Hands down an easy read. However, it didn’t have the filling that I needed it to have. It was a slow start and I Thorburn’s eh character and relationship developments are a bit lacking.

“Four Weekends and a Funeral” by Ellie Palmer is a book that unexpectedly tugged at my heartstrings. It’s a story that beautifully balances humor and depth, making it a standout read in the contemporary romance genre.

The premise of the book is both unique and intriguing: Alison Mullally, after attending her ex-boyfriend Sam’s funeral, finds herself entangled in a web of white lies. She agrees to play the grieving girlfriend, a role that leads her to spend four weekends with Sam’s best friend, Adam Berg, packing up Sam’s apartment. The dynamic between Alison and Adam is electric, filled with tension and an undeniable chemistry that leaps off the page.

What I found most compelling about this novel is its exploration of grief and the complexities of human relationships. Alison’s character is not just dealing with the loss of an ex-lover but also grappling with her own identity as a BRCA 1 carrier. Her journey is one of self-discovery, acceptance, and finding love in the most unexpected places.

Ellie Palmer has a knack for creating characters that are delightfully flawed and incredibly real. As I turned the pages, I couldn’t help but see a bit of myself in Alison’s people-pleasing nature and Adam’s fear of chasing his dreams. Their story is a poignant reminder that life is messy, but it’s within this mess that we often find our truest selves and deepest connections.

In all honesty, “Four Weekends and a Funeral” is more than just a romance novel; it’s a reflection on life’s unpredictable nature and the beauty that can arise from its chaos. It’s a book that made me laugh, made me think, and ultimately, left me with a warm feeling that lingered long after I finished reading.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Ellie Palmer has truly created something special with this debut, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

This book took me a little bit longer to get into and to finish reading, but overall, it was a cute and enjoyable rom-com. To parrot other reviewers, I also felt there was a lack of chemistry between the two main characters, Alison and Adam; however, I think the romance itself was written and executed tastefully.

I will say the characters falling in love in just four weekends felt both fast and slow at the same time. Fast in the sense that these characters were only meeting two days a week to get to know one another. As for pacing, it just seemed like there was a lot of filler in the moments when they were actually together. It'd be a lot of narration about what they did and not enough dialogue about that action if that makes sense. Also, the narration can be pretty descriptive, which I found both interesting and unnecessary, depending on the scene.

I did appreciate Alison's character development throughout. She is a person with inherited cancer risk, so reading about her complications and lifestyle adjustments with that, her self-identity issues, and her struggles with her mom were all definitely heavy but felt unique in a rom-com like this. I enjoyed following her journey as a reader.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Ellie Palmer for the chance to read this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for granting me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The title of this book is what ultimately reeled me in. I enjoyed the storyline but I felt like it was a little slow…but at the same time I felt like the character development was lacking in certain areas. This made for a cute, easy read. I do wish there was more chemistry among the characters and maybe a little more spice.

Delightful romance. Sexy with some substance.

The romance was unique enough to be memorable. I recommend for a fun summer read.

I enjoyed reading this book. There were some heavy topics but I feel the author did great with her writing about them. All of the characters were likable and this is definitely a rom com I would recommend.

This book was *chef's kiss* amazing! I couldn't put it down!The characters were so relatable and raw. The witty banter and rising tension between Allison and Adam made this book bingeable. This book was so much more than just a rom-com. It was interesting following Allison's journey as she mourned the loss of what she thought her life would be and came to terms with her double mastectomy. I feel like it's a topic that we never see in books so it was unique.

I highly recommend that you add this book to your TBR list!

Thank you @putnambooks and @netgalley for the eARC.

This was a tough book for me. I have a hard time reading about cancer but the actual writing and message were wonderful. I laughed and cried and felt all the feels.

This book is perfect for readers who love rom coms with a more serious undertone (aka me). Think Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez. I loved this book from the beginning and cannot wait to recommend this to everyone I know! I loved the emphasis on the side characters and the excellent banter. It was a very fresh story and I loved how it felt unique from a lot of other romance books. I connected so strongly with Alison and adored her as an FMC.

I read this for my NetGalley list. Thought it would be alright and it was a decent story. Just a little boring and took me a little longer to read. The story was fine but not enough action happening in the book made it a boring read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

A few chapters made me laugh out loud, and others had me tearing up. Adam and Alison felt very real and very lovable, and I loved watching their story unfold. I also loved the friendship love story aspect.

Removing one star because there was a little too much explaining for my liking as a reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC :)

I almost didn't request this ARC because I have an aversion to romance stories where the main character dates an ex's friend or relative. But I have been learning more about breast cancer treatment through my job, and I was interested in reading about a character who'd had a double mastectomy. I am so happy I did not miss out on this book, because it is incredible. I read 70% in one sitting, and if it had not been 4am on a Monday, it would have been 100%. It's a lovely slow-burn romance where the characters get to know each other through conversation and not just furtive glances (although there are those, too). I loved that it followed one character who pushed themselves too hard and one who didn't push enough, and showed the flaws in both. I also loved that Alison had no nipples! I know that's a weird statement out of context, but I feel like every fictional character who's had a mastectomy miraculously got to keep their nipples, when that is usually impossible. And while Alison had insecurities about her new body (realistic) it wasn't an obsession (appearance isn't irrelevant to Alison, but it definitely isn't her main priority). I just love to read about women who feel like real people.
Not only is this my favorite NetGalley ARC I've read, it's now one of my absolute favorite books. I know I am going to be thinking about this romance for YEARS - it will be at the top of the obsession list next to Logan x Veronica (...which I'm now realizing is also a main-character-dates-dead-best-friend's-ex romance. What is wrong with me?). I was impressed, but moreover, devastated to learn that Four Weekends and a Funeral is a debut because I was ready to buy all the authors works on the Kindle store. PS I forgot to mention it's so funny in a totally unpretentious way. And while there's no connection to the movie, I'll also say Four Weekends beats even floppy haired 90s Hugh Grant. And no one marries their cousin either!

The representation of a person dealing with the BRCA-1 gene was a very unique perspective of this book. I can’t think of another contemporary romance with that representation! Overall, a very solid debut with many swoony moments!

This book is my reminder that romance can absolutely tackle all of the tough things - including cancer. This debut was swoony. And made me kick my feet. But it also made me think. And feel.

Four Weekends and a Funeral, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
This debut novel by Ellie Palmer is by far one of my favorite reads for 2024. There I said it, can you just go pre-order the book now, so we can discuss it further because this book is worthy of deeper conversations and shared tears over? What?? Tell you more?? Finnnneee, but you better order or request this book from your library, got it?!

Four Weekends and a Funeral snatches you from the first page as we sit with Alison’s thoughts about attending Sam, her ex-boyfriend’s, funeral. Why is she here? How did this even happen? Does she correct people when they acknowledge her as Sam’s girlfriend (even though he broke up with her six weeks prior?!) Oh the While You Were Sleeping dilemma! Plus her people pleasing self now has volunteered to help clean out Sam’s condo with the aid of his super duper grump best friend, Adam.

Honestly, the friendship and chemistry between Alison and Adam was my favorite. Palmer is a true craftsman at her art of creating romance without open door explicit scenes. She would totally make Elizabeth Barrett Browning proud! She creates a sweet romantic narrative that causes those little butterflies to happen when Ali and Adam interact with each other and it just hooks you the way our favorite rom com movies do to our helpless heartstrings. The green scarf scene, y'all swoon worthy!

Palmer also creates a memorable cast of secondary characters who hold a special place in the novel. There was not one character that felt out of place or just filler for the sake of the plot. I think 2024 is a year of showcasing the true gift of best friends and I hope that never ends! Chelsea and Mara are Alison’s Best Friends for Life and their quirky friendship truly shines in this story.

I am a lover of a noteworthy epilogue and this book delivers! I still am amazed that this is Palmer’s debut novel, I know she is going to be one to look out for in the future. Four Weekends and a Funeral signed, sealed, and delivered all my favs of the romance genre while also adding witty banter and sensitivity when our characters were faced with some hard subjects like breast cancer and grief.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ellie Palmer, and Penguin Group Putnam/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

the whole description of this book caught my attention right away and was a must read for me. I love odd and quirky meet cutes and this one fits the bill. This story does have some real-world traumas in it that could be tough for some to read. For me, it was a learning journey as someone who has not known someone who has been on the journey the heroine of this story goes through. I thought it extremely well written and I never felt like any of it was over my head or out of place. I loved the grumpy main male character. I have to say, I’m always a sucker for those ones. They always fall so hard for the heroine and it pulls each and every heart string when they do. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this early read for an honest review.

Alison tenía una relación con Sam, pero no funcionó y terminaron. Semanas después Sam muere y ella se presenta en el funeral, todos le dan el pésame porque no sabían que ya no eran novios y antes de decir la verdad la hermana le pide que finja que seguian siendo novios. Alison no vió el problema en mentir hasta que conoce a Adam, el mejor amigo de Sam y empieza a tener sentimientos por el.

Me gusto que ambos se dieron cuenta que necesitaban ayuda profesional y cada uno busco un psicólogo.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for and honest review.

I think that the premise of the book is enjoyable, and there were several moments that were cute and well executed, but as a whole the book felt a little flat. It didn't have the spark that I look for between MMC and FMC when it comes to romance, which is a big deal for me. Though the main characters were supposed to fall in love during a 4-week period, which seems unrealistic in itself, the pacing felt off and a little slow.

That said, I did really enjoy the author's style of writing and there was plenty of wit and creativity.

This was definitely a delightful read , I had such a great time with this book and this being the author’s debut novel , she did a remarkable job.

This book follows Allison who pretends to be Sam’s girlfriend at his funeral ( her deceased ex ) because no one knows he dumped her . Being the people pleaser she is , she agrees to play a grieving girlfriend for the sake of Sam’s family .Adam , our MMC and sam’s best friend , is introduced to Allison at the funeral . Due to guilt for the family , Allison and Adam but agree to assist in fixing up Sam’s apartment.

I love both characters dearly . Although Allison demeanor can come across as inconsistent or erratic to some people but reading about her gave me comfort since , as a people pleaser myself , I understood why she made some decisions . Along side with grieving for Sam , Allison was also coping with the aftermath of her mastectomy and BRCA1 . She recently experienced a life altering procedure and felt guilty for not doing enough . Adam is this incredible, cranky, cinnamon roll of a man ( exactly how I like them ) . The more I read the book , I realized that , despite my initial frustration with him at the start of the book , he was going through a lot , trying to figure out how to navigate his life , Sam’s death and his feelings for Allison .

I was completely enamored with Allison and Adam’s chemistry and sexual tension . I loved how they handled their grief both separately and together.

I loved reading about the side characters ( Mara &Chelsea ) , they were both remarkable individuals . The book did a great job highlighting friendship . I loved how the female friendship was portrayed in this book , it was refreshing to read about .

There is definitely an Emily Henry vibe to this book . Despite this being a romcom , it touches on heavy topic like mental health ,dealing with grief , self - acceptance and much more . Overall this was an excellent read ; my only issue I would have loved to know how Sam passed away .

This book gave me Autumn vibes for sure ( if you’re a seasonal reader , then I suggest to read this in the fall )

I can't wait to read more from ellie palmers; this is my first book from her, but it won't be my last.

Thank you Netgalley , penguin book Putnam and Ellie Palmer for this Arc . This Arc was provided in exchange for my honest review

Rating 4,5

Thirty-year-old Allison Mullally finds herself ensnared in an utterly bizarre scenario: masquerading as the partner of a deceased individual! Sam, her adventurous and thrill-seeking former beau, called it quits six weeks prior due to their stark incompatibilities. Throughout their brief liaison, Allison feigned contentment, prioritizing Sam's desires and even begrudgingly partaking in adrenaline-fueled escapades she loathed.

Presently, she attends Sam's funeral garbed in unfashionable and uncomfortable attire, only to discover that Sam's kinfolk harbor the misconception that they were still an item at the time of his demise. Sam's sister implores her to perpetuate the facade, citing the family's insistence on Sam settling down in his lifetime. Reluctantly, Allison acquiesces, contemplating her ability to feign a relationship with a departed individual for the sake of his grieving loved ones. However, her commitment takes an unforeseen twist when she is compelled to collaborate with Adam, Sam's rigid, cantankerous, and vexing best friend, to sort through Sam's belongings in his apartment over four weekends.

Despite her initial misgivings, Allison finds herself drawn to Adam. Their sharp repartee and burgeoning closeness cultivate a genuine camaraderie between them. As their attraction intensifies and tensions escalate, they realize the imperative of coming clean and affording their connection a chance to flourish. Nonetheless, Allison must confront her own insecurities and ascertain whether she possesses the fortitude to gamble with matters of the heart.

The narrative boasts an array of remarkable supporting characters, with particular commendation reserved for the stellar female empowerment embodied by Mara and Chelsea. Unlike certain romances wherein secondary characters feel contrived, these individuals imbue the tale with depth and ambiance. The snappy banter and tangible chemistry shared between Adam and Allison render the reading experience immensely gratifying. Moreover, the narrative adeptly navigates emotional junctures pertaining to familial dynamics, offering diverse insights into assorted scenarios.

In summation, my immersion in this literary work proved thoroughly enjoyable, and I wholeheartedly endorse it to aficionados of the rom-com genre.

Heartfelt gratitude is extended to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for furnishing me with a digital review copy of this engaging book in exchange for my candid appraisal.