This story was nothing like I was expecting it to be. I really enjoyed the beginning and end of this book, but the middle dragged a bit for me.

The new novel by Sarah Vaughan is not an easy and light read. It’s a thought-provoking, compelling, and gripping story that addresses serious and relatable themes. At the center of the novel there are parents and it shows how difficult and life-changing parenthood is. Jess, a mother of three who is struggling after the birth of her third child; her husband Ed who is trying to figure out what is going on with his wife; and her best friend, Liz, a paediatrician who starts to question not only her friend’s life, but also her own and her past.

When Jess arrives at the hospital with her injured baby girl and a story doesn’t make sense, Liz struggles with her need to protect her friend and her duty to report her to authorities. In the meantime, Ed knows he should have been more present at home, but his work takes all his time. Should he have noticed his wife’s strange behaviour? And did Jess harm their baby? And did Liz make the right choice?

The characters are very well-drawn, relatable, and genuine and so well-drawn that you feel almost like you know them. They are every parent as they question their own parenting, as they wonder if they are doing the right thing when it comes to their children, as they realize how hard and consuming it is to take care of a child.

Once again, Sarah Vaughan wrote a fantastic novel that leaves you affected and questioning things. If you are looking for a thriller, then this is not the right read for you. It’s more a family drama with a lot of tension and a few twists that take you by surprise. The story progresses at a slow and perfect pace with different points of views and a few flashbacks that keep the reader completely engrossed. Some of the scenes are heart-breaking and moving, but there are also moments of joy and forgiveness that make this a beautiful and excellent read.

Little Disasters is a superb, realistic, and brilliantly written novel about parenthood, friendship, and mental health and it’s out next week. Highly recommended!!!

"Little disasters" was not what I expected at all. Reading the blurb I thought this would be a domestic suspense/mystery, but what I encountered was a domestic drama about motherhood, friendship and guilt.

It depicts motherhood from different perspectives, represented in Liz, the working mom, and Jess, the stay at home mom. They were both well developed and the initial dilemma Liz faces was such an interesting one but, in my opinion, the story drags along quite a bit in the middle being a bit repetitive at times. I believe it could have benefited from some editing (50-70 pages less and the story would be exactly the same). It was more a character's story than a plot driven one. Although there was a twist at the end I don't think it came as surprising as intended.

Although it was well written and presented some thought provoking ideas, I think my slight dissapointment with this one was it wasn't what I thought it would be.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A very interesting read dealing with postnatal mental health, family dynamics and a lot of what ifs. Although it is all very comfortable, middle class families who can afford to find solutions, it doesn't flinch away from the root problems. Not entirely sure about the character portrayals but overall I found it a good read that would make a very good book group choice.

Well, I can honestly say that this book wasn't quite what I was expecting. I'm not entirely convinced that I do actually know what that was, but I know it wasn't this. Although, I guess, in some ways, it probably was. In Anatomy of a Scandal, Sarah Vaughan created a complex and tangled novel which exposed a kind of he said, she said tale that is so pertinent in the modern 'Me Too' era. With Little Disasters she has also created a very relevant, very heartbreaking, very hard hitting novel, but of a slightly different kind.

This is a story of two halves, of two women who face an impossible and tragic situation that starts to rip holes in the very fabric of their friendship. Jess arrives in A&E with her daughter, Betsey, who has suffered an injury that doesn't entirely support the story that she is telling. Her best friend, Liz is called in for a referral and is forced to make a call that brings Jess's world to the point of collapse. But how did Betsey get hurt? Was it simply an accident or was it something far more unspeakable?

Well - if you want to know you will have to read the book. Sarah Vaughan takes readers on a truly emotional and sometimes shocking journey as we venture back and forth in time to the moment that Liz and Jess first met, through the current investigation into Betsey's accident, and to the gradual but unexpected revealing of the truth. It is hard not to feel incensed as you read, as the injury to the child is spelled out and the likely scenarios play out in your head. And the more you get to know Jess, to know about her, the more likely it seems that she is guilty, suspicions that are not eased by her reluctance to open up to anyone.

Liz and Jess are two very believable and relatable characters. Liz has her own problems with deal with in her life, as well as an overwhelming schedule as a doctor. It is easy to like her, and the way in which the author has played out the moral dilemma she faces, torn between believing in her friend and considering the facts of the injuries as they are presented, is truly authentic. She is not one to take things on face value, and in spite of the science telling her one thing, her conscience tells her something more.

Jess is initially something of an enigma. She is guarded, reluctant to open up to anyone, and clearly very on edge. You can absolutely see the love that she has for her daughter and yet still cannot tell if love alone is enough. And the more I learned about her, the more I could empathise with her. Again, the author has done a brilliant job of portraying a woman suffering from postnatal anxiety, of capturing the dark thoughts that invade the minds of far more mothers than might be expected. Of how easy it is for those signs to be missed by the people that love you most.

This really is a complex novel, one to be savoured and not rushed. With beautiful narrative that captures the emotions so perfectly, and being told from a varying narrative perspective, first person and third, it leads us through the heart of a very tragic story. It forces readers to question how they would react in similar circumstances and also how much you would be willing to sacrifice for someone you love dearly.

There came a time where I kind of cottoned on to what had happened, a throwaway comment that made me think 'wait a minute' ... If you are canny you may spot it too, but if not, that is not a problem as I promise the ending, when it comes will leave you shell-shocked and satisfied in equal measure. A great read, definitely recommend.

A really amazing and thrilling read for these days. The descriptions and characters are great and relatable.
The twists and turns throughout the plot keep you on your toes. It is great for one time read but might not recommend it to sensitive people.
The author did great work and I really look forward to more of her novels.
There were a few negative in the plot too. Like the slow pace at certain area and too much descriptions. Might demand a bit of patience but you will sink into the story about halfway in. Trust me, you will not regret it.

What a fabulous read this is from Sarah Vaughan dealing with some pretty hard issues and done so incredibly well. We start with Betsey a 10month old baby brought to A&E by her mother Jess and she is seen by Jess’s friend Liz who is a paediatric doctor on call. With a suspected head injury and a story not quite adding up Liz is then put in a difficult situation when she has her friendship to Jess and her conscience tested as she has to make a decision to inform social services as it becomes clear this is not a straightforward case and that Liz must now distance herself from both her friend and what is becoming an issue of safeguarding.
This book brings out so many emotions that are beautifully dealt with and the writing is exceptional, I loved Anatomy of a Scandal but I actually loved this book more it was written with such empathy and it also had one heck of a ending !!
So for me this was a 4+ read that I really can highly recommend and many thanks to Sarah Vaughan for an exceptional read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Little Disasters is a fast-paced drama about motherhood and mental health issues. Liz is a paediatric doctor called down to consult on a case. It turns out the case is actually the baby of Jess, her friend of ten years. The baby has a suspicious injury and the symptoms just don't add up. Should Liz trust her friend or do her job and report the case to social services regardless of her friend? What ensues is a twisty drama with engaging characters. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy domestic dramas.

This was a very engaging and emotionally charged story of maternal parenting, postnatal depression, guilt and the true friendship that kept me totally gripped.

A paediatric doctor Liz is faced with a difficult decision when her friend’s little girl has been brought in to A&E with a suspected head trauma.
When the doubts arise whether it was an accident, Liz is torn between calling Social Services or trusting her friend.

Little Disasters was a well-paced psychological drama with an excellent multi layered plot. As the story reveals layer by layer, we get to know a heartbreaking truth behind an incident and how it affects the whole family and friends. Both main characters are well portrayed and extremely believable and I could not help but felt sorry for them. I really enjoyed the twist at the end which I definitely did not see coming.

This is definitely not and easy read but very compelling and beautifully written. Highly recommend.

When Liz’s friend Jess turns up at the ER one night with her baby girl Betsey and a story that doesn’t quite add up, Liz is forced to question everything she knew about her good friend and herself. There are so many secrets and lies, the truth can’t come soon enough.

A very well written story told in chapters working backwards in which we find out a bit about the characters past stories. There are lots of twists in this, just when I thought I’d worked out what had happened something else was exposed which changed everything. Overall, a very good read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Very much of our time, this book shines a light on the struggles and mental health issues that come with early parenthood and that were as real for our mothers as they are for us. But now, difficult though it is, we can begin to talk about it, to acknowledge where there is a problem and help with it. A heartfelt story that combines all of this with the complex strands of friend and family relationships and that deepest of links between mothers and their children.

A tense story, which plays on a number of common fears, and shows that sometimes you can’t trust even those you’re close to.
Liz is a paediatrician, used to dealing with some unpleasant situations. When her friend, Jess, brings her young daughter into hospital it seems innocuous. Then closer examination shows young Betsey has a suspected skull fracture and her mother’s story doesn’t quite add up. Liz is duty bound to report her concerns to social services and thus starts a pretty tense time for all the families concerned.
Jess has to admit to feelings she would rather not admit to. Those around her have to acknowledge that they’ve missed things. And the situation brings up some very deep hidden secrets...
From the outset you want to believe there’s more to this than our initial suspicions. Some elements are exactly as expected, but there is a twist that you might not see coming which certainly paints some events in a very different light.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for my thoughts.

This was an engaging and suspenseful thriller that tackled postpartum depression and the absolutely horrifying pressure that women face in having to do it all, particularly in relation to parenting. I wasn't a fan of the zig-zagging timeline, and the switch from first-person to third-person, though. The beginning and end were brilliant, but the middle lagged a bit. It was pretty clear what had happened (in relation to Betsey's care), and it was a bit tiresome waiting for the reveal you knew was going go come. The final twist, though, was stunning, even though the <spoiler>stereotype of the successful yet jealous woman</spoiler> rankled.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

Thank you netGalley for this advanced copy. This book was very slow moving for me. I read the beginning and then just skipped to the back pretty quickly to see what actually happened to the baby. Once I saw that, I didn't finish it. Just couldn't get into it.

This book was different to the psychological twisty thriller I thought it would be, instead it looked at the struggles of motherhood, mental health and family live. An emotional and very well written read on a very emotional subject.
I enjoyed the plot and characters were so well developed and I felt I really got shucked in and didn’t want it to end.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t read this, as the formatting wasn’t correct on my version.

Thank you anyway to NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

This was different to what i was expecting but i enjoyed it. What could be a very different and sensitive subject is written intelligently and with great feeling. While i did work out what was happening quite early on i still enjoyed the story and it kept my interest until the end.

When Liz is on duty as the paediatric doctor she is called to examine a young baby who is poorly. The baby, Betsey, is her friend, Jess’s daughter. Betsey presents with distress after vomiting but soon tests reveal she has a fractured skull and Jess says it was an accident. Told from both parties POV and other integral characters did Jess hurt her daughter on purpose?
Oh my god this book was fantastic. I was hooked from the first chapter and when you ignore your friends and family and cook dinner with one hand as your holding the kindle in the other this is a sure sign of a cracking read.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This is a story about the difficulties of motherhood with an inconsolable baby. A very real story with believable characters and realistic reactions.

I think there'll be a lot of talk about Little Disasters when it's published - I certainly hope so. For me it's a compulsive, 5 star read that tells a gripping story, while sensitively probing issues of friendship and motherhood - both the postpartum stage as well as the years that follow.

Liz is a hospital paediatric doctor, with children of her own, a supportive and loving husband and a circle of mummy friends. When she's called down to the A&E to consult on the case of an ill baby, she's discomforted to discover it's her friend Jess and third baby Betsy. When some things about the history of Betsy's symptoms don't add up, it becomes necessary to involve the police and social services...

With a mainly dual narrative, featuring Liz in the first person and Jess in the third, I was totally absorbed in this book. It's sensitive, it's powerful, there's enough unreliability about Jess to keep the reader second guessing, and it's a book that will resonate with a lot of readers.

I'm excited for it to be released so I can share it with library readers and shout about it!