This book was an unexpected treat! When Phoebe books a room at her dream hotel after her life has fallen apart, she never imagines she’ll be the only person who’s not a wedding guest. When the bride, Lila, meets this mysterious “guest,” she finds a friendship she never expected.

TW: suicidal ideation

*Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I enjoyed this book so much! I would describe it as a beach read with a serious side. The plot point that brings the two main characters together was a lot darker than I was expecting, but that doesn't stop the book from being very funny at times. I found the characters really entertaining and well-developed, and I enjoyed that the romantic plot lines didn't dominate the story. Overall, I definitely recommend this! 4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book! i liked seeing Phoebe and Lila change over the course of the book and their dialogue between one another. Nice reminder how sometimes in life we meet certain people at certain times in our life.

Loved the dialogue in this book... it was quick, witty and insightful. The post-pandemic setting worked and was relatable. And while I figured what the outcome would be, how it was written still keot me guessing and was true to how life and relationships go.

Having spent my college years and after in Rhode Island, I was intrigued that this novel took place in Newport (plus the cover was divine). The Wedding People by Alison Espach was a heartwarming and touching story about people who have gotten sidetracked in life and reach for each other to find their way. Phoebe and Lila are at different stages of their lives: one at the end of a marriage, the other just beginning. They become intertwined at the weeklong wedding celebration that Lila threw for herself at a fictional resort in Newport, the same resort where Phoebe went to die. As the relationship between Phoebe and Lila grows, so does the depth of each of the characters. With this growth comes revelations and life changes. It is smartly written; the dialogue is touching and witty. And I am a sucker for a happy ending.

Truly believable characters make an unlikely story believable! When Phoebe arrives at the hotel she’d always wanted to visit, she’s mistaken for a member of the wedding party that’s taken over… well, everything.

Hilarious story, strong dialogue, and excellent character development!

When the weight of everything – her divorce, dead end job, cat’s death – gets to be too much, Phoebe checks in to the Cornwall Inn to kill herself. She is the only one at the inn that week who is not there for Lila and Gary’s 6 days of wedding festivities. Honestly, I expected something different. I thought this was going to be a great big comedy of errors. I couldn’t have more wrong and I am delighted I was. This book made me laugh, but it also made me think. At one point Phoebe muses that she likes books more than real life because she can predict what will happen in a book. To be alive is much harder.

When the bride finds out Phoebe’s plan (not a spoiler – this is the first chapter) she insinuates herself into Phoebe’s life to stop her from ruining her perfect wedding. In fact, Phoebe becomes Lila’s only confidante – the person she shares her worries and troubles with. I love that Covid in not ignored and some of Phoebe’s struggles result from her husband leaving her 5 months into the pandemic and her eventual return to the university where she is an adjunct English professor.

This book explores our relationships and the ways we change to please others. It was fascinating to hear different characters views on events in the past and how that affected their relationships. As the week goes on, Phoebe becomes more and more involved in the wedding and the lives of the bride and groom and their closest family. I received an advanced copy from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I will be buying a copy for my library when it is released. Definitely a 5-star read.

Content warning: Miscarriage, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt

The Wedding People is an engrossing read that drew me in from the start. Phoebe is a 40-year old, dealing with the aftermath of an unexpected divorce. The beginning is rather dark and emotionally raw, but also so familiar to so many of us. It's not all misery, though. Phoebe's journey throughout this book was deeply moving, with just the right amount of humor expertly blended in.

There was a lot of depth to many of the characters, not just the main character. And the interactions between all the characters were real and often fun. The author, Alison Espach, voices those things that we all think, but rarely dare to say out loud. Things that are sometimes quite ugly or crass, but honest. Things that you wouldn't want to burden your friends or family with, which is why I think Phoebe and Lila, and later Phoebe and Gary, are able to talk so openly to each other as strangers.

The ending is satisfying with a feeling of closure, hope, and new beginnings.

For a book that starts with a planned suicide, I was so surprised to read this story of second chances. What a delight! Full of heart and hope and a cast of wonderful characters.

It was refreshing to read a nontraditional wedding/divorce story from the perspective of a character like Phoebe. I was at a 5 star until the last quarter of the book. While the ending seemingly brought appropriate closure, I was still a bit unsatisfied though I did leave with a renewed sense of optimism.

Grateful to NetGalley & Henry Holt and Company for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wedding People by Allison Espach is very easily my favorite read of the past 12 months. Phoebe Stone is a college professor who finds herself at a crossroads in life. She books herself a room at The Cornwall Inn without any belongings and her husband. Phoebe finds herself in the middle of a large wedding party that is also at The Cornwall Inn. The bride and Phoebe form a special bond that changes the trajectory of both their lives. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise and was excited to read the book. I found parts of it to be a bit confusing, especially towards the end. The pacing was a bit slow at times and felt like the book could have used a bit more editing. Overall, I enjoyed the story and writing.

I just loved The Wedding People! At first I was afraid I'd picked up a breezy romcom, which isn't really my thing. But I was very quickly sucked into this engaging story that is so much more than meets the eye. The characters are so vivid and real, and the themes are so relatable. This is a story about understanding yourself, finding happiness, about what's important in life, about love and friendship.. It's funny, poignant and insightful. I really could not put this one down!

It started off very strong and it was not what I was expecting from the cover and the title - which was an interesting surprise. However, it became a little more depressing than what I was expecting, then a tad repetitive, then predictable. I liked the variety of characters but they seemed like caricatures and not real people.

This story gave me so much hope. Hope for what is unknown, yet to come, and what could be. Within the pages I grew comfortable about the ability to start over from rock bottom and thrive.

This book is gorgeous, and funny, and true. It’s White Lotus meets My Best Friend’s Wedding, with a side of Sally Rooney. Filled to the brim with so many beautiful ideas and acute observations that I would have to backtrack to read a second time. Get your highlighter ready, it will be doing a lot of work! I found myself putting off picking it up so that I could delay finishing it. I can’t wait for this to come out so that I can force it into people’s hands and then force them to talk about it with me after they read it.

This book was not at all what I was expecting. I thought rom-com or romance but this was really a book about a woman’s own struggles through life, love, and relationships.

Life is hard! And sometimes we forget that it ok for life to be hard. We need to speak our thoughts rather than hide ourselves. We need to go after what we want because nobody else will do it for us.

I thought Lila was a great bride and I completely understood her reasoning and thoughts for trying to make the wedding happen. Same with Gary, great groom and wanting to have someone give him a second chance at life makes total sense. I’m just so happy they saw what they needed in the end and chose happiness over doing what is expected.

Would recommend this.

When I started this book, I had moments where I was skeptical about the plot and if I would enjoy it. But when I say I wanted to clap at the ending, I mean it! What a beautiful story with important life lessons woven throughout without being clichè. Loved it all and wouldn’t change a thing!

Thank you to NetGalley for this opportunity to read and review this book.
First the book takes place in Newport RI and I live in RI, I am intrigued and who doesn't like a book describing the golden age of the Newport mansions. Second didn't realize the author is a professor at Providence College which is my Alma Mater.
The story follows Phoebe whose life takes an unexpected turn that leads her to this mansion in Newport where a wedding is taking place for a whole week. The book follows how her life takes a different path after meeting the bride Lila and the groom Gary.
I did like this book but wished the ending was slightly different on how it got wrapped up but overall good story.

The dry deadpan humor in this had me cackling. I feel like this was such a good balance of dark, heavy emotions with dry humor without making light of the heavy topics. It was so well done and written in that regard. I do feel it dragged in the middle where I wasnt particularly gunning to crack open my kindle, but the later half got exciting because I truly could not tell how this would end.