Reviews with content warning for Grief - The Celebrants

After reading Steven Rowley's The Guncle, and then his newest The Guncle Abroad, I was told (by my friend at the bookstore) this book of his was going to be different and it was. That being said, it was still a beautifully told story about college friends who experience a tragic loss their senior year. They decide to make a pact, a friendship pact, agreeing to celebrate each other's lives while they are living. The story focused on the past and present of each of the five friends, then each had a "celebration" during a rough time in their life. I especially enjoyed Naomi's celebration destination. I also enjoyed the somewhat subplot of Marielle's story and also the mention of the game board they played at one "funeral" !(Takes me back in time-Haha). I guess I didn't find this one as humorous but that's probably because I didn't relate to this friend group. 3.5 stars rounded up.

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

[RECOMMENDATION] If you love books with a lot of heart, centering queer characters, that get you contemplating life, or really thinking about friendships - THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!

[SYNOPSIS] A group of friends decide after college, when one of their close friends past away, to remind themselves that life is worth living by hosting their own "funerals". Yes, funerals. Each friend in the group is allowed to enforce the pact once during their life, when they need their friends, to come together no matter what to celebrate them. It's their funeral, where they get to hear about their impact and life - while still alive. The story follows the friend group after Jordan enacts the pact, but hasn't said why (whereas the other friends enacted theirs after grief, stress, etc.).

[REVIEW] This book is so wonderful because it truly gets you in your feels about celebrating life, while you're still alive, and taking time for those friendships. Steven's work always has HEART at the center, and this book is no different. It's beautiful, heart wrenching... but also heart warming! You really start to fall in love with this friend group, and their stories - and feel like maybe you too should start hosting your own funeral.

**This e-book was gifted to me by G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley - thank you! All opinions are my own.

Content Warnings