The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Firstly, I loved the way Alison Espach wrote this book. It’s simple, straightforward, and very easy to read, which made the story flow effortlessly. At the start, the book carried a darker, heavier tone, but that didn’t continue all the way through. In some ways, I appreciated this because I don’t always want to read something overwhelmingly sad, but at the same time, it felt a little off-putting. Since the book leaned more toward a lighter and humorous tone later on, Phoebe’s suicidal thoughts and depression weren’t given as much sensitivity or depth as I thought they should have been.
Phoebe, as a character, is very relatable in the sense that we all have moments of indecision, wondering whether to be completely honest or to hold back for fear of judgment and rejection. When she finally chose to put herself first, I couldn’t help but feel genuinely happy for her. She believed life as she knew it had come to an end, but her story is proof that life has a funny way of reminding us we can live through the pain and start over. For Phoebe, that chance came in the form of the chaotic wedding people, complete strangers who ended up changing her life in the most unexpected way.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and there were plenty of heartfelt moments and meaningful dialogues, but it just didn’t strike me as deeply as I hoped. Still, it was an engaging and inspiring read, and I’d give it 3.5 stars. ☺️
It's a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at a grand beachside hotel wearing her best dress and least comfortable shoes. Immediately she is mistaken for one of the wedding people - but she's actually the only guest at the Cornwall Inn who isn't here for the big event.
Phoebe has dreamed of coming here for years. She hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband but now she is divorced and depressed, and not sure how to go on. She's not been sure how to do anything, lately, except climb into bed and drink gin and tonics and listen to the sound of the refrigerator making ice.
When the bride discovers her elaborate destination wedding could be ruined by this sad stranger, she is furious. She has spent months accounting for every detail and every possible disaster - except for, well, Phoebe . . . Soon, both women find their best-laid plans derailed and an unlikely confidante in one another.
Uproariously funny and devastatingly tender, The Wedding People is an irresistible novel about love, friendship, dysfunctional families, and the unexpected paths that lead to happiness.