Overall I enjoyed this book. I really rooted for Allison and Adam overall. I did find Allison’s stubbornness in trying to like things she hated a bit annoying, and some of the dialogue flow was a bit confusing to read. I also did wish it had a bit more spice, but I did still feel the chemistry between them!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advanced copy of Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer. I really liked learning about the BRCA mutation that run in people's genetics it was very informative, especially for someone (myself) who didn't know anything on the health topic. I admired how this novel was different then most others by bringing up real world health issues people face on a daily basis. The male main character is my favorite character who is a huge grump but after getting to know him he can be a ray of sunshine when he wants to show his soft side. This was a refreshing cozy 5 star reading and can't wait to tell people to read this book when it comes out August 6th 2024.

I am in awe and appreciate the way this novel explores themes of loss. The death of a close friend or family member is an incredibly difficult and rigorous journey that can take a toll mentally and physically. The way that Alison and Adam experience this grief show that not everyone goes through the process the same way or at the same pace. As someone who just lost a close family member, I needed this book to remind me of those simple facts.
Alison also experiences loss and grief in what could have been with her life. She compares her own struggles with her mothers, and it takes her some growth to realize their hardships are not the same.
Although there were some heavy topics, the lightweight romance involved made this book very cute and fun to read.
I am giving this book 4.5 stars!

This book makes the list of favorite contemporary romances of all time. I was so excited to see a female character with a BRCA mutation. As a woman with the same genetic mutation, I was so impressed with how beautifully Palmer represented the nuances of navigating the cancer space when you’re not a cancer survivor. On top of all that, I loved that the storyline was so unique and that the MMC was somehow both broody AND a cinnamon roll. The dialogue was smart and funny and the love story made me happy. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and to Ellie for writing a book that was so deeply meaningful.

Alison and Sam broke up 6 weeks ago, but when she shows up to his funeral, she realizes everyone thinks they are still together. His sister asks her to just go with it so Sam's parents can feel good knowing he had started to settle down. When his parents express their distress over going through Sam's apartment and all of his things, people pleaser Alison offers to help.

Sam's best friend Adam jumps in and says he can do it. Eventually they agree to do it together, on the weekends. Adam and Alison never met, but Alison refers to him as the "North Shore Grump" due to his curt one word text messages and lack of interest in participating in Sam's wild adventurous travel plans.

Alison and Adam have the best build up of tension and banter, I really enjoyed it. The side characters were also fun and engaging and I love that the author took time to develop Mara and Chelsea along with Adam's family.

While this book is bright and bubbly, it also talks about Alison's BRCA1 status and her surgeries and scans for cancer. Her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and tested positive for BRCA1. Since her prophylactic mastectomy, Alison has been struggling with her sense of self. Shouldn't she be living like she dodged a bullet? She essentially dodged cancer and has some guilt about it.

Throughout the novel we follow Alison on a journey of self discovery, scattered with scanxiety and stress around BRCA1, while learning to be true to yourself.

Loved this one and I highly recommend it! I have the BRCA2 gene and could relate to a lot of the things she went through and felt.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

This book was such a nice and fun read! If you enjoy books about grumpy men and people please main characters who fall in love this book is for you! I recommend reading if you are someone who doesn’t like a lot of spice in books and just want a cute story that focuses on grief, friendship, and learning to love yourself!

A laugh-out-loud debut novel that all women & romance lovers should read!

📕𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐞𝐱-𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫.📕

I have never read a concept like this before, and it’s impressive to see it executed well by a debut author.
I’m invested in what Alison has been through and the crucial lessons she needs to learn.

I have to recognize that I thoroughly enjoyed the realism behind the characters and how they talk to each other. Alison and her friends remind me of how my friends and I would converse. I think everything is imperfect, which makes this novel successful.

One critique would have to go to the conflicts. The third act conflict especially felt confusing to me. I also believe there was a little filler that would cause me to lose slight engagement at times.

This is a beautiful story. You’re laughing, you’re tearing up, and you’re looking at your loved ones, wanting to give them a big hug. Ellie, I’m so proud of you & can’t wait to see your future publications.

I recommend this book to those who love the brooding type, cancer survivors, and people who prefer glamping over camping.

Thank you so much NetGalley & Putnam Books for the advanced copy.

Adorable characters dealing with real issues. This book had very definite While You Were Sleeping vibes and since that’s one of my favorite movies I throughly enjoyed them. I loved Alison and her friend group. The witty banter they shared was awesome and I felt like I was present for the trivia nights!

Adam was very definitely a sweet grump but I loved how his personality came out more as Alison and he interacted with each other.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the digital arc in exchange for my review!

This was a very light read and I finished it very quickly!

Pros:

1. I absolutely adored the friend group. I don't think I've ever enjoyed reading about characters that weren't the main characters before this book.

2. The author touched on some extremely heavy topics in a very light-hearted way. Hopefully this offers some representation to those who share these struggles.

3. Body positivity and body acceptance!!!


Cons:

1. I think that the MMC was underdeveloped and not flushed out enough. We got to know him through a very superficial lens and I would have loved to learn more about his backstory like we did with the MFC.

Four Weekends and a Funeral
by Ellie Palmer
Pub Date: August 6, 2024
Penguin Putnam
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
A tender, laugh-out-loud debut romance about a woman who ends up in over her head after a little white lie . . .
I loved this cute and believable romance! I redcommend it,
4 stars

Wow before I post a little about the book and how it made me feel I just want to say I loved this. This romance felt so real and not in the way that I was there but that it feels like a real relationship. Anyways definitely grab this for a feel good romance read that won’t let you stop turning the pages ‘swoon’

"Four Weekends and a Funeral" by Ellie Palmer is like a rollercoaster ride through love and laughs that you never want to end! Meet Adam Berg, the rugged carpenter with serious Harrison Ford vibes, keeping an eye on Alison Mullally when she thinks no one's watching. Alison, a free spirit struggling to figure out what makes her truly happy, is a closeted train nerd and a trivia team member who can't explain a Marvel movie plot to save her life.

The book serves up a delicious mix of witty banter that feels as real as gossip with friends, giving off those 'When Harry Met Sally' vibes. Imagine Camila Cabello's "In the Dark" on repeat during these four weekends—it fits like a glove!

Forced proximity cranks up the tension, making the interactions between Adam and Alison bright and witty. The chapter names are as clever as the characters, leading you through a story that'll have you laughing, crying, and audibly gasping at every twist.

But, as with any great love story, conflict brews. A web of white lies becomes too tangled, creating a vibe reminiscent of Noah and Ali's unforgettable scene in "The Notebook." The main characters, Alison with her witty sarcasm and Adam, the charming yet selective grump, make for a heartbreakingly brilliant duo.

As the story unfolds, you can't help but feel like saying, "Well, shit Denise." Get ready for a wild ride that'll leave you ready for change and swooning over the unpredictable charm of "Four Weekends and a Funeral." This book is not just a read; it's an experience that'll have you hooked from the first page to the last.

Wow!! Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this e-ARC! I've been following this story and author since I first heard about them through twitter, and it was so excited for this book! It was FANTASTIC!

First, I am a huge genetics nerd. So when I saw there was a book featuring at BRCA1 positive individual, written by someone who also was BRCA positive, I knew I had to read this book. To start, the genetics knowledge about BRCA was spot on. Not only were we given statistics, but we also got to explore so many of the psychological impacts associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). So many people know about BRCA as the breast cancer gene, but there's so much more to it! And this book tackles that and isn't afraid of the details. The author talks about mastectomies, about having ovaries removed, about appointment burnout, about survivor's guilt, loss, genetic guilt, about living life and how we think we should be living our lives versus how we maybe are meant to, and SO MUCH MORE!!

Alison, our main character, underwent a preventative bilateral mastectomy before the book began. We find out that her ex-boyfriend has died, but... he didn't tell his family they had broken up. So when she arrives at his funeral, she enters a precarious situation. Add in the fact that her ex's sister asks her to go along with it and... well... we have me turning pages like no one's business.

Then we meet the love interest and HELLO. ADAM. Adam is her ex's best friend. Again, I love that we get so many relationship dynamics and also so many truths about relationships. We see how they can change over time, How diagnoses can change relationships. How life can change relationships.

When Alison and Adam get roped into helping clean out her ex's apartment, these two get thrown together while fighting growing feelings for one another. Add in friendships that made me laugh, her mother's timely reminders about having her ovaries removed, and a cookie party like no other, and this book is a fantastic holiday read. Heck, it's a great read at any time of the year (but I did enjoy reading this during the holiday season!)

I cannot say too many times how much I loved it. The characters were fantastic. The love interest dreamy. The genetics knowledge on POINT! This is such a great way to learn more about BRCA and read a fantastic romance story. Do yourself a favor and order it now.

When Alison shows up to her ex-boyfriend's funeral, she realizes that his friends and family don't know about their breakup. Seeking to give solace to his grieving parents, she pretends that she and Sam had been in a stable relationship when he passed away. She also gets dragged into emptying out his apartment with his best friend, Adam.

As Alison and Adam spend more time together...you guessed it: they develop feelings for one another! But there's a lot of grief, and guilt, and emotional baggage, and they have a lot to figure out.

I absolutely flew through this book. I loved all the pining! It quite literally gave me butterflies. I also loved Alison's friend group dynamic and how chatty she gets when she's nervous (I have the same habit). The examinations of grief and guilt were well portrayed, as was Alison's survivor's guilt. This is a heart-warming romance that packs a lot of emotional depth and development into the story as well.

Note: I received a free review copy of this book from NetGalley, but that hasn't affected my review in any way.

Four Weekend and a Funeral is an absolute fun read!

Alison is attending her ex boyfriend, Sam’s, funeral weeks after they have broken up only to discover everyone there never knew they broke up! Well everyone except his sister who asks Alison to keep up the ruse to make her brothers passing easier on her parents. What Alison doesn’t expect is falling into helping Sam’s best friend Adam clean out Sam’s condo…. And starting to feel something for Adam.
But how can she do this when Adam thinks Alison was Sam’s girlfriend when he passed?

Ellie Palmer does a fantastic job highlighting the undeniable chemistry between Alison and Adam while also showcasing some hysterical side characters whose banter had me laughing out loud so many times.

This is such an amazing book and one I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this advanced readers copy in return for my honest review!

A cozy, refreshing, perfectly lovely rom-com that reminds me of my favorite 90's movies. Palmer writes dynamic and complex heroines and swoonworthy heroes. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I will definitely pick up again!

I found Four Weekends and a Funeral to be a very enjoyable book. I was immediately drawn in by the story of Allison and Adam meeting at the funeral of their mutual friend. The fact that Allison was dealing with a diagnosis of carrying the BRCA gene and the elective surgery and breast reconstruction she underwent to avoid cancer provided a thoughtful, but never overwhelming subplot. It made me stop to think about the women who faced a decision similar to Allison’s and the strength and courage it would take to date and find a supportive partner.
I enjoyed the character of Allison, her friends and everyone who appeared in this book. I thought the writing was clever and the plot moved along at a perfect pace.
I will be recommending this book to my friends who enjoy a rom com book that has depth and heart. I will be checking to see if this author has written any other books. This book was a very satisfying read.

A debut novel that explores self-love and the loss of someone close. After reading the description of this book it reminded me of the While You Were Sleeping which is one of the aspects of what drew me into this title. We first meet Alison when she attends her ex-boyfriend’s funeral where she somehow ends up pretending she was still dating him before his death and is now committed to cleaning out his apartment with his best friend, Adam. At first, Adam is very hostile with Alison but slowly she begins to break down the barriers that Adam put up when they first met.

Alison was dealing with a lot of things in her life when we met her in the book. She is post-double mastectomy due to carrying a BRCA-1 gene mutation and is contemplating a hysterectomy. Although she and her ex-boyfriend were anything but serious, she is still dealing with his loss and doesn’t realize that until she begins to help clean out his apartment. It doesn’t help that Adam is a hundred percent her type and completely distracting her. Although he tries to push her away, due to her people-pleasing skills, a friendship grows between them. This allows Alison and Adam to realize that they've been doing a lot of things wrong in their life. They understand one another but due to the things they can’t admit they are doing wrong, complications form. This was such a great read and despite some of the heavy topics there was a great balance of humor alongside it

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putman, and G.P Putman’s sons for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Four Weekends and a Funeral" is a captivating novel that weaves together the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery against the backdrop of picturesque Minnesota. While the novel successfully tugs at the heartstrings, there are instances where the plot may feel somewhat predictable or reliant on familiar tropes. However, the strength of the character-driven narrative helps overcome these moments, allowing readers to connect with the story on a deeper level. I especially loved how the inclusion of BRCA-1 gene - and how that impacts lives both personally and with friends & family members.

I couldn't believe this was a debut novel. I love it and it was a very cute read.

The character development was great and it was so real because they were like people you meet in real life. So it felt like when i was reading the book that i was right there in the book.

I will be reading whatever this author produces. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Keep up the writing. It will only get better from this author.

This story is told from the perspective of Alison who was diagnosed with the BRCA-1 gene mutation and underwent a preventative double mastectomy. We first meet her at a funeral of her ex-boyfriend, Sam, who died in an accident. Sam was very outdoorsy and Alison wants to be that type of person - to be the person she’s “supposed” to be.

She meets Adam who was Sam’s best friend. They are asked by Sam’s parents to clean out Sam’s condo and spend several weekends together. They end up falling for each other but Adam doesn’t understand why she’s trying to be someone she isn’t. Adam also had to deal with some issues of guilt and being true to himself.

We come to find out Alison has survivor’s guilt from avoiding cancer. The book is her journey to finding herself and accepting that she’s “enough” and doesn’t need to prove she deserves to live.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.