Save the Date by Allie Spencer

3 Star

Family weddings can be hell.

...and, marooned in Italy for her cousin's nuptials, Ailsa can be forgiven for thinking that this one is worse than most. With the bride and groom at loggerheads and the guests in uproar, it is a million miles away from the rest and relaxation she'd been hoping for.

And then suddenly, in the middle of the mayhem, she comes face-to-face with Nick, the man she walked out on just a few months earlier.

How can Ailsa help get the wedding back on track when she and Nick can't stop arguing? But if they do, she might remember why she fell in love with him in the first place - and then there really would be trouble.

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Sabrina-Kate - 3 Star

I started out loving this book as it was the fluffy type chick lit book that I was definitely in the mood for. Sometimes my brain needs a rest, a good read and a good old fashioned love story. Save the Date started out that way but then certain things about it began to irritate me, and unfortunately took away from my enjoyment.

A few questionable things happen that were my main points of contention. For a book that was about a wedding and a family dynamic (mostly), I am not quite sure why the author felt the need to introduce a dog, Arthur, into it at all. He doesn't really do anything that interesting or important. Since he doesn't add anything to the story or create anything of importance, I am not quite sure why any time at all was devoted to the dog unless the author is quite simply a dog lover.

My next issue is about the main character and her soon-to-be-or-maybe-not ex-husband. The relationship and its complexities I can live with and deal with. It actually makes sense and adds to the story. However, a few things don't make sense - why does no one in her family know anything about him, including her sister? I mean, it is possible, but how likely is it? It seems that they have been together for years, or at least that is what is implied, so I am not sure I buy the fact that no one knows they are married. Also, in the beginning of the book, it says they broke up but we only find out later on that they were married. Was this intentional or a detail that was changed by the author I wonder?

And the other main issue I have is the turn it took a little more than halfway through when it took a decidedly romance novel type turn, almost with bodice ripping and all. I don't get the place of that in this book as it seemed to be out of place with the rest of the way the book was written. Yes, include that scene but perhaps write it in the same vein of the rest of the novel.

I did love the British lingo and turn of phrase, however I did not like the way they imitated an Italian speaking English, sort of insinuating that everyone there would try to make English words sound Italian. I've been to Italy and I know that this is not the case, especially if you are in a big touristic area such as this book is purported to be taking place in.

Ignoring all of the things I just brought up, if you are looking for a fun read and don't obsess too much over details, then you might very well love Save the Date.

Thank you to Random House UK for our review copy. All opinions are our own.