diff --git a/common/src/main/scala/com/gu/sfl/persistence/SavedArticlesPersistence.scala b/common/src/main/scala/com/gu/sfl/persistence/SavedArticlesPersistence.scala
index 747ef8f4..e729e28a 100644
--- a/common/src/main/scala/com/gu/sfl/persistence/SavedArticlesPersistence.scala
+++ b/common/src/main/scala/com/gu/sfl/persistence/SavedArticlesPersistence.scala
@@ -29,11 +29,6 @@ trait SavedArticlesPersistence {
       userId: String,
       savedArticles: SavedArticles
   ): Try[Option[SavedArticles]]
-
-  def write(
-      userId: String,
-      savedArticles: SavedArticles
-  ): Try[Option[SavedArticles]]
 }
 
 case class DynamoSavedArticles(
@@ -119,32 +114,6 @@ class SavedArticlesPersistenceImpl(persistanceConfig: PersistenceConfig)
     }
   }
 
-  override def write(
-      userId: String,
-      savedArticles: SavedArticles
-  ): Try[Option[SavedArticles]] = {
-    scanamo.exec(
-      table.putAndReturn(PutReturn.OldValue)(
-        DynamoSavedArticles(userId, savedArticles)
-      )
-    ) match {
-      case Some(Right(articles)) =>
-        logger.debug(s"Succcesfully saved articles for $userId")
-        Success(Some(articles.ordered))
-      case Some(Left(error)) =>
-        val exception = new IllegalArgumentException(s"$error")
-        logger.error(
-          s"Exception Thrown saving articles for $userId:",
-          exception
-        )
-        Failure(exception)
-      case None => {
-        logger.debug(s"Successfully saved but none retrieved for $userId")
-        Success(Some(savedArticles))
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
   override def update(
       userId: String,
       savedArticles: SavedArticles
diff --git a/mobile-save-for-later/src/test/scala/com/gu/sfl/lib/ArticleMergeSpecification.scala b/mobile-save-for-later/src/test/scala/com/gu/sfl/lib/ArticleMergeSpecification.scala
index 3cdb6089..ee6e35a0 100644
--- a/mobile-save-for-later/src/test/scala/com/gu/sfl/lib/ArticleMergeSpecification.scala
+++ b/mobile-save-for-later/src/test/scala/com/gu/sfl/lib/ArticleMergeSpecification.scala
@@ -11,38 +11,69 @@ import org.specs2.specification.Scope
 
 import scala.util.{Failure, Success}
 
-class ArticleMergeSpecification extends Specification with Mockito  {
+class ArticleMergeSpecification extends Specification with Mockito {
 
   "updateSavedArticlesWithRetryAndMerge" should {
     val userId = "123"
     val version = "1"
 
     val (article1, article2, article3, article4) = (
-      SavedArticle("id/1", "p/1", LocalDateTime.of(2018, 1, 16, 16, 30), read = true),
-      SavedArticle("id/2", "p/2", LocalDateTime.of(2018, 2, 17, 17, 30), read = false),
-      SavedArticle("id/3", "p/3", LocalDateTime.of(2018, 3, 18, 18, 30), read = true),
-      SavedArticle("id/4", "p/4", LocalDateTime.of(2018, 4, 19, 19, 30), read = true)
+      SavedArticle(
+        "id/1",
+        "p/1",
+        LocalDateTime.of(2018, 1, 16, 16, 30),
+        read = true
+      ),
+      SavedArticle(
+        "id/2",
+        "p/2",
+        LocalDateTime.of(2018, 2, 17, 17, 30),
+        read = false
+      ),
+      SavedArticle(
+        "id/3",
+        "p/3",
+        LocalDateTime.of(2018, 3, 18, 18, 30),
+        read = true
+      ),
+      SavedArticle(
+        "id/4",
+        "p/4",
+        LocalDateTime.of(2018, 4, 19, 19, 30),
+        read = true
+      )
     )
 
-
     val savedArticles = SavedArticles(version, List(article1, article2))
     val savedArticlesUpdate1 = SavedArticles(version, List(article3))
-    val savedArticles2 = SavedArticles(version, List(article1, article2, article3))
-    val article1Dup = SavedArticle("id/1", "p/1", LocalDateTime.of(2017, 1, 16, 16, 30), read = true)
-    val article2Dup = SavedArticle("id/2", "p/2", LocalDateTime.of(2017, 3, 17, 17, 30), read = false)
-
+    val savedArticles2 =
+      SavedArticles(version, List(article1, article2, article3))
+    val article1Dup = SavedArticle(
+      "id/1",
+      "p/1",
+      LocalDateTime.of(2017, 1, 16, 16, 30),
+      read = true
+    )
+    val article2Dup = SavedArticle(
+      "id/2",
+      "p/2",
+      LocalDateTime.of(2017, 3, 17, 17, 30),
+      read = false
+    )
 
     "saves the articles if the user does not currently have any articles saved" in new Setup {
       val responseArticles = Success(Some(savedArticles.advanceVersion))
       val expectedMergeResponse = Right(savedArticles.advanceVersion)
 
       savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns (Success(None))
-      savedArticlesPersistence.write(userId, savedArticles) returns (responseArticles)
-      val saved = savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles)
+      savedArticlesPersistence.update(
+        userId,
+        savedArticles
+      ) returns (responseArticles)
+      val saved =
+        savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles)
       there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).read(userId)
-
-      there was no(savedArticlesPersistence).update(Mockito.any[String](), Mockito.any[SavedArticles]())
-      there were no(savedArticlesPersistence).update(userId, savedArticles)
+      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).update(userId, savedArticles)
       saved shouldEqual (expectedMergeResponse)
     }
 
@@ -50,116 +81,222 @@ class ArticleMergeSpecification extends Specification with Mockito  {
       val responseArticles = Success(Some(savedArticles2.advanceVersion))
       val expectedMergeResponse = Right(savedArticles2.advanceVersion)
 
-      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns(Success(Some(savedArticles)))
-      savedArticlesPersistence.update(argThat(===(userId)), argThat(===(savedArticles2))) returns(responseArticles)
-      val saved = savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles2)
+      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns (Success(
+        Some(savedArticles)
+      ))
+      savedArticlesPersistence.update(
+        argThat(===(userId)),
+        argThat(===(savedArticles2))
+      ) returns (responseArticles)
+      val saved =
+        savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles2)
       there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).read(argThat(===(userId)))
-      there were no(savedArticlesPersistence).write(any[String](), any[SavedArticles]())
-      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).update(argThat(===(userId)), argThat(===(savedArticles2)))
+      there were no(savedArticlesPersistence).write(
+        any[String](),
+        any[SavedArticles]()
+      )
+      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).update(
+        argThat(===(userId)),
+        argThat(===(savedArticles2))
+      )
       saved shouldEqual (expectedMergeResponse)
     }
 
     "will not persist saved articles if they are identical to the articles currently saved and there is no conflict" in new Setup {
-      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns(Success(Some(savedArticles)))
+      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns (Success(
+        Some(savedArticles)
+      ))
 
-      val saved = savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles)
+      val saved =
+        savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles)
       there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).read(argThat(===(userId)))
-      there were no(savedArticlesPersistence).write(any[String](), any[SavedArticles]())
-      there were no(savedArticlesPersistence).update(any[String](), any[SavedArticles]())
+      there were no(savedArticlesPersistence).write(
+        any[String](),
+        any[SavedArticles]()
+      )
+      there were no(savedArticlesPersistence).update(
+        any[String](),
+        any[SavedArticles]()
+      )
 
-      saved shouldEqual(Right(savedArticles))
+      saved shouldEqual (Right(savedArticles))
 
     }
 
     "will merge articles if there is a cnnflict" in new Setup {
       val articlesCurrentlySaved = SavedArticles("2", List(article1, article2))
-      val articlesToSave = SavedArticles("1", List(article1, article2, article3))
-      val expectedMergedArticles = SavedArticles("2", List(article1, article2, article3))
-      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns(Success(Some(articlesCurrentlySaved)))
-      savedArticlesPersistence.update(any[String](), any[SavedArticles]()) returns(Success(Some(expectedMergedArticles.advanceVersion)))
+      val articlesToSave =
+        SavedArticles("1", List(article1, article2, article3))
+      val expectedMergedArticles =
+        SavedArticles("2", List(article1, article2, article3))
+      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns (Success(
+        Some(articlesCurrentlySaved)
+      ))
+      savedArticlesPersistence.update(
+        any[String](),
+        any[SavedArticles]()
+      ) returns (Success(Some(expectedMergedArticles.advanceVersion)))
       savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, articlesToSave)
-      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).update(argThat(===(userId)), argThat(===(expectedMergedArticles)))
+      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).update(
+        argThat(===(userId)),
+        argThat(===(expectedMergedArticles))
+      )
     }
-    
+
     "will dedupe merged articles if there is a conflict" in new Setup {
-      val articlesCurrentlySaved = SavedArticles("2", List(article1Dup, article2))
-      val articlesToSave = SavedArticles("1", List(article1, article2, article3))
-      val expectedMergedArticles = SavedArticles("2", List(article1, article2, article3))
-      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns(Success(Some(articlesCurrentlySaved)))
-      savedArticlesPersistence.update(any[String](), any[SavedArticles]()) returns(Success(Some(expectedMergedArticles.advanceVersion)))
+      val articlesCurrentlySaved =
+        SavedArticles("2", List(article1Dup, article2))
+      val articlesToSave =
+        SavedArticles("1", List(article1, article2, article3))
+      val expectedMergedArticles =
+        SavedArticles("2", List(article1, article2, article3))
+      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns (Success(
+        Some(articlesCurrentlySaved)
+      ))
+      savedArticlesPersistence.update(
+        any[String](),
+        any[SavedArticles]()
+      ) returns (Success(Some(expectedMergedArticles.advanceVersion)))
       savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, articlesToSave)
-      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).update(argThat(===(userId)), argThat(===(expectedMergedArticles)))
+      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).update(
+        argThat(===(userId)),
+        argThat(===(expectedMergedArticles))
+      )
     }
 
     "will select the latest articles up to the limit where the article limit is broken and there is no conflict`" in new Setup {
       private val maxSavedArticlesLimit = 2
 
-      override val savedArticlesMerger = new SavedArticlesMergerImpl(SavedArticlesMergerConfig(maxSavedArticlesLimit), savedArticlesPersistence)
-      val expectedArticlesPersisted = savedArticles.copy(articles = List(article2, article3))
-      val expectedMergeResponse = Right(expectedArticlesPersisted.advanceVersion)
-      savedArticlesPersistence.update(any[String](), any[SavedArticles]()) returns(Success(Some(expectedArticlesPersisted.advanceVersion)))
-      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns(Success(Some(savedArticles)))
-      val saved = savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles2)
-
-      there were no (savedArticlesPersistence).write(any[String](), any[SavedArticles]())
-      there was one (savedArticlesPersistence).update(argThat(===(userId)), argThat(===(expectedArticlesPersisted)))
-      saved mustEqual(expectedMergeResponse)
+      override val savedArticlesMerger = new SavedArticlesMergerImpl(
+        SavedArticlesMergerConfig(maxSavedArticlesLimit),
+        savedArticlesPersistence
+      )
+      val expectedArticlesPersisted =
+        savedArticles.copy(articles = List(article2, article3))
+      val expectedMergeResponse =
+        Right(expectedArticlesPersisted.advanceVersion)
+      savedArticlesPersistence.update(
+        any[String](),
+        any[SavedArticles]()
+      ) returns (Success(Some(expectedArticlesPersisted.advanceVersion)))
+      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns (Success(
+        Some(savedArticles)
+      ))
+      val saved =
+        savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles2)
+
+      there were no(savedArticlesPersistence).write(
+        any[String](),
+        any[SavedArticles]()
+      )
+      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).update(
+        argThat(===(userId)),
+        argThat(===(expectedArticlesPersisted))
+      )
+      saved mustEqual (expectedMergeResponse)
     }
 
     "will select the latest articles up to the limit where the article limit is broken and there is a conflict" in new Setup {
       private val maxSavedArticlesLimit = 2
-      override val savedArticlesMerger = new SavedArticlesMergerImpl(SavedArticlesMergerConfig(maxSavedArticlesLimit), savedArticlesPersistence)
+      override val savedArticlesMerger = new SavedArticlesMergerImpl(
+        SavedArticlesMergerConfig(maxSavedArticlesLimit),
+        savedArticlesPersistence
+      )
 
       val articlesCurrentlySaved = SavedArticles("2", List(article1, article2))
-      val articlesToSave = SavedArticles("1", List(article1, article2, article3))
+      val articlesToSave =
+        SavedArticles("1", List(article1, article2, article3))
 
       //Returns an object consisting of the version currently saved and the latest 2 of th
-      val expectedArticlesPersisted = SavedArticles("2", List(article2, article3))
-      val expectedMergeResponse = Right(expectedArticlesPersisted.advanceVersion)
-
-      savedArticlesPersistence.read(any[String]()) returns(Success(Some(articlesCurrentlySaved)))
-      savedArticlesPersistence.update(any[String](), any[SavedArticles]()) returns(Success(Some(expectedArticlesPersisted.advanceVersion)))
-      val saved = savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, articlesToSave)
-      there were no (savedArticlesPersistence).write(any[String](), any[SavedArticles]())
-      there was one (savedArticlesPersistence).update(argThat(===(userId)), argThat(===(expectedArticlesPersisted)))
-      saved mustEqual(expectedMergeResponse)
+      val expectedArticlesPersisted =
+        SavedArticles("2", List(article2, article3))
+      val expectedMergeResponse =
+        Right(expectedArticlesPersisted.advanceVersion)
+
+      savedArticlesPersistence.read(any[String]()) returns (Success(
+        Some(articlesCurrentlySaved)
+      ))
+      savedArticlesPersistence.update(
+        any[String](),
+        any[SavedArticles]()
+      ) returns (Success(Some(expectedArticlesPersisted.advanceVersion)))
+      val saved =
+        savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, articlesToSave)
+      there were no(savedArticlesPersistence).write(
+        any[String](),
+        any[SavedArticles]()
+      )
+      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).update(
+        argThat(===(userId)),
+        argThat(===(expectedArticlesPersisted))
+      )
+      saved mustEqual (expectedMergeResponse)
     }
 
     "will dedupe articles before checking whether the article limit hs been transgressed" in new Setup {
       private val maxSavedArticlesLimit = 3
-      override val savedArticlesMerger = new SavedArticlesMergerImpl(SavedArticlesMergerConfig(maxSavedArticlesLimit), savedArticlesPersistence)
-      val savedArticlesWithDupes = savedArticles2.copy(articles = List(article1, article1Dup, article2, article2Dup))
+      override val savedArticlesMerger = new SavedArticlesMergerImpl(
+        SavedArticlesMergerConfig(maxSavedArticlesLimit),
+        savedArticlesPersistence
+      )
+      val savedArticlesWithDupes = savedArticles2.copy(articles =
+        List(article1, article1Dup, article2, article2Dup)
+      )
       val responseArticles = Success(Some(savedArticles.advanceVersion))
       val expectedMergeResponse = Right(savedArticles.advanceVersion)
       val expectedDeduped = SavedArticles(version, List(article1, article2))
 
       savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns (Success(None))
-      savedArticlesPersistence.write(any[String](), any[SavedArticles]()) returns (responseArticles)
-      savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticlesWithDupes)
+      savedArticlesPersistence.update(
+        any[String](),
+        any[SavedArticles]()
+      ) returns (responseArticles)
+      savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(
+        userId,
+        savedArticlesWithDupes
+      )
       there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).read(argThat(===(userId)))
-      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).write(argThat(===(userId)), argThat(===(expectedDeduped)))
+      there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).update(
+        argThat(===(userId)),
+        argThat(===(expectedDeduped))
+      )
 
     }
 
     "failure to get current articles throws the correct exception" in new Setup {
-      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns (Failure(new IllegalStateException("Bad, bad, bad")))
-      val saved = savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles)
+      savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns (Failure(
+        new IllegalStateException("Bad, bad, bad")
+      ))
+      val saved =
+        savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles)
       there was one(savedArticlesPersistence).read(argThat(===(userId)))
-      saved shouldEqual (Left(SavedArticleMergeError("Could not retrieve current articles")))
+      saved shouldEqual (Left(
+        SavedArticleMergeError("Could not retrieve current articles")
+      ))
     }
 
     "failure to update the saved articles results in the currect error" in new Setup {
       savedArticlesPersistence.read(userId) returns (Success(None))
-      savedArticlesPersistence.write(userId, savedArticles) returns (Failure(new IllegalStateException("My mummy told me to be good, but I was naughty")))
-
-      val saved = savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles)
-      saved shouldEqual (Left(SavedArticleMergeError("Could not update articles")))
+      savedArticlesPersistence.update(userId, savedArticles) returns (Failure(
+        new IllegalStateException(
+          "My mummy told me to be good, but I was naughty"
+        )
+      ))
+
+      val saved =
+        savedArticlesMerger.updateWithRetryAndMerge(userId, savedArticles)
+      saved shouldEqual (Left(
+        SavedArticleMergeError("Could not update articles")
+      ))
     }
   }
 
   trait Setup extends Scope {
     val savedArticlesPersistence = mock[SavedArticlesPersistenceImpl]
-    val savedArticlesMerger = new SavedArticlesMergerImpl(SavedArticlesMergerConfig(20), savedArticlesPersistence)
+    val savedArticlesMerger = new SavedArticlesMergerImpl(
+      SavedArticlesMergerConfig(20),
+      savedArticlesPersistence
+    )
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/project/dependencies.scala b/project/dependencies.scala
index bf36ab43..898ca1c2 100644
--- a/project/dependencies.scala
+++ b/project/dependencies.scala
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ object Dependencies {
   val awsSdkVersion = "1.11.412"
   val log4j2Version = "2.17.1"
   val jacksonVersion = "2.14.0"
-  val specsVersion = "4.0.3"
+  val specsVersion = "4.20.5"
 
   val awsLambda = "com.amazonaws" % "aws-lambda-java-core" % "1.2.0"
   val awsDynamo = "software.amazon.awssdk" % "dynamodb" % "2.24.11"