A review by nzlisam
The Wedding People by Alison Espach

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Phoebe Stone is the coincidental Wedding Crasher! 

Cornwall Inn, Newport, Rhode Island – Welcome to Lila’s six-day Wedding Extravaganza! The bride has meticulously planned every detail, with no expense spared. Nothing can go wrong! 

Until the arrival of Phoebe Stone – a stranger who has somehow managed to book the best room in the place, even though the entire inn was supposed to be reserved for Lila’s Wedding People. Phoebe has hit rock bottom – unable to see a way forward. But all Lila can see is a person whose mere presence has the potential to sabotage her dream wedding. And she won’t stand for it! So, Lila inserts herself into Phoebe’s life, and from that moment on, nothing will ever be the same. 

Because, just maybe, Phoebe Stone is exactly who Lila and The Wedding People need in their lives. 

The Wedding People was the harmonious blend of serious, raw, and honest combined with playful, fun, cheeky, and hilarious. The author didn’t shy away from characters having tough conversations and her depth of understanding of human behaviour and thought processes was insightful and relatable. I could be laughing out loud one moment, and moved to tears the next. Every character was well fleshed out, and Phoebe’s deep conversations, witty banter, and chemistry with other characters, and the relationships she witnessed between others felt genuine, realistic, and entertaining. Surprisingly, given the serious subject matter this novel never felt depressing or bleak – there was always hope and light to be found. It really was a book about never giving up, even when you feel like you’ve lost everything, and that there’s joy and positivity in the smallest of things, and the most annoying of people.The wedding setting really appealed to me – all the lavish details, the activities, and outings, as did the cozy feel of an Inn setting where everyone kept running into one another, had a shared event, and couldn’t escape each other. 

When I reached 64%, I remember feeling sad that I only had 36% to go, because I loved spending time with Phoebe and this group of Wedding People. I wish I could delve more into the plot, and characters, and how special it all was, but I’d be spoiling things, so I’ll conclude by saying that I loved all the directions it went in. 

I’ve just realised that another of this author’s books, Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance, is on my list, so I’ll be reading that sooner rather than later. The Wedding People will definitely make my end of year top favourites list, no question.