Our book club chose to read The Wedding People by Alison Espach for our May book because we had two mothers planning weddings for this summer. We thought it might be good stress relief for them (and the rest of us.) Turns out, The Wedding People isn’t a lighthearted read, but it is a compelling one, and I still think it qualifies as a great addition for your summer reading list. It was the Goodreads Choice Award winner in 2024 for Readers’ ‘Favorite Fiction
Phoebe, the main character in The Wedding People, arrives at a quaint New England hotel with a clear objective. A sad objective. But the fact that the hotel is booked full of wedding guests complicates her plan. And when she takes a short, but fateful, ride with the bride who orchestrated the elaborate wedding festivities, Phoebe’s plan gets completely sidelined. That’s when the interesting conversations begin.
What I liked
The dialogue and interactions between characters in The Wedding People felt real and engaging. The characters are definitely flawed, but relatable, and I enjoyed watching them connect and evolve over the course of the story. Author Alison Espach tackles themes of grief, human nature, and family dynamics. Her insights are sometimes funny (I laughed out loud more than once while reading this book) and often touching. The language and descriptions were easy to read, and for the first time in a while, I found myself wanting to pick up the book and looking forward to my pre-bedtime reading.
The Wedding People provides a satisfying ending. In the six days Phoebe spends with the wedding people at this small hotel, she learns a lot about herself and others. She finds a voice she didn’t realize she had suppressed.
I also enjoyed the literary references sprinkled throughout the book, and the fact that Phoebe, a professor of literature, turns around books placed on shelves in the lobby of her hotel that have been lined up with their spines facing in. Who shelves books with the spines facing in? You can’t see the titles! Or the color of the cover! Ludicrous.
What I didn’t like
The dark beginning of The Wedding People threw me – and I hope it doesn’t throw off other readers. A friend in my book club said she had a hard time finding a character she liked – the cast definitely has issues- but I enjoyed getting to know Phoebe and watching her evolve.
Word Nerd recommendation
The Wedding People is a great read for lovers of literary fiction and those who want something engaging to read at the beach or by the pool. It’s compelling and easy to enjoy.
Help! I’m leaving in two weeks for a trip to Europe. First, pray we don’t get sprayed by angry locals with squirt guns. Second, what books do you recommend for my flight and the I’ll spend in airport waiting areas? Share below in the comments.
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
