Safe with Me: A Novel
Hannah and Olivia become friends by chance—the two women hit it off when Olivia brings her teenage daughter, Maddie, into Hannah’s salon for a makeover on a whim. Each woman could really use a friend, as Hannah’s still mourning the accidental death of her daughter, while Olivia struggles to hide the fact that her high-powered husband abuses her. They have no idea of the bond they all share—Maddie, recovering from congenital liver disease, is the recipient of Hannah’s daughter’s liver. When the possible connection begins to dawn on Hannah, she is determined to see that her new friend escapes her frightening situation, which soon may be dangerous to all of them. Hatvany does a marvelous job of not letting the plot get too maudlin or “ripped from the headlines,” and her characters have warmth and depth. Readers will find themselves cheering for these women. A good pick for women’s-fiction fans, particularly those who enjoy the realistic stories of Emily Giffin and Kristina Riggle. --Rebecca Vnuk