Destination Funeral

• Read this if you like:magical realism and then/now timelines friends that feel like family family drama3.5% Time warp magical realism and a coastal small town setting? Say less.This one was fun! For a book set around a funeral, I laughed out loud a surprising number of times while reading. The dynamics between the four main characters were good, especially how they played off each other's personalities, and shifted as the plot progressed. The magical realism was done in a fun way, and I liked seeing how the time loop impacted everyone differently. Seeing how they eventually came together and figured out their pasts was heartwarming, especially how it all tied into the funeral.There were a couple things that didn't totally work for me. For characters in their 30s, there were times where they felt pretty immature, and there was a lot of miscommunication/lack of communication that drove me nuts. I also felt like the pacing dragged a bit in the middle, and I wished some things moved faster. Other than that, I really enjoyed this.This will be a great addition to your summer reading list if you're looking for something both heartwarming and funny!Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advance copy.

I really loved The Other Side of Now and this one was meaningful in a similar way. A combination of a time loop/grief/learning from past mistakes and the story was touching and heartfelt. It made me angry at times, but it was very realistic.Didion returns to her mother Babe's beach house after Babe's death. Also there are her sister Sammie, her friend Matt, and her ex Austin. They are there on Saturday for the reading of the will and Babe's memorial will follow on Sunday. Except when they wake up the next morning, it is Saturday again. As the group repeats the same day over and over again, they have to discover what it is they need to learn before moving on.The family dynamics in this story are incredibly frustrating at times. I honestly really felt for Didion and the utter favoritism her mother played with Sammie, and the way Didion's feelings and desires always seemed to take a back seat to the other people. I appreciated the character arcs of all of them, but Didion's really resonated with me overall. One of the reasons I didn't give this book five stars though, was because I didn't feel as if this book gave enough weight to Didion's trauma. The author didn't go far enough to give Didion the redemption she deserved in the end.I listened to this as an audiobook and the author does a stellar job at narrating her own story. I could really feel the emotions she wanted each character to convey throughout the novel.The cover does this book a bit of disservice. While it is lighthearted at times and there is romance, the cover indicates it is more zany and cute than it actually is. I fear that the wrong readers might be directed towards it and then give up at the first sign of heavier, meatier plot lines, so just keep that in mind when picking it up.I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

I liked that this book was mainly from Didion’s POV because the inside of her head is fascinating. This poor woman is dealing with some heavy stuff. Swapping to third person POV for the flashbacks was a neat way to highlight them and to highlight Didion’s tendency to frame herself as the main character. (Which, honestly, is so relatable.)Light magical realism because the day keeps repeating. A beautiful setting. A friend group reconnecting. What’s not to love?Thank you to NetGalley and to St. Martin’s Press for an eARC of this book! This is my honest review.

Destination Funeral was like the contentious friendship’s version of Groundhog Day. You’ve got Didion, who swore she would never go back to Mercy Island, given the way things ended with not only her mother, Babe, but her friends and once-close sister, Sammie. You’ve got Matt, the happy-go-lucky guy who wants everyone to get along, despite his own detriment. Then there’s Austin, Didion’s ex–who totally wronged her while he worked hard to leave his past behind, and of course, the once-close sister, Sammie, who never wants to grow up. The four used to be inseparable, but now it takes Babe’s death to bring the four together.And together they will be. What starts off as a quick weekend funeral, turns into the foursome reliving the same day over and over again. Through that, Didion has a chance to work through a lot of the resentment she has towards the people who used to mean the world to her, along with the disconnect she has with Babe. It’s hard not to understand and side with Didion when it comes to her reasons behind the separation. I think the situation that got to me the most is when Didion reflects on Sammie’s horrible ex selling off Didion’s beloved Jeep for money, with no thought to even consult Didion about it. And no one seems to bat an eye. It seemed like there were a lot of scenarios similar to that one, where Didion’s feelings and needs are completely looked over, while everyone coddles Sammie.It hasn’t been all roses for Sammie, either. Didion learns that–along with finding out what’s been really going on for the others, too. Things haven’t been so happy-go-lucky for Matt, and Austin had to completely shelve the dreams he’d had since childhood. It’s obvious that honesty and transparency was never a driving force before, but through the endless Saturdays they live through, the chance and opportunity for that becomes apparent. The repeat days were cleverly written and a nice touch to the story.The biggest relationship to work through is the one Didion had with Babe. All four friends wonder if Babe herself had set some sort of spell over the family home (Birdsong), and maybe she did. I won’t discount that. I think the magic and wonder of childhood that dwelled within the characters might have been the real catalyst, but no matter where it had come from, it was sorely needed. There was strong character evolution for everyone involved, even the deceased, all told in a witty, acerbic way that made me want to keep reading. It was also extremely sweet and touching, making Destination Funeral a much-needed five-star read!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advance reader copy and to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook. These are my opinions.This was beautifully written, and I couldn't put it down. Didion returns to her childhood home when her mom dies. She is joined there by her sister, her ex, and her childhood best friend. She is estranged from all of them but agrees to stay for the weekend once the will is read.The characters are incredibly nuanced. There were parts of each that I loved and respected, and actions each took that really annoyed me. Usually, I feel that I need to be able to like at least one of the characters to fully enjoy a book because I am such a character-driven reader. This showed me that wasn't at all a necessity. Even as I was annoyed, I was so incredibly invested in both the characters and the conclusion.The book features a time loop, and it was set up in such a unique and fascinating way. It likewise subverted my expectations for the good. And it made me more likely to read more time loops in the future.I partially chose to read this because the author's prior book was so highly recommended to me. And now I am even more eager to go back and read that as well. Her writing is spectacular.4.25 stars

DESTINATION FUNERAL by Paige Harbison⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Paige Harbison’s Destination Funeral is a clever, bittersweet reunion story with a supernatural twist. When four estranged friends return to Mercy Island for Babe’s funeral, they find themselves trapped reliving the same Saturday over and over, forcing them to face old betrayals, buried truths, and the people they’ve become.What could have been a gimmicky premise becomes a moving story about grief, forgiveness, and the ways we stay emotionally stuck. Every repeated Saturday peels back another layer of resentment, regret, and longing.Didion is easy to root for, even when she frustrates you. The friendships feel painfully authentic—the kind where love, jealousy, nostalgia, and hurt all exist at the same time. Every conversation carries years of things left unsaid.The stormy Georgia coast, the faded pink house, and the endless rain create an unforgettable atmosphere that perfectly matches the emotional journey. If you enjoy character-driven stories with buried secrets, old flames, magical realism, and healing, this endless weekend is well worth taking.⸻✅ What Worked• The stormy coastal setting is vivid, immersive, and unforgettable.• The time loop deepens the characters instead of driving the plot.• The friendships are messy, nostalgic, and incredibly believable.⸻❌ What Didn’t Work• The middle drags slightly as the repeated days begin to feel repetitive.• I wanted a few more flashbacks with Babe since her presence shapes the entire story.

This is an ARC, and all opinions are my own.I am going to be honest, I saw the other reviews on NetGalley before I started this. I am so glad that I read this for myself. This is not romance. It is more contemporary fiction. This was so good to me.I love the complexity of the relationships personally. I believe we saw, from start to finish, the raw, honest unraveling and putting together of this family unit. I love that they were immature because they were all navigating things from the past that none of them had resolved. I also love that they navigated it together! Someone said that they felt that they didn't grow or really got any consequences for some of their actions, and I disagree. I feel like, especially at the end, they got to the root of their issues and navigated the lack of communication, forgiveness, and pettiness. I loved this book so much and would be open to navigating more of this author's writing style!Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin Press, for the ARC.

This one is considered contemporary fiction with what I would say strong subgenres in coming of age, women’s friendship fiction & magical realism. I really enjoyed this one, I went into it a little blind, which is my preferred way of reading books. I didn’t read much about it or hear much about it beforehand & I think that made me love it so much more.Four friends are forced back together after the death of the complicated woman named Babe who guided/”parented” them through their teenage summers together on the Island of Mercy. Two of these “friends” are estranged sisters Didion & Sammie to whom Babe was their actual mother. Joining these sisters in mourning are Matt & Austin, two boys that made them a foursome every summer of their teenage years. I am sure you can guess there is also a missed romantic miscommunication situation going on here as well.Once together again on Mercy Island the foursome find themselves in a time loop that seems to have no end, making them live the same Saturday over and over. In order to escape the time loop they must figure out why it’s happening & what exactly they need to do to get time moving again, all while having to confront lingering issues amongst the group.This was a wonderful read that makes your mind turn inward in a bit of re-evaluation.Paige Harbison did a wonderful job bringing her story & characters to life through her narration. An author narrated book is always going to give you just that little bit more.Thank you, Netgalley & Macmillan Audio & St. Martin’s Press for the audio ARC of Destination Funeral by Paige Harbison. I rated this one 4/5 stars.

There are books that ask what you would change if you could relive a single day, and then there are books that ask what happens when you're forced to stay in the same place until you're finally honest—with yourself and with the people you've spent years avoiding. *Destination Funeral* is both heartfelt and surprisingly funny, blending magical realism, nostalgia, and emotional healing into a story that's far more about friendship than romance.When Babe, the unforgettable woman who shaped four teenagers during their summers on Mercy Island, passes away, her death becomes the catalyst for an uncomfortable reunion. Didion and the friends she hasn't seen in years gather for what should have been a simple weekend to settle Babe's affairs. Instead, they wake up to discover they're reliving the very same Saturday over and over again.The time-loop premise is incredibly entertaining, but what makes the story shine is how it uses repetition to peel back emotional layers. Each reset strips away another defense until long-held resentments, regrets, and painful misunderstandings finally have nowhere left to hide. Rather than focusing on solving the mystery of the loop alone, the novel becomes an exploration of grief, forgiveness, found family, and the people who shape us long after we've left them behind.Paige Harbison creates a wonderfully atmospheric setting in Mercy Island. The weathered pink house, the stormy coastline, and the isolated island all feel like characters themselves, creating the perfect backdrop for memories that refuse to stay buried. The magical realism feels natural rather than overwhelming, allowing the emotional journey to remain the true focus.The cast is messy in the best possible way. None of these characters are perfect, and their flaws make every interaction feel authentic. Watching years of hurt slowly unravel through repeated conversations gives each relationship room to breathe. The friendships are layered, complicated, and ultimately rewarding, reminding readers that some of life's deepest loves aren't always romantic.The pacing occasionally slows in the middle—as many time-loop stories can—but each repeated day reveals enough new information and emotional growth to keep the story engaging. By the time the novel reaches its conclusion, the payoff feels earned and genuinely moving.Readers who enjoy character-driven fiction with a touch of magic will find plenty to love here. Fans of *One Italian Summer*, *The Midnight Library*, and emotionally rich reunion stories will appreciate how seamlessly *Destination Funeral* balances humor with heartbreak.Ultimately, *Destination Funeral* is a poignant reminder that sometimes moving forward means revisiting the past until we're finally ready to let it go. Equal parts nostalgic, hopeful, and emotionally satisfying, it's a beautiful story about second chances—not to change the past, but to change ourselves.I had the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication, and these are my honest thoughts.

⭐ 4I don’t even know how to put into words how much I enjoyed this book. I’ve recently read quite a few books that revolve around grief, and old friends coming back together, so I wasn’t expecting this one to stand out as much as it did. But somehow, the author managed to make this story feel so real and I enjoyed every second of it.My favorite part was the magical realism, I usually don’t enjoy it but I loved how it made so much sense in this book, it really helped these characters to confront things they had been avoiding for years. It didn’t feel out of place it felt like it belonged in the story.What I also really loved was that this wasn’t just Didion’s story. It was Sammie’s story. It was Austin’s story. It was Matt’s story. Every character played an important role in this book, they each had their own struggles, and I loved watching all of their journeys intertwine. My only complaint is that I wish we would’ve gotten a chance to see their POV instead of only having Didion’s.I especially appreciated the sibling bond between Didion and Sammie. I could relate so much because I have a complicated relationship with my own sister, so I found myself seeing little pieces of us throughout Didion and Sammie’s relationship. I just loved how in the end they were able to repair the relationship and it just made me so happy.I also have to mention that I loved how the author handled grief. I think she perfectly captured that even though Didion loved her mother, it was alright to feel sad and be angry, and those emotions can exist at the same time.As for these characters, they felt like real people. There were moments when I loved them, moments when they frustrated me, but they always felt like real people trying to navigate everything around them.The audiobook was also so good. The author did an incredible job narrating and bringing these characters to life. Every emotion was captured so perfectly that I genuinely think listening to the audiobook elevated my experience.My only real complaint and the reason this isn’t a full five stars is that there was one storyline that was resolved a little too easily for me. Without spoiling anything, I really struggled with how quickly one of the characters was forgiven. It didn’t ruin the story, but it was something that stayed with me for a large portion of the book.That being said, I absolutely loved the ending and especially the epilogue. I am totally going to read more books by this author because this one was just so good.

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This was a perfect example of magical realism. I feel like a “ground hog day” type story where they’re living the same day over and over could get repetitive and stale very easily, but this never felt like that. I was engaged and always wondering what would come next. The time jumps between “then” and now worked so well.I loved getting to know the sisters and their mom- their slight witchy vibe was so fun. It gave me the warm fuzzies I get when I watch Practical Magic. The sisters are very Practical Magic coded, actually- in the best way. Babe, especially, was such an interesting character and the things her daughters find out about her are so poignant and beautiful.I feel like any eldest daughter would be able to relate to Didion in some way- I even teared up at a couple of emotional moments. None of these characters were perfect- they were messy but the way this found family worked through things together was so heartwarming. The friend group and the beach cottage setting reminded me of Happy Place by Emily Henry, but I enjoyed the story in Destination Funeral more.I listened to the audiobook and the author narrated it herself- which I love. She did an amazing job. I loved her voice. I especially loved how she voiced Austin- syrupy and southern, but not too much.

Paige Harbison’s Destination Funeral had me thinking a funeral weekend was already bad enough…and then Saturday just kept showing up like nobody had told it to leave. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted book.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“You’re not the main character of every story.”Didion comes back to Mercy Island after her mother, Babe, dies, fully planning to survive one awkward weekend and then get right back out of there. Honestly, I respected the plan. The problem is the house is full of people she has spent years avoiding—her sister Sammie, her old friend Matt, and Austin, the ex-boyfriend who still knows exactly how to get under her skin.Then they wake up and it is Saturday again.And again.At first I thought the time loop would be the whole point of the story, but it really isn’t. It is more like the thing that locks the door and makes everyone finally deal with the mess they left behind. Every new Saturday brings out another truth, another old hurt, or another reason these people stopped speaking in the first place.Didion is not always easy to like, but I understood her. She is controlling, defensive, angry, and very used to being the one who holds everything together. The more I learned about her childhood and her relationship with Babe, the more her attitude made sense. She had to grow up while everyone else got to be carefree, and that kind of resentment does not magically disappear because years have passed.Sammie frustrated me. A lot. Austin brought all the second-chance tension, and Matt was probably the easiest person in the group to root for. Still, none of them were innocent, and that is what made the friendship feel believable. They loved each other, hurt each other, and then let silence do even more damage.I loved the way grief was shown here. Sometimes grief really does feel like being stuck in the same day while everyone else keeps moving. The ending felt a little too tidy for everything that had happened, but I still closed the book feeling emotional and hopeful.This is a good pick for readers who love messy families, old friendships, second chances, coastal settings, and a little magical realism mixed into all the heartbreak.Would you want one more day to fix the past, or would you leave it exactly where it belongs?

I'm not gonna lie, I was drawn in by the stunning cover, but I stayed for the gorgeous storytelling.Paige Harbison is a new-to-me author, whose writing has been on my radar for a while now. Without even reading the blurb, I jumped into this book headfirst and thought, "let's go for it!" Sometimes reader's intuition takes you on the best journeys. It absolutely did this time.A story of four estranged friends reunited for the funeral of their beloved matriarch, Babe, in Mercy Island, a coastal town in Georgia. The town and its townspeople make up a huge chunk of why this book is special, but let's focus here. It all centers around their beloved home, Birdsong, where they all congregate for the weekend, to celebrate Babe's life.The heartbreak, anger and betrayal felt between these characters was so palpable I could feel it radiating off the page - that is how descriptive and well-written it was. I wished I could leave the room because I was uncomfortable from all the tension. It was real, raw, and honest. As the story progressed and bits and pieces of the story began to unravel, it became clear how all the past hurts affected each of the members of the group.The time loop element of the story could have become repetitive, the same day repeating over, and over..... and over... but the author used a dual timeline to advance her plot, and it worked here very well. Told mostly from Didion's POV, except in the past timeline where it's third person, we get to experience her journey being the eldest daughter of parent dealing with more than she could ever understand as a child. (No spoilers here) There was a lot of anger, resentment, and disappointment within Didion that she didn't know what to do with and she chose to withdraw and retreat away from her family/friends.It was difficult to read at times because the author made these characters feel so real, their emotions were deep, powerful and I connected with them so much that I couldn't help but empathize with their pain. Not only the pain of losing a loved one, but also the pain of trying to mend broken relationships, navigating forward, making changes, being better people - all the heavy stuff.In the end though - totally worth it. Memorable read, one of my faves of the year.

This is a funny, thoughtful and lovely read about repairing lost relationships and finding true love. Four friends, two being sisters with a difficult history converge on Mercy Island off the coast of Georgia to read Babe's, their mother and matriarchs will. Babe has left her house to all four of them and the only stipulation she has is that they must spend the weekend together before deciding what to do with the house. They are all pretty reluctant to do this as there has been bad blood and misunderstandings between all of them over the last few years. However when they wake up the next morning it is as if the day is just staring over, ... and then over and over again. They are all caught in a time loop apparently manifested by Babe so that they can all get together and hash out their differences one last time and finally get it right. This story has a lot of heart to it and really delves deep into the characters relationships, strengths and shortcomings. It's very well done and I enjoyed it very much. If you enjoy a dash of magical realism with your family drama with a dash of warm fuzzies you will enjoy this book. Lots of fun. The narrator of the audio book I listened to was great. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for a chance to listen/read an ARC version of this book.

Destination Funeral by Paige HarbisonFiction. Chick lit. Secondary romances.With the death of Babe Bennett, her two daughters, Didion and Sammie, and their two long time friends, Austin and Matt, travel back to the small coastal island town in Georgia for a funeral. As requested, they give up their phones when they arrive and then try to figure out what’s next. They haven’t talked or connected with each other in years. It’s not enough time to do much more than remember the people, town and Babe.Or is now the time to take stock of your life?🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by the author, Paige Harbison. The performance carries every emotional high and low from the story, exactly as expected since it’s the authors take on these characters. It’s the perfect way for the audiobook to turn out exactly as the author wanted. I love that she had the experience and professionalism to create it herself. A captivating performance that truly brings the characters to life with all their flaws.The four characters that return to the house have a lot of baggage and in their repeated Saturdays, they work through them all though it does take quite a few repeats for them to get it all done. They rediscover themselves, their issues, problems and perspectives. More importantly they learn about each other and their connections. They learn the meaning of “no man is an island”. They find the time to figure out what they want and how to change what needs changing.All because the dead woman made them come back to the house and take the time to reflect.There is a lot of angst, self analysis and assessment. Things I personally avoid! There is some humor as well in the stories of Babe Bennett and her unique lifestyle.A thought-provoking story. What would or could you change? You can’t go backwards. But you can reassess and maybe make some changes?Curious.I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.#MacAudio2026

The summary for Paige Harbison's Destination Funeral was misleading for me. Rather than being " laugh-out-loud funny," I found it to be an absorbing and sometimes disturbing story of grief and family dysfunction with a magical realism component. An interesting combination, to be sure, and it took me a while to suspend my disbelief and accept how the various components came together.Four thirtyish people with longtime family or friendship connections are invited to gather on a small Georgia island for the reading of Babe's will. Babe's daughters, Sammie and Didion, a chef, have been estranged for some time. The other two--lawyer Matt and tennis professional Austin--were almost part of the family at Babe's house each summer after Babe moved away from her husband. They all struggle with issues of unstable romantic relationships and problems with family members, with an overarching theme of miscommunication.When the plot morphs into something reminiscent of the movie Groundhog Day, it suddenly becomes more focused on the reasons for all of the bad feelings. Although the four expected to be on the island for the weekend, culminating in Babe's celebration of life, they suddenly realize that Saturday is repeating itself on a daily basis. They are forced to live together for the duration, without their phones (a requirement of the will), which slowly leads to some clearing of the air and, finally, an explosive session where all is revealed.I thoroughly enjoyed the emotional payoff, although I wish it had come earlier in the book. It would have gone a long way to bring understanding about what led each one of them--including Babe--to the universally unsatisfying life they are leading. The primary focus is on Didion, who is an unlikeable character throughout most of the book. But the epilogue was very welcome, wrapping everything up in a gratifying way.

Star Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐️ rounded upWhen Babe passes, sisters Sammie and Didion along with two friends, Matt and Aston converge on the small island of Mercy off the coast of Georgia, a place they once called home during the summer. These four estranged friends have all been summons here for the reading of Babe’s will, four people that never ever expected to see each other again and now four people that have been left this summer home. They must decide collectively what is to be done with this house .. the stipulation .. no phones no cell phones no computer no internet. What should have been a short weekend ending with Babe’s funeral service turned out to be a Saturday over and over.It is during these time loops that we get to see the dynamics of these four people all the hurt and resentment they have for each other. It’s also during these repeat Saturdays that they get the time relive and rehash all those summers that they spend at Birdsong. What went so wrong that it tore these four people apart? How do they get themselves out of this time loop? Maybe it is time to put their cards on the table and tackle what tore them apart.I had a hard time warming up to these four main characters but I found Didion was hardest to embrace. Once her underlying issues were brought to the surface I was cheering for her as well as Sammie, Aston and Matt.Destination Funeral is a story that deals with grief, redemption, and complicated relationships, second chance romance. At times it was sad and emotional but there were moments of joy and a happy ending. I definitely enjoy Paige Harbison writing.Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for gifting me with a digital ARC copy of this book.