Safe

Safe is a story about Jenny, a woman who disappeared as a six-year-old girl and suddenly returns to her family twelve years later. It's an interesting premise but my feelings for this book are all over the place.

On the one hand, it's a very readable book with a few good twists and enough tension to keep me turning the pages. But, on the other hand, I thought the author's writing style was distracting and convoluted with its many characters and choppy chapter changes leaving readers with a story that was more complicated than it had to be.

The story focuses on Jenny's POV and I liked that the author gives readers enough information to question her intentions. I enjoyed trying to piece together what exactly was going on but while Jenny was a well-developed character, the gaggle of secondary characters needed more depth.

This was a quick read and if readers are patient the story will unfold with a few twists and characters who have darker sides, making you wonder who's really telling the truth. For me, it fell somewhere in the 'good but not wow' range because I found parts of the story too unbelievable and I didn't enjoy the inclusion of very disturbing issues. Readers who are okay with dark topics may enjoy this book more than I did.


Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: S.K Barnett

Genre: Suspense

Type and Source: eBook from NetGalley

Publisher: Penguin Group Dutton

First Published: June 9, 2020

Opening Line: The first poster was put up 

within a day of the disappearance.

Book Description from GoodReads: A kidnapped girl survived twelve nightmarish years. Now she's safely back home . . . or is she?

Jenny Kristal was six years old when she was snatched off the sidewalk from her quiet suburban neighborhood. Twelve years later, she's miraculously returned home after escaping her kidnappers—but as her parents and younger brother welcome her back, the questions begin to mount. Where has she been all these years? Why is she back now? And is home really the safest place for her . . . or for any of  them?