Laura and Lila were college roommates - one dark and Jewish, the other the epitome of golden WASP - dom at the centre of a close knit group of witty, warm, quirky friends. Ten years later, a day before Lila's wedding to Laura's former boyfriend Tom McDevon, it's clear that the dynamics among the group have changed. Tripler and Pete got married, then Weesie and Jake. Is Laura not only the lone Jew, but the only one of the posse not coupled up? Struggling with the traditionally thankless role of maid of honour - and Lila's formidable mother Augusta to contend with - for the first time Laura realises she can't stop thinking about her complicated, long, intense relationship with the groom. But isn't that relationship far in the past?Unfolding over two days on the coast of Maine, "The Happiest Day Of Her Life" is beautifully and simply written, an appealing novel that nimbly follows the shifting allegiances among an unforgettable ensemble of characters, with three strong, dynamic characters as its core.