In #FourEidsandaFuneral we follow Tiwa and Said as they do everything they can to save their local Islamic Center from demolition. While this is a love story, with two ex-best friends figuring out emotions, the reality of local community spaces serving minority communities being demolished is something that we could easily see in the news today. Four Eids and a Funeral is a celebration of family, culture, civic action, and the importance of protecting community spaces and places of worship.

Congratulations Faridah and Adiba on a wonderful novel. Happy to give this novel 5 stars!

I knew I was going to need to read this as soon as I saw the title and the authors. Four Eids and a Funeral is incredibly charming, balancing the heavier topics with the lightness that usually comes with rom-coms. This is such a good summer read and I will absolutely be recommending it to everyone.

I love both of these authors so them writing a book together was incredibly exciting! I really enjoyed this one. I loved the look at the town’s Muslim community and how they all look out and support each other. I thought Said and Tiwa were such great characters and I was very invested in seeing where their relationship would go. I will say overall, this book was a hit for me, but there were a few things that missed. It was incredibly unclear for most of the book why Tiwa and Said stopped being friends and once it was finally revealed what had happened, it didn’t make a whole lot of sense and they both let it go waaaay too quickly in my opinion. Also, I felt like I got to know Said extremely well in his chapters, but Tiwa not so much. I did enjoy the chapters of Eids past, but I did find the timeline a bit confusing. However, the story itself was really well done and I’m so happy I read it.
CW: death, child death, racism, fire, religious bigotry, Islamophobia, grief

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot believe that Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé wrote both Aces of Spades, a dark twisty thriller, and Four Eids and a Funeral which I thought was a super sweet small town YA romance with really important themes. It was fun to see some very relatable YA themes as well as gain some insight to Islam and Muslim Culture while reading!

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and would highly recommend reading this book!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

I've read books by both Farisah and Adiba and so I was really excited to hear that they were co-writing a book together! I don't know anything really about Eid or the Muslim faith so it was very interesting to read about it in this book. Watching how Said and Tiwa practice their religion (both in different ways) was really cool. In a lot of ways I felt like Said in the story when he talked about not really feeling connected to his religion until he goes back home from boarding school.

The characters were really fun too! I think Said was my favorite. He was really funny and sarcastic and had a really great relationship with his sister Safiya. He was also a creative spirit (with his art) which I can relate too as well. Tiwa was very stubborn (relatable) and I loved how she was so passionate about saving the Islamic Center .I almost wish there was more Julian in the book too because he was really funny! You could tell how much he cared about Said and I enjoyed how he ALWAYS seemed to be talking about Pokemon (same Julian, same).

If you don't enjoy the miscommunication trope (who does enjoy it though) you might not like parts of this book. Basically all of Tiwa and Said's relationship in this story is one BIG misunderstanding. (I was actually a little pissed when I read what Safiya did and I didn't really care for her explanation either). The miscommunication here isn't as bad as it is in other books I've read though. If you can get past the fact that they're constantly snarky at one another i think you'll really enjoy this story!

Read if you like:
💕 YA Romances
🕌 Muslim Characters & Culture
👯‍♀️ Ex Best Friends
🥈 Second Chances

I have really enjoyed other books by these two authors, but I think I prefer their darker story telling to this romance unfortunately.

It felt quite off, especially in the revelation of why the ex best friends weren’t talking anymore… because tell me what gen x kids write letters instead of texting or dm-ing each other?!

The pacing also felt off and the jumping around and inserting of the grief aspects felt oddly done where the story felt a bit jumbled to me.

All in all, it was enjoyable but was not one that was memorable and am sad I didn’t enjoy it as much as previous works from these two authors.

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted ALC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar masterfully intertwines the lives of Tiwa and Said as they navigate the summer before their senior year of high school. As they prepare for college and their futures, they must also confront the turmoil within their community.

One of the most captivating aspects of this novel is the exploration of the distinct yet interconnected experiences of a South Asian Muslim and a Black Muslim. The authors brilliantly highlight the ways in which Tiwa and Said honor their cultural heritages while facing unique challenges. This dual perspective not only enriches the narrative but also offers a nuanced portrayal of the diversity within the Muslim community.

The character development in Four Eids and a Funeral is exceptional. Tiwa's journey reflects the struggles of reconciling personal aspirations with familial expectations, while Said's story delves into themes of identity and resilience amidst adversity. Their friendship, central to the novel, is both heartwarming and inspiring, showcasing the strength found in solidarity and understanding.

Moreover, the novel addresses significant themes such as cultural identity, community dynamics, and the complexities of adolescence. The authors’ ability to weave these themes seamlessly into the plot makes for a compelling and thought-provoking read.

In conclusion, Four Eids and a Funeral is a poignant and insightful novel that offers readers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences and personal growth. Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar have created a story that resonates with authenticity and empathy, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the intricacies of multicultural identities and the universal journey of self-discovery.

In Four Eids and a Funeral, we follow Tiwa and Said as they work to save their local Islamic Center. This is a love story that is about community, friends, and family and how all of these things impact you throughout your life. The story is heartwarming and touches on faith, forgiveness, and the strength of optimism and activism that comes from strong connections.

Of both main characters, I loved Said the most. He was such a sweetheart and open with his emotions to his friends and sisters, which was nice to see, especially when male characters are not usually written that way. I also loved how Tiwa was characterized. Specifically, she was sound in who she was and did not care to explain or change anything for anyone. The only thing that I would have wanted more of was Tiwa's experience as a black Muslim. It was touched upon but did not go into depth.

Despite that, this book was a great read. I read this in tandem with the audiobook, and I loved the narrators for both characters, so if you read your books through audio, you will like it in that medium! Both authors are a dream team, and I would read anything that they write together. The story flowed well and never felt disjointed like one would assume about an author duo. If this one interests you even a little bit, I highly recommend you pick it up!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, for the e-ARC and Macmillan Audio for the eALC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

Four Eids and a Funeral is a cute story of friendship, family, and a little bit of romance. It is told through the POVs of Tiwa and Said, who had been best friends until Said went off to boarding school. The death of their town's beloved librarian brings Said home, and then a fire at the town's Islamic Center gives them both a project to work together on as they try to save it. I enjoyed the glimpses into Eid celebrations and the story was very sweet, but as a whole it fell a little flat for me.

I really wanted to love this story, given the premise, but the writing seems completely void of emotion. There's more tell than show, so many obvious points repeated instead of illustrated through vivid word choice. I also hoped for more cultural insight, but instead everything is surface level.

This book is a delight! Summary: Said and Tiwa, once best friends and now enemies, must work together to save their community’s Islamic center from demolition—and maybe in the process work things out between them. I loved the characters so much and their banter and humor were so awesome and kept making me laugh! One of my favorite things about this book was the way the authors were able to make this small town seem so real, with its heavenly bakery, beloved librarian, and orange cat named Laddoo. There was such a great sense of community with Said and Tiwa getting people to come together to save the Islamic center.

I enjoyed reading ones. It had some great characters and a great story. I loved that it focused heavily on community as Tiwa and Said try to get the town's Islamic Center rebuilt after it burns down. There is a political aspect to this but also a huge emphasis on community and trying to create a positive impact.
This is said to be a love story and it is, but it is a very slow burn. I would have liked a little more flirting or sparks or something throughout but since it was so heavily focused on the community as a whole, that was a bit lacking.
Based on the title of four Eids, I would have expected more in that aspect. We did get the four Eids promised, but they were just random one off chapters. I would have liked just a little more from those than just one chapter. I think they could have had an even bigger impact than they did. That being said, each of the Eids brought a little bit more understanding into the breaking in Tiwa and Said's friendship.
I thought that both authors did a great job in this collaboration. I thought everything flowed really well that I couldn't tell where one author began and the other ended.
Overall a great story and I recommend checking it out.

When I heard that Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar were joining forces to write a YA romance together, I was super excited. I have enjoyed all of their individual works, and seeing how the two of them are best friends IRL, I knew Four Eids and a Funeral would be a banger of a novel. The premise of two Muslim teens & ex-best friends reuniting years later to save the Islamic Center in their neighborhood sounded so good! While some of the chapters felt disjointed from one to another, I still enjoyed the dual POV of Tiwa and Said's chapters and seeing both sides of their story when it comes to their friendship, and ultimately, friend breakup. The chapters of the Eids and funerals that happened in their pasts also added to the layers of their friendship. I think my favorite part was how this book demonstrated the spectrum of Muslims that exist, from a variety of cultures. I also appreciated the discussion of how Black Muslims are treated by Arab and South Asian Muslims.

I think fans of Faridah and Adiba's novels will definitely enjoy Four Eids and a Funeral! I'll definitely be waiting if the two authors ever decide to co-author a book again.

♡𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 &| 𝐞𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡
3.5 🌟
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𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
•second chance romance
•ya
•Muslim religion
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𝑰𝒇 𝒋𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒃𝒚 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝑴𝑬! Because this COVER is everything it needed to be! The premise of this story is amazing. It's about two ex bestfriend who are trying to save their Islamic Center from demolition. I did enjoy this story, but at the same time, it wasn't holding my attention like I wanted it to.
This is a duel narration audiobook. Which I highly LOVE! The narrators did a great job bringing this story alive!
♡𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 June.4♡
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Thank you, Netgalley, MacmillanAudio for the (ALC)-audiobook and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the (eArc)-eBook for my honest review.

This was an incredibly cute romance with great representation! I loved the concept of friends who lost touch coming back together to save a pillar in the community, it made the story incredibly meaningful.

The story was heartfelt and sad all at once. With the Islamic Center being scheduled for being demolished, you feel for the Muslim people in the story. The fact that it was one of the only Islamic Centers around several towns really brought in how underrepresented the Muslim community felt. It’s something that definitely still happens and does call for a lot of thought. So watching Tiwa and Said try so hard to protect the community center was inspiring and made you want to join the fight.

As of this year, Four Eids and a Funeral has been my favorite thus far. By the end, you really understand what it means by Four Eids and a Funeral. There was never a moment I wanted to put the book down. I felt the anger of the main characters, the grief, the happiness, and the victory. Not often do I feel like I am part of a journey, but this story lets you in–lets you see a culture that you may or may not be a part of and you fall in love with it. I definitely plan to buy this book upon the release as I just have to have it as a re-read.

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=3 | 😘=2 | 🤬=3.5 | 14+

summary: estranged friends have to work together to save the Islamic Center in their city after it’s damaged in a fire. will they fall in love? I mean… I guess?

thoughts: I didn’t love the relationship between the MCs? like I didn’t see any chemistry between them and and AND the “why we aren’t friends anymore and haven’t spoken in years” conflict was SO STUPID. like when it’s finally revealed what kept them apart I audibly groaned. it’s the worst!! and because their reason for not talking was not the fault of either of the protagonists, it makes their relationship and reconciliation bone dry boring and not interesting and entirely lacking character development! and any personality or flaws whatsoever!!!! be serious! basically what I’m saying is that the best parts of this romance novel were almost anything but the actual romance, and that’s a bad sign!

⋆⋆⋆½

this was super cute, delightful even, and i found the characters lovely. that one bit about said never praying since he stepped foot in his boarding school? twin. tiwa's entire take-charge personality combined with her slowly opening up and showing her vulnerable side as the book progressed was amazing. the depiction of racism within the muslim community and said's lack of awareness was brilliantly incorporated in.

however, the writing seemed emotionally lacking? like it made me, specifically, wistful and envious, because the characters have an easy freedom i will personally never experience due to my parents' version of islam. but i'm fairly certain that was not what the authors intended for the book. (if they did, my bad, five stars. i've been miserable since the first page.) for example, the opening funeral scene lacked any sort of emotional impact. it's supposed to be the death of a close mentor of both mc's and yet, it has very little impact on the rest of the book. said and tiwa meet at the funeral and they get the dead lady's cat, but that was it. i felt nothing. the dialogue in the whole scene felt stilted. the background on the separation of the two characters was also very dull, and so when they reunited, and even when they confessed, it induced a very "so now what" kind of reaction. obviously, i love tiwa and i'm happy for her, but is that all? on the other hand, the one scene where tiwa found out about said's art school applications was very emotionally charged—one of the few scenes where i did feel something, and yet the reaction seemed disproportionate? maybe it's because i couldn't care less about my local mosque, but i genuinely don't see how it would be malicious for him to use the mural he would paint for the islamic center for his uni applications as well. ironically, that was actually one of the few scenes where i understood both characters instead of just liking them on a surface level.

anyway, this was adorable. faridah and adiba have brought to life the islam of my most deranged delusions, (one where lesbians are loved, one where i wouldn't be forced to wear this thing on my head whenever i leave the house), so how could i not like this?

thank you to netgalley for the arc.

This will be a insta-buy for my school library. The story is super cute, and the level of diversity and representation is awesome. I'm always looking for more YA with Muslim characters, as well as books that reference Eid, as I just don't feel like I have enough.

This love story is just what the title of the book starts as. Teenagers Said and Tiwa reunited for a funeral of their favorite librarian. But after a fire accidentally breaks loose at the Islamic Center and the mayor has plans to demolish the building, Said and Tiwa makes a truce and work together to save their community, with a hint of romance sparking in the air. Without spoiling too much, I wish that a death of one character wasn't glossed over. It would've been a good opportunity to explore the ramifications and processing of grief across the MC and their family. In addition, I also wish the topic of anti-Blackness is explored more as a conversation than just Tiwa experiencing discrimination. Lastly, since this story involves Tiwa's and Said's letters, it would be nice to have a glimpse of that where I get to learn more about their history outside of the flashbacks (would've give the third-POV narrator more narration time if that's the case). Four Eids and Funeral is a wholesome romance filled with pure Muslim joy and pride that reflects how whether it's a house of worship or a cultural center, these spaces fosters a true [spiritual] sense of community. It's wonderful this book highlights how multifaceted Islamic culture is across South Asian and Black peoples.

3.75 stars