This is far from the first book I ever read by Melissa Hill, but it's probably the first one that took me so long to get started on. Once I got into the story, though - so, approximately from the 2nd page onwards, I basically could not put this story aside. Each of the three love stories had me at times annoyed, hopeful and throughout all of that: rooting for them.

I was offered an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are strictly my own.


The opinion

I don't know what it is, but there's something about the way that Melissa Hill sets up her stories that always leaves me wanting more. Whether it's the way she teases storylines way in advance, or unveils characters' motivations so slowly? She knows exactly how to set the pace, without ever leaving you frustrated.

In this particular book, though, especially the use of letters served as a perfect foundation for the story. As Leonie and Alex each saw their own story reflected throughout their search for both the sender and the intended recipient, I just had to know what exactly had happened - and especially: how it would be resolved.

The rating: 4/5

I saw a review mention that "it'll all be a happy ending anyways". And while I'm sure that's not *quite* what they intended, that's actually exactly what I love about Melissa Hill's books. Sure, you know it'll be a happy ending. But exactly how she's going to get her characters there? That's what you can never quite predict. And what keeps you happy after finishing the book!

-Saar

The First Day Without You by Melissa Hill is a sweet story following three different relationships. Love crossing decades and countries. A couple of interesting twists. While the story seemed to bounce all over the place it still worked and delivered a overall good book.

This was such a heartfelt story rooted in friendship and new beginnings. I truly loved getting to know these characters and witnessing their growth throughout this book.

I honestly couldn't get through this book, like you would think the suspense of wanting to know why the MFC has runaway but I was so bored and could not care less. I genuinely thought this would be a book about either losing someone through death or a breakup but no just miscommunication.

This was a bit of a rollercoaster for me I went from liking to hating to not connecting with the characters,

I didn’t like how her ex chased after her, if he really loved her he would giver her space. It seemed aggressive.

I did enjoy the connection toy the landmarks and the history.

Leonie moves to California for a fresh start, but discovers a bundle of unread love letters in her new apartment, sparking a quest to reunite the lovers mentioned in them. With the help of her friend Alex, she uncovers surprising twists and confronts her own past, leading to unexpected revelations. Despite a slow start, the novel's intriguing premise, well-developed characters, and the vivid San Francisco backdrop make it an enjoyable read filled with surprises and genuine emotions.

Such a sweet story-- and LOVED the setting in San Francisco. I absolutely love epistolary stories and I appreciated the way Leonie evolved in this story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmarks for the opportunity to review this amazing ARC.

We start off with one of our Female MCs coming to America for the first time. Leonie is running away from her fiancée Adam. For what though... We the readers don't know yet. She moves from Ireland to San Francisco to start anew. As she moves into her new apartment she finds a box of letters. She finds that Nathan still sends his love letters to Helena (who no longer lives there). Unable to contain her curiosity she opens one (later is told over and over again it's a felony.)
Our second Female Mc is named Alex. She lives just beneath Leonie and together they form a friendship and bond over trying to find Helena. Instead of waiting for book 2 to find out Alex’s story we get a 2 in 1 of sorts. Later in the story we see why Alex is the way she is. This book was so easy to devour in one sitting for me as the mystery of Helena & Nathan kept intriguing me. I wish we had a tad bit more povs to see what was going on in the minds of other characters but I still loved the dual pov. It had a tad bit of mystery and romance. Definitely check it out!



#netgalley#sourcebookslandmarks#mystery#dualpov#heartbreak#irelandtosanfrancisco#heartbreak#reunitedlove#letterstojuleitvibes#Melissahillbooks#thefirstdaywithoutyou

Oh my goodness!! I couldn’t put this book down. So much love and hurt. The relationships throughout (both romantic and friendship) were so wonderfully written. I loved these characters. Well except one (she can kick rocks). I can’t wait to read more by this author.

Anything we old love letters I’m sold! This book was really well done. I devoured it in a sitting. Will absolutely recommend to my followers.

The book The First Day Without You was an enjoyable read. I would recommend any book written by Melissa Hill. Happy Reading!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

Melissa Hill is a great storyteller who knows just how to weave a storyline so that her characters and their stories are all connected. I loved the beautiful San Francisco backdrop as Leonie escapes Dublin and seeks solace in a new city. Alex was a breath of fresh air as a new friend who helps solve the riddle of the unopened love letters. A mystery and a love story combined! Plus, Leonie and Alex's love stories come into play as well. Overall, a fast, cute read that had my heart smiling!

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

I was a fan of Something at Tiffany's so I was super excited to read this one. The First Day Without You is a sweet book with travel, romance, and most of all....finding yourself. I love that Melissa Hill's books feel real yet also like a warm fuzzy Hallmark movie. 3.5 stars
Thank you to Sourcebooks & NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely fell in love with this story. It’s told in dual point of view. There are three stories being told but told in a way they all seem to correlate with one another. I was captivated by the story of the unopened love letters and trying to find who they belonged too. This book is a beautifully told story about forgiveness and possible second chance romance. The ending is perfection. Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. This was a cute romance that had elements of suspense. I blew through it in 3 days!

I just finished The First Day without you by Melissa Hill

Moving to California was a snap decision made by Leonie. She needed a fresh start, a place to flee from the mess she left behind back home. Not ready to face what she did, Leonie, while cleaning her new home, finds a stack of letters. Unable to help herself, Leonie decides to get the letters to the person they are addressed to.

Dragging her neighbor into her quest, Leonie embarks on a journey with Alex to try and give someone else the happily ever after she knows she doesn’t deserve.


I quite enjoyed this book. It's split between two POV, Leonies that span current day and her past and Alex’s. I usually like one POV more in these kinds of books but I enjoyed both ladies' stories. Alex is trying to divorce her ex Seth but he is as elusive as bigfoot. She works as a reporter and her skills helped Leonie track down Helena.

As a hopeless romantic myself I found the book very cute and I liked the cynical balance that Alex provided Leonie the romantic. The writing was solid and I was entertained through the whole book. I liked the ending. I don’t think it could have been done better.

I like the mystery of the letters and all the descriptive talk of San Francisco. I feel like it’s never too late to reach out when your heart aches for someone.

This author was new to me, and new to me authors make me nervous. However, I am a sucker for lost letters and love and this story did not disappoint. I liked the writing style of the author and the way the wove the characters and story together. I will definitively be getting more books from this author!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for a review!

What a heartwarming story about a woman working her way through her own problems by helping others with theirs. Well done.

This book has a little bit of everything... Broken romance, new romance, rekindled romance, lifelong friends and new friends, a mystery, secrets, and it all comes together in this sweet story 🥰