Courtesy of Beaverdale Books

Reviewed by Barb Palar

By James Patterson

Little Brown and Company

10/17/11

$25.99

266 pp

It’s been three years since Gaby Summerhill’s husband died and at least that long since her four grown children have all been home for Christmas. But, Gaby has a plan to bring them all home this Christmas. A wedding. Hers. But the identity of the groom will remain secret until Christmas Day.

She reveals the three contenders for the role of her husband in a series of DVDs sent to her children, each overcoming obstacles in their own busy lives. First is Claire, whose husband is a jerk. Besides her crumbling marriage, Claire is preoccupied with a son who is in danger of getting kicked out of the private school where Claire tutors to pay his tuition. Then there’s Gaby’s son, Seth, who is stuck in a dead-end receptionist job while waiting for a publishing break. He and his fiancé attempt the trip in their ramshackle car. The third child is Lizzie, whose own husband is struggling with cancer. And then there is Emily, a hotshot Manhattan lawyer who works too hard for a prestigious law firm, when she’d rather be doing pro bono work.

The three contenders for her hand are Marty, the brother of her late husband; Tom, the handsome athlete; and Jacob, a gentle rabbi. All have asked for her hand but she’s keeping them in the dark until she walks down the aisle. “The Christmas Wedding” is a quick read that offers a few clichés, but you’ll quickly get swept up in this jewel of a family who will do anything to get home for Christmas to see their Mom find happiness. CV