Larissa’s Review of Save the Date by Kate McMurray

Kate McMurray

Save the Date

Loose Id, June 4, 2013 | 126 pages

Author’s website | Goodreads | Buy book here

Backblurb:
Tristan knows he and his ex-boyfriend Stuart were not meant to be, but that doesn't make the invitation to Stuart's wedding any less of a punch in the face. Tris decides that the only thing for it is to find a super hot date to prove to Stuart that he's moved on and is doing just fine, thanks.
The path to the altar is fraught with obstacles, however, and Tris has to deal with the wilds of online dating, wardrobe malfunctions, men who look like pirates, emotional baggage, grooms with cold feet, and sports team rivalries before he even gets to the wedding.
But when Tris stumbles on love in the last place he expects, he'll need to let go of the past in order to move forward.

Genre & Keywords: Contemporary Romance, M/M, Dating, Sports, Ex-Boyfriend, Wedding, Fledgling Romance, Moving On

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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 2 out of 3 flames
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Reviewed by Lis/Larissa:

Tristan has a problem. Actually, he has several, but that is beside the point. His ex-boyfriend is getting married. But Tristan is over him, right? So an invitation to the wedding shouldn’t be a problem? Right?

Well that is debatable. When you are together with someone for about 10 years and you break up over a career change – albeit amicable – it not something to just put besides you and move on. Tristan was doing just fine, or so he thinks, but the message that his ex Stuart is getting married after a short time together with his new beau, shakes him up.

With a few suggestions from his best (straight) friends, he decides the best course of action is to find a wicked hot date to show everyone – especially Stuart – that he is doing fine.

But you know that saying about best-laid plans and all that. Where is Tristan going to find a hot date? Online? In a bar? He has to look his best also, so it’s shopping time and then there is the part where the unmentionable soon to be married ex keeps calling Tristan. That’s not right, is it? It stirs old feelings in Tristan and makes him wonder if he really did let go of his past or not.

Save the Date is a fun book to read. Tristan is quite the drama queen and had me chuckling at times. The story is equally balanced between romance, humor and drama with just the right touch of angsty man trembling moments.

The reader gets to really sympathize with Tristan over getting ready to see the ex getting married to someone else. I never quite understood why Tristan agreed to go to the wedding. It’s not easy knowing that you were replaced so easily and with the big M involved, something that the unmentionable ex was not interested at all when he was with Tristan. On top of that, the ex’s family likes the new beau better than you. Gah. Tristan has a lot to deal with.

There is a good characterization in this story as well as writing. This is mainly Tristan’s story and you get a good insight into what drives him: his passion for sports, his friends, definitely not his work. Throughout the story Tristan grows. I dare say he does some growing up too.

As said, this story is mainly about Tristan and letting go of his past and moving on. There is a new romance in it for Tristan, but it’s not the focus of the story – more a side-plot. Don’t go into the story thinking this is all about Tristan and his new beau. The scenes with his new romance are fun and sweet and you can see that this new person fits Tristan much better than the ex-boyfriend. However, it illustrates more Tristan’s growing up and letting go of his past. It is not the focus of the story. I would have liked this story a lot less if it was, because mentally Tristan is still getting over his relationship with ‘he-who-shall-not-be-named.’

I enjoyed reading Save the Date and all the trouble Tristan manages to get in. It’s fun to be in Tristan’s head and to read how he lives his life. Save the Date is a book I can definitely recommend if you’re looking for a good contemporary story.
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