I absolutely loved Hidden Pictures so I was thrilled to start this. This book was great from start to finish. It drew me in immediately and although there wasn’t a huge twist or anything overly shocking, I was captivated the entire time.

I loved Frank’s character arc in the story. At times I wondered what the point was of him being such an asshole, but then I realized Frank’s just a real one.

I’ve already recommended this to so many people so I’m very excited for the public to get to experience this on October 7!

Thank you, Macmillan Audio for this advance copy in exchange for my review.

I really enjoyed The Last One at the Wedding.
I think perhaps if you’re going into this expecting the same vibes as Hidden Pictures, you may be disappointed. However, with an open mind, this was a fantastic book.
To compare without spoilers, if you’re a fan of Riley Sager and enjoy all his books and understand that he writes two very different styles of thrillers then you’ll get it.
Back to The Last One at the Wedding. I really liked our MC Frank. Initially I was thrown off by Tammy and Abbigal, but I grew to really enjoy them as well. I loved the growth in Abbigail and Frank’s relationship as well. It felt like my growth with her was happening at the same time as Frank’s.
All in all, I thought this was a fantastic sophomore novel.

🎧 📖 note: John Pirhalla did a wonderful job with not only Frank’s narration but also all of the cast.

I was liking this and it was going fast but by the end I felt disappointed. Where are these huge twists everyone is talking about? What did I miss? And why did it end like that?

I did like the narration. 2.5 stars

The Last One At the Wedding was not what I expected. And I mean that in the best way. It proves that Rekulak can switch it up and still be incredible. But what I did not expect was to get emotional over a thriller with tinges of humor. Because oh, was it funny. The dialogue from our main character, Frank, made me chuckle so many times I lost count. Rekulak has a way with dialogue.

Frank really was all in for his daughter Maggie. I was astounded at all of the ways he extended himself to make sure she was happy. And that’s what got me. At first I was like, is this real? And then I had to laugh to myself. Ha. Yes, that’s what normal dads do. I had to unpack some of my baggage for this book, and it was a little sweet. So while I laughed, my throat also got a little heavy. You know, like right before you cry. Before your eyes feel with tears. Before they even fall. Just that heavy, choked up feeling.

I really loved this book, and I feel like I would recommended it as much as I recommend Hidden Pictures. It had great pacing, really good twists, unlikable characters, and even some societal awareness. It was fantastic.

Okay, so this book is nothing like the authors debut novel "Hidden Pictures" and I didn't go into it expecting that, so I wasn't disappointed on that front. However, I was super into this story the entire way through but the ending left me unsatisfied. This was, by no means, a bad book and had the ending been different, it may have gotten 4 or 5 stars, but because it let me down in the end, it gets a three star review.

I will say that the audio narration was great and it was a super easy listen. Just because I didn't love the way it all turned out, I'm still glad I read/listened to it and if you're looking for something a little different, give it a whirl!

I woke up at 5-something this morning to finish this book before work. That’s how you know it’s a good one!!

I usually only listen to books on my walks, this one I was listening to all the time. My first Jason Rekulak book did not disappoint! Hidden Pictures is next for fall spooky season.

The narrator was perfect. I hated him at first, boring guy but he played Maggie’s dad perfectly!

#NetGalley

This book is completely different from Jason Rekulak's previous novel, Hidden Pictures, but as long as you go into it knowing that - this was great!

I found myself anxiously awaiting to return to the book every time I had to put it down. I really loved the main character, Frank, and found myself wanting to investigate the 'mystery' right alongside him.

I really enjoyed the audio version of this as well, the narrator did a fabulous job.

4.5/5
Thank you @booksparks @flatiron_books @macmillan.audio #partner #macaudio2024 #frc2024 for the copies of this book!

After reading Hidden Pictures and loving it I did a cartwheel or two seeing that this book was a part of the fall line up! From the start of this one I was immediately hooked and buckled up for the wild ride. And boy was it one! Was it completely believable? Nope. Did I love it. Yep! I was very suspicious of some of those main characters and turns out my gut was right BUT the journey getting there I would have never guessed! I loved the characters because they felt very complex. I don’t want to spoil anything but let’s just say love is blind in many levels in this book and the realism of looking past peoples faults rang true here. This book was very suspenseful and had some moments that made me sweat! There were so many jaw dropping moments I just absolutely loved in this one. My only complaint is the very last sentence. It left me confused. 🤔 If you’ve read this one, and understood the relevance of that last sentence DM me! I need to know! 🤣 I suppose I can ask him next Monday when I meet him 👀 Anyway, if you want to be invited to a turbulent wedding make sure to RSVP yes to this one!

This was an interesting read. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job bringing the main character to life. I did think the novel was very slow in the beginning but the last third of the book was worth it. Abigail added a ton for me and was totally the best part of the story. I didn’t think the big twist was really at that twisty. I had figured that out pretty early on. The main character was very relatable and it was easy to follow the story. Frank is excited to hear from his daughter Maggie. It’s been years since they had a disagreement that led to him being cut out of her life, but she is engaged and wants him to come to the wedding. From the moment Frank meets Maggie’s fiancé Aiden something seems off, but Maggie insists everything is magical. And the insanely fancy wedding events at Aiden’s family’s private lake resort do seem magical except when Frank looks closely not everything seems quite so perfect. Overall I enjoyed this thriller and would recommend it.

I did like this more than the last book I read by this author. The main character is kind of annoying. He can’t possibly be old enough to be as clueless as her is. Unfortunately, there are not very many characters to like here.

Beyond the characters, I was hoping for something more ominous and thrilling. This was ridiculous and sad most of the time. The ending went on far too long. Editing may have increased the stars.

This thriller was such a joy to listen to. I loved the narrator and how his different use of voices helped me picture each character in my head. Frank is a relatable down to earth character who finds himself in over his head when his daughter calls to invite him to her surprise wedding (after not talking for a few years). When Frank arrives, he quickly realizes that things are not what the seem as he starts to discover This narration reminds the reader how hard a parent will fight to protect their child, as well as the letdown when you realize your child is not what you think. Give this one a try! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, the audio house, narrator, and author for the opportunity to read a complementary copy of this book in return for a review, based upon my honest opinion

I really enjoyed this author’s last book Hidden Pictures so I was very excited to receive a complementary copy of this audiobook. This book was nothing like his last book, but it was just as enjoyable. The characters were well written, super unlikable, but perfectly enjoyable. The narrator did a wonderful job. I really enjoyed the way he brought the character of Frank to life.

Frank and his daughter Maggie are an estranged, she hasn’t been home since leaving for university years before. Maggie calls out of the blue telling Frank that she’s getting married and she wants him to walk her down the aisle. Frank is excited and heads out to meet his new son-in-law to be at their apartment, which turns out to be a high-rise penthouse and the son-in-law to be turns out to be Aidan Gardner son of millionnaire Errol Gardner.

Frank and his sister Tammy head to the weekend long wedding celebrations along with Tammy’s current foster child Abigail, who is awkward and and just so sweet. Frank is not sure this child should be coming with them but what else can he do but agree. As Frank tries to learn more and more about his new in-laws to be, he starts to realize that something’s out of place, something is not right. Frank only what’s the best for his daughter and decides he wants to get to the bottom of what’s going on, but the closer he gets to finding out what secrets are being kept the closer he gets to possibly being in danger.

I really enjoyed the pace of this book and look forward to more books by this author.

The Last One at the Wedding
by Jason Rekulak
3/5 ⭐

The Last One at the Wedding is a slow-burning mystery. Frank Szatowski, a UPS driver has been estranged from his daughter for three years. Then one day, she calls him to invite him to her wedding. Frank is ecstatic and can’t wait to attend the wedding and make things right with Maggie.

Upon arriving at the wedding, Frank is struck by the lavish surroundings and extravagant estate. Maggie is marrying Aidan, the son of a tech billionaire, but he doesn't seem very friendly towards Frank. As other concerning signs emerge and a murder occurs at the estate, Frank begins to question this marriage.


The Last One at the Wedding is a completely different book compared to Rekulak’s first novel, Hidden Pictures. It has a less spooky and supernatural vibe and leans more toward being a domestic thriller. The book is well-written and includes talented descriptions of the picturesque New England setting. Despite the tension between Frank and Maggie being obvious throughout the book, I found it difficult to connect with either character. Therefore, I did not invest in the outcome. I wanted to love Frank as a devoted father, but his chivalrous choices bothered me. The ending took me by surprise, but the last line confused me.

Read if you like:
👨‍👩‍👧family secrets/ drama
💒wedding setting
🙋single POV
😨domestic thriller
🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏻full cast of characters


Thank you to @Macmillan.Audio and @netgalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All my opinions are my own.
Publication Date: October 8, 2024

I felt that this book was ok. I was expecting more suspense after hearing so many rave reviews about Jason Rekulak’s Hidden Pictures. I predicted most of the storyline and felt it was a pretty slow moving story. I did enjoy the narrator on the audiobook. I felt like he was a good fit for the storyline.

4.5 stars! I have been itching for this release and was thrilled to be approved for the audiobook ARC! Great narration.

If you read Hidden Pictures, the suspense is the same, but this a new arena. It’s a domestic thriller unlike the paranormal allure of the previous.

It is a slow burner. It’s family drama. There’s a subplot. A father hears from his daughter after 3 years (what happened there?) & she shares she’s engaged to the son of a tech billionaire after a year of dating (say it isn’t so...) and allegedly the son was involved with a missing girl.... so many things!

It has you connecting dots. It has you saying, waaaiit a minute.....

The Last One at the Wedding (Audiobook)
Author Jason Rekulak, narrated by John Pirhalla
Publish date: 10/8/2024

A chilling wedding day indeed! Frank Szatowski's estranged daughter Maggie calls him after 3 years of not speaking to him to announce her upcoming marriage to a man named Aiden who she's known for just 6 months. Not thrilled with the short courtship, Frank is reluctant to chastise Maggie much since he doesn't think he would speak to her ever again. He was a single father when his wife unexpectedly passed away had to raise her through times when most girls needed their mom and their last interaction caused a huge rift in their relationship. Determined to finally make things right, this invitation to the wedding could be a fresh start.

When he meets his future son-in-law it's a bit strange and any time he reached out to him prior to the wedding the timing didn't work out as if he was avoiding him. Frank already feels awkward when he finds out who Maggie's future in-law is since it's the man who owns the company she works for and he is a famous tech billionaire. Maggie and Aiden live in a fancy high-end skyscraper building in Boston and have the best of everything. The wedding is being held at the family's large secluded estate in New Hampshire and Frank feels like a fish out of water. Aiden's father is sparing no expense for this wedding, and Frank feels left out. When he arrives at the estate with his sister and her state ward in tow, Frank tries to focus on Maggie, and planning her big day is difficult. She is constantly busy and things on the property are very locked down. You want for nothing and if you need anything all you need to do is ask, but to leave the property the staff gives you grief.

The famous rich family doesn't seem to be the town favorites and he hears a disturbing rumor regarding his soon-to-be son-in-law that causes concern. Being left to his own devices for a few days before the wedding, Frank uncovers oddities that steamroll into things a parent doesn't want to hear. Maggie looks and acts happy, but Frank is worried for his daughter. Getting alone time with her or Aidan, her husband-to-be is difficult. He is withdrawn and evasive and also Frank has yet to meet Aiden's mother who they say is ill. Things just aren't adding up and Frank is desperate to find out what is going on before Maggie commits to something that may not be in her best interest. Based on what happened in the past though, he fears if he pushes too hard, he could lose Maggie forever.

The narrator did well voicing the characters' personalities making it easy to know which character was speaking. The buildup in the story was slow and didn't pick up until about halfway in. Then the story started to twist and pick up speed more into the mystery and thriller aspect. There was a particular part towards the end that brought a tear to my eye and I really liked it. I will keep it spoiler-free for others to enjoy it like I did.

I thought this was interesting, but it takes a bit to get into the nitty-gritty of what a thriller usually is. So if you are patient, you will get there. Although compared to other thrillers I have read, this is tame. There is a quick moment of spice, death, and some alcohol abuse, and mentions of child welfare. If you are used to reading thrillers, the trigger warnings shouldn't affect you much.

I appreciate the opportunity to listen to this audiobook given by Netgalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

4 ⭐️ Happy Publication Day!

Frank Szatowski and his daughter Maggie have been estranged for three years. One day, she calls him out of the blue to share big news: she’s getting married. Not only that, but her fiancé Aidan Gardner comes from a very, very wealthy family. Their wedding will be in New Hampshire at the family’s secluded, private estate. Surrounded by all this wealth and grandeur, Frank feels completely out of his league. Alls he wants to do is reconnect with Maggie, who doesn’t seem to have time for him.

Even before arriving at the estate, red flags start popping up for Frank. He is receiving anonymous notes warning him about Aidan, Maggie keeps brushing him off, and the people in town hate the Gardner family. Frank starts poking around, wanting to learn more about the family and fearing that Maggie is about to make a terrible mistake. But if he pushes too hard, he could lose her forever.

My thoughts: If you were expecting a book similar to “Hidden Pictures,” think again. This is a domestic suspense thriller with no supernatural elements. The story was layered with a lot of character dynamics to dive into. There are some side characters that really tug on your heart strings and some who are very unlikeable people. I went into this expecting the same level of twists and turns you get from “Hidden Pictures,” and this book was not that. It did have twists, but at times it felt anticlimactic; the pace wasn’t as “edge of my seat” as I thought it would be.

Overall, I liked it, but it lack that extra something. I like how well constructed this story was and how much each character brought to the story. 4 stars.

When Frank's estranged daughter, Maggie, unexpectedly invites him to her wedding, he thinks it’s a chance for reconciliation. But when he finally meets her fiancé and family, he discovers way more than he bargained for -like, way, WAY more!

This book is packed with family drama, crazy twists, and dark secrets. It's truly a unique domestic thriller.

However, I have to be honest and say that I wasn’t completely sold on it. The characters didn’t resonate with me; they weren’t particularly likeable or memorable. The one I found intriguing was Maggie, the antagonist and Frank's daughter. Seriously, what’s her story? Who hurt you, girl?

On a positive note, I really enjoyed the narration by John Pirhalla. The audio production is top-notch, capturing that thrilling vibe perfectly. Still, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much in a 350+ page read.

Frank hasn't heard from his daughter Maggie in three years, so he's shocked when he gets a phone call from her, saying she's getting married. The family she's marrying into is extremely wealthy and a little "off." Maggie is too busy planning her wedding to listen to his concerns. But, the more he finds out about them, the more concerned he gets.

Thoughts 💭
Hidden Pictures is such a good book, and I'm thrilled I got an advanced copy of this one! I typically listen to books at a 2.0 speed (like the psycho I am) and found this very easy to listen to. The narrator did a wonderful job doing all the voices (some of who were women), so you could tell the difference between the characters. His voice was pleasing and easy to listen to. Macmillan Audio always does such a wonderful job with their audio books!

This story is a slow burn. Concerning things happen as the story slowly unfolds and builds the tension. Piece after piece is added to set the mood until shocking information is revealed. I honestly didn't expect the book to take that turn, although I probably should have since their were plenty of clues. The second half has a little more drama to it and interesting moral dilemmas I enjoyed diving into. I don't honestly know what I would do if I were in Frank's shoes, but I feel like his thoughts and actions were pretty genuine. This is definitely an interesting storyline that was very well done.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was so so excited to get this Arc because like a majority of people, I loved hidden pictures. I was so bored of this one tho. Might have been better for me as an ebook than audio.