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."

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.