Review: The Wedding People by Alison Espach
I found The Wedding People utterly compelling. From the minute I met Phoebe—torn apart by grief and clutching onto despair—it felt like the novel was brimming with both sorrow and, unexpectedly, a spark of cheeky hope.
This isn’t a saccharine romance by any stretch; it’s a story of raw, messy healing. Phoebe turns up at a lush Newport, Rhode Island hotel—dressed up and utterly broken—only to be mistaken for part of the wedding party (and she’s not even going to the wedding). That case of mistaken identity ripples into something far deeper: a connection, a possibility, a way back to being alive. It’s beautifully pitched between weight and wit. The humour isn’t flippant—it’s tender, maybe even a lifeline.
Phoebe is no fairy-tale heroine—she’s flawed, raw, and achingly real. Her grief is handled with such respect; it doesn’t get downplayed or wrapped in clichés. And the humour? It threads through moments of heartbreak in just the right way—like laughter after tears.
Readers online echo that blend perfectly. One Redditor said:
“It was so funny and painful at the same time… it gave emphasis on how simple human connections can really change the way we live.”
That line got me—because yes, the real magic here lies in the unexpected, human contact that can shift everything.
On top of all that, the book is lauded by critics and book clubs alike. It’s been a Read with Jenna pick, scooped the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction 2024, and earned praise calling it “heartwarming and hilarious” and “wickedly funny and deeply satisfying.” There’s also a cinematic, propulsive quality to the storytelling — one unexpected guest, a ruined weekend wedding, and an unforeseen chance to start anew.
Honestly? As someone who lives in a city of whispers and castles and quiet streets, this novel hit me right here. The way it honours grief, while still lighting you up with warmth and wit—it’s rough, it’s tender, and it stays with you.
In short: brave, real, and riotously funny in just the right spots. I adored it.
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Kelly Lacey & Love Books Tours 
One of my favorite books of all time! It makes me happy when i see others enjoy it!
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