This takes the rich-people-are-awful atmosphere of Glass Onion, The Menu, White Lotus, and other such media, and puts a twist in the tail. UPS driver Frank's estranged daughter Maggie calls out of the blue to notify him of her wedding, in three months, to tech mogul's son Aidan Gardner. Bemused but delighted to have Maggie back in his life, Frank is desperate to reconnect, but the more he sees of Aidan and Maggie's relationship, the less he trusts the Gardners. Meanwhile, his salt-of-the-earth sister Tammy, a carer and foster mom, insists on bringing along her latest charge, the lice-ridden, multiple-decimal-points-of-pi-reciting Abigail, to this wedding of the superrich on an isolated New England estate. I guessed the twist at (my Kindle tells me) precisely 58% of the way through, but the interest of the novel didn't wane after that, largely because Rekulak doesn't have that much new to say about the evils of the wealthy—indeed, his critique doesn't seem to be based on the depredations of late-stage capitalism per se as much as it is a more traditional, blue-collar distrust of people who don't experience consequences for their actions. He has much more to say about parenthood, particularly the experience of parenting an adult, the challenges imposed by the unconditional love of one's children, and the question of what kind of upbringing prepares a child to live well in the world. So although the twist came as little surprise, the novel still manages to be compelling in its back half because Rekulak makes us care about how Frank and Maggie's parent-child relationship emerges from this nightmare. There's no real horror in this, apart from the horror of realising that people you love are blithely behaving in ways that seem totally out of character—but that kind of everyday horror is enough. Source: Netgalley. Publishing 8 October 2024.

I found this book hard to put down. So much so that I finished it in the early hours of this morning! It is the first book I've read by the author and it won't be the last. I had such a great time reading this one - it is filled with suspense from the first page, has loads of unlikeable characters, and an edge of the seat storyline that keeps the reader wondering where on earth it is going, especially when going in blind, which I did! It is really well written and I was well and truly captivated until the acknowledgement page. It actually left me wanting more, and I felt it ended rather abruptly. But all in all, I enjoyed this book and totally recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and the Little Brown Book Group UK for an eARC to read and review. Expected publication date of The Last One at the Wedding is 8/10/24.

A really enjoyable, original and worthwhile thriller. I absolutely loved the narrator, Frank, and his ‘Dad Voice’. I would like to read a book he narrated about his everyday life, never mind his refreshingly normal take on the damaged (and damaging) rich family and the devastating consequences of their actions in The Last One at the Wedding.

Many thanks to everyone concerned for allowing me to read and review this terrific novel.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐤𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐤!
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 | 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲
𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫
𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟑 ⭐️
I loved Hidden Pictures so much by this author that I couldn’t wait to request this eArc from NetGalley….

I can’t go into too much detail without giving lots a way, I think it’s worth a read as ALOT happens in it but it is one that I will soon forget about.

Maggie is getting married to Aidan, a rich, powerful son of a CEO mastermind. Maggie phones her Dad, Frank out of the blue after not speaking for three years and invites him to their Wedding….

Told in one POV of Frank, now Frank is such a well built character and he clearly loves his daughter…. But I wanted to grab his shoulders and shake him and tell him to get a grip 😂!

I felt that the story had a bit of a slow build up and then the 75% mark hit and it sped up and I then read it quite quickly, a few twists some I guessed and one I didn’t see coming, a few moments felt very heartwarming especially between Frank and Abigail. Overall an ok read, I liked it but didn’t love it.

Recommend if you like
- Family Drama
- Mystery
- One POV

Thanks to @netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK

#bookkstagram #books #bookstagramuk #bookworm #netgalley #netgalleyuk #netgalleyreview #bookblog #bookish #bookstaghouls #thriller #thrillerbooks #mysterybook #books #bookstbr #newbooks

Frank hasn’t heard from his daughter Maggie for several years after a disagreement which he blames himself for. He gets a surprise phone call from her saying that she is getting married, she is inviting him to her New Hampshire wedding. Frank thinks that things are looking up and she want to reconcile.
When he meets her husband to be and the rest of the family. Frank senses that there is something that is not right about it all. Aiden seems to be missing all the time, strange as it is a few days before the wedding, and he seems not to be at the rehearsal. His mother also have disappeared. Supposedly with a migraine.
I read Jason Rekulak’s previous novel Hidden pictures, which I enjoyed. So, I was looking forward to reading his new novel ‘The last one at the wedding’ This is so different to that novel, but I wasn’t disappointed. This another great read from the author. Yes, it did start a bit slow, but when I got to know that characters and the storyline. It became more sinister that had to keep on reading. It had me hooked. This storyline is about reconnecting and doing right from wrong. 4 stars from me.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me an early copy of this book!

Hidden Pictures was one of my favourite books from last year so I was soooo excited for this one!

I throughly enjoyed this book! Exactly the kind of thriller I enjoy reading! I had no idea where the book was going to go and I really enjoyed how everything played out! I loved the writing in this one too much played a big part into the rating too. Definitely add this one to your tbr!

I found this to be slow at first and then suddenly things picked up quite quickly. Having read Hidden Pictures by this author I can say that this is very different indeed but also enjoyable.

Hateful characters, lots of family secrets and a wedding event all makes for a very good story. Only thing is, I read this book in a Liam Neeson voice because it just seemed to fit, imagine my surprise when he was actually mentioned in the book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

A different kind of book, one that seeps into the cracks of a seemingly idyllic family gathering, where the lines between truth and deception blur. The story have you captivated by the suspenseful unraveling of secrets and lies that threatens to upend a family's fragile relationships, full of tension and mystery as an isolated wedding party leaves you on the edge of your seat with the the eerie atmosphere.

Thank you to NetGalley and little brown book group for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a review

I was excited to dive into this since hidden pictures is phenomenal! However this book isn’t horror but mystery/thriller.

The pros for the last one at the wedding are definitely the shorter chapters and also parts. I find this layout the best in terms of reading experience. The plot was good however I thought a lot more could have been done with this book. There are many twists within but all were predictable. It was a slow burn which is fine for some people but I personally rather be sucked in from the start. The ending seemed rushed as it was very abrupt and I feel like it could have been better with even an extra page.

Overall, the last one at the wedding is a good read. And again, thank you for the ARC!

Every parent's an unreliable narrator. We think we know our kids better than anyone. But none of us can see them objectively.

Frank Szatowski receives a sudden call from his estranged daughter Maggie, after three years of silence. He is shocked when he learns that she is getting married in less than three months to Aidan Gardner, son of a tech billionaire, and he is invited to the wedding. Frank is absolutely ecstatic of these news and is overjoyed to be included. But when he arrives to New Hampshire to bond with the in-laws, Frank feels like fish out of water among all the socialites. As the wedding date inches closer, strange things start happening. And there's a nagging feeling that not everything is as it seems...

It's no secret that Hidden Pictures was one of my favourite horror/paranormal reads from last year, and so I was very much anticipating Jason Rekulak's newest release! The Last One at the Wedding is certainly a different flavour so I would not go in expecting the same as his other work.

It's a character driven, fast paced mystery thriller with a shocking twist at the end. I liked the foreshadowing of something sinister happening and it certainly had this dark, unpredictable feel to it. The story was gripping and engrossing - I could not wait to see what other secrets will be uncovered so it's no wonder I demolished this in one sitting!

I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone. Everywhere I look, there's all kinds of crazy stuff, but people keep saying it's totally normal. I can't tell left from right anymore.

The characters are an interesting blend of good-natured, naive, but also unhinged, psychotic and flawed from the beginning. Frank is your typical dad, who has a simple life, steady job and enjoys a cold beer at the end of a hard day and he has pride in this honest life. His reflections on past mistakes and motivation to do better turned him into a fairly well-developed character, despite his hot-and-cold, grumpy exterior. The Gardners were a complete polar opposite from Frank - rich socialites, coming from generational and new wealth, who never had to struggle a day in their lives. This contrast has provided an interesting dynamic between all characters and it felt at times that Frank was quite invisible to these people and easily manipulated due to his status. It was fascinating to watch Frank unpack the family secrets and I really enjoyed following this breadcrumb trail with him.

The big focus of the book is self-preservation and self-interest. It explores just how much are you willing to turn a blind eye to wrongdoings of the people you love but also how far you will go out of self-interest. It also has big undertones of different social and economic concerns. Frank's relationship with all characters was mostly tense and he is an imperfect character, however I feel like this added a layer of realism and humanness to it.

My only issue with the story was that the ending felt quite convoluted and rushed. There were some plot points that clearly took place off screen which threw off the flow and the impact of the ending and I wish we spent more time getting to know and connecting with other key players.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for providing me with a copy in exchange for a review!

This thriller delivers a solid, if familiar, experience with plenty of misdirection leading up to its twist. While the story keeps readers engaged, the rushed ending and an unnecessary time jump leave much to be desired, glossing over key resolutions. The first half is bogged down by too many references to modern culture, from specific celebrities to 5 separate mentions of TikTok, which already feels dated and detracts from the overall narrative. That said, the second half—minus the final chapter—offers a gripping read for thriller enthusiasts, who will appreciate the uncertainty surrounding the true villain.

3.5 ☆ I recently read and loved hidden pictures by jason rekulak so went into this one thinking they would be similar but they weren’t and this is obviously my fault. this one was much more of a slow burn, suspenseful mystery thriller. it still had a gripping and interesting storyline with plenty of family secrets and plot twists. although I did prefer hidden pictures, this was still an enjoyable read and I would recommend to anyone looking for a new and page turning thriller. thank you NetGalley for the arc.

Firstly, thank you to Net Galley for accepting me for this arc.

Jason Rekulak is one of my auto buy authors so I was so excited to receive this proof to read. I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. If you want a book full of twists, this is the perfect one for you.

My biggest concern throughout is I related to Frank, the grumpy and impatient UPS driver, far too much. I was actually getting annoyed FOR him reading this book because I could understand the annoyance and the short temper. I would have been the exact same way so I’m team Frank all the way.

But * wee spoiler * seeing his relationship with Abigail blossom was so beautiful to read and it left me with that satisfying ‘everything turned out ok’ ending. Even though I was so adamant Rekulak was going to kill Frank, Abigail or Tammy off. I was literally reading the acknowledgements and still felt on edge so credit to him for his brilliant writing. I can’t wait for this book to come out, I’ll be recommending it to everyone.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. The writing is good but the story was hard to care about, mainly because I didn't connect with any of the characters, which was frustrating. I didn't have anyone to root for. I will try his other book next as that sounds more appealing to me.

Jason Rekulak’s previous book HIDDEN PICTURES was one of my favourite books from 2022 and I was so excited to see that he has a new book out in October 2024.

Those who have read the spooky and twisted Hidden Pictures need to be warned that the new book is nothing like the first, however it’s still completely addictive and it’s similar to watching a horrific car crash occur.

The Last One At The Wedding is set in New Hampshire. Frank Szatowski is the main character. He’s a hard working and dedicated employee of UPS and has been one of their top drivers for over 26 years. He’s also a widower and has one daughter, Maggie, who he has been estranged from for the past 3 years. He lives a quiet and simple life alone, but has a close bond with his sister.

When he receives a phone call out of the blue from Maggie inviting him to her upcoming wedding, he’s absolutely thrilled to be able to mend those bridges with his beloved daughter and meet her fiance, Aidan Gardner, who happens to be the son of a tech billionaire and Maggie’s boss.

You can read from the blurb above, that once Frank, his sister and her foster daughter arrive at this secluded, luxury estate for the “wedding of the century” things start to unravel and the reasons behind Frank and Maggie’s estrangement are slowly and uncomfortably revealed.

If you enjoy stories of dysfunctional families then you will LOVE this book. It features some absolutely despicable characters and some of the scenes are jaw-droppingly shocking. As much as your sympathy lies with Frank trying to re-establish his relationship with his only child, you might want to yell at him to leave the wedding party NOW and run as far as you can to escape this toxic situation.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this twisted and uncomfortable story and look forward to reading more from Jason.

My thanks as ever to the publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy.

The books begins with Maggie calling her Dad Frank who she hasn't spoken to in 3 years and inviting her to her wedding but when he has dinner with her and her fiancé Aiden he gets the impression something isn't quite right. Next he receives a photo in the post of a woman Dawn who disappeared and as he heads to the wedding for the weekend he resolves to find out what happened. Maggie is marrying in to a family with a lot of money but also one with lies and secrets. I liked Frank as a character and narrator although his relationship with his daughter was not nice to read as she treated him badly and I really felt for him. This was a good mystery thriller with a focus on family relationships. I will be recommending

Frank hasn’t heard from his daughter Maggie since so many years. When one day, she calls her father and invites him in her wedding, it gives him hope. Maggie tells him to investigate about someone from the past but when Frank gets to the bottom of the mystery, horrifying secrets unveils and the buried truth comes on the surface. When he share his concerns with Maggie, he witness something suspicious in her behaviour. Is Maggie harbouring secrets from her father? The more he gets himself involved in the mystery, the more twisted it becomes.

I love the author’s writing. The characters were mysterious and definitely not what they were appearing to be. I really liked the plot twists. Author has shared the bond of a father and daughter so well. As well as taken us in the lives of wealthy people. The ending was heartbreaking. I felt deeply for some characters. This was an unputdownable and suspenseful thriller.

Many Thanks to the publisher for giving me early access to this book. Thanks to the author as well for writing such an amazing book.

This is the latest book from the superb storyteller Jason Rekulak and oh boy it’s a real addictive read that kept me gripped and a must read for all suspense thriller readers.
The book has quite a slow burn of a beginning setting up the story and characters just perfectly to what is to come and I just couldn’t put it down.
It’s got some brilliant characters, not all likeable which is for me always a bonus as I always seem to enjoy a read more with dislikable characters for some reason but I have to say I particularly liked Frank a lot and also little Abigail and her incessant scratching !
Still being in a bit of a reading slump this was the kind of book I really needed it was so addictive, well written and just a great read and one I found myself thinking about when I wasn’t able to have time to read and that for me is the sign of a sure fire hit.
So no hesitation about giving this a massive 5 star read and one that I would highly recommend, many thanks to the author Jason Rekulak.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group, Sphere for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

If you pick this up expecting another Hidden Pictures you will be sorely disappointed. The Last One at the Wedding is very different and very hard to put down. This was another binge read for me, I was so wrapped up in the story. I have seen many reviews saying this is a slow burning mystery, but for me it was a fast paced thriller, full of such unlikeable characters.

That is except for our main character Frank and his sister, Tammy and her foster child Abigail. Frank is a UPS driver who has worked as a driver for 26 years without an accident l he lives a quiet and simple life. He has been estranged from his daughter Maggie for the past 3 years, for reasons that will become clear as the story continues. Out of the blue, he gets a call from Maggie, inviting him to her New Hampshire wedding.

Now you know things won’t go to plan, and Frank soon starts to feel that there is something not right with her fiancée and his family. Things just don’t add up, but all Franks wants is to repair his relationship with Maggie.

My goodness, this sucked me in! a remote wedding, with lots of strangers and a man who wants to spend time with his daughter, Get ready to ignore what is happening around you and get lost in this book.

Thanks so much to Little, Brown Group UK for my advanced copy of this book to read. Get this one on your TBR, published on October 8th.

Absolute masterpiece. Suspense after suspense. Nice plot twist that I didn’t see coming. Thanks to the author, publishers and Netgallery for this ARC!