Today, I’m reviewing one of my most anticipated reads of the year: Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar.
When I heard that two of my all time favourite authors were teaming up on a new book, I knew I had to pick it up and I was lucky enough to receive an ARC at the launch of Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah! Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and Ayesha Mumal at Usborne for the invite and for the proof in exchange for my honest opinion.
Said Hossain hates Tiwa Olatunji. And Tiwa would happily never see Said again in her life. Growing up, the two were inseparable, but they have barely spoken since the incident many Eids ago and both of them would like to keep it that way. But when Said comes home for a funeral and the town’s Islamic Centre burns down on the same day, they have to face each other again and sparks fly.
Both of them want to see the Islamic Centre rebuilt. For Tiwa, it represents the community that she loves and a way to keep her fractured family together. For Said, it’s an opportunity to build his portfolio for his secret application to art school, where he hopes that he’ll be able to pursue his dreams of becoming an artist, rather than a doctor.
Working with your sworn enemy is never easy, and this could be the hardest thing that Said and Tiwa have ever done. Can they save the Islamic Centre, Eid – and their relationship?
Publication Date: 6th June
TW: Islamophobia, death, grief, death of a loved one, racism
My Thoughts:
Four Eids and a Funeral was everything I could have dreamed of and so much more.
My expectations were in the stratosphere as two of my favourite authors teamed up for a YA rom-com, but they were easily surpassed.
I mean I know Adiba and Faridah can write excellent characters that jump off the page from their previous novels, but Tiwa and Said just sparkled and snuck straight into my heart. Their voices were so engaging and distinctive. Said is goofy, hilarious and driven by a secret passion for art, with creativity brimming over, while Tiwa is sarcastic, strong-minded and also hilarious. The heart and humour infused into this book is wonderful to see and definitely brought a few chuckles for me.
I also need to talk about Tiwa’s storyline centering around grief, which was depicted with nuance and sensitivity. You could feel the ramifications and aftershocks echoing through the years – reminding you of how grief can fundamentally shape a person and the people around them. In this case, Tiwa’s family is forever changed, but there is a glimmer of hope at the end of being able to look back with fondness at treasured memories, rather than feeling that stab of sadness over and over again. There is also a really important conversation started on page about being Muslim and being a Black woman, with those identities intersecting and often encountering different kinds of prejudice – sometimes within your community as well. It’s representation that truly matters and should kickstart discussions beyond the book.
I am a sucker for a rivals to lovers storyline and this was a fantastic example, with the childhood friends to lovers trope also sprinkled in. You get an instant sense of their shared history and that kind of understanding of someone else earnt through years of knowing one another. Their chemistry was brilliant as well, building from a vehement dislike to a grudging respect to blossoming into something more. Throughout the book you are teased with the incident of previous years that shattered a fledgling something and ruined their relationship.
Unsurprisingly, this was so well written and I loved the narrative structure of the different acts. It gave it that classic rom com feel where you can see the different narrative arcs and expected beats from each act. It paid homage in a clever and inventive manner, bringing joy to your heart, but sometimes with a tinge of sadness.
Four Eids and a Funeral was the YA rom com of the summer for me, maybe even of the year.
A Short Book Lover 
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