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.

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. And I also listened to the audiobook. The dual narration really cemented the love I have for the main characters. I had to keep reminding myself this is a fiction book because I was so wrapped up in Tiwa’s narrator–she set the mood truly! I felt the heaviness Tiwa held and the crushing grief and hurt when her community aunties seemed against her because of the color of her skin, but at the same time the love she has for her community was never ending.

This book is too serious and sad for me, but I’m sure others will enjoy it. The audiobook narration is well done.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

This was a delightful love story. Even if it didn’t seem like one at first. I enjoyed learning more about Muslim American culture and experience. It made me want to learn more about Ramadan and Eid. And I get teary eyed thinking about the dedication. The narrators were excellent as well.

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 Audio ARC of this book through NetGalley and would highly recommend reading this with your ears! I found the narration to be really engaging and it kept me entertained through the whole book!

Books like Four Eids and a Funeral are a perfect example why I’ll never stop reading YA! Four Eids and a Funeral is a love story about the friends, family, and communities that have molded, impacted, and raised us. This is such a heartwarming story of forgiveness, hope, and faith, that speaks to the power of activism, grassroots organizing and petitions, and art. I loved how the chance to save a save an important space and pillar within their local community was the thread that reconnected and helped restore Tiwa and Said’s friendship and allowed them to see each other in a new light.

There is a very sweet romance that blossoms between Tiwa and Said over the course of the book as they seek to understand what happened to upend their friendship years prior, but the focus is more on healing, family, faith, and second chances. I firmly believe these characters’ stories will resonate deeply with readers who have been on similar journeys and are on the precipice of leaving home and making decisions about their futures. I really loved how Tiwa and Said both had moments of honesty and thoughtful conversations with their families so healing, understanding, and growth could take place.

I really enjoyed the full cast narration and found myself completely drawn in by the rich storytelling.

Content warning: Grief/death and anti-Black discrimination in the Muslim community

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. Narrators Farah Kidwai, Sandra Okuboyejo, and Shahjehan Khan portrayed a wonderful job narrating Said and Tiwa as young and vibrant that brought such good chemistry in regards to the enemies-to-lovers trope, as well as the third-POV narrator who have a small role but packs a punch in giving readers a birds-eye view of the story around them.


Book rating: 3.75 stars
Audiobook rating: 3.75 stars

Four Eids and a Funeral was a fun YA story of rekindling friendships, the importance of community, and finding your path in life -- all with a fun dash of friends-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers. It was unlike anything I've ever read, and I love thinking that there are Muslim kids who will grow up with a book like this available to them! I loved the glimpse into Islamic culture spanning across South Asian peoples to Black peoples in the community. I often felt like the base story however read like many other YA stories I've experienced before. And maybe I'm just not a fan of the "we have to rally to save _____" trope, because this is not the first time it just hasn't done it for me, but I thought the characters were so fun and wished for a story that was a bit more complex and new.

This was so cute and as someone who is not Muslim, I loved learning about the celebration and importance of Eid. It's very wholesome and I think so many people will enjoy it!

*4.5 Stars*

I really loved this. I loved both main characters. I loved everything about the plot. It all made me feel things, I even teared up a couple times. The pacing was very good and I loved how the writings from both authors meshed together. It was one of the best books I've ever read by co-authors. It was a very fast read and I wished it was a little bit longer, especially at the end, but I really had the best time. This was truly a layered and beautiful YA love story, and I hope Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar write more books together!!

PS. the narrators were great and this was just an awesome audiobook.

From the dedication to the reason why Tiwa and Said are initially forced back into proximity again, Àbíké-Íyímídé and Jaigirdar gave this librarian a story to love. The reveal of what was going on with the narrator bits was perfect. Four Eids and a Funeral is a love story about community as much as it's about Tiwa and Said.

Sometimes plots that jump back and forth in the timeline can get a bit muddled but it works well with this one... especially when readers learn that the flashbacks are actually bits of Tiwa and Said's story being told by someone else. And while as soon as letters were mentioned I guessed that they had been intercepted, I definitely did not guess the reasoning behind it and I think it added something to the main plot.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, it tackles some tough topics but remains hopeful. I look forward to talking this one up to my teen patrons.

Farah Kidwai, Sandra Okuboyejo, and Shahjehan Khan do a great job with the audiobook narration and the storytelling aspect of the plot makes listening to this book even better.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Macmillan Young Listeners in exchange for an honest review.

I've read books by both of these authors before and this collab blew away my expectations! The story of Tiwa and Said was one that I think many people could relate to: a feeling of disconnection when away from community, dealing with discrimination when you don't look the same as the rest of your community, family expectations and pressure. "Four Eids and a Funeral" does an incredible job addressing each of these issues, while still making for an enjoyable story. A common thread throughout the story is making assumptions about people and their wants/motivations and how that can be harmful to yourself and others. Each character has to learn this lesson, but it doesn't feel contrived or repetitive.

TW: discrimination, death, funeral, fire, betrayal, pressure, sibling death (mentioned), hurt & heartbreak.

It's a story about falling in love, loving your family/community in the hard moments, being happy, and loving yourself to be strong for your faith, future, passion, and happiness!

While this is about two ex-best friends reconnecting, it also deals with the discrimination that Tiwa faces in her community, being black and Muslim, and how her Muslim community views her unfairly. Said scared and frustrated that his family pushes him towards medicine when he wants to pursue art.
This book doesn't shy away from family problems, difficulty, friendship betrayals, community losing their way, and more.
This book has it all and is an effortless read!

The fourth star is for the orange cat named Laddoo? half the time my brain was just like 'i looovee laddoo'
I automatically love everything Adiba Jaigirdar writes and some parts of it were so recognizable as extremely her. the book itself is pretty cute about idiotic kids. i wasn't a fan of the conflicts, because they didn't seem very realistic. how can a mayor alone make decisions like that? kinda sus. the reason for the fight between the lead pair? also not very well fleshed out.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and Netgalley for an ARC

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the advanced recording in exchange for my honest review.

Said and Tiwa grew up together. When Said went off to boarding school, Tiwa became angry that he abandoned her? Needless to say, the two teens loved all the same things, including their teacher who passed away, creating the premise of their reunion. The pair must set aside their animosity to work together to save their Islamic Center and sparks fly.
I enjoyed the representation of cultures and how it must feel to grow up Muslim in America. The arguments were a bit frustrating, it felt like the authors set up the misunderstanding and did everything they could to keep the two from communicating.
Great YA romance 😍, love myself some rivals to lovers, unrequited love tropes!

Yes please! Such a great pair to team up for a YA Romance!!

Tiwa and Said use to be besties but when Said went away to boarding school they stopped talking and started hating each other to the point of Said avoiding going home to avoid seeing Tiwa. But when his beloved librarian dies he goes back to Vermont for the funeral and Eid. Will they be able to get through this Eid without maiming each other?

I love an enemies to lovers. It’s my favorite and this was great so much resentment, some miscommunication but not too bad. I loved all the characters and felt like everyone was fleshed out very well.

The narrators were very good as well I liked both and love when dual pov gets two narrators.

I definitely would recommend this for YA romance lovers

Thank to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book.

The cover is gorgeous and the title funny, and casual Muslim rep is wonderful, but this book suffers from intensely unbelievable situations that made me feel disconnected from it. I haven't seen Four Weddings and a Funeral, so I don't know if the weird scenarios are referencing it.

1 - Ladoo the Cat. How are these two teenagers inheriting this cat together? Why didn't the librarian tell them about it in advance? Assuming she is a responsible human being, why would she put that in her will, which she had time to update given her death wasn't sudden? Do these kids ever go to the pet store, take this cat to the vet, etc.? How are they splitting finances? What on earth?

2 -An Islamic Center burning down and there not being an investigation of arson. I grew up in the 2000s in New Jersey. To me an Islamic Center burning down is an arson until proven otherwise.

3 - Everything around the Islamic Center's replacement. First, the book seems to imply that the city owns the Islamic Center, which is... illegal? Under the first amendment. Presumably this land is owned by the Islamic Center, which would likely have a board made of local community members, which would likely be working to restore it immediately and have insurance. The lack of any adult activity around the Islamic Center literally burning down is baffling to me. No LaunchGood or GoFundMe? No community involvement at all until these two kids come up with it, despite being an active enough community to warrant an Islamic Center? Why doesn't Tiwa have any friends or connections there aside from the one Not-Imam? I feel so disconnected from this supposed traumatic event.

Also, I don't claim to know Vermont zoning law, but presumably the land is zoned for community use and can't instantly be converted into apartments because the mayor (and only the mayor) wants that, especially because the apartments also wouldn't be owned by the city, so there would need to be a firm involved who is interested in this property and submitted paperwork about it months ago. Which would be weird. And you really can't schedule a demolition within a a week or so of a fire.

Actually, does this story take place elsewhere in the original draft? Both authors are from Europe and the word "knobhead" made it in without anyone talking about it. But then do cities own religious institutions in the UK??

4 - Despite all of the above, bylaws suddenly become relevant at the end.

5 - The large absence of Tiwa's brother from the story is supposed to be important and sad and dramatic but, again, just makes me feel disconnected and not care.

6 - The reveal of what split Tiwa and Said apart was super contrived. Why don't these kids just text each other. What.

I listened to the audiobook, which was okay prose-wise, but not with dialogue; both of the narrators struggled to create clear, differentiated voices for at least the main trio. Tiwa's voice routinely said "Ladoo" wrong, and Said's pronounces Tiwa's name differently than Tiwa does. "Ghibli" is also pronounced incorrectly.

This could have been really cute, but these glaring errors were in the way.

The book was entertaining enough until the revelation of why these long time best friends, aren't any more. Which is the most contrived reason that belongs in a Jane Austen book and not in a contemporary romance.
Without that silly plot twist,.y review would have been 3 stars, so I'm dropping it to 2 stars.

Title: Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé; Adiba Jaigirdar
Publication Date- 06/04/24
Publisher- Macmillan Audio
Overall Rating- 4 out of 5 stars

Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Audio Version: The audio is fantastic and a great way to intake this book. It’s told by three narrators Farah Kidwai, Sandra Okuboyejo and Shahjehan Khan. If you typically like to listen to books, I recommend the audio.

Overall Review: Four Eids and a Funeral was a solid four star experience for me. As I was experiencing the story and gathering my thoughts at the end, I did keep in mind the target age range for the novel. This is a really wonderful story for the YA audience with a lot of important themes such as culture, religion, belonging, friendship, complications with friendships, first love, community, family, career decisions and so much more.

Much of the story is about friendship, family and community. This is technically classified as a YA romance, and at the start of the story they tell you it’s a love story. This is part of why I didn’t give it 5 stars. Sure there is a love story in the story but I wouldn’t say it’s the main focus of the story. The main focus is on friendship and community. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but I could see some feeling misled.

All in all I really enjoyed the strong sense of community throughout this story. That is the main takeaway and it was done well.

Title: Four Eids and a Funeral
Authors: Fardiah Àbikíké-ĺyímíde and Adiba Jaigirdar
Narrated by Farah Kidwai; Sandra Okuboyejo; Shahjehan Khan

Thank you Net Galley, McMillan audio, and the authors for this ALC for my honest review.

"Four Eids and a Funeral" is a culturally rich and beautifully narrated audiobook that delves into the intricacies of friendship, love, and cultural identity. The story follows Said and Tiwa, once close friends who drifted apart but are brought back together by a series of events in their town.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of the universal challenges faced by teenagers, juxtaposed with larger life issues such as loss, family expectations, and the pursuit of dreams. The authors masterfully balance these themes, creating a story that resonates with readers of all ages..

What makes "Four Eids and a Funeral" particularly compelling is its portrayal of youth as activists within their community. The protagonists' passion and drive to effect change add depth and relevance to the story, making it not just a romance but also a reflection of contemporary issues.

Speaking of romance, the friends-to-lovers trope is skillfully explored, with emotional highs and lows that keep readers captivated until the very end. Despite the mixed feelings some may have about this trope, the novel's humor, heartfelt moments, and realistic portrayal of relationships make it a captivating read.

Whether you're a fan of the authors or discovering them for the first time, "Four Eids and a Funeral" is sure to win many hearts with its vibrant characters, cultural richness, and poignant storytelling. It's a book that celebrates friendship, love, and the power of youth to make a difference in their world.