thechristined's review against another edition
5.0
Amy Hatvany's Safe With Me reels you in from the very first page. The characters and their actions are so real, you can't help but feel for them. The story is both heartbreaking and life-affirming. It makes you feel thankful for all you have, and for simply being alive. It makes you think about what you would do in the different characters' situations, and hope you would have the courage to do the right thing. Unfortunately, especially in the case of Hannah's and Olivia's situations, Amy Hatvany described it brilliantly when she had Olivia note that life is full of shades of gray, and it's not so simple for one to say 'yes, I would do that' and have that be true. Which is what makes the story work so well, how true it is to life, the way it exemplifies all the different options you have in a given situation, the way events can pile up all at once, and how grief can take hold of you that you pull back from the world and the ones you love.
mostlyaudio47's review against another edition
4.0
This story will definitely stay in my head for a while. The audiobook was performed by 3 narrators, which was confusing at first, but once I got into it, the performances gave the characters depth and complexity. I was hoping there would be a happy ending but had no idea what it would look like or how the characters would get there. The journey was compelling, believable, and touching.
virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
2.0
There were some POV issues with this book--some POVs were first person, some were third. Also, the point where I realized how everything would be wrapped up came around p.126, which is pretty early in a story. Finally, everything was resolved much more cleanly than IRL.
renflew's review against another edition
4.0
Another wonderful book from Amy Hatvany. I have to digest before I can properly review, but as always I highly recommend.
heidi_boyles's review against another edition
5.0
I am literally still crying from this amazing book. If you are going to read this, have some tissues ready! Amy had me in tears by page 2. This story was so heartbreaking, yet heartwarming. Not many authors can write like that, but Amy Hatvany sure can!! I felt such a deep connection to all three of the characters who voiced chapters in this novel. My heart broke as a mother for both Olivia and Hannah, but it also broke for Maddie and the trying times she had. I can't begin to break down this book. Just read it!! I know Amy has a new fan and I'm on my way to one-click every book she has out!!!
courtthebookgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I am really giving this 3.5 stars, but being that goodreads makes me pick between 3 and 4, I am rounding down. I liked the story, most (not all) of the characters, and the readability of the story. I didn't like the loose ends left behind, the very broad brushes some of the characters were painted with (some characters were just walking stereotypes), and am not blown away by the writing. I also didn't love the ending - I was left flipping past the acknowledgement and back again, hoping I'd missed a page or twelve. I hadn't.
That said, it was an enjoyable, fast read (read in one day). I would give others by is author a try because I do like the way she weaves a story.
That said, it was an enjoyable, fast read (read in one day). I would give others by is author a try because I do like the way she weaves a story.
gettinglostinagoodbook's review against another edition
4.0
Tragic yet heartwarming.
How does one deal with the death of a child? How does one carry on alone? Hannah struggles with that in a daily basis. Until she meets the recipient of her daughters liver.
Now Hannah can see that some good has come from Emily's pointless death. While it doesn't heal, it does help dull the ache. That is until Hannah discovers exactly what Maddy and Olivia are going through.
There was a lot in this book. Either subject matter - death of a child or abusive relationships - would probably provide enough material on their own for any book Hatvany has somehow intertwined these two subjects, without overwhelming too much. All three characters grow and change in positive and likeable ways. All three characters eventually face their own demons.
Many people compare Hatvany to Picoult. Personally I think I prefer this new to me author. I will be looking for more!
How does one deal with the death of a child? How does one carry on alone? Hannah struggles with that in a daily basis. Until she meets the recipient of her daughters liver.
Now Hannah can see that some good has come from Emily's pointless death. While it doesn't heal, it does help dull the ache. That is until Hannah discovers exactly what Maddy and Olivia are going through.
There was a lot in this book. Either subject matter - death of a child or abusive relationships - would probably provide enough material on their own for any book Hatvany has somehow intertwined these two subjects, without overwhelming too much. All three characters grow and change in positive and likeable ways. All three characters eventually face their own demons.
Many people compare Hatvany to Picoult. Personally I think I prefer this new to me author. I will be looking for more!
bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition
4.0
Another great read by Ms. Hatvany! Good characters and writing. The author lives in Seattle, and her husband has the same first name as my husband, so I might be a little biased. :)
This novel touched on organ donation, catfishing, domestic abuse and peer pressure. A bit dense on the issues, and the catfishing came to an abrupt conclusion so possibly that subplot could have been dropped completely.
Can't wait for her next book!
This novel touched on organ donation, catfishing, domestic abuse and peer pressure. A bit dense on the issues, and the catfishing came to an abrupt conclusion so possibly that subplot could have been dropped completely.
Can't wait for her next book!
kriedesel's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Its the first book I have read in sometime and I am so glad I did.