Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer | Book Review

Why I read it: Ellie Palmer is a Minnesota author, so when Caitlin of Tropes & Trifles told me this was on NetGalley, I requested it. (Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book; this is my honest review.)

Review #insixwords: Best first line I’ve ever read.

More:

• That first line! “When I learn I’m still dating Sam Lewis, I’m at his funeral.”

• There are conversations about death and grief on page. (Sam’s death is the result of an accident.)

• Never fear, the MMC is not Sam—he is Sam’s very grumpy friend, Adam.

• This book is set in Minnesota: the Twin Cities mainly, but also Duluth. It’s always a fun change of pace to read books set where I live. I know those places!

• There’s a focus on individual character emotional arcs here, with Sam’s death as the driving force for each to confront their issues: she struggles with who she thinks she “should” be and he’s afraid to take risks.

• Of course, that means there’s a nice message here about owning our weird quirks, listening to what we want (rather than what people tell you that you should want), and learning to take risks.

• The way the arcs are handled and how it affects the relationship feels more women’s fiction than contemporary romance to me—but likely sits comfortably between the two. This is a nice crossover book.

• FMC is BCRA carrier and has had double mastectomy to reduce her chances of getting cancer and had breast reconstruction.

• FMC is an extreme people pleaser and MMC sees right through her.

• Single POV, told from FMC’s perspective.

• Sex is fade to black and off page.

Recommendation: There are a number of books that fit within rom-com and women’s fiction, and this book will appeal to fans of those genres. Will appeal to fans of When Grumpy Met Sunshine.

Read the book description or add it to your TBR | Buy it from Tropes & Trifles

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