Lily loves running her bridal boutique, spreading joy with every wedding she plans. Mort is content running the funeral home next door. They couldn't be more different.
But when a marriage proposal outside the two shops ends in a you're dead to me instead of a yes, everything changes as lightning strikes and weird things start to happen…
The bridal boutique's flowers wilt and its cakes start to rot, while the funeral home becomes disturbingly upbeat, complete with confetti cannons. It's a disaster for both businesses, and Lily and Mort are forced to work together to fix the mysterious changes.
But these opposites soon find they have more in common than they first thought, including an undeniable attraction. Will this pair find a way to save their shops, and perhaps even discover some romance too?
The sweet, spicy grumpy-sunshine romance you NEED!
[arc review] if you love freaky friday, and a small town romance full of silliness and whimsy—four weddings and a funeral director is for you.
the story follows lily and mort who lead very different lives.
lily is the happy-go-lucky owner of a bridal boutique—bringing couples together and helping them experience the best day of their lives.
mort is the grumpy owner of a funeral home—helping families send off their loved ones when the time comes.
while lily’s shop is bright and inviting, it feels like there’s a permanent rain cloud over mort. that’s until one day, a wedding proposal goes wrong. instead of a yes, it’s a no, and lightening strikes—literally.
a freak storm comes and everything changes. lily’s perfect little store turns into doom and gloom—flowers begin to wilt, cakes begin to rot, and it’s the last place people want to be to prepare for the best day of their life. mort’s funeral home becomes the opposite; the sadness in the air turns into colour and joy—which isn’t appropriate considering the line of work he’s in.
since this is bad for both businesses, lily and mort must work together to fix what went wrong before it’s too late.
as the pair come together to fix their businesses, they start to realise that maybe they aren’t so different after all.
I really enjoyed this story and it was really easy to follow—a great palate cleanser if you’re wanting an good, fast paced romantasy book. it felt so silly and whimsical that I just couldn’t put it down—I finished it in more or less one sitting.
I loved the banter between the characters and parts had me—quite literally—kicking my feet and giggling.
thank you to avon books for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review ⭐️⭐️
This book was so much fun! It was as funny and unique and spicy. It had great characters and the storyline kept me reading from start to finish. I love the opposites attract tropes! The characters had to work together and that’s always fun with this trope. The writing was solid. I highly recommend this fun rom com! I received this book from Avon Books UK and Netgalley. All opinions are my own!
I really wanted to like this book. I was looking forward to a quick, fun read. I felt like the author spent more time picking words out of a thesaurus than actually developing the plot. The wordage was pretty ridiculous as were the character names that were chosen. This was a tough one to get through.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon Books and Hazel Graves for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
‘Four Weddings and a Funeral Director’ is a cosy, supernatural rom-com. Small town, close community and grumpy x sunshine romance leads.
The idea of this book is so clever. I really enjoyed the premise of having a funeral parlour and a wedding shop next to each other. I loved Lily and Mort as the main characters, they complimented each other so well. The ‘switcheroo’ made for some very funny scenarios that were unexpected!
This book was quite a hard one for me to rate as there were some really heartwarming moments and some very funny ones too. However, it felt very slow paced and I found it quite hard to get through to the end. I’m not sure if this is just because I wasn’t in the right frame of mine to read it though. It was nice to read a book that felt like a different subgenre to anything that I’ve read before, whilst still incorporating romance into the plot.
This one, unfortunately, was a miss for me. I was genuinely excited going in, especially with the “Freaky Friday” style premise where magical realism steps in to shuffle characters between different business environments. It’s a fun, creative setup that had so much potential to deliver both charm and chaos.
The romance itself was cute—predictable, yes, but in that comforting way where you know you’ll get a happily ever after. The problem for me wasn’t the story beats but the execution. The dialogue between the characters felt repetitive, and the prose leaned heavily into a formulaic rhythm. Instead of pulling me deeper into the story, it broke the flow and caused my interest to wane. I ended up picking it up and putting it down over several weeks, which isn’t ideal for a book that’s meant to feel light and fun.
That said, I don’t think it’s without an audience. There are plenty of readers who enjoy a cozy, low-stakes romance that doesn’t demand too much emotional investment. This book could work perfectly as a palate cleanser—something to breeze through on a weekend when you’re craving sweetness without complication. If you like your magical realism on the lighter side and don’t mind a little predictability in your romance, this might be right up your alley.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC from Avon Books UL through NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs. ⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing this book, with my honest review below.
Four Weddings and a Funeral Director was a spin on Freaky Friday (or Vice Versa, an old movie that is in featured in the early parts of this book) but with circumstances and businesses rather than people. In this case Lily runs a bright wedding planning business that is all things pink and optimistic while Mort runs a funeral parlor that is dark and somber as befits him. In fact their businesses fit their vibes and approach to life perfectly. When a random violent storm strikes their businesses swap aesthetics and the beautiful town they live in seems to go crazy - from corpses come back to life, mysterious funerals planned with the would be dead knowing, to dead bodies randomly appearing. Of course one silver lining is that Lily and Mort, who were attracted to one another before the switcheroo, are brought together and start to come into their own.
This is a super cute story and Mirage-by-the-Sea, the town it takes place in, sounds amazing (very inspired by Carmel but much quirkier). I just wish it was a little better executed as it meandered, often parking on or regurgitating information multiple times that didn’t need that much attention. I am hopeful it can be tweaked a bit because this is otherwise charming!
Lily es una eterna dama de honor que ha decidido convertir su experiencia en bodas ajenas en un negocio propio: Eternal Elegance, una boutique de planificación de bodas en un pintoresco pueblo costero llamado Mirage by the Sea. Todo parece ir de maravilla… hasta que descubre que el edificio de al lado es una funeraria llamada, curiosamente, también Eternal Elegance. Su dueño: Mort, un director funerario tan sombrío como atractivo.
Lily y Mort no podrían ser más diferentes. Ella, explosiva, colorida y romántica; él, oscuro, reservado y bastante literal con lo de "hasta que la muerte los separe". Pero sus caminos se entrecruzan cuando el caos, los cadáveres inesperados y los malentendidos los empujan a colaborar, y poco a poco, también a acercarse.
Entre bodas temáticas navideñas en julio, clientes excéntricos, una gata llamada Esmeralda y un pueblo lleno de personajes inolvidables, Lily y Mort tendrán que decidir si su amor puede sobrevivir a sus diferencias… y a su dirección compartida.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon publishing for allowing me an advanced copy of this to give an honest review.
As someone who is a Funeral Director, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at some of Hazel Graves’ references in Four Weddings and a Funeral Director. The little inside jokes about the industry felt spot on, especially during my early years as both an intern and a licensed Director, and it was comforting to see the humor in situations I’ve definitely experienced myself. On top of that, having a background in hospitality, I wasn’t at all surprised by the sheer level of craziness a wedding planner has to deal with—it felt very true to life!
The story itself was undeniably cute and cozy, the kind of book you can curl up with and simply enjoy. That said, I did feel at times it ran a little long, and certain parts could have been trimmed down without losing the charm (for instance, the Aunt at the Christmas-themed wedding didn’t add much for me). Still, overall it was a lighthearted, sweet read that blends two fascinating worlds, both weddings and funerals, in a way that’s both entertaining and heartwarming.
I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Mort is a funeral director who runs the funeral home next door to Lily who runs her bridal shop. She sends people off to happiness every day, whereas Mort does not. However, one night a marriage proposal outside of both businesses ends in disaster; lightening strikes, and the atmosphere of the businesses swaps. The bridal boutique becomes death's haven, and the funeral home becomes a place of cheer and joy. Since those changes benefit neither business, Lily and Mort must work together to fix whatever happened when the lightening struck. It is through this work that the two learn they may not be as opposite as they initially thought.
This was a fun and cute read, something to pick up when you are in a bit of a rut and need something feel-good. I laughed at some of the ways the stores swapped vibes, and I thought the romance between Lily and Mort was very sweet.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DNF at 50% - Thank you for Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! I think this book is frankly not for me, even though the premise is intriguing and I loved reading the synopsis on the back. First of all my biggest issues is withthe writing, the 3rd person perspective made me so detached from the story, and I was struggling to get into it. Even though there is like 3 different versions of the 3r person with Lily and Mort, to me the writing was so flat that I was dragging myself through the book and I did not care at all if the characters would get together. I loved the idea of the mystical and magical elements but it was just not super well executed, so it made me more confused than entertaining. I also enjoyed the theming with the mortician and wedding planner, it was giving fun halloween/ fall vibes without overusing tropes and aesthetics. I did enjoy the aspect I did get from their feelings, and their chemistry but i think that was lacking in this book, so I could not continue at all.
Hmmm, I did like the premise of this and found it so interesting and intriguing, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me for several reasons. First of all, this is dual third person POV, and I think that is something that's hard to get into and really immerse myself in because I never felt truly connected to the chacracters. I think dual first person POV would have been so much better when telling this story. The cover is cute, which initially drew me in, but the actual story and characters did not live up to it. The magical elements were poorly executed and I was often left more confused than anything. The pacing was off, and it just felt unrealistic. While I do think the book will be for some people, it just wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hazel Graves, and Avon for the eARC of this book.
This book is a wild ride. Lily (aspiring wedding planner) and Mort (funeral director) come together in this Freaky Friday inspired rom com. But rather than swapping bodies, their businesses swap aesthetics. This leads to many mishaps with both the weddings and the funerals. This story is really funny and is set in a very charming small town. There were some things lacking for me, first would be the romance. I just didn't feel the chemistry between Lily and Mort. The story while fun was also a little chaotic at times, there was so much happening with all of the side characters it took away from the main story. While I don't think this story worked for me I could see why people would really enjoy this book and this author.
Thank you to Avon books and Netgalley for my advanced copy e-ARC!
I loved this book so much! I'm gutted that not everyone seemed to get the humor of the story. I think Graves did a fantastic job of creating a town and townspeople that are so loveable and fun. I will say this may have suffered a bit from inaccurate marketing. While there is romance in this book, I'm not sure I'd market it as a romance. Cozy fantasy or even cozy mystery might be better. The romance doesn't always take center stage and at points feels like a side quest, which I think might confuse some readers. I loved reading about Lily and Mort dealing with the fallout of the switcheroo - fun funerals and avoiding pitfalls for the weddings. Lily is such a fun main characters, and I loved Mort so much! But each of the townspeople was so fun as well. The Grief Guys, the different shop owners, even some of Lily's wedding clients - such fun!
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for the chance to read this ARC! Lily, a wedding planner and her business neighbor, a funeral director, Mort, couldn’t be more different. When a disastrous proposal unfolds in front of their shops, a series of unusual events begins to occur, bringing them together to figure out what is going on! To be honest, I requested this book solely based on its cover and title, having no idea what to expect! *Four Weddings and a Funeral Director* turned out to be a charming and humorous romance with an opposites-attract vibe, reminiscent of *Freaky Friday*. Mort and Lily were delightful and relatable characters, and I appreciated the dual point of view. Overall, it was a light, funny, and thoroughly enjoyable read!
I found Four Weddings and a Funeral Director to be an enjoyable read, though it didn’t completely sweep me off my feet. The premise was charming, and I liked the mix of romance and small-town drama. The characters were relatable, but I felt some of their arcs could have been developed more deeply, and a few plot points felt predictable. The writing style is pleasant and easy to follow, which kept me turning the pages, but I didn’t find myself fully invested in the story. Overall, it’s a light, entertaining read if you’re looking for something fun and uncomplicated, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
Unfortunately this just wasn’t for me. I was hopeful because the premise sounded super cute and magical but it fell flat. While I loved the FMC and MMC individually and together, everything else was an information overload. In between their dialogue there were paragraphs of side information that was mostly irrelevant and felt like filler. I typically love small town settings with quirky side characters and businesses but this had so many that I couldn’t keep track.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This was a fun read that had the switcheroo feel and a ‘freaky Friday’ premise. Based around two businesses which are very different, we see Lily arrive into town and her relationship with Mort develop.
It was a fun read and I liked the dark humour in relation to Mort and his ever downtrodden approach to mortality. I really enjoyed some of the themed weedings and The Grief guys. It was very descriptive and perhaps went on too long, and there could have been more chemistry between the main characters.
Overall, a pretty fun and creative read that made me laugh out loud repeatedly.
This book was a fun read! I loved the main characters and the side characters. There are a lot of plot points in this book you can hook onto. The weddings. The relationships. The switcharoo, the way death is talked about. I had a great time seeing how Lily and Morts relationship blossomed. I thought the Eternal Elegance detail was so super cute. If I had to make a critique, it would be that sometimes the settings were over described in a way where I couldn’t conceptualize where they were!!! Lots of adjectives.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for a ARC in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3/5
You will like this if you like: ✅ vice versa/freaky friday vibes ✅ small town romance ✅ grumpy and sunshine ✅ charming and flirty vibes ✅ halloween/ autumn vibes
Overall, the third person perspective made me a little detached from the plot. Sometimes some chapters fell a little flat which made me question whether to continue. It did however give a fun halloween vibe!
I thought the summary of this book and the cover was super cute but unfortunately it was a miss for me. I’m not sure if I’m just not in the mood for this type of story but I felt no real connection between the characters for the majority of the book. I loved the idea of the funeral home next to a wedding shop and the freaky Friday vibes but the rest fell flat for me. Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to the Author & BookFunnel for allowing me to adv listen to Four Weddings & a Funeral Director.
The title was what pulled me in originally, but unfortunately it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I didn't feel as if the chemistry was really there for them.
Would I recommend? Unfortunately, not. But that's my personal opinion. Others may differ from this :)
I really wanted to like this, but it just got so boring. The author just continues the same pattern of the two characters interrupting each other's day and bad things happening at their place of work. After the "swap" the book is completely monotone.
one of the cutest, most hilarious romcoms I've ever read. the chemistry is sizzling, the plot is fantastic, the freaky friday switches are perfectly on the nose, and everything works really well! 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Wacky opposites attract rom-com filled with a cast of quirky characters and laugh out loud mishaps. Check your brain at the door and prepare to gigglesnort your way through Lily and Mort’s off the wall romance.
A fun read. Lily opens her new wedding shop right next to Mort's funeral directors. Something happens and the businesses get mixed up, leaving them to solve the mystery before it gets too late. Some great side characters too.
3.5 - such a fun cosy book but kinda wish it gave a little more. The ending seemed rushed and the romance didn’t feel romancey at some points. Although mort is a vibe.
This book was fun, quirky, and had a really unique premise — I loved the contrast between Lily’s bridal boutique and Mort’s funeral home, and the “switcheroo” that turned both of their worlds upside down made for some funny and charming moments.
I especially liked both Lily and Mort as characters and how they brought out the best in each other. Mort was so supportive of Lily, always ready to help her out, while Lily accepted Mort for who he was but also gently coaxed him out of his shell. Their dynamic gave the romance real warmth and made me root for them as a couple.
That said, the pacing felt a little off for me. The story jumped straight into the switch, which was a great hook, but then it dragged out for quite a while before anything changed. By the time everything went back to normal, it felt a bit rushed — and there was never really an explanation for why it had all happened in the first place. A little more balance and a clearer resolution would have made the ending more satisfying.
Overall, though, it was still an entertaining read with a fresh concept, some fun banter, and a romance that delivered on charm. A good pick if you’re after something light, whimsical, and different.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
A wedding planner next door to a funeral parlour? Not very well planned. Even worse, they have the same name! Queue some misdelivered packages, bewildered clients and good natured rivalry. But add a freaky Friday like twists and Lilly and Mort are in a world of trouble!
With an endearing small town feel, the local inhabitants make Lily feel really welcome and they're not above interfering when they see fit. But all the mishaps that befall the effervescent Lily do start to take their toll. Similarly poor Mort's not sure what to do when his sombre and solemn farewells become celebrations of life instead.
AS ever things only start to improve when they start to work together and this for me was the best part of the story. Watching them learn about each other, their motives, hopes and dreams was really sweet.
It's pretty fast paced romcom with a smidge of fantasy. The banter between them is on point and had me smiling. A great way to break up a reading slump if you've been reading too much full on romantasy/fantasy romance!