"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." - Alison Espach, "The Wedding People"

"The Wedding People" by Alison Espach is a delightful contemporary fiction tale that, for me, mirrors the uplifting spirit of beloved movies like The Holiday and P.S. I Love You. Espach effortlessly blends lighthearted humor, romance, and fun banter with underlying themes that explores life's dificulties. The story unfolds in the picturesque setting of Newport, Rhode Island, where Phoebe Stone finds herself mistakenly embraced as an unexpected wedding guest at the grand Cornwall Inn. Utterly alone, Phoebe embarks on an unexpected journey of self-discovery.

Alison Espach's knack for phenomenal character development shines through in this messy family drama. The flawed yet relatable Phoebe and a cast of intriguing characters add depth and authenticity to the narrative, making it a rare gem in the realm of lighthearted novels. The pacing of the story is impeccable, maintaining a delightful flow that propels readers forward with each page turn. An early reveal in the novel had turning the pages to see what happened next.

Espach's writing style is a standout feature, characterized by lovely and accessible prose. The dialogue, in particular, contributes to the book's overall charm. The artistry of the story is most fantastic. “The Wedding People” expertly navigates the intricate world of weddings which is what attracted me to this novel in the first place as I work in the wedding industry. The narrative not only entertains with its humor and romance but also delivers a meaningful exploration of unexpected encounters and the potential for new beginnings. It's a captivating story that I think will be on the top of many peoples favorite romance novels of 2024.

Emotionally resonant, "The Wedding People" elicits a full spectrum of feelings. Empathy for characters grappling with trauma and heartbreak coexists with a sense of hopefulness. The beautifully written conclusion, though not overtly sad, leaves a lasting impact and had me in literal tears, a testament to Espach's ability to craft a narrative that emotionally connects with readers.

SPOILER ALERT: This novel explores sensitive topics like suicide, infertility, cancer, death of a spouse, and infidelity.

Altogether, "The Wedding People" is an absolute gem that offers a vibrant and emotionally resonant experience, making it a must-read for those seeking a captivating contemporary fiction read. In recommendations, "The Wedding People" finds its place within women's fiction, appealing to those who already appreciate the genre of romantic comedies and dramas. As for constructive criticism, none applies; the book delivers precisely what it sets out to achieve, earning it a well-deserved 5-star rating.

I thoroughly enjoyed observing Phoebe’s transformation as she realizes how much of her life has been driven by ignoring her authentic self and accommodating others. The juxtaposition of Phoebe and Lila, the bride, moved the story along and kept me engaged as each discovers how different their life circumstances are, and yet they both support each other in open and honest communication.

Overall, this was a very satisfying read that also left me wanting more.

WOW. This book was phenomenal. FIRST OFF: Big trigger warning for suicide and infertility. If that is not something you want to read about, this book is not for you.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

TL;DR: Great book about learning how to live truly and deeply. Messy families abound! And life does not end when a relationship does.

Phoebe is going through a crisis, her depression has gotten overwhelming and her life is a mess. What better place to end it all than at the fanciest hotel she could find? Due to a booking error, she is there at the same time as a huge fancy wedding! The bride is determined for everything to go perfectly and that includes Pheobe not taking her own life. This book tackles hard subjects and does it well in my opinion. You truly feel the desperation and sadness she feels and the confusing feelings that come after the sadness.

This book was also fun! If you like messy family drama that doesn't affect your real life, this book is FULL of complicated relationships and gossipy messy moments. The serious exploration of what it means to live truly is married (pardon my pun) beautifully to the reality of living with other people. The characters felt like real people with secrets and conflicts. Side note, the few children that were in this book were written well! They sounded like real children talking, some books don't do that well.

All in all, this book is a triumph. I will be purchasing a physical copy upon release, I NEED this on my bookshelf!

Wow! What a wonderful story of life. Life happens. Things happen. Your life changes. You move on. Main character Phoebe is in the midst of her own private turmoil when she stumbles into the drama surrounding strangers’ lives. What ensues is unexpected and realistic, mingling all of these characters together in the course of one week. Together, these strangers become friends and their lives change course, which is not always a bad thing. In the matter of The Wedding People, it’s definitely a good thing creating a very good, entertaining and enjoyable book.

I absolutely loved every moment of this book. I found myself stalling when I knew the end was getting close because I didn’t want it to be over.

Phoebe’s whole life has been upended and she’s decided to take matters into her own hands by checking a hotel and ending it all with suicide.

But then she meets the wedding people and they save her life and change it forever.

This book deals with the very heavy life topics of divorce and suicide in a very realistic and tender way and was easily a favorite read of the year for me.

I'm so grateful to NetGalley for the ARC of Alison Espach's new novel, The Wedding People. This is a brutally honest, hilarious, heartwarming look at the end of one marriage and the start of another.

Phoebe arrives at a hotel in Newport determined to end her life.... until she meets Lila, whose week-long wedding extravaganza is just beginning. Lila refuses to let Phoebe ruin her perfect celebration and the two forge an unexpected and life-changing friendship. As Phoebe becomes more involved in the wedding plans, she realizes that she has a lot more to live for.

I already miss the quirky, flawed, lovable characters from The Wedding People... I'm hoping for a sequel!

A delightful story about a woman ready to end it all when she is thrust into a random group of people - Wedding People - who present the end as a chance to begin.

I casually read the first few pages, not super interested, but found myself starting to devour it around the 1/4 way in. The characters are so fun - so many realistic personalities with quirks, strengths and flaws. I found myself falling more and more in love with the main character as she started to appreciate herself in the same way.

As a reader of this book, one cannot help but cheer for Phoebe as she embraces her life, realizes that it is truly worth living and brings color back into her actions and emotions rather than living only through pages of book she reads and teaches to her students. In both her marriage and career, she seemed to only plod along with no expectations of achieving anything above of her everyday actions. Like her clothing choices, her life was dull and void of color. Yes, she went to Newport on a mission that could have ended terribly; however, she began to realize how much joy can be experienced especially when she realized what she wanted and started to speak her truth. Her caustic wit and how she interacted with Lila, Gary and Juice was definitely a reason to smile and laugh out loud. I would love to read a sequel especially as she settles into Newport with Frank and continues to meet her people.

I am not sure what I was expecting really based on my book cover snap judgments, but this was not it in the very best way. The book was simply lovely. Each character was written well and I, alongside Phoebe, felt the shift and chemistry with them immediately. The vibes of our protagonist were spot on, even in her most tumultuous moments. This is what it means to write complicated women and weave stories that go well beyond the surface chatter. This is a feat in itself given the book's setting at a luxury hotel with people attending a week long wedding. Would have loved to have been at this pitch meeting.

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of “The Wedding People” in exchange for an honest review. I always know I loved a book when I read straight through to the acknowledgments—hoping to catch one more glimpse of the author’s mind before saying goodbye to beloved characters. I loved the narrative structure of this. The pacing was perfection and I just really found myself caring deeply for even the most minor of characters. This book warmed me from the inside out and I will read it again.

Once I saw the beautiful cover and the fact that this book was blurbed by Jenny Jackson (author of the wonderful Pineapple Street and the editor of some of my favorite books), I requested it immediately. I was thrilled when I got an e-ARC!

At first, the book is mainly about Phoebe and Lila, two of the loneliest girls in the world, as Phoebe puts it. Things start out bleak, to say the least. Honestly, I wasn’t in the best mental state myself when I started this book, so the first few chapters were a little rough to get through. They were hard to get through BECAUSE they were so beautifully written and really made me empathize with Phoebe. I was so sucked in that I kept reading, and I’m so glad I did. This book is so funny. It made me smile. Yes, it made me cry. It was a book that was real about depression, and also about the ways your life can be beautiful through the depression.

Despite her flaws, Lila was such a delight. I love that she was a bit of a paradox; she is so self-centered, but she also washes Phoebe’s hair without being asked. She is someone who tries. The banter between the characters was spot on. I wasn’t ready to leave this group of people—the Wedding People—when the book ended.

For fans of: “Sorrow and Bliss” by Meg Mason; “Ghosts” by Dolly Alderton; “All Grown Up” by Jami Attenberg.

Let me start by saying, this will be one of the year’s best novels. I was totally engaged in the story of Phoebe, a deeply depressed and lonely woman, who becomes a “wedding person” by accident. Despite coming to the very upscale hotel to commit suicide, she is swept into the preparations for a lavish wedding. Phoebe becomes a friend and confidante of the guests and the bridal party.

This is written beautifully, using language that drew me into the festivities. Phoebe is a very likable heroine, and the bride is appropriately depicted as immature and confused. I have the feeling that this novel will quickly be dramatized in some form.

Despite having many characters, the author draws them with such clarity that there is no confusion. There is a huge likability quotient which makes the reader wish for the inevitable happy ending.

Thank you Netgalley for this delightful, brilliant and well written novel. Honestly, I was so involved, I wish I could have kept reading. Bravo for this mature and compelling novel.

This book was delightful, and it surprised me in the best way! It made me laugh out loud one moment, and contemplate the meaning of life the next— and that is NOT something I have found in another book!

The characters in this book were so complex, unique, and multi-dimensional. Alison Espach drew me in from the very start with her impressive personification of depression, loss, isolation, desperation and hopelessness in all that was the main character Phoebe. She made me feel so much pain and sympathy yet managed to tie in such joy and growth throughout the book!

“The Wedding People” — quite literally, the people attending the wedding in the book, brought the main character back to life.
This book and it’s loveable, hilarious characters, their drama, whirlwind emotions, and most importantly, their hilariously dark humor, had me invested and entertained from the first chapter to the last.

When Phoebe shows up at the grand, expensive Cornwall Inn, she quickly realizes she’s the only resident not a guest of a wedding at the inn. She meets the bride who has planned for every possible disaster; except Phoebe.

This is one of those special reads that does not come about often. It’s meaningful and covers some deep topics, realistic and true to life, but also absolutely hilarious. The characters are all perfectly done and fully dimensional. I adored Phoebe’s story and how she as changed from the people she met and her interactions.

“… becoming who you want to be is just like anything else. It takes practice. It requires belief that one day, you’ll wake up and be a natural at it.”

The Wedding People comes out 7/30/24.

Wedding People is a breath of fresh air. Phoebe goes to a fancy hotel with plans to end her life - she’s tired and can no longer feel passion for her adjunct English professor work, her husband Matt had an affair and has divorced her, and her cat Harry has passed away. She is ready to end it all.

But instead, Phoebe gets tangled up in the week-long wedding that’s being held at the hotel. All the wedding people - bride, groom, bridesmaids, the guests - are such vibrant characters. I loved seeing Phoebe get roped into getting to know these people on a deeper level, and I loved seeing Phoebe become known to others as well. It was a deep look into the hardships of being human in a world that can be depressing, turbulent, confusing, beautiful, awful, hilarious, and (even though Phoebe doesn’t like this word!) fun.

I loved seeing Phoebe and all the other characters, Lila and Gary especially, get to know themselves better and reach deeper into themselves about what they truly want in life. The dialogue is so natural between them all and the quick wit doesn’t go unnoticed - It’s a brilliant idea that leaves you with food for thought. I’d highly recommend this book!! 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.

This is one of the most refreshing, quirky storylines I have read in a long time. It certainly is not the typical wedding novel. Full of humor and pathos, it explores with sensitivity and clear insight love, loss, betrayal, and a host of issues around pretending to be what one is not.

The death of her beloved cat is the tipping point for Phoebe. She appears to be failing in all aspects of her life: her husband divorced her after having an affair with a mutual friend; her career is stagnating, and her muse has departed; her desire for motherhood has tanked after several IVF treatments and a miscarriage. In a desperate move to end it all, Phoebe walks out of her life in St Louis and checks in to an expensive Newport, RI hotel with the intent to end her life. And then her plan goes totally off the rails… She finds that the hotel is booked for a million-dollar, week-long wedding celebration and she is the lone guest that is not part of the “wedding people.”

What transpires is a wild and wacky journey with an entitled bride who is determined to have the perfect wedding that her deceased father wanted for her – despite a diverse collection of friends and family and a suicidal stranger in their midst.

I thoroughly enjoyed observing Phoebe’s transformation as she realizes how much of her life has been driven by ignoring her authentic self and accommodating others. The juxtaposition of Phoebe and Lila, the bride, moved the story along and kept me engaged as each discovers how different their life circumstances are, and yet they both support each other in open and honest communication.

Overall, this was a very satisfying read that also left me wanting more.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Thank you to @NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

*Spoilers*

I found this story very interesting- this story holds so many aspects of life that we see everyday: ie. relationships, mental health and loss. The reality of the topics covered brought a human element that was easily relatable.

I did, however, feel this story left many loose ends and could have followed through better. There were several parts that made it 90% but didn’t finish. For example, Jim and Lila’s storyline, Matt randomly coming back into the picture and then abruptly leaving, and the confusing finalization of Gary and Phoebe. The foreshadowing was almost too obvious that it did not allow the reader to come to their own conclusions.

Reading this on my own wedding weekend was entertaining and fun!

I loved Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance and could not wait to read this book! I was quickly immersed in this book about a woman who goes to her “happy place” in Newport to commit suicide. Sounds super dark but there is humor, connection and so much to love about this book. I loved main character Phoebe and how she finds herself through a bunch of strangers at an elaborate and expensive wedding week. I took my time to savor this one as I wasn’t quite ready to leave the world Espach created. This is one that will stick with me for a while.

Thank you to @netgalley @henryholtbooks and @alison.espach for the advanced copy of this wonderful novel!
I have not read anything like this before and totally enjoyed every page. Expecting a typical wedding story I was entrance from the first page to the last. You will love the characters and the setting along with the journey they all go on during a wedding extravaganza

THE WEDDING PEOPLE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5. Phoebe’s life is in shambles. When she decides to go to a hotel 1,000 miles away from her home to be alone, to find out she is the only guest not there for a wedding that is happening in the grounds. Somehow she becomes involved in the wedding and the people attending. A story of loss, love, heartache, bringing life back together, art, passion, self-realization. I really enjoyed this one and hope it’s a hit.