"The Wedding People" by Alison Espach

I first heard about "The Wedding People" by Alison Espach from Modern Mrs. Darcy, who highlighted it in her summer 2024 book preview last year. Since then, several people (both inside & outside the CNBC/blogging world) have recommended it (including Mel and Jess -- the link goes to her review), and Jenna Bush Hager chose it for her Read With Jenna Book Club) (August 2024 pick).  When I recently found myself (finally!) clear of book club priorities (for the time being, anyway...!), it was the first book I reached for in my "priority TBR" pile.

Even so, I approached it with some trepidation. For one thing, even when people whose opinions I respect tell me they've enjoyed a book, I'm always just a little afraid that maybe I won't. I also was a little leery because while I've heard some reviews describe this book as "chick lit,"  I knew it touches on a serious topic that one wouldn't normally associate with that genre.  

Phoebe Stone arrives at the Cornwall Inn, a swanky, scenic hotel in Newport, Rhode Island, without luggage, wearing a green dress and gold high heels. Within the first few pages, we learn why she's there. **CONTENT WARNING & SPOILER ALERT:** She's flown there from across the country on an impulse, intending to enjoy an evening in a place she's always longed to visit -- before she commits suicide. Her life is a mess:  her marriage has fallen apart; her husband left her for someone she thought was a friend (a colleague AND a mother to boot!), following repeated (unsuccessful) rounds of IVF, a miscarriage and the prospect of permanent childlessness -- not to mention the death of her beloved cat and general career burnout.   

However, Phoebe soon discovers the entire inn -- aside from her suite -- has been booked for a week-long wedding celebration. In short order, she unexpectedly becomes the unlikely confidante of the chatty young bride (Bridezilla??), Lila (who is horrified when she learns of Phoebe's plans -- not so much by the thought that Phoebe wants to kill herself, mind you, but that doing so will ruin the vibes of her carefully planned wedding week!!).  And she finds herself drawn further and further into the lives of "the wedding people." 

Obviously, there's some serious stuff covered here, and the book touches on a lot of sensitive themes/realities that the many of us -- especially in the CNBC community -- will relate to. There are some sharp observations about marriage and weddings, about grief and loss, about friendships and how they change over time.  

At the same time, it's also a fast and often very funny read.  I'd go from literally laughing out loud (dh will confirm!  lol)  to reaching for tissues a few pages later.  I don't know anything about Alison Espach and her life -- but she gets us.    

(As often happens...!)  I struggled a bit with how to rate this one. There was something a bit Hallmark-movie-ish about it (and I wouldn't be surprised to see an eventual movie adaptation). And there were a few plot twists that I really should have seen coming (maybe?) -- but I liked that I didn't, lol.  

But overall, I loved it. :)  I loved having such a great CNBC heroine at the centre of the story, I loved the fantasy/wish fulfillment  elements (the lavish wedding in a spectacular setting, etc. -- and really, who hasn't secretly dreamed of just chucking everything and running off to a luxury hotel?)(albeit hopefully not with suicidal intentions...!). And I loved that the ending retained just a bit of ambiguity as to what will happen next. 

5 stars was very tempting. I settled on 4.5 stars on StoryGraph, rounded down to 4 on Goodreads.  

I'll be recommending this one for our Childless Collective Nomo Book Club.  

This was Book #7 read to date in 2025 (and Book #4 finished in February), bringing me to 16% of my 2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal of 45 books. I am (for the moment, anyway...!) on track to meet my goal.  :)  You can find reviews of all my books read to date in 2025 tagged as "2025 books."