Tw: death of sibling at beginning & mentioned heavily throughout story, alcohol use.
1st person single POV
Brothers best friend
Slow burn
HEA

Heartbreaking & heartwarming simultaneously. A well written story describing Cass's journey of grief, in her case an adult sibling sudden death - we follow the downs & ups & downs; the affect on the families, friends, colleagues; the confusing feelings; the pretending to be okay; & the supporting others before yourself sometimes.
Intertwined is a cutesy rom com brother's best friend situation with a hea. I laughed (author is actually a professional comedian, I'm sure of this ;) ) & I cried, I got angry alongside Cass & felt all the feels, but most importantly I healed a little. I hope that anyone who has struggled with, or is struggling with the death of a close person, can find this book & allow themselves to heal a little too. I applaud Sophie for having the strength to share a piece of her grief so we can help carry the weight together.

I've been thinking about the content of this book constantly since reading, & will be recommending to everyone I can & look forward to reading more by Sophie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sophie Andrews for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Happy release day! Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Cass heads straight to rock bottom when her brother unexpectedly dies, and unexpectedly his childhood best friend is the funeral director and the last person Cass thought would try to come to her rescue. This book is emotional, sweet and sometimes frustrating, but what is grief without some frustration?

Grief takes many forms, and I am familiar with all of them. Andrews does a great job depicting the different ways people grieve, and I found a part of myself in each character, especially through Cass. This is a roller coaster of character development (as it should be) and it is worth reading the highs and lows.

As much as I loved this book, Vince's character fell flat for me. While crucial to Cass's healing, I think he could have been fleshed out a little more instead of him just being used as an emotional punching bag. Again, loved the book but the romance didn't sell me. I would reccomend to anyone trying to find a connection in their journeys, silent mourners that needs something to tell them that their feelings are normal, and that it sucks but it'll be okay.

This was a beautiful book. The author really wrote a gut-punching story that surrounds loss. It made sense when I read that the author also lost her brother at a young age. The story focuses on Cass from the moment the family discovers the tragedy to much further down the road of grief and healing. Cass was already struggling with her stage in life having moved back home with her parents, is working as a waitress, and has a mountain of student loans. The death of her brother results in her reconnection with his childhood best friend, Vince. The story chronicles the many stages and responses to grief, as well as Cass's growth as a person, in addition to the love story between her and Vince. I felt for Cass, seeing many characteristics in her that I find in myself.. I didn't agree with all her choices, but that was ok, as people work through grief differently and at varying rates. And I really enjoyed the long building love story between her and Vince. Thank you for to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC to reivew, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

★★,5

love at a funeral and other awkward conversations ARC review

The title and cover of this book really intrigued me.
This book is about 27 year old cassandra who loses her brother at the beginning of the book. The boy she once loved is the funeral director. Will Cass find love? How will she handle her grief?

At the beginning of the book raymond dies and the writer does a wonderful job displaying all the different ways people deal with grief. It was hard to read at times but i feel like the representation was very accurate.

Cass is such a funny character and i liked her immediately.
Vince is a patient and sweet mmc and there’s nothing not to love about him.

The love story in this was a bit slow for my liking.
It felt like the romance was more of a subplot to this story and even though I understand why I do think I’d have enjoyed this book more if the romance had a more prominent role in the story.

This book was not my cup of tea and I would definitely not categorise it as romance, but i was very beautiful to read about Cass her journey.

⭐️5/5
🌶️3/5

It’s real, raw, honest, angsty, and authentically beautiful. As the reader, you can see how much of Andrews’s heart and soul she poured into this book.

The themes are incredibly down-to-earth and applicable to families and communities navigating grief. To make it that much better, the MMC’s (Vince) character is seriously book-boyfriend-goals—the wholesome epitome of safe space and affection!

Highly recommend it as a change of pace or for anyone who’s moving through grief and is looking for a book with text-to-life relatability.

Let's face it, in romance (as in most genres, I guess), the narrative pattern is often the same. A meeting (or re-meeting), characters getting to know each other, a love story born, the trials and tribulations that threaten to tear the budding couple apart, passion, tenderness, and a happy ending. And that's all you want when you open a romance, so that's fine.

But sometimes you come across a book that turns these codes on their head, and that's why I wouldn't call 'Love at a Funeral...' a romance as such.

First and foremost, it's Cassandra’s story, who is confronted with a loss she never imagined, and faces consequences she never expected. It's the story of a family destroyed by sudden grief, and how they come to terms with it (or don't). So, yes, it's a love story, since through the horror of this loss, Cass meets her childhood crush again and rekindles a very strong bond with him, but this love story is ultimately placed in the background. This novel is above all the story of Cassandra's grief and the stages she goes through to move on.

Sometimes you meet the perfect person at the wrong time, and that's very much the story of Cass & Vince, who fall in love with each other while the foundations that should allow Cassandra to stand on her own two feet have crumbled.

So that's what you'll find here: very raw, very deep emotions. A very endearing female main character who questions herself deeply and goes through hell. A magnificent love story that doesn't happen at the right time. An incredible male character who will make your heart skip a beat. A happy ending (because you can't break all the codes either). All so beautifully written, it’ll make ou cry.

When Cass's brother dies, she is left to pick up the broken pieces of her family. Her father is angry, her mother is depressed, and Cass is completely lost. Amid making funeral arrangements, she finds solace in the company of the funeral director and her former crush, Vince Mancini. Despite the crushing waves of grief, resentment, and loneliness, Vince is the only thing that keeps her afloat. For Cass, they can be nothing more than friends. She is a mess, and her life is in shambles. Who would love someone like that?

This book blew me out of the water! I felt like it was a raw but beautiful representation of grief and how everyone processes it differently. I went in expecting a romance/ romcom story, but I was surprised to see that the main storyline was following Cass and how she was processing her grief. For some, that may have been disappointing, but for me, I found it very refreshing and honest. This book had me in tears, especially when I found out the owner wrote this book based on her personal experience of loss. Don't worry, it's not all tears and heartbreak. There is some romance with a side of spice.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

Surprisingly with this cute cover, this book will get you right in the feels if you have a sibling, especially an older brother. The main character loses her brother right at the beginning of the book. We go through all rhe stages of grieving with her. Her brother’s childhood best friend randomly shows up, a nice break from the sadness, and a slow burn romance story begins. I promise there’s a happy ending!

✨ BOOK REVIEW: Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

You can’t NOT double take at the title. That’s what drew me in, in the first place because, really, how are conversations anything BUT awkward at funerals. Grief is, essentially, awkward. This is one of those books where you think you know what you are getting into, but you really don’t. I knew it wasn’t going to be unicorns and rainbows because it has the world “funeral” in the title but I also didn’t think it was going to be so laden with grief. I wouldn’t really call this a romance book, though. I think that can either steer the reader away or keep them reading depending on why they picked up this book.

⭐️⭐️✨ = 2 stars and a consideration

⭐️ The way that grief was described in this book and the way the different characters all went about it was refreshingly real and raw. I could feel my heart squeeze with Cassandra and her reaction very much reminded me of that episode of Buffy. You know the one. Because everyone experiences it differently — whether it be shock, breaking down crying, denial and anger — and all forms of those are acceptable.

⭐️ The romance was not really the focus of the story and that actually seemed to work because I enjoyed the nature of Vince and Cass’ relationship and their ability to support each other through the death of loved one even if it is through humour.

✨ The social media posts were getting a bit much and I was finding myself skimming over them. I think that is just my personal qualm whenever I see real world things integrated into books.

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op, Sophie Andrews and Net Galley for this ARC.

This was an emotional rollercoaster. The first chapter left my heart hurting, so you can imagine how the rest of the book feels. I didn't expect it to have such a huge focus on grief, with a minor romantic subplot.

This book focuses on the journey through life after losing a loved one, and the new roles people play in each other's lives. You see how the FMC handles her grief compared to how her parents handle it. And then you get little bits and pieces of romance from Vince, who's very patient and supportive and always willing to take things at her pace.

"I've learned it's okay to not be okay, and we need to take time to heal." This has been something I try to live by for years now, and I love that it was included in the book!

I've lost family and friends and this book helped me feel normal with the way I deal with my grief. It's a constant fluctuation of highs and lows, good days and bad days, and just trying to live this new life that your loved one is no longer a part of.

If you're looking for an emotional book about sibling loss, grief, and a pinch of romance with a supportive MMC, then I would recomend this book to you!

Thank you, NetGalley for the advance copy of the book and Sophie Andrews for the complimentary audio!!

Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations by Sophie Andrews touch my heart in every possible way there is! I love it!

This book was not what I was expecting going in, but I enjoyed it, and it made me tear up, it made me sad, and made me smile. I had so many emotions I felt every single word that Sophie wrote.

Grieving is not easy and how we cope with the loss of a loved one can involve many different emotions, actions, and expressions, and how we deal with it is so different for everyone.

Cassandra goes through an emotional journey after losing her brother. She must learn how to cope with the emotional grieving and hold her family together. At the same time balances her romance with Vince who is her brother's best friend and the funeral director. I love how their relationship develops throughout the book. Vince becomes her rock during her difficult time. I love Vince no matter how much Cassandra pushes him away and feels like she doesn’t deserve him; he is always there for her.
My heart aches for Cassandra. She tries to be strong in every situation, but she forgets that it is okay for her to grieve and feel all these different emotions.
Her father was the worst the way he treated her and how he was not there for her, or her mother just broke me.

Favorite quote:
" I'm alive and I want to be alive with him."

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a beautifully written book! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would!!

I really enjoyed the audiobook. Rachanee Lumayno did a great job with the narration.

I can't wait to read more books by Sophie Andrew's.

I haven't read anything by Sophie Andrews yet, and if I'm honest, I requested this ARC purely for the title. This book is going to cause me to read more Sophie Andrews' books though, that is for sure. This book was delightful with all its witty banter and dark humor. Vince is a dream boat of a man who tries to give Cass everything she needs while grieving the loss of her brother. The push and pull of their relationship is perfectly relatable, and the spice is *chef's kiss*. This book isn't overly spicy, but there's a load of tension, which sometimes can be better than all-out spice, in my opinion.

If you're looking for a well written book about love at an unexpected time with a fantastically written love interest with some great dark humor and an underlying message about grief then look I highly recommend you pick up this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for the chance to read this ARC and open my eyes to Sophie Andrews writing.

Wow, I don’t even know what to say.
This book is heavy, but also light and fresh. I loved the insight into grief and loss, how messy and devastating it is. I’m in the funeral industry and see mourners and deceased everyday, but I don’t know grief like this. I’ve never experienced this kind of loss and it was really good to see the other side. Bad but good ya know?

I loved Cass’ story, I related to her a lot in the sense that she’s the black cat, not the family favourite, struggling to keep people together and pushing away the people that care about her. Sometimes it feels easier to just do it alone, not be a burden, and it’s hard to try to be vulnerable.

I also loved Vince. Although I know he’s not real, he was such a good support for her when she just needed someone. He didn’t ask for anything really.

Although this was a dark comedy/romance, it was intense. Maybe I’m too much of an empath but I could feel a lot of this pain through the words. But I chalk it up to Sophie Andrews being an incredible writer! I cried a lot. This was honestly so beautiful

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I want to preface this by saying this book isn’t a 5 star book in the beginning. It becomes a 5 star book as you continue reading it. There’s something so touching about this story that makes you feel so close to the character and by the end of it all, you’re rooting for her.

Like I said, it doesn’t hit you in the beginning that it is a 5 star book, but at the end of the day, all you can think to yourself is this is a 5 star read.

Cass is a very complicated character. She’s not perfect, in fact you have to say, she’s the definition of complicated, confused and troubled and that’s what makes her relatable.

This is a character who doesn’t know how to react or live in certain moments.

It’s funny but honestly true, how death is what it takes for a lot of people to feel like an adult. Like we weren’t feeling that way until death. Mind blowing.

Anyway, I enjoyed this story a lot and stay tuned for a Booktok review.

4.5⭐️
Wow! What a book! I honestly felt ALL of the feels reading this book. I had tears in my eyes (several times), I felt endless empathy for Cassie, I smiled and chuckled and I also swooned.

This book follows Cassandra, she has been living in her parent’s basement after leaving her job and moving from the city. She is working as a waitress and she just feels really stuck. And then she is given a body blow she doesn’t see coming, her brother dies suddenly of a heart attack and what follows is Cassie’s journey through her grief.

As someone who lost her mother at a young age, I really understood Cassie’s grief. I remember feeling all of the same emotions in the aftermath and feeling completely alone in my grief. This was such an honest depiction of grief and finding your way through it, how absolutely messy that journey is.

There is also a romantic aspect to this book. Vince is the funeral home director, her brother’s high school best friend and Cassie’s childhood crush. He becomes her friend, her rock through the storm of her grief and her love interest. I loved his character so much. He was a swoony book boyfriend and I really wanted to sink into one of Vince's hugs. He was infinitely patient with Cassie, even when she was difficult. I didn't approve of all of her choices, but I also understood that grief makes you do some uncharacteristic things.

This story is more about Cassie’s journey than it is about the romance but I still enjoyed the bit of romance we got. We got a little bit of spice, some swoon worthy moments and some heartbreak.

The writing was excellent. The characters were real and relatable. I really wish I had a book like this when I was in the middle of my grief, It would've been nice to know that I wasn't so alone.

This was an instant gripping read , characters and story enjoyed start finish
Makes you laugh cry and think

I have a lot of mixed feelings regarding this book. Firstly, the cute cover, quirky title and even the first paragraph led me to believe this was going to be a fun and light romance. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The beginning of the book was very difficult to read. As someone who has lost a father, it was emotionally draining almost. The emotions were raw, real and relatable. However, I was hooked. The story sucked me in from page one.

The middle of the story was fantastic to read. Again, I related to a lot the story. I enjoyed reading Cassandra’s emotional journey, as well as her interactions with Vince. The romance is definitely a subplot for me, while it was beautiful, it wasn’t the main story. Also, there is a tiny amount of spice.

The last 30% of the book was just one disaster after another. I did not expect all of these things to happen but they were written in so well. Cassandra’s personal development is done so well. I was rooting for her, and I think if an author manages to make you connect with a character on such an intricate level, they’ve done a great job.

Also, there were times while reading I was smiling and laughing. There were moments of inspiration, hope and, ultimately, love. The plot of this is truly well fleshed out and speaks to the author’s impeccable writing ability.

I tried hard to get into this but I couldn't.

I'm not sure if it was the writing or it was just too sad. I knew it was about her brother's death but I guess I had expected it to take place after his death and I wasn't attached to the main character. I couldn't connect with or care about her that much.

I wasn't sure how this book would be for me- as someone who has experienced quite a bit of grief in my life, I didn't know if this would be a hard read. However, I found this book to be the perfect reflection of grief and love. I appreciated that the author was honest about the many feelings that come and go with grief and the difficulties of moving on after the loss of a loved one. However, the addition of romance added some levity to a difficult topic. I really enjoyed this book!

Dear Reader,

This week, I delved into "Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations" by Sophie Andrews, initially drawn in by its intriguing premise surrounding the delicate theme of death within a romantic context. Admittedly, I approached the book with some skepticism, unsure of how it would balance such weighty subject matter with the lighter tones of a romance narrative.

While the book didn't fully meet my expectations in terms of the romantic aspect, which felt somewhat overshadowed and rushed, I found its exploration of self-love to be a refreshing and important theme. Andrews skillfully challenges conventional notions of grief and loss, offering a nuanced perspective on how to navigate the complexities of losing a loved one.

Additionally, the book provided me with valuable insights into sibling dynamics, a perspective I hadn't considered before. While I couldn't personally relate to this aspect, it added depth to the narrative and piqued my interest.

Overall, "Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations" is a thought-provoking read that skillfully combines romance with deeper themes of self-discovery and resilience in the face of loss. Despite its shortcomings in the romantic subplot, the book's compelling characters and well-crafted narrative make it a worthwhile read for those interested in exploring the intersections of love and mortality. Mark your calendars for its release on May 31st, 2024—it's definitely worth checking out.

Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5

Book Boyfriend Rating: 🥵🥵/5 -He was okay.

Spice Rating:🌶️🌶️/5 -I didn’t love where the first scene took place and the second scene I didn’t like the dialogue.

Margins by Mikayla

P.S Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you @netgalley and @author for my copy!