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lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
“I like you as you are, and I like you as who you’ll be tomorrow. You’re enough. I promise.”
These days, I'm really used to being annoyed by the conflict in 50% of romance novels, because they're so often completely contrived and read as unnecessary/overdramatic rather than emotional. So it's rare and really gratifying to have a source of conflict that just feels organic, real, and totally necessary, even though a lot of it hinges on miscommunication (my least favourite thing). This was so good, a hugely satisfying romance in the way that it followed some tropes and didn't follow others.
Grace is from a very strict, very conservative family, and her parents are determined to see her and all of her brothers married off. She has a temper, jumps to conclusions, and can be super prickly, but she's really yearning to find love. Lena is almost terminally shy, is used to people taking advantage of her, and at the beginning of the book, is having a lesbian awakening. She and Grace get off to a bad start, as Grace assumes Lena is trying to trap her shy brother into marriage, but at the same time, they unknowingly strike up a correspondence of anonymous letters. This romance was just so so cute; an opposites attract affair that ended with both women learning and growing from each other.
In the beginning, I was getting super frustrated with Grace and the way she jumped to conclusions; it seemed like a lazy setup for conflict/goading the book into a certain direction. Books do it all the time; a character will misunderstand something that seems perfectly clear, and it'll create this huge blow-up/conflict. So I was annoyed, until I realised that that tendency was actually a part of Grace's personality, a flaw that she would be working on as things progressed. And from there, I really like the directions that the book took. It's about loneliness, self-discovery, and growth. Both our heroines go on little journeys with their sexualities, and it was adorable. They ended up having the best chemistry, and there are so many cue moments. I also really appreciated that there were certain things that COULD have been blown out of proportion, and they weren't.
The plot with the anon letters could have been better fleshed out/more impactful. The way it started also wasn't the most credible. Otherwise, this was really lovely, very realistic, with the fun, engaging writing that I've gotten used to from Seabrooke. Major kudos.
mstaples98's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
becisatree's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amymarsdenauthor's review
5.0
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this! It was nice coming back to Ember Grove (although you don't have to read The Simple Answer to read this) and especially Percy, who I love!
The Safest Place follows Lena and Grace as they meet and fall in love. Lena is originally set up with Will, Grace's brother, but quickly realises she's a lesbian and is attracted to Grace. Grace, despite being the younger sister, is very protective of Will who is super shy, and grills Lena on hurting her brother. So they don't get of to the best of starts!
The little side plot line of them writing letters to each other without knowing it was to each other was cute.
This book has pining galore, characters figuring out their sexuality, and Only One Bed. What more could you ask for?
Grace's and Will's mother is the villain of the book, and I absolutely didn't like her. Lily writes oppressive and controlling parents really well. Grace is 23/24 and still let's her mother boss her around and control her life, which was annoying, even though I understand it is hard for some people in that kind of controlling environment to get out. Let's just say I'm glad Grace and Lena met each other!
4.5 stars!
I enjoyed this! It was nice coming back to Ember Grove (although you don't have to read The Simple Answer to read this) and especially Percy, who I love!
The Safest Place follows Lena and Grace as they meet and fall in love. Lena is originally set up with Will, Grace's brother, but quickly realises she's a lesbian and is attracted to Grace. Grace, despite being the younger sister, is very protective of Will who is super shy, and grills Lena on hurting her brother. So they don't get of to the best of starts!
The little side plot line of them writing letters to each other without knowing it was to each other was cute.
This book has pining galore, characters figuring out their sexuality, and Only One Bed. What more could you ask for?
Grace's and Will's mother is the villain of the book, and I absolutely didn't like her. Lily writes oppressive and controlling parents really well. Grace is 23/24 and still let's her mother boss her around and control her life, which was annoying, even though I understand it is hard for some people in that kind of controlling environment to get out. Let's just say I'm glad Grace and Lena met each other!
4.5 stars!
rakhya's review
3.0
A sweet read, except... I'm still hung up on a carelessly ace-phobic line from one of the two leads.
There's nothing wrong with being asexual, or aromantic (which is what said character was actually talking about), and it sucks when it's another member of the rainbow family pushing such narratives.
There's nothing wrong with being asexual, or aromantic (which is what said character was actually talking about), and it sucks when it's another member of the rainbow family pushing such narratives.
Content Warnings
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia
judeinthestars's review
4.0
Whoever said romance is dead? Lena is lost and not sure what she wants out of life but she does want to fall in love. Grace tried and failed but she still believes in romance so hard that she leaves anonymous little notes in a grotto to an imaginary man she hopes will not turn out to be a serial killer. Lucky for her, the one answering her letters is sweet and shy Lena.
Lena is lovely. She’s the kind of person who, after throwing a pillow on the floor, feels bad for the pillow. She’s awkward and adorable. Lena’s superpower is self-deprecation, which makes for a very funny inner commentary, especially as she realises how gay she really is, but it also stops her from seeing how strong she actually is. Grace, on the other hand, is known for her bad temper, which is really just her way to protect herself. Underneath her grumpy facade, she’s kind and loyal and very smart.
The main characters feel very young at times (which they are, to some extent) even though they’ve both already been through a lot. I kind of like that, despite having survived difficult situations, they still have a sort of innocence. That feeling also stems from the fact parents in this book, as represented by Grace’s mother, act like it’s the 19th century and they own their children.
There are two other important characters, Grace’s brother Will who, like Grace, is a lot more interesting than first impressions lead to believe, and Percy, Lena’s best friend’s brother. Everyone needs a friend like Percy. It doesn’t hurt that he’s an awesome trans guy character.
The Safest Place is the second Ember Grove romance. I didn’t read the first one and while this one can be enjoyed as a standalone, I did feel I was missing some background at first. It probably didn’t matter much to the story but it apparently explains some of Lena’s actions.
Lily Seabrooke writes very sweet stories but just because they’re sweet doesn’t mean they’re light. The Safest Place is the meeting of two lonelinesses, and it could have been sad but instead, it’s heartwarming. If you’re feeling down, pick up one of Seabrooke’s books. Also, I’m definitely here for gay wontons and forgiving chocolate.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lena is lovely. She’s the kind of person who, after throwing a pillow on the floor, feels bad for the pillow. She’s awkward and adorable. Lena’s superpower is self-deprecation, which makes for a very funny inner commentary, especially as she realises how gay she really is, but it also stops her from seeing how strong she actually is. Grace, on the other hand, is known for her bad temper, which is really just her way to protect herself. Underneath her grumpy facade, she’s kind and loyal and very smart.
The main characters feel very young at times (which they are, to some extent) even though they’ve both already been through a lot. I kind of like that, despite having survived difficult situations, they still have a sort of innocence. That feeling also stems from the fact parents in this book, as represented by Grace’s mother, act like it’s the 19th century and they own their children.
There are two other important characters, Grace’s brother Will who, like Grace, is a lot more interesting than first impressions lead to believe, and Percy, Lena’s best friend’s brother. Everyone needs a friend like Percy. It doesn’t hurt that he’s an awesome trans guy character.
The Safest Place is the second Ember Grove romance. I didn’t read the first one and while this one can be enjoyed as a standalone, I did feel I was missing some background at first. It probably didn’t matter much to the story but it apparently explains some of Lena’s actions.
Lily Seabrooke writes very sweet stories but just because they’re sweet doesn’t mean they’re light. The Safest Place is the meeting of two lonelinesses, and it could have been sad but instead, it’s heartwarming. If you’re feeling down, pick up one of Seabrooke’s books. Also, I’m definitely here for gay wontons and forgiving chocolate.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
rougeang13's review
4.0
Cute!
Sweet story about two young women coming out and falling in love with each other. Normally I don’t like early “I love yous” but given the MC’s age I didn’t mind it too much.
Sweet story about two young women coming out and falling in love with each other. Normally I don’t like early “I love yous” but given the MC’s age I didn’t mind it too much.
malini's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
juliette_dunn's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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