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To Keep You Safe
For fans of Now You See Her and Sleep comes a nail-biting suspense thriller that asks: how far would you go to save a child that isn't yours?
You don't know who they are. You don't know why they're hunting her. But you know she's in danger.
What do you do?
When teacher Jenni Wales sees 15-year-old Destiny's black eye, she's immediately worried. Destiny isn't your average student: she's smart, genius IQ smart, and she's in care. But concern turns to fear when Jenni witnesses an attempt to abduct Jenni from school.
Who are these men and what can Destiny know to make them hunt her?
With those around her not taking the threat seriously, Jenni does the only thing she can think of to keep Destiny safe: she takes her.
You don't know who they are. You don't know why they're hunting her. But you know she's in danger.
What do you do?
When teacher Jenni Wales sees 15-year-old Destiny's black eye, she's immediately worried. Destiny isn't your average student: she's smart, genius IQ smart, and she's in care. But concern turns to fear when Jenni witnesses an attempt to abduct Jenni from school.
Who are these men and what can Destiny know to make them hunt her?
With those around her not taking the threat seriously, Jenni does the only thing she can think of to keep Destiny safe: she takes her.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2019
34 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
September 26, 2019
This is a tense, dark, psychological thriller, a mystery read that was not what I expected at all. Kate Bradley writes a complex, multilayered story with characters that are emotionally damaged, flawed, traumatised and of loss, grief, PTSD, and guilt. Jenni Wales is an ex-military, mathematics teacher at a struggling, financially strapped, school run by the kind and compassionate Head, George Danvers, sinking under the pressures and stresses of a impossible job as he tries to do his best for the children. Jenni is socially awkward, and struggles to read people, with a tendency to take things too literally. This means social relationships and friendships are difficult for her, she does not get the concept of banter, and her pupils tease her, even referring to her as a dalek. She left the army, unable to cope with the death of a young soldier, Billy Smithson, refusing psychological support, but left with PTSD, with an overwhelming sense of guilt and failure.
Jenni is close to her father, also ex-military, and has taken up the iron man challenge, a hugely demanding discipline, which provides the means to cope with life after the army, and she is very successful, having won the event on several occasions. She entered the teaching profession for the structure and stability it gives her life, with Danvers offering her the opportunity to teach at his school when the prospects of a future in teaching began to look bleak. 15 year old Destiny Mills is a clever and intelligent pupil, in all the top sets, with the potential to gain glittering academic success. However, she comes from a troubled background, taken from her prostitute and drug addict mother into social care, placed in foster care, and now a care home, she is a challenging child with a history of running away. When she turns up to school with a black eye, and reacts with fear to a phone call, then is almost abducted by a man with a gun in a white van, Jenni sees the opportunity to save her where she had failed with Billy, and she is willing to sacrifice everything to protect Destiny. However, is Destiny all that she seems?
Bradley writes a story from primarily Jenni and Destiny's perspective, and some other key characters, such as George, and the Polish Aleksander, one of Destiny's would be abductors. Nothing is as it seems in this novel, there are twists galore, and the reader is left to wonder at just how reliable Jenni and Destiny are. Ultimately, this is a book about the dangers of taking things at face value and the lives that unravel as a result of trauma, troubled and abused childhoods, loss, grief, and dysfunctional families. I admired how strong and courageous Jenni was as person, she thrived on tough challenges, and very little intimidated her, she is unwavering in her desire and focus to do whatever it takes to save and protect Destiny, even when up against the overwhelming odds against her. This psychological thriller is for those who like there crime reads dark and twisted. Many thanks to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC.
Jenni is close to her father, also ex-military, and has taken up the iron man challenge, a hugely demanding discipline, which provides the means to cope with life after the army, and she is very successful, having won the event on several occasions. She entered the teaching profession for the structure and stability it gives her life, with Danvers offering her the opportunity to teach at his school when the prospects of a future in teaching began to look bleak. 15 year old Destiny Mills is a clever and intelligent pupil, in all the top sets, with the potential to gain glittering academic success. However, she comes from a troubled background, taken from her prostitute and drug addict mother into social care, placed in foster care, and now a care home, she is a challenging child with a history of running away. When she turns up to school with a black eye, and reacts with fear to a phone call, then is almost abducted by a man with a gun in a white van, Jenni sees the opportunity to save her where she had failed with Billy, and she is willing to sacrifice everything to protect Destiny. However, is Destiny all that she seems?
Bradley writes a story from primarily Jenni and Destiny's perspective, and some other key characters, such as George, and the Polish Aleksander, one of Destiny's would be abductors. Nothing is as it seems in this novel, there are twists galore, and the reader is left to wonder at just how reliable Jenni and Destiny are. Ultimately, this is a book about the dangers of taking things at face value and the lives that unravel as a result of trauma, troubled and abused childhoods, loss, grief, and dysfunctional families. I admired how strong and courageous Jenni was as person, she thrived on tough challenges, and very little intimidated her, she is unwavering in her desire and focus to do whatever it takes to save and protect Destiny, even when up against the overwhelming odds against her. This psychological thriller is for those who like there crime reads dark and twisted. Many thanks to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC.
October 22, 2019
5☆ Deliciously Twisty, Tense, Chilling, Psychological Thriller. Unputdownable!
Oh wow what a deliciously twisty, tense and Dark read I literally couldn't put down!
Jenni is ex army, who is now teaching Maths in a school for teenagers.
Jenni is an intriguing character her past is filled with tragedy and horrors from war, and her past leaving her with PTSD
When Jenni sees one of her brightest students Destiny turn up to school with a black eye her protective nature kicks in and instead of going through the school channels to report the potential abuse, she takes matters into her own hands.
When Jenni witnesses Destiny almost being abducted by a man in a van with a gun, her extensive Army Training kicks in and she is determined to protect Destiny no matter what the consequences.
Destiny is from a broken and abusive home. Put into a care home after several failed attempts at foster care after accusing her foster parents of sexual abuse, she is now on her last attempts at school and her care home.
But how far is Jenni willing to go to protect Destiny and to what risks? Is Destiny all that she seems?
As I said before wow oh wow what a breathtakingly twisty and thrilling read.
To Keep You Safe is seamlessly weaved together, gripping, realistic, fast paced, shocking, dark and chilling, everything you want and need from a psychological thriller.
The Characters are perfect, they are damaged, deeply complex and evoke all the right emotions you expect from the characters of this genre.
I've read lots of these types of books before but you would never of guessed this is Kate Bradley debut novel.
To Keep You Safe is an Unputdownable Thriller, that indeed got under my skin and gave me the chills.
I can't recommend reading this Gripping Book Enough!
Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...
Oh wow what a deliciously twisty, tense and Dark read I literally couldn't put down!
Jenni is ex army, who is now teaching Maths in a school for teenagers.
Jenni is an intriguing character her past is filled with tragedy and horrors from war, and her past leaving her with PTSD
When Jenni sees one of her brightest students Destiny turn up to school with a black eye her protective nature kicks in and instead of going through the school channels to report the potential abuse, she takes matters into her own hands.
When Jenni witnesses Destiny almost being abducted by a man in a van with a gun, her extensive Army Training kicks in and she is determined to protect Destiny no matter what the consequences.
Destiny is from a broken and abusive home. Put into a care home after several failed attempts at foster care after accusing her foster parents of sexual abuse, she is now on her last attempts at school and her care home.
But how far is Jenni willing to go to protect Destiny and to what risks? Is Destiny all that she seems?
As I said before wow oh wow what a breathtakingly twisty and thrilling read.
To Keep You Safe is seamlessly weaved together, gripping, realistic, fast paced, shocking, dark and chilling, everything you want and need from a psychological thriller.
The Characters are perfect, they are damaged, deeply complex and evoke all the right emotions you expect from the characters of this genre.
I've read lots of these types of books before but you would never of guessed this is Kate Bradley debut novel.
To Keep You Safe is an Unputdownable Thriller, that indeed got under my skin and gave me the chills.
I can't recommend reading this Gripping Book Enough!
Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...
July 23, 2022
I have to say that this audio book took me a while to get through. The narrator did a great job and brought the different narrators to life, but I felt like the two main characters Jenni and Destiny both fell flat for me. They were both unreliable and the twists that came didn’t seem particularly twisty. There was clearly a lot of information about at risk populations, but I just didn’t fully buy the characters. Most of this story is told in the past tense taking place several years before the book’s present day. Jenni was in the army and when she left she became a teacher. Destiny is a student at Jenni’s school who is in foster care with test scores off the charts. Their lives collide in an unusual way and both of their lives are changed by the events that occur.
October 4, 2019
Jenni used to e in the military but now she reaches maths. She likes to do iron man competitions to keep her fitness levels up plus it also fills a gap leaving the military leaves. When Jenni sees Destiny, a fifteen year old pupil from the school in trouble, Jenni rushes to help her. A man was trying to was trying to abduct Destiny at gunpoint. Jenni decides to take Destiny under her wing and do anything she can to protect her. They set off on a journey neither of them could foresee.
I was drew into this story from the first few chapters. It's tops mostly from Jenni and Destiny's point of view although there is some other characters voices too. The pace is fast with a few twists. They meet many challenges along the way. The story is beautifully written. The story of a dysfunctional family, abuse grief and much much more. The is a moral to this story. I read this book in an afternoon. I did not want to put it down.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and the author Kate Bradley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
I was drew into this story from the first few chapters. It's tops mostly from Jenni and Destiny's point of view although there is some other characters voices too. The pace is fast with a few twists. They meet many challenges along the way. The story is beautifully written. The story of a dysfunctional family, abuse grief and much much more. The is a moral to this story. I read this book in an afternoon. I did not want to put it down.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and the author Kate Bradley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
October 12, 2019
Oh my word! What an accomplished, very dark and suspenseful debut novel this is for Kate Bradley! I don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t this fast paced thriller full of complex characters. The plot raced along with short sharp chapters and multiple POV so that every angle of the narrative was explored leading to a shocking conclusion!
Jenni Wales hasn’t been teaching long. Previously in the armed forces, her mental health has suffered but she uses her strict health and eating regime to also keep control of her emotions. And it’s been working…until one day she realises that one of her pupils is in danger. I did understand how she struggled to remain subjective when faced with a potential safeguarding issue but unfortunately she doesn’t handle it in “quite” the way her schools policy tells her thus putting not just herself and Destiny in danger but others too. When she see Destiny being taken (no Liam Neeson memes please!!!) she takes it upon herself to take her first!
I did struggle with my feelings for Jenni! Firstly I admired her stance to take control of a dangerous situation even if it wasn’t the “textbook” approach. But is Jenni seeing the reality of the situation she is placing both herself and Destiny in? Her lack of fear strengthened with every single confrontation and I just knew there wasn’t going to be the ending I was hoping for…especially after the gripping prologue gives a small window into the feelings of guilt that are still showing 3 years later.
To Keep You Safe isn’t a comfortable read, it makes you very aware of some horrendous social issues and doesn’t shy away from projecting the consequences of those concerns onto the reader. The dark themes continue throughout but just when you think you know where everything is heading, a major twist comes along to turn everything you thought you knew on its head.
With a strong and gripping storyline, To Keep You Safe will shock and surprise you throughout. It’s a unique idea that felt fresh but topical and it carries itself head held high amongst the sea of thrillers out there at the moment. I feel that to say I enjoyed it makes light of the messages the author wants to put across, but I didn’t want to put this book down or let the characters go. Recommended
Jenni Wales hasn’t been teaching long. Previously in the armed forces, her mental health has suffered but she uses her strict health and eating regime to also keep control of her emotions. And it’s been working…until one day she realises that one of her pupils is in danger. I did understand how she struggled to remain subjective when faced with a potential safeguarding issue but unfortunately she doesn’t handle it in “quite” the way her schools policy tells her thus putting not just herself and Destiny in danger but others too. When she see Destiny being taken (no Liam Neeson memes please!!!) she takes it upon herself to take her first!
I did struggle with my feelings for Jenni! Firstly I admired her stance to take control of a dangerous situation even if it wasn’t the “textbook” approach. But is Jenni seeing the reality of the situation she is placing both herself and Destiny in? Her lack of fear strengthened with every single confrontation and I just knew there wasn’t going to be the ending I was hoping for…especially after the gripping prologue gives a small window into the feelings of guilt that are still showing 3 years later.
To Keep You Safe isn’t a comfortable read, it makes you very aware of some horrendous social issues and doesn’t shy away from projecting the consequences of those concerns onto the reader. The dark themes continue throughout but just when you think you know where everything is heading, a major twist comes along to turn everything you thought you knew on its head.
With a strong and gripping storyline, To Keep You Safe will shock and surprise you throughout. It’s a unique idea that felt fresh but topical and it carries itself head held high amongst the sea of thrillers out there at the moment. I feel that to say I enjoyed it makes light of the messages the author wants to put across, but I didn’t want to put this book down or let the characters go. Recommended
October 12, 2019
No good deed goes unpunished!!
This was the single most disturbing thought that dogged my steps as I started reading the book.
Jenni was the math teacher, Destiny was a ninth grader who was about to enter a van with goons. Jenni prevented that, Child Protective Services were called. An impersonation by the goons, and Jenni decided to take Destiny to her aunt. The story twisted midway and became shocking.
Debut by Kate Bradley shook the secure walls in my mind as I could hardly process what I was reading. The author has written a book about damaged individuals in such a way that every word was shocking. The scenes which were unveiled had me shaking my head at the things humans do to survive.
Told in dual POV, Jenni and Destiny showed me the complexities of a human mind which could justify abuse and try to erase the past, even remedy them with a new story.
Human psyche was delved into from the beginning to end, the author left me with a hope along with a feeling of shock at the way the scenes unfurled. Trying to save the past and deluding the present drove both these women to their desperations. This book has to be read to be believed. Both the women evoked my pathos and anger. This was more than a debut, it was hard-hitting and twisted. An absolute thriller.
A fast read, addictive, I couldn't let go of the book even while traveling.
This was the single most disturbing thought that dogged my steps as I started reading the book.
Jenni was the math teacher, Destiny was a ninth grader who was about to enter a van with goons. Jenni prevented that, Child Protective Services were called. An impersonation by the goons, and Jenni decided to take Destiny to her aunt. The story twisted midway and became shocking.
Debut by Kate Bradley shook the secure walls in my mind as I could hardly process what I was reading. The author has written a book about damaged individuals in such a way that every word was shocking. The scenes which were unveiled had me shaking my head at the things humans do to survive.
Told in dual POV, Jenni and Destiny showed me the complexities of a human mind which could justify abuse and try to erase the past, even remedy them with a new story.
Human psyche was delved into from the beginning to end, the author left me with a hope along with a feeling of shock at the way the scenes unfurled. Trying to save the past and deluding the present drove both these women to their desperations. This book has to be read to be believed. Both the women evoked my pathos and anger. This was more than a debut, it was hard-hitting and twisted. An absolute thriller.
A fast read, addictive, I couldn't let go of the book even while traveling.
July 17, 2022
To Keep You Safe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Format: Audiobook
Date Published: 6/30/22
Author: Kate Bradley
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Narrator: Lucy Jane Dixon
Goodreads Rating: 3.79
TW ⚠️: PTSD, abduction, and abuse.
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: You don't know who they are. You don't know why they're hunting her. But you know she's in danger. What do you do? When teacher Jenni Wales sees 15-year-old Destiny's black eye, she's immediately worried. Destiny isn't your average student: she's smart, genius IQ smart, and she's in care. But concern turns to fear when Jenni witnesses an attempt to abduct Jenni from school. Who are these men and what can Destiny know to make them hunt her? With those around her not taking the threat seriously, Jenni does the only thing she can think of to keep Destiny safe: she takes her.
My Thoughts: The story is primarily narrated from Jenni and Destiny’s perspectives, there are a few other dark storytellers that gives the story that extra ump. I love how Bradley digs into the life of Jenni and shows her struggles, challenges, and truly getting through her trauma in such a poetic way. The characters are well developed with layers of depth, emotional, strong, and are flawed, but so relatable, and very likeable. The author’s writing style is complex, twisty, suspenseful, dark, and disturbing (in a good way). This is a first by this author for me but will not be the last. I really enjoyed how Bradley’s writing just flowed well together, kept you engaged, was fast paced, and definitely a page turner. I highly recommend this audiobook that was released last month!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Format: Audiobook
Date Published: 6/30/22
Author: Kate Bradley
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Narrator: Lucy Jane Dixon
Goodreads Rating: 3.79
TW ⚠️: PTSD, abduction, and abuse.
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: You don't know who they are. You don't know why they're hunting her. But you know she's in danger. What do you do? When teacher Jenni Wales sees 15-year-old Destiny's black eye, she's immediately worried. Destiny isn't your average student: she's smart, genius IQ smart, and she's in care. But concern turns to fear when Jenni witnesses an attempt to abduct Jenni from school. Who are these men and what can Destiny know to make them hunt her? With those around her not taking the threat seriously, Jenni does the only thing she can think of to keep Destiny safe: she takes her.
My Thoughts: The story is primarily narrated from Jenni and Destiny’s perspectives, there are a few other dark storytellers that gives the story that extra ump. I love how Bradley digs into the life of Jenni and shows her struggles, challenges, and truly getting through her trauma in such a poetic way. The characters are well developed with layers of depth, emotional, strong, and are flawed, but so relatable, and very likeable. The author’s writing style is complex, twisty, suspenseful, dark, and disturbing (in a good way). This is a first by this author for me but will not be the last. I really enjoyed how Bradley’s writing just flowed well together, kept you engaged, was fast paced, and definitely a page turner. I highly recommend this audiobook that was released last month!
October 19, 2019
A tense, dark and shocking psychological thriller, TO KEEP YOU SAFE by Kate Bradley was nothing like I expected at all. It is a chilling read that is disturbing and twisted but compelling just the same.
Being a teacher is not an easy job, particularly teenagers, and no one knows this better than Jenni Wales. Ex-military, she is now teaches mathematics at a financially stretched school under the watchful eye of George Danvers, the kind and compassionate headmaster, struggling to do his best for the children. But trying to engage students who are more interested in their phones and social media is proving to be anything but easy.
Jenni suffers from alexithymia, which involves a lack of emotional awareness and the ability to identify and distinguish feelings. She struggles to read people, is socially awkward and has a tendency to take things a little too literally. Relationships of any kind are difficult for her and she doesn't understand the concept of small talk. Even her students tease her. She left the military, refusing psychological therapy after the the death of soldier under her command. Suffering continual flashbacks, Jenni is left with PTSD and an overwhelming sense of guilt and failure that she was not able to save him.
But the military gave Jenni that structure she could relate to, so when she left the army she felt like a boat without a mooring, drifting out to sea. That was when she found herself competing in regular Ironman events, enjoying both the challenge and the discipline it provided. Becoming a teacher gave her the structure and stability she missed but what she ended up with was far more than she ever bargained for.
Destiny Mills is a 15 year old student who is both clever and intelligent with the potential for a bright academic future. However, Destiny comes from a troubled background, taken from her prostitute/drug addict mother and placed into foster care at a young age, she is a challenging child now living in a care home with a history of running away.
When Destiny turns up to school with a black eye, Jenni begins to worry that something is seriously wrong, but also knows she must tread carefully. Despite being in the care of social services, Jenni fears that Destiny is in danger and that she has nobody she can turn to or protect her. But Jenni has no proof that she is in danger so what can she do?
Then Jenni witnesses an attempt to abduct Destiny from school and she knows beyond all doubt that she must do something, even if social services won't. Aware that it goes against every rule in the school's protocol, Jenni knows that she must step in and rescue the girl from certain danger at the hands of these men. But is she prepared for what she is about to step into?
Something incredibly sinister is going on and when Jenni uncovers the shocking truth, she must then draw on all her military training to save both Destiny and herself.
Told primarily through both Jenni's and Destiny's eyes, with also the voices of headmaster George and the Polish Aleksander, TO KEEP YOU SAFE is a twisty and disturbing read where nothing is as it seems. The reader is left to wonder just how reliable Jenni and Destiny are. Can we trust their word at all? Are either of them who they appear to be?
I didn't particularly like any of the characters, except maybe Gary. I kind of felt sorry for him. But Jenni felt too closed-off, Destiny a troubled and obnoxious teen, Aleksander was just a power hungry arrogant bastard and poor George just couldn't seem to do anything right. I am not a fan of strong female leads so that could be another reason I couldn't connect to Jenni but the fact that she had trouble with feelings also made her seem emotionless.
TO KEEP YOU SAFE is not a comfortable read as we watch lives unravel through trauma, abuse, dysfunctional families, loss, grief, guilt, PTSD and exploitation. It is very dark and disturbing throughout while at the same time making you aware of some horrifying issues. Then just where you think it is all heading, along comes another major twist turning everything about once again.
I was immediately gripped with this book and the unique concept of every occurrence taking place at each particular time. However, it did make it seem drawn out in parts as I wondered where the banter was going and if it was actually pertinent to the story. Well, as it turns out it is but at the time it seemed a little superfluous.
A hard-hitting disturbing thriller, TO KEEP YOU SAFE is perfect for those who love their crime reads gritty, dark and twisted.
I would like to thank #KateBradley, #NetGalley and #BonnierZaffre for an ARC of #ToKeepYouSafe in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Being a teacher is not an easy job, particularly teenagers, and no one knows this better than Jenni Wales. Ex-military, she is now teaches mathematics at a financially stretched school under the watchful eye of George Danvers, the kind and compassionate headmaster, struggling to do his best for the children. But trying to engage students who are more interested in their phones and social media is proving to be anything but easy.
Jenni suffers from alexithymia, which involves a lack of emotional awareness and the ability to identify and distinguish feelings. She struggles to read people, is socially awkward and has a tendency to take things a little too literally. Relationships of any kind are difficult for her and she doesn't understand the concept of small talk. Even her students tease her. She left the military, refusing psychological therapy after the the death of soldier under her command. Suffering continual flashbacks, Jenni is left with PTSD and an overwhelming sense of guilt and failure that she was not able to save him.
But the military gave Jenni that structure she could relate to, so when she left the army she felt like a boat without a mooring, drifting out to sea. That was when she found herself competing in regular Ironman events, enjoying both the challenge and the discipline it provided. Becoming a teacher gave her the structure and stability she missed but what she ended up with was far more than she ever bargained for.
Destiny Mills is a 15 year old student who is both clever and intelligent with the potential for a bright academic future. However, Destiny comes from a troubled background, taken from her prostitute/drug addict mother and placed into foster care at a young age, she is a challenging child now living in a care home with a history of running away.
When Destiny turns up to school with a black eye, Jenni begins to worry that something is seriously wrong, but also knows she must tread carefully. Despite being in the care of social services, Jenni fears that Destiny is in danger and that she has nobody she can turn to or protect her. But Jenni has no proof that she is in danger so what can she do?
Then Jenni witnesses an attempt to abduct Destiny from school and she knows beyond all doubt that she must do something, even if social services won't. Aware that it goes against every rule in the school's protocol, Jenni knows that she must step in and rescue the girl from certain danger at the hands of these men. But is she prepared for what she is about to step into?
Something incredibly sinister is going on and when Jenni uncovers the shocking truth, she must then draw on all her military training to save both Destiny and herself.
Told primarily through both Jenni's and Destiny's eyes, with also the voices of headmaster George and the Polish Aleksander, TO KEEP YOU SAFE is a twisty and disturbing read where nothing is as it seems. The reader is left to wonder just how reliable Jenni and Destiny are. Can we trust their word at all? Are either of them who they appear to be?
I didn't particularly like any of the characters, except maybe Gary. I kind of felt sorry for him. But Jenni felt too closed-off, Destiny a troubled and obnoxious teen, Aleksander was just a power hungry arrogant bastard and poor George just couldn't seem to do anything right. I am not a fan of strong female leads so that could be another reason I couldn't connect to Jenni but the fact that she had trouble with feelings also made her seem emotionless.
TO KEEP YOU SAFE is not a comfortable read as we watch lives unravel through trauma, abuse, dysfunctional families, loss, grief, guilt, PTSD and exploitation. It is very dark and disturbing throughout while at the same time making you aware of some horrifying issues. Then just where you think it is all heading, along comes another major twist turning everything about once again.
I was immediately gripped with this book and the unique concept of every occurrence taking place at each particular time. However, it did make it seem drawn out in parts as I wondered where the banter was going and if it was actually pertinent to the story. Well, as it turns out it is but at the time it seemed a little superfluous.
A hard-hitting disturbing thriller, TO KEEP YOU SAFE is perfect for those who love their crime reads gritty, dark and twisted.
I would like to thank #KateBradley, #NetGalley and #BonnierZaffre for an ARC of #ToKeepYouSafe in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
February 22, 2020
“They’re coming for her. You don’t know who they are. You don’t know why they want her. But she’s in your care. And she’s vulnerable........How far would go to save a child who isn’t yours?”
There’s no doubting that “To Keep You Safe” by debut author Kate Bradley is a dark and gritty thriller considering the premise and amount of violence it contains. Sadly, I wasn’t impressed at all with it. The characterisation was very flat and not one person in my opinion was realistic. I couldn’t get away with Jenni and her ex soldier background or Destiny with her typical, stereo typed bad girl in care attitude and actions. All are unreliable narrators and i just felt the story dragged and never developed itself.
Having checked out the author Kate Bradley and seeing her credentials of managing services for people who are marginalised by society and her experience in education, I can see she has used a lot of her knowledge to create a story but unfortunately the execution of it falls way off the mark for me.
I usually say it’s a case of ‘its not the book it’s me’ but I can safely say on this occasion that it’s definitely not me.
2 stars
There’s no doubting that “To Keep You Safe” by debut author Kate Bradley is a dark and gritty thriller considering the premise and amount of violence it contains. Sadly, I wasn’t impressed at all with it. The characterisation was very flat and not one person in my opinion was realistic. I couldn’t get away with Jenni and her ex soldier background or Destiny with her typical, stereo typed bad girl in care attitude and actions. All are unreliable narrators and i just felt the story dragged and never developed itself.
Having checked out the author Kate Bradley and seeing her credentials of managing services for people who are marginalised by society and her experience in education, I can see she has used a lot of her knowledge to create a story but unfortunately the execution of it falls way off the mark for me.
I usually say it’s a case of ‘its not the book it’s me’ but I can safely say on this occasion that it’s definitely not me.
2 stars
June 17, 2022
Name of Book: To Keep You Safe
Author: Kate Bradley
Audiobook Narrator: Lucy Jane Dixon
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: June 30, 2022
My Rating: 3
Jenni Wales is ex-Military and is now a school teacher. When Destiny Mills, a bright ninth grade student comes to school with a black eye and then Jenni witnesses her nearly being abducted by a man with a gun, Jenni’s training kicks in and she decides that she is going to do whatever possible to ‘keep her safe’!
Destiny’s parents were abusive and placement in foster care also resulted in an abusive situation.
Story is told from the POV of both Jenni and Destiny.
I am a big psychological thriller fan ~ Sad to say this wasn’t the great read I was expecting.
I know others love and enjoyed it. I was looking forward to reading it!
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for my honest opinion.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 30, 2022
Author: Kate Bradley
Audiobook Narrator: Lucy Jane Dixon
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: June 30, 2022
My Rating: 3
Jenni Wales is ex-Military and is now a school teacher. When Destiny Mills, a bright ninth grade student comes to school with a black eye and then Jenni witnesses her nearly being abducted by a man with a gun, Jenni’s training kicks in and she decides that she is going to do whatever possible to ‘keep her safe’!
Destiny’s parents were abusive and placement in foster care also resulted in an abusive situation.
Story is told from the POV of both Jenni and Destiny.
I am a big psychological thriller fan ~ Sad to say this wasn’t the great read I was expecting.
I know others love and enjoyed it. I was looking forward to reading it!
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for my honest opinion.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 30, 2022
January 30, 2020
2.5 Stars
The biggest issue I had with this novel was that absolutely everything is flagged up in the early chapters; you can feel the "twist" coming from the first couple of pages. Almost as soon as Jenni Wales is introduced on the page you know there is something not entirely trustworthy about her narration, that there is a skewed perspective at play. This colours the entire novel for me as you are just waiting for it to come and as events unfolded I became less and less interested in what that was going to be.
Neither of our main two characters - Jenni and Destiny - are particularly empathetic. Instead they are a collection of cliches that vaguely represent a person in a non-realistic way. Jenni is a product of her PTSD and never really steps outside of that. Destiny is a child in care who fulfils every stereotype of "good girl gone bad". It just feels somehow lazy on the characterisation as, at most, each character has two dimensions and never steps outside of their neat little box.
There is quite a lot of violence in the book and the author goes to great pains to describe punches landing and flesh splitting. At the risk of sounding peculiar these are some of the highlights of the book, in that they highlight how bland much of the rest of the tale is. Not helped by threads being left dangling throughout and some whopping great plot holes, particularly surrounding George.
Then we get to the denouement and it is at odds with the rest of the book. It becomes all saccharin and I suppose it is meant to be seen as redemptive but I found it pretty cloying and it made me want to throw the thing against the wall. I get what the author is trying to say about how events outside of our control shape us but it felt heavy handed and almost written by committee sat with a list of points they wanted to make instead of just telling a story.
The biggest issue I had with this novel was that absolutely everything is flagged up in the early chapters; you can feel the "twist" coming from the first couple of pages. Almost as soon as Jenni Wales is introduced on the page you know there is something not entirely trustworthy about her narration, that there is a skewed perspective at play. This colours the entire novel for me as you are just waiting for it to come and as events unfolded I became less and less interested in what that was going to be.
Neither of our main two characters - Jenni and Destiny - are particularly empathetic. Instead they are a collection of cliches that vaguely represent a person in a non-realistic way. Jenni is a product of her PTSD and never really steps outside of that. Destiny is a child in care who fulfils every stereotype of "good girl gone bad". It just feels somehow lazy on the characterisation as, at most, each character has two dimensions and never steps outside of their neat little box.
There is quite a lot of violence in the book and the author goes to great pains to describe punches landing and flesh splitting. At the risk of sounding peculiar these are some of the highlights of the book, in that they highlight how bland much of the rest of the tale is. Not helped by threads being left dangling throughout and some whopping great plot holes, particularly surrounding George.
Then we get to the denouement and it is at odds with the rest of the book. It becomes all saccharin and I suppose it is meant to be seen as redemptive but I found it pretty cloying and it made me want to throw the thing against the wall. I get what the author is trying to say about how events outside of our control shape us but it felt heavy handed and almost written by committee sat with a list of points they wanted to make instead of just telling a story.
May 25, 2022
This took me a while to get into it
January 25, 2022
I had so many mixed feelings reading this book. At times I was sickened, other times frustrated at how dismissive the author was to certain aspects of the story. Overall though, I was hooked.
Destiny is a troubled girl of 15, living in care following an abusive childhood. Miss Wales, her form tutor, becomes concerned after men in a van arrive at school looking for their "candydoll". In her attempts to save Destiny, Miss Wales (Jenni) risks everything, her career, own family and mental health. Taking Destiny to rescue her from the sex trafficking she has become involved with and free her from her 'safety net', Alexander, Jenni goes to lengths beyond that of a teacher to put a stop to the grooming once and for all.
Destiny is a troubled girl of 15, living in care following an abusive childhood. Miss Wales, her form tutor, becomes concerned after men in a van arrive at school looking for their "candydoll". In her attempts to save Destiny, Miss Wales (Jenni) risks everything, her career, own family and mental health. Taking Destiny to rescue her from the sex trafficking she has become involved with and free her from her 'safety net', Alexander, Jenni goes to lengths beyond that of a teacher to put a stop to the grooming once and for all.
July 8, 2022
I threw in the towel at around 63%. There are several reasons.
First: I have not connected with the narrator. At times it comes across whiney, and other times she whispers for no apparent reason.
Second: I don't like any of the characters. None of them are developed.
Third: I saw this coming. Put an abused 15 yo in a hotel room by themselves and you will sleep in the car, knowing bad guys are after you.
Final: The 15 yo and the old man who gets to her was enough.
I do try harder with Netgalley books (63%), after all you are asking for a review. If this were a book I freely chose to read, I would have DNFd it at 9%. I gave it all I had.
First: I have not connected with the narrator. At times it comes across whiney, and other times she whispers for no apparent reason.
Second: I don't like any of the characters. None of them are developed.
Third: I saw this coming. Put an abused 15 yo in a hotel room by themselves and you will sleep in the car, knowing bad guys are after you.
Final: The 15 yo and the old man who gets to her was enough.
I do try harder with Netgalley books (63%), after all you are asking for a review. If this were a book I freely chose to read, I would have DNFd it at 9%. I gave it all I had.
October 10, 2019
This was a very good read. Tough to read in places due to the subject matter, but overall it was done very well.
A very interesting premise that caught my attention straight away, but this book did not go the way I was expecting with a few shocks and twists to keep you guessing.
Some unique and well-written characters too. Not all likeable, but realistic. Both the main characters, Jenni and Destiny, are ones that I won't forget for a while.
It is a fast paced story, the majority of it being set over a three day period and it was definitely a page turner. I read it with Pigeonhole and if I hadn't have had to wait for the staves, it is definitely one that I think I would have struggled to put down.
A very interesting premise that caught my attention straight away, but this book did not go the way I was expecting with a few shocks and twists to keep you guessing.
Some unique and well-written characters too. Not all likeable, but realistic. Both the main characters, Jenni and Destiny, are ones that I won't forget for a while.
It is a fast paced story, the majority of it being set over a three day period and it was definitely a page turner. I read it with Pigeonhole and if I hadn't have had to wait for the staves, it is definitely one that I think I would have struggled to put down.
October 13, 2019
I was sent this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.
This book dove straight in from the very first few pages and I couldn't put it down!
Fast paced, full of action and twists -it kept me gripped throughout the whole book.
Jenni tries to help 15 year old Destiny by keeping her safe but nothing is what it initially seems. Destiny is Jenni's student, but is she all that she seems? You really mist read this to find out.
I loved the ending which again had a twist to it but wish it hadn't been left as open as it was.
This is one of my favourite reads this month by far! A fast paced, psychological thriller that will leave you breathless.
This book dove straight in from the very first few pages and I couldn't put it down!
Fast paced, full of action and twists -it kept me gripped throughout the whole book.
Jenni tries to help 15 year old Destiny by keeping her safe but nothing is what it initially seems. Destiny is Jenni's student, but is she all that she seems? You really mist read this to find out.
I loved the ending which again had a twist to it but wish it hadn't been left as open as it was.
This is one of my favourite reads this month by far! A fast paced, psychological thriller that will leave you breathless.
February 22, 2020
Gripping - but not always for the right reasons! Dark psycho thriller full of unreliable narrators.
Kate Bradley’s debut is a dark and disturbing psychological thriller that certainly grips but sadly not always for the right reasons as from the off I found myself reading with a growing sense of incredulity about the whole thing. Firstly you don’t have to be a seasoned reader of the genre to spot within the first chapter that everything is not all what it seems and the reliability of both central characters is questionable. As the novel progresses the simplicity of characterisation of the two textbook troubled protagonists makes it patently obvious to see how their aberrant perspectives combined could lead to disastrous results. Suspension of disbelief is essential or else you may find yourself laughing at how a character who elucidates that she cannot read emotions decides to ensure the safety of a fifteen-year-old girl in the care system.
Forty-year-old ex-military corporal and Ironman competitor, Jenni Wales, is struggling to get to grips with teaching maths in an under-resourced secondary school with insufficient staff to support vulnerable pupils. Her inability to read emotions or interpret situations (a syndrome called alexithymia), together with her awkwardness interacting with her colleagues makes her job a challenge but teaching fills the loss of routine and structure left by her army discharge. When Jenni sees diminutive fifteen-year-old and care home resident, Destiny Mills, sporting a black eye, answering the phone as “Candydoll” and two thuggish men waiting for her outside school she is certain that fragile Destiny is in jeopardy and needs help. When her concerns aren’t given the priority and urgency that she deems necessary by dedicated but frazzled headmaster, George Danvers, she does the only thing she knows: take responsibility and performs what needs to be done. But is Destiny all that she seems, what exactly is her relationship with the men and is she being abused and exploited as Jenni fears? Desperate times call for desperate measures and hankering after the buzz of the challenges of her army days, Jenni takes proactive action.
The narrative is told in the first-person and largely made up of Jenni and Destiny’s take on the situation, however both are obviously unreliable. Occasional snapshots from the perspective of headmaster, George and Aleksander, one of the men on Destiny’s tail, heighten tension and make disturbingly clear the serious danger that both teacher and pupil are in. I would have expected to feel some sympathy towards Jenni as the progression of the narrative makes clear the unrelenting guilt and sense of failure regarding her final days in the army and the lasting damage of her PTSD, but this never conveyed. Between Jenni, whose stability comes into question as she goes to extraordinary lengths for her pupil, and the character of Destiny, who seems a devious minx from the off, I watched a tense climax playing out with increased scepticism and little empathy for either of the protagonists. Destiny’s narrative is evidence of how the traumatic experiences of her childhood at the hands of her prostitution and drug dependent mother and life in the care system have impacted on her. But does teenager Destiny perceive the situation she is in as it really is or is she merely convincing herself?
Whilst I felt I came to understand more of Destiny’s worrying outlook I struggled to connect with emotionally detached Jenni, whether this was due to her alexithymia or her PTSD was never made clear. Several holes in the plot pose unresolved questions and disrupted the continuity of the story for me and the denouement felt both preachy and unlikely after the wild ride that had come before. The central issue that the novel broaches is whether one can overcome their past and go beyond their defining experiences and from my perspective this also went unaddressed.
The novel contains so disturbing themes and is admittedly hard-hitting. Expect the issues of psychological trauma, repressed grief and substance abuse to be raised for starters and prepare for a hefty dose of violence as a fast-paced, twisted and not always convincing, nightmare plays out. Subtler characterisation of both Jenni and Destiny would have undoubtedly made for a more surprising climax and is my fundamental criticism of a dark psychological tale.
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Kate Bradley’s debut is a dark and disturbing psychological thriller that certainly grips but sadly not always for the right reasons as from the off I found myself reading with a growing sense of incredulity about the whole thing. Firstly you don’t have to be a seasoned reader of the genre to spot within the first chapter that everything is not all what it seems and the reliability of both central characters is questionable. As the novel progresses the simplicity of characterisation of the two textbook troubled protagonists makes it patently obvious to see how their aberrant perspectives combined could lead to disastrous results. Suspension of disbelief is essential or else you may find yourself laughing at how a character who elucidates that she cannot read emotions decides to ensure the safety of a fifteen-year-old girl in the care system.
Forty-year-old ex-military corporal and Ironman competitor, Jenni Wales, is struggling to get to grips with teaching maths in an under-resourced secondary school with insufficient staff to support vulnerable pupils. Her inability to read emotions or interpret situations (a syndrome called alexithymia), together with her awkwardness interacting with her colleagues makes her job a challenge but teaching fills the loss of routine and structure left by her army discharge. When Jenni sees diminutive fifteen-year-old and care home resident, Destiny Mills, sporting a black eye, answering the phone as “Candydoll” and two thuggish men waiting for her outside school she is certain that fragile Destiny is in jeopardy and needs help. When her concerns aren’t given the priority and urgency that she deems necessary by dedicated but frazzled headmaster, George Danvers, she does the only thing she knows: take responsibility and performs what needs to be done. But is Destiny all that she seems, what exactly is her relationship with the men and is she being abused and exploited as Jenni fears? Desperate times call for desperate measures and hankering after the buzz of the challenges of her army days, Jenni takes proactive action.
The narrative is told in the first-person and largely made up of Jenni and Destiny’s take on the situation, however both are obviously unreliable. Occasional snapshots from the perspective of headmaster, George and Aleksander, one of the men on Destiny’s tail, heighten tension and make disturbingly clear the serious danger that both teacher and pupil are in. I would have expected to feel some sympathy towards Jenni as the progression of the narrative makes clear the unrelenting guilt and sense of failure regarding her final days in the army and the lasting damage of her PTSD, but this never conveyed. Between Jenni, whose stability comes into question as she goes to extraordinary lengths for her pupil, and the character of Destiny, who seems a devious minx from the off, I watched a tense climax playing out with increased scepticism and little empathy for either of the protagonists. Destiny’s narrative is evidence of how the traumatic experiences of her childhood at the hands of her prostitution and drug dependent mother and life in the care system have impacted on her. But does teenager Destiny perceive the situation she is in as it really is or is she merely convincing herself?
Whilst I felt I came to understand more of Destiny’s worrying outlook I struggled to connect with emotionally detached Jenni, whether this was due to her alexithymia or her PTSD was never made clear. Several holes in the plot pose unresolved questions and disrupted the continuity of the story for me and the denouement felt both preachy and unlikely after the wild ride that had come before. The central issue that the novel broaches is whether one can overcome their past and go beyond their defining experiences and from my perspective this also went unaddressed.
The novel contains so disturbing themes and is admittedly hard-hitting. Expect the issues of psychological trauma, repressed grief and substance abuse to be raised for starters and prepare for a hefty dose of violence as a fast-paced, twisted and not always convincing, nightmare plays out. Subtler characterisation of both Jenni and Destiny would have undoubtedly made for a more surprising climax and is my fundamental criticism of a dark psychological tale.
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
November 18, 2019
Kate Bradley writes a hugely engrossing and entertaining debut novel that deals with some serious issues in this gripping thriller awash with glorious tropes of abuse, grief, kidnapping, trauma, loss and exploitation.
Teacher Jenni Wales is finding her job difficult. She is ex-military and currently teaching maths at a struggling, financially strapped school run by the compassionate Head, George Danvers, sinking under the pressures and stresses of a impossible job as he trying to do his best for the children.
Jenni suffers from a condition that leaves her with a lack of emotional awareness and the inability to identify and distinguish feelings. She doesn't know how to make small talk and relationships of any type are not straightforward for her.
Destiny Mills is a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl who is smart and intelligent with the potential for a bright academic future. But Destiny comes from a troubled background, taken from her prostitute and drug addict mother and placed into foster care. She is a challenging child now living in a care home with a history of running away.
When Jenni sees that Destiny has a black eye, she's alarmed however, concern turns to fear when Jenni witnesses an attempt to abduct Destiny from school. With those around her not taking the matter seriously enough, Jenni does the only thing she can think of to keep Destiny safe: she takes her.
Kate Bradley delivers an unrestrained and exuberant story of drama in this toxic concoction of trauma, loss, and dysfunctional families. Taut and compelling, it was a cracking story and a book that I revelled in all the way through. It brought no disappointments and the clever plotting enabled me to fully grasp the situation and motivations of the main protagonists. The shifting of perspectives between the main characters - Jenni and Destiny - and some other key characters, such as George, and the Polish Aleksander, one of Destiny's would be abductors, was handled with a deft touch by Kate Bradley. Nothing was as it seemed in this novel as I wondered just how reliable Jenni and Destiny were. I admired how strong and courageous Jenni was, who thrived on tough challenges and was intimidated by scarcely anything. The masterful twists paved the way for an enthralling denouement. A riveting tale of unravelling lives, menace, troubled and abused childhoods, and grief, I would love to read more from this gifted story-teller and I am delighted to recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bonnier Zaffre via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion. Thank you also to Pigeonhole and Kate Bradley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
Teacher Jenni Wales is finding her job difficult. She is ex-military and currently teaching maths at a struggling, financially strapped school run by the compassionate Head, George Danvers, sinking under the pressures and stresses of a impossible job as he trying to do his best for the children.
Jenni suffers from a condition that leaves her with a lack of emotional awareness and the inability to identify and distinguish feelings. She doesn't know how to make small talk and relationships of any type are not straightforward for her.
Destiny Mills is a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl who is smart and intelligent with the potential for a bright academic future. But Destiny comes from a troubled background, taken from her prostitute and drug addict mother and placed into foster care. She is a challenging child now living in a care home with a history of running away.
When Jenni sees that Destiny has a black eye, she's alarmed however, concern turns to fear when Jenni witnesses an attempt to abduct Destiny from school. With those around her not taking the matter seriously enough, Jenni does the only thing she can think of to keep Destiny safe: she takes her.
Kate Bradley delivers an unrestrained and exuberant story of drama in this toxic concoction of trauma, loss, and dysfunctional families. Taut and compelling, it was a cracking story and a book that I revelled in all the way through. It brought no disappointments and the clever plotting enabled me to fully grasp the situation and motivations of the main protagonists. The shifting of perspectives between the main characters - Jenni and Destiny - and some other key characters, such as George, and the Polish Aleksander, one of Destiny's would be abductors, was handled with a deft touch by Kate Bradley. Nothing was as it seemed in this novel as I wondered just how reliable Jenni and Destiny were. I admired how strong and courageous Jenni was, who thrived on tough challenges and was intimidated by scarcely anything. The masterful twists paved the way for an enthralling denouement. A riveting tale of unravelling lives, menace, troubled and abused childhoods, and grief, I would love to read more from this gifted story-teller and I am delighted to recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bonnier Zaffre via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion. Thank you also to Pigeonhole and Kate Bradley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
July 15, 2022
I really did not enjoy this book, at all. Full stop.
Jenny a former army girl turned teacher at a school. She believes one of her students, Destiney Is in some kind of danger. Destiney shows up to school with bruises and almost sees her abducted by a man in a van. No one at the school believes Jenny , including a pseudo Social worker sneaks into the school and gives Destiney the clear. This is SO flawed. Not even close to reality. So Jenny takes matters into her own hand and "kidnaps" Destiney to protect her. At this point I was like okay this is unrealistic, but maybe there is still a good story waiting for me.
Nope.
Instead it took a sharp right turn down This Book Stinks Avenue.
The author choses to include a scene where she and Destiney are at a food court and Destiney Opts to eat at McDonalds, we have to endure Jenny's disordered eating thoughts (Major trigger warning here people). Oh here is a nugget for you btw just because you got your food from Chik Fil A or Panera does not make it healthier than McDonalds. Seriously a #1 from Chik fila with a lemonade is more energy dense than a Quarter Pounder Meal from McD's.....Kinda like those "Organic Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups"you get at Tis are higher in sugar than the Reese's cups you buy at Circle K at Midnight...okay sorry, back to this "book". So if you get past the trigger scene at the mall Bradley throws you into another trigger situation.
Jenny checks them into a hotel room (after a totally pointless chase scene...still trying to wrap my head around that whole debacle....) BUT she does not sleep in the hotel room with Destiney.....umm...what? I mean hello, sleep on the floor, or in the bed....but leaving a child in a hotel room by themselves when they are clearly being hunted...? I'm sorry but that is just dumb. Come on, try harder.
So.....that leads to the man who is chasing Destney a sick pedophile gets in her room and thats where you learn Destiney has some gross relationship with this guy Alecksander. The scene that unfolds is so graphic and wrong I will spare you.
From that point on the novel continues to spiral down and more and more disturbing scenes unfold, sex trafficking, drugs, murder, abuse, violence, uhh. It was painful!
None of the characters were likable. I saw no point in reading this book. I guess what I will say is the content of this book is not why I am giving it a low star rating. It is the whole premise, the boring storyline, the loose ends that were not tied up and the complete ridiculous scenarios......
Take my advice on this book and McDonalds as well!
Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy of this audiobook. These are my original thoughts that I was not paid or reimbursed for.
Jenny a former army girl turned teacher at a school. She believes one of her students, Destiney Is in some kind of danger. Destiney shows up to school with bruises and almost sees her abducted by a man in a van. No one at the school believes Jenny , including a pseudo Social worker sneaks into the school and gives Destiney the clear. This is SO flawed. Not even close to reality. So Jenny takes matters into her own hand and "kidnaps" Destiney to protect her. At this point I was like okay this is unrealistic, but maybe there is still a good story waiting for me.
Nope.
Instead it took a sharp right turn down This Book Stinks Avenue.
The author choses to include a scene where she and Destiney are at a food court and Destiney Opts to eat at McDonalds, we have to endure Jenny's disordered eating thoughts (Major trigger warning here people). Oh here is a nugget for you btw just because you got your food from Chik Fil A or Panera does not make it healthier than McDonalds. Seriously a #1 from Chik fila with a lemonade is more energy dense than a Quarter Pounder Meal from McD's.....Kinda like those "Organic Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups"you get at Tis are higher in sugar than the Reese's cups you buy at Circle K at Midnight...okay sorry, back to this "book". So if you get past the trigger scene at the mall Bradley throws you into another trigger situation.
Jenny checks them into a hotel room (after a totally pointless chase scene...still trying to wrap my head around that whole debacle....) BUT she does not sleep in the hotel room with Destiney.....umm...what? I mean hello, sleep on the floor, or in the bed....but leaving a child in a hotel room by themselves when they are clearly being hunted...? I'm sorry but that is just dumb. Come on, try harder.
So.....that leads to the man who is chasing Destney a sick pedophile gets in her room and thats where you learn Destiney has some gross relationship with this guy Alecksander. The scene that unfolds is so graphic and wrong I will spare you.
From that point on the novel continues to spiral down and more and more disturbing scenes unfold, sex trafficking, drugs, murder, abuse, violence, uhh. It was painful!
None of the characters were likable. I saw no point in reading this book. I guess what I will say is the content of this book is not why I am giving it a low star rating. It is the whole premise, the boring storyline, the loose ends that were not tied up and the complete ridiculous scenarios......
Take my advice on this book and McDonalds as well!
Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy of this audiobook. These are my original thoughts that I was not paid or reimbursed for.
January 28, 2020
‘Most people are rotten inside. They just pretend not to be’ - To Keep You Safe - Kate Bradley.
Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @zaffrebooks for my ARC of this book. Due to be released on Kindle on the 10th October and as a paperback in March 2020.
The prologue drew me into this book straight away and although I feel it was a bit slow to start with I quickly found myself unable to put it down through the need to find out what was happening.
This book took a twist at the halfway point that although it wasn’t shocking, it was certainly unexpected and I almost felt like it became slightly uncomfortable to read for a moment - but I love that in a book! Suddenly everything you think you know is happening isn’t!
I really enjoyed this book and I don’t think it read like a typical debut from an author, I felt like I was reading something from an author who had already produced books of this standard. I really think that people who enjoy a fast paced ‘mystery/thriller’ will enjoy this book.
There’s a certain degree of disillusion between the characters of this book and this really pulled me in, I wanted to keep reading to find out when and how they figured out the varying levels of truths!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @zaffrebooks for my ARC of this book. Due to be released on Kindle on the 10th October and as a paperback in March 2020.
The prologue drew me into this book straight away and although I feel it was a bit slow to start with I quickly found myself unable to put it down through the need to find out what was happening.
This book took a twist at the halfway point that although it wasn’t shocking, it was certainly unexpected and I almost felt like it became slightly uncomfortable to read for a moment - but I love that in a book! Suddenly everything you think you know is happening isn’t!
I really enjoyed this book and I don’t think it read like a typical debut from an author, I felt like I was reading something from an author who had already produced books of this standard. I really think that people who enjoy a fast paced ‘mystery/thriller’ will enjoy this book.
There’s a certain degree of disillusion between the characters of this book and this really pulled me in, I wanted to keep reading to find out when and how they figured out the varying levels of truths!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 21, 2020
Thanks to Readers First & Zaffre for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
You don't know who they are. You don't know why they're hunting her. But you know she's in danger.
What do you do?
When teacher Jenni Wales sees 15-year-old Destiny's black eye, she's immediately worried. Destiny isn't your average student: she's smart, genius IQ smart, and she's in care. But concern turns to fear when Jenni witnesses an attempt to abduct Jenni from school.
Who are these men and what can Destiny know to make them hunt her?
With those around her not taking the threat seriously, Jenni does the only thing she can think of to keep Destiny safe: she takes her.
Thoughts: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I thought this was a slow burner. Keep at it, nothing is what is seems. This is Kate Bradley’s debut book and it is great. There are so many turns in this debut. You’re not actually sure if Jenni is saving Destiny or herself. The story goes into detail about Jenni and Destiny’s past and you can see why the characters are the way they are. You can’t work our whether Destiny does need saving or if she is misleading Jenni. The book dives into Jenni’s past in the army and Destiny’s in foster care and children’s homes. An intense book!
Synopsis:
You don't know who they are. You don't know why they're hunting her. But you know she's in danger.
What do you do?
When teacher Jenni Wales sees 15-year-old Destiny's black eye, she's immediately worried. Destiny isn't your average student: she's smart, genius IQ smart, and she's in care. But concern turns to fear when Jenni witnesses an attempt to abduct Jenni from school.
Who are these men and what can Destiny know to make them hunt her?
With those around her not taking the threat seriously, Jenni does the only thing she can think of to keep Destiny safe: she takes her.
Thoughts: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I thought this was a slow burner. Keep at it, nothing is what is seems. This is Kate Bradley’s debut book and it is great. There are so many turns in this debut. You’re not actually sure if Jenni is saving Destiny or herself. The story goes into detail about Jenni and Destiny’s past and you can see why the characters are the way they are. You can’t work our whether Destiny does need saving or if she is misleading Jenni. The book dives into Jenni’s past in the army and Destiny’s in foster care and children’s homes. An intense book!
February 26, 2020
With apologies to the author, but I did not enjoy this very much. Yes, it's a great premise...... teacher fears for safety of pupil and in spite of the rules, steps in to help. Sounds a good story, yes?
In this case it's not very well told. When you have a page and a half of dialogue while someone decides whether to ask a question, and another page waiting for the answer..... I'm afraid my eyes were glazing over with boredom and I started skim reading. Maybe this review is my fault and I skimmed over the best bits.
However, I didn't feel I gelled with any of the characters, most seemed to have no personality at all, or if they did they were terrible stereotypes, ie, the by-the-rules headmaster. Jenni the teacher and Destiny the pupil were just like empty shells. Surely a trained teacher, former soldier, and Ironman competitor should have a bit more..... well, nous.
Yes the subject matter is gripping, the grooming of young people, but I've read better.
In this case it's not very well told. When you have a page and a half of dialogue while someone decides whether to ask a question, and another page waiting for the answer..... I'm afraid my eyes were glazing over with boredom and I started skim reading. Maybe this review is my fault and I skimmed over the best bits.
However, I didn't feel I gelled with any of the characters, most seemed to have no personality at all, or if they did they were terrible stereotypes, ie, the by-the-rules headmaster. Jenni the teacher and Destiny the pupil were just like empty shells. Surely a trained teacher, former soldier, and Ironman competitor should have a bit more..... well, nous.
Yes the subject matter is gripping, the grooming of young people, but I've read better.
dnf
July 12, 2021DNF @ page 100
For someone who apparently suffered from a condition where she was unable to understand their own and others' emotions, the MC here sure did spend a lot of time talking about feelings. It would have been better if the author had just stuck with the 'ex-soldier withe PTSD' trope if she wanted an emotionally detached character, rather than use a real disorder in an ineffective and unbelievable way
Also, for a supposedly fast-paced thriller about a teenager on the run from a gang, I was decidedly un-thrilled. This book is almost 400 pages long, and if the 100 pages I read were anything to go by, there is absolutely no reason why the book needed to be this long. The character's internal monologues felt incredibly over-descriptive and repetitive, and this narration style just was not working for me at all
For someone who apparently suffered from a condition where she was unable to understand their own and others' emotions, the MC here sure did spend a lot of time talking about feelings. It would have been better if the author had just stuck with the 'ex-soldier withe PTSD' trope if she wanted an emotionally detached character, rather than use a real disorder in an ineffective and unbelievable way
Also, for a supposedly fast-paced thriller about a teenager on the run from a gang, I was decidedly un-thrilled. This book is almost 400 pages long, and if the 100 pages I read were anything to go by, there is absolutely no reason why the book needed to be this long. The character's internal monologues felt incredibly over-descriptive and repetitive, and this narration style just was not working for me at all
January 5, 2021
I really enjoyed this book by Kate Bradley and would thoroughly recommend.
The chapters are told from the point of view of Destiny and Jenni - the two main characters in the book, although a small percentage of chapters are from other characters point of views.
This is such an original plot that keeps you gripped until the very end. There were so many twists and turns right you until the very end page. It’s a book about loyalty, PTSD, people’s different versions of reality and the truth. Really enjoyed!
The chapters are told from the point of view of Destiny and Jenni - the two main characters in the book, although a small percentage of chapters are from other characters point of views.
This is such an original plot that keeps you gripped until the very end. There were so many twists and turns right you until the very end page. It’s a book about loyalty, PTSD, people’s different versions of reality and the truth. Really enjoyed!
August 11, 2022
Jenni is ex-military and a school teacher who realizes something is off with one of her students, Destiny. How far will she go to make sure Destiny is safe?
This book is mainly from the point of view from Jenni and Destiny. By the time you get to the end you realize that they may not be as reliable as you thought.
Spoilers Below:
For the most part I liked this book. I am usually a huge fan of books with an unreliable narrator, but this one was a little harder to get into. Since we saw the big battle scene from Destiny’s perspective we really didn’t know that something was wrong until the last chapter. Which I thought was a very interesting twist. I wish we knew what ultimately happened to George. I could have missed it but last I heard he was in the hospital so I wanted to know what happened to him. I am glad that Destiny did the right thing in the end. I was really rooting for her healing.
Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This book is mainly from the point of view from Jenni and Destiny. By the time you get to the end you realize that they may not be as reliable as you thought.
Spoilers Below:
For the most part I liked this book. I am usually a huge fan of books with an unreliable narrator, but this one was a little harder to get into. Since we saw the big battle scene from Destiny’s perspective we really didn’t know that something was wrong until the last chapter. Which I thought was a very interesting twist. I wish we knew what ultimately happened to George. I could have missed it but last I heard he was in the hospital so I wanted to know what happened to him. I am glad that Destiny did the right thing in the end. I was really rooting for her healing.
Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2021
My emotions have been all over the place whilst reading ‘To keep you safe’. I felt shock, horror, sadness, empathy, pity and disgust (and this was just during the last few chapters).
I believed myself unshockable-wrong!!!
It’s pretty amazing, for me, when I don’t have an inkling of where the story will take me, so all in all Kate Bradley well and truly deserves 5 stars for this piece of writing.
I believed myself unshockable-wrong!!!
It’s pretty amazing, for me, when I don’t have an inkling of where the story will take me, so all in all Kate Bradley well and truly deserves 5 stars for this piece of writing.
March 10, 2021
Very fast paced book! I will say, however, if you have problems with triggers, it may not be the book for you. Triggers include child exploitation, PTSD, human trafficking, and teaching problem students. Its a great book; I couldn't put it down, but I don't think it'll be for everyone. Its pretty dark!
June 16, 2022
Before reading you should be aware of the trigger warnings: sexual abuse and child abuse.
Whew! This book has so many layers. It’s an unnerving psychological thriller about a teacher, her teenage student and the fight for righteousness. .
I received this audiobook complimentary from Netgalley & the publisher. This is my honest review.
Whew! This book has so many layers. It’s an unnerving psychological thriller about a teacher, her teenage student and the fight for righteousness. .
I received this audiobook complimentary from Netgalley & the publisher. This is my honest review.
October 18, 2022
To Keep You Safe by Kate Bradley was a great suspense crime thriller that just kept shocking me. I chose to listen to this book on audio and it was narrated by Lucy Jane Dixon and she was fabulous. I highly recommend listening to this.
The story had a great plot and it was realistic fiction in a dark way. I found it engaging and I was focusing on each character. It revealed a lot of details to each decision and the twists, well the twists really surprised me.
I really enjoyed it and hope you pick this one up.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via NetGalley.
The story had a great plot and it was realistic fiction in a dark way. I found it engaging and I was focusing on each character. It revealed a lot of details to each decision and the twists, well the twists really surprised me.
I really enjoyed it and hope you pick this one up.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via NetGalley.
December 9, 2020
Cannot believe this was a debut novel! Great book, unexpected twists and turns. Absolutely fantastic.
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