Save Me by Cecy Robson Book Review
Updated: Sep 27, 2022
Save Me
by Cecy Robson
Published by Cecy Robson, LLC
Book #5 in the O'Brien Family Series
Three weddings. No date.
What’s a hot stud to do when all the women on his speed dial are either serving dinner to their families or serving time?
Out of all the O’Briens, Seamus is the best-looking, most creative, and, did I mention, best-looking? Single at almost forty wasn’t a big deal until every sibling in his large and loud Irish family found “the one.” Now, he’s desperate for a wedding date, one he doesn’t have to worry will make out with the limo driver or rob the bride and groom blind.
Allie Mendes is the good daughter, who’s spent her life living in her perfect sister’s shadow. But when her sister steals the man Allie was supposed to marry, that shadow she’s lived in threatens to swallow her whole. Allie wants to believe a bright future awaits. But when she begs God to save her from this disastrous twist of fate, the last person she expects Him to send her is Seamus O’Brien.
Allie needs a stand-in boyfriend to avoid appearing as lonely as she feels. Seamus needs a decent woman without an ankle bracelet or a rap sheet as long as his muscular arms. The two make a deal to pose as each other’s perfect date. But weddings mean romance and a chance at forever neither had planned.
RATED: 18+ CATEGORY: MOOD:
Steamy Romance Feel Good
Save Me is the fifth, and final book of the O'Brien series by Cecy Robson. It centers on the last single O'Brien, Seamus, feeling pressure from his family to find someone to settle down with, and Allie Mendes, a successful realtor who has spent years in her model sisters shadow, and being put down by her family.
I started out not being crazy about this book. Seamus has the classic O'Brien humor, but the first run in he has with Allie I didn't like. Not only did he not remember a girl he went to church with throughout his childhood, but didn't remember the realtor who sold him the apartment complex his brothers and him. And when he does remember her, brings up how hot her sister is ... yikes. It was bad. The makeover thing bugged me too. I am not opposed to makeovers, as long as they are done right. I guess I was just surprised. The O'Brien novels have all been pretty unique so far, so I was surprised that Cecy Robson went with a plot that tends to be overused. The only things that saved this for me, was that Seamus very quickly wised up. Once he saw how Allie's "hot" sister treated others, it was an instant turn off. Also, Seamus found Allie beautiful before the makeover helped me get over the whole thing. He encouraged the make over for two reasons: to make their fake relationship believable, as he was known to date a certain type of woman, and to help her confidence, that her family trampled all over.
Another thing that saved this book for me, was their friendship. They truly became best friends. Sure, they were attracted to one another, but they put that aside to the VERY END of the book. They got to know one another. They comforted one another. They told things to each other they never told anyone. They ended up bringing out the best in one another, which brought them together in the end. Seamus needed to grow up, and actually take some time to get to know someone worth getting to know. Allie needed to work on her self-esteem, and learn to stand up for herself. It meant that the romance between them didn't happen until literally the last two chapters, but I almost prefer that. They are the only couple who fell in love with one another, and said it to each other, before having sex. If they jumped into bed earlier in the book, they wouldn't have lasted.
The O'Brien weddings were perfect. Declan and Melissa's quickie wedding was bittersweet due to her fathers diagnosis, but so sweet. Wren's wedding was also beautiful. Her having every brother walk her own the aisle, and her thanking each and every one, got me teary eyed. Everyone getting happy endings was awesome. I do wish there was another book in the works for Angus and Molly. After so many books where jokes were made about them being unhappy, I feel like there could have been a story there. Angus and Molly working on their issues, and getting married. Instead, we get told they get married.
We also learned more about the O'Brien parents. It's been well established that their father was awful. He worked part-time, then spent his afternoons with his mistress. We learned in this book that he also beat his kids. Angus took most of the hits, because he jumped in front of his siblings to spare them, but he almost killed Seamus when Seamus confronted his father at his mistresses house. It was her that ended up saving him. Learning that his mother cleaned him up, tucked him in, served her husband a hot cooked meal as she always did (knowing he was cheating on her), and hitting him in the head with a cast iron pan? Epic. Her threat to kill him if he ever touched her babies again was just epic. And he never did.
In the end, while this book had it's problems, it was sweet. Their strong friendship being established before their relationship was different from the other books, and I loved that they worked on themselves BEFORE getting together. No climatic break up for these two to get them to see the light.
1. Seamus coming to Allie's rescue in the bakery, and him putting Andres and Allie's family in their place
2. When Allie mistakes the wooden statue of Wren and Evan dancing for a couple having sex.
3. Their first kiss
4. (bonus) Wren having each of her brothers, and her mother, walk her down the aisle
5. (bonus) Seamus telling Allie he loves her, before having sex for the first time.
6. (bonus) The epilogue
Where to Buy:
Paperback (amazon)
Brenda: "Jesus. What did your mom feed you when you were little? Steroids? Youz all are going to have to go a size larger to accommodate your freakish chests and long limbs."
Seamus: "What about our outrageously good looks? Do we have to go up a size for that, Miss Brenda?"
Brenda: "The pants, we need to go down a size."
Finn: "Now, I don't know about that. Not to brag, Miss Brenda, but most of us are freakishly big in other ways, too. If you know what I mean, ma'am."
Seamus: "Da hell, Finn? I'm only thirty-six."
Wren and Ma: "Thirty-seven."
Finn: "See, that's what I'm telling you. You're old. Old people always forget how old they are."
Seamus: "Who cares how old I am?"
Finn: "I'm twenty-six. I have a woman I'm marrying, and probably seven kids to pop out before I get to be your age. Sol has good childbearing hips, I think she could do it. But you, you're running out of time. I think you've got two, maybe three good years left before your balls shrivel up and drop like stones on the floor. Don't let your balls down like that, man. You're better than that. So are they."
Ma: "Me little Finnie is right. He's the baby and already getting married. Promising me grandbabies like a good boy."
He points at her, making a clicking sound.
Finn: "You know I've got you, Ma."
Ma: "Look at you, Seamus. All strapped male with the strength and charm of an Irish prince. I just have one question. Are you trying to kill your mother?"
Jesus. Here we go.
Ma: "Oh, me handsome son. It's a simple question really. Do you want me to die?"
Wren: "You want Ma to die?"
Seamus: "So what if I'm not married? So what if I haven't popped out a few kids? Plenty of women have had the absolute pleasure of sampling the merchandise -"
I wince when Ma slaps me upside the head.
Ma: "And what happened to all these 'ladies' who sampled the merchandise?"
Finn: "I think one is back in prison. Larceny and Fraud. Right, Seamus?"
Wren: "It's where most of the skanks he dated belong. Remember Kenna O'Sullivan?"
We all collectively cross ourselves, including Miss Brenda's daughters.
Wren: "They never did find the body."
Seamus: "Yeah. She was a nutcase."
Finn: "Hey, Shoshana Greenstone was nice. Oh, and her husband was pretty damn understanding when he found out you were banging her."
Seamus: "I didn't know she was married! I just, you know, thought she worked odd hours."
Wren: "No, she just had trouble finding a babysitter for her kids."
Ma: "What about the others? The girls have liked you since you were a wee lad."
Seamus: "I don't know. No one's really ever done it for me. You want them to do it for me, don't ya?"
Wren: "You mean besides in the backseat of your truck? Yeah, that would be nice."
Wren: "I never signed up for this blushing bride-to-be bullshit. I wanted to get married on the beach with just us. But no. Ma insists I get married in a church or risk God releasing a plague that will have flying monkeys shooting out of my lady bits. No one needs that shit."
Wren: "No wonder so many people get married in Vegas. This isn't natural. All these different events to mark the only big event that matters. Can't I just get married and skip the rest?"
Seamus: "You can if you want Ma to die and come back to haunt you leading the Four Horsemen. You know Ma's been waiting for this day. Remember when Grammie - God rest her soul - used to pray the rosary? 'Oh, sacred Jesus, forgive this undeserving and hell-bound child for her many sins and let her find a man deserving of your grace. Do not strike her down with your mighty spirit. Bless her womb as your beloved father blessed your mother's so she may have strapping, intelligent, and dashing boys, in Jesus' name, Amen.'
Wren: "You remember all that?"
Seamus: "Hell, yeah. It was how she said good night."
Wren: "True. God rest her soul. To be fair, I wasn't the hell-bound child. That was Finnie. I was the destroyer of dreams and all things pure."
Seamus: "Yeah? I thought that was Grammie's nickname for Curran?"
Wren: "No, he was God's answer to birth control. Killian was Damian from the Omen."
Seamus: "Oh, yeah. I remember her squirting him with holy water every Sunday before mass, so God would let him in."
Wren: "In Grammie's defense, he did look like that creepy kid after the bowl cut Ma gave him. Angus was 'Gluttony' and a few other of the seven sins, depending on the day. You were Judas, on account of you always ratting us out."
Seamus: "I remember that much. Hey, what was Declan?"
Wren: "Dear boy. That kiss-ass was always the favorite."
Wren and Seamus: "Bastard."
Wren: "Listen, Seamus, I know we gave you a hard time the other day about being old as fuck, still being single, and no woman in sight without a long list of baby daddies. But our hearts were in the right place."
Seamus: "Sounds it."
Wren: "My point is, there is someone out there for you. You just have to find her. Forget all the skanks. Stop spending your weekends watching football at Killian's and eating your weight in nachos. Go to church and find someone. Someone nice. Someone who isn't going to steal my purse."
Seamus: "It was one time. And I paid you back the bills she stole."
Wren: "Seamus."
Seamus: "And the clothes."
Wren: "Seamus."
Seamus: "And your panties."
Wren: "Seamus! I don't care about all that. Okay, the panties were a big deal, because honestly, what the fuck?"
Wren: "You're seeing someone."
Seamus: "Sure."
Wren: "Someone who doesn't deflate when you're done for the night?"
Seamus: "That was one time!"
Seamus: "Have I ever lied to you? Scratch that. Have I ever lied to you about a woman? Never mind. The thing is, I can't really tell anyone."
Wren: "You're gay, aren't you? Come out of the closet, Seamus. The rest of us pretty much figured as much. God, I've never met a blue-collar man who obsesses over hair gel more than you do."
Allie: "You don't remember me, do you?"
Seamus: "Um. Sure. One of the best nights of my life. Sorry I haven't called, my grandmother died and it's been real hard on me and my family."
Allie: "What?"
Seamus: "My Grammie, she was real special - God rest her soul - and out of respect for her and all the memories we shared, I've been, you know, grieving and shit."
Allie: "I don't think you understand."
Seamus: "Yeah, I do, and it meant a lot. Sorry I didn't invite you to the funeral. It was a private thing. A family thing. But like I said, you are the best I ever had."
Allie: "Seamus, it' me. Allie Mendes. Allie Mendes."
Seamus: "I know. How could I forget? You were really flexible and ... stuff."
Allie: "Flexible?"
Seamus: "Did I say flexible? I meant hot. Real hot. Scorching hot. My sheets and everything else are still burning. You know what I mean. Like I said, with Grammie dying, it's been real hard on all of us. I wanted to call. But it's like every time I pick up my phone, I want to call Grammie. And you can't make calls to heaven."
I throw back my head laughing.
Allie: "Seamus, I assure you we've never slept together."
Seamus: "We didn't?"
Allie: "No."
Seamus: "Did we at least feel each other up."
Allie: *laughing* "No."
Seamus: "But we wanted to, right?"
Seamus: "So, you taught Finnie, Wren, Killian, and Curran Sunday school?"
Allie: "Yes. I did."
Seamus: "That must've been a train wreck. Be honest with me, how many times did you want to send them to hell? You can tell me. I won't say anything. Between you and me, how many times did you ask the Archangel Michael to strike them down?"
Allie: *laughing* "Your family had a habit of getting into brawls."
Seamus: "Oh, hey, sorry, sir. I didn't mean to blow you off. Hope you're okay with me dating your daughter."
There goes Allie, making another squeaky noise. It would be cute if it didn't sound so panicked and if she didn't look like she wanted to die. She buries her face in my chest.
Allie: "That's Andres."
Seamus: *mishearing* "You want us to undress?"
Allie: "No, precious. I said that's Andres. Valentina's fiancee."
Seamus: *laughing* "No, shit. Damn. Age was a real bitch to you, wasn't she?"
He frowns. So does Allie's mother. Valentina looks annoyed. Not that I insulted her husband. More like I pointed out what everyone is probably thinking and what she'd rather ignore.
Andres: "The stress of my job takes its toll. But it's given me more money than I can spend in a lifetime."
Seamus: "That's nice."
Andres: *scoffing* "I don't know why I'm wasting my time speaking to you. You're a shell of a man, pathetic at best."
Seamus: "You think I'm pathetic? I don't think Stephen Montessori would agree with you on that one, Andy?"
A fresh coat of red flushes his cheeks. Stephen Montessori shoved Andres into a gym locker. I made Stephen let him out. Considering what he pulled on Allie and how he's talking to me now, I should've left him inside.
Andres: "Insults are all you have. Unlike me, who's made a fortune."
The money thing is getting old, but if he wants to go there, let's go.
Seamus: "You really think you're the only one in this room who's made his share of bills?"
I return to stroking Allie's side, this time slower and more like she's naked in bed with me, instead of clothed and standing on linoleum.
Seamus: "This woman handled all my real estate ventures. Thanks to her, I have a few mil to brag about myself, if I was the bragging type. But those who brag about money are those who have nothing else to brag about. No offense."
Andres: "Is that so? I would love to see your portfolio."
Seamus: "I bet you would. It's big. Real big if you hear what I'm saying. Thing is, I don't have to whip it out and compare sizes. There's no comparison. Isn't that right, babe?"
Andres: "You may claim to be more and have more, but I doubt it."
I laugh. I almost feel sorry for him. Almost.
Seamus: "Allie doesn't doubt it. Believe me, I've given her loads to compare.
Andres pales, only to scowl when my glaze flickers toward Valentina. He thinks I want her or envy him for having a woman all men supposedly want.
Seamus: "Considering who you slipped a ring on, it seems you have a lot more to prove to anyone stupid enough to listen."
I point at him and make a clicking sound with my tongue.
Seamus: "See you at the wedding shower."
Allie: "You grabbed my ass."
Seamus: "Yeah, a few times."
Allie: "You grabbed my ass."
Seamus: "It was either that or kiss you. But since we'd just met, I thought the ass-grabbing was more polite."
Allie: "More polite?"
Seamus: "Yes?"
Allie: "Why did you? ... How could you? ... What were you thinking?"
Seamus: "You make it sound like this whole thing was my idea."
Allie: "That's because it was! You pretended to be my boyfriend. My boyfriend, who I'm taking to the wedding luncheon, the rehearsal dinner, and the wedding. God Almighty, Seamus. What did you do?"
Seamus: "You told me to save you. But now you have to save me, too."
Allie: "I beg your pardon?"
Seamus: "Remember Finnie and Wren? They're getting married. And from what I've seen, my brother Declan is closes to getting engaged. I'm getting a lot of crap about getting old, being single, and not having any kids. Believe it or not, it's like my entire family things I can't get anyone classy."
Allie: "Oh, I believe it."
Seamus: "I told them I had someone to bring to all the events, the luncheons and whatever. Someone without a prison record, you hear what I'm saying? You don't have a prison record, do you?"
She shakes her head slowly.
Seamus: "Okay, good. You seem real nice, too. So, I say it's a win-win for both of us."
Allie: "You're insane."
Seamus: "Hey. This was your idea."
Allie: "It was not!"
Seamus: "You told me to save you. Your family walked in. You lost your mind and you begged me to save you. No offense, Allie, but the least you can do is say thank you."
Allie: "I was talking to God."
Seamus: "Looks like God sent me, instead."
Seamus: "I suppose we should establish some rules."
Allie: "Rules?"
Seamus: "Yeah. Rules. Like no groping below the belt, unless you want me to and maybe some over the sweater fondling in case of an emergency."
Allie: "Please explain to me what kind of emergency warrants me being fondled by you over my sweater."
Seamus: "It could happen. You want to come across as convincing, don't you? I was thinking that maybe for the rehearsal, you can wear an extra pair of panties beneath your skirt."
Allie: "For what?"
Seamus: "To subtly pass to me under the table. Maybe in front of Andy. I'll clutch them against my chest and give you a wink. Yeah. That'll work."
Allie: "Why?"
Seamus: "Because that's what couples who can't keep their hands off each other do."
Allie: "I take it this is something you've done yourself."
Seamus: "Oh, hell no."
Allie: "Then who are these magical couples you're referring to?"
Seamus: "I never claimed to know any. But I think I might have seen it in a movie once."
Allie: "Really? Did this movie have a horny plumber who 'accidentally' walked in on the panty removing twosome?"
Seamus: "How did you know?" Allie: "Oh, God."
Seamus: "Yeah, that's what she said."
Seamus: "Come on, cuteness. I'm not so bad. Think of me as your new best friend."
Seamus: "You look like a Mormon and not the good kind. I mean the cult kind. The one with multiple wives and three hundred kids. The kind that make us Irish look infertile. Seriously, Allie. You're sexy and everything. But if you told me you're number four of six sister wives, I'd believe you, based on what you're wearing."
Allie: "I represent a great deal of elderly clients. If I don't dress a certain way, they might not take me seriously."
Seamus: "I'm not telling you to change the way you dress in front of your clients."
Allie: "Oh, good."
Seamus: "I'm just telling you to change the way you dress around me."
Allie: "Excuse me?"
Seamus: "Oh, and my family. They're never gonna believe that I fell for you dressed the way you are."
Allie: "Would you prefer me in a G string and tassels?"
Seamus: "Yeah."
Allie: "I may have to kill you."
Allie: "You're asking a great deal.:
Seamus: "You asked first."
Allie: "I was asking God."
Seamus: "God was busy, so he sent one of his best-looking angels. That's me, in case you're wondering. So from now on, consider me your very own hot-as-sin guardian angel."
Seamus: "I'm going to make it so Andres cuts off his own balls for letting you go. I'm not saying you're going to steal him back. Two wrongs don't make a right. Not to mention, you should sure his ass for wasting ten years of your life."
Allie: "I don't think I understand."
Seamus: "I'm going to fix everything holding you back. Starting with your clothes and your hair. You're going to be so desirable when I'm done with you, men will be shoving me out of the way just to bask in your hotness. I don't mean to be insulting. But it's like you're a caterpillar who's cocooned herself for too damn long."
Allie: "A caterpillar?"
Seamus: "Yeah. Time to stick your head out and sprout the wings. Time to break free."
Allie: "You'll be my date to the wedding and the events Valentina has planned?"
Seamus: "Yup."
Allie: "And I'll be yours to your family functions?"
Seamus: "You got it, baby."
Allie: "And you'll help me with my confidence so I can meet someone deserving."
Seamus: "I promise."
Allie: "Very well. In exchange, I'll help you with your issues."
Seamus: "Huh?"
Allie: "Seamus, did you ever stop to think that perhaps the reason you're single and childless is because you're doing all the wrong things? Perhaps you could use some direction to remedy whatever faults you possess, and mistakes you've committed, that have kept you from a more fulfilling life?"
Seamus: " What do you mean? There's nothing to fix. Honey, this is perfection. You don't mess with perfection."
Allie: "Very well. We'll work on that, too."
Seamus: "So we have a deal?"
Allie: "Deal."
Seamus: " Good. Now, let's get back to the fondling above the sweater rule..."
Seamus runs his hands through my hair.
Seamus: "This is what I'm talking about. Just enough to grab.
Shaqwana: "What are you thinking?"
Allie: "Yes. What are you thinking?"
Seamus: "Fuckable."
Allie: "Eh?"
Seamus releases me slowly. He coughs, clearing his throat.
Seamus: "I want to give you fuckable hair."
Shaqwana: "I can do fuckable."
Allie: *blushing* "What exactly do you mean by fuckable?"
Seamus: "What you're going to be when I'm done with you."
Allie: "I-I-I don't understand."
Seamus may have released me with his hands, but his gaze holds strong, mesmerizing me, stroking me like a warm, invisible caress, and entrancing me so ruthlessly, the world falls away, leaving only him and his dark, rough voice.
Seamus: "Men like hair they can grab. Long enough to ball into a fist when they word a woman from behind or grab hold of when their woman falls to her knees in front of him."
Shaqwana: "Uh, huh. You got that right."
Allie: *husky voice* "If that's what you want, that;s what we'll do."
Shaqwana: "Come on, sweetie. Let's get you started. The two of you have given my place enough of a show."
Woman: "Mmm-hmm. Lord have mercy, it was getting all filthy up in here."
Allie: "It's incredible."
Seamus: " Incredible?"
Allie: "This isn't merely a block of wood brought to life by your hands and talent."
Seamus: "It's not?"
Allie: "No. It's ardor and fervor so raw I can taste it, a lucid and provocative invitation to sin."
Seamus: "Ah. Do you know what it is?"
Allie: "It's a man and woman making love while while standing."
A shade of red, as brilliant as lave spilling from an active volcano, overtakes Seamus's face and his jaw audibly pops open.
Seamus: "Holy shit, Allie. That's my sister!"
Allie: "Wha-what?"
Seamus: "And Evan! They were dancing at my cousin Colleen's wedding a few months back. They looked nice. I took a picture and thought I'd recreate it as a wedding gift. Now all I want to do is set is on fire."
Allie: "Oh, God."
Seamus: "That wood came from a tree in my Grammie's - God rest her soul - backyard."
Allie: "I'm sorry!"
Seamus: "I swung from that tree ..."
Allie: "I didn't mean to."
Seamus: "On a swing Pop-Pop made us. Ignoring the pain from his arthritic fingers."
Allie: "I'm really sorry."
Seamus: "I don't remember Pop-Pop ... I was too little when he died. The tree fell over during that blizzard in January. I thought it was a nice way to keep the memory of Grammie and Pop-Pop alive."
Allie: "It;s a beautiful way to honor them. Sweet - lovely - darling."
Seamus: "I believe your words were 'lucid' and 'sinful' - and before you explain, I know what they mean."
Allie: "I-I-I know you do. I didn't know that was your sister, or Evan, or made from your dead grandmother's tree."
Seamus: "And Pop-Pop. Don't you forget Pop-Pop - God rest his soul."
We both cross ourselves like good Catholics, not that it absolves me in anyways.
Allie: "I'm normally not like this."
Seamus: "You mean horny?"
Kill me, Jesus. Yes, that, too.
Seamus: "Dirty minded?"
Allie: "No!"
Seamus: "Kinky?"
Allie: "Seamus!"
Seamus: "Pornographically inclined?"
Seamus: "Allie, you're a real estate goddess, not some pilgrim. Surrender your butter churn, whip off the bonnet, and have a little fun."
Seamus: "If I screw up, you can spank me with your butter churn later."