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Save the Date
New York City attorney, Lauren Allen is on the hunt for love. What she doesn’t realize is true love may have been within her grasp all along.
****
If Lauren gets one more Save the Date card she’s gonna lose it. When will it be her turn to find that classic, forever kind of love? Granted, over the last few years she has focused more on the law and her career, and less on love and romance. But, enough is enough. She plans on attending the next wedding with a new love on her arm and in her heart—much to her best friend Josh’s frustration.
Josh Spencer is a reformed ladies’ man whose longest relationship has been with his best friend, Lauren. When Lauren embarks upon her love quest, Josh realizes his feelings for Lauren have morphed from friendship to romantic. Considering he’s just committed to his own new relationship, this epiphany couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Now, Josh must navigate his confusion, Lauren’s hesitancy, and their shared history to ensure their happily ever after.
PLEASE NOTE: Save the Date is a sexy and sophisticated journey to love between two friends who laugh, fight, and desire each other above all others. While not erotica, it contains hot and sexy scenes that will remind you of the joy and passion of falling in love.
(55K+ words; BWWM)
****
If Lauren gets one more Save the Date card she’s gonna lose it. When will it be her turn to find that classic, forever kind of love? Granted, over the last few years she has focused more on the law and her career, and less on love and romance. But, enough is enough. She plans on attending the next wedding with a new love on her arm and in her heart—much to her best friend Josh’s frustration.
Josh Spencer is a reformed ladies’ man whose longest relationship has been with his best friend, Lauren. When Lauren embarks upon her love quest, Josh realizes his feelings for Lauren have morphed from friendship to romantic. Considering he’s just committed to his own new relationship, this epiphany couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Now, Josh must navigate his confusion, Lauren’s hesitancy, and their shared history to ensure their happily ever after.
PLEASE NOTE: Save the Date is a sexy and sophisticated journey to love between two friends who laugh, fight, and desire each other above all others. While not erotica, it contains hot and sexy scenes that will remind you of the joy and passion of falling in love.
(55K+ words; BWWM)
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2017
32 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 24, 2017
If I had to give a knee jerk reaction to this book it would be 'Grown Ass People talking to each other like Grown Ass People.'
Now, that may sound funny, but too many times in romance novels supposedly Grown Ass People talk to each other with the emotional maturity of a toddler. Or don't talk to each other at all. So yeah, when it happens it is worth mentioning.
This is a friends-to-lovers book. The best part of reading this story is how well the author demonstrates the depth of the friendship between Lauren and Josh. I mean, it is shown. And it doesn't die under a lot of romance-yearning angst (altho there is that) but the strong bond of friendship just shines like a beacon. Josh and Lauren talked to each other like the six-years long close friends they are. They share glances and finish each others' sentences and insult each other and all sort of other things. Even when they fight they can't stay too mad at each other for long.
In this book both friends are aware of an undercurrent of attraction. They each, separately inwardly acknowledge it and shy away from it while also acting out in small ways as they unwittingly succumb to it.
I also loved her descriptions of Josh and Lauren -- when describing them physically the author also manages to make their appearance about their personalities as well. For instance, when Lauren decides to pick out her big twist-out that she likes to refer to it as her 'obnoxious' hair -- a small acknowledgement that big natural hair can be as intimidating and she weilds it as almost a weapon in her beauty arsenal. Also the way she is tall and curvy and simply struts into rooms with confidence. Her descriptions of Josh's physicality and dimples signal a very sleek sophisticated man and Lauren will often call him 007 in his sophistication.
This was well on its way to being a five star book but a couple of things happen to stop that:
1) Josh is in a relationship at the start of the book and I thought the ending of it was too convenient. I did like that it didn't completely villainize Meghan (the girlfriend) -- although she did do something unforgivable -- but in the end they had a bit of a post-mortem of their relationship where they both dropped some truths. Again, there goes that Grow Ass People thing again.
2) Lauren makes a totally bonehead move that, yeah in retrospect given her explanation makes some sense and she and Josh talk it out. But honestly it felt so out of character for the confident, strutting lawyer that she is that I couldn't reconcile it. It just felt like 11th hour drama for drama's sake.
But overall this is so well written and fun. Nice to see there will be a sequel with their two BFFs.
Now, that may sound funny, but too many times in romance novels supposedly Grown Ass People talk to each other with the emotional maturity of a toddler. Or don't talk to each other at all. So yeah, when it happens it is worth mentioning.
This is a friends-to-lovers book. The best part of reading this story is how well the author demonstrates the depth of the friendship between Lauren and Josh. I mean, it is shown. And it doesn't die under a lot of romance-yearning angst (altho there is that) but the strong bond of friendship just shines like a beacon. Josh and Lauren talked to each other like the six-years long close friends they are. They share glances and finish each others' sentences and insult each other and all sort of other things. Even when they fight they can't stay too mad at each other for long.
In this book both friends are aware of an undercurrent of attraction. They each, separately inwardly acknowledge it and shy away from it while also acting out in small ways as they unwittingly succumb to it.
I also loved her descriptions of Josh and Lauren -- when describing them physically the author also manages to make their appearance about their personalities as well. For instance, when Lauren decides to pick out her big twist-out that she likes to refer to it as her 'obnoxious' hair -- a small acknowledgement that big natural hair can be as intimidating and she weilds it as almost a weapon in her beauty arsenal. Also the way she is tall and curvy and simply struts into rooms with confidence. Her descriptions of Josh's physicality and dimples signal a very sleek sophisticated man and Lauren will often call him 007 in his sophistication.
This was well on its way to being a five star book but a couple of things happen to stop that:
1) Josh is in a relationship at the start of the book and I thought the ending of it was too convenient. I did like that it didn't completely villainize Meghan (the girlfriend) -- although she did do something unforgivable -- but in the end they had a bit of a post-mortem of their relationship where they both dropped some truths. Again, there goes that Grow Ass People thing again.
2) Lauren makes a totally bonehead move that, yeah in retrospect given her explanation makes some sense and she and Josh talk it out. But honestly it felt so out of character for the confident, strutting lawyer that she is that I couldn't reconcile it. It just felt like 11th hour drama for drama's sake.
But overall this is so well written and fun. Nice to see there will be a sequel with their two BFFs.
June 9, 2017
Love doesn't work on a timetable.
Fed up and just a little bit envious after receiving yet another wedding invitation, hardworking attorney Lauren Allen makes a solemn promise to devote more attention to finding Mr. Right. When she tells her best (male) friend and co-worker, Josh Spencer he's taken aback and tries to unsuccessfully discourage her. He's reluctant to explore why he's exactly feeling this way, 1) because he has a girlfriend and 2) he promised himself long ago that he would never ruin their friendship in pursuit of an "unsure" thing.
When he finally admits to himself he's jealous and finds that Lauren won't be discouraged he starts to distance himself from her and his girlfriend all in the guise of his workload. When Josh is finally able to embrace his burgeoning feelings, he knows he has his work cut out for him in convincing Lauren she's the one he's always wanted.
I would have rated this book 5 Stars but Lauren disappointed me (and Josh) in how she handled a pivotal moment. There was no excuse for it and she just should have known better. Overall, it's an enjoyable read and a great debut.
Sweet and sensual romance with no explicit sex scenes.
Fed up and just a little bit envious after receiving yet another wedding invitation, hardworking attorney Lauren Allen makes a solemn promise to devote more attention to finding Mr. Right. When she tells her best (male) friend and co-worker, Josh Spencer he's taken aback and tries to unsuccessfully discourage her. He's reluctant to explore why he's exactly feeling this way, 1) because he has a girlfriend and 2) he promised himself long ago that he would never ruin their friendship in pursuit of an "unsure" thing.
When he finally admits to himself he's jealous and finds that Lauren won't be discouraged he starts to distance himself from her and his girlfriend all in the guise of his workload. When Josh is finally able to embrace his burgeoning feelings, he knows he has his work cut out for him in convincing Lauren she's the one he's always wanted.
I would have rated this book 5 Stars but Lauren disappointed me (and Josh) in how she handled a pivotal moment. There was no excuse for it and she just should have known better. Overall, it's an enjoyable read and a great debut.
Sweet and sensual romance with no explicit sex scenes.
July 3, 2017
This book read as if the author spends too much time in the IRR chat rooms on this site. Every valid and every pedantic complaint of IRR readers is seemingly addressed in here, which renders the work woefully empty, timid, and dry.
Envision a mother of a preschooler who'd like to make chocolate chip cookies. She takes each food allergy of each of her child's classmates into consideration when attempting to make these cookies. Thus, the cookies must be gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free, msg free, high fructose corn syrup free, wheat free, shellfish free, grain free, oil free, and GMO free. (Incidentally, this is my diet). Notwithstanding, with all these exclusions, there is simply no feasible way to effectively make any sort of delicious cookies.
This book reflects the following: don't describe Black skin tone with food colours, don't have the Black woman immediately proclaim herself Black, don't have the Black woman use AAV or any colloquialisms, don't have the Black woman reside in immediately identifiable Black communities, don't have the characters struck by lust, don't use dirty talk, don't have the white character undergo an identity crisis, etc etc etc etc.
I could go on and on and on, but honestly, enumerating all the "do nots" this dry book contains is exhausting. Suffice it to say, I was seriously bored by the stiff and proper and character-less everything in this book. Also, I didn't have real confirmation the protagonist was a Black woman until well past the half mark.
Authors need to stop letting so many hands stir their pot. I'd rather read authentic work with a bit of roughness than overly polished nothingness.
Envision a mother of a preschooler who'd like to make chocolate chip cookies. She takes each food allergy of each of her child's classmates into consideration when attempting to make these cookies. Thus, the cookies must be gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free, msg free, high fructose corn syrup free, wheat free, shellfish free, grain free, oil free, and GMO free. (Incidentally, this is my diet). Notwithstanding, with all these exclusions, there is simply no feasible way to effectively make any sort of delicious cookies.
This book reflects the following: don't describe Black skin tone with food colours, don't have the Black woman immediately proclaim herself Black, don't have the Black woman use AAV or any colloquialisms, don't have the Black woman reside in immediately identifiable Black communities, don't have the characters struck by lust, don't use dirty talk, don't have the white character undergo an identity crisis, etc etc etc etc.
I could go on and on and on, but honestly, enumerating all the "do nots" this dry book contains is exhausting. Suffice it to say, I was seriously bored by the stiff and proper and character-less everything in this book. Also, I didn't have real confirmation the protagonist was a Black woman until well past the half mark.
Authors need to stop letting so many hands stir their pot. I'd rather read authentic work with a bit of roughness than overly polished nothingness.
January 29, 2022
While we’ll written this book has the slooooowest burn ever. I’m not even sure the fire got lit in the first place. Not only did it practically take the whole book for them to hook up I’m not even sure they did hook up. The sexual description was so non existent that it made me want to ask “is it in yet”. For two people that had waiting years to be together I expected fireworks, explosions, atomic nuclear explosions but got nothing. This story had so much potential but wilted like the guy needed viagra. I get that some people don’t like erotic novels but there’s a way to write about sex without making it too erotic or explicit but almost breathtaking but this author failed big time
September 16, 2019
5.00 Stars. Great friends to lovers story. This author's debut book is a winner. The storyline moves steadily and sensibly along without too much drama. The character development, dialog and romantic chemistry of the protagonists is superb. The main characters, Josh Spencer and Lauren Allen, met six years ago prior to Lauren joining the law firm where Josh is a senior partner. Despite their immediate attraction, Josh regulates Lauren to the friend zone; so, she dismisses any amorous feelings and accepts the friendship. They became each others best friend and confidants as well as each others most ardent support systems; secretly, each others ideal of a perfect partner in a loving relationship. Josh is the first to stop playing the field and settle into a relationship; but it's not until Lauren receives her fifth Save the Date (wedding invitation ) that she decides to start looking for someone to love. The story follows Lauren and Josh as they maneuver through their suppressed love for each other and through the untangling of each of them from other people and through their individual fears and trust issues. Ultimately, they arrive at a place where they acknowledge their feelings for each other. Again, Josh gets there first and "courts" Lauren until she gets there. They get their 'HEA' and the author promises a story of romance about their friends, Jesse and Riley. I look forward to reading their story.
July 20, 2025
Six Years in the Making
Save the Date by Candace Randall uses the tropes of friends to lovers and workplace romance in an entertaining story about two passionately loyal friends. When Lauren Allen and Josh Spencer met at their law firms six years ago, they became fast and faithful friends. Supporting each other in all aspects of their lives. Josh had a few romantic partners, while Lauren threw herself into her career, watching as her friend group steadily made love connections. Now even Josh has a permanent partner, and Lauren has yet another invitation to a friend’s wedding. This invitation is just the impetus she needs to jumpstart her love life. However, even with a steady girlfriend Josh is less than thrilled at the prospect Lauren looking for love. Could he be jealous? Josh and Lauren have a beautiful friendship and both fear that adding romance will derail something that is already working. But they come to realize that any romance they embark on with others is not as fulfilling as the friendship they already enjoy, can they have both together? This book was a good slow burn romance with conflict and realistic situations. Published in 2017, the secondary characters, Jesse and Riley, were set up to have their story, and it looked promising. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate it. Save the Date is available on Kindle Unlimited.
https://theretiredreader.com/f/save-t...
June 15, 2017
Nice Story... It did not feel like an IR story....
My first book by this author was a nice read. The story flowed well, and the characters felt like ordinary people. Both Joshua and Lauren were attorneys working at the same firm. When Lauren received her fifth save the date note, she decided it was time to find her own man. Secretly her bestie had eyes for her and she for him. After Lauren invited Josh to be her plus one at her friends wedding in France, their relationship heated and the truth was revealed.. A nice sweet IR story...
My first book by this author was a nice read. The story flowed well, and the characters felt like ordinary people. Both Joshua and Lauren were attorneys working at the same firm. When Lauren received her fifth save the date note, she decided it was time to find her own man. Secretly her bestie had eyes for her and she for him. After Lauren invited Josh to be her plus one at her friends wedding in France, their relationship heated and the truth was revealed.. A nice sweet IR story...
November 17, 2019
Slowest Burn!🐢🐢🐢🔥
3-4 Slow burning stars for this bwwm friends to lovers office romance. Josh and Lauren’s story of best friends who finally realize they were meant to be together was very well executed in a realistic way in a non steamy context. There were only 2 smexy scenes that while well written remind me of a 50’s fade to black love scene. Definitely rated PG but still worth the read.
3-4 Slow burning stars for this bwwm friends to lovers office romance. Josh and Lauren’s story of best friends who finally realize they were meant to be together was very well executed in a realistic way in a non steamy context. There were only 2 smexy scenes that while well written remind me of a 50’s fade to black love scene. Definitely rated PG but still worth the read.
June 13, 2017
A sweet romance
This was a sweet but typical story. Man and woman are best friends, don't want to acknowledge they really belong together ; until something happens to make one of them finally decide to bite the bullet. The usual miscommunication especially by someone who should know better. At times the book was slow, but overall a satisfying HEA.
This was a sweet but typical story. Man and woman are best friends, don't want to acknowledge they really belong together ; until something happens to make one of them finally decide to bite the bullet. The usual miscommunication especially by someone who should know better. At times the book was slow, but overall a satisfying HEA.
June 6, 2017
Nice read
Sweet romance between longtime best friends and co-worker Josh and Lauren. Josh and Lauren had a great witty friendship but their true feelings revealed themselves, with Josh being the first to realize it
Sweet romance between longtime best friends and co-worker Josh and Lauren. Josh and Lauren had a great witty friendship but their true feelings revealed themselves, with Josh being the first to realize it
June 12, 2017
Friends do make it the best
At some point we have all been around that couple that states they're "just friends" yet the sparks fly and all around can see it. So glad that he wooed her. I wanted to smack Lauren for running first. So glad they had friends to set them straight.
At some point we have all been around that couple that states they're "just friends" yet the sparks fly and all around can see it. So glad that he wooed her. I wanted to smack Lauren for running first. So glad they had friends to set them straight.
June 13, 2017
Like it immensely
I choose to give this book four star because it was an enjoyable read. I always enjoyed friends to lovers books. They already have a foundation to build on. Can't wait for the next book.
I choose to give this book four star because it was an enjoyable read. I always enjoyed friends to lovers books. They already have a foundation to build on. Can't wait for the next book.
August 19, 2017
Good read.
This was a good and easy book to read. I loved the two main characters relationship. I will definitely read more from this author and can't wait to read about Lauren's friend Jess.
This was a good and easy book to read. I loved the two main characters relationship. I will definitely read more from this author and can't wait to read about Lauren's friend Jess.
June 17, 2017
👍👍👍👍👍
Great story. Friends to lovers . Lauren and Josh is now one of my favorite couple. Thank you Ms Randall for sharing.
Great story. Friends to lovers . Lauren and Josh is now one of my favorite couple. Thank you Ms Randall for sharing.
June 17, 2017
Exceptional
My first time reading this author and I found the story true to life and very insightful. Can't wait to read more.
My first time reading this author and I found the story true to life and very insightful. Can't wait to read more.
June 24, 2017
Wow!
Couldn't put it down! Loved the story....Lauren and Josh were funny and great together...wished I had listened to my best friend! Can't wait for more....Favorite new author
Couldn't put it down! Loved the story....Lauren and Josh were funny and great together...wished I had listened to my best friend! Can't wait for more....Favorite new author
July 3, 2017
way much better than I thought it would be. Loved it.
July 7, 2017
Great Read
I enjoyed this story so much. Absolutely loved the characters and storyline. Along with honest emotion. Thank you CR! I would highly recommend.
I enjoyed this story so much. Absolutely loved the characters and storyline. Along with honest emotion. Thank you CR! I would highly recommend.
August 16, 2017
Nice story
This book was a nice read and it showed that friends can be lover and stay together for forever love we all want.
This book was a nice read and it showed that friends can be lover and stay together for forever love we all want.
April 28, 2018
Good
Overall it was a good book. But I felt there wasn’t enough detailed sex scenes. Author kept saying how Josh and Lauren was attractive but the sex pages was lacking.
Overall it was a good book. But I felt there wasn’t enough detailed sex scenes. Author kept saying how Josh and Lauren was attractive but the sex pages was lacking.
June 29, 2018
Good rainy day read
You expected her and Josh to get together you just weren't sure how it was going to happen which made you want to keep reading. Looking forward to Kelly's story
You expected her and Josh to get together you just weren't sure how it was going to happen which made you want to keep reading. Looking forward to Kelly's story
July 19, 2017
Wonderfully sweet romance. If you are fan of friends to lovers this is definitely a book you will enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews