Save the Date by Allison Raskin

When Emma’s fiancé calls the engagement off, she decides to give herself six months to find a man to marry her. Why call off a wedding when you can just find a new groom. Wild but in the best way.

When Imani says to Emma “Absolutely not. Nope. Unsubscribe.” Love that!

This was such an interesting idea/story. This would be such a good movie! Emma was very relatable. I also have an anxiety disorder which can make life difficult. I give her credit for really putting herself out there. That certainly isn’t easy. Out of the few guys she went for, Will was my favorite. I was rooting for them throughout the whole book. I was shocked by the ending. I absolutely loved it! A beautiful love story! I can’t recommend this book enough!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Allison for the ARC!

Publication Date: April 8th 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NetGalley #SavetheDate
This review will be posted on @thehomebodybooknook

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very fun messy read! It was lighthearted but passionate, and I enjoyed it

I enjoyed this novel very much. I found it fascinating what the author chose to focus on: Emma and her why: Why should she keep her wedding date and venue and caterer and...all the wedding-y things, besides money? Why is it so important to her? Knowing from the preface that the author went through a similar situation was a clue.

I also found it interesting that Emma, in her character development, was focused on clear communication in spite of, and aided by, her anxiety issues. The honesty around that was very well done.

The middle part of the book, when she was building her relationship with Matt, tended to drag a bit for me (maybe because I was Team Will the whole time--give me banter over beauty any day). However, the things that were red flags for me were not for Emma, and getting into her head about it was an interesting process also. I would also have enjoyed a bit more about Emma's family's Jewish faith. It was just sort of ... there.

The end was very well done; no spoilers, though!

Closed door romance, but rated R for language.

Thank you to Harlequin, the author, and NetGalley for an eARC for review. All thoughts are my own.

I enjoyed the chemistry and relationship between the female and male protagonists. However, the premise that a professional relationship counselor would choose to do the Save the Date challenge was pretty far-fetched. It's hard for me to like a main character when I think they are being foolish or stupid. I also didn't understand how the male protagonist could propose in such short time after he spent the entire novel talking about how he needed a longer courtship. So, a few implausibilities, but the author writes well with a lot of humor. Library patrons should still enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

I realized after looking into the book more that I may have enjoyed it more if I was familiar with the author’s online presence more.
As it was, I found the book a bit shallow and two dimensional and in need of more development and the main character annoying. It doesn’t stand alone well.

As a longtime fan of Allison Raskin through her YouTube channel with Gabe Dunn, Just Between Us, I don't miss the opportunity to read one of her books (I'll get to her newest nonfiction soon, I promise!). SAVE THE DATE is Raskin's first novel for adults, and is a romantic comedy based on true events from her life. When our protagonist Emma's fiancé leaves her six months before their wedding because "something is missing," Emma decides to keep her pre-planned wedding date but find a new groom. She launches Operation: Save My Date to find her new partner, all while documenting the process online for all to see. What follows is an entertaining and heartwarming story that incorporates progressive and thought-provoking ideas on love and marriage.

Since I follow Raskin online, I am familiar with the real life version of the Great Abandonment. The fictionalized story in SAVE THE DATE turns this devastating moment into a captivating plot line. I really enjoyed following Emma as she attempted to secure her new man. While I did not appreciate how often she lied to the people in her life, it is refreshing to read a contemporary novel about a modern woman who shares my ideals when it comes to politics, for example. I also really like the family dynamic in the book, since Raskin often shares about her own family online. That being said, I do wish there were a bit more character development, specifically with Emma and her family unit. I wonder if readers who are not as familiar with the real-life counterparts of these characters may find them a bit too cliché at times (the rich sister obsessed with her lifestyle, i.e.).

While I am not a big reader of romance novels, this one gripped me early on with its captivating storyline. I thought I had the ending predicted about halfway through, and I just had to see if I was right! Spoiler alert: I was <i>nearly</i> right. This is also a closed door romance, so if you're looking for a romcom that's not too spicy, this is a great option. I'm glad I began my reading year with this book, and recommend it for fans of this genre.

3.75⭐️

What a fun romance debut from Allison Raskin! I was vaguely aware of her story as someone who has existed on the internet for years, but was excited to see she had fictionalized it for my favorite genre.

While this began a little slow for me, once it kicked into gear I was hooked. Emma is frustrating and determined (and frustratingly determined) and I loved her. I can see how she wouldn’t vibe with everyone - she and I are not at all similar - and there are moments where I wanted to reach into the book and just say “GIRL.” But her journey was a joy to read.

I loved Emma’s family and friends as side characters. I love how they validated her and questioned her. I especially loved when Will and Matt came into the picture. Two objectively good guys both with flaws of their own.

I hope Allison Raskin continues to write fiction - she’s fantastic at it!

Thank you to Canary Street Press & NetGalley for the eARC!

As a therapist I was intrigued by this novel's conceit. A marriage and family therapist wanting to keep her wedding date and find the groom later? I was curious to read and read quickly. This book is perfect for fans of The Netflix series Nobody Wants This. In fact, I could her the sister's voice done by Jackie Tohn.

I appreciated that even the safe boyfriend had some good characteristics. Obviously, it was super easy to fall for Will. It's weird when the main charactee of a book is less likeable than the male love interest. I kept yelling for her to wake up and realize how unhealthy she was being! There were sooo many immature missteps. I appreciated that the therapy was all pretty accurate. I appreciated that the fmc kept working on her self talk to change the narrative from there is something lacking in her to they were not right for each other. So many people think a break up proves their inadequacy, when really it's just a fit issue.

This book is worth a read, even though it frustrated me at times. 3.5 stars Thanks to Net Galley and Canary Street Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a roller coaster ride. I definitely had a love/hate relationship with our main character, Emma. With her being a relationship therapist, I felt that she had an unhealthy obsession and focus on the concept of marriage itself, and not building lasting relationships, which in itself felt like a contradiction. I loved the chemistry she had with Will, but I craved a bit more when it came to the love triangle. The story was a bit predictable, especially as Emma’s relationship with Matt was unfolding.

Overall, I liked how the story was written, but there were moments when the setting would shift dramatically from one setting to another. In one sentence, we’d be mid conversation with Emma and Matt and the next, we’d be with Emma and her family, which felt a little abrupt.

I enjoyed the deeper messages about breaking societal norms and trying new things when it comes to dating, because let’s be honest… the traditional norms are definitely shifting in this day in age. I absolutely loved the ending!

This was a really fun concept for a novel and I was so surprised to find out the author actually went thru this situation!

This is a really good rom-com and lighthearted read. The banter was great and I loved seeing the characters grow!

This was a very cute read! My only qualm is that I wanted MORE. I felt like everything wrapped up too quickly. I loved the chemistry between Emma and Will and wish there had been a bit more to savor: more banter, more tension, a more climactic “will she or won’t she” moment... That said, this was a perfect cozy read for the end of the year and I did enjoy the writing style even if I wish the plot had been expanded. I also think it’s super cool that the author is a therapist herself and experienced something similar (an engagement ending abruptly) that inspired her to write this book. I can’t wait to see what fiction she writes next because I can only imagine it will get better and better!!

Emma is a relationship therapist who gets unceremoniously dumped by her fiance. She decides to keep her wedding date and find a groom to prove that love and marriage can happen quickly, even if it seems wild. I enjoyed reading this novel. Emma, for the most part, is delightful, and Will is frustratingly swoon-worthy. I could take or leave Matt, but that is the whole point of him, in my opinion. It's a great beach or book club read if you need something on the lighter end of the spectrum!

I initially struggled to get into this book; I have a hard time reading about poor treatment from partners and bad exes. However, this book was hilarious and fun. It very much gave rom-com (in the best way) but also contained depth. I did find myself shedding a tear or two.

I loved all the depictions of great relationships that weren’t necessarily perfect on paper. It was so freakin relatable to the real world but still fun and romantic. I’m excited about the straight gym date & I would honestly love to read more about Will and Emma together. I adore a neurodivergent character — it’s highly relatable. And it’s so interesting seeing the dichotomy of ‘logic’ and ‘emotion’ which everyone usually treats as the side effects of opposing personalities.

Allison Raskin’s Save the Date is a touching, humorous, and heartfelt tale that will quickly capture the hearts of readers from the very first page.

When Emma’s fiancé unexpectedly calls off their engagement, she’s left in disbelief. On top of that, she’s anxious about her reputation and the potential fallout on her upcoming book deal, so she sets out on a mission to find a new husband before the wedding day arrives.

I found this book to be a total delight! It was engaging, original, and really funny. Emma’s concerns and inner thoughts felt relatable and endearing.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

The premise of this sounded like a lot of chaotic, romcom fun, and it was!

Emma is trying to find a new groom after her fiance dumps her. Fearing for her reputation as a relationship therapist, she decides to try and find a new hubby to save her career and embarrassment. Thus we go on a journey to find a man haha. I thought the book was a lot of fun and touched upon the pressure women feel to get married. I really enjoyed the character Emma and thought she was very entertaining.

This book was hilarious too!

A fun time!

I found the main character to be obsessed with marriage to the point of annoying. I stopped reading after she met her ex. DNF




**********I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.***********

3.5 stars rounded up. This story had a very unique premise with Emma choosing to try and keep her wedding date after being left by her fiancé. This story follows her attempt to find someone new to marry (with an approach akin to an arranged marriage) and the hiccups she encounters along the way - such as Will, a podcaster she clearly has feelings for. The story includes a minor love triangle, some personal growth for both protagonists, and a satisfying ending leaving you optimistic for Emma's future. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a clever, thoughtful romance where two people genuinely get to know each other through deep conversations, instead of a silly situationship (one hotel room my foot). The author's vulnerability and sincerity shine through earnest and anxious main character Emma.
Although Emma is introspective and makes valuable points about life and regret like, "there's a contingent of us living in an alternate reality of what our lives are supposed to be," she sticks to the irrational plan of keeping her wedding date with any available man.
Somehow, the ending was surprisingly unexpected and delightful.

Thank you HTP/Canary Street Press and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

I love the tension in this book. I also love how it starts off. It starts right in the middle of the conflict, which isn’t something that I’m used to but I really liked it.

When Emma is dumped 6 months before her wedding, she realizes this could break her career as a couples therapist with a pending book deal. She hatches a plan: keep the wedding date and find a new groom. Easy, right?

I loved how this book showcased all of Emma's anxieties and insecurities. It made her a lot more relatable, especially with her absolutely crazy plan. I also loved seeing the various relationship dynamics of her family.

I wish we could have seen Emma go on more unsuccessful dates, as that part of the book was so intriguing, and it wrapped up rather quickly. It also was hard to tell at times who was speaking.

Overall, this was a very cute book and an easy read. It was an interesting premise that I hadn't read before, and I enjoyed it overall.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. All views and opinions are my own.