I'm sorry again about my inconsistent postings. My grad school class this first 8-weeks is extremely intensive and I'm preparing for my travel season (I leave tomorrow!), so unfortunately my blog has taken the back burner.
As you guys may remember, I did a significant amount of traveling in July. I did run into quite a few flight issues, too. On my trip to Cleveland, I was not supposed to have much layover time. Because of that, I only brought one book along (The Glass Castle), which was relatively short. My first flight ended up being delayed 20 minutes; this caused me to miss my connecting flight. I wasn't able to get on another flight until 4 hours later. Within that time period, I finished the book I had brought along, only to discover my iPad battery was dying--and I packed the charger in my checked baggage! I decided instead to purchase a book.
This book ended up being a mass-market paperback copy of Nicholas Sparks' Safe Haven. Between the layover on the way to Cleveland and the delay on the way from Cleveland, I finished the book on the flight back to North Dakota.
Here's a summary of Safe Haven, courtesy of Goodreads:
When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and 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.
Although a semi-predictable book (as with all of Nicholas Sparks' novels), I really enjoyed the storyline. I will admit that Katie did not begin as my favorite of Sparks' leading females, I found myself drawn to her and felt a significant amount of compassion and empathy for her situation. Alex was, of course, the perfect "knight in shining armor", but I loved that Sparks gave Alex children in this story.
Ultimately, I would encourage you to read this, especially for those of you who, like me, will read every Nicholas Sparks book at some point in time!
This is where this book put me in my reading goal:
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Rating: 4/5
Rating: 4/5
Pages: 382
Page Goal: 14,142/15,00
I've read few Nicholas Sparks' novels because the first couple I read were too sad. My mom reads him though. I'll mention this one to her. Great review.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, and while Sparks books tend to predictable, he weaves a fine tale. Glad you enjoyed it!
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