Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 /5
Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice: 0/5
Genre: Romance | Humor | RomCom
Theme: Love triangle | Political | Slow Burn | Banter
Author: Allison Raskin
Publication date: April 8, 2025
Book Cover first thoughts: Cute and fun
Audiobook Narrator: Allison Raskin
Audiobook Length: 8 hours 49 minutes

One Liner: Allison was a fantastic narrator. I was very surprised an author narrated a book so well!

Story Review / Summary: First some of the negative reviews are unfair / out of malice. I went in thinking the whole book would be political and it isn’t. The name “Trump” isn’t even used but “Trumper” is and it is used ONE time throughout the entire book. It fits with the dialogue in that chapter. It is based off a modern day relationship / dating scene so the context is very accurate to modern day dating regardless of your political views.

ANYWAYS. Now for the actual story. I enjoyed this story, banter and humor between Emma and Will! A story of finding someone after losing a relationship. With this loss, the podcast “Operation Save My Date” came to life. I enjoyed the modern day plot and that Emma is a therapist. I always have a running joke of all therapists need 5 therapists for themselves. 

Ending felt rushed, wish it was a little different. Would have loved another POV.

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Thank you to #NetGalley , Harlequin Audio and Canary Street Press for the Advance Reader Copy of #SavetheDate by #AllisonRaskin @allisonraskin
All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was April 8, 2025.
This review is being shared on NetGalley, Goodreads and Amazon (still processing).

I did not enjoy this book. I know it was a true story, but it felt too forced and did not flow in a realistic manner. I didn’t appreciate that the author interjected her own political beliefs in nearly every single chapter. I did not think that that was a necessary component of the book, and I honestly almost did not finish because of it. I did enjoy the ‘ how they met’ ‘ how they fell in love’ part of the story, though.

Because I did not enjoy the book, I do not feel right leaving a review in a public spot. So, I will not be reviewing this on Goodreads or Amazon. I don’t feel that it’s fair to the author!

The story has a cute premise and I overall enjoyed but the story didn’t knock me out of my boots. I also didn’t love the main character or her dilemma men. I’m glad home girl fell in love in the end though. I wish there had been more of the actual falling in love and romantic banter. Romance readers would enjoy this quick read!

Thank you for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this title via NetGalley.

The vibes:
coming of age
life falling apart
trying to find a husband

I liked the idea of this book and the premise was really fun. The family and friends surrounding Emma were such a highlight. I also enjoyed her failed and successful dates.

I really didn't like Emma and I felt like she was immature and unrealistic. There were also jabs at Republicans that a lot of my followers wouldn't appreciate.

The narrator did a great job and brought a lot of levity to the book.

Overall, I don't think I'd recommend this one!

Wow—what a book! Save the Date completely pulled me in from the very beginning. I loved that the author included a disclaimer at the start, letting readers know that she personally experienced something very similar to what her character faces. That touch of authenticity really shines through, even with the creative liberties taken.

The story follows Emma, a relatable and heartfelt protagonist, who is left right before the wedding by her fiance. Instead of cancelling the wedding, she decides she is going to try to find a new husband in six months. I loved how honest and raw Emma’s POV was; she perfectly captured the complexities of wanting connection while trying to maintain self-worth.

The chemistry between the characters felt natural and engaging, and the way the story unfolded kept me invested the entire time. The emotional highs and lows were beautifully done without ever feeling forced. I honestly hope there’s a sequel—I’d love to spend more time with these characters and see where Emma’s journey goes next!

If you love stories that are equal parts heartfelt, witty, and relatable, Save the Date is a must-read. Loved the audiobook version!

I could tell from the first five minutes that I was not going to like this book. I did not care for the narrator and I did not care for the premise of this book. The topics mentioned and how young and juvenile this book came along.All rubbed me the wrong way. The main thing that kept me reading this book was will. I really liked his character and the kind of person he was, but the main character and literally everybody else in this book drove me crazy. I would not recommend this look.And I did not like the narrative voice.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for this review copy of Save the Date.

Overall: 3.25 stars out of 5, rounded down for review purposes.

Save the Date tells the story of Emma, a woman who has been abandoned by her fiance 6 months before their already planned and paid for wedding. Instead of cancelling the wedding, she makes a plan to replace the groom.

Overall, the story was funny and quirky, but I had some personal issues with the narrative. I don’t like love triangles where she’s with one person even though she clearly loves the other guy. Also, I think it was wrong to make Matt forgive his ex wife for her infidelity, when it clearly hurt him enough to cause the divorce. While Emma was emotionally cheating on him. Personally I just didn’t like how blasé the characters viewed monogamy in this book.

Besides that I loved the humor, and the banter between Will and Emma. Honestly would have just preferred Matt was not in the story.

I throughly enjoyed this one! It’s narrated by the author and the premise is based on her life which was an interesting and relatable twist. I loved that the FMC was a marriage and family therapist bc it really added to the plot. At first I was a little annoyed with Emma and how she was navigating Operation: Save the Date, but after finishing it makes sense with the amount of anxiety she experiences. I recommend for anyone wanting a cute romcom palette cleanser.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this 🎧 ARC.

I devoured this book. It was such a fun, unpredictable story. The main character was so relatable and someone you found yourself rooting for even when you couldn’t believe what she was doing. The dual relationships had me wondering at times who would be the best choice- something that usually is clear in romances. I loved the unpredictability, banter, and laugh-out-loud moments. All of this transpired while also taking a deep look at what commitment looks like and why some relationships work even when they don’t make sense. Such a great book- I’d recommend this to anyone! Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was fun read and I appreciated the forward from the author about how unhinged the story was before diving in. It was indeed unhinged but knowing that going in made it more entertaining.

When Emma was dumped without any inkling something was wrong or a reason from her fiancé, she's faced with her worse inner critic. She's got a book deal that's already been written. The catch? This social media famous couples therapist's book is chock full of antidotes and references to the fiancé that just left without a glance back. So now Emma has to find a way to keep this book deal and write her ex out of it. And of course there's the wedding... What's a social media star to do? But find a replacement husband and tell the world about her bonkers plan to keep the wedding date.

I'll admit that I enjoyed this book, it's a solid 3.75. I'm bumping it up to a 4 because of how absolutely triggered people in the reviews are about the political banter. Why anyone is surprised someone with a Masters in Psychology, a relationship coach, and mental health advocate would be against the rise of fascism and lack of empathy in the world is beyond me. But the outrage made me laugh. So Allison gets that extra .25 for pissing off the right people. Pun intended.

When I started this audiobook, I thought I was going to get a lighthearted, fluffy, laugh out loud romcom, but it ended up being politically charged, childish and boring. There really wasn’t anything I liked about the book. There was a lot of political opinions and republican bashing. I don’t care what the author viewpoint is, I just wish she didn’t have to make it such a focal point in her book. The main character was awful. She is supposed to be a relationship counselor, but she has many things which she could benefit from counseling. I found her to be annoying, childish and extremely inconsiderate of others feelings. The audiobook with narrated by the author, and I felt that she did a great job. She really was reading her own story the way that she wrote it and I enjoy that part. I just wish I enjoyed the story.

I got this as both the ebook and audio book.
I actually enjoyed the audiobook more than the ebook. I DNF'd the ebook but I wanted to power through the audio. Since I listened to the whole book(I DNF'd the book at 47%)

It might have been the audio( I did enjoy the narrator, that might have helped me get through this.)

It was such a rollercoaster -pretty sad at first, then a jumble of feelings, but in the end, it was so heartwarming! Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Harlequin Audio for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for this Audio Arc in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was a okay story. Breaking off your engagement and doing a marriage plan to find a new groom to marry on the same date was interesting but I don't think it was executed with the story. It had a some highlights it just didnt work for me and I wasn't rooting for the main character and then the end just made it seem kinda pointless.

This book has such a fun premise, and made for a quick weekend read. I really enjoyed the chemistry with the MMC and the cute twists and turns of the story, particularly with the family. I had a few hangups with it (I’m anxious enough on my own — I don’t need to marinate in the FMC’s anxiety too) but this was one of my favorite therapist main characters (she’s pretty reasonable without being too over analytical).

3 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for an ARC to review.

This was a fun little rom-com beach read. The main character Emma is interesting and her journey towards love and second chances after her heart is broken was surprisingly fun. I appreciated the witty banter of the main characters and the chemistry they had in the book. I also appreciate the reality that just because you are good at something (being a therapist) does not mean you don't have blind spots into your own life.

It was definitely worth the read and the entertainment!

DNF at 30%. I was given this as an audiobook, the pacing was good and since the author was the person reading it was read well.

I could not keep going with this book and I do not like to give a review on a book I do not finish.

Thank you for the ARC

2 ⭐️ ⭐️

Well I loved the book and plot line. I didn’t like all the political stuff in it. Just write and leave it out. We get enough of it from all sides everyday! Just wanna read/listen to a book and not have to listen to political sides 🤷🏼‍♀️

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio book. Oh dear, where do I start. I was instantly drawn to the cover. And the synopsis sounded interesting. I was looking for something lighthearted and well... this book was very disappointing. First off, can we guess what views the author has? Liberal feminist at hear this one is. The MFC is extremely annoying and self-centered.
I am not sure why she can't just cancel the wedding instead of trying to find a guy to marry in 6 months... it just seems very unrealistic. Oh, and guess what all the political bashing. Can you tell the author doesn't like Trump, Republicans or quote "privilege white men"? After a while, it was like I was listening to a whiny liberal feminist. Had to finish halfway through, and I could not take the MFC anymore. Sorry, this was a no for me.

3⭐️ This book was absolutely fine. It had some cute moments and I really enjoyed the concept of the stand in groom. The story follows Emma, a couples therapist, as she is dumped by her fiancé. With her career on the line, she decides to fine a stand in. She has found two options. Will who is charming and the chemistry is very present with Emma. Matt is a recently divorced, very sweet man that just wants to settle down.

This is described as a slow burn, and I would argue it’s kind of insta lusty. Considering there was previous history, it played out better to me. Did love the second chance elements also.

4⭐️ for the narration by the author herself. I honestly love when authors narrate because they can express then intended emotions.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and the author for the advanced reader copy.