jdye6529's review against another edition
5.0
So I've seen many movies based on Nicholas Sparks novels including Safe Haven. This was the first of his books I've had the chance to read. Let me tell you I thought his movies were romantic and heart breaking, this book blows that away. You connect so deeply with the characters, you visualize every scene incredibly. The author is amazing at making you connect, you feel happy, sad, miserable, angry, loving, nervous, panicked and so much more. Heck some of the more intense chapters had my heart racing like I was living them. It's beautifully written. I absolutely am going to venture into some of his other books, The Notebook and Dear John are clearly at the top of my list because those are movies I've loved!
robyngarcia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Vomit and Cancer
cad34's review against another edition
3.0
Is it me or are all of his books similar? it's like reading VC Andrews. Same story, different location and characters.
It was an okay book. Honestly, i really loved the movie.
Fast read.
It was an okay book. Honestly, i really loved the movie.
Fast read.
hollybell21's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not a huge sappy Sparks fan, and I read this book for bookclub & was pleasantly surprised. Sparks had the typical North Carolina romance, but he also had the main character have a dark past that came back to haunt her. Once I got to the point where the book was going back & forth between Katie & Kevin's point-of-view,I couldn't put the book down. This might make me think about reading more of Sparks' books.
jamelba81's review against another edition
4.0
I was ready to give this book 5 stars right up until the ending.
mollywithcurls's review against another edition
5.0
Safe Haven is another Nicholas Sparks classic. But I have to say that it is less The Notebook and more The Rescue with a little tiny bit of The Guardian. It's a very touching story of a woman who is trying to escape her past and what society tells her she should be.
At the climax of the book, it becomes thrilling and scary as she and her new family face danger and possibly death. There is a twist at the very end that completely caught me off guard, which means that it's good because I almost always know what is coming in books and movies.
Like all of Sparks' books, Safe Haven is engaging and heart warming. It's not going win any literary awards or astonish the thinker in anyone, but it's a great vacation read and definitely a book that is meant to be read curled up next to a fireplace.
At the climax of the book, it becomes thrilling and scary as she and her new family face danger and possibly death. There is a twist at the very end that completely caught me off guard, which means that it's good because I almost always know what is coming in books and movies.
Like all of Sparks' books, Safe Haven is engaging and heart warming. It's not going win any literary awards or astonish the thinker in anyone, but it's a great vacation read and definitely a book that is meant to be read curled up next to a fireplace.
clangendorf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
3.75
Very slow and hard to get into for me personally, but binged the last 1/3 or so in one sitting.
kassimesserly's review against another edition
4.0
There is just something about Nicholas Sparks' books that get me everytime. They are so enticing and romantic. I can't get enough. This one really tugged at my heart strings and brought me to tears. The love story was so pure, it is easy to get sucked in. You just wish the story wouldn't end. I really loved the characters in the book, especially Katie and Alex. Adored them to pieces. The movie is great too, however I did like more aspects of the book, but the actors chosen could not have been better. Very much enjoyed this book and would reread again anytime!! I read most of this book in audio form and I highly recommend. Reading it from the book is also a good time.