Safe Haven
In a small North Carolina town, a mysterious and beautiful woman running from her past slowly falls for a kind-hearted store owner . . . until dark secrets begin to threaten her new life.
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.
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 empathetic 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.
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Community Reviews
The summary here is incorrect! This summary describes Safe Haven written by Nicholas Sparks. I will paste the correct blurb here:
The new novel from the Miles Franklin award-winning author of Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens. It was a beautiful evening. The wind gathered speed, lifting the frangipanis from the grove behind him, pink and yellow petals defying gravity. Beyond the trees, hidden by the foliage and rows of towering palm trees, the detention centre slept fitfully in the heavy summer heat. The palms blocked the ocean gust that now swirled around him, filling his lungs with the taste of temple flowers and salt. It reminded him of home. He took a deep breath, stepped off the escarpment and felt the red sand rush up towards him. After arriving in Australia seeking asylum, Fina dedicates herself to aiding the refugees held in a detention centre at Port Camden, a remote island outpost. Appalled by the mistreatment of those in custody, Fina speaks out to the media about the poor conditions within the facility, as a result she is arrested, taken from her home in the small country town of Hastings and threatened with deportation. When a security officer dies under suspicious circumstances, Lucky, a special investigator, arrives to uncover the truth. Her mystery is tied to Fina’s fate—and the secrets of the detention centre will divide the town and the nation.Safe Haven is about displacement and seeking refuge—but ultimately it is a story about finding home—and the lengths you’ll go to find safety and love.
Sparks really does know how to write a happy ending, doesn't he? Loved this. Hit a little too close to home (previous life) but loved it, nonetheless.
First book our new bookclub chose to read and then go see the movie. Katie was strong and smart in the book, but not so in the movie (disappointing). Story of abuse and escape.
Literary Leopards March 2013 selection.
Literary Leopards March 2013 selection.
This tells the story of a young woman named Katie who seeks refuge in a small town in North Carolina to escape an abusive husband. There she meets and falls in love with a widower named Alex, who is raising two children on his own.
The novel is typical of Nicholas Sparks' style, with a focus on romance, small-town life, and the power of family and community. The plot is well-paced, and the characters are well-developed, with the relationship between Katie and Alex serving as the central focus of the story. The novel also explores themes of trust, second chances, and the importance of facing one's fears and past.
The plot was predictable and the writing style was overly sentimental. However, it should be noted that the novel also contains themes of domestic violence, which may be triggering for some readers.
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