Destination Funeral

by Paige Harbison

Four friends. One funeral. An endless Saturday.

When Babe—the complicated, magnetic matriarch of their teenage summers—dies, four estranged friends return to sleepy Mercy Island, a storm-swept stretch of coastal Georgia, summoned by the reading of her will.

Didion expects nothing more than an awkward visit with her sister and, maybe, a sundrenched funeral attended by beer-soaked locals. Instead, she arrives at the timeworn pink house to find the friends she never thought she’d see again—along with the tensions, attractions, and unfinished business that once bound them together and blew them apart.

What should be a brief weekend of small talk quickly unravels. Because the next morning, it’s Saturday again.
And again.
And again.

Trapped in a time loop with no end and no instructions, they’re forced to confront the betrayals, breakups, and buried truths that shattered them ten years ago. Something on the island isn’t ready to let them go—and if they can’t find a way to fix things, it may never let them leave.

Genres: Magical Realism, Contemporary, Adult, Fantasy, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 21, 2026

About the author

A little bit about me...

I grew up in the Washington D.C. area, raised by a musician and a writer. I graduated high school early, and went to college in St. Augustine, FL. Then, between Freshman and Sophomore year, I wrote my first novel. Everything in my life changed when, the following semester, I signed my first contract at age nineteen.

I transferred schools three times for fun, and changed my major from Theatre to Painting in order to accommodate my new career. I graduated early from Towson University and continued to work on my first three published novels, all YA: Here Lies Bridget, New Girl, and Anything to Have You.

Throughout the next decade I worked as a bartender and ghostwriter, traveling as much as I could, living it up in the name of book inspo.

At the start of the pandemic, I moved with my family to Palm Springs, CA and finally slowed down enough to start thinking about my own next chapter, which led me to leave the service industry, take some opportunities in film and TV, and start work on my next book.

I am now based in Los Angeles, California, where I live with my dog, Tarot, my partner, Richie, and the 12-9000 uninvited spiders that live in and around our home.

Reviews

[Aya ☕︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This. Was. Amazing. I'm only giving it four stars because of one thing that left a sour taste in my mouth. Is it a new story that has never been done before? No, did I love it? Absolutely, yes. I loved how everything wrapped up beautifully, and I love seeing how the sisterly bonds were mended. Even if we thought our parents might love the other sibling more than us (sometimes that's true, and sometimes that's not), we always have a place in their hearts. I can't believe this is only my second Paige Harrison book because I because now I adore her

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

SKIP CHAPTER:42

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

I already started reading this and I have VERY good feelings. Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for offering me this eARC 🩷🩵💛

[The Solitary Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

So here I was, book browsing on Netgalley, and my eye caught this book with such a beautiful, captivating cover and an unusual title! Curious, I read the blurb to find that the book was described as funny and reflective, exactly the kind of qualities I love in a book. That made me want to read it even more. And then I realized it was available to read immediately, which was the final deciding factor and thus started my journey with this book!

From the very first page, I was hooked. The writing was so seamless, so smooth, so beautiful. It was poetic in places, reflective in others, and so soothing to read. I loved the way it was written so much and I think that’s part of why I felt so pulled into the story. I could really see myself in Didion. I’m also the eldest daughter in my family, so I know exactly how it feels to be in her place, always the perceptive one, the one who fixed everything, wary of everyone’s emotions, the “yes person” of the family. My heart really went out to Didion.

And somewhere along the way, I realized this was also a story about second chances in love. I found myself completely lost in Didion and Austin’s romance, it was so beautiful and real, and it didn’t feel forced at all. I loved every single character, although Sammy was a bit difficult to love and forgive easily. But from her point of view, I understood her and why she behaved the way she did.

The most emotional part for me was towards the end, especially when Didion finally receives that letter from her mother. The last part of the book was so raw and heartfelt that I think I was reading with blurry eyes, tears streaking down my face. It was so powerful and moving, I couldn’t help but feel everything.

Overall, Destination Funeral is a beautiful book. I loved every second of it, enjoyed it so much that I just couldn’t put it down. It’s one of those stories that stays with you. It’s a story that touched my heart deeply, and I know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god. Where do I even begin? This is easily one of my favourite books I’ve read in a long time. I could not put it down… and when I did, I was just thinking about when I could pick it back up again.

I loved the nostalgic vibe and how beautifully the setting was written. It genuinely felt like I was right there on Mercy Island. Every character had their own quirks, baggage, and issues, and somehow they all blended together perfectly. The dual timeline was SO well done too - you don’t fully know what happened between everyone at first, and each chapter feels like another little puzzle piece clicking into place.

Destination Funeral by Paige Harbison follows a group of old friends who’ve drifted apart over the years but are brought back together on a beachy island for the funeral of the woman who basically defined their teen summers. They’re already navigating awkward reunions and unresolved history… and then things get weird. They end up reliving the same day over and over. Being stuck like that forces them to finally face all the messy stuff they’ve been avoiding - hurt feelings, breakups, secrets, regrets - and decide whether they can actually move forward instead of staying stuck in the past (literally and emotionally).

This book gives Elin Hilderbrand vibes but set in the South, with a little sprinkle of magic and some spice… and honestly? I am HERE for it. Pre-order this one. I’m telling you now - this is going to be the ultimate summer long-weekend read. Grab a red solo cup of rosé on the beach and thank me later.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own!

[Alex Grathen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

This book is for first born daughters everywhere. Even more so it’s for first born daughters in their 30s who feel like they understand their own mothers differently after becoming a mother themselves.

This had so many profound tidbits that if I annotated books, I’d have highlighted. It was thought-provoking and tear-jerking and still managed to spark a lot of joy.

The plot caught my attention right away: I love magical realism and space/time/reality tropes. The Mercy island setting was delightful and the cast of characters was especially dynamic. They were all a little toxic, but in a way that made them realistic. I was rooting for them. There were multiple timelines, the “now” timeline being much more dominant than the past timelines which flowed rather seamlessly.

I loved this book. I smiled. I cried. Heck, I even read the acknowledgements and cried. I will remember this one for years to come.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for the invitation to read an early copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Destination Funeral by Paige Harbison

Destination Funeral hit me harder than I expected. Babe’s death brings together her two daughters and two longtime friends, including Didion’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, on Mercy Island, Georgia. What should have been a short, sad weekend turns into a never-ending Saturday, because apparently grief enjoys a good Groundhog Day scenario. Reading it, I felt the intensity of a first love I haven’t experienced since, and the book reminded me just how sharp that kind of loss can cut when timing, immaturity, and bad decisions all conspire against you. At the same time, having recently lost a parent myself, I could not help thinking how dramatically different real grief is. You do not get forced to coordinate a cast of friends and family, relive the same day, or camp out in someone else’s house while confronting every awkward tension imaginable. In real life, you just wish the world would pause long enough for people to notice that someone is gone.

Harbison’s characters are messy, stubborn, and beautifully human, which makes the endless loops darkly satisfying. The day repeats, grudges fester, old feelings bubble up, and everyone is forced to face mistakes they would probably rather ignore. Romance, friendship, and family drama collide, with heartbreak wrapped in humor that makes you laugh even while thinking, yes, humans are ridiculous, but that is why we cannot quit them. It is chaotic, exhausting, and oddly comforting, like watching someone else trip spectacularly while knowing you would have done exactly the same thing in their shoes.

The book blends everyday reality with subtle magical realism, enough to make the emotional hits land without feeling forced. Destination Funeral is a reminder that love can be cruel, timing unforgiving, and even the people who frustrate you the most leave marks that linger. Reading it felt like holding a mirror up to the past, watching human stubbornness unfold, and realizing that sometimes the messiest relationships and the losses that follow are the ones you remember most vividly. It is painful, funny, and perfectly human, just like life itself.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a strange reading experience for me because it felt like it needed two separate reviews.

On one hand, we are trapped inside Didion’s head for the entire book, and she is not an easy character to sit with. She is self righteous, self centered, and often deeply unkind. She is a bad friend to Matt, a bad friend and ex to Austin, and a bad sister to Sammie.

There were long stretches where I genuinely did not like her, and because we never get another perspective, there is no relief from that voice.
At the same time, the more the story unfolds, the more you understand why she is the way she is. Her childhood, her mother’s behavior, and the way responsibility was pushed onto her at a young age explain a lot. It makes her understandable, but not necessarily sympathetic. I could see the damage clearly, but I still struggled to excuse the way she treated the people around her.

The family dynamic was especially frustrating. The favoritism toward Sammie, the way their mother forced Didion to grow up too fast, and the resentment that festered between the sisters all felt painfully real. None of them were good to each other, and while that honesty worked, it also made the emotional payoff feel unearned by the end.

This is not a warm, nostalgic, coming of age story. It is not a comforting reunion tale. While the book ultimately lands in a place of reconciliation, it felt too neat for the amount of harm that had been done. Too many betrayals were brushed past, and too much pain was resolved simply because time forced them together.

That said, I do think this book will resonate deeply with a specific kind of reader. If you are someone who feels guarded, unlovable, or shaped by past hurt in ways that make connection difficult, you may see yourself reflected here. That recognition can be powerful, even if it is uncomfortable.

In the end, I did not love this book, and I did not hate it. It just was not for me. But I can absolutely see how it might be exactly right for someone else.

[Morgan Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

review of arc copy from netgalley Destination Funeral has so many elements that I think will instantly click with a wide range of readers. At its core, it’s a romance; complete with an attractive male love interest, but it’s also deeply invested in emotional interiority, especially when it comes to family dynamics and complicated friendships. The exploration of mother/mother-figure relationships in particular felt honest and raw, capturing the push-and-pull of love, resentment, obligation, and longing that can exist all at once.
The characters are written in a refreshingly realistic way. They’re messy, flawed, and sometimes frustrating, which may make them “unlikable” to some readers, but that imperfection is exactly what makes them feel human. Their emotional responses and personal struggles never felt manufactured for drama; instead, they unfolded in a way that felt grounded and recognizable.
Tonally, this book also has strong cinematic potential. I can easily imagine Destination Funeral being adapted into a sharp, fun, emotionally resonant movie in the vein of Happy Death Day or Palm Springs; balancing humor, romance, and introspection without taking itself too seriously. The story includes fade-to-black spice and leans into a second-chance romance, both of which complement the emotional arc rather than overpower it.
Overall, Destination Funeral is a blend of romance, humor, and emotional depth that feels modern and accessible, with characters and themes that linger after the final page. It’s the kind of book that invites discussion and I wouldn’t be surprised if it finds a second life on screen someday.

[vlm · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Destination Funeral" is a moody and emotionally gripping novel that skillfully blends themes of friendship drama with speculative tension in a way that feels both intimate and unsettling. Paige Harbison takes a deceptively simple setup and slowly twists it into something thoughtful, eerie, and deeply human.

The return to Mercy Island is charged from the start. Babe’s death pulls four long-estranged friends back into each other’s orbit, and the atmosphere of the stormy Georgia coast mirrors the unresolved feelings simmering beneath the surface. Didion is a compelling narrator, observant and guarded, and the dynamics between the group feel raw, messy, and painfully real.

The time loop element adds an unexpected layer, turning what could have been a straightforward reunion story into a meditation on regret, guilt, and the stories we tell ourselves about the past. Being forced to relive the same Saturday again and again strips away politeness and denial, pushing each character to confront what really broke them apart. The island itself feels almost sentient, heavy with memory and intention, which adds to the claustrophobic tension.

While the pacing leans more introspective than fast-moving, the emotional payoff is worth it. This is a story about grief, accountability, and the hope that understanding the past might finally allow you to move forward.

A thoughtful, haunting read that will resonate with fans of character-driven stories and quiet speculative twists.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

You're basically dropped into a "nobody is talking to each other for some cryptic and horrible reason" situation, put into the head of the main character Didion as she grapples with her many many many feelings about the sibling, former fried, and situationship she's forced to spend the weekend with.

While I think this book did what it set out to do, I had some gripes. The main being about the main character, Didion. Because we are in her head, she is EXTREMELY unlikeable for a good majority of the story. Which fine, I get, but a lot of times I found myself wanting to rip my hair out because of the dumb things she does. The dumb things make sense LATER, but it takes so long to get there that the story really depends on you sticking around for the payoff. But Didion isn't the only bad person. ALL of these people are horrible (Matt is the most forgiveable, Babe the more unforgiveable imo), but I don't think the story is trying to hide that, more that they're hoping the zingers make you like them all enough to forgive.

Overall, I feel this book would be better as a movie. Without being stuck in the same person's head 100% of the time, and having the charm of the actors to rely on, that might be the key to alleviating some of the UNBEARABLE attitudes early on in the story. I do feel like the book succeeded in telling a story about forgiveness and growing up, but my GOD that first half was a slog.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book is an amazing ode to eldest daughters. You are dropped into a world of two sisters who are estranged and reunited by the death of the eccentric mother, Babe.

Didion, eldest daughter extraordinaire has not stepped foot onto Mercy Island, Georgia in a very long time and had no plans to change that but life always finds a sneaking way to pull you back home. The magical house of Birdsong which was the background of her childhood, the ups and downs of her eccentric mother sort of raising her two children and the ups and downs of life, is now the main character of her mother's funeral.

Thrust back into her old life, Didion must survive one weekend with the three other people who her mother required to be here at her funeral and caveat, they are all required to stay at Birdsong. A estranged younger sister, the best friend that she threw away and her ex boyfriend who broke her heart, what possibly could go wrong.

Didion goes through a journey in this book, with many calls back to old memories, you learn alot about her and her relationships that formed the woman you now know. There is also some magical aspects to this book which was a hidden gem of the story. This book is about rediscovering who you are, overcoming traumas that you locked in a box and finding happiness even in the darkest of days.

[Angie Miale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun time loop magical realism with some light romance elements from Paige Harbison. Four friends go to an island for a funeral and a long weekend, only to learn they have inherited her home. And that long weekend becomes longer than they expect when they keep living Saturday over and over again.

This was a nice escape from reality and although the time loop felt pretty derivative, there were a few lines that had me laughing out loud. The characters, for me, were mostly one dimensional and I was really hoping for more in the character arc that would have made them develop more. Both individually and as a unit. I was a big fan of her debut novel and perhaps had too high of expectations for this one. I do think it’s worth reading for the writing style and for the setting.

Also- please be aware she refers to alcohol and drinking excessively in her novels. Not alcoholism or addiction issues, but there are more references to alcohol than in most novels.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC. Book to be published July 20, 2026

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Four estranged friends reunite on stormy Mercy Island after the death of Babe, an inviting woman who shaped their teenage summers, in order to read her will. What begins as an awkward weekend for Didion turns surreal when the group becomes trapped reliving the same Saturday over and over. With no escape from the time loop, the group is forced to face old betrayals, unresolved relationships, and long kept secrets, because the island won’t release them until they fix what broke them apart.

I loved the incorporation of magical realism with this story, and was absolutely immersed in the relationships and personalities of these characters. There was a lot of emotional and personal depth, and I thought the characters were really written well and fleshed out wonderfully. The dynamics in this book were realistic and spot on.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good time loop novel and this nice and easy read kept me entertained until the end. This group of friends reunited after the death of a mother is the catalyst to address old wounds and slights and reconnect. I enjoyed the ending and resolution to the conflict causing the time loop. The setting felt very magical and I would love a vacation on Mercy Island.

The story is from the perspective of Didion (great name) who is VERY unlikeable and cruel. In addition Babe (the mom) is also a very troubled and damaging character that I questioned why everyone on the island loved her so much. It takes a while to figure out why both characters are the way they are which makes for an emotionally satisfying ending.

'When people die, they leave behind hundreds of things we don't know what to do with.'

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Susana · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Destination Funeral, four friends return to Birdsong for the funeral of their mom/mother-figure. What was supposed to be a quick weekend trip turns into an extended stay as the friends relive the same Saturday over and over again.

I was quickly drawn into the story and I had a hard time putting it down, particularly when the time loops began. The main characters were messy and flawed, and their relationships with one another badly damaged. I found Didion to be unlikable at first but as the story unfolded I empathized with her more and more. Honestly, had I been in her position I wouldn’t have shown up at all!

I love how the author writes locations and side characters in such detail that you feel like you’re in the story. I loved this about her previous book, The Other Side of Now, as well.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the eARC!

[BHK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Destination Funeral completely surprised me in the best way! I went in expecting quirky and emotional, but I wasn’t prepared for how funny and devastating it would be. The setup alone is great…a messy and estranged friend group reunited for the funeral of Babe. Then the time loop kicks in, and I was fully locked in. Watching these characters relive the same Saturday while being forced to face old betrayals, unresolved feelings, and lingering grief was equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. If you love character driven stories about friendship, loss, and second chances (with a clever twist), add this one to your TBR!

[Dori Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eccentric matriarch dies and the terms of her will require her two daughters and two friends to spend the weekend at her beach house where she lived full time.

I don’t want to give too much away but this was a really great story. The MC is not likable but as the story unfolds we start to empathize with her. The characters are complicated and messy, and we learn what happened over the last 15 years.

I love a good time loop story and this delivered.

3.5 rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Anna R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I jumped at the opportunity to read this book, as I LOVED Harbison’s adult fiction debut, The Other Side of Now. Harbison seems to have developed a niche theme for her past two novels but she nails it: grief, death, relationships, and a touch of magical realism. This book is reminiscent of The Wedding People or an edgier Katherine Center novel. It’s written with great wit and humor alongside real, believable feelings. I laughed, I cried and I enjoyed.

[LibraryLaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didion was not my favorite protagonist, but I did have empathy for her. The Groundhog Day construct seemed to be tonally at odds with Didion's personal journey (and definitely with that cover) but once I got past this discordance, I appreciated her character progression and the happy ending. 3.5 stars rounded up.

*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Clare Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got snowed in this weekend at my parents house and devoured the whole book in basically one sitting! I loved her first book and had high hopes for this one and it more than reached them. Just like with the last book, I laughed and cried and wanted to be friends with everyone!

PS I almost fainted at the Easter egg lol I love it so much!

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book as it was a nice, easy read. It was interesting enough to keep my attention and wanting to know how everything turned out. I never got invested in the characters of the book so while I was interested to know what happened, I didn’t necessarily care how it all unfolded. If you’re looking for an enjoyable, light read, this will suffice.

I read the book as an advanced copy from NetGalley.

[KDRBCK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Destination Funeral by new to me author Paige Harbison published by St. Martin's Press is a witty and fun stand alone.
A story that gives all the feels and wonderful characters I easily could connect with.
4,5 beautiful stars.
Four friends return to their childhood summer retreat to inherit. But somehow they're stranded in a timeloop and täglich grüßt das murmeltier.
I recommend the book.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 friends return to a small Georgia island for the funeral of Babe, a woman who was like a mother to all of them during the summers they spent there. Now caught in a Groundhog Day event where they are all stuck in time. Now they must confront the events that changed their lives forever 10 years ago.

[Ashley Busch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side of Now was in my top 5 reads of last year. So I jumped at the chance to read this ARC. In every way possible this book exceeded my expectations. It was so poignant and emotional. Very much Practical Magic, Gilmore Girls vibes but as a grown up. Cozy without once being cheesy. My only disappointment is that I can’t live with these characters at Birdsong.

[Stephanie Hack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Destination Funeral.

This is a must read for the eldest daughters out there. I laughed, I cried, I wondered when the long, long weekend was going to end. I could not put it down.

[Viviana]

I received an ARC from NetGalley from Althea Mignone at St. Martin's today.

[Emily Vreken · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Didion and her sister and two friends as they return to Mercy Island, Georgia, for the funeral of her mother, Babe. Expecting a quick, awkward weekend of small talk and closure, the group is instead thrust into time warp. They wake up to find it is Saturday again. And then again. They are stuck in an endless loop with no instructions and no escape. Is Babe trying to send them a message? And if so, can they figure it out. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Paige Harbison]

💅