The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Read by Helen Laser
Published: July 2024
Summary from Goodreads:
A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help us 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 dreamt of coming for years―she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe―which makes it that much more surprising when the women can’t stop confiding in each other.
In turns uproariously, absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is a look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined―and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us.
Confession:
Even though I don’t usually enjoy this type of book, chick lit that is, I found myself drawn to this one. Perhaps because it was set in Newport, RI, where I also got married. Or perhaps I was drawn to the main character’s need to go somewhere that she has dreamed of going. Whatever it was I am very glad that I decided to pick this one up. It was very enjoyable and I think it would make a great book club book as there are so many themes that would make great discussion points.
Helen Laser does a really good job of portraying Phoebe. She got her tone and her emotions perfectly. I loved how she portrayed Lilah, the young bride, as well. She sounded just like a twenty something used to getting her way. She also does a nice job with all of the other characters making them all sound like their own person. This is the second book I have recently listened to where she was the reader and she is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Phoebe was a woman that I could really relate to. So many of her thoughts and feelings were ones that I remember having in my forties. She is at a crossroads in her life when she decides to go to Newport. Her initial reactions and thoughts about all of the people she meets who are part of the wedding were great. I also really liked how her relationship to the bride, Lilah developed. All of the characters felt very real and the important ones very well developed. All of them learned something about themselves over the course of the story which changes them. A special shout out to the mother of the bride, who I just adored.
The story was at times funny and poignant and really touches you in all the right places. The writing was suburb, but I do have a complaint which is mostly a me thing. I just hate super long chapters! Especially when I am listening to a book. The first chapter was almost three hours long and it was hard to find a good break in the narrative when I needed to stop. I get what the author was doing, each chapter was a day, but I just think that it could have been broken up a bit more. But other than that I loved the plot and the ending was perfect.
If you haven’t yet read this one, I highly recommend it. Especially if you like lovable characters, a funny wedding story, and a commentary on life. I also recommend the audiobook, as the reader does an excellent job.
Confessions of a Serial Reader 
I really enjoyed this one too. I don’t think that super long chapters are such a problem with an actual book as you can see where there might be a good place to pause more easily
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Oh I agree, but I still prefer shortish chapters. 😊
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