I'm sorry this has taken me so long to review. I liked The Safe Place, but found it to be rather slow. It seemed like we spent ages on Emily’s character development interspersed with glimpses into Scott’s character, where we learn through the briefest of hints that something is not quite right, and perhaps a secret misdeed will be revealed. This is what kept me listening even though nothing was happening as an exciting and surprising outcome can make one rethink all that led up to it.

I'm not sure I liked the author's writing style. I found the characters very hard to relate to and the "action" was very slow. Unfortunately, because of the lack of real action, I was only half tuned in, so when the reveal came, it wasn't as thrilling as it might have been. If the author built in more drama and danger throughout the story, I think the reveal would have been more impactful. It also felt like the author changed her mind about the type of book she wanted to write. It didn't seem to end the way it started.

Additionally, there were some clues in the writing and character development that could have been developed more to help lead the reader in various directions and cause them to be more invested in the story itself. It seemed to me that there was outright character building in Emily, while other characters were more just hinted at instead of fully evolved. I enjoy a bit of mystery and misdirection in suspense reads, and I thought those aspects were weak in this novel.

Although I didn’t enjoy this as much as I hoped to, I it was still an adequate read that held my interest enough to finish it

Emily is in serious trouble, she just doesnt seem to be able to hold on to a job! After getting fired from her recent temp job, she is really torn - while she is still trying to figure out her next steps she meets Scott - who is offering her a job without asking too many questions - but why!?

Scott seems to think Emily is the perfect choice to be their housekeeper and also his wife & daughter's caretaker - he knows something from Emily's past which makes him think she will understand what his wife is going through.
Though the book felt a bit dragged mid-way, it did make sense once the story fell in place.

Thank you for the ARC in exchange for honest review.

This may be paradise but there is a killer on the loose.
Struggling actress Emily thinks she's finally got her big break, well kind of, when she gets a live-in job working for a wealthy family on the coast of France. But not everything is as wonderful as it seems and she is in for the fight of her life.
This one kept me guessing, and at the edge of my seat.

A very interesting premise but unfortunately this book just wasn't enjoy for me. The plot was rather predictable and a slow read. Slow reads are not enjoy to me unfortunately and I couldn't get myself to be invested in the book. Anna Downes though wrote a good debut and for those who like books that are a little slower paced may really enjoy this one.

I enjoyed this book immensely and was not expecting the ending. Would read another book by this author.

Loved this book! Will be looking out for more books from this author. Was very fast paced, strong storyline and held my attention. Hard to put down.

Loved this book! The story was gripping, loved the twist and turns! A great debut and I can't wait to read more of her books in the future!

I can't tell if there were some parts that I just didn't *get* or remember, or if there were plotholes... It sounded SO interesting and WEIRD. It was pretty slow but I was still interested in what was happening, until the end when I realized nothing really happened.

What a ride this was! Not only was the story set on the beach, it was also full of twists and turns that I was unable to guess. The author was very good at slowly building the tension with each page. I struggled to put this one down and flew through it. A great summer thriller!

I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Such a slow burn, I decided to DNF at 25%.
I wasn't invested in any of the characters and I'm not really fussed to find out what happens.

I enjoyed the back nd forth of the characters and the book was a very good read. Thanks for letting me read it.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I went back and forth on this one quite a bit. I liked the characters and were rooting for them, even when they were making the best choices. I wasn’t really feeling the little bit of a romance between Scott and Emily. A couple of times the story got a little confusing and I don’t know if I had just not remembered something from early or it wasn’t well explained.

This was a great read! I really enjoyed the back and forth of the characters. This one definitely kept you guessing until the end.

I found this to be an enjoyable read, keeping me on my toes throughout. The storyline was written well and flowed seamlessly. I look forward to reading more by this author!

Emily Proudman a struggling actress finds herself retrenched, low on funds and things for her just isn't working out too well for her. Scott a wealthy man, is in need of a housekeeper- au pair thinks that Emily who is loyal, compassionate and blindly trusting, will do well to go to mi-west coast France and housekeep and au pair for his wife Nina and six year old daughter who has some health issues and home schooled. While there, Emily, Nina and Aurelia seems to have good days and bad days and has made great progress. Emily begins to notice certain things that cause her to do a Google search and finds things that don't seem to add up and begins to search more into the situation but is unable to do anything due to the confidentiality agreement that she signed. Nina has noticed that Emily is not acting her normal self and now ensures that Emily is unable to leave. The question is does Emily escape and live her life? A great book which is full of mystery, suspense and at times thrilling. A page turner until the end and keeps the reader guessing on what happens next for Emily. A book I recommend for those who like to read mystery and thrillers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Affirm Press via NetGalley for my honest review of the book The Safe Place by Anna Downes. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.
#TheSafePlace #NetGalley

Review run date was set for 30 June 2020 for Netgalley, unfortunately life stood at a standstill as I finished the final semester and three subjects of my studies. On 28 March 2021 I was set to write the review and my health became an emotional roller coaster so here I am today 17 October 2021 posted on my WordPress blog, Facebook blog, Instagram, LinkedIn, Amazon.com.au, goodreads, along with the non-linked retail online stores that sell the book is at:

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Good fast paced read. Some parts a bit to unbelievable hence the 4 stars. Loved the author’s personal story at the end tho. Looking forward to jer next book!

3.75☆

What more could an unemployed temp & unsuccessful actor, who is almost homeless and not on great terms with her parents want more than an amazing job as a housekeeper on the sunny French coast on an enormous private hide-away estate?

When Emily is suddenly fired from her temp job as receptionist to Scott Denny's uber successful financial company, then rehired personally by Scott, Emily is whisked away to the French seaside to help Nina, Scott's wife and daughter, Aurelia.

From the start, this thriller starts a rollercoaster ride of intrigue & conspiracy. Anna Downes debut novel takes us to summertime France, where characters aren't who they seem to be. There's no guessing the plot until the end, which will leave readers breathless and riveted to each page until the very end.

The Safe Place by Amma Downes

I enjoyed this book very much.

I loved the main character, Emily, down on her luck losing her job, home and her agent had no where to turn until her old boss, Scott offers her a job in France as a live-in housekeeper for his wife. When Emily arrives and first see the heavenly garden of Eden she will be working at she cannot believe her luck. But as Emily gets to know Scott’s wife, Nina and their little girl, Aurelia she finds out that this safe place may not be as heavenly as she once thought.

I could not put the book down as the story kept me on the edge of my seat. The story is fast paced, exciting and you never know where the next chapter will take you.

I would like to thank Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This was much tamer than I expected, a slow build up with some character development then all the action comes in a rush. I enjoyed it as a story, but felt it was missing a little something.

Engrossing, intense, gripping, entertaining, weird, and predictable are words I would use to describe this great book! Great job Downes!