The plot surrounds the planning for the upcoming 25th wedding anniversary celebration of Desmond and Deidre Doyle, natives of Ireland who have resided in London since their marriage.

Brother Brendan left the family long ago to live on his uncle's farm in west Ireland, and can't be counted on to even make an appearance.

[2][4] The novel further explores the lives of other significant people who attended the Doyles' wedding 25 years before: the bridesmaid, Maureen Barry, who learns after her mother's death that her father never really died; the best man, Frank Quigley, who has loved many women in his life, starting with the bridesmaid; and the priest, Father Hurley, a well-meaning man who struggles with his decision to protect his nephew from being identified as a hit and run driver.

[8] A New York Times review favorably contrasts this work with earlier titles by Binchy, commending the novelist's evolution from writing "skillfull, superior commercial fiction" to creating "an elegant literary construction, a comedy of manners as well as a soap opera".

[1] The review continues: "Ms. Binchy is a wonderful student of human nature, and in superb little scenes she subtly articulates their hopes, vanities and delusions".