Weddings bring out the best and worst in people, which is evident throughout Alison Espach’s new novel, The Wedding People. Expectations and the stress that goes with them, whether they’re self-imposed or projected by those around you blend into a unique fog that can surround the participants and guests at a wedding. Sometimes it requires the perspective of an outsider to see through that fog to what’s really going on. But then, the same can be said about our lives even when there isn’t a wedding going on. Exploring the boundaries of truth and façade in The Wedding People, Espach’s novel is both hilarious and insightful, lighthearted and poignant. Touching on darker truths, the novel ultimately lands in place that loses none of its hopefulness for being predictable.

After the pandemic helped convert the cracks in her marriage into shattered pieces, Phoebe reaches rock bottom and decides she’s had enough. She wants to do the things she and her husband always talked about doing and she’s going to use the money they’d set aside for trying to have and raise kids to do it. She’s going to finally book a room at the fancy and incredibly expensive hotel in Newport and she’s going to kill herself while watching the sunset over the ocean. But when she arrives, Phoebe learns that the hotel has been completely booked for an extremely lavish wedding leaving her the only guest who is not one of the wedding people. Since she has nothing to lose, Phoebe is honest with the bride about what she’s there to do and instead finds herself increasingly sucked into the world of the wedding, finding that perhaps she isn’t as done with life as she thought – she’s just done with the way she’s been living it.

There is a lot of humor throughout The Wedding People and a lot of it can appear to be at the expense of specific characters. They can feel like caricatures more than individuals when the reader is first introduced to them and that is because to Phoebe, they initially are caricatures. They are the “wedding people” rather than individuals and so many of them play specific roles – the bride, the groom, the bridesmaids, the best man, etc. But as Phoebe gets drawn further and further into the wedding, those archetypal characters do become fleshed out people. The elements that make them humorous remain but they are fleshed out with a deft hand and Espach is able to demonstrate just how much the characters shift in relation to one another and the existing relationships between the characters as individuals.

The family and friendship dynamics that appear are what truly carry the novel for me. The tension between Lila (the bride) and her future in-laws, her future step-daughter, her mother all makes sense from both sides. Her frustrations with them as well as their frustrations with her and the way that the true roots of those frustrations get brushed aside to keep things moving smoothly for the sake of the wedding, all of that rings so true that it becomes completely plausible that they would pull a stranger like Phoebe in with such ease as a way to further avoid confronting the deeper issues at hand. Because that’s the thing: it shouldn’t make sense for a complete stranger to get so deeply sucked into the wedding festivities and yet, somehow Espach makes it work beyond just requiring the suspension of disbelief necessary simply because it’s the story’s premise.

4.5 stars. In turns heartbreaking and absurdly funny. Phoebe Stone arrives at the Cornwall Inn in RI ready to kill herself, She shows up in her fancy green dress and gold heels, during the week that was rented out for a high-end wedding. Phoebe gets mistaken for one of the wedding people and instead of going ahead with her initial plan, she gets bamboozled into joining the wedding party and really finding herself. Do yourself a favor and read this one.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co. for this e-arc.*

What a fantastic book. I couldn't wait to see where the story went, yet I didn't want the book to end. I loved every minute of reading The Wedding People.

It has everything you want. Emotional, poignant moments, laugh out loud moments, quotes you want to highlight, and plenty of material that makes you reflect on what you've read and how parts of it may apply to your own life.

The characters were fantastic. I felt they were all well-fleshed out and realistic. Nothing irritates me more than when characters are made out to be these larger-than-life, almost caricature-like characters, and thankfully, there was none of that here. The characters were flawed but relatable. Even the characters I couldn't relate to on a personal level still felt so realistic and each loveable in their own way.

Phoebe's character arc was absolutely perfect - it was everything I could have wanted it to be. This book tackles several different issues without ever feeling like too much was jammed into one story and without ever feeling preachy or obvious. It's just subtle and beautiful. Even the storylines that I worried about (in terms of how the author would keep things progressing without leaving me disappointed in the characters), left me satisfied, happy, and hopeful.

I don't really want to say much more for those of you that prefer to go in blind. But just know this is a fantastic book. I think it would make a great book club book because there are lots of characters and issues to discuss, but I read it on my own and enjoyed it just the same.

Thank you to Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Phoebe is broken, unable to have children, and recently divorced from her husband. To end her life, Phoebe books the Cornwall Inn, the same hotel Lila and Gary do for their wedding.

The Wedding People started off slow for me with what seemed like the longest monologue. Phoebe is filling us in on her life as she shows up to this hotel she dreamed of going to. As I got further into the book and Phoebe met “the wedding people” it got a little more interesting.

I thought this book was going to be a funny and uplifting story but it is far from. This book has mentions of suicide, infertility, infidelity, and death of a parent frequently throughout. If those are topics you don’t want to read about, I would avoid reading it.

I did like the end and the nice bow she wrapped it with. I also enjoyed why the book was called The Wedding People, I thought it was so clever!

Title: The Wedding People
Author: Alison Espack
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Wedding People" by Alison Espach

My Perception:

'The Wedding People' was quite a read about Phoebe Stone. A lot had happened to her, including her mom dying at birth, living with a depressed father, failing IVF, a husband who left her for an associate, and losing her cat. When she decides she has had enough of life, she decides to do something about it...having reached her breaking point.

How she did this will keep you reading to see how Phoebe will make it out of it. Phoebe didn't know she was checking into a resort that had been taken over for a million-dollar wedding and had been mistaken for one of these wedding folk. Lila [the bride] befriends Phoebe, learns of what Phoebe had planned, and decides to do something by befriending her, not wanting her wedding ruined by that happening.

It will take a while to get into this good story, but as you continue to read it, you will see how well this author creates a story that will immerse you in a situation that can have you laughing and crying at this emotional read. The characters' lives intertwine, and the story's emotional depth makes for a compelling read. It's always refreshing to find a book that evokes laughter and tears.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the ARC in exchange for my review.

When a newly divorced university professor ends up being the only guest at the Cromwell Inn not a part of the wedding slated for the week. Her last-minute booking, gets her mistaken as a part of the wedding crowd, and soon she finds herself accompanying the bride and the rest of the bridal party, as they celebrate the impending nuptials.

Well, this book was nothing I expected and everything I could want. I adored our main characters and their differences - the complex emotions, feelings, and thoughts they all had made them entirely realistic and enchanting. I loved the way Espach tackled tough subjects while also bringing plenty of humor and snark. And the honesty within these pages left me with a whirlwind of emotions.

This character driven story was absolutely wonderful, and I think so many will be able to relate to parts or all of the story. While it can be a heavier read, the story itself was a breath of fresh air and I still find myself missing this story. The audiobook is also excellent and really any way you consume this story will have you hooked.

TW: suicide, infertility


The Wedding People comes out July 30, 2024. Thank you to Henry Holt and Co for my advanced copy in exchange for my review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
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The Wedding People was witty, with dark humor, and I laughed out loud a few times. However it was also emotional, poignant, and had excellent character development.

I was pulled in from the very beginning. It started sad but transformed into a humorous story of Phoebe ingratiating herself into Lila and Gary’s wedding and their guests. Phoebe’s character arc was wonderful, and her honesty and compassion were inspiring. Lila, though spoiled and, at times, immature, was not annoying, and I enjoyed her confiding in Phoebe. With all that occurred during the wedding week, it shows that people really do come into your life for a reason.

It’s set in Rhode Island, which was so fun for me because I’m from RI!

This is also now a #readwithJenna book club book, so you know it’s gonna be a good one! This would also make an amazing movie.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Please please read the TWs. There are several, but for sure the most prominent is the main character wanting to unalive herself at the beginning with mentions throughout.]

Thank you Henry Holt and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt for an advanced copy of " The Wedding People". I was very intrigued when I read the synopsis of this book and it did not disappoint! Phoebe is a recently divorced professor who has decided to kill herself. Since money isn't an issue since she plans on dying, she decides that she will kill herself at a hotel she and her ex always wanted to stay at but deemed it to be too expensive. When she gets there she is shocked to discover that the hotel is the site of a week long wedding and she is the lone guest not invited. This book surprised me because it makes you think about all the crazy that people bring into your life and how in the end, they are also the reason it shines.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach is everything you’d ever want in a summer read. The second I finished it, I turned back to the beginning. The book starts with Phoebe, existentially tired and ready to make a change, and follows her through an unexpected week spent swept up in someone else’s wedding. I’m hesitant to share much more about the plot; but the punchline is that this is a must-read.

It’s tender, sometimes sad, and often laugh-out-loud funny. Espach will metaphorically punch you in the gut but quickly follow it up with a hug and a joke. The dialogue is irreverent and a masterclass in banter. All of the characters are lovable and messy and flawed, but deeply want to find meaning and significance. It’s such a beautiful story about starting over.

What could have been a super depressing premise in less capable hands is one of my favorite books of the year so far! Every character is so real and will remind you of someone you've met before. The dialogue is hilarious and the plot is so original that I was kept guessing until the end. Bring this along to your next destination wedding and it will get you through all the awkward moments! Highly recommend!

In Wedding People, Phoebe has hit rock bottom and heads to a fancy hotel to commit suicide. Except there is a wedding party that has taken over the entire hotel - except for Phoebe. After Phoebe is thrown into the wedding festivities, everything starts to change. I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was hilarious, clever, compelling, raw and honest. Phoebe was snarky and biting and it cracked me up. The realness of life in your middle age was absolutely perfect and so spot on. I loved the second chance at life and how human connection can make a world of a difference. It was just beautifully written with the perfect dialogue and most in-depth, multi-dimensional lovable characters. Heartwarming, funny and just so relatable. Be prepared to guffaw out loud and wipe tears from your eyes. All the stars.

Gorgeous writing, and hilariously incisive! I really enjoyed this one, though I admit from the packaging, I thought it would be much lighter. This book is pretty dark, at least in the beginning! That said, I really enjoyed the read once I realized I wasn't reading a lighter wedding book.

I LOVED this book! Two friends in my book club read and reviewed this one very early one which made me request it. I did not know anything about the book going into it but once I picked it up I could not stop reading. I went to school in Newport RI so the setting was near and dear to my heart and the author absolutely nailed it! While some of the characters made me roll my eyes at points I couldn't help but root for them all (except maybe Matt!)

I have been waiting for soooooooo long to post this review. The day has finally come! The Wedding People comes out this Tuesday and I cannot wait for you all to pick this up. It is absolutely one of my favorites of the year!

This book had me hooked. I could not wait to pick it up every chance I got. I lost myself with these characters and Allison Epoch’s beautiful writing.

I want to say upfront that this book takes on some difficult subjects. The main character Phoebe struggles with suicidal ideation and infertility and the entire premise revolves around her deciding whether to end her life so you should know that going in.

Following miscarriages and her husband’s affair and decision to end their marriage, Phoebe makes the decision to end her life. To do so, Phoebe books a room at a posh boutique hotel in Newport, Rhode Island that Phoebe had long dreamed of visiting. When Phoebe arrives, she discovers that she is the only hotel guest that is not there for the weeklong wedding festivities of Lila and Gary. When she meets the bride Lila and discloses that she is at the hotel with intentions of ending her life in her suite, Lila quickly takes action in the name of preventing the ruination of her very expensive and very well-planned wedding. Phoebe soon meets Gary and the rest of the wedding people and becomes involved in both the wedding and the other guests’ lives.

The Wedding People is beautifully written. The characters are endearingly three-dimensional with all their quirks and flaws. For a book that begins with a plan to commit suicide, it is surprisingly uplifting. Each character shows growth as they get to know themselves and each other. I was so drawn to each of the characters and was rooting them on as they waded through the messiness of their lives and their week together. The Wedding People is a definite must-read in 2024.

I was disappointed in this book and the flippant attitude towards the seriousness of loss of life. I think because of that it was hard for me to enjoy it.

Phoebe goes to a nice hotel for the night and unbeknownst to her there is a large wedding party in the hotel that is cramping her style of no room service amongst the crowds of jolly people in general. She unwillingly gets pulled in with the wedding people and their activities and connects well with Lila the bride. Lila is encircled by a crowd of unlikeable and unkind characters. The book is written in a light manner and attempt at humor that didn't connect for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the complimentary e-copy of this book.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach is a sharp and engaging novel.
The plot was cleverly woven and it just delivered all the right details at all the right times.
I truly enjoyed this novel from front to back.

Thank You NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This was so much more and so much better than I expected! I really came to care about this crew of flawed characters, and I enjoyed how the story ended. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know what I expected from this book - the cover and the title made me believe it was a romance. I requested it long enough ago not to remember the premise. All of this to say - I went into it with very vague expectations of some sort of love story that plays out at a wedding.
I was not wrong, but this book is so much more than that.
Espach's prose is well-paced, smart, and funny. I loved the characters and the beautiful, rarified spaces; everything made sense, and the resolutions lacked the overly sweet "and they lived happily ever afters" of the romance books I suspected this one to be an example of.
Yet there is a good setup for that happiness and better love, and enough hope that it will come true - off the pages. Sometimes, not ending up with the wrong person is a good enough finale.

I loved this book and consider it one of the very best I have read this year.

Thank you, NetGalley, Alison Espach, and the publisher behind the title for sharing an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

The book is out on July 30.

“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.”

This book was so much more than I could have ever predicted. It is a beautifully written story about life’s choices, an unlikely friendship, self-discovery and new beginnings.

The first few chapters dealt with a tough situation and could possibly be triggering to some, but these chapters are important to set the scene, give background, and to show the complexity of the MC. It also helps the reader connect with and feel empathy for the MC from the start. The rest of the story is a week filled with family, friends, and fun adventures leading up to one over the top extravagant wedding. There is a large cast of multi-generational characters who had me laughing out loud multiple times.

I appreciated that the story wasn’t sugar coated and recognized that life isn’t always sunshine and butterflies, but it is up to you to choose which path to take and how you react when confronted with tough situations. Without giving spoilers, I also appreciated that the ending wasn’t a rushed decision just to get a typical HEA…it focused more on the importance of self care and healing. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it!

Narrator–Helen Laser delivered a remarkable performance from start to finish. Her narration enhanced the experience, bringing multiple characters, of varying ages, to life with impeccable tones and inflections.

TW: suicide attempt, infertility, divorce, affair, depression, death/grief, mentions of Covid lockdown in the past

Thank you @NetGalley, @HenryHoltBooks, @macmillanaudio and @alison.espach for the #gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a strange book. The story was entirely predictable, seriously. Every plot line you could see coming.

That said, it wasn't an awful book. But it was a lot of words that didn't go anyplace surprising.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.