Safe House by Shannon Symonds
Book Description:
As a victim’s advocate, Grace James is used to rushing into trouble to save her victims from abuse or assault. And with a handsome officer like Joe Hart at her side, Grace is sure there’s nothing she can’t do. But an ominous storm brewing on the Oregon horizon is about to change everything-and bring with it dangers and revelations Grace and Joe never expected.
Rorie's Review:
I liked this story, and it had me on the edge of my seat at times. It was heartbreaking reading about what each of these families were going through with all of the abuse. It was also kind of eye-opening to see just how much psychological damage can be done by the abuser. It's easy for someone who has never been through it to say "Well, if they're in a horrible relationship, why don't they just leave?" but for someone who has been beaten down so much, that they're worthless, and been made to feel like they are completely dependent on their spouse, they feel like they have no choice but to stay.
I liked Grace and her caring and empathetic manner towards those she was trying to help. It must be pretty emotionally draining to have a career like her, especially knowing that you can't save everyone, no matter how hard you try.
The two complaints I have about this book are that there were so many characters in it, and the chapters were so short, switching back and forth so quickly, that it was really hard for me to keep track of who was who. I had to constantly flip back a few chapters to remind myself who I was reading about. Also, I don't feel like things were resolved with Emily's husband Berk.
Other than those two issues, I did enjoy the story and would read more from this author.
I
was pulled into this story right away with the tension and fear in
Amber's home. I've taken classes for foster care, and situations like
those described in this book really tug at my heart. You can't help but
feel for the parties involved (not so much the abusers, but even a
little bit for them-they really need help too). It was somewhat eye
opening reading about the situations from all sides, and sad to see how
the abusers were having their triggers (alcohol, pornography, etc.).
I wasn't expecting so many points of view, and will admit I was distracted when the story moved from Amber, to Grace, to Kelly, to the abusers, to the police, to the school administrator, to the friend, and all around between them. I think it had good potential, but I was torn between too many people vying for center stage. It would have worked better for me if it was all told from one of the perspectives.
Tarah's Review:
I like my mind candy books, but every once in awhile I appreciate a heavier topic. Safe House definitely covered the heavy topics. I don't know much about domestic violence, and to read this knowing that the author was a victim's advocate and had first hand knowledge is just....emotional.
The thing I appreciated most from this book is that it dives into the reasoning behind things, and while some of the reasoning is foreign to me and I don't understand it, these women have genuine reasons for staying in a domestic violence situation.
Each of the characters was interesting, but because there were so many of them it was confusing at times which story you were into because the writing jumped around, a lot. Grace has her family, there are the police men, then there are the victims and their families plus the parents of the abusers, oh and another family that gets pulled into the story. It's just a lot.
I was disappointed in the romance in this story. It started one way and then ended up another, and I didn't feel satisfied for one of the characters. It sounds juvenile, I know, especially considering the type of book this is, but I want happy endings, and well, I feel like the author mislead me in this department.
Content wise this is a book about abuse, so be prepared for that. There is also drinking, mentions of pornography and infidelity, and an attempted rape. A lot of the characters in this book are LDS and there are church references about that religion. There is praying and talk of God.
Title: Safe House
Author: Shannon Symonds
Publisher: Bonneville Books
Published: July 2017
ISBN: 1462120369
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Kindle
I liked this story, and it had me on the edge of my seat at times. It was heartbreaking reading about what each of these families were going through with all of the abuse. It was also kind of eye-opening to see just how much psychological damage can be done by the abuser. It's easy for someone who has never been through it to say "Well, if they're in a horrible relationship, why don't they just leave?" but for someone who has been beaten down so much, that they're worthless, and been made to feel like they are completely dependent on their spouse, they feel like they have no choice but to stay.
I liked Grace and her caring and empathetic manner towards those she was trying to help. It must be pretty emotionally draining to have a career like her, especially knowing that you can't save everyone, no matter how hard you try.
The two complaints I have about this book are that there were so many characters in it, and the chapters were so short, switching back and forth so quickly, that it was really hard for me to keep track of who was who. I had to constantly flip back a few chapters to remind myself who I was reading about. Also, I don't feel like things were resolved with Emily's husband Berk.
Other than those two issues, I did enjoy the story and would read more from this author.
Andrea's Review:
I wasn't expecting so many points of view, and will admit I was distracted when the story moved from Amber, to Grace, to Kelly, to the abusers, to the police, to the school administrator, to the friend, and all around between them. I think it had good potential, but I was torn between too many people vying for center stage. It would have worked better for me if it was all told from one of the perspectives.
Tarah's Review:
I like my mind candy books, but every once in awhile I appreciate a heavier topic. Safe House definitely covered the heavy topics. I don't know much about domestic violence, and to read this knowing that the author was a victim's advocate and had first hand knowledge is just....emotional.
The thing I appreciated most from this book is that it dives into the reasoning behind things, and while some of the reasoning is foreign to me and I don't understand it, these women have genuine reasons for staying in a domestic violence situation.
Each of the characters was interesting, but because there were so many of them it was confusing at times which story you were into because the writing jumped around, a lot. Grace has her family, there are the police men, then there are the victims and their families plus the parents of the abusers, oh and another family that gets pulled into the story. It's just a lot.
I was disappointed in the romance in this story. It started one way and then ended up another, and I didn't feel satisfied for one of the characters. It sounds juvenile, I know, especially considering the type of book this is, but I want happy endings, and well, I feel like the author mislead me in this department.
Content wise this is a book about abuse, so be prepared for that. There is also drinking, mentions of pornography and infidelity, and an attempted rape. A lot of the characters in this book are LDS and there are church references about that religion. There is praying and talk of God.
Author: Shannon Symonds
Publisher: Bonneville Books
Published: July 2017
ISBN: 1462120369
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Kindle
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