As I started to approach the home of Sue Leone, I could hear those wedding bells. Can you hear them too? Or maybe it was just the melodic clink of wine glasses being poured in preparation for the feast that awaited. Either way, romance was in the air—and by romance, I mean the kind that happens between a person and a plate of Italian food.

In lieu of gifts, guests were showered with homemade Italian wedding soup, prepared with the kind of love, patience, and seasoning that can only come from generations of whispered family secrets.

The meatballs? Oh, my friends. These weren’t your average Tuesday night meatballs. No—these were started on Sunday. That’s right, they were slow-cooked longer than some of us have been members of this club. The sauce was rich, deep, and probably whispered ancient Italian wisdom while it simmered. The Caprese salad was a fresh, colorful interlude—mozzarella so creamy it practically apologized for the book we were about to discuss.

One of the most delightful touches was the board displaying all of us as brides—it was a wonderful addition that had everyone laughing and guessing who was who. It added a playful and personal charm to the evening that perfectly complemented the festivities.

Following the vows of “I’m full,” guests were invited to indulge in the pièce de résistance: a chocolate mousse wedding cake. A dessert so decadent that second helpings were not only encouraged but socially required.

Now… the book. Alison Espach’s The Wedding People had a reception about as mixed as an open bar at a real wedding. Some of us liked it, some of us didn’t, and a few of us were quietly checking the page count like it was the time until the buffet opened. But here’s where Sue Leone proved she is, indeed, the Beyoncé of book club hosts. With a stack of perfectly sharp discussion questions, she turned our “meh” into a lively, laugh-filled exchange. We had so much fun with the questions and choices!

By the end, it was official: while The Wedding People may not have been everyone’s literary love story, the night itself was a five-tier-cake-level success. In fact, it will go down as this year’s all-time great Hidden Lake Book Club gatherings!!

And so, dear friends, we raised our glasses (and our forks) to another Hidden Lake Book Club evening where the conversation was spirited, the plates were spotless, and the laughter was loud enough to register with the local wildlife. The Wedding People may have been a divisive read, but Sue Leone’s kitchen hospitality ensured no one left hungry—in body or spirit.

 This union of good food, good books, and good company is officially pronounced delicious. You may now kiss the chocolate mousse.