What a moving book. It really makes you feel like you should count your blessings, because not everyone lives in an easy, safe environment. Some kids have to sleep outside in a tent or the street when the weather is freezing. And it makes you think, what did the kid ever do to deserve this kind of life? Nobody deserves it. But it's so easy to slip through the cracks of society. And we rarely tend to think or write stories about these people. We should. We shouldn't forget.

I don't think this story would have ended up the way it did in reality. Reality is often much darker than fiction. But I'm glad it ended like it did, because otherwise it would have been a total downer.

I'm glad I read this book. It's easily readable, moving and has a strong topic. Makes you remember you should be thankful for what you have.

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’ll be honest and say this book is not what I was expecting at all and has completely taken me by surprise!
This book touched on themes such as homelessness and mental illness which made the story even more touching.
I really loved the writing style the pacing was amazing I honestly didn’t want to put it down.

4 stars.

**Thank you to Dundurn Press, Christina Kilbourne, and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Harbour is 14 years old and used to living on a boat with her father, ever since her mom died. This time, her dad has her take the bus to Toronto while he sails there, he says it will be a great adventure. When weeks pass and Harbour is living by herself in a tent in a ravine with her dog, Tuff Stuff, she starts to worry about him. Thankfully, she meets Lise, a young, homeless girl who starts to look out for her. They share food and spend all their time together, until winter starts to set in and it starts to look like something happened to Harbour's dad. When Harbour's credit card is declined, she starts to panic, especially because she is keeping a secret that could affect everyone.

This book was fairly solid. It was shorter than I'm used to, but it was nice to be able to get through a book quickly. It was interesting reading about a girl who is basically homeless, trying to convince everyone around her that she is not homeless. Lise is a great asset to her, and she was frankly my favorite part of the book. I respect people who are able to make the most out of tough situations, and sometimes Harbour comes off as very whiny and ungrateful for the help Lise was providing. Also, I really have concerns about a dad that has his young daughter living on a boat, at one point stranding her on islands overnight, and then sending her to travel from Miami to Toronto by bus with only a dog to keep her company.

I felt the ending of this went to quickly and the big reveal wasn't given enough emphasis. Harbour was SO convinced of this one thing, and then very quickly got over it with no issue. It didn't follow with her personality and demeanor throughout the book. Definitely a missed plot point there and one thing I would change.

This was overall a solid choice. It was well written and kept my attention throughout the book.

Thank you Netgalley for sending me this arc. I will be reviewing this book in the near future with an honest rating and review.

Absolutely loved Safe Harbour. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this novel and was completely blown away by the story that Christina Kilbourne has woven about Harbour Mandrayke and her father E.D. Mandrayke. I couldn’t put it down and read it in the span of a rainy afternoon. Kilbourne has written a beautiful story about homelessness, mental illness, and the bonds that tie people together. Highly recommend!

At 14 years old Harbour's father sent her north to Canada to live while he sailed their boat (and home) up to her. Camping in a ravine, Harbour optimistically aways the day he is supposed to arrive. When the day comes and passes, she begins to panic, not sure what she will do without out. Lise, an older homeless teen, befriends Harbour, showing her all of the good places to get a meal, or merely to be when it is cold. As the days tick away, it becomes more and more obvious that something has happened to Harbour's dad and that she needs to make a new plan.

This book was a bit slow moving. Just as Harbour was waiting on her Dad, the reader was left waiting for Harbour to come to the truth about her situation. This was very tedious at times. Although Harbour and Lise were realistic characters, I didn't really find the plot all that believable. Overall, this book just wasn't for me.

This is one of the best YA books I've read this year. Harbour's story was both believable and heartwrenching. Even though things did not turn out as bleaked as I had imagined I still cried at the end.

Harbour is awaiting the arrival of her father while camping out on the side of a ravine in Toronto. Her father is expected to arrive any day on their sailboat, Starlight. Harbour and her father have planned out her entire stay in Toronto, however Harbour’s father does not arrive on time. Harbour, with her friend Lise, adapt to the streets during the cold Canadian winter.

Very well written book, which made you feel concerned for the main character and whether her story was real or a fabrication.

A twisting story of a girl left to survive in a Cabadian park while awaiting her father's return. Full of unusual twists, the character was endearing and the story unique.

Harbour's father has sent her to Toronto to wait for him while he ties up some loose ends in Florida. The pair have been living on their boat since the violent death of Harbour's mother, and recently her father has refused to leave the boat, having Harbour do all of his errands on land. Now, she is living on crackers and canned tuna while living in a tent with her dog, Tuff. Her father has also warned her that the government is out to get the two of them, so she is wary of everyone. There are some people who are helpful, including a librarian who helps her get a card, and another girl on the streets, Lise, who usually stays at a shelter for teens. The two enjoy hanging out, and Lise is helpful when Harbour's credit card is declined and she no longer is able to pay for food. As winter approaches, the cold becomes more intense, but Harbour is bound and determined to wait for her father. When circumstances indicate that he will probably not make it, she finds some support from an unexpected source and learns some secrets about her past.

Strengths: This hit the sweet spot for problem novels for my students. Harbour's situation is dire, but she is determined to make the best of it, and this has a good dose of adventure in it, with a little danger as well. The inclusion of a dog always helps. The friendship between Harbour and Lise is a supportive one, and the ending is happy without being sappy. Enjoyed the Boxcar Children vibe of this very much.
Weaknesses: This is only available in paperback or e copy. Drat.
What I really think: I'll have to stick with Pyron's Stay for a similar story for my students, but I would definitely buy this if it were available in a hard cover or prebind.

This was an intriguing and heartbreaking story. It kept me engaged throughout the whole book. I was hoping that the reader would be able to find out what happened to Harbour's dad, as at times it seemed like that would remain a mystery. It's hard to say that I enjoyed reading about her resourcefulness, as well as that from Lise and other people she met on the street, because nothing is enjoyable about homelessness, but it was an eye-opener, that's for sure.

I would have given this story more than 3 stars, but I just didn't care for the foul language.

This book gripped me from page one. It follows fourteen-year-old Harbour as she endures countless adversities while living homeless day by day, through the harsh winters of Toronto. The only things keeping her going are her dog Tuff and the promise from her father that he will soon come back for her.

I was deeply captivated by Harbour’s story; there wasn’t a part of me that ever wanted to put this book down. I think it’s in the way that Harbour is written as a character. She’s so young and still has that certain naive, childlike essence to her that wants to have faith in what she’s always been told despite everything that points to the opposite, that holds onto the belief that everything will work out. Yet at the same time, there’s also a quiet determination to her, even as she’s facing all of these challenges and clinging to that last ounce of hope. Behind everything she goes through, what ultimately drives her, is that sheer determination in believing that her father will return and that she must keep enduring until he gets here. I think that’s ultimately the driving theme behind this novel: emotional endurance and finding the strength and will within you to keep moving forward, in spite of your circumstances. From the first page, this theme is introduced when Harbour begins her daily ritual of finding her mother’s face in the cloud formations before she can truly start her day—AKA, searching for that silver lining, that positive force that motivates her to continue pushing through, day after day.

Beyond Harbour’s strength as a character, the plot will immediately draw you in deeper and deeper as Harbour starts to reveal more about her past, describing scattered and visceral memories of her father, leaving it up to you to gradually put the pieces together. As you’re reading the story, you have to decide whether you can trust Harbour’s father, as well as whether you can trust Harbour herself and the blind faith that she has in him.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into this book, but it by and far blew me away, and I think everyone should read this. Harbour is a character whose combined perseverance and hope will move you as you follow alongside her in her journey, and her story is one that will linger with you long after you've turned the last page.

I was drawn to this book for a couple of reasons - first, the setting - my high school hometown, Toronto; second, I liked the idea of diving into the world of homeless teens. At first, the premise for how Harbour ends up in Toronto turned me off - what fourteen year old girl actually believes that her father would send her to camp out in a big city while he sails from Florida all the way to Toronto? As the book continues and Harbour begins to develop a relationship with a homeless teen named Lise, however, Kilbourne weaves a more and more believable explanation, slowly revealing bits and pieces of the whole story until you can see exactly how this could have come to be. This slow reveal is what really made this book for me; it kept me reading and it kept me guessing as to what the next little piece was going to be.

The look in to the lives of homeless teens is well done - revealing both the positives (the kind and caring shelter worker) and the negatives (predatory men, eating out of dumpsters, addiction, cold weather) with empathy and respect. The ending, while a little to coincidental for my taste, is not picture perfect and you are left with just enough questions to keep it from feeling like it was wrapped up with a tidy bow.
Safe Harbour is not a gritty look at the life of teens on the streets of Toronto as the flyleaf might lead you to believe; rather, it is an exploration of a young girl coming to terms with her family, friends and the harsh realities of life. Sure, the desperation of life camping out in a ravine in the middle of a big city, with no money and no lifelines underscores the story and provides the background for pivotal moments, but the true beauty of this book lies in the gradual unfolding of Harbour herself. As Harbour says at the very end of the book "I don't know everything about how I feel, or anything about how I should feel. I don't even know how I want to feel. But I know without a doubt that the ground is solid beneath my feet and it feels good."

Gr. 7 and up. Be aware of language and some content (drinking mouthwash, sexual predators - - implied). There is mention of a free downloadable teacher's guide but I was unable to find it on the Dundurn Press website (perhaps it will be available after the book is officially released Nov 2019).

This story comes to life as a young girl of 14 finds her way through life in Toronto alone. She lives in a tent and braves the cold while waiting for her father to retrieve her. I felt for her and her friend who tries to convince her to move to the shelter. Life on the streets is not kind or easy, but there was an honesty to it. I liked the book and will look for others by this author.

This book surprised me---in a good way.

Don't get me wrong- I'm a sucker for a devastating story, but this went above and beyond. The characters were so well-represented that I almost felt like I was there with them. Add in the missing father, Harbour's loyal dog, and the friendship that develops between Harbour and Lise during such a challenging time, and you have a gut-wrenching story that will have you in tears by the end. I found it refreshing, though, how the author managed to find moments of lightheartedness in a novel on such a difficult topic. I loved this novel, if my finishing it in one sitting wasn't evidence enough. I look forward to Kilbourne's future works.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book but I enjoyed it. I liked the character of Harbour and found myself sympathising with her plight. She was very streetwise for a kid her age and I don't think I would last even a few days living like she did.

A pleasing story with a good conclusion.

I'm not sure what I expected from this book and to be honest, started it without refreshing my memory on the story line. All I can say is WOW. devastating. I ugly cried at the end. I really loved this book for the incredibly powerful and confronting journey it took me on, looking at youth homelessness, homelessness in general and mental illness. All themes that I have not come across a lot in the fiction that I've read. A quick explanation of the plot; 14 year old Harbour has arrived in Toronto, Canada just prior to the cold season and is camping with her dog in a ravine close to the city. She is awaiting the arrival of her Dad, whom is Captaining their yacht up to Lake Ontario from Florida. But all is not as it seems. This is a beautiful story of friendship, survival and heartbreak. Thankyou to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy.

3.5. this book had a lot of heart. I liked the characters and I liked reading a book from the POV of a character experiencing homelessness. I did find myself cringing a little bit at how naive Harbour was and how predictable the plot was. I still liked this book, though. It was well written and hard to put down. thanks to dundurn press and netgalley for the arc.

I didn't really know what to expect from the synopsis for 'Safe Harbour', but it's safe to say I was pleasantly surprised.

For a novel that addresses some hard-hitting issues (including homelessness and mental illness), I found it quite a gentle read, told with care and empathy. Harbour and Lise are very real, sympathetic characters, and I felt a sense of connection to them early on. Kilbourne shows a real understanding of her teen protagonists and their world, striking the perfect balance between making them tough and practical, without being overly emotionally mature. Harbour is a refreshing YA heroine: I loved her innocence and her resilience.

There are moments that might have benefited from a little more action, and there were a couple of loose threads I wish were explored (perhaps Harbour's pov was a bit too blinkered at times), but I was so captivated by the characters that it didn’t really matter. 'Safe Harbour' is an engaging, thoughtful read – and a pretty unique YA.

Safe Harbour by Christina Kilbourne is classified for Teens and Young Adults but I feel many older adults will think this book is fantastic.

Fourteen year old Harbour has been living on a boat in and around Florida with her father for several years when he sends her and her dog Tuff (Tuff Stuff) on a bus to Toronto. She is living there in a tent in a ravine with her dog, canned tuna and a reading list unlike that for most teenagers. Then her father is late meeting her and stops calling; her credit card is declined and winter is approaching.

Most of the novel is heart-rend, but it has moments that are heart-warming. It makes you think about those that are less fortunate or different or just going through a hard time and how they are treated. With today’s polarization, this book should get us to think long and hard about our attitudes toward others.

This is a well-written story that has characters with depth in Harbour and her friend Lise. There are also several great supporting characters including a librarian. Most readers will likely experience a wide range of emotions just as Harbour went from anticipation to sadness to fear to trust to joy. The book also gives us an interesting twist at the end.

Where is Harbour’s father? Why is he late to meet her in Toronto? How does Harbour survive the winter? I highly recommend that you read Safe Harbour to find out and experience this fantastic book. I look forward to reading more of Christina Kilbourne’s books.

Many thanks to Dundurn Press, Christina Kilbourne and Net Galley for a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.