Save the Date

Dating #1

by Monica Murphy

Caroline Abbott knows her way around bridezillas.

Working at a stationery store means helping engaged couples pick out the perfect save-the-date cards and invitations for their dream weddings—a dream job.

Until the bridezilla of the day belongs to her first kiss, Alexander Wilder. He’s all grown up now, running his family’s luxury hotel chain, and even hotter than she remembers from that scorcher of a smooch.

So when Caroline catches his fiancée half-naked with another man, she has to tell him. And Alex has to break it off. And of course, the ex-bridezilla goes completely bonkers.

Good thing Caroline has plenty of experience—and friends to help save her.

She also has the sudden interest of Alex, who has a proposal of his own for her. Is it just a rebound for him, or does he also feel the same spark that drew them together all those years ago?

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Second Chance, Fiction

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2019

About the author

New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. A believer in kissing. A believer of love.

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Reviews

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

In SAVE THE DATE, Caroline works at a stationary store, selling wedding invitations and save the date announcement stationary to happy couples. One day she runs into a bridezilla who happens to be engaged to the first boy she ever kissed. Awkward. When bridezilla orders her a week later to bring her printed invitations to her house… Caroline witnesses something she shouldn’t, and the awkward increases by a factor of ten! This was my second book in this series by Monica Murphy and I’m really enjoying the fun writing and characters.

[Jaye Berry · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a joke and I'm still screaming. This book does not deserve such an adorable cover!

Save the Date is about a woman named Caroline who works at a stationary shop. One day a woman named Tiffany comes in for cards and her fiancé happens to be Alex, Caroline's first kiss from childhood. While delivering cards, Caroline stumbles across Tiffany cheating on Alex, so she tells Alex and they break up. Alex has a proposal for Caroline though and things get complicated.

This book was HILARIOUS. First off the drama and events were absolute batshit and I still can't believe this is a serious book. Like halfway through, Alex's father has this crazy idea that Alex needs a fake fiancée and his thought process was literally "what if you hired someone to be your fake fiancé haha jk... unless?" and the madlad actually does it. There is this whole plotline of Tiffany stalking Caroline and screaming at her too and it was so weird!

These characters really suck. Caroline becomes obsessed with Alex after he flirted with her at a coffee shop (before remembering who she was??), and then showed up to pick out wedding cards. She has so much inner monologue about "omggg he's so hot and my dream man I love him ughghhghghghgh hOT MAN" but then she's like, well Tiffany is a straight up bITCH so it's okay!!! Gross lady, you met her once. Even Alex starts dropping comments about Tiffany being a bitch and annoying and how much he wanted to screw Caroline before they break up and that's not okay.

Otherwise Alex really doesn't have a personality. He suddenly got a POV and I didn't think that was necessary at all besides to annoy me because I will forever hate useless male POVs in romance novels. Him and Caroline had ZERO chemistry the entire time. Plus it took them forever to get together and I'm not reading this book just to read about people shopping if you catch my drift. But then their sex (one sex scene and everything else was "we had sex and watched tv and had sex again") was hilariously bizarre, like rubbing on his knee to get off... you okay Caroline??

The romance was just... yikes from me. Caroline and Alex shared a kiss when they were in middle school and then never talked again. Caroline forgot about him completely but then after re-meeting him and seeing how hot and rich he is, she's suddenly sticking to the idea that he's the one that got away and how he was always nice to her when they were kids. And that's the founding of their relationship? Sure jan.

SO much of this book was trashy drama while also traveling to Paris and talking endlessly about clothes and designer brands. I do not and will never care about Chanel bags, for fucks sake. But the book did go by very quickly and I'm trash enough to read the next one.

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Save The Date is the perfect summer read that is easy and just sweeps you off your feet.
It has the perfect balance of whirlwind romance, drama and swoon worthy characters that makes it the perfect romcom.
I feel like if this were made into a movie..I'd sit with my friends watching the perfect chickflick.

*ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Syndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am between 4 and 5 stars for this book. I round it up to 5 stars. This is my first book with miss Murphy. And i am so looking forward for her next book in this series.

The story itself is similar to other romamce book. Relationship of convinience. What i really love about this book is how the author brings moral story about money and social status. She packs it in a very sweet complete with likeable characters. The characters chemistry is really touching without too much sex scenes.

I especially love Caroline and her tight circle of friends. They do not have much, but theu got each other back. I wish i have the same circle of friends.

Wonderful read.

5 stars

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just can't any more with this. I made it nearly halfway, but at this point, Caroline is just a big disappointment. She lives in a great community, has a job she at least likes and a super-chill boss, and a huge group of supportive friends. And yet, a minor tantrum is throwing her into a complete tailspin? Like, she's actually saying (and her friends are supporting) that she'd dump Alex if his psycho cheater ex shows up any more. So she's giving all her power to this nutjob who feels entitled to the rich guy and a dude on the side because Caroline can't take a little hassle?

I mean, I guess it'd be one thing if she were asking with any seriousness why Alex had let himself be pushed into an engagement with an obvious gold-digger. It's a legitimate question and he did volunteer a little bit. But his answer was weaksauce so if Caroline were at all thinking that she needs to figure out if this isn't a sign of a greater weakness in him I'd be down with that. Like, does he secretly want drama? Or is he so self-involved that he doesn't notice even very large red flags? Legitimate questions. But no, it's all "psycho ex might yell at me if I see her and that'd be so, so hard to deal with."

And this wouldn't be a showstopper, but it's just one more manifestation of rather thin characterization going on here. I'm not feeling any chemistry between the main couple. I don't get a sense of what either one really wants or why they haven't found someone yet. And Alex is kind of milquetoast for a high-profile executive with loads of money and a family empire to run.

So I'm calling it good. Or, rather, one-star and I'm done with it.

[Caitlin Da Silva]

DNF 50% through….just couldn’t get into this one :(

[TJ *Book Twins Reviews* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great weekend read!

Save The Date was a super quick and engaging read/ listen. This was my first read by Monica Murphy and I’m excited to continue with this fun and flirty series. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration very much.

Here’s what I loved:
The storyline is a little twist on the brother’s friends and fake fiancé trope, which I enjoy.
The writing is witty and charming. I really enjoyed Caroline’s character. She’s fun and flirty. It was nice to see her interaction with Alex as the story opened.
Caroline’s friends were all fun and engaging. I’m looking forward to reading more books in the series to see how those relationships progress.
It’s super light, not a lot of drama or angst. Just a fun read.
Narrated by Ava Lucas and Jack DuPont, this dual POV narration really hit the spot. I enjoyed both narrators.

If you’re looking for a sweet slow burn romance that’s super cute, definitely give this one a try!

[Danielle (Life of a Literary Nerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a quick & fun read. This had like every possible romance trope I could have ever wanted - missed connection, childhood friends/crushes, each other's first kiss, fake dating, shared bed - liek all of it was here and I loved every second of it. SOOOO much fun.

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release Date: June 25, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars

Save the Date is the perfect summer read! Readers who enjoy travel, fake relationships, second chance romances, and books that revolve around weddings are not going to want to miss Monica's latest novel! I savored this novel- like a fine macaroon! I read it in one sitting as well. It's a lighthearted read with an excellent cast of characters and an engaging story line. Monica Murphy can write a diverse number of books- romances, young adult thrillers, and YA romances which is why I am always coming back for more! Save the Date falls in the romance category (maybe even chick lit) and has everything it needs: a cute relationship (brother's best friend from middle school, and second chances), character growth (Alex finally realized what LOVE is about), and a little bit of sexy times (not too much, just enough to see that the two were compatible). It's an all around wonderful book.

Caroline and Alex were very sweet together. It was quickly apparent that their feelings for one another never fully went away even though they haven't seen each other since they were kids. Their first meeting at the coffee shop proves this and the spark between them FLEW off the pages. Gosh, I smiled so much. There may have been a few things standing in their way at that time (namely, his fiance Tiffany *gasp*) but the hurdles were overcome (even if a little drama played out). Don't worry! This is NOT a love triangle and there is NO cheating unless you count the fact that TIFFANY was having a fling behind Alex's back- hence why they broke up. But there is a bit of drama that needs to be overcome prior to the HEA.

Monica Murphy also adds a bit of a fake relationship trope into this one. Alex needs a woman on his arm in order to secure a deal in Paris for a hotel his family wants to buy and his old pal Caroline is happy to accompany him. Too bad one fashion icon see's through the facade and causes a little trouble of her own... You want to know what happens you will have to read Save the Date to find out!

Overall, I adored this book to pieces! As I mentioned, Monica Murphy can write in just about any genre and still engage all her readers. This is not different with Save the Date and I enthusiastically read this one with a BIG smile on my face. I highly recommend it!

[Antonella · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I would like to describe this book with one word it would be cute.
This is the perfect summer beach or vacation read.

Caroline and Alex were childhoods sort of friends and each other first kiss. After 8th grade, they lose touch only to meet years later when Alex comes with his fiance to pick save the date cards for his upcoming wedding to shop where Caroline works.

This is very light and bubbly read. I loved the characters, plot, and pace of the story.
It was very entertaining.
I loved all the Paris parts too. Even though the story feels familiar and the plot line is predictable but so what.
It is a certain comfort in knowing that you will be getting a solid chick lit read with happy end and everything in between.


Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[LG (A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Caroline Abbott works at a high end stationary store that sells a lot of wedding-related stuff, like save the date cards, wedding invitations, and thank you cards. She's used to dealing with bridezillas, so her newest customer, Tiffany, doesn't throw her much, but the identity of Tiffany's fiance does. It turns out that Tiffany is getting married to Alex Wilder, Caroline's first crush. The last time they saw each other was when she was 12 and he was 14. He gave her her first kiss and then disappeared.

It's a shock to see Alex again, especially like this. When she was a kid, Caroline never realized that Alex came from a wealthy family. It's a bit strange that he's getting married so quickly, only a month or so after meeting Tiffany, and he doesn't even seem to like her much. But Caroline tries to be professional, do her job, and not ogle Alex, who is definitely no longer the gawky boy he used to be. Then she accidentally discovers that Tiffany is cheating on Alex, and things become even more complicated.

This was one of my Book Bonanza purchases. I tend to be drawn to illustrated covers, and this looked cute and fun. I went into this expecting a zany romantic comedy in which Caroline and Alex would awkwardly try to reconnect while dodging Tiffany's probably over-the-top attempts at getting revenge against Caroline and/or Alex. Instead, the writing style made me question what genre I was dealing with - Caroline's first person present tense POV felt more chick lit than romantic comedy, to me - and Caroline and Alex's early flirtation, prior to Caroline discovering that Alex was one of her newest customers, had me wondering whether it was actually going to be Alex who cheated first rather than Tiffany.

While Caroline and Alex didn't kiss or even spend much time together until after Alex learned about Tiffany's cheating and ended their engagement, it still felt uncomfortably like Tiffany was set up for failure. She was horrible and annoying and, even so, I felt a bit sorry for her. From the sounds of things, after the initial shine of their relationship wore off, Alex basically stopped paying much attention to Tiffany, spent most of his time at work, and procrastinated on getting her an engagement ring. Yeah, Tiffany was a gold digger who rushed him into a wedding, but he let himself be rushed. It was like he just couldn't be bothered to break up with her and was going to marry her because it was easier than telling her "no."

Which, honestly, didn't make him an appealing romantic hero. The parts of the book from his POV came across as wooden and boring, and my impression of him only worsened after he and Caroline decided to succumb to their attraction to each other. I think readers were supposed to see them as a better, more solid couple than Alex and Tiffany, but instead I saw Caroline as Alex's Tiffany 2.0. Just like with Tiffany, their relationship started off with lots of bouts of fantastic sex (fantastic for them - I considered the first person present tense sex scenes to be gross and stilted). When things got tough just before the end of the book, though, and Alex had to make a decision between trusting and supporting Caroline or doubting her, he chose the latter. It emphasized that these two characters still didn't really know or trust each other, and the happy ending, after Alex did a bit of groveling, felt hollow.

Also, this was a very small part of the book, but I still wanted to bring it up: I didn't like the way the author used Alex's younger brother, James. Alex had two siblings, his sister Meredith and his younger brother James. James was autistic. It was mentioned that he worked as an accountant in the family business and seemed to be pretty good at it. At one point, Alex thought about how James had told him that he felt like their parents were babying him (he still lived with their parents, and it sounded like they were very protective). Alex privately agreed with James...but also expected that James would one day move in with either Meredith or him, so I didn't really see how he was any different from their parents, not even entertaining the idea that James might want more independence. It also bugged me that, while Meredith got a small speaking role in the book, James didn't. For someone who was supposedly so important to Alex, he had almost no presence.

Caroline had a group of friends who all gave off "future heroine in this series" vibes. However, none of them particularly drew me in, and after the issues I had with Save the Date, I have no intention of trying another one of this author's books.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)

[Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.• · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Caroline works at a store that specializes in wedding stationery. This entails meetings with the upcoming brides and grooms as they make color and theme choices for their special day. Dealing with all the different personality types, including bridezillas is just an everyday occurrence so not a lot ruffles Caroline’s feathers these days. Until her teenage crush walks in with his fiance.

Alex Wilder was her brother’s best friend growing up and he was also Caroline’s first kiss. He is now newly engaged to a woman who is beautiful on the outside but not so nice on the inside. She is definitely of the bridezilla variety and Caroline knows this will be a very trying client to work with.

When Caroline discovers something that could potentially end Alex’s engagement she is torn about what to do but her strong sense of honesty overrides is and her working relationship is done as the wedding is called off.

However, Alex is not yet done with Caroline. He remembers her from his past and appreciates that she was looking out for him. Being newly single has left him in a bit of a predicament and he has a proposal for Caroline, one he really hopes she accepts.

The light hearted romance was my weekly audiobook indulgence. After listening to a few historical fiction novels lately it was a nice change :)

[Monica Murphy]

SAVE THE DATE is here! And I'm so excited for y'all to read it! It was so much fun writing Caroline's story, and there is more to come in this series, I promise! Caroline's friends deserve love too. :)

[Mia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The level of boredom I have reached reading this book.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧

Two words that come to mind to describe this story are quick and easy. The story was entertaining and fun with very low conflict. The romance was subtle and PG-rated and it fit the story perfectly.

Ava Lucas & Jack Dupont are both new-to-me narrators and although I am not 100% sold on Jack, I could listen to Ava narrate anything all day every day! She did an exceptional life bring to life Caroline!

Overall, a lighthearted and engaging romance story I’d happily recommend!

[Sammie Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute and fluffy. It’s marketed as a romcom, but the only slightly funny parts were the FMC’s silly inner dialogue. Anywho…Caroline meets Alex as she’s having a moment with her coffee. He finds it adorable and nicely calls her out, seeing as she cut the line and he’s been waiting forever. They flirt a little, Caroline finding him gorgeous and familiar, and then she goes about her day. She works at a shop that created high end wedding announcements, invitations, save the dates, etc.

Her client Tiffany is waiting for her, just as unpleasant as can be, when in strolls Alex, shocked to see Caroline again so soon. Turns out, he remembers her. Because 14 years ago, they shared their first kiss, right before his parents shipped themselves out of town. He was her brother’s best friend. Caroline is shocked at her attraction to him, an engaged man, but not as shocked as she is to find out that Tiffany is cheating on him. So she tells him, they break up, and naturally he needs her to be his fake fiancé in Paris. Totally plausible!

I rolled my eyes a lot while reading this, and I’ll be honest, the chemistry between the two felt reaaaaaallly forced. But Caroline is really likable, as is Alex, and I enjoyed their story. What I did not enjoy was the third act break up five minutes after they got together followed by not one I Love You. This was more a story of the journey to the starting of a relationship, with a lot of predictably hateful characters thrown in. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. But what I DID do is buy the entire series in paperback, so I guess I shall read the rest. Eventually!

[Wardibonlang Pakma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite okay for a one time read (or listen in my case).

[Starbubbles · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I had wanted to read another book in this series, but read this one because it seemed I had already purchased it. I had decent hopes for this series, and ended this book by staying up late to rage read this. I am making this a thing, even if I am the only one who gets angry at a book and keeps reading because I can't look away from how angry it's making me.

So, what happened?

I had difficulty with Murphy's writing style. It came off as vapid and stinted. For Caroline's perspective, when she wasn't describing hotel or restaurant decore, just about every paragraph had an "I" statement. I don't know who narrates their life in this way. (You know you do it, don't lie.)

Ex: you see a cute butterfly. Do you think, "what a cute butterfly!" Or, do you think, "I see a cute butterfly over there. I need to tell people. First, I need to take a picture with my phone and post this because it is a win-win for me and the butterfly." Oddly enough, my example is pretty close to how Caroline was written.

Murphy also had a simplistic sentence structure and tended to repeat herself. She explained the Tuscany restaurant instagram for discount food deal more than once.

The only things that were written in detail were fancy hotels and designer clothes. Caroline constantly is telling the reader that she doesnt care about needing to obtaining lots of designer things, but shopping in designer stores was a good portion of the book. That is when she wasnt eating (without describing the food), sleeping, or dodging mean girls. I guess I just am not one of those girls who has wet dreams about shopping in Paris.

Speaking of Paris! All you get of the culture and sightseeing is that it happened. No romantic garden walks, dimly lit bridges, museums, cathedrals, palaces, or even a description of the food! At least describe the baguette you are stuffing in your face! I can do it for you! "I grab a piece of the freshly baked baguette. As the smell of the warm bread wafts towards me, I tear off a corner and bite into it. The crust crunches and flakes as my teeth reach the soft, airy center. It tastes of bliss and sunshine." You know, whatever.

Why did Alex believe Caroline about the affair but not about the shopping trip with Manon? He even knew Manon seeks to destroy other women. He told Caroline about that, or thought it. They both were constantly talking to the reader or others. It never stopped, so who can tell.

The Tiffany resolution and explanation of Manon was extremely anticlimactic. Manon was "some people aren't logical," and Tiffany was "I don't want to eat here if she is here." Wow. Good job. Caroline was terrified of this woman going berserk on her for practically the entire book and Tiffany doesn't even call her a name. She spills the beans on an article and basically leaves. No hair pulling, name calling, screaming, drink throwing... clearly I have seen too many episodes of Real Housewives.

Hence me going from hopeful to bored to annoyed to enraged.

I know others love this. I can't see how I seem to be the only one who feels this way about this book, but whatever. I may or may not read another book from Murphy. We shall see.

[Aira · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first half of the book, couldn't get enough of it
but the second half simply felt flat to me. I couldn't get behind Alex and Caroline, she went from barely remembering him to thinking hes the one who got away.
Personally my issue was Caroline, she just seemed so boring as a person, there was no charm or fun to her character.

[Shernell Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another cute and boringgggggg read

Yup, I am definitely staying away from this author. It is so boring and uneventful.
I do love genre where the bland, normal quirky girl gets the millionaire/billionaire, but sometimes it is so annoying when the fmc doesn't spend his money.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise was interesting- her first crush/first kiss whom she hasn't seen since childhood school is getting married and she runs into him with his fiancee as she works at a card store (they're buying save the dates.)

In the midst of his breakup with his scummy fiancee (who of course has to play the crazy ex stereotype...), he needs a fake fiancee for a business deal in Paris. Of course he's a billionaire, takes her shopping to designer brands, instantly jumps into a relationship with her. Without spoilers- their 3rd act breakup was just over something lame. This book was cute and pretty good, but at the same time, I feel like it had a lot more potential and missed some opportunities.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica Murphy delivered such a fun, summer read that had me smiling and laughing! Alex and Caroline shared their first kiss way back when. Years later, Caroline is face-to-face with Alex, only this time he's engaged!! What follows is a great second-chance romance that's low on angst and high on romance. I'm hoping for more books on the secondary characters and I really love Ms. Murphy's writing!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet story..quite Hallmark-ish.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

20-something Caroline loves her job working at a specialty stationery shop, helping couples find the perfect Save the Dates, Invitations and more. The last thing Caroline expects is for one of her latest bridezilla’s fiancé to be the first boy she ever kissed, Alex. And he’s nothing like she remembers. But Caroline can’t help but still be wickedly attracted to him, even after all these years and even though Alex is far from on the market.

So when Caroline catches Alex’s fiancée kissing another man in nothing more than a pair of lace panties, she feels that with their history, she must tell Alex the truth about his fiancée. And when the two of them break off their engagement, Caroline doesn’t expect that Alex will start taking an interest in her after all this time...

Save the Date by Monica Murphy is book 1 in the Date series. I was expecting a sugary sweet, fluffy read with Save the Date and that’s exactly what this is. Unfortunately, it was a snooze for me. The hero & heroine didn’t even kiss until well after the 50% mark. There was a lot of drama surrounding Alex’s first fiancé. The fake dating element and the trip to Paris had lots of potential, but it didn’t work for me. There’s nothing wrong with this story, it just didn’t check any boxes for me. 2.5/5 stars.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Save the Date was recommended to me by @jessislibrary and I immediately bought it and finally got around to reading it. This was a super cute rom com that follows Caroline, who works at a stationary store and helps couples with wedding invitations and save the date cards. Alex was her first kiss (aww 🥰) and they have a second chance at reconnecting. Fun, light and full of female friendship, I’m actually glad I waited because there’s several books in the series now ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caroline works at Noteworthy helping clients with the stationary of their events, such as invitations, thank you cards and save the dates. Alex is wealthy and becomes her new client. He and his fiancé, Tiffany, want Caroline’s help with their wedding. Caroline realizes she knows Alex, he was her brother’s best friend when they were kids. She really likes him, but vows to keep it professional, but then she catches Tiffany cheating on him.

A cute story. Some OTT drama and at times felt far-fetched, but a fun read.

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars / 3 Steam Fans

This was a super fun and quick read. Once I got started I didn't put it down until I was finished. Caroline loves her job as a wedding announcement coordinator and living above a cafe with her best friend. She is a little wishy washy about what she wants to be when she grows up but when she runs into a hot guy in her friend's bakery a glimmer of hope sparks. Caroline arrives at work after that run in only to find that the hot guy from the baker is the fiancé of her super early appointment. Alex is the fiancé and hot guy from the bakery but come to find out he is much more than that. Alex and Caroline have an older connection and this story explores that connection. There is a dash of marriage of convenience, fake dating, brother's best friend, and lost love all wrapped into this fun, sweet, and sexy story. I look forward reading more about these characters and the secondary friend group.

This specific video review will be included in the August 2019 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

[Rosie Read · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF about 45% in, didn't like the style and couldn't connect with characters.

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute and sweet story! I loved how the story goes how they have feelings for each other in the past and they were each other's first kiss back in junior high days.After that he disappeared, moved away with his family without say anything! I really liked Caroline Abbott, she is someone that I could easily be friends with and I could relate too! This is a sweet, romantic, second chance at love story If you are looking for something like that this is perfect!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

1,5/5