Thursday, March 6, 2014

Safe With Me

Amy Hatvany



The screech of tires brought Hannah Scott’s world as she knew it to a devastating end. A year after she signed the papers to donate her daughter’s organs, Hannah is still reeling with grief when she unexpectedly stumbles into the life of the Bell family, whose fifteen-year-old daughter, Maddie, survived only because Hannah’s daughter had died. Mesmerized by this fragile connection to her own daughter and afraid to reveal who she actually is, Hannah develops a surprising friendship with Maddie’s mother, Olivia.

The Bells, however, have problems of their own. Once on the verge of leaving her wealthy but abusive husband, Olivia now finds herself bound to him in the wake of the transplant that saved their daughter’s life. Meanwhile, Maddie, tired of the limits her poor health puts upon her and fearful of her father’s increasing rage, regularly escapes into the one place where she can be anyone she wants: the Internet. But when she is finally healthy enough to return to school, the real world proves to be just as complicated as the isolated bubble she had been so eager to escape.

A masterful narrative shaped by nuanced characters whose delicate bonds are on a collision course with the truth, Safe with Me is a riveting triumph. (from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

This story is told in three voices. Hannah, a single Mom who loses her daughter Emily due to a tragic accident and ultimately decides to donate her organs. She is trying to come to terms with her loss and move her life forward. Maddie, the recipient of Emily’s liver. She has been sick for so long that she struggles with trying to live her new life as someone with good health. And finally, Olivia, Maddie’s Mom who is trapped in an abusive marriage. She wants to find a way to leave her husband, but circumstances keep this from happening.

I thought each of these characters were portrayed very realistically. I liked the way the author slowly brought these three women together. The story line really builds the suspense. There were no easy answers for any of the three, and towards the end I was worried for all of them. All in all, this was a very enjoyable read.

Many thanks to Atria, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.



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