I don’t know what it is about this book, but I really struggled to read it. I started it, read a little bit, and put it down. I finally forced myself to finish it, and it was rather interesting, but bland. Overall it was, wholesome and clean so if you’re a cozy mystery lover, who cannot stand any hints of impropriety, this one is definitely for you.

Part chick lit, part romance, and part food brings love, this is a book that reminds us that small towns bring more than just a slower pace, they bring community and all that entails. for Cooper and Iris, it brings them a way to make their families better, and to bring the peace they need, by working together on a community cookbook. This multi-generation book will make you smile and laugh, remembering your gran and every small town community you know. And the recipes are pretty awesome too!

This is a sweet book, that follows a lot of different characters who are all really going through something. I think the concept was really well done, but my criticism is that it's almost too much was trying to be done. Some of these really difficult topics needed more fleshing out, and perhaps if there were one or two big issues to be dealt with, instead of what felt like 8 or 9, it would have felt deeper and more satisfying. Instead the book in general ended up feeling quite superficial, even though the subject matter is heavy. I did like the small town atmosphere, Iris, and Esther most. If you enjoy a heavy topic, yet almost light book about family dynamics and difficulties, you may enjoy this one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

Welcome to Wisconsin. If you are here and complain about CHURCH LADIES cooking for grief stricken towns folk when there is a funeral, MOVE ALONG. Yes, this novel has church, faith, and Catholicism in it. That is how we live and grieve in a midwestern small town. The sadder you are, the more the church body is worried about you and will shove at you till you burst instead of asking you how you really feel.
Casseroles, hotdishes, and crockpots won't make you forget your grief BUT it will remind you that you are part of a community. And that is exactly what this novel does. Fills you up with all kinds of complex emotions that linger after life changing events. WHILE reminding you that every small tourist town you have ever been to, has a group of locals living there all year long with problems every0ne faces, regardless of where they live.

The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County is a sweet, yet sad novel about family ties, Set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Iris returns from college to her hometown and her family to begin a freelance graphic design business which allows her to buy a vacation rental and her own home. When the estranged wife of a famous celebrity chef returns to Ellerie County to be buried, Iris rents her vacation home to the family. Multiple story lines develop: Iris's grandmother, who works with other Catholic church ladies to provide homemade food for merciful dinners, gets scammed by an Internet scheme; Iris begins a relationship with Cooper, son of the famous chef; Cooper is a paramedic recovering from the trauma of a mass-shooting; and Cooper's sister, Cricket, is grieving her mother's death. All these family stories are woven together over the seasons in a small Wisconsin town, where everyone sits with a Miller Lite, Spotted Cow, or brandy old-fashioned to discuss life's problems.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

This book touches on the themes of gun violence, PTSD, domestic violence, emotional abuse, death, cancer, and alcoholism which may be triggering for some readers.

When I started this book, I’ll admit I fell in the majority and thought it was going to be a feel good novel about some elderly women who create a cookbook as a sweet fundraiser. However, THE FUNERAL LADIES OF ELLERIE COUNTY was so much more than that.

Swinarski did a masterful job of weaving together the stories of three generations of a loving family and two generations of a broken one. The underlying message of devotion and sacrifice was beautifully told through the parallel of Ester and Iris’ relationships, as well as the idea of breaking an abuse cycle.

This book was funny, touching, tear-jerking, and uplifting– and it serves as a wonderful reminder of the importance of community and the perseverance of love.

"Armed with a Crock-Pot and a pile of recipes, a grandmother, her granddaughter, and a mysterious young man work to bring a community together in this uplifting novel for readers of The Chicken Sisters.

Esther Larson has been cooking for funerals in the Northwoods of Wisconsin for seventy years. Known locally as the "funeral ladies," she and her cohort have worked hard to keep the mourners of Ellerie County fed - it is her firm belief that there is very little a warm casserole and a piece of cherry pie can't fix. But, after falling for an internet scam that puts her home at risk, the proud Larson family matriarch is the one in need of help these days.

Iris, Esther's whip-smart Gen Z granddaughter, would do anything for her family and her community. As she watches her friends and family move out of their lakeside town onto bigger and better things, Iris wonders why she feels so left behind in the place she is desperate to make her home. But when Cooper Welsh shows up, she finally starts to feel like she's found the missing piece of her puzzle.

Cooper is dealing with becoming a legal guardian to his younger half-sister after his beloved stepmother dies. While their celebrity-chef father is focused on his booming career and top-ranked television show, Cooper is still hurting from a public tragedy he witnessed last year as a paramedic and finding it hard to cope. With Iris in the gorgeous Ellerie County, though, he hopes he might finally find the home he's been looking for.

It doesn't seem like a community cookbook could possibly solve their problems, especially one where casseroles have their own section and cream of chicken soup mix is the most frequently used ingredient. But when you mix the can-do spirit of Midwestern grandmothers with the stubborn hope of a boy raised by food plus a dash of long-awaited forgiveness - things might just turn out okay."

I will read anything set in Wisconsin. Anything.

Esther Larson has been cooking for funerals for many years. There is a group of elderly ladies that always cook for funerals at the Catholic church. Iris her granddaughter has taught her how to use a smart phone and she is very proud of herself.
Most of the young people leave Ellerie County and don't return. Iris did return to her hometown and now has a job to work from home and is getting a house ready to rent to vacationers.
Cooper Welsh has come to town for his stepmother's funeral. She was raised there and wanted to be buried there. His father is a world-famous chef and never had time for Cooper or his sister.
Cooper and his sister stay in town to clean out the storage locker his stepmother rented, and his father is staying with them. Cooper is not happy with his father.
This book has a lot of stories within stories. It held my interest; but was not exactly the story I thought it would be. Cooper has PTSD from his job as a paramedic; his father is keeping secrets and Esther is also hiding secrets.

A sweet story set in Wisconsin. I loved this book because of its contents - food and family dynamics. I wanted to read this book because of the cover - it is colorful and cheerful. The story matched that energy - I wanted to hang out with Esther and be her friend. My one gripe with it is that it handled PTSD with care but went on and on about it. I recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon & Harper Voyager, Avon, and the author Claire Swinarski for the ARC of The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about a small tourist town in northern Wisconsin. It was filled with tons of small town feels. The story was full of lifetime friendships, deep family bonds, small town loyalty, and lots of small town drama.

It mainly focused on a family of strong independent women who stuck together through thick and thin. The queen bee of the family, Esther, was known for her amazing pies and other delicious baked goods. She and her friends became known as The Funeral Ladies, because they were in charge of the baking and set up for funeral services at their local church. Their husbands were all out of the picture and they depended on one another for socialization and help when they needed it.

Another strong female character was Esther's granddaughter Iris. She loved her grandmother with all of her heart and she did everything in her power to help her adapt to a fulfilling life without her husband. When something unexpected happened, Esther learned just how much she needed to depend on her family and friends for help.

When Iris finds a new love it's her grandma who helped her to see that sometimes making a relationship work is all about timing. In the end she listened to her grandma and in turn she realized true love is worth waiting for.

I highly recommend this book, especially to those people who grew up in small towns with the love of family and friends all around them.

The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County reads like a Hallmark movie in the best way. It was a heartfelt, comforting read. I enjoyed the inter-generational storyline, and especially loved the chapters told from Esther's point of view. I was surprised at the depth of some of the topics, including PTSD and death of a parent, and thought they were handled well.

I didn't love the "twist" that happened around 80% - I didn't think it was needed. I also found that the jumps forward in time were tough to follow at times and could have been smoother. There were lots of references to Catholicism and religion. I'm a practicing Catholic and found these references easy to follow, but could see how other readers of different faiths might become confused or unsure of certain meanings.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and will read more by this author.

Cute and very wholesome. I saw another reviewer say this book is like a Hallmark movie, which I can agree with. Hallmark movies are basically just good vibes, with minor conflicts for plot progression, and that is how this book is. You can't get too caught up on minor details or if things are unrealistic. I have had this ARC for quite a while and it took me a good amount of time for me to get to/finish; it is not my typical read. Thank you this advanced copy.

3.5: For fans of virgin river, here’s a laugh-out-loud intergenerational story featuring the ellerie county funeral ladies aka the funniest and snarkiest grandmas ever (I LOVE THEM!) i found myself chuckling throughout this story! This book definitely surprised me - i was expecting a funny lighthearted story (and it was at times) but it also explored complex topics, like PTSD and trauma, with care! I only wish the story didn’t end! I hope to see these characters again soon!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for this e-ARC!

I loved this book!! All of the food sounded amazing, and Esther reminded me so much of my grandmother. This book was such a delight to read, perfect for those who don’t like any spice in their books. Ellerie County sounds like the most peaceful place! Highly recommend! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

I dnfed this book. It was not obvious that the book was a Christian book. I think that book descriptions need to make this clearer

Claire Swinarski's The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County unfolds a heartwarming tale set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where three generations of Larson women navigate life's challenges with a Crock-Pot, cherished recipes, and a steadfast sense of community. Esther Larson, the matriarch with seventy years of funeral cooking expertise, becomes the unexpected focus when an internet scam jeopardizes her home. The narrative weaves through small-town life, exploring the dynamics between Gen Z and baby boomers, and delves into complex familial bonds. The charm lies in the author's authentic portrayal of Wisconsin's cultural nuances, peppered with references to Kwik Trip, Spotted Cow, and Culver's. While the book expertly handles themes of PTSD and other weighty subjects, the juxtaposition of resilience, tradition, and the power of a well-cooked casserole makes The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County a delightful and poignant exploration of Midwestern life and community.

I absolutely loved this book. It was really well written and it was also surprising. Thank you for the arc. I really appreciate it.

3.5 Stars

First off, there are lots of potential triggers hidden behind this deceptively cheerful cover! PTSD, gun violence, physical violence, emotional abuse, alcoholism, parental death, cancer, child neglect, car accident, and of course grief. There is also a heavy reliance on religion, specifically Catholicism.

I wasn't expecting this to become such a heavy story. I went in thinking it would be along the lines of a TJ Klune book but it surprised me by becoming much darker. There was an undercurrent of hope and a beautiful emphasis on the importance of community but for me it wasn't enough to salvage the feel of the story. It kind of read like the author had multiple ideas they were trying to decide between and ended up choosing to use them all instead. It ended up being both too much and not enough in the end. I didn't hate this book, but there were parts of it I certainly didn't love.

When I first started this title, I questioned why I had picked another story filled with death and loss. Thankfully, while there are moments where that is part of the plot, it isn't overwhelming the overall story.

The story follows not just the 'funeral ladies', but more specifically the extended family of Esther Larson as well as the family of the recently deceased Annabelle. You dive into nuances of relationships, both long-standing and new. The author also tackles the struggles faced after trauma, both by the person who experienced the traumatic event and those who love them.

I wanted to stay up late to keep reading just a little bit more until the entire novel had been devoured. As a Catholic, I appreciated the inclusion of the Catholic faith and how it can be different across generations. While there is a story of romance in the novel, it is not a 'rom-com' style. Rather, it is gritty and more real in its portrayal.

I am now eager to read other titles written by Claire Swinarski.

Wow I loved this read. The book really got me thinking about who will become the funeral ladies in the next few years. These ladies loved fixing food for others that had problems and may have been suffering a loss. The relationships that this book brought together and the ones it restored was wonderful. A great book to read in one setting.