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The Safekeep
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
'Surprising, chilling, and electric. The Safekeep is a simply fantastic work of literature.' Alice Winn, bestselling author of IN MEMORIAM 'The Safekeep is a dream of a novel mesmerizing and shockingly good it lulls you with the lyrical beauty of its words and then slams you awake with its raw passion and rage. Part silent scream, part breathless love story I was utterly blown away'- Miranda Cowley Heller 'A house is a precious thing...' An exhilarating tale of twisted desire, histories and homes, and the unexpected shape of revenge - for readers of Patricia Highsmith, Sarah Waters and Ian McEwan's Atonement It's 1961 and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the war is well and truly over. Living alone in her late mother's country home, Isabel's life is as it should be: led by routine and discipline. 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... Eva is Isabel's antithesis: sleeps late, wakes late, walks loudly through the house and touches things she shouldn't. In response Isabel develops a fury-fuelled obsession, and when things start disappearing around the house-a spoon, a knife, a bowl-Isabel' suspicions spiral out of control. In the sweltering peak of summer, Isabel's paranoia gives way to desire - leading to a discovery that unravels all Isabel has ever known. The war might not be well and truly over after all, and neither Eva - nor the house in which they live - are what they seem. 'Haunting and exquisitely poignant' - Claire Fuller 'This is a stealthy, simmering novel about complicity and the lies we live by' - Clare Pollard
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review
Jeg
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

This is a book that I think is best read not knowing anything about the plot. However it did take me a while to get into it. Could see why someone would give up. Don‘t. Keep going. It may make you feel uncomfortable, keep going. For me it was well worth it. ❤️

Texreader I loved this book. Your review is perfect. 4d
Suet624 I'm really glad you stuck with it. I thought this book was great. 4d
27 likes2 comments
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Jeg
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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When all your library holds come at once! Now to get started .

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MrsMalaprop
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I am not sure how to review this book that I finished reading a few days ago. The first half for me was meandering and a bit irritating. Then once I realised what was happening, I became more engaged and was propelled forward. Then it ended. I‘m not sure I “buy” the relationship. An unnerving, clever and different read.

BittersweetBooks Completely agree with your review! I liked the second half more than the first. But I found the MC to be insufferable, which made it hard to fully connect with her and the relationship in the second half. 4w
Jeg Just finished it and must say the ending, though my favourite type, seemed to come too quickly, neatly or something. Can‘t articulate the feeling. 4d
37 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Bevita
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

One of the best books I‘ve read this year. The Netherlands, WW2, the persecution of Jews in Europe, all the collaborators. And a great conclusion.

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RaeLovesToRead
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Went to see the amazing Yael van der Wouden this evening.

She is a huge Miranda July fan for all you All Fours enthusiasts!

The pictures of me are all terribly unflattering, but here we are 😄

AmyG Oh wow! 1mo
Chelsea.Poole Nice!! (Is she writing another book!?!) 1mo
RaeLovesToRead @Chelsea.Poole Yes! And it sounded really intriguing 😊 1mo
See All 7 Comments
Gissy Lucky girl!!! 😃 1mo
BarbaraBB Neat! 1mo
Cathythoughts Wow ! 1mo
sarahbarnes Wow, so jealous! 🤩 1mo
81 likes7 comments
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readingjedi
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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A few treats this weekend from Waterstones. My daughter and I adore Legami pens and stationery.

rubyslippersreads Just what I need—a new brand of pen to become addicted to. 😹 1mo
BookBr The best pens!! 🥰 1mo
61 likes2 comments
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Gleefulreader
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I know this book was on many best of lists but it was only a soft pick for me. I felt the underlying themes of memory of the events of WW2 and the Holocaust and personal complicity were important and well done. I also enjoyed the exploration of LGBTQ relationships in mid-20th century Europe. However, I felt some of the interactions were just… not real? Something just felt off. A soft pick.

CarolynM I agree with you and I was annoyed because it could have been truly great. 1mo
21 likes1 comment
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JamieArc
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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I don‘t want to wish the month of July away, but I‘m also excited to see which books make the list. I‘m sure there will be a few gems, like last year‘s tagged book. Excuse me while I go down the YouTube rabbit hole hearing what others think will make the Longlist….

squirrelbrain I‘m already down that rabbit hole, making a spreadsheet as I go! 😝 1mo
JamieArc @squirrelbrain I knew I could count on you! 😂 I almost tagged you in my post! (edited) 1mo
squirrelbrain I‘m SO predictable! There‘s not many videos yet, but I‘ll keep you up to date once we start getting duplicate predictions. 😜 1mo
See All 9 Comments
AnneCecilie I‘m already down that rabbit hole as well @squirrelbrain 1mo
JamieArc @squirrelbrain @AnneCecilie Please do let me know if you find something promising, or likely contenders! 1mo
BarbaraBB I won‘t make spreadsheets or predictions but I am a sucker for the longlist and am very interested in your predictions 🤍 @squirrelbrain @AnneCecilie @JamieArc 1mo
squirrelbrain Will certainly let you know Jamie! I don‘t usually do my own predictions @barbarabb @AnneCecilie - I rely on other people! 1mo
JamieArc @BarbaraBB I don‘t venture into predictions but do choose some hopefuls 😊 1mo
vlwelser Didn't we just do this? 😂 1mo
52 likes9 comments
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rachaich
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I didn't read much of the blurb around this and so went in almost blind.
I found the story line very readable, it kept me guessing and imagining all the way through. I liked how self punishing Isa could be, her determination to simply not have fun yet her curiosity about those that do.
The brothers are really rounded characters and I liked the small amount of background we learnt. Eva was awesome! The history was unknown to me and very sad.

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CarolynM
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Mehso-so

#UnpopularOpinion

I appreciated what the author is trying to do here but for me she wasn‘t successful. I didn‘t buy the central relationship - there was too little to show how they came to care for one another. It‘s a trope I rarely enjoy or find convincing so maybe it‘s just me. The writing is good and the background story is really important. I‘m extra critical when I think a book could be truly great but misses the mark, so only a so-so.

Ruthiella Hot take! 🔥😂 I‘ve not yet read it. 2mo
BittersweetBooks I completely agree! Plus I found the MC to be insufferable. 2mo
See All 13 Comments
CarolynM This was on my #AuldLangSpine list from @TheKidUpstairs it‘s just taken me a while to get to it😬 I‘m hoping to read one or two more before the year is out🤞 2mo
CarolynM @Ruthiella I‘ll be interested to see what you think 🙂 2mo
CarolynM @BittersweetBooks I had some sympathy for her, but I had to work at it😆 2mo
LeahBergen I have this waiting on my shelves. Here‘s hoping I like it more than you! 😆 2mo
CarolynM @LeahBergen I hope so too 2mo
TheKidUpstairs I'm sorry it didn't work as well for you as it did for me! Hope your next read is better for you 😉 2mo
Cathythoughts @CarolynM I loved the family story. Maybe a little bit too much intimate details for me. I did suggest it for our IRL Bookclub and we had a powerful discussion. 2mo
CarolynM @Cathythoughts It would be a good one for a book club discussion. I might suggest it to mine🙂 2mo
Jeg Just finished it. When I got to the end , sort of ending I like , I did feel there was something missing. I have a hard time articulating my feelings. Thinkyou might have nailed it. Though I did really enjoy it and can relate to the relationship between the women to some extend. Especially the first kiss. ❤️ 4d
CarolynM @Jeg The enemies to lovers thing is really hard to do convincingly, I think. Especially in a case like this, where they both had good reasons to hate each other and no obvious reason to feel love. (edited) 4d
56 likes13 comments
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RaeLovesToRead
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Also, CONGRATULATIONS to The Safekeep for winning the Women's Prize for Fiction 2025!

This book is special.

Eerie, erotic, moving, unsettling... it was one of my absolute favourites of last year and I'm thrilled to bits that it won 🥰

AmyG Agree!!! 2mo
JamieArc Same - and I loved the gorgeous endpapers. 2mo
57 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Jari-chan
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

(no, I did not have any pears around)

So. This book. I'm lacking the words to describe what it did with me. To me. It totally drenched me, it drowned me, it spit me out. It took my heart and ate it. How am I possibly going to describe this feeling? I simply can't. Impossible. And maybe that's okay. Because sometimes we don't need words, we just need to feel.

AmyG One of my favorites of this year. Loved it. 2mo
Jari-chan @AmyG 💖💖💖 2mo
Deblovestoread Great review! I loved it, too. 2mo
See All 6 Comments
Jari-chan @Deblovestoread Thank you 💖💖 2mo
Billypar Agreed - great review! It's in the running for my favorite of the year, and hands down my favorite reading experience of 2025 given how vividly the scenes were described...very intense! 2mo
Jari-chan @Billypar Totally agree with you, very intense. 2mo
38 likes6 comments
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charl08
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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We took almost nothing when we left. Mum kept saying, Don't worry we'll come back we'll come back so soon, and it was a lie. I think now to how they found that house with everything still in it, Papa's book still left open on the page where he stopped, and I am sick I am sick to my stomach. Whose stuff did they think that was? They must have known I can't imagine they didn't know. Who doesn't know a thing like that? They must've known.

46 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BittersweetBooks
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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A pretty deception 🍐

Isabel had never known loneliness like that, one that arrived without the promise of leaving. There was no one now, no one to walk through the door unannounced, no one to open and close a drawer in the other room 🚪🍽️

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JillR
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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The Women‘s Prize for Fiction 2025 winner is announced on Thursday; here‘s my thoughts on the short list:-

The Safekeep, Yael Van der Wouden ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All Fours, Miranda July ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tell Me Everything, Elizabeth Strout ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good Girl, Aria Aber ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fundamentally, Nussaibah Yunis ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Persians, Sanam Mahloudji ⭐️⭐️

Overall, as I‘ve seen so many others say, I‘m disappointed with the SL. I suspect All Fours will win!

BarbaraBB I feel more or less the same about the books on the shortlist as you do. I hope The Safekeep will win but All Fours would be my guess too. 2mo
TrishB Only read 2 on the shortlist- you‘re top 2! My guess is the same as @BarbaraBB I hope The Safekeeping but probably All Fours 2mo
Suet624 I‘m with you. I sure hope Safekeep wins. 2mo
See All 6 Comments
Kitta I don‘t think I understood All Fours. I didn‘t enjoy it at all and don‘t understand why it‘s winning or nominated for so many prizes! Not for me I guess 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo
Jess I also hope The Safekeep wins. That book blew me away. Fingers crossed. 2mo
JillR @Kitta I kind of felt the same and nearly didn‘t read it, but when I did I was surprised to find myself kind of enjoying it. Was glad when it ended at the same time! I‘m not convinced any of the list are really prize winners, but guessing All Fours may win, just because of its sheer craziness! 2mo
27 likes6 comments
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perfectlywinged
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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So far this is giving Call Me By Your Name (but instead of a peach, a pear). 🍐

Jari-chan Just taking a break from reading this book, just to this post 😁 2mo
perfectlywinged @Jari-chan and it just won the Women‘s Prize for fiction- it‘s everywhere! 2mo
Jari-chan @perfectlywinged well-earned! 2mo
10 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TheLudicReader
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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20% off at Indigo for teachers is a siren call, especially when having a plum plus card gets you an additional 10% off. What‘s a bookworm to do?

AmyG I loved The Safekeep. Enjoy! 2mo
Lesliereadsalot Agree with @AmyG Terrific book! 2mo
39 likes2 comments
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LeafingThroughLife
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

Well-written with beautiful depictions of idyllic Dutch countryside, its deeply unlikable characters, paranoid staid Isabel and artificial encroaching Eva, made this book initially hard to get into. I saw the first “twist” coming but it‘s the second one that takes this book from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Passion, paranoia, and revenge intermingle in this story of the long shadow of history. Well done.

AmyG Wonderful book. 4mo
32 likes1 comment
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fredthemoose
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Totally fine and nothing special. Book about Perl Jam told by a music critic and without new interviews or perspectives of the band. I wanted something that didn‘t ask much of me and this fit the bill. If you‘re into music biographies and/or Pearl Jam, it‘s worth a look.

BarbaraBB Eddie Vedder was so cool in those days! 4mo
Ruthiella Have you read this book @TheBookHippie ? 4mo
TheBookHippie I did and I was EH…. 😂🤷🏻‍♀️ my love remains though ♥️🙃 4mo
See All 10 Comments
TheBookHippie @BarbaraBB He is STILL cool 😂♥️✊🏼 he still puts on amazing concerts 🎉 4mo
fredthemoose @BarbaraBB He was and is! My Gen X heart will always have a soft spot for him and 90s grunge in general 4mo
fredthemoose @TheBookHippie I totally agree—the book was not nearly as good as the subject! 4mo
TheBookHippie @fredthemoose just saw him less than a year ago for a couple of concerts he was on fire. 🔥 4mo
BarbaraBB @TheBookHippie @fredthemoose That‘s true, he still rocks and I still love Pearl Jam, but Eddie Vedder more and more looks and sounds like Bruce Springsteen - who I like a lot less than Pearl Jam 😀 4mo
fredthemoose @BarbaraBB oooh… I‘d never thought of that before but you totally have a point… 4mo
BarbaraBB @fredthemoose I‘m sorry to have brought this up. I hope you can un-see it ☺️ 4mo
45 likes10 comments
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fredthemoose
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this, although maybe a bit less than others here. Interesting story of two women, or a woman and a family in the aftermath of post-WWII Netherlands. The subject and twist were interesting and the book was well written. I found the resolution of the main relationship not believable, which left me a little less enthusiastic than I might have been otherwise. #WPF25

Tamra I agree, I wasn‘t all that enthusiastic. Felt like it was trying too hard to be literary. 4mo
47 likes1 comment
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JillR
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

“An exhilarating tale of twisted desire, histories and homes.” I started out being clever, thinking I knew what this was about, where it was going. It turns out I really didn‘t, and I LOVED realising I‘d misjudged it entirely. I‘m not saying anything more for fear of spoilers. It‘s not an easy read in terms of the subject, on several levels, but after a slow start I couldn‘t put it down, it delivers a real gut-punch. Loved it (love the cover too)

squirrelbrain That‘s exactly how I felt about this too! 4mo
TrishB A great read 👍🏻 4mo
sarahbarnes Yes! So good. 4mo
Chelsea.Poole Well put! Same here. 4mo
Centique Totally agree! 4mo
50 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Centique
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

This book was loved by so many friends last year that I didnt think it could live up to the hype. Well it more than did that. I‘ll be surprised if this isnt the best book i read this year. Glorious writing and complex characters, a sprawling old house and a spiralling tension. I thought it was PERFECT.

Ruthiella Great review! 👍 4mo
BarbaraBB What a review. I loved it too and am hoping it‘ll win the Women‘s Prize 4mo
squirrelbrain Great review for a fabulous book! 4mo
See All 21 Comments
Centique @Ruthiella @squirrelbrain thank you 😘 I feel like im a bit in love with this book now! 4mo
Centique @BarbaraBB me too! 🤞🤞🤞 4mo
Bookwormjillk I loved it too 4mo
CarolynM Great review. And I see it‘s on the a Women‘s Prize shortlist. I will have to bump it up the TBR😊 4mo
Cathythoughts Great review ❤️ I really enjoyed it too and I recommended for our Bookclub… great discussion! 4mo
Centique @CarolynM its so good! I hope you love it too. Go in without reading blurbs/synopsis if possible 👍 4mo
Centique @Bookwormjillk @Cathythoughts 😘 great company to be in! 4mo
Billypar This is at the top of my list this year too. It was also the exact right book I needed for the moment: I've been more distracted lately, and this was one of the few recent reading experiences where I felt truly immersed in the action. 4mo
Centique @Billypar i feel very much the same! The start of the year i have struggled to finish books. Just hitting a streak of really good books now which i hope will get my reading mojo back 💕 4mo
Reggie This review was PERFECT! Stacked! 4mo
Reggie lol I had stacked it already, but I would again if I could. 4mo
Centique @Reggie thank you! I was going to add in my comments OMG Reggie you have to read this - but i keep saying that lately! Anyway this book has a lot of feelings - love suppressed feelings getting released 😍 4mo
Rissreadswithcats I‘m sure I have this waiting on my shelf. I will go check. It‘s my turn to pick a book soon for my bookclub. Maybe I‘ll choose this! Great review! 4mo
Suet624 I really liked this one too! 4mo
Centique @Rissreadswithcats oooh that would be exciting! Theres a bit of sexy times in here as long as your bookclub isn‘t like a group of nuns or something! 😂 4mo
Centique @Suet624 its my favourite this year for sure! 4mo
Rissreadswithcats Definitely not a group of nuns! Smart, fierce women who like to read and love to eat and drink! 4mo
Centique @Rissreadswithcats i love it! Sounds like my kind of book club! The one i was part of a few years ago was very nice but they were all law school friends, super smart but some were really conservative. 😬 4mo
62 likes3 stack adds21 comments
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Night_Reader
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

4/5 🌟

Atmospheric, intriguing and a solid debut novel.

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akfreeborn
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

This debut novel was beautifully written about the quieter wrongs that took place in Holland affecting Jews during WWII and how long after those wrongs could not wholly be corrected.

Texreader A great book! 5mo
26 likes1 comment
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Bookbuyingaddict
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
Panpan

Really ??? This was shortlisted for the women‘s prize ? I bought it after listening to a book tuber comparing the authors writing to Sarah waters. Sorry no ! First half is just boring , admittedly it does pick up and has a great twist at the end but sadly not worthy of more stars from me !

CatMS Agree, picked up in library to see if I wanted to read and decided I did not. 6mo
38 likes1 comment
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ErikasMindfulShelf
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I did not know much about this book going in. It was not at all what I expected, but I loved it.

AmyG Same here. 6mo
44 likes1 comment
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Billypar
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

#AuldLangSpine @JamieArc @monalyisha
This was intense! This story of a woman grudgingly agreeing to take in her brother's girlfriend while he is away for a month is a unique blend of anxiety and passion. It explores what happens when personal space is violated both willingly and unwillingly. The descriptions of touches, racing thoughts/pulses, and other visceral sensations had a totally immersive effect: I often forgot I was reading a book.

monalyisha 🥵 6mo
Billypar I still have to make more progress on your list @JamieArc but I really loved the ones I've read so far! And thanks again @monalyisha for coordinating another successful January of list-swapping fun! 6mo
JamieArc I‘m glad you liked them! I feel like people either really liked Safekeep or really didn‘t at all, so I‘m glad you are on the positive side. I just started Seek You and really liking it. 6mo
See All 13 Comments
sarahbarnes Great review! I really liked this one too. 6mo
Centique Im so looking forward to reading this! Ive been on the holds list for ages 😂 6mo
BarbaraBB Glad you think this way. I loved it too. 6mo
Billypar @monalyisha If one emoji could sum up the novel, that would be it 😅 6mo
Billypar @JamieArc One reason I like #AuldLangSpine so much is I don't keep up with new releases as much as most, so it's helpful to have a simple list of favorites given all of the options out there. It's nice to be part of the general enthusiasm for one like this. Glad you're liking Seek You - the artwork is gorgeous and matches the emotional mood so well. 6mo
Billypar @sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB My first 5-star read of 2025! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 6mo
JamieArc @Billypar One of the reasons I really liked #AuldLangSpine this year is because I‘ve been too caught up in new releases so I really appreciated that books on your list were mostly totally off my radar. 6mo
JamieArc Ow wow! I see it‘s even a 5 star for you! 6mo
Billypar @Centique Yeah, I was going to read the audio version but it would have been months longer! 6mo
Billypar @JamieArc Yeah, I didn't even have to think about it. What a gamble a book like this was for a debut author: she didn't hold back or play it safe, and it paid off! 6mo
54 likes13 comments
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Texreader
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

Almost a bail: for the first 2 parts very little happened (except for some very steamy scenes) with characters I disliked. But then, the house! If you‘ve read the blurb about the book, you know it‘s the house that is the story. Just keep that in mind if you read the book and that it‘s set in 1961. It took my breath away when it all comes together—such a tearjerker. The house, the house, the house. #Netherlands #foodandlit

BarbaraBB Great review! 7mo
Texreader @BarbaraBB Thanks! I was thinking I probably said “house” too much. But yea, this book really got me. 7mo
Catsandbooks ❤️🇳🇱 7mo
73 likes3 comments
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Texreader
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Here‘s my next audiobook! #foodandlit #Netherlands @Catsandbooks

Billypar I'm reading it now, but the print version. I'm past the halfway point and very much hooked! 7mo
49 likes1 stack add1 comment
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mjtwo
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

12-3 Jan 25 (audiobook)
I knew nothing other than this was shortlisted for the 2024 Booker and acclaimed by other readers before starting this debut novel. Set in 1960s Netherlands, it is a story of repression, silence and complicity. I did see the ‘twist‘ coming quite early on but don‘t feel that spoiled it in any way.
Reparation is a topic that interests me greatly. So much of what we have was taken from someone else.

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Bookwormjillk
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I thought this was one thing, then it wasn‘t, then it was again but in a completely different way. That probably doesn‘t make sense if you haven‘t read it but I don‘t want to spoil it for you. #FoodAndLit #Netherlands

Amor4Libros LOVED this one! 7mo
Butterfinger I'm intrigued. 7mo
Texreader I‘m on hold for this one. Four weeks!! 7mo
See All 7 Comments
Bookwormjillk @Texreader I was very surprised that Everand had it right away. 7mo
Lesliereadsalot Just read this one and recommending to everyone. Had so much to say, didn‘t it? And where it went was so unexpected! 7mo
Bookwormjillk @Lesliereadsalot yes it really did. 7mo
Catsandbooks 👏🏼🇳🇱 7mo
85 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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LiteraryHoarderPenny
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

A pick but with some “buts”. I loved chapter 6. I loved part III with Eva‘s journal that connected the book nicely for me. But a lot of the times I felt a bit distanced from it. I don‘t know how to express it any better than that.

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Lesliereadsalot
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

This book is terrific! It tells the story of three siblings and the strange girl who enters their lives. Who is she and what is she doing in the midst of their lives? This is one of those books that makes you think, a feature I find to be few and far between. I did not see what was coming which made the story all the much better. Amazing character development and a twist. Highly recommend.

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LiteraryHoarderPenny
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Currently reading 2 books with moody green covers. Have been noticing the use of green instead of blue that was everywhere a number of years ago.

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Chelsea.Poole
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

Well, well, well— I finally see what you‘ve all been talking about here with The Safekeep. And I must say, for a majority of the book I did not, but then BAM, I was hooked. What a surprising and beautiful book with a setting perfect for the story. Unforgettable characters: Isabell, sister to two brothers who are left to reside in a provincial home after their mother‘s death. One of her brothers brings home a girl which changes everything.

AmyG I have so many books I need to get to! 7mo
BarbaraBB So atmospheric with so few words 7mo
youneverarrived High on my list to read! 🤍 7mo
TheKidUpstairs Yay! So glad you read it and liked it! The way she played with tension throughout was so well done. 7mo
108 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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AnneCecilie
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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#12Booksof2024 November

Honorable mentions:
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
Monsters: What Do We Do With Great Art by Bad People? By Claire Dederer

Andrew65 This is on my TBR. 7mo
59 likes1 stack add1 comment
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andrew61
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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#12booksof2024 @Andrew65
Picks for Sept - a new series to me, and after enjoying the first, I went on to read bk 2 and 3 fairly quickly. Set in dungeness and the Kent area, they are page turner's.
October is the safekeep and probably a very popular choice, which I wouldn't have read save for it being on the booker shortlist.

Cathythoughts We read Safekeep for Bookclub… great discussion! 7mo
JamieArc @Cathythoughts I bet that was a good discussion. I really wanted to talk about it when I finished it. 7mo
Andrew65 Looks good. Stacked! 7mo
Cathythoughts @JamieArc It was. There were conflicting views too on the explicit details of the women‘s relationship… It was a memorable bookclub. 👍🏻 7mo
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blurb
TheKidUpstairs
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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#12Booksof2024 August

The Safekeep is just so so good. Beautifully crafted, masterful build of tension, so much left to think about.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks good. 7mo
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review
TrishB
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

My Christmas gift to myself was to finish this in a day😁
Loved it, very well written and I was hoping for that ending.

squirrelbrain ❤️❤️❤️ 8mo
Oryx Sounds great. I've just seen it's half price on Waterstones, so I've ordered that and Blue sisters (also half price) with my stamps. 8mo
BarbaraBB Glad you loved it! You‘re in for a treat too @Oryx with both books! Happy holidays 💝 8mo
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TrishB @Oryx agree with @BarbaraBB you‘ll love both! Happy Christmas 🎄❤️ 8mo
sarahbarnes Yes, the ending! I loved this one too. 🩵 8mo
erzascarletbookgasm Merry Christmas Trish! 🎄🌟❤️ 8mo
TrishB @erzascarletbookgasm happy Christmas Jessie ♥️♥️ good to hear from you! 8mo
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TrishB
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Hoping for a quiet hour reading 🤞🏻🤞🏻

LeahBergen I‘m looking forward to this one, too. It was a lovely gift from @Cathythoughts ! 😃 8mo
Mitch I really enjoyed this. Love that cover ♥️ 8mo
TrishB @LeahBergen mine was a gift too ❤️ I was saving until I could have a proper sit down with it. 8mo
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TrishB @Mitch loving it so far! 8mo
squirrelbrain I‘m sure you‘ll love it. 🥰 8mo
TrishB @squirrelbrain managed to finish today and I did love it ❤️ 8mo
squirrelbrain I nearly said that I thought you‘d finish it today as well! 8mo
Cathythoughts It‘s very good. 👍🏻 8mo
75 likes8 comments
review
BkClubCare
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

This one was a surprise and yet, I find myself wondering about my preference to know little about plot or theme when I begin a book. I admit, I was getting irritated- extremely irritated- with Isabelle. I still don‘t ‘get‘ her, but then she didn‘t really ‘get‘ herself. Many thoughts, thoughts that aren‘t landing. 🛬
Making a Chocolate 🍫 Pear 🍐 Pie today. #Dec2024 Book113

39 likes1 comment
blurb
BkClubCare
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Starting now. #ToBlongList 🎧🍐

sarahbarnes Loved this one! 8mo
squirrelbrain One of my favourites of the year so far! 8mo
BarbaraBB Mine too 8mo
BkClubCare @sarahbarnes - immediately TENSE 😬 8mo
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review
NovelNancyM
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

Definitely one of the best books I've read this year. The plot veers into a completely different path than I could have predicted - amazing writing! Reminded me of Trust by Hernan Diaz. Their plots are dissimilar, but the way the story is woven together is so clever.

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review
quietlycuriouskate
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

Oh, this was seriously good! It's a powerful story on a subject I don't recall reading about before. I very much enjoyed the characterisation of Isabel and Eva and, oh my, the tension generated throughout as it becomes clear what is actually going on here. Actually I think it would have been my personal #bookerprize winner, were it not for the generous amount of 🌶️ , which i just don't like.

Amor4Libros This was one of my favorite books this year! ❤️ 9mo
BarbaraBB I am glad you read it and I feel the same way 🤍 9mo
sarahbarnes Loved this one so much, too. It would‘ve been my pick for the Booker of the ones I read. 9mo
Cathythoughts Great review. I loved it ! But , yes , too much sex information. (edited) 9mo
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review
Sara_Planz
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I completely understand why this book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. This debut novel is a slow burn, but around 2/3 of the way through it, a twist completely turns the reader's understanding of the characters upside down. This book is intimate and sensual and gives a new sweeping perspective on the effects of WWII after the fighting ended. This debut novel deserves all of the accolades.

kspenmoll Wonderful review! I have yet to read this. 9mo
Ruthiella This is definitely the one from the shortlist that interests me the most. 9mo
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review
HeatherBookNerd
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I saw that this was on the Booker Prize list and just grabbed it without really knowing anything about it, which turned out to be a great thing. This took a minute to get rolling, but then I could not put it down. There‘s so much tension that drives the story - I was just really invested to see where it was headed. The relationships are complex and interesting and the novel takes a few surprising turns. A marvelous debut.