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bethaniekay's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not usually a fan of Sparks -- his books are often either boring or too sappy, but now and then there's a good one. I actually enjoyed this book. Maybe it was just my mood at the time, I'm not sure. Oh, there's definitely nothing too in-depth about this book. It's totally predictable (the story was pretty much the same as the movie "Sleeping with the Enemy" with Julia Roberts) and his writing is often elementary. I mean, do we really need a full description of what a s'more is and how it's made? Dumb. But, the story still flowed well and it was a quick, easy, enjoyable read. Maybe I liked it more because I was picturing Josh Duhamel as Alex and Julianne Hough as Katie (from the movie that's about to come out). Who knows, but it worked for me. I'm sure some won't like it, but this is my review and not theirs ;) It helped pass a dreary day for me in a pleasant way, and that's all that matters.
jo486's review against another edition
5.0
Another one of Nicholas Sparks great books. I laughed, I cried and the pages turned without notice. I couldn't stop reading it! Safe haven is a book about love, hatred, surviving and marriage amongst other things. I recommend it to all of you that are able to get caught up in love stories. This one is truly a book that should not escape your notice.
welcometomyescape's review against another edition
Love the movie but the book is not it.
SPOILERS
How you gonna say I love you on the first date??? I’m sorry???
SPOILERS
How you gonna say I love you on the first date??? I’m sorry???
comrademun's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
A few chapters were extremely triggering, even though I expected as much from the subject material.
A different sort of book for Nicholas Sparks, but a very good one.
A few chapters were extremely triggering, even though I expected as much from the subject material.
A different sort of book for Nicholas Sparks, but a very good one.
emmakaryn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was my first Nicholas Sparks book and unfortunately I think also my last. I usually love romance novels but between the “she’s so beautiful and doesn’t know it” and saying I love you after hanging out twice I just didn’t enjoy it. And at the end when Jo was revealed to be a figment of her imagination? Or a supernatural gift from Carly or something along those lines? that was weird and came out of nowhere, it didn’t fit with the rest of the book. It was interesting to see the perspective of an abuser, as that is not something that you see often, but it just wasn’t for me. Also kind of a nit picky complaint but I thought the dialogue of the children was just not right for what their supposed ages were and it irritated me each time they said something.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
candyjay19's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bbrassfield's review against another edition
4.0
Safe Haven is a Nicholas Sparks novel. What can I say about a Nicholas Sparks novel that hasn't likely already been said? Probably nothing. There you have it. So let me say something about why I read a Nicholas Sparks novel instead. First off, I'm a hopeful romantic, meaning even though I am an unabashed syfy/fantasy geek I am also drawn to impossible love stories and this is where Nick Sparks comes in. Romantic with a light schmalz topping though his writing may include, Mr. Sparks is also a minister of death. The guy kills off more key characters than George R.R. Martin and that is saying something, and so it's not all shirtless hunks of beef with the dainty but large bosomed heroine on the cover fare with a Sparks novel. Safe Haven is no exception and therein lies the interest. For the most part, at least judging from the films I've seen of his novels, there are no easy paths in this writer's stories. People find love running or coming out of tragedies and this is true of Safe Haven. While Sparks is no Dostoevsky when it comes to painting the interior lives of his characters, his prose is easy going and competent. Sparks gives his characters enough development so the reader understands their motivations and behavior (mostly), but I think the single biggest reason I read a Sparks novel at this point in time is that I love the pastoral, warm, sunny scenes from the films and for the last eight years I've lived in place with long, cold and snowy winters that go on for five months and I rather long to be in a place where real winter is but a concept haha. The North Carolina coast sounds like such a place so bring on the stories.