This story offers a look at marriage, love, secrets and how they impact all of the choices we make. Toss a pebble in to the pond and see how far and for how long the ripples keep going, We meet Pete and Jackie as they’re entering their 70’s. Petes first novel is about to be released as Jackie is given a not too promising cancer diagnosis. They have worked hard to stay together and make their lives together work and think they know everything they need to know about each other. Turns out, they don’t and now are left to wonder what about…everything. Though neither of them for me was terribly likable I did root for them. I enjoyed getting to know this couple through their decades together. It was a good read and I look forward to reading more form this author.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
A heartbreaking picture of marriage - choices made in life and love - were they right or wrong?
Pete and Jacki were high school sweethearts when a situation happened to break them up. When they find each other later - they marry and have a daughter. Life is good. Years later a health crisis arises and an unexpected meeting with an old classmate which causes each to check their marriage, their feelings, their choices, their dreams.
You won't want to miss this book!

I had trouble getting into this one, which mostly had to do with it being different than the type of book I was in the mood for. Character-driven novels don't always do it for me anyways. I found the beginning somewhat confusing on audio, as I wasn't entirely sure what was going on or what the story was about. The description on Goodreads doesn't really say much!

Once the story got going and I figured out what was going on, I got into it a little bit more, but it was still somewhat frustrating and confusing to follow. Jackie and Peter seem to hate each other (not to mention their daughter), so I'm not sure why they're together.

I didn't really connect to the characters. They were all unlikeable in thier own way. Peter was a dick for not being honest with Jackie and for how he treated her when they were kids; Jackie needed to let the past go, stop being jealous of a dead girl, and also stand up for herself; and the side characters were all awful too.

The ending made up for a lot of it, though. I thought things we well resolved, and there was some growth on Peter's part at the end. I'm glad he and his daughter are close.

I think a lot of it went over my head and may have been a bit too old for me. I'm not married yet, so I don't understand the nuances of choosing to stay married to someone you know isn't the love of your life. I think the target audience for this book would be someone who knows a little more about marriage than I do.

I would considering this a reflective book on a marriage in crisis. It was interesting to read both the present day parts and the parts from their past. Their lives were a little complicated and their love story wasn't traditional in any way.

This book deals with some pretty heavy triggers and will quite possibly cause tears at least once.

I didn't love any of the characters per day, but the story was well written and has a lot of value in the meaning of love and how important choices are in relationships.

A very reflective book worth the read but not an easy read.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I’m a bit ambivalent about this book. It did not live up to the prepublication promotional material and was more disappointing than entertaining.

Jackie and Peter Hatch have past the thirty year mark of their complicated marriage. At the beginning of the story, Peter has just published his first political suspense novel after a distinguished career as a journalist and speech writer for a U.S. Senator. This new beginning is juxtaposed with the news that Jackie has just been diagnosed with cancer and given a rather dismal prognosis. From this point the author moves back and forth from past to present starting with their first meeting as seniors in high school. Their ensuing lives reflect what appears to be a stable, loving marriage that is, in fact, built on Jackie’s insecurity and Peter’s uncertainty.

The story is told in the first person narrative through Peter’s perspective. It was challenging to get into the book, which starts out very slowly, but became interesting at the half way point. While I never felt an affinity for either character, I did empathize with Peter after he experiences a traumatic and life-altering event as a teenager. Overall his character seemed rather self-absorbed and underserving of his wife’s devotion. I never felt Jackie’s authenticity until she began to face the reality of her diagnosis.

My ambivalence arises from the fact that the author is clearly good at his craft from a literary perspective, and I thoroughly enjoyed broadening my vocabulary through his well-chosen modifiers. Where the book fell short for me was the rather aloof approach to these characters lives. Since I didn’t experience much engagement emotionally with the storyline, I was pleasantly surprised with the forgiveness and redemption themes that colored their relationship at the conclusion.

My thanks to the author, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads and Amazon accounts.

Beautifully written by John Hough, The Sweetest Days spans years, events and lives to tell the story of a long, complicated marriage.

When they meet in high school in the early 1960s, Peter Hatch is a high school football star and Jackie Lawrence is a cheerleader. They are a popular couple but as graduation approaches, Pete has decided to end the relationship. Before he can tell Jackie, he spends a day working on a church project. For many reasons, Jackie refuses to participate and what happens to Pete during those 24 hours will change many lives and will remain Pete’s secret until he finally confesses to Jackie, decades later.

The Sweetest Days is a title that makes you wonder what the author had in mind. Are the sweetest days those when Pete and Jackie experienced young love in high school? Are they the days when Pete dreamed that he would be a Pulitzer Prize winning author? Or the peaceful, satisfying days in a long marriage when you truly know your partner and are content. Without spoilers, the day that Pete spends on the church project is one of the most beautiful, moving and bittersweet passages I have ever read. Thank you, John Hough. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books and John Hough for this ARC.

I had mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that I really liked and some that I didn't care so much for. I really like the flash back part as opposed to the present day parts. I don't feel like I really connected with the main characters.

Pete and Jackie were high school sweethearts, but little does Jackie know that Pete has been keeping a secret for their entire marriage. When Jackie is diagnosed with cancer, it's finally time for the Pete's secret to come out.

I thought this one was very slow in the beginning, and it took me a long time to get into it. I think I was about halfway through when it finally picked up! The writing was good, but it took me a bit to get a hang of the writing style. I also felt like there were some parts of the story that could have been taken out to make the story flow better.

I really enjoyed the second half of the book, so I will definitely check out John Hough's next book release!

I loved the story of this book but found it hard to get into. The book is told from the far past, near past, and the present. It was nice to see the couple’s full story. It has a bit of a sad ending. Overall I enjoyed the book as an ok read.

3 1/2 stars

So, The Sweetest Days was a tough one for me to review. I believe Mr. Hough is a talented writer, so the writing itself was well done. However, I had a difficult time with the characters. Peter, in particular, was difficult to connect with or even like at all throughout the majority of the story. In my opinion, if your protagonist and the primary narrator of your story is unlikable, it's going to be a tough road. I would have been fine with him not being a perfect character. Few people in real life are perfect....I just needed a few things to like about him. Pretty much the only thing I could give him credit for was that he was a good father. I was never sold that he was a good husband. Yes, he made a conscious choice to "choose" his marriage at several points during his life. Unfortunately, it never felt like he was "all in."

Jackie, Peter's wife, took a bit for me to connect with as well. We are introduced to her after she's received a cancer diagnosis after their thirty plus years of marriage. It's evident that there are things in their marriage that have broken her down. She doesn't seem to trust Peter or his level of commitment. All of this initially makes her sound like a bitter, unhappy woman. However, as the story unfolds and we get glimpses of their past, things fall into place and the reader gets a better understanding of how their history has influenced the state of their marriage. You also understand that the impact of her diagnosis is driving a great deal of her unhappiness as well.

I believe I saw glimpses of what the author was trying to do with this story. Unfortunately, I just couldn't embrace Peter's character enough to connect to it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review this book and the opinions contained within are my own.

This was a diamond in the rough! Written in several parts; present, past, present it was rough at times to my reader’s eye and because of the subject matter. It is tough for me, and I’m sure others too, to bounce around in time. Done smoothly, it is a nice way to weave together the fabric of the story. However, in Part 2 I thought I’d lost the lose ends of a very good plot. It wasn’t until much later in Part 3 and 4 that I realized how important it was to go back into Hatch’s and Jackie’s high school past to understand the life they were currently living and how it would impact their future. Taking into account how death, guilt, infidelity and vindictiveness were portrayed I was concerned that this was going to be completely heartbreaking in the end. The reality was just the opposite. This was a testament to love in all its phases – young, immature, abiding, fought for and most of all enduring. The love that lives beyond the end of physical life. Thank you Net Galley and John Hough for an uplifting and welcome book.

Sorry but I could not get into The Sweetest Days. I can’t say I disliked it but I certainly did not connect to anything going on nor any of the characters.
Overall, it was a ok read. I encourage you to give it a go. Maybe it is just me feeling this way. I will read it again later down the road and see if my opinion changes.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 Stars

The Sweetest Days is a look at marriage, love, life and the choices we make that impacts it all. The story circles around the relationship and marriage of Peter and Jackie Hatch. Most of their story is told in Peter’s perspective, whom at times I really didn’t like, with a few chapters delegated to Jackie. Through their ups and downs, past and present, we get a picture of a not so perfect couple, but one that has chosen to love and build a life together. Although I’m not sure love was always a factor. And that is where I’m a bit conflicted or maybe confused.

I guess I’m a sap and I really only want those happy, romantic stories where nothing ever goes wrong and we don’t make dumb choices or decisions and there aren’t any broken hearts. Though the title would lead you to believe this is a sweet take on life, it is not. As a matter of fact as I sit here writing this review I can’t really recall any particularly sweet day that sticks out from the story. But, alas, I started this one and couldn’t stop. That at least says something. Yet I’m torn over my feelings for it. It is a compelling look at attraction, differences, similarities and influences around us that make or break a relationship, love and marriage. It delves into choices and consequences. But it also left me with questions and not so pleasant feelings about Peter and Jackie, their thoughts, beliefs, choices and decisions. In my opinion a few issues were left unanswered or not completely resolved. Or maybe I just missed it. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy this because I did. I just wish there had been more sweet than sour.

Pete and Jackie were high school sweethearts. Everyone expected them to marry immediately but an explosive incident tore them apart before graduation. It took years for the two to heal and finally come back together. Now, decades later, they face an uncertain future.. Determined to stay positive, the two travel to their Cape hometown for a book signing of Pete’s debut novel. But when a disastrous encounter in the bookstore with an old classmate brings their long relationship to the breaking point, they are forced to examine their marriage and explore their deepest feelings.

I don't have much to say about this book. The writing was beautiful with amazing descriptions and it was sweet to read. I also like how the author portrays the ups and downs couples can face in their marriage. However, I'm a reader that likes to be invested into the characters and I wasn't invested in Pete and Jackie.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Peter and Jackie were high school sweethearts until one devastating night tore them apart. Years later after a long marriage, Jackie learns she has cancer. With that diagnosis comes questions about their marriage. What really happened that night. Has Peter lied to her their whole marriage? Does he even love her? Did he ever? This book started slowly and built. There were parts of the story that I really liked and found believable, others I did not. The flashback half of the book was much more compelling than the present day. A story of loss, love, forgiveness and hope, but overall not one I connected with.

This is the journey of Pete and Jackie from being high school sweethearts to whom they became and all they went through. It shows the ups and down of their lives, every decision has consequences, and the things they had to face. Times were different back then and as they look at their life. They think about the roads they traveled and the missed opportunities. They do it together.

Ever have a soul mate and you know it within minutes? Or a mistake & you know it as you’re doing it?
The Sweetest Days is a journey through one couple’s life where making choices and living with the consequences is the name of the game. There are evolved and open minds going against rigid, closed mindedness set in the 1960’s with JFK, the Civil Rights Movement, back seats of cars at make out point, rebels with a cause, love and loss and what we do to survive it all.
Although this isn’t a light read, Hough delivers all with a sarcastic, dry wit that is entertaining and meaningful.

This book was so emotional and true and a heart wrenching read about true love and life. Highly recommend!!

I have been looking forward to reading this book and it was even better than I had expected. It is beautifully written and so realistic. It describes the many issues of Pete and Jackie who have been married for over thirty years. It starts with their high school courtship and follows their lives through marriage and eventually death. It is hard for me to express how much this story resonated with me. It is beautiful, sad, Heartbreaking and will stay with me for a long time to come. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys this genre. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read this amazing arc for my honest opinion.

A compelling read. Beautifully written, well-thought-out characters, and a true look at marriage at different stages in life. I truly enjoyed this one!