This is very different to anything I’ve read before. About a teacher named Jenni who sees a student in trouble and goes out of her way to keep her safe! Absolutely full of twists even at the end. It’s not what I usually go for but I enjoyed nonetheless.

This is a tense, dark, psychological thriller, a mystery read that was not what I expected at all. Kate Bradley writes a complex, multilayered story with characters that are emotionally damaged, flawed, traumatised and of loss, grief, PTSD, and guilt. Jenni Wales is an ex-military, mathematics teacher at a struggling, financially strapped, school run by the kind and compassionate Head, George Danvers, sinking under the pressures and stresses of a impossible job as he tries to do his best for the children. Jenni is socially awkward, and struggles to read people, with a tendency to take things too literally. This means social relationships and friendships are difficult for her, she does not get the concept of banter, and her pupils tease her, even referring to her as a dalek. She left the army, unable to cope with the death of a young soldier, Billy Smithson, refusing psychological support, but left with PTSD, with an overwhelming sense of guilt and failure.

Jenni is close to her father, also ex-military, and has taken up the iron man challenge, a hugely demanding discipline, which provides the means to cope with life after the army, and she is very successful, having won the event on several occasions. She entered the teaching profession for the structure and stability it gives her life, with Danvers offering her the opportunity to teach at his school when the prospects of a future in teaching began to look bleak. 15 year old Destiny Mills is a clever and intelligent pupil, in all the top sets, with the potential to gain glittering academic success. However, she comes from a troubled background, taken from her prostitute and drug addict mother into social care, placed in foster care, and now a care home, she is a challenging child with a history of running away. When she turns up to school with a black eye, and reacts with fear to a phone call, then is almost abducted by a man with a gun in a white van, Jenni sees the opportunity to save her where she had failed with Billy, and she is willing to sacrifice everything to protect Destiny. However, is Destiny all that she seems?

Bradley writes a story from primarily Jenni and Destiny's perspective, and some other key characters, such as George, and the Polish Aleksander, one of Destiny's would be abductors. Nothing is as it seems in this novel, there are twists galore, and the reader is left to wonder at just how reliable Jenni and Destiny are. Ultimately, this is a book about the dangers of taking things at face value and the lives that unravel as a result of trauma, troubled and abused childhoods, loss, grief, and dysfunctional families. I admired how strong and courageous Jenni was as person, she thrived on tough challenges, and very little intimidated her, she is unwavering in her desire and focus to do whatever it takes to save and protect Destiny, even when up against the overwhelming odds against her. This psychological thriller is for those who like there crime reads dark and twisted. Many thanks to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC.

A very complex and heart wrenching thriller. I loved it all though some parts were hard to read but all said it was well written.

This is an excellent written book which makes you think and tugs at your heart.
The plot drew me in immediately and the pace was perfect.
I felt that the book rather abruptly which was disappointing

This story had some good ideas in it. Some of the plot was good and other bits were just totally unbelievable. The ending saved it for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Jenni is a teacher having previously been in the military. Her hobby is doing Ironmans (swim 2.4miles/bike 112m/ Run marathon-26m) and she has won three of them. One of her pupils, fifteen year old Destiny, is known to social services and lives in care. When Jenni see Destiny in trouble- men are trying to abduct her- she doesn’t expect to be faced with a gun and more problems in dealing with authority than they are solving. Jenni’s natural instinct is to protect. Destiny’s is to flee. They set off on a journey that leads them to far far more than either one of them expected. A story of hope and life and challenges along the way. Of different types of determination and grit. This is a beautifully written book that takes you to a different plane and makes you think and tugs at the emotions , in part almost ethereal despite the rugged plot. Kate is a wordsmith of the highest quality and I wouldn’t hesitate to read books by her in the future, This has left me thinking and slightly reeling. Most certainly one to remember in a very good way 5*
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I cannot understand how this book has come to be published. I read it all with increasing dislike and some bewilderment. The ending is odd with no clear indication of what happened.
I’m afraid this is worst book I’ve read in years.

Wow this book was a really different sort of thriller. Lots of twists and turns moving the plot along at speed.
Would you stand up to save a child from being trafficked ? Jenni feels as though she has no choice but to put herself on the line for one of her pupils.
Strong characters with the story told through each of their viewpoints. Engaging enough to make it worth suspending belief at some of the more unrealistic points.
Made me think about the choices made by vulnerable children who feel they have few choices.

So this book was a real mixed bag for me.

The plot drew me in right away, having worked with vulnerable children myself. I also really enjoyed how the story was played out through the narrative voices of the different characters, with each one providing a different viewpoint on each of the main events.

The story was also a nice, quick read with the story moving along at a brisk pace. I did find the plot to be a little unrealistic, however this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story too much.

My only complaint would be with the ending. It seemed rather abrupt, almost as if the author was still working on it.

Overall though I definitely did enjoy this one, and would probably recommend it to friends and family.

I really, really enjoyed this book! Yes it may have been unrealistic but it made me want to just keep turning the pages to see what happened next. The characters were strong and I loved how it sectioned them and each part of the story in their individual perspectives. I had a couple of moments were I gasped at the twist but it made sense. However I do think the ending was a bit abrupt. But for me personally I found it gripping and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend when it’s publication date arrives.

I don’t quite know how to review this one! I had heard good things about it and the plot certainly sounded good. It was just totally unrealistic!!

To Keep You Safe is a strange book to review. I absolutely love the plot line but it’s not executed well. Extremely fast paced and a fun read and I couldn’t take it seriously because it’s so unrealistic.