As a whole, I thought the storyline of this book was interesting, albeit dark. Unfortunately, I found myself losing interest at several points as I felt things seemed a bit drawn out. Eventually, a twist would pull me back in but I wish it would have held my attention more consistently. I would still consider reading more from this author.

Oh I loved this book! I haven't read anything by Sarah Vaughan until now, I'm going to go out and purchase a hard copy of this because I loved it so much. It just kept me turning page after page, so much so that I read it in a day!

I’ve had this story for a very long time is and honestly I just can’t get into it. The slow pacing and writing just did not pull me in enough to connect with the characters or the story.

This was a compelling novel, but it was a little triggering for me, as someone who has suffered from PPD as well as other mental health diseases. I had a hard time with it at times, but that shouldn't be a reflection on the book or the author, only on myself. I can see how others would enjoy it, so I will recommend it. (Just maybe not to new mothers).

Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan is an excellent mystery book! While this isn't a "thriller", it definitely had some moments that felt suspenseful. The characters were well thought out and I felt like I was reading about real people (something I love in books). The topic deals with PPD which is a hard read (especially if you have struggled with it). I had dealt with PPD and was very worried that this might be a trigger book, but it wasn't for me. I definitely wanted to keep reading and find out what happened next. Great book and I can't wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC.

While the majority of books I read are crime fiction, every now and again, I get a craving to read something a little different. It’s when I generally pick up a piece of non-fiction or something by Jodie Picoult or Diane Chamberlain, a book that presents me with a moral dilemma and makes me think ‘what would I do?’. Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan does just that.

What would I do if someone I knew was suspected of hurting their child? Would I automatically assume the worst? That they were guilty? Or would I believe in them, in the person I know them to be? When children are involved, I think it’s always going to be a hard question.

Or rather, it should be. Unfortunately, for me at least, I knew way too much about Jess to believe that she had done something. And, while Liz didn’t have the insight into Jess’ behaviour that I did as a reader, it meant the tension that should have been there wasn’t. I had a strong feeling from the beginning how things would work out and (without giving anything away), I wasn’t wrong.

What I was, was disappointed. And even Sarah Vaughan’s writing style (which is highly readable) and Liz’s strong back story (which had a nice twist to it) couldn’t save the story for me. I had high hopes for Little Disasters and it just didn’t hit the mark for me. Sorry!

I'm embarrassed I took so long to read this after being blessed with a copy.

It really spelled out what it's like to be a mother. While things have gotten better since I became a mom in the 60s, the majority of childcare falls on the mother.

You are expected to be perfect at all times and to always put yourself last. The amount of stress that causes a woman is huge. This book gives a realistic version of being a mother, along with a great storyline. Highly recommend.

Such a good book!!!! Exactly what I want in a mystery, I couldn't wait to finish but didn't want to finish it as well Can't wait to read more by Sarah Vaughan

Thanks to net galley, Simon and Schuster and Sarah Vaughan for this ARC Why did I wait so long to read this one?! This book was wonderful ! A look into motherhood and friendships that many of us could relate to. I’m sure many parents found themselves in that situation, thinking those scary thoughts but not acting on them. It’s like she could read into our mind, what it looked like for us to be new mother’s. 5 stars. Definitely putting this author on my list of my favorites.

An emotional family drama with compelling characters and a thought-provoking tale of postpartum depression.

I think if you view this as a traditional thriller, you will be disappointed. This is more contemporary fiction with some thriller/suspense elements mixed in. It is not the most fast-paced book, but I did find it to be a quick read. It closely examines one woman's' relationship with her children and her overall mental health. I loved how character-focused nature of this story, and the multiple perspectives leveraged to examine a single incident.

Jess is a loving mother of 3, her youngest Betsy being only 20 months old who does everything to take care of her children & love them from all her heart, 'A PERFECT MOTHER' that's how Liz sees her one of the closest friend. In fact Jess had even handled Liz's kids at moments when she herself wasn't able to handle them due to her over demanding job.

One day all of a sudden Jess brings Betsey to ER with a head injury. After performing scan it turns out that the injury doesn't fits with the statement that Jess Man. There is a big bump on the baby's head and other doctors are suspicious that something isn't right. Quickly Social Services are called and police gets involved.

Betsey is held away from Jess. Her husband Ed is too worried about things is happening around. He is a very supporting husband but often absent from house work's and kids responsibilities so he has no idea what had happened. Both Jess & Ed are continuously questioned by police.

Liz and Jess's friends circle also includes Mel whose husband has left her for his younger secretary and Charlotte who had very hard time conceiving her first baby with Andrew. And now even tho everyone try not think but 1 thought crosses everyone's mind "Had Jess hurted her own child? "

Even though this book is fiction it's gives a good view on how women struggle with motherhood. How still most of the kids responsibilities are burdened over mothers & are expected to be the PERFECT ONE. It has given a good look over how different women struggle differently during their motherhood, from ones who chose to be stay-at-home mother & never getting appreciated for their efforts & sacrifices to the career oriented women who are given very less support in career fields while excepting them to achieve more-&-more & also calling them self-obsessed for not quitting their home.

This was really an amazing read. I'm looking forward to read more from this author. Thank you @netgalley for the digital arc.

I could not put this book down. I was craving to go on to new chapters all throughout this book. This book may definitely not be for everyone with the storyline, but it was a great read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

As a mother, who grappled with the anxiety of post partum in very debilitating ways, i was terrified of this book. I was so concerned that I would be lost in the pain of it all and have to put it down... but i was so very wrong. This book had me furiously turning pages to see what was going to unfold and gasping OUT LOUD ( much to my husbands dislike) at every bend. Sarah Vaughan is a master with words and imagery, and I cannot recommend this novel enough! I think that of course, this book may not be appropriate for everyone, especially mothers who will possibly find it hitting a little to close for comfort, but it was an outstanding read and one I am so glad I got the opportunity to review!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC and for the chance to review this work!

I had a very hard time connecting with any of these characters. I didn't care about their story at the beginning when tragedy strikes, and as the timeline moved forward, I couldn't make myself care about any of them. I think the writing was good, I just think maybe this wasn't a story for me.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Sarah Vaughan's Little Disasters is a domestic suspense book that deals with a lot of difficult subjects including postpartum depression, so it may not be for everyone. However, it is a thought provoking book that questions a woman's maternal instincts and focuses on unexplained injuries to a child. The story is touching and heartbreaking, and at times disturbing. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

While Little Disasters is written well, I think advertising it as a psychological thriller is doing it a disservice as I think mis-representing the genre will keep it from finding its audience. It's really more of a slow burn, domestic mystery. Women's fiction. It is grounded in reality in a way that books like The Wife Upstairs, Gone Girl, Girl on the Train, etc. aren't, which is a plus and a minus. On the one hand, there's a relatability and believability here-- who hasn't felt the mounting pressure of parenthood (even if it's just with a pet), or like they're drowning in the compounding responsibilities of adulthood? The characters that populate this world feel like they could be your own group of friends, silently struggling, seemingly content on the surface, but paddling for their lives beneath. On the flip side, there wasn't a strong pull here that made me want to keep reading. While there are twists, I saw the first one pretty early on, and the final twist feels haphazardly tacked on. When I read something that's very character-driven, as opposed to plot-driven, I'm looking for strong relationships to cling to. Here, each character is sort of an island unto herself. There aren't any budding romances, and the two main females barely have a relationship.

"Little Disasters" by Sarah Vaughan
was a well written & intense psychological thriller that moved quickly & had a huge surprise twist that completely caught me off guard.
I also enjoyed the author's earlier book, “Anatomy of a Scandal”, & I would definitely read another book by Sarah Vaughan.

This book is more of a psychological thriller focusing in particular on Jess, a mother of three, two sons and a 10-month-old girl, Betsey, who is far more needy than the boys were as babies.
Jess feels her life, which had been organized and easy up to this point, slipping away.
Jess and her friends, Charlotte, Mel and Liz, whom she met during pre-natal classes when they were all having their first children, have had a close bond, but Jess doesn’t want to reach out to them and admit that her perfect life and children aren’t so perfect after all. (Of course, neither is anyone else’s!)
When Betsy is injured, Jess brings her into the ER, where her friend Liz, a pediatrician, passes on her case per hospital rules. This head injury, after a scan, doesn’t match up with the story Jess tells, and the next thing you know, social services is involved.
This story moves quickly and has a surprise twist for readers. Vaughn’s earlier book “Anatomy of a Scandal” is also good.

The only word i can use to describe this novel is "intense". It almost made me ill. That said, it really was written well and the ending was very good.