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Vicino a te non ho paura
Il giorno che Katie arriva a Southport, nella piccola e annoiata cittadina tutti gli occhi sono per lei. Chi è questa giovane donna, bella e misteriosa, arrivata in città per lavorare come cameriera? Katie non parla con nessuno, non esce la sera, sembra decisa a evitare qualunque legame. Pian piano, però, qualcuno riesce a fare breccia nella sua solitudine: Alex, vedovo con due figli, gestore dell'emporio locale, un uomo dolce e gentile. Katie e Alex si innamorano teneramente, complici i due splendidi bambini di Alex, e Katie sembra trovare infine un posto tutto per sé a Southport. Finché un giorno il suo terribile passato non torna da lei a chiedere il conto. Perché Katie si porta dentro un segreto, che minaccia di mandare in pezzi la sua ritrovata felicità, e dovrà fare appello a tutto il suo coraggio per evitare che il passato distrugga la sua nuova vita. Una vita in cui finalmente Katie ha conosciuto l'amore, l'unico porto sicuro quando tutto intorno è burrasca.
399 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
6836 people are currently reading
173966 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Sparks
412 books238k followersNicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 130 million copies sold worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 92 million copies in the United States alone.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 15,815 reviews
December 4, 2013
I almost liked this book. Almost an added star.
This is my 4th Sparks book. Message in a Bottle (2 stars). The Lucky One (1 star). Three Weeks With My Brother (1 star).
This is the winning book for February 2011 Bestseller Book chosen by The Filipino Group here in Goodreads. I bought this book at regular price. I waited for the mass paperback (cheaper) edition but it is almost a year now since this book came out. February just started and I was about to open the thread (I am one of the moderators of that group) so I grabbed me a copy. I am saying this just to explain that I have to love this book because I spent a fortune for it and I should try to entice members to read by coming up with a fair review.
Which is a roller coaster.
First hundred pages:
Typical Sparks. Reading him is like eating at McDonalds. You know the taste. No surprises. If you want quick fix to your hunger, you pass by an outlet. Quality food at reasonable price. What I am saying is that there is nothing wrong with Nicholas Sparks' novels. You want romance, you get romance. You just read to be entertained, you get entertained. You don't want mind-boggling read, you just read and no need to think. You get what you expect.
Second hundred pages:
So I thought. Because suddenly, Nicholas Sparks made a detour. Unlike the first 3 books, he tried to become something that he hasn't done before. He tried to write a suspense thriller novel. Ala Ken Follett. Sparks caught my attention. He pulled it off as he stole some of my sleeping time. I slept only for only 3 hours that night as I got caught up with the mystery behind Katie (who turns out to be Erin) and how is her life being a battered wife. Totally unexpected. Definitely no hums-hums in the wee hours of the morning!
Last 50 pages:
Unfortunately, this part did not fly for me. It seems too ordinary. Even that revelation about Jo. Seems contrived and I read and saw many of that in this lifetime: The Sixth Sense (movie), The Others (movie), Pedro Paramo (book). Even the battered wife part. I saw or read about it in Sleeping with the Enemy (Julia Robert's novel), Black and Blue (book) and I supposed most of those Oprah books. So when I closed the book and went through the plot in my mind, I just did not like the whole story. Sparks tried to make Kevin's character multilayered and it was a nice try but Sparks did not explain his background. I thought that a page or two of his life as a child could make a lot of difference. Alex and his children seem like not characters at all. They are like stuff toys with what I think are so-typical characterizations. They are like movie starlets trying to win people by smiling a lot and saying all the right things.
But this doesn't mean that I will not drop by a McDonald's outlet anymore. I mean we, once in a while, get hungry and have just enough money (for a burger) to spend, right?
This is my 4th Sparks book. Message in a Bottle (2 stars). The Lucky One (1 star). Three Weeks With My Brother (1 star).
This is the winning book for February 2011 Bestseller Book chosen by The Filipino Group here in Goodreads. I bought this book at regular price. I waited for the mass paperback (cheaper) edition but it is almost a year now since this book came out. February just started and I was about to open the thread (I am one of the moderators of that group) so I grabbed me a copy. I am saying this just to explain that I have to love this book because I spent a fortune for it and I should try to entice members to read by coming up with a fair review.
Which is a roller coaster.
First hundred pages:
Typical Sparks. Reading him is like eating at McDonalds. You know the taste. No surprises. If you want quick fix to your hunger, you pass by an outlet. Quality food at reasonable price. What I am saying is that there is nothing wrong with Nicholas Sparks' novels. You want romance, you get romance. You just read to be entertained, you get entertained. You don't want mind-boggling read, you just read and no need to think. You get what you expect.
Second hundred pages:
So I thought. Because suddenly, Nicholas Sparks made a detour. Unlike the first 3 books, he tried to become something that he hasn't done before. He tried to write a suspense thriller novel. Ala Ken Follett. Sparks caught my attention. He pulled it off as he stole some of my sleeping time. I slept only for only 3 hours that night as I got caught up with the mystery behind Katie (who turns out to be Erin) and how is her life being a battered wife. Totally unexpected. Definitely no hums-hums in the wee hours of the morning!
Last 50 pages:
Unfortunately, this part did not fly for me. It seems too ordinary. Even that revelation about Jo. Seems contrived and I read and saw many of that in this lifetime: The Sixth Sense (movie), The Others (movie), Pedro Paramo (book). Even the battered wife part. I saw or read about it in Sleeping with the Enemy (Julia Robert's novel), Black and Blue (book) and I supposed most of those Oprah books. So when I closed the book and went through the plot in my mind, I just did not like the whole story. Sparks tried to make Kevin's character multilayered and it was a nice try but Sparks did not explain his background. I thought that a page or two of his life as a child could make a lot of difference. Alex and his children seem like not characters at all. They are like stuff toys with what I think are so-typical characterizations. They are like movie starlets trying to win people by smiling a lot and saying all the right things.
But this doesn't mean that I will not drop by a McDonald's outlet anymore. I mean we, once in a while, get hungry and have just enough money (for a burger) to spend, right?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2011
Opening line:“As Katie wound her way among the tables, a breeze from the Atlantic rippled through her hair."
Wow, this is definitely one of the better Sparks books I’ve read, I sure hope he keeps going in this darker, less sappy direction with the next book too. I picked up SAFE HAVEN during a very busy time in my life and still found it unputdownable. Full of twists and turns, mystery and surprise and a HUGE suspense factor throughout. Of course we also get the romance (nicely done) and it again takes place in a small North Carolina town (write what you know) but this was way darker then anything of Sparks’ I’ve read before.
With a slowly and deliciously unravelling story, we don’t ever get a huge background dump with any of the characters multiple POV’s instead their lives, secrets and issues are gradually introduced, which I loved. And the bad guy here, jeez he was horrible, and I mean that in a good way. The kind of character that you love to hate, but I also really enjoyed getting into his head, as he slowly fell apart. Intriguing, creepy and well written. I highly recommended this one even for those non-Nicholas Sparks fans; I think you’ll be surprised.
The story here is somewhat reminiscent of (A Bend in the Road)but way better, it also reminded me very much of that older Julia Roberts movie (Sleeping With the Enemy) but again its better then that too. I won’t give away too much here with the synopsis, its well worth discovering on your own. Cheers.
Katie is on the run, but the good people of Southport don’t know that, they’re too busy wondering what the pretty new waitresses’ story is and why she keeps to herself so much, after all everyone here knows everybody else. For the first time in months Katie is allowing herself to breathe again, she’s found a good paying job, a secluded place to live, and avoiding any personal ties should allow her enough time here to save some real money before she has to move on again.
What she hadn’t counted on was being drawn into the lives of anyone in this small town. First it was her outspoken single neighbour Jo, who only made her realize how much she missed having friends and then it was Alex, the widowed shop owner and his two adorable children. Slowly Katie is letting her guard down, growing attached and falling in love, allowing herself to dream of a future with a man that won’t hurt her. But Kevin is good and he’s on her trail.
I’ve just learned that this is going to be made into a movie, can’t wait. I just got a chill
Wow, this is definitely one of the better Sparks books I’ve read, I sure hope he keeps going in this darker, less sappy direction with the next book too. I picked up SAFE HAVEN during a very busy time in my life and still found it unputdownable. Full of twists and turns, mystery and surprise and a HUGE suspense factor throughout. Of course we also get the romance (nicely done) and it again takes place in a small North Carolina town (write what you know) but this was way darker then anything of Sparks’ I’ve read before.
With a slowly and deliciously unravelling story, we don’t ever get a huge background dump with any of the characters multiple POV’s instead their lives, secrets and issues are gradually introduced, which I loved. And the bad guy here, jeez he was horrible, and I mean that in a good way. The kind of character that you love to hate, but I also really enjoyed getting into his head, as he slowly fell apart. Intriguing, creepy and well written. I highly recommended this one even for those non-Nicholas Sparks fans; I think you’ll be surprised.
The story here is somewhat reminiscent of (A Bend in the Road)but way better, it also reminded me very much of that older Julia Roberts movie (Sleeping With the Enemy) but again its better then that too. I won’t give away too much here with the synopsis, its well worth discovering on your own. Cheers.
Katie is on the run, but the good people of Southport don’t know that, they’re too busy wondering what the pretty new waitresses’ story is and why she keeps to herself so much, after all everyone here knows everybody else. For the first time in months Katie is allowing herself to breathe again, she’s found a good paying job, a secluded place to live, and avoiding any personal ties should allow her enough time here to save some real money before she has to move on again.
What she hadn’t counted on was being drawn into the lives of anyone in this small town. First it was her outspoken single neighbour Jo, who only made her realize how much she missed having friends and then it was Alex, the widowed shop owner and his two adorable children. Slowly Katie is letting her guard down, growing attached and falling in love, allowing herself to dream of a future with a man that won’t hurt her. But Kevin is good and he’s on her trail.
I’ve just learned that this is going to be made into a movie, can’t wait. I just got a chill
January 27, 2011
2.5 rounded up
It's not so much that there is anything bad about this book, it is just that it is.... boring. A very large portion of the story is devoted to describing the day to day life of the characters who live in a small, seaside town. What one does as they get up, what they eat, how they cook, the routine conversations between family members, what they buy at the grocery store, which tablecloth to put out etc. etc., comprises not only most of the book, but each of our own daily lives. While familiar, it's NOT what most sit down to read about. We all live it. It does not need to be explained to us. We KNOW already! Most people choose to read for an escape from the workaday life, not to endlessly re-hash it. That, along with the over-the-top climax makes this a rather disappointing attempt by a talented author.
It's not so much that there is anything bad about this book, it is just that it is.... boring. A very large portion of the story is devoted to describing the day to day life of the characters who live in a small, seaside town. What one does as they get up, what they eat, how they cook, the routine conversations between family members, what they buy at the grocery store, which tablecloth to put out etc. etc., comprises not only most of the book, but each of our own daily lives. While familiar, it's NOT what most sit down to read about. We all live it. It does not need to be explained to us. We KNOW already! Most people choose to read for an escape from the workaday life, not to endlessly re-hash it. That, along with the over-the-top climax makes this a rather disappointing attempt by a talented author.
February 6, 2018
3.5 rounded up.
People hide the truth because they're afraid
My second time reading Safe Haven, the first half was a bit slow. We don't know about Katie's past yet, and we simply follow the beginnings of her settling into the small town of Southport and starting a relationship with Alex - the local general store owner.
As her background is slowly revealed, I began to fear for her. That this new life she made for herself could be taken away at any moment. The final part of the book is drama filled
I also appreciated the twist with her neighbour very random and I did not see that coming.
Overall, nothing revolutionary, but it was enjoyable and as Sparks' novels go, it had a nice ending rather than a soul destroying one. :)
I'm not sure anyone's life turns out exactly the way they imagine. All we can do is try to make the best of it. Even when it seems impossible.
People hide the truth because they're afraid
My second time reading Safe Haven, the first half was a bit slow. We don't know about Katie's past yet, and we simply follow the beginnings of her settling into the small town of Southport and starting a relationship with Alex - the local general store owner.
As her background is slowly revealed, I began to fear for her. That this new life she made for herself could be taken away at any moment. The final part of the book is drama filled
I also appreciated the twist with her neighbour very random and I did not see that coming.
Overall, nothing revolutionary, but it was enjoyable and as Sparks' novels go, it had a nice ending rather than a soul destroying one. :)
I'm not sure anyone's life turns out exactly the way they imagine. All we can do is try to make the best of it. Even when it seems impossible.
January 16, 2011
This book, in my opinion, was completely different from any other book I've read of Sparks'. And that is a good thing! I would classify this book as a romantic suspense, or even a suspense in general. There were many instances where my heart was racing, and I couldn't find the strength to put the book down. And, as with all of Sparks' book, I found myself tearing up in parts. But not for the normal mushy-gushy reasons. Instead, I was crying because of the traumatic events taking place, and the horror I felt for the main character. The pace of this book was an excellent break from the normal, and I think any Sparks fan will love this book, regardless of the fact that it's so different! Sparks is a great writer, and that definitely shows in Safe Haven.
July 18, 2016
That ending! I did not see that coming... Ahhhh I'm literally speechless and my heart is racing!
-------------------------------
I should start off by saying that I already knew I would love this book before actually reading it. I've been a huge Nicholas Sparks fan since high school! Happy to say I loved this and I was captivated from the very beginning. I know his writing style can be a bit difficult to get used to, and some people find it boring. I do not find it boring at all.
Safe Haven follows the life of Katie, as she tries to hide from her husband, Kevin. Basically she has been physically abused by her husband for years and she finally decides to run. She arrives at Southport emotionally and physically scarred, and begins to form a new life. There she starts a relationship with Alex, who is a widowed father of two children, and she slowly begins to let her guard down. Not to mention her friendship with Jo!
That’s all I can say about the plot without spoiling anything. But this story… All the feels. All of them!
The characters were really likable, with the exception of Kevin!!! Katie is a very strong woman, she has lived a lonely, difficult life and it is hard not to feel bad for her. I literally cried for her and wanted to take away the pain. Alex was a sweetheart, I loved him! He is the most kindhearted, selfless, perfect man a girl could ask for! Jo is that best friend we all have, or we all want, she was fantastic.
Kevin is another story. That man has serious demons that have driven his mind to insanity. Legit psycho!!! He is that villain that you hate with a passion and seeing inside his head was the most disturbing thing ever! I mean for someone who quotes the bible a lot, the world he lived in was just wrong in every single aspect.
My favorite part about this book was the danger that was added to it. It reminded me a lot of The Guardian and why I loved it so much because of the suspense, (my favorite book by Nicholas Sparks.) It had my heart racing just by sitting here reading it. When a book does that then you know it’s a good book! The twist at the end though… I could barely contain myself! I honestly didn't see that coming at all and I was seriously in pure shock when I read the last page.
Over all, another beautiful love story by Nicholas Sparks.
-------------------------------
I should start off by saying that I already knew I would love this book before actually reading it. I've been a huge Nicholas Sparks fan since high school! Happy to say I loved this and I was captivated from the very beginning. I know his writing style can be a bit difficult to get used to, and some people find it boring. I do not find it boring at all.
Safe Haven follows the life of Katie, as she tries to hide from her husband, Kevin. Basically she has been physically abused by her husband for years and she finally decides to run. She arrives at Southport emotionally and physically scarred, and begins to form a new life. There she starts a relationship with Alex, who is a widowed father of two children, and she slowly begins to let her guard down. Not to mention her friendship with Jo!
That’s all I can say about the plot without spoiling anything. But this story… All the feels. All of them!
The characters were really likable, with the exception of Kevin!!! Katie is a very strong woman, she has lived a lonely, difficult life and it is hard not to feel bad for her. I literally cried for her and wanted to take away the pain. Alex was a sweetheart, I loved him! He is the most kindhearted, selfless, perfect man a girl could ask for! Jo is that best friend we all have, or we all want, she was fantastic.
Kevin is another story. That man has serious demons that have driven his mind to insanity. Legit psycho!!! He is that villain that you hate with a passion and seeing inside his head was the most disturbing thing ever! I mean for someone who quotes the bible a lot, the world he lived in was just wrong in every single aspect.
My favorite part about this book was the danger that was added to it. It reminded me a lot of The Guardian and why I loved it so much because of the suspense, (my favorite book by Nicholas Sparks.) It had my heart racing just by sitting here reading it. When a book does that then you know it’s a good book! The twist at the end though… I could barely contain myself! I honestly didn't see that coming at all and I was seriously in pure shock when I read the last page.
Over all, another beautiful love story by Nicholas Sparks.
January 28, 2013
I bought this book on a whim. All the ladies at my workplace seem to be reading it and I keep overhearing them rave about it. It's Nicholas Sparks best book yet! When I got up to the register the lady ringing me up said, "Ooh, Nicholas Sparks! I love his books. They're soo good. Oh, and look! It's going to be a movie. Gotta see that one." Mind you I had two other books in the pile, not a word about those.
I didn't have high expectations for this book because it didn't seem like my kind of thing. But I figured it's good to expand one's horizons. I shouldn't be so judgmental. Maybe I'd have something to talk to my co-workers about, other than the weather or work.
The story was OK. Definitely not bad. The love interest, Alex, was a nice guy, albeit too good to be true. But this is a Nicholas Sparks novel right? I assumed certain stereotypes would reign. His kids seemed cute and equally too good to be true. Our heroine, Katie, aka Erin, was also OK considering how annoying this character had potential to be and given that she was also a stereotype--blonde and lanky, skinny with big breasts (which is almost verbatim her physical description, as detailed, conveniently, by the bad guy). She's pretty much the mysterious hot chick with the dark past. But when the sh*t hit the fan, she's the one that took the bad guy out. That's cool. The bad guy, Kevin, was a decent enough villain-ignore some "too convenient coincidences" and he'll do in a pinch--and thanks to him the plot hummed along at a good pace. If we didn't have Kevin to hate, surely we'd be left with perfect Alex and perfect big-in-only-the-right-places Katie and there goes the entire plot.
I read this book in one day because I did want to know where the author was going with this. Thus, I admit to taking the bait.
The ending ruined it for me. The ending is dumb, contrived, unnecessary, insulting even. It made me feel stupid for spending the time to read this book. All the way until the end I was debating whether to give this book three stars or four because for all its faults (up until that point) it did keep me reading.
Lesson learned. I'll just continue to make small talk about the weather any time someone wants to talk about a Nicholas Sparks book. Otherwise my opinionated side might rear its head and I'll be mobbed by angry secretaries.
I didn't have high expectations for this book because it didn't seem like my kind of thing. But I figured it's good to expand one's horizons. I shouldn't be so judgmental. Maybe I'd have something to talk to my co-workers about, other than the weather or work.
The story was OK. Definitely not bad. The love interest, Alex, was a nice guy, albeit too good to be true. But this is a Nicholas Sparks novel right? I assumed certain stereotypes would reign. His kids seemed cute and equally too good to be true. Our heroine, Katie, aka Erin, was also OK considering how annoying this character had potential to be and given that she was also a stereotype--blonde and lanky, skinny with big breasts (which is almost verbatim her physical description, as detailed, conveniently, by the bad guy). She's pretty much the mysterious hot chick with the dark past. But when the sh*t hit the fan, she's the one that took the bad guy out. That's cool. The bad guy, Kevin, was a decent enough villain-ignore some "too convenient coincidences" and he'll do in a pinch--and thanks to him the plot hummed along at a good pace. If we didn't have Kevin to hate, surely we'd be left with perfect Alex and perfect big-in-only-the-right-places Katie and there goes the entire plot.
I read this book in one day because I did want to know where the author was going with this. Thus, I admit to taking the bait.
The ending ruined it for me. The ending is dumb, contrived, unnecessary, insulting even. It made me feel stupid for spending the time to read this book. All the way until the end I was debating whether to give this book three stars or four because for all its faults (up until that point) it did keep me reading.
Lesson learned. I'll just continue to make small talk about the weather any time someone wants to talk about a Nicholas Sparks book. Otherwise my opinionated side might rear its head and I'll be mobbed by angry secretaries.
August 20, 2022
I'm not a Romance novel kind of guy. But this is not a "Romance" novel, at least in my sense of the definition (not that there is anything wrong with that genre). However, regardless, and whatever, this was an extremely well written suspenseful thriller with some love sprinkles. And a little magic as well. And really after you get started with this one it's hard to put down. I will forever look at Nicholas Sparks novels with a completely different attitude and respect (not that there is anything wrong with romance novels. Did I say that already? Because I'm almost sure I mean it). :-)
October 12, 2024
This is an entertaining, well-written, contemporary romance novel. It has a sympathetic, courageous and resilient female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, small town charm, vividly described settings, wit, romance, an interesting twist, and a happily ever after ending. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator, Ms. Rebecca Lowman, does an excellent job voicing the characters. I also own a paperback copy of this fabulous novel.
February 17, 2013
This was my first time reading Nicholas Sparks. I never even seen any of the movies. I must say I am a new fan, for sure. This story was truly beautiful. I don't know if I can even explain why I loved this book so much. The characters are great, the romance is done well, and the conclusion was deeply satisfying. I am eager to see the film, now!
When I think of NS I think gooshy, sappy romance with a hint of sadness...that's what I always hear his books are like. This one, though, was a bit different than I expected. The writing style was amazing, because switching between the comforting, safe life Katie has now, and Kevin's search for her makes for an edge of your seat read. Very suspenseful. Very well done.
August 16, 2018
I don’t see why this book is categorised as romance. There is no love struggle, not really. The movie is actually more romantic, maybe because is not completely loyal to the book.
When I read a romance, I am looking for a love story that grip you and doesn’t let go, for emotional turmoil, I want to feel, to be moved, have your heart beat so fast you have to stop reading to take a deep breath. This novel was too plane.
This is my third Nicholas Sparks novel, and so far I have found all of them flat.
The Best of Me
When I read a romance, I am looking for a love story that grip you and doesn’t let go, for emotional turmoil, I want to feel, to be moved, have your heart beat so fast you have to stop reading to take a deep breath. This novel was too plane.
This is my third Nicholas Sparks novel, and so far I have found all of them flat.
The Best of Me
February 23, 2016
There is no doubt that you can rely on Nicholas Sparks to deliver a warm-hearted, well-written piece of contemporary fiction which combines romance with drama and current community issues. In Safe Haven he does not fail to deliver. This is an entertaining story, with just the right mix of elements, that engaged this reader from the opening pages.
Katie is working hard as a waitress at Ivan’s cafe, in coastal Southport, NC, and living in a run-down, low-rent house. She seems very remote and detached from the other residents, though Alex Wheatley and his two young children, Josh and Kristen take a keen interest. As their friendship grows, Alex and the kids arrange to present the penniless Katie with a bicycle, so she can ride places. She discloses to her neighbour Jo that she has been the victim of domestic violence, and is in fear of being discovered.
Gradually Katie relaxes and comes out of her shell as she socialises with Jo and with Alex and his kids. Eventually she tells large parts of her story, about the abuse and how she ended up in Southport. Her friendship with Alex blossoms, but so too does the trouble with her ex-husband.
As always, Sparks’s prose is polished, fluent and readily accessible. The narrative is very straight-forward, there is a minimum of sub-plots and deviations. The climax is tense, with the fiery, violent showdown at Alex’s store and Katie’s home being well-written and riveting reading. The stuff about Jo was a bit naff for me, but I imagine it would go down a treat with a lot of readers.
3.5 ★s
Katie is working hard as a waitress at Ivan’s cafe, in coastal Southport, NC, and living in a run-down, low-rent house. She seems very remote and detached from the other residents, though Alex Wheatley and his two young children, Josh and Kristen take a keen interest. As their friendship grows, Alex and the kids arrange to present the penniless Katie with a bicycle, so she can ride places. She discloses to her neighbour Jo that she has been the victim of domestic violence, and is in fear of being discovered.
Gradually Katie relaxes and comes out of her shell as she socialises with Jo and with Alex and his kids. Eventually she tells large parts of her story, about the abuse and how she ended up in Southport. Her friendship with Alex blossoms, but so too does the trouble with her ex-husband.
As always, Sparks’s prose is polished, fluent and readily accessible. The narrative is very straight-forward, there is a minimum of sub-plots and deviations. The climax is tense, with the fiery, violent showdown at Alex’s store and Katie’s home being well-written and riveting reading. The stuff about Jo was a bit naff for me, but I imagine it would go down a treat with a lot of readers.
3.5 ★s
August 27, 2021
Δεν συνηθίζω να διαβάζω ρομαντικές ερωτικές μυθιστοριογραφίες αλλά έχοντας στο ράφι τον
Nickolas Sparks ⚡️ τόλμησα να δοκιμάσω.
Δεν το μετάνιωσα.
Ελαφρύ, ευκολοδιάβαστο, ταξιδιάρικο, ενδιαφέρον και αγωνιώδες μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα.
Τονίζει ειδικά και με περίτεχνο τρόπο μέσα απο την εξέλιξη της πλοκή,ς τις επιπτώσεις και τα αποτελέσματα της ψυχολογικής εξερεύνησης αναφορικά με την ενδοοικογενειακή βία, το μετατραυματικό στρες, το σοκ της απόγνωσης και του τρόμου, της θλίψης και ένα γενικότερο πλαίσιο σχετικά με τις ψυχικές νόσους.
Η πορεία της ιστορίας είναι αρκετά προβλέψιμη και κοινότοπη όμως ο τρόπος με τον οποίο ο συγγραφέας εμβαθύνει άφοβα και θαραλλέα στο μυαλό των προβληματικών και μη ηρώων του εμπνέει την ενσυναίσθηση να δράσει ως συναισθηματική νοημοσύνη και να εκφράσει κάθε πνευματική και συναισθηματική κατάσταση.
Φόβος, αηδία για τον ίδιο τους τον εαυτό, παλινωδίες βαρβαρότητας και μετάνοιας μέσα απο σωματική και λεκτική βία, δολοπλοκίες, συμβιβασμοί, πράξεις ορμώμενες απο άρρωστη αγάπη να καταφέρνουν αποτελέσματα αφόρητου μίσους και ανηλεούς οίκτου, ανάμεσα σε ανθρώπους που κάποτε ονειρεύτηκαν, ερωτεύθηκαν, απολαύσαν, γέλασαν, λυπήθηκαν, συγκινήθηκαν, ενώθηκαν, έσμιξαν, φιλήθηκαν και ευτύχησαν με τα ίδια ακριβώς πράγματα, με τις ίδιες καταστάσεις, με τα ίδια γεγονότα, τις κοινές συνθήκες συμβίωσης και ανθεκτικότητας με βάση την ύπαρξη ενός κόσμου που ζούσε μέσα στη φαντασία τους.
Το τέλος είναι ολίγον ανατρεπτικό, σε γενικές γραμμές το βιβλίο σου χαρίζει όσα έχει να δώσει απλόχερα και με πληρότητα ευχαρίστησης.
3,5⭐️
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς και σεμνούς ασπασμούς.
Nickolas Sparks ⚡️ τόλμησα να δοκιμάσω.
Δεν το μετάνιωσα.
Ελαφρύ, ευκολοδιάβαστο, ταξιδιάρικο, ενδιαφέρον και αγωνιώδες μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα.
Τονίζει ειδικά και με περίτεχνο τρόπο μέσα απο την εξέλιξη της πλοκή,ς τις επιπτώσεις και τα αποτελέσματα της ψυχολογικής εξερεύνησης αναφορικά με την ενδοοικογενειακή βία, το μετατραυματικό στρες, το σοκ της απόγνωσης και του τρόμου, της θλίψης και ένα γενικότερο πλαίσιο σχετικά με τις ψυχικές νόσους.
Η πορεία της ιστορίας είναι αρκετά προβλέψιμη και κοινότοπη όμως ο τρόπος με τον οποίο ο συγγραφέας εμβαθύνει άφοβα και θαραλλέα στο μυαλό των προβληματικών και μη ηρώων του εμπνέει την ενσυναίσθηση να δράσει ως συναισθηματική νοημοσύνη και να εκφράσει κάθε πνευματική και συναισθηματική κατάσταση.
Φόβος, αηδία για τον ίδιο τους τον εαυτό, παλινωδίες βαρβαρότητας και μετάνοιας μέσα απο σωματική και λεκτική βία, δολοπλοκίες, συμβιβασμοί, πράξεις ορμώμενες απο άρρωστη αγάπη να καταφέρνουν αποτελέσματα αφόρητου μίσους και ανηλεούς οίκτου, ανάμεσα σε ανθρώπους που κάποτε ονειρεύτηκαν, ερωτεύθηκαν, απολαύσαν, γέλασαν, λυπήθηκαν, συγκινήθηκαν, ενώθηκαν, έσμιξαν, φιλήθηκαν και ευτύχησαν με τα ίδια ακριβώς πράγματα, με τις ίδιες καταστάσεις, με τα ίδια γεγονότα, τις κοινές συνθήκες συμβίωσης και ανθεκτικότητας με βάση την ύπαρξη ενός κόσμου που ζούσε μέσα στη φαντασία τους.
Το τέλος είναι ολίγον ανατρεπτικό, σε γενικές γραμμές το βιβλίο σου χαρίζει όσα έχει να δώσει απλόχερα και με πληρότητα ευχαρίστησης.
3,5⭐️
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς και σεμνούς ασπασμούς.
March 6, 2019
Oh my gosh! This book. Not many books actually make me cry real tears but, oh man, the ending of this one got me!!
I’m not going into detail about the storyline because most of you have already read it or seen the movie. Just know it is a beautifully written emotional roller coaster that I HIGHLY recommend. ✨
I’m not going into detail about the storyline because most of you have already read it or seen the movie. Just know it is a beautifully written emotional roller coaster that I HIGHLY recommend. ✨
November 15, 2010
People don't understand why I dislike Nicholas Sparks' books. Here's what I think... I think he wrote a pretty good novel--The Notebook--out of the gate. And then, because he had a fabulous smile and was a man who seemed to understand true romance and could write about it minus the smut, he got assigned to the best PR person in the history of publishing.
Sparks is a mediocre writer at best. His plots might have a seed of promise, but the writing reads like someone who is taking their first creative writing class. Or maybe he's channeling an average writer from the past. His style is flowery yet stilted. All the characters talk the same. The movies made from his novels are much better than the books, so that pretty much says it all.
Now as far as Safe Haven goes... I'm fairly sure he stole the plot from "Sleeping With the Enemy" and changed a few minor details. It made me nuts that he only eluded to the fact Katie's husband beat the shit out of her for w-a-y too long before he said it outright. And I wanted to yell, "Yeah, I get it already! That loser, Kevin, is a lousy, narcissistic, controlling and crazy Bible quoting drunk. He's the quintessential wife beater." I can't even begin to know how many times he repeated the description of this guy. I guess he was trying to allow the reader into Kevin's head. All it did was piss me off.
And then there was Katie. Like I said--"Sleeping With the Enemy." She managed to physically escape her abuser, and then she spent all her days waiting for him to find her. She trusted nobody except she allowed herself to visit with her neighbor. She was determined to make it on her own. Until she met widower Alex. At first she was tentative, but one thing led to another (imagine that) until they had a full-fledged relationship. Alex was directly opposite of Kevin, but Katie couldn't risk getting too close to him. But that's exactly what happened. Finally Kevin found Katie--er--Erin and was enraged to see her with another man. She and that bastard would pay! There were fire and guns and near death experiences before Kevin finally met his maker.
Predictable, but I could handle that. Then Nicholas Sparks couldn't resist taking it to the hokey and totally unbelievable level by making it so Katie's neighbor was really a magical spirit. She was Alex's wife who loved him so much she wanted him to be happy with another wife who would also love her children.
Puhleease.
Sparks is a mediocre writer at best. His plots might have a seed of promise, but the writing reads like someone who is taking their first creative writing class. Or maybe he's channeling an average writer from the past. His style is flowery yet stilted. All the characters talk the same. The movies made from his novels are much better than the books, so that pretty much says it all.
Now as far as Safe Haven goes... I'm fairly sure he stole the plot from "Sleeping With the Enemy" and changed a few minor details. It made me nuts that he only eluded to the fact Katie's husband beat the shit out of her for w-a-y too long before he said it outright. And I wanted to yell, "Yeah, I get it already! That loser, Kevin, is a lousy, narcissistic, controlling and crazy Bible quoting drunk. He's the quintessential wife beater." I can't even begin to know how many times he repeated the description of this guy. I guess he was trying to allow the reader into Kevin's head. All it did was piss me off.
And then there was Katie. Like I said--"Sleeping With the Enemy." She managed to physically escape her abuser, and then she spent all her days waiting for him to find her. She trusted nobody except she allowed herself to visit with her neighbor. She was determined to make it on her own. Until she met widower Alex. At first she was tentative, but one thing led to another (imagine that) until they had a full-fledged relationship. Alex was directly opposite of Kevin, but Katie couldn't risk getting too close to him. But that's exactly what happened. Finally Kevin found Katie--er--Erin and was enraged to see her with another man. She and that bastard would pay! There were fire and guns and near death experiences before Kevin finally met his maker.
Predictable, but I could handle that. Then Nicholas Sparks couldn't resist taking it to the hokey and totally unbelievable level by making it so Katie's neighbor was really a magical spirit. She was Alex's wife who loved him so much she wanted him to be happy with another wife who would also love her children.
Puhleease.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2014
5 stars
What a beautiful, heart wrenching story! I loved Katie’s strength and Alex’s devotion to his kids and the people he cares about. Katie’s journey kept me glued to the page and seeing her open herself up to Alex and his kids was beautiful… I can’t really give away too much and I’m so glad I haven’t seen the movie (which I hope to rectify ASAP) but you just have to dive in and experience each moment with them. The only thing that killed me was there was no epilogue, now this is the first ( I know shocking, Nicholas Sparks book I’ve read, so I’m not even sure if this is the norm) but I wanted more, to find out how their HEA turned out.
*Reviewed on 01/01/2014 - after the holiday craziness*
The emotions attached to them were like sand castles in the tide, slowly washing out to sea.,
What a beautiful, heart wrenching story! I loved Katie’s strength and Alex’s devotion to his kids and the people he cares about. Katie’s journey kept me glued to the page and seeing her open herself up to Alex and his kids was beautiful… I can’t really give away too much and I’m so glad I haven’t seen the movie (which I hope to rectify ASAP) but you just have to dive in and experience each moment with them. The only thing that killed me was there was no epilogue, now this is the first ( I know shocking, Nicholas Sparks book I’ve read, so I’m not even sure if this is the norm) but I wanted more, to find out how their HEA turned out.
*Reviewed on 01/01/2014 - after the holiday craziness*
March 2, 2017
Plot - 20/20 - full of plot twists
Characters - 20/20 - very complex, you'll get emotionally attached
Creativity - 20/20 - with all the plot twist it made this book so creative and unique
Writing - 20/20 - dark, suspenseful, emotional, hopeful, happy, EVERYTHING! All the feels!
Pace - 10/10 - super fast paced
Ending - 10/10 - perfection. the ending was perfect
100/100 = A++
5/5 stars
*Mild Spoilers*
My heart feels like it's been ripped out of my chest and thrust back in. I read started Safe Haven this morning on the drive up to Colorado. I barely stopped listening to it at all. Probably three times at the most. I loved every little thing about Nicholas' story. From the beginning, so gripping I was into the story instantly. To the characters who were each phenomenally written in which I'll be adding details to next:
Kevin, I've never been so scared of a character. I mentally flinch at the way he thought. And how much he believed what he was telling himself. I know that there are most defiantly people like that in the world. So wound up in their lies that they just become one. Not only lying to others but to themselves. Becoming the lies they tell. It breaks my heart, to think of all the people like that and how much they are suffering. Though most don't even know they are having never felt the joy/love to miss it.
Moving on we have Katie. She's so strong. What she's been through and how she has pushed through from her challenges as a child; her dad being a mean drunk, her never inviting anyone home, getting kicked out after graduation, never the helping hands or encouragement to go to college, her parents dying I a car accident and on. The list goes on. What she went through as a child just to jump into abusive marriage after she meets the guy from getting jumped! How?! How can someone go through that and still be able to know how to care for a person? How to know when to stand up, or stay down for the threatening times for survival? Such courage showed her an every given moment just from what she survived and yet she's still completely selfless. The exact opposite of what Kevin was yelling and hitting at her for. Because she "only thought of herself" SHE DID ANYTHING BUT THAT! Oh, it still makes me so angry. She constantly fought to not give up, so full of faith. She was incredible to read about.
Alex, what an example! His situation with his kids is a common one in our real world today and he handled it all so well. His actions and thoughts so humane in everything he did making me love reading his POV. It definitely wasn't my normal fantasy or contemporary YA read. This characters felt real and acted as such. Him Never yelling, lying, yes he wasn't perfect (no one is) but he became the best he could be and always tried to stick to that. I definitely want someone in my future life to be able to treat me with the same kind of respect as he did Katie as well as his children. Oh, I could rant on of how he was protective. Instantly bolting from his store when he took notice that his dear child was thrashing in the water. Worry and love consume his thoughts for him. Okay, okay I'll stop now and move on;)
And lastly Joe. How much this story revolved around her just blew, BLEW my mind away. How much I respected her as Katie quietly read her letter... I don't believe I've felt that for a character before. Joe, Christy, Alex's first wife or whoever you want to call is someone I want to grow up and become like. I want to be selfless and love my husband and children that much that I would do anything and everything for their happiness. This story is perfect. So many messages were brought across from it. So many important morals.
I was totally crying silently in the car with my two brothers and my dad. How embarrassing ha ha. Thankful Kent and Richard were asleep and my dad is driving in front of me, so I don't think he noticed if so he didn't comment. So yes this book was everything. I will most definitely be reading Nicholas Sparks books in the future, I'm so impressed with his writing. It cannot compare. If you haven't read Safe Haven and like thrillers you'll adore this one. Please read, and thank you can thank me later for it ;)
Characters - 20/20 - very complex, you'll get emotionally attached
Creativity - 20/20 - with all the plot twist it made this book so creative and unique
Writing - 20/20 - dark, suspenseful, emotional, hopeful, happy, EVERYTHING! All the feels!
Pace - 10/10 - super fast paced
Ending - 10/10 - perfection. the ending was perfect
100/100 = A++
5/5 stars
*Mild Spoilers*
My heart feels like it's been ripped out of my chest and thrust back in. I read started Safe Haven this morning on the drive up to Colorado. I barely stopped listening to it at all. Probably three times at the most. I loved every little thing about Nicholas' story. From the beginning, so gripping I was into the story instantly. To the characters who were each phenomenally written in which I'll be adding details to next:
Kevin, I've never been so scared of a character. I mentally flinch at the way he thought. And how much he believed what he was telling himself. I know that there are most defiantly people like that in the world. So wound up in their lies that they just become one. Not only lying to others but to themselves. Becoming the lies they tell. It breaks my heart, to think of all the people like that and how much they are suffering. Though most don't even know they are having never felt the joy/love to miss it.
Moving on we have Katie. She's so strong. What she's been through and how she has pushed through from her challenges as a child; her dad being a mean drunk, her never inviting anyone home, getting kicked out after graduation, never the helping hands or encouragement to go to college, her parents dying I a car accident and on. The list goes on. What she went through as a child just to jump into abusive marriage after she meets the guy from getting jumped! How?! How can someone go through that and still be able to know how to care for a person? How to know when to stand up, or stay down for the threatening times for survival? Such courage showed her an every given moment just from what she survived and yet she's still completely selfless. The exact opposite of what Kevin was yelling and hitting at her for. Because she "only thought of herself" SHE DID ANYTHING BUT THAT! Oh, it still makes me so angry. She constantly fought to not give up, so full of faith. She was incredible to read about.
Alex, what an example! His situation with his kids is a common one in our real world today and he handled it all so well. His actions and thoughts so humane in everything he did making me love reading his POV. It definitely wasn't my normal fantasy or contemporary YA read. This characters felt real and acted as such. Him Never yelling, lying, yes he wasn't perfect (no one is) but he became the best he could be and always tried to stick to that. I definitely want someone in my future life to be able to treat me with the same kind of respect as he did Katie as well as his children. Oh, I could rant on of how he was protective. Instantly bolting from his store when he took notice that his dear child was thrashing in the water. Worry and love consume his thoughts for him. Okay, okay I'll stop now and move on;)
And lastly Joe. How much this story revolved around her just blew, BLEW my mind away. How much I respected her as Katie quietly read her letter... I don't believe I've felt that for a character before. Joe, Christy, Alex's first wife or whoever you want to call is someone I want to grow up and become like. I want to be selfless and love my husband and children that much that I would do anything and everything for their happiness. This story is perfect. So many messages were brought across from it. So many important morals.
I was totally crying silently in the car with my two brothers and my dad. How embarrassing ha ha. Thankful Kent and Richard were asleep and my dad is driving in front of me, so I don't think he noticed if so he didn't comment. So yes this book was everything. I will most definitely be reading Nicholas Sparks books in the future, I'm so impressed with his writing. It cannot compare. If you haven't read Safe Haven and like thrillers you'll adore this one. Please read, and thank you can thank me later for it ;)
December 3, 2014
Que hartada a llorar me he pegado con este libro.
Esa carta del final me ha partido el alma.
Siempre digo lo mismo: “Ningún libro de Sparks, que luego termino llorando como una magdalena” Y siempre caigo en la trampa. Es un bucle infinito.
Esa carta del final me ha partido el alma.
Siempre digo lo mismo: “Ningún libro de Sparks, que luego termino llorando como una magdalena” Y siempre caigo en la trampa. Es un bucle infinito.
February 11, 2013
Well I just finished this book and let me just say that I have never been so happy to have puffs tissues in my house. My eyes are so swollen from crying its crazy. This was defiantly one of the darker books I've read from sparks. However, it still managed to rip me apart and them put me back together again... Sorta. I always lose a part of myself with a good book. I feel this is also the reason why some books stay with me for a while and why these same books stir emotions in me that both amaze me and scare the shit out of me as well. This book ( damn you sparks) did this to me. It will stay with me for some time and touched me on levels that I have a hard time explaining. This book took you down a topic that I feel so many women and children and maybe even men ( it could happen) have to live with every day. Abuse, physical, emotionally and mentally. This story discussed domestic abuse. While this was one of sparks more darker, twisted plots, he was able to write the story in a way that gave just enough information but still let you to fill in some blanks. Something clever I thought sparks did was wrote some of the book from Kevin's ( the abuser) POV. This was both intriguing and disturbing. Kevin, very obviously had some issues. His rants were fighting and insane and often times jumped around in a disturbing manner. I feel he may of had a mental disorder as well. He's touch on reality was hanging on by a thread, if at all. And then there was Katie's relationship with her friend Jo. The twist at the end dealing with Jo and the friendship was...beautiful. It healed my heart with soothing salve. Sparks has a way of bringing out a reaction in me that often times leaves me to wonder why I put myself through his books time after time. Then I read a part in the book that reminds me. He always reminds me why and puts me back in my place. In most cases these moments come in the form of a letter someone has either left behind or has been given to someone. Say what you want about the author. Love him. Hate him. Tolerate him. But never. Ever underestimate the man when he writes his letters. They are often my favorite and more memorable moments in his books. And for this, Nicholas Sparks, I both love you and hate you.
August 12, 2015
I am still one of those people that enjoys Nicholas Sparks books and movies. I really prefer to read the book before I watch the movie, so I've owned the movie since it came out but never watched it. This was the first TBR takedown book and I am happy to say this seems to be working well, and now I don't have to unhaul this book.
I really enjoyed the story and the characters. The story is a typical story for him to write but I still liked it nonetheless, and particularly the letter at the end.
Not going to lie I am just excited that I can watch this movie tonight!
I really enjoyed the story and the characters. The story is a typical story for him to write but I still liked it nonetheless, and particularly the letter at the end.
Not going to lie I am just excited that I can watch this movie tonight!
February 1, 2013
OK, I really need to stop reading Nicholas Sparks. Everytime I read something by him I think "Right. That's it. I will not waste anymore time in my precious short life reading his bland, shmaltzy, velveeta cheese like substance novels. But then one of the many people (and yes, well educated people) I know will say "Oh, but Kristen, you should read his latest book. You'll like this one." I fall for it everytime. This book, I was told by numerous people was different because it was darker, not as marshmallowy (that was my adjective, not theirs) as his other books, so I read it. And I disliked it. A lot.
It just seems like every male character and every female in all of his books are really just the same people only with different names and occupations. And they are all so boring. Just once i would like a Sparks character to say f*** or talk about their periods, or not like kids and have it not be because they are the villain. Having said that, I had the pleasure of talking with a 96 year old lady at the hospital the other day and she had this book sitting on her bedside table and told me she likes N Sparks' novels "because they aren't too racy for me" which I thought was adorable so hats off to Mr Sparks for providing a good read for people of a certain age and disposition.
However.
This book especially irritated me with the whole "dead wife's ghost trying to fix up hubby with some new sweet young thing to raise their kids and have great sex with plot" eww. eww. eww. Maybe I'm just not spiritually mature enough, but the whole thing just smacked of ridiculous male fantasy. It's one thing if the wife is really just dead and wrote a letter to whomever might someday take her place, but the idea that she is going to be looking down from heaven watching them...well if I was the new wife I would be very creeped out. And then, what happens when they all get to heaven someday? Is there going to be a wife sharing situation, or will wife number one have moved on and shacked up with some other guy?? I know I'm sorry, but it BOTHERS me.
Wow. So, I guess I have some issues. Anyway, I vow that this really really was my last Sparks novel. This time I mean it!
p.s. Snark Disclaimer: Years ago I watched The Notebook and SOBBED. LIKE A BABY. My then grade school aged son even felt the need to come into my bedroom and pat my leg saying "It's OK mom, it's only a movie"
It just seems like every male character and every female in all of his books are really just the same people only with different names and occupations. And they are all so boring. Just once i would like a Sparks character to say f*** or talk about their periods, or not like kids and have it not be because they are the villain. Having said that, I had the pleasure of talking with a 96 year old lady at the hospital the other day and she had this book sitting on her bedside table and told me she likes N Sparks' novels "because they aren't too racy for me" which I thought was adorable so hats off to Mr Sparks for providing a good read for people of a certain age and disposition.
However.
This book especially irritated me with the whole "dead wife's ghost trying to fix up hubby with some new sweet young thing to raise their kids and have great sex with plot" eww. eww. eww. Maybe I'm just not spiritually mature enough, but the whole thing just smacked of ridiculous male fantasy. It's one thing if the wife is really just dead and wrote a letter to whomever might someday take her place, but the idea that she is going to be looking down from heaven watching them...well if I was the new wife I would be very creeped out. And then, what happens when they all get to heaven someday? Is there going to be a wife sharing situation, or will wife number one have moved on and shacked up with some other guy?? I know I'm sorry, but it BOTHERS me.
Wow. So, I guess I have some issues. Anyway, I vow that this really really was my last Sparks novel. This time I mean it!
p.s. Snark Disclaimer: Years ago I watched The Notebook and SOBBED. LIKE A BABY. My then grade school aged son even felt the need to come into my bedroom and pat my leg saying "It's OK mom, it's only a movie"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2021
4 Safe Heaven Stars
I have never read a Nicholas Sparks book before, and this one always had me wondering and wanting to read it.
I watched the movie as we do. But I have to say.. I like the movie more than the book.
But the book gives us more insight into just how unstable Katie/Erin’s husband really was. Having read the book I understand the movie more.
I very much enjoyed the book and the movie, but I think what I love best about the book was Jo and how that whole character was.
It was sad and heartbreaking but it had hope and love.
Alex and his children stole my heart both in print and on screen.
Very well written, I can tell you it won’t be the last book or movie of his that I read.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
I have never read a Nicholas Sparks book before, and this one always had me wondering and wanting to read it.
I watched the movie as we do. But I have to say.. I like the movie more than the book.
But the book gives us more insight into just how unstable Katie/Erin’s husband really was. Having read the book I understand the movie more.
I very much enjoyed the book and the movie, but I think what I love best about the book was Jo and how that whole character was.
It was sad and heartbreaking but it had hope and love.
Alex and his children stole my heart both in print and on screen.
Very well written, I can tell you it won’t be the last book or movie of his that I read.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
March 25, 2016
Southport, North Carolina sets the stage for this book. Katie is running from a bad relationship right into the arms of Alex, the local store owner who has two adorable kids and is a widower. As with most predictable love stories by Mr. Sparks the bad relationship catches up to the good one-- this one ending with a massive firestorm and a unrealistic twist that doesn't quite make the heart strings pull. I found this one overly wrought with scenes that would never happen in real life, and the ending made me roll my eyes so hard I almost had to close the book before it was over.
October 21, 2015
Small, close-knit, picturesque town. Check.
Good people with good family values. Check.
A terminal illness or two. Check.
Long paragraphs devoted to describing the view and the weather. Check.
Long, serious conversations. Reminiscing of sob stories. Check. Check.
Tearjerkers. Check.
It's undoubtly Nicholas Sparks'. I'd know even if I hadn't heard about the book and found it with covers ripped off and title and author's name missing.
But for once-and I can't express how much joy I'd felt about this- Sparks had let his hair down.
Because. . .
There's a bad, crazy, murderous character. Check.
Fast-paced , action-packed chapters. Check.
And a happy ending *insert fireworks here*. Check and a thumbs up.
I watched the movie twice in 2013 and I know exactly what would happen and how the story will end so before turning the first page I conditioned my mind to forget about it, to not even think about it, to give the book a clean slate that it deserved.
The first part is engaging enough, Katie is a strong character and I liked that. She also had a dark past that she's trying to ran away from. And Alex is,well, good inside out and has family on top of his priority list.
They're clearly meant to be.
I admit there are parts that drag,like when they're talking endlessly at the beach or when Katie is recounting her day with Jo. I mean Jo might not know what Alex and Katie and the kids did but we do. Also the characters are far too mature and serious for me to relate to. Alex worries about kids and parenting. And Katie- she's disciplined enough to look only for items on sale while shopping! But I like them both individually and as a couple, which is why I was almost bored as they took and took and took their time to fall in love on the first part of the book.
Enter Kevin and it became so much more exciting.
Sparks made him sound so confused, and confusing and delightfully disturbed. Reading about him felt like really getting to pick the mind of an actual, real, breathing, living crazy person. His character infuriated me but of course without him this book would've been boring. I would never ever dream of someone even remotely close to him in anyone's real life but in Nicholas Sparks' novel of generally good and normal people, he's everything I could wish for.
And then there's Jo.
Oh, you'd never suspect Jo to be who she turned up to be in the end. She sounded so real, so earthy. She whined about cobwebs and she sweats! She sweats! What ghost sweats? That's why in the end,at the grand reveal ,I almost weep for making the mistake of seeing the movie first before reading the book. Imagine the shock,the wonderment, the fun I would've had at the incredible surprise Sparks had prepared.
Nevertheless I still enjoyed this book a lot, specially the middle to end part. So turned out the guy could write something that has depth, good moral lessons and tearjerker kind of ending but is neither tragic nor boring. He should write more books like this one.
Go ahead Sparks!
Good people with good family values. Check.
A terminal illness or two. Check.
Long paragraphs devoted to describing the view and the weather. Check.
Long, serious conversations. Reminiscing of sob stories. Check. Check.
Tearjerkers. Check.
It's undoubtly Nicholas Sparks'. I'd know even if I hadn't heard about the book and found it with covers ripped off and title and author's name missing.
But for once-and I can't express how much joy I'd felt about this- Sparks had let his hair down.
Because. . .
There's a bad, crazy, murderous character. Check.
Fast-paced , action-packed chapters. Check.
And a happy ending *insert fireworks here*. Check and a thumbs up.
I watched the movie twice in 2013 and I know exactly what would happen and how the story will end so before turning the first page I conditioned my mind to forget about it, to not even think about it, to give the book a clean slate that it deserved.
The first part is engaging enough, Katie is a strong character and I liked that. She also had a dark past that she's trying to ran away from. And Alex is,well, good inside out and has family on top of his priority list.
They're clearly meant to be.
I admit there are parts that drag,like when they're talking endlessly at the beach or when Katie is recounting her day with Jo. I mean Jo might not know what Alex and Katie and the kids did but we do. Also the characters are far too mature and serious for me to relate to. Alex worries about kids and parenting. And Katie- she's disciplined enough to look only for items on sale while shopping! But I like them both individually and as a couple, which is why I was almost bored as they took and took and took their time to fall in love on the first part of the book.
Enter Kevin and it became so much more exciting.
Sparks made him sound so confused, and confusing and delightfully disturbed. Reading about him felt like really getting to pick the mind of an actual, real, breathing, living crazy person. His character infuriated me but of course without him this book would've been boring. I would never ever dream of someone even remotely close to him in anyone's real life but in Nicholas Sparks' novel of generally good and normal people, he's everything I could wish for.
And then there's Jo.
Oh, you'd never suspect Jo to be who she turned up to be in the end. She sounded so real, so earthy. She whined about cobwebs and she sweats! She sweats! What ghost sweats? That's why in the end,at the grand reveal ,I almost weep for making the mistake of seeing the movie first before reading the book. Imagine the shock,the wonderment, the fun I would've had at the incredible surprise Sparks had prepared.
Nevertheless I still enjoyed this book a lot, specially the middle to end part. So turned out the guy could write something that has depth, good moral lessons and tearjerker kind of ending but is neither tragic nor boring. He should write more books like this one.
Go ahead Sparks!
May 10, 2019
Todavía soy una de esas personas que disfruta de los libros y las películas de Nicholas Sparks.
No sabemos sobre el pasado de Katie, y simplemente seguimos los inicios de su asentamiento en la pequeña ciudad de Southport y de comenzar una relación con Alex, el dueño de la tienda local.
A medida que su vida se revela lentamente, comencé a temer por ella. Que esta nueva vida que ella misma hizo podría ser quitada en cualquier momento. La parte final del libro está llena de drama.
En general, no fue nada revolucionario, pero fue agradable y, como dicen las novelas de Sparks, tuvo un final agradable en lugar de uno que destruya el alma.
No estoy segura de que la vida de nadie resulte exactamente como la imaginan. Todo lo que podemos hacer es tratar de hacer lo mejor posible. Incluso cuando parece imposible.
Realmente disfruté la historia y los personajes. La historia es una historia típica para que él la escriba, pero aún así me gustó, y particularmente la carta del final.
No sabemos sobre el pasado de Katie, y simplemente seguimos los inicios de su asentamiento en la pequeña ciudad de Southport y de comenzar una relación con Alex, el dueño de la tienda local.
A medida que su vida se revela lentamente, comencé a temer por ella. Que esta nueva vida que ella misma hizo podría ser quitada en cualquier momento. La parte final del libro está llena de drama.
En general, no fue nada revolucionario, pero fue agradable y, como dicen las novelas de Sparks, tuvo un final agradable en lugar de uno que destruya el alma.
No estoy segura de que la vida de nadie resulte exactamente como la imaginan. Todo lo que podemos hacer es tratar de hacer lo mejor posible. Incluso cuando parece imposible.
Realmente disfruté la historia y los personajes. La historia es una historia típica para que él la escriba, pero aún así me gustó, y particularmente la carta del final.
February 22, 2024
3 Stars for Safe Haven (audiobook) by Nicholas Sparks read by Rebecca Lowman.
I thought this story would be a little more interesting since it’s been made into a movie. It’s just small town life with a dramatic ending.
I thought this story would be a little more interesting since it’s been made into a movie. It’s just small town life with a dramatic ending.
May 12, 2019
RESEÑA COMPLETA EN MI BLOG: https://elsentirdeunlibro.blogspot.co...
April 19, 2013
The book is another romantic novel by Nicholas sparks that took place in South Carolina. I loved the fact that this book had an element of suspense added to it. It was difficult for me to put down this book and it took me less time to finish it than I anticipated. I once came home and sat on the couch and stayed there reading every word of the book for three straight hours without noticing the hours that went by. I loved the plot, the choices of words. moreover, the characters seemed real to me and convince-able. And the metaphors and descriptions were out of this world. I liked the fact that for each character there is a detailed story or background and that for each setting there is a detailed description. in addition, he captured the emotions clearly and carefully and I truly felt the romantic spark between the two main characters, Alex and Katie. I felt the pain of the abusive husband thanks to the descriptions of the physical and mental pain, the love of a single father thanks to the never ending concerns that were straight forward and the ones that were hidden between the lines and that were apparent to me thanks to the sense of reality and the choice of words and how they blend well together, and Alex's love towards Katie. I loved that there was a surprise ending that no one and I mean no one would have saw it coming. In light of the above, I learned a lot from the way Nicholas Sparks writes and I believe that I could use that in my own personal writings when it comes to writing short stories or even novels. I wish there would be a sequel to this story, because it's still lingering in my mind and I believe that it will always stay with me from how much I've loved and enjoyed it and from how much I've learned from it. The writing was simple, realistic and full of emotions.
September 9, 2012
This is my 3rd book from Nicholas Sparks, and just by the 3rd book I already know Sparks' writing formula. The beginning was sort of a drag since I already know what to expect from the way in which the author would set the tone of the story, introduce the characters as to who's the good, the bad, and the one we should watch out for, etc. What caught my attention was the latter half part of the book, and the twist at the end (The Sixth Sense much). In a nutshell, it's a light, familiar and feel good read. You pretty much know what to expect from Nicholas Sparks, and he never disappoints.
October 17, 2013
I LOVED THE MOVIE SO I HAD TO READ THE BOOK AND OF COURSE I LOVED THE BOOK. THIS IS MY FAVORITE NICHOLAS SPARKS BOOK SO FAR. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. I AM SO IN LOVE WITH ALL OF THE CHARACTERS..WELL ACCEPT THE JERK, BUT STILL. A WONDERFUL MOVIE AND A GREAT READ.
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