The premise of this book was cute, and the writing made it an adorable read. I loved the chemistry between Alison and Adam. Alison was such a strong character, and that made it very easy to root for her.

I look forward to reading future books by Ellie Palmer. It was a cute debut! :)

What a wonderful book!! Forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, and a fake relationship status (?) tropes. I’m also a sucker for a MMC described as Harrison Ford-like. This has some heavy topics but the author does a great job handling the serious themes with great banter and funny moments.

I received an ARC from netgalley and the publisher.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Alison, recently undergoing a preventative double masectomy, attends the funeral of her boyfriend, well ex-boyfriend....and then boyfriend again.

While attending the funeral, her ex's family did not get the memo that Alison and Sam broke up six weeks ago, and Alison soon undergoes a web of lies to help her ex's grieving family.

Cue in Sam's best friend, Adam, "the North Shore Grump," as the two embark on cleaning Sam's apartment together, you guessed it, for four weekends.

I really enjoyed the Alison and Adam dynamic, but half way into the book, I found myself glossing over any of the story that did not involve them.

I did also appreciate the openness surrounding the after effects of Alison's double masectomy, and how that affected her.

I am a self-admitted book worm, and I have been the majority of my life. Here lately, I gravitate towards suspenseful books. That being said, I still love to read a good romance novel. Because of this, I was very excited to read this book.

I tend to be hesitant to read books from a new author, because it sometimes takes me a while to get used to their particular writing style. This was not the case with this book, as I got hooked immediately. I not only liked that it was told in first person, but I also liked that each of the chapters had a title. It was fun seeing the connection in the chapter to the title.

Although I had a vague knowledge of BRCA when I started reading this, this book helped me understand what life can be like for someone with that gene mutation.

I recommend this book. Although it isn’t as “spicy” as I have come to expect from romance lately, it was still a good read!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

I was a big fan of this book. I felt a real connection between the characters and I also felt their chemistry. Would definitely read another book by this author.

4.25 stars
The premise of this book was so unique. I really liked the way it tackled grief and showed it not as something that can be resolved and tied up with a bow at the end. Alison and Adam were SO SWEET together, and I loved seeing their relationship progress. I also haven’t read a book with mastectomy rep, so that was really cool. Alison and Adam’s characters both felt very real and relatable. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I would’ve loved to see more of Alison and Adam’s steady relationship. The friendships in this book were amazing too; you just have to love Mara and Chelsea. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend!

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

Alison arrives at her ex-boyfriend's funeral, and while she’s there she finds out that nobody knows they broke up. Not even his family… but she doesn’t want to drop a bomb to his family during the funeral so she pretends that they were still together the day he died. And to help his grieving family she decided that she could help them and pack up Sam’s apartment. With Sam’s best friend Adam…

I read this book based on the cover and title only, like always. Didn’t know anything about it. But I was still kinda disappointed. I didn’t really like the story. It just felt wrong. And I felt like the whole book was about her boobs. Yes, we should talk about it and normalize talking about it more. But I didn’t want her to talk about it the whole book. And I would’ve liked more grief from her, I know her and Sam weren't that close but still. They were together and he died shortly after they broke up.

But let’s talk about some positives instead. I did like the writing. Very simple and easy to read. The book wasn’t that long either. I did connect with the story and the characters a little bit in the beginning but then I kinda got tired and just wanted to read something else…

I really wanted to like this more than I did because I saw so many good reviews of this book on goodreads. But Idk it just didn’t reach my expectations.

This book didn’t make me feel so many emotions honestly. Of course I felt bad for her at times bcs of the whole cancer situation. But I was more mad at her. It just felt wrong. This whole book. Like dating her dead ex’s best friend… idk I just didn’t enjoy it.

I would recommend this for anyone who doesn’t think it’s wrong to date your dead ex’s best friend right after his funeral…

Anyways big thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for sending me this ark through netgalley.

A completely original take on the rom com genre. I loved all of the side characters, which normally, I don’t always. I loved the life lesson that’s explored throughout this book which is the level of accepting and moving forward in life after losing a loved one.

I got a solicitation to read an advance copy of this book because I've liked Falon Ballard's books, but you had me at "this takes place in Minnesota"!!!! This was great, very reminiscent of the Christina Lauren book that's partially in St. Paul (The Unhoneymooners) - somewhat ridiculous setup, excellent lead characters, perfect sense of place. Loved the train stuff and the references to public transportation, loved the Duluth parts. The author must be from the western suburbs-ish originally because I did not know Ridgedale had a Nordstrom and really who goes out to Excelsior from St. Paul, which was great to puzzle. I do want more specific info on where Adam's houses are. Anyways, A+++, highly enjoyed.

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great book. I love a good "forced proximity" trope and this one did not disappoint! The characters were so likeable and you were really rooting for them all. It was funny, charming and a delightful read.

In this delightful rom-com, Allison Mullally finds herself in a bizarre situation: pretending to be in a relationship with her adventurous ex-boyfriend, Sam, who has unexpectedly passed away. Tasked with continuing the charade by Sam's family, Allison reluctantly agrees, forming an unexpected bond with Adam, Sam's grumpy best friend, during shared responsibilities. As their connection deepens, Allison must confront her feelings and decide if she's ready to take a chance on love. The novel shines with witty banter, palpable chemistry, and well-developed supporting characters like Mara and Chelsea, adding depth to the story. Blending humor, heart, and romance, this book is a must-read for rom-com enthusiasts.

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.