Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

3 reviews

nataliecoyne's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was probably going to be 3 stars, the kind of book where it was interesting enough and good enough but with flaws. However, Part III (the final 78 pages) saved it, as that section really captivated me, it was so emotional, and was exactly what I was hoping for out of this novel. So that brought it up to 3.75 stars.

I think, when it comes to the first two parts (the first 184 pages), I just didn't really expect the romance plot and how much that would be the focus of so much of this book. I thought the romance was nice, but it just wasn't what I was hoping for and the amount of sexual content made me uncomfortable at times. That's why I had been leaning toward 3 stars. But again, I am super grateful for Part III and Part III brought it up to 3.75 stars.

I could definitely see myself recommending this to others.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Moderate: Genocide, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Vomit, and War

Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual violence, Stalking, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Deportation

booksinkandpaper2's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was unexpectedly beautiful, even though highly recommended by a bookish podcaster and Patreon content creator that I trust. I think it was one of her top 10 of last year. So I found it at my library and opened the cover. What I found here is historical fiction mostly centering around two women. Isabel lives in a home alone, owned by an uncle. Her brothers check on her now and again and visit. Louis, who will inherit the home, brings girlfriend Eva home because he believes he is totally in love with her. Isabel sees Eva as flighty and fake. She immediately despises her and makes no secret of her distaste for Eva. What unfolds next is the rich and well developed understanding of each character from their experiences, thoughts, behaviors and preferences. It is lyrical and intense and propulsive. Also sensual and descriptive - it slowly develops into an open door relationship you hope will never end. A difficult story of past experiences. A beautiful story about falling in love in a completely unexpected journey. And the discovery of what lengths someone will go to in order to capture what they desire and make it their own. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and War

mayab56's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Stalking, Death of parent, War, and Deportation

Moderate: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Pedophilia and Gaslighting