Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I was lucky enough to receive both an ebook ARC and an audiobook ALC of this book. The audiobook is narrated by Helen Laser, which I was excited about because I have enjoyed other titles she has narrated.

I thought this book was a fast and enjoyable read, perfect for the summer. I started and finished this book in under a day. I thought the story was kind of exciting and I enjoyed the characters, although I wouldn't say they are all too likeable. With that being said, I thought the ending was lackluster, and had the book had a different ending, I would have probably rated it 5 stars. I also think that Helen Laser's fabulous narration is what kept me wanting to find out what happens in this story.
Even if the ending was slightly lackluster (and abrupt), I would still read more books written by Alison Espach in the future.

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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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This was so surprising and heart-opening!! We started the audiobook on a roadtrip while I followed along on e-reader and at no point did we know where the story would go. There is a part on page 134 or so that ROCKED us to our cores - screaming in the vehicle with excitement and intrigue. Phoebe was unlikeable at first, and so was Lila for that matter, but the two of them grow on you so much. So much happens in this book that by the end we were truly feeling like we'd spent a weekend on a huge emotional journey with all of the wedding people. I truly was so shocked to have loved this as much as I did and I think going in blind was perfect.

4.5!!

Mixed feelings

This story was a mix of emotions for me. Sometimes I was bored and couldn't wait for something interesting to happen, unfortunately, that didn't happen very often. The main character is at a pivot point in her life, alone because her husband left her, so she decides to visit a fancy hotel that she dreamed of them visiting together while they were married, but didn't. Phoebe decides this would be the perfect place to end it all.

As Phoebe, dressed in a way too formal green dress shows up at the hotel, it turns out that she is the only hotel guest not associated with Lila's big wedding. Like a $1 million big. Lila is not quite a bridezilla, but adjacent. Her friends, who really aren't, are annoying clones of each other. Her future sister in law has her own issues. The groom is a gastroenterologist about 20 years older than Lila. Lila's mother shows up and tries to take the attention away from Lila and put it on herself. And all that (and more) is just the first day of 'wedding week".

I tend to have a mental picture when I'm reading, and Phoebe's picture was that of an older woman, maybe 60's or so...but I came to realize she is younger. The point is, she acted like she was older, no hope left for her, etc. This is not said to poke fun at depression at all, just my dislike of the character.

I really wanted to like this book. The location is beautiful, overlooking the ocean, the hotel sounds like a dream destination, but that's where it ends for me. I'm sure there are a lot of readers who will absolutely enjoy the story, I'm unfortunately just not one of them.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I don't think I have enough words to say how much I enjoyed this book. I fell in love with these characters. This book just made you feel something special. Such a fun and inspiring read.

This was fantastic. The dialog was superbly genuine and I loved the character development. Additionally, it was hilarious at times and heart wrenching at times. I fell in love with the characters and was rooting for all of them (even when Lila was being bratty). The motivation for each character's actions is shown, creating deeply relatable characters. A solid 5 stars for me.

This was a beautifully written story. The main character has hit rock bottom and has decided to end her life at a fancy old hotel that charges $800 a night. Other than herself, the entire hotel is booked by "The Wedding People" who she ends up rubbing shoulders with throughout the wedding week. It obviously covers a lot of heavy topics, but it does so with witty, albeit dark, humor. I loved the inner thoughts of Phoebe and I was routing for her to view her life and potential clearly. I also appreciated that it didn't end with a neatly tied bow, but you knew she would end up ok.

Trigger Warnings:
•Mental health issues
•Infidelity
•Depression
•Suicide ideation
•Infertility
•Death

⭐️3.75
“But Phoebe is starting to understand that on some nights, Lila is probably the loneliest girl in the world, just like Phoebe”.

I pictured the chaotic, hilarious parts in the film, “My Best Friend’s Wedding” when I read this one.
There were parts in the middle when I was anxious to get to the plot, but the last 20-30% was engaging.

Everything can be so terrible in your life, but when you least expect it, it can completely change.

If you like unexpected, unusual friendships like I do, you’ll love this funny, feel-good story.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5951311067

Pub date: July 30, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

I loooove the dark humor and the way that mental health discussions are written. Also ""𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓈𝑜 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝓇𝑒𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝓃 𝒾𝓃 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀𝓈, 𝓈𝑜 𝒷𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝓇𝑒𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝓃 𝒾𝓃 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒. 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝓎 𝓈𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝓅𝓇𝑒𝒻𝑒𝓇𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀𝓈 - 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒹𝑒𝓇" this quote is EVERYTHING. Great read.

“I have feelings. But everybody thinks that just because I’m like really f’ing blonde or something, I don’t have feelings. But you know what? My hair is not even blonde.”

🔹 Genre: Contemporary fiction
🩵 Steamy rating: Moderate, but a lot of sexual joking and discussions
🗣️ Profanity: High

This was a perfect summer beach read. The Wedding People was funny and outrageous. After going through a traumatic divorce, Phoebe arrives at the luxury Rhode Island hotel without a bag…. Just the dress she is wearing. She’s the only guest at the hotel not a wedding guest. Before you know it, Phoebe has become part of the wedding party entangling herself in the lives of the bride, groom, and their friends and family.

The characters made this book complete. Phoebe and Lila were so funny and perfect. Their friendship was unexpected but delightful. The groom, Gary, was such a dad. He made me giggle. I imagine he buys cargo shorts from Costco. This one was outrageous but had some hidden wisdom. This book is a great reminder that you are in control of your happiness.

🎧 Method: Macmillan Audiobook
📘 2024 book count: 93

Triggers: Infidelity, death of a parent, Cancer, betrayal

This was different from what I expected, in a good way. I enjoyed the storyline that had interesting characters, dealt with serious issues but had plenty of humor too. Characters experienced disappointments and new paths and new friendships and growth. Thank you Henry Holt & Co. For providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

Alison Espach's The Wedding People is character driven novel about second chances. After a slow start, I found the book to be compelling and I was rooting for the main character, Phoebe, to find her happiness.

"Can you sometimes try to love the things you hate about yourself?"
"It is good to want things, even the humiliating things."
"And it's true. How easy to be dead. How lucky to be alive, even for just one day."
"Nobody can take of you the way you need to take care of yourself. It's your job to take care of yourself,"

This book is all about moving on, loving yourself, and finding peace and happiness. At times, the story is dark. But, all in all, it is about triumphing and make the most out of every day!

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC!

I didn't know what to expect going into this book, but it sure wasn't all that this book ends up being! I'd love to see this made into a movie, too - but a good rendition of the book, not changed. I didn't think I would enjoy the book as much as I did, it's amazing!

The concept of this book is fascinating and I just loved all the characters! They all play a great role in the storylines and it's absolutely entertaining!

Lila is the bride who's using the inheritance from her father to plan the most perfect wedding she can - she's got it all planned, rented an entire coastal hotel to host all her friends and family. Or so she thought, until she runs into Phoebe on the hotel elevator and learns her story. She's at the hotel for an entirely different reason. And despite the odds, the quickly become acquainted and Lily turns to Phoebe when her perfect wedding has problems.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn as the only uninvited wedding guest. Lila has her wedding planned down to the last minute and contingencies for everything, except Phoebe. In an unexpected turn of events, they two become confidants and help each other get through the week.

In our winding path through life, there may come a time when we change the course of someone’s life without even knowing it. This tender and heartfelt book shows the power that just one person can make. Espach has crafted a wonderful story with great dialog and moment of humor of a found makeshift family at a week long destination wedding. The characters were well developed and the pace and plot made this is a un put-downable read. Great for the summer wedding season!

Phoebe Stone shows up at a hotel and mistakenly gets swept up into wedding festivities right when she is at her lowest. She starts her day thinking that it will be the last day of her life and instead she starts down a totally different path with the help of an unexpected group of people. In this character-driven and touching tale, Espach tackles so many issues that people deal with today: marriage, infidelity, infertility, loneliness, death, friendship and disappointment. While these issues can be heavy, the book is so engaging, heartwarming, thought-provoking, and hilarious, and it often went in directions I was not expecting. I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the intergenerational friendship, and the book’s resolution; this will be one of my top reads of the year. For fans of well-written books with a lot of humor and heart.

This is my first novel by Alison Espach. I really enjoyed this creative contemporary story. Phoebe (FMC) shows up to a hotel that is fully booked with “Wedding People”. What happens next is a very honest and entertaining story. Highly recommend.

Thank you Henry Holt & Co. for an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This book starts in despair with Phoebe the main character wanting to end it all after a series of hard to handle events in her life. The hotel that she deemed her happy place but never has been too would be her final adventure in her self-deemed mediocre life. But by happenstance she is the only other guest to a full wedding week planned by Laila.

Laila is a young, high strung, and seemly selfish bride to be that ultimately fails to let Phoebe end her life and instead uses her as one of only people to maybe understand and respect Laila.

While the story focuses on Phoebe learning and then reinventing herself into a new life that she is proud to be apart of. It also focuses on Laila doing the exact same thing in finding herself after a death and finally realizing with the help of Phoebe that she is living a lie and can do more. It took both of them finding each other to save and reinvent their respective lives and form a great friendship in the process.

Along with friendship comes love between Phoebe and Laila’s fiancé that is sweet, enduring, and honest. Something more than her ex husband.

Overall I thought this book was a 4.2. It was equal parts sweet, sad but insightful, and funny. I enjoyed almost all it with a little slowness between two sections. I would highly recommend and I would want everyone to live like Phoebe in speaking their truth when they have been contempt for so long.

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. and Netgalley for the advanced read I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This book went in directions I didn't expect, and that is almost always enjoyable. It struck a balance between serious themes and humor, which is so difficult to do. The characters were well drawn, even if they were at times tough to take, though that all brought realism to the book. I enjoyed this one.

I’m not sure where to even begin. This book was a slow build, and completely had me conflicted at the beginning. I thought I was going into a joyful wedding weekend filled with a host of crazy, stereotypical wedding people, and this was not it at all.

When her life takes a drastic turn, Phoebe Stone spontaneously decides to get away from it all and take the trip she has dreamed of taking with her now ex-husband. The Cornwall Inn in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island, is brimming with guests when she arrives, and when she’s mistaken for one of them, Phoebe’s swept up in all the pomp and circumstance.

This book was not the uplifting read I thought I was getting. In the vein of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, Espach takes us on a week-long journey with Phoebe and her interactions with the overly meticulous bride, her older groom and his daughter. It was hard for me to like any of the characters, and at times I found myself struggling to keep going, but then there were parts of the book that I found myself relating to and kept on turning pages. I found the author’s style of writing and dark humor to be engaging, and ultimately what kept me reading. While I finished, this was not an easy read for me.

Trigger warnings include topics of suicide, infertility and infidelity.

Thank you to Alison Espach, Henry Holt and Co., and NetGalley for an advance electronic copy for an honest review.

Five+ golden stars.
A wonderfully written book that had me smiling the majority of the read. It has heart, humor, and human connection. I hope it turns into a movie.
Phoebe arrives at the Cornwall Inn with the anticipation of taking her life. She chose this place because it was the most beautiful place. For years she dreamt of coming with her husband for a romantic getaway.
However, the Inn has been booked for the entire week for Gary and Lila’s perfect wedding. Soon Phoebe finds herself swept up in the wedding party. Lila, the bride, does not live in the moment because she is always looking for what can go wrong. She dotted every I and crossed every T for the perfect pre-wedding week. Everything accounted for except the uninvited guest. Lila meets Phoebe on the elevator with her rock bottom and sassy attitude. Phoebe confesses her purposes for coming to the Inn. Phoebe speaks the truth with the why not attitude. Soon the two women confess to one another about things they would have never said out loud to anyone. Not only the bride, but the groom also confides confessions to the uninvited guest. I loved the spoken words of the characters inter monologue. This book is full of secrets, regrets, infidelity, dark humor, death, judgement, and depression. Written so smoothly it entwined its words around and tugged me in for some deep rooted mental escape.
Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for an ARC read in exchange for my review.

Phoebe Stone has been disappointed a lot in her life. After suffering through multiple failed IVF attempts to have a child, her husband Matt tells her he's in love with one of her friends and then leaves. Phoebe's an adjunct college professor who never quite lived up to her potential, and certainly never finished that novel she was hoping to write. So she books the most expensive room in a pricey hotel, dressed up to the nines with a plan to end it all. There's a wedding party that has taken over the whole hotel, and she winds up getting swept into the festivities and interacting with the bride, her family, friends, and groom.

As the story evolves, we see Phoebe transform from a depressed and constricted individual to a disarmingly honest personality that touches people. This was an enjoyable character study covering themes such as suicide, infertility, abandonment, life goals, sexuality, and relationships. The setting of a wedding is a favorite trope of mine, so this was a pleasant read.

Thank you to the publisher Henry Holt & Company for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.