***An Eastern Eye Best Book of 2024***

'THE BIG DAY is a big delight... I was rooting for Noor and Dan and their happy ever after throughout. It was a wonderful read' - Cesca Major

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A funny, heartwarming and page-turning novel about a British-Asian mother and daughter, who clash over the plans for the bride's Big Day.

Noor has no interest in getting married (much to the aunties' distress). Growing up she saw first-hand how divorce tears families apart... But then, she falls in love.

Soon, Noor's engaged and planning an intimate wedding that feels perfect for her and her fiancé Dan. But when Noor discovers her mother Leena also has grand plans for the Big Day, their once-close relationship starts to unravel. Noor can't understand why Leena is determined to have an elaborate Desi celebration when their lives have been anything but traditional. And after a lifetime following other people's dreams, Noor is determined not to back down.

As Leena and Noor clash over every point on their to-do lists, it begins to look like there will be two weddings and only one bride. And when family secrets shake the women's bond further, will there even be a wedding at all?

***

Praise for Aliya Ali-Afzal:

'Uplifting and joyous... A refreshing new voice in commercial fiction' Cosmopolitan

'Warm, intelligent [...] and keeps up the tension right till the end' Sophie Kinsella

'A fresh take on domestic dynamics and moral dilemma' Clare Mackintosh

'I devoured this book' Sarah Pearse

'Tense, funny, poignant and very clever' Claire Douglas

Aliya Ali-Afzal has a degree in Russian and German from UCL and an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London. While working as an Executive MBA Career Coach for business schools in London, one day, she decided to take her own advice and pursue her secret dream of becoming a writer. Her debut novel Would I Lie To You was selected for World Book Night 2022, was a Summer Reads Pick by Penguin Books UK, picked for Summer Must Reads by Adele Parks, a Clare Mackintosh Book Club pick and featured in The New York Post as a 'fab British export'. It has also been translated into Arabic and published in the UAE in 2023. Aliya's writing has been longlisted for the Bath Novel Award, the Mslexia Novel Competition, the Mo Siewcharran Prize, and the Primadonna Prize. Aliya is a proud Londoner and is now a full-time writer and a creative writing teacher and mentor. Connect with Aliya on Instagram @aliyaaliafzalauthor and on X @AAAiswriting