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Safe Haven, a Nicholas Sparks Book and Movie

October 24, 2012 by Jennifer

I’ve read some Nicholas Sparks books and enjoyed some of the movie adaptations off and on over the years. I definitely don’t feel like I have to buy every book the minute they come out, but when I do read them, they usually hit the spot.

I came to read Safe Haven because my husband’s grandmother gave it to me for Christmas. It had been several years since I had read any of his books, and I found this one to be a delightful change from the typical formula. The formula — that of a bit of a soul-searching and a sweet love story — works well. It works REALLY well judging by his book and movie ticket sales. While Safe Haven does deal with a woman trying to escape her past and look towards a better future, it also features a much more suspenseful, fast-moving page-turning style. It was a great combination for me, and whether you are a dyed-in-the-wool Sparks fan, or a skeptic, I recommend that you give this book a try if you like women’s fiction and/or romance and/or suspense.

And judging from the trailer — just released — the movie will offer up the same great combination (as well as some Josh Duhamel eye candy). The Safe Haven movie comes out on February 8, but we have a sneak peek at the trailer for you today, as well as a great giveaway (see below).

From Relativity Media:

Cast: Josh Duhamel, Julianne Hough, Colbie Smulders, David Lyons

An affirming and suspenseful story about a young woman’s struggle to love again, Safe Haven is based on the novel from Nicholas Sparks, the best-selling author behind the hit films The Notebook and Dear John.

When a mysterious young woman arrives in a small North Carolina town, her reluctance to join the tight knit community raises questions about her past. Slowly, she begins putting down roots, and gains the courage to start a relationship with Alex, a widowed store owner with two young children. But dark secrets intrude on her new life with such terror that she is forced to rediscover the meaning of sacrifice and rely on the power of love in this deeply moving romantic thriller.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Would you like to win this great prize package?

  • $25 Visa Gift Card for a day at the movies
  • Copy of the book, Safe Haven

Prizing valued at $33.99 courtesy of Relativity Media. Open to U.S. shipping addresses only.

If you’d like to win, leave a comment telling me your favorite Nicholas Sparks book or movie (and tell me if it’s the book or movie you love). We’ll announce the winner on November 7. The Giveaway is Closed.

  • The winners of Life with Lily are #6 Tammy Gordon, #10 Tiffany, and #15 Annemieke.
  • The winner of Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Womp! is #11 – Anne.

Don’t miss a thing: Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.

Filed Under: Books on Screen, Fiction, Jennifer, Movies

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Comments

  1. Letters Numbers and Books oh my says

    October 24, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    LOVE the book and movie of A Walk To Remember. Such a sweet and sad love story

  2. Christie Jensen says

    October 24, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I liked the notebook but I always prefer the book over the movie.

  3. Krista says

    October 24, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    I like the book A Walk to Remember.

  4. Cassandra Land says

    October 24, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    Awwwwww. It looks like a sweet movie. I haven’t read the book so I can only guess at her past.

    My favorite Nicholas Sparks – A Walk to Remember, the movie version. I had NO idea it was Sparks’ work until years after I’d fallen in love with the movie. It makes me cry every time I watch it. And I still haven’t read the book!

  5. ellie says

    October 24, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    The movie, The Notebook was well done and beautifully acted.

  6. Jessie C. says

    October 24, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    I like The Guardian book.

  7. Bin says

    October 24, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    Am I allowed to enter if I’ve never read any of his books or seen his movies but would like to use this opportunity to do both?? 😀

    • Jennifer says

      October 25, 2012 at 11:55 am

      Of course 🙂

  8. Lisa Brown says

    October 24, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    I liked The Notebook, saw the movie first.
    jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

  9. Beth C says

    October 24, 2012 at 5:31 pm

    I like the book Dear John.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  10. Clair says

    October 24, 2012 at 5:53 pm

    My favorite book is the one he wrote with his brother called Three Weeks with My Brother. My favorite movie is A Walk to Remember. I tried reading the book once and didn’t finish…it just wasn’t as good. I have watched the movie a couple of times and own the soundtrack.

    • Jennifer says

      October 25, 2012 at 11:55 am

      I bought that book and have been meaning to read it for AGES. I really need to.

  11. Cindi says

    October 24, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    Without a doubt, The Notebook is my favorite
    book by Nicholas Sparks and I really enjoyed
    the film!
    Thanks for this amazing prize package giveaway…
    Cindi

  12. soha molina says

    October 24, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    I loved the Notebook, the book and the movie.

  13. Linda Howard says

    October 24, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    My favorite book is THE NOTEBOOK. The movie is also one of my favorite movies.

  14. Jilleen Hays says

    October 24, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    Love your question. My favorite book by Nicholas Sparks is the Notebook – I picked this up the day it came out (years and years ago) at a little local bookstore in Jacksonville Florida. Nicholas came as part of his book tour and there was 4 (yes 4) of us there. He showed us family photos, shared stories with us, it was so amazing. He was awesome! Years later, I moved to Dayton, Ohio and twice a year he would come through on a book tour – and there were over 400 people at each one. We were even assigned numbers. It was nuts.

    My favorite movie is A Walk to Remember.

    I think when you hear Nicholas’ tell the story behind each of his books – they even touch you more.

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!

    Jill at Seaside Book Nook

    • Jennifer says

      October 25, 2012 at 11:55 am

      What a great story!

  15. Angel S. says

    October 24, 2012 at 10:34 pm

    I like a Walk to Remember!

  16. Elena says

    October 24, 2012 at 10:54 pm

    I like The Notebook

  17. Stephanie says

    October 24, 2012 at 11:46 pm

    This book (and movie) sounds amazing! I really like Nicholas Sparks – favorite book is probably The Lucky One. Favorite Movie – The Notebook!

  18. Merry says

    October 25, 2012 at 4:39 am

    I liked the movie Nights in Rodanthe.

  19. Jen says

    October 25, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    I love his book “The Wedding.” LOVE LOVE LOVE

  20. Jessica To says

    October 25, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    I like The Lucky One – the book.

  21. Angie says

    October 25, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    I love all of Nicholas Sparks’s books! Thanks for the chance!

  22. June L says

    October 26, 2012 at 2:34 am

    I haven’t read a Nicholas Sparks book yet but I will. My favorite movie is The Notebook.

  23. riTa says

    October 26, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    I truly enjoyed his memoir Three Weeks With My Brother,perhaps because I’m into writing memoir.
    However, Dear John was a powerful story. I think I was disappointed somewhat with the movie after reading the book.

  24. Linda Kish says

    October 26, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    I like The Notebook

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  25. Erika says

    October 27, 2012 at 12:39 am

    I really loved The Notebook and Dear John. Thanks!

  26. Jessica T says

    October 27, 2012 at 12:54 am

    I actually just finished reading this book and loved it! I can’t believe that a movie is made for it! Can’t wait to watch it! I also loved the Notebook. . . .book was better than the movie!

  27. Carol W says

    October 28, 2012 at 12:10 am

    My favorite book is the notebook but I think my favorite movie is a walk to remember. thanks
    carolwegs at gmail dot com

  28. Allison Downes says

    October 28, 2012 at 2:47 am

    I really loved The Notebook (Movie) I sob at the end every time, but I also love Dear John (Movie)

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    lola_violets_2010[at]yahoo[dot]com

  29. lace says

    October 28, 2012 at 6:49 pm

    The Notebook. Loved the movie and the book equally

  30. Louis says

    October 28, 2012 at 9:04 pm

    I always liked “The Notebook”

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

  31. nannypanpan says

    October 29, 2012 at 10:44 pm

    my favorite is the notebook
    [email protected]

  32. Staci A says

    October 30, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    I loved the book A Walk to Remember.

  33. Neiddy Ruiz says

    October 30, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    The notebook, the movie . To be honest I don’t like reading the book If I watch the movie or the other way around, I am always expecting to be exactly the same and sometimes they are not, so to avoid any disappointments I do one or the other.

  34. latanya says

    October 30, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    I loved the movie, A Walk to Remember.

  35. Katie says

    October 31, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    I have always loved the Notebook!

  36. Barb: 1SentenceDiary says

    October 31, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    I started to read “the Notebook” but never finished it. Maybe I’ll go look for it; you make it sound so inviting.

  37. Benita says

    November 1, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    The Notebook. Definitely the book.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

  38. Daniel M says

    November 2, 2012 at 9:17 pm

    the notebook movie, haven’t read the book

  39. Anita Yancey says

    November 3, 2012 at 7:32 pm

    My favorite is Dear John, but I really liked all of his other ones too. Thanks for having this giveaway.

    • Jennifer says

      November 6, 2012 at 9:50 pm

      You won Anita! This was a fun comment thread to read. I haven’t seen a lot of the movies, so it gave me a good list.

      Please send me your shipping info.

  40. samantha w says

    November 3, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    i have seen a walk to remember it was really good

  41. Kristi L says

    November 4, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    My favorite was A Walk to Remember. The movie really touched me as much as the book.

  42. Marti Parks says

    November 5, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    Well, I’ve seen the Notebook (the movie( several times and It still makes me cry. I love it.

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