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
neleusb's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
i cannot in good conscience rate this higher considering all the bullshit nicholas was pulling in this. check trigger warnings too because they’re around every corner in this book
this is in third person following different characters, usually alex and katie which is great until fucking’s POV gets just far much space on the page. i heard a little too much of the ramblings of a horrifying man. the end of the book flies by because it’s fucking intense the switching POVs/ narrative focus or whatever made it a quick read, but i’ll never return to this book
also WHY was alex randomly, ick
Spoiler
yeah i did cry at carly jo’s letter, wtf is that name aboutthis is in third person following different characters, usually alex and katie which is great until fucking
Spoiler
KEVIN the ABUSIVE HUSBAND ALCOHOLIC COPSpoiler
just waiting for kevin to find her at the carnival or whateveralso WHY was alex
Spoiler
an EX COP
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Pedophilia, Car accident, and Blood
dcreads16's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, and Cancer
katwebb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Blood and Cancer
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Murder
rayraytaylorr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Reading a Nicholas Sparks book is like eating bread and butter - not quite enough to hit the spot but it does the job when you're desperate. Safe Haven is a beautiful yet heartbreaking tale - the movie was what lead me to reading the novel - but I found it lagged often and I had to push myself to really read it, especially considering the story isn't super dialogue heavy and focuses on lots of exposition. I thoroughly enjoyed reading things from Kevin's point of view - it was so interesting getting into the mind of such an unhinged character - the way he would try and justify his actions based on the bible or his love and was just unable to see the true awfulness of his actions - it just made sense. I really loved how much I despised him. His fast-paced point of view moments really pushed me into the story more as his mental cognition became more and more damaged, compared to slow-paced, questioning everything and learning to live again Katie. I really loved Katie and Jo's relationship though and the ending was hard to read. And of course, yay happy ending!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
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