The Wedding People by Alison Espach is a beautifully written novel and my first by this author. A touching story that is an emotional read, at times sad but with splashes of humor throughout the narrative. The author explores a variety of issues – depression, grief, infertility, infidelity, unfulfilled aspirations, and loss.

The main character Phoebe is so dispirited by life and believes there is nothing left to live for. We meet Phoebe, dressed in her most elegant dress, checking into the regal Cornwall Inn in scenic Newport Rhode Island. Her intention was to go to a place she always wanted to experience before ending it all. She arrived as the hotel was preparing for a six-day long wedding event. As fate would have it, Phoebe shared her plans with the most unlikely person, Lila, the bride to be. Lila had no intention of allowing her million-dollar wedding to be disrupted and tried to distract Phoebe from her plans by involving her in pre-wedding activities.

The Wedding People is perfect and an immensely satisfying read. This book is an interesting look at surviving the traumas of life, the journey of finding yourself and how accidental encounters can emerge as life affirming relationships. I loved watching Phoebe and Lila navigate their newfound relationship and supporting each other along the way even if they didn’t realize this is exactly what they were doing. The writing is solid with engaging characters and great character development. It is a wonderful story about a woman at the lowest point in her life, her journey of self-discovery, and the unexpected relationships that have profoundly impacted her life. I cannot recommend this story enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed The Wedding People quite a bit once I got past the beginning premise, which I didn't love. I considered not finishing this when I was in the first part of the book, because I had a hard time believing this character's actions in the start of this story. The fact that she came to the hotel to kill herself and then told the bride of the wedding her plan and the bride didn't tell anyone or do anything to stop her except to tell her not to do it because it would ruin her wedding...seemed like comedy. But the way that Alison Espach masterfully writes the minutia of human interactions and motivations made it not actually read like comedy...So, while tragicomedy is one of my favorite sub-genres, the start of this book didn't read that way for me. Instead, it felt like an unbelievable premise (especially since, as the reader, we never actually feel like there's a chance she's going to go through with it) with some funny lines here and there. That said...Once we get through the first night and it's clear that Phoebe herself no longer takes her suicide plan seriously, the story begins to take off. Espach is truly gifted at the precise ways she writes characters' motivations and everyday conversations. I do think the satirical aspects of the writing began to shine here, as many of the characters were almost caricatures of themselves (which felt real, because people on vacations, at weddings, and at family reunions are often exaggerated versions of themselves - and here we have people experiencing all three of these things at once!). I was invested in the characters and the happy endings for everyone that I wanted to see play out, but I thought it could have been considerably shorter for what it was. I adored Alison Espach's last book, Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance, so I was excited for this one. While this one didn't have anywhere close to the emotional heft as that one, this one was a fun departure into more of a comedic style alongside her signature wisdom and insights into the human condition.

Enjoyable. Introspective. Some topics were on the heavier side. I did not get through the book as easily as I normally do. I almost DNF. I had to restart several times. It was OK but not fantastic

3.5
Thank you, NetGalley and Henry Holt, for the advanced copy of this book.
The cover and the description of this book pulled me in. From the description it seemed this would be a fun, fast paced rom com and it did get there.... But if I'm being completely honest the first 20% of this book was hard to get through. I was not expecting the book to start in such a dark emotional place. I was not in the right headspace to read this book initially so I almost a DNF'd (which I have never done before). Expecting a rom-com and being plunged into a narrative of suicidal depression with no warning was frustrating.

Overall I am glad I finished as it did become such a beautiful story. It was very well written. The characters are relatable and I felt like I knew each one. Alison did a great job setting the scene and making you feel connected to the story.

I never gave much thought to "trigger warnings" but I feel that this book should have one or at least have the blurb include something to tip off the reader.

This book deals with some of the heaviest topics but manages to convey so much warmth and wit. Phoebe has dealt with, among other things, infertility and infidelity, and goes to a fancy resort in Newport, RI, only to unexpectedly find herself entangled in the “wedding people” of Lila and Gary’s million-dollar wedding. I loved how all of these characters were allowed to be multi-dimensional people with relationships and interactions that feel lived-in and real. What a beautiful, life-affirming story that deftly avoids being corny or over-sentimental and treats all of its characters with such loving care.

What a read! I was intrigued by the title and cover of the book, and immediately hooked by the beginning. The subject of depression, suicide, and mental health can be tricky, and author Alison Espach handled the subject matter with care and grace crafting a funny and thought-provoking novel. It’s interesting how Espach takes us through Phoebe’s time at the wedding; it unravels almost like a mystery getting the different perspectives of the different people at the wedding and keeps you on your toes to see what will happen at the end of the week for Phoebe. The main characters growth and slowly gaining confidence feels earned and never feels rushed. The writing style Espach uses lends to the kind of inner monologue Phoebe has, highly intelligent and a classic overthinker.

This is a good read for readers who like a story of character growth and unraveling the relationships between people.

I loved this book! Yes, there was a bit of romance in it, but it focuses more on the female relationships. I didn't know what to expect going into this, but I will totally recommend this book to others. The ending was great, and I'm so glad the author didn't rush the relationships that were developing at that point. This was a book, I couldn't;t put down, and find myself thinking of the characters still.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC for an honest review!

Alison Espach writes a smart, propulsive novel about finding your way out of the dark.

We open to Pheobe Stone, professor, 19th century literature specialist checking into the famed Cornwall Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island. Dressed in a green formal gown and no luggage, she checks in. Her entire goal is to stay one night and kill herself after experiencing a crushing infertility journey, her spouse's infidelity with a close friend, and her divorce.

The lobby is abuzz with wedding guests as we learn that the entire hotel is booked for the wedding. She is the only guest not involved in the ceremony. Deeply funny and poignant, Phoebe is enveloped into this cast of characters and the result is masterful.

What I adored:
As aforementioned, the cast of characters were delightful, Lila and Gary. Peter. Marla. Juice. They were all fun and learned from themselves.
The blunt notion of mental health and grief was handled beautifully. More than just Pheobe struggled with this-- from many different angles.
The location of Newport was fun to explore with our characters.

Thankyou to NetGalley and HenryHolt for the advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair review. Wedding People debuts July 30, 2024.

I read this on a 4 hour flight. I assumed it would be a straight up romance book, but it was so much more.

Our protagonist - Phoebe - comes to an island and a beautiful hotel to grieve. Unfortunately she picks a weekend when a wedding is taking place and every guest aside from herself is a guest of the wedding. Lila the bride seems unsure about marriage and befriends Phoebe. Im using the word befriend loosely here.

At various points, I thought I knew where the story was going but the author showed remarkable insight and did not lead her characters down a predictable path.

It was a slow burn and I truly enjoyed savoring the story.

I thought this book was going to be a light and funny romcom.

It was not, to my surprise it was pretty dark, which I wasn’t mad about.

Unfortunately, at about 50% thru I started scanning the page for any to it of information that I could find, hoping something would peak my interest. Nothing did.

Sadly, this is a 2 star book for me and I feel like I’m being generous.

Wasn't sure what to expect from this one, but ended up loving it. Well written, great mix of characters, and lots of themes that hit close to home.

An easy dry, funny read. Reading Phoebe’s story unfold has surprises, laughs & some heart-warming human connections.

Phoebe has gone to the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island to end her life. After a divorce and struggles with infertility she feels hopeless. When she arrives she realizes she has inadvertently crashed a wedding weekend and she bonds with the bride, meets new people, develops new relationships and figures out how to start her life all over again. It’s funny and moving and relatable and I really connected with all of the characters. I enjoyed the ride. I would love to see this turned into a movie.

"There is no such thing as a happy place. Because when you are happy, everywhere is a happy place. And when you are sad, everywhere is a sad place."

What a gift it is to read one of my favorite books for the year during the last few days of the year. This book was such a journey and so unexpected.

"I think we talk about happiness all wrong. As if it’s this fixed state we’re going to reach. Like we’ll just be able to live there, forever. But that’s not my experience with happiness. For me, it comes and go. It shows up and then disappears like a bubble.”

It's the story of Phoebe who is at a particularly low moment in her life and can't see a way out. It's the story of Lila who is at a particularly high moment in her life about to get married. And how their lives clash and entangle in the most unexpected of ways.

"They get back in the car. She wonders if her feelings for Gary could be a new form of love, one she’s never known before: love without expectation. Love that you are just happy enough to feel. Love that you don’t try to own like a painting. But she doesn’t know if that is a real thing. She hopes it is. She looks out to the side of the road, like she’s a kid going on an errand with her father, announcing whatever billboard she sees."

There are so many "life" stories in this one book. And it's not about any one of them as much as it is about all of them. Infertility, infidelity, marriage, getting old, getting married, losing a parent, feeling lonely, death of a loved one, disappointment, loss, suicidal ideation, friendship, connection, lack of connection, art, literature, and so so much more.

"It is not an easy thing to do, walk away from what you’ve built and save yourself. It is so much easier to sit in things and wait for something to save us."

At its core, it's about what all good books are about, for me, it's about humans trying hard to be humans in a world that's hard, confusing, complicated and complex. It's about trying to understand what cannot be understood. Life is not simple. Humans are not simple. We can't even understand our own feelings let alone predict what others' are feeling.

"Because Gary is not wrong—becoming who you want to be is just like anything else. It takes practice."

I loved every one of the moments I spent with these flawed, confused characters. It all seemed real to me, and I loved the brutally honest conversations and the confused ones and the fake ones because they all seemed part of life for me, too. I just felt for all of them because I could see their struggle. Because I could see how hard it was to be a human.

"She is so good at predicting what will happen in books, so bad at predicting what will happen in life. That is why she has always preferred books—because to be alive is much harder."

I cannot recommend this story enough. It was deeply moving and meaningful to me, what a gift it is to get to read stories like these.

with gratitude to Henry Holt & Company and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

This book has all the ingredients for a lovely story. There’s a lavish wedding in Newport, Rhode Island, a beautiful seaside inn, and a cast of lost characters that find meaningful connection with one another.

Even though I did enjoy reading this, there was something maybe in the tone of the book that made it hard for me to connect to the emotional beats of the story. I still highly recommend this one, as I think that this will likely work much better for others. Just take care and mind the content warnings.

Many thanks to Henry Holt and Co and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 ⭐

Perfect for fans of Britt Marie was Here, A Man Called Ove, and All the Lonely People. This character driven novel caught me by surprise and I ended up loving it.

Phoebe books a fancy hotel, wears a gorgeous gown, and packs no luggage. She is on her way to end her life and she has created the perfect moment. When she arrives at the hotel, she realizes the entire hotel is booked for a wedding, except her room.

When she runs into the bride, Lila, in the elevator, she is upset that Phoebe is even there. Lila rented the entire hotel, nobody else is supposed to be there. When Phoebe tells her she plans to kill herself, Lila quickly informs her that she absolutely will not ruin her wedding with a suicide. She can kill herself later that week when the wedding is over.

This book is full of unlikely friendships, soulmates, and learning to truly live again. The dialogue is so well done, I felt like I was there. It wasn't awkward or clunky and the characters came alive on the page.

Thank you to netgalley for an eARC to review.

sensitive topics: infertility & suicide

Thank you NetGalley/ Henry Holt for providing this ARC to me!

This book was such a refreshing take on the idea of “one moment can change everything”. This book was messy, but beautiful. The pace was enjoyable and provided you just enough time to ask yourself what you would do if you were in Phoebe’s shoes.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Phoebe and Lila. A wedding can truly bring out the best or worst in people and this book conveyed that in the more realistic way - the family conflict was just enough to keep you wanting to know…what now? The characters felt real and I know a few of them reminded me of a few people I know or have met. The writing was enjoyable - It was a fun read with solid dialogue that was witty and interesting.

Wedding People is a breath of fresh air. Phoebe goes to a fancy hotel with plans to end her life - she’s tired and can no longer feel passion for her adjunct English professor work, her husband Matt had an affair and has divorced her, and her cat Harry has passed away. She is ready to end it all.

But instead, Phoebe gets tangled up in the week-long wedding that’s being held at the hotel. All the wedding people - bride, groom, bridesmaids, the guests - are such vibrant characters. I loved seeing Phoebe get roped into getting to know these people on a deeper level, and I loved seeing Phoebe become known to others as well. It was a deep look into the hardships of being human in a world that can be depressing, turbulent, confusing, beautiful, awful, hilarious, and (even though Phoebe doesn’t like this word!) fun.

I loved seeing Phoebe and all the other characters, Lila and Gary especially, get to know themselves better and reach deeper into themselves about what they truly want in life. The dialogue is so natural between them all and the quick wit doesn’t go unnoticed - It’s a brilliant idea that leaves you with food for thought. I’d highly recommend this book!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

The Wedding People is a charming story of Phoebe, who, after life doesn’t go as expected, finds herself the only non-wedding guest at a hotel booked for a week. When the bride learns of Phoebe’s plans for her stay, an unlikely friendship is formed. As Phoebe gets to know the wedding people, she learns about herself and what steps she next wants to take with her life.

There are many things I enjoyed about this book. The characters all have their own quirks and are real and likable, even when their quirks are making them quite annoying. It’s easy to see how they earned Pheobe’s affection, and as Phoebe grew why they would in turn be enamored with her. The relationships, even though developed quickly, felt real and understandable.

The humor throughout is light but fun. Phoebe’s newfound honesty really put things out there that had characters saying things that made me laugh, and otherwise probably would not ever be said out loud.

The ending was not by any means forced, and though it wasn’t wrapped up with a tidy little bow, I am satisfied in knowing what comes next for Phoebe, Gary, Lila, and everyone, will be perfect. They’re all on the right path towards happiness, whatever that may be, if it truly exists.

I would recommend this book for readers of The Midnight Library or Tuesdays With Morrie.

This book really surprised me! While the premise sounds like it might be a sad book, it turned out to be so much more. I loved the character development so much!