4.5/5 stars
Genre: YA
📍small town Vermont summer
Would Reread? For sure
Would Recommend? Absolutely.

Tropes and themes:
-siblings
-best friend's brother
-Islam rep
-He’s an aspiring artist, she’s an aspiring lawyer
-Colorism
-Murals
-Saving the Islamic center
-Family
-LGBTQ+ rep

My thoughts:
The ending was perfect. The narrators were 10/10 loved the dual narration. I loved the characters and influence of culture. I've seen this book get a lot of hate but that's totally unfair. This is a beautiful story that I would recommend to many variety of readers.

Thorns: I couldn’t get over the mural logistics or lack there of. I work in the arts and coordinate murals, so I could NOT get over the lack of support the lead character had and how quickly they painted the mural. Murals are not a overnight thing, especially by a teen who has never painted a mural before.

CW: cancer (mentioned), death (off page but funeral on page), death of family member (off page but described and the grief is in depth), hate, f-ed up mayor who is discriminatory

Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar is a lively, heartwarming story brimming with humor, cultural celebration, and friendship. The authors skillfully balance lighthearted moments with deeper themes of identity and family, making for an engaging and relatable read. Full of charm and fun twists, it’s an exciting, feel-good book that will leave readers smiling long after the final page.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook ARC

Tiwa and Said used to be the bestest of friends - yes, I said bestest - until he moves to a new private school and suddenly they are not friends anymore. They meet again when Said returns to his hometown for their favorite librarian's funeral. Some things happen, but for most of the book the reader doesn't know why they are not friends anymore. Then, when we get to know what caused their break up it is a very very silly reason, like specially in the age of cellphones. Like hello text messages don't exist anymore? This book would work if it was set in the 70s, plus it deals with very heavy topics lightly, there is no in depth analysis of it (child death, racism etc).

In the end, this might be a 2.5 star book, but I received the audiobook of this ARC and the person who narrates Tiwa in the audiobook deserves a star of her own. I'll write my full review soon.

I received a copy of this audiobook for a honest review from netGalley.

I loved this Muslim retelling of a midsummers night dream. One of my favorite Shakespeare plays. I love how this went back and forth between the 2 main characters and slowly revealed why the are enemies now when there friendship was so strong. His big sister and his best friend at school were great characters too. I really enjoyed this book and will listen to it again!

Received an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Four Eid’s and a Funeral follows Said and Tiwa, friends turned enemies a few years ago after Said transferred to a boarding school. However, when a librarian who was a mentor to both of them dies, the Islam Community Center burns down, and the mayor doesn’t plan on rebuilding it, the two former friends come together and end up mending their friendship and finding love.

This was a cute and sweet YA romance novel. Said and Tiwa were both vibrant characters and watching the two of them grow back towards each other was lovely. The audiobook narrators brought the characters to life. This would be a great book to add to any middle/high school library.

Four Eids and a Funeral follows two ex best friends as they come together with a plan to save their beloved community Islamic center! The cat!!! The community!!! The art!!!! I loved everything about this one and both narrators were incredible and gave the perfect voices to the characters.

Such a cute, fun story! There’s definitely angst - but the multiple subplots keep things moving and shift focus so much that things never get too dark. The authors really nail the tone of the in jokes, gossip, nicknames, etc. that pepper real life conversation among people with years of backstory. The narrators also do a great job of bringing the characters to life.

There are many times that you long for the bygone days when an editor would have cleaned up the britishisms (presumably at least one author is from somewhere with a British linguistic legacy), since it’s a bit jarring to hear American teenagers referring to solicitors, wardrobes, the high street, etc. And the central conflict of the future of the Islamic Center would be less confusing (and the plot substantively unchanged) with edits from someone a bit more familiar with American government, as it is unclear why there would be a city-owned place of worship in the first place.

But those details aside, this is a wonderful story of teenagers and their families with more to their lives than romance, which just makes the love story even sweeter.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Four Eids and a Funeral offers a beautifully layered story that captures the former besties-to-enemies-to-lovers journey in a way that feels both heartfelt and authentic. The chemistry between the protagonists is undeniable, and their evolving relationship is filled with tension, humor, and genuine emotion. What stood out to me was the diverse portrayal of the Muslim community, showcasing a rich tapestry of characters and experiences. The book isn’t just about romance; it also delves into themes of hope, community, second chances, and self-discovery. The multitude of storylines intertwine seamlessly, making the narrative feel fully fleshed out and deeply realized. This is more than just a love story—it's a celebration of growth, understanding, and the power of reconnecting with one's roots.

Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé & Adiba Jaigirdar is a heartwarming and humorous story that beautifully blends romance, friendship, and cultural representation. As someone who values diverse narratives, I found this audiobook to be a delightful and refreshing experience, particularly for its portrayal of Muslim life and the importance of community.

The story centers around Tiwa Olatunji and Said Hossain, two ex-best friends who are unexpectedly thrown back into each other’s lives. Said, who has been away at boarding school, returns to his hometown of New Crosshaven for the funeral of his beloved librarian, Ms. Barnes. His return forces him to confront his estranged friendship with Tiwa and the difficult task of telling his Bangladeshi parents that his true passion lies in art, not medicine. Tiwa, on the other hand, is grappling with her own challenges—grieving her broken family and helping her mother prepare for the upcoming Eid celebration at the Islamic Center, a place that holds deep personal significance for her.

The tension between Tiwa and Said is palpable from the start, but it’s clear that their unresolved feelings and misunderstandings are just waiting to be addressed. The authors do a fantastic job of exploring the complexity of their relationship, showing how the hurt of being abandoned by a close friend can linger, but also how love and understanding can heal those wounds. Their interactions are filled with a mix of humor, tension, and genuine emotion, making their journey toward reconciliation both compelling and relatable.

One of the standout aspects of Four Eids and a Funeral is its rich depiction of Muslim culture, particularly in the context of a Western setting. The Islamic Center, which becomes the focal point of the story, is not just a building; it’s a symbol of community, faith, and part identity for Tiwa and Said. When the center catches fire and the mayor plans to demolish it, the stakes are incredibly high—not just for the physical structure, but for what it represents to the characters and their community. The authors’ portrayal of the significance of Eid and the role of the Islamic Center in the lives of the Muslim community is both respectful and enlightening, offering readers a glimpse into the traditions and values that are so important to the characters.

The plot is well-paced, balancing the personal struggles of the characters with the larger community issues they face. As Tiwa and Said work together to save the Islamic Center, they also begin to mend their fractured relationship. Their shared history and common goal bring them closer, allowing them to rediscover the bond that once made them inseparable. The romance that blossoms between them feels natural and earned, rooted in mutual respect and shared experiences.

Overall, Four Eids and a Funeral is a wonderfully crafted story that resonates on many levels. It’s a celebration of friendship, love, and cultural heritage, with a narrative that is both entertaining and meaningful. The Muslim representation is handled with care and authenticity, making this audiobook a must-listen for anyone looking for a heartfelt and engaging story. I adored everything about it, and I’m sure you will too.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for this ALC!

- I’ve really enjoyed Adiba Jaigirdar’s past books, and I was so excited to read this one! This felt more upper YA, and I really loved the difference in tone.
- The audio was great, although I found myself struggling a little to remember what was a flashback vs present time because I kept getting swept away by the story.
- The humor balanced out the sections that talked about grief so well!
- Loved the cat!! And the romantic tension brought about by having to co-parent a cat. I need this trope in more romances asap.
- The way that the importance of the Islamic Center showed throughout every part of this book was so powerful!

What an author duo! Their writing styles worked seamlessly together and that feels like such a feat. The strong plot line from Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and great characters from Adiba Jaigirdar - it is gold. While it leans into the miscommunication/communication avoidance tropes I can't really fault the book or authors because that is just how high school & early college kids act. But it was still quite well done

This book is an eassssy 4.5 stars for me! I was absolutely charmed by the characters and couldn’t put the book down because of the excellent pacing! I really enjoyed Said and Tiwa’s friendship. Considering this book is only 319 pages long, I think there was definitely time to expand on Tiwa’s grief for her brother and Said’s best friend, Julian. I thought the narrators were fantastic! Truly a lovely and well paced audiobook, I will highly recommend this to my friends!

At this point it doesn’t matter what Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé has her name on, I’m going to read it. And with no qualms. And although this was so much different than her others, (I’m guessing because it was co-written) I still really enjoyed this.

Starting with the romance, I thought it was very cute. I knew it was going to be a miscommunication plot, but I let them make it because they were both teens. Those jokers can hold grudges like no one’s business, so at least for teens the trope is still believable. Other than that it also had some enemies to lovers. And again, this is believable, but that didn’t mean I liked it lol I am just not a fan of enemies to lovers, but I know that’s a me thing. There was nothing wrong with how they wrote it.

What I didn’t care for about this? That they didn’t go in-depth into anything about the plot. It was very character oriented. So much so it was like a mosque was burned down and instead of them telling them what a mosque is and why it hurt so much, etc, they just glossed over it. I just wanted more. Not saying they had to teach the kids, but it would have been nice to show them the importance of what they were doing and why they were so hurt. They can of course use the context clues, but just using those didn’t actually seem to give enough feeling behind it. (And no I’m not saying it had to teach us about racism for it to be good. But one of the main plot points is trying to save the mosque after its been burned down. Why wouldn’t they talk more about this?)

Because this is character oriented, I figured I should talk about them. I LOVED the main characters. The sister, I knew she was annoying from the beginning. And the way she like basically kept throwing them together, I knew something was sus. But Tiwa was a very special character. She reminded me of myself actually. She was very into saving something she cared about and believed in and she was the only one that wasn’t giving up. Said was also a bit like me, with his quiet, artistic nature. I guess that’s why I loved them so much. They were forced together when their beloved librarian passes away. (Of COURSE I was emotional about this lmao) She leaves them behind some things, one of which they have to take care of together. I have to say, I REALLY think she did this on purpose and I loved her for it lol Even she knew they had some things to work out and I’m glad she had a part in them finding their way back to each other.

The writing style was bomb tho lol As a fan of both of these authors, I knew I was going to enjoy this going in to it. I had a good time reading this. They worked very well together. If I didn’t see that there were two different names on the cover, Idk that I would have known that there were two different authors. Their words flowed very seamless together.

This book had a lot going on, but it still completely delivered on most of those things. The romance was so sweet, but I was kind of left wanting more. All in all it was an easy read. I hope y’all try it out!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC Audio Copy! 3 Stars

All in all I enjoyed this book. I do not think that I read it at the right time because the story has a lot of potential but there were times that the story seemed to drag for a bit. The FMC and MMC were best friends who fell off as friends after the MMC goes off to school. I feel that the miscommunication trope went a bit too long for this one, but if you are a fan of that trope then you will probably enjoy this book.

I wish I had read this at the right time and I would have been able to see past it but this book just seemed a bit too YA for me at the time. I love me some YA but I have to be in the mood for it and this just fell at the wrong time into my reading journey.

Definitely check it out for yourself because the the writing was enjoyable, I just did not connect with the characters as much as I would have liked,

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This was an overall enjoyable read, and while not really an in your face romance that I thought it was going to be I'm glad it wasn't. I enjoyed the culture and friendships in this book, and the narrators made it easy to listen to.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the arc of this novel.

I enjoyed this book, and as a non-muslim appreciated explorations of the festivals and celebrations discussed in this book. This is a story about to young people, going through unexpected transition periods, and learning the different ways relationships can change. Tiwa and Said were bestfriends who unfortunately became estranged from each other, but must now work together for the greater good of their community. I loved seeing Tiwa and Said's involvement in their community and the enjoyed the family relations as well. Though I wished some of the things that Tiwa experienced within her community and even her relationhip.with her dad was explored a bit more, this author has semented herself as popular occurrence on my physical shelf.

This was a really cute book and it had some really emotional moments as well. The main characters were very like able and I really loved the narrator.

Enemies to lovers or best friends to lovers? Four Eids and a Funeral shares the story of Tiwa and Said who get stuck together to try to save the Islamic Center from demolition after it caught fire. The relationship development between Tiwa and Said was surface level, but built romantic tension from the beginning. Though the chemistry is lacking, the representation is not. Said and Tiwa alter points of view and have completely different experiences within the same Islamic community due to gender and ethnicity differences. Overall, a fun read with an excellent supporting cast!

This is one I couldn't connect with so I stopped at 31%. At that point I really wasn't invested in the story and had no clue what was going on. I requested this because I wanted to learn about another culture and get a good story at the same time. Sadly, this just didn't deliver for me. I will say I don't think this is a bad story. It should do well with its target audience. The narration was enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook ARC.

This book was fine, I liked the characters, and I appreciated the story’s focus on culture, community, repairing friendships, and processing grief, however, there were a few issues I could not overlook.

My first gripe was that they never really addressed the racism and microaggressions that happen to Tiwa. This occurs multiple times, is called out once in private, and is never brought up again. There were so many opportunities to really delve into this.

Next was the root cause of Said and Tiwa’s rift. I personally didn’t think that the reasoning for what was done was justified.

But I think my main issue with this is that it is marketed as a love story when it didn‘t need to be. This could have been a story about healing a friendship and platonic love. To be quite honest, I would’ve preferred that since the romance elements were very few and far between.