The Wedding People

“This is by far my favorite book of 2025. Perhaps not a traditional rom-com, this is more literary fiction but there is a love interest within. It starts out pretty heavy but the writing is so smart and I was so happy and sad when this book ended. Happy to have read it, sad it's over, and also, where are all of the other books like this one? Just a special book.”

“If you like dark humor and coming of age stories with 40 year olds, this book will likely resonate! “…becoming who you want to be is just like anything else. It takes practice. It requires belief that one day, you’ll wake up and be a natural at it.””

“Loved this book. It’s in a genera I like to call “restores my faith in humanity” which I need a lot of these days.”

“Everybody loves this book and I did too. Full of surprises and a little darkness added to a great summer read.”

“breezed through this in a day, it rocked”

“Been reading a lot more lately and this one’s a gem.”

“The first 100 pages felt like a beach read (which is kinda is) but the story evolved and there were some sweet gem lines in there. I ended up really liking this book. 4/5.”

“Fortunately sometimes everyone is in fact right and this is a very enjoyable book! A romance novel for people who want their romance novel to feel a bit more like contemporary literature. I found the characters sweet and believable and the reflections on loss and identity authentic!”

“I keep seeing this on RL so need to share my thoughts. Definitely didn’t start as your typical beach read as the title implies. I enjoyed the dark humor, whimsy, and happy ending. Overall, a fun summer romp.”

“Dark humor, witty, and deep tragedy (heed the TW)”

“This book made me laugh out loud and was emotionally touching. Cant rec enough!”

“Loved this one, too!”

“I don't mean to be dramatic, but I think parts of this book rewired my brain/changed my life in the best way possible.”

“I found this book so endearing. I wasn't expecting to like it so much (I hate the cover art) (I also hate whenever fiction references the pandemic. it feels like uncanny valley - weirdly crossing the fourth wall). throughout reading this I genuinely looked forward to slipping into this hopeful, tender, empathetic, gentle, sturdy world. the story somehow avoided corny and just felt genuinely and earnestly tender (saying that word again). it touched me!”

“it’s so good i gave it 5 stars.”

“The idea of who we are supposed to be and what we are supposed to do and what is supposed to make us happy… all the things while reading this.”

“A surprising favorite of my 2026 reads so far - a slow start to what felt like a predictable finish. What was unpredictable was the lingering way it made me think about the life we choose to live.”

“Human and brilliant and funny and full of hope. One of my favorites ever - this story has stayed with me for years. A must read for anyone in a bit of a funk & needing to restore their trust that things have a way of working out. Alison Espach’s writing is incredibly entertaining, and you will love Phoebe and Lila and Gary and Juice. (TW: suicide ideation) ❤️”

“In the TBR pile.”

“Rarely do I read a book where I unexpectedly burst into laughter. Loved it.”

“By God, an actually clever beach read that is smart and transporting at the same time. A lovely Rhode Island setting. Read it before it’s made into a limited series and the prolific Nicole Kidman somehow stars herself.”