A review by bookobsessedmommy
The Wedding People by Alison Espach

dark emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

When Phoebe books her dream hotel for one night, she doesn't plan on leaving alive, but then she runs in to the wedding people and things start to change. Though meandering at times, I loved the writing in this! This book explores depression, infertility, loneliness, and suicide with a thoughtful and humorous lens. Phoebe's plan to end her life leads her to a type of radical honestly that casts a new light on what's possible when you stop letting life just happen to you by default and are intentional about figuring out who you really are. Lila made me want to spit nails sometimes, but I love that Phoebe challenged her to be honest as well. I was about ready to throw the book at the wall when we get a little 3rd act twist, but I'm so glad all Phoebe's development wasn't thrown to the side. I also liked the peek we got into the other side characters lives, exploring how easy it is to judge people's behavior without giving any thought to how they got there. (Or bothering to ask them outright.)  
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