September 11, 2001 is a special day for navy medic Jolene and long time boyfriend Bennett: they plan to marry just before she ships out on USNS Mercy. As the moment approaches, they have no idea how devastatingly memorable the day is going to be.
Morning chaos blows apart their dreams of togetherness. Shocking secrets test the relationship and trust is broken. Love's foundations crumble. Now Jolene has a choice. Will she let her love stay buried under the rubble? Or will she go back in and Save the Date...?
Two-time USA Today Bestselling author, KM Hodge is Director of Development and Marketing by day and a mom to two growing boys by night boys, She enjoys playing board games, reading suspense and historical novels, and binge-watching Marvel shows on Disney+ with her family. #TeamScarletWitch
I enjoyed the book from a subject standpoint. I was totally taken aback with the graphic sex and profanity. I did not expect this from this writer after reading the Book Cellar series. I was eager to read the book from the new series because I enjoyed the other series so much. If you can read and get past the language and graphic sex, you will enjoy this book. If you are offended by either, you probably don't want to read this book. It is a very quick read because we all remember 9/11 and this book holds your attention and moves quickly from hour to hour. It takes place in a very short time period. It's starts very late at night on 9/10 and runs through short time on 9/12.
Blurb: September 11, 2001 is a special day for navy medic Jolene and long time boyfriend Bennett: they plan to marry just before she ships out on USNS Mercy. As the moment approaches, they have no idea how devastatingly memorable the day is going to be.
Morning chaos blows apart their dreams of togetherness. Shocking secrets test the relationship and trust is broken. Love's foundations crumble. Now Jolene has a choice. Will she let her love stay buried under the rubble? Or will she go back in and Save the Date...?
This was quite the unique novella. There was so much substance and depth to both the plot and characters. K.M. Hodge created a beautiful love story wrought with emotions long ago buried concerning that day. As I read Jolene's account of the hours surrounding her wedding, I couldn't help but be transported back to that day so many years ago. I experienced most of the emotions she and her friends exhibited as I'm sure all of you will. This was supposed to be a day all about Jolene and Bennett. But it will forever be marred by the events that took place around our country. We don't think about what everyone else may have had going on. I had a friend whose child was born that day. And as the preacher eluded to in this story, we can show love and joy during this horrific time or dwell on the evil that exists. I'm so glad that Jolene and Bennett got to have their moment of pure happiness if only for a short period of time.
I hope we get to revisit these characters and their lives. It was jam packed with plot bunnies for a potential series!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Readers Copy of this book.
This book while on the short side deals with some very heavy topics, specifically 9/11. A couple is getting married that day because she ships out the next morning. So we have the love story mixed in with the heartbreak of the horrific events of 9/11. The author does a great job of balancing the two out. You get to love all of the side characters not just the two getting married.
The only thing I wish is that we got a little more backstory throughout. But it was a quick enjoyable read. The author's writing style draws you in from the first page until the very end. This book will not disappoint.
A light read that tells the events of a couple through their experience of 9/11 without anything disastrous actually happening to themselves. Very detailed description over a short space in time. Though slightly touching, the ending is wholesome and hopeful.
This was another unexpected refreshing read from this author. Just not the typical path she takes you get the real deal with characters that bring it so. It will also be centered around a date branded in history that makes for fast reading. Jolene and Bennett will be the ones taking you showing you how yet events can change in the blink of a eye. See how this author has them handle this with also emotions that will be raw and real. By the time you experience it in this one it is also to soon done with you pondering if she could do others from this too.
This was a very good story. Jolene and Bennett are set to be married the day before Jolene ships out. The day of their wedding the events of 9/11 occur. The author really brings you back to the day and makes you feel all the emotions the characters are feeling.
This is one of those stories that make you say wow! It is a story about the day ,beginning after midnight on 9/11...even tho this is a shorter story,there is such an emotional impact.As you read this couple's story about getting married that day,you are taken back in time to the real life events that really happened. It is one of those "do you remember where you were when" moment's which makes the story more realistic with visual memories. You can feel the emotions the characters are going thru. I like how the author wrote this story and how it all unfolds a few hours at a time. This sets the reader up with the perfect ending,leaving you wanting more!!! And I can't wait!! I have volunteered to leave a review for this free book.
A great short story set on one of America's darkest days. Since this is a novella, I knew that it would be a quick read. However, I didn't expect to be so attached to the characters after spending just a couple of hours with them. Here's hoping that Ms. Hodge decides (in the near future!) to tell us more of where their stories lead.
This is one story that brings back lots of memories I remember that day just like it was yesterday. What a touching, emotional, heartbreaking, sweet, loving read that has more drama then you can shake a stick at. This is the first I have read of this authors work and I totally love it. I was pulled in almost from the first page. The author takes a sad time that broke our hearts with two people who get married on 9-11 and all the sadness that day brings them along with the happiness. There are a lot of twists and turns that keep the reader entertained and invested in this wonderful read. What a crazy day for them in more ways than one, there was a few times I even chuckled and a few that were very sad. The only issue I had is it wasn’t long enough and doesn’t tell us what happens down the road. I still have to say you really do not want to miss this story it was a wonderful read.
4 stars. This book is a standalone with no cliffhanger and has an HEA. The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. While at first glance, this seems like a quick predictable read. But it is filled with real emotions and everyone trying to deal with circumstances beyond their control.
Where were you on 9/11? "Save the Date" explores some of the things occurring, including a wedding scheduled just before the BRIDE's deployment. Ms. Hodge has packed a LOT into this one. CAUTION: STEAMY!