[Thank you Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons, Ellie Palmer, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.]

This is such a complex story about guilt and grief and how to move forward and find happiness. Palmer handles tough topics with such tenderness.

After Alison's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, both Alison and her sister get tested for the BRCA1 gene mutation. Alison tests positive for it and before the story starts she has a double mastectomy. After her recovery, thanks to survivor's guilt, she tries to live the life she thinks she should be living versus the life she wants.

We meet Alison at the funeral of her ex-boyfriend, Sam, who unexpectedly died. Sam was a very outdoorsy, "live life to the fullest" kind of guy, which is the kind of person Alison wants to be. Sam never told his parents that he and Alison had broken up so they still think she's his girlfriend. She volunteers to pack up his apartment, along with his best friend, Adam.

For the next few weekends after the funeral, Alison and Adam are forced into close proximity. Alison and Adam are truly sweet together. Adam sort of reminds me of a Ron Swanson type (from Parks & Rec) because he's stoic and loves woodworking. As time goes on, they begin to form a friendship and open up to each other. Not only is the banter great, but there's clearly a lot of tension between the two of them. Unfortunately, they're both struggling and need to work on some of these issues on their own before things can work out between them.

I think it's worth mentioning Alison's friendships with Mara and Chelsea. They're all so different but supportive of each other. Honestly, it's refreshing to read about such strong female friendships and this is one aspect of the book I really loved.

There are 90's rom-com references sprinkled throughout the book so I think this book will be well received by millennials. The ending put a smile on my face. I suspected this would be how it ended when a piece of it was mentioned earlier but actually reading it was so satisfying!

I have conflicting feelings about this book! The overall story was really cute and I found myself looking forward to picking this book up. I think the characters were hard for me to relate to. Adam’s whole personality just confused me. I couldn’t follow his hot and cold moods and I know that was part of the story but it just left me with a lot of questions. Like I said I truly loved the story - the forced proximity, grumpy sunshine vibes were fun - it just didn’t completely hit the mark for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the advance reader copy of Four Weekends and a Funeral!

I told myself no new netgalley books until I’d gotten caught up but my goodness I am so happy I broke my self-imposed rule and clicked on the widget for this book! I absolutely devoured it!

Allison attends the funeral of her former boyfriend, Sam, who had broken up with her six weeks prior. At the funeral, Allison discovers from Sam’s sister Rachel that he hadn’t yet told his family they’d broken up. Rachel asks Allison to continue to pretend that her and Sam had still been together. Allison, along with Sam’s friend, Adam, end up helping to pack up his condo. Over the course of their weekends working together, Adam and Allison, in their new forced proximity, end up growing closer. Amidst the romance, the characters are dealing with grief and Allison is facing additional life decisions as a BRCA 1 carrier.

The love story between Allison and Adam will give you all the feels!! I absolutely adored how their relationship progressed, especially when it started to extend beyond working together. I ADORED their texts back and forth. As the tension builds in their relationship, there are simply so many great and memorable moments that play out between these two. Keeping this spoiler free, Duluth, sandwiches, and pizza is all I will say. I also love how Sam, though we never really get to meet him, continued to be a vital part in Allison and Adam’s stories throughout the book.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Putnam Books for the chance to read this book as an ARC. This has a very interesting premise. Allison's mother had breast cancer. She is a survivor, but Allison has tested positive for the BRCA1 mutation. Allison has elected to have a double mastectomy . She is still at risk and is being bombarded by information from her mother regarding a preventative surgery to remove her ovaries. Allison had been dating a man named Sam. Sam was adventurous and outdoorsy- something Allison is not. However, Allison is trying to be like that for him. Six weeks ago, Sam broke up with Allison. They seem to have stayed friends, but at the start of the book, Sam has just died. Allison goes to the funeral, and is asked by Sam's sister( Rachel) to pretend that she and Sam were still dating- Rachel thinks it will help her mother cope. Allison agrees, after all how hard can it be? Sam's mother asks Allison and Adam, Sam's best friend, to clean out Sam's apartment. Adam does not live in the same town, but agrees to come in the next 4 weekends to clean and sort and do some repairs. As they clean, sparks fly and soon Allison and Adam begin to have feelings for each other.Ok, that is the bare bones. Now, this book is stuffed, almost overstuffed , with plots and people. We meet Allisons family, her mother, father, pregnant sister and sister's wife. We meet Allison's work friends, briefly- although a possible job promotion is a key storyline, I do not feel like I really understood it. We meet Allisons best friends, Chelsea and Mara and get to know their bar team trivia quest for a win.We meet Sam's family and friend Russell( I am still trying to figure out Russell). We meet Adams sister, brother in law and nephew. Truly, my head was spinning. The opne person we do not get to know is Sam. He is only sketched in the barest kind of way. This is a man who was almost able to convince Allison that hiking in Patagonia in January was a good idea- but we do not get a sense at all of him. I really needed a little more.Anyway, I liked the premise and over all it was well written. This is a debut by Ellie Palmer, and I really want to read more of her work

Alison got dumped by Sam, but when she goes to the funeral, Sam's sister asks her to pretend the relationship was still on, and that it was serious to ease the family's mind. Alison and Sam's friend Adam are tasked with cleaning out his apartment and getting it ready to sell.
Underlying the rom-com plot, there's a lot of educational content about the BRCA1 gene. There's witty dialogue and fun chaos. This is a great debut and light summer read.

Goodness, this was just what I needed to get out a book slump that has lasted weeks!

The characters were so endearing they felt like my own friends. I could understand Alison’s torn feeling of having the BRCA1 mutation and a preventative mastectomy, and feeling like she had to live her life MORE to compensate. How much pressure can one person take?

The feelings and conversations were real and the love was adorable, combined with laugh out loud moments. I’ll be buying and adding this book to my bookshelf come August when it’s released.

Thank you to Ellie Palmer for including me on the ARC train for this book, I can’t wait to send it onto the next book lover! Cheers on your debut novel! A big thank you to Putnam for the advanced ebook copy as well.

Alison's ex broke up with her, but never told his parents. When he unexpectedly dies, his sister asks Alison just to play along with having been happy and still dating him. This leads to Alison volunteering to clean out her ex's apartment with his best friend, Adam. Over four weekends' time, the two find a real connection, but Alison doesn't know how to tell him that she wasn't dating his friend anymore. This was a sweet love story. Related but unrelated, Alison has the BRCA gene and has had a mastectomy. This seemed kind of thrown in to me, and it didn't do much to move the story forward.

This book was a DELIGHT! I loved the banter and humor and heartfelt romance. I'll be following this author moving forward!

"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 . . ."

This is where one will find love while grieving for ex and the life you may of had. The characters in the book are fantastic. Everything is perfectly written and all melts together. Adam and Alison are struggling after a loss. Their lives intertwine with each other. This leads to a bit of confusion, tension and laughs. After being forced together because of grief
Alison starts to have feeling for Adam, he ex’s best friend. But it is hard as people still think of her being with her ex.
Life isn’t always what we think it will be but when it gives you lemons you make lemonade. I really enjoyed this book and the struggles that Adam and Alison have while trying to start a anew again with each other..

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer is an engaging and heartfelt story that navigates the complexities of identity, grief, and unexpected romance. The protagonist, Alison Mullally, is a thirty-year-old BRCA 1 carrier who has undergone a preventative double mastectomy. When she arrives at her ex-boyfriend Sam’s funeral, she finds herself pretending to be his grieving girlfriend for the sake of his family.

Alison teams up with Sam’s prickly best friend, Adam Berg, to clear out Sam’s apartment over the course of four weekends. Despite Adam’s initial hostility and monosyllabic demeanor, a tenuous friendship with incredible chemistry and tension develops between them. Palmer beautifully captures Alison’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance, as she grapples with survivor’s guilt and the pressure to be someone she’s not.

The dynamics between Alison and Adam are compelling, filled with moments of humor, awkwardness, and emotional depth. As Alison learns to embrace her true self and confronts her feelings, the story unfolds into a touching narrative about love, loss, and the importance of being enough just as you are. A thoroughly enjoyable read that balances heartache and hope, making it a solid 4-star book.

I just reviewed Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer. Thank you to NetGalley for a complimentary ebook.
This book definitely falls into chic lit, the ps I love you genre. It’s quite lovely, funny, sappy and made me lay awake in bed several mornings and evenings before getting up or going to sleep.
The characters are not sappy sweet, they are quite realistic and I rooted for each of them, even the dead one who seemed like a bit of a pillock, but he was integral to the story so that’s ok.
A great wee bit of escapism in between my world war ll genre.
I’m eagerly awaiting the authors next literary contribution.

Love both characters , this books had me laughing, choked up and feeling a lot . Enjoyed . A book to keep a eye out for .

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC. Fun little RomCom from a new author. Enjoyed it and looking forward to what she writes in the future.

This was a fun read. Not too heavy and perfect for a summer day on the beach. Predictable story line, but still entertaining.

Thank you to the publisher for a free Netgalley.

I found this to just be super fun and cute. I enjoyed this one immensely. I am not a huge romance reader, but this is what I needed at this moment. I loved that miscommunication was not a trope in this book, as I truly hate that.

Though this had some predictability, I enjoyed both characters and secondary characters a lot. Which made this easier to enjoy!

Great debut novel!

This was such an interesting premise! Alison recently got dumped by Sam, but when she goes to the funeral, Sam's sister asks her to pretend it was serious so the family thinks he was settling down, and chaos ensues from there. Alison and Sam's friend Adam are tasked with cleaning out his apartment and getting it ready to sell.
I enjoyed learning more about what having the BRCA1 gene means, and seeing Alison and Adam's personal growth was great, and the romance was so sweet. Alison struggles a lot with guilt and trying to be someone she isn't—| loved seeing her self-realization, but it was sometimes frustrating watching her try and be someone different (which I think was the point!). Overall, this was a sweet and interesting read for the mirrorball girlies (and Christmas fanatics).

Oh how enjoyable this book was! Palmer's characters exuded charm, their undeniable chemistry leaping off the page, and her writing crackling with electricity.

Adam initially brought to mind Nick from New Girl, in the most delightful way possible. While he may come across as a bit rough around the edges, it only adds to his appeal as the story progresses. The gradual warming up to Alison adds a special touch to their blossoming romance. Their witty banter is truly amusing, with moments that had me laughing out loud, feeling completely natural. The palpable chemistry and simmering sexual tension had me completely captivated. The scarf scene felt straight out of Pride and Prejudice, filled with subtle gestures that had me blushing.

I found Alison to be a captivating main character. While the theme of self-acceptance through her character may seem cliché at times, her endearing nature makes it all the more relatable. I found myself rooting for her throughout the book, appreciating the powerful message Palmer conveys about embracing one's true self. This heartfelt romantic comedy also delves into important themes of grief and survivor's guilt, particularly related to breast cancer. Amidst the lighthearted moments, the serious ones are handled with sensitivity and care. The discussions about the BRCA1 gene mutation, a hereditary predisposition to breast cancer, between Alison, her mother, and sister felt organic and significant in the context of the romance. I was truly invested in Alison's journey, and seeing Adam support her endeared me to their relationship even more.

The supporting characters are equally endearing. Mara and Chelsea shine as fantastic best friends, their dynamic adding depth to the story. The portrayal of female friendships, filled with warmth and empowerment, was heartwarming. The absence of unnecessary drama among the friends, coupled with their ability to make me laugh, made their bond even more enjoyable.

The conclusion was nothing short of perfect, leaving me with a fluttering heart throughout the entire book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

4.5 stars for this delightful read from Ellie Palmer!

Everything I loved about this book:
*** The grieving process represented; grieving the loss of a loved one, the feelings of guilt, shame, and always questioning What If?
*** The first person perspective of someone who’s had a double masectomy and the feelings of loss/grief.
*** The humor! I laughed out loud so many times, and found myself smirking/giggling throughout.
*** Our MMC <sigh>. Big soft spot for him!
*** The chemistry and slow burn was perfect.

I highly recommend this romcom to all my romance readers!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam books for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

The premise of the book was unique & I liked the author’s reading style. I didn’t really connect to the characters or their relationship, but overall an enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC.

Four weekends and a funeral was a brilliant idea but unfortunately it wasn’t executed well. It could’ve been so much more had author added little depth to her characters.

Sam’s death felt like a joke, he did so much for them but idk it felt like they lacked empathy when it comes to Sam and it was getting annoying. I know everyone has a different coping mechanism but Adam and especially Alison’s character were too shallow. It could’ve been so much better if tone for this book was a little serious, at the beginning at least.