Publishers Weekly
06/24/2024
Debut author Palmer delivers an emotionally resonant grumpy/sunshine romance. Alison Mullally’s boyfriend Sam Lewis broke up with her, then died in a car accident six weeks later. When she attends the funeral, Sam’s family assumes that they were still together when he was killed and his sister Rachel, the only one who knows the truth, begs her to go along with it. As a result, Alison is tasked with packing up Sam’s condo with his gruff friend Adam Berg—who definitely doesn’t want her help, for reasons Alison doesn’t understand. Over the course of four weekends, though, Alison and Adam form a tentative friendship, which rapidly morphs into sizzling chemistry both try—and fail—to resist. When Sam’s mother offers a family heirloom to Alison, she’s forced to come clean—while having a panic attack at his parents’ home. Alison makes for a deeply sympathetic heroine in a sticky situation. Adam, too, will tug at readers’ heartstrings as he juggles his attraction to Alison with his grief. Palmer also handles tough issues with grace, including Alison’s preventative double mastectomy after learning that she carries the BRCA-1 gene, and her all too understandable panic attacks. This packs a punch. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
One of Beyond The Book Ends’ Most Anticipated Releases this August
"Debut author Ellie Palmer is poised to become one of the most beloved voices in the romance genre, mark my words. If you enjoy romance novels with a heavy dose of sarcasm, vulnerability, love scenes worthy of several spicy peppers, and lots of tension, you need to add Four Weekends and a Funeral to your TBR list. It’s one of the most unique yet authentic storylines I’ve read this year, and I can’t wait to devour Palmer’s next project!" —Scary Mommy
"Prepare yourself for a whole five-course forced-proximity meal! Alison and Adam may meet through the most contrived of situations, but their connection is all natural. Sure, Adam prefers to speak in single-word sentences, but his obvious care for Alison is warm and undeniably attractive. I mean the man starts storing Thin Mints in his freezer after seeing Alison eat them one time. Who wouldn’t swoon?" —Washington Post
"An emotionally resonant grumpy/sunshine romance. . . Alison makes for a deeply sympathetic heroine [and Adam] will tug at readers’ heartstrings as he juggles his attraction to Alison with his grief. Palmer also handles tough issues with grace, including Alison’s preventative double mastectomy after learning that she carries the BRCA-1 gene, and her all too understandable panic attacks. This packs a punch." —Publishers Weekly
"These protagonists are realistic and likable and have sizzling chemistry. Their banter is amusing and witty, and Alison’s interior life is both frustrating and hilarious. . . This debut rom-com features peak grumpy/sunshine and friends-to-lovers tropes." —Library Journal
"A cozy affirmation for introverts and homebodies about loss, love, and being enough." —Abby Jimenez, author of Yours Truly
"I fell all the way for the slow, warm unfolding of friendship and love in this poignant debut from Ellie Palmer. From the wintery Minnesota setting to the banter over the best way to enjoy Girl Scout cookies, there's so much in Four Weekends and a Funeral that reminds you of how special it is to find someone who quickly becomes your new favorite person. I already want to reread this book all over again; it feels like a comfort I will return to many times!" —Alicia Thompson, author of With Love, from Cold World
"My absolute favorite kind of rom-com, where laugh-out-loud banter, lovable characters, and swoony moments sneakily add up to something deep and beautiful. . . . An incredible debut!" —Sarah Adler, author of Happy Medium
"Ellie's voice is fresh and real. Four Weekends and a Funeral is a story about finding yourself and being brave enough to take ownership of your life, in addition to being a sparkling, heartwarming, and perfectly witty romance. I will read anything she ever writes." —Tarah Dewitt, author of Funny Feelings
"From the very first line, I knew Four Weekends and a Funeral was going to be one of my favorite books. Ellie Palmer has such a compelling voice—razor-sharp wit wrapped up in beautiful warmth—that every word she writes leaps off the page. The fresh take on fake dating hooked me from the start, and the perfectly balanced mix of serious topics and electric banter made it unputdownable. I'll devour anything Ellie Palmer writes." —Jessica Joyce, author of You, with a View
"A charming rom-com dripping with witty banter and heartfelt moments. Despite their rocky start, Alison and Adam’s chemistry leapt off the page with the sweetest tension as their relationship progressed. But what was special about this book for me was the realistic exploration of survivor guilt and grief as Alison learned to accept herself and her new body as a carrier of the BRCA1 genetic mutation. As a carrier myself, I loved how this difficult diagnosis was handled with care and nuance by the author. A stunning debut! —Farah Heron, author of Accidentally Engaged
"With her debut novel, Ellie Palmer has managed to accomplish what most authors never do and that is create the perfect romantic comedy. Four Weekends and a Funeral is a masterfully penned, pitch-perfect romance full of humor, so much heart, and swoon-worthy moments as well as brilliant puns, poignant observations about life, important representation, and believable character development. Adam, Alison and all their friends, even the dead ones, come alive on the page and make you care so hard and pine for their happily ever after." —Meredith Schorr, author of As Seen on TV
"Brilliant and funny! Ellie Palmer and her exceptional wit gave me an emotional hangover for weeks. My hands down favourite read of the year!" —Kate Robb, author of This Spells Love
"With a fresh and funny premise, electric wit and banter, and the best grumpy hero I've ever read, Ellie Palmer has created a perfect rom-com. Every moment of this story is filled with so much warmth and humor, and these characters feel like some of my dearest friends." —Naina Kumar, author of Say You'll Be Mine
"Fresh, witty, and achingly cathartic . . . An unforgettable book that explores what it really means to live an authentic life when given the most precious gift of time. With a bitterly funny heroine, an endearing friend group, and a deliciously grumpy hero, Four Weekends and a Funeral is an immersive read that beautifully explores life, love, and a smidge of fake-dating-the-dead after a preventative mastectomy." —Livy Hart, author of Planes, Trains, and All the Feels
"From page one, Ellie Palmer's debut sizzles with humor, heart, and a whip-smart dose of sass. This book reads like the inviting hug of an endearingly snarky best friend while also exploring the poignant details of life post-double mastectomy. This book simply sings." —Neely Tubati Alexander, author of Love Buzz
Library Journal
04/01/2024
DEBUT Thirty-year-old Alison, a BRCA 1 carrier, dodged breast cancer by electing to have a double mastectomy. Her surgical wounds have healed, but mental and physical scars remain, though life goes on. For her, anyway. While attending her ex-boyfriend Sam's funeral, it becomes apparent that her ex didn't tell anyone that they broke up, and the grieving family wants to keep Alison in their lives. Sam's best friend Adam, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with Alison. Long hours packing up Sam's apartment together, though, prove they have too much chemistry to ignore. But for Adam, Alison will always be Sam's girlfriend and therefore off-limits. These protagonists are realistic and likable and have sizzling chemistry even when they are barely interacting. Their banter is amusing and witty, and Alison's interior life is both frustrating and hilarious. Alison's and Adam's mental and physical health issues are treated sympathetically and don't dominate the romantic plot. VERDICT This debut rom-com features peak grumpy/sunshine and friends-to-lovers tropes.—Heather Miller Cover
