What a beautiful story! Different than any other book I've read so it's original, not formulaic. The characters are well developed and likeable. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to others.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and Libro.FM for the ALC. I predominantly listened to the audiobook which was very well done.

I hope this book finds a wide readership. It is beautiful and romantic, but also bittersweet. It is an examination of love, of expectations, of compromise, of family...

I'm going to be the odd one out who found this just too melancholy, even in the flashbacks. Evelyn, Joseph, and their children tell the story of their long and happy marriage in the wake of their announcement that they plan to end their lives in one years time due to Evelyn's diagnosis of a form of Parkinsons that will lead to dementia. It's an interesting concept but the ending looms over the while thing, even during the happy times. I'm not sure why it struck me the way it did but ultimately I DNF. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I know others are doing to enjoy this one even if I did not.

A touching, moving love story of Evelyn and Joseph, spanning from when they were childhood best friends to an elderly couple in their 70s, when Evelyn receives a terminal diagnosis.

Told in both Evelyn’s and Joe’s voices, going between the 1950s and the 2000s, the story is one of love, loss, grief, end of life, self-acceptance, resilience, and family relationships. The writing draws you in and makes you feel part of these characters’ stories.

This is an emotional story at times and it had particular meaning to me as my father died from the illness that Evelyn had. Although illness and dying are key elements of this story, it is also about living and loving and the many ups and downs of life. I liked how the author effectively interwove real events into the plot, including the JFK assassination and 9/11, making the setting come even more to life.

I enjoyed this heartfelt story and its beautiful, bittersweet ending.

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I will be posting my review on July 26 on my book IG account (https://instagram.com/stephanielikesbooks?igshid=i3a87j35o) and to X. I will post to Amazon on publication day.

A beautiful yet difficult read, much in the vein of Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook. This is a love story, but not a light one. It is a dual timeline story that tells the tale of Joseph and Evelyn. This is a romantic book, yet heartbreaking telling their 60 year long love story. The reader finds hope and despair, love and hurt, darkness and beauty that all make the days I loved you most come into startling clarity. Grateful to read this one from NetGalley.

This book was so incredibly captivating. The dual timeline made me feel like I truly knew and understood these characters. The bits of historical fiction, the life lessons, the heart ache. Everything was executed so well.
The relationship between Evelyn and Joseph was so real and raw. While Evelyn is struggling with her medical diagnosis, she is navigating the pain and wonder of what her new life might bring. Joseph can’t imagine a life without his bride, so they start to discuss options if their future with their children, whom are all facing their own difficulties with their mother’s situation. I adored this book and I will carry these characters with me for a very long time.
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, & Park Row for the ARC copy of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

“The Days I Loved You Most” by Amy Neff is a beautifully written novel that explores the complexities of love and loss. Claire and Ben’s story is heartfelt and relatable, with well-developed characters and an engaging narrative that moves between past and present. The emotional depth of their relationship is captivating, though the plot can be somewhat predictable at times. Overall, it’s a touching and sincere read that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.

You will need your tissues! If we were to watch this on TV, Puffs would definitely be a sponsor. This is not a fluffy, feel good love story. Joseph and Evelyn are a memorable couple and there are some who would compare this to The Notebook, Me Before You, and other similar emotional rollercoaster reads. So, you have been warned!

What if your only love, your wife for more than 50 years is diagnosed with Parkinson's? That is the dilemma Joseph and Evelyn wrestle with in this debut from Amy Neff. After considering their options and reviewing past experiences, the two decide that they want to exit this life together on their own terms.

Understandably their children (Jane, Thomas, and Violet) are horrified and immediately start working on talking them out of this plan. Joseph believes that his love for Evelyn cannot stand the separation and the two hold fast to their one-year plan. Meanwhile, Neff takes us back in time to the 1930's when the two grew up as next door playmates. In alternating chapters, we see the current year advancing from 2001 into 2002 and the love story of Evelyn and Joseph with all its setbacks and triumphs.

I appreciated seeing the story from both points of view (and even some of the kids). There were some heartbreaking and heartwarming moments --all tissue-worthy! My one objection to the story was the total lack of religious commitment and that made it a bit difficult for me to connect with these two.

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, beautifully done! The Days I Loved You Most, by Amy Neff, is a must-read, especially if you are a fan of the Nicholas Sparks novel, The Notebook.  Reflections on a lifetime of love, life, and family, while facing one's pending mortality this one will leave you misty-eyed and devastated, yet with the satisfaction that their lives have meaning. Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

A very moving story of a couple who plan to end their lives because one of them is terminally ill. A story of the effect their decision will have on their family. As their final days approach reality hits.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Evelyn and Joseph have decided to end their lives together on the same day. Neither wants to live without the other.
I’m not sure what I was expecting going into this book. I just wasn’t a fan of this book. It just didn’t feel like a tearjerker. I just felt a bit bored with the whole thing.

I was craving all the feels and an emotional rollercoaster and this one delivered.

This epically beautiful and deeply touching love story asks: How much would you sacrifice for the one you love?

Oh My Gosh, THIS BOOK!! Have the tissues ready - I'm not kidding! Neff's debut was well-written and perfectly paced with the multiple POV's. I absolutely couldn't put it down. Evelyn and Joseph's love story will stay with you long after the last page.

This book is a raw, real, and deeply emotional encapsulation of the human experience - the fragility of life and the things we can't control, no matter how hard we try. It reminds us to treasure the time we have now and with those we love, because life is a precious gift filled with vast devastations and immense joy.

Highly recommended adding this one to your TBR and stocking up on Kleenex because those tears will be streaming down your face.

I’m going to need 17 business days to emotionally process what I just READ😭

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

This story follows Evelyn and Joseph, an elderly couple who plan to end their lives together in a year after discovering Evelyn has a terminal illness. They have been together since childhood and Joseph is not sure he can go on without her, however their children are heartbroken over this decision. You get multiple POVs from Evelyn and Joseph throughout, but also from their children which I loved!

Over the next year, they plan to retrace their past (truly the good, bad and ugly) along with living out dreams untouched. You get to go along with them, learning about how their love story began and following all of the other trails faced throughout their lives together.

This book absolutely wrecked me and may not be for you if you’re not a sad book girly. I’ve heard this compared to The Notebook and would 100% agree with that comparison! I enjoyed the beautiful writing style and heartfelt narrative this book carries.

• Thank you NetGalley, the author and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC copy in exchange for this review!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Dnf at 30%. This seems like a story I would love but I just could not for the life of me get into the characters or their story. Something was missing that I can’t put my finger on. And while it is romantic to want to die together, I just couldn’t get past the selfishness of the father leaving his whole family and grandkids to kill himself for no reason.

WOW. What a beautiful debut novel! I cried so many times reading this. What an emotional roller coaster throughout this entire story. A few times I had to stop reading to get myself together! Dual timelines usually lose me, where one timeline will hold my interest more than the other and often I find myself rushing through certain time periods. This was not the case with The Days I Loved You Most. Both timelines were equally as captivating and well written. The past and the present and how it all tied together was so brilliant. Absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking!

The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff
★★★★★

This is a book that I will always remember and think about. It’s so beautifully written and is a story that will forever be timeless. Evelyn and Joseph’s story has completely captured my heart and left me sobbing by the end.

This book is going to give you all the emotions. It has heavy topics and is real and raw and beautiful — just like life. 🤍

Evelyn and Joseph are childhood sweethearts, falling in love in the summer of 1941 on the New England shores where they were raised. Now, sixty years later and whole lot of life and loss in between, they gather their three grown children to share the heartbreaking news. Evelyn has Parkinson’s disease that is progressing rapidly, and Joseph cannot live without her. In one year’s time, they will both end their lives on their own terms. This book takes you through a journey of their high’s and low’s — from the beginning of their love story, to the present.

I cannot wait for this book to be released and I will forever recommend it. It truly makes you think about what really matters in life and to love the people around you, through the hard times and the happy times.

The Days I Loved You Most will be released on July 30th.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this heartwarming ARC. Thank you @amyneffauthor for writing such a beautiful story. 🩷

Beautiful love story that spans from World World ll past 9/11. I loved it! It is emotional, real, and heartbreaking. I loved the dual timelines. If you enjoyed The Notebook, you will love it! This would also be a great book club pick!

Thank you for my copy, Netgalley!

I was ready to get lost in a book that would take me away from my own problems and transport me. That was exactly what this book did. I am not a huge romance reader - and I thought this one is more contemporary fiction although there is a huge romance aspect.

Two people who share a childhood as neighbors, realize they love each other in their teens. They grew up as a pack of 3 - Evelyn, Joseph and Evelyn’s brother (Joseph’s best friend). Evelyn and Joseph come precariously close to turning their backs on one another - but one of them is determined not to let that happen. This story moves between a current time frame and visits past moments in the couple’s lives. The ups and downs, the almost wasn’t and the in-between years raising their family. Now one of them is sick and makes a drastic decision about his/her future. Their children are devastated by the news and re-engage with the family in order to fill one last year with as much as they can.

This story would make for such great book-club discussion. Many of the choices made in this book can be looked at in 2 or more ways. Which is right? Who gets to decide? There was one situation early on that I really struggled with. Misplaced blame that was never really healed in my book. But that aside, this book moved at a great pace and kept me engaged throughout. This feels like it is advertised as the love story to top all love stories - but I don’t think it’s that. I think it is an excellent exploration of the work it takes to make a marriage and a family work. The sacrifices, the potentially unmet dreams, the joys and the selfless devotion needed to succeed.

Definitely recommend. thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC to read and review. Pub date: 7.30.24

Evelyn and Joe are married 60 years when Evelyn gets a fatal diagnosis. Joe decides he can’t live without her so he decides he will die when she does. They tell their children this decision and of course the kids are devastated. There are multiple view points and going back in time that I found myself not enjoying. It actually took me until 50% just to start to like it but then realized I didn’t care for the story or the characters at all. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release but it didn’t do much for me. To be published July 30, 2024.

For fans of The Notebook, Me Before You, and This Is Us, The Days I Loved You Most is a poignant debut novel exploring themes of love, death, illness, grief, and what makes a good life. It’s slow-paced and very heavy but also poetic and beautiful. The writing style won’t be for everyone as it is full of intentional sentence fragments and run-ons; I found it to be a bit choppy and hard to understand at times. But if you enjoy emotional and character-driven books, this one could be for you.