Gaby Summerhill is getting married at her house on Christmas Day, and is inviting all of her family and friends to join her for the special event. There’s just one hitch (so to speak) --- she’s not telling anyone who the groom is until the day of the wedding….not even the groom himself.

"If you’re in search of a light read with a unique story line and a bit of romance, THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING is a perfect choice."

Three different men --- Tom, Jacob and Marty --- have asked Gaby to marry them. They are all in their 50s and very good-looking. Jacob is a Jewish rabbi; Marty is Gaby’s former brother-in-law, her deceased husband’s brother; and Tom is an ex-hockey player. She hasn’t told any of them who her future husband will be. All she will divulge is her intention to wed one of them on December 25th, and she asks the suitors to help her plan the wedding. Fortunately, they have agreed to her terms and are eagerly anticipating the big day.

Gaby has four children: Claire, whose husband Hank is more interested in drinking beer and smoking pot than he is in doing much of anything else; Lizzie, whose husband Mike is suffering from brain cancer; Emily, a busy, successful corporate lawyer with her equally busy and successful resident neurosurgeon husband Bart; and Seth, who is unmarried but has a steady live-in girlfriend. Though Gaby wants all of them at her wedding, their busy lives may interfere.

Despite some minor gaps in the storyline and some questionable parenting on Claire’s part, I enjoyed this book, which is a significant departure from James Patterson’s countless mysteries and thrillers. With Richard DiLallo as his co-author, the novel is satisfying and well-written nonetheless. If you’re looking for Patterson’s trademark drama and suspense, you won’t find it here. But if you’re in search of a light read with a unique story line and a bit of romance, THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING is a perfect choice.