Wow, this definitely falls under the “I ended up liking this way more than I expected to” category.

I am thankful to have gotten the audioARC for free from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio so I can leave my voluntary and honest review.

First the narrator which is what I am reviewing primarily…
Helen Laser was great! She read it exactly how I expect narrators to do. Other than typical things of being clear and consistent etc… she read it with enough passion to have you engaged in the story but she doesn’t cross that line of being overly dramatic where the readers take on the book colors the consumers opinion. Her reading is neutral enough where ai could create the world in my own head. The only thing that ai had to do that impacts the narration is speed it up to 1.25x rate as it was a bit too slow for me. This rate was a swifter than I like but the NetGalley platform only has set rates unfortunately and it was better than the 1x speed.

As far as the book itself it was surprising! I wouldn’t say it was a constant laugh out loud experience but it was smartly cheeky with agreeable real life humor.
I don’t think the description given does justice to the experience of the book. To the extent that I am sure some will be very disappointed in it and rate it lower in response.

However, “heartwarming” is definitely an accurate representation of the story as a whole. It is very well written and makes the consumer think about blogs, people impact on it and how other people can impact ones self view and life experience.

It definitely has a few topics which may be triggering to some readers like mentions of suicidal ideation and infertility and more. But they are handled very well and with care.

Lastly, the thing I liked the most about the book is that you wanted to root for all the characters. Even those that are harder to personally like.

So get this on your TBR as it comes out soon on July 30th 2024!

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I was lucky enough to receive both an ebook ARC and an audiobook ALC of this book. The audiobook is narrated by Helen Laser, which I was excited about because I have enjoyed other titles she has narrated.

I thought this book was a fast and enjoyable read, perfect for the summer. I started and finished this book in under a day. I thought the story was kind of exciting and I enjoyed the characters, although I wouldn't say they are all too likeable. With that being said, I thought the ending was lackluster, and had the book had a different ending, I would have probably rated it 5 stars. I also think that Helen Laser's fabulous narration is what kept me wanting to find out what happens in this story.
Even if the ending was slightly lackluster (and abrupt), I would still read more books written by Alison Espach in the future.

—


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

********


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Alison Espach's latest novel has the dark-comedy quirkiness of an indie film. There is a terrific cast of unique characters, excellent character development of the heroine, and a plot that fills the reader with hope for life.

The beginning of the novel could very easily tip into overly-depressing territory, but the contrast also makes the story arc and ending that much more satisfying.

I loved not only the theme of connecting with random humans in important ways at the most needed times, but also the ridiculousness of the extent to which some people buy into wedding culture.

Helen Laser's audiobook narration is expertly done with adept characterizations for each voice, as well as perfect comedic timing. My only issue with the audiobook was technical—there were spots of obvious quality disparities, so the listener could tell that some sentences were recorded at different times.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advanced audiobook.

This was such an interesting book--the premise starts with Phoebe traveling to a fancy hotel to end her life!--and spoke so much to the need for human connection. I liked the messiness of the storylines and the characters. Everyone was flawed in such compelling ways.
A great read.

A truly wonderful book!

Phoebe is a recently divorced English professor. She has come to the expensive Cornwall Inn for one night, she is planning to kill herself because life has become too bleak. Upon check in, she discovers the inn is filled with guests for a wedding, and Phoebe seems to be the only non-wedding person. She has a chance meeting with the bride, Lila, and when Phoebe reveals her plans, Lila forbids Phoebe to go through with it because it will ruin her wedding. Slowly, and almost imperceptibly, Phoebe meets other members of the family and bridal party and becomes involved with the event because she is the confidante no one knew they needed.

I loved the quirky, fast-paced dialogue, with the sadder and more depressing segments balanced with humor and tender moments. These characters felt like real people, everyone was dealing with their own baggage and dealing with it in the best way they knew how to do.

I thought the flow in this novel was perfect. There was no bogging down, no plodding. So refreshing as everything lately just seems to drag on and on. I was actually not ready for this to be over, but I do feel as if it is the perfect length to tell the right tale. Shockingly, although there were a number of mentions of Covid and the pandemic, they didn't really feel tacked on and unnecessary, they just made these people and their situations seem more real. This really surprised me because it's not something I like to read about.

I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator. She did a fantastic job with the snappy dialogue and characterizations. If you're looking for a character driven novel either on the page or through an audiobook, this is a superb choice.

This is definitely an adult novel with language and topics to match, so if you're sensitive to those things or have triggers, there are plenty of them to go around so plan accordingly.

Loved my time with this one!

"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" 𖠋♡𖠋

I had to take the night and let this one marinate in thought. I'm still not quite sure where to start - it covered so many bases, in such a broad and significant spectrum.

When her life takes a drastic turn, Phoebe Stone spontaneously decides to get away from it all and take the trip she has dreamed of taking with her now ex-husband. The Cornwall Inn in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island, is brimming with guests when she arrives- dressed to the nines and when she’s mistaken for one of them, Phoebe’s swept up in all the pomp and circumstance.

As the story evolves, we see Phoebe transform from a depressed and constricted individual to a disarmingly honest personality that touches people. This was an enjoyable character study covering themes such as suicide, infertility, abandonment, life goals, sexuality, and relationships.

The setting and the wedding week atmosphere adds a touch of lightness, humor and chaos.

I love dark humor and the author really delivered, I found myself cracking up and really appreciating each and every one of the characters. All of the personalities are so refreshing and realistic.

╰⪼ Smart, laugh out loud funny, emotional - this book has range! Highly recommend!

“𝐼 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝒾𝓉’𝓈 𝒶𝓂𝒶𝓏𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀 𝓌𝑒’𝓁𝓁 𝒹𝑜 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔. 𝐼 𝒹𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒽𝓊𝓂𝒶𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉.”

「 ✦ A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help us start anew. ✦ 」


╰┈➤ 𐙚 𝓘𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒞𝒶𝓃 𝐸𝓍𝓅𝑒𝒸𝓉... 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡꒱

°˖➴🥂Whitty
°˖➴🥂Dark Humored
°˖➴🥂Feel Good
°˖➴🥂Wedding Week Vibes
°˖➴🥂Exceptionally Well Written

╰┈➤ 𐙚 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓽/𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡ ꒱

°˖➴💍Infidelity
°˖➴💍Infertility
°˖➴💍Unfulfilling job
°˖➴💍Divorce
°˖➴💍Suicide
°˖➴💍Depression
°˖➴💍Death/Grief.


Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Alison Espach for the last min complementary audio copy in exchange for an honest review. 💐
146 likes

"I came here to die, and now look at me."

Admittedly, I was drawn in by the cover of the Wedding People above all else; I didn't even read the description before diving in. This was a surprise in the best way. It's dark, funny, sad, hopeful and invites growth from several perfect strangers.

The writing and dialogue was beautiful, blunt and smart, and the audiobook narration by Helen Laser helped to elevate the story into something more meaningful. Her delivery for Phoebe and Lila was perfect.

My thanks to Net Galley and Henry Holt and Co and Macmillian Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook. I enjoyed the audio narration!

Phoebe has longed to go to this gorgeous hotel with her husband, however her husband is not with her when she arrives in a stunning green dress with no luggage. She thinks this will be the last place she ever goes but ends up running into the "wedding people" giving them all sorts of names in her head like "neck pillow", or other clever names she gives people . They think she is part of the wedding party and they start talking to her in the elevator. She tells the bride she has come to the hotel for only one reason - to take her life, but the bride will not allow this. They begin to talk about a lot of things, as do some of her wedding party.

For a book that was supposed to be "funny" and "hilarious", I found it to be neither. The language was bad, trashy and a bit too much for me. The story line was predictable. But the characters had some redeeming qualities.

SPOILER ALERT***
I read very few romance/chick-lit fiction books, so I am not the target audience for this book, but wanted to read something light. This book felt pretty heavy with issues of depression, suicide, marital infidelity, etc.

I freaking loved this book! It honestly was not at all what I was expecting, in the best possible way.

Following her divorce and the death of her beloved cat, Phoebe checks into a ridiculously expensive historic hotel with plans of ending her life. She immediately realizes that she is the only person in the hotel who is not there to attend a lavish six-day wedding. A chance encounter in the elevator bring Phoebe and Lila (the bride) together, and the rest... well, the rest consists of us meeting quite the interesting cast of characters and joining them on a week-long journey.

This is not a light, heartwarming story by any means. In fact, it's pretty dark at times, but it is also funny and thought-provoking and it will make you feel plenty of emotions along the way.

The audiobook narrator did a phenomenal job bringing this rather vast cast of characters to life.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion. I LOVED IT!

I was happy I said "I DO!" to "The Wedding People".
❤️👍😍👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨

From Chapter One, I was instantly engaged.

(No pun intended!)

Yes, I was captivated by this heartfelt, intriguing, and refreshingly different wedding rom-com.

The book's premise was brilliant:
Two deeply flawed women meet for the first time at the grand Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island.

One woman is a meticulous bride who has assiduously planned every detail of her $1M wedding.

The other woman is a depressed and infertile divorcee who has traveled to the Inn to kill herself.

WHAT'S THERE NOT TO LIKE???

The author's characterizations were strong and the dialogue was ultra-compelling with just the right dose of humor.

WHY NOT 5 STARS?
Some of the book's "deep winding conversations" were too "winding".

(Full disclosure: I am a fan of brevity whenever possible!)

I listened to the audiobook, expertly read by narrator Helen Laser.

Overall, my confetti and sparklers were out!!!
🎊🥳🎉

This book was a winner!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

This book is, like, someone challenged Allison Espach to write the funniest possible novel about a suicidal 40 year old depressed woman.

Phoebe's husband had an affair with her friend, she has no job and no prospects, and she wakes up to find her dog has died. She decides to check in for one night at a beautiful luxury hotel in order to end her life. $900 per night luxury, in Newport, Rhode Island. Every other guest in the hotel is there for a million dollar wedding. Through chance encounters, Phoebe connects with the bride, an incredibly nuanced well-written character named Lila. Lila's father, the waste management king of New Jersey, died of cancer 2 years earlier and wished to see his daughter married. Lila is spoiled and self-centered, but so smart and confident. I can't believe this author made me like such a spoiled 28 year old gorgeous girl so much.

Phoebe connects with Lila, the grieving widow mother of the bride, the groom, his sister, and most of the other wedding people. Surviving her suicide attempt, Phoebe is on borrowed time and becomes an oracle to help The Wedding People to find connection and truth.
It absolutely needs to be made into a movie.
Phoebe- Aubrey Plaza
Lila- Sabrina Carpenter
Gary- Chris Pine
Tip: A Coconut Pillow is not a real thing, I know this, because I searched it on Amazon. (I wish it was real)

Did I mention this book is hilarious? If you like contemporary fiction, chick lit, beach town, dark humor, you will love this fun book. I have already pre-ordered a copy to re-read.
Audiobook narrator- 5 stars- well done
Thank you to #netGalley and Henry Holt for an advance copy of this audiobook.

5 Stars!

Following her divorce, Phoebe checks in at a crowded, historic hotel with plans of ending her life, and upon checking in she learns she is the only person at the hotel that is not attending or partaking in a six-day wedding week. Phoebe's attempt to disregard the situation is immediately rendered useless when Lila, the bride, gets in the elevator with Phoebe and learns of Phoebe's plan. This interaction initially leads to Lila trying to convince Phoebe to not ruin her wedding week, but evolves into an intertwined story that unfolds over the week.

The characters are all well-developed and despite the grief, depression, superficial-ness, and other generally unpleasant characteristics, they all remain extremely likable because they are just having a standard human experience. I found myself rooting for Phoebe and Lila (and others - Pauline! Gary! Jim! Marla?!) even when I didn't know what conclusion I was rooting for, and the characters didn't seem to either. A lovely, pleasant, and joyful read. I wouldn't call it heart-warming and neither happy nor sad tears were shed, but it was a fun, good read. I was genuinely sad when this one ended because I was ready to continue hearing about Phoebe's life and next chapter, but am happy to be able to speculate myself.

I listened to the audiobook and Helen Laser as the narrator was perfect. She was engaging and very good at altering her voice for the different characters and for the different emotions they were feeling.

Thank you to Macmillian Audio for the advanced copy via Net Galley for my honest review.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Narrated by Helen Laser

Wealthy Lila is marrying older doctor, Gary, and her wedding week extravaganza is taking place at the same luxurious inn where Phoebe plans to end it all. But when spoiled, gets everything she wants, Lila learns of Phoebe's plan she demands Phoebe not ruin her wedding. In fact, as motor mouth, clueless to everybody but herself, Lili and depressed Phoebe get to know each other, Phoebe realizes she wants to live. For all her faults, Lili has done a very good deed for Phoebe.

And that's how Phoebe, almost gone one minute, now part of the wedding party, ends up being a sounding board for so many in the wedding party. She's a stranger to them all but her years as a college professor, being the listening ear her students often needed, is perfect for allowing others to get their thoughts and feelings out. The narrator, Alison Espach does a great job with Phoebe, giving her a muted, almost deadened voice when she's helping others work through their thoughts. She's there to ask the questions each person can't ask themselves.

Phoebe can see what others can't see. She no longer has blinders over her eyes, she's lost the ability to lie to herself and she's realizing she can't always tolerate others lying to themselves. At the same time, she's not going to be the one to beat others over the head with the mistakes they are making. She has good reason to want to stop this wedding but she's going to stand back and let the others see what they need to see, even if they are going to see it too late.

The story is funny, raunchy, and has me glad I have no weddings in my future. I'd like to pretend things are neater, nicer, with less cussing, so I'll watch wedding people from a distance. I like how the story ends, I have my vision of the characters' futures and it's a good vision.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for an ARC of Wedding People.

I'm not sure that I have the vocabulary to accurate describe how much I LOVED this book. This is book is easily in the top five of the best books I've read this year so far - possibly ever?

It's dark, and is also somehow the funniest book I've ever read. It almost made me mad because I know that I will probably never be as funny as this book is. Literally there were points that I was doubled over in laughter it was so funny. There was a line that I listened to THREE TIMES because it made me laugh so hard.

In addition to it's dark humor, this book is also incredibly thought provoking and respectful to the sensitive topics of depression and mental illness.

If you decide to read anything this year, let it be this book!

This was such a special story. Although the premise is certainly not uplifting, it is easy to walk away from this book feeling positive and hopeful. It reinforces the notion that the right person at the right time can make all of the difference.

This was a beautifully written story. The main character has hit rock bottom and has decided to end her life at a fancy old hotel that charges $800 a night. Other than herself, the entire hotel is booked by "The Wedding People" who she ends up rubbing shoulders with throughout the wedding week. It obviously covers a lot of heavy topics, but it does so with witty, albeit dark, humor. I loved the inner thoughts of Phoebe and I was routing for her to view her life and potential clearly. I also appreciated that it didn't end with a neatly tied bow, but you knew she would end up ok.

Trigger Warnings:
•Mental health issues
•Infidelity
•Depression
•Suicide ideation
•Infertility
•Death

The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Narrated by Helen Laser
Expected Publication Date: July 30, 2024

Smart, Honest and Hopeful

Forty-ish Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn and checks into the most expensive room for one night. She is wearing her green dress and gold heels, so she looks the part of a wedding guest-but she isn’t there to celebrate the start of a new life-she is there to END hers.

Infertility, Infidelity, Depression, Divorce and now the death of her beloved cat.

That is what has led to this tragic decision.

Meanwhile, the 28 year old bride, Lila has planned the PERFECT six day wedding, booking the entire Cornwall Inn for her “once in a lifetime” event. So it “just won’t do” that there has been a mix-up which allowed one random guest to check-in-even if it was just for the first night.

And, it’s definitely UNACCEPTABLE when she meets Phoebe and learns of her intent. NOBODY will ruin her wedding!

A chance encounter, an unlikely alliance, an unexpected friendship

Sometimes vulnerable people make the WRONG decisions. But, if you are lucky-you can still end up with the RIGHT outcome.

This is the kind of book that you will still be thinking about long after you finish-Especially if you are a woman of a certain age-or a certain stage of your life. And, even, if like me, you hate “sex themed” bachelorette activities, and don’t really enjoy weddings!

Of course, there are some of these things to endure in this book, and my personal preference is to read about this “well intentioned” pre-wedding fun without resorting to the unnecessary use of the more vulgar sexual terms to drive your point home-the three “C” words, which didn’t seem to fit with the more reflective conversations that characterized this story. (- .5)

The ending wasn’t completely unexpected, though it is one I hoped for, and the wisdom of the parting words shared between Phoebe and Lila, brought a tear to my eye.

I’m glad there wasn’t an epilogue and that the reader can envision what happens next…

4.5 stars ⭐️

I listened to the Audiobook, provided through NetGalley, which was expertly narrated by Helen Laser who delivered a wide range of voices and accents to the diverse cast of characters! This has been optioned for film and I look forward to watching too.

These are my Candid thoughts!

The Wedding People features a cast of dysfunctionally messy, comedic characters. The depth and development of the characters in this book is unlike anything I’ve read before. I greatly admire the strength of the FMC Phoebe. Her emotional fortitude is intensely felt throughout the story.

While much of the storyline is wildly entertaining, there are also parts with extremely heavy subject matter. I recommend reviewing the trigger warnings prior to reading.

TW:
- mental health issues/depression
- suicidal ideation
- infertility/miscarriage
- death of parents

🎧 Audiobook review: Helen Laser is a phenomenal narrator for easy listening. The emotion of the story was felt through her various inflections, and I never found it difficult to follow along.

This book is an emotionally profound, enjoyable read with thought provoking content that’ll stick with you long after you finish reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to review this ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is one of those books that surprised me a little with how much I absolutely fell in love with the story, the characters, and the setting. Phoebe has hit rock bottom after her divorce and the COVID pandemic, and she travels to Newport, Rhode Island with specific plans for herself. Those plans are derailed when her entire hotel is playing host to a wedding, and Phoebe is mistaken for a wedding guest. As Phoebe gets drawn in to the family dramas and wedding events, she undergoes an awakening and transformation that was wonderful to observe. The characters are so well drawn, and the emotions felt so real. This book will stick with me for a long time. Helen Laser did a great job with her audiobook narration. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for a digital audiobook copy.

Thank you to MacMillian Audio, NetGalley, and the author for an advance audio copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Publishes July 30th!

I really enjoyed this book for many reasons. It reminded me a lot of Adelaide, which I absolutely adored that book. It is really refreshing reading just a women's fiction book that covers such an array of topics. The audiobook was enjoyable... the reader was a bit monotone in normal speed but once I changed it to 2x speed, it was WAY more enjoyable. I felt deep feelings for our characters, I wanted to cry, and I laughed. The writing of this book was so beautiful and if you are looking for a lovely fiction book with a strong female character... absolutely give this story a read!

TW:
- Mental health representation
- suicidal ideation
- depression
- infertility
- death of parents

Synopsis of book:
"It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She's immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years—she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe's plan—which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other."