This was the saddest book I’ve ever read and I loved every minute of It. I was crying from start to finish and I could never put It down. The way the author handles the stages of grief and how different people drive was just so real. Sometimes you just have to face the fact that it’s okay not to be okay and you just need to give yourself time to heal. Everyone handles grief differently but trust there are people there who want to help you.

⅘ Stars

Firstly, I would love to thank NetGalley, Sophie Andrews, and any publishers who allowed me to read this book. It was not something I’d typically gravitate towards. I’ll be honest: I’m not really one for the sole wrenching, make-me-sob books most of the time. I hate to cry. But I went into this book with an open mind and an open heart, and I did quite enjoy it.

It is a book that will leave you feeling raw, feeling ripped open heart shredded to pieces. I did love that they really focused on her grief, and her struggles and challenges through it, rather than just someone finding love within a hard time. It showed bits of how other people deal with grief as well. With her mother being a shell of a person, and her father nowhere to be seen, she had little support within her family because everyone was so immersed in their own grief. Which made Vince even better as a love interest in the story. He was there for her, he anchored her, and really helped her through her grief.

One thing I would note for anyone who is thinking of picking up this book. Do not go into it thinking it's a love story. Yes there is romance and love within the pages. But this is not a romance book. It's an underlying theme. Its just something that happens through their story.

Love At A Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations is nothing short of gripping, raw, and a first-hand glimpse into the grief that comes with losing a family member. The emotion tied into every word in this book is remarkable and vulnerable and real. And then there’s Vince. Vince who soothes our aches and stings while reading a story about grief, just like he soothed Cass. Vince who is sweet and selfless and undeniably the perfect book boyfriend. Bring the tissues, stay for the love. This book is unputdownable.

5 ⭐️

I was not prepared for this book, but I’m so glad I read it. Once you pick it up it’s so hard to put back down.

This is a very emotional book about loss and grief. It’s sad, but honest on the ups and downs / feelings you have when you lose someone close to you.
I can’t lie, I was ugly crying through most of it.

Cass (FMC) is back home living with her parents and one day unexpectedly the cops show up to let them know that her 30 year old brother died from a heart attack. It then follows her life as she’s dealing with her loss while at the same time trying to keep her family together while they are also grieving.

The romance in it was a nice touch, I loved Vince! He helped Cass while being so patient/understanding and he was there the whole time for her 🥺

The ending was perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC 🫶

"I know right now this is all new and confusing. It's terrible, but it won't always be that way."

I absolutely loved this book. I finished it in one sitting. Being no stranger to grief, it was amazing watching all of the characters in this book navigate grief differently. This book will make you laugh, cry, and want to hug your loved ones.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book!

Thank you very much to NetGalley for the ARC!

SPOILER FREE REVIEW:
Cass is left floundering following the sudden loss of her older brother, and she seems to be the only one in her family capable of handling everything in the wake of his death. Her mother is catatonic, her father is absent, and her life already felt adrift with inconsistency and dissatisfaction. Funeral director (and her dead brother's high school best friend) Vince seems to be the only one who can anchor her amidst her grief.

This is not a book I would typically go for, but I did enjoy it! Be prepared for lots of personal navigation following the loss of a family member. The story itself is introspective and searching, and while there is indeed a romantic storyline (and a very sweet and thoughtful one at that), it's not what I would necessarily consider a "romance". Reader be warned! It's a good book with a lot of important messaging and a great deal of weight given to a heavy topic.

(Note for the publisher: A couple of small typos toward the beginning!)

“Why does everyone think I can manage their grief?” I ask Gracie. “I can barely manage my own.”

"Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations” was such a rollercoaster or emotions. I knew going into it that it was going to be, but I didn’t realize I would be so invested. I really felt like I was alongside grieving with Cass, and I empathized with the rollercoaster of feelings she was experiencing. It almost felt like it was happening to me, too.

In this book, Cassandra loses her older brother quite suddenly, and spends the rest of the book trying to handle her own grief, and also is somehow responsible for the grief of her parents and her brother’s friends and coworkers.

I find it interesting how different people handle grief, and I wonder how I would respond to my sibling dying. I have never lost a sibling, but after reading this book I definitely appreciate having my siblings in my life, and going forward I am going to make sure I make the most of my time with them.

The romance with Vince is secondary in this story; it is primarily about Cass navigating her grief and growth throughout this process.

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for early access to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes I like to joke around and say that I get too emotionally attached to characters in the books I read, and as silly as it sounds, it’s almost hard for me to put into words just how proud I am of Cass and the journey she has been through. It’s almost as if I’m witnessing a friend who literally went through hell and back, yet is now thriving in the most beautiful way and you can’t help, but look back and say, “she did that.” She’s also just one of those characters you can’t NOT LOVE. My goodness, the black cat energy that is Cassandra St. George!

While this book has a splash of romance between Cass and Vince, which don’t get me wrong, Vince was swooning ME; it’s also a story about lost and grief. It’s true, no one really does talk about the grief you have when you lose a sibling. And as someone who is a younger sibling, but has fortunately not have had to deal with what Cass has, this story helped me unfold just how unique my relationship with my brother is and shed light on similar emotions to Cass that I didn’t realize I harbored in the first place.

“I thought I needed to be strong for everyone else. But by putting others’ grief ahead of my own, I unintentionally made it worse for myself. I self-destructed. And, sadly, I think it may be true for a lot of people who experience the death of a sibling. The putting others ahead of yourself, not the self-destructing part. What you experience with your sibling during your time together can span from black eyes to fits of laughter to screaming matches to “Hey, give me five bucks for a beer.” The connection between siblings is established from birth, and even though it can often be tenuous, it’s undeniable. We may not be burying our parents, children, or spouse, but our loss is just as great. Different, but significant. It’s a pain that deserves moments to say, “I’m not okay.”

Everyone processes grief differently. There’s no right or wrong, no book that can give you a timeline to go by and no way for you to really know when you’ll eventually find that solace you’re looking for. And as Cass processes her own grief, we also see how this lost affect the others in her family. There were times where I’d get really frustrated and ask myself, “why is x doing that!?,” and, “don’t they realize how this is affecting Cass too??,” but it felt wrong to stay mad because you realize that they’re grieving and this is how they’re processing.

Sophie Andrews, you’ve written a book that I will definitely be thinking about for some time! I can feel (and literally read) the careful thought and time you put into creating such spectacular characters, specifically Cass and Vince. For Cass, I’m literally that Lightening McQueen fan in the stands cheering them on meme, but instead of Lightening McQueen it’s Cass because I will forever think about her wit, strength and character development. And for Vince, I think one of the main reasons why I really loved his character was because of how thoughtful and understanding he was of Cass, yet he wasn’t suffocating. He knew she wasn’t in the right state of mind, and he constantly reassured her that he doesn’t mind, but he also gave her the space she needed.

Again, this was an amazing read for me and I definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a story that will bring tears to your eyes yet will also be the one to wipe them away as you continue reading. Thank you to Sophie Andrews and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a fantastic read addressing loss and grief. As someone who works in the funeral service industry, I can absolutely attest to the accuracy in which the death of a loved one is approached. It’s a breath of fresh air to read something so realistic yet compelling. I was so lost in the story I almost felt as if I had just experienced this loss for myself.

Listened to the audiobook and learned of net galley and was so happy to found this tile on it and really enjoyed it! It is beautifully written in the way of coping with lost and grief. I connected with the story a lot and it was definitely more than just a book about romance. Cant wait to read more books from this author.

The title and the cover did it for me, I read the blurb and it sounded good. But damn was it really focused on grief, well duh you may think. It really showed how people grief differently. Some make stupid choices some show their true selves. It was heavy and very emotional, and my tears were real. It showed that friends are saviors. Vince was a real one, he showed up and he stayed and even at the end he was waiting, he too deserves the whole wide world.

This book is a beautifully sad story about finding love during your grief. Cass just suffered the loss of her brother who she was very close to and her parents are lost in their grief. Her high school crush Vince is the towns funeral director and helps her to navigate the funeral. He also ends up helping her navigate through her grief as well. This story is very emotional and very beautifully written. I would caution everyone to read cautiously if you have experienced loss recently as it is a difficult read.

This book exceeded my expectations in more ways than one. While I anticipated a sweet romance, what I found was a poignant exploration of grief that left a profound impact on me.

At its core, this book delves into the intricacies of grief and how individuals cope with its weighty burden. We witness a spectrum of reactions among the characters, from initial shock to navigating life in the aftermath of loss. Each portrayal tugged at my heartstrings, leaving me emotionally raw at times.

The narrative centers on Cass as she grapples with the devastating loss of her brother. Her inner turmoil and raw emotions were palpable, evoking a deep sense of empathy within me. I longed to offer her solace, though I found solace in witnessing her bond with Vince, who provided a source of comfort and support.

Their relationship blossomed amidst Cass's journey of self-healing, unfolding in a manner that felt authentic and genuine. However, while the romance between Cass and Vince was endearing, I couldn't help but yearn for more moments of their connection. I felt that the romance could have been more prominently featured, enhancing the overall narrative.

In conclusion, while this book beautifully captures the complexities of grief and the process of healing, I couldn't help but desire a greater emphasis on the romance between Cass and Vince. Nonetheless, their relationship remains a shining beacon of hope amidst the darkness of loss.

“I thought I needed to be strong for everyone else. But by putting others’ grief ahead of my own, I unintentionally made it worse for myself. I self-destructed. And, sadly, I think it may be true for a lot of people who experience the death of a sibling. The putting others ahead of yourself, not the self-destructing part. What you experience with your sibling during your time together can span from black eyes to fits of laughter to screaming matches to “Hey, give me five bucks for a beer.” The connection between siblings is established from birth, and even though it can often be tenuous, it’s undeniable. We may not be burying our parents, children, or spouse, but our loss is just as great. Different, but significant. It’s a pain that deserves moments to say, “I’m not okay.”

Thank you to the Author and NetGalley.com for the Advanced Reader Copy.

Oh my gosh. When I say cried and cried and cried and the most therapeutic way possible throughout this book is an understatement. As an older sister, with 1 blood related brother who is currently living his best life — I could still relate so heavily to the messages shared through the story.

What do you do when your whole world is collapsing while simultaneously getting heavier on your shoulders? Cass walks us through that with the help of her brother’s childhood bestfriend who is also the local funeral home owner protégé. She comes to so many different realizations along her journey but not before hitting several rock bottoms due to self-destructive behavior.

I could not recommend this book enough. Will be buying a copy for my shelf as soon as it is published and adding all of the authors other books to my TBR 🫶🏼✨ To the top of my 2024 highest rated list it goes.


*** note to author, I did find a grammatical error at the 7% mark — He’s boy I used to love when I was a girl who had nothing but dreams in her head and hearts in her eyes. —-

After the tragic, sudden death of her older brother, Ray, Cass is left alone to not only mourn his death but also try to hold her family together. She finds comfort in Vince, the funeral director and her brother's best friend, whom she also had a crush on a few years ago.

I usually steer away from topics like death, grief, and loss because I try to lean toward happier subjects when I read (why look for more sadness). But something about this book made me very curious.

Sophie Andrews dives into the raw stages of mourning the loss of a loved one in the most candid ways I've ever seen. She doesn't sugarcoat it. At all. She perfectly demonstrates the sadness, anger, and resentment one feels towards not only the people around them but also the loved one she lost. Cass mentions multiple times how it angers her how people are "selfishly" living their lives, while her brother is gone.

I loved how Andrews gave the theme of "love and loss" so many layers. mourning the death of a loved one, a marriage crumbling amidst the terrible grief of losing a child, and the struggling relationship between Cass and her parents who are neglecting the only child they have left. I loved how she wove them together so seamlessly.

For the story between Vince and Cass, I think it added a whole other layer to it. It showed us how Cass's inner turmoil with her struggle with self-love was seeping into her relationship with Vince, and how she felt like she was using him as a temporary fix and as an escape from her reality. I loved that she acknowledged what she was doing, instead of stringing him along. I felt like their relationship was very realistic and raw, and I appreciated that it wasn't a fluff piece for the story and it actually added depth to it.

I could write a whole essay on this book, but I'll sum it up and say that I loved this book! It was different from anything I've ever read, and I can't wait to read more of Sophie Andrews's books!

I just reviewed Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations by Sophie Andrews. #LoveataFuneralandOtherAwkwardConversations #NetGalley
https://www.netgalley.com/book/361207/review/1350762

What a beautiful and heart wrenching book. This was such a stunning read about love, loss, and growth. This book had such a raw honesty about it and it was genuinely beautifully written. The main characters Cass and Vince were gorgeous and I personally loved that the romance plot line was secondary to the sibling grief storyline.

I honestly can’t think of anything I would change about this book! Five stars from me 🌟

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sophie Andrews totally stole my heart with this beautiful, heart-wrenching and emotional journey of a novel. From exploring the grief of losing a sibling, whilst feeling the weight of responsibility to hold the family together - to the bittersweet juxtaposition of seizing life and love, alongside the backdrop of unfathomable loss.

The characterisation was just perfect - I adored Cass and her character journey - and I think you’ll struggle to find anyone who won’t fall in love with Vince and his pure, steadfast heart too. Their love story is a joy to unravel, and one that anyone who has had a crush on a brother’s friend / neighbour will resonate with all too well!

Andrews writes with such warmth and even unexpected humour at times - and I just know that this book will provide so much healing and solace for those who have also lost a sibling well before their time.

A truly special thank you to Sophie Andrews and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my review. I adored it!

Despite my usual inclination to gravitate towards lighter reads for my downtime, this book called to me. It’s not the type of book I typically reach for, but there was something about it that whispered, "Give it a chance." And I am glad I did.

From the very first chapter, I found myself deeply invested in the lives of Cass and Vince, the main characters who felt refreshingly authentic and relatable. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I often struggle to connect with main characters in literature, but these two are the exception.

The writing is nothing short of exceptional, effortlessly drawing me in and refusing to let go until the final page was turned. In fact, I devoured this book in two days, unable to tear myself away from it.

But what truly sets this book apart is its portrayal of grief. Rather than tiptoeing around the subject, the author confronts it head-on, delving into the messy, tangled emotions with a raw honesty that struck a chord deep within me.

So, if you're like me and tend to shy away from heavier topics in your reading material, I implore you to give it a chance. Its a good reminder that sometimes, the most profound solace can be found in the most unexpected of places.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don't even know where to start in describing how I felt about this book. I still keep thinking about it days after I have finished it. It was such a well written book and incorporates the feelings of grief, family, self discovery and love. It's the first book I have read which has dealt with the death of a sibling and it was emotional and raw to read.

I felt like this story was handled with care and dealt with some really difficult topics. There is some romance in this story so that help to lighten the weight of this book but overall would recommend for people to read as it made me think about my sibling and life itself.

Cassandra “Cass” lost her brother Ray to a heart attack. Cass is struggling to manage her grief, and she is also parenting her parents; her mother is shell-shocked after hearing news about Ray’s death, and her father doesn’t stay at home. Amidst heartbreaking news and grief, Cass reconnected with Vince, Ray’s best friend and funeral director.

Cass was helpless and trying to figure out everything around her. I love how the author depicted Cass’s emotions. I loved reading about her journey of coping with and overcoming her loss throughout the book. Vince is very supportive of Cass; he is there whenever she needs him. They developed romantic feelings for each other.

The author has also shown how different people experience grief for their loved ones and the complexity of human emotions.

A beautifully written book about loss, love, and family.