Book Review: Save The Date by Monica Murphy

Save The Date by Monica Murphy is a stand alone contemporary romance.  Caroline Abbott loves her job—helping engaged couples pick out the perfect save the date cards and invitations for their dream wedding. Working at Noteworthy means she has to deal with the occasional bridezilla, but Caroline’s always up for the challenge. Until one particular bridezilla walks into the stationery store who’s fiancé happens to be the boy Caroline shared her first kiss with. Alexander Wilder is all grown up now, helping run his family’s successful luxury hotel chain, and is somehow even better looking than she remembers. When Caroline just happens to catch Alex’s fiancée half naked with another man well, of course she has to tell Alex. Of course, he breaks off his engagement. And of course, the ex-bridezilla has gone completely bonkers. At least Caroline has her friends to save her from crazy ex-fiancées. But she also has the sudden interest of…Alex? Caroline knows they share a connection, but is he on the rebound? Or after seeing her all these years later, does he really want something more?

Save The Date is a romance that had me grinning and cringing in turn. I liked Caroline's character, and how hard she worked to be independent with still having a good support systems of friends and owning her fears of the future. Alex is a workaholic that I liked seeing admit what he needed and wanted out of life while still working to keep his family happy. The interactions between the two were sweet, sometimes snarky, and generally fun to read. I loved Caroline's friends and wish we all had a tribe of chosen family like that. I thought the twists and turns of the story were well written- and individually very believable. I found myself very engaged and had trouble putting the book aside a few times when I needed to- like to go to sleep at night. I enjoyed the read and think many others will as well. I just hope Murphy gives some of Caroline's friends happy endings pf their own.

Save The Date is a sweet romance with hints of a second chance romance and some sibling's friend- but never really gets lost in either. I liked the honesty and twists in the story. I am really glad I read it and will be reading more from the author.