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meghanrherold's review against another edition
dark
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
pwhc's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The words don’t exist to properly praise Alison Espach enough, but I’ll give it a go. She has mastered taking the heaviest topics and making them feel light. She treats them with the seriousness they deserve without taking them too seriously. This takes a book that could be depressing, and instead makes it fun.
Her dialogue feels so natural, yet so unique. A character will say the most subtly funny thing (that they may not even mean to be funny), and you’re just left wondering how a brain would even come up with that thought. It keeps you on your toes and makes you want to keep turning the page.
Her writing brings out her personality in a way that leaves me with zero doubt Alison isn’t a wonderful person to be around. This book is highly readable, definitely rereadable, and I expect will be cherished by many readers across the world.
Her dialogue feels so natural, yet so unique. A character will say the most subtly funny thing (that they may not even mean to be funny), and you’re just left wondering how a brain would even come up with that thought. It keeps you on your toes and makes you want to keep turning the page.
Her writing brings out her personality in a way that leaves me with zero doubt Alison isn’t a wonderful person to be around. This book is highly readable, definitely rereadable, and I expect will be cherished by many readers across the world.
laurenscholle's review
5.0
Alison Espach is one of my favorite authors -- it's official! 5/5 stars.
I'm consistently obsessed with her writing and will be revisiting this book later in the year once it's released. First and foremost, I am a sucker for anything with an ensemble cast and this was the epitome of the genre. Similar to Cat Shook's If We're Being Honest.
I love Phoebe so dearly. The story was about her, but at the same time, I didn't feel like she monopolized it. Lila, Gary, Marla, etc were all characters that had just as high stakes as Phoebe (well, after the first few chapters). And I loved it. I was rooting for all of them at different points.
The Cornwall Inn was also a character in this story and I'd love to see this as a movie. It would be stunning.
I'm consistently obsessed with her writing and will be revisiting this book later in the year once it's released. First and foremost, I am a sucker for anything with an ensemble cast and this was the epitome of the genre. Similar to Cat Shook's If We're Being Honest.
I love Phoebe so dearly. The story was about her, but at the same time, I didn't feel like she monopolized it. Lila, Gary, Marla, etc were all characters that had just as high stakes as Phoebe (well, after the first few chapters). And I loved it. I was rooting for all of them at different points.
The Cornwall Inn was also a character in this story and I'd love to see this as a movie. It would be stunning.
megbellinger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
amdawson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Phoebe has nothing left to live for. Her husband left her for her best friend during the pandemic, after struggling with infertility. She’s ready to end it all. Phoebe books a room at the fancy hotel her husband wouldn’t splurge on when they were married, but upon checkin she realizes the whole place is booked for a wedding. Lila, the bride, cannot believe Phoebe got a room during her wedding week. What transpired from that moment on is a masterclass in revealing the depth and complexity of a diverse group of characters. For every dark, grief-filled moment, we are given a funny one. For every passive-aggressive remark we receive a surprisingly tender moment. It was the kind of book you want to linger in and yet, cannot put down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide, and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage and Pandemic/Epidemic
celineks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
cassidy_rain's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Lila, every day this week, you gave me a reason to get up in the morning, to put on a beautiful dress and be part of something, and for that I will always be grateful.”
This was truly delightful and I loved every minute of it. I was drawn to this right away by the beautiful cover! The Wedding People is raw and emotional and funny. It follows two women from completely different walks of life and their unlikely friendship that grows over the span of a week. The women are complete opposites to one another, yet complement each other perfectly.
I don’t always love character- driven books but I think the characters are written really well; they feel very realistic and human. Phoebe is very raw and you get a really good sense of how she feels and thinks. Lila is somewhat unlikable as a character, but also perfect for the story. You do find yourself rooting for her. Both of these main characters grow a lot throughout the story. The overall story is quite predictable, but there were a few things that left me surprised! I love the friendship, the healing, the self discovery. There’s even the right amount of romance. I absolutely vibed with the author’s writing style. Heavy topics are expressed, but the overall tone is quite light-hearted. I found myself laughing at the banter between characters. I was left feeling extremely satisfied.
“I just mean, a story can be beautiful not because of the way it ends. But because of the way it’s written.”
I would definitely recommend this one! Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Co for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This was truly delightful and I loved every minute of it. I was drawn to this right away by the beautiful cover! The Wedding People is raw and emotional and funny. It follows two women from completely different walks of life and their unlikely friendship that grows over the span of a week. The women are complete opposites to one another, yet complement each other perfectly.
I don’t always love character- driven books but I think the characters are written really well; they feel very realistic and human. Phoebe is very raw and you get a really good sense of how she feels and thinks. Lila is somewhat unlikable as a character, but also perfect for the story. You do find yourself rooting for her. Both of these main characters grow a lot throughout the story. The overall story is quite predictable, but there were a few things that left me surprised! I love the friendship, the healing, the self discovery. There’s even the right amount of romance. I absolutely vibed with the author’s writing style. Heavy topics are expressed, but the overall tone is quite light-hearted. I found myself laughing at the banter between characters. I was left feeling extremely satisfied.
“I just mean, a story can be beautiful not because of the way it ends. But because of the way it’s written.”
I would definitely recommend this one! Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Co for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Cancer, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Miscarriage
nlees's review against another edition
4.5
4.5 stars ⭐️
This novel brings humor to sadness in the best way. There were poignant insights throughout that really made you think. You root for every character to find happiness, even Lila, whose selfishness was hard to digest in the start, but was able to help bring Phoebe back from her deepest point. Highly highly recommend!
This novel brings humor to sadness in the best way. There were poignant insights throughout that really made you think. You root for every character to find happiness, even Lila, whose selfishness was hard to digest in the start, but was able to help bring Phoebe back from her deepest point. Highly highly recommend!