I loved Hidden Pictires by Jason Rekulak, so was very excited to get this ARC. This book is nothing like hidden pictures, but still great.
We meet Frank, a UPS driver of 26 years that has had a strained relationship with his daughter Maggie. Out of the blue Maggie calls and says she's getting married and wants Frank at the wedding.
Frank attends the secluded, very ritzy wedding venue and attempts to mend the relationship with Maggie, while also getting to know Aidens family.
Events start to unfold and Frank starts investigating to find the truth. The book took a few different turns than what I was expecting, making it more enjoyable. Overall very well written and kept me guessing.
Thank you, Netgalley and Macmillian audio, for the opportunity to listen to this ARC!

I was super stressed until the end! Great book! I'll have to read more of this author!

Publisher's summary
Frank Szatowski is shocked when his daughter, Maggie, calls him for the first time in three years. He was convinced that their estrangement would become permanent. He’s even more surprised when she invites him to her upcoming wedding in New Hampshire. Frank is ecstatic, and determined to finally make things right.
He arrives to find that the wedding is at a private estate—very secluded, very luxurious, very much out of his league. It seems that Maggie failed to mention that she’s marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a famous tech billionaire. Feeling desperately out of place, Frank focuses on reconnecting with Maggie and getting to know her new family. But it’s difficult: Aidan is withdrawn and evasive; Maggie doesn’t seem to have time for him; and he finds that the locals are disturbingly hostile to the Gardners. Frank needs to know more about this family his daughter is marrying into, but if he pushes too hard, he could lose Maggie forever.
An edge-of-your-seat thriller that delves deep into the heart of one family, The Last One at the Wedding is a work of brilliant suspense from a true modern master.

Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book!

The Last One at the Wedding
A Novel
By: Jason Rekulak
Narrated by: John Pirhalla
Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-08-24
Language: English
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the eARC.

Like many others, I was a huge fan of Rekulak's debut novel. And like many others, went into this one wondering if he'd repeat a similar trope. He did not, but that was okay for me. I really think this one would be better read than listened to, but that may be my own thing. I visualize better when reading a book and think this one deserves visualization.

I think this explored the parent/child relationship in an interesting way and I did enjoy the mystery, even if it felt rushed

3/5.

The Last One at the Wedding was good. Not great. Not poor. Would I read it again? No, not likely. But that's all on me. It's more a 3.5 stars, but Goodreads prevents that choice so I'm rounding up to 4 since ties go to the author.

I requested this audiobook from Netgalley based only on the author and the cover. Having read, AND LOVED, Jason Rekulak's Hidden Pictures (def go get that one), I assumed by the title and art similar to Pictures that this would be a spooky thriller book. It was not. After the fact I checked the listing and it's clearly called a mystery. So, again, my mistake. I seriously spent the first half of the book perplexed and waiting for "the thing", the spook, the underworld.....something.

Instead, it was a good mystery set in an isolated woods owned by a Bill Gates level rich man, centered around a wedding, and a dad trying to save his adult daughter. The characters were good, however, a few like the aunt were so stinking naive it grated. I felt the ending to be flat and left me unsatisfied.

My genre is more thriller than mystery, so if you go into this one knowing that nothing from another dimension is coming, you'll enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Wow. This was a crazy book. And I loved it. So many different surprises with Maggie and her very interesting and twisted life.
Lots of oh wow moments in this book. Great narration. Great book. Loved it!

Frank is a 50-year old widow and father of Maggie, a 20-something year old young woman who, after 3 years of being absent from her father's life, reaches out to him and drops the news that she is getting married, and she wants Frank to attend to a 3-day wedding celebration which will take place at the secluded mansion estate her soon-to-be-husband's family owns.
Frank is content with his steady job and lonely life, but he's always missed, and regretted not, having his daughter in his life, so he immediately accepts the invitation and is eager to meet his son-in-law and all his family. He's willing to do anything to get Maggie back into his life.
By the time the wedding week approaches, Frank learns that Maggie's fiancé family is not only ridiculously wealthy but also eerie, mysterious and everyone seems to be hiding secrets, including her daughter Maggie.
While Frank is at that secluded estate wedding venue, as each day goes by, he learns dark and horrific secrets everyone had been keeping from him, and the weekend ends in chaos and murder.

Let me start by saying something that I believe is essential to be said, whether or not you've read Hidden Pictures and enjoyed it or not: The Last One at the Wedding is NOTHING ALIKE Hidden Pictures. Do not expect to go into this book and get similar vibes or characters or crazy plot twists as the author provided us with Hidden Pictures. Nope. These are 2 completely different books. I'd even dare say these 2 books could have been written by different authors...!
The Last One at the Wedding is a mystery/thriller (much more of a mystery, really), told in one single POV, about a father desperately trying to re-connect with his estranged daughter, while having to deal with her daughter's troubling past and shady present. It's about super rich people full of dark (and some deadly) secrets, too.

Overall, it's a mix of a character-driven story focused on Frank - in my opinion, a very interesting and realistic character (even in the moments he can be really annoying haha I mean, aren't we all flawed human beings?) -, and a plot-driven story about all the mysteries concerning that wealthy family dynamics. I personally really enjoyed the ambience, the setting at the secluded estate in the middle of the woods, with strange rules applied to its residents and guests. I thought it was atmospheric enough for me to feel immersed into the plot. Also, there is a nice contrast behaviour between the characters from the rich family and from Frank's family (his sister also attends to the wedding).

My only issue with this book concerns the ending, the conclusion: I liked the overall pacing of this story, but the last 15% felt rushed and the abrupt ending made me read the last chapter twice, so that I was sure I wasn't missing anything.
What's more, to more experienced and 'hardcore' mystery/thriller readers, like me, the second half of this book might be quite predictable, so I never got truly surprised or shocked by the twists and revelations.

Yet, I do believe this is an easy, enjoyable and a fun-time read. I can easily recommend this book to everyone who likes mysteries set in the woods about dark rich people. But, again, if you've read Hidden Pictures and loved it, be careful with your expectations going for this one. Be well aware that this is a very different book from that one. And if you've read and disliked Hidden Pictures, consider giving this book a go. You might like it better.
As for myself, I liked this one a lot, but I loved Hidden Pictures.

I listened to the audiobook provided by Macmillan Audio - the audiobook narrator, by the way, does a great job voicing all the different characters and giving a special treatment to the main character.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

<b>The narrator really made this book!</b>

After a three-year estrangement, widower Frank is delighted when his only child, daughter Maggie, calls him out of the blue - and puzzled when she announces she is about to get married. When he meets the happy couple before the wedding, he is even more baffled to realize that Aidan Gardner, the groom-to-be, is the son of a tech billionaire. But once Frank makes his way to the estate where the wedding will take place, he gets an uneasy feeling. The locals warn him about the Gardner family. There are rumors Maggie's fiancé was involved in the disappearance of a local woman. "Privacy documents" abound. And the longer Frank spends at the Gardner estate, the more convinced he is that he needs to stop his daughter from going through with the wedding.

Wow, narrator John Pirhalla did an absolutely outstanding job voicing Frank, an imperfect but profoundly decent father wanting the best for his daughter. I was hooked, and I'm sure his rendition had a lot to do with it - this is a case where I think the audiobook may be even better than the book itself!

The story of "The Last One at the Wedding" was not completely surprising, but took some original turns and kept me on my toes. I found the book to be well-written and really liked the character of Frank, though the side characters, Maggie and Aidan in particular, were not equally well fleshed out. I also greatly enjoyed the ending, though I personally would have hoped for Frank to make a different decision.

This was a fast-paced and enjoyable late summer read.

TW: suicide, drug use.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Last One at the Wedding" is slated to be released on October 8, 2024.</i>

Frank is a UPS driver (With over 25 years accident free!). He’s also a loving, single father to an adult daughter (Maggie) who hasn’t spoken to him in a few years. When Maggie gives him a call out of the blue, Frank is ecstatic. Not only that, she tells him she’s getting married!

Once Frank meets her fiancé and his family, things start to get very strange.

This book was such a fun domestic suspense, I couldn’t put it down!

I also loved the narrator! I completely envisioned him being the middle aged father of the bride, who works at UPS.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and MacMillan Audio for letting me indulge in this audiobook early.

I was drawn to this book because I had really enjoyed Hidden Pictures, by the same author. I was able to listen to the audiobook version of the book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I finished it in 2 days because I kept wanting to listen to more. The narrator was really good, he handled the different voices well and made the book even more interesting. The book definitely had some twists and turns that I was not expecting. The main character, Frank Szatowski was really such an enjoyable character. Throughout the entire story he just wants to do what is best for his daughter, even as he starts to uncover secrets. Another character I enjoyed a lot was the little foster girl, Abigail, who is the complete opposite of Frank’s soon to be in-laws to his daughter. This book is very different from Hidden Pictures, which is a good thing. I enjoyed listening to it and I really enjoyed those jaw dropping moments.

Thank you NetGalley and McMillan Audio for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication.

I received this title as an ARC audiobook via NetGalley. I was a huge fan of Hidden Pictures when I read it earlier this year and gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is different from Hidden Pictures as there is no supernatural or horror. However, this earned another 5 stars from me! This book was super binge worthy and I finished it within a 24 hour period. I honestly was surprised by the twist and didn’t expect it! I can’t wait to see what Jason puts out next. He has easily become one of my favorite authors.

Narrator did a great job. I felt he was a perfect fit for Frank. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review! I was so excited to receive this one!

Excellent story, characters and narration! The audiobook is narrated by John Pirhalla, who did a great job with tone, inflection and emotion. The story itself is unlike the many others I have read or listened to. I wasn’t able to predict the direction this ended up going, and there were characters that you could identify with, some that were hard to decide about and went back and forth whether they were likable or not, and some I absolutely hated. Overall, I loved listening to this story, and it went super fast!

“You already got eggs in your hair so let’s not overreact.” 🤣😂🤣

“The internet never forgets.”

The relationship between Frank and his Sister Tammy was heartwarming and funny. Sure let’s bring the Abigail (her foster child) with head lice and crooked yellow teeth to the super fancy uppity wedding, just grab a jar of mayonnaise 😂🤣😂.

I loved following this messy cast of characters. I felt so bad for Frank as he’s the dad everyone probably wants to have but there’s this tension between him and Maggie, ahem…MARGARET.

I was totally invested in this book and loved it so much. Unfortunately I was incredibly disappointed by the ending. All of this build up and exceptional storytelling, smooth and natural and then…the ending rolled up and was like a car with a flat. Such a disappointment and it left me thinking I missed something. I went through other reviews to try to find some sort of explanation to the ending but it seems a bunch of other readers felt the same way.

Thus, my anticipated infinity rating for this one drops to a womp womp 4 star review (I know 4 stars is still good but this one could’ve been BOTY material). This REALLY should have an infinity star. Pains me to ding it a whole star but that darn ending just killed me. Smh. Don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed it but I am just THAT upset we didn’t get more in the end.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for this ARC
Set to publish 10/8/24
This wasn’t like hidden pictures but I enjoyed it a lot!
I recommend this if you like books about the rich& famous or drama &weddings!
I loved frank and Abigail’s relationship 🤍
I couldn’t stand most all the other characters but that means they were well written and playing their part well.
I liked how this book ended and I’ll definitely read Jason’s next book!!

The characters were great in this book, I knew the little girl would be important. I'm glad I discovered this author, so good!

I could not stop listening to this! Finished in a day. I did find most of the characters unlikeable but sometimes that makes the story better! The suspense kept building and lots of twists and turns.

Short synopsis: Frank receives a call from his estranged daughter announcing she’s marrying the son of a tech billionaire. Shortly after the announcement he gets a letter in the mail regarding the woman who went missing on the private estate the wedding will be held at.

My thoughts: After reading and loving Hidden Pictures I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this authors next book. I’ll tell you right away, they are very different books. This is more a domestic suspense with lots of rich people drama.

I loved hearing this story from the perspective of the father, he drove the story forward so wonderfully as we slowly unravel what happened to make tear him and his daughter apart. I liked watching him fight to repair the relationship with his daughter and trying connect with her soon to be in-laws, despite his reservations. I also really loved the humor and love Abigail brought to the story, she was a bright spot for sure!

I will say, there were moments that were complicated unexpected. I think I screamed out loud at one point, IYKYK…

Read if you love:
- Family suspense
- Remote weddings
- Lifestyle of the rich and famous

I think this one will be better reviewed in two separate ways: the audio narration vs the book…

The narrator: impeccable. His voice was creepy, suspenseful and well trained for audiobooks. I’ don’t know his name but I’ve heard it before and I think he’s the perfect narrator for the suspense or thriller genre.

The book: HUGE fan of the author. 5 stars from his last book Hidden Pictures. It was completely atmospheric and creepy. Loved every minute of that one.

For this one, I felt the same atmosphere read but the ending made me do a little bit of. Wtf? lol. 😂
I also don’t get the reason why Maggie didn’t talk to him for 3 yrs???? The reason given didn’t justify a 3 yr ignore.

I’m gonna need to talk about this with someone because I need to digest.

Narrator: 5/5
Book: 3.75/5

3.5⭐
Genre ~ domestic drama
Setting ~ Pennsylvania & New Hampshire
Publication date ~ October 8, 2024
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio
Est Page Count ~ 352 (50 chapters)
Audio length ~ 11 hours 14 minutes
Narrator ~ John Pirhalla
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ 5 parts, murder, suicide, unlikable characters galore

Frank and daughter, Maggie, had a falling out and haven’t spoken in 3 years. Now she’s getting married to a man named Aiden and wants Frank there. He jumps at the chance to see his baby girl again. With his sister, Tammy, and her foster daughter, Abigail, who gets on his nerves more often than not, in tow they’re off to New Hampshire for a 3 day affair.

Once they get to the lavish estate of The Gardners he’s eager to reconnect with Maggie and get to know everything about the family she is marrying into. But he soon discovers this family has secrets. And then there is a murder, and don’t forget the missing girl that Aiden was involved with before he met Maggie.

Overall, I did not find it to be the edge of the seat thriller the blurb promises. I was hardly gripped as Frank was yapping away nonstop. He did provide some comic relief once in a while, so that was nice. There are a bunch of daddy long legs to give you a little creep factor. I didn't hate it, it was just so slow moving for me because I kept waiting for a twist or something. Not sure what’s up with that ending either.

“I showed her the basics of self defense. Taught her how to make a fist and throw a punch. I made sure she knew the devastating power of kicking a man in his coin purse.” 🤣 Definitely good info.

Narration notes:
He did a fabulous job.

Maggie has been out of touch with her dad for three years. Suddenly she calls him that she’s engaged. The dad (Frank) meets the fiance and the fiance is strange and weird. The couple is just very secretive overall. Frank is hesitant about the relationship, the fact that the fiance is filthy rich, and the lifestyle Maggie is leading. But he has to just let it go and go along with it for Maggie’s sake and for the wedding.

For about 75% I was HOOKED and would give this a solid 4. I had to know what would happen next. The characters felt very real. The secrets were interesting and the investigation frank was leading felt plausible.

But then the ending fell very flat. I kept waiting for something to be resolved?! For a jumpscare?! Haha. But nothing really did. Was this supposed to touch on the reality of the wealthy vs the working class??

So the ending kinda killed the rating for me to about 3.5.

However if you’re in the mood for a less jumpy thriller and more of a bleak view of life, this would still be a good book. The narrator did a fantastic job with all the voices.

“The Last One at the Wedding" by Jason Rekulak is a captivating and unpredictable audiobook that defies easy categorization. While it may not be a traditional "feel-good" story, there are surprising moments of warmth and tenderness that add depth and heart to this genre-bending tale.

Narrator John Pirhalla delivers a standout performance, bringing protagonist Frank to life with charisma and nuance. Frank's relatable thoughts and humorous observations make him an engaging character to follow, even as the plot takes unexpected turns.

Frank's dynamic with Abigail is another highlight of the book, providing both banter and heartwarming moments that add levity to the story's darker elements. While I was expecting a more traditional thriller with paranormal elements, this audiobook subverts expectations with its focus on character development and emotional resonance.

If you're looking for a thriller that defies easy categorization and offers surprising moments of warmth amidst the darkness, "The Last One at the Wedding" is definitely worth a listen.

Thank you to Jason Rekulka, John Pirhalla, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for sending me the ALC in exchange for an honest review.