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Sunday Dinners: Marriage, kids, and gravy – what could possibly go wrong?
Creating a happy family is one thing. Staying that way is an entirely different story.
From the bestselling author of This Thirtysomething Life, Happy Endings and This Family Life, comes a comedy drama about parenthood, marriage, love, life and roast dinners. Perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn and David Nicholls.
The Wilde family have always had a roast dinner on Sundays. Greg Wilde made sure of it. Him, his wife, Lizzy, and their three children around the table; for years it was the glue that held them together.
But now with the children all grown up and moving out, and Greg and Lizzy’s marriage facing an uncertain future, their lives are becoming increasingly unstuck. Greg soon begins to realise that creating a happy family is one thing, but staying that way is an entirely different story.
Told from each of the family's perspectives at their monthly Sunday roast dinners, this is a bittersweet comedy about parenthood, marriage, love, life and roast dinners.
From the bestselling author of This Thirtysomething Life, Happy Endings and This Family Life, comes a comedy drama about parenthood, marriage, love, life and roast dinners. Perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn and David Nicholls.
The Wilde family have always had a roast dinner on Sundays. Greg Wilde made sure of it. Him, his wife, Lizzy, and their three children around the table; for years it was the glue that held them together.
But now with the children all grown up and moving out, and Greg and Lizzy’s marriage facing an uncertain future, their lives are becoming increasingly unstuck. Greg soon begins to realise that creating a happy family is one thing, but staying that way is an entirely different story.
Told from each of the family's perspectives at their monthly Sunday roast dinners, this is a bittersweet comedy about parenthood, marriage, love, life and roast dinners.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2015
261 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Jon Rance
26 books95 followersJon Rance is the author of seven novels: the Kindle top ten bestseller, This Thirtysomething Life, Happy Endings (both published by Hodder and Stoughton), This Family Life, Sunday Dinners, Dan And Nat Got Married, About Us, and The Summer Holidays Survival Guide. He's also the author of the Christmas novella, A Notting Hill Christmas.
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 4, 2016
So though the synopsis of this book looked great. I was bored from beginning to end. The shifting timelines and points of view were too much to deal with and so I really didn't get into the book until almost the very end.
Sunday Dinners focuses on the Wilde family. Every Sunday the family has a roast dinner (cooked by Greg) who wants the once a week sit down in order for the family to check in with each other. Told over a series of months and then years readers are given glimpses of the Wilde family which consists of husband Greg, wife Lizzy, and their three children, Lucy, Matt, and Holly.
I don't think that I particularly cared for any member of this family. Most of the interactions between Greg and Lizzy was one or both of them exuding hostility or bafflement at the other one's hostility.
The older daughter Lucy was in the midst of an affair that was throwing her for a loop.
Matt was all over the place not knowing what to do after getting his heart broken.
And Holly was coming to terms with her sexuality in the most hare-brained pain in the butt way ever.
Greg and Lizzy's issues were pretty much swept away with after an 11th hour contrivance and that apparently made things great again. After having to read about how much fighting and arguing that was going on, I am still surprised that these two didn't end up murdering each other before the end of the book.
Honestly, there was way too many cooks in the kitchen for me to be able to get settled down in the story enough. Once the story started to jump ahead by months I pretty much gave up.
The writing was serviceable, but I really wish that I had been able to get a sense of the Wilde family's "voices". Lizzy and Greg had very distinct voices, but honestly all of the kids started to sound like one long whine through the whole book and I was wishing that the story would wrap up so I could be done. I can honestly say that I was bored. You would think with these shifting plot lines I wouldn't be, but nope I was.
With the time jumps the flow of the story was all over the place too. And at one point I had to go back several chapters because I totally missed something that was being talked about in the book.
The setting of the book is really the house and the location of the Sunday dinners. I wish I had gotten a better sense of the house and how it was set up. It sounded small though when you get to the end and it mentions how big it was, I was a bit surprised.
The ending tied things up nicely. I just really wish that I had managed to engage with any of these characters so I could get a sense of satisfaction when the book was completed.
Sunday Dinners focuses on the Wilde family. Every Sunday the family has a roast dinner (cooked by Greg) who wants the once a week sit down in order for the family to check in with each other. Told over a series of months and then years readers are given glimpses of the Wilde family which consists of husband Greg, wife Lizzy, and their three children, Lucy, Matt, and Holly.
I don't think that I particularly cared for any member of this family. Most of the interactions between Greg and Lizzy was one or both of them exuding hostility or bafflement at the other one's hostility.
The older daughter Lucy was in the midst of an affair that was throwing her for a loop.
Matt was all over the place not knowing what to do after getting his heart broken.
And Holly was coming to terms with her sexuality in the most hare-brained pain in the butt way ever.
Greg and Lizzy's issues were pretty much swept away with after an 11th hour contrivance and that apparently made things great again. After having to read about how much fighting and arguing that was going on, I am still surprised that these two didn't end up murdering each other before the end of the book.
Honestly, there was way too many cooks in the kitchen for me to be able to get settled down in the story enough. Once the story started to jump ahead by months I pretty much gave up.
The writing was serviceable, but I really wish that I had been able to get a sense of the Wilde family's "voices". Lizzy and Greg had very distinct voices, but honestly all of the kids started to sound like one long whine through the whole book and I was wishing that the story would wrap up so I could be done. I can honestly say that I was bored. You would think with these shifting plot lines I wouldn't be, but nope I was.
With the time jumps the flow of the story was all over the place too. And at one point I had to go back several chapters because I totally missed something that was being talked about in the book.
The setting of the book is really the house and the location of the Sunday dinners. I wish I had gotten a better sense of the house and how it was set up. It sounded small though when you get to the end and it mentions how big it was, I was a bit surprised.
The ending tied things up nicely. I just really wish that I had managed to engage with any of these characters so I could get a sense of satisfaction when the book was completed.
October 29, 2015
Having never read a Jon Rance book I had no pre-conceived ideas about whether I would like it. I certainly liked the sound of the synopsis and even better was that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The book is laid out by the month in which the Wilde Family Roast Dinner is taking place. The great British Institute that is a Sunday Roast it is an all too familiar setting, but one which you slim into seamlessly. The family consists of Greg and Lizzy, the husband and wife along with the three children Holly, Lucy and Matt. There is a prologue which gives you enough background from 1995, so that when the book then starts 13 years later you have a broad understanding of the characters.
I have to hold my hands up here and admit that when I realised each chapter represented a family member along with the consecutive months, I wondered if my attention would stray. Thankfully it was the exact opposite that happened and I quickly became embroiled to the point I may as well have been another member sitting around the table. The characters are all very readable but in all honesty I found it the hardest to like the Mum Lizzy. Having said that, although she may not have been my favourite she sure made up for that in the humorous situations she put herself in (you will understand when you read the book, especially the ‘retreat’ she visits).
Each family member is going through some sort of trauma or drama and as each month unfolds you see the impact it has on the family and their take on it. The book is light-hearted, and very funny in parts, however still manages to maintain that family bond. The way this book was written was pretty unique and I haven’t read a book laid out like that with a month by month for each chapter. I have to say it really did work and made the book so much easier to read. I must say that although I haven’t read any other Jon Rance books, I will certainly be reading his other stuff as well as looking out for new releases too. This was a fantastic read for both men and women that I would definitely recommend.
I have to hold my hands up here and admit that when I realised each chapter represented a family member along with the consecutive months, I wondered if my attention would stray. Thankfully it was the exact opposite that happened and I quickly became embroiled to the point I may as well have been another member sitting around the table. The characters are all very readable but in all honesty I found it the hardest to like the Mum Lizzy. Having said that, although she may not have been my favourite she sure made up for that in the humorous situations she put herself in (you will understand when you read the book, especially the ‘retreat’ she visits).
Each family member is going through some sort of trauma or drama and as each month unfolds you see the impact it has on the family and their take on it. The book is light-hearted, and very funny in parts, however still manages to maintain that family bond. The way this book was written was pretty unique and I haven’t read a book laid out like that with a month by month for each chapter. I have to say it really did work and made the book so much easier to read. I must say that although I haven’t read any other Jon Rance books, I will certainly be reading his other stuff as well as looking out for new releases too. This was a fantastic read for both men and women that I would definitely recommend.
October 26, 2015
I have enjoyed the three previous books that I have read by Jon Rance, but I have to admit to this been my favorite. Greg & Wife Lizzy and their three children all get together for Greg’s Sunday Roast and through these Sunday Roasts we find the family going through the trial and tribulations of life and how they cope as individuals and as a family.
I found Greg and Lizzy as a couple quite annoying, they didn’t seem to be able to sit down and just talk. Jon Rance was able to write about issues that are hard hitting, and helped his characters deal with them amazingly
I would like to see more from Greg & his family and hope that Jon decides to write more.
Thank you to Jon for providing me with copy in exchange for an honest review. This book comes out today - 26th October - and is currently 99p on kindle.
I found Greg and Lizzy as a couple quite annoying, they didn’t seem to be able to sit down and just talk. Jon Rance was able to write about issues that are hard hitting, and helped his characters deal with them amazingly
I would like to see more from Greg & his family and hope that Jon decides to write more.
Thank you to Jon for providing me with copy in exchange for an honest review. This book comes out today - 26th October - and is currently 99p on kindle.
October 26, 2015
What a brilliant book, I loved all of it as it is so down to earth. These things do happen but Jon Rance has a way of telling a story with humour that is just great. The characters are all believable and you can relate to them. This made me laugh out loud in places and I would recommend this book so get it on your Christmas list or even buy it to give out at Christmas.
January 23, 2016
Ah, family! The author's ability to portray this family and all their different emotions is amazing! I so enjoyed reading this book. The story kept moving long and never slowed down. I am going to miss the Wilde family. One of those books that I didn't want to ever end.
February 5, 2016
Just so real
This story is just so real life. It's completely heart breaking, funny, just down right what family life is all about. I would suggest this book to everyone with a family. Everyone will enjoy this story.
This story is just so real life. It's completely heart breaking, funny, just down right what family life is all about. I would suggest this book to everyone with a family. Everyone will enjoy this story.
May 31, 2017
I had to abandon this book about a third of the way through - it was SO dull!
The premise of a regular Sunday family dinner over a long period of time and the trials and tribulations of the members of the family, brought about through discussions at each of the Sunday dinners.
Now I don't know about you, but I don't generally find Sunday dinners interesting enough to warrant a whole book about them , and having attempted to read the book it only served to prove my preconception of this plot. None of the characters were particularly interesting, there was no notable plot or significant theme running through the book, and nothing much happened. I could have persevered, but I am loathe to waste valuable reading time on something I'm not really enjoying, when there are so many others books I wish to read.
The premise of a regular Sunday family dinner over a long period of time and the trials and tribulations of the members of the family, brought about through discussions at each of the Sunday dinners.
Now I don't know about you, but I don't generally find Sunday dinners interesting enough to warrant a whole book about them , and having attempted to read the book it only served to prove my preconception of this plot. None of the characters were particularly interesting, there was no notable plot or significant theme running through the book, and nothing much happened. I could have persevered, but I am loathe to waste valuable reading time on something I'm not really enjoying, when there are so many others books I wish to read.
July 22, 2023
‘Sunday Dinners’ follows a British family of five through their lives — by only telling you about their Sunday roasts going from weekly to monthly in frequency. It’s told in first person, each roast usually being told by 2-3 different characters from each of their perspectives.
It’s a beautifully written novel about families, about the generational problem some of our parents have with opening up and talking about feelings, and about the importance of relationships.
It’s a beautifully written novel about families, about the generational problem some of our parents have with opening up and talking about feelings, and about the importance of relationships.
April 28, 2016
So, this is one of those easily-forgettable novels, it seems, based on the fact that I can't recall the plot at all. Even though I read this maybe sometime in March? I can't even remember that. I don't remember hating it though! And I think the characters matured as the book went along, so lessons were learned, and that's always good!
December 8, 2015
Bittersweet but a really good book.
January 9, 2016
LOVED this book!!!!!
I can't remember when last I related so much to a novel. It felt as though the author was part of my group of friends.
I can't remember when last I related so much to a novel. It felt as though the author was part of my group of friends.
February 7, 2016
Not laugh out loud as such, but definitely amusing and I devoured it in one go. Certainly another author to add to my growing list of those I'd read immediately.
February 22, 2025
Disappointing. Unrealistic that one family could have so much drama. And yet the story felt boring and like nothing much happened. Not even a great “awakening” or characters “finding themselves”.
One daughter has an affair with her (married) boss.
Another daughter decides she’s gay.
The son is a jobless loser going from one romantic entanglement to another.
The husband is so selfishly self-absorbed he’s quite unlikeable as a character.
The wife ends up in tears in pretty much every scene.
The husband and wife have marital issues but just can’t seem to talk about it and sort things out.
The old granny got hardly any airtime, and I feel she could have been made much more of, as a character.
Bit of a depressing read, all in all. I don’t think I’d want to be friends with any of the characters in real life.
It was a good premise but I didn’t really enjoy the journey. A number of other reviews said it was funny, but I’d genuinely question whether they’re referring to the same book?!
There were typos and missing apostrophes in almost every chapter.
I feel like I’ve wasted hours of my life reading this. I contemplated just quitting, but after a certain percentage through I feel like I ought to see it through to the end.
Glad it was ‘free’ on Kindle Unlimited and not something I’d spent money on.
One daughter has an affair with her (married) boss.
Another daughter decides she’s gay.
The son is a jobless loser going from one romantic entanglement to another.
The husband is so selfishly self-absorbed he’s quite unlikeable as a character.
The wife ends up in tears in pretty much every scene.
The husband and wife have marital issues but just can’t seem to talk about it and sort things out.
The old granny got hardly any airtime, and I feel she could have been made much more of, as a character.
Bit of a depressing read, all in all. I don’t think I’d want to be friends with any of the characters in real life.
It was a good premise but I didn’t really enjoy the journey. A number of other reviews said it was funny, but I’d genuinely question whether they’re referring to the same book?!
There were typos and missing apostrophes in almost every chapter.
I feel like I’ve wasted hours of my life reading this. I contemplated just quitting, but after a certain percentage through I feel like I ought to see it through to the end.
Glad it was ‘free’ on Kindle Unlimited and not something I’d spent money on.
April 20, 2019
A lovely, descriptive tale of a real family
This beautiful tale of the Wilde family is so authentic and wonderfully English (I'm just a jealous American now caught using more than a few British ism each day) in its use of a Sunday Roast as it's foundation. I found myself rooting for each character even with their obvious flaws and challenges especially in simply communicating with each other. Jon Rance is such a charming writer, so much so that I find myself wanting to introduce my family to his. Cheers to Mr Rance for this novel and the many others he has been kind enough to share with us. I'm eager to read whatever comes next from him!
This beautiful tale of the Wilde family is so authentic and wonderfully English (I'm just a jealous American now caught using more than a few British ism each day) in its use of a Sunday Roast as it's foundation. I found myself rooting for each character even with their obvious flaws and challenges especially in simply communicating with each other. Jon Rance is such a charming writer, so much so that I find myself wanting to introduce my family to his. Cheers to Mr Rance for this novel and the many others he has been kind enough to share with us. I'm eager to read whatever comes next from him!
November 7, 2016
Although this is characterized as a comedy drama about family life, the drama takes center stage in my mind, unlike others I have read by this author. Nevertheless, it did keep my interest in the family, as it switched back and forth in time and viewpoints. It is set in England and you definitely get the feel of British culture in the background. I enjoyed it.
March 17, 2018
Funny and touching
I liked the idea of fitting the story around the family’s monthly Sunday Roast. The characters are very likeable, maybe more so because they are not perfect. The family dynamics are realistic and there are definitely bitter-sweet moments. It’s not laugh out loud but it definitely made me smile... and shed a tear.
I liked the idea of fitting the story around the family’s monthly Sunday Roast. The characters are very likeable, maybe more so because they are not perfect. The family dynamics are realistic and there are definitely bitter-sweet moments. It’s not laugh out loud but it definitely made me smile... and shed a tear.
December 11, 2018
Loved it
What a thoughtful and creative depiction of family life. I loved hearing each family member tell their own story, and he wove it all together to make it one compelling story of life, love, family , growing up and self-discovery of three generations. I highly recommend this book.
What a thoughtful and creative depiction of family life. I loved hearing each family member tell their own story, and he wove it all together to make it one compelling story of life, love, family , growing up and self-discovery of three generations. I highly recommend this book.
December 21, 2024
A story written from the perspective of various members of a family, one Sunday each month for a couple of years as they get together for Sunday Dinner.
Greg and Lizzy Wilde seem to be growing apart: Greg is very straight-laced, worried about his family, and focused on working to provide for them, while Lizzy wants to feel like she is still important in Greg's life.
Lucy, the oldest, has been having an affair that threatens her job.
Matt, the middle child, has graduated but is not working, and has split from his fiancée.
And Holly, the youngest, has started going to church and is looking for love.
Will things get better, or will the family fall apart?
Greg and Lizzy Wilde seem to be growing apart: Greg is very straight-laced, worried about his family, and focused on working to provide for them, while Lizzy wants to feel like she is still important in Greg's life.
Lucy, the oldest, has been having an affair that threatens her job.
Matt, the middle child, has graduated but is not working, and has split from his fiancée.
And Holly, the youngest, has started going to church and is looking for love.
Will things get better, or will the family fall apart?
October 23, 2018
Great read, captures the trials, tribulations and joy of family life perfectly
I would have given 5 stars but unable to change it from 4. An easy, enjoyable read. Very cleverly written from each characters perspective.
I would have given 5 stars but unable to change it from 4. An easy, enjoyable read. Very cleverly written from each characters perspective.
January 2, 2019
what a boring book. Not one of the characters came to life. The events were uninteresting and repetitive. The subject was hardly scintillating to begin with. I’ve NO idea why I chose this book much less read it to the end!
April 26, 2022
Life Affirming!!!
Yes I am going to use too many exclamation marks!!! This book will stay with me forever! It resonated with me. It made me laugh and cry and I am going to buy a hard copy and keep it with me forever!
Yes I am going to use too many exclamation marks!!! This book will stay with me forever! It resonated with me. It made me laugh and cry and I am going to buy a hard copy and keep it with me forever!
August 6, 2022
Fun read but with some deeper issues explored well. Characterisation was fair and changing the narrator throughout hence giving different perspectives of the story as it unfolded was good. Explored empty nest syndrome, long term marriage issues and changing phases of parenthood.
September 13, 2023
warm fuzzy feeling
Loved this book, wasn’t sure when i read the first couple of chapters but I started to fall in love with each and everyone in the family. So relatable and heartwarming. Didn’t want it to end.
Loved this book, wasn’t sure when i read the first couple of chapters but I started to fall in love with each and everyone in the family. So relatable and heartwarming. Didn’t want it to end.
February 22, 2017
I loved this book, I found it so relatable. I felt myself relating to something with every single character in some way. I enjoy how it all unfolds and the changes they all go through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2017
Great read
Read this book on holiday in three days. The perfect story of families and the challenges we all face to keep them together. Loved and enjoyed every single word.
Read this book on holiday in three days. The perfect story of families and the challenges we all face to keep them together. Loved and enjoyed every single word.
September 11, 2017
A little bit too cheesy for my liking. The storyline is fairly predictable and repetitive in places but it does what it says on the time. Nothing more, nothing less.
July 10, 2018
Okay, not remarkable
This wasn't so much a bad book, as it was an unreasonably predictable one. It was also all a bit too fluffy for me.
This wasn't so much a bad book, as it was an unreasonably predictable one. It was also all a bit too fluffy for me.
September 3, 2018
A fab read
Brilliant from start to finish ....Kept me hooked and couldn't put it down. Really tells the story of relationships and parents and kids perfectly.
Well written 👌
Brilliant from start to finish ....Kept me hooked and couldn't put it down. Really tells the story of relationships and parents and kids perfectly.
Well written 👌
May 13, 2019
Gentle read
I really enjoyed this gentle reflection on family life. It's well observed and crafted. A little contrived in parts but many truisms. A good read.
I really enjoyed this gentle reflection on family life. It's well observed and crafted. A little contrived in parts but many truisms. A good read.
December 4, 2018
A easy read
This is a great easy read book that is perfect for that holiday read with a happy factor and gives you the ending you are looking for but with a few twists along the way
This is a great easy read book that is perfect for that holiday read with a happy factor and gives you the ending you are looking for but with a few twists along the way
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews