Domestic thrillers are not my favorite kind of crime novels, but Sarah Vaughan’s Little Disasters intrigued me from the moment I read the description. I love digging up people’s secrets.

This story had a few characters that the story was told from. One is a pediatrician and one is her close friend who is a stay at home mother of three. To start, this book touched on some pretty intense and taboo topics. For instance, postpartum depression and child abuse. I quite love books that dig into topics others don’t want to talk about and this book was no different. Vaughan wrote these issues in a way that was respectful to the illness, but also made an intriguing and gut-punching story.

The friends group in this book was like any other “mom group” of friends that would get together for birthday parties, group barbecues, and mom nights out. I loved that I could relate to these women. Vaughan wrote deeply elaborate characters that you wanted to know more about the more you read. And the anxiety and mental illness that Jess fights without throughout this book is so obvious to us, but is so easily concealed from her friends. It showed a truth to the situation.

The best part of this book… I never guessed the ending. I had suspicions, but never did I guess the full ramifications of the ending. I love that. Vaughan has a great way of writing a story that is broken up between past and present, but yet flows really well. I’ll definitely be checking out more from her.

novel explores the sacrifices and lengths a mother will go, to protect our children at all cost. ⁣
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The writing was well researched. From the roles of physicians, the pediatric residents, social workers and the intricate details of the process of when a suspected abuse is reported, Vaughan wrote it well. ⁣
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The story was told in the multiple point of views with flashbacks from the past, when the main characters first met when they were both just starting out with their families. This was a heavy read and at times found myself needing a break from reading this subject matter.⁣
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I find that the writing was incredibly realistic and so well done. I enjoyed reading this and recommend it. ⁣

Imagine that you meet a group of people during childbirth classes and after your children are born, you all become a tight knit group. As your families grow, the latest baby comes into the emergency department due to irritability and lethargy. She is found to have a skull fracture, raising the question of child abuse. Then what if, you are the pediatrician who has to start the process to evaluate the child’s environment and the mother is one of these close friends?
This story had many twists and turns and moral and ethical challenges that these characters had to face. This story has many factors that keep the reader engaged and turning the pages.
Great premise and interesting story.
Definitely recommend this one.

#LittleDisasters #Netgalley #AtriaBooks #Atria/EmilyBestlerBooks

An excellent domestic thriller. The characters feel very real and the plot was very plausible. I really enjoyed the insight into the minds of the two main characters. I loved the twists in the story. I look forward to reading more novels by this engaging author!

I think the thing that bothered me most is that this book was presented as a psychological thriller. However, it was not remotely a thriller. It was really more a book about domestic drama. the book was slow and really had too many medical details. While the difficult subject matter was handled well, it just did not appeal to me. Postpartum depression is a serious condition and I do think more attention needs to be paid to things to do for women who suffer from this. Just a slow read and did not keep me invested in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Told from the perspective of two friends, Jess and Liz, this twisty story tells of friendship and family and all that goes with it. I really enjoyed this book and when I thought I knew what was going to happen, it turns on you.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really liked 90% of this book. It was an honest and searing description of motherhood, female friendship. An exploration of how things can unravel in the aftermath of small mistakes. Unfortunately in my opinion it should have been left at that. The ending veered off adding another layer, attempting a twist and shifting the whole story into thriller zone. I felt like that shift really trivialized everything that had come before. I wasn't expecting it and it really threw me off. This is all starting to sound like a negative review but I really do have to give the bulk of the book credit and I think it should be read, I just wish it had stuck to being the one thing.

I devoured this book in maybe three days. The characters of Liz and Jess are complicated and fascinating, and I had to know what happened to them. The story is very plot-driven which I love. It is admittedly intense: as someone who has also struggled with intrusive thoughts, I had to take long breaks after certain chapters to go hug my dog. Definitely not a light read, but the ending wraps all the loose ends up in a satisfying bow and brings closure to the main characters. I would highly recommend this book for fans of Lisa Jewell and Liane Moriarty. CW: children in the hospital; parental neglect; postnatal anxiety/depression

Little Disasters is a contemporary novel about what happens when a child is injured and abuse is expected. Lisa is a pediatrician called to the Emergency Room when a child’s injuries invite suspicion. She is shocked to discover she knows the family. In fact, Jess is a good friend, part of a circle of women who bonded in pre-natal classes when they all had their first child.

Of course, child services must be called in to investigate and Lisa’s boss must take over the medical treatment. Lisa feels in a bind, thinking her friend Jess could not possibly be abusive, but certain she is hiding something. The story changes point of view between Lisa, Jess, and Jess’ husband as they all come reluctantly to suspect Jess. But the truth is more complicated than it seems.



Little Disasters effectively grabbed my attention and held on for dear life. I read it one sitting and it has its surprises. In fact, after you think it’s been solved and you know what happened, there is a wrench thrown in the plot, shifting it to a far more sinister story. I somehow think an opportunity was lost here.

This story reminds me of when a woman in a nearby suburb fell asleep while her children were napping. They woke up before her, found a lighter, and set the house on fire. They died. I heard women on the bus discussing whether or not the woman will be charged with murder or manslaughter and they were all for giving her the death penalty. I wondered what happened to accidents?

I received an e-galley of Little Disasters from the publisher through NetGalley.

Little Disasters at Atria Books | Simon & Schuster
Sarah Vaughan author site

This was a book about how hard it is to be a parent. You would think other parents are in your corner but they really aren't. This book made me glad I am not a parent because it really does sound like a nightmare. I really felt for all the mothers in this book. Why are the fathers so useless?

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of LITTLE DISASTERS for a review.
Interesting read from several points of view. I enjoyed it and wondered what would I do if I was Liz or Jess.

Little Disasters is an easy book to fly through, but it's not an easy book to read. You won't want to put it down because you'll really want to know the truth. The subject matter is hard to handle at times though. Reading about possible child abuse and neglect is always hard. I appreciate how the author addressed mental health issues. I thought she did a great job portraying the fragility of friendships. This is a hard book to review without spoiling it, and I hate spoilers! Like I said, you won't want to put this book down. I can't give it 5 stars because though it's well written with several well developed characters, I felt as if I knew nothing substantial about others. I would have gladly read a longer book had the characters with missing personalities been better developed. I recommend it to those of you who enjoy psychological mystery books.

I have to admit I was disappointed in this book. Not that it's a bad book - it isn't - but just that it was advertised as a thriller which in my opinion it isn't! I kept waiting for the 'thriller' part but it never came. It's more of a women's fiction book with a bit of mystery thrown in (though the mystery was rather easy to figure out). I don't know why publishers tout books as thrillers (or even worse - psychological thrillers) when it turns out not to be the case. Wouldn't they be better served to advertise a book for what it is - a good women's fiction book? The subject matter in this book - postpartum depression - really was not of interest to me and I was a bit irritated that there was so much repetition of the same events.

Like I say, this isn't a bad book. The writing is good and the characters are vivid. Just don't expect thrills!!

I was misled by all the claims that this is a mystery or a thriller. Okay so we do have to find out who dropped the baby and part of the book works around this, but a far greater part is spent on social issues surrounding post natal depression, relationships, and the need for more support for vulnerable new mothers. This is not a bad thing but it is not my thing and I was not the best audience for this book.

Nevertheless I can see it is a good book, well written and dealing with important social issues. I guessed early on who was the most likely culprit but then the author added a twist at the end. It was interesting to have an epilogue to inform readers of what happens in the future, but it did seem a little bit too saccharine after the main content of the book.

To anyone planning to read Little Disasters please do not be put off by my opinions! It is a good book - just not my cup of tea:)

When motherhood frays your mental health, when you feel you must be perceived as strong and a perfect mother to the outside world, there will be disasters. Focusing on new mother, Jess, who recently gave birth to a baby girl and her friend Liz, a pediatric doctor it shows how professional ethics and friendship can be a difficult mix. Jess brings her baby daughter into emergency when Liz is on duty. Turns out the baby has a concussion and there’s reason to suspect it was not an accident. As the story unfolds, it opens a whole can of worms and who caused the concussion is not revealed until the end. Liz, the doctor, is having her own nightmares as well in dealing with her alcoholic mother and a baby sister who supposedly died of SIDS. Two parallel stories both reveal how fragile mental health is for young mothers trying to cope.

I thoroughly really enjoyed this novel. The writing was excellent.
The exploration of postnatal depression was really interesting.

I liked all the contrasts: between stay-at-home mothers and working mothers, between generations, between nature vs nurture and most prominently, between logic and emotion which is really illustrated in the inner thoughts of both Liz and Jess.

I would definitely read more books from this author.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.*

Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan is a dramatic story that will surprise you. Almost entirely told in dual perspective, the book explores the themes of child neglect and female friendship. While there is some element of mystery to the narrative, this book reads more like a contemporary than a thriller.

Most of the book focuses on the perspectives of two friends, Jess and Liz. Jess is a stay at home mom who is struggling with keeping her perfect household together after the birth of her third child. The author shows how Jess is desperate to appear like she has it all together despite the fact that she is doing most of the parenting and household work alone. Jess’ baby is very fussy and it seems to be affecting her mental health, although Jess has kept this to herself. Her friend Liz is a doctor in the local hospital that attended to Jess’ baby in the ER after a “fall.” The incident opens up a whole can of worms for both women and sets the story in motion.

❀ A STRAINED FRIENDSHIP

Liz is put in a hard position, as the injury to Jess’ baby is one that raises all sorts of red flags. An investigation is launched and this puts a strain on their friendship as well as Jess’ marriage. It is interesting to read about both women and their experiences growing up. Their past histories have helped shape who they are and the choices they have made in life.

❀ CHARACTER-DRIVEN PLOT

If you enjoy a character-driven plot that has lots of drama, Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan is one book to pick up. There is definitely a whodunit aspect to the story, but it reads more like an intense drama in my opinion. The characters are interesting and the story is one that will keep the reader engaged. It is a great addition to a fall TBR.

When Liz's friend Jesse's baby suffers a suspicious head injury, it brings back memories of Liz's own difficult childhood. However, all is not as it seems. This gripping dramatic book will truly keep you on the edge of your seat. Every time, you think you know what is coming another twist gets thrown into the mix. This is a book that truly captures how difficult it is to be a mother and to always strive to do what's right for your family while struggling not to lose yourself in the process. Even though anyone can be a mother not anyone can be a good mother, and it is not always as easy as it seems. This book makes that abundantly clear.

I picked up and put down this book many times over. As a mother, this story fastened to my heart from the very beginning. It was an emotional experience I’ll remember for some time to come. The realities of this story are disheartening. A baby was seriously injured, and sadly post-partum depression exists. Unfortunately there are new mothers that experience it everyday but are too afraid to tell.

Jess, mother to two boys and an 11-week old daughter, is not understanding why she’s feeling the way she is. She’s thinking unnatural thoughts of hurting her baby. She keeps this to herself. Then something serious does happen. Only under her husbands direction does Jess then take their daughter to the ER. Liz, a pediatric doctor has to report her friend Jess after finding bruising and a suspected skull fracture on the baby.

What happened to baby Betsey and why? Is Jess covering for something or someone? You’ll have to hold onto your seat as a SURPRISING revelation is revealed—someone close to Jess knows more about Betsey’s accident than they’re telling.

This is not an easy read, but thankfully all is not lost as there is light at the end of this story.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for my advanced arc. All opinions are my own.

Actual rating: 2.5 out of 5

Little Disasters was an ok book. It was well-written but slow and tedious. Not a thriller but more of a domestic drama which made it hard to get through.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Sarah Vaughan for a copy of "Little Disasters" in exchange of an honest review.