Dena Russell has made some bad decisions lately. At a high school reunion she meets a young man she had had a crush on. She's now pregnant from a one-night stand. However, when she tells Brian Riley, he's the father, he talks her into coming back to her hometown and starting a life with him.

She's now been with him for 6 months and things are not going well. Brian is moody, controlling, and a little scary. But when he hits her in a fit of anger, she decides enough is enough.

Temporarily moving in with an old school friend, who is also pregnant, she starts to feel a bit safer, although Brian has become a stalker. It's only when the body of her friend is found that Dena starts fearing the father of her child is a killer.

And then she makes another decision that may cost her her life and that of her unborn child.

Has she jumped out of the frying pan into the fire?

I've not read a book by this author that has disappointed, and this one is no different. It's well written with a cast of suspects that will have you doubting everyone. It's a gripping tale that had me riveted from page one until the surprising ending.

Many thanks to the author / Severn House / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Severn House Publishers, and Patricia MacDonald for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

Like:
- Someone is writing about domestic violence towards women who are pregnant; too prevalent not to be talked about
- Interesting careers: piano player, police officer, restaurant industry

Love: —

Dislike:
- Racist, sexist cops who dismiss an abuse victim’s claims
- Reads as if the characters are reading the words off a script instead of telling the story naturally. Not enjoyable to read this way, and distracts from the story
- I didn’t care if I found out what happens in the book

Wish that:
- The book lived up to the great expectations I had for it, based on the initial premise
- I connected with more of the characters. Very few of them were bad, but they didn’t seem fleshed out enough.

Overall, another only okay book to add to my list of disappointing mystery/thriller/suspense books, as of lately. The premise is good, but it didn’t live up to my expectations.

Is there a safe haven for Dena? She's pregnant and in an abusive relationship with Brian. He's not a good guy. AND, Sheriff Potter is no help, none whatsoever. Things escalate when Dena's friend is murdered and no one but Dena thinks it was Brian. This zips along in, have to say it, a somewhat predictable way. That said, it's a decent read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Wow! Just wow! I have read every book that Patricia MacDonald has ever written so I know how awesome her books are, but I was not expecting the twist on this one! It was amazing! Don't hesitate to buy this book or any book that she has written.

I was delighted to be able to read another Patricia MacDonald book since she has been a favorite of mine for years. This latest mystery/suspense did not disappoint me. In fact, it kept me engaged from the beginning to the satisfying conclusion. There are likeable characters and very unlikeable characters. I liked Dena Russell, the young woman who returns to her hometown, finds love with an old flame and gets pregnant. The boyfriend is very unlikeable; he is moody with an unpredictable short fuse that explodes without warning. When Dena leaves him and her friend ends up murdered, her first thought is that Brian committed the murder. But Sheriff Lou Potter doesn’t agree with her and is protective of Brian due to his old ties to the family. The mystery of who committed the murder is revealed slowly. I thought i had it figured out, but I didn’t and that is just the kind of mystery I enjoy. Readers of mystery and suspense will thoroughly enjoy this fascinating look at small town life and secrets. Fans of Patricia MacDonald need to rush out to get her latest book!

Patricia MacDonald never disappoints. Safe Haven is a perfect example of that. Lots of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. I was captive from the moment I picked it up. A little dark and a little twisted. Just what love in a who done it! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and her publisher for letting me read an advanced copy of this fantastic novel.

Dena Russell is pregnant but is in an abusive relationship. Much as she wants it to work, Dena comes to realize it isn’t safe for her or her baby. She gets no support from the local police chief who blames her for her ex’s actions. When her friend is murdered Dena wants nothing more than to leave town and get away from her ex but she is forced to stay while police investigate the murder.

There is a lot going on in this book. Plenty of suspense to keep you interested. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Another great read by Patricia MacDonald. Lots of suspense and action in this book and I did like the characters. It was confusing in places and did leave you hanging at the end




Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and the opinions here are strictly my own. I have not received any compensation for this or any review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255