The Wedding People: A Novel Hardcover – July 30, 2024

When reviewing a book I often think of this truism: there is the truth and then there is everyone's perception of the truth. Most if not all of us bring our own experiences and life choices to what we read as well. Hence, divergent opinions from readers about any selected book being reviewed at the time. Fortunately there are thousands upon thousands of authors writing books from which we can choose. So, then, one person may think there is too much descriptive material which slows the narrative down while another will want more. Of course some authors are better than others at writing narratives about places, clothes, food and the like but if they did not include such tangible items then we would all be reading nothing but short stories.Another divergent point is how realistic should the narrative be? In my opinion, an author has done his/her job when some facet of the human condition, whether negative or positive but certainly negative, is turned into a great read as nuanced, as wise and as powerful as THE WEDDING PEOPLE: A NOVEL by Alison Espach. Even though suicide is a serious topic and is not treated lightly in the book, it should be noted that those suffering depression have our concern and our hope for those needing it to seek help. On a positive note however, statistics show that people who were saved or rescued from the final act are grateful that they did not succeed regardless of how the "rescue" happened. Add Phoebe Stone, the MFC, to such a "literary" saved list!I try not to include spoilers but Phoebe's intentions for checking into the exclusive Victorian Hotel have been mentioned several times already so consider that even though she meant it, she did not realize she had checked into the hotel with improper equipment for such a final act. However, regardless of her plan, the contrast is startling between her self-agonizing, self-criticism and constant worry about how others see her compared to the bombastic over-the-top, her-first-concern-is-herself, Lila, the bride. What better way to lift Phoebe up than being put in a position to help others with less weighty concerns than her own--or are they less weighty to each particular individual?Phoebe's upbringing was so quiet and calm that she could not step outside what she assumed others thought of her, even when she was married. Once she met the crew in Lila's wedding party, Phoebe started broadening her outlook for the first time in her life. How all this happens is a serious, laugh out loud, shed a few tears very believable fictional narrative about self discovery and self determination. Each character contributing to Phoebe's evolution is fully presented as being different from one another with each having their own quirks, hangups and personalities. Then there is Clay, the groom, a person Phoebe could look in the eye and be totally honest with about her feelings and opinions. Phoebe's growing relationship with each person is clever. Special note: there is a scene about a vintage car that will have readers laughing for days.Books that have stood the test of time are not compact, quick reads though many of us enjoy those too but rather are about the difficulty we have growing up then living a "normal" life (whatever that is) or that are written about unforgettable subjects i.e. the orphanages of Dickens day and then the "snake-pit" mental hospitals in the early 20th century (and do not forget the future--1984) and so on. One of the reasons so many of those books are still being read today is that they took a terrible situation and turned it into a story most of us could relate to while being grateful the situation(s) were eventually adequately resolved. I believe we will be reading this book for a long time. I loved it, read it in a day and will read it again, something I have only done one other time in all the centuries I have been an avid reader (LOL). With no hype or personal fixations, just simply my truth: the best book of the year.

This is a great book. The characters are relatable and, although there are serious situations included in the plot, it is balanced by humor. I appreciated that some the characters develop and learn as the book progresses and how the writer, while setting up the usual rom com situations, did not have them develop in the usual way. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for someone looking for a nice summer novel.

I really loved the main character and how her life views transform throughout the week. She is so likable and relatable all at once. Her character is the perfect centerpiece on the table of various personalities in the story. A definite must read.

This was slow to start, but the characters came alive and it is one of my favorite books of 2025 so far. Everyone is struggling with something in this novel. In the end, several of the main characters become real, become their true selves. One of my favorite quotes is when Phoebe tells Lila that she gave her a reason to get up everyday of the wedding week. It’s just a very beautiful story about living life, becoming who you were meant to be and it is well written.

I almost stopped reading this book a third of the way through it because it was whiny and depressing but I soldiered on and it got better, more interesting, more real. I still think the first third was too long and could have been trimmed. I could see the ending coming with one exception but I won't reveal it so you can be surprised too. Persevere. It is a good story in the end.

I enjoyed this summer read that was on first glance a fluff book, but hits some really difficult topics. The characters are very funny and I found myself rooting for them in their personal mess. I liked the Newport setting and found the book was true to the area. If you need an easy read on the beach this Summer I recommend!

I enjoyed reading this novel. It was a quick read with likable characters. The plot was fairly predictable from the beginning, but it was a fun read for the summer that I didn’t have to think too much about.

This book is amazing. It begins with a woman who is on a quest to commit suicide. Yes, it seems like a dark narative. It's not. It is insightful and FUNNY. It exemplifies how a change in attitude and surroundings can make a huge impact on the way we live our lives. It teaches change, in senarios that are comical, and thought provoking. It also brings truth into the picture. The woman decides she's not going to hide her pain, and "make everything ok for others" anymore. She becomes blunt, honest, and self-appreciative. The story-line is such fun to read, but it's so insightful, at the same time. You'll love the characters in this book and relish the outcome of the wedding. It's really a terrific read.