Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
That was a fun read! I really enjoyed Allison and Adam. Although some parts did get heavy (the whole mastectomy and survivor's guilt) I found myself having a hard time putting this down. Definitely an enjoyable read!
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5/5
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I loved the idea and the tropes but I just didn’t love the characters. I did really appreciate the inclusion of someone with a BRCA variant and how that impacted relationships the the main character’s identity.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I loved the idea and the tropes but I just didn’t love the characters. I did really appreciate the inclusion of someone with a BRCA variant and how that impacted relationships the the main character’s identity.
Initial premise seemed contrived but I was willing to roll with it. But yet another overly-anxious-about-tiny-things MC which drives me nuts. Either give me specific context for the anxiety (who in their past criticized them & why?) or give me a different conflict. I just don't find it fun to read about someone who second guesses every thought and lies about their feelings or plans all the time when its inconsequential, or when they could just COMMUNICATE and get what they WANT! The audio narrator did not help her case, as she exaggerated the squeaky defensiveness that permeated Alison's every utterance.
I also found the love interest too hallmarky and unfunny, and played as overly earnest/trying to hard to be sincere by the audio narrator, as it made him actually sound less authentic. Maybe she's just not great at male voices. I also sided with him every time Alison insisted she had to do things she hates "for character growth". I AM HERE FOR THE TRAINS MAAM, JUST LET ME SEE YOU BE EXCITED ABOUT TRAINS, AND HIM ABOUT CARPENTRY. Instead we get her going on and on about hiking and how it's good for you even if you despise every second of it.
Sadly I did not finish this to find out how they resolve the original issue of her being Sam's boyfriend even after death (what family expects this to be maintained indefinitely?) or if she ever embraces trains publicly, or how the trivia showdown goes. Maybe one day I'll pick up a physical copy to skim.
The breast cancer and mastectomy context was interesting but seemed mostly played for the "will men still find me attractive???" angle. The concerns were valid but I think they could have been incorporated and explored better.
I also found the love interest too hallmarky and unfunny, and played as overly earnest/trying to hard to be sincere by the audio narrator, as it made him actually sound less authentic. Maybe she's just not great at male voices. I also sided with him every time Alison insisted she had to do things she hates "for character growth". I AM HERE FOR THE TRAINS MAAM, JUST LET ME SEE YOU BE EXCITED ABOUT TRAINS, AND HIM ABOUT CARPENTRY. Instead we get her going on and on about hiking and how it's good for you even if you despise every second of it.
Sadly I did not finish this to find out how they resolve the original issue of her being Sam's boyfriend even after death (what family expects this to be maintained indefinitely?) or if she ever embraces trains publicly, or how the trivia showdown goes. Maybe one day I'll pick up a physical copy to skim.
The breast cancer and mastectomy context was interesting but seemed mostly played for the "will men still find me attractive???" angle. The concerns were valid but I think they could have been incorporated and explored better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Death
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
I really enjoyed the banter in this grumpy-sunshine dynamic. Their commentary during the school show had really opened me up to their style. I was actually laughing out loud.
As the book progresses, it does feel like they go in circles about the same three problems. Alison creates dreams and ambitions because she feels empty for not having them. Adam runs away from his dreams and ambitions because he can’t follow through with them. And, of course, the reason for their close proximity setting — the death of Alison’s ex and Adam’s best friend. This does weigh down my overall opinion of the book. Especially because there is A LOT of arguing because of these three problems. However the main couple chemistry was still top-notched.
I give major props to how grief was handled though. I assumed Sam’s death would just be an awkward backdrop, but it was front and center. He is present throughout the book as he would be in their lives given his larger than life personality.
Mini-spoiler: This played a role in the ending, which while a bit predictable, was wonderful and tied everything together.
I also learned so much about BRCA from this book. I loved that we started after Alison had gotten used to her mastectomy, but was still not used to other people getting acquainted with it.
Well I’m starting the new year out a little slow on my reading, but I just finished Ellie Palmer’s “Four Weekends and a Funeral” and I enjoyed it. In defense of my slow progress, I’ve been simultaneously reading this book, a memoir, and still wading through “Hello Beautiful” (which is a slow, slow book) all at the same time.
Back to “Four Weekends and a Funeral”…it was a cute romance that despite such serious topics as funerals and cancer, it was an easy lighthearted read. I don’t know if there’s a trope for this type of romance, but it was basically a “psychological awakening and get your life together while falling in love” trope. Haha
I really enjoy a romance with strong character development and not just spice. Although the characters were better developed in this book than a lot I’ve recently read, I didn’t really find myself utterly rooting for their relationship. So I probably would only rate the book 3 stars.
I hope to start 2025 with more intentional reading and focusing on extremely well written books that suck me in where I just can’t put the book down!
Back to “Four Weekends and a Funeral”…it was a cute romance that despite such serious topics as funerals and cancer, it was an easy lighthearted read. I don’t know if there’s a trope for this type of romance, but it was basically a “psychological awakening and get your life together while falling in love” trope. Haha
I really enjoy a romance with strong character development and not just spice. Although the characters were better developed in this book than a lot I’ve recently read, I didn’t really find myself utterly rooting for their relationship. So I probably would only rate the book 3 stars.
I hope to start 2025 with more intentional reading and focusing on extremely well written books that suck me in where I just can’t put the book down!
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fun lighthearted romcom read that I thoroughly enjoyed, even if it’s not life-shatteringly amazing and is a cheese fest at times. Alison’s continued perseverance throughout the story to attempt to become an outdoorsy person even though she knew (and everyone she loves continuously tells her) that she doesn’t need to change who she is felt rather forced, but then again it pretty much felt like something that gave this romance book a basic plot to carry through to the end. Overall an easy weekend read and just what I needed after getting through some more intense lit fic lately.