As Edward Brannigan’s 70th birthday looms, his new wife Bess is planning a big party. But his daughter JoJo is certainly not in the mood for celebrations – she sorely misses her late mother Lottie, doesn’t like Bess at all, and she and husband Hugh are having fertility problems. JoJo’s cousin, book editor Cari, is also not in the party spirits either after her fiance stood her up at the altar and took off with a cousin – and both have been invited to the birthday party. Amid all the family dramas leading up to the big event, it appears that Edward’s estranged sister, Faenia, is also planning a long-overdue homecoming from the US. In true Cathy Kelly style, this story centres around multiple characters facing different challenges and relationship stresses. But it's certainly not one of her best. It did drag on a bit but its main downfall was its sheer abundance of characters – you had to be really paying attention to keep track of who was who.
Secrets of a Happy Marriage, by Cathy Kelly, follows what happens after Bess gets married. The summary says: "Any family knows that a special birthday party is the perfect chance to come together, but for the Brannigan clan it's about more than just raising a glass ...
Bess is hoping to show everyone just how happy her recent marriage is, but behind all the party-planning the cracks are beginning to show. Why is joining a family so difficult?
Jojo, Bess's stepdaughter, has a point to make. Bess is not her mother, and she won't replace the one she's been missing every day for the last two years. And will she ever get the chance to become a mum herself?
Cousin Cari is a fierce career-woman who isn't unnerved by anything - apart from facing the man who left her at the alter, and he's on the guestlist. Her job has been a safe place to hide ever since - but is it time to let love into her life again?
Thanks to laughter, tears and one surprise appearance, the Brannigans might just discover the secrets of a happy marriage . . . But will they find out before it's too late?" Secrets of a Happy Marriage is out in October 2016.