SAFE HAVEN
A must read over summer.
A must read book for this summer is, ‘Safe Haven’ by the one and only Nicholas Sparks. If you’re looking for
the ultimate romance author, look no further. Safe Haven however has more to offer than your average love story. Sparks surprisingly introduces a darker
side to this novel which I think will intrigue readers. Full of plot twists and
mystery this book is a hard one to put down; making it an easy read round the pool.
Katie is on the run, and after a long journey she finally
stops off at a little seaside town of Southport in North Carolina. The location
is pretty, the people seem friendly, so she decides to stay. After landing a
job as a waitress and buying a little house in the woodlands, things appear to
be looking up. Katie is also pleasantly surprised to discover she has a
neighbor named ‘Jo’ and the pair become great friends.
The character of widowed father Alex is soon introduced, as
well as his adorable young children, Josh and Kristen. Katie and Kristen share
a beautiful friendship after meeting at the local store where Kristen helps out
her father while he works. After losing his wife to cancer two years ago it’s
safe to say Alex has had a troubled past himself; which Katie can relate to.
Alex soon plucks up the courage to ask Katie out on a date. Before you know it,
an alluring romance is born, that will melt your hearts.
While the sun shines and waves crash in Southport. Back in
Katie’s original home town a police officer named Kevin is on the lookout for
her, doing anything in his power to find her. Kevin has demons of his own,
suffering with a major alcohol problem. All he wants to do is find her, but are
all of his intentions as innocent as they appear to be?
Alex understands that Katie is gradually letting her guard
down, although he can’t help but feel as though she is hiding secrets from him.
If their relationship is to move any further Katie can’t hide the truth any
longer. When Alex discovers Katie’s real name is Erin, her heart breaking
background is unraveled. The truth about Katie’s distressing background only
brings the couple closer together.
One evening when Katie is looking after the children, Josh
and Kristen, at Alex’s house, a deliberate fire is started; in the hopes that
Alex and Katie will both die. Scared and panicked Katie saves the children from
the flames. However, the children’s only memories of their beloved mother is
burnt to the ground. Who is to blame for this intentional fire? Perhaps Katie’s
past has come back to haunt her.
There is no doubt that the ending of this book will have you
gasping ‘no way!’. This romance novel with a thriller element to it is a must
read. If you’re a little skeptical of Sparks’
book’s and feel as though they’re a little too ‘soppy’, give this one a go; you
won’t be disappointed.
