One of my favorite things about being a book reviewer is being exposed to books I probably never would have picked up on my own. I never imagined falling in love with a book that had the word “Funeral” in the title, and I didn’t think it was possible to giggle and swoon while reading a book that included such heavy subject matter. But here we are! Ellie Palmer did a beautiful job of balancing out the humor with the emotional aspects of the story, and really made me fall in love with these characters and their individual stories.

Our heroine, Alison, opted for a preventative double mastectomy after she tested positive for the BRCA 1 mutation. She’s grappling with survivor’s guilt and feels she must live a big, meaningful life in order to feel worthy of escaping death. To her, this means she must live a life of adventure even though she’d rather be at home on the couch than out camping and hiking in the mud. She’s essentially trapped in a life she doesn’t feel worthy to have, living it in a way that isn’t true to who she is. Her feelings about her life and her new body are so raw and poignant and they really touched my heart. She’s so strong and has been through so much. She’s still navigating through the changes of losing her breasts, and is facing an uncertain future as she considers other life-altering procedures to further preserve her health. I felt for her so much, and really identified with parts of what she’s going through. As a way to fuel the adventure in her life, she dated an adventurous, adrenaline-seeking guy named Sam for a while. Ultimately, they were too different and broke up shortly before his sudden passing. Instead of telling his family of their break-up, though, Sam let them think that he was getting ready to put down roots and get married. It’s not until she arrives at Sam’s funeral that Alison learns that they all believe her to be his grieving almost-fiancée. At the request of Sam’s sister, she plays along with the charade and ends up volunteering to help his best friend, Adam, pack up his things and prepare his home to go on the market. And that’s how she ends up spending a funeral and four weekends with him.

I loved the set-up for this story. It’s so unique and has so much depth. You’ve got two people grieving in very different ways, going through many different emotions, all while this layer of untruth rests on top of them. As they work together, they develop this special connection that begins as a timid friendship and blossoms into something far deeper than that. Alison is trying so hard to check off all the boxes in the life she thinks she should be living that she isn’t completely sure of what she wants. She’s confused and struggles to be herself. Adam is trying not to think any romantic thoughts about Alison because she’s his best friend’s girlfriend, so he’s grumpy, standoffish, and alternates between hot and cold. But you can tell he cares about her and wants to know everything there is to know about her. As she opens up more about who she is and what she wants in life, he’s so accepting and compassionate. It’s a bit of a rocky road for them at times, but it felt real and they felt it was worth fighting for. I loved seeing them develop and heal separately as well as together. The romance between the two of them is quietly powerful and very, very sweet. It’s sexy and swoony, with no spice. Any heat is behind closed doors.

This book takes place over the holidays, so there’s festive cheer in the form of Christmas carols, a cookie party, and snow sprinkled throughout. I loved those moments so much. There’s lots of humor and light moments juxtaposed with more serious topics and conversations between Alison and Adam as well as Alison and her mom. Trivia nights play a big role in the story, which gives us lots of time with Allie’s friends (she has some really amazing girlfriends), all of whom were really fun. These people take their trivia very seriously! Alison is really funny, too! I laughed out loud at some of the things she said. There’s talk of Pizza Hut’s Book-It personal pan pizza program, gel pens, Christmas music that can never be played too early in the year, a run-in with a difficult parking enforcer, school concert shenanigans, loving someone means never running out of Girl Scout Cookies, and a cat named Colonel Corduroy. So. Much. To love.

The ending was magical and everything I wanted. I absolutely adored Four Weekends and a Funeral, and my love for it kind of snuck up on me as I immersed myself more into the story. It’s emotional and heartwarming and so unbelievably tender and sweet. And funny! It felt like reading a classic rom-com like While You Were Sleeping (which seriously, I swear this book was inspired by that movie because I feel like I found a million Easter eggs for it… Adam builds furniture and there’s even a mention of leaning at one point. If you know you know.). I highly recommend it, and am shelving it with all my other favorite romances!

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

I was really looking forward to reading this book. Sadly it didn’t work for me. It’s hard for me too put in to words what exactly didn’t work for me, probably the characters.
The premise wich sounded interesting and was why I picked the book up, weren’t enough to make this work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Sorry I don’t have more to say.

A captivating mix of humor, romance, and emotional depth that hooked me at the start. The writing is clever and witty and I enjoyed the relationship characters along with their idiosyncrasies. A perfect mix of laughter and tears.
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

After feeling like she cheated cancer and isn't enough for ex, Alison finds herself playing the role of girlfriend at her ex's funeral. Determined to pull off the role, she finds herself volunteering to pack up her dead ex's apartment with his best friend, Adam. No problem, she can keep up the facade for a few more weeks... Right?

Ultimately this is a story about identity, loss, and guilt. Alison is attempting to be deserving of her life now that she's mitigated her cancer risk. Adam is trying to make up for a fight that will never get resolved. Both are trying their hardest but can see straight through the other. It's easy to give advice when it's not your own life.

Overall I really enjoyed this book! I enjoyed the complicated and non-linear journey Alison went on. I loved how her friends both had her back and weren't afraid to call her out. The romance was a slow build (I mean, he is her dead ex's best friend) and had the perfect amount of yearning. And the best part is that it balanced the emotional parts with humor very well. Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an arc for an honest review

I unfortunately did not enjoy this one! I had high hopes because of all the reviews I had seen, but I couldn’t get into the story. I didn’t feel invested in the characters and I didn’t feel much chemistry between them. I sadly could not finish this one and I dnf’d it at 30%. I might give it another try at a different time!

Four Weekends and a Funeral
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Ellie Palmer

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Penguin Group and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: The right guy at the dead wrong time.

When thirty-year-old post-double-mastectomy BRCA 1 carrier and reluctant thrill-seeker Alison Mullally arrives at her ex-boyfriend Sam’s funeral to find that no one knows he dumped her, she agrees to play the grieving girlfriend for the sake of the family and pack up Sam’s apartment with his prickly best friend, Adam Berg. After all, it’ll only take four weekends . . .

But Adam doesn’t want Alison anywhere near him. Forced to spend long hours with the grump, and his monosyllabic demeanor, Alison decides she must put her people-pleasing abilities to the test. She will make him like her. And after awkward family affairs and packing up dilemmas, the two form a tenuous friendship . . . if “friendship” means incredible chemistry and tension between them. Can Alison come clean and finally embrace the life and love she's always wanted? Or will her little white lie get in the way of her new, unexpected romance?

My Thoughts: Alison and Sam dated for a while but broke up months before his death. He never told his family about their breakup so Alison plays the role of the supportive girlfriend and agrees to pack up his apartment with his friend, Adam’s help, per Sam’s family’s request. Adam does not like her and has immediate grumpiness vibes. Allison is determined to get Adam to be friends so they can get through the four weekends to pack up his apartment and get it ready to be rented. Will this new friendship blossom into more, especially the chemistry that is shared between them? Or will the lie of them being together before he died be too great to overcome? This follows the tropes of grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and closed door romance.

The story is narrated by Alison, in first person POV, through her eyes. The story embeds a heavy topic of the BRCA gene that may not be relatable to all readers with a complicated mother/daughter relationship. The BRCA gene mutation increases the likelihood of ovarian cancer, as well as pancreatic cancer. There are two mutations and each mutation carries other cancer risks. Some of the ways to prevent (not 100%) cancer is to have a double mastectomy, as well as having your ovaries, cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes removed. Another reader goes into to more details on this gene in her review and does an amazing job at it. Alison has had the double mastectomy done and is contemplating getting her ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus removed. Alison has a very positive outlook on life, despite her circumstances. Adam’s character was perfect for the grumpy role. He has a tough exterior, but once you warm up to him, he is kind, endearing, and swoony. The characters were created with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and dealt with the sensitive/heavy topic(s) well. The supporting characters of Allison’s friends, Mara and Chelsea, were amazing and really elevated the storyline. The author’s writing style was complex, intriguing, funny, serious, closed door, and beautifully written, such a joy as a debut novel.

TW of cancer and death. This was a beautifully executed novel about unexpected love. The author does an amazing job at balancing some sensitive/heavy topics with witty banter and sparking chemistry. For being a debut novel, I really enjoyed it and absolutely look forward to future novels by Palmer. The storyline takes place over four weekends to clean out the apartment and make minor repairs, since Sam’s parents are not able to do due to the emotional toll of Sam’s death. This was a really creative spin and I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend to other readers.

If you love Nick from New Girl and are a fan of Emily Henry Romance + actual plots this is for you!! Thank you to Ellie, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the eARC!

What to Expect:
⭐ Grump to Sunshine
⭐ Enemies to Lovers
⭐ Loss and Grieving
⭐ Healing and self-discovery
⭐ Solid sub character vibe! You will find yourself laughing!
⭐ double-mastectomy BRCA1 is discussed throughout the book

My Thoughts:
It took me a minute to dig in and get my groove starting and coming back a few times BUT once I did I couldn't put this down! It's witty, hysterical at times and the story premise is a 10/10. The fact that her (Main character Allison) ex-boyfriend (Sam) told no one they broke up and she only finds out at the funeral had me laughing so hard. I mean it's sad don't get me wrong, but the visual it provided was all types of WTF and awkward lol. I couldn't NOT picture sitting there feeling all sorts of weird. Not to mention the audacity he told no one but it had been weeks since the break up!

It was discouraging to find out that while she was the ex she was also the partner who put his needs above her own, was his biggest cheerleader in life and participating in a life that wasn't truly her own. It really is curious that it lasted so long BUT that in all the ways they were so different and he was thrill seeking that he told no one they broke up. Its a fascinating part of the story that has you questioning how they got together in the first place!

In the middle of this all is the work she has to do with his best friend (Second Main Character Adam) to get his condo ready to sell. Its comical how they ignore each other and have to work together. How they find common ground. While at the same time eventually build a friendship. Adam is a good soul. A friend you can put faith in which is so hard to find and Allison quickly learns that his friendship with Sam wasn't what it looked like on the outside either.

I will say with honesty that the 2nd part of this book lost momentum just a bit. There were moments where things could have been sped up. Also the faking it for Sams family thing just really leaves you with a bad taste. I think it could have been dropped way earlier on and still had its moment. It may also be difficult for those to read if you are dealing with health issues or have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.It does bring a heaviness to the story if you're dealing with these in your real life.

My biggest take away from this is that it wasn't just a contemporary romance. It was also a journey of self-discovery for Allison and Adam. A coming to terms with the loss of someone they both loved at one time. A story of family and how loss impacts all of them in different ways. With the touch of contemporary romance mixed in. Something that I really love about Ellies writing style.


Synopsis:
A tender, laugh-out-loud debut romance about a woman who ends up in over her head after a little white lie . . .

When thirty-year-old post-double-mastectomy BRCA 1 carrier and reluctant thrill-seeker Alison Mullally arrives at her ex-boyfriend Sam’s funeral to find that no one knows he dumped her, she agrees to play the grieving girlfriend for the sake of the family and pack up Sam’s apartment with his prickly best friend, Adam Berg. After all, it’ll only take four weekends . . .

But Adam doesn’t want Alison anywhere near him. Forced to spend long hours with the grump, and his monosyllabic demeanor, Alison decides she must put her people-pleasing abilities to the test. She will make him like her. And after awkward family affairs and packing up dilemmas, the two form a tenuous friendship . . . if “friendship” means incredible chemistry and tension between them. Can Alison come clean and finally embrace the life and love she's always wanted? Or will her little white lie get in the way of her new, unexpected romance?

"Four Weekends and a Funeral" by Ellie Palmer is a fantastic debut! The story kicks off with Allison accidentally landing herself in a hilarious mess—showing up to her ex-boyfriend Sam’s funeral only to find out everyone still thinks they’re dating. To avoid upsetting his grieving family, she agrees to play along. But things get even more complicated when she teams up with Sam’s best friend, Adam, to pack up his apartment.

What starts as a fake-dating her dead ex-boyfriend scenario with a twist turns into something very real between Allison and Adam. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is undeniable, and watching their friendship grow into something more is so satisfying. Allison has to face her own fears to give love a shot, but it’s impossible not to root for her and Adam to make it work.

This book had me laughing out loud and swooning in equal measure. The characters are lovable, the romance is spot-on, and the dialogue is absolutely top-tier. I can’t wait to see what Ellie Palmer writes next!

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam, NetGalley and the author for the #gifted ebook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this cute rom-com, debut novel. Looking forward to Ellie Palmer’s next novel!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely an interesting story line and handled difficult subject matter well. I enjoyed the characters and the story as a whole.

Wow, this book took me on a rollercoaster ride! The first half had me hooked with its witty banter, fun writing style, and fantastic character dynamics. Allison and Adam's initial interactions were hilarious, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. I loved the girl power showcased through Allison's supportive best friends, Mara and Chelsea.

However, the third act conflict threw a wrench in the whole thing. It felt like the story lost momentum, and the character conflicts became repetitive. They could have been more nuanced and complex instead of just retreading the same ground over and over. It's like the book built me up just to let me down in the end.

Despite the pacing issues, I still enjoyed the first half and the overall message of self-acceptance. Alison was a relatable character, and I appreciated the way the book handled the topic of grief and the BRCA1 gene mutation.

Here's what I loved:
The first half: Witty banter, fun writing, strong character dynamics
Girl power: Supportive female friendships
Themes: Self-acceptance, grief, BRCA1 gene mutation

What could have been better:
Pacing: The third act felt slow and repetitive
Character conflicts: More depth and complexity needed
Overall:

A promising debut with a strong first half but a weaker ending. Still a good read for fans of rom-coms and heartwarming stories.

I liked the setup of this book and it was very well-written, but I lost interest in the romance about 70% through.

I requested this off the NetGalley homepage without reading the synopsis or knowing anything about the author (apparently it’s their debut!) which generally is a huge gamble. I’m happy to report it paid off! This book was such a pleasant and addicting read- I couldn’t put it down. I love how humorous it was while also tackling hard topics. I think fans of Abbey Jimenez in particular will love this book. It’s also set in MN like a lot of Abbey Jimenez books and I’m wondering if I need to move there now…

TY for the free book @berkleyromance @netgalley #berkleypartner #berkleybooks #berkleyinfluencer #berkleybookstagram !!

So I read this awhile ago and forgot to review it back when I read it, but that’s ok because this is kind of a Christmassy lil story. I will not gripe (much) about how a character named Adam Berg isn’t Jewish, even secularly so. I mean it; I won’t gripe. Ok, maybe a little griping because for real? He isn’t?

Adam Berg is a bit of a grumpy curmudg (totally making that a word) who just lost his best friend Sam Lewis in some sort of car crash while going adventuring. Alison is a sunshiney people pleaser who used to date Sam. She also agrees with Sam’s sister Rachel’s plan to pretend she was still dating Sam when he died because Sam’s parents were getting worried that Sam wasn’t settling down and instead chasing huge adventures.

Alison had a brush with death, in that her mother has breast cancer and she has the BRCA gene too, so she had a preemptive mastectomy. A homebody at heart, she decided to take life by the horns and become an adventurer, dating Sam for his Joie de vivre as much as for himself, until he called it off.

As Sam’s girlfriend she’s thrown into Adam’s orbit as they pack up his condo as a favor to his parents, and they fall in love over four weekends. It’s angsty, has tons of shenanigans, and it’s vaguely holiday-ish — what’s not to like?

I think for me, the misunderstandings and lying and omissions were a little too much. I don’t think fake dating a dead guy is as fun as fake dating, unless I’m reading a paranormal romance and the dead guy is somehow sentient (there are truly not enough ‘ghost-🦆ing’ books and fewer Christmas movies with GILFs).

I liked it, I didn’t love it, I felt bad for everybody grieving and for all the lies, and for the knot Adam and Alison got themselves in because of the lies and whatnot.

What did/do you think?

Absolutely stunning debut. The title itself had me intrigued from the get go. It was equally funny and emotional. I love these characters and I love Ellie‼️‼️

ARC Review ~ Four Weddings and a Funeral~

*******************************************

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As someone who has a hard time saying no to people or feeling like I’m letting them down I could definitely feel for the MFC in this book. She in general was very relatable and I felt myself rooting for her throughout the book. I loved the interactions between the characters and how everything unfolded. Definitely a satisfying read!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!

A rom-com with a twist. Hallmark movie vibes in the non-cheesiest way. This reminded me of an Abby Jimenez book, as we had health issues, both mental and physical, as a plot point in a sweet and funny story. As a carrier of the BRCA1 gene herself, the author was able to share candidly and realistically through Alison. I’ve been a hype girl in the friend group as my own best friend traversed these waters, and it hit close to home, but in an authentic way.

I loved the witty banter between Alison and Adam, the secondary characters, the pop-culture nods, and the many references to pub trivia. Well-written, fun, swoon-worthy, and real, this one should be on your list to read this fall.

*I was honored to read an ARC of this book via
NetGalley and the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.*

I really enjoyed this first book by debut author Ellie Palmer and would gladly read another by her in the future. While rom-comm-ish, it also dealt with some serious issues such as grief and health concerns. Alison must deal with health concerns that cause her to want to become someone else in her gratitude. Someone who deserves life. Adam is also looking for his place in the world but has a hard time moving forward. Somehow, neither can see past their own insecurities and must try to forge ahead, throwing roadblocks along the way.

Thanks to Putnam and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

This was so adorable, perfect for people who like Abby Jimenez and not just because this is a Twin Cities love story, but because of all the feels. This book does such a good job of handling grief and unexpected people and I loved how Alison and Adam figure out their path while dealing with a lot of other things in their lives. While there was actually a good deal of conflict in this book, I appreciated that Palmer wrapped things up as we went and didn't do one magical wrap up in the last chapter. This felt more real, like people were dealing with consequences and then moving on. I wish I hadn't started the book, put it down for awhile, and picked it up, but had consumed it in one go. It would have been worth a late night of reading. I'm excited to read more!