After being expelled from her final school, Susan Colt is sent to the Palisades Academy. But the institution’s quaint facade and manicured lawns hide a predatory secret. Behind those walls, discipline turns into something far darker, and Susan must survive a "reform" designed to break more than just her spirit.
David's passion for exploring the complexities of the human condition, fueled by his deep interest in philosophy, religion, and art, informs his writing. His novels delve into moral dilemmas, the search for meaning, and the enduring power of the human spirit. When not crafting stories, he can be found riding his motorcycle, hiking through nature, or losing himself in a good comic book or horror novel.
The Safe RRoom we follow Susan Colt who was sent to Pallisades Academy. A school for girls suffering from depression and sexuality. This is no ordinary school where horrific things happen to the girls. The school was designed to "break them"
The story starts out as a diary from Susan’s point of view. She shares hr experiences and horrors. The book changes points of view at the halfway point.
The Safe Room is a fast-paced novella which I feel would have worked a little better as a full length novel as really wanted to get know susan and the girls more. I would have liked some of the events and settings to have a little more detail. There was too much happening too quickly.
From beginning to end, the story was fun and gripping.
#TheSafeRoom – David Lopera (ARC supplied by author)
The naughty corner of childhood is comparable to solitary confinement in adulthood. In principle they are similar and share an intended outcome, although the intensity is as far removed as the child from the adult.
The isolation area of Palisades Academy for Young Women and Teens is, ironically referred to as The Safe Room. The contrary is true; it is anything but safe. Novices are warned at the onset: “You do whatever the fuck you can to never get sent there.”
Susan Colt was out of options. Two school expulsions, followed by a failed attempt at homeschooling, resulted in her arrival at Palisades Academy. Her parents were desperate, easily coerced by the quaint façade, manicured lawns and exemplary record of successful reforms. But they were unaware of the existence and nature of The Safe Room.
Part 1 of this novella is presented in an epistolary format with Susan as protagonist, writing in her hidden journal. The entries open on her first day, 30 June, and abruptly ends on 13 July. Part 2 picks up some time after the last entry and is narrated in various perspectives, including the director of the Academy, and several other teenaged girls trapped in the confines of the dubious institution.
Whilst it does vaguely remind of Stephen King’s similarly titled novel, the latter is speculative fiction, and this novella is closer to the horror classification, although not relying on any supernatural elements, and does open with a warning: “This book contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.”
Susan is introduced as the stereotypical horror protagonist. She displays a rebellious nature and is compelled to address a situation that leaves her at the mercy of evil antagonists.
Horror is my favourite genre, and therefore I freely admit to being hypercritical when I reflect on my reading experience. In this instance, part 2 was disappointing. The technique of employing constantly shifting perspectives caused a breakdown in reader engagement and the build-up of anticipation. To increase the horror aspect in this genre is a fine balance, too little too slow and the reader loses interest, too much too soon and the shock element wears off prior to the climax. The latter occurred here, the levels of deprivation of the antagonists reached the peak way too soon. The genre would have been better served with the utilization of an increasing scale of horror; from gross to very gross to extremely gross, rather than jumping from gross to extremely gross with nowhere else to go.
The ending was not convincing. It was no doubt intended to be a twist in the tail – and it was – but it is not compatible with the multitude of perspectives utilized that could not have been within the knowledge of the person who turned out to be the true protagonist, since this person was absent during many of the events described.
My thanks to the author for allowing me to review this pre-publication version. Please note that the final cover has not yet been made available.
I love David’s writing style and Susan as a character was great! I loved her diary entries and how brash she was.
The story then lost me when we switched to Silvaine’s POV. I’m just not a huge fan of pov switches (I’m a hypocrite I know; I switch between first and third in my book).
I loved this book! I was hooked the entire time and the ending events had me gasping in shock! Literally, I audibly gasped! Thanks for the arc, David! You did great work here!
I would give David Lopera’s The Safe Room 4 out of 5 stars. It is a quick, gripping read that kept me pulled in. It’s has an atmosphere that is incredibly unsettling in the best way.
One of the best aspects of this book is its structure. The multiple perspectives— especially Sue’s diary— add layers of detail to the story and make it feel more psychological. The setting, Palisades Academy for Young Women and Teens, is particularly well done. On the surface it is an elite and expensive reform school that is meant to address troubled behavior, but the reality is much more sinister.
The cast of characters really stood out. There are lots of girls, all dealing with their own problems—behavioral problems, identity and mental health and the dynamic is real and not fake. Together they bond over their shared fear of the “safe room” and it adds some emotional depth to the tension and personalizes it. That fear is constant, looming and powerful.
The horror is most apparent in the psychological dread. The “safe room” is something that lingers, something that everyone fears but no one can truly escape. It’s disturbing and compelling, as well.
And yet while the buildup is strong and the tension is there for most of the story, the ending doesn’t quite strike the right note at the same level. The twist is a bit rushed and somewhat predictable but very much in keeping with how carefully the earlier parts are done. A more gradual, layered payoff would have made it that much more impactful.
It is, in general, a good, scary book and one that I would recommend for psychological horror and character-based stories. It’s immersive, well-written, and memorable— although the ending doesn’t quite match the strength of the buildup.
I would suggest checking the trigger warnings to the reader as this book addresses topics and situations that might be disturbing to some readers.
And thank you to the author for the opportunity to review this pre-publication version.
This was a quick read for me and kept my interest the whole time. Check the trigger warnings!!
The first part was unique as it was written in first person and as diary entries from the main character. The entries abruptly stop and the second part is written in 3rd person from the perspective of multiple girls from the facility, as will as the director.
There were several messed up things that happened in the book and while I'm all for messed up things, they just seemed out of place at times. Like they were thrown in for shock value (which it worked) but there was no leading up to it making sense that these events happened. I feel like I needed more gradual build up to the awful things and then keep the things happening throughout to maintain the horror element. Or more background with the characters that did these horrible things.
I had a feeling it was going to end this way and I'm glad it did. I feel like there could have been a little more details at the end to pull it all together but overall I was satisfied.
If you are looking for a short, easy read, that will have you thinking WTF did I just read, this is a good book for you!
I received an advanced copy by the author and this review is voluntary and my own thoughts.
They said Palisades Academy would fix her. Make her better. Behaved. Acceptable. Susan’s already been kicked out of everywhere else… so this is her last chance. Or her final mistake. Because this place doesn’t fix girls. It breaks them.
Told through chilling diary entries before shifting into multiple perspectives, this story slowly peels back what’s really happening behind those polished academy walls - and it’s far more sinister than just strict rules and discipline. When Susan goes missing and another girl takes over the narrative, the tension ramps up and the cracks in the system start to bleed through. The structure works so well here. The shift from personal, almost intimate diary entries to a wider, more detached perspective gives you that creeping dread of “something is very wrong here”… you just don’t know how bad yet. The characters are messy, complicated, and definitely not safe. My only gripe? I needed more at the end. It felt like it pulled back just when I wanted a little more. The ending just didn’t quite hit as hard as it could have. Still - dark, unsettling, and absolutely worth the read. ⚠️ Check your trigger warnings on this one.
First, a huge thank you to David Lopera for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this title.
⚠️ Content Warning ⚠️ Before diving into this review, I want to be transparent about the themes in this book. Safe Room is a psychological thriller/horror that contains elements of psychological abuse and sexual assault. Please be mindful of these triggers before choosing to read.
I’ll be honest, the beginning of this book really threw me off. It is written in the form of journal entries, and during Part One, I wasn't entirely sure I was going to be able to stick with that format.
However..... I am so glad I kept going. 📖
Part Two is where the story becomes seriously twisted and incredibly creepy. Lopera does a phenomenal job of leading you down one path, making you think you have the plot figured out, only to pull the rug out from under you with the polar opposite of what you expected. 🤯
This book is dark, intense, and 100% worth the read. This was my first time reading David Lopera’s work, but it most definitely will not be my last. If you want a psychological thriller that will truly keep you guessing, put this one on your list.
I have to thank David for the early read of this book!! It definitely had my mind wandering in the beginning as to what was going on. And at the end, it definitely did not end the way I expected, but in a good way. It started out as the journaling of a girl named Susan (Sue) who was accounting her journey as to being sent to Palisades Academy for Young Women and Teens to correct her behavior as a troubled teen. There were counselors, doctors, security staff and the Head of the Academy Silvaine Davies, who ran this organization. Sue then met some girls and realized that this reformatory was not was it seemed at all. Trouble followed any girl that did not stick to conforming to what was expected of them for their “treatment.” Girls were taken to the “safe room” for further counseling sessions and other forms of therapies. I cannot spoil it for other readers, but many occurrences came to light with some of the girls planning an escape that did not end well in their favor. Overall a good read!!
The Safe Room is not a place you want to end up. While the Palisades sounds like a place of luxury and comfort, it's anything but. Susan learns this the hard way. After being expelled from school, her parents thought this would be the next step in getting her help and back in the right direction. But Susan knows immediately something seems off about this place. The place is filled with young teens, but once they show any signs of bad behavior, they are whisked off to The Safe Room, returning as almost different people. No one wants to talk about what they experience there. But Susan will soon learn first hand why. The story was fast paced and had me at the edge of my seat. I loved how when Susan was taken, the pov switched. The things that were happening in the basement of this place was chilling and unsettling. And then the ending happened and I was left staring at the wall because, I'm not even sure about anything anymore. The story is very entertaining and I highly recommend giving this a read if dark psychological thriller, horror suspense is your thing.
This was a quick and twisted read that I got through in one setting. I was meant to be sleeping, but I just had to see what was happening next.
Susan is sent to a very exclusive, very expensive reform school. She is the typical troublemaker who keeps getting kicked out of school and runs into other troublemakers, or what society deems troublemakers. The lesbian. The transgender. The girl who hears voices. The group of them bond together over their hatred of the Academy and their fear of The Safe Room. No-one who goes into The Safe Room comes back the same.
There are trigger warnings that you should probably heed if you get offended easily, but I didn't find them all that bad. Ideally, I would love a sequel to this book to see what else they get up to there (especially after that ending!)
I could not put this book down! It is fast paced and super exciting with a very engaging plot. There are some trigger warnings for SA. A girl named Susan is sent to a private "reform school" to sort out her behavior problems. Her and the friends she makes must survive the school and their "program" designed not to reform but to serve the whims of a sadistic director and her brutal staff. The only issue I had with this book was that some of the teenage girls with behavior problems and not so good grades in school used words that I didn't even know. To be realistic, teenage girls don't talk like that or write like that especially troubled girls who are at a home designed for girls with behavior problems. This was a bit distracting for me at least but it might not bother other readers. That said this was a very entertaining book.
Just so you know, safe room is not the same as the red room. Don't get sent to the Safe Room if you know what's good for you . Sue is sent away by her parents because she was always in trouble. Now she's cooped up in a place that rubs her the wrong way. Along the way she meets up with different girls, Chatterbox, Christine, Batgirl, and others.
The girls talk about the Safe Room, so many questions so few answers. I was enjoying this story then there were things that made it seem silly. I had to finish this book even though I felt it was turning into a silly bad girls in their teens vibe. I liked the ending, I had a feeling that was how it was going to end. I think if it were a different ending, I'd be mad. I don't know why but the ending stuck the landing.
Sue is sent to this school for troubled girls. Already there are high stakes and higher emotions. There are things being done to these girls that they are not aware of…at first. The parents also have no clue the extreme lengths the staff go to in order to “help” these girls as it is hailed as one of the best institutions for girls like Sue. This place is genuinely sick and twisted.
I agree with others, the shift halfway through the book felt a bit jarring, especially with the added POVs that didn’t always feel clearly outlined.
Overall, things could have been tightened up a bit but the beginning and end of the book worked for me. It was just the middle part that lost me a bit.
I read the other reviews before diving into the Safe Room so I was aware of the POV shift and thoughts on the ending beforehand. I think it helped me to enjoy the the book more. The POV shift may not have bothered me anyway, but I was glad for the warning about the ending. I was ready for whatever was going to happen, and although not as satisfying as I would have liked, at least I was prepared.
Overall, I did enjoy the story.
Definitely check the trigger warnings because there are some pretty tough scenes.
This was the first book that I have ever read by this author and it definitely will not be the last. If you are looking for a good fast pace read then this one is for you. It has probably a few triggers for those who get offended easy.
I love the flow of the writing of this book, but I feel like there needs to be a sequel to the book. And for you to understand you will have to read the book. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next to the
This place is an insane asylum! There's no other way to describe this place. Picture the old asylums and what they would do to these poor patients, that is what the place reminds me of. This place was described as a safe environment to help these young women with their sexuality, depression, etc but that's not what it is. it's gruesome, upsetting, it made me root for these girls till the absolute end and then then it ends with a no so happy ending. check your triggers!!!!
The Safe Room will leave you feeling icky which in my case is awesome! Make sure to check your triggers. Extreme Horror ahead!
Sue is sent away to Palisades Girls Academy after getting expelled from a few other schools. Sue wants nothing more than to return home and be with her family. Sue hides a diary of what she see going on behind closed doors of the academy and they are terrifying! This is a must reads for anyone who loves a bit of the extreme and tortured!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was able to read an arc of this book from the author! This was a wild ride! 5 star read for meI will not give any spoilers. This book pulled me right in from the first page, kept me turning the pages. The story unfolds nicely without dragging at all. Had some great twists I didn’t see coming. The characters were well developed and you had a good mix of them you either loved or hated.
I was fortunate to get an arc of this book. I read it in less than 24 hours. It’s not long but it packs a punch. I didn’t know at any point where this was going. I was surprised at every turn. The religious trauma from a teenagers perspective was done very well! I loved the ending. I will be checking out more of his work!
The book started off so well, the concept was great as well as the build up. But then by middle of the book it got a little muddled up with multiple POVs and lack of depth into some of the things happening and characters. The twist at the end was a nice touch but it was way too quick and rushed for it to have a bigger impact.
I liked this book very much. It was easy to read, and David's use of language is very good. The story keeps you in suspense from the very beginning, and David manages to make you hate the bad guys and feel sorry for those poor girls. I highly recommend it.
A dark and suspenseful thriller that combines the pressures of a strict boarding school with psychological horror. Susan’s fight to survive keeps the tension high, and the sinister undertones of the academy make it an engaging and unsettling read.
A school for trouble girls with a “Safe Room” for when they misbehave. Creepy counselors and a mean old lady in charge. What could possibly be the problem? Way too many to name but let me tell you, this book gets deep and creepy and really pissed me off! Another great boom by David Lopera.
This story was wild. Not the kind of behavioral adjustment one expects. I was blown away by the “safe room”, it was mind blowing. I loved the twists and turns in this. The horror and the creepiness. I was totally invested. Definitely worth the read.
I’m giving The Safe Room 4 out of 5 stars. I love the concept. It’s an interesting story. I would’ve like it better if it was just from a few characters POV. I think it hopped around too much from different characters. It did have me hooked though started around the middle of the book. I wasn’t expecting one of them to be on the institutions side. That was a nice twist. All in all I would recommend this book. This was my first book by this author and would read him again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.