Amazing! The way the story evolves is wonderful and actualized. Life is largely what we think it is and Phoebe finds that out as things progress over the wedding week. The story was so ordinary but in such an extraordinary way, if that makes any sense. Every day things that could happen that move along in such a way that made me realize that we’re all battling our own issues and we just need the find the right people to help get each other through them. Great read!

3.5 ⭐️s rounded up

Before I was past chapter 4, I was already reaching out to my book-reading besties recommending this book. The first scene in the hotel lobby, I was laughing to the point of tears. I compared the author’s wit and funny truisms on human nature to Fredrik Backman (one of my favorite authors of all time.)

Then there’s a shift. The humor went from whip-smart yet relatable to almost slapstick. I still enjoyed the book, but where before I was laughing like, “That’s so funny, because that’s so true” I was now gasp-laughing at things that were silly or absurd.

I don’t think the promo blurb for book does right by potential readers. I won’t wordsmith the perfect sentence, but something like: Phoebe checks in to her bucket-list hotel, prepared to check out of her life by the morning. Then she meets the wedding people. Something that hints at a topic that could possibly trigger some people, especially when they’re expecting a 100% light-hearted, girl power friendship, rom com beach read. Personally, I wasn’t bothered by the initial dark mindset of the main character, but I’ve read other reviewers who were.

I hesitate to include this because… side tangent, but pandas/panda breeding strategy are briefly mentioned in this book. It’s cute and funny in a work of fiction, but not an accurate portrayal of pandas. I worked in the education department of a zoo with a world-renowned panda program, so let me reassure you that pandas aren’t sad at being housed alone. They are solitary animals. Even in the wild, other than mating and mothers raising their young, pandas spend most of their life on their own. Imagine an introvert forced to be around other people all of the time, and you’ll understand the stress “group housing” would impose on animals that prefer “me time.” Also, panda porn is not a proven or wide-spread breeding strategy. While humans are visual creatures, pandas rely much more on scent. So no, zoos are not showing panda porn behind-the-scenes.

Despite my quibbles, if you’re a fan of books that mix darks with lights, this is a great book to check out.

The narrator, Helen Lassr, was fantastic! I looked her up and she’s voiced several other audiobooks I’ve really enjoyed, so props to casting such a talented and experienced actor.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review..

"The Wedding People" by Alison Espach offers a delightful blend of humor, charm, and heart.. The novel's premise is intriguing: two women at a crossroads in life meet at a luxurious Newport hotel. Phoebe, an academic with a failed marriage, inadvertently becomes part of Lila's elaborate wedding celebrations. Through the eyes of Phoebe, we experience the highs and lows of this six-day event, filled with eccentric guests and over-the-top wedding preparations. Espach crafts a story that, while light on the surface, delves deeply into themes of personal growth and the complexities of womanhood.

Espach's storytelling is both witty and emotionally resonant. Phoebe's journey from a place of personal turmoil to finding unexpected connections is beautifully portrayed. The humor is dry, with sharp observations about the wedding industry and the rituals that come with it. Despite the novel's lighthearted approach, it tackles serious themes such as divorce, depression, and grief with sensitivity and depth. The characters, especially Phoebe, are well-developed and evoke empathy. Her initial aloofness transforms into strength, making her a protagonist worth rooting for. The unexpected romance and satisfying conclusion add to the novel's charm.

While I found "The Wedding People" enjoyable, it didn't fully connect with me on an emotional level at the beginning - but by the end i was hooked in. The audiobook version, with its excellent narration, made for an immersive experience. The novel's setting, a picturesque seaside inn, and the eccentric cast of characters add to its appeal. Despite my reservations, I recommend this book for its wit, heart, and the insightful exploration of life's milestones and relationships. Just be mindful of the content warnings, as the book addresses several heavy themes.

"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."

My notebook is full of quotes from this book now, but the one above sticks the hardest.

Professor Phoebe Stone has just walked away from her life in St. Louis to take a trip to the Cornwall Inn, a grandiose 5 star hotel in Rhode Island. It wasn’t a difficult decision– her life has been in shambles for years. Things are so bad in fact, that she has arrived at this beautiful hotel with one goal in mind – she plans to end her life.

But as spontaneous as this decision was, Phoebe wanted to make an event of it, to come to this hotel she’s dreamt of since before her divorce, and wear a beautiful dress that she never would have been caught alive in. Awkwardly for her, when Phoebe enters the reception area she encounters a sea of people also in green. They are here for a wedding, and Phoebe has accidentally snuck in wearing the party’s color.

Regardless, Phoebe has come to this hotel with a plan, and when she runs into the bride Phoebe is not afraid to be honest with the woman. The bride, Lila, is not impressed with this plan and demands Phoebe reschedule. A dead woman at her wedding is unacceptable, so if she could just wait til the wedding is over that would be great, thanks.

The original meeting between Phoebe and Lila has that magical ‘say anything’ vibe that conversations with total strangers has. They are both at the end of their rope, Phoebe from depression and Lila from stress, and their interactions with each other are shockingly honest after a long period of what feels like fake socialization.

One thing I loved about this book is that is takes place in our world, where Covid lockdowns happened and destroyed the waning sanity we all had. The effect the pandemic had on the characters is actually incorporated and for that reason it makes the story feel so much more real, like these are people that I could run into at a hotel.

Lila is a young woman in her late 20s, Phoebe is 12 years older and approaching middle age. The differences between them in age and personality is initially so striking but as we progress through the story we get to see how similar everyone really is to each other, and how all people are just trying to do their best to be happy, even if they have not yet figured out what that means. Especially when they do not know what their happiness looks like.

This is truly a beautiful story and the type that will stick with me for a long time. It is a story of loss, grief, and new beginnings. It’s about the power of wanting, and asking for what you want. In a world that makes us feel like we have everything, it is hard to actually desire anything. - Thanks for the lesson Sex Woman!

But seriously, this book made me cry and it made me laugh out loud. The humor was so perfectly timed and the characters were so real they popped right out of the page. (In this case, out of my phone). Truly this is one for the ages and I know I’ll be coming back to it again.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy. I will give my honest opinion. This book surprised me but didn't hit me enough to give a higher score. You have to be in a good place mentally, since there is no trigger warning. I really liked the development of the characters. However, I didn't like Lila's attitude throughout the book even if it was necessary for the end. The story was well written. Glad to have read it.

This novel was such a pleasant surprise! From the title I expected it to be a light beach read but it is much more. It's a story about loss, honesty, endings, and new beginnings. It's about family. It starts with a woman checking into an expensive resort hotel for one night. There's been an error, in that the bride-to-be insists that all the rooms in the hotel were reserved only for wedding guests. Who is she, and why is she here? We quickly learn that the woman intends to end her life this evening, but the bride-to-be objects strongly as this will ruin her perfect wedding weekend. As silly as this bride sounds, she soon unpeels the layers of the woman's story and, in so doing, exposes her own vulnerabilities. There's a lot more to the engaging story, including parents acting badly, a sulky pre-teen who insists on being addressed as Juice, and the ghost of the groom-to-be's late wife (not in ghost form: it's not that type of book). The audiobook is well-narrated and the story is engaging. I quite enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by this writer.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the advance audiobook loan for review purposes. Publishing July 30, 2024, so pre-order this gem today!

After seeing all the buzz The Wedding People was generating on Instagram, I requested this audiobook on NetGalley, and I was thrilled when my request was approved. It exceeded my expectations in every way!

Audio:
Helen Laser's voice perfectly fit Phoebe’s sarcasm! All the voices were great, but the narrator killed it with Phoebe’s dialogue, bringing out her humor and wit. The pacing was impeccable, keeping me engaged throughout the entire book. Her performance was so distinct that it felt like each character was brought to life with its own unique voice. One particularly memorable moment was when one of the characters had something stuck in her teeth, and Laser performed the dialogue as if she were removing the food. It was these small details that made the audiobook a standout experience. The narration truly elevated the experience, making it a perfect 5-star listen for me.

Plot:
It was such a thrill to read a book set in Newport! I vacation there yearly and love hearing about places I recognize, like Bowen’s Wharf and The Forty Steps. The story itself was hilarious due to Alison Espach’s clever writing, and I especially loved that Phoebe is a professor. Espach's writing is truly remarkable. Even simple phrases like "Take care now" from a husband to a wife carried much weight and meaning. The book beautifully captures what it's like to meet someone and immediately feel connected. For fans of literature, art, and Jane Austen, there are plenty of references that you'll appreciate. It is also important to mention this is a book that tackles serious topics that might be triggering for some readers, like infertility, infidelity, and suicide. However, the story is told with such a hopeful and delightful touch; I imagine that is not an easy feat for an author.

The Wedding People was an outstanding audiobook experience, and I highly recommend it. Helen Laser's narration was a perfect match for Alison Espach's brilliant writing, making it a must-listen for any audiobook enthusiast!

Thank you Macmillan Media and Netgalley for the advance reading copy. This is an unusual and unique novel about Phoebe, a woman going through heartbreak that becomes an unexpected wedding guest at a beautiful Rhode Island resort. I instantly felt connected to the main character and her journey of self discovery through this novel.

The wedding guests are wild characters that make this novel fly by and unable to put down. There is a little bit of romance in this novel but it is more about journeying through life and the detours we have the courage to take that reroute us.

I already can’t wait to read this again!
I will be buying the hardcover because 1. I loved the story 2. I love the cover 3. There are so many good quotes I just want to highlight.
I received this ARC as an audio and I really enjoyed listening except I kept wishing I had a physical copy that I could sit and binge but also so I could soak in the special moments/feelings more.
This book was so well done. The characters were so great and I thought there was a relatable part to all of them. The author did such a good job talking about the human experience, the negative thoughts and the hard times but also all the little joys that we can forget to enjoy day to day. There are tough topics but the author also kept it humorous and fun. I feel grateful for books like this. 🥹
PUB DAY 7/30. 🥳🍾

The Wedding People has romance, it is damn funny, but it is NOT a rom-com. It's better. The Wedding People is a dark dramady which starts with Phoebe, the protagonist, barely treading water through life after failed IVF, being left by her husband for another woman, when her cat Harry dies. Phoebe heads to the Cornwall Inn, in Newport, Rhode Island, not to rest and rejuvenate...but to kill herself. Unfortunately, she finds herself one of the only guests at the Cornwall who is not there for the wedding of Lilah and Gary. Fortunately, due to her no bothers left to give attitude, she admits to the bride (on questioning why is she at the hotel) that she is going to kill herself and Lilah, the lovely bridezilla is NOT HAVING IT.

There is so much I loved about this book. In a world where people are desperately seeking honestly the radical candor of Phoebe and her interactions with Lilah and the other guests is refreshing. There is so much character development, so many little life lessons, so many laughs; I couldn't stop listening. The narrator was wonderful. This has been one of my top listens of the year.

Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Henry Holt & Company for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advanced audio copy of The Wedding People.

I adored this book. I loved the realness of the characters and how Alison Espach didn't try to make anything prettier than it actually was. I loved the whacky conversations and Phoebe just trying to figure out what is next. The narrator did a stellar job. It was a joy to listen to.

Is this my new favorite book? It might just be my top pick among non-fantasy/sci-fi reads. The Wedding People feels like it was crafted specifically for my soul—it's my soulmate book. I know I'll revisit it again and again. I was initially drawn in by the captivating cover (and a good enough premise), and I was overjoyed to discover the audiobook on NetGalley. (Huge thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!)

Imagine coastal grandmother vibes, akin to Elin Hildenbrand but with a darker, melancholic twist and a sprinkle of delightful sarcastic humor. The Wedding People had me hooked from start to finish. Phoebe finds herself at a luxurious yet cozy Rhode Island hotel teeming with a wedding party celebrating a weeklong weekend, while she's there to... well, not celebrate. But she can't help but be drawn into the world of the wedding people. It's a blend of darkness, humor, and warmth that kept me sucked in at every moment.

All I want now is to be in a beach house, rain tapping against the windows, a glass of wine in hand, immersed in Phoebe, Gary, Lyla, Jim, and the rest of the characters' lives. Pub day is July 30th!

I really enjoyed this book and how real the characters felt. Phoebe and Lila bickering back and forth was so funny. Phoebe practicing at being her true self was great. We had a chance to see where she was, where she is now and what she want be after betrayal of her husband. Loved that. She connected with everyone so well. My only gripe was that I wished they didn't include the romance elements. This book also reminded me of the movie The Family Stone with the partner swapping stuff. It took me out of the story when Pheobe and Gary plus everyone else commented about their chemistry. I think we could have removed it and still would have had a great story.

The narrator was amazing and brought all the characters alive.

Thank you for providing this review copy.

3.5 stars

This book surprised me in the very best way. I was in the middle of a reading slump when I decided to try this and was instantly hooked. This is a very character driven story with some pretty heavy elements but is handled with such honesty and humor that I could not put it down. I loved Phoebe so much and how she decided to be her true self around all of these strangers at the wedding and in doing so ended up finding her people. I thought the narrator did a wonderful job as well. Highly recommend this book! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this ALC!

Thanks NetGalley Henry Holt and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy.

I saw a few share about this one in their stories and I forgot which one convinced me to look it up. What sold me was that Helen Laser narrates! If that name sounds familiar it’s because she did the audio for Yellowface and she was fantastic.

Don’t let the title and cute cover fool you, this one deals with some heavy and dark topics. It’s not a cute romcom but a story of the power we have in each others’ lives and how one act can make a huge difference; how strangers can become found family. It’s not all serious as you will find some lighthearted moments and dark humor (related to the heavy topics, see trigger warnings). But while the overall message is a positive one, there was still some content that made me cringe and when utilizing an audiobook it makes it harder to skip these moments.

Content and trigger warnings include a character intends to commit suicide, infertility and miscarriage, infidelity and divorce, sexual content (between spouses, a character tries to stimulate herself and someone walks in, various discussions), profanity and vulgar references, loved ones die by cancer (off page), and likely more.

Even though I decided to DNF at 56% because I wasn’t really connecting with the characters, I give it a halfhearted 3 out of 5 from what I did. Again, message 👍🏼 but some content 👎🏼. It just isn’t my taste.

I have been very excited for this book since I saw the cover. It’s so beautiful. I am notorious for going into book without having any idea what it’s about. This book is nothing what I was expecting, in the very best way. I related to Phoebe in so many ways, as strange as it feels. The more of the book I consumed the better it got. Such a unique plot. Having the book on audio was such an experience. There was so much humor in the book that I was able to laugh out loud too hearing the inflections from the narrator. She did a phenomenal job, loved the voices she supplied to the characters. I feel like it was really an experience listening to this on audio. The only weird thing on this narration is I could like tell when clips were recorded at other times and cut into the original. The voice/sound quality changes and I noticed it everytime.

I enjoyed listening to The Wedding People. There were both familiar and unfamiliar elements of the story. I was drawn in to the unfolding of the main characters, and there were some entertaining minor characters as well. This was a great book!

Our main character, Phoebe, has been suffering from depression for a while (especially after undergoing miscarriages, her beloved cat's death and her husband's cheatings and ultimately leaving her) and she now has decided to end her own life. For that, she books the best and most exclusive room at an isolated hotel where she plans to kill herself in the first night. What Phoebe didn't expect was that the hotel was full of people, all other rooms were fully booked by a sociliate, Lila, who was about the get married in the next few days. Lila and her groom, Gary, booked the entire hotel capacity for their friends and family to splurge on a 'wedding week'. Phoebe gets bothered by all those rich people, how they talk, how they behave and doesn't like that all those people will be there while she does what she's planned to do.
Meanwhile, Lila finds out that Phoebe doesn't belong to either her side of the family or Gary's. And Lila, being a control freak that she is, doesn't accept that Phoebe got the best room in the hotel and when Phoebe admits being there with the purpose of suicide, Lila simply won't have that tragedy ruining her wedding/festivities plans.
Despite not managing to convice Phoebe not to ruin her plans, Lila eventually leaves Phoebe alone. But right after that Phoebe gets surprisingly caught up in the middle of the drama of those other guests she then calls "the wedding people". And that is the turning point for Phoebe's "rebirth". She then observes the wedding people by distance but then gets thrown (by Lila) into the middle of their activities. Phoebe and Lila end up in a weird and unconventional relationship based on true and raw honesty and vulnerability, from both sides.

This is a very character-driven story, a character study on a character who had lost everything, had no intentions of getting better and suddenly realises life can pull you out of the dark bottom and lead you to a hopeful and bright future.
THE WEDDING PEOPLE might start off with a dark and heavy topic, but the story never surrenders to the gloom entirely. There is always a touch of humour. Even Phoebe makes some sarcastic and dark-humour notes and observations in the beginning. (Personally, I laughed out loud when she would give silly and sarcastic nicknames to some of the guests - how she would adress them in her mind).
I'd say the first 1/3 of this book is more focused on Phoebe's depression and will to ending her life. The suicide topic might be triggering for some readers, so be aware of that! But also be aware that this book IS NOT about suicide. It is about overcoming some traumas, dramas and allowing oneself to start over.

The writing, in my opinion, is great. I personally felt engaged with all the characters and invested in everything and everyone. Phoebe and Lila dynamic is fun, funny, adorable and inspiring. There is drama, there is comedy, there is sadness, there is romance. It has a little of everything to please different types of readers, so I can easily recommend this book to a lot of readers out there.
This is the second book I read by this author and now is my favourite. I cannot wait to see what Alison Espach is gonna do next.
I listened to the an audiobook copy of this novel and the narration is pure perfection!
I will even dare say this book works perfectly well as an audiobook. If you're an audiobook lover/addict like myself, please do yourselves a favour and listen to the audio!

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillian audio, for the delightful honour to listen to an early audiobook copy of this great novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you netgalley and publisher for the chance to read this book for free in return for my honest opinion.

This book made me laugh so much. It was very sad in some parts but made me laugh out loud in other parts. The vintage car part.. IYKYK.

Phoebe shows up at a hotel with a mission. Unfortunately she’s mistaken for someone of the wedding party and she spends half of her time trying to convince the bride to leave her alone in peace to do what she came to the hotel for. Phoebe gets more than she bargained for with this extravagant wedding.

Loved this one. I wasn’t fully prepared for the emotional toll this book would have on me, but the dark humor definitely balanced out the tough topics. Such a good reminder that things can change at any point. No stage lasts forever.