We’ve now reached the top five best books of the year, at least according to me. Kicking off this portion of the countdown is a romantic comedy that has all the summer vibes. It is The Wedding People by Alison Espach.

What is it about? Things can’t get much worse for English lit professor Phoebe Stone. After years of being married to the man Phoebe assumed was the love of her life, it is over. Her husband has divorced her and is now living with another, younger professor who teaches at the same school as Phoebe. Than her cat dies and Phoebe has decided she’s had enough. Spontaneously she books a room at an expensive but luxurious hotel in Newport, Rhode Island. But, to her surprise, Phoebe discovers she is the only guest at the hotel who is not part of a large wedding. Before she knows it, Phoebe finds herself swept up in the wedding, playing mediator between the bride-to-be and her eccentric family.

Why did I love it? Is there really anything better than reading a good romcom in the summertime? I didn’t think so. The Wedding People was almost a nonstop fun ride of crazy antics, obnoxious in-laws, and ridiculous wedding shenanigans. I say almost as the book is a bit heavy in its first few chapters (I do suggest checking out trigger warnings) but after that is a strong comedy that will make you fall in love with all the characters. I can’t remember the last time I really felt connected to a group of characters in a romance book and it left me thinking about them for a while. Ridiculously funny and not afraid to poke fun at stereotypes, The Wedding People is an absolute must read.