If I could give a book 6 stars, The Wedding People by Alison Espach would definitely get it! I listened to this on audio & read it as well. This story kept me hooked from the very beginning & I loved the narrator on the audio version. Outstanding!!!!

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for an ARC copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

5/5
Genre: Literary/Contemporary Fiction
Would reread? Yes
Would recommend? Yes
Over hyped? NOPE. So worth the hype.
Location: Newport, Rhode Island

If you like The Husbands, Anxious People, and Alone with You in the Ether - you'll love this one.

This one caught my attention RIGHT from the start. I was blown away by the beautiful writing and the attention to detail about these characters. I was completely immersed. It was riveting.

Themes:
-Unhinged woman narrator
-Social critisms critic
-Depression
-Divorce
-Infertility
-Found Family
-Wedding crasher finds new purpose in life

CW: IVF/Infertility, Divorce, Depression, Grief for death of parent/spouse, Suicidal attempts and Ideations.

Espach imagines a hotel taken over by a young, entitled, rich bride who’s planned a weeklong wedding celebration. But her perfect plans may be thwarted by an uninvited hotel guest. Lila is astonished that this interloper is at her hotel and is prepared to take action that will detract from the perfection she expects from the week of events. Phoebe, the uninvited guest, booked the swanky hotel out of frustration with her ex-husband who wouldn’t spend the money to go there when they were married. Now, Phoebe is there on her own and determined to follow through on her plan.

The two women start talking and share quite a bit, despite their being wildly different people. Phoebe is an academic, thoughtful and smart while Lila is superficial and self-centered. Somehow the flighty young bride makes an impression on Phoebe and gets her involved in the wedding events. Suddenly, Phoebe becomes a key player in the festivities and she begins to think things are not so depressing and her life is not a dead-end. Lila, on the other hand, reveals how her seemingly “perfect” plans mask some serious concerns.

There’s more than just rom-com romance and fun. The book is perceptive and the writing sparkles. There’s subtle humor that adds to the cleverness of the plot. One can’t help but find Phoebe to be keenly observant and well developed. Lila starts off as obnoxious and shallow but she too has moments that reveal there’s more to her.

Fast paced and also poignant. An uplifting read. The audio was wonderfully narrated by Helen Laser. She adds just the right touch of lightness combined with seriousness to make the book a truly worthwhile listen.

Did I love this book because it's heartbreakingly well written with a beautiful story of self-discovery and frustrating but endearing covers or did I love this book because I had recently gone to a wedding in Rhode Island, visited the Breakers, and had a mini-crisis because of being the single person of my friend group? Probably both.

I do highly recommend the audiobook, which has some of my favorite narration of the year.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach was a profoundly moving experience that masterfully blends humour, heartache, and hope. The novel follows Phoebe Stone, a literature professor in her forties, who arrives at the opulent Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, wearing a green dress and gold heels—but without any luggage. This trip once envisioned as a romantic getaway with her now ex-husband, becomes a solo venture marked by her deep despair and a drastic plan.

Upon arrival, Phoebe is mistaken for a guest attending a lavish wedding taking place at the inn. This case of mistaken identity leads to an unexpected and transformative friendship with the bride, Lila. Their candid conversations and shared vulnerabilities provide both women with new perspectives on their lives and choices.

Espach’s writing is both witty and tender, capturing the complexities of human emotions with remarkable authenticity. The novel deftly explores themes of loneliness, the search for meaning, and the serendipitous relationships that can alter our life’s trajectory. Phoebe’s journey from the depths of despair to a renewed sense of purpose is portrayed with sensitivity and insight, making her a relatable and compelling protagonist.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not quite sure what I was expecting from this book but it was well written and had a good plot. I enjoyed the narration very much and will quite possibly read more from this author in the future.

An almost stream of consciousness of a woman who, after being cheated and left by her husband and falling prey to depression, goes to a hotel to commit suicide only to find out that hotel will host a wedding that weekend and she gets swept up in the bride's drama.

I was not expecting it but wow, I LOVED THIS. Incredible.
The narrator, Helen Laser, was fabulous - outstanding performance.
And I will definitely check out this author's backlist!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Audio: amazing narration, would recommend.

Review: Wow, it's hard to encompass into a review the things this book will make you feel. I am going to warn you before you read anymore of this review I am going to talk about a triggering element that is not in the synopsis of this book that I believe should be. It is not a spoiler, it is mentioned from page one until the end. You've been warned.

This is the story of Phoebe who has driven herself to a remote, luxurious hotel with the plan to end her life. She is done with life (a lot of dark humor used that takes the edge off of the sadness and is realistic) and plans to end it all here. There is in-depth conversations and planning throughout the whole story. I am unsure why this is not in the synopsis, I think it is something the author should be proud of that she wrote about but I wonder if publishing thought it might scare people off. On that note, if you pick this book up after reading this review please take care of yourself, I wish publishing would have considered that.

While Phoebe is at this hotel, making her plans (yes it's that light hearted but you can feel the serious undertone, this is a very crafty thing the author is able to do) there are guests there for a 6 day wedding event. There is will come to know a cast of realistic, morally grey, annoying, privileged, but also kind and compassionate characters. I don't know how the author did this but she really packed a literary punch here. There is so much substance to this story, I can't begin to wrap it up in a review.

There are many quotes throughout this book that will stick with me. The dark, satirical writing I believe will really resonate with most readers who pick this up. This is a hilarious, heart warming, heart breaking, hopeful story of what it means to be human.

I listened to this one on audio and really enjoyed it. She did a great job of bridging depressing and hopeful. It was a colourful cast of characters, and the back and forth in the timeline really worked.

The Wedding People was an excellent read! It was funny even though dealing with a tough topic- suicide. It was absorbing.

Phoebe went to the Cornwall Inn to take her own life - her husband left her, her cat is dead. She quickly discovers that she is the only one at the Inn who is not a part of the wedding. She meets the bride, who insists Phoebe’s death will ruin the wedding. Phoebe decides not to kill herself and ends up joining the wedding activities for the week.

The beginning of this book had me feeling heartbroken. Phoebe is in such a dark place with so many bad things happening. But she also discovers that she has to find her voice and start asking for what she wants. This book has so much wisdom - about what it looks like to go through hard times, about what it means to be a woman in so many stages of life, about how we navigate love.

*The Wedding People* by Alison Espach is a poignant exploration of love, commitment, and the complexities of relationships set against the backdrop of wedding celebrations. Through a series of interconnected stories, Espach examines the lives of various characters—each grappling with their own romantic dilemmas and personal struggles.

Espach's writing is sharp and insightful, blending humor with emotional depth. The narrative captures the excitement and chaos of weddings while also delving into the underlying tensions that often accompany such milestones. The characters are vividly drawn, portraying a range of perspectives on love and partnership, making them relatable and engaging.

The pacing of the novel flows smoothly, with each story adding layers to the overarching theme of what it means to love and be loved. As the characters confront their fears and desires, readers are left to ponder the intricate dance between expectation and reality in relationships.

Overall, *The Wedding People* is a delightful and thought-provoking read that will resonate with anyone who has navigated the complexities of love. Alison Espach crafts a rich tapestry of emotions that captures the essence of human connection, making it a compelling addition to contemporary fiction.

This was a case of the right book at the right time. There was so much I loved about this book. I thought the concept was very original and engaging, I fell in love with Pheobe and Lila and their unusual friendship and I really connected with the idea of taking your life into your own hands. The author did a great job of balancing heavy themes with moments of levity and humor. I recommend it to anyone looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and evaluate your life. Check the trigger warning first though.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Phoebe Stone arrives at the fancy Cornwell Inn in a beautiful green dress and heels. She had planned to come and celebrate with her husband, but he cheated on her and wanted a divorce so those plans were out the window. Instead she has arrived planning to have one last decadent bash because she surely cannot live without him, she wouldn’t know how to go on.

Phoebe booked the fanciest room with the best view so her last day would be memorable. What she wasn’t expecting was to be the only guest at the hotel except for attendees at a lavish wedding. When Phoebe runs into the neurotic and scattered bride she ends up blurting out what she is there to do. The bride can’t believe anyone was allowed to book a room because only guests of her wedding were supposed to be there. The bride tells Phoebe she must move her plans to another location so her wedding will not be ruined. How is it that these two actually begin to confide in each other, make a connection, and help each other see things more clearly.

I loved this book! The topic was weirdly refreshing. The author did a great job making these two protagonists connect over serious circumstances but also inserted plenty of humor and true talk moments. Both Phoebe and the bride’s characters felt real and believable to me. Getting to know the bride's quirky family and friends seamlessly fill in the spaces around the two main characters. I think Phoebe and the bride are my favorite characters of the year so far. I laughed with them and rooted for them the entire story.

Wow this was such a pleasure to read. You really connect with Phoebe from the get and feel for her position in life. There are definitely heavy themes in this one.

I absolutely loved The Wedding People by Alison Espach! This book is a powerful, moving story that strikes the perfect balance between humor and heartbreak. Phoebe arrives at a beautiful inn in Newport, Rhode Island, not for a relaxing getaway but with a much darker plan in mind—she’s at rock bottom, and this trip is meant to be her last splurge before ending it all.

What really pulled me in was the unexpected bond Phoebe forms with the bride, despite not being part of the wedding. Their connection is both surprising and beautifully written, bringing moments of hope and vulnerability in the midst of Phoebe’s pain. The way Espach weaves together absurd wedding mishaps with deep, emotional moments makes this book both incredibly funny and devastatingly tender.

The Wedding People is a heartfelt and nuanced look at how life’s chance encounters can shift our perspective, even in the darkest times. If you’re looking for a novel that will make you laugh, cry, and leave you feeling deeply moved, this is the one!

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.

I definitely recommend this one on audio as an engaging listen.

I absolutely loved this book. The narrator was great for the story. I kept picking up my AirPods just to even listen for a minutes to get more of the story.

It took me a bit to get into this story in the begining because, well... it was a bit depressing. I really felt for Phoebe and was angry for her. As the story went on and we started meet more of the "wedding people" they all began to grow on me. I loved how this book focused on the connections the characters, who were strangers, made with each other. The audiobook was great and entertaining, as well.

I really wanted to like this book but it took me forever for me to finish it. In the end, I thought it was ok but did not live up to the hype.