I like the way that the subject matter of funerals was dealt with compassionately and well as with humour. Unfortunately, the book wasn't for me though.

Although it took me a moment to get into this book, I quite enjoyed the story of Nina the female undertaker trying to get her new shop up and running in a posh part of London.

The biggest twist in this story is the female undertaker as main character, which includes a lot of actually very interesting information on death and funerals. Death being a taboo topic is a big issue in real life and within this novel. That's what made me push the book to 3.5 stars (or 4 stars) instead of just 3 stars.

I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
This book was comical, fun, and romantic. The main character is an undertaker, which caught my interest so quickly.
I will definitely read other books by this author.

Five Wakes and a Wedding is exactly what I look for in books of this genre! Romance, entertainment and actual laugh out loud moments! From reading the description you would think that Five Wakes would walk a fine line between enjoyable and un-tasteful due to it's involvement in of death/funerals - however, Karen Ross absolutely nails the ingredients for this perfectly woven story. Sensitive topics are handled with respect but there is also some tongue in cheek humour that will leave the reader laughing out loud.

A really solid work from Karen Ross that I would absolutely read again.

The few pages of this story was a bit slow for me. It didn't catch my attention not until Nina was pursuing her dream of being an Undertaker.

It was my first time to read the main character who likes to work with dead bodies and giving them proper and unforgettable burial. I like the idea and I enjoyed the challenges that Nina surpassed.

Kelli's Memoriam was the sweetest! I was teary because it was very touching. Plus, I'm so happy that Miss Karen featured the Philippines! The places that Kelli went, I knew most of them and I've been there so I can truly relate.

Barclay Banks was so sweet as a Love Interest and somehow along the way, I was right that he was the one for Nina.

And the wedding at the end was a surprise!

Thank you for the ARC, One More Chapter, and Netgalley!

Hilarious and joyful! Probably the best way to incorporate funerals into an utterly enjoyable work of fiction. I'm looking forward to Karen Ross' next book.

This is a delightful comic caper featuring Nina Sherwood, avant garde funeral director and proud new owner of her business located in well to do Primrose Hill.
With a wonderful cast of characters, from friends Gloria and Edo, Mr and Mrs Happy to the dastardly duo of Zoé and Barclay Banks, this heartwarming tale should put a smile on your face.
Brimming full of ideas to breathe life into the funeral business and preferring to think outside the (coffin), Nina is dismayed but not deterred when she receives a less than lukewarm welcome to this exclusive neighbourhood. Quite the opposite in fact as Zoé Banks, beauty salon entrepreneur, with the help of the rest of the traders association has her talons out, making it quite plain she should quit while the going is good. Even brother Barclay seems to be in cahoots with his sister or by getting to know Nina will he swap allegiance and turn out to be her knight in shining armour??
I love Nina’s feisty upbeat personality, full of empathy but also possessing an iron will to succeed which is admirable. With the support of her friends Gloria and Edo as well as film star Kelly Shapiro it is impossible to not have faith in Nina’s ability to win over the hearts and minds of her adversaries.
Full of warmth and wit and the necessary amount of romance, Five wakes and a wedding is a sweet if silly tale that is pure escapism and a pleasant way to while away a few hours. My thanks as always to the author and publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.

This was charming and kept me engrossed throughout. I loved the characters and really enjoyed the setting and plot. A great read for a holiday or train journey!

This book was the first one I have read from this author. I wasn't sure what to expect and was honestly hesitant in requesting this book due to the storyline, Nina, an undertaker, who gets fired from one job and then opens up her own business. It was an OK read but I won't be running to read more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Absolutely loved this book! The fact that it focuses on an undertaker should make this book slightly sad, however it manages to be really uplifting, making you think about funerals in a new way. Our main character is likeable and I really rooted for her throughout the book, finding that I just needed to keep reading to find out what happened to her! This is still definitely a chick lit and like most others of the genre is a happy, feel good read. I’d definitely recommend! Thank you to netgalley for gifting me this book in exchange
For an honest review.

My thanks to the Publishers via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. I gave this a 3 stars or 6/10.

Nina is a female undertaker, she enjoys her job as her customers can't talk back to her. However, it would appear that someone has it in for her business and as a series of events begin to happen that look set to put a nail in the coffin for her business, she finds that she has to make some decisions about what to do for the best.
Not everyone is happy that she is running her business in the area that she is in and she finds that she has some bridges to mend with the local residents.

With the help of an investor she finds herself in a position to move the business forward, but are his intentions as clear cut as she at first believes them to be. With some serious decisions and some misgivings, Nina finds herself in an unenviable position.

This was a light hearted read, despite the fact that the story centres on an undertaker. It did seem to ramble on at certain parts without too much happening, but that didn't detract away from my enjoyment of the story.

If you're looking for something a bit different then why not grab a copy and settle back in a comfy chair to immerse yourself in Nina's world for a few hours.

If you love chick-lit type books, then this is great for you to read. I would definitely recommend it as a great holiday/beach read. I was hooked in straight away and because the book was so easy to read it didn't take me long to finish it either.

Loved it and even the title sounds ready for a movie!

Loved the title which is what led to the request.
Really enjoyed the story, great book and good east characters, Easy summer read.

When Nina Sherwood gets fired from her position as an Undertaker in a large chain, she decides to open her own Undertakers in the middle of Primrose Hill. Unfortunately the locals don't feel that an Undertakers is a suitable addition to the neighborhood. Zoe, the local beautician is especially vocal in her disapproval and won't let Nina join the traders association.
Her staunchest supporters are Gloria - her flatmate and a lawyer, Edo - an artist come handyman friend, and a large rescue dog Chopper. Plus of course her parents whose life savings are invested in the business.
On the other side are Zoe, Mr Banks, Mrs Happy, and seemingly everyone else in Primrose Hill.
when the dashing Barclay comes crashing into her life she's not sure where he stands.
This book won't win any prizes, and still needs a little editing, but is a fun, summer read.

This book was very dull and there was no real storyline to this book.
I should have known by the title of the book that it was not for me

Join Nina the undertaker as she sets up her small business in Primrose Hill, much to the consternation of the Traders Association and neighbours. Nina is a fantastic heroine, feisty, vulnerable, funny, determined, passionate and someone for whom you want the world to work out for. Along the way meet Zoe Banks, the wicked witch of Primrose Hill, her flat share lawyer friend Gloria who is into urban gardening to bring vital political messages to the masses and there is Edo, who also ends up living with Gloria and Nina, bringing along a rescue dog Chopper and many brilliant and 'out-there' artistic ideas. The love interest is Barclay, wealthy playboy. Does he have a heart of gold or is there a hidden agenda? Will Happy Endings, Nina's funeral business thrive or will it be thwarted?
This is such a funny, laugh out loud book that was a dream to read. Loved the originality, loved Kelli the celebrity and all the people we meet who need Nina's modern day funeral services. Highly recommend you pick up this book to brighten your reading days.!

I could not put down this book. It was so interesting and the writing was great. I will definitely be recommending this to customers at my work!

I was super excited to read this book and it truly did not disappoint and it stood by my expectations. I really enjoyed reading this as it’s such a light hearted contemporary rom com that anyone who’s currently on their summer holiday could easily devour the entire book in one sitting.

I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys drama filled stories that will definately make you laugh your heart out

2.5 Stars

What can I say except that I was looking for a cute rom com and I should have known by the title that the novel didn’t fit that bill.

Nina is an undertaker who starts her own business in Primrose Hill after getting fired. Little does she know that the residents of Primrose Hill have no interest in funerals and therefore they try and make life very difficult for Nina and the rest of the staff at Happy Endings.

Unfortunately little went on for much of “Five Wakes and a Wedding” and when it did it made me realize that I was simply the wrong reader for this novel. That being said the relationships made between Nina and and several others characters were great and I really enjoyed the character development throughout the novel.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Karen Ross for an arc of this novel in exchange for an arc.

Published on Goodreads on 7.25.19.

I really enjoyed the unique premise of Five Wakes and a Wedding - Nina is starting her own business (awesome) as an undertaker (whaaaaat). Most of the book is set in Primrose Hill, which was super cool (I love when an author sets their story in a specific neighborhood, rather than just "New York" or "London").

After a slightly slow start, the plot clips along - this is definitely a book you could devour in a day poolside this summer.

I do wish there had been less discussion of dieting. It felt out of place given that this is a book about a woman who's an entrepreneur (and not a book about a model, or a cookbook). In the same chapter that Nina identifies mansplaining, she thinks to herself about calories (and how she's about to dive in because they don't count in her current situation. I.e. that's the reason she's allowing herself to enjoy a good meal). I get it - I'm a woman raised in the same body-focused, fat-shaming world as the author. But I'm trying not to relate to food like it's the enemy, and so it's jarring when the word "diet" appears 10x in a book not about food. (I imagine the reader is supposed to interpret it as humorous, but I didn't.)

I'll also note that it threw me off a bit when the point of view switched for each wake. I assume these chapters will be formatted differently in the final version, so that won't interpret the flow of other readers.

Overall, I liked it, and would recommend if that premise sounds interesting to you too!