In this episode of Between the Covers with Danielle, I dive into The Wedding People by Alison Espach — a beautifully written, darkly funny, and emotionally intelligent novel that explores grief, love, perfectionism, and the hidden loneliness behind celebration. Set in a grand Rhode Island hotel overtaken by a lavish wedding, the story follows Phoebe Stone, a woman who arrives with no plans to stay — and instead finds herself unexpectedly drawn back into life.

I share my personal reflections on Espach’s masterful balance of humour and heartbreak, her sharp observations on female identity, social performance, and emotional resilience, and why this book — though it wears the sparkle of a comedy — is really about the quiet, stubborn courage it takes to keep living.

If you’re drawn to character-driven fiction, literary novels about self-discovery, or stories that peel back the glossy surface of modern life to find something real underneath, this episode is for you.