Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Wedding People by Alison Espach. This novel offers a witty and sometimes bittersweet look into the world of weddings, relationships, and the messy dynamics that come with them. Espach’s writing is sharp and observant, filled with moments of humor and emotional insight. The characters are relatable, though at times their development felt a bit uneven. The plot meanders in places, and while it’s an enjoyable read, it occasionally loses its momentum. Overall, The Wedding People is a charming, thought-provoking story about love, expectations, and the complicated nature of human connections, making it a pleasant, if not unforgettable, read.

This book was not what I expected from the title. When I see the word "wedding," I expect love and happiness, and this book is far from that. This went to some very dark places (trigger warning for suicide). The many different shifts the main character went through in such a short time and some of the things that happened I found completely unbelievable. Everything was just a bit over-the-top for me.

Alison Espach's The Wedding People starts with the encounter of a suicidal woman with a wedding party: what follows is a lovely story of two women coming together and forming a very strong bond. The characters are wonderfully complex, and my favorite aspect of this books was the dialogue of the characters. At some point, one of the characters asks another "Have you ever talked to another person?" which is a question I often ask myself when reading a less-well written book. In this case, the characters have certainly spoken to other people and act as real people. Even the ending, which is a bit predictable and cheesy, was satisfying.

The Wedding People is a suprisingly funny 'chick lit' read, in spite of some of the most serious subject matter (suicidal ideation, divorce, etc.). While the ending is somewhat predictable, the unique narrator and spot-on observations about 'wedding people' makes this an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THE WEDDING PEOPLE was so different than I expected, but in the very best way. Allison Espach broaches heavy topics like loneliness, grief, and depression but handles them with a light yet sensitive touch. There is so much to adore about this story, especially if you can’t get enough of the found family trope.

This was a perfect summer read that struck the perfect balance between humor and heart. The characters were memorable and I enjoyed the direction that Espach took each character. I’ll be eager to read what Espach writes next!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved loved loved everything about this novel. The dialogue is so beautifully written and witty. I cried, I laughed, and I got a warm fuzzy feeling after reading this one.

I LOVED this book and couldn’t put it down! I loved how this book married depth with humor so seamlessly (pun intended)! One of my favorite books of the year!

This was excellent; I’m surprised and a little bit disappointed that I ended up giving this a 4 (as opposed to a 5). This started out so strong for me! The writing was incredible, it leaned literary and a took itself just a little bit too seriously, but in a way I seriously vibed with. The characters were do human and flawed, but likable and for the most part, you could understand their motivations. This really rugged in my heartstrings. I cried a couple of times, and underlined passages to read and discuss with my husband. The deterioration of her own relationship with her husband was impeccably portrayed, I thought.

Where this lost me a little bit was the romance element. For such a deep book, I couldn’t believe where this ended up! It felt a little flat to me. Like, when I pick up a rom-com, I expect it to be predictable. It follows a general formula. It’s part of the appeal of that genre. This was decidedly not a rom-com, or a romance. So why did it feel so tropey and simple at the end? I thought it made no sense that her ex-husband wanted her back, and that also felt cringeworthy and tropey. Like oh this is just what happens! The ex always comes crawling back! …no! They don’t! And I think her growth was clear enough without having her ex-husband show up as a litmus test for whether she’d really moved on. I also thought, given the parallel of her falling in love with someone completely off limits and who is with someone she considers a friend (similar to what her husband did, obviously) that there wasn’t more internal monologue of her struggling with guilt/realizing how these feelings can sometimes grow even against your better judgment. For someone who ruminates A LOTTTTTT, it was borderline unbelievable to me that we didn’t get more of her inner thoughts about this experience/parallel.

So due to some of the issues I had, I’m docking this down to a 4.5. But this was exceptional! It was very different from anything I’ve ever read, and given the somewhat pretentiousness of the writing, I’m actually surprised (but happy!) that this is getting such great reviews from the general public!

I wasn't sure how Espach could possibly top how much I loved Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance, but she did. Told in her trademark, witty and sardonic tone and full of complex characters you can't help but care for, The Wedding People is a 5-star read! It's skillful handling of emotionally deep but relatable topics of depression, love, and life's chance encounters make it one heck of a memorable read.

4.5/5 ⭐️ - Thank you to NetGalley & Henry Holt & Co. for the ARC!

Goodness gracious, this book packed such an unexpected emotional punch! Be warned, there is definitely dark subject matter (see trigger warnings), but also such lovely emotional connection, dark humor, and what I feel is a really beautifully written description of the human experience through good and bad. The Wedding People is a heavily character-driven story, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute with each character.

I loved this book. A great book about the turns and twists life can take you on when often your lowest moment can turn into complete triumph. I loved the setting of this book and all of the wedding intrigue. Kept me thoroughly engaged.

I unfortunately did not get the hype around this book. I was expecting a light rom com. It is filled with dark topics and some wit but just could not get into it. Also the chapters are super long and made the book drag on. Most likely would have been a DNF if not been an ARC.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy via Netgalley!

I read NOTES ON YOUR SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE by the same author and absolutely loved it. The book was dark, gritty, and well delivered. I was so excited to see that she came out with this one, and went into it knowing that it would also probably be pretty dark and sad - but I was okay with that, and ready to dive in.

This story was described online as heartwarming and humorous, though - and in my opinion, it was neither of those things. I let out 0 chuckles and I was so frustrated by the end that I wanted all my time back that I spent reading it.

Now that it’s behind me, I cannot believe the amount of time I wasted on this overly crass book. The storyline had SO MUCH PROMISE, but I was insanely distracted by the language throughout sounding like a teenage boy trying to impress his friend. There are words and phrases in this book that I haven’t heard since I was 15, and I would’ve preferred to keep it that way. The characters cursed like sailors, had almost no emotional depth to them, and all were pretty awful to one another.

The book is also chock full of trigger warnings, so I highly recommend researching those thoroughly before going in. The main ones I can think of are: infidelity, infertility, suicide, miscarriage, talk of a pandemic, grief, and death of a parent.

2 stars and an automatic delete off my kindle.

This book was entertaining from the first page to the last. Author Alison Espach demonstrated exceptional writing in this work and tackled many, MANY topics worth discussing (but I won't provide any spoilers!)

The premise is quite dark and worth a trigger warning (suicide ideation) but the author twists the outcome into a tale that captivates the attention entirely. I immediately became invested in the outcomes and did not want to put this book down until finding out how the story ends for this ensemble of characters (which, again, Alison managed effortlessly.)

Thankfully, I feel like this book doesn't fit a specific season and can be read at any time during the year!

Cannot wait to see what's next from Espach!

I loved this book! I wish I would have read it sooner. Fair warning that it does deal with suicide but I felt in a very authentic and realistic manner that many depressed people experience. I feel the book resonated more with me as I am also a professor in an area where "being stuck" seems to be part of the career. So a lot of the main character's thoughts seem familiar in her career choice, aspirations and hopes. Beyond that this story is warm, thoughtful, funny and likeable. You live a week in the life of wedding with one uninvited guest who is the many character. In that week, you experience family drama, humor and let two strangers help figure out what the other wants. I connected with the characters well and feel like I have known many people like these characters. This author understands how to describe a scene and give you the mood at the same time. I enjoyed the Gary storyline the most. How the author entices you to will the character to react is just smart writing. I will be telling everyone about this book and will definitely have it at the top of my reads for this year. Please take the time to read it.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach is such a fun and relatable read! It’s all about the craziness of weddings and relationships, with hilarious characters that feel so real. The book has a perfect mix of funny moments and more serious ones, and I found myself laughing out loud at some parts. Espach really knows how to show the awkward, messy parts of love and family, and it makes the story super engaging.

What I really liked is how it shocks you at the outset and then proceeds to go so much deeper than I expected it too. It’s really about figuring out who you are and what it means to be yourself. The writing is sharp and easy to get into, and even though it’s funny, there are some deeper messages about life that stick with you.

A unique story that delves into happiness being fluid and defined differently by everyone. Heavily character driven, the reader forms impressions of the wedding people and has the opportunity to change those opinions as we get longer looks at each of the players. Ultimately a positive story and a great reminder to live our own definition of happiness.

Awesome from beginning to end. I loved the writer’s pacing and the development of the main characters. There was the perfect amount of minor characters, too! I’ll be hoping for a sequel!

he Wedding People by Alison Espach is an exceptional exploration of grief, resilience, and the complexities of human connection that completely captivated me. From the very first pages, I was drawn into Phoebe Stone’s world—a woman at her lowest, contemplating suicide at a wedding she has no business attending. What unfolds is a powerful narrative that transforms despair into hope, and I couldn’t put it down.

Espach’s writing is raw and honest, delving into the depths of Phoebe’s struggles while simultaneously infusing humor into her story. This balance makes the book feel incredibly real and relatable, capturing the intricate tapestry of emotions that come with loss and the search for meaning. The way Phoebe navigates her feelings in the chaotic wedding setting is both poignant and surprisingly funny, highlighting the absurdities of life even in its darkest moments.

The narrative is layered, addressing a multitude of topics—from the expectations of society to the profound impact of love and loss. Each character Phoebe encounters adds depth to her journey, making her realization of what it truly means to live a gradual and enriching experience. Espach skillfully showcases how fleeting moments can lead to profound insights, reminding us that connection often comes from the most unexpected places.

Alternating between the book and the audio version enhanced my experience, as both formats brought Phoebe’s journey to life in unique ways. The audio narration captured the emotional nuances beautifully, allowing me to fully immerse myself in Phoebe's voice and perspective.

Ultimately, The Wedding People is a heartfelt and transformative read that left me feeling seen and understood. It’s a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty of finding oneself amidst chaos. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that is not only funny and engaging but also deeply moving and reflective. Alison Espach has crafted something truly special, and I can’t wait to revisit it!

Phoebe Stone arrives at the Cornwall Inn in Newport for a solo getaway…oh, and to end her life. Mistaken for a wedding guest, she meets the bride, who has planned for every detail of this weekend week, except Phoebe's unexpected presence. The two become fast friends and help one another in more ways than they thought possible. I started this book a bit unsure, thinking it was pretty dark- but by chapter 2, I was on a roll. While a bit far-fetched, it was a good storyline and what the author does is genius - totally worth picking up! Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.