Helpful Score: 1
This book goes into my all time favorite books. It has a great romance, a good story line and a wonderful message of acceptance.
Helpful Score: 1
First book by this author and I loved it. Two people from completely different worlds find that they were made for each other if they can just get beyond their past hurts. A great story about forgiving oneself and realizing contentment with God's love.
I intended to read this book one day next week; however, when I took a sneak peak by reading the prologue, I found myself entranced and read the entire story last night. Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones was such a delight! I'm thrilled I had the privilege to read and review this sweet book.
The characters were so endearing to me. I could hear Alex Sinclair's deep voice with assertory statements, and Lucy Wiltshire's pithy retorts to his overly-confident demands. (Although, I'm gonna tell you...the girl on the cover of this book does NOT match the Lucy in my mind). Claire Deveraux is the epitome of Southern Matriarch. Her sidekick, Julian, steals the scenes. He's hilarious! Did I mention all of Lucy's Sci-Fi friends? We all have a Sanjay in our lives, and it was fun to meet him on the pages of Save the Date.
Set in Charleston, a town in which I'm very familiar, I was completely enraptured by the story. Lucy runs a non-profit organization, who has learned her funding is about to be cut. Alex Sinclair is a wealthy former-athlete who has just thrown his hat into the ring of politics. Those seemingly unrelated incidents throw these two people together, and make for a fabulous story.
The plot keeps moving, and the characters are so charming, I found myself captivated throughout the entire book. It's an easy read, as I finished in just a couple of hours. If you're looking for a light-hearted read that will make you laugh aloud several times, you'll enjoy Save the Date. Don't mistake it's blithsome banter. There is an important underlying message woven into the story that all women need to hear: Learning to love yourself without allowing the opinions of others to undermine your self-worth.
The characters were so endearing to me. I could hear Alex Sinclair's deep voice with assertory statements, and Lucy Wiltshire's pithy retorts to his overly-confident demands. (Although, I'm gonna tell you...the girl on the cover of this book does NOT match the Lucy in my mind). Claire Deveraux is the epitome of Southern Matriarch. Her sidekick, Julian, steals the scenes. He's hilarious! Did I mention all of Lucy's Sci-Fi friends? We all have a Sanjay in our lives, and it was fun to meet him on the pages of Save the Date.
Set in Charleston, a town in which I'm very familiar, I was completely enraptured by the story. Lucy runs a non-profit organization, who has learned her funding is about to be cut. Alex Sinclair is a wealthy former-athlete who has just thrown his hat into the ring of politics. Those seemingly unrelated incidents throw these two people together, and make for a fabulous story.
The plot keeps moving, and the characters are so charming, I found myself captivated throughout the entire book. It's an easy read, as I finished in just a couple of hours. If you're looking for a light-hearted read that will make you laugh aloud several times, you'll enjoy Save the Date. Don't mistake it's blithsome banter. There is an important underlying message woven into the story that all women need to hear: Learning to love yourself without allowing the opinions of others to undermine your self-worth.
A great girlie read! A story about a girl who thinks she is on a certain pass with the man of her "dreams", when she finds her world falling apart and fast. Then a not so knight in shining armor is willing to help, but only for a price. Although predictable, it was a very nice read to curl up with on a cold weekend.
A christian fiction read that was not overwhelming with its message, but definitely apparent that our main characters were following a godly lifestyle. I enjoyed the prayers that centered the main characters and enabled the audience to hear their true fears and worries, instead of what they were telling the rest of the "cast."
I would pass this book onto my girlie readers who don't mind an ending that can be seen from a mile away. I would also suggest this as a great beach read under a big umbrella - sorry, this cold weather is putting my mind close to a beach.
A christian fiction read that was not overwhelming with its message, but definitely apparent that our main characters were following a godly lifestyle. I enjoyed the prayers that centered the main characters and enabled the audience to hear their true fears and worries, instead of what they were telling the rest of the "cast."
I would pass this book onto my girlie readers who don't mind an ending that can be seen from a mile away. I would also suggest this as a great beach read under a big umbrella - sorry, this cold weather is putting my mind close to a beach.
I loved Jenny's wit and humor and the chemistry between her characters. I can't wait to read her next book!!!!
Liked Jenny's style of writing. This book was fun. Loved the humor and the great message. Would recommend for teen readers.
Blurb: You are cordially invited to the wedding of the year with the most unlikely bride and groom.
Save the date...and say your prayers.
When the funding for Lucy's non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair, former professional football star and heir to Sinclair Enterprises -- the primary donor to Lucy's non-profit organization.
Both Lucy and Alex have something the other desperately wants.
Alex has it all...except for the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy finds her heart -- and her future -- on the line.
Save the Date is a spunky romance that will have readers laughing out loud as this dubious pair try to save their careers, their dreams...and maybe even a date.
What Stephanie Thought: Who said Christian fiction had to be boring? Certainly not Jenny B. Jones. Her acclaimed novels may not contain the kick & spice most romance novels do, and yet Save the Date is probably one of my favorite romances ever.
The initial plot is a little stale: handsome rich man, beautiful lower-class girl. The two make a contract to "marry", only to fall in love with each other en route. Basically the storyline for any Harlequin Presents book.
But what separates Jones's writing from trashy romance novels (aside from the obvious -- the sex) is how she unbinds the cliché, making Save the Date nothing like I expected it to be.
Growing up and going to high school with Charleston's toniest elite doesn't sound too bad. That is, if you aren't Lucy, whose mother cleaned the houses of her classmates. Taunted and scarred from the memories of not fitting in, not being one of them in high school, Lucy Wiltshire is an independent woman. She doesn't need a husband (because fittingly, her boyfriend dumped her on the day she thought he would propose), and she doesn't need rich friends -- her true friends stick with her and love her no matter what her socioeconomic status. What she does need, is for her charity organization, Saving Grace, which helps house and assist homeless girls and young women by giving them shelter and a second chance, to keep its head above the water. But without enough funding, that doesn't seem very likely. For the first time ever, Lucy is forced to admit her weakness, finding refuge within none other than the heir to her (former) main donor, Alex Sinclair.
It all makes sense for Alex. When he is seen with Lucy one platonic night, the paparazzi goes crazy, and the polls top the charts. If he creates a little relationship, nothing harmless, just a make-believe story that he and Lucy are to wed soon, wouldn't that help his numbers drastically? Of course.
And it does. Until news bearing the tragedy of his missing twin brother Will, the good one, the kind one, the one everyone loved, strikes. Along with the struggle Lucy is going through to keep Saving Grace alive, both she and Alex realize that maybe life can't be so perfectly planned -- at least not by deceit.
I loved Lucy and Alex's journey to find their true selves because of how real, how heartwarming, and how giggle-out-loud-on-the-bus (note to self: do NOT read on the bus or else fellow passengers will stare at you bizarrely) funny it was.
What I love most though, is the characters. Lucy is delightfully charming and self-sufficient. She's the kind of woman I want grow up to be, with the snappy comebacks and headstrong ambitions, and all. Alex...don't get me started. If there was such thing as Mr. Perfect, it would be him. Sure, he's a little confident, but that's so entirely sexy. No one wants to date a wimp. Julian is the adorable gay guy friend every girl needs. And Clare, the presumed antagonist aka snooty rich woman who I started off hating for the aloofness and malice she presented towards Lucy, is just the funniest character ever. A 70-something year old woman (who is Lucy's grandma!!) who gets fussy about losing a round of Guitar Hero and who has only just discovered the magic of Mac&Cheese; too cute. Too funny.
My final verdict? You MUST get to reading this book as soon as you can. Jones has such a brilliant way of crafting words to make them interesting, but not over-the-top flowery. You'll certainly enjoy Alex and Lucy's hilarious banter throughout the novel, as well as the moving values Jones emphasizes, including family, love, and friendship. You won't want to put this one down, and you'll read it cover to cover within a matter of hours, making you wish in the end, you yourself, were in Lucy's shoes.
Stephanie Loves: "Closing her eyes, Lucy cursed her stupidity. She adored a man who would never love her back. One who had an agenda that didn't include a wife and family. 'Is something wrong?' Yes, she thought miserably as Alex pulled her close. Something was wrong. She had gone and fallen in love with her fiancé."
Where Stephanie Got It: Booksneeze for review.
Radical Rating: 10 hearts- Extraordinarily amazingly wonderfully fantastically marvelous. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Save the date...and say your prayers.
When the funding for Lucy's non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair, former professional football star and heir to Sinclair Enterprises -- the primary donor to Lucy's non-profit organization.
Both Lucy and Alex have something the other desperately wants.
Alex has it all...except for the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy finds her heart -- and her future -- on the line.
Save the Date is a spunky romance that will have readers laughing out loud as this dubious pair try to save their careers, their dreams...and maybe even a date.
What Stephanie Thought: Who said Christian fiction had to be boring? Certainly not Jenny B. Jones. Her acclaimed novels may not contain the kick & spice most romance novels do, and yet Save the Date is probably one of my favorite romances ever.
The initial plot is a little stale: handsome rich man, beautiful lower-class girl. The two make a contract to "marry", only to fall in love with each other en route. Basically the storyline for any Harlequin Presents book.
But what separates Jones's writing from trashy romance novels (aside from the obvious -- the sex) is how she unbinds the cliché, making Save the Date nothing like I expected it to be.
Growing up and going to high school with Charleston's toniest elite doesn't sound too bad. That is, if you aren't Lucy, whose mother cleaned the houses of her classmates. Taunted and scarred from the memories of not fitting in, not being one of them in high school, Lucy Wiltshire is an independent woman. She doesn't need a husband (because fittingly, her boyfriend dumped her on the day she thought he would propose), and she doesn't need rich friends -- her true friends stick with her and love her no matter what her socioeconomic status. What she does need, is for her charity organization, Saving Grace, which helps house and assist homeless girls and young women by giving them shelter and a second chance, to keep its head above the water. But without enough funding, that doesn't seem very likely. For the first time ever, Lucy is forced to admit her weakness, finding refuge within none other than the heir to her (former) main donor, Alex Sinclair.
It all makes sense for Alex. When he is seen with Lucy one platonic night, the paparazzi goes crazy, and the polls top the charts. If he creates a little relationship, nothing harmless, just a make-believe story that he and Lucy are to wed soon, wouldn't that help his numbers drastically? Of course.
And it does. Until news bearing the tragedy of his missing twin brother Will, the good one, the kind one, the one everyone loved, strikes. Along with the struggle Lucy is going through to keep Saving Grace alive, both she and Alex realize that maybe life can't be so perfectly planned -- at least not by deceit.
I loved Lucy and Alex's journey to find their true selves because of how real, how heartwarming, and how giggle-out-loud-on-the-bus (note to self: do NOT read on the bus or else fellow passengers will stare at you bizarrely) funny it was.
What I love most though, is the characters. Lucy is delightfully charming and self-sufficient. She's the kind of woman I want grow up to be, with the snappy comebacks and headstrong ambitions, and all. Alex...don't get me started. If there was such thing as Mr. Perfect, it would be him. Sure, he's a little confident, but that's so entirely sexy. No one wants to date a wimp. Julian is the adorable gay guy friend every girl needs. And Clare, the presumed antagonist aka snooty rich woman who I started off hating for the aloofness and malice she presented towards Lucy, is just the funniest character ever. A 70-something year old woman (who is Lucy's grandma!!) who gets fussy about losing a round of Guitar Hero and who has only just discovered the magic of Mac&Cheese; too cute. Too funny.
My final verdict? You MUST get to reading this book as soon as you can. Jones has such a brilliant way of crafting words to make them interesting, but not over-the-top flowery. You'll certainly enjoy Alex and Lucy's hilarious banter throughout the novel, as well as the moving values Jones emphasizes, including family, love, and friendship. You won't want to put this one down, and you'll read it cover to cover within a matter of hours, making you wish in the end, you yourself, were in Lucy's shoes.
Stephanie Loves: "Closing her eyes, Lucy cursed her stupidity. She adored a man who would never love her back. One who had an agenda that didn't include a wife and family. 'Is something wrong?' Yes, she thought miserably as Alex pulled her close. Something was wrong. She had gone and fallen in love with her fiancé."
Where Stephanie Got It: Booksneeze for review.
Radical Rating: 10 hearts- Extraordinarily amazingly wonderfully fantastically marvelous. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
I was pleasantly surprised that I really liked this book. I liked the premise where Alex and Lucy are from two different worlds, yet fall in love and make it work. I also enjoyed the secondary characters and the humor that the author includes. They blended nicely with the story line. This is a nice clean Christian romance with a good story line and good characters.
