While the story itself is not bad, the narrator falls short. Even sped up, he feels as though he is running through a serial killers manifesto, rather than a contemporary fiction book. I personally just couldn’t do it, even sped up at 2.5x

The musical accompaniment by Jens Lekman really encouraged me to listen to the audiobook and I am not sure if I would have enjoyed the physical book or ebook as much. However, I have enjoyed everything I have read by David Levithan so knew I was in safe hands. The protagonist was not that likeable but I didn’t mind, I appreciate stories like this, where the plot is the end of a relationship. All the different weddings were interesting and nice to read about, I liked meeting all the characters.

4 stars for the book, but 5 for the audio version.

This is absolutely a book you need to listen to, rather than read with your eyeballs. The concept was unique and interesting, and the inclusion of the actual songs in the audio was an awesome surprise. The story was engaging and while it lacked some character development, especially around V, I found myself rooting for J in his journey.

I would give this book a solid 3.5 stars.

This was my first introduction to David Levithan, and it was an interesting experience. I'm not sure if it was just the local bookshops near me but I definitely got the impression that this was going to be more of a romance that the drama/comedy it ended up being. Not my favorite genres but it was a unique experience because the protagonist is written to be somewhat unlikable. As a wedding singer, J is a bit self-centered and focuses more on his experiences and life than on what's going on with his partner. While this made the story realistic as many men I've known thorough my life have this approach to their careers, wants and needs vs. their partner's, it made the reading experience less of an escape from reality than I would have liked but I will say that Levithan did a great job of adding nuance into the main characters by having J be a very observant person to the outside world. It juxtaposed well against his handling of his most intimate relationship. There is a large focus on how his partner, V's employment has led to them having to be apart and the strain this put on their relationship (nevermind that when J needed to be away for work, V was expected to just be accepting of it). The author handled the challenges of their relationship in a very realistic way and sprinkled in tons of quips and fun snarky remarks about life, love and the character flaws we all have. I think this book contains characters that are intentionally frustrating to the reader in ways that force us to see parts of ourselves in them.

I love this unique idea of having real original music by the author that's a part of the audiobook. That's what helped this stay entertaining all the way through, even though the story itself I found hard to follow. Overall, the characters were interesting enough that I wanted to know what was going to happen with them, and I liked the way the book was divided.

This was a super interesting story. The first chapter I was a little confused from just listening to it and I couldn’t figure out what was happening but then it all clicked.

I loved Songs for Other People's Weddings. The added bonus of the narrator singing on the audiobook was amazing. This story was thought-provoking and tragic in the way that love stories can sometimes be.

There is a great idea but I didn’t love the way it was written. I had a hard time connecting to the characters. The story has some great moments but I needed it to flow different for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, RBMedia, and David Levithan for access to the audiobook of Songs for Other People’s Weddings!

I rated this book 3.5⭐️!

The book starts off a bit slow and was initially hard to follow as an audiobook due to its shifting narrative style—alternating between first and third person and stream-of-consciousness passages from both J and his love interest, V. However, I would still recommend the audio format, as the music and singing add a uniquely immersive experience.

If you’re a fan of introspective, emotionally driven writing like Intermezzo by Sally Rooney or The Wedding People by Alison Espach, this book might be for you.

Ultimately, Songs for Other People’s Weddings is a reflective, quietly powerful meditation on the human condition—especially the uncertainty we face when we’re in love, and the courage it takes to find our way, whether that means growing together or drifting apart.

I had no preconceived ideas going into this book, other than enjoying the David Levithan books I have read. J’s story is told through the songs he writes and performs for other people’s weddings, the planning and interviews with the couples, the weddings. There are pieces of J’s no wedding song related life, these pieces focus on his relationship that enters into a state of unknown when V flies across the Atlantic to move to New York.
This cast of characters is full of people you know and see. But, people that are not ones most would want to spend everyday with. Their flaws make them feel more real. J’s weddings songs allow him to tell other people’s love stories through his understanding of the stories they shared with him. Sometimes asking that he actually tweak their story, or do something else entirely.
J’s songs create an outlet for readers to wonder what it means to share your love story, to know that love changes, and the not all love stories are forever. This is a story that is meant to be consumed in audio-form. Jens Lekman wrote songs for the weddings. The songs are performed for the audiobook.

I'm a big David Levithan fan and was excited to start this one. I'm glad I didn't read review prior to picking it up because I may not have and I ended up really enjoying it. While I generally prefer physical books to audiobooks, I actually think the fact that I listened to this one on audio contributed to my enjoyment of it and I'm not sure if I would have liked it as much in physical form.

Songs for Other People's Weddings is centered on J, a wedding singer in Sweden who writes personal songs for each of the couples whose weddings he performs at. Each chapter features a different wedding where J gets to know the couple, write the song, and perform it. At the end of the chapter, we get to hear the song... well, in the audiobook at least! Jens Lekman performs each song and while many of them are a bit cheesy, I feel like it added a lot to actually hear the song instead of just reading the lyrics. In the midst of his job, J's girlfriend V moves to NYC and the two start to have some issues in their relationship.

I think one of the issues people have with this book is that none of the characters are very likable. J is self-absorbed and not very self-aware and V is stand-offish and not very nice. But I don't have to like the characters in order to like a book (I don't like most people in this world so it's inevitable!) and I thought these character portrayals were quite realistic.

Overall, Songs for Other People's Weddings is a really sweet look at love and relationships; as well as what it means to have a wedding. I do think it's a tad too long, but I'm ultimately really glad I listened to it!

If you’re looking for a strong plot, don’t come to SONGS FOR OTHER PEOPLE’S WEDDINGS—but if you like reactions about love nestled between original songs, you’ve found an original, character-driven novel that is at times very moving.

J is a recording and touring m artist who has become an accidental wedding singer—couples hire him to write original songs about their romance and perform them at their weddings. Unfortunately, J’s relationship is slipping away from him, and he can’t quite figure out why. Set in between weddings (and with the songs performed in the audio, which makes for a unique listening/reading experience, J has a series of conversations both with his love and with the people he meets as he moves through a relationship on the rocks.

I’ve enjoyed the David Levithan books I’ve read, I think because he really can get right to the heart of love and the way it both builds and unmakes us. I’ve seen this author do experimental writing with fiction before—his LOVER’S DICTIONARY is a longtime favorite—and as a music lover, incorporating actual songs was a unique touch. This book won’t be for everyone—it’s meandering, and while I’d argue the ending is hopeful, it’s not entirely satisfying. Still, I’m glad I read the book, and I’d be very curious to discuss it with others.

I received an advance listening copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited when I saw this audiobook on Netgalley - I've heard amazing things about David Levithan and the title drew me in right away. The audiobook was unique in that it featured original songs sung by the character's wedding singer, and the storytelling style was definitely quirky. Overall I felt it to be very dry and hard to follow, and I had a hard time pushing through to keep listening. Other readers may love this but unfortunately it wasn't for me. Thank you Netgalley for this ALC!

Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I was excited about this book because it was the Barnes & Noble Book Club pick for August. I have read other books by this author but was intrigued by his first adult fiction novel.

The story of J, a songwriter, who unintentionally becomes a wedding singer for hire after writing a song about hiring a stranger to sing at your wedding. He gets to know facts about the couple and writes a personalized song for their wedding day. The story is twofold. First it is the story of the weddings that J is hired to sing at. And the second is the undoing of his relationship with girlfriend, V.

I enjoyed this book and can appreciate the dry humor. Levithan's writing style is beautiful and intentional. The songs included in the audiobook with lyrics by Jens Lekman added another layer to the book.

I disagree that this book is a romance. I would say more literary fiction. While I liked J's protagonist, I would not categorize him as incredibly likeable. And as far as his relationship with V, I was actually hoping for him meeting someone new at one of the weddings.

Overall, this is a quirky and reflective book. I recommend but it might not be everyone's cup of tea. 3.75 stars rounded up to 4.


"All the weddings in the world can't teach you about love. Only love can teach you about love."

I really enjoyed this one!

I’m surprised to see it already have a pretty low rating, but I think maybe people are expecting this to be something that it isn’t.

I kinda liked the mundane feeling of this book, and it felt like each chapter was a kind of vignette into a couple’s life.

I think I liked this book because of its uniqueness and because it’s something unlike I’ve read before.

I feel like I’m not selling it well, but if you’re looking for this type of read, I enjoyed this book! I think it explores love in so many different ways.

I have been a long-time fan of Jens Lekman, so when I saw this book I was very excited -- what a great combination of artist and writer! I have enjoyed David Levithan in the past, and I really enjoyed this one -- not your traditional love story, but a lot of little love stories as told by way of a wedding singer.

The songs that Jens Lekman wrote for this book were great -- I will definitely be listening to them again, and am excited to revisit his past albums as well! This was so fun to listen to on audio -- it was so fun hearing the songs and I enjoyed the audio narrator, Jefferson Mays, and would definitely listen to more by him.

I read a lot and it's always nice to have a book that is outside of the usual format - which this was not only for it's plot line but for the inclusion of the songs. I am really glad I had the opportunity to listen.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Levithan has written another book about love and what we can learn from love in those relationships that are successful - and the ones that aren't. J and V are the central relationship of the book. It is a quiet story played out in multiple stranger weddings and the songs that J writes for those weddings. This is a book that I STRONGLY suggest you do in audio so that you can fully enjoy the songs (sung by Jens Lekman) at the end of each wedding. The book is read by Jefferson Mays and he does a great job of keeping the story moving and enjoyable.

'Based on her own parents' wedlock - V is a glass half full person - and that half is full of poison.'

'There is a lot of wallowing in the key of gibberish.'

'Her mother - a locked box of oddly shaped resentments.'

'He put needles in his questions and he can tell that she's felt them'.

'Last, as an adjective, means the end. Last, as a verb, means to endure.'

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.1/5
J is a singer from Sweden who has become famous for being hired to sing at weddings. He will go to random peoples' weddings and create personalized songs for the couple on their big day! But J's own love life is not the one usually found in love songs. J and V have been together for several years, J loves V, but it doesn't appear that V wants to take it any further. Even worse, V is now having to have an extended stay in America due to her job. With the long distance and performing at several weddings, J starts to overthink his own relationship.

This was a really unique book that really only can listened to through audiobook due to the incorporation of the actual songs that the character performs. It got a little slow and repetitive at times, but the uniqueness of the format saved the book. Overall, it was enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!

I only listen to 25% of this book. I could not get into the storyline, the characters, nor the narration, however the singing was nice.

Did not finish, stopped at 25%. I wanted a reason other than hearing the other songs to continue reading but I could not get behind the main character. The narrator bringing to life the words of the author was great. I could listen to that narrator in another book that hopefully I’ll finish