THE SAFEKEEP by Yael van der Wouden had me hooked from the start. The main character came across as a tad neurodivergent (though perhaps just neurotic). The strained family dynamic felt believable. I loved the characters and found them to be uniquely quirky. The premise of the story was compelling, too. Tragedies that happened years earlier hover over the opening chapters of the story, storm clouds sure to burst open. Though the story is told in a quiet, understated way without huge plot twists, I was intrigued and really kind of excited to see how the story would unfold and how the events of the past would factor into the now of the story.

But about 40% in, the story stopped delivering for me. The tension that had built so nicely at the beginning with unanswered questions fizzled out. I think the main problem was structure. The questions raised in the opening chapters were answered before the end, but they were withheld too long. If this novel had been told from the start as a back and forth between the two female characters and weaved the past with the present sooner, it would have held my attention better and would have been more satisfying for me.

I had hoped more from the setting, too. So many scenes in the house felt repetitive, and though this house is so important to the family and the main character, the location and time period didn't seem to matter as much as I had hoped.

Overall, the story itself fell flat for me. That said, the writing is quite strong and there's a lot to like about it. I'm certain other readers will love this book. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I received a free digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#TheSafekeep #NetGalley

This is the beautifully written story of Isabel and Eva — and of the house (Isabel’s childhood home) they inhabit a while together, a house which plays a major role in the storyline. I found the relationship between Isabel and Eva intriguing (although confusing at times); however, the plot seemed to move way too slowly, until the last quarter or so of the novel. I almost stopped reading, but I am glad that I got to the end because the last part of the novel I found to be the best. All in all, this was a good read, and I am interested to see what the author does next.

Analytically probing, "The Safekeep" delves into the dynamics of devotion to a household and the intricacies of an intense, bordering on obsessive, relationship between two women in 1961 Netherlands.

Isabel, having spent most of her life in the familial three-story house in rural Dutch terrain, now resides there alone as an adult orphan. Her solitary existence, coupled with a stringent demeanor and rigid rules, sets the stage for a month of strained cohabitation when her elder brother's girlfriend, whom Isabel vehemently dislikes, is compelled to stay in her absence.

The narrative is crafted with precision, gradually building anticipation towards the climactic crescendo of its third act. Upon completing the novel, I found myself compelled to revisit earlier chapters in search of the subtle hints and foreshadowing artfully dispersed throughout.

Imagery and language within the text reach remarkable heights, with several instances of evocative turns of phrase and symbolic descriptions that resonate deeply.

While the prose generally maintains its allure, occasional redundancies prompt speculation regarding their intended purpose—whether deliberate stylistic choices or oversights in the editing process.

Delving into the book's thematic undercurrents risks divulging spoilers, yet the nuanced exploration of complex subjects leaves a lasting impression, warranting anticipation for its wider reception upon release.

While the conclusion may leave some readers wanting, its foundation may feel somewhat precarious. To elaborate further would risk revealing pivotal plot elements, thus I implore readers to experience the narrative firsthand.

Gratitude is extended to NetGalley for granting access to the Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest critique.

A exquisite debut a haunting story of a house .of two women who becomes involved .A beautifully written book that slowly drew me in to their claustrophobic world .#netgalley #avid press

The setting: "... twisted tale of desire, suspicion, and obsession between two women staying in the same house in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961—a powerful exploration of the legacy of WWII and the darker parts of our collective past.... Living alone in her late mother’s country home, Isabel knows her life is as it should be—led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis brings his graceless new girlfriend Eva, leaving her at Isabel’s doorstep as a guest, to stay for the season..." And so it begins.

The house belongs to Louis--who flits from girlfriend to girlfriend, but Isabel wants it and in fact, is obsessed with the house and its belongings--where she has lived since childhood.

Billed as a psychological suspense story? Not quite. But definitely dark.

Isabel is a loner, prickly, obsessive, likely repressed, and definitely peculiar. Wooed by Johann--a neighbor--just not interested [because of a storyline and in general]. She strikes me as very immature.

Social expectations for women--at that time--on target. Her brothers are free/r; Hendrik is gay [though never said; he does have a "friend" and is not accepted in greater society [there is a scene...].

A novel in parts; liked the first the best, the second quite repetitive [all the sex scenes], the third--took me by surprise--until I figured it out, -- an interesting turn I did not see coming.

The first part of the novel I quite liked in part because I thought many of the descriptions were wonderful:
"violently peroxided bob"
"sighed out smoke"
"Eva took up space with a loud restlessness"
"her perfume bullied"


But not enough for me, I didn't really enjoy. I did love the cover [but one can't judge!].
A debut novel; curious to see where van der Wouden ventures next.

Thanks netgalley for a copy of this book. I liked the beginning and the end. The middle was kinda long for me and hard to get thru. Isabel lives in a big family house. Her brother starts dating a woman, Eva, who needs a place to stay while he’s gone. Isabel and Eva do not get a long. The middle of the book is a lot of their relationship and it’s redundant. Towards the end you start to see their motives with each other. The ending did wrap up nicely

I rate this book 2.5 stars rounded up. I liked the ending, but did not like the two chapters of graphic sex scenes. This book is historical fiction set in 1961 Netherlands. Isabel lives alone in her mother's country home. She has two brothers, Hendrik and Louis. Then Louis brings his girlfriend Eva to stay with Isabel while he goes to Europe on business. Isabel is not happy with this arrangement. The book explores how WWII affected these 4 people. The graphic sex scenes were sufficiently distracting that I almost did not finish, but I wanted to see how the plot ended.
Thank You Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

My first impression the early chapters of Yael van der Wouden’s debut novel, The Safekeep, was confusion and uncertainty. The reader is immersed in the action immediately. Names are thrown about with no introduction of who the characters are or how they are related to one another. None seemed particularly likeable. In fact, it took quite a long time before I felt any sympathy toward any of them; I think “like” would be too strong a word.

The story is set in a quiet Dutch town in 1961. Although World War II ended more than a decade earlier, it still feels like the post-war period, especially to some of these characters. Isabel lives alone in the home where she grew up with her mother and brothers. She has a young woman who cleans for her several times a week, but otherwise, she is there in the house alone. When her brother, Louis, invites her to dinner to meet his Eva, new girlfriend, she reluctantly tags along. Isabel seemingly goes out of her way to be rude to Eva, and when Louis eventually announces that he must go away on business for a month and requests that Eva come stay with Isa, one can almost feel the frost!

After Eva arrives, cherished items begin to disappear. A knife. A spoon. A bowl. Isa wonders if it’s the maid, but she suspects Eva. Their relationship is chilly until one night when they have dinner with Isa’s brother Heinrich and his partner Sebastian. Suddenly, the temperature between the two women rises. Isa, who has been trying to spurn a male suitor, suddenly finds herself with feelings she has never experienced before. The relationship between the women takes some very unexpected turns as Eva’s past is eventually revealed. The pears on the cover could symbolize femininity, love, and loss.

In The Safekeep, Jews, who lost so much, are still trying to reclaim their place in the world and to rebuild their families and their lives. Much of Europe has suffered the scourge of the war, and as a new decade begins, a new social order is emerging. Homosexuality Is not accepted in most places, however.

Even though I had read the blurb, the sudden transformations in the relationship between the women were unexpected. There is much sensuality and passion, anger, and angst. There is also sexual content and language.
For me, this book read hot and cold, but as a debut novel, it shows promise. I did like the way the women’s stories tied together toward the end.

I received a digital copy of The Safekeep in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, and Yael van der Wouden.

3.5 stars

Absolutely absorbing! Writing, stunning. And I do love me a book with a house at the center--a house that has more history than suspected. Desire is threaded throughout the story. Also, the character development is A+, effortlessly fluid. Such a delicious read!!

𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒛𝒊𝒑 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇, 𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔.

The Netherlands 1961 the war is a distant memory, life has returned to normal, as much as it can. Isabel lives in her “stately” old family home in the Dutch countryside, she and the abode are one and no one cares for it, oversees the place, protects it more diligently than she. When her brother brings his latest girlfriend Eva to meet Isabel, she isn’t much impressed, and tells her that Louis will be bored by her in no time, as is his way. When he informs Isabel that he has to oversee a conference and that Eva will be remaining at their home for an extended stay, something unravels inside of Isabel. She is an unwelcome, unwanted intruder in this museum of memories. Isabel is of the “A place for everything and everything in its place,” mindset and certainly Eva’s place is not here. Home is Isabel’s true relief, and her brother Louis has upended it all. He orders her, ‘you will be nice to her’ and her defiance is “I will be nothing to her.” As the days pass, Eva’s presence is a creep, like a fog blanketing her peace of mind. Eva makes her feel things, disturbs the atmosphere and all Isabel wants is for everything to go back to normal, to the comfort of emptiness.

Eva is lazy by comparison, free with her laughter, quick to share confidences with people, even the housekeeper Neelke who Isabel mistrusts. The house is alive at night with her energy, she is all over the place, even her blasted perfume lingers after she has left a room. She is loose in her ways, like a child without a care, unkempt. She dares to make light of the structure that Isabel keeps, does not respect boundaries, touching all the precious things that are Isabel’s ‘slivers of memory’. She dares too much! She knows it is only a few weeks, a month at most but oh how she measures the time when Louis will return. Even her voice grates on Isabel’s nerves, thinking her ‘an actress in a bad play.” Is she going mad? Why does she feel found out when Eva looks at her a certain way? About what? Why does it feel like Eva knows something untoward about her, shameful, a secret even to herself? She believes someone is stealing, things are disappearing, she is suspicious of the housekeeper and now Eva is ordering her to be nice to Neelke. Admonishing her? The gal!

Eva must not usurp her place; she will not allow it! She begins to behave strangely, obsesses over what Eva is getting up to, watches her like a hawk. Is she just a mad recluse of sorts, or are her suspicions founded? Is she just a bitter, lonely woman, projecting onto an innocent bystander? Anger bleeds into desire and it is oozing from her pores, soon she will not recognize the person Eva is driving out of her.

I loved this, it is a deceptively bucolic setting, but the head can be a minefield. The ending was moving, and really brought the start of the novel to deeper meaning. The motivations of the characters aren’t as set as we’re led to believe. Emotions have a tendency to trip people in their plans. Yes, read it. I can’t wait for her next novel and hope the characters are as complex.

A tale of obsession, desire and the darkness left by WWII.

Publication: May 28, 2024

Avid Reader Press

Simon & Schuster

I decided to read "The Safekeep" when I saw it was recommended by author, Kim van Alkemade. It's wonderfully written and reminds me of van Alkemade's writing, as well as, Emma Donogue and Sarah Waters.
The setting of the Netherlands in the 1960s isn't one I read much of, but it's not so much the setting as it is how the past relates to the here and now. The past and the house in which the MCs live are as much characters as the people. And I enjoyed the characters even though I may not have liked them all. Isabel's unpleasant, obsessive personality is hard to sympathize with, but it does lead to a nice (though hasty) redemption and keeps the atmosphere fraught. As usual, I didn't see the ending coming and now I want to re-read it for everything I missed.
I can't wait for more from Yael van der Wouden.
#NetGalley

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden is a forthcoming debut novel expected to be released on May 28th, 2024. Here's a glimpse into what you can expect:

Setting and Themes:

The story takes place in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961.
The lingering shadows of World War II and its secrets form a backdrop for the plot.
Characters:

Isabel, a nearly 30-year-old woman who has lived alone in a large house since her mother's death years earlier. when Eva, a mysterious and sophisticated woman who enters Isabel's life and disrupts the established order.

Plot and Tone:

The story unfolds as a twisted tale of desire, suspicion, and obsession.
When strange occurrences begin to happen around the house, including missing objects, Isabel's paranoia takes hold.
The novel is described as having a sensuous and suspenseful atmosphere, with a touch of intrigue and a surprising revelation about the past.
Comparisons have been drawn to authors like Patricia Highsmith, Sarah Waters, and Ian McEwan and these are SPOT ON!

Overall, The Safekeep promises to be a captivating exploration of hidden desires, the weight of the past, and the complexities of relationships. If you love a twisted slow burn, then this author is for you.

An exhilarating, twisted tale of desire, suspicion, and obsession between two women staying in the same house in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961—a powerful exploration of the legacy of WWII and the darker parts of our collective past.

A house is a precious thing...

This was a deliciously riveting piece of fiction involving a woman named Isabel who is desperately attached to her familial country house. It will one day belong to her brother Louis, who has not yet settled down and prefers city living. Her other brother Hendrik lives with his significant other Sebastian in city digs as well. But this house, with its prized contents like the dinner plates adorned with hares- is everything to Isabel. Louis seems to dither from girlfriend to girlfriend, but now he's shacking up with Eva. When he's called away for a business trip it's proposed that Eva stay in the country house with Isabel- to her horror and disgust. However, Eva has a strong, direct, charismatic personality that challenges Isabel and leads to unexpected consequences and intimacy. This taut, languidly unfolding tale had me in the palm of its hand and is quite possibly the best piece of fiction I've read this year.

Thank you to the publisher Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

A story that plays with the dynamics between the various characters. The main word that I kept thinking of was tension. All sorts of tensions in regards to all sorts of relationship factors, as well as with the various scenarios that play out in this book. That itself was interesting, though personally, I really did not care much for this book itself. The author writes well enough. It just didn't hold my attention all that well throughout, partly because I just couldn't get interested in some of the more important aspects of the story that were prevalent throughout the entire book. Just not my kind of story. With that said, there's no doubt that there are others who would easily disagree with me. It's not really that the story wasn't that good. Instead, it's much more that it just did not appeal to what I prefer to read. You will need to be somewhat open minded about various types of relationships that might offend some readers. Though I was not offended in anyway at all, there was enough that it just didn't capture my interest, but I did make it through the book.

Closer towards the end of the book, there was a very interesting turn of events. Of course, I'm not going to reveal what that was, but I found it to be one that makes for a good storyline. Enough of a turn that it turned out to be rather surprising and fit well into the storyline, as a whole.

As noted, though not my kind of book, this book has an interesting plot, but lost me as it moved onward. Pulled me back towards the end, but not enough to change most of my opinion about this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the eBook in exchange for a review.

I loved this book. It fit perfectly into the very specific genre of book that I love, which is a historical fiction novel set in a remote house. I loved the tension and atmosphere in this book and genuinely was intrigued to see where van der Wouden was taking us until the end.

I most loved the descriptions of the house and the surrounding nature. Isabel's interior life was interesting as well, and I loved how her relationship with Eva was tied to the three parts of the book.

I will definitely be recommending this to my audience this summer. It feels like the perfect smart and atmospheric summer read!

Thank you to Yael van der Wouden, NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
While I appreciated the historical fiction aspect of this book I was slightly disappointed. I was hoping for a little more suspense. I went into the book thinking that’s what I was getting but that never delivered. With that being said It’s beautifully written and for a debut novel so well executed!

"It only takes one person to unlock the past." The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden is a wonderful book that centers on the Dutch area called Overijssel in the 1960s. Isabel is tidy, neat, organized, punctual, and routine driven. When her brother brings home his new girlfriend, Eva, things change. Eva sleeps in late, walks loudly, is messy, and seemingly takes things from the house. Isabel ends up confronting Eva and a whole new narrative is woven. This is a fantastic book. I am Jewish and so this book hits home for me and some of my relatives. I would recommend this book to high schoolers, not my students (2nd grade). 5.5 stars for me. I will be buying the hard copy of this book when it comes out.

this uses the world war 2 elements perfectly in this story, it had everything that I wanted from a historical fiction novel. The characters felt like they were supposed to in the setting and enjoyed how the characters and world felt like it was supposed to for the period. Yael van der Wouden does a fantastic job in writing this type of book and thought it worked overall. I'm glad I got to read this and can't wait for more.

This is one of the most well-crafted books I’ve read in a long time! Loved how the author kept me on my toes with anticipation.

The narration can sometimes be slow-burn, which sometimes annoys me in other books but this was done perfectly.

There are some very spicy scenes on this book, so if this is not your jam, please take note.

Wonderful debut!!

Thanks to Avid Press, NetGalley and Yael Van der Wouden for this ARC. Having read a broad range of WWII historical fiction over the years, I was looking forward to this book because of the unique perspective it offered, and I wasn’t disappointed. Told mainly from the perspective of Isabel, who lives alone in the Dutch countryside in the early 1960s, this book also dips back in time to the 1940s when Isabel is a child, living with her parents and two brothers, Louis and Hendrik. One of Louis’s many girlfriends, Eva, comes to live with Isabel for a short period of time and while there, everything Isabel thought she knew about her home, her family, and herself are completely upended. There are twists and turns in this book that were surprising and made for an excellent read. Highly recommended.