Four Weekends and a Funeral Summary, Characters and Themes
Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer is a heartfelt contemporary romance that balances humor, emotional depth, and the complexities of grief.
The story follows Alison Mullally, a thirty-year-old BRCA1 carrier who has undergone a double mastectomy and is struggling with survivor’s guilt. At her ex-boyfriend Sam’s funeral, she finds herself caught in a lie when Sam’s family believes she was still his girlfriend. Volunteering to help clear out Sam’s apartment alongside his grumpy best friend, Adam Berg, Alison confronts grief, guilt, and her own identity, discovering unexpected love and healing in the process.
Summary
Alison Mullally, a thirty-year-old BRCA1 carrier and breast cancer “previvor,” attends the funeral of her ex-boyfriend Sam, only to realize that his family believes they were still together.
Though Sam broke up with her weeks before his death, his grieving family, particularly his mother and sister, Rachel, view Alison as his devoted girlfriend. In a moment of empathy, Alison agrees to maintain the charade to comfort them through their loss.
At the funeral, Alison reconnects with Adam Berg, Sam’s prickly best friend, who clearly doesn’t trust her.
Adam is a man of few words, brooding and distant, and he views Alison with skepticism, believing she’s hiding something. After the funeral, the family struggles with the emotional task of packing up Sam’s apartment. Unable to let strangers handle Sam’s belongings, his mother insists on doing it herself, but Alison, in a bid to help, volunteers to assist.
Adam reluctantly agrees to join her, and the two make a pact to sort through Sam’s things over the course of four weekends.
As Alison and Adam spend more time together, the tension between them is palpable.
Adam is reserved and aloof, while Alison is determined to break through his tough exterior with her naturally warm and people-pleasing personality. Initially, their conversations are awkward and filled with misunderstandings, but as the weekends progress, a slow bond forms between them.
Alison realizes that Adam, despite his gruff demeanor, is deeply grieving the loss of his best friend and carries his own burden of guilt over their strained relationship in the months before Sam’s death.
Alison, too, is carrying emotional baggage. As a BRCA1 carrier, she underwent a double mastectomy to reduce her cancer risk, a decision that has shaped her identity and relationships. She struggles with survivor’s guilt, having lost her mother to breast cancer.
Alison feels a relentless pressure to live life to the fullest, pushing herself into adventurous activities she doesn’t enjoy in an attempt to “earn” her second chance at life. Her relationship with Sam, an influencer constantly seeking thrills, was part of this effort to be someone she isn’t.
Ultimately, Alison realizes that she’s happiest embracing a quieter, more grounded life.
Meanwhile, Adam begins to show a softer side. His acts of care and attention to detail reveal a deeply empathetic and thoughtful person.
He notices Alison’s quirks and needs, offering comfort in quiet moments, like lending her a scarf on a cold day — a gesture that resonates with emotional intimacy and becomes a pivotal moment in their evolving relationship.
However, a major misunderstanding complicates their growing connection. Adam believes Alison and Sam were still a couple at the time of Sam’s death.
He wrestles with guilt over his feelings for Alison, worried about betraying Sam’s memory. When Alison finally confesses the truth about her breakup with Sam, Adam is hurt but ultimately understands that grief and love are messy and complex.
The novel ends on a hopeful note.
Alison and Adam acknowledge their feelings for each other, finding comfort in their shared vulnerability. Alison also makes peace with her identity, realizing that she doesn’t need to chase grand adventures to prove her worth.
The final scene, set at a bar trivia night with Alison’s friends, symbolizes her acceptance of a life that’s meaningful and fulfilling on her own terms — with Adam by her side.
Characters
Alison Mullally (Ally)
Alison Mullally, the protagonist of Four Weekends and a Funeral, is a woman navigating multiple emotional landscapes—grief, survivor’s guilt, and self-acceptance. At 30 years old, she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation, which led her to undergo a double mastectomy in an attempt to prevent cancer, a decision shaped by the tragic illness and death of her mother.
Her medical history becomes a defining part of her character, influencing how she views life and her place in it. Throughout the novel, Alison grapples with survivor’s guilt, feeling the weight of being alive while others, like her mother and ex-boyfriend Sam, have not been so fortunate.
This guilt manifests in a constant internal pressure to live life to the fullest, often pushing herself into situations she is uncomfortable with, like hiking and other thrill-seeking adventures. This is a misguided attempt to “earn” her second chance at life.
Despite these inner struggles, Alison is a deeply compassionate and people-pleasing individual, especially in her interactions with Sam’s family. Her sense of responsibility and desire to protect others lead her to agree to maintain the pretense of being Sam’s girlfriend after his death.
As the novel progresses, Alison’s journey of self-discovery unfolds, teaching her that she does not need to seek external validation or prove her worth through dangerous pursuits. Ultimately, she learns to accept her true self, embracing her introverted, homebody nature rather than feeling the need to live according to societal expectations.
Adam Berg
Adam Berg, Sam’s best friend, is initially presented as the quintessential “grumpy” character, emotionally distant and prickly, which makes him seem unapproachable to Alison and to readers at first. His rough exterior masks a complex emotional world, one shaped by unresolved grief and guilt.
Adam’s relationship with Sam was strained in the final months of Sam’s life, a tension that Adam carries with him after Sam’s death. His initial resistance to Alison’s presence, particularly during the task of cleaning out Sam’s apartment, stems not only from his own grief but also from the misunderstanding that Alison and Sam were still a couple when Sam died.
This misconception prevents Adam from fully acknowledging his growing feelings for Alison, as he struggles with the idea of falling for his best friend’s ex-girlfriend. Over the course of the four weekends they spend together, however, Adam’s emotional armor begins to crack.
As he opens up about his guilt and the depth of his friendship with Sam, Adam reveals a more sensitive, attentive side. His quiet care for Alison contrasts sharply with his earlier aloofness, providing a gentle contrast to her more open, sunshine personality.
The slow-burn romance between Adam and Alison is touching, with Adam’s gradual transformation into a loving, supportive partner reflecting his emotional growth throughout the story.
Sam Mullally
Though Sam Mullally, Alison’s ex-boyfriend, is deceased at the start of the novel, his presence looms large throughout the story. His death sets the stage for much of the plot, particularly Alison’s decision to maintain the pretense of being his girlfriend for the sake of his grieving family.
Sam’s character is revealed through Alison’s recollections, and his relationship with her serves as an important backdrop to her emotional journey. Alison reflects on how Sam, an adventurous influencer, lived a life that was far removed from her more introverted tendencies.
Their relationship, initially an attempt by Alison to step out of her comfort zone, ultimately ended due to their incompatible lifestyles. Sam’s death serves as a catalyst for Alison’s personal growth, prompting her to confront her feelings of guilt and her need to prove herself through risky, uncomfortable activities.
His family, especially his mother and sister, also play significant roles in the narrative, with their grief highlighting themes of loss, memory, and the impact of personal relationships on the grieving process.
Rachel Mullally
Rachel Mullally, Sam’s grieving sister, plays a pivotal role in the emotional arc of the story. As the family member who first encourages Alison to continue pretending to be Sam’s girlfriend, Rachel is a symbol of the pain and confusion that often accompany the process of grief.
Her request, though seemingly innocuous, is based on her own deep need for comfort and stability in the wake of Sam’s death. Rachel’s sorrow is raw, and she clings to the idea that Alison was still Sam’s girlfriend, possibly because it provides her with a sense of continuity in the midst of her loss.
Rachel’s character is crucial in emphasizing the theme of grief’s unpredictable nature and how those who are left behind often seek solace in familiar narratives. Though she is not a central character in the romance, her presence underscores the emotional complexity of the situation Alison finds herself in, navigating the thin line between kindness and deception.
Mara and Chelsea
Mara and Chelsea, Alison’s close friends, provide both emotional support and comic relief throughout the novel. Their friendship with Alison is characterized by light-hearted moments, such as their shared trivia nights, where they offer a respite from the heavier themes of the story.
Mara and Chelsea are more than just side characters; they are crucial in helping Alison navigate her complicated emotions. They are the sounding boards for Alison’s frustrations, fears, and triumphs, offering her not only a sense of belonging but also the strength to confront her struggles.
Their presence adds a layer of warmth to the novel, and they serve as a reminder of the importance of close-knit, supportive friendships. The unwavering support they offer Alison, particularly in the aftermath of her medical history and personal struggles, highlights the value of genuine, non-romantic relationships in a person’s emotional well-being.
Sam’s Parents
Sam’s parents, especially his mother, serve as emotional foils for Alison’s character. They represent the grief-stricken individuals who are left behind after a loved one’s passing, and their belief that Alison was still in a relationship with Sam highlights the theme of how grief can shape one’s perception of reality.
The tension between their grief and Alison’s internal conflict is palpable throughout the book. Alison’s desire to protect Sam’s family from further pain by maintaining the ruse of being his girlfriend underscores her people-pleasing nature and her deep empathy for others.
Sam’s mother, in particular, is a character who embodies the pain of loss, and her struggles with letting go of Sam’s belongings further illustrate the difficulty of processing grief. While they are not central figures in the romantic development, their presence in the story is significant in exploring the broader emotional landscapes of love, loss, and moving forward.
Themes
Survivor’s Guilt and the Emotional Burden of Surviving When Others Don’t
At the heart of Four Weekends and a Funeral lies the intense and complex theme of survivor’s guilt. This emotional weight is particularly significant for Alison, who has undergone a double mastectomy as a preventive measure due to her BRCA1 gene mutation.
Throughout the novel, Alison grapples with her survivor’s guilt, which stems from her belief that she must justify her continued existence after undergoing cancer prevention surgery, especially when others—like her mother—suffered more directly from the disease. This sense of guilt drives Alison to engage in behaviors that may not be in her best interest, like pushing herself to pursue dangerous adventures and thrill-seeking activities she doesn’t enjoy.
By seeking to “earn” her survival, Alison is trying to cope with the deeper emotional conflict that comes with being alive when others, including people she loved, didn’t make it. Her guilt is not just about survival but also about a feeling of indebtedness to the lives lost, especially the life of her ex-boyfriend Sam, whose death coincides with her struggles.
This complex layer of survivor’s guilt is explored through her ongoing emotional and physical battles, reflecting a deeply human experience that many who face trauma or illness often encounter.
The Battle Between Conforming to Societal Expectations and Embracing One’s True Self
Another critical theme in the novel is the tension between societal expectations and the personal need for self-acceptance. Alison, shaped by her mother’s experiences and the expectations of society, feels an immense pressure to live a life that looks thrilling and full of adventure, especially in a world where social media places a premium on living a “perfect” and outwardly exciting life.
This desire to conform to societal standards leads her to date Sam, who was a constant influencer and world traveler—qualities that seemed to promise a life of meaning and excitement. However, this superficial pursuit of adventure creates a false sense of fulfillment for Alison, as she soon realizes that these experiences didn’t align with her true nature.
In contrast to her adventurous exterior, Alison is more introverted, finding joy in simpler, quieter moments, like spending time with her close-knit group of friends or reflecting on her personal growth. Her journey is one of shedding societal pressures and learning to embrace the person she truly is, without the need to perform for others.
This theme resonates with readers who may feel similarly torn between living authentically and conforming to external expectations of what one’s life should look like.
The Complex Intersection of Grief, Guilt, and Unresolved Emotional Trauma
Grief and its intersection with unresolved guilt are explored in-depth through both Alison and Adam’s characters. Adam, Sam’s best friend, is similarly struggling with deep emotional wounds—particularly his guilt surrounding his strained relationship with Sam before his death.
Their friendship had soured in the months leading up to Sam’s passing, and Adam never had the chance to reconcile or express his feelings. Adam’s grief is compounded by this unresolved trauma, which manifests in his cold, distant behavior toward Alison in the early stages of their interactions.
He views Alison with suspicion, partially because of his mistaken belief that she was still in a relationship with Sam when he died, and partially due to the guilt he feels about his inability to make amends with his friend. Alison, too, is trying to reconcile her grief with the memory of Sam, which is complicated by her survivor’s guilt.
Both characters share an underlying sadness that stems from not just loss but also from unspoken words, things left undone, and emotional burdens that weigh on them long after Sam’s funeral. The novel sensitively portrays how different people grieve and the various emotional burdens they carry—highlighting the struggle to heal when emotional wounds remain unresolved.
The Slow-Burn Romance as a Reflection of Healing and Self-Discovery
The romance between Alison and Adam serves as a subtle but integral backdrop to the novel’s more profound themes of healing and self-discovery. Their evolving relationship is not just about falling in love but is deeply tied to their emotional journeys.
Initially, Alison and Adam struggle with emotional barriers, misconceptions, and the weight of grief that makes it difficult for them to connect. Adam’s gruff exterior contrasts with Alison’s people-pleasing nature, and for much of the book, the two seem to be at odds.
However, as they spend time together, these walls begin to break down, and the two start to recognize the shared pain they both carry. Adam’s slow transition from a distant, emotionally unavailable figure to someone who is open, caring, and attentive mirrors Alison’s own journey of learning to accept herself and her need for love and support.
The slow-burn quality of their romance parallels the deeper emotional work both characters are doing, as they are not only growing closer to one another but also healing from their respective emotional traumas. The romance is a gradual and organic process that unfolds as the characters come to terms with their grief, guilt, and insecurities, ultimately culminating in a deep and meaningful connection.
Navigating Family Dynamics and the Emotional Complexity of Losing Loved Ones
Family dynamics and the often-complicated ways in which individuals cope with grief and loss are integral to the story. Alison’s family, particularly her mother and sister, represent different ways of managing grief, with her mother being overly protective due to her own history with cancer.
Alison’s mother’s protective tendencies stem from her own experience of losing her health, and she struggles with the idea of her daughter facing the same risks. This tension between Alison’s desire for independence and her mother’s well-intentioned but suffocating care reflects a universal family dynamic that many readers can relate to—where love and care often conflict with the need for personal freedom and autonomy.
Similarly, Sam’s family’s struggle with grief is nuanced and real. They believe Alison was still Sam’s girlfriend, and this misunderstanding causes both them and her emotional confusion as they navigate their shared loss. The novel touches on the complexities of how families grieve differently, how people can hold on to comforting myths after the death of a loved one, and how these dynamics can create tension but also healing opportunities.
Through these family relationships, the book explores the emotional complexities of losing someone while still holding onto pieces of them—both in memory and in the way others continue to view the deceased.
Embracing Life Beyond the Fear of Cancer and the Impact of Preventative Measures on Identity
The theme of cancer prevention, particularly as it pertains to Alison’s BRCA1 status, adds a deeply personal and emotional layer to the story. Alison’s decision to undergo a double mastectomy as a preventative measure reflects the difficult choices women face when dealing with hereditary cancer risks.
This choice becomes a major part of Alison’s identity, as it is not just a medical decision but a way of defining how she sees herself and how others see her. Throughout the novel, Alison is constantly coming to terms with her medical history, wondering if she deserves to live the life she’s been given.
Her surgery and medical choices bring up complicated feelings of loss and survival, as well as an ongoing struggle to feel “whole” after undergoing such significant changes to her body. The book explores the emotional and psychological effects of taking drastic measures to prevent cancer, particularly in women who carry the BRCA gene, emphasizing how these choices affect one’s sense of identity, femininity, and self-worth.
Alison’s journey is one of finding peace and balance in living with the consequences of her decisions, as well as learning to embrace life without being defined solely by her cancer risks. This theme not only gives voice to the emotional and physical impact of preventive surgeries but also highlights the resilience of women who face such life-altering choices.