For fans of Sloane Crosley, a sharp, funny memoir from the acclaimed author of Sit, Cinderella, Sit about love, commitment, and whether she’s ready for marriage right before turning fifty.
For years, Lisa Cheek believed long-term commitment wasn’t her style. Her romantic history followed a familiar pattern: date a lot, date widely, and back away before anything could last. So even she is surprised when, at forty-nine, she finally says “yes” to a proposal and to the possibility of marriage with her boyfriend, Big Johnson. But on her wedding day, after the vows have been said, she discovers something shocking: they aren’t actually married.
Is it a slight oversight in the chaos of planning a wedding? Or is this a sign to run while she still can?
In The Big Day, Lisa Cheek invites us inside one unforgettable wedding day, with hilarity, chaos, and unexpected turns. As everything begins to unravel, she looks back on a lifetime of relationships—her own, and those of her family and friends in attendance—searching for patterns, meaning, and the truth about what makes love last.
Funny, unflinching, and deeply relatable, The Big Day is a memoir about late-in-life love, marriage, and the complicated question so many people face: when it really matters, do you stay—or do you go?
Lisa Cheek is an author and former film and television editor known for her humorous, candid writing about relationships and identity. Her debut memoir, Sit, Cinderella, Sit, was a People Magazine pick, an Amazon bestseller, a Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist, and was named one of Zibby Owen's Most Anticipated Books of 2025. Her latest memoir, The Big Day, is a funny, unflinching look at love, marriage, and the complicated question of whether to stay or walk away. You can find her musings at One Minute Thoughts From A Pink Head on Substack. She lives in Los Angeles with two dogs, two cats, and her husband, Big Johnson, where she has several scripts in various stages of development while working on her next memoir
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for accepting my e-ARC request. Direct quotes are omitted from this review in respect of copyright requests.
Rating: 4.5/5 ★★★★½ Tone: Love’s true power isn't in changing who we are, but in expanding what we are willing to endure.
A lighthearted yet introspective read, The Big Day: Saying "I Do" Only to Discover I Didn't by Lisa Cheek is a relatable memoir packed with vulnerability and wit. Cheek is refreshingly straightforward about her life experiences, holding nothing back as she explores the realities of relationships - both human and furry.
As a demisexual reader, processing Cheek's messy journey across relationships with over ten different men was both intriguing and deeply thought-provoking. The memoir frequently had me reflecting on my own past choices while prompting me to reconsider my present. Additionally, as someone whose brain connects more easily with conceptual thinking, I particularly appreciated her humor-infused use of nicknames throughout the book. The formatting of chapters is also excellent, making the reading experience a pleasure, despite some minor pacing loops in the middle.
Full of conversational charm and honest self-examination, The Big Day is a thoughtful read I’m happy to recommend.
**The Big Day: Saying I Do Only to Discover I Didn’t by Lisa Cheek**
First of all, a big thank you to Lisa Cheek (or her publisher!) for sending this book to our book club, *Literature Over Laundry*, so we could all read it and pass it around. And I’m VERY glad they did, because this one was a fun ride!
Well, Lisa, you had me laughing, almost crying, and rooting for you like we were besties sitting around a bottle of wine dissecting your love life. I read this book in a day and a half, which says a lot because I have laundry to do, people to feed, and a book club called *Literature Over Laundry* to uphold! Priorities, people.
First of all, the SHORT CHAPTERS. 🙌 Just one more chapter… okay, one more… well, now I might as well keep going. You know how it goes! I also listened to the audiobook while reading along, so basically, Lisa and I spent a whole lot of time together.
And can we PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE GHOSTER?! GIRL. WHY. DID. YOU. KEEP. GOING. BACK?! 😩 I was so frustrated, yelling at the book like you could hear me. And yet… as women, we get it, Lisa. WE GET IT. Sometimes the heart needs a few extra laps around the emotional roller coaster before it finally gets off the ride.
What I loved most was how invested I became in Lisa’s romantic journey. You genuinely want her to find her person, her happily-ever-after, her ONE TRUE LOVE. You laugh with her, feel for her, and find yourself cheering her on through all the twists and turns.
Now, I’ve been married for over 20 years and found my person back in my 20s, so some of Lisa’s experiences were WAY outside my personal dating résumé. But guess what? I still loved this book! Whether you’re still searching for your person, found them later in life, or have been happily married forever and just enjoy a good love story, there’s something here for you.
**Final verdict:** Four stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A funny, heartfelt, easy-to-devour read that reminds us that love doesn't always follow the timeline we imagined. And now I want to read more of Lisa’s work, so I’d say she did her job!
Ladies of *Literature Over Laundry*, put this one on your radar. Just be prepared to have some STRONG opinions about the men along the way. 😉💕
The Big Day is a warm, candid memoir for readers who enjoy humor alongside genuine self-questioning about relationships. It is a story about love, family, and the habits we carry into adulthood. At forty-nine, Cheek says yes to Big Johnson, then revisits the relationships and family history that helped shape her concerns about marriage. She asks how someone learns to trust her own judgment after growing up around relationships that made commitment look more painful than reassuring. The book moves between the wedding ceremony and those earlier stories, turning a comic mishap into a prompt for honest self-examination. Cheek beautifully weaves the wedding day together with her past, and the short chapters and shifts between past and present keep the narrative brisk.
I loved the book’s perspective on love later in life. Cheek’s story rightfully pushes against the idea that there’s a proper age or timeline for finding a lasting partnership. Her eventual choice matters because it follows years of uncertainty and self-discovery. Huge thumbs up for The Big Day!
While the phrase "a delightful romp" has become so hackneyed it tends to elicit a "gag me" response, nevertheless, that's the phrase that sticks in my mind after reading Lisa Cheek's newest "almost true" memoir. Because it IS delightful, and damn it, it IS a romp! Through vignettes of the marriages of her family and her seemingly endless string of "not the right one" relationships, Lisa chronicles her search for deep, true love. Walk with Lisa along the winding path that eventually leads to "The Big Day. " Welcome to the wonderful world of Lisa (woman), Big Johnson (man), and Ron Howard (dog). It's quite a party!
Thank you #NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book!
What a hoot, loved it!!! Lisa Cheek tells her true story of her life in and around relationships. Starting with her parents from day one, she is surrounded by folks who say “I do” only to say not much later “What the hell was I thinking?” and promptly divorcing. Who wouldn’t be somewhat colored and scared of the idea of commitment?
We follow Lisa’s exploration of what makes a long-term marriage work and does the ideal man exist approaching her wedding day. The man she is slated to marry, Big Johnson, seems to be the man that should be right for her on this, her big day. But she is taking time to assess by processing her past, piece by piece, or in this case, man by man and taking us along for the crazy ride. She has sheer honesty in her story-telling of many Mr. Wrongs and potential Mr. Rights. She makes us laugh and makes our hearts drop when she is disappointed, whether it is a failed relationship for her or someone around her. We root for her, cheer her on and hold our breath when yellow flags show up.
The story is funny and relatable in some ways. We all have asked ourselves these same questions. It’s an easy read, designed that way with chapters varying in size to standard to so small they are but a few sentences, if no more is needed. She goes through her family connections and a few of her close friend's relationship journey with as much humor and honesty as she does her own experiences with suitors.
This author has cut out the unnecessary filler stuff so we don’t have to weed through it! Without the distractions, the reader gets to concentrate on the moments, the memories and the feelings that go along with it. What a fun book to read!
Lisa Cheek lets us see her inner thoughts, in their simplicity, uncensored and at times possibly warped, you be the judge! As she overanalyzes, we laugh but find her so likeable that we are laughing with her as opposed to at her. Her pursuit for answers is written so cleverly it will be interesting to see what she has in store for us next! #TheBigDay #NetGalley
The Big Day by Lisa Cheek is a warm and funny memoir recounting of her wedding day as well as the trials and tribulations leading up to it. Early on we learn that due to a paperwork error, the wedding that she just had did not result in a legal marriage. As she describes the day, she weaves back and forth in time to explain how things got to this point and also to explain her complicated feelings about marriage as a result. It is scheduled to be published on September 22, 2026 and I really enjoyed it.
Through both funny and serious anecdotes, we learn about her parents' complicated and messy marital status, the number of weddings and marriages each member of her wider circle has had, as well as her own romantic (mis)adventures.
The author has a very engaging style and the chapters are very short, so this was a very quick read. Interspersed with the chapters, we also get things like the wedding to-do list, the wedding playlist, and the menu. While I didn't think that these things were necessary, they did not detract from my enjoyment and added a bit to the whimsy of the memoir.
While I found the memoir to be easy to read and relatable for the most part, I was confused in the beginning with all the names that were mentioned, especially sometimes it was the same name for different people. The chapter headings helped, but what I found helped the most was in later chapters, people were referred to by a characteristic such as 'the musician', instead of a name, which made things easier.
Saying I Do ended up being both engaging and funny with a lot of heart. I recommend this book to those who enjoy relatable memoirs with humour. I'm glad that I read this and look forward to what Lisa Cheek writes next.
Thank you very much to the author and publisher for making the book available for early review via BookSirens. All opinions are my own.
Lisa Cheek’s The Big Day feels like sitting across from someone who finally decided to tell the whole truth, awkward parts included. What makes this memoir work so well is that it never tries too hard to sound profound, yet somehow ends up saying a lot about marriage, family patterns, loneliness, commitment, and the strange emotional math people do when they want love but are terrified of repeating the past. The humor is sharp, self-aware, and wonderfully human. One minute you’re laughing at the chaos of wedding disasters, exes, family dynamics, and painfully real relationship moments, and the next minute the book quietly hits an emotional nerve you didn’t expect. Lisa has a rare storytelling voice that feels conversational without losing intelligence. The structure almost reads like someone opening old memory boxes one by one, letting readers slowly understand how a person becomes who they are romantically. What impressed me most was the honesty. The book doesn’t try to pretend people are perfect, wise, healed, or emotionally polished. Everyone feels flawed, complicated, funny, messy, and real. That authenticity gives the memoir its strongest power. The pacing stays engaging because the chapters are short, vivid, and easy to keep reading “just one more” of. The emotional observations about generational marriage patterns, divorce, fear of commitment, and emotional survival quietly carry more depth than many heavier memoirs. At its core, this is not just a story about a wedding or relationships. It’s a story about trying to understand why people stay, why they leave, and why some people keep trying anyway despite everything they’ve seen. Funny, reflective, emotionally observant, and deeply human.
After you relish the last page, this is the book that your Bestie will need to hear about or even gift this read. Lisa Cheek writes like your long time friend that “gets it & gets you”.
The author had her share of dating misfires up until her late 40s & older doesn’t always equate to wiser with every love connection. An introduction to Mr. Right (actually Big Johnson) was the gateway to this not yet realized book & led to their Happily Ever After.
Throw in a bouillabaisse of pets full of personality, darling step-daughters, a father of the bride who is still playing the field & a too-good-to-be-true M-i-L & this is a winning duo w/a wedding to remember.
I did have three charming tidbits from the book to share, but I’ll avoid spoilers. That wedding reception menu? Mouth-watering! I re-read that over & over & I’m on a GLP1 so not much tempts me! The second goody was how they decided upon their signature wine bottle label for their vineyard’s first harvest…That chapter will melt your heart. Finally…I thought the way the author described all the previous boyfriends & dates by profession was hilarious.
So, this is a 5 Star Review submitted by someone (Me) who dated like it was a profession from age 16 to 30 & my past victims include countless engineers, even more lawyers, an Ob-Gyn (mine - which makes it worse), & a trash man thrown in like the Hefty Bag he was.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author (Lisa Cheek), & the publisher (She Writes Press) for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair & honest review.
Their incomparable editor, Brooke Warner, there never disappoints & I think the author’s Husband, Big Johnson, deserves much admiration.
Saying "I Do" Only to Discover I Didn't - Another Mostly True Memoir
I so thoroughly enjoyed Lisa Cheek's first book "Sit, Cinderella, Sit" and was looking forward to her next effort. This book does not disappoint. Lisa's observations and wit are one part of why I enjoy her writing.
The discovery that the Judge had left the wedding without signing the Marriage Certificate becomes a catalyst for Lisa's journey from childhood to this wedding day. This revelation on her wedding day is the perfect catalyst for her to reflect on the marriages of the people nearest to her AND their subsequent divorces.
And those reflections stir up reminiscing about her past crushes, from elementary school to present day - a nearly 50-year-old first-time bride. The cast of these potential & not-so-potential partners who came into and out of and, in some instances into again and again Lisa's life make for a exquisite timeline of her dating landscape that many, maybe most, women can identify with.
This all comes together in a memoir that weaves these vignettes of marriages, divorces, dates, lovers, hellos, goodbyes, and meeting her person together with the the timeline of her wedding day.
It is a reflection of her life and her love story told in Lisa's delightful was of doling it out in small delicious bites!! You won't be disappointed.
I really enjoyed The Big Day by Lisa Cheek. It’s a funny, heartfelt memoir about finding love later in life and getting married for the first time at forty-nine. The author invites you into her quirky world with her dog Ron Howard and all of the unique personalities hanging from her family tree. What makes it so relatable is the author’s honesty about growing up around divorce and complicated family dynamics, which left her questioning whether marriage was even something she wanted. The book opens with a hilarious twist when, right after the ceremony, she discovers the marriage certificate might not even have been signed—leaving her wondering if the whole big event technically counted. That moment perfectly captures the tone of the book: self-aware, humorous, and full of life’s imperfect moments. What I loved most is that this isn’t a fairy-tale love story—it’s a real one connected by sweet vignettes and conversations about the pressure and pleasure of marriage. The relationship at the center of the book is built on friendship, laughter, and choosing each other later in life when both people know who they are. It’s a sweet, thoughtful reminder that love doesn’t have a timeline—and sometimes the best stories begin when you least expect them!
I received the book from the author. 210 pages and loads of chapters, but don’t fret, “Lisa” chapters are short and to the point and they bring you right into that world she is sharing with us. And it is glorious, hilarious and insightful. I personally met her in the seventh grade and reading The Big Day was a delight because it not only filled in all the gaps in the best way possible to cover the time we have not been in each other‘s lives, but also had so much relatable content. There are some great quotes in there, the Mae West one being my favorite.😉. Her descriptions make it so easy to visualize that person and / or situation and I still can’t get past the “ box of spilled Legos dumped on the floor”!! I was just talking to someone who resembled that remark. The “lasting image of Big Johnson representing the Brothers” against Ron Howard. You will smile, laugh and cringe because you will be reading relatable content. If happiness is an inside job, I am grateful that the author has shared her happiness with us. I foresee many more hearts in the future. Now, where to obtain a bottle of Big Johnson Cabernet and reread this delight?! (bubbles must be included in the event.)
Lisa Cheek is a great writer that can make you feel you are in the middle of the story with a front row seat to the colorful events and personalities in her life.
The story is told by the author on the day of her wedding as a first-time bride at the age 49. There are many unexpected surprised throughout the day and the story is told by alternating chapters that flash back to previous dates and relationship experiences she has had up until this moment. Each of those past loves and mishaps led her down the path of finding true love at the age of 49. It’s an enjoyable, fun and fast read- great for a quick vacation book!
My favorite character is her dog Ron Howard who is her constant companion and accompanies her on many dates. Who names their dog Ron Howard? She’s funny! He seems to always go by his formal full name and he ends up at her wedding in a tux. Ron Howard is just one of the many characters with a powerful personality….similar to her true love Big Johnson.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review with my own opinion voluntarily.
The Big Day by Lisa Cheek is a delightful and engaging read. Her storytelling strikes a beautiful balance between humor and heart, drawing readers into her journey with warmth and honesty. I found myself laughing at her candid reflection on dating, while also being deeply moved by the tender moments when she shares about her father.
Cheek’s writing is both vivid and relatable. One line that especially stood out to me was “I blink, my brains, spinning, like a spirograph, trying to make sense of what I just heard.” It perfectly, captures her ability to turn Life‘s moments into something both poetic and real.
What I appreciate most was the structure of the book. Rather than focusing solely on the wedding itself, she skillfully weaves it through the narrative, allowing the story to unfold in a way that feels natural and layered. The results is a memoir that is not only entertaining, but also thoughtful and insightful.
Overall, the big day is an easy enjoyable and meaningful read one that lingers when you long after the final pages.
Lisa Cheek has a rare gift: she writes in a way that makes you feel like you’re sitting across from a favorite friend, laughing, crying, and swapping stories over a long, unforgettable conversation. In The Big Day, Lisa invites us into the beautifully messy, hilarious, heartbreaking, and hopeful moments of love — the commitments we make, the expectations we carry, the heartbreaks we survive, and the resilience we discover along the way. What makes Lisa’s storytelling so special is how deeply relatable and wise it is. I found myself completely pulled into her stories, seeing pieces of my own experiences reflected back at me. I laughed (a lot), I cried, and I found myself cheering for every twist and turn — because at its heart, The Big Day is about the one thing we’re all searching for: love, in all its complicated and wonderful forms. Do yourself a favor: pre-order this book now. You’ll want to be part of the conversation when The Big Day arrives — and you’ll want a front-row seat to Lisa Cheek’s unforgettable celebration of love, life, and everything in between.
In this warm and often hilarious memoir, Cheek reflects on marrying for the first time at forty-nine and the unexpected path that led her there. She welcomes readers into a life shaped by family stories, a beloved dog named Ron Howard, and the complicated legacy of growing up around divorce, which left her unsure whether marriage was even something she wanted.
The book opens with a moment that sets the tone perfectly: shortly after the ceremony, she realizes the marriage certificate might never have been signed, raising the absurd possibility that the entire wedding may not be legal. It is exactly the kind of self-aware, slightly chaotic moment that runs throughout the memoir.
What makes this story resonate is that it unfolds through small scenes and conversations that explore both the pressure and the joy of partnership. At its center is a relationship grounded in friendship, humor, and the sound decision to choose each other later in life.
It’s funny, honest, and so relatable—especially when it comes to relationships and all the questions around them. It starts with this wild wedding day where she realizes she might not even be legally married , and it totally pulled me in.
What really stayed with me are all the stories woven throughout—her very dysfunctional family, multiple marriages, complicated dynamics, and these little life vignettes that are both hilarious and a little heartbreaking. You can really see how it all shapes the way she approaches love.
I especially connected to the way she’s still figuring it all out and trying to understand herself and her patterns—it felt very real and human to me.
It honestly feels like sitting with a smart, self-aware friend who can laugh at herself while also going deeper.
This book is the author's memoir. Her exes, her family, her husband. One theme that we can expect throughout the book is 'marriage'. Marriage has close ties with her family, be it good or bad.
I was very fond of the aliases given to people in her memoir. This book is full of humour with a taste of truth.
When i say this book felt more like a romance book then a love story itself is because, I mean.. marriage is in its nature a cordial agreement to love and cherish each other. Love is the very basis of marriage in an ideal world and in my delusions. Despite knowing the ending (as it is a memoir), I still found myself on edge at times. It was an interestingly immersive experience.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lisa Cheek is such a funny, entertaining and honest writer. She is a special person and shares her joy with readers in each book she writes.
This memoir flashes back and forth with stories about how she searches and finally found her way down the aisle at forty-nine. Each chapter provides details of her grandparents, parents and siblings love, or in some cases lack there of. Which is ok because the lessons she found along the way end up being the most important. I love when authors give a glimpse into their thoughts, feelings, struggles and triumphs. The Big Day - is all heart you can feel how happy she is, it jumps from the pages.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Read this book if you enjoy memoir told with humor and grace. And adorable dogs. This is Lisa's second "Mostly True Memoir," and I love the freedom she gives herself to tell us the story in the most entertaining way. This is the tale of a woman who married later in life, and how she made sense of the examples her family and friends set for her along the way. I cheered for the decisions she made NOT to marry some of the Toms, Dicks, and Harrys who came along. The ultimate love story of the man she did choose brought tears to my eyes. Good things come to those who wait. You'll love the long and winding road that continued all the way to the very end. Yay, Lisa!
This book had me smiling and laughing throughout. Lisa’s gifted storytelling ability captivated me from the first page. The way that she wove the labyrinth of her dating experiences, family history, and the journey to “I do/I didn’t” was hilarious and thought-provoking. You will relate to many of the characters as Lisa walks you down the aisles of her long winding paths to the altar. I highly recommend to those who want to get married, who are married or contemplating divorce. Thank you, Lisa for sharing the tears of your life and alchemizing it into tears from my laughter.
The Big Day is sharp, funny, and refreshingly honest!
Lisa Cheek uses her almost-wedding day as a jumping-off point to revisit a lifetime of relationships, blending quick, witty reflections with just enough vulnerability to keep it real. She’s self-aware, funny and incredibly relatable.
It’s an easy, engaging read that doesn’t rush to tidy answers but instead leans into the messy, funny uncertainty of figuring out what commitment actually means. I had so much fun listening to the wedding playlist she included!
Another triumph from the inimitable Lisa Cheek. Honest, funny, sharp. You won't want to put this down once you start reading. The Big Day takes place, in a way, over the course of one day, with flashbacks to past loves and near misses. I love that Lisa took the time to discover herself before diving into marriage. She's not afraid to tell you about her mistakes or her second thoughts--or any of the things we'd sometimes rather not admit. She calls it like it is and, in the process, always has me chuckling. Get this book. You won't regret it. I'm a huge fan.
Lisa is forty nine when she marries Big Johnson on a vineyard in California. As she prepares for her wedding , she recounts stories about her family and former boyfriends. ( Her former boyfriends are much less exciting than her beloved Ron Howard-her dog .)
A delightful story of a woman who lets a man into her life on her terms. This is a great read. ( and who doesn’t love Ron Howard?)
I received an advance copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you She Writes Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
This was such a fun, quick read. It is semi biographical story of author's and her upcoming nuptials. She dwells into a family history, past relationships, work and she does it with a wit.
I know opposite attract but somehow I couldn't envision author and Big Johnson married for so many years, but kudos to them.
The Big Day is a funny romantic and fresh take on modern love. What companionship and adventure bring to the marital table are not to be taken lightly. The author, Lisa Cheek, explores her family history of love and failed marriages and learns from them. She also shares her own attempts at finding love until one day it finally appears. But can she be certain this is “the one?” It’s memoir and romantic comedy rolled into one.
Lisa Cheek beautifully captures the ups and downs of dating, making her journey to the altar relatable, humorous, and endearing. Relationships and marriage can be challenging to navigate, which makes finding the one you want to say “I do” to—even more special. I thoroughly enjoyed Lisa Cheek’s book and would happily recommend it to friends!
Lisa Cheek’s memoir, The Big Day, had me laughing and crying within pages. Every chapter’s witty, touching scenes made me realize that in relationships, laughing out loud can be better than crying. Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your path to finding joy.