Audiobook Review: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Safe Haven
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Narrator: Rebecca Lowman
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Chick Lit
Run-time: 11 hrs and 4 mins
Released: September 14th 2010
Review Source: Purchased/Audible
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from 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.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks was the first book that I ever got signed by him. I remember very well standing in line for hours waiting for the moment that I would meet the author that melts the hearts of every reader. When Safe Haven first came out, I read the novel very quickly, only stopping to work and handle motherly duties. With the announcement of the novel turning into a movie I knew that I would need a refresher before watching the movie. Noticing that my husband had a trial subscription to Audible, I decided to cash in on one of my favorite reads and absorb the novel through the voice of someone other than my own. Safe Haven is a passionate story about overcoming physical and mental abuse, death, creating new life beginnings and finding new love. Katie, our main character is running towards a fresh start, while Alex is waiting for a heart broken, to mend. Together, they work towards overcoming all obstacles for love.

I must admit that I have become attached to audio books. They allow you to travel, clean and/or relax without opening up a book if you choose. This particular novel was read by Rebecca Lowman. She did a nice job in regards to the pace of her reading. She transitioned nicely from character voice to character voice, however I did get a since of monotone like expressions even in areas of the plot where I felt the dialogue expressed should've been captured and displayed with a lot more expression. The voices were different than the ones that my mind created, a couple of years ago when I first read the book, however my train of thought quickly adjusted to the world that Rebecca began to create with her reading of Safe Haven.

So it looks like I missed the February 14th release date of the movie. No worries though. I can check it out on May 7 for the DVD release. Browse OUaT's sister website, www.redcarpetendings.com for all the latest news about novels and their rise to the big movie screen. Below is a picture from the Safe Haven book signing back in 2010. Here at OUaT, we never miss an event if we can help it.