The Wedding People Audiobook By Alison Espach cover art

The Wedding People

A Novel

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The Wedding People

By: Alison Espach
Narrated by: Helen Laser
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About this listen

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 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
Dark Humor Editors Select Family Life Women's Fiction Wedding Funny Feel-Good Witty
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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

Editorial Review

I’ll toast to that!
Feeling salty about beachfront displays of affection? As am I, along with Phoebe Stone, the spiraling protagonist of Alison Espach’s latest novel, who, newly single and depressed, has hot summer plans to self-sabotage in style at an elegant Newport resort. However, upon her arrival, she unexpectedly befriends a cohort of, you guessed it, wedding people, who would rather count Phoebe as an extra head for the caterers than have her potentially ruin the ceremony by being left unattended while erratically heartbroken. It doesn’t take long for Phoebe and the bride to bond over their underlying anxieties, and narrator Helen Laser’s spot-on delivery of all the witty insights embedded in this novel certainly makes it easy to fall for the vibrant cast of characters. So, if you too are in need of a summer pick-me-up, take a page out of Phoebe’s book and vicariously masquerade as a posh, pearl-clad sophisticate while opening up to this cynical yet ultimately heartfelt listen. — Haley H., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Wedding People

Highly rated for:

Engaging Storyline Humorous Narrative Thought-provoking Themes Unexpected Plot Twists Superb Vocal Performance
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10 stars! Grieving it’s over!

I miss all the characters already. This is a top tier book- the plot, great characters, brilliant narration. A win on all fronts.

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Love the characters!

I loved this book. The way it developed over time. The connections between the different people. How the story unfolded. I wish there were a part two.

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Well written thought provoking novel

If you liked A Man Called Ove, you will enjoy this book. The author explores and brings fresh insight to tough topics like finding your voice in life, depression, infidelity, and the death of a loved one. Somehow she manages to accomplish that exploration without leaving you sad but laughing at the witty banter between characters and cheering them on. I rarely read or listen to books twice, but this is definitely one that I will listen to again.

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Solid 4 out of 5

This was such a easy listen, I didn’t LOVE it but these easy listens while cleaning the house and or cooking is refreshing every once in a while and this one was quite enjoyable :)

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Overall WONDERFUL

Not what I was expecting at all. Great narration and storyline. Eye opening and heart wrenching. You never know what life holds for you.

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Great book!

This book is beautifully narrated. Her voice and characters really bring the story to life.

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Be True To Yourself

I truly enjoyed this read. Reminding us to be true to self even if ifs hard.

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Loved This Book!

I liked everything about this book; so real, human. Highly recommend. Definitely going to see what else this author has done.

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Heart felt and realistic 💗

It did not drag at any part, it kept me interested the entire time. It was an easy listen and I laughed and cried.

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It started out kind of dark …

And it ended up being a wonderful book! Loved how this book makes you look at marriage completely different and life overall. Such a good read.

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