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The Wedding People
The Wedding People: A Novel | Alison Espach
159 posts | 129 read | 3 reading | 59 to read
A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help us start anew. It's a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She's immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but shes actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isnt here for the big event. Phoebe is here because shes dreamt of coming for yearsshe hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she's here without him. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebewhich makes it that much more surprising when the women cant stop confiding in each other. In turns uproariously, absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach's The Wedding People is a look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imaginedand the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us.
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review
Gissy
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Mehso-so

February 2025 Book #7

Sorry, unpopular opinion here. I think this book was overhyped for me. That situation at the hotel was so unrealistic to me. Then, we have a character not only with suicidal ideation but also a plan to do it and it was ignored? I have read books with morbid humor like Hagman by Maya Binyam but from the beginning you see the absurd tone. I didn‘t see that in this novel. It was tragic so sad her situation but ignored⬇️

Gissy (Cont.) There were some funny scenes but in general, it didn‘t work for me. At the end we see a growth in some characters which gives hope to the characters.

Maybe the book was so well commented with great reviews and a rating of more that 4 stars in GR that I expected a stronger story🤷🏽‍♀️ 3⭐️
4d
Prairiegirl_reading I finished this recently and was also underwhelmed. 4d
DieAReader #Next 👋🏻👋🏻 4d
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3d
43 likes5 comments
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Read4life
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#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

1. The Wedding People was my first book by Alison Espach and I loved it. I now have Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance on my TBR.

2. Tagged.

AmyG Oh, I didn‘t realize she wrote another book. Thanks! 1w
CSeydel My hold just came in on the Wedding People! I‘m looking forward to it 📚💜 1w
peaKnit I didn‘t realize she wrote Notes… I liked them both! 1w
Deblovestoread 🤦🏻‍♀️ I‘ve read Notes and Wedding but didn‘t catch they were written by the same person. I‘ll be keeping an eye out to what‘s next. 1w
TheSpineView Thanks for playing 1w
41 likes5 comments
review
IndianBookworm
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Mehso-so

A woman who wants to kill herself gets stuck at the most perfectionist bride's wedding. Great setting but it just became toooo preachy at some points. Great characters though, them being the reason I kept on reading. I for sure know this is gonna be a great movie and I'd love it more than the book!
3.5/5🌟

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TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

Unsurprisingly, given all the Litsy love for this one, I loved this book! I love how Espach took contemporary comedic fiction tropes and found genuine humanity underneath. The day drinking mother of the bride, the uptight sister of the groom, the perfectionist verging on bridezilla? They are all wrestling with their own vulnerabilities and trying to get through their days.

Cont'd

TheKidUpstairs And an ending that's not "happily ever after" but rather "let's remain open to happiness" that is just *chef's kiss* 2w
TheKidUpstairs Also, the banter is perfection, and there are plenty of genuinely laugh out loud moments. I happily add my voice to the chorus of love for this one! 2w
CBee Really great review! I didn‘t think I‘d like this book and it ended up being a favorite of the year thus far 👏🏻👏🏻 2w
AmyG The cover doesn‘t remotely do this book justice. I, too, loved it. Contemporary fiction mixed with rom com. Such a good read. 2w
72 likes4 comments
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AudiobookingWithLeah
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Pickpick

4⭐
•The overall theme at work here was solid, but sometimes it went off on unnecessary tangents that pulled me out of the story entirely too often.
•Helen Laser‘s narration was fantastic.

IndianBookworm I agree with the “preachy tangents!“ 2w
23 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
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It's a beautiful day to read outdoors!

PurpleyPumpkin it really is the perfect weather for reading outdoors today. Enjoy!☀️📚 2w
BarbaraBB Cool picture 🧡 2w
dabbe 🤩😍🤩 2w
68 likes3 comments
review
Hillea2
Pickpick

The first few chapters I was skeptical but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Female friendships are complicated and adult life is hard!

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SusieTS

Can't remember it that well, but at the time it was ok.

1 stack add
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mrp27
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May #bookspin

Once again I‘m skidding into bookspin at the last minute and I‘ve yet to complete a spin pick in the last couple of months but hey, it‘s fun to try!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3w
25 likes1 comment
review
Aims42
Bailedbailed

Definitely in the minority on this book, but I lost interest halfway through. I didn‘t connect with any of the characters and the “I don‘t like this” vibes started to outweigh the “I love this!” vibes. #HailtheBail 🚀

Aims42 @dabbe The #hailthebail hashtag is so empowering 😁💕 I started a new book and already it‘s a better fit 4w
IndianBookworm Just finished the book, it's decent but even I do not get the hype! (edited) 2w
See All 8 Comments
Aims42 @IndianBookworm Right?! I found myself thinking of anything else but reading, I even thought of doing laundry instead! That was my “lightbulb moment” to pick a different book 😆 2w
IndianBookworm @Aims42 what an epiphany! 😂 I think it'd be a great movie though, lots of characters, beautiful setting and events, and less PREACHY❤ 2w
Aims42 @IndianBookworm Oh man, I don‘t even know if I made it to the preachy parts 🤣🤣🤣 I bailed during the bachelorette “seminar”. It could be a great movie though, I could definitely see some actresses in the role of Phoebe and Lila 1w
IndianBookworm @Aims42 hahaha, I think you passed a few but the frequency increased a lot more towards the end! 😓 1w
Aims42 @IndianBookworm Oof 🫠 Okay, glad I bailed when I did then 😆😮‍💨 1w
31 likes8 comments
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keys_on_fire
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Getting ready to start the tagged book while sitting at this lovely location! #happyplace #campfire #deweys24HourReadathon

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Aims42
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Cheers to the weekend!! 🍻📖🎉 I made it to 5 o‘clock 😅

dabbe #woohoo! Enjoy! 🩵💙🩵 4w
Aims42 @dabbe 😁😁😁😁😁 4w
Ruthiella Yahoo! 4w
Aims42 @Ruthiella 😂🙌 YESSSS! 4w
46 likes4 comments
review
Soubhiville
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Pickpick

Add me to the list of folks who didn‘t expect to like this book based on the cover. 😆

Phoebe is deeply depressed when she walks out of her job and books one night at a fancy hotel on the Rhode Island coast. She finds she is the only person in the hotel who isn‘t part of a wedding. She meets the bride in the elevator, and her plans start to go awry.

Funny and quirky, I really enjoyed it. Great narration too. Thanks for the recommendation!

Soubhiville @Read4life @AmyG @CBee 👍👍 good call, fun book! 1mo
Soubhiville Content warning- infertility, depression, SI 1mo
CBee Woo hoo!! Glad you liked it!! 1mo
See All 9 Comments
Leftcoastzen It is pretty special. 1mo
vlwelser There's something very relatable about this MC. But also the cover sucks. 1mo
Yenya1954 It sounds as if it should be on my TBR pile. 1mo
AmyG I am so happy you enjoyed this one. 1mo
Suet624 I really hadn‘t wanted to read this and then was delighted by how much I enjoyed it. 1mo
Read4life Glad you liked it! 🙂 1mo
71 likes2 stack adds9 comments
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Itchyfeetreader
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Pickpick

This was not quite what I expected (the hype passed me right by). Phoebe, desperately sad and struggling inadvertently crashes a week long wedding and through the connection she makes finds new purpose. I loved some of her relationships and conversations with the wedding people but felt less invested in the overall story. I think the cast of characters was strong and would happily have read more about any of them

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TheSpineView
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book but it was hard to get invested in. I tried reading the physical book and couldn't. I ended up with the audiobook and liked it better. 3.5 🌟 #Read2025 @DieAReader

monalyisha I‘ll have to remember this! I‘m reading it with my book club this summer. 1mo
DieAReader 🎉🎉🎉 1mo
77 likes1 stack add2 comments
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TheSpineView
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##WhereAreYouMonday @Cupcake12

Currently in New Port, Rhode Island. It is one of the few states I have not been to. Hope to make all 50 before I die.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this book! 📖 1mo
BkClubCare Is it really “New Port” two words? It should be just Newport 😂 1mo
BkClubCare Oh, and I adore Newport RI - it‘s my Happy Place. 1mo
See All 6 Comments
TheSpineView @BkClubCare Just a fat finger error on my part. 1mo
68 likes6 comments
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ChrisBohjalian
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Yes, I devoured THE WEDDING PEOPLE. This book is an absolute banger.

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ncsufoxes
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Pickpick

I loved Phoebe‘s dry wit & humor. Taking joy in your passions but also not having to stay the course in your life especially if it‘s not making you happy. I like the whole idea of finding joy in what brings you joy, not what society tells you will make you happy (young people & their obsession with perfection & an IG curated life). Speaking your mind & finding a sense of relief from not having to make everyone happy…all the time.

AmyG This one took me by surprise. Loved it. 1mo
35 likes1 comment
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amyrohn
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Pickpick

I wasn‘t sure if I was going to like this since contemporary fiction is hit or miss for me, but I‘m pleased to say that this was a hit! I felt so much for Phoebe, her story, and the many quirky characters she met along the way. I really got both the heart and the humor of this book, and it never got maudlin or preachy in its message. It‘s really about how the human spirit can endure and find meaning when things look bleak, and I loved it.

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Read4life
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#WeeklyFavorites

Highly recommend.

BarbaraBB Glad you liked it too! 2mo
45 likes1 comment
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Read4life
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Pickpick

I was afraid this would be one of those “what is all the hype?!” books where I have the unpopular opinion. However, I really liked it and all of the emotions the various characters felt throughout. Not overly fluffy or heavy. Just a nice balance & a book that made me think about enjoying this journey.

CBee I felt the same but ended up LOVING this. 2mo
AmyG Same as @CBee …because of the cover I thought this would just be chick lit or a rom com. 2mo
CBee @AmyG yes! It was so much deeper and more layered than I thought 👯 2mo
See All 11 Comments
Soubhiville Ok, your review and the comments convinced me to try it. The title and cover don‘t draw me at all, but good reviews do! 2mo
IndianBookworm Great review, def stacking it! 2mo
AmyG @Soubhiville Read it. Forget the cover and title. 2mo
Read4life @Soubhiville @IndianBookworm I was definitely judging it by its cover. I‘m so glad I listened to the reviews instead. @CBee @AmyG 💙📚💙 2mo
CBee @Soubhiville read it! Trust me, I totally thought it was fluff and it‘s the opposite. 2mo
Soubhiville @Read4life @AmyG @CBee you all convinced me! I got the audiobook on Libro.FM and it‘s in my “stack” for the month once I finish my library holds. 🙂📚 2mo
Read4life @Soubhiville 🤓👍🏻 2mo
CBee @Soubhiville 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 2mo
68 likes4 stack adds11 comments
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GatheringBooks
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#DynamicDs Day 2: #DoubleLetterTitle and it happens to be DD too! Awesome. I am still disappointed this did not win over James, but c‘est lavie. 💕

BarbaraBB Me too but I do think Everett deserves every price. He is so good but I just didn‘t like James that much. 2mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I enjoyed this one!! 2mo
GatheringBooks @BarbaraBB i definitely enjoyed James. But I loved the wedding people more. Plus, i thought the ToB was all about the literary underdogs, at least as far as I understand it. James is super not an underdog. 2mo
See All 6 Comments
BarbaraBB Yes I agree and that‘s why I didn‘t want James to win either. But there many not-so-underdog books shortlisted this year unfortunately. The longlist was much better than the shortlist! 2mo
GatheringBooks @BarbaraBB very interesting! As with all awards, i assume it is evolving. 💕 2mo
Eggs Enjoyed this one! 2mo
46 likes6 comments
review
Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

Finally got around to this one for #TOB25

I assumed this would be total fluff (not that there‘s anything wrong with that) but it was pretty deep albeit in a fluffy way. I liked what it had to say about taking care of yourself, finding the true you as you get older, loneliness, and grief. I loved how the author handled the pandemic. It made me laugh too.

Not my favorite short list title, but I can see why so many people love it.

BarbaraBB Glad you know now what all the buzz is about! 2mo
kspenmoll In my TBR -one day…. 2mo
84 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
OutAndAbout
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Pickpick

A suicidal divorcee arrives at a hotel and ends up being the catalyst for a weeklong wedding extravaganza. Recommended for anyone whose ever felt lost in their own life.

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BarbaraBB
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It was to be expected that The Book Censor‘s Library didn‘t stand a chance against The Wedding People. So we‘re left with two very popular books left in the #LitsyToB25: TWP and James (James is a finalist in #ToB25 too).

Please vote one more time for your favorite and I‘ll see you on Monday for the final match! Have a good weekend. https://forms.gle/QksJX14ZcJMmmYij7

See All 26 Comments
sarahbarnes Two great books indeed. Although not the type of TOB books I hope for! Oh well, it seems like the tournament may never be what it used to be. 🤷🏻‍♀️ At least we still have the longlist every year! 2mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @sarahbarnes what book(s) from the long list were you rooting for? There were a few I was sad didn't make the shortlist. 2mo
ImperfectCJ I appreciate that the judge in today's official ToB decision addresses the challenges of reading fiction in times like these. It can feel indulgent while at the same time feeling essential (at least to readers). Her comments remind me of how blown-away I felt when I read James and how important fiction is (although it doesn't take much to convince me of that). 2mo
sarahbarnes @chaoticmissadventures I would‘ve liked to have seen Ghost Roots, Banal Nightmare, and Poor Deer on the shortlist. Which ones were you rooting for? 2mo
BkClubCare Today‘s TOB readthru made me glad that I read The Safekeep 2mo
BkClubCare @sarahbarnes - Poor Deer is such a great read! (The author admitted that she was relieved to not have it on the short list.) 2mo
BkClubCare AND as much as I cheer for and (believe it or not,) continue to learn more to appreciate of James, I am choosing The Wedding People as it was my favorite read of 2024! 💒🍾 🌊 (edited) 2mo
AmyG Thanks for the book rec of Poor Deer. 2mo
Bookwormjillk I‘m torn about who to vote for. I have to think about this. (About 1/3 through Wedding People.) I loved Help Wanted from the long list and thought it should have taken George‘s place. 2mo
Hooked_on_books Boo!!!! I loved TWP, but BCL is such a special book! I‘m not surprised, of course, but very disappointed more people didn‘t see in it what I did. 2mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @sarahbarnes so many of us liked Poor Deer, it is sad it didn't make it in. I also really enjoyed I Cheerfully Refuse. There are a few on the longlist I still want to read eventually Cahokia Jazz and Small Rain look great. 2mo
sarahbarnes @ChaoticMissAdventures yes! I want to read all three of those. Good to hear you enjoyed I Cheerfully Refuse. 2mo
kwmg40 Two excellent books for the final! 2mo
GatheringBooks Woohoo!! Voted!!! Thank you for the opportunity of participating. I have yet to finish around three books or so but this has been a fantastic experience. Til next year! 💕💕💕 2mo
BarbaraBB @BkClubCare How cool that the author was glad Poor Deer wasn‘t shortlisted! And I totally agree @sarahbarnes , none of my longlisted favorites ended up on the shortlist 2mo
BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks Very happy you enjoyed it and to have you participating ❤️ 2mo
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books I voted for it because I think it deserves more audience but it didn‘t stand a chance 2mo
BkClubCare @Bookwormjillk - g2k, will stack Help Wanted. I need to glance again through the long list. 2mo
BarbaraBB @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Suet624 @Kristy_K @kspenmoll Voting for the winner is a draw so far. Your vote can make the difference. If you want, please do so! Thanks!! 😘 2mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @BarbaraBB thank you for the reminder!! I got distracted yesterday 💃 2mo
Suet624 Oops - thought I had done this. Thanks for the reminder. 2mo
Kristy_K @BarbaraBB Thanks for the reminder! Just voted. 🙂 2mo
62 likes26 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Happy birthday Jen 🎈!

Another very hard choice in the #LitsyToB25: The History of Sound vs The Wedding People, two absolute favorites. An almost equal score, but The Wedding People has won in the end.
It's not the end though, for The History of Sound. It will return as a zombie!
I'll annouce both 🧟 🧟‍♀️ shortly - along with another GForm for you to vote.
In the #ToB25 we were facing Irena vs Margo and again Irena wins. What‘s happening?

See All 17 Comments
Bookwormjillk I can't believe I still haven't read Wedding People! 2mo
BarbaraBB @Bookwormjillk You obviously should. It‘s very popular among the #LitsyToB25 participants! 2mo
AmyG Happy Birthday @Jas16 🥳🎂🎉 2mo
Jas16 Thanks for the birthday wishes @BarbaraBB @AmyG I honestly thought History of Sound would be our winner today so I am surprised and pleased by today‘s results. Not so much the other tournament. 2mo
cariashley I said “ugh” out loud when I reached the end of the official judgment today, though I fully expected it. Margo is great but I knew it was just too flighty to go any further with the judges (same with Wedding People). 2mo
squirrelbrain Happy Birthday @jas16 - glad you got your birthday wishes with our results! 🥳 Let‘s just ignore the main tournament shall we?! 🤣 2mo
Deblovestoread Happy birthday @jas16! 🎂🎈📚🎉 2mo
BarbaraBB @cariashley I agree. I expected the judges to find Margo and The Wedding People not ToB‘ish enough! 2mo
Bookwormjillk Happy birthday @jas16 🍰 🍰 🍰 2mo
Hooked_on_books This was a hard choice for me, as I really liked both these books. I‘m not surprised the official tourney chose Irena. It‘s what they do. 2mo
Jas16 @squirrelbrain Thank you! And agreed. Another reason to be thankful for the Litsy tournament which I agree with more often than not and when I do disagree I can appreciate why. 2mo
Jas16 @Bookwormjillk @Deblovestoread Thank you both so much! 2mo
CarolynM I read about 20 pages of Irena before my irritation with it became too great to continue. This is the sort of writing the ToB likes? Sheesh! 2mo
BkClubCare Yay Wedding People! 2mo
64 likes17 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Today we had another obvious winner: The Wedding People. It is remarkable popular on Litsy and it's the #LitsyToB25 favorite of Myra, Care & Theresa. However, many will be sad to see Margo go (Chelsea & Carolyn's favorite book).
Fortunately, Margo advances in the #ToB25 where it knocked-out Liars.

🚨It is time to vote for the Semi Finals! 🚨Please fill in the form today as the tournament continues tomorrow! https://forms.gle/crtE6SZcqVW1fkid9

See All 25 Comments
Bookwormjillk It says I need access to vote 2mo
BarbaraBB @Bookwormjillk I changed the settings and the url above. Does it work now? 2mo
Bookwormjillk @BarbaraBB yes, thank you! 2mo
Suet624 Both books surprised me. I went in assuming they would be fluff and they weren't. Sorry to say goodbye to Margo but happy for Wedding People. 2mo
AmyG Awesome. I loved this book. I bailed on Margo. 2mo
ImperfectCJ I like both, but I'm sad to see Margo go. The official decision today was interesting to read. Sometimes I get to the end and have no idea which the judge will pick, but Judge Hughes was not subtle in her preference between Margo and Liars. I think there's more going on in Liars than she gives it credit for, but I get where she's coming from. 2mo
Jas16 I am happy with both of today‘s outcomes but would not have been overly upset if either of them went the other way. 2mo
cariashley Both are great in their ways, but I just loved Wedding People so much so am happy it continues to advance here. I thought for sure Liars would win this round in the regular tournament and I‘d be annoyed, so am pleased! As noted in the official commentary, Liars was a massive metaphor and those kinds of books always leave me cold. 2mo
Lesliereadsalot I liked both of these books, but Wedding People got my vote for how surprisingly good it turned out to be. 2mo
CoffeeAndABook Ha!!! I‘ve just recently read & absolutely enjoyed both books. But Wedding People just knocks any book out of the park, it just does 😁 2mo
GatheringBooks Yay! Just voted! Will get to Margo soonest but Wedding People really captured my heart. 2mo
Well-ReadNeck This was maybe the hardest decision for me so far. I would highly recommend both of these. 2mo
Hooked_on_books This was my hardest vote of this round because I really liked both books. I would have been happy for either to win. I was sure Liars would prevail in the official tourney, as I think it‘s the better book, so I‘m curious to read the judgement and see how the judge got there. 2mo
BarbaraBB @CoffeeAndABook So many people loved it! It now goes on to our semi finals! 2mo
BarbaraBB Like many I was surprised by The Wedding People and while I liked Margo too it didn‘t make such an impression. 2mo
BarbaraBB @cariashley I had no idea it was a metaphor. So interesting! 2mo
sarahbarnes I loved both of these, but I agree with you that Wedding People won out with me so I‘m happy for this outcome. 2mo
squirrelbrain Like most of us, I loved both books, but preferred Wedding People. I‘m surprised by the ‘official‘ judgement though. 2mo
CarolynM Although I voted for Margo I liked Wedding People a lot too. I also liked Liars a lot. I‘d have been happy for any of them to win. 2mo
kwmg40 I liked both books, so I'm happy with the outcomes in the ToB and our tournament. 2mo
BkClubCare And CHEERS for books that can be “fluffy” AND LITERARY !!! Book reviews reveal so much bias? I liked Margo, was more worried that my mom was also reading and not sure what she would think… and that I also thought Liars was such rage. . . Which is “better”? It depends on! (edited) 2mo
BkClubCare But I so enjoyed TWP and think it the easier recommendation. Yikes 2mo
63 likes25 comments
review
Leftcoastzen
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Pickpick

Definitely my favorite read this year so far . Imagine your life couldn‘t get much worse , husband gone, nothing going right , can‘t imagine moving forward.Phoebe is feeling she should end it all, go out in style, visit an elegant inn she always hoped to visit under happier circumstances. Come to find out everyone there is for a wedding, when Lila discovers Phoebe, who is this person who might ruin the wedding? Dark ,smart,funny & wise,grt story!

sarahbarnes Yes! I loved this one too! 2mo
74 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
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Thanks to @Bookwormjillk George got a vote, the rest of us, without knowing which book it would be, all voted for the winner of the Play In round. Three strong containers and yes, many of us despised George. So we‘ll see The Wedding People again in the next round of the #LitsyToB25. George leaves our tournament because he didn't get any Zombie votes.
In the #ToB25 too the play-in winner advances, which means Liars in their case!

⬇️read further⬇️

BarbaraBB 🚨 Tomorrow is the last match in the Opening Round. With the results of that bracket I‘ll share a link to a new GoogleForm so you can vote for your favorites in the Quarter Finals. Please check in tomorrow and do vote because the next day the Quarter Finals will already start! 🚨 (edited) 2mo
See All 19 Comments
Lesliereadsalot Way to go Wedding People!! 2mo
ChaoticMissAdventures So happy! I see enough Georges in real life, I don't need to be mad about them here 😂 2mo
ImperfectCJ I'm happy with both results. In the official ToB decision, I worried that the judge was going to side with George because he related to the characters more, and I was pleasantly surprised by what felt like a pivot. Although I like B of G, I like Wedding People (and Liars) more. I also enjoyed the commentary about the purpose of reading fiction. 2mo
Suet624 I'm delighted with the result. 2mo
Bookwormjillk Haha it‘s for the best for all the reasons listed here. Still haven‘t read The Wedding People yet though. 2mo
Jas16 I ended up skipping George after all the Litsy reviews and am so happy I did. 2mo
Deblovestoread Like @Jas16 the reviews put me off George but I loved The Wedding People. 2mo
Megabooks So happy with the results in both tournaments!!! Steph (reviewsbylola on insta) loved the book of George, and I‘m like…did we read the same book? Yeah, not a fan!!! 2mo
Hooked_on_books Good riddance to George! I‘m very happy to see both play in books knock him out in their respective places. 2mo
GatheringBooks Yay for wedding people! I super enjoyed it! 2mo
GatheringBooks @Jas16 same! I skipped george too since it seemed to be universally hated by litsy folks. :) (edited) 2mo
Well-ReadNeck Yay, Litsy! In the actual ToB, I was rooting for both books to lose, so, natch I was disappointed. Was interested in the judgment especially since the judge is male. I may have leaned the same way, although both of those books made my blood boil, but I think my preference may be generational comfort (I‘m gen X) 2mo
AmyG Great choice! Loved this books so much. 2mo
sarahbarnes Yay! I skipped George because it sounded insufferable. But I loved WP! 😀 2mo
CarolynM Good choices in both tournaments 🙂 2mo
60 likes1 stack add19 comments
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CoffeeAndABook
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Pickpick

Loved loved LOVED this one!! It just all came together for me. The premise was unusual but never went too depressing & the storytelling was superb! I found it extremely funny, not LOL funny but I chuckled & enjoyed it a lot. And the serious bits were good and even wise. Loved the characters despite their flaws. I found the style of writing unique, not in an annoying pretentious way but enough to notice. Just a great book that I‘m sad to see end 🥲

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Rachael_reads
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Pickpick

I loved this book. I think it just got me out of my reading slump.

Suet624 It‘s so much better than the cover would suggest. 2mo
Rachael_reads Very true. I didn‘t think about that lol 2mo
39 likes2 comments
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Leftcoastzen
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I‘m 100 pages in. Smart, witty ,and engaging! Plus , Phoebe might finish Mrs. Dalloway ! Sshh , no spoilers please 😁

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved this one 💛 2mo
mcctrish I loved this too. Totally not what I was expecting 2mo
sarahbarnes I also loved this! 💙 2mo
73 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Lenamarcela339
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review
Amiable
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Pickpick

I was lukewarm about picking up this book because I thought it would be a typical madcap rom-com about a glitzy wedding in Newport. It was not at all what I expected—and that is a very good thing. It‘s funny and over the top, yes. But it has way more depth than I expected. It‘s more reflective and insightful and introspective than I expected. I couldn‘t put it down, and when I finished I immediately texted a friend: “You need to read this!”

CBee Your review is perfect!! 3mo
AmyG Agree! 3mo
sarahbarnes Yes! Great review. I felt the same. 3mo
Deblovestoread I love when a book surprises you as this one did! 2mo
Hooked_on_books I was pleasantly surprised by this one, too, and only read it because I liked her previous book. Then I immediately told my mom to read it (and she loved it, too). 2mo
79 likes1 stack add5 comments
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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
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Pickpick

This was one of those serendipitous times when I browse the Kindle for a book people have been racing about and it's a wonderful deal!

I loved it so much. It gave me a lot to think about regarding my own depression, suicidal thoughts and divorce. It made me think about my current love and the kind of life I want. I loved all the themes she touched on lightly, like asking for what you want. I can see why everyone loves it so much!

Suet624 Great review and I‘m happy it was the perfect read for you. 3mo
tpixie Great review! It‘s wonderful when you find the right book at the right time! 2mo
52 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Amiable
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When Hubby is working overnight and the wind is howling outside and you have the bed to yourself and you can hunker down with your pile of books. 🥰

Leftcoastzen Seems like a great idea to me ! 3mo
Amiable @Leftcoastzen I love the nights when he‘s working because the TV doesn‘t go on! I just climb into bed and read until I fall asleep. 3mo
AmyG Oh, do I SO get that. When my husband is out of town I am in bed by 7…with my book. 3mo
See All 9 Comments
Tamra My hubby is a jazz musician so I can relate! ☺️ 3mo
peaKnit The Boyne elements books are so good! 3mo
AnnCrystal A bookcation 📚💝. 3mo
CBee So, you‘re enjoying The Elements series then? I was looking for your reviews for Water and Earth but I figure if you‘re already working on Fire then it‘s a good sign 👍🏻 @Amiable 3mo
Amiable @CBee I want to finish them all and do my reviews at the same time! 😄 3mo
CBee @Amiable ooo I like that idea. Can‘t wait to read your reviews!! 3mo
65 likes9 comments
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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
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I adore this book. But oh my word, how did the editor miss this?

ChaoticMissAdventures Question is was there an editor and did they read it? 3mo
BarbaraJean I choose to take this literally and assume they were serving turpentine between courses. 😂 3mo
squirrelbrain I noticed that too! …so funny @BarbaraJean 🤣 3mo
See All 7 Comments
julesG @ChaoticMissAdventures I often wonder about this too. 3mo
julesG @BarbaraJean 🤣🤣 cheers! 3mo
Susanita 🎨🤣🤣 3mo
tpixie lol oops 😬 2mo
35 likes7 comments
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BarbaraBB
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#LitsyToB25 We have started and it won‘t come as a surprise that The Wedding People is our winner in the play-in round. There has been so much love for this book on Litsy!
Not in the real #ToB though, where Liars wins!
Among us Liars got only 4 votes (by Charity, Chelsea, Helen and Kristy) and is definitely out: it has no zombie votes.
All Fours got 4 votes too (by Sarah, Sue, AnneCecilie and Barbara), but will it be enough? We‘ll soon find out!

See All 38 Comments
GatheringBooks I am so thrilled this novel won! I super enjoyed it! 3mo
BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks Me too, I unexpectedly liked it much more than I thought I would. I liked Liars too but All Fours was my favorite. I am sorry these three good ones had to end up in the play-in round. And I can certainly live with The Wedding People continuing in our tournament! 3mo
BkClubCare I am thrilled it is ToB time! And quite happy that WeddingPeeps will continue here. I am also just fine with Liars moving on. I just enjoy all of it! 3mo
BarbaraBB @BkClubCare I think we couldn‘t go wrong today. I liked all three of them! 3mo
kwmg40 I‘m happy that Wedding People will be moving on but not disappointed that Liars is progressing in the real tournament. I liked both books. 3mo
Bookwormjillk I haven't read Wedding People or Liars but they both sounds good! I'll have to prioritize Wedding People. 3mo
Jas16 I was surprised by how much I liked Wedding People too. I am so happy to see it advancing in our tournament. 3mo
ChaoticMissAdventures Yay! I liked All 4s also but Wedding really surprised me with the complexity of it all. I tried the first few pages of Liars then got distracted and I had to return it to the library with all the love for it I will have to try again 3mo
Hooked_on_books Thank goodness AF didn‘t progress in the official tourney! (And may it not rise again.) I liked both WP and L and can understand the judge‘s rationale for choosing Liars. It‘s a gut punch of a book. I‘m glad we picked WP—it‘s delightful, complex, and charming. 3mo
AmyG Same as a few others. I was so surprised by how much I loved The Wedding People. 3mo
Deblovestoread I, too, didn‘t expect to love WP as much as I did. Still need to read Liars. So happy to have TOB to start my day! 3mo
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books Do you want to talk a bit more about All Fours 😂?! 3mo
BarbaraBB @Deblovestoread Yes me too! It‘s a nice distraction other news! 3mo
sarahbarnes Happy to see WP win this - a really lovely book. 3mo
GatheringBooks Found liars to be relentlessly depressing, and self-deprecating which is sometimes good - but only to a certain point. I am glad there is a redemptive quality to it in the end. I am with @BarbaraBB about all fours. I truly enjoyed its unapologetic perimenopausal vibes. 3mo
ImperfectCJ I'm cool with Wedding People moving ahead on our ToB, especially since my beloved Liars made it in the "official" tournament. :-) Maybe it's weird to cheer for a depressing book, but to that I say, "Yay!" So excited that we're in ToB time again! 3mo
cariashley Happy and not surprised about WP winning here, and not surprised about it not advancing in the official tournament. I have to read the full judgment but wondering if it was seen as too contemporary/not literary enough. I loved it so much more than I expected! 3mo
BarbaraBB @ImperfectCJ I‘m also all for a depressing read and I did like Liars for that reason but I was a bit annoyed by the main characters: he is horrible but she almost encourages him to be. 3mo
BarbaraBB @cariashley I wouldn‘t call it literature either but it was such an entertaining and engaging read!! 3mo
Megabooks All three books were picks for me, but TWP was definitely my fave. Loved our CL discussion of All Fours, though! 3mo
Megabooks @GatheringBooks I endeavor to be unapologetically perimenopausal every day!!! 😂😂👍🏻 3mo
Lesliereadsalot Lots of comments here already! The Wedding People is the type of book that makes everyone feel good just by reading it. A fun story, realistic people who speak the way real people speak, and an uplifting ending. Not too deep, but highly entertaining. Liars, on the other hand, so depressing and realistic that I could only shake my head while reading it. Hard to forget either of these two books. 3mo
BarbaraBB @Megabooks @GatheringBooks A good expression 💪🏽 3mo
BarbaraBB @Megabooks I loved that discussion too but it seems so long ago. All Fours and James too have lost their momentum imo 3mo
squirrelbrain I agree with both of you @imperfectcj and @cariashley - I loved Wedding People and was torn between voting for that or Liars. I eventually chose Liars - only because I felt it was more of a ToB book. But we get the best of both worlds by having our own tournament too! 3mo
Butterfinger This is my first year participating. For next year, I will know to read the play-ins first. Wedding People is the only one I have read, and that just the first quarter. 3mo
Well-ReadNeck I thought the judge‘s narrative was interesting, but I‘m in no way convinced. I thought TWP was surprising and I much preferred it to the others. Liars would have been my last choice of the three. So interesting to see other opinions 3mo
Gissy I forgot to vote but I only finished 4 books: my favorite was Martyr. I didn‘t love Wedding Peope🤷🏽‍♀️ (edited) 3mo
BarbaraBB @Gissy We‘ll miss you! 3mo
BarbaraBB @Well-ReadNeck I wasn‘t that convinced either although I did like Liars. But I love the different opinions during the #ToB! (edited) 3mo
Gissy @BarbaraBB I will continue reading the books listed because I bought some of them and there are others I‘m so interested based on the comments. I also read The Extinction of Irena Rey, Margo‘s got Money Trouble😳😬and Orbit which I liked. But these first months have been so busy that I have to slow down my reading pace😩and I‘m already a slow reader😔 3mo
Suet624 I remember that while reading Wedding People I kept commenting to myself, “Wow, I wasn‘t expecting this!” It was so much better than I was expecting it to be. 3mo
CarolynM Glad to see The Wedding People go through in the Litsy tournament and even more glad to see All Fours missing out in both😆 I haven‘t read Liars but I‘m going to now. 3mo
BarbaraBB @CarolynM 😂😂 3mo
72 likes38 comments
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CBee
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Pickpick

I want to shout from the rooftops about this book! It was sad, funny, inspiring, emotional - I don‘t often say “all the feels” but this gave me ALLLLL the feels ♥️♥️♥️ #readyourkindle

RaeLovesToRead Oh no! Now I want to read it!!!! 3mo
RaeLovesToRead Wait... it's 99p on Kindle! Woo! 3mo
CBee @RaeLovesToRead ooooo you have to snatch that up!! It‘s so good!! 3mo
Amiable I just finished this — it was so much better than I expected! 3mo
CBee @Amiable yes! I didn‘t realize how much I‘d love it! 3mo
88 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Birdsong28
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#UkKindleMonthlyDeal

99p

I have seen a lot of people reading this on here is it a good book should I get it?

squirrelbrain Yes, definitely! I think you‘ll like it. 3mo
Birdsong28 @squirrelbrain Thank you recommending it. 😀📚📖 3mo
31 likes2 comments
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Gryffleclaw95
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I didn‘t love “The Wedding People” as much as I thought I would, but it‘s still a good book. I enjoyed the humor and many of the characters that are found in these pages. If there‘s any one thing I would change, I would have loved an epilogue as the ending found me wanting more.

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BennettBookworm
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I read so many books this month, but Wedding People was still the winner! Some of the others might pop up in the bonus spaces ☺️
I had fun making this bracket template - feel free to use if you like it!

41 likes1 stack add3 comments
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BossLady305
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. It's dark, but humorous. A woman who learns to live authentically. I don't want to give any spoilers so I'll just say... I think it's worth the read. I'll gladly check out other books written by Alison Espach.

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EadieB
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Pickpick

#TheWeddingPeople #AlisonEspach #SeriesLove2025

A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew. Phoebe comes to the Cornwall Inn to kill herself. When she shows up there is a wedding about to happen. The bride, Lila, tells Phoebe she cannot kill herself as it will ruin her wedding. Phoebe and Lila become great friends and Phoebe is asked to be Lila's maid of honor.

EadieB There is lots of humor in the story and I loved every minute of it. If you like books with a character-driven novel then you will love this book. I'm looking forward to reading more of Alison Espach's novels. This book is highly recommended! 3mo
50 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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SheilaChew
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☀️&📖
February 23, 2025

31 likes1 stack add
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cjk
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A shelfie of some of my favorite reads of 2024. 📚😍🎧

ShyBookOwl These are SO fun to make! 3mo
cjk @ShyBookOwl Yes! I joined Fable because shelfies were popping up in my feed. 3mo
ShyBookOwl @cjk 🤣 That's awesome 3mo
39 likes3 comments
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julieclair
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and lighthearted, but also surprisingly thoughtful and reflective. The setting at a destination wedding, and the characterization of the group of guests as “the wedding people”, will ring true in a fun, humorous way for anyone who has been to an over-the-top wedding weekend.
#Pantone2025 #DejaVuBlue @Lauredhel

LoverOfLearning Speaking of over-the-top wedding weekend. My cousin got married to this girl. Didn't really like her but I was in the wedding party regardless. By the end of the night, I completely removed her from all social medial and blocked her from texting me. She's not a nice person. LOL. Been years and still was a great decision. I have to protect my own peace and eliminate the drama. Sorry not sorry. HAHA 3mo
julieclair @LoverOfLearning What a story! Good for you for doing what you needed to for your own mental peace. 👍😍 3mo
LoverOfLearning @julieclair Yep! See her once a year. We're polite but that's the extent hahah! 3mo
52 likes3 comments
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GatheringBooks
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#FeelinTheLove Day 18: Look at all those #Hearts in this understated book cover. Finished reading this last night. Definitely one of my #ToB25 favorites, thus far. What a delight. Review is forthcoming.

Megabooks Loved this one, too! 3mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one! 3mo
Eggs Me three! 3mo
Suet624 Surprisingly good. 3mo
62 likes4 comments
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GatheringBooks
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#FeelinTheLove Day 17: #GalentinesDay feels especially during the bridal shower bonding of the women and the revelations that ensued. Nearly finished with this #ToB25 title - why wasn‘t this novel given more love last year? It‘s brilliant!

Eggs I enjoyed this one! 3mo
sarahbarnes I agree! It really is brilliant. 3mo
50 likes2 comments