Save Me

Save Me by Cecy Robson is the fifth book in a series of standalone romances about the loud, Irish O’Brien siblings from Philly. It is an acquaintance-to-friends-to-lovers story that is based on the fake date premise (with a little twist). I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, and there was no problem jumping into Save Me. It truly can be read as a standalone novel. This book is pure escapism. Both Allie Mendes and Seamus O’Brien are a bit over-the-top in their stereotypical characterization; however, they bring out the best in each other, and I couldn’t help but love them for it. Allie blossoms into a more confident woman and Seamus grows a conscience and learns there is more to love than immediate gratification. I loved the slow burn of their relationship. It was so much more realistic than the standard insta-love stories. It was the first time I truly appreciated the “I don’t want to lose this friend by making a romantic advance” play. The characters’ background and prior relationship made that feel more realistic. The secondary characters on the O’Brien side have been featured in prior books by the Ms. Robson, however, there is enough sibling banter and Seamus backstory to get an ample feel for this rowdy, boisterous family that is led by their diminutive yet stalwart mother. I don’t think I could take that crowd for more than a 30 minutes at a time, but their love and loyalty got to me. On the other hand, the Mendes family is the worst kind of dysfunctional there is. The self-centered diva sister and pretentious mother who worships her are straight out of a reality-television program (or a Disneyfied fairytale). While her family might have driven her to become a successful business woman, Allie would have been better off to estrange herself from her immediate family. Ms. Robson’s sweet romance has plenty of sentimentality and humor and very little angst. The story is well paced, making it a quick read. The karmic ending is entertaining. Save Me is a clean, fun, feel-good book.