There are no spoilers in this review.
Morgan Matson has been for years now, one of the authors I automatically recommend when someone needs and / or wants to read YA contemporaries. In the genre (and not just there), she is certainly one of my favorite authors, so I was eagerly waiting to read her latest release, Save The Date andā¦ as always, it did not disappoint.
A BEAUTIFUL, FAMILY-FOCUSED STORY
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“It was that feeling like when the lights come up after a movieāhow it takes a minute to let go of the world youād been immersed in.”
Save The Date takes place in the span of three days, as Charlie prepares for her older sisterās wedding in the family house. Obviously, nothing will turn out as planned and, when you think it canāt get any messier, it can.
Unlike Morgan Matsonās previous YA contemporary, The Unexpected Everything, that focused a little more on romance, Save The Date really is family focused. Honestly, it feels like a breath of fresh air when family is so often disregarded, to see it so predominant and loving here. Family is what makes the world go round for Charlie and we can feel how important these links are to her in the story, which is something I loved and could easily relate to, as well, even if I donāt have a big family like that, at all.
Being so family-focused, Save The Date still manages to have a place for a slow-growing romance. The romance is not predominant at all and we barely get to see it, but the glimpses and promises of a future romance to develop after the book ends made me, well, giddy, because they were adorable.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL, REALISTIC CHARACTERS
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Ā āSo maybe I wasn’t just the youngest, the one who didn’t get told things. I was also the one who came to help, who tried to make things work, who they called when they were in trouble.ā
One of Morgan Matsonās strongest suits definitely lies in her characters. She always manages to create amazing, three-dimensional characters that feel realistic and almost friendly, just like if you know them in real life, too. I really enjoyed Charlieās voice, her stubbornness, her confusion about what to do next, her drive to make things right and to keep her family and the wedding together as all hell broke loose in the story.
Each member of the family and side-character were equally interesting and a lot of fun, each with their own personalities and little quirks. I have to admit that I had a bit of a hard time keeping track of them at first, though.
ABOUT GROWING UP AND MOVING ON
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āBecause, it would have been cheating, in a way. You don’t get to freeze the picture when you want it. It would have been living in the past and eventually, you just start doing the same jokes over and over again.ā
This book falls on the bigger side of contemporaries, with over 400 pages, yet there wasnāt a moment where it felt long, or when I was bored. With all the drama happening, I was entertained from page one and couldnāt wait to see what would happen next.
More than a fun book, Save The Date also tackles interesting topics and makes us think about change, moving on, but also as seeing people for who they really are, and not that made-up fantasy you had of them when you were little. Itās about growing up overall and I found out that there was such an interesting development through the story, even if some issues were resolved a bit too quickly.
OVERALL
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If youāre looking for a fun, family-focused contemporary I would definitely recommend that one. With great characters and great character development as well, this should be on your summer TBR, or on any TBR if youāre a contemporary fan!
I buddy-read this book with the lovely Kat @ Life & Other Disasters, check out her review right here!
Final rating:Ā 4,5 drops!
Morgan Matson, Save The Date, Ā Published by Simon & Schuster Books for young readers, June, 5th 2018.
Charlie Grantās older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie canāt waitāfor 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 Fosterāall 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.
Thereās the unexpected dog with a penchant for howling, house alarm that wonāt stop going off, and a papergirl with a grudge.
There are the relatives who arenāt speaking, the (awful) girl her favorite 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 plannerās nephew is unexpectedly, distractinglyā¦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 sheāll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future.
Did you read Save The Date? Do you want to?
Are you a fan of Morgan Matson’s books, or did you ever read them? Who’s your favorite YA contemporary writer? Let me know in comments!
Totally unrelated to this review, but: as I mentioned in my monthly wrap-up, I am going on holidays and therefore taking a blogging break. I’m leaving on Sunday and will make myself take a little break from blogging while I explore Scotland and everything else. You can find me over on twitter and instagram where I will share my adventures and pictures! See you in a week! Have a wonderful week everyone!!Ā xxx
Save The Date is next on my TBR, and I’m super excited to read it! It’ll be my first Morgan Matson book, but a lot of her other books have been on my TBR for years!! ?
Ohhhh I’m so happy to hear that! I hope you’ll love the book as much as I did and will read ALL of Morgan Matson’s books next. I love her haha š
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
Fantastic review š
Definitely putting this on my TBR now. I’ve only read The Unexpected Everything so it’s good to know this focuses more on family.
Cora | http://teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Ahhh thank you so much Cora! <3 <3 I hope you'll read and love this one, it was really family-focused and I LOVED that so much <3
Wonderful review Marie! I will definitely check this out!
Oh thank you so much <3 I hop you will read and love it š
I am damn excited for this book and reading your review has just increased my aniticipatiāāon!
Ohhhh this makes me SO happy! <3 I hope you'll get to read it soon and that you will enjoy it as much as I did š
Thank you for your sweet comment! <3 <3
I have had this book for more than a month now but with all my expectations building up, I am not sure if reading it is a good idea…
Oh, well maybe waiting a little bit before reading it might be best then š
I’m looking forward to reading this one! I do enjoy Morgan Matson’s books. š Fab review!
Oh I can’t wait for you to read this book, I hope you’ll love it š
Thank you so much for stopping by! <3
Such a great review, Marie! I agree on all accounts and I am just so happy to Morgan Matson keeps being as great of an author and storyteller as she once again proves she is. While I like some books more than others, I just never get tired of her characters. Fingers crossed she already has a new one planned haha
Thank you so much, Kat! <3 <3 I feel the same way, I never get tired of her writing and characters. YES, let's hope she will have another book released soon, I need MORE from her š
I am still holding out for that fantasy story with the hearts she described in TUE.
OH YES. That would be amazing!
MARIE. This is an amazing review, and made me SO excited to read Save the Date!?I was already looking forward to it, but now that I know it’s family-centric, and has such likeable characters, I’m even more excited. Also, I hope you have an amazing time on your trip to Scotland! š
Oh thank you SO much Olivia, I’m so happy yo enjoyed it! <3 <3 I can't wait for you to read it, hope you'll love it <3
Thank you so much!! <3
Great review for this book Marie. š ā¤ļø Morgan Matson is one of my favourite contemporary authors, and one I automatically recommend as well, and Save the Date is probably my second favourite by her (joint first is Second Chance Summer and Amy and Rogerās Epic Detour of course!)
I love the focus on family in this book, and the fact that the romance was more a potential romance that could grow into something in the future rather than becoming something in the middle of her sisterās wedding catastrophe you know? It struck me as kind of refreshing in the YA market where every book seems to have a romance now. Plus you know how much I love well written family relationships in books! š
Again great review. š ā¤ļø
Oh thank you so, SO much Beth! <3 I'm so happy you feel the same way about Morgan Matson's books than I do, she is an incredible author <3
I'm so glad you loved this story just as well – I really liked that it focused on the family, too, I appreciated the romance but I was glad that it was so light and that we know it will develop later on… maybe in a sequel ? That would be SO cool š <3
Thank you so much! <3 <3
That’s all right! š <3 Oh definitely, I don't know what she's releasing next but I know it's going to be amazing.
Yeah I think it's rare we have books that focus a lot on the family but little on the romance, like I said it made for a unique read, and oh a sequel would be brilliant! š
That's all right š <3
I know it will be amazing, she is such a fantastic author <3
Fantastic review Marie! This is one I want to read so much as I am a fan of Morgan Matson!
Thank you so much!! I hope you’ll read this one soon and will love it š
Fantastic review! I’ve heard so many good things about Save the Date; I’m so excited to read it. ? I’ve read Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson and enjoyed it a lot. ? I hope you have a wonderful time in Scotland!! ā¤ļø
Ohh thank you so much! I can’t wait for you to read that one, I hope you’ll love it. If you have the chance to read any other Morgan Matson book, I’d be happy too though, I LOVE everything she writes SO much <3
Thank you so much!! <3 <3
I want to read it ASAP ? ā£ great review ā¤
Ohh I hope you will soon, it’s such a fantastic book š
Thank you so much! <3
I’m hoping this will be my first Morgan Matson book. I love stories about weddings, and big families are a big draw for me, too1
Oh I really hope so, I can’t wait to hear what you think of that one! Morgan Matson is a must-read for me, I love everything she goes so much. I hope you’ll love it š
Thank you so much for stopping by! <3
I’m definitely sad that this one only has a bit of romance in it! I love Morgan’s romances. T_T Buuuut I am super happy that it’s slow burn!!! ā„ I also can’t wait to read about all the unique members of the Grant family. So happy you loved this! And (as always), fantastic review!!!
I can’t wait for you to read it. I get what you mean, I love Morgan Matson’s romances as well, but it was good to have a book focusing on family for once, that too rarely happens š
Thank you so, so much Aimee! <3 <3
I feel really bad, because I’ve enjoyed MOrgan Matson’s books in the past–I think I’ve read all of them, except the ones she wrote under another name–but something about this one just really rubbed me up the wrong way. I think it was that Charlie couldn’t see her own privilege and all the things that went qrong got almost predictable, almost farcial. I did like the dynamic of having older siblings though–I feel like youngersiblings are more common in books somehow?
OH I’m sorry you didn’t love that one as much as I did :/ I understand your point though, Charlie was a little bit bothering at times, I have to admit it haha. I really loved the sibling and family dynamics in htat one though <3 AND YES, we so often get younger siblings, it's good to see older, working, out of the house and everything siblings, for once š
Thank you so much for your sweet comment Shanti! <3
I sound like a total Parrot cause I keep repeating this statement, but I LOVE it when a book has such a strong emphasis on family. I adore Morgan Matson’s characterisations. Like you said, her characters always layered and so easy to relate to, their voices just sound so genuine. I really can’t wait for the day I break this slump and just binge read this book. š
Feel free to sound like a parrot, I don’t MIND at ALL haha, I LOVE strong emphasis on family just as well, these kind of books make me SO happy. I hope you’ll be able to read that one soon and that you will love it as much as I did <3 <3 Thank you!! <3
The book actually has some of the comic strips the mum is drawing??
I’m listening to this book on audio, but now i really feel like i’m missing out on half the fun! š
Awesome review!
YES IT DOES! It looks really cool š I hope you’re enjoying / enjoyed the book! <3
Thank you so much for your comment! <3 <3
Ahh I won a copy of this and I’m SO excited!! I really liked The Unexpected Everything (books about writers just work so well for me though haha?) And I was a bit dubious of this one because I sooo don’t like weddings.?But hearing it is really focused on family and general wildness makes me definitely want to read it. ?I love how she writes contemporaries that are meaningful but also hilarious?! SO good.
AHHH I hope you’ll get to read it soon and that you will love it, Cait, it was SUCH a great and fun book to read š <3 Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3
Great review, Marie! I never read any of Morgan Matson’s books but I really want to read this book because it sounds so fun. I’m glad you loved it! š
Oh thank you so much, Raven! I really hope you’ll read and love this book as much as I did š
Sounds interesting! I haven’t read anything by Morgan Matson, but this sounds like something I’d be really interested in. CONFESSION TIME: Haven’t read a single YA Contemporary: EVER!!!! I would love to start, but I just don’t have anywhere to start and I’ve been pushing it off. š
OH you HAVE to read Morgan Matson’s books if you are interested in YA contemporary, she is one of the best authors in that genre <3 I would have so many recommendations in that genre haha, I'll Give You The Sun, Sarah Ockler's books, Alice Oseman's books as well, John Green is a favorite of mine too, the Lara Jean series, I'll Meet You There…. š
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
Morgan Matson is also an author I always recommend! Save the Date wasn’t my favorite, but it was really heartwarming. There was so much happening in the span of three days that I was starting to get pretty overwhelmed! I also thought it was a breath of fresh air to have the focus be on the family instead of the romance. Great review, Marie! <3
Thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed that one as much as I did, it was such a sweet read and I LOVED the family focus, too <3
Thank you!! <3 <3
I have to admit I have never read any Morgan Matson book. But now that I know that she is one of your favorite authors I have to read her š This book is on my TBR too and since you loved it so much I am sure I am gonna love it too š Wonderful review.
AHHH SIM YOU HAVE TO READ SOME OF HER BOOKS! I’m sure you would love her, she writes such great contemporaries <3 I can't wait to hear what you think of her books,you'll have to let me know when you get a chance to read one of them š
Thank you so much! <3 <3 <3
Great review! I am looking forward to reading this soon because of it being so family focused!
Oh thank you so much! I can’t wait for you to read it, I hope you’ll enjoy it š
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Hello Marie <3
Glad to hear that you enjoyed this one! I love it when books focus on family relationships rather than just on romantic relationships. This book is on my TBR and I look forward to reading it š Great review <3
Oh thank you so much, Sophie! I can’t wait for you to read it, I hope you’ll love it as much as I did <3 <3
Lovely review, Marie ā¤ļø
I’m such a sucker for contemporary novels, but I have never ever read a Morgan Matson book! This sounds really good and right up my alley. It’s so refreshing to see a contemporary novel that is focused on family, also I love that you mention that the characters are three dimensional – it alway help when you are trying to connect with a character!
Definitely adding this to my summer TBR!
P.S. I’m loving your photos on Twitter and Instagram and I hope you’re having the best time!
Oh thank you so, so much Michelle! YOU HAVE to read one of Morgan Matson’s books someday, knowing your bookish taste and love for contemporaries, I’m almost certain you would love her stories š
Aww thank you so much, I had the best time, even if it was too short haha š <3
Marie, this was such a gorgeous review! The way you structure and write them is so easy to follow and just amazing ahh! I have so much to learn from you š <3 I hope to read this book soon. Also I hope you have fun on vacation!
Oh wow, thank you so, so, so much for your sweet words, this means the world – I always feel like I am rambling or that my reviews aren’t that coherent so that means SO much <3 <3
I hope you'll give this book a try and that you'll enjoy it š
And thank you – I had the best time š
Yes Iām so glad you enjoyed Save the Date! Iām excited for this one because I love family focused and also I love her writing! I hope you had a fun vacation!
YAY! If you love the author already, I’m sure you’ll love that one. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it š x
I’m so glad that you enjoyed this one, Marie! I can’t wait to read this š One of the reasons I love Morgan Matson’s books is because of her focus on families, so a book that is even more focussed on family? Yes please! Great review! ā¤
Ahh thank you Michelle! <3 YES exactly, I'm all for family focused-books, they're so much fun to read. I can't wait for you to pick this up š