Member Reviews

This was my first book by Jason Rekulak and I really enjoyed it! I listened to this one on audio and the narrator was fine, I think he portrayed the main character, Frank, well. I found the actual character to be kind of annoying and closed-minded at first, but it all made sense in the end. There were some twists to the plot that weren't totally unexpected looking back, but I didn't really see coming at the time.

I always look for the reason for the title of the book while I'm reading and I'm not sure this one really makes sense to me as the actual last one at the wedding didn't play as big a role as I had hoped.

Overall, this is a good thriller and this won't be my last by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. My review is honest and voluntary.

Was this review helpful?

Go Frank!

This book is full to the brim with deception and lying and some really awful people. There's a huge ick factor to the book as well.

But, it's well crafted and it'll drag you in. Well, it dragged me in. Give it a try. You may enjoy the ride.

Frank, hapless as he can seem, is the guy you want to cheer on. I was rooting for him.

Was this review helpful?

The Last One at the Wedding - a mystery during a wedding at a summer camp, I immediately jumped on this story.

Frank Szatowski is contacted by his estranged daughter, Maggie, and she lets him know she is getting married! When he is invited to her wedding, he jumps at the chance to reconnect. But as he arrives at the wedding, more and more things seem out of place and he begins to wonder if all is as it seems with Maggie's future husband Aidan and his family.

This was a suspenseful story that I enjoyed the whole time. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator did a superb job. The details were all laid out perfectly and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first book by the author and I wasn’t sure what to expect!

This is a slow burn type of book. I honestly wouldn’t even consider it a thriller. Maybe a mystery or a family drama? I never felt on the “edge of my seat” like the publisher’s blurb stated but I was interested the whole time.

The character of Frank was a little infuriating at times and I honestly didn’t understand why he kept digging when there wasn’t much to go on. Obviously that’s the plot of the story but it didn’t feel like it made sense to me. I did feel like the author did an excellent job with Frank’s character development.

The end felt a little rushed and I actually didn’t understand the meaning of the last line so please enlighten me if you haven’t read it.

Overall, I would say I enjoyed this one and would recommend it, I would just go into it knowing it isn’t fast paced.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved the way this story unfolds. Rekulak knows how to grab hold and kept me firmly in his grasp until the very last page… even though it was a great way to end, I still wanted more! I loved getting to see Maggie through her dad’s eyes and then later as she’s reflected through in the way others see her. It’s a fascinating thing to know that parents often see their children differently from how the rest of the world sees them. This was my first book by Rekulak but now I want to read his others. I love the way he writes! Definitely a must read!

Was this review helpful?

This was a great listen! The narrator was fantastic, and did a great job with all of the characters! I will say that this one does have a slow build up, but it was definitely worth it!

4.5/5

Was this review helpful?

I listened to this one and the narration was great! I need to see if I can find more books with this narrator because I really enjoyed his voice!

The book itself was also great! This book reminded me of Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King. Frank gave me Bill Hodges vibes.

This one is a great listen! The only thing I didn't like was the bugs.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

Was this review helpful?

Rekulak has this ability in his writing to not only craft a fantastic story but also to create characters that are fully developed. His latest, The Last One at the Wedding, is an in-depth look at a father trying to have a better relationship with his daughter, a person he doesn't honestly know. The audio version of this book had a terrific male narrator who didn't make the silly kid's voice I usually hate. This is a thriller with heart. Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for access to this book.

Was this review helpful?

This thriller was entertaining, with a gripping plot that had me on the edge of my seat as I tried to solve the mystery of the perpetrator. My heart went out to Frank, who seemed to be going through it without much support. It was as if his emotions were insignificant to everyone. Although I wished for a bit more closure at the end, the book kept me engaged with its rollercoaster of unexpected events that kept me entertained! The narrator for the audio did a fantastic job. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved the book Hidden Pictures and devoured it, and i was looking forward to reading this book for sooo long. That being said, i was rather disappointed once i was able to read this book. It is not what i thought it would be, i expected and action-packed thriller similar to Hidden Pictures to be honest, or something along the lines of paranormal.

Honestly, the only character that i liked was Frank and even at time he was a tad bit annoying since he literally stressed and questioned everything. The book does have a vast variety of characters that all have their own drama going on. If you like rich people tropes, people not who they seem tropes then this is the book for you.

It was a very engaging audiobook, however i felt it was extremely slow in the beginning. Honestly nothing happened until about the 55-60% mark in the book. I feel like there should have been more buildup by that point. Overall, this is not a bad book but i would rate it a solid 3.5 stars as there is some parts that i thought we could go without, but at the same time they are cringy and pertinent to the storyline.

I absolutely couldn’t stand Maggie’s character throughout this book she comes off as a selfish brat to me. Entitled and demanding. The twist at the end was brilliant, definitely didn’t see that one coming. The sacrifices we make as parents and sometimes how blind we can be.

that being said i look forward to more books from this author in the future, maybe more paranormal books from him?????????????

John Pirhalla does an amazing job in narrating this book as a single voice. He was very engaging and inviting to the listener. John has a finesse for being able to effectively voice multiple characters and both genders. I highly recommend this book on audiobook.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book! John Pirhalla did a really good job with narration. The book was easy to follow, had a good twist, and made me laugh out loud a few times. I also thought it was super sweet. This book gave me all the feels. 5/5!

Was this review helpful?

This was not really a thriller, more of a mystery with some quirky characters and of course some dead bodies. I anticipated this being A bit more scary, and although it wasn’t really scary, it definitely was intriguing. The story held my attention at all times and I did enjoy the narration of this a lot. I felt that the narrator of the audiobook did a great job at differentiating the characters and told the story well. I would suggest just going into the story blind without reading the synopsis and just let the story take you on the ride. This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be going back to read some more .

Was this review helpful?

After the super twisty Hidden Pictures, I had very high hopes for Jason Rekulak's latest, The Last One at the Wedding. The promise of another twisty thriller along with the stunning cover had me requesting this as soon as it was released for early readers. Luckily the audiobook request came through and I was able to fly through this over the course of a weekend. Frank Szatowski gets the surprise of his life when he gets invited to his daughter Maggies wedding. He's surprised because she hasn't spoken to him in three years, and even more shocked when he realizes she is marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a famous tech billionaire Errol Gardner. Frank is ready to make things right with his only child when he sets off for the wedding weekend of her dreams in a picturesque New Hampshire camping town along with his sister Tammy and her foster daughter Abigail. Of course things don't go as planned and the twists and turns of the wedding weekend will keep you turning the pages. I loved the story, but I did find Frank to be slightly annoying and I didn't always feel I could root for him.

Was this review helpful?

LOVED the audiobook of The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak! The narrator embodies the main character, Frank, so well, I can easily picture him experiencing the events of the novel. From his longing to reconnect with his daughter, and his over protectiveness of her. From a father wanting to protect his little girl, get to know her fiance and his family, while turning a blind eye and making excuses for the 'hiccups' in that wedding weekend. This story takes you on a wild ride!

Was this review helpful?

Don't expect this to be anything like Hidden Pictures.

This was a great listen, narrated by John Pirhalla. Although nothing like the author's previous hit, the twisting and turning story kept me guessing and intrigued after a bit of a slow start.

Frank, a hard working UPS driver and widower, has been estranged from his daughter, Maggie for three years. When he is invited to her wedding, Frank wants to do everything right, including building a relationship with his new soon to be son-in-law, and repairing his relationship with Maggie.

The life Maggie has built without him is nothing like Frank expected. His future SIL is the son of a tech billionaire, and the wedding is being hosted in a private remote location. Tons of secrets, questions, and suspicious players start to pile up during the days leading up to the wedding.

The narration for this audio played a big role in my opinion of the story. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this as much as a physical read. Although the story is interesting, and there is a big mix of loveable & unlikable characters to keep you guessing, the ending left a bit to be desired.

4 stars



Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC!

Was this review helpful?

I became a fan of Jason Rekulak after reading Hidden Pictures. This new book doesn't disappoint, and I also enjoyed the audio version of it.

Frank reconnects with his daughter Maggie for her wedding to Aiden after a three year fall out. Aiden's family owns an uber successful company and is used to having everything their way. Right from the beginning, Frank knew that something was "off" with this family. He is also having trouble coming to grips with the level of deceit that he didn't know his daughter was capable of.

Aiden is accused of killing a former girlfriend and Frank is being sent warning of this. The family vehemently denies the accusations, and it overshadows the wedding. When a second death happens, everything goes haywire.

Frank is upset by how everyone seems to brush over everything and pretend like nothing happened because of the family's name. This type of book is EXACTLY what I love, thrill, suspense and twists and turns!! If you read his first book, and enjoyed it, then you will love this one as well.

Thank you to #netgalley for this #arc

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book! I did the audiobook and the narrator's voices were spot on. I was definitely surprised when everything started to unfold.

Was this review helpful?

So, I'm still not exactly sure how I feel about domestic suspense thrillers yet. But since I really enjoyed Hidden Pictures I was dying to get my hands on the next Jason Rekulak novel - and damn did he bring a cast of really great but also a mostly really unlikable cast of characters! I loved it!

ೃ⁀➷ I received the audio - advanced listening copy and I just want to say that the narrator, John Pirhalla did such an amazing job at brining Frank to life! Fantastic performance!

In The Last One at the Wedding we follow Frank, our MMC when he gets a call from his estranged daughter, Maggie, inviting him to her wedding. They haven't spoken in years and Frank is surely chomping at the bit to see Maggie and make things right.

However, she comes across very secretive with her invitation not to mention she doesn't tell him until he gets there -- at a very luxurious, private estate -- that she's marrying Aiden Gardner, the son of a tech billionaire.

There is a ton of family drama on both sides, and Frank feels like something isn't right. He overhears mysterious conversations, and there's so many secrets, but the more he tries to find out about the family his daughter is marrying into, the more trouble he finds.

ೃ⁀➷ While Rekulak's previous novel offers up a darker and more ominous feel - The Last One at the Wedding serves in a slower, more suspenseful way. Both are thrilling and entertaining but very different.

ೃ⁀➷ There are many unexpected twists and turns that had me glued to the page, trying to work out my thoughts on who did this or who did that - trying to pin point who was the bad guy because there seems to be many of them in this story lol. It was an interesting and well-balanced blend of atmosphere, tension, horror, thriller, humor, heart, family drama, and conspiracy.

Rekulak has done it again with another great cast of characters - they felt so real. Honestly, listening to the audio felt like listening to someone I know tell a story ... Friends of the family or something- just fantastic. I do recommend this book for anyone who loved a good domestic suspense thriller.

╰⪼ Family Secrets
╰⪼ Wedding Drama
╰⪼ Father/Daughter Relationships
╰⪼ Rich People/Poor Behavior
╰⪼ Single POV
╰⪼ New Hampshire Fancy Lodge Setting
╰⪼ Domestic Suspense/Thriller

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio (😘) for the last minute advanced audio copy - all thoughts are my own. 💘

Was this review helpful?

After reading and loving Hidden Pictures, I was ecstatic to revise an ALC for Rekulak's latest novel. This is completely different than Hidden Pictures. This one was more of a low burn domestic drama, full of secrets and deception with quite a few small twists you do not see coming. I was hooked and filled with anticipation! The audiobook narration was very well done. File this one under another enjoyable Jason Rekulak read.

Was this review helpful?

Hidden Pictures was a 5-star read, so picking up the author's next book was a no-brainer. I try not to go in with high expectations, so I was open to where this book would take us, even as we left the supernatural elements behind.

The Last One at the Wedding- 3.5 Stars- Rounded up to 4.

This suspense novel slowly unravels as an estranged father/daughter relationship starts to rekindle. It's told from the perspective of the father., who loves his daughter and is excited to be part of her life. The parental love lines throughout the book were probably my favorite part. You get flashbacks to their relationship over the years, but in real-time you see his fatherly interactions with a foster child. It gives dimension required to ground him in his role in the story.

Both the beginning and ending were a little choppy. It took a long time to figure out what caused the initial estrangement which left me wondering if we were in an unreliable narrator situation. (Which I'm not fond of). The ending was kind of abrupt. It felt like a chapter or two was missing from the main storyline before it jumps a few months ahead to give a "Where are they now" ending.

I listened to this on audio. The Narration by John Pirhalla was well executed. His performance gave the impression that Frank was telling you his side of the story and only enhanced the experience. 5-stars for the Audio production.

Was this review helpful?