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Safe Harbour Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,270 ratings

In her 59th best-selling novel, Danielle Steel tells an unforgettable story of survival...of how two people who lost everything find hope...and of the extraordinary acts of faith and courage that bring - and keep - families together....

On a windswept summer day, as the fog rolls across the San Francisco coastline, a solitary figure walks down the beach, a dog at her side.

At 11, Pip Mackenzie's young life has already been touched by tragedy; nine months before, a terrible accident plunged her mother into inconsolable grief. But on this chilly July afternoon, Pip meets someone who fills her sad, gray world with color and light. And in her innocence and in his kindness, a spark will be kindled, lives will be changed, and a journey of hope will begin.

From the moment the curly-haired girl walks up to his easel on the sand, artist Matt Bowles senses something magical about her. Pip reminds him of his own daughter at that age, before a bitter divorce tore his family apart and swept his children halfway across the world. With her own mother, Ophélie, retreating deeper into her grief, Pip spends her summer at the shore the way lonely children do: watching the glittering waters and rushing clouds, daydreaming and remembering how things used to be. That is, until she meets artist Matt Bowles, who offers to teach the girl to draw - and can't help but notice her beautiful, lonely mother. At first, Ophélie is thrown off balance by her daughter's new companion - until she realizes how much joy he is bringing into their lives, despite the sadness she sees in his eyes. As their newfound friend works his subtle magic, mother and daughter slowly begin to heal, to laugh again, to rediscover what they have lost.

When summer ends and Ophélie and Pip must leave the beach for the city, the season of healing continues. Gathering her newfound strength, Ophélie begins a volunteer job at a city outreach program, where she works with the homeless, and can no longer ignore the blessings in her own life. But as soul-sharing phone calls and autumn beach getaways deepen Ophélie and Matt's friendship, fate strikes another blow. Out of the blue, Matt must confront unfinished business from his past. Days later, Ophélie is struck by a stunning betrayal by someone she trusts. And as these events reverberate in two already wounded hearts, something extraordinary happens. Out of the darkness that has shadowed them both comes an unexpected gift of hope.

With grace and compassion, Danielle Steel explores the fragile bonds between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, family members and lifelong friends. Her haunting, impassioned novel takes us across the complex landscape of loss - to the blessings that arise from even the darkest tragedies. At once a story of triumph and a moving elegy to those who suffer and survive, Safe Harbour is perhaps her most powerful and life-affirming novel to date.

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Product details

Listening Length 10 hours and 26 minutes
Author Danielle Steel
Narrator Kyf Brewer
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date November 07, 2003
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0000YSMN8
Best Sellers Rank #136,193 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1,382 in Fiction Sagas
#4,944 in Women's Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#8,741 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4,270 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book and found it an interesting read with a heartwarming storyline. They described the pacing as fast and the writing style as easy to follow. The characters were well-developed and relatable, bringing them to life for readers. However, opinions on the attention span were mixed, with some finding it engaging from beginning to end while others felt it was predictable and disappointing.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

74 customers mention "Readability"74 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an interesting and emotional read, with a beautiful story full of love and tragedy. Readers appreciate the author's storytelling style and the details she weaves into her stories.

"This was such a beautiful story of hope, faith, and love which always win in the end. Enjoyed it immensely." Read more

"...Loss, despair, loneliness, friendship, hope and love all in one book. It was truly a great read." Read more

"A very sweet story about a woman who has tragically lost her husband and son the year before, and whose daughter Pip, unexpectedly brought Matt into..." Read more

"I absolutely loved this book. I was reading it in paperback and my dogs ate it.... So ordered it online to finish it cuz it was so good!..." Read more

19 customers mention "Heartwarming story"19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the heartwarming story. They find it engaging with a good storyline about life's ups and downs. The ending is touching and bittersweet, bringing closure to the story. Many describe the book as an easy, fast read that touches their hearts throughout.

"This was such a beautiful story of hope, faith, and love which always win in the end. Enjoyed it immensely." Read more

"This was an amazing book from the beginning till the end. A book of love, healing, and forgiveness that touches your heart all the way through." Read more

"...The story was incredible and most enjoyable and stimulating. I've read-heard it several times...." Read more

"...This is a heart-warming story and well worth taking the time to read. I highly recommend it!" Read more

14 customers mention "Pacing"14 positive0 negative

Customers like the pacing. They say it's a safe place to stay to weather out the storms of life.

"Safe Harbour..." Read more

"Safe Harbour..." Read more

"A place to stay to weather out the storms of life...." Read more

"Safe Harbour..." Read more

10 customers mention "Healing power"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book uplifting and heartwarming. They appreciate the message that love heals all wounds and that it's possible to move on after tragedy. The author captures the emotional journey of grief and depression with empathy and compassion. The caring, nurturing character Matt is also mentioned as an important aspect of the story.

"...A book of love, healing, and forgiveness that touches your heart all the way through." Read more

"...She really captures grief & depression and the long, slow process (for some) of getting "back."..." Read more

"...with most of Danielle Steel's stories, there is tragedy - but love heals all wounds and there is a happier ending...." Read more

"...They touch on all emotions, but give you a feeling of calm as you read each one...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"8 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find the story easy to read and well-written. The book is described as poignant and written in true Danielle Steele style.

"It was ok fast tead" Read more

"...In addition, to illustrating it she wrote it all in rhyming. I will watch for her next book...." Read more

"Warm family story with a happy ending .easy fast read enjoyed the flow of her story felt the strength of each character" Read more

"...She repeated the same sentences over and over. I literally had to just skip over pages to get through the book...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the character development. They say the characters come to life in the storyline, with a happy ending. The caring and nurturing character Matt is mentioned as poignant.

"...With interesting characters that makes us root for a happy ending, Ms.Steele combines love, friendship, loss, new beginnings, and ultimately all..." Read more

"I am finding her books predictable though. All her characters are beautiful and rich, which makes hardships easier to overcome....such as finding a..." Read more

"Tender, heartwarming story line Characters came to life. Happy ending." Read more

"...It is a quick read and has good flow between the perspectives of the main characters." Read more

7 customers mention "Attention span"4 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's attention span. Some find the story engaging from start to finish with many twists and turns, while others find it predictable and boring.

"I loved this book. Right from the beginning it captured my attention and held it throughout the book...." Read more

"...on and on writing of what has been said numerous times before is so monotonous I have to fast forward many pages due to boredom. And and and and...." Read more

"...There never seemed to be a dull moment. We all fear loosing our loved ones, and after reading this book . There hope of a brighter future." Read more

"Predictable and boring. She repeated herself a lot, especially in the last few chapters...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2023
    This was such a beautiful story of hope, faith, and love which always win in the end. Enjoyed it immensely.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2022
    I haven't read one of her books in years, but I am glad I did. The characters in this book faced things we all face as we navigate life. Loss, despair, loneliness, friendship, hope and love all in one book. It was truly a great read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2024
    A very sweet story about a woman who has tragically lost her husband and son the year before, and whose daughter Pip, unexpectedly brought Matt into her life.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020
    I absolutely loved this book. I was reading it in paperback and my dogs ate it.... So ordered it online to finish it cuz it was so good! Definitely worth the read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2021
    This was an amazing book from the beginning till the end. A book of love, healing, and forgiveness that touches your heart all the way through.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2022
    I enjoyed all the different aspects of the relationships in this story. They all worked out thanks to Danielle Steel.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2019
    However, the on and on writing of what has been said numerous times before is so monotonous I have to fast forward many pages due to boredom. And and and and. I'm so tired of her starting sentences with thAt word. So annoying. Not sure if I can handle another.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2020
    I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Not at all sappy.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer BB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Safe Harbour
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2024
    This was a lovely read. Which kept me going to see what was going to happen to them all. Now I didn't expect what did happen a good twist. Lovely XX
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Story of grief & survival!
    Reviewed in France on September 19, 2020
    Interesting inset of the homeless unfortunate people that are so destitute all over the world!
    Idealisation of marriage also with a narcissistic man!
  • Sapna_Dreamz_Foreva
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book
    Reviewed in India on January 22, 2017
    "It had been remarkable good fortune that brought them together. But it had taken more than luck and happy accidents and even love".
    "It would have been so much easier to never try, to never touch at all, to run away and hide, while protecting old wounds. Instead, they had dared, they had danced, they had trudged on through the dark and the cold, defied the demons, faced the terrors, and refused to run away". ~ Danielle Steele.

    First up, I'll say Safe Harbour is a classy book. I like Danielle Steele as an author now. The story starts with a young child on holiday who has suffered family tragedy who meets with a reclusive painter on a beach who has also suffered personal pain and painter teaches the child learns to paint. It's not about painting though. Each of the adult characters have well-etched out personalities and I liked how there was a twist in the tale towards the third quarter which I won't reveal and be a spoiler. The writing for me is simple and I don't generally like hundreds of complex characters which are so hard to keep track of which puts me off. Basically, it's a nice romance of adults with children and how you've got to be strong and reach out no matter what if you want the prize in the end.
  • denise hannaford
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
    Reviewed in Australia on June 4, 2017
    I found this a very easy read that kept my interest
  • nano
    5.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable
    Reviewed in Canada on August 22, 2022
    It had so many twists and turns it kept your interest. It shows you should never give up but fight to get your life back.