The representation of a person dealing with the BRCA-1 gene was a very unique perspective of this book. I can’t think of another contemporary romance with that representation! Overall, a very solid debut with many swoony moments!

This book is my reminder that romance can absolutely tackle all of the tough things - including cancer. This debut was swoony. And made me kick my feet. But it also made me think. And feel.

Four Weekends and a Funeral, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
This debut novel by Ellie Palmer is by far one of my favorite reads for 2024. There I said it, can you just go pre-order the book now, so we can discuss it further because this book is worthy of deeper conversations and shared tears over? What?? Tell you more?? Finnnneee, but you better order or request this book from your library, got it?!

Four Weekends and a Funeral snatches you from the first page as we sit with Alison’s thoughts about attending Sam, her ex-boyfriend’s, funeral. Why is she here? How did this even happen? Does she correct people when they acknowledge her as Sam’s girlfriend (even though he broke up with her six weeks prior?!) Oh the While You Were Sleeping dilemma! Plus her people pleasing self now has volunteered to help clean out Sam’s condo with the aid of his super duper grump best friend, Adam.

Honestly, the friendship and chemistry between Alison and Adam was my favorite. Palmer is a true craftsman at her art of creating romance without open door explicit scenes. She would totally make Elizabeth Barrett Browning proud! She creates a sweet romantic narrative that causes those little butterflies to happen when Ali and Adam interact with each other and it just hooks you the way our favorite rom com movies do to our helpless heartstrings. The green scarf scene, y'all swoon worthy!

Palmer also creates a memorable cast of secondary characters who hold a special place in the novel. There was not one character that felt out of place or just filler for the sake of the plot. I think 2024 is a year of showcasing the true gift of best friends and I hope that never ends! Chelsea and Mara are Alison’s Best Friends for Life and their quirky friendship truly shines in this story.

I am a lover of a noteworthy epilogue and this book delivers! I still am amazed that this is Palmer’s debut novel, I know she is going to be one to look out for in the future. Four Weekends and a Funeral signed, sealed, and delivered all my favs of the romance genre while also adding witty banter and sensitivity when our characters were faced with some hard subjects like breast cancer and grief.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ellie Palmer, and Penguin Group Putnam/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

the whole description of this book caught my attention right away and was a must read for me. I love odd and quirky meet cutes and this one fits the bill. This story does have some real-world traumas in it that could be tough for some to read. For me, it was a learning journey as someone who has not known someone who has been on the journey the heroine of this story goes through. I thought it extremely well written and I never felt like any of it was over my head or out of place. I loved the grumpy main male character. I have to say, I’m always a sucker for those ones. They always fall so hard for the heroine and it pulls each and every heart string when they do. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this early read for an honest review.

Alison tenía una relación con Sam, pero no funcionó y terminaron. Semanas después Sam muere y ella se presenta en el funeral, todos le dan el pésame porque no sabían que ya no eran novios y antes de decir la verdad la hermana le pide que finja que seguian siendo novios. Alison no vió el problema en mentir hasta que conoce a Adam, el mejor amigo de Sam y empieza a tener sentimientos por el.

Me gusto que ambos se dieron cuenta que necesitaban ayuda profesional y cada uno busco un psicólogo.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for and honest review.

I think that the premise of the book is enjoyable, and there were several moments that were cute and well executed, but as a whole the book felt a little flat. It didn't have the spark that I look for between MMC and FMC when it comes to romance, which is a big deal for me. Though the main characters were supposed to fall in love during a 4-week period, which seems unrealistic in itself, the pacing felt off and a little slow.

That said, I did really enjoy the author's style of writing and there was plenty of wit and creativity.

This was definitely a delightful read , I had such a great time with this book and this being the author’s debut novel , she did a remarkable job.

This book follows Allison who pretends to be Sam’s girlfriend at his funeral ( her deceased ex ) because no one knows he dumped her . Being the people pleaser she is , she agrees to play a grieving girlfriend for the sake of Sam’s family .Adam , our MMC and sam’s best friend , is introduced to Allison at the funeral . Due to guilt for the family , Allison and Adam but agree to assist in fixing up Sam’s apartment.

I love both characters dearly . Although Allison demeanor can come across as inconsistent or erratic to some people but reading about her gave me comfort since , as a people pleaser myself , I understood why she made some decisions . Along side with grieving for Sam , Allison was also coping with the aftermath of her mastectomy and BRCA1 . She recently experienced a life altering procedure and felt guilty for not doing enough . Adam is this incredible, cranky, cinnamon roll of a man ( exactly how I like them ) . The more I read the book , I realized that , despite my initial frustration with him at the start of the book , he was going through a lot , trying to figure out how to navigate his life , Sam’s death and his feelings for Allison .

I was completely enamored with Allison and Adam’s chemistry and sexual tension . I loved how they handled their grief both separately and together.

I loved reading about the side characters ( Mara &Chelsea ) , they were both remarkable individuals . The book did a great job highlighting friendship . I loved how the female friendship was portrayed in this book , it was refreshing to read about .

There is definitely an Emily Henry vibe to this book . Despite this being a romcom , it touches on heavy topic like mental health ,dealing with grief , self - acceptance and much more . Overall this was an excellent read ; my only issue I would have loved to know how Sam passed away .

This book gave me Autumn vibes for sure ( if you’re a seasonal reader , then I suggest to read this in the fall )

I can't wait to read more from ellie palmers; this is my first book from her, but it won't be my last.

Thank you Netgalley , penguin book Putnam and Ellie Palmer for this Arc . This Arc was provided in exchange for my honest review

Rating 4,5

Thirty-year-old Allison Mullally finds herself ensnared in an utterly bizarre scenario: masquerading as the partner of a deceased individual! Sam, her adventurous and thrill-seeking former beau, called it quits six weeks prior due to their stark incompatibilities. Throughout their brief liaison, Allison feigned contentment, prioritizing Sam's desires and even begrudgingly partaking in adrenaline-fueled escapades she loathed.

Presently, she attends Sam's funeral garbed in unfashionable and uncomfortable attire, only to discover that Sam's kinfolk harbor the misconception that they were still an item at the time of his demise. Sam's sister implores her to perpetuate the facade, citing the family's insistence on Sam settling down in his lifetime. Reluctantly, Allison acquiesces, contemplating her ability to feign a relationship with a departed individual for the sake of his grieving loved ones. However, her commitment takes an unforeseen twist when she is compelled to collaborate with Adam, Sam's rigid, cantankerous, and vexing best friend, to sort through Sam's belongings in his apartment over four weekends.

Despite her initial misgivings, Allison finds herself drawn to Adam. Their sharp repartee and burgeoning closeness cultivate a genuine camaraderie between them. As their attraction intensifies and tensions escalate, they realize the imperative of coming clean and affording their connection a chance to flourish. Nonetheless, Allison must confront her own insecurities and ascertain whether she possesses the fortitude to gamble with matters of the heart.

The narrative boasts an array of remarkable supporting characters, with particular commendation reserved for the stellar female empowerment embodied by Mara and Chelsea. Unlike certain romances wherein secondary characters feel contrived, these individuals imbue the tale with depth and ambiance. The snappy banter and tangible chemistry shared between Adam and Allison render the reading experience immensely gratifying. Moreover, the narrative adeptly navigates emotional junctures pertaining to familial dynamics, offering diverse insights into assorted scenarios.

In summation, my immersion in this literary work proved thoroughly enjoyable, and I wholeheartedly endorse it to aficionados of the rom-com genre.

Heartfelt gratitude is extended to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for furnishing me with a digital review copy of this engaging book in exchange for my candid appraisal.

Thanks to NetGalley, I can happily recommend this book with a solid four stars.

The characters are, at times, one dimensional, but Palmer’s writing holds a reader’s interest long enough to see the characters develop into self-aware people who are accepting of themselves. The writing is heartwarming, funny, at times very witty and the descriptions throughout are delicious. This is an excellent read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alison Mullally is a conflict-averse, people pleaser so when she finds out that she is still her ex-boyfriend's current girlfriend, at his funeral, of course she does everything she can to make his family and a room full of mourners feel more comfortable. She plays the part, even agreeing to team up with her ex's grumpy best friend to clean out his condo to get ready to sell.

Four Weekends and Funeral by Ellie Palmer is very funny. Alison and Adam have great banter, all of the supporting characters have great banter, and I laughed out loud several times. The chapter titles were so fun because they are the most random phrases and, lo & behold, they are often funny one-liners in the chapters.

The romance is so sweet and it is fade to black, but chemistry and the slow build really make the romance work. Lots of really sweet-- the freaking scarf!

The book also tackles Alison's deeply personal medical journey. As a BRCA (the breast cancer gene) carrier, she opted to have a double mastectomy, off page in the past, and is now considering the future of her fertility. She struggles with guilt and how to be a person worthy of "skipping cancer." Her character development really stems from this and the growth is difficult and honest.

I loved this book and plan to preorder a copy. Thank you to Putnam Books and Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I honestly loved it.

As a reader, I'm often drawn to books with promising writing styles, and "Four Weekends and a Funeral" certainly delivered on that front. The prose was creative, illustrative and infused with wit, making it an enjoyable read on a sentence-by-sentence basis.

However, the charm of the writing couldn't quite compensate for the shortcomings in other areas. While the storyline had potential, it ultimately fell short, feeling overly predictable and slow-paced. The formulaic nature of the plot didn't offer anything new or compelling, leaving it to blend in with countless other books in the genre.

One of the central elements of any romance novel is the chemistry between the characters, and unfortunately, this was lacking in "Four Weekends and a Funeral." The idea of characters falling in love over the span of four weekends felt forced and unrealistic, failing to resonate with me as a reader.

Moreover, the characters themselves felt like familiar archetypes rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. The predictable nature of the friends, with their roles neatly divided into the lovable one and the assertive one, added to the overall sense of monotony.

While the writing showed promise, it wasn't enough to elevate the book as a whole. "Four Weekends and a Funeral" had the potential to be great, but ultimately fell short of expectations. Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for providing the ARC, but unfortunately, this one didn't quite hit the mark for me.

This book was such a great read! Loved it. It gave an insight to those with the breast cancer gene.
Lots of emotions throughout the book.

I really enjoyed reading this! The characters are very charming and relatable- the chemistry is perfect. This book would make the perfect early 2000s rom com movie.

The book opens up with the main character Alison attending the funeral of her ex-boyfriend Sam. Sam never told his family they broke up, so they still believe they were dating when he passed. To make this easier on the family she takes on the roll of the heartbroken girlfriend. She agrees to clear out his apartment with Adam, Sam’s best friend. This novel deals with grief, and there were many raw moments throughout the book.
Along side the grief of Sam, Alison has the BRCA 1 gene mutation. She has already had preventative surgery and feels like she needs to do more with her life, be more adventurous. She goes out of her way to try adventurous things even when that’s not who she really is.
This book was SOOO amazing. It dealt with sensitive topics in an amazing way. And the romance with Adam is one of the best I’ve read in a long time! The banter between them had me giggling. The characters felt so real and human it was really refreshing.

2.5 stars rounded up…. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the FMC and MMC which puts a particular damper on a romance book. I liked the plot and there were a few cute moments that I enjoyed but overall this wasn’t for me. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!

Good read but I feel like it hit on the “survivors guilt” by cheating a cancer diagnosis too much. I did enjoy navigating Alison’s journey though!

Thank you to Net Galley and the Penguin Group for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

I'm shocked that this is a debut novel - it really does such a great job of creating and interesting premise and giving us a main character who feels real and like she has real life problems. This book was quick to generate empathy and help us understand, as women, what it would mean to find out that you are a BRCA carrier and might need a mastectomy. I deeply appreciated that.

Four Weekends and a Funeral starts with the premise of a dead ex-boyfriend and a newfound chemistry with said-ex-boyfriend's best friend. Adam hits all the grumpy points well - he's clearly great with his hands, responsible, and gruff with his texts and affection. He buys her Thin Mints and freezes them. He leaves his sandwich behind when he founds out Alison is at a cancer doctor's office. All the things! I will say that this premise of the secret that the dead man was an "ex" and of hiding their romance from the ex's family didn't actually hang over the couple the way that the description suggests - and I honestly preferred that. Those things can make me anxious and make me put down a book, honestly. But the conflict resolution here? So smooth. Very smooth. Most of the book is dedicated to the buildup, of showing us why Alison is a little messed up and why Adam is going to make a great boyfriend, even if he can't take any risks. The spice is minimal, though referenced. And all in all, a well plotted, well paced book!

I loved our side characters as well, and would love to see a book starring Mara and Chelsea! Giving this book a solid 4 stars for its execution, but losing that little bit on lacking a squee factor for me personally or specifically memorable elements (thinking of the politics in Love, Theoretically, as an example.)

This was an interesting book with fun characters, Alison and Adam. It is their story as they work through the death of his best friend/her ex-boyfriend. There were emotional issues with Alison and her experience dealing with the breast cancer gene, choosing to have a double mastectomy and reconstruction. I enjoyed the book and the exploits of Adam and Alison as they worked together to clean out their friend’s apartment.

3/5. Releases 8/6/24.

Vibes: health condition rep, losing the idea of the life you thought you had, 90s romcoms

Heat Index: 2/10

Alison's life changed forever upon the discovery that she carries the BRCA 1 gene, which makes her much more likely to develop breast cancer (as well as uterine and ovarian cancer). After having a preventative double mastectomy, she finds herself at the funeral of her ex-boyfriend, who died suddenly. Extra problem: his family didn't know about the breakup, which results in Alison going along with the confusion. Somewhat unintentionally! For the next four weekends, she'll have to pitch in on packing up Sam's apartment... with his grouchy best friend, Adam. Who doesn't buy her story one bit.

I... don't really know how to feel about this one. I'm giving it three stars in recognition of solid writing and representation of important issues. It plays with some fun 90s romcoms (While You Were Sleeping and Four Weddings and a Funeral obviously come to mind). But I found that it read a lot more like women's fiction than a romance. I see a lot of Emily Henry comparisons, and I do agree with them; and that's a good thing for Ellie Palmer! Unfortunately, I'm not an Emily Henry girl. So I'd recommend this to those who are, but for me... It's not quite right.

I will say though, to those interested--if you have medical or health anxiety, this may be somewhat triggering. Ellie Palmer is open about having the BRCA 1 gene, and this definitely reads as a personal book, which I appreciate.

This is also a closed door novel--nothing on the page, allusions otherwise. While I get it, and it's always every author's right to do whatever they need to do... A part of me feels like it could have been powerful to read Alison and Adam's experience together on the page. I think of a very different novel I read in which the heroine had a mastectomy (without reconstruction). You see sex on the page in that book, and I found it rather impactful.

But again, I feel, like that's totally up to Ellie, and I get why she wouldn't want to.

To reiterate--I think this would be a good fit for you if you like Emily Henry and enjoy a softer romance that's funny without taking away a serious edge. It was too much of an individual journey versus a romantic journey for me. But it will work for a lot of people.

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was amazing! Loved it. Gives an insight to those with the breast cancer gene. Definitely worth the read!

This was such a great book. It was emotional, impactful, thoughtful, funny when it was appropriate, and a great example of how grief affects us all and affects us in different ways. The chemistry between the FMC and mc was fantastic.