klbreyfogle 's review for:

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
5.0
challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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
I loved everything about this book! The writing was amazing and I really enjoyed the character development (and of course the third act!) I know some readers didn’t like Isabel but I actually found her really sympathetic in terms of being a character with an anxiety disorder (possibly OCD) and being so insecure and uncomfortable with herself that she just assumes that everyone hates her and she hates them back. An honestly well written character. And I love Eva, of course! Especially when you get into the diary section and really get to know her as a person. And the supporting characters are also written as whole, interesting people. 

Overall, a really good study of Dutch life and character after the Holocaust in a way we don’t get a lot of in the US - we get a lot of “during” but very little of the aftermath. With the extra bonus of learning yourself and how to be a whole person, and extra extra bonus lesbian content!
With a happy ending for good luck!
what’s not to like?
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