| Ellie Black is 33 years old. She is the Marketing Director for the Calden Hotel line. She enjoys her job but feels time is running out on her, wants nothing else but to get married and have a family. At a party, she meets up with Dan Cooper, who reminds her that they actually met four years ago when she was involved with someone else. Ellie firmly believes that she has met the man of her dreams. As their relationship progresses, Dan moves into Ellie's flat.
Having never been close to her own father since her mother died in a drunken driving accident, since she was little, Ellie has always wished to be a part of a big family. She is notably nervous when the day comes to meet Dan's parents, Michael and Linda Cooper, and Dan's little brother and sister Robert and Emma. Ellie is immediately enraptured by the Cooper family and enjoys all the attention and girl talk. When Dan proposes to Ellie, and she accepts, his parents are thrilled. Linda and Michael offer to pay for the wedding. Dan after all is her first born son. Linda begins to plan a wedding for 300 people. Not even close to what Ellie had dreamed of. When Ellie discovers she is pregnant just before the wedding, Linda is overjoyed at the prospect of her first grandchild. Ellie does get along fabulously with Dan's sister Emma. Robert is too busy finding his own niche, to be much concerned with his brother's life. Elllie begins to tire of Linda's constant phonecalls and unannounced drive-by visits. It is notable to see Dan and Ellie's montage of friends change from when they were single, to being a married couple. Ellie complains to one friend after just speaking to her mother-in-law on the phone. It is amusing in a way to find out that Ellie never hung up the phone properly, and Linda heard her entire tirade. Linda goes all out shopping to prepare for her grandchild but Ellie awkwardly balks at this gesture, wanting to do it on her own. Once Tom is born, Linda wants to be an all-encompassing grandma but Ellie resents more and more her incessant involvement. Dan refuses to get involved. Their petty arguing regarding this issue puts a strain on their marriage. When an accident happens with Linda and Tom while on vacation, Ellie tries to cut out all contact with Linda. It puts a visible strain on their marriage and they decide to separate. Dan and Ellie both try going out socially while separated and realize they are more miserable apart. They manage to reconcile and Ellie and Linda manage to come to an understanding. Michael throws a surprise 60th Birthday party for Linda with everyone there including a baby sister for Tom. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - thoughtful Time/era of story - 2000+ (Present Day) Family, struggle with Yes Struggle with: - In-laws Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Pregnancy/Child rearing Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - Female Age: - 40's-50's How sensitive is this character? Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 5 () Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Writing Style Amount of dialog - mostly dialog |
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