Book Review- Save Me by Cecy Robson

In this O’Brien Family book, Seamus is one of the older O’Brien children. He isn’t in a serious relationship and doesn’t see one on the horizon. His family is nagging him about bringing a date to his sister’s wedding. Allie is a real estate agent who owns her own business. She is smart and one of the sweetest people I’ve read about. Her family treats her horribly and her sister is a real piece of work. She also needs a date to her sister’s wedding. Seamus decides to help them both by pretending to be a couple. It got his family off his back and showed Allie’s family she was important to be in a relationship with Seamus.
I loved this family and the series. I am sad to see it end. I also loved revisiting characters from earlier books. I truly love when authors do that. The reader learns about the O’Briens’ past with their father and how tough their mother was. They definitely take care of their own. Allie and Seamus were a great match. It starts out so innocent, but you know how it will end. It was fun to read how the story unfolds and they finish the journey they started. They were both good for each other. Allie gave Seamus some stability and strength in relationships. Seamus gave her the courage to stand up to her family. Great characters and great story. I loved reading it. I give it a 4 out of 5.

I'm kicking myself for not reading this book sooner than now. I really loved it! The characters had great chemistry.

I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. The story itself was OK, but I found myself forcing myself to read this one and finish it. I think if I could have connected more to the characters, or if they were more likable, then this would have been a better read. 2.5/5

Just loved it this was a really fun read and I enjoyed every single minute of it. I have read all the O'Brien books and loved them all but I have to admit Seamus and Allie's book just might be my favorite. These two were a super couple I just loved how she came into her own while with him this is a great addition to the series and a must read I just loved it.

Save Me is lots of fun, and really sweet. I love the humor that Cecy Robson adds to the story. Her writing flows wonderfully! There's a lot going on in certain scenes, and Robson's writing keeps the flow of the story smooth. Save Me has characters from the previous books, but I think this can be read as a standalone. You may want to start at the beginning to get the full emotional tie with the characters, but I haven't read the previous 2 books yet, and I still really enjoyed this story. The O'Brien family doesn't have a filter, they say pretty much whatever pops into their head; the whole family is loud and outspoken, and Seamus is one of the worst with that. He's brash, and he has poor taste in women, but he has a sweet heart. There's a lot of weddings going on in Seamus' family, and he fibs that he's dating a nice girl. Unfortunately for Seamus, he doesn't know any nice girls, but just so happens he runs into nice girl Allie at the bakery and she is also in need of a date. Allie is smart, practical business women, who is used to being looked over. Allie's sister is the "beautiful" one, and Allie has always been treated unfairly in regards to her sister. Allie's sister is a piece of work. Her sister slept with Allie's boyfriend and they are now getting married. Allie is being strong armed into attending the wedding by her mother. Seamus and Allie decide to help each other out with each of their situations, so the two enter into a fake relationship. The two become fast friends, and each person is just what the other needed. I loved how Seamus and Allie's relationship develops, and how much they support each other. They are cute together! The whole story is very entertaining, and I look forward to reading more in this series and by Cecy Robson!

Save Me
O’ Briens #5
Cecy Robson

This one started off really good but then I felt like it dragged on and on. I wanted more to happen between Seamus and Allie but they both just danced around their feelings. I want a little more steam to my books.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

DNF at 30%

I loved Cecy Robson's ETERNAL and thought I'd request this one because I loved the whole 'bad boy settling down' thing, but unfortunately I couldn't connect with the characters :/

This is the first of this series that I’ve read and I have to admit that I didn’t think I was going to like Seamus. He’s brash, cocky, mouthy, and more often than not inappropriate. But he’s also caring and fun and he does everything he can to bring Allie out of her shell. I easily found myself falling under his spell right along with her.

Allie’s family is pretty much awful, especially her sister and she really needed to find a champion in Seamus. It helps, of course, that he’s sexy is all get out. His confidence (and, surprisingly, his lack of filter) helps her find her own mojo and the confidence to stand up for herself.

I liked that, while these two definitely needed to work on sharing their feelings, things were pretty much drama-free. At least between the two of them – Allie’s sister brought more than enough drama for everyone. Even when they finally reach the point that they have to come clean about falling in love, Robson handles it with care. It’s a sweet ending and definitely in line with the couple we’d gotten to know.

Cecy Robson’s Save Me is the last book of her O’Brien Family series. The series wraps up as the last sibling get his HEA.

Seamus O’Brien and Allie Mendes are acquaintances but have not seen each other in ages. With both their siblings getting hitched, they find themselves in an awkward situation. Needing a date throughout the wedding ordeals, Allie and Seamus decide to become each other’s partner in crime. They pretend they are a couple and well, become good friends in the process. Giving each other advice, standing up for the other, and inevitably, they fall for each other as well.

Seamus cracked me up every time he opens his mouth. Most especially when he’s with his siblings. They are all hilarious when they’re together. I love that Seamus took things in stride and always looked on the bright side. His acceptance of his bad pick of girls made me laugh. He was teased by his siblings to no end. Allie on the other hand, I felt bad for her. Standing up to family members who make you feel bad was hard for her. I wish it didn’t take so long for her to do it, but I’m glad she was able to in the end.

As far as the romance, I enjoyed Seamus and Allies coming together. They were explosive though it didn’t start out that way. They’re strong foundation made up for it. They were a good match.

Cecy Robson did an exceptional job with The O’Brien Family series as a whole. She ended it as she started the series; sweet, sexy, and funny. A series worth checking out if you like light contemporary reads.

with all his siblings finding love, Seamus O'Brien's family are hoping he'll finally find 'the one'. But for now, he'll settle for finding a wedding date. Luckily, Allie Mendes is the perfect woman for him to ask since she needs just as big a favor from him. But when playing her fake boyfriend starts to feel all too real, will Seamus be able to convince Allie to give them a shot at happy ever after?

What a wonderful ending to such a brilliant series Ms. Robson has penned in this fifth book of her O'Brien Family series, which encompasses the fake relationship trope; compelling dialogue that was a wonderful combination of intense moments due to the main characters back stories and their interactions with their families, especially that of the heroine and playful banter that had me loving the growing relationship between the hero and heroine; and two enchanting main characters that I loved from the moment they're introduced to each other because Seamus had me laughing with the things he says to the heroine. Does he really need to use such excuses like he does?

With the main characters, I absolutely loved this couple together. Seamus is confident, a good guy because of what he does for the heroine in coming to her rescue with her family and I liked how determined he was to help her. There were moments where he made me laugh, especially in the moments when he interacted with his family because anything goes when they're conversing. Then again, they don't leave the heroine out of their teasing either. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is that he would do anything for those he cares about, which is proven by all that he's done in the past and the present for his family and what he does for the heroine to show her how much he cares.

While the heroine, she really surprised me. It's hard living in the shadow of her older sister and I could understand why she makes the decisions she does throughout this story. Why not finally stand up for herself and hopefully be able to move forward with her life instead of letting it hold her back from happiness. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine is that she gave the hero a chance, even knowing that their plan could backfire.

Overall, Ms. Robson has delivered an utterly captivating read in this book where the chemistry between Seamus and Allie was intense; the romance was hot once this couple's relationship progressed from platonic to physical intimacy; and the ending had me loving how Seamus shows Allie how important she is to him and proves to her that she is good enough. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly because of the hero's surprise for the heroine. What will her answer be? I would recommend Save Me by Cecy Robson, if you enjoy the fake relationship trope or books by authors Ilsa Madden-Mills, Daisy Prescott, Kristen Proby and Marquita Valentine.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
This series is just epic and awesome – I’ve loved each of the books a little more than the last! Seamus and Allie are probably my favorite couple so far, they’re just such a perfect balance for one another and their camaraderie had me in stitches.

Seamus is always being bugged by his six siblings and his mother about the fact that he’s not settled down yet, Seamus is just happy being a playboy. Until his family’s comments start to break through his thick exterior and Seamus starts to think that maybe he does need someone in his life, especially with all his siblings settling down. Allie has been dealt a crappy hand in both the relationship department as well as the family department – the only serious boyfriend she’s ever had cheated on her with her sister. Now, her ex and her sister are engaged to be married and Allie is expected to put on a happy face and be involved. Seamus saves Allie from an awkward situation with her family and the two wind up scheming that Seamus will help Allie with her “image” and be her fake boyfriend around her family, if she’ll be his fake girlfriend/date to his siblings’ weddings. The two have to spend a ton of time together, developing an incredible friendship that begins to turn into an epic love story.

I absolutely love Seamus and his family, they’re written so well I just want to be adopted into their family! I also love Allie’s character, she’s fierce, funny, and though it takes some coaxing from Seamus, has backbone that she uses to keep her family from walking all over. I’m really looking forward to more from Cecy Robson!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 stars of perfect ending to a series, and beginning of a beautiful relationship!

This is the fifth (and final) book in the series; although I rather hope that Ms. Robson will be kind and someday write a catch up book – ideally one where Mrs. O'Brien gets her own happily ever after too. Brilliant series, which I highly recommend to you.

Seamus is the last man standing alone, and he is about to attend three family weddings and needs a date. Not one of his less than suitable hookups, but someone to be on his arm. The joy of Seamus getting his story, is that we also get to see how the whole family is and celebrate their romances all over again! For Seamus though, it is a complication he could do without.

Allie has lived deep in her sister's shadow for years, and it hurts, but her nature is to forgive. Now that Valentina is marrying Allie's ex-boyfriend of ten years standing, it is all getting too difficult.

Yep a chance encounter gets these two to agree to be each other's dates for the upcoming nuptials. And along the way we get such a fantastic level of banter, and of real friendship developing, it is just a blast. I really loved it all from the very beginning to the super perfect end. The writing is sharp, witty, and makes us believe both their sides of the story all the way down to the core. The emotions, the issues, and the trust – all perfect.

So much goodness packed into these pages, you really just need to go and read a copy... and join with me in hoping that there is a chance of a follow-up novel one day in the not too distant future. Please, pretty please, Ms. Robson.

A smidge of Catholic guilt, a series of family weddings, and Seamus finds himself desperately in need of a ‘girl I can bring home to my mother’ type of date. Too bad, Seamus’ contact list is full of quite the opposite, but then a sweet woman desperately whispers, ‘Save Me’ and he’s all in. The final book in the O’Brien Family series was irreverent fun, tender, sensual, and a whole lot of the feels.
Review

Save Me is book five in the O’Brien Family and works as a romance for the last single O’Brien and a follow-up on the lives of all the rest. This is a culmination of a fantastic, deeply satisfying series and its not a good place to start.

The O’Briens are an Irish Philadelphia family who are boisterous, colorful, inappropriate, loyal, and loving. Raised by their mother, there are six brothers and one sister. Seamus is the third born and last to be single. Most think he’s a tomcat, but Seamus really does want a wife and family if only the right woman comes along.

Sharing this romance with Seamus is a girl from the old neighborhood who made good, Ally Mendes. Ally has put her life into her real estate business after her gorgeous, family-favorite sister stole her boyfriend right when she was expecting to have the white picket fence and everything Seamus is the first person to see beyond the dowdy clothes, bad hairstyle, and mousy persona she hides behind while staying far away from her toxic mother and sister. When her sister announces that she’s marrying Ally’s ex, she does something desperate to avoid the misery of still seeming hung up on the guy. Fake relationship time and trusting Seamus to help her with a sexy make over.

Much of this story can get unreal, but families and weddings can turn reality on its ear. Seamus is a blue-collar guy, as confident as they come, and honest- brutally so- to a tee, but Seamus is in for as big a shock as Ally. They start out awkwardly faking it, but its not long before they are both secretly longing for the real thing.

In between the scenes of Seamus and Ally spending time together and building a friendship into something else, I had a good time with the O’Brien family encounters. We have beautiful O’Brien weddings and babies. Sigh. On the other end, there are those ugly encounters with Ally’s family. Man, where is the bus that needs to run over her narcissistic and horrid sister when you need one.

As has happened with each of these books, when I wasn’t embarrassing myself with gut-wrenching laughter or enjoying the sensual friends to lovers fake mates romance, I found the true depth was when this couple had the intense heart to heart in the turning point of the book. Seamus, if I didn’t love him already, just tugged on my heart with that story from his past. He grew up hard in ways, but he had his proud loving mother and his wonderful family of siblings, but Ally being stuck as the ignored child and sibling was equally heartbreaking. Seeing Ally come into her own and stand up for herself had me nearly standing on the couch and cheering.

On a side note… I don’t normally do this, but I feel I should explain something that seems to be problematic particularly with our touchy social climate. This is not me saying you aren’t allowed to see it different than I do, just that this is how I read the situation. In the first portion of the book, at first glance, there are several statements that taken out of context or without due thought can seem sexist, demeaning, and chauvinistic. What I think readers might miss when Seamus is helping Ally with her ‘makeover’ is that first- he is doing it as a friend at the time and not her lover which makes a big difference when someone is honestly telling you where you’re going wrong. Secondly, she is onboard with him giving her advice on her looks and how to be sexy. It is her goal to not be such a pushover after her sister and the ex humiliate her. Seamus thought she was a beauty before the makeover- yes, he initially couldn’t remember her and thought she was one of his forgettable one night stands, but then he remembered her for her beautiful kindness. He also saw her as too classy and good for him which is why he held back with his true feelings for her. Am I denying that Seamus is a mess when he first meets Ally at the baker? Nope. Ally looks him in the eye and makes it clear that he needs some work as much as she does and they’ll help each other.

So, yes, this was the end. Only comfort I have is all the O’Brien stories on my Kindle that I can come back and visit later. For those who want a strong element of family in their romances, I can heartily recommend this series and the Shattered Past trio this one spun off of. Do yourselves a solid and don’t miss these.

My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 End of a family saga...
Happened to love this series and so sorry to see it over. Full of heart and fun.

Solid romance about two unlikely characters finding camaraderie, understanding, and love in a pretty unlikely place. The heroine gets a style makeover by Seamus, the hero, and in the process he realizes that what’s beyond skin deep in Allie is what’s really attractive. The heroine is sweet and forgiving. The hero is humorous and a bit crude. Somehow it works. I enjoyed it

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

It’s finally Seamus’ turn to present his story and as for all the novels in the series, I was really looking forward to immerse myself in this new story! It must be said that Cecy Robson rarely disappoints!

We discover this O’Brien brother and Allie, two characters that everything seems to oppose! While all his siblings have found their half and are about to get married, the oldest of all seems irretrievably alone. But now, the marriage is approaching, he is spoiled and he is determined to prove to them that he can find a nice girl! For her part, Allie is a pretty lonely young woman and while her sister is the one who has everything “beautiful, intelligent, famous”, she seems to live in her shadow, while she doesn’t say a thing because “this is family”. But the marriage of her sister with her ex, an ex she thought to marry before is difficult for her. Therefore she sees an opportunity when Seamus agrees to make an agreement and passes for her boyfriend, if she wants to do the same for him!

I really liked this novel and I must say that I easily connected to Allie. She tries to do her best in her family and yet she is treated in an execrable way by her mother or even by her sister. I was happy to see her change, to gain confidence and finally to manage to say stop even if it’s not easy. Her meeting with Seamus will change everything. It must be said that he has everything for him! Yet he must overcome his past as well.

It was a great novel! As I said Cecy Robson always manages to get me into her stories and Save Me is a perfect example! I strongly advise you to try her series. They are all fantastic!

Favorite Quotes:

There are a few grays on my temples, too, but for some reason the chest hair seems to bother him more… “It’s what the ladies call dignified.” They really don’t. More to the point, they say things like, “Ride me, cowboy” or “faster, my probation officer will be here soon.” The latter only happened once, okay twice, but in my defense, it was with the same broad.

I wanted to get married on the beach with just us. But no. Ma insists I get married in a church or risk God releasing a plague that will have flying monkeys shooting out of my lady bits. No one needs that…

We just don’t want you to be alone, you know? You hear about those spinster women found dead, their faces half-eaten by their twenty cats. We don’t want that to be you. We don’t want to find you dead, alone, surrounded by asshole cats licking their whiskers.

We’re going to need to drop a few bills on new clothes. The hair, I know someone who can fix it… You look like a Mormon and not the good kind. I mean the cult kind. The one with multiple wives and three hundred kids. The kind that make us Irish look infertile. Seriously, Allie. You’re sexy and everything. But if you told me you’re number four of six sister wives, I’d believe you based on what you’re wearing.

I try to tone down my smirk. It doesn’t work. Smirks are like wolves. You have to let them loose to run free.

She thought the guy was a manager at CBS. Turns out he’s a manager at CVS. She’s freaking out, trying to get it annulled, even though they spent the night banging like grizzlies in the woods with cymbals.

My Review:

I haven’t had this much fun in ages. Save Me was outrageously witty and highly amusing. I smirked and barked aloud more than a few times as I read. This is only my second time reading the delightfully clever words of Cecy Robson, but I am now a devoted and rabid fangirl. I adore and admire her to such a massive degree she could hit me up for a kidney if she were in need of a spare. I gleefully inhaled this engaging tale that not only had me howling with mirthful laughter but also found me choking up with sweet tears during a tenderly written and emotionally moving wedding scene. I am greedy to read all the previous books in this series as well as every other book this talented scribe has produced. I gluttonously covet all her clever words.

Seamus and Allie's story is my favorite in the O'Brien series. I read it in one sitting. I simply couldn't put it down!

Seamus is the last of the O'Brien family to find his HEA and Allie perfect for him. Their "relationship" starts where she needs saving from her mother and sister and Seamus being the nice guy he that he is, acts like they are together. He doesn't miss the opportunity to grab her butt in the process, he might be sweet but he still a horn dog and Allie is super cute. LOL

These two have tons of attraction but they fight because of their deal to help each other out as dates for family events like weddings. They are both hounded by their families for being "old maids". They grow into each other best friends which later grow into love.

Save Me is full of funny liners, heartbreaking truths and a happy ending for the O'Brien family. I will miss this over the top family.

OMG! This book was SOOO good! This author is new to me, and I knew from the first chapter that this would be a book I couldn't put down. Even though I haven't read the rest of this series, I didn't feel lost. The other family members are mentioned, but I felt like enough back story was given that I didn't feel confused. Seamus and Allie were wonderful together. Even though they don't actually get intimate until the last part of the book, I didn't feel like I missed out on anything. Seamus was exactly who Allie needed to help her get over her ex and her conniving sister. Allie helped Seamus see that he was worthy of a relationship, and not just meaningless flings. Seamus's family was great. Allie's family not so much, but it was nice to see the blinders finally being taken off. This book had me laughing and crying. One chapter in particular where Seamus tells Allie about his past was heart wrenching. The HEA was great, and the only thing that could make this book better was a longer look into their future.
I voluntarliy reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

4.5 Stars!

Save Me by Cecy Robson is not your typical relationship of convenience romance. The characters are tangible in every way and being part of their world is emotional, uplifting and affecting. The two main personalities, real estate guru Allie Mendes, and carpenter extraordinaire Seamus O'Brien, develop a quick friendship in order to not be lonely and dateless for the many wedding festivities they have to attend.

Allie is an extremely successful workaholic. She treats her employees well and is very kind to everyone she meets. Her mother, sister, and aunts have taunted her for years about every little thing, and as a result, Allie's self-esteem when it comes to anything but business is very poor. Her sister, an international model with a certifiable mean streak, is marrying Allie's ex-boyfriend. The situation is a nightmare.

Seamus is one of seven siblings. He is talented, good-looking and loves his family with a vengeance. He is also a womanizer, and his dates tend to be bizarre, crazy, and even dangerous. Dating Allie, a "good" girl, is completely new to him, yet he knows that she may be just what he needs in his life.

This is an compelling story and the plot developments are emotional at times. I liked all the characters and I loved getting to know the distinct personalities of the seven O'Brien siblings for a second time. My heart ached for Allie as she dealt with her family's blatant cruelty and her sister's betrayal. Seamus's ability to draw Allie out from her insecurities was inspiring. When Allie and Seamus finally get together, their sexy times are hot, and Ms. Robson does a great job of combining emotion and passion. This is the fifth book from the author's O'Brien Family series and it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5

The fighting Irish? I think they had the O’Briens in mind when they came up with that saying.

Now when the end of a series has come, said series must end with a bang and Ms. Robson delivered. I’m sad to see the end of them. But there are always rereads.

The Characters.

Allie Mendes has always been the dutiful daughter. The good daughter although she has been overlooked all her life and has stood in her sisters shadow. Her sister did the unthinkable and stole her boyfriend that cuts deep but seven years later they are to get married and Valentina is to be in the wedding. Her sister is selfish, cruel and well you know what they say, beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes straight to the bone.

I really liked Allie even though she was a goody two shoes. She was just too nice okay she then grew a backbone that is part of the story. She is a successful business owner. And from a young age she looked after the O’Brien kids in Sunday school.

Seamus O’Brien is the last O’Brien standing and his siblings are scared as he is getting old that he is going to die alone and be surrounded by arsehole cats when they find him. Seamus always thought he had time but now he has three weddings to go to and no date. Not the married woman who he thought worked odd hours, or the one who was arrested for larceny and fraud, or the one who stole the microwave. He always goes for the crazy ones because he thinks he doesn’t deserve someone normal.

I loved Seamus he is oblivious, inappropriate, more intelligent than he lets on. He is a good guy and in time of need he will Save You. As he did with Allie.

The Chemistry.

Allie & Seamus go from acquaintances to friends and right at the end from friends to lovers. The beginning is mutual deal where they help one another and if you really look there is an attraction and that attraction grows more and more over time. There is sexual chemistry but that came right at the end.

What doesn’t speak for Seamus is that when he first meets the heroine after so long he thinks that they’d slept with one another. There was this WTF moment but the more I read it the more I realised that it is just Seamus’s personality.


The Writing & Plot.

Ms. Robson delivered a sweet, sexy read where we see Seamus and Allie get a happily ever after where both of them thought it would never happen. We get to revisit all of the O’Brien siblings. Each encounter and wedding was beautifully done. The author’s writing and her banter between the characters had me charmed. I like being charmed.

I had a sense of déjà vu when it came to the plot, now I can’t remember if I’d read the sample or if I read a book similar to it a while back. But seeing as it isn’t an overused plot so all good for me. I couldn’t give it 5 stars because although Seamus realised he liked Allie from the beginning she still got a makeover so that his family thought that they would be dating. Allie’s hang ups on the situation with her bitcharse sister and the ex-douche went on to long.

The Verdict.

The final O’Brien receiving his happily ever after. Such a great ending to the series that I even cried and I. Don’t. Cry. Just saying.

Out of all of the books that I have read I love Wren & Evan the most. I can only recommend this series. I have to read her other books. It is a feel good read with virtually no angst that leaves you with a goofy smile. I love goofy smile books. They’re like catnip for me.