When Frank's estranged daughter Maggie calls him out of the blue after 3 years to reveal she's getting married and wants him to walk her down the aisle he's shocked and excited. Until he meets Maggies fiance and his family and realises all is not as it seems

This had me gripped and I flew through it in a couple of hours the twists and turns had me shook I had no idea where this was going and every guess I made was wrong. I didn't enjoy this as much as hidden pictures but I still think it was an intriguing thrilling story and highly recommend

A few years ago, I first encountered Jason Rekulak’s work through Hidden Pictures—a book that masterfully combines a spine-chilling thriller with eerie illustrations. To this day, I rave about it and recommend it to anyone looking for something truly unique. So, when I discovered that Rekulak was releasing a new book, I immediately added myself to the reading queue. My excitement was through the roof, but as I started reading, my enthusiasm slowly faded...

The premise is captivating: a grand wedding, lavish and ostentatious—some might even call it the wedding of the century. The bride and groom appear to have the world at their feet. The groom’s father finances almost the entire event, while the bride’s father is convinced something sinister is afoot. Enter Frank Szatowski, a widower estranged from his daughter Maggie for years until he receives an unexpected call inviting him to the wedding. Maggie is engaged to the son of one of the world’s wealthiest men, and her life seems like a fairytale. But is Frank ready to give his daughter away? The real question isn’t about consent—it’s about maintaining the facade of a functional family.

Determined to play the role of the loving father, Frank bends over backward to mend the broken relationship. Yet, the more he learns about Maggie’s life and her new fiancé, the more conflicted he becomes. What exactly is his daughter involved in? What do these extravagant nuptials truly signify? And what about the mysterious disappearance of a woman allegedly tied to Maggie’s fiancé? Welcome to the wedding of Maggie Szatowski and Aidan Gardner—a celebration hosted in a venue with its own time zone.

The best way to describe the emotions evoked by this book is an overwhelming sense of gray confusion. So much potential, so many secrets, so much sizzling tension that, somehow, never quite lands. Perhaps I approached the book with the wrong expectations, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something essential was missing.

Frank is a lonely widower who has seemingly lost his only child by Maggie’s own choice. Now, with Maggie back in his life, he’s willing to do anything to rebuild their bond. But as the story unfolds, one can’t help but wonder: Should there be limits to what a parent sacrifices? Are all of Maggie’s requests reasonable? Blood may be thicker than water, but oh, common sense—where were you?

The prose flows effortlessly, making the book an easy and engaging read. With a limited number of characters, it’s simple to follow the plot. Yet, despite these positives, I found myself nitpicking. Why did Frank give in so easily? Why did the police let Maggie off the hook? Why does no one seem to notice the glaring red flags? How plausible is it that someone in this day and age would hand-draw a map—and how did they know to do it in advance? With such a massive event and a large guest list, how is Frank the only one who notices anything unusual?

I could compile a long list of these stumbling points, as there were strangely many. While I genuinely enjoyed the plot, I couldn’t shake the impression that I was reading an early draft rather than a finished product. Compared to Rekulak’s previous work, Hidden Pictures remains the standout for me.

Jason Rekulak’s The Last One at the Wedding is a twisty, gripping thriller that seamlessly blends suspense with deep emotional resonance. If you're a fan of Succession and The Guest List, then this book is sure to keep you hooked from start to finish. A true triumph, Rekulak’s latest offering expertly combines high-society drama, dark family secrets, and unforgettable twists into one explosive narrative.

The story centers around Frank Szatowski, a father who has been estranged from his daughter, Maggie, for years. When Maggie unexpectedly calls him to invite him to her wedding, Frank is overjoyed at the chance to reconnect. Maggie is marrying into one of the wealthiest families in the country, and Frank finds himself thrust into a world of luxury and high society. Desperate to bond with Maggie and her in-laws, Frank arrives at their lavish New Hampshire estate with hope in his heart.

However, it doesn’t take long for Frank to realize that things are not as perfect as they seem. While the wedding festivities unfold in extravagant style, Frank begins to notice unsettling things about Maggie’s fiancé—and it’s soon clear that the weekend is about to take a much darker turn. With secrets swirling and hidden agendas at play, Frank is forced to confront the complexities of his relationship with Maggie and the powerful family she is marrying into.

Rekulak has a knack for creating compelling, multi-dimensional characters, and The Last One at the Wedding is no exception. Frank’s love for his daughter, his awkwardness in a world he doesn't belong to, and his determination to right past wrongs make him an empathetic and relatable protagonist. As the tension builds, you’ll find yourself rooting for Frank, even as the mysteries surrounding Maggie’s fiancé intensify.

What makes this thriller stand out is not just its heart-pounding suspense, but the emotional depth Rekulak brings to the table. The story isn’t just about uncovering dark secrets; it’s about a father’s yearning to mend his broken relationship with his daughter and to navigate the complexities of family, forgiveness, and second chances. As the plot twists and turns, The Last One at the Wedding proves that Rekulak knows exactly how to keep readers on edge while delivering a powerful emotional payoff.

This book is more than just a standard thriller—it’s a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with rich characters, family drama, and jaw-dropping surprises. With a pace that will keep you turning pages late into the night, The Last One at the Wedding is a must-read for anyone looking for a binge-worthy, heart-racing thriller with substance. Highly recommended for fans of intricate thrillers with a big heart and even bigger surprises.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

3.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2024/12/28/review-the-last-one-at-the-wedding-by-jason-rekulak/
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Entertaining, well written domestic thriller

The Last One at the Wedding was an easy read, it kept me moving forward at a decent pace and the story was intriguing but I didn’t enjoy it as much as Hidden Pictures and I did have a few small issues that prevented me from loving it. That being said, the writing is good, and as already mentioned, this definitely kept my attention. I will certainly be watching very carefully to see what this author comes up with next.

As the story begins we meet Frank. He’s been estranged from his daughter Maggie for three years now so when he receives a phone call from her – inviting him to her wedding – he’s overjoyed. At this point we’re not sure about much of the history between father and daughter so I won’t relay any of that here as it’s best discovered as the plot unfolds. So, the surprise news is that Maggie has only known her intended, Aidan, for six months. Frank is keen to meet his future son in law and sets off eagerly to join them both for a quiet dinner. Unfortunately, Frank isn’t at first enamoured by Aiden who seems detached and not exactly welcoming. The dinner goes okay but it certainly doesn’t settle Frank’s doubts. Not only is this a very new relationship but as it also happens Aidan’s father is very, very rich. It did kind of give me warning bells why he’d be rushing into this so frantically but I put it to one side for the moment.

As the wedding weekend draws closer, Frank receives a picture of a missing girl – a girl linked to Aidan – and his doubts increase. But, at the same time he doesn’t want to alienate Maggie too much and so he sets off for Osprey Cove – where the event of the season will be taking place – with his sister and foster child in tow.

Now, I’m not going to go any further into the plot because I don’t want to give away any spoilers.

This is well written, I enjoy the author’s style very much indeed – enough so that it kept me reading even though I wouldn’t exactly say that the story itself was particularly exciting In a way this felt more like lots of little blips, driven by Frank’s unease about the situation and the fact that he wanted to protect his daughter – whether she wanted, or needed, him to or not.

The characters. I struggled a little with them all to be honest. Frank isn’t particularly unlikable but nor is he easy to become attached to. He’s a bit like a dog with a bone when it comes to his doubts and, to be fair, he has a strong case but he seems to bash around like a bull in a china shop – in fact I think a bull might be a tad more subtle. Maggie. We spend very little time with her and she is decidedly detached when it comes to Frank, everything she does feels very much like a token gesture. Aiden’s family. Well, Aiden’s father is an over privileged man with so much money that he’s started to believe he can do anything without reprisal and he’s surrounded by a bunch of ‘yes’ people. His wife is practically non-existent. She apparently suffers with migraines and remains locked away (like the mad aunt in the attic!). Frank’s sister. I wanted to like her but some of her decisions were also a little bit suspect.

Osprey Cove belongs to Aidan’s family and is a deluxe retreat with multiple cabins and places to hold an event. The wedding is a society affair with over 300 people attending and there are almost as many staff – although sometimes it had the feeling of a very attractive prison camp. I liked the setting, it had elements enough to make it spooky and atmospheric.

In terms of criticisms. Well, they’re mostly little issues, but the sort of thing that nag away at the back of my mind. And, I don’t really think it’s fair to other readers to list them here. Without being a spoiler I think a combination of difficult to like characters, a bit of a thin plot, and a slightly odd ending left me with the overall impression that this was an easy and entertaining read but not something that I absolutely loved.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

Jason Rekulak’s The Last One at the Wedding is a masterful blend of psychological suspense and family drama that captivates from the first page. The narrative follows Frank Szatowski, a dedicated UPS driver estranged from his daughter, Maggie. When Maggie unexpectedly invites him to her wedding at a secluded estate, Frank seizes the chance to mend their fractured relationship. However, upon arrival, he discovers unsettling secrets about his daughter’s fiancé and his affluent family, propelling the story into a gripping exploration of trust, deception, and paternal love.

Rekulak’s storytelling is both engaging and thought-provoking, delving into the complexities of familial bonds and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones. The character development is particularly noteworthy; Frank emerges as a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, whose determination and vulnerability resonate deeply. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic in-laws and the ever-curious Abigail, add depth and intrigue to the narrative.

The novel’s structure, divided into sections that mirror the milestones of the wedding weekend, enhances the pacing and builds suspense effectively. Each chapter propels the reader further into a web of secrets and lies, culminating in revelations that are both surprising and satisfying. Rekulak’s prose is sharp and evocative, painting vivid scenes that immerse the reader in the opulent yet ominous setting of the Gardner family’s estate.

Overall, The Last One at the Wedding is a compelling read that seamlessly intertwines suspense with heartfelt storytelling. I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t enjoy this as much as Hidden Pictures. I really wasn’t sure where the whole thing was going and just didn’t grasp the same but had to finish it. The ending left me with a WTH???

I enjoyed Frank and Abigail’s relationship and would have been good to see a bit more about Aidan’s side not just snippets, though they were enough to give some clues.

There were some good twist and plots but just not enough on this occasion to win me over

I received this as an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review

I read this right after THE WEDDING PEOPLE, and wowee, I'll never look at weddings the same way. I enjoyed the weird, wildness of Rekulak's HIDDEN PICTURES, and while this was a whole lot different, and way less horror-y, it was a rollicking way to spend a Saturday.

I'd heard great things about this author's previous hit, Hidden Pictures, so I couldn't resist trying this new release. I do think this one is a little different. I had expected it to be more horror with supernatural elements - in fact, it's more of a domestic psychological suspense.

However, it is a great suspenseful story, complete with a wedding drama and complex family ties and politics. It's told from the perspective of Frank, who is thrilled to be reunited with his estranged daughter Maggie when she calls to let him know she's getting married.

But when he learns his future son-in-law comes from the family of a tech billionaire and the wedding is taking place on their own luxury island, he feels out of his depth and starts to suspect something is amiss with the rushed nuptials.

I loved the character of Frank - he feels like a realistic and very typical Dad figure. He's determined to do the best for his daughter despite not always seeing eye to eye. But, he's extremely set in his ways and beliefs and sometimes just a little naïveg. Frank is a UPS driver and proud - he values his job and his hard-earned money. When he's thrust into an indulgent world of luxury, he finds it disconcerting. The divide between the extremely rich and the regular person is thrown under the spotlight here.

As Frank desperately attempts to reconnect with Maggie and bond with her new beau, he learns more about the wealthy family than he'd bargained for. There are twists and turns as tragedy strikes the wedding and some disturbing scenes along the way but, at its heart, this is is a story about family politics and relationships. There's touching moments too, as Frank realises the value of his true family and, overall, this is an entertaining read with plenty of twists and a big heart.

I listened to this book on audio, and the narration is very good and engaging. Frank is invited to his daughter’s wedding to a very wealthy family. Along comes Tammy his sister and her foster daughter Abigail. What follows is a kind of thriller , where everyone and everything is not as it seems . Frank is a typical father who thinks his daughter can do no wrong . He is honest and hard working with good morals, We soon find out that money can buy anything and some people will do anything for money. I loved Tammy , she brought some humour into the story , her relationship with Frank was a light relief from all the deceit . Everything pieces together at the end , but I did have a problem with the timeline , a lot happens in such a short space of time , which I felt was unrealistic. However I enjoyed listening to this and would recommend.

I loved this book - it is a unique mystery that looks into an estranged fathers relationship with his daughter, and keeps you guessing throughout. I would recommend this

Frank Szatowski is shocked when his daughter, Maggie, calls him for the first time in three years. He was convinced that their estrangement would become permanent. He’s even more surprised when she invites him to her upcoming wedding in New Hampshire. Frank is ecstatic, and determined to finally make things right. The wedding is on a huge secluded private estate. From his first meeting with Maggie's Husband and to be Frank has a feeling something is very wrong and starts to dig but he has no idea what he is about to uncover and that he may destroy his relationship with his daughter forever.

Do not go into this book expecting anything like Hidden Pictures as this book is nothing like that. I had a great time reading this and was hooked from the start and literally spent a whole day reading this book start to finish. Jason Rekulak will definitely be an auto buy author for me going forward.

Thank you to Netgalley, Jason Rekulak and Little Brown Book Group for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this and as my first encounter with this author I'm excited to see what other works they have produced. I did find some of the flash back style moments are little confusing but eventually got used to the way it was laid out.

I think there was a decent pace and the ending did leave me wanting more.

4★

Thank you, NetGalley, for the e-ARC of this book!

I'm actually surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It's definitely not a new favorite, but I liked it so much I read the whole thing in two days.

This is a domestic thriller, and it contains a lot of family drama—in fact, it's very focused on that. But for some reason, I really liked that aspect. I mean, I knew about this when picking it up, but I've never read anything like this before.

The writing was really great and easy to follow. Even parts that could've been boring never bored me, and I feel like we got a lot of backstory for each character. I really liked that it felt like the main character was telling us this whole story. There were a lot of twists and turns, and I really did not expect the ending.

I also have to say I really liked the setting and the characters. All of the characters felt very real to me.

Overall, a fun domestic thriller to give a try. I really enjoyed this.

Such an easy read. I liked the style of writing. Straight away I could see this being made into a movie. At around 60% - boom, the first twist. Which was great by the way. Did NOT see that coming.
This is all about a father’s love for his daughter, his morals and what he’d do to protect her. I actually really liked Frank’s character.
The last line though…. I felt like I’d missed something and read the last couple of pages again in case I’d missed something? No. That’s just how it ends.
Book was published 8th October so is available to read now.
Thanks to NetGalley UK and Little Brown Book group for the ARC.

I didn't enjoy this as much as I was expecting to. I wasn't sure I was interested enough in the characters to care enough about what was happening and it wasn't as gripping as I had hoped.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this ARC. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to reading. Ore from Jason!

I really enjoyed this slow burning mystery. I liked it was from the dads perspective, gave a different take on it which I could relate to especially when it spoke about being family and being blinded to the negatives sometimes.

I think I am one of the few people who haven’t yet read Hidden Pictures, it has been lurking in my tbr for quite a while. So I was eager to read Jason Rekulak’s follow up, The Last One at the Wedding.

Frank Szatowski is a regular American guy. He takes pride in his long running career with UPS, and is thrilled when his estranged daughter calls him out of the blue. He is surprised to hear that she is getting married, to a man she has been dating for a short time. This news sets off Frank’s protective father radar, an alarm which proves to be hard to silence.

The characters are well developed, strong, and in most cases, highly unlikeable. So many of the characters constantly made questionable decisions, that I wanted to give most of them a good shake. Abigail was my favourite, so innocent and vulnerable. Her dedication to wanting to do her very best, with the assistance of her book, was so heartwarming. Especially set against the less pleasant individuals.

I found the book to be tense and gripping. My attention was held as I was so eager to find out what was going on. I was firmly in Team Frank, nothing about Maggie and Aidan’s wedding felt right to me. The ending wraps everything up, with no irritating lose ends blowing in the breeze.

The Last One at the Wedding is a strong 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. When I read the line that contained the title, my heart broke a little.

This was my first Jason Rekulak novel and it did not disappoint.

A great character driven suspense thriller with a slow start bit picks up to a medium to fast pace that just kept me wanting to read more.

An original storyline I've not come across before, unpredictable, suspenseful with great plot twists which I loved.

The book follows estranged father and daughter, Frank and Maggie and their very unexpected reunion at her wedding.

A whole lot of trouble ensues and we meet some very unsavoury characters along the way.

I loved everything about Frank's character and was rooting for him through the whole book.

A highly recommended read.
4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.