Save the Date

A Once upon a Wedding Story

By: K.S. Thomas

Narrated by: S.E. Ellsmore

Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Calista Luvalle has mixed feelings when it comes to love. On the one hand, working in the bridal business means she’s basically dedicating her life to love and the dream of "happily ever after". On the other, she’s a jaded, love-hating cynic who isn’t about to fall for any of that crap herself.

Except, of course, she already did. When she was six.

Emerson Barrett isn’t worried about finding the right woman. After a tumultuous past, he’s happy just dedicating his life to his work. Content in knowing what to expect day in and day out, he’s thrown for a loop when he’s suddenly standing face-to-face with little Lissy Luvalle again.

Only, now she’s not so little anymore....

©2014 Karina Gioertz a.k.a. K.S. Thomas (P)2021 Karina Gioertz a.k.a. K.S. Thomas

loved it!

I absolutely loved this book! Lissy and Emerson - the wedding dress designer and the cowboy - are complete opposites. There's so much chemistry between them. Six-year-old Lissy was in love with Emerson, planning to marry him when she was old enough. Grown-up Lissy is jaded about romance and marriage. It was so much fun watching her change, and seeing them find their way to love. I read the book last year, and recently had the opportunity to listen to the audio book. I enjoyed the narration by S.E. Ellsmore, except her interpretation of the male voices was a bit off to my ear. Otherwise, she did an outstanding job with it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Book 1 - Once Upon a Wedding Story

This is book 1 in Thomas' Once Upon a Wedding Story and oh what a sweet, clean romance read/listen. Well written and narrated this book has a good storyline that flows smoothly. Our main characters are Calista and Emerson. I love how the past is unknowingly so influential on the present and we also get a taste of the future in the epilogue. I adore the dual point of view and there is not a lot of duplication going on which I think is also well done. Love the family dynamic as well as the angst that comes into play. Calista is such a fierce character, strong and independent and Emerson is swoon worthy with his honesty and southern charm and just overall being a gentleman - we definitely need more of those now a days! This is just and overall, sweet, heartwarming romance. I am definitely looking forward to more in this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Lissy and Emerson's Story

Calista Luvalle (“Lissy”) isn’t sure she really believes in love. She’s sort of jaded now. Back when she was 6 years old, she knew the boy she wanted to marry. He was older than she was and protective of her. Emerson was friends with her cousin Spence, and she tagged along with them at the Lake House. Emerson was the only one who ever made her believe love was real. She even told her mom she was going to marry him, so her mom gave her two “Save the Date” cards so they would both remember not to marry anyone else because waiting until 25 seemed a long time to wait for getting married. But now, something special is waiting for her when she is asked to come to Kentucky, 20 years after that magical time, to save her cousin’s wedding.

Emerson Barrett works with horses at a prominent stable in Kentucky. He isn’t interested in finding a woman… until he is face-to-face with Lissy Luvalle from his past. But she’s all grown up now. And both of them remember their time at the Lake House. It was obvious to everyone that they were meant to be together. But they have both been through things that left scars inside. Would they step forward and claim the love that has been waiting for them? Or would they panic and walk away?

This was such a good story. Lissy was so sure of herself about her feelings for Emerson. Would her fairy tale come true? Then one day, he handed her an envelope, a “Save the Date” card he had saved for almost 20 years, and taped to the back was … possibly her future?

The narrator for the audiobook is S.E. Ellsmore. She does a great job with the voices to make it easy for the listener to get an accurate idea of what each character is like. It helps to set the mood and is a pleasant way to “read” and enjoy this wonderful book.

Save the Date!

This is a fun, sweet and clean romance that was so enjoyable to listen to. The story is nicely narrated and well written. I really like the characters and their chemistry/connection. The story is about Calista and Emerson, who have a past and because of fate may have a future. I enjoyed every bit of this one.