Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
One of The Washington Post’s 10 Noteworthy Books for July and August
Named a Best Book of Summer 2024 by People Magazine, Bustle, Star Tribune, Goodreads, and LitHub
“The Wedding People is the perfect book to wrap up your summer reading. . . . heartwarming [and] hilarious.”
―Jenna Bush Hager, The Today Show's #ReadwithJenna
“A collision of diametrically opposed life events and general drama, the likes of which we haven’t seen since Maggie Shipstead’s Seating Arrangements. . . . Espach has an eye for the full gamut of emotions that go hand in hand with lifelong commitment, from humor to self-involvement to pathos.”
―Elisabeth Egan, The New York Times Book Review
“Espach’s wit and warmth deliver a gratifying story about how people who have given up might find a reason to start caring again.”
―Becky Meloan, The Washington Post
“Deeply satisfying. . . . A story of what it means to lift oneself out of one life and into another through acts of individual will and fellowship with others. . . . Espach is now three for three on delivering funny, emotionally moving explorations of the difficulties people have in being themselves.”
―John Warner, Chicago Tribune
“A feel-good testament to the life-altering magic of chance meetings.”
―People
“Deceptively complex...Espach’s story of a life-changing chance encounter is as rewarding as it is unexpected.”
―Lucy Feldman, Time
“A refreshingly sharp and funny examination of loss, love and wrestling with the expectations we have for our lives. This book is the rare lush escape that avoids falling into predictability; the characters feel full and real, and offer genuine moments of insight and warmth amidst their quirky circumstances.”
―Jillian Capewell, HuffPost
“Espach thumbs the depths of emotions most of us would fear speaking aloud, not to mention pour out on the page. It's honest, wry and delightfully unpredictable.”
―Anna Kaufman, USA Today
“Full of witty dialogue and lovably imperfect characters you’ll root for till the end.”
―Real Simple
“They say a good actor can read a phone book and still keep an audience spellbound. Alison Espach is that kind of writer. She is a master of taking the seemingly mundane and creating moments that transfix.”
―Maren Longbella, Star Tribune
“Filled with hilarious scenes and brilliant banter.”
―Marion Winik, Newsday
“By deftly invoking many popular romantic comedy tropes, Espach fills this novel with champagne-tinged fizz, while never losing sight of the more sober emotional truths that kicked off her narrative.”
―Bustle
“It’s simply delightful, entertaining, and heartfelt.”
―Stephanie McNeal, Glamour
“Think: Eleanor Oliphant and Meredith, Alone vibes. As of this writing, The Wedding People is my favorite book of 2024.”
―Isabelle Eyman, Camille Styles
“Witty dialogue is just a bonus in this engrossing read centering on complex women making life-changing decisions. Recommend to readers who enjoy Sally Rooney, Curtis Sittenfeld, or Elizabeth Berg.”
―Library Journal (starred review)
“The Wedding People is so much more than a funny story (though it is very funny). Espach has penned a keenly observed novel about depression, love, the ways women make themselves small, and how one woman got over it. Fully realized and completely memorable.”
―Booklist (starred review)
“Sparkling . . . Readers are in for a treat.”
―Publishers Weekly
“The Wedding People is a wickedly funny and deeply satisfying novel about a woman with nothing to lose, armed with a green dress, some chocolate wine, and a coconut pillow, cut loose to cause delightful mayhem. It’s a story of lovers who turn into strangers, strangers who turn into friends, and the weird and wonderful connections that make us feel truly alive. I loved it.”
―Jenny Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Pineapple Street
“The Wedding People is my very favorite kind of novel―hilarious and witty with enormous heart and characters I fell in love with. I was delighted to be at this wedding, in the middle of the drama and gossip, watching the entanglements of friendships old and new. I haven’t stopped talking about this book since I finished it, and I won’t stop until I’ve made everyone I know read it . . . so read it! Now! You can thank me later.”
―Jennifer Close, bestselling author of Marrying the Ketchups
“Alison Espach! How does she do it? I mean, really―how? The Wedding People is so utterly, ringingly true it feels less like fiction than like a field guide to personhood. It's so funny and romantic that I sometimes laughed out loud and sometimes got actual goosebumps. I tore through it like I didn't have a disordered deficit of attention. It's a perfect novel. I loved it.”
―Catherine Newman, author of Sandwich
About the Author
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars The best book of the year !!!
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4.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE how the writer gave the usual cliches in the plot twists that made them different
This is a great book. The characters are relatable and, although there are serious situations included in the plot, it is balanced by humor. I appreciated that some the characters develop and learn as the book progresses and how the writer, while setting up the usual rom com situations, did not have them develop in the usual way. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for someone looking for a nice summer novel.
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye opening
I really enjoyed this book. Got off to a slow start but at some point I made a real connection with the main character. I loved her evolution as she started to appreciate the life and people and things around her. It opened my eyes to start enjoying and appreciating the small things in life. It’s a powerful story.
5.0 out of 5 stars Heavy-hitting, but with dark humor. It's fantastic.
This is just as good as I hoped it would be! I'm sure this will end up being one of my favorite reads this year. It took me several days to get past the first three chapters because Phoebe is in such a dark place when the story begins. I think I was feeling so overwhelmed with work and some things in my household that I had a hard time really settling into the story. But once I was able to sit down for some uninterrupted reading, I couldn't put it down.I really appreciate Phoebe's story. The decision to end her life (not a spoiler) is Phoebe's rock-bottom, and from there, she really has nowhere to go but up. I love love love the way she just stopped having shame-shame about her body, about her opinions, about what she was eating. What's more, the author did a great job of giving us her thoughts as she was coming into her confidence and enlightenment. I found that a lot of what I saw Phoebe experience and ponder felt familiar to me, and I suspect many women will see themselves in her too. There are a lot of heavy-hitting topics in here, but the book is more dark comedy than sadness. It's fantastic.Overall, I just feel that the author really nailed some of the same thoughts we all have about womanhood, mental health, family, success. It felt very true.
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely loved this book
This book was so fun to read. I thought at first it was going to be so sad. I was wrong it was so funny, and i couldn't put it down. I freaking loved the characters and the storyline. I hope there might be a follow-up book in the future. I need to know what happens with the main characters.
4.0 out of 5 stars dark humor
This is a quick easy read which is an interesting combination of light and fun but also has quite a bit of darkness in it as well: suicide, divorce, widowhood, searching for identity.The book is about a woman who is navigating through a difficult divorce and spontaneously plans a trip to Newport to kill herself. In Newport she becomes sucked into a wedding at the hotel she’s staying at and all the lead characters: bridge, groom, mother of the bride, SIL, daughter of rhe groom, best man, etc. There’s wit, there’s soul searching, there’s love, there’s despair. Overall a fun book minus some of the underlying themes.
4.0 out of 5 stars More than I expected
This book is super slow but emotional.I enjoyed the back and forth from past to present to find out WHY Phoebe is in the state she is in.The side characters like Lila, Gary and Jim were interesting and I kept wanting more.In the end, I liked the book a lot. There were parts that weren’t my fave and I felt weren’t needed but in the end - it was a great story.
Fantastic book
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Apaixonada por esse livro!
Eu amei esse livro! Deve ser um dos favoritos da vida!A autora escreve de uma maneira super envolvente. O livro te prende muito. E tem várias frases lindas. Meu livro tá todo grifado.
Excelente
Hermosa novela, con personajes reales, en movimiento y bien definidos.Es difícil cortar la lectura para seguir luego, te engancha desde el inicio.Mucho humor, diálogos exquisitos y una trama finamente armada.Muy recomendable.
A Five-Star Must-Read: A Book That Captures the Heart and Soul
Sometimes, a book comes along that sweeps you up, keeps you hooked, and leaves an imprint on your heart long after you've turned the final page. This was one of those books for me—an absolute five-star read.At its core, this story follows a protagonist stuck in the monotony of a life that feels suffocating. When her husband leaves her for another woman, it only deepens the despair she’s been grappling with. With no sense of direction and hope slipping through her fingers, she checks into a hotel, intending for it to be her last stop. However, fate has other plans. Due to a double booking, she finds herself the only guest outside of a wedding party set to celebrate throughout the week, and this unexpected twist sets the stage for something truly transformative.What makes this book so special isn't just the unique premise—though that alone is compelling—but the way it weaves together self-discovery, romance, and emotional depth in a way that feels both profound and refreshingly natural. The romance here is beautifully done—authentic, non-cringey, and honestly one of the best I’ve ever read. Alongside love, the novel explores heavy themes, yet handles them with sensitivity and care, ensuring the reader experiences the rawness of emotion without it feeling overwhelming.The characters? Absolutely delightful. Phoebe and Juice, in particular, were standout gems, crafted with depth and warmth that made them feel wholly real. They brought levity, humor, and heart into moments that could have otherwise been unbearably heavy. There were hilarious moments sprinkled throughout, adding a perfect balance to the novel’s serious undertones.Reading this book felt cinematic—it truly needs to be adapted into a film because it would be incredible to see its magic unfold on screen. More than anything, this story resonated deeply with me, reminding me of my own dark moments and the hope that carried me through. It’s rare to come across a book that moves you so completely, but this was exactly that.I wholeheartedly loved this story and urge everyone to read it. It’s moving, reflective, challenging, and incredibly well-written. A book that will stick with you, reminding you of the power of resilience, love, and unexpected second chances.
Le sarcasme au point
Great book, loved the humour, made me laugh out loud several times, good read!
Visit the Alison Espach (Author) Store
The Wedding People: A Novel
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Visit the Alison Espach (Author) Store
The Wedding People: A Novel
AED16880
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
One of The Washington Post’s 10 Noteworthy Books for July and August
Named a Best Book of Summer 2024 by People Magazine, Bustle, Star Tribune, Goodreads, and LitHub
“The Wedding People is the perfect book to wrap up your summer reading. . . . heartwarming [and] hilarious.”
―Jenna Bush Hager, The Today Show's #ReadwithJenna
“A collision of diametrically opposed life events and general drama, the likes of which we haven’t seen since Maggie Shipstead’s Seating Arrangements. . . . Espach has an eye for the full gamut of emotions that go hand in hand with lifelong commitment, from humor to self-involvement to pathos.”
―Elisabeth Egan, The New York Times Book Review
“Espach’s wit and warmth deliver a gratifying story about how people who have given up might find a reason to start caring again.”
―Becky Meloan, The Washington Post
“Deeply satisfying. . . . A story of what it means to lift oneself out of one life and into another through acts of individual will and fellowship with others. . . . Espach is now three for three on delivering funny, emotionally moving explorations of the difficulties people have in being themselves.”
―John Warner, Chicago Tribune
“A feel-good testament to the life-altering magic of chance meetings.”
―People
“Deceptively complex...Espach’s story of a life-changing chance encounter is as rewarding as it is unexpected.”
―Lucy Feldman, Time
“A refreshingly sharp and funny examination of loss, love and wrestling with the expectations we have for our lives. This book is the rare lush escape that avoids falling into predictability; the characters feel full and real, and offer genuine moments of insight and warmth amidst their quirky circumstances.”
―Jillian Capewell, HuffPost
“Espach thumbs the depths of emotions most of us would fear speaking aloud, not to mention pour out on the page. It's honest, wry and delightfully unpredictable.”
―Anna Kaufman, USA Today
“Full of witty dialogue and lovably imperfect characters you’ll root for till the end.”
―Real Simple
“They say a good actor can read a phone book and still keep an audience spellbound. Alison Espach is that kind of writer. She is a master of taking the seemingly mundane and creating moments that transfix.”
―Maren Longbella, Star Tribune
“Filled with hilarious scenes and brilliant banter.”
―Marion Winik, Newsday
“By deftly invoking many popular romantic comedy tropes, Espach fills this novel with champagne-tinged fizz, while never losing sight of the more sober emotional truths that kicked off her narrative.”
―Bustle
“It’s simply delightful, entertaining, and heartfelt.”
―Stephanie McNeal, Glamour
“Think: Eleanor Oliphant and Meredith, Alone vibes. As of this writing, The Wedding People is my favorite book of 2024.”
―Isabelle Eyman, Camille Styles
“Witty dialogue is just a bonus in this engrossing read centering on complex women making life-changing decisions. Recommend to readers who enjoy Sally Rooney, Curtis Sittenfeld, or Elizabeth Berg.”
―Library Journal (starred review)
“The Wedding People is so much more than a funny story (though it is very funny). Espach has penned a keenly observed novel about depression, love, the ways women make themselves small, and how one woman got over it. Fully realized and completely memorable.”
―Booklist (starred review)
“Sparkling . . . Readers are in for a treat.”
―Publishers Weekly
“The Wedding People is a wickedly funny and deeply satisfying novel about a woman with nothing to lose, armed with a green dress, some chocolate wine, and a coconut pillow, cut loose to cause delightful mayhem. It’s a story of lovers who turn into strangers, strangers who turn into friends, and the weird and wonderful connections that make us feel truly alive. I loved it.”
―Jenny Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Pineapple Street
“The Wedding People is my very favorite kind of novel―hilarious and witty with enormous heart and characters I fell in love with. I was delighted to be at this wedding, in the middle of the drama and gossip, watching the entanglements of friendships old and new. I haven’t stopped talking about this book since I finished it, and I won’t stop until I’ve made everyone I know read it . . . so read it! Now! You can thank me later.”
―Jennifer Close, bestselling author of Marrying the Ketchups
“Alison Espach! How does she do it? I mean, really―how? The Wedding People is so utterly, ringingly true it feels less like fiction than like a field guide to personhood. It's so funny and romantic that I sometimes laughed out loud and sometimes got actual goosebumps. I tore through it like I didn't have a disordered deficit of attention. It's a perfect novel. I loved it.”
―Catherine Newman, author of Sandwich
About the Author
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars The best book of the year !!!
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4.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE how the writer gave the usual cliches in the plot twists that made them different
This is a great book. The characters are relatable and, although there are serious situations included in the plot, it is balanced by humor. I appreciated that some the characters develop and learn as the book progresses and how the writer, while setting up the usual rom com situations, did not have them develop in the usual way. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for someone looking for a nice summer novel.
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye opening
I really enjoyed this book. Got off to a slow start but at some point I made a real connection with the main character. I loved her evolution as she started to appreciate the life and people and things around her. It opened my eyes to start enjoying and appreciating the small things in life. It’s a powerful story.
5.0 out of 5 stars Heavy-hitting, but with dark humor. It's fantastic.
This is just as good as I hoped it would be! I'm sure this will end up being one of my favorite reads this year. It took me several days to get past the first three chapters because Phoebe is in such a dark place when the story begins. I think I was feeling so overwhelmed with work and some things in my household that I had a hard time really settling into the story. But once I was able to sit down for some uninterrupted reading, I couldn't put it down.I really appreciate Phoebe's story. The decision to end her life (not a spoiler) is Phoebe's rock-bottom, and from there, she really has nowhere to go but up. I love love love the way she just stopped having shame-shame about her body, about her opinions, about what she was eating. What's more, the author did a great job of giving us her thoughts as she was coming into her confidence and enlightenment. I found that a lot of what I saw Phoebe experience and ponder felt familiar to me, and I suspect many women will see themselves in her too. There are a lot of heavy-hitting topics in here, but the book is more dark comedy than sadness. It's fantastic.Overall, I just feel that the author really nailed some of the same thoughts we all have about womanhood, mental health, family, success. It felt very true.
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely loved this book
This book was so fun to read. I thought at first it was going to be so sad. I was wrong it was so funny, and i couldn't put it down. I freaking loved the characters and the storyline. I hope there might be a follow-up book in the future. I need to know what happens with the main characters.
4.0 out of 5 stars dark humor
This is a quick easy read which is an interesting combination of light and fun but also has quite a bit of darkness in it as well: suicide, divorce, widowhood, searching for identity.The book is about a woman who is navigating through a difficult divorce and spontaneously plans a trip to Newport to kill herself. In Newport she becomes sucked into a wedding at the hotel she’s staying at and all the lead characters: bridge, groom, mother of the bride, SIL, daughter of rhe groom, best man, etc. There’s wit, there’s soul searching, there’s love, there’s despair. Overall a fun book minus some of the underlying themes.
4.0 out of 5 stars More than I expected
This book is super slow but emotional.I enjoyed the back and forth from past to present to find out WHY Phoebe is in the state she is in.The side characters like Lila, Gary and Jim were interesting and I kept wanting more.In the end, I liked the book a lot. There were parts that weren’t my fave and I felt weren’t needed but in the end - it was a great story.
Fantastic book
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Apaixonada por esse livro!
Eu amei esse livro! Deve ser um dos favoritos da vida!A autora escreve de uma maneira super envolvente. O livro te prende muito. E tem várias frases lindas. Meu livro tá todo grifado.
Excelente
Hermosa novela, con personajes reales, en movimiento y bien definidos.Es difícil cortar la lectura para seguir luego, te engancha desde el inicio.Mucho humor, diálogos exquisitos y una trama finamente armada.Muy recomendable.
A Five-Star Must-Read: A Book That Captures the Heart and Soul
Sometimes, a book comes along that sweeps you up, keeps you hooked, and leaves an imprint on your heart long after you've turned the final page. This was one of those books for me—an absolute five-star read.At its core, this story follows a protagonist stuck in the monotony of a life that feels suffocating. When her husband leaves her for another woman, it only deepens the despair she’s been grappling with. With no sense of direction and hope slipping through her fingers, she checks into a hotel, intending for it to be her last stop. However, fate has other plans. Due to a double booking, she finds herself the only guest outside of a wedding party set to celebrate throughout the week, and this unexpected twist sets the stage for something truly transformative.What makes this book so special isn't just the unique premise—though that alone is compelling—but the way it weaves together self-discovery, romance, and emotional depth in a way that feels both profound and refreshingly natural. The romance here is beautifully done—authentic, non-cringey, and honestly one of the best I’ve ever read. Alongside love, the novel explores heavy themes, yet handles them with sensitivity and care, ensuring the reader experiences the rawness of emotion without it feeling overwhelming.The characters? Absolutely delightful. Phoebe and Juice, in particular, were standout gems, crafted with depth and warmth that made them feel wholly real. They brought levity, humor, and heart into moments that could have otherwise been unbearably heavy. There were hilarious moments sprinkled throughout, adding a perfect balance to the novel’s serious undertones.Reading this book felt cinematic—it truly needs to be adapted into a film because it would be incredible to see its magic unfold on screen. More than anything, this story resonated deeply with me, reminding me of my own dark moments and the hope that carried me through. It’s rare to come across a book that moves you so completely, but this was exactly that.I wholeheartedly loved this story and urge everyone to read it. It’s moving, reflective, challenging, and incredibly well-written. A book that will stick with you, reminding you of the power of resilience, love, and unexpected second chances.
Le sarcasme au point
Great book, loved the humour, made me laugh out loud several times, good read!
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