Thanks so much for the arc!

I loved this audiobook. I’m a sucker for thrillers on audio. The narrator did an excellent job.

I recommend Hidden Pictures to everyone I know. I think about that book almost daily. (although it wouldn’t have been a good audio read as the pictures were so relevant.) This book was completely different. Impressive that Jason didn’t follow a cookie cutter script especially with the success Hidden Pictures had.

We follow dad who has a rocky relationship with his daughter, Maggie. She gets in touch with Frank when she’s engaged. Frank knows he doesn’t measure up to the fiances family. He tries his blue-collar hardest to impress Maggie & Aidan’s family.

They begin the wedding weekend with many hiccups (including a lice infested foster niece). Frank travels to Aidan’s family’s property. Everything seems a little off. I loved this vibe of “who can Frank trust?” and “what the heck is going to go wrong here?” You just knew something was up with Aidan but the more the book unravels the more you’re hoping for Frank to get out safely.

I’m not obsessed with the twist but this book was well done. It had creepy vibes and definitely kept me on my toes. I had no idea what was going to happen. Can’t wait for his next book!

I enjoyed this novel so much more that Hidden Pictures. This novel is more mystery/thriller and it was right up my alley. I could not stop listening. The layers of the plot were peeled back with each chapter, leaving the reader learning more and more before the culmination of everyone's actions are revealed.

The narrator did an amazing job at portraying the complexities of the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced reading and listening copies of this book.

After reading and loving Hidden Pictures I had really high hopes for this book. I expected it to be super creepy and have a supernatural element. It had neither. There were several scenes that just grossed me out and they kind of ruined the book for me. I loved the summer camp setting and enjoyed the overall story line but this book just wasn’t for me. I’ll still be reading whatever this author writes. I did love the narrator and will be looking for more audiobooks narrated by him.

I had High expectations for this book after his last book. It fell very short. There were way too many characters making the book hard to follow and keep track of everyone, the mystery part of the book was good and entertaining but overall the whole book fell flat for me,

Jason Rekulak’s The Last One at the Wedding is a sharp departure from the eerie suspense of Hidden Pictures, but it’s compelling in its own way. Instead of supernatural chills, this novel delves into the complexities of family dynamics, class tensions, and the secrets that can strain even the closest relationships.

Frank Szatowski is a relatable yet flawed protagonist, and Rekulak skillfully draws readers into his emotional journey as he tries to bridge the gap with his estranged daughter while navigating the unsettling world of her soon-to-be in-laws. The story’s tension comes not from horror, but from the slow unraveling of truths in a world where Frank feels completely out of place.

The audiobook, narrated by John Pirhalla, perfectly conveys Frank’s vulnerability and determination, making it easy to empathize with his perspective. The pacing of the narration builds the underlying tension, making it an excellent companion to Rekulak’s writing.

While fans of Hidden Pictures might miss the spine-tingling twists, The Last One at the Wedding shines with its grounded, emotional storytelling and subtle sense of mystery. Rekulak proves he’s a versatile author, capable of exploring very different genres while keeping readers deeply invested in his characters. This is a quieter but equally satisfying novel that will resonate with anyone who appreciates stories about family, connection, and redemption.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.

I feel like the synopsis of this book doesn't really describe what the story is truly about and it was fun to discover how complex and layered the plot actually was in this one. I enjoy Rekulak's writing and the depth in this story demonstrates his talent. The setting is fun in this one as is the idea of the lavishly rich lifestyle. I also didn't really feel like this was super thriller-esque because there weren't really big reveals or twists, which I feel would've added to the book for me. I also missed the super creepy atmosphere that I fell in love with in Rekulak's first novel, Hidden Pictures. That being said, I can respect that the author wants to branch out! This wasn't my favourite of his but I'm still looking forward to reading his next piece of work! I listened to the audiobook and found the narration enjoyable.

3.5 stars/5, rounded to 4

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

I read hidden pictures this summer and was creeped out. I am glad this book was less of a horror and more thriller. It was way more my style. I loved how the author left you guessing the whole time who you could trust and gave you just enough information at a time to progress the story without answering any questions.

So many people loved this book - it was suspenseful, had dynamic characters, and an intriguing premise. It ultimately fell short for me but that should not keep you from picking it up. Very different from Jason Rekulaks first book Hidden Figures. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! The audio was well produced and performed!

This was chaotic family drama personified. There was really more family stuff than mystery but it was rife with unreliable characters and questionable circumstances so it was still an entertaining read.
The production and narration were entertaining and kept the drama alive.

I LOVE Jason Rekulak and the production of his audiobooks. At first, the synopsis didn't really interest me much, but boy was I wrong! This book, for me, is essentially about what it means to be a parent and to let yourself really know your child and acknowledge who they are as a person, for better or worse. Coming to terms with the fact that some people we love are not who we believe them to be is powerful.

This book was really good and it went in directions I most certainly did not expect. I would say it reminded me a bit of I Am Not Who You Think I Am by Eric Rickstad, and that's a good thing. I usually lean heavily to women's fiction so it is memorable for me to indulge in a mystery with a male protagonist (the good guy in this case!) and I enjoyed it start to finish.
EXCELLENT NARRATOR!

I was willing to give Rekulak another shot after the transphobic mess that Hidden Pictures ended on, but after reading this it's clear that he is just not for me. It was near impossible for me to connect with Frank, and his paranoia was ridiculous. It was absolutely a slog to get through this,

Jason Rekulak has released a new book following the success of his standout novel, Hidden Pictures. It's important to note that The Last One At The Wedding is quite different in tone and theme, focusing more on family domestic suspense rather than supernatural elements. The story explores a father's determination to protect his daughter, which provides a compelling and emotional narrative. While I found the book engaging, I prefer the prominent supernatural aspects in his debut. Nonetheless, Rekulak's shift in focus showcases his versatility as an author.

The Last One at the Wedding is a gripping mix of family drama and psychological suspense. Frank Szatowski’s journey to reconnect with his estranged daughter at her lavish wedding quickly takes a dark turn as he uncovers unsettling secrets about her new in-laws. Rekulak masterfully balances heartfelt moments with spine-chilling tension, keeping readers hooked until the final twist. If you enjoy thrillers with complex characters and a touch of mystery, this one is a must-read!

What a rollercoaster. I went into this expecting a general thriller I could sink my teeth into. The cover and title caught my eye, it's rare I find a thriller these days I don't like. I got about 20% into this audiobook, and almost wrote it off. I wasn't expecting the main character I got. He was sweet, but a bit of a pollyanna hung up on class. I was finding it repetitive how often he referred to his job as a delivery truck driver and just wanted him to relax and enjoy the narrative more.
By 60% in, I would have done anything for this main character. What a genuine, loving father stuck in this insane story. Frank was such a great character because he himself didn't believe what was happening in front of his eyes. I loved watching him crumble and find peace with his new family at the end of the story. I couldn't believe Maggie, it was a trainwreck I couldn't look away from. I was shocked at how heartwrenching Frank made the discoveries because of how stubborn he was in believing in his child.

I will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen to me. What a treat to find an unreliable narrative that makes you believe in hope again???

The book was excellent. I was shocked and devoured it by the end. The rest of the characters were interesting, but none as much as Frank. What a unique character I will find myself thinking about for a while to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I first started listening to this novel, I was dubious about enjoying a middle-aged man narrator. That said, I really enjoyed listening to John Pirhalla and was pretty quickly drawn in to Rekulak's storyline. He kept me guessing, and I enjoyed the read, but I couldn't get past the side plot with the Frank's sister and her foster daughter. The whole relationship kept taking me out of the story because i found it implausible. Otherwise, a highly entertaining read!

Frank Szatowski‘s daughter Maggie is getting married. After a three year estrangement she called to tell him the big news and invite him to the wedding. Frank, a traditional, middle-class American is expecting to get to know his only daughter’s in-laws. What he finds instead is that Maggie is marrying in to a world of wealth and privilege. And what secrets are the Gardner’s burying with their privilege. As the wedding weekend commences and the hour for the vows draws near, Frank learns more and more what Maggie is getting in to. Will he be able to protect her or risk their rocky relationship?
This is an enjoyable, easy listening suspenseful novel. The narrator gives Frank an authentic voice and it’s easy to feel sympathetic towards him and put yourself in his position. What would you do if you loved your daughter but questioned her choices yet still desperately want to support her?

The cover and the premise was the things that drew me to this book. This one wasn't as spooky and creepy as I was hoping it was book. Overall, decent domestic thriller. Looking forward to the next Rekulak novel!

I finished this book in one day. I couldn't stop listening as the narrator brought the story to life as a father who just wants to do right by his daughter. I was able to deduce some of the events, but one I was not able to (so obvious to me now!) that gave me the major ick. Overall, a great listen and read!

This was a domestic thriller with lots of drama and a plethora of unlikeable characters. The characters are all well developed, but I definitely disliked a bunch of them. I was very intrigued and locked into what was happening, as I found the plot to be different. I was engrossed as twist after twist occurred. I love that the author did something very different from Hidden Pictures while still staying true to his writing style. I enjoyed this book just as much as Hidden Pictures.

Though starting off low, the second half more than made up for the slower start. I was completely immersed in this story and the antagonistic characters. Being a mix of a thriller and of a domestic suspense, I enjoyed the way things wrapped up at the end.

The narration by John Pirhalla was great! I usually stay away from books with only a male narrator, but i really enjoyed the way Pirhalla handled all the characters in this story.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.