When one of their closest friends dies, a group of college friends make a pact that no one will ever go without knowing how the others feel about them. When necessary, they will hold living funerals to show their fake-dead friends how much they mattered and how essential they are. As simple and sweet a concept as that is, their connections and history run deep, and secrets emerge that may influence how they feel about one another.

Steven Rowley's "The Celebrants" was a pleasant surprise. Although the book revolves around death and funerals, it is an upbeat book that emphasizes the value of close connections and chosen family. Each character has their own agenda and emotions, giving them a well-rounded and genuine feel. Who wouldn't want a bunch of friends that care so deeply about each other?

I'd been meaning to read "The Guncle" for a long, but I ended up reading "The Celebrants" first. Based on my enjoyment of this great story, I intend to read anything else Steven Rowley has ever written. I adore his easygoing style, eccentric characters, and intriguing plot lines. I strongly recommend everyone pick up a copy of "The Celebrants" today!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What I found charming and funny in The Guncle I found strident in this book. We once again look at the fine line between funny and annoying. It reminded me of Friends (or more accurately, Happy Accidents). It is not a bad setup: a group of college friends decide to hold funerals for the living to celebrate each other. The execution, however, was not good and made me sigh often while listening.

i really did not enjoy reading this book it wasn't what i expected. was wishing for more plot⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

I am new to Steven Rowley’s books and I am a fan! I read 3 of his books this summer. I am late in posting this review but I did enjoy Rowley’s latest book, The Celebrants (a “Read with Jenna” book pick). The story centers on five friends from college who created a pact to hold living funerals for each other when they need it most. It’s a way to show up for the friend that invokes the pact and let them hear and see how they are loved and valued by their friend group. I loved each time they gathered, especially when they were at Naomi’s family’s house in Big Sur. I can just picture them all there hanging out in the fog shrouded hillside. I know everyone keeps saying this but I loved Rowley’s book The Guncle so much (The Guncle Abroad coming May 2024) and having read these two books back to back, I didn’t love The Celebrants as much. However, I do recommend this book and hope that everyone will check out all of Rowley’s books.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC ebook!

This is a wonderfully beautiful friendship story, with excellent characters that readers really get to know- warts and all. While it's quite heartbreaking at points, it also has a bittersweet humor and lots of interesting conversations and situations the characters find themselves in.

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley is a deep exploration into the meaning of friendship and found family. A group of 6 college students met and bonded during their years at Berkley. The sudden loss of one member of their group led to a pact being formed. This pact has kept the friendships going strong over the decades. Now the friends must gather for what might be the most heartbreaking meetup yet. This book will have you laughing and crying. Read and enjoy!

This book included everything that I've come to appreciate Steven Rowley for. It was touching, tender, funny, & so consumable. This is the type of book that you can comfortably share with any reader and know that they'll enjoy it.

It did feel a touch "busy" at times, but that is a minor complaint and did not dampen my enjoyment of the book by any stretch!

this book is all over booktok and bookstagram and for good reason. from the author of the guncle, if you love the guncle, you need to read this hilarious but also touching novel, before people find out you haven't

The characters were relatable. Loved the authors other books just as much as I enjoyed this one. Definitely recommend this one.

5 college friends from Berkeley who make a pact to hold “living funerals” for each other when needed at tough times during their life. This pact was made when their other college friend, Alec, died while they were attending Berkeley.

This book was a slow read for me. I loved Steven Rowley’s book, The Guncle. But The Celebrants had a different vibe to it. I had a hard time connecting with the characters until the end. And at times it was hard to follow who was talking. With that being said, I did like the premise of these college friends being there for each other in their time of need through the years. And celebrating each others qualities. Something special about that.

Thank you Putnam Books and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. #TheCelebrants #NetGalley #Putnambooks

After reading The Guncle I was so excited to read this one. I listened to it on audio which was great! This is about 5 friends that make a pact to celebrate their lives with living funerals. This was heartwarming and sad as one of them faces a terminal diagnosis. Of course I loved the humor that Rowley brings to the story. Although it was good, I didn’t love it as much as The Guncle. The beginning was a bit confusing to keep the characters straight. I’m definitely excited to read The Guncle Abroad!!!

Thank you @netgalley and @putnambooks for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I confess I put off reading this book for a while because I loved Steven Rowley’s book The Guncle so much that I was afraid my expectations would be too high for this book.

The vibes in The Celebrants are indeed quite a bit different from The Guncle, but we are still secure in Rowley’s capable hands here.

Rowley is known for writing humorous, heartwarming books about grief, and that’s exactly what you find here as well.

In the wake of an unexpected tragedy, a group of college friends agrees to throw living funerals for each other in the times they need it most. As the story of each person’s life and funeral unfolds, we discover the truths that connect these friends together and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart. Like Rowley’s other books this one is both laugh-out-loud funny and utterly heartbreaking. It’s an honest look at the choices, sacrifices, and mistakes we make in our lives, and a testament to the power that friendship and chosen family has to help us survive all that life throws at us, even death.

Thanks to Netgalley, Steven Rowley and Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing an advanced reader copy of this book for review.

"The Celebrants" by Steven Rowley is a heartwarming and honest portrayal of the enduring bonds of friendship and the complexities of navigating adulthood. Jordan, Jordy, Naomi, Craig, and Marielle, college friends who have reunited over the years to celebrate living "funerals," find themselves at a pivotal moment in their lives as they approach a new decade.

Rowley's storytelling is both touching and humorous, and he beautifully captures the essence of these characters as they grapple with the ups and downs of life. The concept of living funerals is both unique and thought-provoking, serving as a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing the moments we have and the people who enrich our lives.

The main plot of this book is a group of college friends fulfilling a pact to attend each other’s “funeral” while they are still alive. The point of these gatherings is to profess the love they have for each other while they can still experience it, rather than afterwards at the funeral. The Celebrants features well-written, interesting characters, though I admit I wish more time was spent on the “funerals” of characters as much as was spent on Marielle’s. The Jordans, a married gay couple, and their journey through their relationship and battle with cancer I found the heart of the book, and sometimes I wish they had been the sole focus. Still, I found the content thoughtful but not morose, though anyone existential anxiety should prepare themselves prior to reading.

Couldn't really get into this one, despite all the hype. A little too wordy for me. I may give it another try since the reviews are great.

Thank you NetGalley, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, and Steven Rowley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Sadly, this book wasn’t really for me and I didn’t finish it… However, I could see why other people would enjoy it a lot more, so be sure to give it a chance if it seems like something you would like!

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley tells the story of a group of friends that create a pact after the sudden death of a friend. They vow to gather for a "funeral" once for each member of the group whenever they call for it, in hopes of showing their love and appreciation before it's too late and they can no longer tell them how much they're cared for.

This book had me laughing, crying, and everything in between. Steven Rowley crafts such a wonderful story of love, heartbreak, and found family that had me aching by the end.

I really enjoyed this author's other books and I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it fell short for me. All the right ideas were there but the characters were just not as lovable as the characters in The Guncle. The premise is great, loyal college friends that are there for each other in times of need. The Celebrants had all the right pieces, but I finished wanting a little more.

Not quite as endearing as The Guncle, but Steven Rowley is excellent at creating lovable characters. This was maybe a little too sweet here and there but overall I really enjoyed getting to know this group of friends.

Full of feelings, heart, and wit, this title is another winner. I appreciate the humor that suffuses this book which covers so many emotions that friendships endure over the years. The pace and setting in this book really draw you in and you end up staying for the love and honesty brought by each of the characters.