Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks Book Review

I’ve come to believe that in everyone’s life, there’s one undeniable moment of change, a set of circumstances that suddenly alters everything.”

Safe Haven

I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan. I have yet to read a book or see a movie based on his novels that I do not like. And I typically become so emerged that I cannot pull away and they take me less than 8 hours or so to finish. Mr. Sparks’ writing style flows so eloquently that I feel as though I am right there and simply must continue. Once I get to the end of the book I most definitely always want more. Safe Haven was no different for me.

Love doesn’t mean anything if you’re not willing to make a commitment, and you have to think not only about what you want, but about what he wants. Not just now, but in the future.”

< strong>Synopsis

When Katie appears in a small North Carolina town questions arise about her mysterious past. Katie is determined to avoid forming any personal ties until she is reluctantly drawn into two relationships. The first with Alex, a widowed store owner with a gentle heart and two young children. And the second with her easy-going, yet plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard and becomes increasingly attached to Alex and his family. With Jo’s stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

For them, it was nothing but an ordinary day on an ordinary weekend, but for her, there was something revelatory about the notion that wonderful moments like these existed. And that maybe, just maybe, it would be possible for her to experience similar days in the future.

Book Review

From chapter 1 I was instantly intrigued. Who is Katie? What is the past she is so adamantly hiding? Determined to make a fresh start and simply live her life day to day,  Katie is quiet and isolated. As she begins a relationship with her neighbor, Jo, you finally begin to see her personality emerge. And Nicholas Sparks keeps the story flowing and the reader wanting to know more. I wanted to turn each page and find out Katie’s story.

The flashbacks that began were vivid and full of emotion. I wanted to cry with Katie as I felt her pain. And, yet, once she came back to reality I wanted to cheer for her and could read all of the joy she felt. She had finally found her Safe Haven in this small South Carolina town… and contentment with a good man, Alex.

The love story is plausible and delightful to follow. The battles within that Katie faces, as well as Alex’s thoughts and emotions, become real and I literally could not put the book down. I wanted  to see how it would all end. How does Katie face her fears? What part does Jo play in the scheme of everything? Does the relationship between Katie and Alex blossom and grow? Will South Carolina forever be Katie’s safe haven?

These are all questions that kept me reading. I had to know! The climax of the story is a page-turner and I had to fight the urge to keep look ahead. Even if it is predictable to you, the words and easy fluidity of the story should keep you reading on. Nicholas Sparks has once again did it for me! I cannot wait to see the upcoming Safe Haven movie.

Are you a Nicholas Sparks fan? What is your favorite novel and/or movie from him?

My husband’s favorite movie is The Notebook… and I am torn which one I would choose.