Book cover of The Wedding People

Book description

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
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…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

16 authors picked The Wedding People as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

If a book kicks off with someone planning to end it all… at a fancy hotel, in the middle of an influencer wedding… I'm in.

The premise suggests anything but romance and comedy. The Wedding People soon becomes warm, strange, and generous. I've been to a fair few pressure cooker nuptials in my time. Guests ratchet up smiles no matter what.

I loved how, in this book, grief collides with celebration. More than that, I love how the story ends on a hopeful note, rather than trying to leave everything neat and tidy. There's a glorious sense of people behaving…

I loved the crisp, witty dialogue and laugh-at-loud moments. Espach elevates the “outsider at the wedding” set up and continues to surprise the reader as we get drawn deeper into these characters lives.

This book was so hilarious that my husband ended up demanding to read it too because he wanted to know what had me laughing so hard. I love that the characters are (mostly) deep and human, though, not just caricatures.

If you love The Wedding People...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

It's witty and clever and full of superbly drawn characters.

I do not easily fall in love, but I fell hard for Phoebe, an imperfect protagonist who navigates life’s difficulties and hard disappointments with dark humor and depth.

I thought I knew where this story was headed and was delighted to be proven dead wrong. This unlikely love story reminded me to trust in the unexpected—not only from life and from the people who drift in and out of it, but also by how we can most often surprise ourselves.

I devoured it to the last word.

Here’s the fascinating thing about a protagonist who plans to kill herself: she speaks her mind, no matter how offensive, confrontational, or absurd her thoughts are. I think what delighted me most about the accidental wedding crasher at the center of this addictive novel was her unabashed honesty.

She doesn’t care what the bride, groom, or any of the wedding guests think of her, given that she plans to be dead by tomorrow. I envied her for her refusal to equivocate or sugarcoat. It is that filterless fearlessness that ingratiates her to the bride. And to that one person at…

If you love Alison Espach...

Book cover of A Forgivable Indecision

A Forgivable Indecision by Shawn Jennings,

In 1913, a 15-year-old pregnant girl was found dead of apparent suicide. Dr. James Wilson, a new graduate and the first doctor ever to start a practice in this rural town, feels guilty over her death because of his delayed intervention.

He knows Bessie was raped by one of her…

It was entirely original, funny and fun. I need fun right now and this book had loads of it.

I enjoyed the quirkiness of this book. It hit all the right notes of a feel good women's fiction/romance, but it felt fresh and new. An excellent read!

Often these days I get annoyed with books that are just a little too "pat" but this was so refreshing and lovely to read that I totally give it a pass.

The movie will be great.

If you love The Wedding People...

Book cover of USS OBAMA 2130

USS OBAMA 2130 by John. H Sibley,

Voyager 1 was launched on September 5, 1977, and Voyager 2 was launched on August 20, 1977. Both began a historic journey with unique 'time capsules' on board intended to communicate a story of our world to extraterrestrials. The Voyager message is carried by a phonograph record 12-inch gold-plated disk…

While the premise tackles a sensitive and difficult subject, the book delivers one of the most uplifting, inspirational messages I've ever read. It's a story of one woman at the end who immerses herself in another couple's beginning. Their lives become intertwined, and we witness the firsthand beauty that comes from virtual strangers. Espach delivers a beautifully rendered tale of the power of human connection. Such an important message for all of us.

If you love The Wedding People...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like The Wedding People?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Wedding People.

Browse books like The Wedding People

Book cover of More Than a Woman
Book cover of Bridget Jones's Diary
Book cover of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,366

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Wedding People, you might also like...

Book cover of Deadly Revenge

Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley,

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with…

Book cover of The Duty of Memory

The Duty of Memory by Vicki Olsen,

Separating the true stories from the myths, The Duty of Memory provides a deeper understanding of the diverse motivations that drove ordinary people to join an underground network of French Resistants despite terrible odds and horrifying consequences.

This book takes the reader inside the true story of men and women…

5 book lists we think you will like!