By Staff Writer: Julia Simmons
If you like an action-packed, fast-paced book with murder and mystery, then The Wedding People by Alison Espach is not your speed. However, if you like a character-driven novel full of witty humor, interesting observations about life and a predictable plot line, then this is the one for you.
The Wedding People focuses on Phoebe, a professor of 19th century literature who has just been through the pandemic, and been served a divorce. She finds herself at the Cornwall Inn, a grand hotel she once made plans to visit with her then-husband, with the intent of seeing the ocean for the first time before she kills herself. Here she meets Lila, a 28-year-old bride who’s spent ungodly amounts of money on the perfect six-day wedding. The bride has planned for every hiccup, all except for Phoebe.
The two find themselves confiding in each other, bonding and helping each other in ways they never expected. This novel is sarcastically dark. Themes of suicide, parental death, cheating spouses, and narcissism are lightened with comedy and introspection. Though the plot is obvious after the halfway mark, it’s a novel you have a hard time putting down. Whether you find yourself connecting with Lila or Phoebe, this story will leave you thinking- and smiling. It’s not a must-read, but it’s high up there. 4.5/5 stars.