A supernatural being is trying to steal Lauren’s twin boys. Lauren tries to get help, but no one will believe her story, blaming it on post partem depression or hallucinations. Well, almost no one. Police Detective Harper cannot get the case out of her mind even though she has been forbidden to pursue it any further. Then things change when the twins go missing, but were they taken by an unworldly being or is Lauren to blame?

This chilling, supernatural suspense story will have you questioning your own instincts and hoping to soon find the clue that gives you the answer. Is Lauren out of her mind or is there really something otherworldly happening? Very well written and suspenseful to the end, this creepy story will give you chills and heart-thumping moments of horror.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for an advanced copy for my honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC I was given of this thrilling book in exchange for my fair and honest review.

First, let me say that I’m a huge freaking fan of Lore. I’m not saying that guaranteed I would like this book or anything, but it definitely help because the little blurb was misleading. This book wasn’t inspired by fairy tales, it was inspired by folklore and if you’re anything like me, you want to draw little hearts on either side of that word. It helps, too, that the use of folklore was done in a really aesthetically pleasing way; not only was the book directly inspired by twin lore and lore about changelings, each chapter was marked with an epigraph from a fairy tale or folktale that marked the theme of the upcoming chapter. These were very well selected and just lovely.

The other thing you should probably know up front is that I suffered from some postpartum mental health issues, so this book had me on edge for about 90% of my reading. The way Lauren knew how illogical she sounded, even as she tried to convince those around her that she was perfectly sound, felt so authentic! Essentially, those two themes are what the book boiled down to: is folklore real (or at least, certain stories) or is the mother in the story suffering from postpartum psychosis after giving birth to twin boys? Reading as the answer began to (somewhat) emerge was intense because it constantly felt like there was a lot at stake, not just for our protagonist, but for the majority of the major characters of the book. The fact that so much is left up to the readers interpretation worked for me, too, because it really added to the feel that the book, despite its supernatural elements, was somehow very realistic.

The character development was pretty on point, too. You never quite knew how you felt about any specific character and sometimes you could like someone and hate them within a handful of pages. One thing never changed for me: I really disliked the protagonist. I'm okay with that: I don't need to like her. Lauren, to me, was hard to root for in many places because of her superficial, sniping inner monologue. She was constantly calling minor characters ugly or putting down their hygiene; it didn't detract too much from the overall readability of the book, but it did make me cringe a little each time. If I actually have any readers who read my blog on a semi-regular basis, you know this has been a recurring theme for me lately, but it’s not my fault. They make the protagonist pretty horrible in the vast majority of books and movies. Lauren, wasn’t as bad as some, she was just shallow. I'm going to put shallow in the meh category when comparing it to what else is out there in terms of horrible characters lately.

When looking for an image to attach to this blog post, one had a blurb across the cover: Most unsettling book of the year! You know what? that's pretty accurate. This book was unsettling because there was such a feeling of ambivalence. I can't go into that without revealing more than I want to give away, but the thing that makes this book work is right up until the end, you just aren't sure what the right choice is for our girl Lauren. This is truly a must read.

https://bibwithblog.blogspot.com/2018/10/folklore-and-neuroticism-review-of.html

Little Darlings is definitely a psychological thriller. A new mother of twins, Lauren Tranter,
sees someone in the hospital that tries to kidnap her twins telling her that no one will ever know because she will switch them with babies that look exactly alike. The problem is no one else sees this person and they do not appear on the CCTV. The maternity ward officials choke it up to lack of sleep and postpartum mental health episode. However, this is not the end of Lauren's fear of someone changing her baby boys and when the deed is done no one believes her. This book will have you guessing and on the edge of your seat. Would definitely recommend.

Lauren Tranter just gave birth to twin boys and someone is trying to take them from her and switch them with lookalikes. Were they really changed or is she losing her mind? Would you be able to tell the difference?

This terrifying premise grips the reader and makes them come back for more. I could not stop reading this! I wanted something creepy since Halloween is approaching and this fit the bill. Little Darlings links folklore in with modern times, making the reader wonder what is real and what is in the main character's head. I LOVED this book and can't wait to read more from the author.

This book isn't released until April 30, 2019 which is disappointing because it's perfect for <i>right now<i>. Lucky for me, Crooked Lane Books provided an advanced copy and I couldn't help but read it immediately.

That this book and French's new one (which I requested but wasn't given) are two of only three books that I've requested from publishers lately is telling (not that there aren't others I've been interested in, but really trying not to take as many ARCs until my physical to-read pile has decreased).

The set up, a (contemporary) woman has twin baby boys who are in immediate peril of being stolen away to be replaced by changelings, simply couldn't be more tailor-made for me. I don't often write about particular scenes in a novel but I have to say that the opening scenes, of the incredibly difficult birth and after-the-birth of the protagonist is painfully immersive and serves to draw the reader into the always-dual possibilities of the narrative... are the creepy events because there's actually something supernatural happening or are they because of the protagonist's difficult birthing experience/a dissolution of her mind/her relationship difficulties (that, really, one thinks she should've been more perceptive of at least a few moments before committing to a marriage and a life with twin babies)?

On the whole, I was enamored of this debut. It's an adult novel (I specify this because so many fae/supernaturalish-possibly-themed novels are YA) and it's dark and clever. A couple of hesitations: I didn't love how the POV focus shifted towards the end of the novel, and I felt let-down by the author's apparent inability to decide about the possible origins of the events in the novel (as the two probable possibilities are, in my mind, two distinct elements and not something that I would've expected to blend, as she seemed to try and do).

That said, this is still a solid four stars for me and I will absolutely be looking for more from Golding. I can easily let go of the couple of concerns to enjoy her dark narrative and commendable skill with weaving a contemporary narrative with possible-ancient myths and elements.

Although a bit wordy at times, the author creates good connection between her reader and her characters so that they can feel the emotions and struggle with throughout the book. I recommend this book.

Little Darlings puts a thrilling spin on postnatal depression. The MC has twins at the beginning of the book and the seeming descent into madness ensues. We also follow a detective with a complicated love life and a hero complex.

The pacing of the book builds, so the first half is slow. However, the creepiness builds up quickly throughout the entire novel. I found myself trying to distinguish between reality and fantasy throughout and never came up with a definitive answer.

Yikes! New mom Lauren believes her twin sons have been stolen and replaced with fairy children. How she comes to that conclusion is spooky, and what she does about it is scary. How does one rescue their children when all those around them believe they’ve had a mental break?

Melanie Golding tells her story well. The only let down is the ending, not in the storyline but in the pace. Some other contributing storylines are left hanging. Or it could be just bad editing.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading this book. The more I read, the more I loved it! It's creepy and full of suspense! I definitely recommend Little Darlings!

Folklore is not a genus I particularly care to read. This tale was of a woman who gave birth to identical twin boys and who was convinced another woman was attempting to take them and replace them with her changelings. The police are contacted and the investigating officer is also dealing with her own challenges while doing so. The plot deals with the psychological problems of both women, the difficulty of being the only participative parent to twins, marital infidelity and possible psychosis. It is well developed and will grip the reader, just not this one. The paranormal does not hold much interest for me. Thanks to Net Galley and Crooked Lane for an e-Galley for an honest review.

What an absolutely fabulous cross of fantasy and real-life horror. The story definitely echoes the Brothers Grimm and their fairy tales while still keeping readers braced in reality through the police and mental health involvement.

Lauren, an over-tired mom of newborn twins, battles fear of losing her babies after a blurry yet horrifying incident in the hospital. While everyone believes she is sinking deeper and deeper into a case of postpartum depression, Lauren knows what she saw, and she knows that she alone can keep her babies safe. When her most vivid nightmares come true, she finds that she alone, and maybe one member of the police force, believes her version of the truth.

This book doesn't come out until April, but I felt compelled to read it as soon as I got approved because of its description. It did NOT disappoint. What a perfect horror story that will speak to mothers and fathers about the numerous threats posed to their babies.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books & Netgalley for the ARC.

This book had me hooked from the very first. I devoured it, thinking about it when I could not sit and read. The ending is fantastic! It answers some questions, but opens up so many more. I found myself rooting for Lauren and wondering just what might happen next in her life.

Little Darlings begins with new mother bringing her twin boys into the world. I immediately empathized with the pain and discomfort Lauren was going through, as a mother myself. The author captured this very well actually.

All is not well after the twins are born though. Lauren's husband seems less than helpful and to make things even worse, there is a creepy woman in the maternity ward....or is there? Lauren becomes convinced this woman wants to swap babies and no one seems to take her seriously. Even after Lauren is able to go home, she becomes a recluse. Never leaving the house, and not letting the boys out of her sight.

Eventually, after her husband and friends (new moms themselves) insist, Lauren decides to venture out of the house. This is about 40% into the book, so it has taken quite some time to get to this point. Lauren's venture out of the house does not end so well, as the twins are kidnapped (and quickly returned). But they aren't her babies. Lauren can't believe it. The woman finally succeeded in taking her boys. And no one believes her...

All in all, this book was rather uneventful. The Kidnapping and the very end are the only real events of the book and the end felt hastily thrown together. I prefer story lines to be faster paced and bit more eventful so this book just really wasn't a favorite for me.

I lost sleep over Little Darlings, by Melanie Golding - because I didn't want to put it down. Something unusual is going on with Laurie's babies, or so she thinks. Follow her as she tries to divide fact and fiction and convince others, including her own husband, that she hasn't lost her mind. There's a touch of the supernatural within the pages, but not what I would consider of an occult nature. This was a fun read.

Scary; chillingly realistic! The feelings are very believable as are the happenings. Is it real? Where are your children? Are you sure??

Are you in the mood for a good horror story? One that starts off slow and gradually pulls you in once you've really connected with the main characters? Ahh I have a delicious read if you think you can handle it as it may really spook you.... Little Darlings is a craftily written, truly spooky, creepy tale of twin baby boys switched with mysterious changelings. Their mother is the one person who knows that the switch happened and her desperation increases as the plot starts to build! Introduce a loving husband and a good detective with a mind of her own and the combination is frightfully good!!! Far from a suspense novel, Little Darlings is a nightmare come true for the exhausted new mother Lauren. This story gives me shivers just thinking about it, so I am sure the book and the upcoming movie will do the same to you!!!!

This book was just ok for me. I thought it had a good plot and premised but I just didn’t find the changeling aspect believable

Seems I'm in the minority on this book. I thought it was a well written, mildly creepy, and an excellent premise. For me though, it just felt like it didn't really go anywhere.

I will say that a big strength of the book is the lead detective investigating the case. She's very fully realized. We understand why she's so personally invested in the case, and her efforts to figure out what's going on are engaging. I would have read any mystery she played a central role in solving. Unfortunately, I felt like this particular mystery actually didn't give her a whole lot to do.

I did also liked the mother, Lauren and felt like the author did a good job of getting into her head, capturing how overwhelmed she was as a new mother, and helping us understand how the mother was evaluating and questioning her own sanity.

The think the problem for me was it felt like this book was coasting a bit on its premise (which is admittedly, a creepy one.) Someone wanting to switch out newborns for changelings makes for great drama (which is probably why those stories have been around for so long.) I was totally willing to invest in that premise from the get go. I wanted the real world investigation to be tangential and the author to deep dive on those otherworldly aspects of the plot. Instead the reverse happened--we got caught up into the real world investigation and all of the cool details about the "other mother" and the changelings, etc. were glossed over.

I like dark horror, I like myths and folklore, I like detectives solving mysteries. But I kind of felt like this book was trying to check all of those boxes at the same time. In doing so I felt like it missed the mark a bit. Not a BAD book by any means, just didn't feel cohesive for me personally.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a definite page turner!
Real life new mother trepidations meet malicious folklore legend of switching babies with changkings! Did it really happen or is she going mad?

Spooky, atmospheric and creepy. A great Halloween read. Kept me gripped from the word go and left me guessing.