Safe Haven

Introduction

               

Safe Haven is a novel written by Nicholas Sparks. Sparks is also the author of seventeen novels such as, The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, The Longest Ride, The Lucky One, The Last Song, The Best of Me, and many more. Safe Haven compares to these books because they all have the same theme, even though the plot can be very different. He writes romantic-drama fictional novels. Generally, Sparks sets out to write easy-to-read, entertaining, original love stories with spontaneous endings that generate genuine emotion. In terms of style, he writes with efficiency, conciseness, and originality. Safe Haven is written in third person point of view. The theme that Safe Haven focuses on is relationships. These relationships include friendships, family relationships and romantic relationships. The novel takes place in Southport, North Carolina.

Summary

               

Katie, the main and most important character, begins her new life with a fresh start in Southport, North Carolina. She has a very sensitive, touchy history with her previous husband that she ran away from in Massachusetts. She chooses to keep to herself and forget her past. Katie lives by herself in a small cabin home with only one neighbor. Her neighbor’s name is Jo and they become really good friends. The author starts by incorporating friendship at the beginning. Jo convinces and persuades Katie to get to know the owner of the convenient store in town. He is a young, single man named Alex. Alex is a father of two kids and a widower. As he gets to know her more he discovers what she has been hiding. He quickly realizes that Katie is emotionally damaged from her old, abusive husband. The two fall deeply in love with each other. The story takes a dramatic turn when Katie’s ex-husband Kevin, who is a detective for the Boston Police, is tracking her down after all this time that she’s been gone. Once Kevin reaches Southport, things start to unravel and escalate quickly. In the end, Katie receives a letter from her friend Jo that creates suspense and huge shocker. The novel ends in a plot twist that ties the whole story together and explains many details that are mentioned throughout the book. There are many quotes that I found truly intriguing and that made me want to keep reading. An example is, “Makes sense to me. Sometimes starting over is exactly what a person needs” (Sparks, 8). I feel that I can relate to this quote taken from the book. In 2012, my family and I moved states and during that process I can draw a connection because just like Katie, I had to meet new friends and live in a new home. Moving is adapting to a new lifestyle and starting over can either be difficult and upsetting, or taking on a new challenge and wiping a clean slate, just depends on how you choose to look at it.

Analysis/Review

               

I recommend Safe Haven to teens and young adults. If you’re the type of person who loves cheesy, romantic-drama novels then this book is perfect for you. This book is more than just a love story but a life experience. The story allows readers to feel connected to the characters and get in their heads. For those who enjoy Nicholas Sparks and his love based dramas, read this book immediately and you won’t be disappointed!  

Book Review by Sophie H.