Aliya Ali-Afzal, author of Would I Lie to You? is getting set to release her latest novel, The Big Day on the 6th of June.

The book is described as a funny, heart-warming 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?

Aliya has a degree in Russian and German from UCL and worked as an Executive MBA Career Coach in London. While helping her clients to pursue their dream lives and careers, she decided to take her own advice and become a writer. 

She is studying for an MA in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, is an alum of Curtis Brown Creative, and has had her writing longlisted for the Bath Novel Award, the Mslexia Novel Competition, the Mo Siewcharran Prize, and the Primadonna Prize. Aliya has lived in London all her life since moving there from Pakistan as a young child.