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The Wedding Day
Planning her upcoming nuptials to Dr. David Palmer, Annie O'Harran, a divorcée and single mother, plans to enjoy a summer sojourn at her crazy aunt Gertrude's Cornish cottage, but her pace is interrupted by a sexy intruder, Matt, an American tenant, as well as a stream of other uninvited "guests" designed to turn her hideaway into a madhouse. Original.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
89 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Alliott
46 books547 followersCatherine has sold over 3 million bestselling novels worldwide and is translated into eighteen languages.
The first of these novels Catherine started under the desk when she worked as an advertising copywriter. She was duly fired. With time on her hands, she persevered with the novels, which happily flourished.
In the early days she produced a baby with each book - but after three - stuck to the writing as it was less painful.
She writes with her favorite pen in note books, either in the garden or on a sofa.
Home is a rural spot on the Hertfordshire border, which she shares with her family and a menagerie of horses, cows, chickens, and dogs, which at the last count totaled eighty-seven beating hearts, including her husband. Some of her household have walk-on parts in her novels, but only the chickens would probably recognize themselves.
All her novels are published by Penguin Random House internationally, and by No Shooz Publishing in America and will be available in the US in the Fall of 2017.
The first of these novels Catherine started under the desk when she worked as an advertising copywriter. She was duly fired. With time on her hands, she persevered with the novels, which happily flourished.
In the early days she produced a baby with each book - but after three - stuck to the writing as it was less painful.
She writes with her favorite pen in note books, either in the garden or on a sofa.
Home is a rural spot on the Hertfordshire border, which she shares with her family and a menagerie of horses, cows, chickens, and dogs, which at the last count totaled eighty-seven beating hearts, including her husband. Some of her household have walk-on parts in her novels, but only the chickens would probably recognize themselves.
All her novels are published by Penguin Random House internationally, and by No Shooz Publishing in America and will be available in the US in the Fall of 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
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November 21, 2008This book was such rubbish. The heroine was one of those "plain, unremarkable" women who oddly enough always seem to find themselves fighting off gorgeous men with sticks (in books like this anyway, please note this does not happen in the real world). She was supposed to be a writer (big stretch for the author, then) and sections of the novel she was writing were included - it was unbelivably, laughably bad, but she (AND the author) appeared to take it quite seriously. She was also quite mad, and not in an endearing "oh, that crazy scatterbrained Annie, what will she do/say next!" sort of way, it went past that to the point that I was actually left wondering whether her IQ was even in double figures. She was repeatedly described as dressing in saggy baggy comfortable old clothes and not having any fashion sense or making much of an effort with her appearance, yet neither this nor her unhinged mental state were enough to deter the obligatory sweltering hunk from his reasonless fascination with her. UGH.
April 7, 2023
2023
Катрин Елиътски маратон правя . И си живея в красивата фантазия, наподобявйки героинята в тази книга - Ани.
2020
Истинско блаженство !
2017
Никога няма да ми омръзнат книгите на Катрин Елиът.
В тях има толкова житейска мъдрост, има оптимизъм и смях, има сълзи и разочарования, т.е.всичко.
Причисляват ги към категория "бабешки", но кой не обича да бъде при баба си. Всеки си спомня с носталгия за времето в което е прекарвал при баба си. Е , разбира се не при "мис баба", каквито напоследък се завъдиха.
Не прави изключение и тази книга, която отново ме накара да се смея с глас и на моменти да се разплача.
Рецептата на авторката просто е добра.
Катрин Елиътски маратон правя . И си живея в красивата фантазия, наподобявйки героинята в тази книга - Ани.
2020
Истинско блаженство !
2017
Никога няма да ми омръзнат книгите на Катрин Елиът.
В тях има толкова житейска мъдрост, има оптимизъм и смях, има сълзи и разочарования, т.е.всичко.
Причисляват ги към категория "бабешки", но кой не обича да бъде при баба си. Всеки си спомня с носталгия за времето в което е прекарвал при баба си. Е , разбира се не при "мис баба", каквито напоследък се завъдиха.
Не прави изключение и тази книга, която отново ме накара да се смея с глас и на моменти да се разплача.
Рецептата на авторката просто е добра.
June 26, 2011
This book had like nothing to do with the title! They could have called it "Summer Holiday" and that would have made more sense. Girl goes through horrible divorce and pretty much falls in love with the first guy she meets who "saves" her after. They date and decide to get married. They plan to get married at the end of the summer, during which they spend time apart as she wants to go to the country and write and he needs to stay in the city and like be a doctor or something. The house the Girl stays at is like the Dude's aunt's house but she forgets that she rented it out to some American for the summer. Chaos ensues! It kind of made no sense as to why the Girl and the American got together as for the most part it seemed like the Girl and the Dude got along fine. But I guess, the Girl has to fall for the handsome stranger or else there would be no story. Whatever. I liked the supporting cast in this book a lot. The Girls sister and her best friend were quite funny and added some reality to the otherwise pointless and fake story.
Grade: C
Grade: C
September 18, 2009
One of those books you can read without concentrating too much. I liked the story about a divorced woman with a teenage daughter who meets the man of her dreams. She is a writer and decides she needs to concentrate better to finish her first book so is offered a summer house on the English shore not knowing that the old lady who let her use the place had forgotten that she had rented it to someone else who happens to be a man, also a writer and from America, also divorced and has a teenage son.You know how it ends, its all predictable but was a fun read.
November 8, 2011
I thought this book was pretty enjoyable for what it was. A light easy read which diverted my mind from having no elecricity or running water for over a week following a freak October snow storm. Nothing of earth shattering literary importance just entertainment which had the added benefit keeping my interest without insulting my intelligence. It's not every author who can take pretty bad experiences and life events and make them seem somehow cozy and attractive. I'd defiantly read more from this author when I need another Brit chick lit diversion.
May 15, 2020
A lovely piece of women's fiction for anyone who has known heart-break and wants to confront it with laughter.
It takes a great deal of maturity to address themes as ugly as divorce, custody battles and a broken down self-esteem with the endearing lightness that Alliott manages. Yet, the story or characters never seems frivolous, but rather trying to be determinedly optimistic, in a way that readers can draw strength from. Alliott sets the entire book against the heart-stoppingly beautiful Cornish countryside and bungs in gorgeous and heroic male characters to give Annie and the readers a chance to grow beyond the despair she is in at the beginning of the novel. Readers who despise Alliott for her 'unreal' portrayal of events should not be reading fiction as they are obviously opposed to imagining scenarios beyond their existence. It is a pity that they cannot recognise the genius of an emotionally astute and very funny writer at work. Perhaps in a hundred years or so, when it is alright to give her her due Alliott will be acknowledged for the 'jolly tales' she crafted- just like Louisa May Alcott.
It takes a great deal of maturity to address themes as ugly as divorce, custody battles and a broken down self-esteem with the endearing lightness that Alliott manages. Yet, the story or characters never seems frivolous, but rather trying to be determinedly optimistic, in a way that readers can draw strength from. Alliott sets the entire book against the heart-stoppingly beautiful Cornish countryside and bungs in gorgeous and heroic male characters to give Annie and the readers a chance to grow beyond the despair she is in at the beginning of the novel. Readers who despise Alliott for her 'unreal' portrayal of events should not be reading fiction as they are obviously opposed to imagining scenarios beyond their existence. It is a pity that they cannot recognise the genius of an emotionally astute and very funny writer at work. Perhaps in a hundred years or so, when it is alright to give her her due Alliott will be acknowledged for the 'jolly tales' she crafted- just like Louisa May Alcott.
February 28, 2013
Annie needs to get her novel completed but she has too many distractions in the house she shares with her fiance and her pre-teen daughter. When David, her fiance suggests that she use his elderly aunt's beach home for the privacy and quiet that she needs, she is sure that her book will progress past the one chaper she has written. With her daughter Flora, she travels to the Cornish coast and is delighted with the cottage and the glorious scenery. But that all ends when she finds out the elderly and forgetful aunt has rented the cottage to a divorced psychiatrist, Matt, who is also looking for peace and quiet to write his medical research findings. The two butt heads over ownership of the cottage but come to a civil agreement to share and to stay out of each other's way. (Like that was going to happen!) Along the way, Annie's ex-husband and his new girlfriend show up. Then comes Annie's sister and her family along with Annie's best friend and her husband. Then Matt's pre-teen son arrives for a secret visit with his father. Needless to say, any kind of serious novel writing becomes difficult.
The plot was fairly predictable and the reader pretty much knows where this story is headed, but a surprise twist keeps it interesting. Annie is a selfless character and has great wisdom and understanding for all the people she encounters even though this was supposed to be her solitary time. There are several laugh out loud scenes, particularly one involving a carwash and an antenna that kept the book light and fun. A good, light read for me.
The plot was fairly predictable and the reader pretty much knows where this story is headed, but a surprise twist keeps it interesting. Annie is a selfless character and has great wisdom and understanding for all the people she encounters even though this was supposed to be her solitary time. There are several laugh out loud scenes, particularly one involving a carwash and an antenna that kept the book light and fun. A good, light read for me.
August 5, 2016
The biggest turn off for me was that the book and the title of the book do not align. I always tend to find beauty of titles. I didn't find it here. The title only seemed like a name sake kind of thing.
There is a sort of satisfaction every reader seeks after reading a book, I did not find it here. It was brutally long for the plot and there was no sense of direction in the book. Until more than half the book I was just wondering where the writer was taking the plot.
I did like one specific male character though. He was probably the only character that gave shape to the story and added realism in it. He developed the character of the protagonist and I think it was be necessary.
I wouldn't say the book was trash. In fact, the writing of the writer itself is very promising. The narrative style is very good however, the story wasn't very strong and didn't have a strong sense of direction in it.
There is a sort of satisfaction every reader seeks after reading a book, I did not find it here. It was brutally long for the plot and there was no sense of direction in the book. Until more than half the book I was just wondering where the writer was taking the plot.
I did like one specific male character though. He was probably the only character that gave shape to the story and added realism in it. He developed the character of the protagonist and I think it was be necessary.
I wouldn't say the book was trash. In fact, the writing of the writer itself is very promising. The narrative style is very good however, the story wasn't very strong and didn't have a strong sense of direction in it.
July 5, 2013
Second time I've read this and I liked it better the first time round I'm sure because I kept the book! It's light and frothy and not to be taken too seriously most of the time - YET there are a couple of issues in the plot that are deadly serious ones - manipulative abuse (trying not to give things away) and what David does toward the end. I thought those issues were handled really well. What I wasn't so keen on was the main character who we're shown is rather weak, she knows it, but it makes for a frustrating read.
Not sure why it had this title either. It isn't about a wedding! Not really.
Not sure why it had this title either. It isn't about a wedding! Not really.
December 6, 2017
Onvan : The Wedding Day - Nevisande : Catherine Alliott - ISBN : 345462823 - ISBN13 : 9780345462824 - Dar 432 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2004
January 16, 2022
This is the story of Annie, a single divorced Mum living with her soon to be husband and her daughter. She is also a writer with writer's block after having the first chapter of her book accepted by a publisher. The summer holidays are approaching and Annie desperately needs to get away to complete the book and think about arrangements for her forthcoming wedding. Her fiancée David is a doctor who busily organises Annie's life without ever being asked. He suggests she head to Cornwall and stay at his Aunt's property as a retreat to finish the book.
Annie agrees and heads off with Flora her daughter. No sooner does Annie arrive than the doorbell starts ringing. Her sister is in Cornwall on holiday with her family, her ex-husband and his new girlfriend are also there for the Summer and David's Aunt has forgotten that Annie is staying there and rents the huge house to another house guest for the Summer.
The beauty of Cornwall still makes writing difficult for Annie but never more so than when the male house guest becomes better known to her. He has a son who gets on very well with her daughter Flora.
The novel is funny and I love Annie's likeable character. Her future with David may be in jeopardy. He is so serious while she is a very casual, relaxed person. I enjoyed the easy to read novel immensely.
Annie agrees and heads off with Flora her daughter. No sooner does Annie arrive than the doorbell starts ringing. Her sister is in Cornwall on holiday with her family, her ex-husband and his new girlfriend are also there for the Summer and David's Aunt has forgotten that Annie is staying there and rents the huge house to another house guest for the Summer.
The beauty of Cornwall still makes writing difficult for Annie but never more so than when the male house guest becomes better known to her. He has a son who gets on very well with her daughter Flora.
The novel is funny and I love Annie's likeable character. Her future with David may be in jeopardy. He is so serious while she is a very casual, relaxed person. I enjoyed the easy to read novel immensely.
August 18, 2023
Catherine Alliott is my favourite holiday read - easy going, a heroine you will always want to back and a guaranteed happy ending that makes you feel warm & fuzzy.
The Wedding Day delivers all of this! A single mum with a 12 year old daughter is getting ready to marry her well regarded Dr fiance. With just 5 weeks to go, instead of getting carried away with wedding plans, Annie takes a beautiful grand house on the North Cornish coast to finish writing her steamy novel. She encounters more than just the locals and her happy ending could end up washed out to sea.
Yes it's predictable, yes it is 'chick-lit' and no it won't win any literary prizes but sometimes you just need a book to enjoy without needed to think and analyse. The perfect book to enjoy whilst sipping a cocktail on a sun lounger by the pool.
The Wedding Day delivers all of this! A single mum with a 12 year old daughter is getting ready to marry her well regarded Dr fiance. With just 5 weeks to go, instead of getting carried away with wedding plans, Annie takes a beautiful grand house on the North Cornish coast to finish writing her steamy novel. She encounters more than just the locals and her happy ending could end up washed out to sea.
Yes it's predictable, yes it is 'chick-lit' and no it won't win any literary prizes but sometimes you just need a book to enjoy without needed to think and analyse. The perfect book to enjoy whilst sipping a cocktail on a sun lounger by the pool.
February 25, 2019
It was okay, it certainly had potential but then I suppose the author was either running out of ideas or space in the draft because the last few chapters were to me extremely rushed.
It was very predictable too, honestly the only thing that wouldn't is either her being alone or going back with her ex-husband. But we all love happy endings with a neat bow:)
The main character probably bugged me the most but I rather liked all the others in certain shades. Annie was not assertive and easily bothered by what people thought of her. Her experiences and interests should have made her stronger.
Other than that but not much to say. Annie's writing was a bit cringy but there was reasons for that.
It was very predictable too, honestly the only thing that wouldn't is either her being alone or going back with her ex-husband. But we all love happy endings with a neat bow:)
The main character probably bugged me the most but I rather liked all the others in certain shades. Annie was not assertive and easily bothered by what people thought of her. Her experiences and interests should have made her stronger.
Other than that but not much to say. Annie's writing was a bit cringy but there was reasons for that.
July 7, 2018
This was not one of Catherine Alliott's better novels.
I struggled to keep going with it. I only found one part funny (car wash piece) and none of the characters were credible for me.
To add further insult, about 30 pages of the book were duplicated towards the end, with some potential useful information having to be guessed at. I know that this is a printer error rather than the book, but it did detract.
I struggled to keep going with it. I only found one part funny (car wash piece) and none of the characters were credible for me.
To add further insult, about 30 pages of the book were duplicated towards the end, with some potential useful information having to be guessed at. I know that this is a printer error rather than the book, but it did detract.
December 21, 2017
Wonderful, funny and wise
Seemed to take forever to get to the STORY, but I'm glad I hung in there because I really enjoyed it! Lots of good insight on men and women, marriage and who is right for who...
I do wonder about this business of a couple actually working on getting pregnant BEFORE the wedding. Is that a British thing?
Seemed to take forever to get to the STORY, but I'm glad I hung in there because I really enjoyed it! Lots of good insight on men and women, marriage and who is right for who...
I do wonder about this business of a couple actually working on getting pregnant BEFORE the wedding. Is that a British thing?
January 9, 2021
I felt like this was a bit of a slow burner and the story didn’t really get going until the last few chapters. This is not the first book I’ve read by Catherine Alliott and from memory I liked some of her others so perhaps this one just isn’t for me. That said, once it did get going the story line was easy to follow and all the characters ended up with the outcome you’d hope for them.
February 28, 2019
I did kind of have an idea fairly quickly on where this book might end up. But I loved the journey of getting there! Catherine Alliott has a brilliant sense of humor and puts her charachters in such funny situations.
June 17, 2019
I don’t know... I just don’t understand, there’s way too little buildup for everything to happen the way it did. Annie is a strange woman, with insane mood swings that affect poor Flora. Anyway, I’m glad I got that over and done with. 2,5
August 31, 2017
A light but good holiday read. Quite predictable in places.
October 9, 2017
Must be the first book of hers that I’ve read in about 10 years. Enjoyed it.
February 19, 2018
Loved it. Not quite sure where the story would eventually go, but you have an inkling. Lovely, easy read, happy ending.
July 14, 2018
After reading the reviews I thought that I would dislike Annie the main character but I don't think she did the wrong thing by David at all. I enjoyed this book was a really easy read.
February 2, 2019
I found this nowhere near as good as Catherine Alliot's other books. I would have not bothered had I known ahead.
March 6, 2019
Nice easy reading but a bit predictable.
June 28, 2019
This was great read, I absolutely love Catherine's books.
Thoroughly enjoyable and can't wait to read more by this author.
Thoroughly enjoyable and can't wait to read more by this author.
December 25, 2019
A light entertaining read
February 28, 2021
Really easy to read and made me chuckle out loud. Lovely read!
May 26, 2025
Really enjoyed it, heartwarming. Thanks
October 14, 2019
Light-hearted beach read. I always find Alliotts sense of humour good which elevates this from some of the other 'chic-lit' summer reads.
January 25, 2016
I'm so happy to have fluked upon Catherine Alliott as an author. If I enjoyed Rosie Meadows Regrets then I throughly loved The Wedding Day. She writes beautifully, I learn lots of new words, the characters are likeable and the story whilst kind of predictable wasn't entirely so. Annie is divorced and has a 12 yo daughter Flora at the beginning of this story. She is also engaged to be married in 6 weeks to Dr David Palmer. After she walked out of her marriage to Adam because she couldn't tolerate one moment more of his womanising, betraying ways she hit rock bottom. David came to her rescue and after 12 months together they decided to tie the knot, and try to start a family. Annie is attempting to become a published author and since a publisher has expressed an interest in her book she needs to get away and focus on finishing the novel. David's aunt Gertrude has a home by the sea and Annie & Flora set of to spend 6 weeks there. It turns out however that Gertrude (an elderly and slightly befuddled aunt) has double booked the house and Matt arrives on the same day, expecting to have the place to himself until his son arrives. Whilst they don't hit it off immediately (I immediately suspected they'd end up together) they do form a friendship and they both try to deny/pretend not to recognise the sizzling chemistry between them. Meanwhile there are numerous other storylines unfolding. Adam, Annies ex husband wants to get back with her. Annies sister and her husband are having a bad patch and end up temporarily separated. Rosie (her best friend) & Dan are struggling to stay afloat since he was made redundant 12 months ago. David, is being sued for malpractice and is struggling to overcome his family history (which he has never revealed or admitted to Annie. He comes down for a visit, needing Annie but can tell almost immediately that there is something between Annie & Matt (even though they themselves have not admitted it and certainly have not acted upon it). He goes back to London after 2 nights and Annie gets a call from Gertrude that he's attempted suicide. She travels to see him in hospital and he is in a bad way but tells her he was prepared to die, he recognises she has feelings for someone else and wants to cut her loose. They call off the engagement and Annie returns to Matt. However, it's not all plain sailing there either. Matt's son Tod has been with Matt at the house but his mother thinks he's staying elsewhere because Matt does not have visitation rights. She finds out, takes him away and Matt is devastated but in the end Tod comes back because he doesn't want to be apart from his Dad. So much going on but it wasn't erratic, it certainly wasn't boring and it all tied in properly. Matt and Annie married and it was happy endings all round.
Annie/Adam then David then Matt & Rosie/Dan & Claire/Michael & Flora & Tod
Annie/Adam then David then Matt & Rosie/Dan & Claire/Michael & Flora & Tod
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews