This was a promising thriller that stopped working for me when twists and coincidences and connections started being revealed--there was a bit too much too late in terms of backstory and red herrings. It also felt like there were too many characters, although I will say that Condie managed to make the main side characters feel fleshed out and individualized in a very easy way. The main character felt flat in comparison and her backstory felt a bit distracting and not really well-tied in to seem relevant to the current plot. The setting was strong and felt unique. It will be a fun, light vacation read for people.

I'm going to be the odd one out here and say that I didn't love this. I couldn't connect with the characters, especially the protagonist. She seemed a little too desperate and needy to me. Overly involving herself in every situation and person while also attempting to be extremely demure. Each supporting character was a little too outrageous, and there was not enough character development or detail. The plot was okay but a little slow-paced. Overall, this was an okay read. It's just not my personal preference. Three stars.

Thank you, Netgalley, and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC.

Inhaled in a day. Sort of wish I could escape to Big Sur for a beat to recover from some big life shifts like Ellery, but alas, here I am in the Midwest.

Ellery goes on the anniversary trip she was going to take with her husband before he left her. While she's there, not just one person ends up dead, but two. Somehow Ellery is the only one who can't let stuff go about it.

I liked how it wasn't super full of hijinks with Ellery playing some sort of Miss Marple character (despite references to Agatha Christie made), and it was also surprisingly poignant. I know from following the author on Instagram she was going through some stuff, but I think it resonated well in the story without taking over.

This was a great twisty read! Loved the setting and the main character. This will be a hit with readers at my library.

I absolutely loved this book! She mentioned it at a book event for "The Only Girl in Town" months and months ago and I've been dying to read it ever since. Ally Condie does such a great job at creating characters who feel like real people you could meet. I loved being in Ellery's head and being able to see how, even though she feels vulnerable and weak from the circumstances and her grief, she is strong and an asset to the people at the resort. And of course, Ravi is a favorite of mine! He made the story so fun when it easily could've gotten overwhelmingly sad or scary. With the murder mystery element, I honestly had no idea where this was going, and it had me on the edge of my seat. I was a bit confused when they revealed things, and at the end they kind of skipped ahead to when everyone's safe to explain everything—but I was totally okay with that because I don't think I could've handled much more suspense haha. Things were very cleverly placed to make me suspect anyone and everyone, which made the stakes feel high and made me okay with how most things were revealed after the fact. Over all, I loved that it was both a fun whodunit and a book that made me feel deeply.

The Unwedding
by Ally Condie
Pub Date: June 4, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The White Lotus meets Agatha Christie in The Unwedding, the adult fiction debut from #1 New York Times bestselling YA author Ally Condie, about a recent divorcee whose vacation at an exclusive Big Sur resort unravels when she discovers a dead body on the day a wedding was set to occur.
I highly recommend this mystery! It is well written and very enjoyable to read.
Smart and complex characters, interesting setting, a sense of foreboding, a new twist on an old story (wedding) with a thread of a second mystery woven throughout. I just enjoyed every page, every snappy conversation, thoughtful musing and active plot points.
5 stars

Ally Condie wrote the Matched series (IYKYK) but this is her first foray into adult fiction. I was a little skeptical going in because the premise just seemed like a retread of lots of other murder mysteries but by the end I was mostly bought in! I liked the characters a lot, the twists kept me interested, and it was a fairly satisfying ending. Also, I need to know what Ravi does for work! ;)

I enjoyed the concept of this book. Normally, I have some ideas of who the culprit might be, but The Unwedding kept me guessing all the way to the end.

The setting of the story was in a perfect location for a mystery, the characters were woven into the plot well, but the storyline seemed to drag on just a little too long for me.

Overall I would rate this book 3.75 ⭐️

Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

A groom found dead in a pool, a groomsman found dead at the bottom of a cliff, a torrential rain storm and mudslide that totally closes off all access to the hotel. What else could go wrong and who can you trust? A perfect page- turner.

I was THRILLED to see an Ally Condy adult title as I loved her YA titles.

This was one of my favorite genres as well so I’m not surprised to have loved this one.

Having experienced divorce myself, I felt that the feeling experienced and expressed by the protagonist were relatable and accurate as well.

The Unwedding is a twisting story of a woman rising from the ashes while fighting through unexpected tragedies, adding to her past full of them. I was hooked from the very beginning. Ellery doubts herself in such a way, it leads the reader to also doubt her, Keeping you on your toes. Is she unreliable? Is she actually telling you the truth? Does she see more than she lets on? Such a great book full of twists while following a wonderful storyline of growth, don’t skip this one!

Thanks NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this title!

Do you ever have trouble staying focused on a book and wonder whether it’s the book or you? That’s kind of the deal I had with The Unwedding. The beginning really gripped me, and I was totally here for the premise - a recent divorcee on a trip to a remote resort when a soon to be groom turns up dead, and then a landslide traps all the guests with no outside help - oh, and of course the killer is in their midst. I was intrigued and also appreciated the protagonist, Ellery’s, backstory. Somewhere along the way, however, I just started to lose focus. Again, this may have been a ME issue, as the story was pretty interesting and had some surprising twists as well. For fans of whodunnit mysteries, I would absolutely recommend this book. 3.5⭐️

Thanks for this advance copy. I loved this book! I just read it in a day, so it's so good. If you are looking for a book to inmerse you as much as you forget about the outside world, this is it!

The Unwedding is a fast-paced, action-packed mystery novel with delightful characters and an absolutely beautiful setting. After twenty years of marriage, Ellery finds herself divorced and alone at a luxury resort on what would have been her anniversary weekend. She is determined to have a relaxing stay and come out of it stronger. Unfortunately, there is a wedding planned at the resort for the same time period, which proves to be a constant reminder of Ellery's failed marriage. Then, when she thinks things can't get worse, she stumbles upon a dead body - the body of the groom. And, of course, the weather has taken a turn for the worse, causing power outages and massive landslides. Trapped at the resort with a potential murderer, Ellery and her fellow guests are determined to solve the mystery and escape the resort.

First, I absolutely loved the cast of characters. All of the guests were well-developed, fun to read about, and added to the overall story. Second, I loved how each new day began with a quote, the weather forecast, and a description of an art piece. It made me feel as if I was a guest at Broken Point as well. Third, the setting was described beautifully. I felt as if I was there. The author has me planning a trip to Big Sur immediately. While I wouldn't describe this book exactly as a cozy, it definitely had cozy vibes. While I haven't read anything by Ally Condie before, I will be reading all her books going forward. I so thoroughly enjoyed The Unwedding. Easy five stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this DRC.
Ellery Wainright is on a sola week at a resort near Big Sur in California. Still reeling from an unexpected divorce, she is there to keep her husband from taking his girlfriend on what would have been an anniversary trip. Having a wedding at the resort is making it just that much harder to keep it together. Finding a dead body in the pool shortly before the storm causes a landslide trapping everyone in the resort is not making the trip any better.
I loved this book. Ellery is dealing with a lot and I loved her taking time to cry. She quickly makes friends as one sometimes does on vacation but these friends end up helping her investigate the murder. I like how we don’t really get to know these other guests, only realistically superficially, but Ellery has to make quick decisions on who to trust. I live in Southern California and was reading this while it was raining. It made it all the more fun for me!
#TheUnwedding #NetGalley

I was so excited for this book after reading the premise! And I enjoyed the author’s YA books when I was younger. The setting was amazing and I enjoyed all of the lush descriptions. Plus, the art aspect was very interesting. The tone was a great White Lotus vibe.
However, I ended up not finishing The Unwedding due to a situation from the main character’s past that was difficult for me to read about.
I think thriller readers will really enjoy this twisty tale!

3.7
Most if that rating is owed to the writing, which is lyrical without being over the top or futzy. The plot and the title are both...I see what Condie was going for, but I'm not certain she achieved it.

loved this mystery and all this happened on ellery's trip to big sur. Loved that it happened in the mountains. Ellery is going on this trip post divorce and wondering if things in the author's life came to the page. Ellery meets new people and gets to visit a wedding and deals with the grief of her marriage ending. Loved the new friends that she met and that she solved the mystery since she was the outsider. I loved ally's 1st adult book.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley.

Ellery Wainwright's journey begins with anticipation, as she prepares to celebrate her twentieth wedding anniversary with her husband, Luke, at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point. However, her excitement is dashed when she finds herself traveling alone, her dreams of a blissful reunion shattered.

As Ellery navigates the idyllic yet unsettling surroundings of Broken Point, she is confronted with the stark reality of her solitude. The presence of a wedding at the resort serves as a poignant reminder of the new beginnings and hopeful futures that once seemed within reach. Now, uncertainty hangs heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the picturesque landscape.

The discovery of a body floating in the pool amidst the rain plunges Ellery into a nightmare she never could have imagined. Trapped at Broken Point by a mudslide that blocks the road, the guests find themselves ensnared in a web of secrets and deception. As another guest meets a tragic end, it becomes clear that danger lurks within the resort's seemingly tranquil facade.

Throughout the unfolding chaos, Ellery grapples with her own uncertainties and insecurities, haunted by the shadows of her past and the secrets that threaten to unravel her present. As she delves deeper into the mysteries of Broken Point, she realizes that everyone harbors their own secrets, and trust becomes a scarce commodity in this isolated paradise.

While the setting of the book is undeniably captivating, the momentum of the story begins to wane as it progresses. What starts as a promising narrative ultimately loses its grip. I thought Ellery's motivations and decisions became increasingly perplexing as the story went on. The book falls short of its potential due to pacing issues and a lack of clarity in character development.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I had thought it would be a light, frothy mystery taking place in a pretty location at a wedding but it was really about being in your forties, recently divorced, suffering from PTSD and having to deal with other's people's problems.

I loved the Big Sur setting and I loved the friends she also befriended. I also thought it was very realistic that they didn't automatically trust each other 100% but worked together and had a lot of fun.

I did think the art heist storyline fizzled a little and should have been given either more or less time. But it was one of the best mysteries I've read in a long time.