I absolutely loved this book! It reminds you that life is hard, but yet full of beautiful moments and connections.

What can possibly happen when a suicidal woman and a bride who has been planning her perfect wedding converge? Alison Espach's latest novel The Wedding People answers that very question. Phoebe Stone is an adjunct literature professor whose life isn't exactly fantastic. She can't get a tenure track teaching position, she can't finish the book she's been writing for 10 years, and she can't conceive. After the end of her marriage she makes the plan to rent a room at a luxury resort, swallow pills, and drift into oblivion. Lila, the bride of the wedding taking place at the resort, knows the suicide will ruin the vibe of her wedding weekend, so she implores Phoebe to postpone her plan until the wedding is over.

Alison Espach's humor and love for the more flawed members of humanity are on full display in The Wedding People. Lila may be seen as callous, but she has been bullied a bit in regard to marrying an older man. She needs the wedding to happen so people will see the love between her and her fiance is real. Phoebe needs human connection after the isolation of Covid and the end of her marriage. Lila and Phoebe bond, but the pairing is more like two burrs hooked together rather than say peanut butter and jelly. Both Lila and Phoebe are prickly and determined to get their way. Phoebe begins to bond with the members of the wedding group. As each interaction occurs Phoebe begins to heal. Espach's crisp phrasing and dark humor does not underplay the seriousness of suicidal ideation, but rather backlights the absurdity of life. Through Phoebe readers see that life is worth living, even through the worst of things that can happen.

I absolutely loved this book. It's one of my favorite reads in 2024. it's all about the taking a path and doing things you never thought you would do. I loved all the characters and their stories. Each one is relatable or you have a friend like that. I could very much relate to Phoebe in a lot of ways and about not taking changes. it's about putting yourself out there and things working out.

I read this book in one sitting! It is the perfect summer or be read. It takes the reader on a journey of self reflection and embracing change. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Phoebe, an English professor with a speciality in 19th-Century literature, has come to the Cornwall Inn to kill herself.

As someone who recently got married I was particularly interested in The Wedding People by Alison Espach. I read Espach’s first novel The Adults back in 2011 and I remember being drawn into the world of the characters, so I was hoping to have a similar experience with her third novel. It did not disappoint.

Espach’s writing is funny and real. Her characters straddle the line between authentic and archetype in the best way. I found myself say “YES! So true!” more than once. The dialogue is smart and moves the plot along swiftly. If I had to find something to be frustrated with, I’d say it was how annoyed I was with some of the characters. But again, this is part of what makes the book so good — these are the people at the wedding who are annoying. Without them it wouldn’t feel as true to life.

If you are looking for an easy read that will still have to reflecting on life and love and life, I recommend The Wedding People.

Prefacing this review by saying I feel a little bit bad for the girls who are going to see this cover in a bookstore and think they've just found their perfect light beach read. You've been warned: this novel is NOT a fluffy romcom.

With that said, I loved it! It took me a few chapters to sink my teeth in, but once I hit the 50% mark, I couldn't put it down. I grew to love each character, it was witty and made me laugh out loud, and having lived in Newport RI, I found the depictions of the area and its people to be spot on.

4.5 rounded up to 5!

Thanks Henry Holt & Co. for the opportunity to read an eARC ahead of this book's release. It will be published July 30.

When Phoebe arrives at The Grand Cornwall Inn, she is at a low point in her life. Lila meanwhile, has planned the best, the biggest, the most perfect wedding you could ever imagine. Including renting out the entire hotel for her guests, which Phoebe is not. Phoebe just wanted to be alone, but Lila is determined to know more about her and it seems the wedding people won’t stop until she is pulled into their orbit.

This book started a bit dark, but it ended up being a delightfully fun and quirky story, that also took a look at the wedding industry as a whole. I was immediately taken with Lila, but also sort of hated her at the same time, which I think is how Phoebe felt as well. Every time I would start to soften toward her she did something else that took me back to square one. I think this book also took a deeper look at wedding culture, without beating you over the head with it. The need to get married by a certain age, the need to have the over the top wedding where everything is perfect, and maybe a bit of sometimes people forgetting that at the end of the day, the wedding is about the person you are marrying and starting your life with, not about all the tiny details. I really enjoyed seeing Phoebe grow and heal throughout this story, and the wedding activities brought the fun!

Thank you to @henryholtbooks for my gifted copy of this book!

A delightful story!

After a devastating breakup Phoebe books a stay at a fabulous hotel to be alone to brood. She immediately gets caught up in a week-long wedding party that has booked the rest of the hotel. Seeing that she's sad and alone the hesitant young bride insists that she join them, an unlikely friendship ensues with surprising results.

Ohhh Shoot… I LOVED this book!

Knowing very little about what I was in for made my reading experience the absolute best. In The Wedding People you meet Phoebe who has booked herself a stay at the beautiful Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island… mistaken as being apart of the wedding party… (the only other guests at the hotel) she finds herself confiding to the bride why she’s really there…

From there you are taken on a tailspin getting to know the characters, wedding shenanigans… delivered with clever dialogue and the brutal truth of sadness. I will be thinking about this group for some time and would love to pick up a finished copy because there was so many words of wisdom shared.

I would not be surprised if this is one of the major Bookclub picks!

Thank you Henry Holt and Co. & Macmillan Audio
Releases 7/30

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4.5 stars! One of the best books I have read this year. The Wedding People covers tough subjects (infidelity, infertility, unfulfilling job, divorce) but is emotional and funny. It follows two women from completely different walks of life and their unlikely friendship that grows over the span of a week. I could not put this book down. It had me tearing up and laughing within a few paragraphs.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Henry Holt for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion. This comes out 7/30/24 and I know a lot of people will love it.

A suitable book for summer reading that leaves much to reflect on about the journey of self-discovery, overcoming oneself, and seeking new opportunities. I was very satisfied after finishing this book.

The Wedding People got off on an "I'm not sure.." kind of vibe, but within the first 10%, I was sold and thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The setup is about suicide, and at first dive, I was thinking, "I cannot read a lite book about suicide." But wait - it's just the setup- no one dies in this book. Once I was assured the book's heroine survives, I enjoyed the situations and character development. The setting, Newport, Rhode Island, is not used very often outside of Guilded Age historical fiction, and I enjoyed the modern visit.

I prefer romance novels with strong female characters on a mission to become stronger—no swoon for me. The Wedding People delivered. Additionally, the ancillary characters are likable and have their own growth curves. The pacing is fast, with farely short chapters ameniable to vacation reading - but I got so involved I read the last 2/3 in one sitting.

The Wedding People is a delightful, quirky novel that is a perfect summer vacation read.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.

Stop what you're doing and go get this book. It's perfect. The characters are interesting and odd and unique - the story is lovely and funny and earnest - and the writing is top notch. I laughed out loud many, many times and felt tension and angst at the same time. It's the perfect book. Buying for everyone I know. Thanks to the publishers for the advanced copy. WHAT A GIFT.

Overcome with depression after a series of struggles, a woman checks in at a resort intending to end her life. Instead, she becomes tangled up with the wedding party occupying the rest of the resort and through them finds the courage to start over. This was sweet, funny, introspective, touching, everything you could want from a story like this. Full of memorable characters and a realistic look at tough topics like mental health and infertility. It really captures the power of unexpected connections and how transformative it can be to open yourself up.

This is heavy and full of trauma but wow it was amazing!! I love the dark humor and how much this represented mental health. Character development was top notch, I loved every single one. This book deserves so much hype for how well it was done!!

Alison Espach's The Wedding People is a captivating exploration of unexpected encounters and the poignant twists of fate that shape our lives. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Newport, Rhode Island, the novel introduces us to Phoebe Stone, a woman whose arrival at the Cornwall Inn amidst wedding festivities sparks a series of delightful and poignant interactions.

Phoebe, initially mistaken for a wedding guest, finds herself drawn into the intricate web of the bride's meticulously planned event. Despite being the only guest not there for the wedding, Phoebe becomes an unlikely confidante, sharing moments of uproarious humor and tender vulnerability with the women caught up in the celebrations.

Espach's narrative skillfully navigates between humor and pathos, painting a vivid picture of Phoebe's journey as she navigates her own dreams and disappointments. Through witty dialogue and keen observations, the novel explores the unpredictability of life and the profound connections that can arise from chance encounters.

The Wedding People is a delightful read that blends comedy with heartfelt emotion, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of human relationships and the serendipitous nature of finding oneself in unexpected places. Espach's writing is both charming and insightful, making this novel a memorable exploration of life's unexpected detours and the resilience found in forging new paths.
Thank you to NetGalley for advanced copy of this book.

I loved the writing and the funny banter. The character development was so good and the dialogue so natural. It was easy to picture this being a movie with a beautiful setting.

It’s been awhile since a book has really sucked me in from page one, but Wedding People did! I could not put it down.

If you are looking for a book filled with a lot of heart and humor look no further. The book follows Phoebe, who is had it with her life, and decides to check into a fancy hotel in Newport. Upon arrival she discovers the hotel has been booked for a wedding and she should not have been allowed a booking. What ensues will make you laugh, cry, and feel every emotion in between. Ultimately the book is about connections and just how important they are. You never know how interacting with someone can impact their day.

Five stars!!! I cannot recommend this enough!
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but once I started reading it I was completely enthralled. What a cast of characters .Phoebe ended up being the change for all around her and in doing that changed herself. Also. who plans a wedding week? I am also glad the authorgaveus a glimpse into Phoebes possible future. Please read this!

Phoebe's life is going off the rails so what does she do? She books a room at an Inn she's dreamed of visiting, puts on her most beautiful dress that she's never worn, and waltzes into the Inn with a solid plan. Then she meets Lila and plans change.

When I requested this book from NetGalley I assumed I was getting a fun summer beach read but I got so much more. The characters are developed beautifully and while some of the subjects are not laughing matters, you will still find yourself chuckling over conversations and situations. At the beginning, I wasn't really "getting" Phoebe and certainly didn't care for her but by the end, you'll wish you could be her friend. Then again almost all the characters are that way, you grow to love them for who they are and what they bring to "The Wedding People" group, except Jim, you love him right off the bat! This book exceeded my expectations in so many ways.

I understand the movie rights have been purchased and if that's true, then I cannot wait to see this in movie form. The character dialogue is beautiful and funny and all the feels in between. I suspect this will be quite the bestseller!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Alison Espach, and Henry Holt & Co (publisher) for this advance copy to read and enjoy.