and that no one else on the ward has given birth to twins but Lauren.
She returns home with her husband and her twin sons, but becomes more and more paranoid and is afraid to sleep without the boys in her arms in case the woman returns. At this point a police detective takes interest in the case and it seems like she might believe that Lauren was telling the truth.
My only problem with this book was the husband and the maternity ward who made him go home for the night when visiting hours were over, leaving her alone with the twins to care for after she had just given birth. I also would have liked to have had more insight to the husband's position on the situation and on his feelings for his wife.
Overall this was a great book with lots of intrigue, but it has left with a lot of questions. Would be great for a book club to discuss.

4 creepy motherfucker stars

You know what I should not be doing? Reviewing a book set to release in the April of 2019 in November of 2018. And yet here we are.

I will say the same thing you’ll probably find in every review for Little Darlings- This was a creeptastically entertaining read.

I don’t know what I was thinking when I requested the ARC for this book, but you cannot blame me after that blurb. It really is a very interesting one. And I will say this, Melanie Golding did not disappoint.

I don’t think I need to say anything about this book that the blurb already hasn’t, but this book is a must read for people looking to freak themselves out, because I swear on my life I had legit goosebumps reading it, and knowing myself there’s a huge chance you might share those said goosebumps.

But at the same time, having said all this, there are a few things that are never answered in the book. Like who sends the Twins Tale book to Lauren? I don’t agree with the bullshit comment that it might’ve been her dead mom since this wasn’t that kind of a story. Also what was Patrick’s motive at making everyone think his wife was crazy? We never really get the answer to that, so I’ll just settle for him being a abusive sociopath. Also Harper’s boss was unnecessarily assholic. Like dude she’s solving the bloody case why don’t you just sit back on your fat ass and let her do all the work?!? Seriously, men *cue eyeroll*. And the biggest thing I have a doubt with is was the mother a fairy or a dead woman? If she was a dead woman then how did she come back to give her dead children a better life and how does what works for a fairy changeling work for her kids? And if she’s a fairy why does she have a human past? And if she’s a human mother turned an undead fairy, how the fuck did that even work? Like what has to happen in your human life to turn you into an unsatisfied fairy in your afterlife? Because honestly becoming a fairy is beginning to sound a bit promising lol.

But then again you’re giving me creepy twins singing creepy songs, so Imma overlook all those. Maybe.

Really, it’s a recommended read for everyone other than those who just had twins. I know i don’t plan on having them after this book.

It was a good book. I haven't read any books by this author prior to this.. It was well written with strong characters. I recommend it and give it 4 stars.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

I cannot believe that this is Melanie Golding's first novel. This book was very fast paced, had interesting and well thought out characters who were just the perfect amount of unreliable to keep you hooked!

Definitely a twisted fairy tale brought exquisitely to life for the modern day.

So very excited to see what Golding comes up with next - she definitely has me as a fan!

I really enjoyed this book! It's creepy and keeps you interested the entire story. I don't exactly like how it ended because I really wanted to know more but it is worth checking out if you like mysteries/thrillers!

This was a gripping thriller, that I couldn’t put down! There were so many gasping moments! I loved it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

An unsettling tale of new motherhood mixed with Grimm's fairy tales would be a good way to describe this book. I love psychological thrillers and this had some of that but also some paranormal and folklore elements that aren't usually my thing. It was definitely creepy and very unsettling and so if you are into that this book is for you! I did really like the lead detective and found her character to be my favorite part of this book...I just didn't fully get on board with the whole concept of what happens with the twins and so it fell a little flat for me.

While nicely written, “Little Darlings” isn’t my style. Stories of fairies have never been of interest to me. If you like that genre, you’ll likely love this book.

I found the story slow moving and rather tedious. That said, I could definitely see another topic and style by the same author being much more to my liking.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC.
Wow, what a terrific book, couldn't put it down!
Lauren gives birth to twin boys, Morgan and Riley. It was a difficult, long birth and she is absolutely exhausted. While in the hospital, she is approached by a bedraggled, foul smelling woman who wants to take her babies. Hysterical, she hides in the bathroom till help arrives. The police arrive and detective Jo Harper is the only one who feels there's something off about the whole situation. When Lauren finally gets home, she's so terrified, she won't leave the house, basically living in one room with them so she can protect them. Her husband is trying to be sympathetic, but isn't particularly helpful and patient. When he finally gets Lauren to go out, she falls asleep on a beach to wake up and find her babies gone. The babies are found, but Lauren knows they are not hers. She's so overwrought they put her and the babies in a mental hospital, under heavy security.
Jo Harper and her friend, a reporter, do background checks and research that bring some disturbing facts to light.
I don't want to give away any more of the story, but will say that it is mesmerising...is Lauren psychotic or is there something sinister at work?
This book is not quite horror, to my mind, but more a disturbing look into postpartum depression, mental health and the eerie possibility that the past can come back to haunt us. The chapters all start with great quotes and passages regarding changelings; very well done, it adds an otherworldly feel to the read.
I felt for Lauren, but particularly liked Jo, and hope that there may be future books that feature her. An addictive read that I recommend highly.

After giving birth to twin boys, Morgan and Riley, Lauren spends the night alone in the hospital. (My only issue with this book is this weird occurrence. What modern hospital shoos the husband out at night and sends him home? Is it a UK thing? Surely not... Oh well. Had to happen for the story to happen, so I'll let it go.) Upon awakening in the middle of the night, she notices that she has a strange, smelly roommate, who also has twins tightly bundled. The woman wants Lauren's babies and seems prepared to take them. She locks herself in the bathroom and calls emergency services, only to be told that there was no one in her room. No one believes her, except for Harper, one of the responding officers who is already on a short leash with her department. Soon after the hospital incident, the boys actually disappear while Lauren accidentally falls asleep on a park bench. Are her boys really gone? Has the smelly woman from the hospital successfully swapped them with her twins? Will Harper be able to overcome her own issues to be of help to Lauren?

A creepy, chilling, subtle thriller that sneaks up on you with its intensity. While Lauren is an interesting character, it's the damaged but well-meaning Harper who is the real star. It was fun to read something in this genre with the twist (or promise of the twist--I won't tell which it turns out to be!) of a supernatural element. .

Excellent look at a new mother's paranoia - the question is, is it deserved, or is she insane. What I loved about this book is that you just don't know until the very end. Great characters, crisp writing, and tight plotting make this a keeper.

Wow, what a book! I highly enjoyed this book!! It's got a creep factor like no other! A fantastic horror tale! I can't believe it's the author's debut. She's going to have a wonderful career!! I can't wait to read more by her! No spoilers, he he, read it for yourself....if you dare!!!!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley!
More than five stars!I
All opinions are my own.

Finished the book on Halloween and what a great book to read for the season. What a great psychological/thriller book. Do you believe the mother or is something that she dreamt up since yes it's hard on women with a newborn let alone twins who insists that the babies she brought home aren't hers. Page turning book.

Little Darlings is the debut novel by Melanie Golding. Told through they eyes of Lauren and also Police Officer Harper, this book is a dive into every mother's worst nightmare.

Lauren's twin boys are abducted and then found a short time later, only Lauren insists they aren't her boys. Examining themes of folklore, mental illness and motherhood, this book was a page turner. I read the book in one sitting as I couldn't wait to finish it.

The author develops the characters thoughtfully throughout the book deflecting suspicion through many different characters.

A must read for anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller.

4 Stars

Little Darlings tells the tale of every mother’s worst nightmare, that her baby was stolen and exchanged for a monster. As fascinating as changeling stories are, I have not found that there are a ton out there. The only ones that I have read before this are The Replacement and the Trylle series, both of which were great. Little Darlings incorporates folklore into the tale as well, giving it a terrifying edge over the other books I mentioned.

This story had me captivated as I felt so bad for Lauren, the mother of two twin boys who were exchanged for changeling babies. I never knew what to think. I found myself doubting her at times like other characters in the novel. Believing that she was genuinely crazy. She also had a husband who was manipulative and emotionally abusive. Lauren was a character who received my genuine sympathy.

The chapters alternated between Lauren’s story and Harper’s, the detective on the case. This alternating storyline ramped up the tension and kept me on the edge of my seat. This story was filled with so much folklore, but it was the dark kind. The combination of all of this made the story spooky and thrilling at the same time.

I was really excited for this one, and while it was great, I wanted it to have a bit more creepy elements to it. The changeling babies were creepy, but I wanted them to be a bit more sinister. Although it wasn’t exactly as sinister as I wanted it to be and at times I felt like Lauren came across as too crazy, I loved reading this book. It had so much folklore at its core and kept me wanting more. I hope that everyone checks this one out, because it was a great read. If you are looking for a dark thriller this book is for you.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* Wow. What a book. I tore through this book at a rapid rate, so keen to find out what exactly had happened to Lauren Tranter and her baby boys, Morgan and Riley. Just after giving birth to twin boys, Lauren has a terrifying encounter in the hospital toilet, where a strange woman tries to steal her babies from her. This traumatic events seems to spark a breakdown in Lauren as she copes with live as a new mother to twins, with a husband who could be more supportive. It is hard to share much more of the storyline than this, for fear of spoiling it for future readers. Deliciously creepy. As long as you have not just given birth to twins, get your hand on this book and read it. I believe this is Golding's debut novel, but you would not know it, as she writes in a sophisticated and engaging manner. Hopefully there are many more books to follow.

After a long and grueling labor that leads to an unplanned C-section, Lauren finally gives birth to twin boys named Morgan and Riley. In the immediate aftermath of the birth, Lauren is overwhelmed, in pain, and sleep-deprived. While still in the hospital, Lauren meets a strange and mysterious woman in the maternity ward who has also given birth to twin boys. When the woman suggests that she and Lauren should trade babies (!!), Lauren understandably freaks out. The situation escalates quickly when there's no evidence of the mysterious woman or the second set of twins, and Lauren's mental health is questioned. Did Lauren imagine this woman, or are her babies really in danger?

Things don't really improve when Lauren takes the babies home. Her husband Patrick isn't willing to help much with child care, so Lauren is caring for the twins night and day and continues to worry about their safety. When Lauren sees the mystery woman again outside of their house but she disappears before Patrick spots her, Lauren becomes more scared and frustrated. Will her twins ever be safe? Will she ever get a good night's sleep again? Who is this woman and why does she want Lauren's sweet baby boys?

All of my questions were answered by the end of the book, and I really enjoyed this thriller. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for me to review!

Little Darlings is gripping with its psychological thrills (and torments). I found that this book was a very quick read since I couldn’t put it down, but it will stay with me for a long time. The subject matter itself is haunting, but Golding’s storytelling pace hangs you in constant suspense, both providing and withholding just the right amount to keep you hooked and questioning what is real and whose perspective you can rely on.

When I first started the book, I didn’t expect Harper to be such a central character, but her point of view and the clarity she provides by always pushing for the truth is refreshing and a clear necessity to execution of the story (catchphrase: it’s not in the budget, Harper!). I would say that there are moments throughout the book where I would rather have seen events transpire through Lauren’s eyes, but as a full-time at-home mom with newborn twins, I can see how the story would feel very confined if she was made the sole main character. The vicarious account of Patrick’s… disloyalty was also a bit frustrating and I wish that could’ve been a bit more fleshed out towards the end with some kind of retribution. I enjoyed learning backstory of the town through Harper and Amy’s research more than I expected, as I am not accustomed to the thrill of crime novels. This, as well as the eerie messages from the epigraphs, added to the aura of mystery throughout.

Golding had me continuously flipping sides over who to trust and I was guessing up until the very end. I’m impressed that this is her first novel and I look forward to reading more from her.