Emma Moskowitz is a couples therapist, which adds an extra layer of irony when her fiancé dumps her just 6 months before their wedding. Not only does she lose her fiancé, but she’s at risk of losing her influencer status and book deal since she no longer has a relationship to portray. Rather than letting it crash and burn, she takes a new approach in Operation Save My Date: keep the wedding date, but find a different groom! With her heart still healing, she has to decide between a podcast producer who isn’t particularly interested in being a substitute groom, and a recent divorcee looking to settle down again.

I admit that I’ve been a big fan of the author for a while, and love how open she is with her #anxiety. Leaning in to her anxiety allows for humor in real life, and that was certainly manifest in the novel itself. It’s clear that the character Emma is loosely based on the author’s real life, and that made Emma feel all the more real. It felt like a new spin on a classic #LoveTriangle trope, and frameshifts the ‘bridezilla’ into a different level of anxiety: finding a groom in time. The author does a great job at integrating her own humorous voice that fans of the author will recognize and newcomers will appreciate. A good read for any contemporary romance fan!

Posted on Goodreads 3/14. Will post to IG (@AutobiographiCole) on or around April 8, 2025.

Book Review:
SAVE THE DATE
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Allison Raskin
Publisher: Canary Street Press @canarystreetpress
@_mira_books_ @harpercollins
Thank you @netgalley for my ARC

“I’m not perfect. I know I’m not cool or chill or low
maintenance. But that doesn’t mean I am unlovable.”

This line captures the heart of Save the Date, a
rom-com that is as funny as it is emotionally raw.
Based on Allison Raskin’s real-life experience, the
novel follows Emma Moskowitz, a couples therapist
and online creator, whose fiancé unexpectedly leaves
her six months before their wedding. Instead of
canceling, she embarks on Operation: Save My
Date—a public search for a new groom by her original
wedding day.

At first, Emma’s plan seems ridiculous, but
underneath, it reflects the fear of being left behind.
This book isn’t just about love—it’s about self-worth,
societal pressure, and embracing life’s unexpected
turns. The chemistry between Emma and Will, a
charismatic podcast producer, adds depth, while Matt,
a kind divorcee, presents a safe alternative. Through it
all, Emma must decide what she truly wants.

Raskin blends humor with real emotional stakes,
making Emma’s journey both entertaining and
relatable. The novel tackles modern relationships,
online scrutiny, and the messy process of healing with
authenticity. While some side characters, like Emma’s
sister Jackie, are frustrating, they add to the story’s
realism.

Save the Date is more than a rom-com—it’s a heartfelt,
thought-provoking exploration of love and
self-discovery. If you’ve ever felt lost or pressured to
follow a timeline that isn’t yours, this book is a
must-read.

#SaveTheDateBook #AllisonRaskin #RomComReads
#BookReview #MustRead #BookLover #WomensFiction
#ContemporaryRomance #SelfDiscovery
#HeartfeltReads #FunnyBooks #Bookstagram
#ReadersOfInstagram #FictionLover #LoveAndLife
#ModernRomance #Bookish #ARCReview
#EmotionalReads #StrongFemaleLead #readers #read
#books #readreadread #ReadingCommunity
#booksofinstagram #readersgonnaread
#bookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks

** spoiler alert ** Allison Raskin, a New York Times bestselling author and relationship coach, has released her latest book, "Save the Date," a rom-com novel loosely based on her own life. The book follows Emma Moskowitz, a couples therapist who is unceremoniously dumped by her fiancé six months before their wedding. Emma's world is turned upside down, as her successful career, online presence, and even her book deal are all tied to her expertise in relationships and mental health. However, Emma is determined to find a new groom by the wedding day and continue with her life as planned.

Emma's quest for a new husband catches the attention of Will, a podcast host who offers to chronicle her story on a new show. Emma and Will hit it off instantly, but unfortunately, Will is not interested in marriage. Emma is then set up with Matt, a kind and handsome recently divorced man. Emma and Matt connect easily, proving her theory that "Mr. Right" doesn't need to bring butterflies and fireworks to a relationship. Their relationship is simple and comfortable, and most importantly, Matt wants to get married.

As the wedding date approaches, Emma begins to question whether she and Matt are truly compatible. Matt frequently references his ex-wife, and he doesn't seem to understand Emma's sense of humor. Despite these doubts, Emma feels pressured to go through with the wedding, as many people are counting on her to see her plan through, including her editor, her followers, and even Will.

"Save the Date" is an honest portrayal of the impact of relationships on one's life and Emma's view on marriage, stating that she agrees with Emma's belief that marriage is about finding someone who shares your values, rather than finding "the one".

"Save the Date" is a lighthearted and relatable read that explores the complexities of relationships and the pressure to conform to societal expectations and the importance of finding compatibility and shared values in a partner.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

As a marriage therapist who recently landed herself a book deal, and is riding viral fame, Emma is crushed when her fiancée, Ryan, breaks up with her out of the blue. How can she market herself as a successful marriage therapist when she can’t even find herself a loving husband? With the wedding 6 months away, Emma panics and convinces herself that instead of cancelling, she will instead just find herself a new fiancé. It can’t be that hard, right? Everyone wants to get married.

What ensues is a funny, heartwarming story of Emma finding what she truly wants through some bad dates, a failed pseudo-engagement, and helping her parents navigate their own marriage issues. I truly enjoyed reading this quirky take on picking yourself up by your bootstraps, and making the most of what life throws your way.

I LOVED this eARC. There are definitely things to fix, especially formatting wise, but I thought Emma was so funny and her internal monologue around her anxiety and relationships felt so real.

I really loved the authors note at the beginning of the book and to me, that connection made everything even funnier, more vulnerable, and had me rooting for Emma even when she was a little bananas.

I was wary of this book based on some of the reviews, but I actually really enjoyed it! It kept me on the edge of my seat and made me smile and laugh.

Although I don't think it ever said it or anything similar, the entire thing reminds me of the quote "Every breakup brings you one step closer to the right person," because although she lost multiple men within such a short timeframe, it was all setting her up for her happily every after. I recently told someone that when you lose someone or you don't know what's going to happen next - that's one of the most exciting times of your life because now ANYTHING could happen. Sometimes waiting and seeing can be fun if we are open. And I think that Emma was open, and it turned a sad situation into something fun.

I loved the comedy of this book. It didn't feel forced at all and the banter was just really easy. I never felt like she was trying so hard to be funny, it just was what it was and I really enjoy a book like that.

I did see some reviews about how people didn't like it because it put down republicans a lot, and I really only remember one time it said anything about it. It wasn't exactly necessary, no matter what party it pointed out, but it really wasn't a big deal at all. I would hope one line that's a joke against a political party wouldn't stop you from reading an entire book.

The ending was not something I expected but it was really sweet.


My rating: 16+ - sexual situations, language
Spice - 2/5

This novel is about the time when Emma Moskowitz’s life is turned upside down after her fiancé calls off their wedding just months before the big day. To take back control, she sets out to find a new partner before the original wedding date. Enter Will and Matt—two promising options, but with very different readiness for commitment and different vibes. The idea of this book is charming, and I liked how the story brought in social media and podcasts it made it very modern day and made a fun, modern touch. I would reccomend this book to others!

Emma is a family and relationships therapist who seems to have it all: a loving fiancé, a large
online following, and a book deal that incorporates her own experiences. That is until she is surprisingly dumped by her fiancé and leaves everything else in her life to feel like it’s on the line. Emma decides that she is going to keep her wedding date in place and find a new groom to meet her at the altar. Can she find someone who will go along with new plan?

This book is a feel-good read that had me instantly drawn in from the beginning. I appreciated Emma’s internal monologue and her openness to discuss her anxiety that affects every part of her life. I was rooting for her to find the man who will be the perfect part of her plan and read the last half of the book so quickly to find out what happened! You will fall in love with Emma’s humor, her family, and the suitors that come across her path. Allison Raskin’s book, Save the Date is set to be released April 8th, 2025.

This was just adorable. Was the premise a little bit silly? Yeah, sure. Obviously the main character's self-imposed six-month marriage deadline, when she's just gotten dumped, would be a terrible idea in the real world.

... Fortunately, this is not the real; this is a novel. And it's a novel with a smart, relatable protagonist and well-drawn, entertaining side characters. I loved watching them bumble along to the altar together; in fact, I put down everything else I was reading and finished this book in about three days.

4.5 stars. I didn't particularly care about the main character's relationship with the male lead, which is a problem in a romance novel, but I enjoyed the book so much that I didn't mind.

Save the date by Allison Raskin is a rom-com loosely based on her real life experiences. Emma is 6 months away from her wedding to Ryan when he breaks their engagement. This comes as a complete surprise to Emma and her work as a couples therapist seems threatened as she no longer feels like a credible expert in the area of relationships. With her wedding date set and the vendors paid, Emma must come up with a plan. From this stressful situation, Operation: Save the Date is born.

Emma decides that she will not cancel her wedding to Ryan, but will instead find a groom that will be happy to marry her on her already existing wedding date. Before long, Emma has not one, but two relationships and the possibility of going through with the wedding is close to reality. Her relationship with Will varies from that of Matt and the book follows her time interacting them both.

While this concept is clever, I found the book (first 20% or so) difficult to get into. I was glad I continued to read on since once we met both Will and Matt the storyline really took off. I love how the ending tied up the lose ends for various characters.

With the help of her sister, parents, and best friend, Emma is able to move on from her broken engagement to Ryan. Does Emma successfully complete Operation: Save the Date? This book is a worthwhile read to find out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was such a fun, cute read! And what a concept - instead of moving your date after being left, just find a new groom!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for allowing me to rate and read this eARC!

Being a true romantic, I had so much fun reading this. I can absolutely say that while I am happily married now, going through a breakup like that probably would have made me think some absolutely "bananas" things too.

And I think we can all relate to thinking we are doing something for the "right" reason, or even starting something with one intention and ending up a little lost on what we were aiming for or why we are still so set on it. This book did a great job of really digging into why people are the way they are and how sometimes being set in your ways comes from a place you didn't even realize existed.

While I loved all the women in this book, I think the men really made it as good as it was. They were all so different you could really see how Emma could fall for each of them so differently. And of course I wouldn't be me without the nod to podcasting and youtube being a fun aspect for someone like me in the media field. I also loved that her support system was really honest with her but tried to be as supportive as they could. They took the time to understand what she was thinking and trying to do while also being cautious with they friend/daughter/sister who was still hurting and going through a breakup.

Overall this was just a fun book to read! And I adored that it was loosely based on something that had happened to her in real life (although I hate that for her!)

Emma is dumped by her fiancé and wants to find a new man to marry on the same date as her original wedding. I couldn't really root for Emma because I just didn't understand how she kept making so many bad choices throughout. Will and Matt were the best two characters in my opinion and the second half of the book was much better than the first.

As a couples therapist, Emma is thrown for a loop when her fiancé breaks up with her out of the blue. She doesn't know how to reconcile being blindsided by this when she is literally writing a book about how to have a good relationship. She also is upset because she is ready to be married and now is facing starting over. In a moment of genius (or desperation), she decides to not cancel her wedding plans and just find another groom. After all, she's always said success in relationships is more based on determination and work than a magical "The One". And so she starts Operation: Save the Date, which she will share with her Youtube channel her journey to finding a new partner by her original wedding date.

The premise of this is a bit unusual, but it is tackled in a nuanced fun way. I feel Emma's feelings about the break up to be very raw and real. I did also identify with Emma's anxiety and how it presented in her life. I enjoyed being along for the journey with Emma as she dealt with heartbreak, and putting herself back out there, while also juggling feelings of imposter syndrome.

Tropes
* Youtube blogger
* Couple's Therapist
* Anxiety Rep
* Podcast Host
* Zany dating stories

4 stars

When I started this book, I thought I was going to have a hard time getting into it because I didn’t know how I felt about the premise.

Emma is a woman in her thirties who has been unceremoniously dumped by her fiance with no real explanation. But, since she still has a wedding date set and vendors paid, she decides to partake in a social experiment in which she chooses to fast-track a relationship with a man who she intends to marry on that very wedding date with the same planned wedding. Why waste a perfectly good wedding? The only problem is she has to find the man willing to marry her so soon that she also wants to spend her life with. What could go wrong? And to boot, she is a couples therapist.

Anyway, despite the rather unbelievable plan she has, I found myself really liking Emma. She suffers from anxiety and I found a lot of parallels between myself and her in that aspect. I also like the other characters (mainly her family and “male subjects” that contribute to her plan).

I ended up enjoying the book, and appreciated the clever banter with the various characters in Emma’s life. The only reason I took away a star is because there was an aspect to the end that was slightly rushed for my liking. Also, to be quite frank, I like to read books to escape some of what is going on in the world so I would prefer a plot that doesn’t incorporate politics unless it pertains specifically to a character. In this case, I don’t think a reference to Trump is well-received despite which way the reader sways “in real life.” Just my two cents. Also, I don’t think it would age well either.

Lastly, please try to avoid the incredibly cliched line “let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.” It’s so overdone! It has become a running joke among many of my reading groups to the point where I cringe when I see it. I didn’t let it affect my review but I certainly rolled my eyes.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book and a chance to review it. I enjoyed it and will look forward to more books by the author.

Definitely got a few good laughs out of this one. 100% predictable, but still had fun reading it. It was a unique concept, for sure, but the end felt rushed to me. Decent enough banter.

Save the Date was a fun read that introduced a unique viewpoint on love and marriage. I’m currently planning a wedding and could not imagine being put in the main character’s position. The book had a slow start but I found things picked up when Will is introduced. I loved his personality and the banter he had with Emma.

Emma is someone who suffers from anxiety and other health issues and I found myself relating to her in those regards. It was nice to see that represented on the page. I found myself laughing out loud at one line in particular “Emma didn’t know what to do with her arms” because same, Emma, same.

Overall, I’d give this book a 3.5 but rounding up to 4 stars. It has an interesting premise that made me think about things in a new way.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

DNF'd at 30% because I ABHOR books that bash political stances like this. I'm not on board with all the Trump/Republican hate in this book because it does absolutely NOTHING to further the plot. This is just the author venting about her own biases while trying to meet a book deadline. No thanks, PASS.

At first I will admit the book was hard to get into, but I’m glad I stuck with it. As it is loosely based on the authors real life, it’s really admirable to write something so honesty and witty.

Emma has just been dumped by her fiancé 6 months before the wedding. Love lost be damned, she sets out to not let this ruin things and starts the journey to find someone to marry on the same date. Because she is ready to be married. She already had an online presence and decided to document this journey for her viewers. She goes on a date with Matt through an app, they have a spark but alas he doesn’t want to get married so quickly. He does however have a podcast, and turns this operation save the date into a podcast between the two.

At first the fixation of getting married on the same date was unsettling, but as one dives into the book further and you begin to unpack everything, it’s a honest look at rejection definition of love and what it means to be loved and relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc! It was a fun read.

I stopped reading this at 33%. Too much Trump/republican hating. Write the dang book without bringing politics in it.

An interesting closed door romance with a twist!

Emma, a successful marriage and relationship therapist, social media influencer and soon to be published author, is unceremoniously and with no warning dumped by her fiancé 6 months before their wedding. Instead of cancelling the wedding, Emma decides to find a new man to marry. Enter Matt and Will and two very different paths her love life can embark upon!

What I liked:
The family dynamic and the main character's anxiety were relatable and felt authentic.
There was some great chemistry between Emma and the man she eventually chooses.

What didn't work for me:
I struggled to get into this book for about the first 30%. It felt like a lot of set up for the main characters' plan to find someone to marry.
The story was told in third person, yet still from the perspective of the main character which felt odd.

This is a nice romcom for fans of the closed door romance and those looking for something that maybe strays slightly from the traditional romance formula.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing via NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.