A few weeks ago I found out having kids may be difficult for me. So naturally I did what any normal person would do and read a book about creepy babies to ease the pain. This was one of the creepiest books I've read because it meshes folk tales, fantasy and reality. I know that being a mother is not easy for some, and this was a bold book that made readers question, is something wrong with the mother or are her new little darlings actually changelings?

I read this into the wee hours of the night because it was so creepy and page turner...and also because sleep was not going to happen after reading it! *Nightmares* I am not sure if this is the author's debut (since I don't see any other books under her name), but if it is, well done! A truly atmospheric story perfect for Halloween!

Little Darlings is a most unusual story; a haunting and sad contemporary novel based on a fairy tale about losing ones children to Changelings. It's hard to review this story without spoilers, so I'll say that I really liked the police detective, Harper, and her willingness to give the protagonist, Lauren, the mother of the twins at the center of this book, the benefit of doubt when she claims another women is trying to steal her children. The motivation behind that willingness is a brilliant plot point. I also liked Harper's determination to solve the mystery of the attempted kidnapping on her own time, since there is no proof a crime has been committed, and her superior officer refuses to invest resources in an unsubstantiated claim.

I'm giving this book four stars instead of five because I found the pacing to be slow, especially in the beginning, and the supporting characters in the tale are wholly unlikeable. I suspect the author deliberately made them unlikeable to make the story darker and more sinister. This modern day Grimm style fairy tale is well-written and plotted, and guaranteed to haunt readers long after the last page. Received an advance copy of the book from NetGalley for an honest review.

Dang, I hate to say I wasn't a fan of this. Chunks of the story felt missing. I needed more background. And the ending felt unfinished. What the story did successfully though was create an anxiety driven main character. Maybe I just don't like fantasy stories??

Thank you NetGalley for my free copy in return for an honest review.

Little Darlings is a creepy psychological thriller that is the perfect read for Halloween.

I received a free e-copy of Little Darlings by Melanie Golding from NetGalley for my honest review.

Lauren, who is eight months pregnant with twins is absolutely exhausted. Finally, the day comes when the twins (Riley and Morgan) are born. Someone has tried to kidnap her twins and replace them with look a likes. Lauren alerts people for help but she has vanished. No one believes her either. They think Lauren has postpartum.

Then when Lauren gets home with the babies, her nightmare continues. Another incident and yet no one believes her. Lauren starts to go down a deep hole and is sleep deprived and very depressed.
Lauren's husband tells her she should get some air and take a walk with the twins. She is sitting on a bench and dozes off. When she wakes, the twins are missing. The twins are found in a short amount of time but Lauren is convinced that they are not her babies, but creatures that look like her babies.

Is Lauren loosing her mind? Is there someone out there who has really taken her babies and replaced them with something supernatural? Will Lauren ever get anyone to believe her?

A chilling tale of the lengths a mother is willing to take for her newborn babies. Lauren and Patrick have just had twins when someone tries to kidnap their twins from the maternity ward. As Lauren becomes terrified that someone is stalking her , her husband and the police think she's having hallucinations. As Lauren 's worst nightmare becomes reality she must find her nannies before its too late.

Beyond creepy.

I kept wanting to share with new mothers that I know - only to realize that this would creep them out even more than me!

Delicate and excellent balance with an unreliable narrator. This book keeps you twisting and turning. I also enjoyed how Joanna very real but I would have liked to see more development of Amy, Patrick and Natalie.

This was not my normal but it was a good abnormal for me. Lauren, the newly minted mom of twins is stalked/attacked/terrified by the nasty old lady which may or may not be real. That is all I will give you but that was enough to keep me reading and I hope it will you too. Enjoy it BEFORE Halloween!!

Little Darlings by Melanie Golding was just the read i needed to get me into the Halloween spirit. Creepy and chilling, it dabbles in the idea of changelings. When Lauren gives birth to two health beautiful boys she is instantly smitten with them, but while recovering in the hospital a creepy, dirt woman who also has twins would like to make a trade for one of them to give her twin a better life. Lauren refuses a locks herself in the bathroom to protect her babies and awaits help to arrive but when they get there they tell Lauren it was all in her head, the woman and her weird twins are not real.
Lauren is terrified of the woman returning to take her babies away, remembering the threat that if she doesn't trade one, the woman will take them both and make them look the same so she'll never know. Did she really make this up or was the threat genuine? Lauren cannot be sure...until her babies go missing one afternoon and when the police find them and return them, they are not hers.... To get her true babies back Lauren knows, from reading a creepy tale about changeling twins, she has to return them home to the woman who lives in the river...by throwing them in.

Super creepy and unsettling, this tale will give you anxiety wondering...is this real or is our narrator crazy and about to drown her real babies? I devoured this novel quickly and efficiently, dying to find out the outcome. The author does great with setting the atmosphere and giving you conflicting information about whether Lauren is indeed in her right mind or if she's crazy as everyone around her suspects. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an easy and fun read, or anyone who loves creepy books. This isn't a profound literary masterpiece but its fun!
3.5/5

Little Darlings channels the best - or worst - of Grimm's fairy tales. A young mother believes that her newborn twins are in danger of being kidnapped by a strange woman who may or may not be real. An intuitive young detective is the only person who takes her somewhat seriously, with everyone else chalking her fears and visions up to postpartum depression/psychosis. I loved the creepy dark fairy tale aspect of the story, and also enjoyed the very realistic portrayal of the fatigue and fears a new mother faces. The ending was a little bit of a surprise for me, but ultimately I think it works. Overall, a fun meditation on new motherhood with a dark fairy tale twist.

"Mother Knows Best"

Lauren Tanter has just given birth to twin boys, Morgan and Riley. Naturally she is exhausted and in need of sleep. But she knows what she saw in her room in the maternity ward - a woman attempting to take her twins and replace them with her own, "it’s only fair". However, when hospital security and the police arrive, they find no evidence of the possible kidnapper. Furthermore, no one believes Lauren, but Detective Harper, a police officer feels that there might be something to Lauren's story.

Lauren continues to feel unease and doesn't want to leave her home. Her mission is to protect her babies. On a rare outing to the park, the twins disappear from her side, and once found, Lauren is convinced that something is not right, and Lauren declares "these are not my babies"

Little Darlings is inspired by dark fairy tales and folklore. This book is sprinkled with quotes and passages referring to "changelings". The folklore and fairy tales fit seamlessly into this tale and further add to the feeling of dread and provide for an eerie atmosphere. The entire book I was guessing just what was going on. Was Lauren correct, was there some sinister woman attempting to swap babies with her, was Lauren experiencing symptoms of post par-tum psychosis. I love trying to figure things out in books, and this one had me guessing!

This is a well written psychological thriller which is atmospheric with a dark creepy feel. My only complaint is that I wanted this book to be darker, to be even creepier, and more suspenseful. I also thought there were "romances" and "possible romances" in this book which really did not add to the story and in fact detracted from the story to a small degree. I wanted more menacing and heart pounding moments.

Overall, an enjoyable read. It is easy to feel for Lauren as she struggles with caring for two newborns, sleep deprivation, recovering from childbirth and having very little assistance at home. She is struggling with so many things while also being hyper-vigilant attempting to keep her children safe. A creepy tale to read late at night with the lights out! Plus, it just might inspire you to pick up some fairy tales and folklore as the passages used were quite brilliant!

Thank you to Melanie Golding, Crooked Lane books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

love this book, characters were well developed. The plot had many twist and turns. Great read., cannot wait for the next book..

Lauren is in the hospital after having twins. She doesn't feel love for them immediately and wonders if something is wrong with her. Patrick, her husband is excited about the babies. The day after having the identical twins, Lauren is in her room when a dirty and disheveled woman is in the cubicle next to hers. She thinks the woman needs help but when she goes to help her, the woman tells her she wants to trade Lauren's twins for her own. Lauren grabs her own babies and locks herself in the bathroom to protect them. Her mother instincts have kicked in now. When the staff come to get her out, there is no one there and no one believes Lauren. At home she is very protective of the babies and doesn't venture outside at all. No one believes that someone is trying to steal her children, not even Patrick who wasn't a very supportive husband.

This is a very intense story based on a fairy tale about changelings and keeps you wondering if they exist. Sargent Harper is the only one who remotely has doubts as to Lauren's insanity, but even she wavers. You are kept wondering throughout. I loved the descriptions of what Lauren is thinking, and at times you have to wonder if you're on the right track. This is a very good first novel by Golding and I will be watching for more.

Thank you very much to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

The fears of parents might seem fairly universal, but when the potential for changelings replacing her children arises in Melanie Golding's Little Darlings, a new mother's fears are taken to an extreme. 

Lauren Tranter is a new mother to twin boys and exhausted from bringing them into the world. She knows she saw an woman in her hospital room who was trying to replace Lauren's babies with her own unsettling children. With her husband, hospital staff, and the police convinced that she's merely overly tired they comfort her by saying that she's seeing things that aren't there and simply needs some rest. After a month sequestered in her home carefully watching over her boys, Lauren finally ventures out and takes a walk in the park, where her boys disappear while she briefly rests on a bench. Frantic to find them and fearing a trick, when the twins are found Lauren believes that they aren't her sons and are instead the children of the woman from the hospital. Following the advice provided in an old storybook about a situation just like this, Lauren is determined about what she saw and will do what she must, however dangerous, to return her true sons to her. 

An eerie, unsettling, and compelling story that raises questions of reality. The incorporation of lore surrounding changelings was well-done, blending reality and fantasy, which provides an element of doubt by highlighting the reasoning behind the convictions and actions of Lauren. The narrative addresses some common concerns of motherhood in a manner that is more engaging than a frank discussion of the topics, including not instantly connecting or loving your children, postpartum depression, and struggling with the demands of a being dependent upon your attention (and not always getting help from partners - looking at your selfishness, Patrick!). Though quickly-paced, the story did slow down when the focus periodically shifted to Detective Harper, whose moderately developed story detracted from the intrigue of Lauren's experiences, and whose presence could have been greatly streamlined. 

Overall, I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

The book opens with the birth of twin boys and what I thought was an unnecessarily detailed description of the pain, indignities and emotional struggles of a new mother. Giving birth is really hard. We get it. I don't think it added anything to go into that much detail. Unfortunately the entire first half of the book was much of the same. A magnifying glass view of a new mother, a less than devoted husband and all the many trials and tribulations of caring for newborns. Yes, we're introduced to the paranormal aspects of the story and the inclusion of an interesting police detective definitely adds some much needed relief from the new mom's mundane life.

About halfway through, the book picks up the pace considerably as all of the various parts begin to come together. The characters become more interesting, the stakes are raised and a few slightly unexpected twists and turns are thrown in to increase the tension. The ending is a tad predictable (at least it was for me) but on the whole, the slow beginning was balanced with a tight and nuanced finish.

Oh man this book gave me the heebie-jeebies., It was creepy yet captivating, I feel like I have to make sure all my doors are locked and thankful that my kids are adults So we meet Lauren who just had twin boys and while there some woman tries to switch out her babies with her own. Now as a newly parent and especially of newborn twins you are exhausted and sometimes even a little delirious and that is how everyone is suggesting to her that what she felt was not real no one not even her husband believes her. It gets to the point that she wonders if she was correct, the only person who gives her credence is Detective Harper. Lauren is at her wits end and when she returns home it doesn't get better but worse..OOOO you have got to read but prepare yourself for some goosebumps!

This book will hook you on page one .Lauren gives birth to twins and is exhausted . While in the hospital a strange woman threatens to take her newborns and replace them with changelings . Lauren is terrified to leave her babies and her house . Then the unthinkable happens . Interwoven withfairy myths and a twist on fairy tales this novel sucks you in and keeps you guessing . Has Lauren lost her mind or have her twins berm replaced with changelings ? You will have to be read it to find out . Don’t miss this spectacular, thrilling debut novel

After an intense and prolonged labor, Lauren is a first-time mother to twins. She is mentally and physically exhausted and when she is threatened by a woman in the hospital( who no one else sees), this eerie and frightening tale got my total attention. My thoughts veered between believing Lauren and believing Lauren was losing her mind. Things don't improve when Lauren goes home as she basically barricades herself inside to keep her twins safe.
Whether her fears and paranoia are real or not, Lauren is terrified, and her husband, Patrick is absolutely no help at all(as much as I was rooting for Lauren, I despised Patrick). When Lauren finally finds the strength to leave her house, the unthinkable happens and the twins vanish. When they are found, seemingly unharmed, only Lauren seems to know the truth, these are not her twins and nothing will stop her from getting her babies back. As if this tale wasn't dark and creepy enough already, once Morgan and Riley are returned to Lauren, the tension and suspense amps up yet again. A mother knows her children, right, so this must be a story of mother knows best. Or is it?
Let me just say this book wasn't anywhere near the top of my TBR pile, yet circumstances put me in a place where this was the perfect read. Once I started, I couldn't put it down and that was a good thing since sleep was eluding me anyway. I loved how to me at least, the ending was open to interpretation and I look forward to discussing Little Darlings with my book loving friends. 4.5 shiny stars and a book I definitely recommend.
I received a DRC from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley.

This book is certainly a page turner, I was let down at how the book ended. The main character exhibits hallucinogenic behavior and I was ready to write her off as a dufus, but the cop gave her credence so I continued reading. Her husband was uncaring and was obviously hiding something from his wife.

There is little action and the only reason the book kept me flipping through the pages was the cop's insistence that Lauren (the main character) was indeed serious and believable.

I'm sure many will enjoy this horror/psychological/occult thriller. I just wasn't one of them.

There is nothing more terrifying and no fear as crippling to a parent - especially a mother - as having your children taken. With this fairytale element, it is like Amiee Molloy's The Perfect Mother and The Brothers Grimm stories had a baby, resulting in this novel. A twisting tale that will have you sweating until the very end.

This is a modern day take on a Grimm's fairy tale. Laura has just delivered twin boys. It was a hard delivery and she's having a hard time adjusting. In time things will be good. Breastfeeding the boys at one time is soon becoming easier. Then on night she hears a voice singing a rather scary song. The woman smells bad, and in a basket at her feet are two babies. The old woman talks of trading babies. Laura is frightened and grabs her babies and hides in the bathroom. On the 999 call hissing sounds can be heard. The terror in Laura's voice is unmistakable. Someone is there. Someone trying to take her children. Why then is no body found when security rushers yo her room?
A great story. Cleverly updated to fit in in this time.