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Safe with Me by Amy Hatvany

Safe with Me

by Amy Hatvany

  • Critics' Consensus (2):
  • Published:
  • Mar 2014, 352 pages
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for Safe with Me
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  • Lee W. (Knoxville, TN)
    Could not put it down!
    I was drawn in to this book immediately. The author caught the emotions of Hannah and was able to convey them to me, the reader, in such a way that I felt that I was on the street with Hannah. The author was able to speak in all the characters voices with ease and I had no trouble switching from voice to voice. The subject matter was a little tough to read in parts; but it was realistic and I wanted to find out how the characters moved through their conflicts. I was relieved at the end, when everyone came to the end they deserved. All in all I enjoyed this book and look forward to others from Amy Hatvany. I will be recommending this one to my book group as well!
  • Christine D. (Closter, NJ)
    Heartbreaking and Life-Affirming
    Amy Hatvany's Safe With Me reels you in from the very first page. The characters and their actions are so real, you can't help but feel for them. The story is both heartbreaking and life-affirming. It makes you feel thankful for all you have, and for simply being alive. It makes you think about what you would do in the different characters' situations, and hope you would have the courage to do the right thing. Unfortunately, especially in the case of Hannah's and Olivia's situations, Amy Hatvany described it brilliantly when she had Olivia note that life is full of shades of gray, and it's not so simple for one to say 'yes, I would do that' and have that be true. Which is what makes the story work so well, how true it is to life, the way it exemplifies all the different options you have in a given situation, the way events can pile up all at once, and how grief can take hold of you that you pull back from the world and the ones you love.
  • Laura G. (Buffalo, NY)
    So much to think about
    I loved the book "Safe with Me" by Amy Hatvany. It was hard to put down. You see, even having known a few people who have been organ recipients, it never occurred to me the feelings both donor families and recipient families experience. The book was a well written, learning experience. I highly recommend it. I think my only problem with the book is that I didn't understand the meaning of the title.
  • Kathleen S. (Oshkosh, WI)
    Safe With Me a safe bet for a good read!
    I was captured by Amy Hatvany's story right from the start, and devoured her book quickly. The author did an excellent job of making me empathize with each of the three main characters - her style is very reminiscent of Jodi Picoult's, but there weren't the plot twists that I associate with Picoult. I think this would be an excellent book for a book club to read and discuss. My only complaint is that I would have liked the author to continue the story a bit further than she did. Overall though, I highly recommend Safe With Me.
  • Jessica D. (Bemidji, MN)
    Safe With Me
    Even though the subject matter dealt with two very difficult issues, I thoroughly enjoyed the story although, for me, the ending seemed a little flat after the big buildup to it. It almost seemed like it ended too soon. I did like Amy Hatvany's writing style and will be reading her other books.
  • Gail G. (Northbrook, IL)
    Safe With Me by Amy Hatvany
    The main characters in the novel are well fleshed out and totally believable. The story is sad but with an outcome that leaves the reader with hope for all those people in the story. The story is well written with all the issues defined. The characters are so well written that you feel you've known them for years. Each has his own problems which are made very clear so there is no misunderstanding of the reasons behind them and how they affect the actions and reactions of the characters in the story.

    Both mothers in the story,Hannah and Olivia, reflect their emotional distress in an understandable way.The reader can easily identify with them and can easily see where they are coming from. The responses are readily understandable and acceptable to the reader. The author expresses disfunctional dynamics realistically amd honestly. Her expressions of fear and needs leads readers to explore their own fears and needs at the level described in the novel. The problems describred in the novel are universal and everyone has experienced some aspect of their dangers and complications.

    Even though the story is heartbreaking there is in the end a positive spin on the outcome of the dangereous situations. This novel deserves a wide audience odfeaders. It is a worthy expression of sorrow and hope.
  • Betty T. (Warner Robins, GA)
    Took My Breath Away!
    I had not read a book by Amy Hatvany before "Safe With Me" but now I will certainly be reading all she has written. Her writing style is so easy to read! I could just relax and go along for the ride. But the story itself had me in suspense. Hannah's daughter Emily is hit by a car and dies. Olivia's daughter Maddie is a recipient of Emily's liver. Through an odd fluke of chance Olivia and Hannah become friends. Sounds like a "they lived happily ever after" scenario. But there are deceptions throughout the story. Hannah doesn't reveal that she knows Maddie has her daughter's organ; Olivia hides the fact that her wealthy husband beats her; Maddie has her own deception with a male on-line. Why the deceptions? How do they play out? It all builds to a suspenseful, explosive conclusion.

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