The Wedding People

A Novel

By: Alison Espach

Narrated by: Helen Laser

Long-listed, Library Journal Best Books of the Year, 2024

Winner, Goodreads Choice Awards, 2024

Long-listed, Time Magazine Best Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, Audible.com Best of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, CPL: Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, 2024

Long-listed, Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2024

"As narrator, the terrific Laser, an actress and puppeteer, only enhances the swoon-worthy quirks and romance."—Vulture

A Today show #ReadwithJenna Book Club Pick, A Goodreads Choice Awards 2024 Winner, and long-listed in many Best of the Year 2024 picks!

A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew.

It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She's immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years—she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe's plan—which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.

In turns absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is ultimately an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined—and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

©2024 Alison Espach (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice
The #1 Indie Next Pick for August 2024
One of The Washington Post’s 10 Noteworthy Books for July and August
Named a Best Book of Summer 2024 by People Magazine, Bustle, Star Tribune, Goodreads, and LitHub

“The Wedding People is the perfect book to wrap up your summer reading. . . . heartwarming [and] hilarious.”
—Jenna Bush Hager, The Today Show's #ReadwithJenna

“The Wedding People is so much more than a funny story (though it is very funny). Espach has penned a keenly observed novel about depression, love, the ways women make themselves small, and how one woman got over it. Fully realized and completely memorable.”
—Booklist (starred review)

“Espach’s wit and warmth deliver a gratifying story about how people who have given up might find a reason to start caring again.”
—Becky Meloan, The Washington Post

What a beautiful book

Absolutely loved everything about this book… so many trigger warnings but touched on everything that is, well, life. Life is hard and it has so many ways of knocking us down. I loved the characters, even the seriously flawed ones, and am so happy with the way this author weaved their stories together. Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year and definitely a 5 star read.

The performance was perfect as well. Idk that I’ve listened to anything by this narrator yet, but will definitely seek out more books read by her.

Would have preferred a paper copy

I liked this story. It had several laugh out loud moments. But I was a bit thrown off by the narration. The editing spliced in sentences quite often which didn’t match the overall tone and inflection. It made me wonder if those sentences were in italics in a paper copy. But nice story, overall good quality.

The Wedding People

I enjoyed this book thoroughly! It was humorous and imaginative! I listened straight through like a marathon! I highly recommend this book. It was perfect to listen to as I multitasked and wrapped Christmas presents!

A masterclass on character writing

I often find myself disappointed by popular breakout books, where the rave reviews rarely match the depth of the characters. The Wedding People, however, shattered my expectations in the best way possible. Alison has crafted a whirlwind of a story, populated by characters so vividly drawn that they leap off the page. She leaves no detail unexplored, no emotion untapped—every character feels like a fully realized person, layered with nuance and deeply human contradictions.

What sets this book apart is Alison’s ability to make even the most unlikable characters feel relatable. She taps into the complexity of the human experience, creating characters who are flawed, raw, and achingly real. You’re drawn into Phoebe and Lila’s world, sharing every laugh, misstep, and moment of vulnerability.

The writing itself is a standout—witty and sharp, with moments that had me laughing out loud. But what truly left a mark were the raw, honest passages that packed an emotional punch. Alison balances humor with heart effortlessly, delivering a story that feels both deeply entertaining and profoundly moving.

This book is a rare gem—one that deserves every bit of praise it’s received. If you’re looking for a story that will make you think, feel, and laugh, The Wedding People is a must-read.

Perfect!

1000 x 5! Darkly funny. Purely honest. Bravely starting again. I need to go back and gather all the amazing quotes and write them all down.

Great characters

Loved the protagonist finding herself with the backdrop of privilege. The intricate weaving of sorrow and joy is a delight to read.

Funny and tender

I was engaged the entire story. Great storyline, character development, setting, and banter. Highly recommend!

Complex human emotions depicted in a very relatable way

Unique . Very well written and narration matched the characters . There was no attempt to tie the end with a nice little bow, which was refreshing.

excellent journey

Started out sad but it was nice to see the character have a paradigm shift and better grasp on her life.

Wonderful.

I Liked the characters, The narration was excellent, I was hooked from the very beginning and could not stop listening.