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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
After 2 weeks of not reading a thing and with 3 hours left on my loan from the library..............I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED A BOOK!!!!! Too bad it was mega meh.
TW: Because this is a thriller I've hidden them behind a spoiler tag. Click 'view spoiler' if you would like to see them -->
TW: Because this is a thriller I've hidden them behind a spoiler tag. Click 'view spoiler' if you would like to see them -->
Spoiler
self harm, death of a child, child abduction/kidnapping, suicide
Emily's life is falling apart and she has no idea how to mend it. Until she gets the opportunity of a lifetime, or is it too good to be true. The Safe Place was made to sound exciting and suspenseful but I was left with a lack luster feeling. Most of the book is Emily whining and day dreaming of her boss, while also fantasizing about his wife. Through most of the book, I was waiting for something, ANYTHING to happen that would make me gasp or turn the page quicker. Unfortunately, that never really happened and even when the big reveal happened I found my self thinking " that's it?". It felt too drawn out and over complicated for such a mediocre twist. I never really connected with Emily and often didn't really care much about her. She felt self absorbed and completely blind except when it came to her own problems. Then she would be completely focused on the wrong things. Scott and Nina were just side characters that never felt fleshed out.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
‘I’m sorry I’m such a massive disappointment to you guys,’ she said, ‘but you were the ones who adopted a kid from fuck knows where. If you wanted perfection then maybe you should’ve left me where I was.’
This was an absolute whirlwind of emotion. Anna had me coming up with so many different theories - the most obvious being Munchausen's. Although the "twist" was obvious in hindsight, I vehemently wish that Emily did more to save herself from Nina in the scuffle, and evaded everything on her own, and didn't even contemplate being bought for a second. Whilst this was the catalyst for the ultimate character growth of Emily, I wish that it was carried out differently. I'm still left reeling and with unanswered questions about Amandine: what happened to her? Was she reunited? Why was her birth mother made to look uncaring? Did she just forget her daughter? How did she not learn English while held captive?
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys watered down domestic thriller and suspense novels. The start of the story, with the dual POVs was quite jumpy for me until we reached the crux of the plot - and these early chapters where quite slow for me. When the flashbacks started to clearly indicated the journey the characters would take the reader on, and during the escape scene, I was very much at the edge of my seat.
After reading the author's note, I felt very moved and impassioned. I wish her nothing but the best and success for her and her family.
‘I’m sorry I’m such a massive disappointment to you guys,’ she said, ‘but you were the ones who adopted a kid from fuck knows where. If you wanted perfection then maybe you should’ve left me where I was.’
This was an absolute whirlwind of emotion. Anna had me coming up with so many different theories - the most obvious being Munchausen's. Although the "twist" was obvious in hindsight, I vehemently wish that Emily did more to save herself from Nina in the scuffle, and evaded everything on her own, and didn't even contemplate being bought for a second. Whilst this was the catalyst for the ultimate character growth of Emily, I wish that it was carried out differently. I'm still left reeling and with unanswered questions about Amandine: what happened to her? Was she reunited? Why was her birth mother made to look uncaring? Did she just forget her daughter? How did she not learn English while held captive?
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys watered down domestic thriller and suspense novels. The start of the story, with the dual POVs was quite jumpy for me until we reached the crux of the plot - and these early chapters where quite slow for me. When the flashbacks started to clearly indicated the journey the characters would take the reader on, and during the escape scene, I was very much at the edge of my seat.
After reading the author's note, I felt very moved and impassioned. I wish her nothing but the best and success for her and her family.
I received this book as an ARC. I LOVED this book! It is not my “usual” type of book but I am so glad I read it.
I don’t want to give anything away but this book keeps you questioning and guessing until the end. The characters are relatable and in my opinion you get to know them.
If I had to critique one thing it would just be that Emily’s past is unclear before she was adopted but it doesn’t take away from the story at all.
Loved it and definitely recommend!!
I don’t want to give anything away but this book keeps you questioning and guessing until the end. The characters are relatable and in my opinion you get to know them.
If I had to critique one thing it would just be that Emily’s past is unclear before she was adopted but it doesn’t take away from the story at all.
Loved it and definitely recommend!!
Overall, this was an interesting and compelling story. It had a bit of a slow start, but once it got going it held my interest. Probably best to go in blind and let it unfold.
This book had a fun premise, but was extremely predictable (which is fine if it is fun to see the red herrings and clues along the way) and lacked any real suspense.
The writing was fine, but nothing spectacular.
Honestly, if you’re on the fence, I would say skip it.
TW: death of a child
The writing was fine, but nothing spectacular.
Honestly, if you’re on the fence, I would say skip it.
TW: death of a child
Full of twists and turns I never saw coming. Kept my attention til the end!
This book was suspenseful and interesting.
Kind of predictable.
Sometimes overly vague.
The cover art is deceiving with its tropical “paradise” vibe.
I felt frustrated by Emily’s ignorance... but I related to her desperate state. A need for financial security and to escape a life you’ve totally screwed up can make someone do pretty dumb stuff. I didn’t understand her hatred for her parents, though, and I couldn’t feel sorry for her since the issues mostly stemmed from her own poor actions. And I didn’t feel like her relationship with Scott was developed enough to justify her obsession.
I liked the progression with her and Nina, though, and I liked the descriptions of the french estate.
I felt satisfied with the ending.
I’d recommend this book to fans of suspense & thriller, mysteries surrounding children, and people who thrive on travel & adventure.
Kind of predictable.
Sometimes overly vague.
The cover art is deceiving with its tropical “paradise” vibe.
I felt frustrated by Emily’s ignorance... but I related to her desperate state. A need for financial security and to escape a life you’ve totally screwed up can make someone do pretty dumb stuff. I didn’t understand her hatred for her parents, though, and I couldn’t feel sorry for her since the issues mostly stemmed from her own poor actions. And I didn’t feel like her relationship with Scott was developed enough to justify her obsession.
I liked the progression with her and Nina, though, and I liked the descriptions of the french estate.
I felt satisfied with the ending.
I’d recommend this book to fans of suspense & thriller, mysteries surrounding children, and people who thrive on travel & adventure.
Good thriller- wrapped up well- a little wonky in terms of flow and sometimes the relationship dynamics were not strong in terms of making sense-
Enjoyed and will recommend
Enjoyed and will recommend
Emily Proudman just lost her temp job. She bounced the rent check and her card was declined at the supermarket. After a chance meeting, her former employer Scott Denny offers her a job with his family on a beautiful beachfront estate in France. Emily accepts the offer. It is her dream job and home . After weeks of living and working in paradise, things are not what they seem.
Anna Downes paints a vivid picture of her characters and the setting in her debut novel. Her readers are invested in the storyline and hang on until the end.
I could not put down The Safe Place. I was drawn to Emily and the Denny family dynamic and I had to know what happened. I recommend this book and I will be anxiously awaiting future books from Anna Downes.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the Advance Reader’s Edition in exchange for an honest review.
Anna Downes paints a vivid picture of her characters and the setting in her debut novel. Her readers are invested in the storyline and hang on until the end.
I could not put down The Safe Place. I was drawn to Emily and the Denny family dynamic and I had to know what happened. I recommend this book and I will be anxiously awaiting future books from Anna Downes.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the Advance Reader’s Edition in exchange for an honest review.