Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones

Rating: 5 stars

What would you do if someone asked you to pose as their fiancee?  Depending on the situation, that may be a tough, or an easy, question for you to answer.  In Save the Date, Lucy Wiltshire is faced with that decision when she meets Alex Sinclair, a former professional football player and high school classmate.  He is running for a seat in Congress and needs to present an image that proves to voters he is settling down and embracing family values.  Despite Lucy's dislike of Charleston's wealthy, upper-crust society and Alex's arrogant attitude, she cannot deny that she relies on them to support the non-profit home for young women that she runs.

Facing the loss of Saving Grace, her home for girls, Lucy accepts Alex's offer, and the sparks begin to fly.  Lucy and Alex belong to two separate worlds, and she is determined that she will be immune to Alex's charms.  By spending so much time together, Lucy soon begins to see a different side to Alex. Will the cost of posing as a fake fiancee include her heart?

Save the Date is a fun and light-hearted read that I highly recommend!  When I read contemporary inspirational fiction, I sometimes feel that I lack a connection to the main characters, but Jenny B. Jones' writing has that magical "IT" factor for me.  She masterfully infuses Save the Date with just the right mixture of sarcasm, quirkiness, and serious moments that gives the story depth and keeps you turning the pages for more.  The characters are like real people, with flaws and weaknesses.  I could relate to some of Lucy's insecurities, and I was emotionally pulled into the story as she worked to resolve issues that she faced from her past and present.  The supporting characters add life and dimension to the story, and I especially loved Clare, a matriarch of Charleston society, and her assistant Julian. Reading Save the Date was like watching a fun romantic comedy that makes you want to watch it again.  In this case, Save the Date has a secure place on my shelf so I can re-visit Lucy and Alex. 

I am eagerly anticipating Jenny B. Jones' next novel.  I recently read Just Between You and Me, which is another five-star read, that I highly recommend as well.  Although I usually do not read many young adult fiction stories,  I plan to check out her Carol Award-winning young adult series in the near future (So Not Happening, I'm So Sure, and So Over My Head).

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”