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.

I had really high expectations starting this after enjoying Hidden Pictures. The performance of the narrator was great and really embodied the main character in this novel. This was more of a suspense/family drama with one major plot twist around the 50-60% mark. I was expecting a few additional twists but those never came. This story also focused a lot on the relationship with the father/daughter which I would have loved to have more of the daughters POV. All in all, the plot kind of missed the mark for me. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced audiobook!

Thank you net galley! I absolutely loved this audiobook! The narrator was awesome and definitely had an impact on me being glued to this story. This is the second book I’ve listened to from this author and even though I had more of a shock factor in his last book this story ramped up my anxiety in other ways! There were parts I wanted to cover my eyes to but of course I’m listening not looking so that wouldn’t help. I cared about the characters especially the main character and hoped nothing bad would happen to him. These characters made me feel all the feels. I loved the mystery, thrill and twist with this story! Another amazing audio book I will recommend all around!

The narrator (John Pirhalla) did an incredible job telling this story. I loved how he distinguished each character and kept the story interesting.

This book is quite different than Rekulak’s previous novel (Hidden Pictures) - no spooky supernatural vibes at all. The Last One at the Wedding is full of family drama & secrets, & is a slower paced thriller with “throw you for a loop” twists.

I listened to this on a road trip and it was such a good pick - interesting, keeps you guessing, made the time fly by.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book from Jason Rekulak, and from what I understand, it is very different from Hidden Pictures. The slow burn, family drama with a good dose of psychological suspense certainly takes the reader on some twists and turns. While I wouldn't call it fast-paced, I was in the story and wanting to know what would happen next the whole time.

I really enjoyed the narrator.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for a free copy of #TheLastOneAtTheWedding by Jason Rekulak. All opinions are my own.

This was intriguing and enigmatic, at times a tad peculiar, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly the narrator’s voice. His voice enhanced the story and made it even more captivating.

3.5 Stars
From the surface it seems like Frank’s daughter, Maggie, is marrying into a fairy tale. Her fiancé, Aiden Gardner, is the son of a famous billionaire, and she says she’s in love, but as the date grows closer Frank the more things unsettle him. Frank finds out something troubling about Aiden’s recent dating past. Maggie brushes things off. Things get stranger when Frank gets to Osprey Cove, a sprawling forest estate with cabins and a private lake. The luxuries are astounding, and the security raises questions. Not even his sister Tammy and her foster daughter, Abigail, who’ve tagged along, can put him at ease.

Told in first person from Frank’s perspective, you feel a growing unease as Maggie’s nuptials draw close, but at every turn there’s a convenient explanation. Maggie doesn’t seem keen to make time for her father. I was not thrilled with a lot of the characters.

The Last One at the Wedding was entertaining and held my attention, but it was an odd mystery. Reactions didn’t make sense to me. There’s a surprise twist that turned everything around. The story makes you question: what would you do to protect your child? It seems Frank would do a lot.

I listened to an audio copy, and I thought John Pirhalla captured Frank’s everyday guy, protective dad persona wonderfully, but he did a great job with all the characters male and female and a variety of accents. He definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story!

The Last One at the Wedding was my second Rekulak novel and it didn’t disappoint! Frank has drove for UPS for over 25 years, accident free. He hasn’t heard from his daughter Maggie for a few years since they had a falling out. However, one day she calls out of the blue to let her dad know that she’s getting married and wants him and his sister, her Aunt Tammy to come to the wedding. Frank wants to sit and talk with Maggie and meet her fiancé, Aidan, before the wedding, as is understandable. Maggie doesn’t want to rehash the past and wants to start their relationship with a clean slate. Frank meets Maggie and her fiancé at their apartment and quickly realizes that thinks aren’t quite what they seem. Maggie’s future husband is very wealthy, the son of the CEO of the company she works for, Capaciti. Soon after the dinner, Frank receives a letter in the mail with the picture of Aidan and a girl who is now missing.

The wedding will take place on the family compound that was once a summer camp surrounding a lake that has been renovated to luxury cabins. The weekend of the wedding arrives and Frank, Tammy, and her newest foster child Abby head out for the wedding. Things get weird. They meet the missing girls uncle in town and he warns them of the family. Frank is obviously suspicious of Aidan and is hesitant for Maggie to marry him. Lots of events happen including one of Aidan’s friends ending up dead in the pond, Frank finally meeting Mrs. Gardner, Aidan’s mother, and getting to know her strange situation, and even walking in on Maggie in quite the predicament. The book did give me a few surprises that I greatly enjoyed, but didn’t quite hit the 5 star mark.

The narrator did a fantastic job with the novel and really brought it to life! When you read this novel, do not attempt to compare it to Rekulak’s previous novel “Hidden Pictures”. If you do, you’ll be let down. I don’t feel that anything will be able to top HP for me! However, I did still really enjoy The Last One at the Wedding, rating it at 4.5 stars, rounding down to 4. I cannot wait to see what Rekulak comes out with next!

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!

Title: The Last One At The Wedding
Author: Jason Rekulak
Page Count: 352
Time Length: 11H 14M
Dates Read: 10/9-10/11
Format: Audiobook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Summary: This is and Arc given by Netgally in exchange for a honest review. Frank daughter calls and said she is getting married. After 3 years of not talking he is invited to come meet her fiance and be at her wedding. He will learn more then he thought he would.

Review: This story was an emotional ride. I did see all the twists coming but didn't make it's impact any less. It was a slower read but the audiobook really carries you through. I would reread.

What a ride! A man estranged from his daughter gets a call inviting him to her wedding and what ensues is a doozy. Things seem weird between father and daughter and when we find out why… whoa. The story was a bit of a slow burn but when the WTF moment happens it doesn’t stopping going. Overall it was a good read and would definitely recommend. Narrator did a great job, very good listen.

This novel begins with Frank, a loyal UPS driver, receiving a call from his estranged daughter. Maggie gives him the good news - she is engaged to a great guy and plans on marrying him in a few weeks. Frank is delighted that their estrangement is over and looks forward to meeting his new son-in-law the following weekend. If you are looking for spoilers, you won't find them here. I will tell you that I really enjoyed this book' and it kept me guessing throughout the pages.

Mr. Frank has been a package truck driver for many years, reaching an esteemed level of notoriety for his safe driving record. He has always worked hard to provide for his only daughter, Maggie, who he raised on his own, with a bit of assistance from his sister, after his wife passed away.

Maggie went through some troubled years in her late teens and early adulthood, but as a parent, we always want to help our children and believe they still have a glimmer of good in them.

After several years of estrangement, Frank is thrilled to receive a call from Maggie out of the blue inviting him to attend her wedding. Of course, he wouldn’t miss it for the world. He loads up his sister and her unusual foster child and heads off to a secluded location for the elaborate wedding weekend hosted by his future son-in-law’s notorious family. (It’s like she is marrying the son of Elon Musk)

Frank immediately notices red flags and tries to warn Maggie, but he could be too late.

Frank is sharp and protective and is a former military hero, so he is not afraid to set things straight and stand up for justice. But his relationships his hairdresser and his big-hearted sister, also reveal that he has a softer side.

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook and it is a suspense thriller/family drama with a modern twist.

Debating between 3.5/4 🤷🏼‍♀️

happy pub week to THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING by Jason Rekulak – author of HIDDEN PICTURES, which was one of my top books of 2022

I picked up this book hoping for a spooky experience similar to Hidden Pictures (let me tell you, that one was genuinely terrifying). Unfortunately, Rekulak’s latest novel didn’t quite hit the same level of chills; however, it was still an engaging, well-crafted story. Def worth the read, but don’t go into it hoping for a super creepy experience!

The Last One at the Wedding follows the tense reunion of a father and daughter, estranged for years, as they come together to prepare for her upcoming wedding to the son of a wealthy tech mogul. Amid the celebrations, tensions rise and hidden truths begin to surface. As the father confronts the darker sides of his daughter's new family, he must grapple with the questions that will shape their future: How far will he go to protect the child he loves? And how can he do so without overstepping and losing Maggie for good?

My thoughts:
- Domestic suspense novels often center around female protagonists, so it was refreshing to experience the story from a different perspective – a cautious, caring dad. Frank is such a relatable character—he’s the quintessential dad, and that's exactly why we love him! Also I loved his relationship with his sister and her foster daughter, Abigail
- Loved the setting & premise – there’s something undeniably addictive about reading about the glamorous lives of the elite
- It explores themes like social class, right vs wrong, family relationships, and the idea that ‘every parent is an unreliable narrator’ when it comes to their children.
- Highly recommend the audiobook for this! Easy to follow plot, easy to binge
- Without spoiling anything, I’m not entirely sold on the ending, especially a choice made by one of the characters. I’m not sure if it’s because I don’t usually read plot-driven novels… the plot itself makes sense, but when I step back and consider the MC’s character arc, I find myself wondering, ‘Does it align with what we know about this character?


If you’ve read this book, LET’S CHAT!

This had all the twists and turns that you’d expect in a thriller but sadly, there wasn’t enough tension built up to really have me on the edge of my seat. The story was good, well-written, but it slowed down in the middle and the solution was somewhat predictable. Even the ending, which should have bad me gasping in shock, was exactly as I thought it would be. I did enjoy the writing overall so I will read others by this author but this one wasn’t the thriller I was expecting it to be.

This story made a fantastic audiobook. I really particularly liked the voice of the narrator and felt it was easy to listen to his voice on any speed setting.

Rekulak did it again with the suspense and unraveling the mystery. I picked up the clues along the way so when the grand reveal happened I shouted, "I KNEW IT!" which is so satisfying because it made sense. I loved the setting the of the story and the characters. It was eerie, creepy, suspenseful- but not horrorific.

The premise of the story follows Frank who hasn't talked with his daughter for three years. His daughter, Maggie, is getting married and invites him to the wedding. However, as Frank discovers who she is hitching herself to and the surrounding gossip about that family, he becomes more uncertain about her future and his fate.

Absolutely well done! I loved the line about making the perfect mac and cheese too.

This review will be posted on goodreads and later on Instragram this week with an updated link here to my review @readingkelsey.