In The Thread’s Ask a Bookseller series, we talk to independent booksellers across the country to find out what books they’re most excited about right now.

Maggie Robe of Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC, loves a good character-driven novel. She recommends Alison Espach’s new black comedy, “The Wedding People.”

Espach gained recognition for her novels The Adults and Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance, and TriStar has already optioned a film adaptation of this new work.

The novel is the story of a second chance for Phoebe Stone, who checks into a beautiful hotel in Newport, Rhode Island. She is fleeing a broken marriage and has plans to end her life. She finds that she has booked the only room that is not already occupied by a wedding party. The bride has a whole week of events planned for her guests.

Although Phoebe and the bride are about 20 years apart and at very different stages of life, they form a friendship. And not only that: the wedding guests – all unforgettable characters – also keep talking to Phoebe and reminding her of reasons to live again.

Maggie says it is a joyful book despite the dark subject matter at the beginning:

“It’s just a really entertaining story, very different. It’s about finally speaking your mind, understanding yourself and being brave enough to do that and just live life. I love good characters that just entertain me and make me laugh and cry. It was a great summer read.”