I discovered Jason Rekulak with Hidden Pictures in 2022 and loved it, so I was eager to read his newest novel, The Last One at the Wedding. You can not go in expecting another Hidden Pictures, the books are extremely different from each other. First, there are no pictures in Wedding, and it’s more of a family drama with suspense added in. For some readers it could be considered a slow burner but I really enjoyed it. It helped that I really liked Frank and he really pulled me into his story and the mystery of just what is going to happen.

I listened to the audiobook and I really enjoyed John Pirhalla’s narration. His voice was perfect for Frank! I will definitely be on the lookout for more if his narrations.

After enjoying both Hidden Pictures and now Last One at the Wedding I am very interested in reading his debut novel The Impossible Fortress which is yet another different genre!

Many thanks to the publisher Macmillan Audio for granting me a copy to listen to and review. I enjoyed it!

So very glad I read this book. Nice amount of mystery leaving it open for guesses of who and what is going on. Had a few thoughts of who was the villain. And pleased that I was wrong. Very nicely written and loved the audiobook narrator.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy.

How many chances does one person get? This is the question that Frank asks himself over and over, hoping that he will get another chance with his daughter, Maggie. After years of a fractured relationship, Maggie offers an opportunity to reconnect—her wedding day! Trying to take advantage of the opportunity, Frank tries to ignore the red flags—the fiancé who doesn’t want to meet him, the girl who went missing connected to him, and the way that wealth seems to come with secrets in his family, not to mention their super quick relationship and the fact that Maggie is his alibi for a crime he claims he didn’t commit. Will Frank keep to his own business or will he inevitably interfere to help make sure Maggie doesn’t make her biggest mistake yet?

One thing I love about this book is how the characters are developed. Wow. It brings unreliable narrator a new spin, but I won’t spoil how! I love the way the details unfold, dropping clues about the people for the reader to sleuth out. It felt like the book could have ended an hour and a half earlier, but it’s completed to bring about a satisfying arc for the characters. While not necessary, it wasn’t a bad way to end the book. Its plot had loop after loop and just when I thought I had it all figured out, more was thrown out there. I enjoyed chasing the story to its conclusion, finding out not just what happened previously, but how it would unfold for everyone. Overall, loved the characters and really enjoyed the storyline, particularly as an audiobook!

thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the audio arc

This was not what I expected. I was bored and if it wasn’t for the audio I wouldn’t have finished this one. The mmc was nice and his story with his daughter was weird and it was interesting to see whats going on in their lives but it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat which is what I expected so that ones on me.
There were a few crazy things that happened but I just wish there would’ve been a bit more twists and general suspense throughout the whole story.
I‘m glad I didn‘t read his other book before this one, cause I heard its completely different and I‘m excited to get to that one soon and see how it compares!

Frank is a widowed father in his early fifties. His adult daughter, Maggie, calls him after three years of estrangement due to a bitter falling out to invite Frank to her wedding in New Hampshire. Frank is over the moon to hear his only child’s voice, but has reservations about her fiancé, Aiden. For starters, Maggie and Aiden have only known each other for six months and plan to wed in three months. Aiden, who is the son of a tech billionaire, is unusually distant when he meets Frank. Before Frank leaves for the wedding, he receives a disturbing picture of Aiden in the mail from an anonymous person. Furthermore, when Frank arrives for the wedding, he discovers Aiden’s family is widely loathed in the community. Frank desperately wants to get to the bottom of everything going on, but if he pushes too hard, he risks losing his daughter again.

I’m on the fence about how to review this domestic thriller that read more like a family drama. This is definitely a slow burn mystery that had me conjuring up possibilities that were much more intense than what was delivered. However, John Pirhalla’s narration helped keep me engaged.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this arc.

The Last One at the Wedding is easily one of the best books of the year. The character and plot development are unmatched, leaving readers in suspense. I haven’t been this obsessed with book characters in years. Jason Rekulak has a way of getting you invested in characters very early on. So many twists and turns I got whiplash. I was desperate to figure out the ending, but Rekulak kept me guessing the entire time. I will definitely be thinking about this one for a long time. This is not your typical thriller or mystery.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Jason Rekulak for writing one of the best books I have read in ages.

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was eager to dive into The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak, especially since I missed out on Hidden Pictures. I approached this book with high expectations, and I have to say, the audiobook format really enhanced my experience. The narrator brought Frank to life in such a captivating way that I found it easy to stay engaged with the storyline.

From the very beginning, I was questioning the true nature of the events unfolding at Osprey Cove. Frank's love for his daughter shines through, even as he grapples with the blurred lines of the past. When a wedding suddenly emerges after just a few months of dating, it’s no surprise that he becomes anxious and determined to uncover the truth.

And uncover it he does! There’s a jaw-dropping moment during the wedding that completely caught me off guard. I literally had to pick my jaw up off the floor! It made me reevaluate everything Maggie had done leading up to that point.

That said, I was a bit let down by the ending; I was hoping for a bit more resolution. I’m still left pondering Frank’s cryptic request for “five more minutes” before he left the parking lot. Seriously, what was that all about?

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

When the proud Gold Circle UPS driver, Frank Szatowski gets a call from his daughter Maggie after three years of silence, it's to share that she is getting married. He is overjoyed to have the opportunity to reconnect and rekindle his relationship with his daughter . Frank comes to find out that not only is Maggie getting married, but she is getting married to a the son of a tech billionaire and the wedding is being held his families private estate. As Frank tries to get to spend time with his daughter and future husband he id disappointed to find that doesn't seem to be their priority as well as things keep coming up for Maggie that take her attention and Aidan, his artistic future son in law is often no where to be found. As the wedding weekend and festivities unfold, the twist and turn build on to the already looming questions surrounding this happy couple and Frank's future in-laws.

Listening to the audio book of this title was a great option because I didn't want to stop reading. Jason Rekulak took me on an adventure peeking my own curiosities and trying to develop theories of what was possibly amiss with these characters all the way to the end of the book. This fast paced read is one that I would absolutely recommend. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy an ARC.

The Last One at the Wedding
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow wow!! This book kept me turning the pages fast from chapter to chapter. I love it when I don't have it all figured out. The surprises were great. Lot of things I didn't see coming. Go get it & enjoy!! Wonderful thriller & not the same old story.
Thank you NetGalley

3.5. Frank is surprised to hear from his adult daughter who went no contact with him years prior. He’s even more surprised to hear that she’s getting married and wants him to come to the wedding! She’s being very secretive about who her husband to be is and the red flags begin immediately. Meeting the soon to be husband and his family does not alleviate any discomfort Frank feels about the whole situation, in fact it seems to cause more questions and suspicion.

I fully enjoyed this story! I had a really good time listening from the very beginning to the end. The pacing was great, I didn’t guess the twists, and while it wasn’t the most mind blowing twist, I loved the focus on characters. I really like unlikeable characters when they’re *supposed* to be unlikeable. My issue was with Frank! I loved him aside from the way he treated that child for the majority of the book it was appalling. And I get the idea that I was supposed to side with him on that part. Aside from that, it was great!

This audiobook was narrated by John Pirhalla. He did so well at portraying Frank, it was the perfect casting! He was so engaging.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Jason Rekulak, and Macmillan Audio for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review. This published on October 8th.

I have posted my review on Goodreads, my Facebook book club, and will make a TikTok to post before the pub date raving about this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ALC of The Last One at the Wedding, in exchange for an honest review.

🎧 "The Last One at the Wedding" by Jason Rekulak is an audiobook that surprised me in the best way possible. While I initially anticipated a horror or creepy story, I found myself immersed in a different yet equally captivating experience. The standout element of this audiobook is the remarkable narration by John Pirhalla, who brings the main character, Frank, to life with an amazing performance.

The story follows Frank, the estranged father who receives an unexpected invitation to his daughter's wedding. As he delves into the elaborate event, secrets and family drama begin to unravel, leading Frank to question the motives behind his daughter's upcoming marriage. The narrative progress is skillfully paced, with unexpected twists and turns that kept me fully engaged.

While "The Last One at the Wedding" deviates from Rekulak's previous works, offering a slower and more suspenseful experience rather than a horror-focused one, the author crafts a compelling blend of atmosphere, tension, thriller elements, and family dynamics. The characters are well-developed and realistic, making their interactions and the unfolding of the plot feel genuine.

The audiobook truly shines through John Pirhalla's narration, adding an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the story. His performance made it feel as though I was listening to someone I knew personally, further enhancing my enjoyment of the audiobook.

Overall, "The Last One at the Wedding" provides a gripping and well-balanced mix of suspense, family drama, conspiracy, and even humor. Although it may differ from expectations, it is a recommended listen for those who appreciate domestic suspense thrillers. Jason Rekulak once again demonstrates his storytelling prowess with this compelling narrative and engaging cast of characters.

I really enjoyed this book! The narrator was great & the story was surprisingly unlike his last book. It was definitely a “slow burn” but I don’t think it will leave you disappointed. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Dang!!! This book kept going and going and going with the twists and turns. I listened to the audio and it was fantastic. I loved it. Highly recommend for a great mystery/thriller read!

This is the first audiobook I’ve listened to by Jason Rebulak.

This book kept me wanting to listen to more. Very suspenseful

the narrator did a wonder job.

I enjoyed listening to this one. The narrator did a good job being Frank Szatowski with all of his quarks. I couldn’t believe that this is the same author as Hidden Pictures. This book is so different. Frank, a UPS driver, daughter Maggie, is about to marry Aidan Gardner, son of billionaire couple. The wedding is to take place at the family “camp” in New Hampshire. With the camp on lockdown (no one in or out that should not be there) and every guest, including Frank, has to sign a non-disclosure document, something seems off. Some of the characters were fun while others were stereotypical, and others drove me mad. I did guess some of the twists but others I did not. The ending felt rushed and somehow unsatisfying. I could not stop listening. The narration is top notch and makes the book.

The Last One At The Wedding is a fun and thrilling novel with great characters. The setting was easily imaginable and well described without being overly done. The first part is mostly family dynamics but halfway the first twist, revelation hits and then it just keeps getting better from there until the end.

The characters are truly the strong point in this book. They are so complex, multi-layered and felt real. It was a game of back and forth for me, I wasn't sure who to love, who to hate all along. It was a joy to navigate and find out everyone's motivations, reasonings behind everything. It was devious, mischievous and I was here for it all.

A really fun domestic thriller that kept me intrigued and kept me guessing until the end. Highly recommend adding this one to your fall TBR!

✨️Thank you to @netgalley & @jasonrekulak for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is fantastic! I enjoyed it so much and was so invested in it that I resented whenever I had to interrupt to do something else. It is well written and entertaining throughout, and the exciting parts are so gripping and well done. One of my favorite things about it was all the richly drawn characters and particularly how perfectly Frank, the narrator, was portrayed. As an endearing and upright UPS driver, he was thrust into an unfamiliar world as he went to attend his daughter's wedding to a super rich and unscrupulous family. and his thoughts and reactions were totally spot-on. I loved some of the little details, like how proud he was when he insisted he'd pay for the drinks at this out of control extravaganza. I had the immense pleasure of listening to the audiobook, and if you like audiobooks at all I highly recommend you listen to this one. The narrator, John Pirhalla, was absolutely first rate, and he captured perfectly what I imagine Frank would have sounded like, while also doing a great and convincing job with the voices of all the other characters, including women and children. I'll be looking for other audiobooks narrated by him and well as for other Jason Rekulak books. Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the audio e-ARC of this fabulous book!

Frank Szatowski has been a UPS driver for 26 years and is a member of the Circle of Honor due to his accident-free career. In this book he takes us along for a thrilling trip to his only daughter's wedding at Osprey Cove in New Hampshire.

Narrator Frank Pirhalla gets high marks for his performance of this new and disturbing thriller. I paired the audiobook with a copy of my Kindle. At about 50% I switched over to Kindle only so I could find out what happens in a speedier fashion.

This is my first time reading a Jason Rekulak book and now I want to check out his earlier title. Frank was portrayed as an average Joe thrown into an impossible situation. Brought to mind some of my favorite titles by David Bell. I also really grew to love Frank's sister Tammy and Abigail, the sassy little foster child who has done a deep dive into wedding etiquette.

With some harrowing scenes and a heartwarming ending, I heartily recommend this new release with its affirming view of the lifelong commitment attached to the wedding vows.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I recently listened to the audiobook version of "The Last One at the Wedding" by Jason Rekulak, and it was an engaging experience overall. The story centers on Frank Szatowski, who has been estranged from his daughter Maggie for three years. When he receives a surprise invitation to her wedding, he’s shocked to learn she’s marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a tech billionaire.

From the start, the family dynamics are compelling, with Frank portrayed as a relatable, “everyday” father. The setup is intriguing, especially as Frank navigates the luxury world that feels completely foreign to him. The narrative flows well, but I found myself wishing for a female narrator alongside Frank. The one-person narration didn’t quite capture the full emotional spectrum of the father-daughter relationship as effectively as I hoped, which is why I settled on a rating of 3.5 stars instead of a solid 4. I believe had a read the physical copy and not the audiobook, it would have been rated higher.

As the story unfolds, Frank’s concerns about Aidan grow when he receives an anonymous warning. The twists and turns that follow are both somewhat predictable and yet still surprising, keeping me on my toes. The first major revelation around the 50% mark was especially shocking, and it set the tone for an exhilarating second half filled with more unexpected turns.

Overall, It’s a worthwhile listen, especially if you enjoy stories with twists that challenge your perceptions of love and loyalty, but this is one I would have rather read!

DNF @ 53%

Oh gosh this book was unsettling for all the wrong reasons. All the spider and head lice aspects were too much for me. I wanted to feel some tension in the actual plot of the book but instead I was just grossed out. If you're looking for a slow moving family drama this could be the thriller for you. Unfortunately I wanted more from the plot and found myself getting frustrated with the pace that information was being revealed. The narrator was perfect for the main character and I actually enjoyed the audiobook itself. If you do think this book could be for you I'd recommend giving the audio a shot because the voice the narrator chose really fit the main character and helped bring the story to life.