Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Release Date: First published September 14 2010 / Audio unabridged edition September 14, 2010 by Hachette Audio
Format: Audio MP3
Pages: 340 (Mass Market Paperback) / Audio Length: Approx 8 hours
Narrator: Rebecca Lowman
Source: Library Borrow via Overdrive
Genre: Romance
Review Date: May 15, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Synopsis: When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.
But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.
Release Date: First published September 14 2010 / Audio unabridged edition September 14, 2010 by Hachette Audio
Format: Audio MP3
Pages: 340 (Mass Market Paperback) / Audio Length: Approx 8 hours
Narrator: Rebecca Lowman
Source: Library Borrow via Overdrive
Genre: Romance
Review Date: May 15, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Synopsis: When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.
But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.
This this book was a slow start, but it didn't take long for me to start getting into the story. For a moment, while Katie was flashing back on her time with Kevin and her experience escaping from him, the story reminded me of the movie Sleeping With the Enemy. But the similarities stopped there. There was another vibe there that is uniquely Nicholas Sparks. If you're read him, you'll know what I mean. Katie, though is a strong woman, it's like she's needy. She has to learn to live all over again while liking this guy she meets in the small town decided to hid out in. Of course Alex, is pretty much the perfect guy, with the perfect kids. Polar opposite from Katie's crazy husband.
The story is somewhat predictable up until the last few pages. What an eerie and somewhat creepy ending! I didn't expect that exactly. I always thought there was something a bit off with Jo, but I didn't know what! How clever! But it all clicked into place for me a half step before Katie revealed it for us. Well played Mr.Sparks! That is an ending that you'll remember.
Once I got adjusted to the fake Southern accents, the narration was fine. It did throw me a bit off when the narrator started speaking because even though I'm not from the South, it sounded fake. I talk to many Southerners and they sound nothing like this narrator.
After listening to Safe Haven, I really want to see the movie now. It's not in the theaters anymore, but it's not on Netflix yet either. It just came out last week for rent on On-Demand and on Google TV. I guess I'll have to pay $5 bucks to watch it on Google TV. I have a feeling just from watching the movie trailer, some changes to the story have been made. I hope it doesn't ruin the book.
Happy Reading,
~Tamara
The story is somewhat predictable up until the last few pages. What an eerie and somewhat creepy ending! I didn't expect that exactly. I always thought there was something a bit off with Jo, but I didn't know what! How clever! But it all clicked into place for me a half step before Katie revealed it for us. Well played Mr.Sparks! That is an ending that you'll remember.
Once I got adjusted to the fake Southern accents, the narration was fine. It did throw me a bit off when the narrator started speaking because even though I'm not from the South, it sounded fake. I talk to many Southerners and they sound nothing like this narrator.
After listening to Safe Haven, I really want to see the movie now. It's not in the theaters anymore, but it's not on Netflix yet either. It just came out last week for rent on On-Demand and on Google TV. I guess I'll have to pay $5 bucks to watch it on Google TV. I have a feeling just from watching the movie trailer, some changes to the story have been made. I hope it doesn't ruin the book.
Happy Reading,
~Tamara
