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blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Are you capable of hurting your child? How about your good friends? Are they? If you knew, or even suspected, that a friend's child was being abused, what would you do? These questions, which are at the heart of LITTLE DISASTERS, are not as black-and-white as they seem. As the novel points out, they can be very difficult to answer sometimes.
Although I wouldn't really call LITTLE DISASTERS a page-turner, I did find it compelling and engrossing. The characters are complex and mostly sympathetic. I felt for them all, even the ones I didn't like all that much. Although the plot was fairly predictable, I actually did not see the final reveal coming, which is a good thing since I read so many of these kinds of novels. In the end, then, I quite liked LITTLE DISASTERS and will definitely look for more from this author.
Although I wouldn't really call LITTLE DISASTERS a page-turner, I did find it compelling and engrossing. The characters are complex and mostly sympathetic. I felt for them all, even the ones I didn't like all that much. Although the plot was fairly predictable, I actually did not see the final reveal coming, which is a good thing since I read so many of these kinds of novels. In the end, then, I quite liked LITTLE DISASTERS and will definitely look for more from this author.
amandas_good_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finally a book that relates to the mothers out
Overwhelmed , exhausted. Afraid to speak out
Theres a lot moments I was like
Overwhelmed , exhausted. Afraid to speak out
Theres a lot moments I was like
rachemorre's review against another edition
4.0
Remarkable story telling in a way that felt far more factual than other mysteries involving social services / healthcare.
Grateful a social worker wasn’t painted as the enemy for once, too.
The twist was solid enough but I didn’t feel there were enough consequences at the end for side characters, nor enough emphasis on accountability for actions.
It’s not a perfect read, but still a damn good one.
Grateful a social worker wasn’t painted as the enemy for once, too.
The twist was solid enough but I didn’t feel there were enough consequences at the end for side characters, nor enough emphasis on accountability for actions.
It’s not a perfect read, but still a damn good one.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting domestic thriller about friendship going downhill fast. Some parts of it where pretty thrilling and engaging to read but for most of it I was underwhelmed. Not quite the twisty turny thrilling read I wanted but an decent book to kill some time with
kellyvandamme's review against another edition
4.0
Little Disasters is my first novel by Sarah Vaughan, but I had heard so many good things about her previous novel Anatomy of a Scandal that I couldn’t resist hitting that NetGalley request button. That and the mention of secrets and lies in the blurb, of course.
Little Disasters is part drama part psychological thriller, alternating between the POV of Jess and the POV of Liz, who met in birthing class years ago and have remained friends ever since. Jess is a stay at home mum, Liz is a paediatrician.
One dark and stormy night (no actually, I haven’t a clue what the weather was like, but that phrase is just the right amount of ominous), Jess shows up in the ER room with her baby Betsey, who has been sick. Both mother and daughter seem in a right state, and alarms bells go off in Liz’s head, after all she’s a professional, trained to notice things that are not quite right. Carefully examining Betsey, Liz spots an injury at the back of the baby’s head, but Jess’s explanation of what happened seems flimsy at best. Torn between staying objective and focussing solely on the child’s best interests on the one hand, and having faith in her friend on the other hand, Liz decides to withdraw from the equation, and opens a can of worms in doing so. What happened to Betsey on this fateful day, and what is Jess hiding?
Little Disasters is a psychological thriller in that it searches for the truth of what happened to Betsey, taking the reader on a somewhat unexpectedly twisty ride. However, a much more important aspect of Little Disasters is motherhood and its ups and downs. It makes for a poignant read, even to me, a reader without children. It deals with postnatal depression and anxiety and the shame that comes with it. I suspect this is something that happens more than people realise, and patients should not be ashamed at all, I’m sure most of us – if not all of us – feel like we can’t cope, feel overwhelmed or anxious at one point, why should parenthood be any different? I was sucked into the story and I had no trouble whatsoever putting myself in Jess’s shoes. However, I do think that if you have children and read this, it will resonate with you much more and could hit home in a way it can’t for me.
Little Disasters is an important book but so bleak at times that I had to put it down to catch my breath. This is no doubt proof of Sarah Vaughan’s excellent writing, the characters’ pain portrayed so perfectly that it bled from the pages to such an extent that it made my own heart ache.
Poignant, harrowing, suspenseful, Little Disasters is a perfect blend of drama and thriller that I would happily recommend.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Little Disasters is part drama part psychological thriller, alternating between the POV of Jess and the POV of Liz, who met in birthing class years ago and have remained friends ever since. Jess is a stay at home mum, Liz is a paediatrician.
One dark and stormy night (no actually, I haven’t a clue what the weather was like, but that phrase is just the right amount of ominous), Jess shows up in the ER room with her baby Betsey, who has been sick. Both mother and daughter seem in a right state, and alarms bells go off in Liz’s head, after all she’s a professional, trained to notice things that are not quite right. Carefully examining Betsey, Liz spots an injury at the back of the baby’s head, but Jess’s explanation of what happened seems flimsy at best. Torn between staying objective and focussing solely on the child’s best interests on the one hand, and having faith in her friend on the other hand, Liz decides to withdraw from the equation, and opens a can of worms in doing so. What happened to Betsey on this fateful day, and what is Jess hiding?
Little Disasters is a psychological thriller in that it searches for the truth of what happened to Betsey, taking the reader on a somewhat unexpectedly twisty ride. However, a much more important aspect of Little Disasters is motherhood and its ups and downs. It makes for a poignant read, even to me, a reader without children. It deals with postnatal depression and anxiety and the shame that comes with it. I suspect this is something that happens more than people realise, and patients should not be ashamed at all, I’m sure most of us – if not all of us – feel like we can’t cope, feel overwhelmed or anxious at one point, why should parenthood be any different? I was sucked into the story and I had no trouble whatsoever putting myself in Jess’s shoes. However, I do think that if you have children and read this, it will resonate with you much more and could hit home in a way it can’t for me.
Little Disasters is an important book but so bleak at times that I had to put it down to catch my breath. This is no doubt proof of Sarah Vaughan’s excellent writing, the characters’ pain portrayed so perfectly that it bled from the pages to such an extent that it made my own heart ache.
Poignant, harrowing, suspenseful, Little Disasters is a perfect blend of drama and thriller that I would happily recommend.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
alipals's review against another edition
3.0
A fast paced and compelling read so 3 stars from me. a complex subject is dealt with sensitively but the fast-forward to a somewhat rosy ending felt a bit contrived for me. I wasn't sure that Liz's backstory added or hindered the story. But all in all, one of those books that keeps you reading!
tioj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
iveth_mercedes's review against another edition
3.0
It was entirely too slow for my liking. I listened to it on the way back and forth from work and found quite often I had zoned out. I probably missed half of the plot just zoning out. It only gets interesting toward the end.
kgnade's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advanced reader copy of Little Disasters from Atria Books via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion.
Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughn is a story about postpartum depression, grief, loneliness, friendship and family. Jess and Ed have three kids- two boys and an infant daughter, Betsey. Before Betsey, Jess was always the sensible, level-headed stay-at-home mother that others looked to for advice.
Liz is an exhausted woman trying to be the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and doctor that she can be. While working the night shift, Liz is stunned when Jess brings Betsey to the ER with a very serious injury. Liz can’t believe that Jess would knowingly hurt her daughter. Why didn’t Liz recognize Jess’s distress earlier? Why has Jess been torturing herself with her secret?
This was a great book that pulls you in immediately. The author does a great job depicting the inner turmoil of all the characters. There were some parts that were hard to read, but she was covering a topic that many have a hard time relating to. Little Disasters is available today, Tuesday, August 18, 2020.
#sarahvaughn #littledisasters #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #fiction #fictionbooks #drama #dramabooks #readin2020 #atriabooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.
Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughn is a story about postpartum depression, grief, loneliness, friendship and family. Jess and Ed have three kids- two boys and an infant daughter, Betsey. Before Betsey, Jess was always the sensible, level-headed stay-at-home mother that others looked to for advice.
Liz is an exhausted woman trying to be the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and doctor that she can be. While working the night shift, Liz is stunned when Jess brings Betsey to the ER with a very serious injury. Liz can’t believe that Jess would knowingly hurt her daughter. Why didn’t Liz recognize Jess’s distress earlier? Why has Jess been torturing herself with her secret?
This was a great book that pulls you in immediately. The author does a great job depicting the inner turmoil of all the characters. There were some parts that were hard to read, but she was covering a topic that many have a hard time relating to. Little Disasters is available today, Tuesday, August 18, 2020.
#sarahvaughn #littledisasters #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #fiction #fictionbooks #drama #dramabooks #readin2020 #atriabooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.
katelynjaynexx's review against another edition
3.0
Little Disasters focuses mainly on Liz and Jess two mums that have met each other in a parenting class. When Jess presents to ER with her baby with some unexplainable injuries it’s up to Liz to seek out some answers.
This book deals with some pretty significant and heavy topics regarding PND and abuse so be aware of that before you dive in.
I ended up giving this one 3.75
This book deals with some pretty significant and heavy topics regarding PND and abuse so be aware of that before you dive in.
I ended up giving this one 3.75