Gail Baines is preparing for her daughter’s wedding. Her ex-husband arrives at her door with a stray cat expecting to stay with her on the day when she’s been told that she no longer has a job. Roll in a distressed daughter, a groom with a secret who is severely allergic to cats and there can only be chaos.

This is a short read but packs in a lot. Gail a middle-aged woman is truly at cross-roads and begins to reflect on where her life derailed making her question her own relationships not just with her ex-husband but also the people around her.

I really enjoyed this. There were lighthearted moments interspersed with anxiety for Gail. She worries about her daughter and the wedding and the perceived idea that she is losing her child despite the fact that her daughter hasn’t lived with her for years. The wedding is being controlled by the in-laws which is unusual but Gail sees her involvement as little more than a guest, also unusual. In fact Gail is confronted with her own biases and during the three days must make decisions about her future and take control.  

I liked the idea that the everyday can be entirely disrupted as it was for Gail. A straightforward event was anything but straightforward and of course there is nothing like a wedding to draw out the emotions.

The writing as usual is terrific, sharp and meaningful. Tyler is a master of family dynamics and relationships. There’s nothing wrong with this one. Give it a go.