The Wedding People Book Review: A Thoughtful Pick for Book Clubs

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When a couple of friends recommended The Wedding People by Alison Espach, I was intrigued, especially knowing it was also a Read with Jenna pick. Then it was picked for our book club, and I had my chance to read it.

This book ended up being a bit of a journey for me—slow to start, a little frustrating in parts, and yet it gave our book club so much to talk about that I’m ultimately glad I stuck with it. Sometimes a book isn’t about being swept away right away, but about what it stirs up in conversation afterward. And this one stirred plenty.

In this post, you’ll find a short summary, my honest review, some book club discussion tips, and why I think The Wedding People is worth considering for your next group read.

BOOK SUMMARY & STATS

THE WEDDING PEOPLE SUMMARY

In The Wedding People, Alison Espach invites readers into the strange, glittering bubble of a New England seaside hotel that becomes a refuge—and a crucible—for three strangers with nowhere else to go. Phoebe, recently separated and stunned by loss, checks in expecting solitude, only to find herself surrounded by a string of wedding activities and an odd collection of fellow guests who all seem to be hiding from something.

The novel unfolds over the course of a single summer week, filled with awkward encounters, unexpected intimacy, and the surreal charm of being caught in other people’s big moments while your own life is unraveling. Espach weaves a story about grief, connection, and the way strangers can become lifelines.

At once sharp, tender, and darkly funny, The Wedding People explores love, loss, and new beginnings that don’t arrive in the ways we expect.

THE WEDDING PEOPLE STATS

Title	The Wedding People
Author	Alison Espach
Book Club(s)	Read with Jenna #69 in August 2024
Publication Date/Year	July 30, 2024
Page Count	384
Genre(s)	Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, LIterary Fiction, Chick Lit
Setting	Newport, Rhode Island (US); New England (US); St. Louis, Missouri (US)
Goodreads Rating	4.11
Audience	Adult
Series	No
Translator	N/A
Awards	6 including Goodreads Choice Award

BOOK RATING & REVIEW

THE WEDDING PEOPLE RATING

BCR Rating	3.5
Availability	4
Format	4
Length	3
Diversity	3
Bechdel Test	Pass
Page Turner	No

THE WEDDING PEOPLE REVIEW

I heard a couple of strong recommendations for this book from friends. Then it was selected for our book club, and I read The Wedding People on Kindle. I’ll admit—I wanted to like it more than I initially did. It took me a while to warm up to it, and honestly, I struggled through much of the first three-quarters. The chapters are long and a bit meandering, and the pacing felt uneven. But I will say, the last 25% really pulled me in—I was finally turning pages with real momentum.

One of the things I wrestled with while reading was the characters. I didn’t find any of them particularly likable, and that made it hard to stay emotionally invested at first. That said, this actually turned into one of the more interesting parts of our book club discussion. The question of whether we need to like characters to connect with a book sparked a great conversation. Sometimes, it’s the messiest, hardest-to-pin-down people who get us talking the most.

The novel touches on some heavy topics—grief, loneliness, estrangement—and compounds them. It’s not a light read, and there’s a melancholy running beneath the surface that won’t be for everyone.

That said, I think this book does have value, especially if you’re reading it with a group. Knowing I had book club coming helped me push through the slower parts, and our discussion gave me a deeper appreciation for what the author was exploring. And without spoiling anything, I will say: the ending brings real closure. If you’re someone who likes resolution, especially after a difficult emotional journey, this book gives that to you. Had I known that earlier, I might have pushed through the harder parts quicker.

In the end, while The Wedding People wasn’t an instant favorite, I’m glad I read it—and even more glad I had a group to talk it through with. Sometimes that’s exactly what makes a book worthwhile.

THE WEDDING PEOPLE BOOK CLUB RESOURCES

BCR RECOMMENDATION

I do recommend The Wedding People for book clubs—especially ones that don’t mind a slower burn or books with complex, sometimes unlikable characters. There’s a lot to talk about here: themes of grief, identity, emotional isolation, and some strong undercurrents of feminism that really came through in our discussion.

It’s the kind of book that benefits from a thoughtful conversation afterward, and having that space to unpack it together made the reading experience much richer for me.

Also worth noting—The Wedding People is being adapted into a film, which could make for a great follow-up movie night with your group down the road. There’s something special about seeing how a book translates to the screen, especially one as atmospheric and emotionally layered as this one.

BOOK DISCUSSION

If your group is picking The Wedding People for your next read, here are a few ways to make your discussion even more engaging:

Sip and Set the Mood: You could serve a margarita elderberry hibiscus drink inspired by the book, for your meeting. It could set the perfect tone for a summer-themed gathering.
Use the Publisher’s Book Club Kit: The publisher offers a book club kit with discussion questions. It’s a great resource if you’re looking for prompts to guide your conversation or if your group likes to dig a little deeper into author intent and themes.
Pair with the Book Club Review Group Discussion Guide: For less structure, use the BCR Group Discussion Guide to keep things flowing and to make sure everyone has a chance to share, even those who weren’t totally sure how they felt about the book at first. (Sometimes those make for the best chats!)

Mix and match what works for your group—and don’t be afraid to leave space for tangents. This book touches on so many relatable life moments, and those personal stories always enrich the discussion.