Wasp's Nest - by Kat Stoddard (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A modern retelling of The Philadelphia Story, Wasp's Nest is a witty, gripping love triangle unfolding over the course of seven chaotic days at a Cape Cod wedding

Tess wants nothing more than for her upcoming society wedding to overshadow the failure of her first marriage. Her fiancé Warren, a steady soon-to-be state senator, is nothing like her first husband. Tess's relationship with working-class artist Peter was a passionate crash-and-burn, and a chapter of her life that she's ready to forget.

Peter hasn't seen Tess in five years, so he's shocked to receive an invitation to her wedding. But he's moved on too, and it wouldn't hurt to prove it by showing up with a handsome younger man as his plus-one. Mitch, an aspiring writer, is intrigued by Peter and jumps at the chance to pry into the lives of his Waspy ex-in-laws. What he's not bargained for is developing serious feelings for both Peter and Peter's ex--Tess, the bride. But Peter and Tess have complex desires of their own, and Mitch is dangerously close to uncovering them.

Wasp's Nest is a fast-paced, humorous, and heartfelt exploration of the shape of our affections that proves real love triangles connect on all sides.

Review Quotes

"While it may take a nod from The Philadelphia Story, Wasp's Nest stands on its own as a hugely engaging comedy of manners. The prose is crystalline and the dialogue is screen worthy, but what's most impressive is Kat Stoddard's gift for digging deep into her characters' souls and dissecting their desires. The result is a keen examination of love in all its modern and messy complexities and a tremendously entertaining debut."
--Grant Ginder, author of The People We Hate at the Wedding

"From the moment I opened Wasp's Nest it was impossible to put down, and I missed the characters as soon as I closed it. Alternating among three perspectives of an endearingly atypical love triangle, Stoddard has created an exquisitely layered masterpiece--not unlike an actual wasp's nest. The novel pulses with anticipation and personality from start to end, with sharp, vivid prose, witty dialogue, and cutting insights on class, relationships, and the ways in which we hide from ourselves. The tension between these fully rendered and utterly human characters left me tearing through this gorgeous and tender portrait of young love. Rooney-esque and compulsively readable. I can't wait for whatever Stoddard does next."
--Emily J. Smith, author of Nothing Serious

About the Author