Save The Date

Save The Date
Written by Morgan Matson
Contemporary, Romance
432 Pages
Publishing July 2018
Thank you to Simon & Schuster
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can’t wait. For the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster, all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect.

The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster.

There’s the unexpected dog with a penchant for howling, house alarm that won’t stop going off, and a papergirl with a grudge.

There are the relatives who aren’t speaking, the awful girl her favourite brother brought home unannounced, and a missing tuxedo.

Not to mention the neighbor who seems to be bent on sabotage and a storm that is bent on drenching everything. The justice of the peace is missing. The band will only play covers. The guests are all crazy. And the wedding planner’s nephew is unexpectedly, distractedly… Cute.

Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future.
Guests are descending on the Connecticut Grant residence for the pending nuptials of daughter Linnea Grant and fiancée Rodney Daniels, an extravagant farewell to the stately home. Youngest sibling Charlotte Grant is delighted that her siblings will be in attendance, the idolised Sheridan now residing in California, bride Linnea, Jameison and estranged brother Michael. The Grant siblings have embellished syndicate pages for over twenty five years within the fictional Grant Central Station, a weekly illustrated comic created by their mother Eleanor Grant, now reaching a conclusion with a series of celebratory events and appearances coinciding with the pending nuptials of sister Linnea and nostalgic farewell to the endearing family residence.

Big, loud, delightfully messy families


The Grant siblings are wonderful. Typically families portrayed within young adult literature are rarely present or created as a character of superiority, the Grant siblings are blemished. The narrative focus is on seventeen year old Charlie. Charlie understands the significance of the upcoming celebrations, the youngest Grant sibling is feeling displaced. Eldest sibling Danny is Charlie's partner in crime, so when Danny surprises the family by bringing home a new girlfriend from California, Charlie begins to see the imperfections within the brother she idolised. Linnie is becoming increasingly overwhelmed by her nuptials, a missing wedding planner and feuding relatives, brother J.J is desperately seeking a date to the event and estranged brother Mike has chosen to stay with friend James, Charlie's crush. Over the course of three days of celebrations, I fell in love with the compassionate, boisterous and completely imperfect Grant family.

A touch of swoon


For a narrative that takes place during wedding celebrations, the romance was virtually non existent. There is however, plenty of moments to swoon. For the past several years, Charlie has held a flame for James, Mike's best friend that until recently, seemed to be an unrequited love affair. James is a nice young man but he's certainly no Bill, the nephew of the new wedding planner. Bill and Charlie together are lovely and I enjoyed their subtle flirtations. With the amount of mayhem and adventure afoot, their friendship and attraction felt genuine. #TeamBill

Pee your pants a little


Snorting, unattractive laughter. The kitchen is often the heart of every home, especially for the Grant family. The reader is welcomed into their boisterous, frantic home where the coffee is freshly brewed and siblings feud over the last doughnut. Their familiarity is lovely. The banter and sarcasm providing plenty of laugh out loud moments.

I absolutely loved it. Morgan Matson is a phenomenal contemporary author, creating genuine characters and a sincere storyline of perfectly imperfect families. Infused with humour, mayhem and adventure, Save The Date is a feel great read and instant classic.

Follow the tour here with thanks to Simon & Schuster and the #AusYABloggers.

32 comments

  1. I got this one for review but didn't have time before my ALA trip to read it. Soon!!! It sounds pretty fabulous to me.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. It's wonderful Karen, such a joy to read. I love that the focus was on family rather than the romance, the dynamics were lovely. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  2. I am so glad you liked this one! I really want to check it out. I've had mixed reactions to Matson's other books. I loved The Unexpected Everything but I didn't really like Since You've Been Gone. I'll probably still give this one a shot.
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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    1. I absolutely loved The Unexpected Everything as well and this one is actually set within the same world, so to speak. There's even a surprise cameo from a few favourite characters that you'll really enjoy!

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  3. I've only read Amy & Roger by Matson but I really loved it and I've been meaning to read more by this author. I've heard great things about this book, and I'm happy to see you really enjoyed it too. I'm actually glad there isn't a ton of romance; sometimes it's nice to have things be more focused on family or friends, you know? I also like that there are some funny/laugh out loud moments. Sounds like the perfect summer read!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I completely agree Lauren. I love books that explore more than romantic love. Sibling love, friends, parental. Our families are such a influential part of our lives, especially as teens and it's beautiful to see families portrayed as imperfect but that we continue to love unconditionally. It's such a lovely, hilarious read.

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  4. Ohh I feel bad for having skipped on this one now!! Like I really like Morgan Matson books 😂but I literally loathe weddings, but LAUGH OUT LOUD!?? Those are the kind of books I need ahhhh. *puts it back on the TBR wishlist*

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    1. Even though it surrounds the wedding preparations, it's very much about family and the adventure of making sure the day goes by without a hitch. It's hilarious and these Grant siblings will really keep you on your toes. Absolutely loved it. You need this book in your life!

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  5. First that cover is too cute! And I love, love the family in this -- you're right it's not often that family is in YA, which makes this all the more attractive. And I am sooo into how complex and diverse her siblings are. I can see how combustible they can become especially on a wedding weekend!

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    1. I love her Australian covers, they're always so summery and lovely. I wish we could see more large families within young adult. Usually it's just a sibling thrown in for either the main character to compete against or a younger sibling to provide comic relief. Coming from a large family myself, I loved seeing how flawed they all were, how easy it was for mayhem to break out but ultimately, how they loved one another unconditionally and it was beautiful. I'd love to see what you think of it!

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  6. Tempting - but I am slightly put off they the cover. Cheers

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    1. I think you may like the US cover release a little more Carole, it has a wedding theme on that particular cover. I like both but prefer the brightness of the Australian edition. Such a wonderful read regardless.

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  7. I was on the fence with this one, but you sold me! (This isn't new... you always do, lol.) I love books with big, loving families. The inside jokes, seeing characters in their natural element--it's wonderful to read about. I also enjoy books that make me want to pee on myself (which sounds weird, I know.)

    Lovely review as always!
    L @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. We really need these type of lighthearted contemporaries, just to break up the heaviness of more serious young adult releases. Morgan Matson books are always wonderful pick me up reads, so lovely and warmhearted.

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  8. I'm definitely ready to pee my pants ~a little~, Kelly. xD Although the romantic in me is scared that this book's kind of long for a contemporary, and it only has a little romance. D: GAH. I know that shouldn't be a reason for me to pass this up, because Morgan Matson's an awesome author and I adore her! ♥

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    1. In terms of length, her books tend to be a little longer than the average young adult contemporary but once you're immersed, they're really quick reads. I appreciate all the little details though because it helps the reader to be placed within the storyline, rather than just as a bystander. Really loved it.

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  9. this looks like a great bogan review material. Pretty please?

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    1. I know right, I haven't written one of those for a while. I'll have to check what I'll be reading in the next month and schedule one in I think.

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  10. This sounds like such a great read, and I can picture this as a movie too! Hugs and Happy Friday to you! RO

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    1. It certainly would! It's actually quite cinematic for a contemporary novel. Have a wonderful week of reading and thanks for stopping by!

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  11. I love family focused books like this. And humor? Yes, please!

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    1. Me too Christy, I love family dynamics especially within young adult novels. It's hilariously entertaining, I can't wait to see what she's working on next!

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  12. I enjoyed the past two books by Matson, and this one did sound like a lot of fun. If only I could find the time to read it lmao. Great review! :)

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    1. Me too Anna and in Save The Date, there's also a cameo by a few favourite characters as well. I love worlds that crossover!

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  13. So glad you loved it. I mean, we assumed it would be fantastic, being Morgan Matson. But I am so happy to read all the love it is getting. I'm super excited to read it. Awesome Review Kelly <3 :-)

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    1. Thanks Sarah! She consistently writes such heartwarming and lovely narratives with an incredibly amount of character depth. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  14. It's been awhile since I read a book by Morgan Matson! Your review has convinced me to add it to my tbr! It just sounds exactly like the kind of book I would enjoy.

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  15. I've heard good things about this book and your review only makes me want to read it even more! Super excited about a YA book with boisterous family because I don't think I find many YA books with this type of family. X

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  16. You've just reminded me I still need to buy this book so a sneaky online purchase may have just occurred. I'm meant to be saving money as well. I love a hectic crazy family in YA and there's going to be no crazier family time than a wedding, is there? I cannot wait to get reading because Morgan Matson always seems to write excellent books.

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  17. This book sounds like so much fun Kelly, with lots of laughs to be had and just general hijinks to look forward to! Lovely review!

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  18. I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Kell! I always say that I never read enough light, fun, and fluffy books but then again I just never gravitate towards them. I don't know why. I really did enjoy When You Were Gone by Morgan Matson so I am a little surprised I never went on to read anything else by her. I think I should try the one with the dogs in it, being such an animal lover myself (and not a big wedding fan). Love that you laughed so much, Kell, I think it's a rare book that can make you do that!

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