Authors Interviewing Characters: Mallory Kass

SAVE THE DATE

A romantic comedy of manners about a lavish wedding weekend gone very, very wrong with the slow-burn romance of Emily Henry and the fizzy humor of Sophie Kinsella.

The Bride: Beautiful, seemingly carefree Marigold is tired of being treated like a shallow it-girl. That’s one of the many reasons she’s excited to marry Jonathan—the handsome, kind, respectable doctor of her dreams. So when a shocking secret from her past threatens to ruin her wedding, she’ll do anything to make it disappear…even if it means tracking down a man she vowed to avoid forever.

The Maid of Honor: As the bride’s best friend, all Natalie wants is for this wedding to go off without a hitch. There’s only one problem: Natalie has secretly been in love with the groom since college. When Marigold disappears, Natalie is forced to ask whether she can keep burying her feelings for the sake of friendship…or if she’s ready to risk everything to pursue her own happy ending.

The Sister: Olivia has spent her life cleaning up Marigold’s messes. So she’s determined to keep the wedding on track for the sake of their mother, who’s battling cancer and longs for one last perfect weekend. But when Jonathan’s best man—a prickly academic with a heart of gold—ropes her into a fake dating scheme, sparks unexpectedly fly. Will Olivia sacrifice her own happiness again, or could this fake relationship turn into the truest choice she’s ever made?

Heartwarming, hilarious, and sparklingly romantic, Save the Date will have you cheering for love in all its messy, unexpected glory.

Save the Date character interview

Mallory: Hey, Natalie. Thanks for making the time to chat.

Natalie: I don’t know where Marigold is, I swear.

Mallory: Um, I didn’t ask about Marigold?

Natalie: Sorry, sorry. I’m just kinda . . . well, things have been a little hectic here. Nothing major! Just normal wedding craziness, haha. Nothing I can’t handle! That’s what the maid-of-honor is for!

Mallory: Are you okay?

Natalie: I’m fine. FINE! Promise.

Mallory: Wait . . . where is Marigold?

Natalie: She’s here on Sandpiper Island, of course. Where else would she be? Why would you ask?!?

Mallory: Well, it just seems like—

Olivia: [calmly] Everything’s under control. Thanks so much for asking.

Natalie: [sighs] Olivia, what are you doing? She’s interviewing me.

Olivia:  You’re under no obligation to answer anything. If you get into trouble, you can direct her to me.

Natalie: I don’t think I need a lawyer for this.

Olivia: I beg to differ.

Mallory: Olivia, you’re very welcome to join us! So, your younger sister, Marigold, is getting married. Are you excited?

Olivia: Absolutely. The fact that my little sister is getting married first doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I mean, what is this? A Jane Austen novel? Who cares?!

Natalie: [mutters] Real smooth, Olivia.

Mallory: You both sound slightly . . . on edge. What’s going on?

Natalie and Olivia in unison: Nothing!

Mallory: Natalie, how’s Jonathan doing? You’re in a unique position here, since you’re super close with the bride and the groom. Didn’t you introduce them?

Natalie: [slightly forced] I did! Best decision I’ve ever made.

Mallory: So you never had feelings for Jonathan? You were always just friends?

Natalie: What kind of question is that? No, I never had feelings for Jonathan. Can’t men and women be friends?

Mallory: They can definitely be friends! I just . . . kind of got a vibe.

Olivia: There’s no vibe. And my client won’t be answering any further questions at this time.

Mallory: She’s not your client. She’s your sister’s maid-of-honor.

Olivia: The distinction is immaterial.

Mallory: You never even had a tiny crush on him? I find that a little hard to believe. He’s a hot doctor who literally cures kids with cancer.

Olivia: [rolls eyes] Yeah, we know. You weren’t exactly subtle, Mallory. I’m surprised you didn’t add a scene where he saves a puppy from a burning building.

Mallory: Thanks for the feedback, Olivia. Are you saying he’s too perfect? Because I have some evidence to the contrary. What would you say if I told you—

Natalie: DON’T TELL HER ANYTHING.

Olivia: . . .

Mallory: . . .

Natalie: I mean, not that there’s anything to tell.

Mallory: Okay . . . Olivia, what do you think of Zack, the best man? Did I make him too perfect as well?

Olivia: lololololololololol

Mallory: What’s that supposed to mean?

Olivia: Zack? Too perfect?!

Mallory: So I went too far in the other direction?

Natalie: I love Zack! He’s such a sweetheart.

Olivia: He’s a pompous know-it-all

Natalie: [snickers] That’s rich

Olivia: What?

Mallory: I know you and Zack don’t see eye-to-eye on everything

Olivia: He doesn’t believe any of the nonsense he writes about. That “eat the rich” nonsense is just a pathetic ploy for attention.

Mallory: I can see why someone in your position would say that.

Olivia: Excuse me, I’m not rich. I’m comfortable.

Natalie: That’s what rich people always say.

Mallory: Marigold’s wedding is a little over-the-top. Do you know how much it cost?

Olivia: That’s a tacky question.

Mallory: Sorry

Natalie: I think I heard Marigold say something about “close to a million.”

Mallory: WHAT? Okay, that’s insane. It’s a wedding on an island in Maine, not Lake Cuomo

Olivia: It’s not that much money for a really nice wedding

Mallory and Natalie: Yes it is!!

Mallory: I got married a city hall

Olivia: Cool. Do you want a medal or something?

Mallory: Ouch.

Olivia: I’m just saying—you’re the one who wrote a book about a “lavish wedding weekend in Maine.” So are you really in any position to judge?

Mallory: Okay, fair enough.

Natalie: It was going to be such a beautiful wedding

Mallory: What does that mean? Where’s Marigold? Can I talk to her?

Natalie and Olivia in unison: NO!

Mallory: This is getting weird.

Olivia: You’re telling me . . .

Mallory: Well it sounds like you’re both really busy, so maybe I should let you go. I hope everything goes well. I’m rooting for all of you.

Natalie: [sighs] Right

Olivia: You didn’t exactly make it easy for any of us

Mallory: I’m sorry! Novels need conflict!

Olivia: I think you enjoyed torturing us

Mallory: It’ll all work out in the end. Have fun!

Olivia: See you at the ceremony

Natalie: Thanks, Mallory! And if you see Marigold, will you let me know?

Mallory: Wait, what?

Olivia: This conversation is over!

BUY SAVE THE DATE HERE

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Mallory Kass, also known by the pen name Kass Morgan, is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous young adult novels, including the series The 100, which has been translated into over twenty languages and was adapted into a critically acclaimed hit television series. Save the Date is her adult fiction debut. Follow her on X @KassMorganBooks.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing