This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be the last. If you’re looking for a fun, easy-to-read story with lots of wit and humor, you’ll enjoy this. While the outcome is fairly predictable, there are enough surprises to keep it interesting. The characters are well-drawn and engaging and the story is clean and wholesome. ( )

As is says in the back of the book about the author, she writes "with equal parts wit, sass, and untamed hilarity", that is certainly true in this story. The banter back and forth between the two main characters, Lucy and Alex, was so good and had me laughing out loud at times and smiling most of the time I was reading. This is a book I have had on my pile to read for years, and I am so glad I found the time to enjoy myself by reading "Save the Date".

Lucy runs a non profit home for girls who are too old to stay in the foster care program, but have no place else to go. Her funding is hurting, since a major contributor backed out. Alex Sinclair is an ex-football star who is part of the Sinclair Enterprises, the donor group that is backing out of funding for Lucy's home.

Alex is making a run for Congress and although he is giving it his all, is not rising in the polls. It is decided he needs a more down-home feel and so he makes a proposition to Lucy, a down-home girl. She will get her funding if she agrees to become engaged to him, and begin the wedding plans, and then when he gets elected they can have a difference of opinion and break up.

This will be the beginning of an explosive courtship. Lucy dislikes this football "star" and has to tame her temper when she is around him and make it look good for the public. Alex is easy to look at and enjoys watching Lucy "keep her cool". The chemistry between these two was so fun to read and watch and I hated to see it end. Both these characters were people with real needs and heartaches and they won't admit it, but they really are good for one another and need each other. Save yourself a block of time and sit down to read "Save the Date". You will be glad you did. ( )

http://breesabookworm.blogspot.com/

Here's another book that I recently won through the First Reads program from Goodreads, which is by Jenny B. Jones.

This book is a Contemporary Christian romantic comedy, which I love. Here's a blurb of the book:

"When Alex and Lucy pick out wedding invitations, they wonder if they can be printed in vanishing ink.
Former NFL star Alex Sinclair is a man who has it all--except the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancee in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy will find her heart on the line--and maybe even her life. When God asks Alex and Lucy to scrap their playbook and follow his rules, will they finally say, "I do"?"

That pretty much sums up what the book is about...a nice fake relationship for the benefit of the public eye, followed by a fake proposal, that leads to a not so fake kinda love. :)

I think most people would probably not have an issue with this book at all, and going by other's reviews of the book, they didn't. The book has a great story, with a great leading man, side characters, and good writing. But, for me, the first two-thirds was really hard to get through. Only because I had a hard time with Lucy. To me she was really annoying. She seemed bitter, judgmental, and just plain mean. Everything she said just seemed spiteful. I had a hard time, aside from her non-prof work, seeing what other people in the book saw in her. But, this could have just been a mood I was in. I can't deny the girl was quite witty and very sarcastic. She didn't come around for me until the last 1/3 of the book, which I found to be a joy to read. I was glad I kept reading, and I was very happy with how everything concluded.

I would recommend the book to anyone who likes a fun romance that has humor, because it gives you just that in a nice solidly written book. ( )

I really enjoyed this story. At first I wasn't sure how it was going to work but the author did a great job with the humor and the romance, making this a memorable and fun read for me. ( )

Jenny Jones is a new author to me and I love to read new authors on my bookshelf. When I began reading Save the Date, I thought it was going to be the typical “boy meets girl, boy gets girl” story line. But then the book took an unexpected turn—there is a deeper plot involved. True Christian values are shown with Lucy’s heartfelt involvement with Saving Grace—the home she runs for homeless girls. But although Lucy does the right thing and is constantly talking to God to help her girls, she is by no means your perfect do-gooder. She’s a clutz, both physically and socially, and it’s so easy to relate to her antics. Lots of her unexpected activities made me laugh out loud.

Then there’s Alex—the wealthy, socially adept, and good looking guy who walks into Lucy’s life and literally sweeps her off her feet for a mutually beneficial partnership. They don’t really like each other but have to put up a good front to make people believe they are in love. Their conversations are bantering interactions that have quite a lot of spunk to them. I always wished I had the ability to deliver good comeback one-liners. Lucy has that ability down to a science. Conversations between Lucy and Alex certainly aren’t boring!

Put Lucy and Alex together and you get a story of faith and overcoming life’s curveballs. Both of them have had challenges in their young lives---Lucy was dirt poor with a mom who cleaned houses and Alex was trying to live in his twin brother’s shadow. Although there is lots of discussion of faith and how God really does keep our lives on track, the book is never preaching religion. It makes you reflect on your own life and realize you ARE good enough to deserve a rich life.

This is one book I would highly recommend---it’s funny, touching, and totally believable. Any book that makes me both laugh and dig deep into my own faith is definitely worth reading. I give Save the Date 5 stars and look forward to more of Ms Jones’ books! ( )