People come into our lives for a reason, & this book is a beautiful showcase of that & the connection we all crave. I listened to an advanced copy of the audiobook & loved every second. Thanks to NetGalley!

I went into this story not knowing the premise & drawn by the cover, and wow I could not have been more pleasantly surprised!
Phoebe arrived at a Rhode Island hotel on her own without any luggage and with a specific plan in place. What she doesn’t expect is to end up in a lobby full of people gathered for a wedding that week where she’s the only guest not a part of it. She soon meets the bride and the two find confidants in one another as Phoebe regains a sense of her life.
Such a beautiful refreshing novel full of humor and heartache. The narrator Helen Laser was wonderful and conveyed both women so perfectly.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to MacMillan Audio & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's not like this book will need my glowing review since it's now a "Read with Jenna" selection, but here it is nonetheless. I was surprised to find this book so charming, since I read Espach's earlier novel and ... didn't love it (started strong, finished weird). But now she seems to have gotten a bit more, well, realistic is not the word, because this book is not exactly that - let's say clearer. The characters' movements and intention are more relatable and understandable.

Don't get me wrong; I was being emotionally manipulated pretty much the entire time, but I was a willing participant. This novel takes place in the aftermath of the pandemic, but (thank Christ) this information is only background window dressing, mostly presented as a "it was a crazy time" kind of explanation for the life-rollercoaster that FMC Phoebe has been riding since her husband had an affair with a coworker (of both of theirs! cringe) and left her to deal with his personal possessions (I would've pulled a dumpster, but Phoebe is a kinder, or perhaps more inert, sort), their house, and their dying cat. All this leads Phoebe to a beautiful and expensive hotel, where she plans to off herself using her cat's pain meds (for a researcher, she kind of sucks at, you know, doing research, but this is a minor quibble) while wearing a gorgeous emerald green dress that she never got to wear out.

This sounded really not entertaining to me, but Espach does a nice job with it. Phoebe is free to stop caring about how she will be perceived, which leads her to make choices she ordinarily would not. Occasionally, it makes her sound like the Dalai Lama in late-stage transcendent wisdom, but, again, a minor quibble.

Overall, the book is affecting, interesting, and maybe even fun (there's some comic relief tossed in that is surprisingly not terrible and doesn't try too hard). Helen Laser is a gifted voice actor and distinguishes between voices easily (and even does a good man's voice). Don't let Jenna and her minions keep you from enjoying this.

This book took me on an unexpected loop from the very beginning. I loved how it all played out giving us just enough information while also leaving us to our imagination.

"The Wedding People" by Alison Espach offers a deep dive into the complexities of relationships and personal struggles. Espach's writing is insightful, with well-drawn characters and a thoughtful narrative. However, the heavy subject matter, particularly the discussions on infertility, may not be enjoyable for all readers. While the book addresses important issues, its somber tone and intense themes might not suit those looking for a lighter read.

The Wedding People, by Alison Espach, is a story that begins with despair but morphs into a myriad of possibilities. Phoebe Stone has been left behind by cheating spouse Matt and best friend Maya. Her book, which is necessary to get a full professorship, is going nowhere. Her adjunct professor job is a dead end. And her dreams of motherhood have been dashed for all time.

With such a bleak future, Phoebe reaches the end of her rope, books a very expensive ocean view suite, flies to the coastline, and prepares to end her dismal life, a plan that is doomed for failure as soon as she encounters high maintenance bride-to-be Lila when she accidentally catches the young woman’s hand in the elevator door, cutting her hand. Once Lila has linked herself to Phoebe, the young woman’s brash, outgoing personality overwhelms Phoebe and draws her in on a special adventure. And what a wild ride it is!

This is a wonderful, thoughtful read treating many sensitive subjects in a respectful manner and is done so with heart and humor. It did take me a bit to get swept up in the story, but once that happened it was difficult to put down. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it!

After adjunct professor Phoebe Stone fails to complete the dissertation she has been working on for the last 10 years as well as her husband leaving her for a co-worker following multiple failed IVF procedures, Phoebe arrives at the luxurious grand Cornwall Inn with no bags, just an elegant green dress, intending to commit suicide. There she is mistaken as a guest at a wedding party. For the next week, Phoebe questions her intended plan and what she truly wants out of her life.

The pacing of the book was really good, and I enjoyed the writing style, structure, and flow. I think the writer succeeded in writing characters that I could follow along on their journey and find them likable enough to root for them, specifically the main character who could easily come off as pretentious and elitist. I took off a star because I found it to be unconvincing and annoying how much the author seemed to create a world that people would find an English Professor at a random university to be some godlike genius. The writer’s need to create a character that explains the history of crows or some random insignificant fact to push a narrative that she was brilliant and special was a bit annoying to me. But overall, enjoyable read that kept my attention. 4/5

I would like to thank Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to give an honest review of The Wedding People, out for publication on July 30th.

As Phoebe’s life is turned upside down, she decides to take what she plans to be a short trip to Newport, Rhode Island. She decides to book an expensive room at an exclusive hotel, one where a week-long pre-wedding celebration is about to take place.

This is, Phoebe realizes, the one problem with falling in love with strangers. You don’t get to keep them. Phoebe, who knows not one of “the wedding people”, becomes the most important “wedding person”, connecting to some of the bridal party members who need her wit and honesty the most. The rich, spoiled bride-to-be, Lila, was a likable character who is trying to fulfill the wish of her late father. Lila instantly takes to Phoebe. These two women needed the fast-tracked friendship to save each of them in different ways.

I absolutely loved the characters! Phoebe, Lila, “Juice”, Gary, Jim, Patricia…. Phoebe unearths the gift of self-reflection in many of the characters, which was life-changing for each of them in their own way. I loved Phoebe Stone more and more as she supported her new found friends. I respected her smarts, humor, life experiences, patience, passions, knowledge, caring nature, and friendship. She was a character I just couldn’t get enough of!

What an entertaining audiobook! Helen Laser did a great job narrating the story. This brilliant novel had many humorous parts, heart-warming moments, and forced the reader to self-reflection at times. I highly recommend including this on your summer reading list for this year! An incredible story that would be great watching it come to life on the big screen! Is it in the works yet??

This book is out for publication on July 30th, so pick it up before summer comes to an end. Find a cozy reading spot, mentally travel to Rhode Island, pour some champagne, listen to some ocean sounds and ENJOY!

#netgalley #summerreadinglist #summerreading #theweddingpeople #macmillanaudio #alisonespach

I needed a book like this to spice up my summer reading. Summer means weddings. Summer means boat rides. Summer means surfing. It doesn't necessarily mean death though. Phoebe might think that it's a good time to kill herself but she could not do that when there was a wedding going on in the hotel she checked in, right?

Phoebe was having a crisis after her husband's infidelity. She thought way to make things right was committing suicide. When she found herself in the middle of wedding people and the bride threw a fit when she heard her purpose to be there, Phoebe got a new chance to think about life. her decisions, what she missed, and what she could recover.

While it was such a light read, it was also so deep. It had a woman finding herself after infidelity and miscarriage. It had a woman learning about how not to be like her mother. It had a young woman processing her mother's passing. Women in different ages and from different walks of life supported each other in "subtle" ways without making each other feel like burden to others. Totally loved this book!

"The Wedding People" is a story about a depressed woman who decides to splurge on an expensive night at a hotel she and her estranged husband were supposed to go to together, where she intends to commit suicide. What she didn't anticipate was the entitled bride who refuses to let her carry out her plans, not for any altruistic reasons, but because it would ruin her wedding.

There is a lot of navel-gazing that takes place in this story, from multiple characters, where no one is really living the life they thought they'd be living. They're just each being pulled along a track they don't know how to escape from, until suddenly, someone does.

If you're looking for a comical or uplifting story, this is certainly not it. If you don't mind reading a story about the futility of life and characters who give their power away, you might find this one interesting. Unfortunately, I found it dispiriting and tedious after a while.

Thank you to Alison Espach, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Phoebe Stone's life is crumbling, her husband left her for another woman and her cat just died. Escaping to the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, Phoebe finds herself in the midst of a wedding party. In hopes for isolation to spend her last night on earth, it is interrupted by a pushy bride who ends up saving her life and giving so much more than she had anticipated.

I was able to access this title through Netgalley and am so grateful for the opportunity! It definitely exceeded my expectations!

Thank you MacMillan for the wonderful audiobook, Helen Laser was perfect for narrating this nuanced book. I want to say that I loved this book so much earlier this year that it was a special treat to return to the book and hear it performed in a way that made the writing even more powerful. Alison Espach's book is a wonder for how darkly funny it is while tackling a complex set of themes (and the humor works without dismissing the significance of topics covered)... Laser nails the slightly edgy tone with the hints of hopeful and quirky optimism that permeate this read. To say more is to take away the joy of reading or listening to this amazing read. It will be a top ten for me this year for sure.

I absolutely adored Espach's Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance last year, so could not wait to dive in to her next book. The Wedding People follows Phoebe Stone who arrives at the Cornwall Inn in Newport Rhode Island alone, the same weekend it has been booked out for a huge wedding. Phoebe is immediately mistaken for one of the wedding people and begins to form a quick friendship with Lila, the bride to be. The novel is laugh out loud funny while covering a huge list of sensitive and sad subjects with grace. Marriage, infidelity, infertility, loneliness, widowhood, getting older, disappointment, and regret are all covered with a delicate hand and a dose of humor. This was a great read with a cast of characters who I am already missing!

What a fun surprise for me. Picture this: a marriage falling apart during the pandemic. A woman named Phoebe goes to a hotel to end her life, but finds that the rest of the hotel has been booked for a wedding. What a concept and a clever idea for a book.

The story is told from Phoebe’s point of view, and she guides us through a series of events that are dramatic, humorous, and relatable. The characters are really likable and interesting, making it easy to get invested in their lives. The character development is spot on, so you feel connected to them and care about what happens.

Now, let’s talk about the humor. This book made me laugh out loud several times, which isn’t a common occurrence, and if I wasn’t laughing, I found myself smiling like a dork while listening. The witty dialogue and funny moments were perfect, adding a light touch to the more serious parts of the story.

Even though this isn’t my typical read or genre, I found this book to be unputdownable. The engaging storyline, great character development, and unexpected laughs made for a really amazing listen. If you’re looking for a book that’s both entertaining and full of surprises, ‘The Wedding People’ is a great choice. I highly recommend the audiobook. It also think it would be a fantastic choice for a book club or buddy read. The whole time while listening I said that I could see this making it onto the silver screen someday and when I finished I read that the rights were already acquired. I can’t say I’m surprised.

Thank you @netgalley @macmillan.audio and @alison.espach for the advanced listen copy in exchange for my honest review. It was my pleasure.

It’s a yes for me!!💜

DeAnn
@deannsdailydrop

Phoebe. Her life is a mess. I won’t give you the details so you can discover for yourself, but she’s had enough. She can’t take it anymore

* don’t read the synopsis and think this is a depressing read. I promise you it is not. It’s joyful and life-affirming.

Phoebe goes to the swanky Inn in Newport RI, the Inn she expected to visit with her husband.

Things don’t quite go as Phoebe intended. Turns out she won’t have a final blow-out splurge before departing this world. Instead she’s the only guest at the Inn who is not part of the wedding party and she can’t even get room service for a final meal.

Lila, the bride, isn’t thrilled that Phoebe may ruin her wedding and has a heart-to-heart with her. She has no boundaries and is disarmingly honest. Which makes her completely endearing.

Phoebe suddenly finds herself caught up in the wedding people, the wedding party that are at the inn for a week long celebration prior to Lila’s OTT nuptials.

I won’t ruin the fun but I’ll say this was completely delightful! It was fabulous and completely entertaining with plenty of humor & heart. The dialogue was snappy & witty. And not to be maudlin, but the overriding message was wise and tender and wonderful.

The characters were all delightful. 100% refreshingly funny and tender.

Don’t miss this one. A 5+ star read!! I loved everything about this story and was sad when it ended. It’s a rare book that completely captivates me the way this book did.

This was my first book by this author; she did a fantastic job drawing me in. The synopsis intrigued me, and once I started, I couldn't stop. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did an excellent job bringing each character to life. The book is filled with a diverse cast of characters.

Phoebe arrives in Newport, Rhode Island, intending to end her life. She's at a low point—her husband has divorced her, her cat has died, and her career is stagnant. She checks into a beautiful hotel for what she plans to be her final night. Coincidentally, a wedding week is beginning at the hotel, and everyone assumes she's part of the wedding party. Phoebe wants nothing to do with anyone, but she soon meets the spoiled bride-to-be, Lila, who refuses to let her go.

The interactions and conversations between Phoebe and Lila are captivating. Lila pulls Phoebe into her world, and their lives become increasingly intertwined as the week progresses. The story flows beautifully, and I loved watching their relationship develop.

Both the audiobook and the book itself were incredibly entertaining!

Funny, emotional, thought provoking, dark, and inspirational.

This is my first book by Alizon Espach, but it won’t be my last. The Wedding People by Alison Espach follows Phoebe Stone as she turns up at the Cornwall Inn with only the clothes on her back. Everyone else present at the Inn is a guest of a lavish wedding, and Phoebe is initially mistaken as a guest of the wedding by the staff and those present for the wedding, including the bride and groom. Phoebe forms an unexpected bond with the bride, and then they find they can’t stop confiding in each other. The story takes place over a week at the inn and covers many light and heavy topics. The characters have flaws but are also redeemable. I was invested in their lives and cared about their futures. The story gripped me from the beginning, and in the end, I will be thinking about this story for the foreseeable future.

I listened to the audio book, narrated by Helen Laser. She did an excellent job reading the various characters voices and distinguishing between the many different characters. As someone who listens to audiobooks sped up, I had no trouble understanding the narrator at 2x speed.

4.5/5, rounded up

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

I LOVED this book; it far exceeded my expectations! I originally rated this a 4/5 but I have not stopped thinking about it since finishing it last week, so I'm bumping it up to 4.5. I really enjoyed how blunt and straightforward this was, even teetering on harsh at times. It was honest, and kind of gave me ELENOR OLIPHANT vibes, which I loved. Phoebe was a great main character. Watching her character development and progression throughout the week in which the book takes place was so powerful. Her mindset shift was beautiful to read. I saw some of myself in her anxieties, and watching her conquer these empowered me to re-evaluate some of my own thought processes. Plus, Lila was a hilarious addition to the story, adding some levity and necessary comedy throughout. Not to mention, this book was simply entertaining! Helen Laser is one of my favorite narrators; I could listen to her tell stories all day, and this book was no different. I devoured this book and didn't want it to end, though I think it wrapped up really well and exactly as I wanted it to. There were lots of surprises throughout, including just how much I loved this book.

SYNOPSIS -- Phoebe Stone has wanted to go to the Cornwall Inn for years, and she's finally doing it. Dressed to the nine's as her last act, Phoebe is quickly mistaken for one of the "wedding people" showing up to the hotel for rich-girl Lila's week-long wedding. When the two find themselves speaking, they realize that honesty may only be possible with each other. Phoebe's "rock bottom" suddenly looks a lot different when Lila gets in the way of her plans, sweeping Phoebe up into wedding chaos. Will these two change each other forever? Or will this be a temporary solution to a few really big problems?

I don’t generally love infidelity as plot point and I lost someone very important to suicide IRL, so in theory The Wedding People should have been a hard sell for me, but I LOVED it. My goodness, this book in genuinely perfect. Espach so perfect depicts the “wedding weekend,” “the bride,” the “wedding people” - I could see it al so clearly and feel myself in that beachside hotel for the festivities. The tough underlying topics of infidelity & suicidal ideations are paired flawlessly with quick whit and a stream-of-consciousness story-telling. I was immediately sucked in and didn’t want to stop listening. The audio narration is seriously excellent. There’s some twists and turns and genuine laughs and I truly think this is one of my favorite books of the year!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. The Wedding People is available now!

When I started this book, I expected a lighthearted, beachy romp with wedding bells galore. And that’s all in there! But my reading experience took a surprising turn when I realized it's also a tender reflection on new beginnings and finding fulfillment through honest connections.

I’m so glad that I had the privilege of listening to the audiobook, which was excellent. Helen Laser brought a beautiful balance to her narration, leaning into the lighter moments (I LOL’d so many times!) while hitting those deeper points in a way that never got too heavy.

And there were some HEAVY topics present, including suicidal ideation, death of a loved one, terminal illness, adultery, divorce, and infertility. But the writing was so crisp, and the characters so relatable, I ultimately felt a sense of well-being as I listened. It’s always a gift when you can explore tough topics in such a safe way.

This is primarily a book about how people connect, so there’s a lot of dialogue, and I applaud Alison Espach for creating such nuanced and engaging characters. Certain points even felt like a Gilmore Girls episode, especially when Phoebe, our MC, and Gary, the groom, were chatting. Their banter was so entertaining!

The only things that kept this book from getting all 5 of my stars (and it got REALLY close!) were a couple of wedding shenanigans that felt absurd to the point of distraction. Luckily, those moments were minor and I’d say 95% of this novel was perfection.

Excuse me while I go out to grab a physical copy...it's always a good sign when you wish you could annotate an audiobook!