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The Wedding Party

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'A burst of warmth and wit, twists and turns' MARIAN KEYES on Other Women
'Warm, believable women with real, messy lives' RACHEL HORE on Other Women

Four sisters. One secret. A day they'll never forget...

The story follows the four Robicheaux sisters as they return home for their parents' wedding, at the beautiful Hotel Sorrento where they all grew up as children. For the first time in 15 years, the sisters are back together - and it doesn't take long for long-buried secrets to surface...

With her inimitable warmth and wisdom, Cathy Kelly shows us that in the messy reality of marriage, family, and romance, sometimes it's the women in our lives who hold us together.

Praise for Cathy Kelly's irresistibly comforting

'Honest, funny, clever, it sparkles with witty, wry observations on modern life. I loved it' - Marian Keyes
'This book is full of joy - and I devoured every page of it gladly' Milly Johnson
'Filled with nuggets of wisdom, compassion and humour, Cathy Kelly proves, yet again, that she knows everything there is to know about women' Patricia Scanlan
'Packed with Cathy's usual magical warmth' - Sheila O'Flanagan

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2022

627 people are currently reading
1309 people want to read

About the author

Cathy Kelly

115 books1,089 followers
Born in Belfast but raised in Dublin, Cathy initially worked for thirteen years as a newspaper journalist with a national Irish Sunday newspaper, where she worked in news, features, along with spending time as an agony aunt and the paper’s film critic. However, her overwhelming love was always fiction and she published her first international bestseller, Woman To Woman, in 1997. She did not become a full-time writer until she had written another two books (She’s The One and Never Too Late) and finally decided to leave the world of journalism in 2001, moving to HarperCollins Publishers at the same time.

Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.

Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.

In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.

Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.

She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com

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5 stars
1,555 (37%)
4 stars
1,338 (32%)
3 stars
937 (22%)
2 stars
250 (6%)
1 star
86 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
Profile Image for Obsidian.
3,238 reviews1,141 followers
August 15, 2022
So this hands-down was one of my least favorite Cathy Kelly books. This was all over the place and unlike her other books dealing with sisters, there was too much going on for you to even follow one person’s storyline in a coherent way. I also didn’t find the whole thing with Savannah realistic because it seemed to be going on for years and her family who supposedly is so close didn’t notice? I just found the plot contrivance this all happen the week of the wedding to be a bit much. I just wish that we got more build up of the family dynamics and why exactly the parents in this story wanted to be together so much. Meg seemed to just not want to be alone and we never got Stu’s point of view at all. I also struggled to finish this one. I ended up bouncing back between this book and two others this weekend and was just glad to get this one done.

“The Wedding Party” follows the Robicheaux family. Meg and Stu who have been long divorced, tell their four daughters (Indy, Eden, Savannah, and Rory) that they are remarrying. Finding out that Meg is ready to try again with Stu is a shocker to the women especially because Stu had an ongoing gambling and drinking problem which resulted in the family having to sell their hotel. The week leading up to the wedding results in a lot of secrets being revealed.

I literally did not care for any of the characters. I tried. Indy is a midwife and I just felt like she was too perfect and there seemed to be nothing going on that resulted in any deep introspection.

Eden had a secret and I don’t know how the reveal would really work in the real world. Hope springs eternal I guess.

Savannah’s storyline was way too similar to another book I read this weekend and it seems like all of my reads were dealing with coercive control and gaslighting.

I could not stand Rory’s self righteousness at all. And I thought her 180 on what she wanted in order to keep her relationship going was a bit meh myself.

Meg and Stu were not built up at all. Meg is supposed to be some sort of “Earth” mother but seemed to have zero clue what was going on with any of her children. And once something pretty big is revealed I guess I was supposed to go what a woman, instead I went, really? Okay then. Maybe the book would have worked if it had been a bit set up like her prior book, “Just Between Us”. That book followed three sisters and their mother and I thought it was written very well.

The writing was painful at times. I think the jumping around between five characters did not help at all. I realized after a while the book stayed mostly focused on Savannah and then we just had Eden and Rory popping up second and third. Indy is there a bit, but then just kind of shimmers away. I know there were other characters in this book but I cannot even recall them all. Eden’s husband was a blank slate. Savannah’s was a caricature. Indy’s was just there. Rory’s girlfriend was just there as well.

The flow was an uphill battle. I was tempted to just DNF at one point, but I bought this so struggled onward.

The setting moves constantly. We keep hearing about the hotel the family grew up in and how special it was, but it was not and just seemed to be a very blank backdrop.

The book has multiple endings. At one point I thought I was done and it was like, 6 months later, a year later and then finally it was mercifully over.
Profile Image for Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews.
2,233 reviews332 followers
August 22, 2022
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com

The #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Cathy Kelly ushers in a heart-warming new novel of family, celebration, love, togetherness, conflicts, relationships, life pressures, regrets and making up for lost time. Emotional, tender and light, The Wedding Party will delight all Cathy Kelly fans.

Meet the Robicheaux family. Parents Meg and Stu have raised their four daughters at their stunning abode, Hotel Sorrento. As the years have passed, this family unit have weathered many changes and challenges. Now they all need to return their family home, beautiful Hotel Sorrento to celebrate one very special occasion – the union of Meg and Stu. Over a decade has passed since all of the family have come together under one roof. This pinnacle get-together will result in a shocking revelation, that strikes right at the core of this family fold. With consummate charm, introspection and tenderness, Irish wonder Cathy Kelly explores constructs of marriage and family in the pages of The Wedding Party.

Light, fluffy and soothing, those three words best describe Cathy Kelly’s work. I don’t consider myself to be a devoted fan of this much-loved Irish author’s work but I have enjoyed dipping in and out of her books. The Wedding Party was both a review book and a book club read for me, so it allowed me to tick off two jobs. I fell for the cover almost immediately and although I didn’t adore this book, I did enjoy some aspects of The Wedding Party.

I don’t come from a big family and I only have one sibling – a younger brother. As a result, I tend to seek out books that feature large families and sister relationships. The Wedding Party is a story that contains both these elements, so I was definitely attracted to this new Cathy Kelly release. Kelly is in her comfort zone when it comes to portraying family relations, dynamics, conflicts and unions. This popular Irish author is in tune with human relationships and she displays the ability to really get to the heart of what makes a family tick. Kelly also delves into relationship breakdown, family disconnection, separation and other heavier topics. A focus on alcoholism, gambling, addiction, emotional abuse, eating disorders and abortion all fill the pages of The Wedding Party. Handled with insight and sensitivity, Kelly weaves these serious issues within the wider context of this fictional family-based narrative. An accompanying explosive family secret rounds off the busy plotline of Cathy Kelly’s new release.

For me it was the characters that seemed to pull down the book a touch. I found it hard to settle into the the flow of this story and keep a track of the range of characters. It was quite tiring noting who was who and remembering what problems each respective player was facing. I did like the storyline involving Indy, the peacemaker sister who works tirelessly as a midwife. I also found some interest in the youngest Robicheaux sister. Rory’s book venture was interesting sub plot to follow. I found I got frustrated with the decisions and actions of the remaining cast, especially the parent figures. However, with such universal and relatable issues at the heart of this story, I’m sure The Wedding Party will speak to many readers.

*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.

15 reviews
October 31, 2024
I normally really enjoy Cathy Kelly’s books but this book was awful. There was too much going on with so many different characters.It was very predictable at times and it seemed that the ending was rushed.
Profile Image for Maud.
97 reviews
April 8, 2025
Setting had veel potentie, maar de oppervlakkige schrijfstijl met onwijs veel herhaling kon echt niet
Profile Image for Vittoria Lapomarda.
14 reviews
April 11, 2024
I honestly don’t know how this book can have such a high rating. I don’t remember the last time I read a book that was this bad.
To start with, it’s BORING. For more than half of the book you follow different “storylines” that simply explain who these 4 sisters are. There isn’t a real plot. Things develop in a non-believable way. The characters are not interesting. It’s so damn flat.
And slooooow.

Eden is supposed to have a big secret that makes her look like a criminal when in the end she just had an abortion in a period when it was not legal. So she was a good person who did the right thing for herself. Why should you hide this from the reader for basically the whole book?

Savannah’s situation was ridiculous: how is it possible that for a decade her family doesn’t realize she’s being abused by her husband and then all of a sudden - I kid you not - at rehearsal dinner one of the sister notices the husband grabbing her wrist in a weird way and understands everything by that. SERIOUSLY?

Rory was just not believable. There’s this book she’s writing where she reveals this 5th sister born when their dad cheated on their mother with the maid. Big secret that for the whole book is supposed to break the family once revealed. Jesus Christ, she brought this 5th sister at rehearsal dinner and EVERYONE welcomes her with hugs and kisses (including their mother) because everybody secretly knew…what kind of a plot twist is that?

And then Indy, totally useless to the story. Nothing interesting about her. Nothing worth spending my time reading, really.

I kept reading the book hoping that during that damn wedding something would happen that would make me change my mind about it, but it actually just made it more ridiculous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sophie.
40 reviews
March 14, 2023
LOVED this book. My first read by Cathy Kelly and I'll definitely be reading her other books. I loved the story and I enjoyed the different real life issues each character was going through. I love that it has strong female roles! :)
Profile Image for Ann.
521 reviews
August 6, 2022
I've been reading Cathy's books for many many years and she never disappoints but this exceeds all expectations. The characters are without exception amazing and the way the storyline weaves through their lives is brilliant. There are heartstopping moments! Once you start reading you will be enthralled.
14 reviews
April 9, 2023
This book took me such a long time to get through.
I felt that none of the characters were realistic. The dialogue felt tedious and forced. I almost DNF but I have the typical must finish habit and I have to admit that it was not worth it.
The premise made this book sound like an interesting adventure and view into a family’s dynamic but unfortunately I just couldn’t get into it. I was genuinely bored the entire time.
70 reviews
August 18, 2022
Cathy Kelly was an auto buy for me. When I started to read this book I thought I was reading another author. This book was unfocused and the plot was all over the place.

The characters were shallow and stereotypical.

BTW, what's with the "woke" all throughout the book?

I am for women's and gays rights but this was way over the top.


Profile Image for Faith Hogan.
Author 12 books689 followers
August 18, 2022
I flew through this gorgeous book - lovely, light escapist reading as I was waiting for the blue skies to emerge from behind the clouds again here in the west of Ireland.

The Wedding Party is a wonderful blend of family loyalty and rivalries; secrets and truths - it's wise and sparkling and a perfect summer read!

thank you to the publisher for my advance copy
58 reviews
January 25, 2023
The first Cathy Kelly book I couldn’t finish. None of the characters likeable. Boring storyline.
Profile Image for Emma.
268 reviews
May 6, 2023
Tried to read this on numerous occasions, but found the characters un-likeable and the story tedious. Gave up in the end.
Profile Image for Danniiee.
156 reviews
November 1, 2022
I loved this story following the lives of the four sisters in Ireland. Rory and Savannah were by far my favourite characters.

I did find at certain parts of the story one specific character would get more time than the others meaning it wasn't portionally written between all four. This made the storylines happening with the other sisters get sidelined especially Rorys secret book and discovery which was center stage for a portion of the book until it was overcast with Savannahs storyline. Rorys was left with an underwhelming climax

I did find Savannahs storyline of abuse to be very repetitive. Eden was fantastic too a very strong politician who I'd have happily read a book just about her life.

At one point I forgot about Indy until closer to the end when there was trouble with the father. Meg and Stu were an interesting couple and I'm still undecided if whether I was routing for them to win or not.

Overall I still enjoyed the book and looking forward to reading more of Cathy's work.
Profile Image for Kim McNeice.
10 reviews
October 11, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ The characters were interesting and nuanced but the story moved too slowly for me. Too wordy as well, so I skimmed here and then. The many strands of this family tale had a solid and satisfying ending.
Profile Image for Kayley.
108 reviews
November 26, 2023
3-3.5 stars. I really did enjoy this book and following the sisters’ intertwined stories. It just started slow for me and ended a little too neatly. But the middle captured my whole attention and I found myself resonating with a a bit of each sister in a way I’ll need to reflect on more over time. This would be fabulous if turned into a series or a movie. Felt very modern Little Women meets the Royal Tenenbaums.
Profile Image for Irene  Meredith .
11 reviews
June 17, 2024
I liked this book a lot. It resonated so much with my much younger life .
It made me think of my own discombobulated upbringing which now after reading this may just have been kinda normal! 😂
It made me laugh in places and sad in others.
It took me a bit to get into it but it was worth it.
It’s my first Cathy Kelly book and I will definitely look for more.
402 reviews6 followers
July 27, 2022
Cathy Kelly is one of my favorite authors ever! This is the story of four sisters and their parents, Meg and Stu who are marrying each other for a second time. The author makes each character so real that I actually worried about them. Painful parts but a terrific story.
23 reviews
April 7, 2024
Loved it

What a lovely book, been a long time since I last read one her books. Certainly didn’t disappoint, loved the characters and family lives.
136 reviews
October 14, 2022
I'm normally a fan of Cathy Kelly, but this book bordered on the depressive. I know life can be a bitch, but I read for enjoyment.
Profile Image for April.
2 reviews
April 15, 2023
I was very intrigued by the concept of this book however the writing style was all over the place. I found it very hard to keep up in some spots and have no idea what the chapter structure was meant to achieve other than utter confusion. Some parts of the book were very repetitive and some parts that needed more depth were just glossed over. The ideas were there but the writing structure made this book difficult to enjoy.
211 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2023
I found this book hard work and did think at one point of abandoning it. The characters seemed quite unbelievable and the story very predictable. There is an awful lot of duplication within explanation of background and history of characters and story. I found this very tedious, move on i know already. Then after a big build up of key points in the story as f by magic everything is solved and everyone lives happily ever after!!!
Profile Image for Christine.
63 reviews
April 15, 2023
I feel like giving this 2 stars is quite generous.. this took me a while to get into and eventually get through. Too many unnecessary characters thrown in randomly, and the writing didn’t flow. Big secrets were hinted at and the reveals of them were anti-climactic and disappointing.
Profile Image for Kallie Fassinger Wright.
7 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2023
This was hard to get through. It didn't feel like a Cathy Kelly book at all. Disjointed, repetitive, and boring.
Profile Image for Alie C.
38 reviews
January 8, 2025
I really like the characters in this book but the author didn’t seem to know when to end it. It dragged on a bit at the end and everything seemed to happen all at once.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews

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