Vacation/s in a cup/s; panda porn; coconut pillows; coastal business casual; a lemon thing on a spoon; and building sea planes. In The Wedding People, author Alison Espach has created a bunch of things that will be an ‘if you know, you know’ moment for readers – shorthand for “I’ve read The Wedding People.”
Without giving too much away, it’s the story of Phoebe Stone, who arrives at the fancy Cornwall Inn, on Rhode Island, for a one night stay. She’s there, without luggage, for her final decadent night. Phoebe is depressed, mourning the end of her marriage, and is armed with her cat’s painkillers…
There is no such thing as a happy place. Because when you are happy, everywhere is a happy place. And when you are sad, everywhere is a sad place.
What she doesn’t expect is to be the only guest at the Cornwall Inn not involved in the wedding. The wedding in question is that of Lila and Gary, and their event has been meticulously planned, and stretched over a full week.
It’s an important week for both Phoebe and Lila – for different reasons – and nothing goes to plan. Phoebe makes a mess of the cat-tranquilizers and finds herself enmeshed with ‘the wedding people’.
The Wedding People could be loosely classed as a rom-com. Like all rom-coms, there are elements that are predictable, but this one manages to touch on some bigger themes – grief, expectations, and mother-daughter relationships.
Having a mother helps you believe that everybody wants to hear every little thing you think. Having a mother helps you speak without thinking. It allows you to trust in your most awful self, to yell and scream and cry, knowing that your mother will still love you by the end of it.
There are plenty of moments that are laugh-out-loud funny, and an equal number that are genuinely touching. Thankfully, Espach doesn’t overdo either.
You honestly expect me to believe that people go on vacations without making a spreadsheet of fun first?
I read this book on a recent weekend away and it was a perfect choice. If you don’t believe me, see Theresa’s review (she really, really loved it!).
3.5/5
There’s a marvelous scene in the story where Lila makes everyone her signature drink – a ‘vacation-in-a-cup’ cocktail. But she has to make multiples… and it begs the question, is the plural ‘vacations-in-a-cup’ or ‘vacation-in-a-cups’?.
Versions of the cocktail have cropped up all over social media – try this one, called Summer in a Cup.
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I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for the link back, I did indeed really, really love it!
This one was already on my list and I wasn’t sure why as it doesn’t scream ‘buy me’ at me but it sounds like a well turned out piece of light relief.
It was a great holiday read – save it for your next trip if you’re not sure.
I loved this book, thanks for the review. It’s a rom-com, but more. I loved the relationships that Phoebe develops with Lila, Gary, and the rest of the wedding party.
My library has just acquired it and I’m in the holds queue. I hope it arrives in time for me to read it this summer!