You know that pact you make with your childhood best friend of the opposite sex? The one where, if you’re both still single, lonely and hopeless at thirty, you’ll marry each other?This is the story about what happens when you hit the big three-oh and have to make good on that pinky promise.Personally, I think love, romance and all of that nonsense is a crock of, well, you know. And Reese Collins, … And Reese Collins, the boy who used to put worms in my hair at backyard barbecues, knows that better than anyone.
But when he moves to the same city I’ve happily, and singly, inhabited for years, memories of oaths past resurface. Reese is like a dog with a bone; a really hot dog and that bone just happens to be me.
He won’t stop hounding me, and the crazy thing is, my frigid, traitorous heart is starting to cave. For my best friend.
It seems so far off, when you’re a kid playing Monopoly in your treehouse. But when that clock strikes midnight on your thirtieth birthday, and you’re standing alone in front of a grocery store-bought cupcake, a childhood deal to walk down the aisle doesn’t seem so silly anymore.
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Save the Date is Carrie Aarons’ take on the marriage of convenience trope, delivering this romantic comedy in the form of a fifteen year marriage pact made between two bestfriends.
Erin Carter is the Peas to Reese Collins’ Carrots. An editorial director by day and a lifestyle blogger by the shadows of the night. She’s impersonal and dispassionate, honest and blunt, but mostly cynical when it comes to love. But she’s also strong and reserves her vulnerabilities for certain people, sassy when it counts, and independent to the core.
Reese Collins, the Carrots in this bowl is a NICU nurse. Yes, not only is he tall with dark features, and a lone dimple, he’s basically the guardian of tiny people and could charm the pants off anyone within a ten mile radius. He’s also harboring some deep rooted feelings for little miss anti-love and has a bit of a co-dependency problem when it comes to dating…
Maybe. Or maybe, just maybe he was bidding his time and this ‘marry me if we’re still single at thirty’ was all a ruse. A smoke and mirrors act that Reese has perfected in order to get the girl of his dreams, the Peas to his Carrots.
Erin didn’t make it easy for Reese though. She didn’t roll over and fall deeply in love with him just because he started to pursue her. Carrie slowly unraveled Erin’s character’s skepticism about marriage and the entire time Reese didn’t waver. He was persistent in cracking the fog covered glass of her disilliusionments about love and doubts about him.
Though a bit slow to dive into the plot fully which might pose issues for some, Save the Date was a sensuous, slow burning, yet brazen bestfriends to lovers romance that I didn’t want to end and I don’t want to forget! Save the Date is low on the angst and high on the giggles, delivers a quick resolution with a happily ever after, and my first, but not last novel by Carrie Aarons.
Not just witty, but quickwitted, sweet and romantic, Save the Date is simply entertaining and full of back and forth bantering, innuendos, awkwardly humorous encounters with just as many lighthearted priceless moments as there are moments to fall in love and heavily swoon over!
Absolutely loved this page turning book! Such a wonderfully written story with lots of laughs!
Save the Date is Carrie’s next funny and sexy standalone novel. I have most likely said this about her last book but that’s ok. It just means her stories and writing is getting better and better. This is my favorite Carrie book!! And this is why…
Two best friends. One boy. One girl. They met at the age of seven and are total opposites but can’t stand to be away from one another. At fifteen, they make a pact. If neither of them are married by thirty then they marry each other. Through college and afterwards in two different states they stay the best of friends. Now, they are both twenty-nine and he is making his move. Physically and emotionally. He landed himself a new job as an NICU nurse where she lives, and it’s time to talk about the picky promise that was made almost fifteen years ago.
She thinks he is joking! He has to be right? They are best friends not lovers. She doesn’t even believe in marriage. Maybe not even love. She loves her independence but she also loves him even if he is crazy. Of course she remembered the pact but can’t believe that he wants to follow through with it. Yes. He is a relationship type guy, he is a catch actually but what if their connection as the best of friends is ruined by this crazy idea? Then what? They lose each other, the one person in the world who knows the other in the freakiest of ways. Shit. He knows when she is eating goldfish in bed. Over the phone. She doesn’t want to lose him over a pinky promise but what if?
Reese and Erin’s relationship is best friend goals. They are blunt. They tell you how it is. They will flat out say if you are being an asshole. They know each other’s quirks and love them. But, marrying each other? She is not so sure. He on the other hand is all about it. She doesn’t get why, he could marry anyone. His ex for example would marry him in a hot minute. Before she agrees to this ridiculousness, she has to go on a date with him. A real date. Outside of her apartment. Will she see what he sees after spending time together outside the friend-zone? Will she walk down the aisle to her best friend or will she run away from him?
I absolutely loved this story!!! Erin is fucking hilarious. Reese is just as hilarious but with a sweet side that evens out Erin’s sarcasm. It’s funny how he sees right through her. I thought their banter was the perfect amount of fun, flirt, sass, and bluntness. They really do love each other but can he show her that he is serious about moving to the next level? Oh, it’s oh so fun to read so do that to find out.
Overall…it’s a story about friendship, love, life, and letting go. I laughed, cried, and swooned! I mean, come on…he works with babies!
P.S. Erin has a kickass career she is building too even if I am not a shoe person. Lol
Quotes:
“You’re never a last resort, Erin. I thought I taught you that.”
“My keeper? Do tell. Sounds kinky.” I tried to program the remote again, but it wasn’t working.
“Could be weird.” He shrugs, leading the way out.
I agree. “It could be. Or it could be awesome.”
Carrie Aarons is constantly creating book magic! I devoured Save the Date last night in one sitting! Here I was supposed to be going to bed early and “catching up on some sleep”… Ha! I ended up going to bed even later than normal. It was worth it! I loved Reese! Oh my word! Can he be anymore perfect? He might go from relationship to relationship and woman to woman but he’s just waiting on Erin. I liked Erin but I enjoyed Reese so much I plan to go all Frankenstein and create my own! He’s confident and sweet, fun and loving.
I can’t recommend Save the Date more. It’s such a sweet, friends to lover type romance that kind of has this marriage pact deal all sprinkled with some RomCom. Seriously, can you get any better than that? No, no you can’t! I love how Ms. Aarons throws attention to the common problem people start to face when they aren’t married with their 2.5 kids at 30… fear… the fear of being alone. She discusses it all with humor and a delicate sweetness that I’ve come to adore from her books. This was the perfect romance to read right around the Wedding months.
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! I can’t stop saying that!! I loved it so much!!
This was my first time reading anything from Carrie, and I LOVED IT, and I can’t wait to read more from her.
I really enjoyed her writing style, the characters, the build up, the twist, the humour, the emotions, the EVERYTHING!
Erin and Reese make a pact that when they reach 30, if they’re not married to other people by then, they will marry each other. Reese and Erin meet up again close to their birthdays as Reese may be coming back home!!
Erin is beside herself with worry, as she knows Reese won’t forget their promise to each other. She is freaking out!! Reese doesn’t mention the pact right away when they meet up for dinner. He makes her sweat it out a bit. LOL!
When it’s finally said out loud, Erin is like NOPE not gonna do it!! NOPE. NO WAY. Not happening. Can Reese bring her around? Can he show her his true feelings toward her since they were young, and not push her away?
Can Erin realise her true feelings for him once she gets past the fact that she has to uphold her part of the bargain with Reese?
About halfway through, Erin did get on my nerves a bit, cause she couldn’t make her mind up. I was like OMG!! ERIN, REESE IS A GREAT GUY. Just let your walls down and go for it!
I also loved the Marvel reference in the book as well!
I really did enjoy this book so much, and the story of Erin and Reese, and their relationship! So funny!! I laughed, I cried, I cried from laughing, and felt everything that they felt.
Some of my fave quotes from the book
1. When Jill and Erin are doing Instagram stories…..you know, basic bitch kind of stuff. – Cracked me up!!!
2. He was mysterious, and my lady parts responded. Now, just because I don’t believe in love doesn’t mean I don’t believe in a good roll in the sack. – Erin when she sees a hottie at the bar. LOL!!
3. I could be her plus one for life, if she’d let me. – When Reese finally confesses his feelings for Erin to himself. *SWOON*
4. Katie Raymer walked by my desk, and I already wanted to throat punch her. – I laughed so hard at this, because I say this all the time!! LOL! I died laughing!
5. I felt it. The spark. – YES!! FINALLY!!!!
6. A little jolt of electricity travels right down to South Florida. – I lost it with this one! LOL!!!
7. And just like that, he turns, leaving me standing amongst the janitor’s supplies, with blue balls, and more emotional anxiety than I came in here with. – ROFL!!! Erin had some fun in the closet and didn’t get exactly what she thought she was going to get.
8. “But don’t do the alphabet trick. Never do that.” – When Reese finds out the alphabet trick never works!!! And even his social lacking friend knows this!
9. He’s using his cockpower over me. – LOVED IT!! Erin knows she’s done for by now, and gives into everything with Reese.
I love a marriage pact made by kids, Especially when one actually is in love with the other. This was a wonderful fun story and he is totally swoon worthy because he works with tiny sick babies.
Erin & Reece are just like Peas and Carrots to each other, though they have been far apart now that they are in the same city things heat up. Love it!!
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this story. The funny scenes are funny. Too serious scenes were serious. And they all Blended together to form a wonderful tale of friendship and love.
Reese and Erin have been best friends forever and made a pact to get married to each other when they turn 30 if they weren’t already married… The truth was, though, that Reese had wanted to marry ahren for many, many years.
I thought the story flowed well. I enjoyed having both points of view. I think both characters are extremely likable and that I will find some more books by this author very soon. My TBR file keeps getting bigger and bigger!!!
*** I voluntarily read this book in exchange for an honest review. ***
This was my first book by author Carrie Aarons but it will not be my last!
Save the Date is the perfect best friends to lovers story. I absolutely loved Erin and Reese as well as some of the other characters we met throughout the story. While both were strong characters on their own, they definitely brought out the best in each other whenever they were together. From the cute nicknames for each other to the seriously hot chemistry I loved it all.
When they were 15 years old, Erin and Reese made a pact to get married to each other if they were still single by the time they were 30. While Erin has no desire to ever fall in love and tie herself to another person, Reese has jumped from relationship to relationship never really taking the time to be single, but never getting serious enough to say I do. With their 30th birthdays getting close Reese decides to remind Erin of the pact.
I really enjoyed reading this book from start to finish and there were a few times I was hanging on wondering what was going to happen next. My emotions were all over the place a few times as we learn the reason Erin is so set on being single forever. There was a little bit of drama here and there throughout the story, and a few times I was waiting for something else to happen that never did.
Overall a must read book for sure! – By Alisa
Two besties Reese and Erin made a pact to marry if when they hit their 30 and are not married they will marry each other.
Reese is secretly in love with Erin and hasn’t had much luck with other women.
Erin is also luckless in the relationship department.
Together they make sense, they have known each other most of the lives.
This is a sweet good ole fashion love story.
* ARC PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW *
Just like Peas and Carrots, Reese & Erin were made for each other. Their pact brought two life long friends back together. Somewhere Reese always wanted to be. Somewhere Erin never thought she would be…in love.
It was sweet, sexy and romantic all swirled in with a smooth banter.
What an absolutely adorable, fun and easy read.
Save the date and read this one!
Erin & Reese!!! These two have a lifelong friendship that leaps off the page. Their banter, their care for each other, their inside jokes – BIG SMILES! They have to go through a bit of angst, of course, because they have this pact… and the timeline on this pact is coming to fruition. Reese is ALL IN, but Erin takes a bit of convincing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! It gives us great characters we can be invested in & are rooting for, and not just the main ones, but the supporting characters as well. Erin & Reese also have unique jobs that were fun to read about, and rather unique – Reese is a NICU nurse & Erin is a lifestyle blogger. I loved the peeks into their careers, on top of the main relationship story.
I also really loved that the story doesn’t begin & end with this pact. The last 10 chapters & ending really drew me in & made their story truly feel … complete. Give it a read! : )
Save the Date was a funny and heartfelt super quick read. Reese and Erin made a marriage pact at the age of fifteen. We all know where this is heading at this point, right? This one though has a twist. We are all so used to seeing the girl want the relationship and ready to do what they must to follow through on a pact. This book is different. The guy is the one pushing those buttons, and Erin is trying her best to deny her feelings for Reese. A bitter divorce between her parents late in life left a foul taste for marriage in her eyes, and she isn’t willing to be another statistic. Reese is a romantic at heart but knows just how hard to push Erin to make her see the error of her thinking. Boy next door loves the girl next door. Big hearts and great HEA!
Well I found another new to me author to stalk! In a healthy, respectful way!
Save the Date is the first book I have read by Carrie and it was fabulous!
There are numerous things I love about this story of Erin and Reese. I am going to highlight just a few…
First, I loved the humor, it was subtle, it was smart and it was sexy! My favorite genre is romantic comedy and Carrie brings it in spades with this book!
Second, I loved the fresh twist in the story. As Reese explains it “Our personality types were so reversed for what our gender stereotypes should be.” I loved reading how Reese fought for Erin. Because of their lifelong friendship, Reese knew what Erin needed, sometimes even before she did.
Third, the chemistry between these two! The slow burn, the awkwardness of their first time together was phenomenal! I loved Erin’s honesty and bluntness, I wish I could be more like her!
Last, (well there is a ton more things to love, but I don’t want to inundate you!) the secondary characters were fantastic! I hope I get to read some stories of some of them in future books!
This is a page turner! I could not put it down! As soon as I finish with this review that really doesn’t do the story justice. (Just go read it and see if you don’t fall in love with it too!) I plan on putting all of her past books on my TBR list!