there are so many things i LOVE about this book. it’s empathetic, full of emotional maturity, and so representative of healing. This is the first book I’ve read in a long time that appropriately discusses serious topics in such a respectful and human manner.

Seriously one of the best books I’ve had the privilege to read in a while, thank you to Ellie Palmer and her team for the ARC! Absolutely recommend everyone pick this one up.

This debut novel by Ellie Palmer is an amazing RomCom. Allison and Adam are fun to read even though they meet at a funeral. Thrown together to Clear out the apartment of Allison's ex boyfriend and Adam's Best friend who recently past away. Adam makes a great grump as he adds tot he dialogue throughout. The banter, the storyline, and the side characters are all wonderfully pulled together as the book develops. The story travels through grief of a friend, but also grief through a health journey and grief through lost dreams. This book has so much depth but so much fun at the same time. Also love the Midwest shout outs (Love me some spotted cow) in the little details to the local area the book is set in. Palmer does an amazing job and this is one. Message from the future: I would not miss this when it comes out this fall.
I want follow up books for Allison's friends and even Russell!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Ellie Palmer if this is your debut book, I will definitely be looking forward to every book you decide to write. Four Weekends and a Funeral is a totally unexpected book that I loved from beginning to end.

From the moment Alison arrives at her ex's funeral and decides that a white lie couldn't hurt, it had me gripped, but by the time Adam appears on the scene I was totally in.

This book is a gem, you laugh, yes, but it also makes you reflect and think (especially empathize) on issues you may never have noticed before. The conversation about survivor grief was very well developed.

I love the enemies to lovers and forced proximity books, I loved that they were forced to share the apartment to store the ex's things.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book, thank you Ellie.

I loved this story more than I expected to. It’s definitely a weird one but entertaining nevertheless. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc.

I knew about halfway through this novel that I wanted to read more from Ellie Palmer. From what I can tell, this is her debut novel and I loved it so! Much. 4.5 stars.
Alison and her besties were one of my favorite things and Adam is the broody, sensitive hero with a delicious smart mouth. The banter was intelligent and snarky with the perfect amount of playfulness.
There is some serious topics tacked; grief, cancer and dealing with guilt in various forms. Some really good feelings are caught in this one and I was seriously rooting for this couple.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons, and author Ellie Palmer for providing this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I need a movie adaptation immediately. Look, if you like rom-com's that are unexpectedly emotional and feature realistic friendships, crushes, and family dynamics (good, bad, and ugly), read this. Please.

Palmer's writing style is so easy to read, and smacks of authenticity. Gossiping about the strangers you see every day and bestowing nicknames such as Too Tall Guy and Blunt Bob is the bread and butter of so many friendships, and this book captures that casual repartee flawlessly. There's sarcasm aplenty, coupled with the barbed affection that accompanies longtime friendships that have lasted so many decades it borders on sisterhood.

The banter isn't just between FMC Allison (known as Al to her friends, and known as her last name Mullally when the friends are feeling feisty) and her ride-or-die's Mara and Chelsea, but MMC Adam gets in on the snark, too. See:
<blockquote>“I didn’t think Nordic furniture makers existed outside of Hallmark Christmas movies. Are you responsible for teaching a workaholic woman the true meaning of Christmas or is that a different grumpy carpenter? Do you guys work in shifts?” [Allison said]
“I’ve never been so happy to have no idea what someone is talking about.” [Adam replied]</blockquote>
See also:
<blockquote>
“So, only when you must craft an emergency farmhouse table do you stride into the cedar trees and chop one down with great purpose? How does a LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE sign rank? Is that a need or a want?” [Allison said]
“Definitely a need. Could you imagine walking into a home that didn’t give you explicit permission to live, laugh, and love all at once?” [Adam replied]
</blockquote>

Speaking of Mara and Chelsea real quick, I'd love to point out how there are so many books I've read where I can't remember the names of the friends after I finish the book. I can't tell their personalities apart, or worse, they each have a single personality trait and are as Flat as the infamous Stanley. Mara and Chelsea aren't as rounded out as the FMC, but they still had a strong enough page presence and a unique enough voice and personality to actually have their individuality remain with me after I finished the book. I think we all know a type-A Mara, and we've all met a Chelsea drunk in the ladies room at a bar. I love them both.

But in addition to the incredible dialog, the story itself is raw and powerful, tackling unexpectedly heavy topics such as (obviously) grief and it's varying stages, survivor's guilt and it's varying flavors, family dynamics, expectations, how to know if you "deserve" something good happening to you, and grappling with your idea of who you "should" be versus who you actually are. I love a book that's not afraid to mix in the messier parts of life, and Four Weekends and a Funeral does that while still, somehow, maintaining levity, because life is kinda silly sometimes. It's like reading a self-aware, meta Hallmark movie (which the book references multiple times with gentle ire, see quote above) and while sometimes meta comments can be a little too tongue-in-cheek, this struck a perfect balance for me, probably because there was already so much sarcasm and banter throughout. The Hallmark quips felt appropriate, not forced. They were also tempered with references to John Carpenter movies and Christmas-horror classics such as Gremlins and Krampus, which probably helped, too.

I found absolutely no loose plot threads, which honestly surprised me because there were quite a few little nuances and breadcrumbs throughout, things mentioned briefly in passing that ended up coming to play larger parts in the story later on.<spoiler>The "Messages From The Future", for example, were initially an irritating personality quirk and maybe a device to show that the dead are never really gone, but then... they became vital.</spoiler> The ending absolutely ripped my heart out and then shoved it back in. I read until 96% while I was at my lunch break, and after my lunch break, I finished this book on my Kindle while I wiggled my computer mouse every 2 minutes to keep my Teams status green. If you work from home... you know what it's like.

I'm impressed with Four Weekends and a Funeral. My Goodreads shelf doesn't have many 5-star reads, which isn't to say I'm picky, exactly, I just don't give 5 stars out very freely. In fact, there's only one other contemporary romance I could compare to this, which would be [book:On the Plus Side|65213088] which is my favorite romance of 2023 and one of the few books I've actually reread. Both books will live rent-free in my head forever, and will be recommended forever until I border on annoying.

My <b>one</b> gripe, and I can't even justify removing a star for it, is this book takes place in Minnesota and there isn't a single "ope" or "uff da". I've been to The Cities (as real locals call 'em. No one actually says The Twin Cities) and if there's anything as Minnesotan as salads that aren't really salads <i><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thatmidwesternmom?lang=en">(shoutout to That Midwestern Mom on TikTok)</a></i>, it's those two words that aren't really words.

FOUR WEEKENDS AND A FUNERAL is my absolute favorite kind of romcom, where laugh-out-loud banter, lovable characters, and swoony moments sneakily add up to something deep and beautiful. I wish I could read a million pages of Ellie Palmer's sweet humor and modern, delightful voice. An incredible debut!

This was a lovely debut from Ellie Palmer! Once Ali and Adam both got over themselves, it was nice to see their relationship develop and grow. The progression felt natural and the chemistry developed, which I really liked. Sam's family drove me up a wall, but I did give some grace there since they had just lost a family member. This book traversed a lot of different topics and territories without every feeling preachy or condescending and any miscommunications were fairly quickly resolved (which this Virgo loves!).

Overall, a very good first showing and I can't wait to see what Ellie Palmer writes next!

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

This book had me laughing from the first chapter - which is impressive because the first chapter is a funeral.

Alison shows up to her ex-boyfriend's funeral and discovers that everyone in his life thinks they were still dating, so she goes along with it in the hopes that it makes the grieving process easier on his family. But that complicates things when she starts having feelings for his best friend.

This was your classic grumpy/sunshine with plenty of banter. While the beginning was a bit slow, I loved Alison's personal journey, and her and Adam were so cute together.

i received this as an ARC from NetGalley.

this was a modern romance about a woman, Alison, who lives in minnesota and finds out her ex boyfriend has died. upon arriving at his funeral, she quickly realizes he never told anyone that he broke up with her, and so they all assume she is still currently his girlfriend. she meets his attractive harrison ford-esque best friend, and they are subsequently stuck together each weekend emptying out their late friends condo so it can be put back on the market.

this was pretty run of the mill modern romance, although i did like how it took place in the midwest. the first 50% of the book was a bit boring for me, but the premise was there and unique. i also mainly read fantasy so i feel like i have some bias there when it comes to this genre. about 50% of the way through, <spoiler> the 2 main characters get together for the first time. it felt a little bit rushed to me to suddenly have this man so worried about Ali but maybe that’s because i read the 2nd half of this book in 1 4hr sitting. </spoiler>

some things that i noted:
<spoiler> the new years text from the future thing was my immediate prediction of what would happen as soon as adam mentioned how sam wanted to set him up with a girl that would be perfect for him at a NYE party</spoiler>
too much “our foreheads touched” idk that’s cringe to me but subjective
wasn’t smut like i thought it was going to be, very much behind closed doors/only talking about the make outs. my anticipation is based on what i hear about other modern romances and the ~3 books i have read (icebreaker series, butcher & blackbird)
<spoiler> i found the main conflict of people getting mad at Ali for trying to do things that “weren’t really her” to be a bit annoying and stupid. who cares if it’s not in character for her to sign up for an ultramarathon or take a hiking/camping trip through patagonia?? let her live her life and discover that she hates that on her own. i could understand if it’s an intervention because she is financially unstable or something health related but it really just boiled down to adam and her friends disliking that it wasn’t who she is at her core. people can discover likes and dislikes throughout their lives, felt kind of like a baseless conflict. i was expecting much more conflict from her pretending to be sam’s current gf </spoiler>

still was pretty cute, i would probably recommend to my friends who enjoy modern romances.

Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Spice: 0/5 🧼

Summary: Alison shows up to her ex-boyfriend’s funeral shocked to find he hadn’t told anyone about their break up except his sister. She begs Alison to stick with the grieving girlfriend role for his family’s sake. As a lifelong people pleaser, she agrees and takes it a step further in offering to get his condo ready to sell along with his grouchy and suspicious best friend.

Thoughts: Let me first start this by saying this book would absolutely not be for everyone. And based on my reading history, it really shouldn’t have been for me but somehow, I found myself aching to get back to its pages when I had to put it down.

It is not the swoony, sweet romance I typically love. It was very slow, very messy and had very dry humor. Yet somehow it all worked for me. I just found it all so incredibly witty and charming and it felt so different from all other romances out there.

There’s some repetition in it and quite a bit of frustration. But the journey the characters are going through is a lot more difficult to navigate and I think the author did it in a very honest and vulnerable way.

If you’re looking to mix up your TBR, I’d get this one on your list. It’s a very unique book that’ll stand out for sure. Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ellie Palmer is a great writer—Four Weekends and a Funeral was so engaging and I absolutely adored the slow=burn romance, even though I didn't care much for the other tropes here. While I do struggle reading books about cancer, this wasn't heavy although it was more of a central plot than I was expecting. I felt like the pacing was a bit wonky in some places, but the romance here is the true winner.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could not put it down once I started. I appreciated how Palmer wrote it with just enough romantic steam without being super explicit and raunchy. It was such a sweet story and the characters were so relatable. I could imagine myself in Alison's shoes and never mind the crush I developed for Adam Berg. I loved how she wrapped it up, tied in a thoughtful bow in the last chapter before the epilogue. I look forward to reading more of Palmer's books!

This book was hard to put down. Spending time with two stubborn introverts, slow-burning their way into true love, with bar trivia and women's health firmly supporting the main plot? I got those secondhand new-crush feelings! More than the dreaminess of the hero, I really loved reading about Alison's experience with BRCA1, and her growth in feeling confident in her body and bettering her self-image.

Absolutely loved this book! I could relate to this book on so many levels…cancer, celiac disease, seatbelt pillows in everyone’s vehicles, people pleaser, etc.
I laughed out loud throughout and the characters were relatable. Adam and Alison were funny and sweet.
While this book is a rom-com it touches on important issues as well giving it depth and learning to accept and love yourself as you are. Highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book has everything I love! Enemies to lovers, forced proximity the grumpy sunshine trope!!! Omgggg I could not get enough of these characters & their banter and chemistry!!!

Thank you Putnam Books and Ellie Palmer for the gifted digital ARC.

Unfortunately I don't think I am the target audience for this one. I saw a double mastectomy was mentioned in the synopsis but I wasn't really prepared for it to be a major storyline. I completely empathize with our female MC but it was just too much for me.

I did decide to DNF this one at 35%, besides what was mentioned above the story wasn't really progressing quickly enough for me.

Because I did not finish this, NetGalley is the only consumer site I will leave a rating for this book. I won't hesitate to read this author again in the future.

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!