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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This novel begins as an ethical dilemma and unravels into so much more. It peeks into the inner workings of motherhood, women's friendships, gender roles, and more. Just when you think you know exactly where the plot is headed, another new thread tugs you in a different direction and keeps you questioning what drives each character.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Trigger warning for parents with postnatale depression
*TRIGGER WARNING - Infant Death, Post Natal Depression, Abuse, Autism*
WOW!! What an ending...My predictions were way off! Full of twists and turns, I thought I had this one figured out, not once but twice and did not see the final twist at all - everything I love in a thriller and more.
A gripping and dramatic domestic psychological thriller, that explores sensitive issues such as Post Natal Depression, and infant death. The author has to be celebrated in raising awareness of these topics, and I think she portrayed Jess' struggles perfectly. The ethical dilemma Liz faces between her professional obligations and her friendships, were also written in an exemplary way.
I highly recommend this in any format. It is definitely a five star read for me, and I am looking forward to listening/reading more by this author.
WOW!! What an ending...My predictions were way off! Full of twists and turns, I thought I had this one figured out, not once but twice and did not see the final twist at all - everything I love in a thriller and more.
A gripping and dramatic domestic psychological thriller, that explores sensitive issues such as Post Natal Depression, and infant death. The author has to be celebrated in raising awareness of these topics, and I think she portrayed Jess' struggles perfectly. The ethical dilemma Liz faces between her professional obligations and her friendships, were also written in an exemplary way.
I highly recommend this in any format. It is definitely a five star read for me, and I am looking forward to listening/reading more by this author.
AB. This was my wake-up call to read at least a generalized description of the book before I start.
TW: PPA, PPD, Child Endangerment
The content material was personally difficult for me, but the story was there. The way it trailed off and then picked back up at the end was interesting, but not particularly my style. The POVs also kept shifting throughout the book and I think it would have been easier to follow if I had been reading and not listening, but it just made it a little confusing sometimes to understand whose perspective I was listening to.
I would definitely try this author again, just different subject material.
TW: PPA, PPD, Child Endangerment
The content material was personally difficult for me, but the story was there. The way it trailed off and then picked back up at the end was interesting, but not particularly my style. The POVs also kept shifting throughout the book and I think it would have been easier to follow if I had been reading and not listening, but it just made it a little confusing sometimes to understand whose perspective I was listening to.
I would definitely try this author again, just different subject material.
On all accounts, I really wanted this to be a really good book, and it could have been.
At its core, a story about the isolation of motherhood, lack of mental health awareness and resources, and shitty man-child husbands. And then there’s an aspect about the relationships between a mother and her child, about how childhood abuse and neglect follows us into our adult lives. And then also a couple “plot twists” that aren’t really necessary. And while all of this COULD fit together smoothly and neatly in a well-written fiction novel with social commentary about real word problems… this book does not do that.
The theme of the story seems to be confused by the author, as if she thought of a few and couldn’t decide so she wrote all of them without developing ANY of them. Further, the characters struggle to have much of a voice or personality, they have even less of a relationship between each other, and the back and forth of perspectives and timelines only distracts from the story instead of adding to it. The writing is simple. I finished the book in about an hour. It’s not bad, but it’s nothing exceptional.
In short, this was a book that COULD have been really good, but unfortunately wasn’t.
At its core, a story about the isolation of motherhood, lack of mental health awareness and resources, and shitty man-child husbands. And then there’s an aspect about the relationships between a mother and her child, about how childhood abuse and neglect follows us into our adult lives. And then also a couple “plot twists” that aren’t really necessary. And while all of this COULD fit together smoothly and neatly in a well-written fiction novel with social commentary about real word problems… this book does not do that.
The theme of the story seems to be confused by the author, as if she thought of a few and couldn’t decide so she wrote all of them without developing ANY of them. Further, the characters struggle to have much of a voice or personality, they have even less of a relationship between each other, and the back and forth of perspectives and timelines only distracts from the story instead of adding to it. The writing is simple. I finished the book in about an hour. It’s not bad, but it’s nothing exceptional.
In short, this was a book that COULD have been really good, but unfortunately wasn’t.
A pretty quick read and some interesting thoughts, although in the end more plot-driven than I tend to like things.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
I'd give this a 3.5. It kept me engaged enough to come back to my e-reader several days in a row (which is a big deal for me.)
The ending wasn't surprising and I absolutely hated jumping from first to third person.
However, the only other thing that made me rate this book lower was the constant use of "subsumed."
The children acted their ages, which is hard to find in adult books. I enjoyed how the main character's lives were intertwined not only through their children but the companionship that comes with being new mothers. The raw emotion of Jess and Liz was heartbreaking, and Frankie doubly so.
Ultimately..Sarah Vaughan's "Little Disasters" shows us how hiding away our insecurities and doubt can create moments that define the rest of our lives and how motherhood can change even the strongest woman.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.
The ending wasn't surprising and I absolutely hated jumping from first to third person.
However, the only other thing that made me rate this book lower was the constant use of "subsumed."
The children acted their ages, which is hard to find in adult books. I enjoyed how the main character's lives were intertwined not only through their children but the companionship that comes with being new mothers. The raw emotion of Jess and Liz was heartbreaking, and Frankie doubly so.
Ultimately..Sarah Vaughan's "Little Disasters" shows us how hiding away our insecurities and doubt can create moments that define the rest of our lives and how motherhood can change even the strongest woman.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.