Amy Nett’a debut novel made me cry- like ugly cry but in the best way possible. I fell in love with these characters and love how she weaved the past and present. This story is heart warming and heart breaking It is as good as the notebook

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff. While the premise of the book had a lot of promise, my overall experience was mixed. The story centers around love and heartbreak, with moments that felt genuine and relatable, but it occasionally struggled with pacing. Some emotional scenes hit the mark, drawing me in, but others felt a bit drawn out or predictable. The characters were likable but lacked the depth I was hoping for, making it hard to fully connect with their journeys. Overall, it’s a decent read for those who enjoy emotional, character-driven stories, but it didn’t quite stand out for me.

Thank you to @harlequintradepublishing for the EGalley of this book!

Amy Neff’s debut novel follows the love story of Evelyn and Joseph. Flashing back and forward in time for the entirety of the book, Evelyn & Joseph’s story plays out, bringing along the lives of their children and grandchildren in the process. Evelyn receives a life altering diagnosis, which challenges her perspective on how she wants to live out the rest of her life - and in turn, the trajectory of Joseph’s life changes as well as he cannot live without her.

I’ll tell you that I have never read a book like this one, with such a deep, heart-wrenching story line! I am glad I took a leap into this book, as I enjoyed it so very much!

The situation that presents itself in Evelyn & Joseph’s life is one that is fairly common, but their way of navigating it may seem a bit more unconventional. Even if it seems unconventional, I am sure that it’s a definite reality for many couples who find themselves in similar situations - I promise, I’m not blind to that!

Amy’s writing of both the POV of Evelyn & Joseph, as well as of their children, was absolutely stunning and beautiful. She details the challenges that so many relationships can go through over the course of many years, the way in which these challenges can either make or break you, and the power of overcoming.

What a beautiful, heartwarming, gut-wrenching & timeless story - that will stick with me for a LONG time!

💐💝 Unforgetable book review💐💝

“I’ve never known a world without you in it, and I don’t want to imagine the next one without you either.”

This is the pact that Evelyn and Joseph make when Evelyn is diagnosed with Parkinson’s. They agree that they will end their life together in one year.

This book stole my heart and broke it into pieces. What an unforgettable read that will stay with me for a long time. A love story that spans across 60 years.

The chapters alternate from past to present bringing their beautiful love story to life over the years.

@amyneffauthor is a phenomenal author and I cannot wait to see more from her!! I highly recommend this book it’s one not to miss!!

Huge thank you to @htp_hive for my copy.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

This book was not at all what I expected. Sure, I went in blind, and I knew it was going to be a sad story, but it still didn't measure up the way I hoped it would.

I was told to prepare to cry. And I did, but not so much because of the story—but because of the feelings it triggered in my own life.

This is the first fictional book I've read that read like a memoir/autobiography and yet it wasn't one. I kept waiting for the author's note at the end to tell me this was based on her life, but it wasn't—or at least not enough to be noted.

The title made me think the focus would be on their love story, and it was...in a way. And while love and marriage can be messy and complicated and difficult at times, it felt as though the challenges were the focus. Their love didn't feel equally matched, which broke my heart for him time and time again. And the pact that they make at the beginning and share with their kids, feels like it's the basis for the entire story, only for it to completely change by the end.

This love story tugged at my heartstrings, but I don't think it did so in the way it intended.

WOW WOW WOW.
This was SUCH a beautiful book!
I felt Evelyn & Joseph in my bones.
The depth, the emotions - it was an incredibly touching story that I know I will think about for years to come,

I sadly just think this one wasn’t for me. I think some people may really find this one heartwarming and/or heartbreaking, but I was very annoyed by this family from the start.

I have 2 friends who have had a parent pass away due to Parkinson’s Disease. They were struggling at the end (one’s father was in and out of the hospital for the last few months), but both of these parents were able to have relatively fulfilling years 2 years post diagnosis (one had a very good 6-years post diagnosis with their family) and it would have been a shame to kill themselves after a year.

It sounds horrible to say, but I’m glad Evelyn passed before the intended double suicide date because I’m glad Joseph ending up staying alive for his children and grandchildren!!!

Thank you HTP Hive #partner for gifting me a copy! I also went ahead and purchased the audiobook via Libro FM narrated by the most amazing Andi Arndt & a stellar cast!
——

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝐼 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑀𝑜𝑠𝑡 is usually not the kind of genre that my cold, blackened heart loves to read. However I wanted to get atleast one beach read in before this summer ends, and this book has been compared to 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 (one of my favorites) so I had to read it.

If you read the synopsis, you know going in that a couple, Evelyn and Joseph, are announcing to their children they’re going to off themselves in one year because of Evelyn’s terminal diagnosis. Joseph has never known a world without Evelyn so if she goes, he goes too. Does this sound like the perfect romance to you or is it too extreme? This is the premise that had me absolutely hooked.

I was very satisfied with the ending of the book, I actually couldn’t come up with a better ending and the final quarter of the book was absolute perfection if you’re looking for a closed door, heartwarming romance.

However, a solid chunk of the book was spent on the family dynamics with the kids which didn’t resonate as much with me, especially because I felt the kids were quite well off to begin with, and did not have real life-altering problems (except for one addiction that vanishes a little too quickly in my humble opinion). I still enjoyed the book but was hoping for more of Evelyn and Joseph but that’s just me.

This book has been receiving great accolades internationally already and numerous 5 stars so I hope you give it a shot!

A touching and poignant novel about a love that has lasted a lifetime and when Evelyn learns her time is short she and Joseph decide to go,out together. Interlocking chapters weave the backstory of the couple and also,their three children.
Neff deftly portrays the shell of emotional that all the characters would fill: the kids and their parents.
It’s a tender and emotional read and the ending may surprise you.
Keep the tissues nearby.

This beautiful, heartbreaking story of Evelyn and Joseph chronicles their lives together, how they met and fell in love, and all the life experiences they endured together, the good and the bad—the three children they raised. When, at the age of 80, Evelyn is diagnosed with a debilitating disease, they make a profound decision that will affect their children and grandchildren. They arrange a family reunion to break the news to their family. They realize the result of their choices will have a tremendous impact on the legacy they leave behind.

This debut novel by Amy Neff is masterfully written and I can't wait to read more of her books. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.

I cried through the last 1/3 of this book. I loved the multiple POV within one family and the changing timelines and quickly fell in love with all the characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All of the opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This novel is a tear-jerker, for sure. I loved Evelyn, Joseph, and their family. This is a dual timeline novel that covers from when Evelyn, and Joseph met, through their marriage. I appreciated the fact that I got to see their entire relationship, and the explanations for their choices. I think readers who enjoy books by Diane Chamberlain, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and Lisa Genova will enjoy THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST, as well.

It is hard to believe that this is a debut novel. I look forward to reading more from Amy Neff in the future.

This was such a sweet story set by the ocean about a rare beautiful love . It takes us on a journey from early in the life of Evelyn and Joseph all the way to end of life. Their relationship survives war, missed dreams, a business, children, grandchildren and death. It makes you question your own life. Have you done everything you've dreamed about? Have you loved with your whole heart? Would you want to stay in this world without the person you love most?

I enjoyed the story. I really cared about the characters.It's not a thriller that I'm used to reading but I'm glad I strayed from my usual choice.

#Fiction #lovestory #Library #Bookshelf #Bookreview #Booklover #booksofinstagram #Read #Books #ARC #NetGalley #thedaysilovedyoumost #amyneff

This is a love story that is told over an 80 year time span from 1940 - 2022. It is primarily the love between a husband and his wife but also the love between parents and children and grandchildren. It touches not only on the joy of love but is realistic as the couple deals with myriad issues throughout their marriage. Near the end of their lives they decide that they can't live without each other and make a pact to end their lives together.

Joseph and Eleanor grew up next door to each other. The two of them plus Evelyn's brother spent their long summer days together united in their friendship. When Eleanor goes to Boston to school, Joseph realizes that he loves her. When joseph goes into the army, Eleanor realizes that she loves him. After several years apart, they marry and begin the rest of their lives together. Three children and running an inn take a toll on their marriage but they manage to overcome the problems. In 2021, they talk to their grown children and tell them that Evelyn has Parkinson's and they have decided to take their lives together in one year. Neither one can imagine life without the other. They spend the next year re-living their pasts and fulfilling dreams from their pasts. As the year nears an end, they have to make some big decisions about the legacy that they will leave for their children and grandchildren. What decision will they make about their lives at the end of that year?

There was a lot of love in this book but it was also full of the trials and problems that every married couple faces - especially if they have children. Despite the problems in their marriage their love continued to be a major strength in their lives. Don't plan on reading this and getting a happy and fluffy love story. This book is real life with all of its ups and downs. Keep tissues close because you are going to need them.

The reason that this is a 4 star review instead of five stars is that I really didn't connect with Joseph and Eleanor. This was supposed to be a great love story but at times, I just didn't feel it. I would have liked to see them more fleshed out as people and not just as part of a big love story. I'm glad that I read this book and I think that the author has shown considerable talent in her debut novel and will have a successful writing career ahead.

I absolutely loved this book! I love books that deal with realistic family struggles and hardships. I didn't feel that the situations depicted in this novel were overly dramatic or unrealistic. Although the premise is shocking, it was such a beautiful story of love and the hard work that a good marriage takes. I've recommended this book to many!

Reading this book I felt like the MC's children - how could both parents decide to commit suicide? But the story takes the reader through all the trials and tribulations of Joe and Evelyn. I ended up understanding his desire not to live without her. Very emotional read.

The Days I Loved you most by Amy Neff
.
The Days I Loved you most is the story of Evelyn and Joseph and their decades long love story. The ups and the downs, and now their story is coming to a close and so they have gathered their children and grandchildren to enjoy their time they have left.
.
What I liked:
-I really enjoyed how the downs of the relationship were included in the story. Life is not easy and to have Evelyn and Joseph’s rough times included was very realistic.
-The decision Evelyn and Joseph made was not easy and I loved getting a few chapters from their children’s POV to see how they each were struggling.
-SOBFEST. Those last few chapters were ROUGH.
.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely fell in love with the storyline in this book. It's not typical to find a book whose MC's are in their later years in life. But Evelyn and Joe are married, have adult children and Evelyn is about to die. She's been given a diagnosis and a prognosis that leaves her on her death bed in the near future, so she decides rather than die a death that might not leave her dying with dignity that she wants to commit suicide and die on her own terms and in her own time. Joe loves this woman more than life, more than himself, and the thought of living without her he can't bear. So, he decides against her wishes that he, too, will commit suicide and die with her.

Telling their children of their decision has very mixed reactions but mostly terribly distraught at the idea they'd both do that. I felt how they did, but as the story unfolds and you realize the depth of Joe's love, it becomes more and more understandable why he would choose to die when she dies. What I loved about the story is that we learned (due to two timelines) how they met, fell in love, and about some of their ups and downs. I thought this was a very beautiful love story and I'm so glad I read it.

As an End-of-Life Doula, I was instantly drawn to the description of The Days I Loved You Most. I mean, a love story so deep that one can't possibly live without the other? I had to know more and so begins my deep dive into the love story of Joseph and Evelyn through decades of happiness and sorrow (this is where the author gets real, it's not always sunshine and laughter).

Be prepared for a story that bounces back and forth in time as well as POV's. Relationships between spouses, mothers and daughters, siblings and events such as 9/11 are discussed with raw emotion. The setting is mostly on a CT shoreline, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about familiar landmarks. While tempting to read the ending quickly, I'd advise to relish this slowly to better process what happens to our lead characters.

This is the author’s debut novel. It is a winner! The writing is excellent. The author created such wonderful characters. I will be thinking about them for a while. Fans of The Notebook will love this book.

This is Joseph and Evelyn’s love story. It is told in alternating timelines starting in 1940 when Joseph and Evelyn were neighbors and childhood friends with Evelyn’s brother, Thomas. Their love story unfolds in multiple points of view: Joseph, Evelyn, and their three children - Jane, Thomas, and Violet.

The book begins with Joseph and Evelyn in their late 70’s. One of them has been given a devastating health diagnosis. This leads them to decide to end their lives in a year. They are giving themselves one more year to live a full life and create happy memories. They are hoping their children will support their decision.

Their story shows the highs and lows of a marriage/relationship. The sacrifices made for each other. The love that endures and becomes stronger through the years. This is an emotional book.

“Look at the beautiful garden we have made……Together.”