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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
no phones. no outsiders. no escape.
If you’re looking for an quick summer suspense read, pick this book up July 14th!
Thanks to @bookishfirst @minotaur_books and @anna_downes_writer for the advance release copy #thesafeplace #minotaurbooks.
If you’re looking for an quick summer suspense read, pick this book up July 14th!
Thanks to @bookishfirst @minotaur_books and @anna_downes_writer for the advance release copy #thesafeplace #minotaurbooks.
Extremely predictable, a bit slow. Kind of boring actually and Emily was naive and a little dumb. The writing was good but I expected a bit more from this. The "twist" I already saw coming and I was left with disappointment because... that was it?? I expected more from the title and the cool cover.. How sad. Overall, this is just another fairly forgettable thriller.
Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for the copy!
Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for the copy!
This was a good debut, but not Downes' best book. I loved knowing that the setting of the story came from Downes' own experiences working on a property in France, and the realisation that 'anything can happen' on a remote property with no phone range / minimal connectivity.
I did see the twist coming but the vibes were good. I do wish we'd gotten to the mystery aspect of the story faster, but it does help to know that Downes doesn't intentionally write crime, but human stories with an aspect of mystery to them.
I did see the twist coming
Spoiler
(that Aurelia was actually a kidnapped child that Nina [and to some extent Scott] were trying to keep secret)
Emily is down on her luck; she's been dropped by her acting agent and her landlord is not happy as she's behind with her rent. She's feeling quite desperate.
Scott is a very successful businessman, he's extremely wealthy but is also desperate. When the pair meet they find the answer to their problems in each other.
Scott offers Emily a job as housekeeper for his wife Nina living in a remote area of rural France. She is to help Nina run the household and look after their young daughter Aurelia. Emily can't believe her luck, she excepts, excited to begin her new life.
Arriving in France Emily finds Nina and Aurelia living in total isolation. Emily is told that Aurelia has complex medical issues and is mute. In addition to helping with Aurelia Emily is to help paint and decorate. The house is in parts neglected and Emily notices a creeping smell of mould and decay.
Emily soon settles into life with Nina and Aurelia. Nina is charming and life for Emily is all but perfect. She swims, learns to cook, plays with Aurelia and grows quite close to Nina. But gradually cracks begin to show and Emily suspects Nina is hiding something.
The story is told from the POV of Emily and Scott with the occasional glimpse of Nina's past. I enjoyed the writer's style; the characters were all quite complex and interesting and I didn't really know where the story was going until quite near the end. Will certainly be reading more from this author.
Scott is a very successful businessman, he's extremely wealthy but is also desperate. When the pair meet they find the answer to their problems in each other.
Scott offers Emily a job as housekeeper for his wife Nina living in a remote area of rural France. She is to help Nina run the household and look after their young daughter Aurelia. Emily can't believe her luck, she excepts, excited to begin her new life.
Arriving in France Emily finds Nina and Aurelia living in total isolation. Emily is told that Aurelia has complex medical issues and is mute. In addition to helping with Aurelia Emily is to help paint and decorate. The house is in parts neglected and Emily notices a creeping smell of mould and decay.
Emily soon settles into life with Nina and Aurelia. Nina is charming and life for Emily is all but perfect. She swims, learns to cook, plays with Aurelia and grows quite close to Nina. But gradually cracks begin to show and Emily suspects Nina is hiding something.
The story is told from the POV of Emily and Scott with the occasional glimpse of Nina's past. I enjoyed the writer's style; the characters were all quite complex and interesting and I didn't really know where the story was going until quite near the end. Will certainly be reading more from this author.
Underwhelming and boring with characters that felt flat. The audiobook was nicely narrated.
3.5 rounded up. Ok so many of my GR friends have read & rated this 3 stars and labeled it predictable. I would normally admonish myself but I truly found none of this crazy ass story predictable
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a breath stealing, emotional roller coaster of a novel. Initially I grew inpatient with Emily and her clumsy, sorry way of life. She gets fired from her job and things just go from bad to worse. Then a shinning opportunity provided by her boss, Scott, to live alongside a beautiful family that seemed to have it all. But then the dream collapses into a horrible nightmare you knew was coming because we got to see Scott's side and you knew this guy was hiding something.
The author does an incredible job writing realistic characters and building relationships that play at your sensibilities. I'm just glad to find out Emily has a backbone after all.
Overall a chilling, compelling drama thriller.
This was a breath stealing, emotional roller coaster of a novel. Initially I grew inpatient with Emily and her clumsy, sorry way of life. She gets fired from her job and things just go from bad to worse. Then a shinning opportunity provided by her boss, Scott, to live alongside a beautiful family that seemed to have it all. But then the dream collapses into a horrible nightmare you knew was coming because we got to see Scott's side and you knew this guy was hiding something.
The author does an incredible job writing realistic characters and building relationships that play at your sensibilities. I'm just glad to find out Emily has a backbone after all.
Overall a chilling, compelling drama thriller.
I love my mysteries, but I have to say, this one was a true roller coaster and is one of the most engaging ones I've read. Don't even read a single lick about the plot, just read it and kick it for the ride.
4.5 ⭐️ Got this one as an ARC 6 or 7 months ago. Kicking myself for waiting this long to read it. Engrossing, characters were just crazy enough (I’m a sucker for characters who bring me back to my psych classes). Maybe a tiny bit predictable, but not in a bad way.