Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan
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Wow was this book a rollercoaster ride of emotions!
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Trigger warnings for postpartum depression and early infant death
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This wasn’t really a thriller but like a psychological mystery? And it was done very well I thought. This story is like a breadcrumb trail of clues as to what happened one fateful evening that resulted in an 11 month old baby’s trip to the ER.
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This book was fascinating and somewhat disturbing. But each chapter left me wanting to know what happened next.
I really felt for a lot of the characters in this story, Liz, Jess, Betsey, Kit, Frankie, Mattie. However, I would like to state my opinion that Ed was a major asshat for most of the book. 😒 And another character was just icky. But the story really helped you understand how the characters thought processes and emotions were working.
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I also appreciated the comparisons that Liz was making to her own past and how this affected her relationship with her own mother. This was perhaps the more sobering part of the book. And even though there wasn’t a whole lot of Liz’ spouse, Nick, in the book, I adored how supportive and loving he was with his wife and everyone else in the book. Nick was the real MVP of this story for me.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, it could be a tough story for some but I really enjoyed reading it.
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Thanks netgalley and Atria books for this digital copy to read and review.

This book was well written, but seemed similar to a book I have read in the past. It was very fast paced, but I found myself thinking of a previous story and confusing details. I think I would have enjoyed the story line more if I hadn't kept confusing details in my mind.

Little Disasters is a family drama book about friendship between Liz and Jess. Liz is a doctor and Jess brings her baby Betsy into the ER with a head trauma and that's when things get complicated. Liz being a friend is put in an uncomforatable situation being a doctor and if she should report the injury to authorities. Although I loved the storyline it was very detailed and at times hard to follow. It didn't really keep my attention because of the many details. Overall I did enjoy the book.

This was a 5 star read for me. This book captivated me in a unique way. This truly was a thriller to me because it triggered me as a new mom of two and the struggles. I had to find out what really happened!

In her follow-up to the explosively popular ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL, Sarah Vaughan returns with LITTLE DISASTERS, a propulsive, suspense-filled novel about two mothers and the children they have sworn to protect with their lives.

Liz and Jess are unlikely friends. Liz is an ambitious pediatric doctor who has been forced to toe the line between motherhood and her career in order to maintain a balance, and Jess is an effortlessly beautiful and put-together stay-at-home mother. The two met in a childbirth class when each was pregnant with her first child and formed a fast friendship over their shared fears and dreams of motherhood. Now, a decade and two shared pregnancies later, their friendship is suffering. Content with two children, Liz has dedicated herself once again to her career, eager to usurp her hateful manager’s position when he retires. Jess has surprised everyone by having a third child, her first daughter, Betsey.

For the first time, Liz is not as involved in Jess’ new baby as she was in the past, so she is surprised when Jess and Betsey show up at the ER one night while she is on duty. Though outwardly fine, Betsey will not stop crying --- hateful, angry cries that seem to rattle her mother beyond rational thought. But as she begins to examine the baby, Liz can’t help but notice that her friend is slightly off. She is not just tired and run-down; she is completely terrified. When Liz discovers a bump on Betsey’s head, and Jess’ half-hearted story doesn’t add up, she is forced to call in the authorities, jeopardizing not only Jess’ future with Betsey, but also their friendship and Liz’s role in their community.

Alternating between perspectives and timelines, Vaughan tracks Liz and Jess’ early friendship and how their lives have grown apart since Jess’ third pregnancy, setting their failing relationship against the present-day plotline of the investigation into Jess’ parenting. It quickly becomes apparent that Jess has been suffering from postpartum depression for quite some time. However, what is more shocking is how easily her husband, friends and doctors ignored every peculiar sign and symptom, and how, even now that Betsey has been hurt, they are unwilling to consider that Jess might also need care. But as Vaughan deftly unpacks every strange interaction and every hauntingly intrusive thought creeping into Jess’ mind, it becomes clear that there are more dark secrets in Liz and Jess’ lives than a harried mother and a bout of postpartum illness.

Although Liz has been removed from the case per her hospital’s protocol, as her friendship with Jess is well-known, she often takes the brunt of the emotional weight of the initial call to the authorities and social workers. She knows Jess would never hurt her own baby, but then why does her story fall apart so easily with the simplest questions? With their mutual friends and Jess’ husband alternately hounding Liz for details and berating her for standing against one of their own, she is forced to reconcile some dark truths about her own upbringing and opinions of motherhood.

Whereas ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL had more of a psychological suspense vibe, LITTLE DISASTERS unfolds in a more intellectual and thought-provoking way. There is no obvious villain, but Vaughan’s fearless trek into the mind of a woman suffering from horrible, violent thoughts about her own baby continuously raises the stakes until an explosive fallout seems not only imminent, but unavoidable. Employing all of the usual suspense techniques, Vaughan turns the genre on its head by asking us to consider what it means when the villain lives inside our heads --- and what a woman who is truly suffering can do to protect herself without sacrificing her children.

Every chapter written from the point of view of Jess is a masterwork in plotting and emotional nuance, and Vaughan is unflinching in her rendering of Jess’ intrusive thoughts. Battling her own psyche, she sees blood and mayhem every time she holds or runs for her daughter, and though the parenting books all say to step away when you begin to feel too irritable at the sound of your crying child, so too does public opinion deem any mother who is unable to console her child a monster. Walking the razor-thin line between love and destruction, Jess’ crushing shame and loneliness prevent her from reaching out and asking for help --- even when she needs it most.

LITTLE DISASTERS is a poignant conversation-starter of a novel. Vaughan carefully unpacks all the shame-inducing, highly competitive aspects of motherhood and reminds us that even in a world where celebrities are heralded for admitting that they have struggled with postpartum depression, we often cannot accept or even acknowledge the same “failings” in our friends and neighbors. The fear of coming so close to tragedy and disaster is too deeply ingrained in our society, and it is too often that women who are suffering feel that they have no means to reach out without being labeled a psycho or an abuser.

Some of the book’s most painful chapters do not revolve around Betsey’s suffering, but rather on Jess being questioned by police, with every aspect of her parenting laid bare for dissection and judgment. Vaughan’s careful delivery of the truth only heightens the tension, making it one of the most compelling suspense novels I have ever read.

Tightly wound, powerful and gut-wrenching, LITTLE DISASTERS would be paired beautifully with Kim Brooks’ SMALL ANIMALS, an equally divisive look into the balancing act that is motherhood. Though this is a work of fiction, it is clear that Vaughan has done heavy, comprehensive research into postpartum depression and its far-reaching effects, both within families and communities and in hospital and police systems. Bitingly smart and emotionally weighty, this is a novel you will not soon forget.

I loved Anatomy of a Scandal so was looking forward to this from Sarah Vaughan and while it is very different, it didn’t disappoint. This book is a stark exploration of the consequences of post natal depression and how one moment can change your life forever, We follow our main character Jess through this heartbreaking story that is a great mix of family drama and mystery. All mothers I think could relate to Jess and sympathise with her having a baby who cries all the time and just how difficult motherhood can be. I really felt for her but also found it an unsettling read as I was so concerned for her baby Betsy! I would recommend this a good, captivating read. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this great book. Review also copied to Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook and Instagram.

#Author #Sarah Vaughan has a new novel out. #'Little Disasters' is a powerful, sharp and hit you it the stomach novel. Yes once you start just forget about doing anything else. The power of the family will be understood and thought provoking.
Thank you,
#Netgalley, # Sarah Vaughan, and # Atria

This was a difficult one to get through. The subject matter dives into child abuse and postpartum depression, and some parts were heartbreaking. The characters were interesting enough and there was a twist to it, but not something that I would want to read again.

This book is really interesting. It looks at what it means to be a mother. But not in the way that you think.

Jess turns up at the emergency room with her baby. The baby has a skull fracture and Jess's story doesn't make sense. Liz has been her friend for many years and happens to be on duty at the hospital at the time. She is forced to contact social services and an investigation starts. Liz is also dealing with an aging parent and learns some things about her mother that she didn't know and struggles with forgiving her.

What really happened to Jess's baby? What is she trying to cover up? What else is she hiding?
If Liz can forgive her friend, will she finally be able to forgive her mother?
It's all very complex. I definitely recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This book will probably terrify new mother's or people with kids that are still small. Nerve wracking and suspenseful. Enjoyed and recommended.

This book kept my interest easily. We think we know people, and then surprises come. We don't know what goes on at home. Being a mom is hard, and this book explored how far moms will go to keep their good reputation. I never expected the ending. I will recommend to other moms so they realize we're all in this together.

This was a heart-wrenching story about what happens when you're not paying enough attention. There were a lot of examples of bad parenting from the past making two women so concerned with screwing up parenting their own children that they make things worse for themselves. The ending provides some hard-earned insight with a wonderful surprise twist.

This book tells us how grief brings two women together and how we need to revisit the experience of a woman becoming a mother and how there can be contempt for a child when there are other problems the woman is facing.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was only okay for me. There were a lot of characters to keep track of which was hard sometimes. Also, there was a lot going on. It almost seemed like that author had an idea for two novels but decided to smoosh them together into one book.

***3 Stars ***

Jess, the "perfect" mother of three brings her child to the emergency room one evening, where her friend Liz is working as a physician. Based on the child's injury, Liz becomes suspicious and if left to question everything she ever thought of Jess.
I think the premise of this is show how hard motherhood can be and to bring attention to postpartum depression but I just found it be slow and boring.

Special Thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for allowing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan

This was one of those books where you think to yourself... what the heck is going on. The mind can be a scary place. And the thoughts that go through Jess’s mind about her new baby were disturbing. Being a mom is a tough job and this book follows Jess, a mom of three and her long time friend Liz. Something happens to Jess’s baby, Betsy, in the beginning of the book and she takes her to the hospital. Liz becomes concerned and isn’t quite sure she believes the story Jess is telling her. This story follows Jess, her husband Ed & her friend Liz with alternating chapters. Secrets are revealed throughout the story and I was surprised at the end. Overall I did enjoy this book and I gave it a 4⭐️. Thank you #NetGalley for the digital arc to this book.

As a mother, Sarah Vaughan's novel hit me particularly hard. Not only was the central focus of the story painful and upsetting, but also how the author makes it relatable -- as in the possibility of: could this have happened to me? Overall, it was a well written book with well developed characters and a plot that kept a steady pace and had unpredictable twists at the end. I truly commend Vaughan for being utterly courageous in taking on such a difficult subject matter and handling it was grace and sensitivity.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I enjoyed this title but I found it to be more of a drama than a thriller.
It focuses on motherhood, friendship and mental health. There were a few twists to keep me interested, which I enjoyed. Thank you NetGalley

Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan is a thought provoking novel about the complexities of female identity, motherhood and how far a person will go to protect their family.

Liz is a doctor working the late shift at the hospital when her friend Jess brings her infant daughter Betsey' after a fall at home. But Betsey's injuries are not consistent with what Jess describes and Liz is obligated to report her concerns to her superior. This sets over an emotional journey that explores ethics, post-partum depression, jealousy and a deep dive into the complexities of motherhood.

While I am not a mother, I was immediately drawn into this book. Vaughan's writing style felt realistic, especially the ways she developed her characters emotional journeys. While I would not classify this as a mystery or thriller, it has layers of suspense and tension to its plotting.

I enjoyed reading this and recommend it. Trigger warnings for harm to children, post-partum depression, abuse.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.