A fun read with some hilarious laugh out loud moments. Maybe slightly slow at times but I thoroughly enjoyed it & would recommend it to anyone.

This was very cute, but a little slow to get into. I love all of the friendships in this book and Happy Endings should absolutely be a real business.

Five Wakes and a Wedding puts a unique spin on the traditional rom com. Instead of owning a flower shop or a book store, Nina moves to Primrose Hill and experiences unexpected challenges opening up a funeral parlor. Life as an undertaker is much more joyous than one might initially think, and Ross' dealings with death and the afterlife are thoughtful and comedic. This book carves out its own niche in the genre and is a good read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Karen Ross, and Avon Books for providing me with a copy of this book to review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

What an absolute delight of a book! It has the most wonderful cast of characters set in Primrose Hill. It's the first book I've read by Karen Ross and it certainly won't be the last. Who would have thought a book set round an undertakers would have you laughing out loud one minute and crying the next! This is a story of friendship, love, loss, determination, humanity and hope. The funeral business is called Happy Endings and is very appropriate,dispelling a lot of the fears and misconceptions surrounding death. I really enjoyed this book and its eclectic mix of characters and can thoroughly recommend it -don't be surprised to find yourself devouring it in one session ! 5 stars from me!

I really enjoyed this. Some moments of absolute hilarity, really likeable characters and very profound in places. Made me think about how death is viewed.

Recommended read.

"I listened carefully. It's so important not to interrupt. Being there for someone at the worst time in their life, letting them tell their own story in their own way, can make it just a tiny bit better."

Nina Sherwood is an up and coming undertaker setting up in the glamorous business area of Primrose Hill. However, the nearby retailers and neighbours are determined that death does not have a place on their high street, and a power struggle ensues, with more than one person trying to undermine Nina and her business. Will Nina succumb to the pressure or does she need the help of a handsome stranger more than she realised?

I am so disappointed with my feelings for this book. Not to be overly generic but I feel like this is one of those situations where it's not you, it's me. I have read previous reviews (literally all positive!) to try to grasp why I couldn't connect with the main character or story line and I have come up with zilch.

My previous read was pretty heavy, so I wanted something light hearted to take the edge off, when I got accepted to review this I lit up and thought, wow, perfect! Five Wakes and a Wedding definitely delivered on the light hearted front. However, I think that it was a bit too cheesy for my taste.

I thought that the interesting perspectives on death and the 'final celebration' were enjoyable and thought provoking - in fact, the funerals are actually what I enjoyed most in the entire book. I think that my main let down, which was a huge aspect in the story, was the romance.

That's right, I didn't like Barclay Banks, and I especially didn't like the relationship struck up between main character Nina and Barclay. It didn't feel organic, felt far too convenient, and I really don't see what they had in common or why they liked each other.

Barclay Banks is essentially a man child who also happens to be extremely rich and influential. There is one moment in the book where he actually whisks Nina away for a date to France on his helicopter, which of course he could pilot himself. I don't like to be harsh, and I know this is fiction, but does it have to be so... fictional?

I also didn't understand the need of the backstory of Nina and her ex-husband Ryan, who remained entirely irrelevant throughout the book. Even after Nina revealed their past, nothing actually happened. There were no repercussions whatsoever and the entire story seemed to get swept under the carpet.

I did love the little side story of Lin, who is the reason that Nina is in the undertaker business. I haven't been to many funerals in my time, but when my time comes I would want my funeral to be a celebration of myself, my life and my loved ones, rather than a religious ceremony. Lin's story rationalizes the need for modern funerals with entertaining ease, her story was a great addition.

Five Wakes and a Wedding has had great reviews so far, so please don't let my review put you off. This book is one of those blips in life where I should have enjoyed it - quirky, romantic, funny - but I simply didn't due to the reasons outlined above.

Thank you to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A book with so many points of connection, and overall a laugh-out-loud experience that made me wake up early a few times just to get further into this one. It's a pleasant surprise that we can get so into plotline about funerals, but here we are thinking about the afterlife and the business of death, not turned off or unsettled at all. This story walks in the same shoes as The Good Place and Four Weddings and a Funeral, and we find great comfort in the familiarity. Ross handles the chick lit narrative style well, we're engaged in the connections between characters and I found myself liking supporting characters as much as the main ones. This was time well spent in a nicely-crafted bit of entertainment, and I'll be looking for more of Karen Ross's novels to enjoy as well.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review. This was a good one.

This book was everything I like in books fun funny and romantic I know the main character is a undertaker and it seems morbid but the way the author wrote it it wasn’t morbid it was fun and romantic I really hope this turns into a movie I loved it that much

I learned a new phrase: French polishing. Thank you Barclay, i'll be using this to the best of my ability.

Okay, this book was FUNNY. An absolutely delightful read!

I volunteered to read the ARC because of its involvement of death and the funeral industry and i can't be happier with how this read turned out. Also because the title made me laugh. It's whack.

It's especially gratifying how the book handled the topic of death, with respect and sensitivity. And it even brought up how the industry rips off people! As a fan Caitlin Doughty from Ask a Mortician and someone who has interest in death and all its fun stuff, i am thoroughly impressed by the book. Karen Ross did a fantastic job writing about death in the book and the stigma surrounding the topic.

I simply cannot commend her writing enough. You guys have to read this book! Five Wakes and a Wedding is a whole new spin to the Romance and Contemporary genre. I loved it a lot and you bet i'll be buying a copy of this to put on my shelf. I NEED it. (Currently screaming)

Thank you so, so much to Avon Books UK for a copy of this wonderful book, you guys rock!

Five Wakes and a Wedding is set to be published on 22 July. I can't wait for you guys to read it!

4.5 f*cking stars.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

With years experience working as an undertaker, Nina Sherwood had anticipated opening her own funeral home would be a much less overwhelming endeavor. Not only are her pretentious fellow business owners completely against the idea of a funeral home in their neighborhood, but her first scheduled funeral turns out to be a very public, very humiliating hoax. Despite her struggles with her business, however, comes the unorthodox friendship of the recipient of said faux funeral, as well as the unexpected attraction to the charming man-child, Barclay. But of course nothing is simple in Nina's life, as unforeseen events occur.

Five Wakes and a Wedding was an incredibly NetGalley find, I've got to say. I'm not convinced that this novel is really something I would have picked otherwise, as it really isn't my usual taste, but I quickly fell in love with Nina and her quirky group of friends. I loved Ross' storytelling, and really enjoyed how she incorporated the titular fives wakes and a wedding (especially the wedding; did not see that coming!), and was completely engrossed in this story.

Overall, this was a great story full of likeable characters, and I'm excited to read more from this author. Fans of women's fiction and romantic comedies will absolutely love this book, and I would highly recommend it!

4/5

This book was such a fun read! There were a few laugh out loud moments and it mostly kept a smile on my face. The author did such a good job bringing some lightheartedness to an otherwise morbid topic.

When Nina opens an Undertakers on Primrose Hill, her neighbours are not impressed; but the more her neighbours try to get her out, the more Nina digs her heels in to stay.

An excellent lighthearted read with a great cast of characters. I have no doubt that this book will put a smile on your face.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon books for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is perfect for lovers of chick lit books. I didn’t want to put it down. This is the first book I’ve read by Karen Ross, but I will definitely be looking for more. This book has made me laugh and cry! It is definitely a fab read and I highly recommend this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

4.5 Stars!!!

What a wonderful surprise Five Wakes and a Wedding was!!! Karen Ross has written an entertaining storyline that I can absolutely can see made into a movie!! The main character, Nina Sherwood, was endearing and relatable which was the initial reason I couldn’t put my kindle down, but the well developed plot is was kept me hooked! This 4.5 star novel is humorous, sweet, witty and also touched my heart! I am very excited to read more Karen Ross in the future! If you’re looking for a lighter, but awesome read than you definitely need to 1-click Five Wakes and a Wedding!

Such a light and easy read which I loved.

Five Wakes and a Wedding follows Nina Sherwood, a single undertaker as she sets up her new business in Primrose Hill. The troubles of a start-up, business neighbours, and conflict are all covered. Throw in a bit of romance and voila!

I loved the playing character of Barclay Banks, he didn't take life too seriously and made the most of it. Gloria and Edo were fantastic secondary characters who really cared for Nina and the ending also had a lovely little twist that I actually wasn't expecting.

The bright pink cover initially drew me in but I've always been interested in funeral directors, crematorium and the like. It's not often you get someone creating a business plan for an undertaker for their Business Studies GCSE - but that was me! Don't worry, I have the non-fiction and memoirs in my TBR pile, but I couldn't help smile at the title of this book.

Wonderfully written, I flew this this book with ease. It was fast paced, just the right length and a delight to read.

A totally different spin on a contemporary romance with unusual characters and a plot line that kept you turning the pages. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

You know how sometimes a book can just come out of nothing and randomly make you fall in love with it? Well – guess what. That’s exactly what Five Wakes and a Wedding did to me!

The story
Nina is your average 30-year-old with a steady job, a nice home – and dead bodies in her basement. As an undertaker, she often prefers the company of the dead to the living – they’re obliging, good listeners and take secrets to the grave.

Nina is on a one-woman mission to persuade her peers that passing on is just another part of life. But the residents of Primrose Hill are adamant that a funeral parlour is the last thing they need… and they will stop at nothing to close down her dearly beloved shop.

When Nina’s ‘big break’ funeral turns out to be a prank, it seems like it’s the final nail in the coffin for her new business. That is, until a (tall, dark and) mysterious investor shows up out of the blue, and she decides to take a leap of faith.

Because, after all, it’s her funeral…

The opinion
Now, as I said at the beginning: I did not expect to like this book. As a matter of fact, it was something of a “eeh, might as well” situation. Where I might as well try it, because, you know, I’ve obviously got nothing else to read, right?

And boy did Five Wakes and a Wedding prove exactly why I force myself to do that from time to time. You know, the whole “randomly choose a book and see what happens”. Because not only did I thoroughly enjoy this book? It actually made me think.

You see, Nina is right: the concept of death makes most – if not all – people incredibly uncomfortable. So to have a story which takes, as its basis, someone trying to subvert that feeling? Already a good start.

Add to that the amount of subterfuge Nina’s neighbours will go to to get her out of “their street? And of course, the stories of Nina’s room mates, Gloria and Edo? Honestly, those two alone would deserve their own books! And of course – the perfect type of romance in a book like this: the one that doesn’t need to take the forefront.

The rating: 4/5
I’d say it’s pretty clear by now that I really enjoyed reading Five Wakes and a Wedding. The pacing is high enough to really grab you the moment you start reading, the characters are a great bunch of completely separate people, and most of all? This was just a really enjoyable read!
-Saar

Wow...this book went down to a completely different road.
The storyline was something that surprised me, the way that Karen Ross was describing everything was really interesting.
I didn't really connect with the characters, I think my thirst for the subject itself was enough to keep me at the edge of my seat!
Overall, a good book with a few OMG moments!

A great read.

Nin has just set up her own business, and to the surprise and dismay of her neigbours, it is a funeral directors. The locals want to get rid of her, but her close friends are supporting her dream. After a chance encounter with Barclay, will he turn out to be friend or foe?