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gigii_giigi 's review for:
The Wedding People
by Alison Espach
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book surprised me. It deals with some pretty heavy stuff (suicidal thoughts, cheating, infertility) but somehow it still feels calm. The pacing is steady, and even when emotions run high, it never feels chaotic or over-the-top. It’s more introspective than dramatic.
Phoebe frustrated me at times, especially when we get glimpses of who she used to be. But the version of her that takes up most of the story? I liked her a lot. She’s flawed but self-aware, and her growth feels genuine. The men in the story were fine, entertaining even, but none of them really stood out. Phoebe and Lila are the real focus here.
Lila, especially, could’ve been unbearable in the hands of a different writer. But here, she’s handled with a lot of care. She’s not always easy to like, but I got her, and by the end, I found her genuinely endearing.
The strongest parts of the book are the relationships: Phoebe’s with herself, with Lila, and with Juice (yep, that’s actually hes nickname). Those dynamics are where the story really shines. I also appreciated how real everything felt. The way people reacted to things, the way situations played out etc. Nothing felt forced or overly neat.
Thinking back, it is kind of a dark story, and it’s definitely not a comfort read. But still, I’d describe it as calm. It sits with you quietly, in a way that feels honest and real.
Phoebe frustrated me at times, especially when we get glimpses of who she used to be. But the version of her that takes up most of the story? I liked her a lot. She’s flawed but self-aware, and her growth feels genuine. The men in the story were fine, entertaining even, but none of them really stood out. Phoebe and Lila are the real focus here.
Lila, especially, could’ve been unbearable in the hands of a different writer. But here, she’s handled with a lot of care. She’s not always easy to like, but I got her, and by the end, I found her genuinely endearing.
The strongest parts of the book are the relationships: Phoebe’s with herself, with Lila, and with Juice (yep, that’s actually hes nickname). Those dynamics are where the story really shines. I also appreciated how real everything felt. The way people reacted to things, the way situations played out etc. Nothing felt forced or overly neat.
Thinking back, it is kind of a dark story, and it’s definitely not a comfort read. But still, I’d describe it as calm. It sits with you quietly, in a way that feels honest and real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Vomit