Actually 3.5⭐️

While I enjoyed Minnie and Jesse's individual growth and combined story, this was at times a little slow for me. Overall I would recommend this to others.

I want my time with you.

From the very beginning I fell in love with both Minnie and Jesse - both brilliant characters who had me as their personal cheerleader. You just can't help cheering for them from the sidelines, Wishing them all the success in life (and of course love too).

A brilliant story that felt real, which I find is a rarity in these types of books lately.

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Special thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I had not heard of the author before but they synopsis caught my attention and I knew i wanted to read it! The characters had a lot of depth, and it was fun to get their though processes throughout the story. I enjoyed that the book covered many topics including: grief, healing friendships, friends to lovers. The slow burn through the book made it one i couldn't put down. I cant wait to dive into more books by Zoe Folbigg.

This is my first experience reading something by this author. It is a heartwarming and fun romance that explores the unpredictable nature of love and healing.
Jesse is nursing a broken heart and Minnie offers him a chance at friendship when he’s least looking for it. Despite his initial reluctance, Jesse agrees to embark on a series of "platonic dates" with Minnie, promising to keep things casual—no strings attached. But as they spend more time together, their bond deepens, and Jesse is faced with the very real possibility of falling in love again, even though his old wounds still haven't healed.
The characters are well-developed and endearing. Jesse's vulnerability and his emotional journey feel authentic. Minnie has a lightheartedness and optimism about her that offer both comic relief and emotional depth. Their chemistry is palpable, and the genuine connection they develop is both real and relatable. The story tackles themes of healing, trust, and the fear of getting hurt again, making it not just a romance, but also a reflection on how we cope with past pain and open ourselves to new possibilities.
If you're in the mood for a feel-good story about love, friendship, and second chances, the warmth and sincerity of the conclusion is sur to make this a satisfying read.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Best laid plans, right? This book is lovely. It will make you feel a range of emotions and will keep you turning those pages. You will love it.

I ended up dnf'ing this book, I just found both characters to be so dislikable. The MMC is just weird and seems a bit aggressive like I get why he acted in some ways the way he did but he just seems like a douche in his internal monologue. The MFC reads as a girl who acts like a child. I honestly thought this would be more meaningful but I don't get that in the writing and I just found the writing to be not to my taste.

I recently read Five Days by Zoë Folbigg and found it to be a delightful and heartwarming story. The evolving relationship between Jesse and Minnie is both engaging and touching, making it a compelling read for fans of contemporary romance.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

A phenomenally beautiful story that was heartwarming and had me engrossed from the first page page to the last . A Chance meeting between bright and breezy Minnie and Jesse who”s marriage has recently broken down .Jesse is involved in an incident with a strangers misbehaving child throwing a ball into his coffee causing it to tip over him. Minnie calms the situation and they both agree to meet and become friends only knowing each other on a first name basis meeting five times. A wonderful story watching the characters grow each fighting their own demons and we find out the secrets they both keep along the way. I loved it from start to finish . This has great movie potential . I look forward to reading further books from Ms Folbigg .

A beautifully written book with characters I fell in love with. Heart-warming and page-turning, this book is a story everyone will emphasise with. This definitely should be made into a movie to rival any of the famous romance ones. My easiest and most loved read of the year so far

This book had me completely hooked from the start!. The way the characters Minnie and Jesse were brought to life by the author was just wonderful. A beautiful story that I couldn't put down!

Minnie is a bright ray of sunshine. Jesse just got his heart broken. They meet, and decide to go on friendship dates. Will they really be able to be just friends though?

A really good read. A lovely story and I could really relate to both Jesse and Minnie and the problems they were having loved how they met and following their relationship as it evolved from a friendship which was so fun but also had an underlying sadness. I loved the settings and especially LA where it bought back beautiful memories of my time there it was perfect..

I loved this book and totally recommend if you want an easy enjoyable, romantic read. When Jessie and Minnie meet in a coffee shop it is not the conventional start to a romance. Minnie meets him on a day she has broken up with her boyfriend and Jessie is not long out his marriage. The pair agree to meet five times under the strict agreement that they do not know anything about each other. A lovely story with well developed characters.

I loved Fairytale in New York so when I saw Zoë Folbigg had another novel out, I jumped to read it. This sucked me in from the very first line and kept me hooked through the entirety of it. I really adored every minute I spent listening to this.
When Jesse Lightening meets Minnie Byrne he’s having a terrible day. He’s not in the market for a new friend, but when Minnie suggests they meet every two weeks for a platonic outing, he finds himself saying yes. The rules are crazy: no exchanging contact information including last names, no asking about or divulging personal information, and most importantly- no falling in love. It’s a crazy plan, but both are willing to give it a try.
For as much as I loved Fairytale of New York, I found myself loving Five Days even more. Ms. Folbigg has crafted such a sweet story filled with charming characters and some beautiful scenery. While it’s of the same genre as Fairytale, it’s completely different making it perfect for those who weren’t fans of the latter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry it took me so long to get to. Five Days hit the shelves on July 26th.

Absolutely loved this one.
Five Days is a beautiful love story and takes you on an emotional and sensory journey. Its full of intrigue, colourful characters, vividly depicted locations and a plot that’ll grab hold of you from page one and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. I am so glad it has been released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

This book was incredibly refreshing, especially since it’s not typically within my usual reading preferences—ironic, considering Minnie’s therapist encouraged her to explore genres outside her norm.

If you like these tropes, this book is for you:
- Friends to lovers
-Healing from toxic relationships
-Healing your inner child
- Grief
- Slow-burn romance

The characters are richly developed and deeply likeable, offering a compelling look into their thought processes during challenging times. The world-building, especially during their travels, is enchanting, with the author’s depiction of the environment being particularly well-executed.

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What a book. I loved the main characters of Jesse and Minnie. From their strange first meeting, to unpicking their pasts and their adventures together, I loved it all. A unique story, cleverly written and really enjoyable. I would recommend

This book made me laugh and cry. I felt all the feelings I didn't know were coming from this book.

I adore Minnie. From the first page, I only wanted the best for her. Reading her story felt like talking to a friend.

And I love Jesse. Each moment I got to know him, and he became a new friend along the way.

What a gorgeous story.

It reminds me of those old Hollywood movies. Beautiful.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Minnie."

I received ARC of Five days from NETGALLEY. I liked this book of two people, whom both were just out of bad relationships, share time together and do not give last names, just a time to meet up next, no exchange in phone numbers or any personal information at all.
However their paths do intertwine they realize when they spend more time with each other.
3.75 stars