The Wedding: A BRAND NEW totally absorbing psychological suspense

by Sarah Edghill

A stylish wedding. A reunion of old friends. A cause for celebration. But beneath the surface, secrets simmer and soon spiral into a storm of betrayal, guilt and heartbreak…

Meg hasn't felt as close to her university friends in recent years. They’ve all moved on to lead successful, fast-paced lives, while she has settled into marriage and motherhood. Now, with her confidence in tatters, she’s dreading how she’ll compare at her friend Polly’s lavish wedding. But as soon as the drinks start flowing, Meg’s anxieties turn into something far more dangerous.

A phone call from her husband puts her on edge and, as Meg reaches for another glass, the night takes an alarming turn—drunken confessions, old flames and a secret that could destroy someone’s life forever. Then, in a moment of reckless abandon, Meg drops a bombshell that threatens to tear Polly’s marriage apart.

Friendships are tested, love is tainted, and over the course of a single weekend, nothing will ever be the same…

From bestselling author Sarah Edghill comes a novel full of drama and suspense. Perfect for fans of Sally Hepworth and Amanda Prowse.

226 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 2025

Reviews

[Kirstie Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several of this authors books, and they have all been solid 4 star reads for me, and incredibly easy to read and this one is no different.
The main character is particular was very relatable, I think for almost anyone that's grown up and all dynamics change around you.
A real page turner that I didn't want to put down .

[Victoria Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a frazzled, stressed out mom who parties a little too hard and has her eyes opened.

[Liz T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy a book written by Sarah Edghill and she writes so well about family relationships that you immediately feel part of the story, often identifying with the main character. I felt this strongly in Memory Road, one of my favourites, also in The Good Daughter.
I probably couldn’t relate quite so easily to the characters in The Wedding as it’s been a long time since my university days but I do know that it is easy to drift apart when “real life” starts. I did sympathise with Meg as the only one among her friends who has really entered the world of adulthood and it was understandable that she wanted to enjoy some time with her old friends but they were not supportive of her and didn’t have her back leading to Meg’s embarrassment. I just kept wanting to say, “Please go home” to Meg.
It’s a good contemporary novel about relationships and well written. Thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for an ARC of this book.

[Shauntelle (shauntellereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg really thought this wedding weekend was going to be cute girl escapism, a little reunion glow, maybe a break from mom-life, and absolutely zero chaos. Instead, she shows up to Polly’s fancy Wales wedding feeling like the one friend who didn’t level up since university, and the second the drinks start flowing, her insecurities start doing cartwheels. One glass turns into several, old tensions bubble up, and before you know it, this picture perfect weekend starts unraveling like a cheap ribbon on a bridesmaid dress.

The book follows Meg and her three college friends as they reunite for what should have been a wholesome celebration. Instead, the night spirals into drunken confessions, awkward encounters with old flames, and a secret that could blow up someone’s entire life. Friendships shift, loyalties wobble, and by the next morning everybody is side-eyeing everybody else wondering who remembers what and who needs to pretend they don’t.

I enjoyed this one a lot. The drama felt real, the cringe felt earned, and the author captured that very specific discomfort of being around friends who still love you but no longer completely know you. Meg’s messiness was frustrating at times, but also painfully human. The tension builds quietly then hits harder once the truth starts leaking out. It’s not a thriller, it’s more of a character slow burn, but it had me flipping pages wondering whose life would implode first.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fading friendships - Meg is beyond excited to finally get away for a weekend free of her family, not that she doesn't love them. Being a wife and mom is the best career for her, but it is a lot to cope with, having two little ones. The trip is downhill from the word "go", the connection she wanted with her worldly, successful friends out of reach from the start. An open bar loosens Meg up a lot, pushing her from the mild-mannered wife and mom she is to an uninhibited, bolshy woman who kisses her college ex, reveals secrets to rooms full of people and yells at grabby old men. An unforgettable wedding it will be for all, as friendships are primed to crash and burn over the course of a single day.

This story isn't quite what I expected, especially the parts about Ollie, Meg's 5YO. A serial killer in the making if you ask me. And Meg did the family a disservice by shielding Joe from his behavior. A good read overall but it feels like the story isn't quite finished. I am left with so many questions about a few characters. But would I read this author again? Absolutely, as I was thoroughly engrossed by this novel from beginning to end. Read it in one sitting it was so good.

I received a free copy of this book via Bernard's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marija · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is well-written and filled with drama, mystery, friendships, surprises, heartbreak, long-buried secrets, and family dynamics. When you add in some shots and champagne, it's hard to believe everything that unfolds.

Meg has been friends with Polly, Nancy, and Ali since college. Although their lives have diverged significantly since then, they come together for what is supposed to be a joyous reunion at Polly's wedding. Unfortunately, the gathering turns into a disastrous tell-all, filled with drunken mistakes.

Meg is at times content with her life as a wife and mother, even if she has gained some weight since college. However, after a few too many drinks, she finds herself yelling at her husband, Joe, over the phone in response to a text he sent her. All she wants is a weekend away to escape her current life and reconnect with her former self.

As the night progresses, feelings of anger and regret emerge, fueled by excessive drinking. Meg inadvertently causes more hurt and pain than she realizes, and she needs to confront her struggles, sober up, and perhaps grow up a little. Instead of envying what others have and do, she must learn to accept her own life.

I would recommend this story to others.

[Rose Seals · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, full of drama, mystery, friends, surprises, hurt, old flames, secrets, drunks and family. Add some shots and champagne into the mix and you can't believe all that happens. Meg has been friends with Polly, Nancy and Ali since college. Each going their own way and living so different lives since then. What starts out as a great reunion of friends at Polly's wedding , only to turn out to be a terrible tell it all and lots of drunken mistakes. Meg is happy at times with her life as a wife, mother and some what heavier than she was. After a lot of drinks , she yells at her husband - Joe , on the phone when she calls him after receiving his text. All she wants is a week end away and not being who she is but who she was. Everything has changed and she gets angry about it. Lots of hurt feelings and too much drinking causes her lots of issues. She causes more hurt and pain then she realizes from being drunk. She needs to sober up and maybe grow up a little bit and accept her life and not envy what other people have and do. Would recommend to others.

I received a free copy of this book via Bernard's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wedding is a contemporary novel with modern themes which I found an easy read and completed it in 2 sittings . The main character Meg is invited to a wedding of a friend she had made while at University . She is excited to be going and meeting up with a great many Uni friends as well as travelling to the venue in Wales with a couple she considered good friends . She is sad to be leaving her husband and 2 children behind in London but Joe assures her they will be fine.
Author Sarah Edghill creates explosive scenes at the wedding reception as Meg finds herself drinking numerous glasses of champagne determined to have a good time as this is the first time away after having her two children .
But as the scenes unfold the reader learns the truth about what is really happening in Meg's life and it is with the help of her new friend Susie , that Meg acknowledges the issues and resolves to sort them out.
So a good read , anyone who enjoys a contemporary family drama will find this a worthwhile read., and I thank the author for an early E- copy to read and review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg, Ali, Nancy and Polly - friends since their student days at Leeds University - reunite for Polly's wedding. While her friends are all successful professionals, Meg has given up her career to raise a family. Determined to escape her insecurities and responsibilities for one night, Meg has a few too many drinks at the reception. This leads to a lot of drunken mistakes and a near-disastrous evening.

Sarah Edghill has a knack for creating relatable characters that draw you in and make you feel what they feel - the good, the bad and the ugly. Place these characters in a setting that is so vividly brought to life by the writing, and you have a brilliant page turner that is the perfect way to while away a few hours.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Edghill's writing is so perceptive. It raises her above the standard "chick lit".
In The Wedding, four friends from university are reunited at a wedding. How the day unfolds is recorded by Meg, the only woman of the four to have two small children. We instantly get the impression that Meg is the odd one out. She's very self conscious and constantly worries that the others think her life is boring. Arriving at the wedding, at a fancy hotel in Wales, Meg decides to let her hair down for a change. Unfortunately she drinks far too much and the day turns into a disaster. But Edghill makes us consider that perhaps it was for the best. Meg emerges stronger from the weekend, and ready to confront the challenges she has been putting off. An enjoyable read.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Edghill’s books never disappoint, the way he writes her characters makes you feel like you are part of their lives or that they can be one of your friends, they are that relatable. And this book is not the exception.
The story happens during a wedding, where a group of university friends get together after a few years after graduation to celebrate the wedding of one of them.
What happens at the wedding is the realization that they are changed people from the ones they were at university, secrets come out to the open and the friends they thought they were are no longer there.
With a very relatable plot and very good characters this book is a very good read.

[Anitra Mansson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg has given up her career to stay at home and take care of her two kids, one of whom has major problems. The book follows Meg over a course of just over 24 hours. It starts with Meg going off with two of her dearest college friends to the wedding of a third. In the ensuing hours we follow Meg as she drinks an incredible amount and a horrifying disaster ensues. In the end, Meg comes to terms with friendships, marriage, leaving the past behind and the facing of her son's problems. This is my second read of Sarah Edghill's bools and I highly recommend her.

[Vivien Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot can happen in a weekend. When Meg travels with her closest friends to a posh wedding in Wales she has no idea what a disaster it is going to turn into. Secrets, an old flame, upsetting the bride's mother, a little too much honesty, and a whole lot of drunkenness ruin everything, and it is a very different Meg who makes it home the next day. Detailed and insightful. Not quite the psychological novel I had expected but a pageturner just the same.

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enthralling and engaging book. Meg and her two old friends, Ali and Nancy, attend the wedding of another old friend, Polly. All four women have led very different lives after their time together at Leeds University. This book examines their friendships and begs the question : Do we really know people as well as we think we do? I highly recommend this book to other women's fiction readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meg is at her old university pals wedding with some of her other friends, looking forward to a catch up with everybody. Unfortunately she indulges in the champagne a bit too much and things don’t go to plan. Whilst the concept should have been a good read I felt it turned into the ramblings of a drunken, bitter woman. A bit disappointing and not up to Sarah Edgehills usual standard.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meg, Ali, Nancy and Polly have been friends since they were at Leeds University. They are together again for Polly’s wedding. Meg is determined to enjoy herself and have a few drinks, as it’s the first time she has been out since her daughter was born. However, a few turns into quite a few and the friendships are strained and stretched beyond repair.
An enjoyable read.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tiny book, and wanted for a simple holiday read. I struggle when I can’t connect to the main character(s), and here I actively disliked them. All.
Although to be fair, attending the wedding sounded like it might’ve been fun. And I was proud of the main character by the end, even if I still hadn’t warmed to her!

[Yvette Salmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, I read it in a weekend. Sarah has written another good family based book. This time around a wedding weekend. Love how whilst reading this book you believe that you are involved. Great story and characters. Would recommend.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. 3 old friends travel together to the wedding of their other friend with past history creating issues. Interesting & realistic take on how friendships can sometimes come & go at differing times in our lives for differing reasons. Highly recommend.

[Eleanor Jordan O'Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several books by Sarah Edghill and enjoyed them. This is no different. The characters are perfectly relatable, and her writing style is appealing. This book won't change the world, but it'll help you pass a few content hours.

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

More sad than funny. This is a box about friendships and how they can become toxic or irrelevant over time. It is also a salutary reminder not to get plastered at weddings in case you do something you will regret. An enjoyable easy read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wedding is my first read by this author and I found it quite enjoyable. Meg and friends all went to university together and reunited for a wedding. Too much alcohol leads to drama. Not really a psychological thriller to me. Finished within a weekend!

[Aelin Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfect example of something’s should never be revisited and friendship has an expiry date. A short novel about expectations and moving on from a past life together set on the background of a wedding.

[Helga Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG …. this is not the first book I’ve read by Sarah and it definitely won’t be the last.
I laughed, I cried and cringed quite a bit too.
Well worth a read x

[Alison Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read a romancey chick lit novel about slightly older women. Enjoyed it and thought the reality was good.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry, but this was not a psychological suspense. It was an okay read though.

[Stef O'connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read but definitely chick lit and not psychological thriller.

[Lucia Delves · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't actually get the point of the book? No twists or turns. Stories half started but not finished. No real ending. Bored me.

[Karen Weinstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

hated it. expected more character driven but they were not likable people and did not care for the story at all. thankfully did not take long to read.

[Rock Chick Fee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a complex book as the storyline involves a lot of things that happened to the main characters in the past, it is allsabout a wedding of one of the original group.

There is a lot going on within the storyline, its mainly about the wedding, also mentioned the past too, it was a very good read.

I received a free ARC & I am leaving my review voluntarily.