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."

Following the end of her marriage, Phoebe arrives at the fancy hotel in Rhode Island planning to end her life. Instead, a spoiled bride convinces her to postpone her plans to avoid ruining the wedding. In the following week, Phoebe rediscovers herself and her joy for life. In the end, she finds a whole new way forward.
.
A great character study where you get to know several different people, in varying levels of depth. Great reminder that it’s never too late to start over.

This is one of the best things I've read in a long time. I loved the dark humor, the characters development, and the quirky plot.


Review copy provided by publisher.

4.5 stars

*I've read this book twice now: once by sight and once via an audiobook. Listening to the audiobook for my second round made me appreciate this book even more (and bump it up a star).

Look. I'm loudly precious about _Mrs. Dalloway_, so when I dive into a novel and there are immediately implicit and explicit references, I'm always worried I'll be disappointed. While the connections are heavy handed (and at times a little oversimplified), this is an intriguing effort overall, including for those likeminded, diehard Dalloway fans.

Phoebe has been having a tough time for a long time. She's filled with outstanding projects and not fully realized dreams, and when she undergoes a major life change/disappointment, all of these big dramas become one insurmountable obstacle, and she decides to stop referencing just Virginia Woolf and Clarissa Dalloway and start getting Michael Cunningham's characters involved as reference points, too. Readers who are sensitive to suicidal ideation and descriptions of related plans and experiences should strongly consider whether this is the right read for them. While the tone is frequently upbeat, the subject matter is often heavy, and these motifs encompass more than just a scene of this novel. They are rampant. To live or not? This is a question that will be asked often.

While Phoebe has some tragic plans for her evening away, everything changes when she's immediately brought into the fold of a wedding party. This group is (mostly) humorously dysfunctional, but Phoebe finds herself reconsidering her options and plans as a result of their presence and antics.

So much of this novel is about disappointment and loneliness, but the overarching sentiment is hopeful. Since we are living in some truly depressing times, it seems necessary that folks consider their own mindsets carefully before cracking the first page.

Phoebe is no Clarissa, and while Espach isn't Woolf either, this writer does offer thoughtful characters, plotting, and themes and motifs that are sure to make readers reflect. I will absolutely be back for more from this author.

*I recommend the audio version when and where available and accessible.

I had only heard great things about this novel, but I was still so surprised when every single page exceeded my expectations. There wasn’t a dull moment in this humor-filled story that still managed to be dark, emotional, and profound. I am SO happy I read it because this will likely make my list of best books of the year. We truly start the storyline in a very dark place. Still, the way this ridiculous wedding event transforms the characters we meet made me feel so incredibly warm inside and full of hope without ever being cheesy.

The story is told from the perspective of one character, but the novel feels so full of life and unique individuals. The sign of a great novel for me is if I force other people around my life to listen to me talk about it, which was the case with this one! I kept saying to my sister that this would make such a fun movie. I’ve read in some reviews that it looks like it could be in the works already and that makes me incredibly excited!

If you liked Green Dot or Cleopatra and Frankenstein, this has a similar mix of tones and topics. It’s laugh-out-loud funny at times, sometimes shocking, occasionally emotional. Phoebe takes you on her rollercoaster of emotions, so strap in and enjoy the ride.

I want to also mention that the narration for this book was excellent. It delivered in terms of voice acting to convey the right emotions and tones throughout the book. I finished this in under 24 hours because I was so hooked on the story, which is both to the credit of the author and the narrator. A match made in heaven.

Finally, I want to give props to the amazing cover designer. This is truly such a beautiful book cover design that I can’t wait to own it physically!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advance copy of this audiobook for review.

This book was very interesting. I loved the backstory and the strength of the female character. There were surprising parts too. Overall, it was a good book!

The Wedding People gave me multiple laughs and also multiple moments of heaviness where I had to pause reading.

Reader, it is important to know the subject matter. There are mentions of suicide, loss, grief, infidelity, infertility, miscarriage.

Phoebe is newly divorced and treating herself to one last hurrah before she plans to end her life.
She winds up in the lobby of an elaborate yet comforting coastal hotel. There she meets the bride and wedding people and is instantly enmeshed into their lives. She is mistaken for being part of the wedding party.
Upon discovering she does not know the bride nor groom, she is somewhat lovingly adopted into the troupe by Lila, the bride.
Spoiler alert: Phoebe does not actually end her life.

Over the course of a week she goes on wildly entertaining excursions with the wedding people. We are given insight to each member of the party.
The wedding party is messy, namely the women and each with their own complicated lives.
Some of the women would be a blast to spend a weekend together with, others slightly insufferable.

We see the fast paced relationship between Phoebe and Lila evolve. What a rollercoaster these two are together as they are so wildly different!

When life gives you lemons, sorry palette cleaners, you make the most of it! A book of second chances and finding out who we really are.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for allowing me to read and review The Wedding People.

Publication date: July 30th!

Synopsis: Phoebe takes a trip to her dream hotel in Newport, Rhode Island during her absolute lowest. She didn’t expect week long wedding festivities to be occurring at the same time as her stay, but it ends up being the best thing for her.

Thoughts: This is not a lighthearted book, as it deals with some very tough and real topics (e.g., depression, divorce, infertility), yet the author sprinkles in humor, joy and wedding antics to make it a perfect summer listen. The writing was beautiful, the dialogue made me feel like I was in the middle of all the conversations and the characters slowly became my friends. There were so many times my heart was aching for Phoebe, but at the same time I loved her journey of self-discovery and how by the end of the book all I wanted to do was cheer her on. Definitely a read that looks at how messy life can be and what it looks like to come out on the other side. On audio, I was could not stop listening to Helen Laser’s beautiful narration. She truly made me feel all the emotions. Thank you Libro.Fm for the gifted copy.

I loved this! Ate it up! Couldn’t put it down! It is one of my most favorite books this year and will be recommended many times to others in the future. Outstanding narrator as well. Recommend for fans of A Man Called Ove

I listen to the audio version of The Wedding People and I enjoyed it immensely. This was a story about chance encounters and finding a new path. I enjoyed the story, the narration and grew to love the characters.

I was really excited for this book and the premise, but it did not do it for me. The narrator was great, but it took too long for the story to really be established. The writing was too pedantic.

This is my first novel by Alison Espach. I really enjoyed this creative contemporary story. Phoebe (FMC) shows up to a hotel that is fully booked with “Wedding People”. What happens next is a very honest and entertaining story. Highly recommend.

Helen Laser does a great job narrating.

Thank you McMillan Audio and NetGalley for an early copy. All opinions are my own.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I absolutelyyyyy adored this book and found the writing and storytelling to feel cinematic - super excited to see that a film company acquired the rights to the novel. The book covers a lot of themes but it never felt overwhelming or underdeveloped. At the root of it all it's a story about girlhood and the impact strangers can have on you. In one chapter it's fun and light-hearted and then next thing you know you're sucker punched with all the feels. I will say, this books covers some topics that could be triggering so definitely proceed with caution.

This is a perfect summer read and a great book club choice. Highly recommend and will continue to read more books by Alison!

I’m so sad but this was a DNF for me. I started it as soon as I received it because it’s been on my wish list for summer releases. The premise is so original-a woman going to a hotel to complete suicide is intercepted by the wedding party and befriended. What wacky hijinx could ensue! What a redemptive, hopeful tale it could be. It started out good, giving some background on what lead to the woman’s depression. I loved her snarky commentary on the wedding guests and it was so relatable that she made up names for them. She meets the bride in the elevator and I think this is where it’s going to take off. Nope. It dives deeper into why her life sucks and uses the word fuck so many times that I forget what we are talking about. Admittedly, I’m not a smut reader, but this was not sexy. At this point, I’m 14% into the book and it’s dark and not going anywhere and done hearing about people fucking.

What an amazing read! There are definitely triggers as in suicide, depression, divorce, affairs, and death off the page. However, this book is funny, relatable, happy, raw, and honest and talks about being an adult and all the baggage of finding yourself and staying yourself in such a beautiful way. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

I really, really wanted to love this audiobook, but I just couldn’t get into it after a certain point. I found myself really not caring what happened.

I absolutely loved The Wedding People! This book follows Phoebe as she arrives at a hotel, and she is the only guest that isn't a part of a giant wedding. I expected a chick-lit/rom-com based on the description, but I did not expect the DEPTH! Phoebe is in a dark place at the beginning of this book, and if you are someone who needs trigger warnings, please look up what those are for this book or message me. As I am in the beginning stages of one of the hardships Phoebe faced, I could feel her pain. I could see how she got to the beginning of this book, and what an absolute joy it was to see her journey to the end of the book.

All my love and all the stars.

I received an ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Narration was excellent.

Five stars! More stars! Loved this book so much. I immediately became invested in the story because of its rich characters and witty dialogue. The exploration of family, friends, finding yourself, and recognizing what you want from your life made the story meaningful and enjoyable. The setting was amazing! The narration was superb. I believe this audiobook will be well-received. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.