A trip meant to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary is instead taken alone…and as terrible as that is, it’s not the worst part.

The Resort at Broken Pines is a luxurious retreat along the coast in Big Sur, a terribly expensive bucket list sort of place. Ellery Wainwright and her husband Luke booked a weekend there to celebrate twenty years of marriage, but that was before Luke decided that the marriage was over. He wasn't happy in the marriage or in his career, hadn't been happy in a long while, and wasn’t interested in trying to fix it….he just wanted out. He quickly added to the cliché by getting a younger girlfriend, leaving Ellery stunned and unmoored and their three children to deal with the change. The trip to the resort is non-refundable, so Ellery’s best friend and fellow high school social studies teacher Abby tells her to just go. She reluctantly does so, fearing that it will incredibly awkward to go somewhere like this by herself, and she finds out that she is correct. Not only does it seem like every person there is part of a couple or group, but one of those groups is hosting a wedding while she’s there. Just what a broken-hearted divorcée needs! Fortunately she is soon taken under the wing of two travelling friends, Ravi and Nina, who are glamorous and a bit mischievous. Ellery thinks that in between unplanned bouts of grief, with their support she might just survive the week. But then the wedding party implodes, with the groom leaving the bride standing at the alter, and to further complicate things a major storm blows in with heavy rains. Ellery discovers a dead body in the pool, another person turns up dead and others start to go missing. What is going on? Who can be trusted? With the resort guests and staff stranded by collapsed roadways and lacking any means to communicate with the authorities, this dream vacation is anything but the trip of a lifetime.
Both a twisty, compelling thriller and a deft portrayal of a woman coming to terms with the grief of an ended marriage and an unanticipated need to start her life over, The Unwedding starts off a bit slow but then grabs the reader’s attention and holds it right up until the end. Ellery is a fascinating character, struggling with what has happened to the life she thought she had as well as an (initially) unexplained traumatic event that she lived through a few short years ago. It seems like the other guests at the resort…..her two new friends, the bride and groom, the bride’s mother and the rest of the bridal party, the young social influencer couple, a father and daughter traveling together…..each seems to be holding something back from the group at large. Are those untold secrets the harmless sort that most people have, or could they shed light on the deaths and disappearances that start happening? As someone alone and apart, Ellery notices things that others who are involved with their friends or partners miss, and those observations help her as she tries to make sense of what is happening around her. There are twists and red herrings, with missing works of art and unexplained alliances, that will keep a reader guessing. I enjoyed trying to identify who-done-it as well as why-they-done-it, because if you don’t suss out the latter you’ve only solved half the mystery. A thoroughly enjoyable read, perfect for fans of Chris Bohjalian, Sally Hepworth and Megan Miranda….many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me early access to this addictive read.

I've been a fan of Ally Condie since reading her Matched Series in middle school (5 out of 5 stars by the way). In changing to a new genre, she did not disappoint.

The Unwedding, an adult thriller, follows Ellery - a recently divorced mother - to a spa center in the middle of the woods. As she tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered life, she inadvertently stumbles upon the body of another guest. As a storm rages outside, trapping the guests in together, can Ellery figure out who the murderer is before she herself gets hurt?

Once I picked up this book, I was hooked. I may or may not have binged read it in one day. It's so niche, but I love thrillers that are set in the woods or in retreat centers and this hit both the marks. The cast of characters was funny and quirky, each had their own personalities. I can honestly say I couldn't see the ending coming at all and there were so many shocking twists.

Overall, I 100% recommend to anyone who enjoys a fun summer thriller, especially fans of Liane Moriarty, Mary Kubica, and Lisa Jewell.

The Unwedding is an entertaining summer mystery novel. Ellery was supposed to be going on a trip with her husband to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, but instead she's newly divorced and staying at a remote resort by herself. The resort is also populated by guests of a wedding, which only makes Ellery's processing of her grief more difficult. The night of the wedding, however, the groom leaves the bride at the altar and turns up dead in the pool. Guests at the resort begin dropping like flies and it only gets worse when the bridge is washed out so no one can enter or leave the resort. The setting for this book was quite enjoyable; it had a strong sense of place. The dialogue could be confusing at times and seemed to be meandering or repetitive. There were also some cases of over-explaining what was going on with multiple people saying basically the same thing right after each other. Suspicion was thrown around but there didn't always seem to be a reason for it, it just seemed like paranoia. Still, it was a fun summer mystery novel, would definitely consider it a beach read.

I've known about Ally Condie since 2010s YA, so I was excited that she, like so many YA authors, is trying an adult book.

The Unwedding had a lot going for it: a gripping concept, a really well-developed setting, and a fun locked room amateur detective plot.

For me, it lost momentum in the middle and fell apart a little at the end, with an overly complicated info-dump. But I do think Condie has a very engaging adult writing style and I will definitely read her next adult book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this egalley in exchange for an honest review!
I am always excited to read a debut, and this was a great homage to Agatha Christie and I was intrigued that it was also compared to White Lotus. I really enjoyed the ties to art and was guessing who the killer was until the end. I would ready more by Ally Condie.

This was an interesting book. To me it had Agatha Christy vibes with the murders at a wedding, and the mystery surrounding it. I enjoyed the premise and the structure of the story.
I had read four of Ally Condie’s previous books and really enjoyed them. This was the first adult novel, and I liked it. I look forward to more adult novels from Ms. Condie.

The Unwedding by Ally Condie is a novel that tries to blend mystery, suspense, and a touch of emotional introspection, but ends up feeling uneven and slow-paced.

The story follows Ellery Wainwright, who finds herself alone at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California, instead of celebrating her twentieth wedding anniversary with her now-estranged husband, Luke. To make matters worse, there’s a wedding at the resort during her stay, which only heightens her feelings of loneliness and nostalgia.

Things take a dark turn when Ellery discovers the groom’s body floating in the pool. Before the police can arrive, a mudslide isolates the resort, trapping all the guests. As another guest dies, it becomes clear that the resort is hiding dangerous secrets, and everyone—including Ellery—has something to hide.

The premise is intriguing, but the execution falls short. The pacing is inconsistent, with the first half dragging due to excessive descriptions and backstory. While Condie paints a vivid picture of the resort and its surroundings, it takes too long to get to the main plot. The death of the groom, which should have been a turning point, happens too late and doesn’t bring the expected suspense.

Ellery, as the protagonist, is hard to connect with. Her constant ruminations about her failed marriage and children feel repetitive and slow down the narrative. The other characters, who could have added depth and intrigue, are underdeveloped and don’t get enough time to shine.

The mystery itself is disappointing. The build-up doesn’t lead to a satisfying payoff, with the final reveal feeling rushed and underwhelming. Key elements are introduced abruptly towards the end, making the conclusion feel forced and confusing.

Despite these flaws, the novel does have its strengths. Condie’s descriptions of the landscape and the resort are beautifully written, creating an atmospheric setting. The idea of a group of strangers trapped together with secrets is compelling, even if it’s not fully realized.

Overall, The Unwedding is a decent read if you enjoy slow-burn mysteries with a strong sense of place. However, it lacks the tension and character development needed to make it truly memorable.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

I select which book I’m going to read for different reasons. I am big on settings and atmosphere and that is often the reason I will pick up a book. That was the case with The Unwedding. So when I saw the setting for this mystery was Big Sur I couldn’t pick it up fast enough.
I am sad to say this book could have been set on any rocky coast anywhere in the world. There was so little of a descriptive and atmospheric element that I wondered why it even specified a place. It took me forever to finish this book. In addition to my disappointment with the setting, it had too many characters and became confusing. It also had dual storylines and the one set in the past and not in California was the more interesting and had nothing much to do with the mystery. It would have been a better book on its own.
Might my expectations have been too high? Probably. But if you go to the trouble of setting a book in one of the most magical places in the world, you need to deliver.
Thank you to @netgalley for an arc of this book.

THE UNWEDDING captured me from the start. I like stories that hold my attention and keep me in suspense like this one did. Highly recommend.


Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy.

Books set on a remote island always peak my interest quick, so when I started reading I had expected to be hooked immediately. Unfortunately the pacing was a little slow for my liking and it was due to how many characters were in the book.

Author Ally Condie is best known for her young adult novels but The Unwedding is now her first attempt at adult fiction. The Unwedding is a locked room mystery of sorts with it being set at a remote luxury resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California with a contained cast of characters.

Ellery Wainwright was about to be celebrating her twentieth wedding anniversary with a trip planned to Big Sur when her husband, Luke, decided he’d rather get a divorce. It was Luke who then suggested that Ellery go ahead and take the time and the trip to herself to digest this huge bomb in her life.

After arriving at Broken Point though Ellery finds the one thing she really wouldn’t have wanted at all, a wedding taking place while she mourns her own marriage. Trying to make the best of it all though Ellery continues her solo trip doing her best to avoid the wedding until the night Ellery discovers the body of the groom floating in the pool and finds a mudslide has cut off any chance of help arriving to find the murderer.

As much young adult I do read even now into my adult years Ally Condie’s popular Matched series is one that has continued to remain on my TBR so I had no experience with her work going into The Unwedding. The story did seem to be a solid effort at an adult novel with having an intriguing plot to follow. It did seem there were a lot of characters to follow along with which kind of made the pacing seem a little slow getting to know them all. When finished with this story I would rate this first adult effort at three and a half stars overall and definitely give this author another go into he future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

#1 New York Times bestselling author of YA novels returns with her dazzling adult debut, THE UNWEDDING —a blend of White Lotus and Agatha Christie, a twisty whodunit escapist mystery thriller with a gorgeous, dangerous Big Sur backdrop.

About...

A newly divorced woman whose solo vacation at an exclusive resort unravels when she discovers a dead body on the wedding day, and she may be the only one who can find the killer. While confronting her loss, she is trying to survive a deadly story and solve not one, but two murders.

Ellery Wainwright finds herself on a solo trip after she and her husband were to spend their 20th wedding anniversary at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point, in Big Sur, California. She is lost. They are no longer celebrating. A divorce, before their oldest child's senior year. Three children: Kate, Ethan, and Maddie.

The deposit was non-refundable, and she decided what could be worse than being at one of the most beautiful places on earth for a getaway—from the stunning ocean vistas, spa, luxury accommodations, fine dining, eclectic art collections, and gallery, in addition to the beautiful views, yoga, nature walks, trails, and more.

After all, she did not want Luke to bring his new girlfriend, Imogen, whom he had obtained within a month of the divorce. (five years younger).

She had not counted on a wedding to be held at the resort during her stay and soon finds this place unsettling and eerie. She discovers the body of the groom floating in the pool in the rain, and then before the cops can arrive (due to a mudslide taking out the only road to the resort), leaving everyone trapped with a murderer.

Everyone has a secret at Broken Point, including Ellery!

Something old, something new.
Something borrowed, something blue.
Someone lost, someone wed.
Someone broken, someone dead.

Ellery meets two other guests, Ravi and Nina, who take her under their wings. She also meets the bride-to-be, Olivia (to marry Ben), and the group for the wedding when the only worry is rain. That would be the least of the problems. No one could guess there would be a disaster the day of the wedding and what comes after!

My thoughts...

THE UNWEDDING draws you in immediately with the creative resort maps and illustrations as the novel begins on Friday through Thursday and continues through the days leading up to the murder. Each chapter cleverly opens with the happenings for the day at the resort, a quote, the weather, and the featured art.

I enjoyed the characters of Ellery, Ravi, and Nina and their amateur sleuthing. Not only is there a murder, but a horrible storm bears down on Big Sur, washing out bridges and roads and leaving the guests trapped in this clever locked-room mystery thriller.

The author's writing is lyrical and beautiful, drawing you into her characters, their fears, traumas from the past, loss, pain, death, grief, forgiveness, and the road to healing infused with art. I look forward to seeing what comes next from this author.

Recs...

THE UNWEDDING is for fans of the author and those of Ruth Ware, Sarah Pearse, Alice Feeney, Amber Cowie, Megan Miranda, Shari Lapena, Carol Goodman, and Lisa Jewell.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for a gifted digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 4, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
June 2024 Must-Read Books
June Newsletter

I wanted this to be a 5 star,. It wasn’t quite there but I still really enjoyed it. The setting was perfect and I love a locked door mystery like this, especially bringing together a bunch of strangers. It dragged a bit toward the end and over complicated, but otherwise good.

Ally Condie's transition to adult fiction is seamless with The Unwedding. It's a nicely paced mystery with an interesting, and secretive, collection of characters that all make great suspects, and reveals about them that are often surprising. An enjoyable summer read!

The first 3/4 of this book were really good -- perfect setting, perfect mystery and really well developed characters. And then the mystery started to unfold and it was like everything was oddly connected in one chapter and none of it made sense. I didn't like it. So aside from the ending, I would say this was good and maybe the forced nature of exposing it just didn't work for me? You may have better luck and I still enjoyed a large part of this book.

The Unwedding comes out next week on June 4, 2024 and you can purchase HERE.

"Hey." Ravi had lowered his voice. "Speaking of problems t solve. Mysteries to unravel. Did you know there's a shadov celebrity staying here? We've got to figure out who it is."

Ellery wasn't sure what he was talking about. "A what?" Sh darted a glance at Nina.

"Someone who's sneaky famous," Ravi said. "Who can go unrecognized among the masses, but who wields tremendous power. Like the head of a movie studio who prefers not to be known. Or the founder of LikeMe. Or the person who invented a cryptocurrency that funds an entire nation."

"Oh," Ellery said, a small thrill running through her. "How can you tell that someone like that is here?"

"Don't listen to him," Nina said. "He's always making things up. And the worst part is, he believes them."

"People are not always what they seem." Ravi's eyes searched Ellery's. "Don't you agree?"

"I do," she said. "Everyone has a shadow." Even the waiters with their bright eyes and cheerful voices, even the people across from her, even her best friend, her own husband, herself.

I read Condie’s YA MATCHED series years ago so I was excited to see her move into adult thrillers. I loved the setup of this one and totally could see myself trying to solve mysterious deaths while on vacation. Ellery was a bit annoying with her moping around for her ex-husbands - he seemed like a jerk so I have no idea why she was so hung up! Other than that, I like how the side characters involved themselves as a little scooby band. This feels more cozy mysterty than a thriller but it was still an enjoyable read!

Thank you Netgalley & Grand Central Publishing for an eARC ♥️


Ellery Wainwright's 20th wedding anniversary celebration turns into a desperate fight for survival when she arrives alone at the isolated Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California. The luxurious getaway, once a symbol of her perfect life, now feels like a haunting reminder of her shattered dreams.

As she tries to escape her painful reality, a wedding party arrives, taunting her with memories of her own lost love. But when the groom turns up dead in the pool, Ellery realizes she's not the only one with secrets. And as the rain pours down, a mudslide traps the guests, leaving them at the mercy of a killer. With no escape and no signal to call for help, Ellery must navigate the treacherous web of lies and alliances among the stranded guests. Each new death raises the stakes, and Ellery's own dark past threatens to surface.

Ally Condie masterfully crafts a sense of tension and unease from the very beginning, and the isolated setting of the resort adds to the feeling of claustrophobia and dread.

I loved how the story explores the complexities of human relationships and the secrets we keep from each other.

4 stars!

I don't think this book will be for everyone, but it was for me! I never read Ally Condie's Matched series, but I did really love her thriller debut. I think that where this really shined for me was with the main character Ellery. She was so compelling and I was rooting for her and her happiness. I think what I also loved about this book was the setting. The Broken Point Resort felt so real and vivid, and the setting was also helped by Ally Condie's descriptive writing.

I also really liked the supporting cast, including the new friends Ellery meets, the bride, maid of honor, and best man. It was fun to learn more about everyone, and I was surprised to discover how invested I was within a 320 page novel.

My only con was that I think the book fell slightly apart with the mystery reveal. There felt like a lot of random coincidences and a more villain end of novel speech than I expected, which took me out of the parts of the book I really liked. Besides that, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from Ally Condie.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Love a good wedding murder, especially when it’s a destination wedding… everyone out of their safe spaces, thrown together with people they don’t always know or get along with… I enjoyed the added spin of our protagonist practically being a wedding crasher; she knows nobody…

This was quick to pull me in, but didn’t stand up throughout. There are SO many characters and the build up to the end was kind of imbalanced. Parts dragged, pulling me out of the story a little. It just felt so long…

This wasn’t bad! I really enjoyed some of the characters and the mystery is intriguing. I know others will find more to enjoy with this one.

This was my first book by Ally Condie, this is a stranded on a remote island, locked door, type book, I found myself flipping through the pages, but not as fast as I usually do. I liked the idea of the premise, however I felt like the ending and the book fell short for me. I found the characters complex, and likable, but at the same time I felt like too much was going on sometimes, nothing at all. The main character was a recently divorced mother of two, who decides to take the 20th anniversary trip that was planned for her and her now ex-husband. Shortly after arriving at the resort People begin to start missing and later turn up unalive. The storyline is a modern day with flashbacks to the past of the main characters traumatic incident years ago. Overall, the storyline is good, and its fun to watch all the pieces come together at the end. THis book has a variety of emotions, struggles, family and friend connections. If you are looking for a quick read this might not be it, but in my opinion it is still worth the read.