The Wedding People Hardcover – 30 July 2024

I couldn’t put this book down. I loved how the characters were drawn and how they evolved. The main characters were brave and complex, very human and likeable! I particularly enjoyed how the relationship between Lila and Phoebe developed as Lila started leaning to her.The dialogue between Phoebe and Gary and also between Phoebe and Jim was humorous and witty.The plot had the right amount of intrigue and kept me guessing to the end.

This is a really easy read with some very funny and some sad moments in it. Perfect for the beach!

Sometimes, a book comes along that sweeps you up, keeps you hooked, and leaves an imprint on your heart long after you've turned the final page. This was one of those books for me—an absolute five-star read.At its core, this story follows a protagonist stuck in the monotony of a life that feels suffocating. When her husband leaves her for another woman, it only deepens the despair she’s been grappling with. With no sense of direction and hope slipping through her fingers, she checks into a hotel, intending for it to be her last stop. However, fate has other plans. Due to a double booking, she finds herself the only guest outside of a wedding party set to celebrate throughout the week, and this unexpected twist sets the stage for something truly transformative.What makes this book so special isn't just the unique premise—though that alone is compelling—but the way it weaves together self-discovery, romance, and emotional depth in a way that feels both profound and refreshingly natural. The romance here is beautifully done—authentic, non-cringey, and honestly one of the best I’ve ever read. Alongside love, the novel explores heavy themes, yet handles them with sensitivity and care, ensuring the reader experiences the rawness of emotion without it feeling overwhelming.The characters? Absolutely delightful. Phoebe and Juice, in particular, were standout gems, crafted with depth and warmth that made them feel wholly real. They brought levity, humor, and heart into moments that could have otherwise been unbearably heavy. There were hilarious moments sprinkled throughout, adding a perfect balance to the novel’s serious undertones.Reading this book felt cinematic—it truly needs to be adapted into a film because it would be incredible to see its magic unfold on screen. More than anything, this story resonated deeply with me, reminding me of my own dark moments and the hope that carried me through. It’s rare to come across a book that moves you so completely, but this was exactly that.I wholeheartedly loved this story and urge everyone to read it. It’s moving, reflective, challenging, and incredibly well-written. A book that will stick with you, reminding you of the power of resilience, love, and unexpected second chances.

#mythoughtsPhoebe, the novel’s main protagonist, has always dreamed of visiting the grand Cornwall Inn in Newport with her husband. Instead, she arrives alone, intending to end her life. Her plans quickly unravel when she meets Lila, a wealthy bride who has hired the entire hotel for her wedding. Lila makes it clear that Phoebe’s presence and intentions are unwelcome, yet Phoebe soon finds herself embroiled into the chaos of the wedding and its guests.This is a funny , light hearted novel with some great characters and conversation moments . Definitely a great summer read !

Well, this book WAS a surprise! Billed as 'hilarious' and 'wickedly funny', I purchased it as a cheap, fun read, but it was so much more than that.Telling the story of many people at cross-roads of their lives, I found it insightful, moving and memorable.There is bereavement of more than one kind: losing a spouse, breakdown of a relationship and childlessness: very sensitively handled, I thought.I cared about every character, (even the receptionist at the hotel!!), and enjoyed how the characters interacted to help the others on their 'journey'.What let the book down for me and knocked off a star is the fact that it was written in the present tense. It cheapens the book; makes it seem less emotionally intelligent and spoils the narrative.Please, Alison Espach, if you are reading this, consider writing the way your predecessors, (for example Virginia Woolf and Charlotte Bronte, mentioned several times in your book) wrote: IN THE PAST TENSE!Thank you.ut it was so much more than that.

Absolutely love everything about this book. Wanted a bit of like reading between crime thrillers. This exceeded my expectations. I wouldn't suggest it's as funny as people mention but it didn't need to be. The storyline is both heartbreaking and hot warming at the same time. It's well written. The characters are all likable and relatable. With nothing not to like about this book. Definitely a great beach read but also a great read for any time of the year. Would highly recommend.

I enjoyed this however 'hilarious' is a complete false promise. I found it amusing a couple times but it honestly was pretty heavy going. It will cause you to question yourself, your life and who you really are if you are anything like me, which is a bit much for a 'fun holiday read'! But that is Amazon's fault, not the writer. I loved her characterisation - every character felt like a whole, complicated human. And she found ways to make them all quite lovable (with the exception of Matt for me tbh) and you are rooting for them to succeed and find contentment. I liked that the end wasn't a typical happy ending, but heavily hinted at it, which brought back some light heartedness. It wasn't what I was looking for, but maybe what I needed as I think, like our protagonist Phoebe, I need to be more myself and less what's expected.

The title suggests a rom-com and when I started reading it, I thought I was not going to like it. But I carried on and thankfully I did. It developed into a beautifully written story about life, love and death, with many deep insights into the human nature. It has funny moments but it's also very moving. A wonderful book.