Manuscript Monday: The Wedding People.

On this week's Manuscript Monday Sarah recommends "The Wedding People" by Alison Espach. A novel that surprised me in the best way possible.

If you've listened to the podcast you'd know that I’m a reader who actively seeks out happy endings and avoids sad stories. So, when I discovered the central premise of this book, I was considering bailing on this book. I worried it would be a story defined by its darkness. What I found instead was a narrative defined by its light, a surprising, utterly wonderful journey that is anything but depressing.

The Wedding People masterfully takes what could be a premise for sadness and depression and transforms it into a story that is profoundly inspiring. It’s a book that doesn’t just tell you a story; it makes you think, feel, and ponder long after you’ve turned the last page. It’s a beautiful exploration of life at a crossroads, filled with the kind of sharp wit and deep humanity that catches you off guard.

Beyond its emotional fabric, the novel is simply a fantastic read. The author weaves a great storyline that is both compelling and cleverly constructed. But the true magic lies in the interesting characters and their authentic dialogue. They arrive in your life as strangers, complex and sometimes messy, but through the course of the story, they become utterly beloved. You root for them, you understand them, and you miss them when they’re gone.

So, if you’re looking for a book that will lift you up, make you laugh, and connect you to the beautifully complicated mess of being human, this is it.

I highly recommend giving this book a read. And in the spirit of preserving the joy of discovery, I'm offering no spoilers here. You simply need to experience it for yourself.

Have you read The Wedding People? What were your thoughts? Share your reactions in the comments below!