Engaging story with very human characters...hard to read in places, but everything is woven together very well.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley.

An interesting book with a unique storyline. I appreciated that the separate years of the story were well announced and switched back and forth seamlessly without being confusing.

Little Disasters, by Sarah Vaughan, is a complex study of friendship, family relationships and motherhood. The title is appropriate on many levels, as she skillfully weaves her story among the disasters, large and small, experienced by her characters. Liz, the “working mother” physician and Jess the stay-at-home “perfect mother” each have their own insecurities and struggles with their roles as mothers, daughters, wives and friends. While they are both married, and their husbands have supporting roles in this cast, these two women’s characters are deeply, intimately drawn as we hear their inner thoughts as well as their actions throughout the book. Vaughan’s writing is skilled and a delight to read and savor. For instance, as Jess sits in a hospital chapel, she “aligns her rings in her own troubled rosary” and as she thinks about her child, “her love flows through her veins like melted chocolate, hot and dark…”
Both Liz and Jess are tested in their roles, and the narrative is compelling as they journey through their struggles with professional responsibilities and motherhood, and balancing those roles in their lives.
While I regard this as a tightly written psychological mystery, with much tension and clever twists in the story line, I would not classify it as a thriller. I would call it a compelling contemporary novel that will appeal to women of all ages who enjoy a mystery and terrific storytelling by a gifted writer.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster, and NetGalley for my ARC in return for an honest review.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for approving my netgalley request. Anatomy of a scandal was a outstanding book that has become a hit. I couldn't wait to read this.Well that was one way to start a sunday! Intense,claustrophobic, panic inducing read.This really articulates the mind of post baby, everything feels that bit more heightened.What has happened to the baby, who is telling the truth and is the baby safe.So many layers to this story its a compelling ,unpredictable thought provoking book.Highly recommend.Published 2nd April

This book was everything that I love in a fiction novel. I never give spoilers in my reviews I usually just say what I like about the bucket and give a brief explanation of what the books about. A group of friends we're pregnant together, gave birth around the same time, and have playdates and parties and barbecues with their husbands and children. One woman, Liz is a doctor at the local hospital. One day Jess a member of the group, comes in with her baby girl Betsy. Something does not seem to be right with Jess's daughter. Why did Jess wait 6 hours to take baby Betsy to the hospital with such a severe head injury? Why are none of her stories matching up or making sense? Liz knows this is not the way just parents, and this is not like her at all. Liz has obligations as a doctor even if it goes against her friendship with Jess. What really happened to the baby? Whose fault is this and what is the outcome going to be?

Thanks to Atria Publishing and Netgalley for a peak at this upcoming title. It truly starts off with a bang. Jess brings her infant to the hospital claiming she’d fallen much earlier in the evening. Liz, the on-call doctor and also a friend of Jess’s, examines Betsey and finds she has a skull fracture. When Jess is asked about the accident, her story doesn’t jibe. Then the reader is taken on a tour of the neighbors and their children. Who doesn’t like who and why? Who works and who doesn’t? Simultaneously, Liz is dealing with her mother who has a drinking problem.

Most of the time the story moves at a medium pace while it others it slows down and I found myself anxious to get back into the action. The ending I would have never guessed. I doubt that you will either.

At times there seemed to be a few too many characters and I had difficulty keeping their names straight.

The premise is an unusual one, possibly taken from the headlines. For that reason, I recommend this book to any thriller readers.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

While the storyline kept me turning the pages, I did feel it was predictable, and some of the relationships (Liz and her mother, most of all) weren't realistic. While the content could be disturbing (trigger warning: child harm, child neglect), it was wrapped up well in the end. Thank goodness for happy endings in fiction.

This book is different from anything I’ve read recently. The subject covered in this book is unique and it was an interesting read.

It’s a slow-paced mystery about parenthood, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), and the obstacles that mothers face while raising a child.

Jess is what people consider the perfect mother. She’s organized, she’s always present in her children’s lives, and her life seems flawless. But people soon realize that her life is not as it seems.
She brings her baby girl to the hospital because she won’t stop crying and she’s throwing up. Liz is the pediatrician that examines the baby and she is also Jess’ friend.

Liz notices a bump in the baby’s head and when she asks Jess about it, she acts extremely weird. She tells a story that doesn’t add up. Even though Liz and Jess are friends, Liz has the responsibility to report the incident. And from then on, Jess’ life is turned upside down. She is questioned and forbidden to see her baby until it’s proven that it wasn't caused by anyone in the family. But everyone in the house tells a different story and Jess is clearly hiding something.

The chapters develop very slowly and we only find out the truth at the very end. It is a very descriptive story and I know some people will like it more than I did. I would’ve enjoyed it more but it got a little dull in the middle. But it’s an interesting story overall.

This book is about Liz who is a doctor and while she is working, her friend Jess brings in her baby who has fractured her skull. Liz ends up contacting Social Services to assess the situation. The book goes back an forth between past and present to figure out what happened to baby Betsey. It is pretty obvious that Jess has postpartum depression, which is a little hard to believe that no one around her has figured out. I have had two girls and every doctor visit in the beginning after the birth, the doctor would check to see how I was doing. I understand this is a book of fiction, but that was a little difficult for me to handle.

I did enjoy this book and the writing style, but I do believe this book is miscategorized as a Thriller/Mystery. None of this book falls under that genre, unless you call the plot twists and who done it a mystery. I think this book is actually a drama.

I will caution readers that this books talks a lot about Jess wanting to hurt her baby and it goes into detail on what she wants to do to Betsey.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the digital ARC for my honest review!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books eGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Little Disasters definitely captured my attention from the beginning! Jess is a put together mother of three. She takes care of herself, her house is spotless and her children are always happy - until Betsey comes along. Jess finds herself slowly and internally unwinding after Betsey arrives, unbeknownst to her husband and close friends - Liz, Charlotte and Mel - who all met in a prenatal class. Liz is a pediatrician working in the ER the night Jess brings Betsey in for a head injury. Liz asks Jess protocol questions regarding how Betsey got injured but feels like Jess is hiding something. Jess seems off and unaware of how Betsey hurt herself, which was weird for Liz. This begins the fast-paced novel filled with heart-wrenching real-life situations that can affect the best of friends and the best of moms.

Like I said before, this book really draws you in from the beginning. The author, Sarah Vaughan, does a great job unfolding Jess' story and describing the layers of emotions even an experienced mother can go through with her children. The author also does an amazing job at adding a last minute twist that I did not see coming. Kept me on my toes. Overall, I really enjoyed reading "Little Disasters". This was my first book by Sarah Vaughan and I'm excited to read more of her work!

Thanks again to NetGalley and Atria Books eGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. This book was not the typical thriller I’m used to reading however it was a very good read and very thought-provoking. I would definitely take the time to read other books by this author as she has a very interesting writing style. I highly recommend.

Sarah Vaughan is clearly never afraid to tackle difficult subjects--and there's much to like in this thoughtful, richly characterized novel. The pacing is a trifle uneven...but the reader who persists will be rewarded by a story which will linger for days after the read.

I thought this book would be faster paced than it was so I was disappointed and even though I know it’s an edge case to actually hurt your baby but I wonder what messages this sends to women with postpartum depression. I know it talks about the proper ways to handle it but there is such a stigma as is. Otherwise, fairly interesting.

This book didn't really work for me. I found it hard to get into and hard to stay interested. There was also a plot twist that I found unbelievable and unnecessary. And ultimately, this is miscategorized as a mystery/thrillery; it's more of a straight drama.

I really liked the author’s previous book ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’ so I was thrilled to receive this advance review copy. It’s been on my ‘To Read List’ for months.

The story will resonate with many mothers, but not being a parent didn’t prevent me from relating to the book. In fact, the opposite was true as I wondered if I possessed the selflessness needed to raise children.

In Little Disasters, Jess has always been proud of her mothering skills. She loves all three of her children, but her newest baby has been challenging. She’s tired and frustrated and she’s going out of her mind. She doesn’t recognize herself and I felt much sympathy for her.

Credit the author for tackling an unpopular subject with tact and fairness. Child welfare conjures up strong emotions and ‘Little Disasters’ gives a voice without judgement. It’s quietly powerful and pulled on my heart in its wake.

Thank you to Atria Books, Sarah Vaughn, and Netgalley for my electronic copy!

Liz is a doctor working on the night her best friend brings in her baby Betsey. Betsey has head injury. The book skips back and forth between past and present..

Liz is an hospital physician working one night when her best friend, Jess, brings her daughter, Betsey, in due a head injury. Liz is required by law to contact social services for an injuries to a child. The questions that need to be answered are: What happened to Betsey? Is this really a case of just a simple bump on the head or is something more sinister going on?
I enjoyed this book for the most part. The chapters skip back and forth between past and present and also between narrators. The story moved along at a pace that kept me interested in what would happen next. My only complaint is the truth of it all seems to just be shoved into the last couple chapters, and doesn't really get the focus it should.
I received an ARC of LIttle Disasters from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Sarah Vaughan, and it's left me keen to read more of her work!

It was a gripping psychological drama that focuses on the complexities of motherhood, friendship, lies and guilt.

It was a wonderfully written novel, and had unexpected twists that kept drawing me in, having me needing to know more.

Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster as well as Netgally for providing me a with a copy of this E book to review.

Thank you to Netgalley for the preview of this book. It was a great family drama & the plot was really fast moving & credible Having read previous books by this author I had high expectations & I was not let down Vaughan is a talented writer who has the ability to draw you in & make you forget what is happening around you. An excellent and gripping read