I loved this book so much!

The writing was amazing. I loved the way that the scenes with lots of characters were written. It was as if I was right there. Some scenes had the whole family, plus an outsider like a taxi driver or a wedding planner. The main characters would be discussing something and someone else would chime in with a comment, but the family would continue speaking without missing a beat in the scene. Multiple conversations could be going on at once. It was like a real family conversation.

I also loved the way that the comic strip was part of the family too. It was a lot like the comic strip For Better or For Worse, where the family grew up as the comic progressed. In this story, their mother created the comic called Grant Central Station, based on the Grant family. But this caused many problems when she reflected their lives too closely.

The wedding chaos was crazy, but still realistic. I can imagine these problems happening (hopefully not at one single wedding) and most of them stemmed from the problems with the wedding planner. This story really kept me on the edge of my seat, and made me laugh out loud many times!

This was my first Morgan Matson book, but it won't be my last!

Such a good story, I absolutely adored it. For anyone looking for a story about family, friendships, a little bit of romance and a good laugh, this is the book for you!

Oh dang. I set out to rate this 5 stars, have the best time, and get to know this crazy family. And I didn’t hate it! Not at all. But I damn sure didn’t love it, which bums me out.
*stares at three unread Morgan Matson books on my shelf*
I can’t believe I even got this ARC, considering my NetGalley rating is so low. ANYWAYS. Let’s do this list style.

Pros
• Waffles the beagle
• J.J.
• the aLaRM lmao
• fun, light-hearted, family-centered plot
• the coMIC STRIP oh man I could’ve had a lot more of that pls and thanks
• the writing was fantastic. Morgan truly is talented
• the fact that the plot was about a weDDING I LOVE weddings !!
• Bill was funny and sweet
• The papergirl storyline omg that was hilarious
Cons
• this book was 432 fricken pages
• FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO
• 400+ pages for a contemporary is longgggg
• and I felt it. It felt incredibly drawn out and stretched to add things that weren’t really needed
• it just…it coulda been done up in 250 pages and I would’ve been completely satisfied
• I didn’t like our main character, Charlie Grant, very much at all. She was kind of flat and rather annoying at times
• WHY WAS CHARLIE SO RUDE TO BROOKE RIGHT OFF THE BAT ASHDLSHF I HATED IT
• I also didn’t like brooke tho lmao
• the rOmAnCE
• the beginning was so good like that Jesse x Charlie scene was STEAMY and I wanted more of that but then jesse had a total character flip just so Bill could be eligible to Charlie and I didn’t like that at all
• honestly we could’ve done without a romance
• bill and Charlie would have been the cUTEST friends so I appreciated the open ending for that but meh
• charlie’s mom is the worst oh gosh
• danny is a wet towel lolol
I did enjoy the book though ! despite the cons list being longer than the pros. I almost gave it 4 stars but the last 100 pages were really boring that I found myself skimming, so down a star for that. But I did enjoy it, it just wasn’t as exciting as I was hoping it would be.
I also think it’s really hard to do what I call “bottle books” (or bottle episodes for tv shows). This is when the book (or movie or tv show) is set in one or a handful of locations, and that’s it. The setting for this book was primarily their house and backyard, with a couple of scenes splashed in at the tailor shop, Jesse’s house, and the street where the governor lived, over the course of three days. I think these can be done really well in movies or tv shows, but it can be difficult to execute in a book. I think that was part of the reason why I found it boring. Kasie West, for example, did a bottle book with By Your Side, and I thought it was fabulous.
The love triangle that was trying to happen but wasn’t really happening I felt was completely unnecessary. This was a family-focused book. We didn’t need to have a romance. Not to mention the brother/sister type of relationship we got with Bill and Charlie, and when they would have romantic moments, I couldn’t help cringe.
Also I’m sorry but Bill isn’t a name that is going to make me swoony and shipping them.
I LOVED the comic strip! I thought it was so cute and fun. I liked all of the things going wrong to an extent, but then we reached a point about halfway through where I was just too stressed.
Overall! I enjoyed this book and I’m glad I read it, but it didn’t change my life. Here’s hoping I like her other books more! *eyes books on shelf*

Save the Date was the first book I've read by Morgan Matson and I'm thinking it won't be the last. I read this over two days and I loved every minute of it.
Things I really enjoyed:
- the subplot of the mom being a cartoonist / the Grant family being her subject matter
- the fact that the family connection is the real heart of the novel, not a romance (as I initially was expecting but pleasantly surprised when it took a back seat)
- the fact that while things often seemed a bit far fetched it just didn't matter because it worked within the story
- that this reminded me of 'Father of the Bride' which is such a charming and lovely movie
- that the characters were flawed and you still were rooting for them
- that I both laughed and cried at different points
All in all, a highly enjoyable read and definitely a good one to pick up if you are in the market for a light, fun, contemporary novel.

I absolutely loved "Save the Date" by Morgan Matson, she really brings the Grant's to life. This is not just a book about a wedding and all the last minute hiccups that all too often occur. It is a laugh out loud coming of age as Charlie realizes life is not nearly as simple as it seems. A fast paced page turner that I just couldn't put down, I had to know what would happen next. Highly recommended! Looking forward to what Morgan Matson has in store for us in her next novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Morgan Matson and Save the Date didn’t disappoint! It was a quick, light read that’s the perfect book to kick off the summer season. The family and wedding drama that ensued over the course of the wedding weekend was entertaining and read like a rom com movie. The comic strips were also a clever bonus to the story. Overall, I quite enjoyed this book and I give it 4/5 stars.

As always, Morgan Matson killed it with this book. I loved the characters, the crazy stuff that went down over the course of the wedding weekend, but most importantly the message that Matson delivered. I also simply adore the mood her books give me - perfect summer reads that also pack a punch. 5 stars!

Good Afternoon book lovers! Today is a lovely day and I am thankful for the sun and blooming flowers :) I finished Save the Date last week and guys it was so good!  I needed a few days to digest it and move on to another book because I didn't want the story to end. As soon as I finished it I wanted more of the Grant family! I had never read Morgan Matson before, although I have always been interested in her books (her book covers are so beautiful). The thing is that I had never been that into contemporary until last year so I never picked up any of her books until I got an advanced copy of Save the Date from Simon and Schuster ( I hadn't read a book that quickly in a while). 

The book reminded me a bit of a 90s rom-com, it was funny, charming, romantic, and the beginning of it especially reminded me of Sixteen Candles. Everything about this book was perfect. I loved the characters and the story line. All the characters were fleshed out well and had their own unique personalities and flaws. The family dynamics were interesting and fun to watch. I loved loved loved how Morgan had the book take place over a weekend, I can imagine it would be hard to write a 400 page book taking place over a weekend but she does it flawlessly. It was so fun to see how the family changed and grew and how the characters grew as the weekend went by as they were faced with different challenges.  I loved reading about how Mrs. Grant's comic strip affected her children in different ways. Like with Charlie it was difficult for her to know what was real life memories and what was fake because she was so young when her mom started the strip. Charlie was a great protagonist and although it starts off romantically the book isn't focused on her romance, it is in the background. The book is more about Charlie dealing with her sister's wedding and trying to solve problems as well as figuring out where to go to college and balance her family and best friend Siobhan.

The biggest part of the book was about Charlie trying to spend time with her siblings and her trying to figure out what it means for her and the rest of her family when difficulties arise. She is afraid of moving on when she finds out that her parents are selling the house she has lived in her whole life but her mom tells her not to focus on the past because she will miss great opportunities in the future. That was one of my favourite lines because that is such an easy thing to do. Cling to the past and let the past affect our present too much. Sometimes it is hard to move on but it is usually for the better. 

           I gave this book a 5/5 stars on goodreads :)

I loved this! I am an avid fantasy reader but I always have time to curl up and read a Morgan Matson book and this one did not disappoint. I loved the main character Charlie, she felt extremely real to me and I found myself feeling all her feels with her. This book made me laugh, I cried, I rolled my eyes multiple times and most of all I was continually having aww moments.

This was such a fun read as we start to enter into the summer season. The story tells the tale of Charlie as madness descends upon her house in a busy weekend of her sister's wedding, a Good Morning America Interview and about every wrong thing that you can imagine (and some that you can't). I love how crazy the story seemed like at some times while always still seeming realistic and really enjoy getting into this light and fun story.

A fun and flirty romp that's the perfect summer read! Reads like a fun 90s romantic comedy, and has lots of laughs and funny family moments.

If you know someone that is getting married, do not let them read this book. As the Grant family comes together for the wedding of the oldest sibling, Linnie to Rodney, Charlie is hoping it will be like old times. Unfortunately from the moment J.J. shows up at the house until the end of the story, there is one disaster after another. The story is basically told from Charlie's perspective. She is the youngest Grant and will be heading off to college in the fall. A lot of decisions for her to makes, specifically what college to attend.

The Grant Family is a happy well-adjusted family on the surface, but when their mother uses Mike's situation in her comic strip after he specifically asked her not to, he ends up estranged from his family. He comes home for the wedding but stays at a friend's house, the friend that Charlie has had a crush on since she was a little girl. Charlie was so hoping this would be a wonderful family get together for the wedding weekend, but when her oldest brother and the one she idolizes shows up with his girlfriend, the weekend takes a turn. With their home being sold, the Grant Family Comic strip coming to an end, Good Morning America doing an interview for their Monday morning segment and the wedding planner skipping town with all the funds, you know this will be a disastrous weekend. Charlie and the new wedding planner's nephew Bill, come to the rescue and even though things are not as planned, they try to save the day.

Overall this was a fun story. It showed how families can love one another, yet still be angry at each other. It also was a growing experience, especially for Charlie but others as well. They were not the perfect family, but they were the Grant Family and they made the best of their time together. It would be nice if there were another books showing what came next in Charlie's life but we shall see. I laughed a lot while reading this book and cringed at other times but it was a great YA story that adults could enjoy as well.

Thank you for granting me access to an eGalley of Save the Date by Morgan Matson. Here is the link to my blog's review of the book: https://wordsofmysteryblog.wordpress.com/2018/06/07/book-review-save…by-morgan-matson/

I was very excited when I first saw the announcement for Save the Date, since I am a massive Morgan Matson fan and will honestly read anything she writes. This book did not let me down with its wedding shenanigans, likeable main character, and quirky family. I would definitely recommend this one, especially to those looking for a fun summer read.

It is safe to say that this book is classic Morgan Matson. It tells the story of a wedding gone wrong and contains the staple funny moments, quirky characters, and chaos present in her other books. I have always loved book about weddings, and it is interesting how this one twists the trope and outlines the many mishaps that occur as the wedding unfolds. This is a cute and entertaining story that is perfect for the summer.

I loved Charlie’s character so much! She is the youngest in her massive family, and she is going through a tough time in her life. I enjoyed how supportive she is of her sister on her wedding day, and how determined she is to give Linnie the perfect day. Overall, she is relatable and has a captivating voice.

As is typical with Morgan Matson’s books, this one has a strong theme of family. I loved reading about Charlie’s many siblings and how close they are. By the end of the book, I really felt like I knew each character well, which is pretty surprising considering how many there are. Each family member has their own little quirks, and it really makes the story so much more believable.

Save the Date is an adorable story about wedding catastrophes. I enjoyed the main character and all the members of her family. If you enjoyed Morgan Matson’s other books, this one will not disappoint.

Save The Date is a perfect summer read! I've said this before about another Morgan Matson read, Since You've Been Gone. But it's true, there is something summery and flirty about these books, like they need to be read outside on a warm, bright, sunny day. I had a lot of fun reading this book, and I was able to paint the picture in my head so clearly. With the playful banter between the family and the running around on the wedding day, it played out like a movie in my head. The only (minor) thing that I didn't love about Save The Date was it's predictability. There were so many obvious things about to go wrong, and each and everything that could, did. I'm not sure if Morgan Matson did this on purpose, or not, but I found that to get a little boring after the first few incidents.

Charlie is a fun, helpful and eager to please kind of girl. She would do whatever it takes to make the wedding weekend perfect, and to make sure things are running as smoothly as she can make them. And with everything going on in the upcoming days to the wedding, this keeps her extremely busy, almost too busy for her best friend Siobhan (who didn't play a huge part in the book and we could have done without her as the BFF, in my opinion). But along the way she learns that not everyone is as they seem, and sometimes you find friendship in the strangest of times.

Overall, Save The Date is a fun read, especially if you have a big family (extended in my case) because you can so easily relate to this family - the lame jokes from one person (J.J), the b/f or g/f brought into all the inside jokes etc (Brooke), the noisy kitchen (everyone!!), the fun and exciting games (capture the flag) - it's all there. Though if you are planning your wedding this summer, maybe don't read this one right now, you don't want to start thinking that EVERYTHING can (and will) go wrong!

4.5 Stars

**This book was sent to me by the publisher and NetGalley for review**

Charlie Grant's oldest sister is getting married and this will be the first time her whole family has been together...ever since the incident with her brother. All she can think about is one last perfect weekend before her parents sell their childhood home and she goes off to college. But nothing seems to go as planned. Her favorite brother brings home his new girlfriend, her mom's comic strip is ending, and the wedding problems seem to be never ending.

Charlie has been living in the shadow of her comic strip character for her whole life, mixing up stories her mom created and reality. Now that the strip is ending, she has to make her own decisions about where to go to school, who to be, and who to love. She also soon realizes that even though the Grant's are portrayed as this perfect family to the world, they are far from it.

This book is amazing! Even though I own all of Morgan Matson's books, this was my first read and I'm so happy I read it. I could picture this book being made into a movie. It had moments that were crazy and ridiculous, funny and heartfelt...basically everything you want from a YA Contemporary. The only reason it wasn't given a full 5 stars was because the story takes place over one weekend and I feel there were a few things that could've been left out. Overall though, a fantastic read and I can't wait to read the rest of her books.

Although classified as a YA book, and am many decades beyond those targeted readers in age, I found this a heartwarming, enjoyable book. It is centred around a family wedding, where many things which were carefully planned go wrong. There is plenty of humour in the mixups. The story focuses on family dynamics and the pressure of growing up under public scrutiny. Would make a good movie.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon& Schuster for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

I decided at the last minute, to request an eARC of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This was a quick, light read that gave me all kinds of Sixteen Candles vibes. The two are similar in that there is a wedding and things do go wrong. I just had to keep reading to find out what could possibly go wrong next. I won't include the whole synopsis in this review because you probably already read that for yourself. Charlie Grant's older sister is getting married at their family home. She is the youngest of five siblings who will be all under one roof for a weekend she is hoping will bring them all together before their family home is sold. She just wants the best time with her family with everything going perfectly. Nothing could go wrong; right? Wrong! This book was hilarious and heart felt at the same time. Oh, and of course there is a boy crush involved.

Charlie just wants everything to stay the same. She has lived in the family house her entire life and doesn't want to think about going off to college in the fall. I could picture every scene as I read it. It read like a movie. I would definitely watch this play out on a tv or movie screen.

Sadly unable to read it due to it being a pdf only. I need Kindle versions, NetGalley!
That said, the hype is real and I'll probably just buy it anyway.

Save the Date
By Morgan Matson
Release Date: June 5, 2018
An upbeat coming of age story about a wedding..... Or is it just chaos and disaster all around?
Honestly, reading this book feels like I'm reading a movie script or watching the movie inside my brain atleast. I also loved the small comic strip pages in between as well. I can't wait for June 5, so that I can purchase a physical copy of this book.

Charlie Grant's older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home. All of her siblings are coming home for the wedding. Charlie is excited to have her entire family under one roof before the house is sold. But things just won’t go her way. There is drama, mayhem, sibling unrest and so much more.

I adored the small comic strip pages, I really wanted more of them.

Although I had fun reading this book, there were places where I felt the story dragged, or rather slowed. I feel I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more had it been a movie or a tv show. I would’ve loved to explore each of the characters more kind of like in a Mockumentary. I felt this story was fun and had moments where, had it been a Mockumentary, the audience would laugh and want more and more each season. This kind of gave me the same feel as when I watch Modern Family and would’ve love to watch this just as much on tv.

I will have an in-depth summary of this book on my Reviews page after the release