Don't Rush to RSVP

Save the Date

Author: Morgan Matson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: June 5th, 2018

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 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 planner’s nephew is unexpectedly, distractingly…cute.

The concept of Save the Date sounded SO FREAKIN' adorable that I absolutely HAD to pick it up! Unfortunately, I wasn't wowed.  

At 400+ pages this book felt a little like a daunting task—slowly trudging along until about three-quarters of the way through. Not helping the matter, was the fact that the synopsis gave A LOT, A LOT away (Why are more and more novels doing this!? Please stop!) I wanted to love this book, but it felt predictable, drawn out, and a tad under-developed.  

I wish I could've learned more about the main character, Charlie. I can tell you a few things about her: She had a major crush on her brother's best friend, Jesse. She was trying to figure out where to go to college. She had slightly unrealistic views about her family. I honestly can't remember much more about her. (Eeek, that’s horrible of me!) 

I did love the family aspect of this book though! It was so unique and fun to see the Grant Central Station comics throughout the story. Also, a weekend wedding where everyone puts aside their differences to come together was heartwarming to read about!  

Can I just say that Wedding Planners are the real MVPs? They do NOT get enough credit. I would've loved to have seen more of Bill! He was such a sweetie and I adored his interactions with Charlie! I feel like there should've been an epilogue farther into Charlie's future as well.  

My advice: Don't rush to RSVP to this one but if you have a free weekend perhaps you should check it out.  

GIVE THE PAPER GIRL A SPIN-OFF! She was the breakout star! LBVS (laughing but VERY serious.)