This book was another buddy read suggestion from my girlfriend. I only bought it a few days ago because I kept seeing it in so many videos and hearing glowing reviews. And I have to say: it was absolutely worth it.

„It is fifteen years after the Second World War, and Isabel has built herself a solitary life of discipline and strict routine in her late mother’s country home, with not a fork or a word out of place. But all is upended when her brother Louis delivers his graceless new girlfriend, Eva, at Isabel’s doorstep – as a guest, there to stay for the season. In the sweltering heat of summer, Isabel’s desperate need for control reaches boiling point. What happens between the two women leads to a revelation which threatens to unravel all she has ever known.“

Blurb

“The Safekeep” is beautifully written and almost poetic. It manages to stir up so many emotions without feeling heavy or exhausting to read. The language flows in a way that feels both powerful and comfortable, which is a rare combination. One thing I am very glad about is that I went into this book almost blind. I only read the blurb on the back cover and nothing else.

The first 30% of the book, however, were not easy. I remember thinking at one point: “This is really boring and it doesn’t catch me at all.” It felt slow and I wasn’t sure where it was going. But here is my advice: if you feel the same, do not DNF this book. Once you pass that 30% mark, the story shifts dramatically and the entire first section suddenly falls into place. It is not that the beginning is bad, but it needs the context of the rest of the book to fully work. Looking back, those slower chapters now feel purposeful and essential.

After that turning point, the book completely gripped me. It was quite a ride. Still, it is probably not a story I would have picked up if I had known the full plot in advance, but I am so glad I did. The characters and their choices made me think about what I would have done in their situation. There were moments that made me angry, moments that broke my heart and others that made me quietly reflect, all in the best possible way.

Another aspect I really appreciated was the historical context woven into the narrative. I learned some facts I did not know before, and some of them were deeply upsetting. It added a layer of weight to the story that stayed with me long after finishing the last page.

To give you an idea of how much the book grew on me: at the 30% mark, I was ready to give it two stars at best. By the end, I had no doubt about my final verdict: 5 stars. That kind of turnaround happens only in a few books for me, and it speaks volumes about how well this book comes together.

If you enjoy beautifully crafted prose, characters that make you feel deeply (even when they frustrate you), and stories that stay with you after you close the book, “The Safekeep” is absolutely worth your time.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️