"Four Weekends and a Funeral" by Ellie Palmer is a fantastic debut! The story kicks off with Allison accidentally landing herself in a hilarious mess—showing up to her ex-boyfriend Sam’s funeral only to find out everyone still thinks they’re dating. To avoid upsetting his grieving family, she agrees to play along. But things get even more complicated when she teams up with Sam’s best friend, Adam, to pack up his apartment.

What starts as a fake-dating her dead ex-boyfriend scenario with a twist turns into something very real between Allison and Adam. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is undeniable, and watching their friendship grow into something more is so satisfying. Allison has to face her own fears to give love a shot, but it’s impossible not to root for her and Adam to make it work.

This book had me laughing out loud and swooning in equal measure. The characters are lovable, the romance is spot-on, and the dialogue is absolutely top-tier. I can’t wait to see what Ellie Palmer writes next!

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam, NetGalley and the author for the #gifted ebook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this cute rom-com, debut novel. Looking forward to Ellie Palmer’s next novel!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely an interesting story line and handled difficult subject matter well. I enjoyed the characters and the story as a whole.

Wow, this book took me on a rollercoaster ride! The first half had me hooked with its witty banter, fun writing style, and fantastic character dynamics. Allison and Adam's initial interactions were hilarious, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. I loved the girl power showcased through Allison's supportive best friends, Mara and Chelsea.

However, the third act conflict threw a wrench in the whole thing. It felt like the story lost momentum, and the character conflicts became repetitive. They could have been more nuanced and complex instead of just retreading the same ground over and over. It's like the book built me up just to let me down in the end.

Despite the pacing issues, I still enjoyed the first half and the overall message of self-acceptance. Alison was a relatable character, and I appreciated the way the book handled the topic of grief and the BRCA1 gene mutation.

Here's what I loved:
The first half: Witty banter, fun writing, strong character dynamics
Girl power: Supportive female friendships
Themes: Self-acceptance, grief, BRCA1 gene mutation

What could have been better:
Pacing: The third act felt slow and repetitive
Character conflicts: More depth and complexity needed
Overall:

A promising debut with a strong first half but a weaker ending. Still a good read for fans of rom-coms and heartwarming stories.

I liked the setup of this book and it was very well-written, but I lost interest in the romance about 70% through.

I requested this off the NetGalley homepage without reading the synopsis or knowing anything about the author (apparently it’s their debut!) which generally is a huge gamble. I’m happy to report it paid off! This book was such a pleasant and addicting read- I couldn’t put it down. I love how humorous it was while also tackling hard topics. I think fans of Abbey Jimenez in particular will love this book. It’s also set in MN like a lot of Abbey Jimenez books and I’m wondering if I need to move there now…

TY for the free book @berkleyromance @netgalley #berkleypartner #berkleybooks #berkleyinfluencer #berkleybookstagram !!

So I read this awhile ago and forgot to review it back when I read it, but that’s ok because this is kind of a Christmassy lil story. I will not gripe (much) about how a character named Adam Berg isn’t Jewish, even secularly so. I mean it; I won’t gripe. Ok, maybe a little griping because for real? He isn’t?

Adam Berg is a bit of a grumpy curmudg (totally making that a word) who just lost his best friend Sam Lewis in some sort of car crash while going adventuring. Alison is a sunshiney people pleaser who used to date Sam. She also agrees with Sam’s sister Rachel’s plan to pretend she was still dating Sam when he died because Sam’s parents were getting worried that Sam wasn’t settling down and instead chasing huge adventures.

Alison had a brush with death, in that her mother has breast cancer and she has the BRCA gene too, so she had a preemptive mastectomy. A homebody at heart, she decided to take life by the horns and become an adventurer, dating Sam for his Joie de vivre as much as for himself, until he called it off.

As Sam’s girlfriend she’s thrown into Adam’s orbit as they pack up his condo as a favor to his parents, and they fall in love over four weekends. It’s angsty, has tons of shenanigans, and it’s vaguely holiday-ish — what’s not to like?

I think for me, the misunderstandings and lying and omissions were a little too much. I don’t think fake dating a dead guy is as fun as fake dating, unless I’m reading a paranormal romance and the dead guy is somehow sentient (there are truly not enough ‘ghost-🦆ing’ books and fewer Christmas movies with GILFs).

I liked it, I didn’t love it, I felt bad for everybody grieving and for all the lies, and for the knot Adam and Alison got themselves in because of the lies and whatnot.

What did/do you think?

Absolutely stunning debut. The title itself had me intrigued from the get go. It was equally funny and emotional. I love these characters and I love Ellie‼️‼️

ARC Review ~ Four Weddings and a Funeral~

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As someone who has a hard time saying no to people or feeling like I’m letting them down I could definitely feel for the MFC in this book. She in general was very relatable and I felt myself rooting for her throughout the book. I loved the interactions between the characters and how everything unfolded. Definitely a satisfying read!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!

A rom-com with a twist. Hallmark movie vibes in the non-cheesiest way. This reminded me of an Abby Jimenez book, as we had health issues, both mental and physical, as a plot point in a sweet and funny story. As a carrier of the BRCA1 gene herself, the author was able to share candidly and realistically through Alison. I’ve been a hype girl in the friend group as my own best friend traversed these waters, and it hit close to home, but in an authentic way.

I loved the witty banter between Alison and Adam, the secondary characters, the pop-culture nods, and the many references to pub trivia. Well-written, fun, swoon-worthy, and real, this one should be on your list to read this fall.

*I was honored to read an ARC of this book via
NetGalley and the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.*

I really enjoyed this first book by debut author Ellie Palmer and would gladly read another by her in the future. While rom-comm-ish, it also dealt with some serious issues such as grief and health concerns. Alison must deal with health concerns that cause her to want to become someone else in her gratitude. Someone who deserves life. Adam is also looking for his place in the world but has a hard time moving forward. Somehow, neither can see past their own insecurities and must try to forge ahead, throwing roadblocks along the way.

Thanks to Putnam and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

This was so adorable, perfect for people who like Abby Jimenez and not just because this is a Twin Cities love story, but because of all the feels. This book does such a good job of handling grief and unexpected people and I loved how Alison and Adam figure out their path while dealing with a lot of other things in their lives. While there was actually a good deal of conflict in this book, I appreciated that Palmer wrapped things up as we went and didn't do one magical wrap up in the last chapter. This felt more real, like people were dealing with consequences and then moving on. I wish I hadn't started the book, put it down for awhile, and picked it up, but had consumed it in one go. It would have been worth a late night of reading. I'm excited to read more!

Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer is a heartwarming and charming contemporary romance that takes readers on an emotional journey through love, loss, and second chances. The story follows Rosie, a woman who finds herself at a crossroads in life after a sudden family tragedy. As she navigates the grief and complications that arise, she also embarks on a surprising romantic adventure, connecting with old friends and facing the realities of her past and present relationships.

The novel is set against the backdrop of four weekends—each serving as a pivotal moment in Rosie's journey of self-discovery and healing. Palmer's writing is witty and heartfelt, balancing humor with poignant moments of reflection. The characters are relatable and well-developed, and readers will quickly become invested in Rosie’s emotional growth and the evolving dynamics with her friends and love interests.

Four Weekends and a Funeral is a delightful mix of romance, drama, and emotional depth, with a light, breezy tone that makes it an enjoyable read for fans of women's fiction and contemporary romance. It’s a perfect pick for readers looking for a story that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

Alison Mullally, has been blessed and cursed with the knowledge of learning she is BRCA1 carrier. Blessed because she learned that she would probably gotten breast Cancer but it also means that she has to get ahead of the cancer by having a double mastectomy. Post surgery she finds out that her ex-boyfriend has died and she feels she must go to his funeral. She convinces herself that it is the right thing to do. She will pop in, give her condolences and pop out. If it was only that easy? Once at the funeral, she realizes her ex, Sam, never told his family that they broke up. One in the funeral, she is treated like the grieving girlfriend and like family. She plays a long at the request of his sister but nothing feels right about this. She finds herself volunteering to help clean out Sam’s apartment. She tells herself, she will do this and move on. But one of Sam’s friends, Adam, is also committed to helping the family clean out the apartment. While working on the apartment the Alison and Adam forge a new friendship. Once based on awkwardness and respect. While spending days at the apartment, the two find they have more and more in common. Truths and secrets are exchanged and it is fear that, things will have to change, once the apartment is finished. All the while Alison is trying to complete all the things she needs to do, to keep cancer free. She also has a pushy mother , who won’t let up on her. This is a very sweet story about everyday life. How one small secret can implode and leave everything on the table. Can Alison and Adam find their way. Can the secrets pull them apart or keep them together. I really enjoyed this story. It was a four star read for me. The characters and story were very interesting. I want to thank Netgalley, Ellie Palmer & Penguin Group Putnam for my copy of Four Weekends and a Funeral. It was my pleasure to read and review this book.

Loved this book so much! A different kind of rom-com in the best way! Loved the characters, the tougher subject matter in parts, the humor, and the relationship development. Laugh out loud, and just all around feel good read!

Four Weekends and a Funeral was so cute and just what I needed amidst a reading rut. Ellie Palmer’s story was lighthearted and fun with the right amount of depth. This was really a lovely story with wonderful characters. I enjoyed reading along as they each grew and developed. I loved Four Weekends and a Funeral and would recommend!

I really liked this! It’s billed as contemporary romance but there is a really large focus on her expedience with BRCA1 and her mastectomy/future oophorectomy, so I feel like that’s important to know going in. I liked that this was so different than any other contemporary romance I’ve read - some of the classic tropes were there, but the characters are aware of them and directly address them, which I liked. The characters were all multi-dimensional and I would love to come back to this world (maybe to see who Chelsea ends up with??). There was great (and realistic) growth from both the MMC and FMC, and the realizations they have and the changes they make a result feel believable.

Overall, really enjoyed this!

Author Ellie Palmer and I have something in common: a BRCA genetic mutation. Our lives have been forever changed thanks to it. For that reason, 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 was a very hard read and my review may hit differently than most.

MC Allison also has the gene mutation and was 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘺 to have a preventative mastectomy. Something I'm beyond envious of. I was diagnosed at 32 and didn't get the opportunity. Her struggles with "survivor's guilt" were similar to mine after also doing chemo, radiation, and surgeries. In a way, I was furious this MC as she had no idea how much better she had it. Things always could be worse.

I've sat on this review for months now, unable to write it. Feelings I wished to suppressed returned. Ellie did an amazing job expressing how BRCA gene mutations change your life and future plans. Thank you for putting this book out into the world.

As for the romance, I enjoyed it and I loved how it played into the "you never know what life is going to throw at you" theme.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! The characters felt so realistic, and Alison and Adam's relationship built beautifully. Also loved the Minnesota connection. Hope to see more from Ellie Palmer!

This was the serotonin boost I needed! This was such a unique debut and I adored it! Fake dating a dead man was not a plot I expected to read this year but it worked so well. The main character was so relatable to me - a homebody who feels like she isn’t doing enough in life and doesn’t feel worthy. Where we don’t relate is her issues with carrying the BRCA1 mutation (which the author herself has) and reading about their experiences with getting a double mastectomy and needing potentially more surgeries for her ovaries was a difficult topic to read about. I felt so strongly for the main character and reading about her self image issues after surgery and how it affected her intimacy broke my heart. This was a life affirming story especially for the introverts/homebodies!

I also adored the male main character. He was grumpy but also so thoughtful, witty, and chivalrous. I loved his complaints about people not letting Thanksgiving have its moment and the fact that Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all happen in this book made this the perfect romcom for this time of year. This gave 90s romcom vibes in all the best ways and the side characters were also A+++!

There’s so much about this story that just hooked me and worked for me. The way it ended was so amazing. A truly full circle moment.

Thank you NetGalley & Putnam Books for this ARC!