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minipanda's review
3.0
I've just finished reading my third novel by this author and to be honest, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The story follows a mother who has been wrongly accused and is now desperately trying to get her son back. However, her ex-husband is not making it easy for her. I was hoping for an edge-of-the-seat thriller, with unexpected twists and turns, like the author's other works. But, the storyline was predictable and the ending was too easy to guess. Don't get me wrong, it's an okay read, just not as thrilling as I had hoped.
If you're an avid reader of thrillers, I'll say skip this one. However, I highly recommend checking out Love You Gone and The Bigamist.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Rona Halsall, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
If you're an avid reader of thrillers, I'll say skip this one. However, I highly recommend checking out Love You Gone and The Bigamist.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Rona Halsall, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
chrissypops's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thank you Netgalley, Rona Halsall and Bookouture Audio for this audio Arc of Keep you safe.
Really enjoyed this Psychological thriller By Rona Halsall. Sarah Durham narrated this one and I loved her voice., Although I did find with this book I needed to speed the audio up slightly. Mainly because I felt that the pace of the book and the voice didn't quite match for me. Otherwise, Sarah Durham has a great story telling voice and have had a look at more books that she has narrated.
The pace of Keep you safe was medium, a nice build up throughout the book from the POV of Natalie and 1st person. The storyline, especially for parents will definitely be relatable, The drive to find and be with your child drives you to experience everything and anything. Even if you read this and not a parent, you will find it very compelling and experience the eagerness of how and why Natalie is so desperate to see her son and get her life back.
The little twists and turns were great and kept me completely engaged and the pay off at the end of the book was a good mix of tension, doubt and betrayal.
I'll be looking to read more of Rona's books in the future!
Really enjoyed this Psychological thriller By Rona Halsall. Sarah Durham narrated this one and I loved her voice., Although I did find with this book I needed to speed the audio up slightly. Mainly because I felt that the pace of the book and the voice didn't quite match for me. Otherwise, Sarah Durham has a great story telling voice and have had a look at more books that she has narrated.
The pace of Keep you safe was medium, a nice build up throughout the book from the POV of Natalie and 1st person. The storyline, especially for parents will definitely be relatable, The drive to find and be with your child drives you to experience everything and anything. Even if you read this and not a parent, you will find it very compelling and experience the eagerness of how and why Natalie is so desperate to see her son and get her life back.
The little twists and turns were great and kept me completely engaged and the pay off at the end of the book was a good mix of tension, doubt and betrayal.
I'll be looking to read more of Rona's books in the future!
thefictionphysician's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
erinnejc's review against another edition
4.0
Thrilling story with a plot that kept me turning the pages, really well written with great characters. Highly recommend to everyone who is a fan of this genre.
ascannerdorkly's review against another edition
i picked this up in a LFL because i thought it might be a decent thriller but, i got 10 pages in and decided i am not at all into it.
kristy_k's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars
This didn’t have quite the amount of thrills I was hoping for. It oscillates between Natalie’s past and present (in jail and then trying to find her son) as well as an anonymous first person who’s following Natalie. While the premise is interesting, I think I am over the near hysteria character with a shady past in thrillers.
This didn’t have quite the amount of thrills I was hoping for. It oscillates between Natalie’s past and present (in jail and then trying to find her son) as well as an anonymous first person who’s following Natalie. While the premise is interesting, I think I am over the near hysteria character with a shady past in thrillers.
reviewsfeedblog's review against another edition
5.0
It is a surreal experience to read a book set in the place where you live and work. Streets I have walked countless times – some I see every day nearly – set the scene of this novel… and I will be honest and say it was a tad strange! But at the same time, it was brilliant! I could picture exactly where events were happening in vivid detail and it was really easy to follow. Even without the local knowledge, I think anybody could follow the events in this book. I just have the added advantage that I know the local geography.
Keep You Safe is the kind of novel that keeps you guessing. Natalie has been betrayed in the past by someone she loves, and her distrust and paranoia is deep-rooted. She is a protagonist who can be sympathised with to the extent that she has been separated from a child. However, in other respects, she is a very morally grey character. I wasn’t rooting for her 100% of the time; her decision-making is far from rational or logical. But in the same vein, it is these flaws that make her undoubtedly human. She is a well rounded character – and as a key component to the story… this shines through.
At the heart of this tragic story is a little boy that just wants to be loved. In amidst the lies, deceit, and far more besides, there is an innocent child stuck in the middle. I really enjoyed the ending of this book, as evidenced by my binge reading of it! Perfect elements of mystery come together with a darker, more thrilling ending that I really enjoyed! The pieces slotted together very nicely and we are kept in suspense up until that very last moment. I was lining everybody up as a potential suspect. It’s the kind of book that you think about even when you’re not reading it.
My one, small wish this book is that the island was not referred to as a tax haven. The island has that reputation enough, when in reality most residents as normal, working people just like everyone else. Just like most of the characters portrayed in this book. The only difference is that we have to pay over the odds for a pint of local milk. It may not be all sunshine and roses here on the Island, and yes it has some very wealthy corporations and individuals, but I feel it isn’t an accurate representation and the Island could have been painted in a better light if this was not mentioned. That’s a personal thing though. I’m very passionate about living here and naturally, I want people to see the best of it!
Keep You Safe is the kind of novel that keeps you guessing. Natalie has been betrayed in the past by someone she loves, and her distrust and paranoia is deep-rooted. She is a protagonist who can be sympathised with to the extent that she has been separated from a child. However, in other respects, she is a very morally grey character. I wasn’t rooting for her 100% of the time; her decision-making is far from rational or logical. But in the same vein, it is these flaws that make her undoubtedly human. She is a well rounded character – and as a key component to the story… this shines through.
At the heart of this tragic story is a little boy that just wants to be loved. In amidst the lies, deceit, and far more besides, there is an innocent child stuck in the middle. I really enjoyed the ending of this book, as evidenced by my binge reading of it! Perfect elements of mystery come together with a darker, more thrilling ending that I really enjoyed! The pieces slotted together very nicely and we are kept in suspense up until that very last moment. I was lining everybody up as a potential suspect. It’s the kind of book that you think about even when you’re not reading it.
My one, small wish this book is that the island was not referred to as a tax haven. The island has that reputation enough, when in reality most residents as normal, working people just like everyone else. Just like most of the characters portrayed in this book. The only difference is that we have to pay over the odds for a pint of local milk. It may not be all sunshine and roses here on the Island, and yes it has some very wealthy corporations and individuals, but I feel it isn’t an accurate representation and the Island could have been painted in a better light if this was not mentioned. That’s a personal thing though. I’m very passionate about living here and naturally, I want people to see the best of it!
mandylovestoread's review against another edition
2.0
Keep You Safe appeared to be a book that I could really get into. Unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me. It was enjoyable but predictable and felt like I had read it all before. I struggled to stay interested
Natalie is sent to prison for a crime that she didn't commit. Whist locked up her husband takes her sons away. The first things she wants once released is to find her son and find out who was responsible for sending her to jail.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
Natalie is sent to prison for a crime that she didn't commit. Whist locked up her husband takes her sons away. The first things she wants once released is to find her son and find out who was responsible for sending her to jail.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
cassies_books_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a wonderful debut ! Natalie a new mother working for her husbands business and is accused and convicted of of embezzlement. A crime Natalie has not memory of committing she’s been having trouble with her memory. Natalie’s husband Tom chooses to believe the police and is just horrible! While Natalie was incarcerated Tom moves to a different country with there son Harry. The whole time I was rooting for Natalie and when she’s finally out of prison she just wants to find her son. I highly recommend this book!