Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks: Book Review

Name of the book: Safe Haven

Name of the Author:  Nicholas Sparks

Year of publishing: 2010

The publisher: Grand Central publishing

Number of Pages: 340

Safe Haven Summary

Safe haven is the story of Katie, a beautiful young woman who is in an abusive relationship with her husband. Later, she runs away from him to a safe place, a small North Carolina town in Southport. She remains to herself in the new place. But a set of circumstances lead her into two new people. A widowed store owner of Southport, Alex, who becomes her romantic interest. Secondly, her neighbor Jo, who becomes her best friend. Will Katie find her safe haven in the new place? The story unfolds itself through some unexpected and mystical incidents.

The novel has a movie adaptation with the same name. The movie was released in 2013, starring Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel and Cobie Smulders. You can watch the trailer here.

The movie is available on Amazon prime with 10,973 five star ratings!!

My views on theme and plot:

I haven’t read any of Sparks’ novels before even though they are quite famous and made into movies. I chose this book as my first read of 2019 because of the gorgeous cover. Sometimes it’s best to judge the book by its cover, isn’t it?. And the best part, it always works!

I love the fact that Safe Haven wasn’t one of those books with cliched romances. There is no love at first sight scenario. Sparks rather narrates a mature romantic story along with the elements of a thriller.

Domestic violence is a large theme in this novel. The main character Katie represents the individuals out there involved in dreadful and horrific relationships.

Safe haven has, of course, an interesting plot. The reader is exposed to the old and new lives of Katie. I was intrigued by the plot until the end. The last couple of pages are replete with twists and suspense. And the climax outshines every aspect of the book.

Safe Haven characters:

Katie is a strong woman. She lived with a psycho for so long. Her courage to stay with her physically and mentally abusive husband is admirable. She tried her best to love and look after him by cooking delicious food and housekeeping. I am sure there are so many Katies that exist among us.

Alex, Katie’s romantic interest in the new place, is warm-hearted and caring. He is completely opposite to Katie’s husband, Kevin. He does everything for his motherless children. His reluctance to a new relationship and willingness to remain faithful to his deceased wife could have been unrealistic, but Sparks handles the emotion of the character so well that there isn’t a bit of dilemma in the readers’ mind that his love for his wife and children is genuine.

Katie’s neighbour, Joe is an extrovert. I expected her to be dumb-headed and chatty. Surprisingly she is a smart woman with great emotional support for Katie. In some of her conversations with Katie are so emotional and thought-provoking.

My favorite quote of Jo:

“ If you love Alex now, then love him forever. Make him laugh again, and cherish the time you spend together. Take walks and ride your bikes, curl up on the couch and watch movies beneath a blanket. Make him breakfast, but don’t spoil him. Let him make breakfast for you as well, so he can show you he thinks you’re special. Kiss him and make love to him consider yourself lucky for having met him, for he’s the kind of man who’ll prove you right.”

Disappointments:

Not many disappointments as such. But the clever Katie did make some foolish decisions which eventually led to serious repercussions. In the end, I think which was a need for the plot.

Conclusion:

Safe haven is a great story with a thrilling plot. It is both a romantic story and a thriller. If you are not a Sparks’ fan You will become one after reading this.

Do you think you would enjoy this book? Then pick it up from the library or buy it from Amazon

Time for YOUR action:

Have you read this book or any other books of Nicholas Sparks?  Did you like the story? Which characters do you love the most? Let me know in the comments.

Always Curious to hear from you,

Stephy