Espach layers complex emotional challenges like suicidal thoughts, grief, and loneliness with funny, quirky, poignant moments in this charming, heartwarming novel.
Phoebe arrives at the decadent Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, wearing a green dress and heels, and she's quickly mistaken for one of the "wedding people." But Phoebe is having a crisis, and she's latched onto being at the site of her former dream vacation--which she'd envisioned visiting with her now-ex-husband--as the answer to her problems.
Lila has planned her million-dollar wedding down to the last detail, and Phoebe's depression and her very presence are throwing her for a loop--only the wedding people were meant to have rooms at the inn, and Lila isn't used to having her plans go awry.
Phoebe and Lila are unlikely confidantes and even more unlikely friends. But as the wedding week goes on, each woman is surprised by what she discovers about herself and the truths she is forced to confront.
I loved the tone of this novel. Espach writes a playful, poignant, often funny novel while anchoring the characters in complex emotions: suicidal thoughts, grief, loneliness, and despair. I was struck by the balance of depth and humor, and I was hooked throughout.
Espach leans into the concept of chosen family, a favorite of mine, and offers up second chances with realistically messy fallout and life-changing consequences at stake.
The Wedding People explores mortality, trust, layered connections, expectations, and love. Characters struggle to find their true selves and then to be true to themselves, and while I felt confident that things would work out, I loved cheering on the characters through the fits and starts and imperfections along the way.
I listened to The Wedding People as an audiobook.
I'd love to hear your Bossy thoughts about this book!
Alison Espach is also the author of The Adults and Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance.
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