This thriller was...fine. I didn't hate it; it was a decent light read, but I didn't find it particularly thrilling. From the synopsis I was hoping for a Big Little Lies meets White Lotus type vibe, but it was unfortunately much more bland than any of that. Ellery was a pretty bland MC with an unnecessarily complicated and *mysterious* background. It started pretty strong, but all the tangents meant to keep you guessing, just got a bit rambling, and reduced the suspense.

I think with the right direction and cast this could make a really fun movie or mini series, but some drama would need to be added.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC!

I've been trying to get into more mysteries/thrillers that take place semi-close to where I am geographically, so I picked this one up based on the Big Sur plot location. This is a pretty decent intro to the genre, not pushing any big boundaries but a solid story with some decent twists along the way that did take me by surprise. I did feel parts were a little meandering, specifically a lot of the thoughts/inner dialogue from the main character - but it's a quick read, great for a day at the beach or pool!

Okay, the "White Lotus meets Agatha Christie" absolutely drew me in. Ally Condie's "The Unwedding" had all the makings of a great book—the isolated resort, cut off from the world, unexplained deaths steeped in mystery. Then it went downhill.

Ellery, going through a tough time with his spouse over a nasty divorce, plans a visit to the opulent Big Sur resort that he and his spouse booked for their 20th anniversary, rather than cancel the trip. The resort is looking like the glitz, as there is a wedding to happen that particular weekend. It was a turn of events when a storm blocks people in the resort, and Ellery currently finds the groom body floating in the pool. The groom still had his wedding attire on. Afterward, the resort is further blocked by a landslide, which blocks off any communication into the resort. The then Ellery together with some few other guests decides to find some truth about the death of the groom.

I'm generally not much a fan of a locked-room mystery, but the Agatha Christie and White Lotus comparison intrigued me. The idea of a "locked room" scenario at a luxurious resort with super-wealthy people sounded interesting. Except, in the end, the real story didn't play out. The amateur sleuthing just never seems real, and the weird happenings weren't at all well described.

Despite the amazing beginning, it felt like the story started to become all over the place: too many missing characters, subplots that were simply confusing, and significant overemphasis on art pieces and their histories that felt rather unnecessary. The imaginative balance tilted too far with an overabundance of characters and side plots, causing it to lose its effectiveness. More focused storytelling and better editing in the plot would have done wonders.

Ellery's character was a highlight, and her personal struggles were done well. But the rest of the book was bogged down with unnecessary details, so I found it hard to continue. At a mere 320 pages, it certainly felt like a lot more; I was pushing myself just to finish.

The Unwedding is a captivating read that combines the tension of a murder mystery with the emotional depth of a personal journey. Ally Condie's foray into adult fiction is both successful and promising, offering readers a well-crafted story that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. Whether you're a fan of mysteries or looking for a compelling narrative about healing and human nature, The Unwedding is a book worth picking up.

Today’s post was supposed to be an “am reading” post but once I got to a certain point in this book, I could not stop until I was done reading. And I never stay up late!

This was an excellent, page turning thrill ride of a story. I haven’t read a thriller mystery type story in a while and I was hooked instantly. All I could think about when I wasn’t reading, was when will I have time to read again!

The story moves fast and the pacing is excellent, with the short chapters, chapter headings, scary storm, and fascinating characters. There was a Ten Little Indians feel too. I was highlighting phrases, wracking my brain trying to figure out whodunit. I also loved the flashback scenes, helping us to get to know Ellery and her backstory. The author does an incredible job of development with Ellery’s character, I was cheering for her from page one.

All I ask is will there be another book with these characters? (There is not a cliffhanger ending.) And I couldn’t get enough of Ravi and Nina too. An amazing book, all around!

I received a NetGalley link from the publisher. Huge thanks to the publisher.

I was excited when I heard the description for THE UNWEDDING was White Lotus meets Agatha Christie, as these are two of my favorite things. I think the description of Ally Condie’s adult debut was just that. Plus, it was a Reese’s Book Pick, and I tend to like most of those.

It held my attention; I was intrigued and even a little excited about it until the end, when I felt a little disappointed, and the energy fell off a little. Knowing that Reese Witherspoon picked it, I hope this means it is being looked at for a television show because I think it would make a great series. It’s a very visual book with many descriptions that make you feel like you are on the island with Ellery and the other guests. But I think the ending would have a better visual impact than what I felt listening and reading it simultaneously.

I loved the characters. Condie writes characters, especially her main ones, very well. I enjoyed Ellery. Her grief arc was excellently done. I loved Nina and Ravi. They made me laugh so much!

I liked listening and reading simultaneously and being able to switch back and forth. Christine Lankin narrates it, and you can’t go wrong with anything she narrates!

It wasn’t what I expected, but I just hoped for more at the end. It won’t keep me from reading more from Ally Condie because I like her writing style!

Thanks, Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio, for the arc and ACL!

I didn't fly through this book like I thought I was going to. The take on the locked room mystery was good. I liked the setting but there was just so much it was convoluted. Too much with the back story of the main character., That could have just been more straightforward and helped with the feeling that there was just too much going on. It didn't need to also be mysterious.

A book pitched as Agatha Christie meets White Lotus? Count me in.

The Unwedding is Ally Condie’s debut adult novel. I love her YA series Matched, so I was excited to dive into this one.

The book has a solid setup: a remote resort, mysterious deaths, a big storm, and a lead character, Ellery, who’s going through a major life change. But as the story unfolds, it gets bogged down by too many characters and side plots and the mystery gets messy.

Ellery’s character arc is the standout here. If you go into this book expecting a story about relationships and self-growth, you might enjoy it more than I did. I was hoping for more of a rich-people murder mystery vibe, so it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. That said, I will definitely read more of Ally Condie’s work and think The Unwedding could make a great mini-series. It’s already been picked as a @reesesbookclub pick so fingers crossed!

Thank you to @hbgcanada @grandcentralpub for the gifted copy to read and review 🤍

The Unwedding follows Ellery, a forty-something divorcee who originally planned the vacation at a luxurious resort to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary. After her husband left her, she decided to travel solo instead of losing money by canceling.

Ellery isn’t thrilled to find out that there’s a wedding taking place at the resort, and most of the guests at the resort are part of the wedding party. But things quickly turn sinister when Ellery finds the body of the groom in the pool. An official investigation can’t be conducted because a storm hits and no one can leave or get to the resort. Ellery teams up with a couple other guests to try to find the killer before the death count rises.

I’m a fan of locked room mysteries and this definitely had a tense, sinister vibe. It was slower than I expected; more of a cozy mystery than a twisty thriller.

The Unwedding took me on a wild ride, and I loved every minute of it! Condie is such a wonderful story-teller, and she kept me guessing.

Thank you, NetGalley!

This book was one that kept you guessing. There were twists and turns that shocked you and some that you figured out. There were many characters so it took some time to figure out each one's significance in the plot. Good quick read!

I remember really enjoying Matched years ago, so I was curious how I'd like an adult mystery from her. This book sucked me in and although felt very different from the writing style of Matched, I still wanted to figure out what was going on at the resort. Along with solving the mystery, I thought it was an interesting journey of self-discovery. I thought the suspense was good throughout until the end. I just didn't feel like the revelations were a strong enough motive. However, it's a good atmospheric vacation read.

I read Ally Condie's YA books, so of course I was so excited when i learned that she was coming out with an adult mystery novel.

Ellery is a recently divorced mother of 2 that takes her 20 year anniversary trip alone. She thinks it will be good to take some time to relax and regroup after her devastating divorce.

She was wrong. When the groom to a wedding taking place on the resort ends up dead, she and two friends she made try to solve this murder as well as other mysterious crimes taking place.

This was a fun mystery novel and I can't wait to see what else Ally Condie comes out with.

Ellery Wright and her husband, Luke, were supposed to spend their twentieth wedding anniversary together at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California. Where better to celebrate a marriage, a family, and a life together than at one of the most stunning places on earth?

But now, she’s traveling solo.

To add insult to injury, there’s a wedding at Broken Point scheduled during her stay. Ellery remembers how it felt to be on the cusp of everything new and wonderful, with a loved and certain future glimmering just ahead. Now, she isn’t certain of anything except for her love for her kids and her growing realization that this place, though beautiful, is unsettling.

When Ellery discovers the body of the groom floating in the pool in the rain, she realizes that she is not the only one whose future is no longer guaranteed. Before the police can reach Broken Point, a mudslide takes out the road to the resort, leaving the guests trapped. When another guest dies, it’s clear something horrible is brewing.

I really enjoyed the set up of this story, and it being billed as, 'White Lotus meeting Agatha Christie' had me all in! I liked the characters, and the author throws enough of them at you that you get a little confused as to who is who and who is on the 'right' side or the 'wrong' side. Once the resort is in the grips of being closed off from civilization because of a storm, the investigation into the deaths begins to ramp up and the fun begins. The writing excelled in successfully capturing the claustrophobic feel that came with the resort being closed off from everyone.

I also liked beginning each chapter with a brief description of a card left for the guests daily featuring a quote, a brief weather forecast and details about one piece of artwork featured in the in-house collection was a nice touch. Made me feel like I was also staying at the resort! There did to be some issue though with continuity since some characters have secrets or it is inferred that they may have a deeper connection to certain plot points or theories, which then are never fully revealed!

Unfortunately, the final confrontation made the final reveal so very dull and less impactful​ than it could have been.​ I think the story over all was attempting to cover too ​many themes - too broad a scope of trying to bring together other storylines to tie into a richer one-​ that it lost its focus of what it initially started off being. I enjoyed it at a summer read, and it went quick, but more development into plot and theme would work for a future endeavor.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the download.

I go way back with Ally Condie. I loved her YA books when I was in my late teens. I was super excited to check out this adult novel she'd written and it did not disappoint. A recently divorced mother of three goes alone on what would have been her 20th anniversary trip with her now-ex. Unfortunately, so much for forgetting about her relationship woes because there's a fancy wedding happening the week that she's there. That is, until the wedding is called off and someone turns up dead the next morning. A storm has washed out the bridge to the resort and suddenly we have a killer locked-room mystery with atmosphere and a hefty cast of characters. Are the deaths at the resort unfortunate accidents or does someone know something? Filled with flashbacks to another extreme situation our MC was in a few years back, we are led to the reveal, slowly but surely, right up until the very end. A fun, fast-paced mystery.

This was an exciting quick read following a newly-divorced mom of three who goes on her anniversary trip to Big Sur solo—only for a massive storm to wipe out connection with out outside world and a shocking death to occur. Ellery, who survived a fatal bus accident years earlier, is one of a handful of guests at the resort not taking part at the wedding but after the storm, and with a possible murderer on the loose, Ellery and her small group of new friends and allies must do what they can to solve the mystery and make it out alive. Despite Ellery being solo, she immediately becomes friends with BFFs Ravi and Nina—who are really fun characters to have along for the ride (Ravi especially). It was a fast-paced book and perfect for a fun summer beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Ally Condie, and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was fun!! Definitely gave me White Lotus vibes, which was perfect for summer. I was a fan of Condie’s Matched series in high school, so I was excited to read her adult debut, much less a mystery by her. I thought her atmospheric writing for the setting was perfect, as the book felt creepier and tenser as events progressed. I was immersed and hooked from early on, and there were a couple twists that I did not predict. I liked Ellery as a protagonist and seeing her relationship with Ravi specifically grow. It wasn’t a perfect or stand-out mystery, as some of it was either predictable or a little repetitive, but I did genuinely enjoy reading it and would read more by Condie in the future.

A lovely resort in Big Sur, a private wedding, a huge rainstorm mudslide, and a murder...

Ellery Wainwright goes solo to the Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California, following a sudden and devasting divorce. The trip was already paid for, intended to be the perfect place for she and Luke to celebrate twenty years of marriage, so Ellery decides to go on alone. It so happens that her stay isn't anything like she expected. Initially, a wedding is canceled when the bride is left standing at the altar. Then the first dead body is discovered. Things get worse when the resort is cut off due to a deluge washing out a bridge preventing anyone getting in or out. When yet another guest dies, it becomes clear that things are not at all what they seem and some of those there are not good people.

This started out OK with Ellery meeting and making friends with the guests at the resort. Lots of different characters are introduced but it's like almost instant friendship which seemed a bit strange. Of course, most all the people staying there have secrets or are lying. I just never warmed to Ellery as she wallowed a lot in her post-divorce misery, missing her kids, or hints about a past trauma. She was ingratiating herself at every turn and getting into everyone's business. Many of the others were stereotypes and not all were explored or fully developed enough.

Then, the story went haywire at about 80% when these sudden complete confessions were taking place out in the woods. The ensuing action and behavior of the characters was quite unbelievable and contrived. I just never bought into Ellery being so clever or so popular and all of the people just laying the whole thing out like an outline. And all the motivations were quite lame. Definitely need to suspend a ton of disbelief to buy into the big twists and reveals. It lost me.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Christine Lakin, did a decent job with voicing all the characters, but this book had so many that the performance would have benefited from having a larger cast of narrators.

This started out so great, but then it got kind of boring... I was annoyed by how much she was still obsessed with getting back together with her husband - he was clearly a jerk. Also at the end, when the characters sit around and explain what happened - that is such a writing copout.

I adore Ally Condie's writing and I am thrilled to see her take her talents to adult mystery. The atmosphere, the setting, the cast of characters - all of it added up to an addictive page-turner. This is a great book club choice, and I'm thrilled it was a Reese's Book Club pick for June.