*Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*

I could not put this book down, I was IN from the get-go. I did think it was going to be a horror novel, but it definitely leans toward a mystery or thriller. We're quickly sequestered up at a summer camp in New Hampshire for a wedding, but the math ain't mathing. Frank slowly uncovers mystery after mystery that unravels into a whole freaking conspiracy! Here the pacing got a bit funky, namely started going SO fast that I felt like some important details were omitted. But I was hooked, so I just wrote down my questions and suspended all disbelief. John Pirhalla did a great job as Frank, toeing the line between curiosity and paranoia. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy the rich behaving badly or conspiracy theories.

I have been singing the praises of Jason Rekulak, local legend, since reading and loving Hidden Pictures. This was not it. This was an interesting follow-up. I enjoyed the pace and the short chapters. The story kept getting crazier and crazier and became almost unreal at the end...which I guess now that I am thinking about it is how Hidden Pictures went...

I love wedding mystery/thriller stories like this. There were some twists that I did not see coming in this story that I felt were well written. The down side for me is that I feel like we did not really get a chance to know these characters and a lot of them were unlikeable which made it hard for me to care what happened to them.

Anyway, it was a good and fast read. I did not really enjoy the narrator and it's possible I would have liked the story better if I would have read it as opposed to listening to it as the narrator grated on me at times and I felt he was a bit over the top.

Frank Szatowski hasn’t heard from his estranged daughter, Maggie, in 3 years. So he is shocked when he gets a call from her announcing her wedding. Frank finds out that his daughter is marring Aidan Gardner, so of a famous tech billionaire, at a secluded, private luxury estate. But strange things are happening leading up to the wedding that leaves Frank with more questions than answers…

The Last One at the Wedding is a psychological thriller about a father just trying to save his daughter. The story is written from the father’s POV and is full of unlikeable characters. Even Frank was frustrating and grumpy at times even though you could sympathize with his situation. The narration by John Pirhalla was fantastic and kept you engaged. I guessed parts of what was going on early in the book but there was still a lot to be revealed. The ending was somewhat unresolved which I never really love in a book but overall, I enjoyed it. I finished the audiobook in 48 hours.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio the opportunity to read this ALC copy of The Last One at the Wedding in exchange for my honest review.

This was a rollercoaster of a book. I will admit I started off not liking it. It starts off extremely slow, and you’re left wondering when it’s gonna finally pick up, but it was worth the wait. I went into this book completely blind. The only information I had about what it was about was the title, and the title makes absolutely no sense. There is a wedding, but the vibe you get from the book is completely different than the title. The main mystery of the book is what happened to Dawn Haggert, but there’s so much more going on. There were so many twists that genuinely surprised me. Whenever I thought I knew were this story was going, I learned that I was very wrong. Every character in this book is completely insuperable until about 80% of the way in, but it doesn’t make them any less interesting. I do wish there was more character development early on. The complex characters are what make the story.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Jason Rekulak’s The Last One at the Wedding is a masterful blend of suspense, family drama, and social commentary. This novel, set against the backdrop of a secluded and luxurious wedding, delves deep into the complexities of familial relationships and the dark secrets that can bind or break them.

The story revolves around Frank Szatowski, a father who is unexpectedly invited to his estranged daughter Maggie’s wedding after three years of silence. The wedding, held at a private estate in New Hampshire, is far from a simple family reunion. 

 Rekulak excels in crafting multi-dimensional characters. Frank’s journey from a heartbroken father to a determined protector is portrayed with raw authenticity. His vulnerability and determination make him a relatable and compelling protagonist. Maggie, caught between her past and her future, is depicted with a complexity that adds depth to her character. 

At its core, The Last One at the Wedding explores themes of reconciliation, trust, and the impact of wealth and power on personal relationships. Rekulak delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by his characters, highlighting the often-blurred lines between right and wrong. 

Rekulak’s writing is sharp and evocative, drawing readers into the atmospheric setting of the secluded estate. The pacing is expertly managed, with each chapter building suspense and revealing new layers of the story. 

The Last One at the Wedding combines the best elements of a psychological thriller with a deep exploration of family dynamics. Jason Rekulak’s storytelling prowess shines through in this compelling tale of secrets, lies, and the lengths a father will go to protect his daughter. This book is a must-read for fans of suspenseful family dramas and anyone looking for a novel that offers both thrills and emotional depth.

Whether you’re drawn to the suspenseful plot or the intricate character studies, The Last One at the Wedding delivers a satisfying and memorable reading experience. Highly recommended for its engaging narrative and insightful themes.

Read this if you like:
•domestic suspense
•slow burn thriller
•complicated family dynamics
•wtf moments

This audiobook was very enticing and I was hooked from the time I started. Frank tries to reconnect with his daughter while her daughter is about to marry into a rich family who owns the company she works for. There was a lot of family drama and a lot of wtf moments from things the rich people did. Thank you Macmillan audio for the ALC!

As I would expect from Jason Rekulak. The Last One At The Wedding was an awesome read. I actually listened to the audiobook, which was phenomenal.

I loved the book and Jason has done it again!

I fell in love with hidden pictures and when I seen the release I knew it was going to be a good one and pretty much jumped for joy when I got the approval email.

The book follows Frank on his mission to find the truth about the Gardner family and the skeletons that are(or aren't) hidden in their closets. Some characters I loved right away, and others really made me want to pull my hair out, a perfect combination cast.

The suspense, secrets, and build-up are the real star of the show for me. I loved the estranged dad plot and loved how he went all super sleuth to try and find out what happened so he could try and protect his daughter. I think jason portrayed Frank as the 'single dad doing his best but falling short' really well. the way he interacts with one of the main characters, it's like a glimpse into how he was a parent and if he was my dad I would have 100% went no contact as well on just that alone.

The plot twists were amazing. When you think you know something, think again and one more time just to be sure.

The narrator was perfect, and I truly believe if Frank was a real person, he would sound exactly like that, and that just brought a bigger depth to the story!

Thank you, Netgalley, Jason, and McMillan Audio, for the ARC copy!

#netgalley #thelastoneatthewedding #arcreview #advancereaderscopy #advancedreadercopy #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreview #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyarc

This was a quick, fun, and thrilling ride. I can honestly say that I was not expecting that ending, or the twist we were thrown into. The narrator did an amazing job with this one. I believed every word and found myself sitting on the edge of my seat with anticipation. I'll definitely be recommending this one to all thriller lovers.

Book: I really enjoyed Hidden Pictures and so I did not hesitate when I saw Rekulak released a new book. I'll start by saying, this was NOTHING like Hidden Pictures. While I still did enjoy this book, it was not what I expected from this author. This book is more suspense and mystery with a whole lot of family drama. It highlights the complicated relationships between parents and their adult children. I found the book to be less of a thriller, but the suspense still kept it fast paced. I was thoroughly invested and interested in how the story played out. Overall, very enjoyable, but different from the previous style book.

Narrator: I typically prefer female narrators over male. I'm not entirely sure why other than maybe it's a tone thing. Anyways, I actually really enjoyed the narrator's voice and was able to listen with ease. I believe the story was more enjoyable because of the narrator. He did the voices of different characters well and that helped me to keep the characters straight. I would give 5 stars to the narrator.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed reading Hidden Pictures, so when I saw Jason Rekulak had a new book coming out, I knew I had to read it. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was perfect. I thought it matched Frank’s character so well. It really helped me connect to him.

The pacing of the story was perfect. I was one the edge of my seat waiting to see where the story was going and honestly I didn’t see it see some of the twists coming. It went in a completely different direction than I had originally predicted.

The story is so well written. Each character is unique and interesting. They all bring something to the story, especially little Abigail!

I definitely recommend listening to this book if you enjoy family drama, hidden secrets, and secluded settings! I feel like the narration really brought the story to life!

If ever a book was meant to be listened to, the audiobook version of Jason Rekulak’s “The Last One at the Wedding,” narrated by John Pirhalla, is it!

This is the story of Frank Szatkowski, widower, veteran, resident of a rural Pennsylvania town, long time driver for UPS (26 years without an accident) and estranged from his 25 year old daughter Maggie. Frank is comfortably middle class, has a good pension plan, a paid off house, happy that he paid his daughter’s college tuition without hardship, very proud that when they went to Disney World (when Maggie was a girl) that they stayed in a Disney hotel on the property and not some Orlando motel.

Frank is a solid guy, but three years ago he had a falling out with Maggie, and she has cut off all communications with him. It’s something he regrets terribly (and the story behind their fight is teased out gradually), so when she calls out of the blue to invite him to her upcoming wedding in New Hampshire at a privately owned enclave, he jumps at a chance to reconcile with the daughter he still deeply loves and misses. But Frank finds out that Maggie, who is working at a high-tech electric battery company, is marrying the mysterious son of the CEO of her company, an Elon Musk type billionaire, with a little seen (“debilitating migraines”) wife.

After meeting Maggie’s soon-to-be in-laws (sans Mom), Frank finds Maggie’s fiancé is, well, strange and distant, and once he arrives at the private camp for the wedding festivities, he finds much more about the entire family that is….off. And it’s not just the Daddy Long Legs infestation.

This isn’t a horror thriller like Relulak’s previous “Hidden Pictures” (nothing supernatural) but it’s an escalating story of uncomfortable and horrifying discoveries and the plight of a father who wants the best for his daughter. Narrator John Pirhalla brings Frank to life in a way that you wish Frank was your neighbor or best friend and you could help him with some kind of support or advice. I was enthralled with this audiobook — I kept rooting for Frank while wondering how the complicated story could possibly end. Kudos to both the author and narrator! 5 stars!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced audio copy!

The Last One at the Wedding - Jason Rekulak
Pub Date - Oct 8, 2024
Rating - 2.5 rounded up to 3/5

Thoughts - Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced audio in exchange for my honest opinion. I absolutely loved this author's first book, Hidden Pictures! It was my favorite book of last year, so I literally screamed when I got this copy! Unfortunately, this book fell very short in comparison and I was disappointed. The novel surrounds a father daughter relationship in which the father is invited to the daughter's wedding after being estranged for over 3 years. I really liked the narrator for this story who truly made the story come to life.

A few things I wasn't the biggest fan of:
1. There was not really a big surprise like his previous book had- I kept waiting for it and it just didn't happen
2. The amount of SPIDERS in this book-- I'm an arachnophobe so that part really triggered me. EW.
3. The story had SO much potential with possibilities for a big turn that I was thinking would happen, but never did.

Overall, I really liked the premise and it had so much promise, but really fell short for me.

After being forced to read Hidden Pictures (which was way out of my comfort zone but ended up terrifying me in the best way), I was excited to dive into Jason Rekulak’s second book, especially with it being spooky season.

First off, I have to say the audiobook is SO GOOD. John Pirhalla's narration was so impressive that I’m already looking up what else he’s done! But sadly, this book didn’t hit as hard for me as Hidden Pictures. While it leaned more into mystery with a bit of suspense, I didn’t get much of a thriller or horror vibe from it. (The MMC Frank felt a bit rambly at times, and his grumpy old man attitude occasionally made me want to smack him.

As for the plot twists, they didn’t quite surprise me as much as I expected, and I felt like the book went about 20% longer than I expected it to. That said, I flew through this book in about 48 hours while working, so it was an easy and entertaining listen.

I’m definitely looking forward to Jason Rekulak’s next book, but this one didn’t quite match the intensity and emotional punch of Hidden Pictures for me.

I really enjoyed this audiobook, the narrator's voice is really soothing for such an F'ed up story 🤣 His cadence and expressiveness also added to the storytelling.

The Last One at the Wedding following Frank as he reconnects with his daughter (Maggie) before her wedding to the mysterious and shaded Aiden, who is the som of the wealthy Gardner family.

Slowly but surely Frank begins to uncover the harrowing truth as the time runs down, but can he save Maggie before it's too late? The cast of support characters is well developed and really add to this story.

The only negative I have is that at ~80% this story just went from believable and engaging to wild, unrealistic and confusing especially in the audiobook version. However I was already invested in discovering the truth so I powered through it. But just know it isn't you if you noticed that too!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

This was a pretty dramatic thriller. I liked Frank and felt he grew as a character throughout the book. The narrator did a great job reading the story and changing his voice for the characters. Almost all the characters were unlikeable in this book until the end. There were lots of people behaving badly and getting away with it. Lots of twists and death which were surprising. I felt the beginning was a little slow but it picked up in the middle and just kept going. A solid 4 stars.

Kudos to the author for writing a compelling domestic suspense novel with well developed, completely unlikeable characters. I couldn’t stop listening! Almost every character is morally bankrupt except for the delightful 10 year old foster child, Abigail. I would love to read an entire novel with her as the MC.

The narration by John Pirhalla was excellent. He brought the character of Frank, a UPS driver, to life and kept me enthralled for all of the nearly 10 hour audiobook. I felt as if I were actually listening to my UPS driver.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys slow burn, rich people behaving badly domestic thriller. It was well written and narrated and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

This one was...slow. Reading it at times was tedious. It had enough mystery to keep me engaged enough to finish but I did have to fight my mind from wandering at times out of boredom.

Frank was a pretty lackluster character. He fit the stereotypical hard working Gen X father and was pretty dense. His lack of awareness and pointless tangents were irritating for me and I cringed quite a bit. I did like the twist it took at one point though, and I also liked the whole glimpse into how the very wealthy (and often corrupt) live and operate.

The silver lining for me was how great the narrator of the audio was. I'm not sure I would have finished if his performance hadn't been so good. I would definitely listen to a book he voices for again and his performance bumps this up from a 2.5 out rating to a solid 3 for me.

This was a highly anticipated read, after loving Hidden Pictures. I knew not to expect a horror story with this one (even though it's NOT listed that way, sometimes people have a certain expectation with a previous book). What this one is, is a mystery, narrated by a dad whose estranged adult daughter is getting married, where the dad tries to figure out things that don't seem right at a wedding. It was an intriguing mystery, and the twists weren't what I would have expected. I thought this one was easy to follow and entertaining on audio and John Pirhalla was great at alternating voices during conversations. I ended up listening to this one a bit faster than I usually go for audiobooks, the hardcover is only 352 pages and I think the narration could have been a bit faster given the almost 12 hour run time for the default speed.

I am starting this review with a shoutout to narrator John Pirhalla.

Throughout the entire audiobook, I was absolutely, positively transfixed by John Pirhalla's expert narration.

John Pirhalla made author Jason Rekulak's protagonist, a widowed UPS driver and emotionally scarred dad, larger than life.

I always enjoy books showcasing despicable people and this book had no shortage of unlikeable individuals.

I am a New Englander and I especially enjoyed the book's New England setting.

WHY NOT 5 STARS?
The book's ending was vague and unresolved.

TW:
Suicide

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

4.5 stars