Series: StandaloneGenre: Women's Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 6/3/14
Format: ARC
Pages: 448
Source: Publicist
Rating: 4.5 stars
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A wedding florist finds love and trouble in this delightful new novel by the New York Times bestselling author of Ladies' Night
A savannah florist is about to score the wedding of a lifetime—one that will solidify her career as the go-to-girl for society nuptials. Ironically, Cara Kryzik doesn't believe in love, even though she creates beautiful flower arrangements to celebrate them. But when the bride goes missing and the wedding is in jeopardy, Cara must find the bride and figure out what she believes in. Maybe love really does exist outside of fairy tales after all.
Told with Mary Kay Andrew's trademark wit and keen eye for detail, mark your calendars for Save the Date
Long before I was a blogger, I was a READER. I mean, a non-stop, compulsive reader who constantly craved new-to-me authors and good books. My boss's wife was in a similar position, and lucky for me she had ridiculous disposable income and was very generous in giving me all her books. Most of the books were Women's Fiction (but we just called it Chick Lit), and this is how I was introduced to Mary Kay Andrews. I've always been a fan of Women's Fiction with a good romance thrown in, and Andrews just really hit that spot. I read Little Bitty Lies, Hissy Fit, Savannah Blues and Savannah Breeze in quick succession, but sadly, I haven't picked up her other books. (which I will remedy ASAP!)
My point is, I guess, is that looking back, I was grateful that a fellow reader recognized how desperate I was to find good books and that she introduced me to Mary Kay Andrews. And looking back, her books make me really happy. When I think about Keeley Murdock (Hissy Fit) and the completely epic way in which she lost her damn mind when she discovered her fiancé cheating, and when I think back on the brilliant friendship shared by Weezie and BeBe (Weezie and BeBe Mysteries) and the hilarity do the situations they stumbled into, all these memories make me smile. And knowing how much joy her books have brought into my life, I was more than happy when I received a request to review Save the Date.
Save the Date is such a big story, much larger than the book description indicates. Yes, there is a wedding crisis and it does have a big impact on Cara, as well as several others, but this is mainly her story. And it was so good!
Cara Kryzik is having really baaaaaad time of it. A florist with a fledgling business, everything that could go wrong, has. On the morning Save the Date opens, she wakes to another phone call from a difficult mother of the bride, then she realizes a busted cooler has cost her $12,000 in hard-to-replace flowers for said wedding, and then...she gets a call stating her business loan in being called in. By her father. Then her dog gets 'napped by a gorgeous, infuriating man, Jack, who believes the dog is his. (This issue is resolved quickly and it's so cute) This crazy dates sets our book off on a fast-paced, crazy journey and I have to say, though Cara has so much on her shoulders, she handles it all like a champ.
Cara's struggle to make her business successful, while dealing with crazed brides (and their mommas), a shady business rival, and a troubled employee, all made for a busy, busy read. Save the Date also has a really sweet romance between Cara and the would-be dog thief, Jack. More and more these days, I find myself gravitating to the more realistic book men. Jack was a genuinely likable guy who cared about his business (historical home renovations *sigh*), his family, and Cara. It was never a question of whether Jack was worthy of Cara's affection and trust, and that was a relief!
I thought Andrews did an excellent job of balancing Cara's professional and personal struggles. And for as much as I enjoy a good romance (and y'all know I do), I was also heavily invested in Cara's professional side. I appreciated the level of detail we get on the daily dealings of an in-demand florist. I also liked all of the wedding aspects, with the stressed-out families, the fiascos that are narrowly averted, and reveling in the finished result.
We also get a wee reference to BeBe and Weezie, which made me squeal like a little girl!
You know you've found an excellent book when you fly through five hundreds pages (per my ARC), barely noticing the length. The pace, the humor, the romance, and Andrews's uncanny knack for ending a chapter in such a way that I found myself "one-more-chaptering" the entire time, had me flying through this in under a day. If you're a fan of Mary Kay Andrews, or if you're interested in a story that will have you smiling, huffing and thoroughly entertained, do not hesitate to pick up Save the Date.
Favorite
Quote
"So, a happy ending. You've got a good business, friends, a house, a dog."
"But in the meantime, Zoey left me. She got tired of hanging around, waiting for me to come home from work, to make her my number one priority.
"You've still got the dog," Cara said, looking away.
"And I've got high hopes for everything else," Jack said. "There's this girl I keep running into at weddings..." And then he did it. He actually winked at her.
"You make me actually feel like I'm not a hopeless cause," Cara said, sitting back in her chair, feeling herself relax.
"You're a work in progress, darlin'," Jack said. "Same as me."
I have an audio excerpt to share with you, from Macmillan Audio. https://soundcloud.com/
I have one copy of Save the Date to give away! Must be 18+ years of age; open to US only.
Mary Kay Andrews is the New York Times bestselling author of 22 novels including Ladies' Night, Christmas Bliss, Spring Fever, Summer Rental, The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues.
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No unfortunately I don't know of anyone or myself that the wedding went awry. I do enjoy watching the movies that have weddings that almost don't happen or don''t happen . They are comical.
ReplyDeleteIt's always satisfying when you find a book that means so much and makes you wonder, isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteEven if the book is not my cup of tea, I *LOVED* your review! It tells so much and I can easily see how truly passionate about this book you were!
However, all this fast-paced craziness makes me curious! hehe :)
The big story feel and Cara's hard time with things and having to figure things out sounds like it was a wild emotional ride
ReplyDeleteI love these kinds of stories. They're hilarious and fun and sadly true (in a totally fictional way). Mary Kay Andrews was a writer I, too, discovered long before I started blogging and I still highly enjoy her writing. Haven't read this one yet but I'm adding it to the list!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately not but I love hearing about them :)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to have a go-to author who's stories always make you smile. It's like comfort food in reading. I like Women's Fiction/Chick Lit, too, and this does sound like a large story with lot of hijinks and funny scenes. I'll have to check out Mary Kay Andrews' work. Wonderful review, Andrea! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great name for a book!
ReplyDeleteNo I don't but I think watching movies or reading books about them are very funny!!
ReplyDeleteOnly mine own wedding. I was so nervous that I laughed during the whole ceremony. It was not one of my best moments. I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a wedding gone awry story but you've read my shitty dating experiences so does that count? I'm finding more and more chik lit that makes me happy. Great review, I am going to check this author out. I'm curious about the chick who lost her mind epically :)
ReplyDeleteI have found I love going back to authors I discovered pre-blogging. Not sure why but they always feel special. This sounds good and so glad you enjoyed. Great review
ReplyDeleteI'm super glad you returned to your pre-blogging roots and picked this one up and even more glad that you liked it! Makes it seem so special!
ReplyDeleteLily
Dang it! I knew I should've grabbed this while I had the chance. I'm definitely going to read something, most likely this book, by this author soon.
ReplyDeleteOH my gosh. How have I not heard of her??! That's awesome you had a fellow book lover in your corner :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't want a wedding but my mother convinced my husband she needed for us to have one, he said she could have a reception. She invited all her friends and made it a party, it was dull, but they enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI adore books like this! They're getting harder to find too so I'm glad you introduced me to a new author.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
I haven't read a Mary Kay Andrews book in quite some time... I think this may be the one to change that. :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNop I don't , looking forward to read it!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've not read anything by her before, but I will certainly be doing so in the future. This sounds great. Nice review!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo wedding issues for me. I was married by the judge, easy breezy!
ReplyDelete