What a beautiful heartfelt story including tough subjects.

This story starts out on a sad note near the end of a couple's lives. Then backs up to fill in the details of their lives and those of their parents and children. Families are so complicated and this one is no different. The majority of the book takes place on the Connecticut shore and in Boston between 1940 and 2002. So the history included in this book cover World War II, Vietnam War, Civil Rights, drugs, assignation of JFK, 9/11. etc..

This story details life, love, family and marriage - its ups and downs. Marriage is not easy and it takes work. There are highs and lows, but most of life is spent in between. If marriage lasts a lifetime, we are fortunate, and love can grow as we grow older. The story also shows us relationships between parents and children and between siblings, these are also complex relationships.

This family also experiences opportunities to heal and start over after difficult times, which happen in every life. Ultimately, it is how we handle these difficult times that make the difference in a life well lived. And death, at the end of a long life, is another opportunity to show character.

What an achingly beautiful debut novel! This story packs a bunch right from the start. Joseph and Evelyn don’t remember a time when they didn’t know each other. They’ve just always been in each other’s lives. This story goes back and forth between two time lines — Evelyn and Joseph’s last year together and Evelyn and Joseph’s life together leading up to their last year together.

Evelyn has been diagnosed with an advanced form of Parkinson’s. She doesn’t want to live like a shell of herself and Joseph doesn’t want to spend a day without Evelyn, so they decide to end their lives together in a year. The story that unfolds after they tell their children and grandchildren their plans is that of a beautiful life two people built together — childhood friends to more, the fallout of war, immense grief, the ups and downs of marriage, the joys and sorrows of parenthood and so much more.

Getting to go through a couple’s whole life together was such a unique experience and it’s hard to sum up this whole story into words. It’s hopeful, but heartbreaking. It’s utterly romantic and there are so many beautiful lessons contained within the pages of this book. Despite all that happens, I finished this book with happy tears.

Thank you to Park Row for a gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

4.7⭐️🎧
Grab your tissues, this one is a heart-yanker! A beautifully written reflective novel told in multiple POV’s, that reminds us how precious life and time is.

❤️‍🔥 It revolves around the difficulties of balancing what the heart desires with navigating all of life’s trials.

🦅 Evelyn is a free spirited dream chaser that feels constrained by responsibilities. Joseph is a starry-eyed lover with a grounded soul and adoration that never waivers. They would do anything to be together…including plan their own “death date,” to ensure neither is left behind.

😮 It starts off with a jaw dropper, and unfolds in a dual timeline, carrying you through their lives throughout War, the Trade Center collapse, JFK’s assassination, pregnancy, divorce and so much in between.

😭 A humble reminder that we can spend our entire lives searching for what’s right in front of us. Now grab your tissues box and get ready to tap into all of your feels.

“No one in love gets out of this life unscathed.”

It’s great on audio too. Although sobbing while you multi-task isn’t recommended. Sob safely, my friends!

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Army Neff for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review.

This book filled my heart with joy, and broke it all at the same time. It was such an interesting read for me because I relate to Evelyn’s love for her husband, deep and true, but I can also relate to her children, because my parents are also aging and very close to the end of their lives. This story of love, loss, heartbreak, and family will forever hold a place in my heart:

Wow! An emotional and beautifully written love story, Evelyn and Joseph create a world you want to inhabit forever. Evelyn lived next door to Joseph, who was best friends with Evelyn’s brother, Tommy. As they get older, they realize their love is growing in a different way, hidden from Tommy at first. The story is told both in the present day, as Joseph and Evelyn decide they do not want to live without one another, and decide to take their lives in one year. The other chapters recount their love story, their family, their ups and downs evidenced by a togetherness lasting until their seventies. As someone approaching seventy, this was a difficult and emotional book as I see my own time growing too short. I highly recommend this beautiful and absorbing love story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST
Amy Neff
Available July 30, 2024

I have just finished reading this wonderful story of love, of family, of dreams and of loss, and I am fresh from wiping the tears from my eyes. I haven’t read a more personal novel in quite some time and I felt that Evelyn and Joseph’s story is one that anyone who has had a great love or shared a wonderful family, should read.

Evelyn and Joseph’s story begins in 1941, a time of innocence and then of war and how that innocence is shaken to the core. The story of their lives raising their three children and grandchildren in an idyllic place that every one of us would love to share is a tender story, but carries some rawness at the same time. When we reach the end of the story, in 2002, it is exactly how it should end and, as a reader, I loved the way Amy completed this love story.

Evelyn and Joseph grew up together, fell in love and raised a family. Evelyn is given a fatal diagnosis and the couple makes a shocking decision on their next step.

This is a beautifully written debut novel, but will not be for everyone. Told in two voices, in the past and present. I adored Joseph, he knew what he wanted, where he was going, always trying to do the correct thing, but sometimes losing sight of the people who needed him most due to his need to provide. Evelyn, was a product of her upbringing, always searching for more, torn between what she wanted and what she needed, also suffering needlessly due to the time period. I loved the family dynamics past and present, references to historical events and it’s impact.

If you are looking for a light romantic read, this isn’t it. It’s emotional from the first page and deals with some hard subject matter. So many of the situations hit hard for me. I admit I cried throughout the book, in parts ripping my heart out. This story will stay with me for a long time. It is definitely a love story with the best possible ending. I wavered with my rating, ultimately deciding on the higher due to the emotions I felt, the relatability to the characters and certain situations and the beautiful writing. I look forward to this author’s next book.

Thanks to Park Row and NetGalley for this advance copy. This is my honest opinion.

3/5 ⭐
ARC REVIEW!!! i really liked this one! i could do with them not being older because it felt like i was reading about my grandparents and i was not all about that haha, but it was still very heartfelt story. it isn't you typical lighthearted book. this book covers hard topics and is very sad and depressing, but it was such a wonderful story.

read if you like:
🌊dual timeline
🌊childhood friends to lovers
🌊multiple povs
🌊coastal setting

thank you amy neff and netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

Don’t let the cover give you the idea that this is a beach read. Yes, the setting is a quaint, beach-side inn on the coast of Connecticut. But, that’s where the beach read part ends. This story is a mix of family drama, historical fiction, and a heart-breaking love story wrapped into one. The blurb grabbed my interest but the characters and their story held my attention until the final page.

“I will never stop wishing for more time with you.”

Evelyn and Joseph were childhood friends. It began with Joseph and Tommy, Evelyn’s brother, and then slowly, Evelyn was brought into the friendship. Joseph was always enamored by her beauty. But, Evelyn had other plans. She wanted to play for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and went to live with her aunt in Boston during the school year. When finally it seems Joseph and Evelyn are getting close, Joseph and Tommy leave for the war, changing their lives forever.

The novel begins with the elderly Joseph and Evelyn telling their children that due to Evelyn’s tragic health diagnosis, they have decided to live one last year together and then, since they can’t bear to be apart, end their lives together in June 2002. Of course, their adult children are shocked and angry and react with disbelief. Who does this? As we learn Joseph and Evelyn’s stories, we also get a peek into the lives of their adult children. We see how they are processing this news, all in very different ways, and how this choice begins to affect their own marriages and relationships.

“…that there comes a point when the days behind us far exceed what lies ahead, when all there is left to chase is memories. It’s about enjoying every day we have left.”

The story flips between Joseph and Evelyn’s perspectives both in the present day and back to their childhoods and the early part of their marriage. We get glimpses of their lives over the years, including the happy times and the sad times. We see how their relationship has blossomed and understand a bit of why they would make this bold, tragic decision to end their lives together, on their terms.

“Which is worse to lose, the one you love, or your ability to recognize their face?”

Neff created a deeply realistic marriage. Joseph and Evelyn struggled with their business, with putting aside dreams, and the stress of enduring the choices made by their children. But, through the difficulties, they stuck it out and supported each other which is what made this final year so special. They both believed that they had lived a full life and didn’t want to spend one day apart from each other.

“No one in love gets out of this life unscathed.”

After recently watching my father decline and his constant complaints about his health, I can see where someone could make this decision. Don’t we all want to leave this world on our own terms? Neff delicately handles this difficult storyline with compelling and deeply moving writing. The characters are relatable and her descriptive writing puts the reader on the beach, at the family table, on the streets of Boston, or the front lines of the war. Readers who love family stories, historical fiction, or a lifelong romance will find Neff’s debut to be the perfect read to close out the summer. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

Thank you to @netgalley @parkrowbooks @htpbooks @htphive and the author, @amyneffauthor, for the gifted copy of the e-book.

This story left me sobbing and will stick with you long after you finish. It is a powerful reminder of the impact of love and loss.

Taking place from 1941 to 2002 and told through a dual timeline and dual point of view, the story follows the lives of Evelyn and Joseph as they fall in love, navigate marriage and parenthood, face retirement, and receive a devastating diagnosis. Determined to live life on their terms, they embark on a year-long journey to embrace love and fulfill their dreams.

The book is exquisitely written, capturing the depth of emotion and heartache experienced by the characters over the years. The poignant love story and exploration of the complexities of marriage, parenthood, and shattered dreams make for a captivating read.

As a debut author, Amy Neff has delivered an outstanding piece of literature. I highly recommend this book and be prepared for your heart to ache with each turn of the page.

Such a good read that I enjoyed! I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

Thank you to Net Galley for this advanced copy.

This book HURT, in such a bittersweet way. Evelyn and Joseph were both raw, vulnerable, and real. The love they showed for each other, through whatever life brought them and until the very end, was so lovely. Their children also added a dynamic viewpoint to this story. I bawled my eyes out. With stories like these, even though you see the ending coming, you can't help but run full speed ahead toward it. It celebrates the joy in finding a love so pure and lasting, you wring out every drop of life between here and the end.

Thank you for the puffy eyes and blotchy face now. This book absolutely ruined me, but I truly loved the story. The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff is beautifully written. It is a book that I will probably never forget. It's a heartwarming love story between Evelyn and Joseph that spans over the decades. I felt like I was there at every happy and heartbreaking moment.

Sixty years of being together, raising their kids, loving on the grandchildren brings the reader to the moment that Evelyn finds out she has a devastating disease. (You find this out early; I'm not giving anything away.) As the daughter of a mom who experienced this same disease, I understand Evelyn's decision to want to end her life on her own terms. I understand Joseph's pain in not wanting to live life without her. I understand the fear that the adult children felt as their mother declined.

As a reader, I loved the shared moments at the beach, the laughter and love of the family, along with when the reader is taken back in time to World War II in the United States. I also definitely had "ugly-face cry" multiple times throughout the book, so I don't recommend reading it in public. If you love books that make you cry, this one will not let you down.

This is definitely 5 stars from me. It hit a little close to home, and I wasn't sure I could finish it, but I'm really glad I did.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Amy Neff for a free copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

A tear jerker of a solid old as time love story. An during romance of obstacles and love. We follow an elderly couple who is going to commit suicide due to one having a terminal illness. They are remembering their life journey.

I thought UP made me cry. This one shattered me.

Joseph and Evelyn grew up together. Though like took them different ways at times, they always found their way back to each other and have been more or less happily married for decades. As they begin to see their end of life in sight, the two revisit their favorite, and not so favorite memories of their life together.

Phew, I did not expect this book to be such a serious subject! I don’t want to give it away and spoil, though I do kind of feel like it is a trigger, so if you want to know shoot me a dm! I really enjoyed following along with the life Joseph and Evelyn had built, the children they had raised, and the grandchildren they loved. Be ready for the tears though, because they will certainly come!

Thank you to @parkrowbooks for my gifted copy of this book!

Thanks so much for this arc!

What a heavy read! Joseph & Evelyn have decided they’re going to end their life at the same time. What a beautiful tribute to their spouses! Evelyn is sick and decides she wants to choose the day she dies. Joseph can’t imagine life without her so he wants to pass the same time.

This story follows them back and forth on the journey they took throughout their life. We learn of their struggles. I loved this part. Marriage isn’t always perfect. Even though they’re so united in their old age life wasn’t always that easy. They never gave up. They always found their way back to each other even when life was heavy.

Their children don’t take the news well. I see both perspectives. I love that their love is so strong they want to stay together in life and death. But there’s so many memories left to be made with their children and grandchildren. I’m sure this book could be controversial to some. I like the idea of pushing the boundary and having control of your own life.

What a journey! This book was well written, even if such a heavy topic. I think many people will love this. It made me feel melancholy. It does open important conversations. I bet this would be a great book club book!

My words will pale in comparison to the body of work that I am reviewing, but that shouldn't diminish its clear 5 star status.

The Days I Loved You Most is at its core a love story. When I say that, I don't mean it's a romance book, or an Insta-love story (not a dig; just a disclaimer). Yes, it begins with the fireworks and the chemistry, but that's just a small part. This book shows that not even seemingly destined couples are immune to the problems that endanger relationships, but it's about how they find their way back that truly matters in the end.

The way Amy Neff writes all of the characters makes them seem so real, like they're people that I used to know and still think about from time to time. Evelyn and Joseph will probably be the best fictional couple I'll ever read about.

If you're in love, read this book. If you're not in love, read this book. It sounds cliché, but there is something in this story for everyone.

Do beware that, because this book spans such a long period of time, it covers not only a wide range of topics but also a lot of historical events, some of which could potentially be triggering. So look up the trigger warnings in order to not get blindsided.

Very special thanks to NetGalley and Park Row Books for sharing this digital ARC with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Days I Loved You Most is available now wherever books are sold.

"I've spent too many days without you."
"So long ago, Certainly we've made up for it since then." "I will never stop wishing for more time with you." His eyes fill once more, the reality settling between us, exactly how short one year can be.
"There will never be enough, will there?" My chin quivers, and he folds me into his arms.
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Easiest five stars. This book is right up my alley, with the most beautiful and heartbreaking love story. This story is an entire life lived. When you finish, you will feel like Joseph and Eleanor are your close friends. Literary fiction is my genre of choice, and this story ticked all of my boxes. I really don't want to spoil much, but give this one a go, and have tissues handy.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy.

#thedaysilovedyoumost
@amyneffauthor

Evelyn and Joe have a Hollywood-worthy love story. They grew up together in an idyllic New England setting, fell in love, got married, had a family and have been married for 60 years. But when Evelyn gets a fatal diagnosis, the couple makes a decision that shocks and angers their four adult children.

I enjoyed the introduction of Evelyn and Joe's relationship and was ready for an emotional and endearing story. But despite its interesting premise and emotional start, this book fell flat for me. I thought the story was too slowly paced with the multiple perspectives that told the story bogging things down.

I had high hopes for this book and found the courtship to be sweet (and my favourite part of the book), but I didn't feel a strong connection to the story or main characters. It felt like there was too much jumping back and forth, too many POVs and not enough time to dig into the emotional subject matter.

Overall, I liked the premise and the charming 'childhood friends to lovers' story early on, but I didn't feel engaged as the story progressed and had hoped for more emotional oomph due to the subject matter.

I'm an outlier with my feelings for this book so if you enjoy romance with some themes and subjects that will spark great discussion, then give this book a go!

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Park Row Books for the complimentary digital advanced copy which was given in exchange for my honest review.

This book was an emotional ride and I loved every second of it. I highly recommend. Thank you NetGalley, for access.