I was very intrigued by the character arc of a FMC having to deal with a BRCA1 diagnosis. However, the beginning of this book was not the way. Alison comes off as OBSESSED with breasts/nipples and not in a good way. More in a written by a man kind of way. Section of example chapter titles from the first ten chapters:
My phantom nipples
My Schrodinger's Breasts
Nips Out, Chilled and Perky

Point proven, I believe. Thankfully the author moves away from these obsessive thoughts in the second half of the book. She focuses more on the realities of possible breast cancer and how this impacts various aspects of a woman’s life instead of just nipples.

Overall, for me this wasn’t a romance, but women’s lit. The focus was not on the relationship between Alison/Adam and instead more on just Alison/herself. This focus isn’t a bad thing, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. I would honestly be willing to say Adam had almost the same on page time as her friends.

Until the last 5-10% of the book I didn’t buy into their relationship or even the possibility of their relationship. Alison has a lot to deal with personally before adding in someone else. She isn’t even sure who she is during the book. She keeps trying to be someone, anyone else. I enjoyed her character arc for the most part, but there are several times in the first part of the book I almost bailed.

I really enjoyed this forced proximity, ex's best friend romance. It has fake dating in such a surprisingly different way and I always love the grumpy x sunshine trope. I will say this romance is definitely on the heavier side, dealing with grief, the death of a friend, and recovering from a double mastectomy (mentally/emotionally since the physical recovery has passed by the start of the book) and the effects of having the BRCA 1 gene. I think this was all handled with care but if any of those things are triggering, then it's good to be aware that it is a large focus of the book. It's great to see it's representation in a romance novel but might be a bit heavier than you're expecting. It explains a lot about her character and gives insight to her personality and relationships. I like the depth it added to the story and I'm glad it was as big a piece of the story as it was.

I loved Alison's friends and their trivia nights. They were just really good friends and supportive but stern because they wanted her to love herself the way she is and see what they see. It was all very sweet and mushy and everyone needs friends like hers! One of Sam's friends makes a few appearances and you'll know who I'm talking about after reading, but he definitely brings the comic relief for how ridiculous he is, and builds some of the tension between our MCs which I loved. Adam was the perfect grump and a perfect fit for Alison when she's being her truest self. The banter and the chemistry between the MCs was top notch and I enjoyed the friendship they built and the romance that followed.

There's a little twist at the end that I thought was super cute and I really liked the ending -- and that's all I'll say because I don't want to spoil anything.

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the digital ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After reading back-to-back books on dead/ex best-friend's girlfriend, I started to appreciate this story more. I love the grumpy-sunshine in this one. The subtle acts of service towards the FMC was sooo cute to me. Sam, though dead, is always included in the story with his iCal alert which I appreciate and I love how he wasn't portrayed as a villain amidst the breakup with Allison. I didn't expect how real and deep the themes are in the book but I'm not complaining. I loved it through and through and definitely one of the top reads for me this year.

I really enjoyed this book. Although it had heavy subjects matters l would still say it was a fun read. I liked that the main characters had faults and went through hard times., they were relatable.

Did this make me cry reading about grief and how the characters deal with it? yes. Did I still enjoy the interactions with the main characters and find the book fun? Also, yes. I'll admit that there are a lot of tough issues in this book but that's to be expected with a book about a funeral. I really do think everyone should give this book a chance. I really enjoyed it.

Four Weekends and a Funeral was such a surprise of a book! I'm from Minnesota and didn't know it was going to be set in Minnesota, or that the author was from here. It was so fun to be able to picture the exact places described in the book. I'll admit I had to put the book down a couple of times as unfortunately I identified too much with the very specific premise of the book, losing a boyfriend/ex boyfriend, cleaning out his apartment, navigating a relationship with his family, feelings of being enough, and all of the other complicated and often conflicting feelings that accompany.

The subject matter was handled with care by the author, and I loved seeing Alison and Adam's relationship develop. Even though this was a heavier romance book, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. Palmer is a great writer, and I'm excited to see more from her.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.

It’s probably not shocking that a book with funeral on the cover has a lot of grief in it and in many different forms. Ellie has such a hopefully way of showing grief. It’s not exactly light, but an ache like a therapeutic stretch. The characters are all so thought out, the descriptions cinematic. I’m excited to see her expand this universe.

What a debut!! This book has it all one minute you’ll be laughing in the next minute. You’ll have tears in your eyes.. but the most important part is you have two characters that you’ll root so hard for. I love books with people that feel real and this one just hit me right in my core.

This debut was so sweet and cute. It tackled really heavy topics in a way that felt real. Allison tries so hard to be something she’s not but finds herself in the end.

I loved the way the book started at a funeral and how the story progressed. Allison was a very distinct character with a friend group that is there for the good times and bad times.

I’m excited to pick up more from Ellie Palmer when it exists!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Putnam books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! The characters are well-developed and charming, the set-up is fun and unique, and the banter is pitch perfect. I loved watching Allison and Adam's relationship evolve from a grumpy-sunshine dislike of each other to a lovely and heartwarming happy ending. The side characters are also engaging, and the sub-plot of Allison's BRCA diagnosis added some gravitas to the otherwise light story. The writing is crisp, funny and emotionally resonant. I look forward to reading future novels by this author.

When Alison Mullally, a post-double-mastectomy BRCA 1 carrier, attends her ex-boyfriend's funeral and finds out no one knows he dumped her, she agrees to pose as his grieving girlfriend to help his family and sort out his apartment with his grumpy best friend, Adam Berg. Stuck with Adam for four weekends, Alison is determined to win him over despite his monosyllabic demeanor. As they navigate family tensions and packing dilemmas, a surprising chemistry develops between them. Alison must decide whether to reveal the truth and embrace the love she's always wanted or risk losing her new romance due to her initial deception.

This was a cute & funny contemporary romance debut! If I didn't have a million things going on, I probably could've read this in a few days. I can see this appealing to those who love the Midwestern US setting - lots of details on that. Lots of talk around breast cancer, so if that's a trigger for you, proceed with caution. I don't think I really understood why the 'third act conflict' was even a conflict... Maybe I missed something, but I felt like the situation was kind of exaggerated/blown out of proportion? Took me out of the story a little.

It is, at its core, a romance between 2 unlikely people, but also deals with topics of death, grief, and cancer. The characters felt so real and authentic, and the way they handle the serious subjects feels realistic. I liked it!

📣 a wonderful contemporary featuring a funny, train-loving heroine & a grumpy hero

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 have you read any romances lately that feature something you’ve never seen in a romance before? This book’s heroine has the BRCA mutation & chose to have a double mastectomy before the book begins.

I’ve seen some great things about FOUR WEEKENDS & a FUNERAL & it didn’t disappoint. With overtones of some fave rom coms, a funny heroine, supportive & also encouraging friends, & a grumpy hero who is gone for the heroine from the beginning even though his grumpiness almost, ALMOST hides it, this book is so good.

This is the first time I’ve read a romance featuring a heroine with the BRAC mutation. Alison chose to have a double mastectomy before the book opens, & that decision process—& the subsequent effects on her life is movingly (& sometimes humorously) included.

I’d recommend this one for fans of Roni Loren’s What If You & Me & other books in that series—the vibes & the heart of it are so good 🥰.

4.5 ⭐️. Out 08/06.

CWs: former death of a friend, grief, former mastectomy.

[ID: Jess holds the ebook in front of a vase of pink-orange hydrangeas.]

4.5 stars. I really liked this book, it was an amazing debut novel. I love how complex both Adam and Alison are as characters, and being in Alison’s POV, I loved going through her struggles and her journey with the BRCA gene mutation. I loved having her insight and watching her character development as she figured out who she was following her double mastectomy and the death of Sam, who to her surprise, was someone who got the ball rolling over how Alison was really feeling. I loved Alison’s chemistry with Adam, and how he brought out the real her and loved her for how she was and didn’t want her to change herself due to her thoughts about how she should live now that she lowered her chance of breast cancer. The ending at the trivia competition is PERFECT (iykyk). This was the romcom that I needed to help my reading slump, and I can’t wait to see what else Ellie Palmer has in store. Mark my words, she’s someone you should keep an eye on.

Thank you Netgalley, Ellie Palmer, & GP Putnam books for the ARC!

A stunning debut! I laughed, I cried, I want to follow these characters forever. Also loved the insider look at dealing with BRCA 1 and the aftermath of a mastectomy. More stories like this, please!!

This was very sweet, and it was interesting reading from the perspective of a woman who underwent a double mastectomy. The way Sam's calendar alerts paid off in the end was also really well done.

I didn't feel that there was sufficient build up of sexual tension before the two characters got together, which knocked it down to four stars for me. I did enjoy the book and will definitely read more of Ellie Palmer's books.

Thank you to @netgalley and @Putnam for the eARC!
Wow! What a debut! This is such a heart warming, feet kicking, giggle inducing romance novel! An absolute must read - with such authentic characters, a compelling story and message, how could I not adore this? One of the best romances I’ve read this year. I cannot wait to read more from Ellie Palmer. I can’t recommend this enough.

I don’t mean this in a bad way, but basically the entire book is about the MC’s BRCA1 gene mutation and its effects in her life - specifically her relationship with her mom and her body. I really wasn’t expecting it and it just wasn’t working for me, although for others it may be a great read! The romance seemed almost like a side plot to me but I did find it enjoyable. It was also very funny in parts!!

This was and interesting story and I enjoyed the romance aspect of it from a character that had undergone a mastectomy. I thought it started to fizzle out toward the end and the male character was a bit too serious and bland to keep my interest. Overall it was solid.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.