This book started a little slow for me. The story line was good but the characters seemed to be in their own story and not interconnected. I did like the back story of what tore them apart. It’s a interesting book of how relationships twist and turn.

The Sweetest Days is a novel about a couple, lives they’ve lived both together and apart over a lifetime, when the woman is given a devastating cancer diagnosis. She then begins to more intensely curious about her husbands prior “fling” (if you can even call it that), which has clearly bothered her for a long time.

Eventually, more and more details are revealed by both Peter and Jackie. The story show the strength of a their marriage, as their bond was stronger than either of them realized.

Parts of the story were beautiful. In certain places (mostly the middle and just before the very end) the emotional pull of the book was perfectly executed.

Unfortunately the beginning was extremely slow and I didn’t really connect with anyone in the story. Eventually it does pick up but I think a huge chunk of the beginning of the story could have been truncated for a more enjoyable read.

The narration was a bit awkward initially as well but it does get better as the story progresses. I didn’t hate it, in fact there were parts that I really loved.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. The Sweetest Days by John Hough is about a married couple, Pete and Jackie. The two first met in high school, but ended up breaking up over an explosive event right before graduation. After a few years, the two found their way back and got back together. Married and decades later, the two have a daughter who is living on her own. Jackie ends up receiving some news about her health as Pete has written his first novel. As they battkeJackie's news with a bookshop signing that goes in a. completely unexpected direction, the couple is forced to re-examine everything they thought they knew about their life together. I enjoyed this book and look forward to others by this author. If you are a fan of contemporary domestic drama, I think you will enjoy it as well.

Oh how I wanted to like this one so much!!! There was such potential for this storyline, but it just didn't do it for me. I had a hard time connecting with ANY of the characters and I outright did NOT like Jackie at all. There was such a huge build up to the story - but then, it rushed to finish. I did finish it, but then wondered what the point of this book was. I was provided a digital copy of this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! It was heartwarming and strong. It was exactly what I needed with everything going on in the world! A happy little escape!

I received this book "The Sweetest Days" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. Although I didn't hate the book, I didn't really like it either. I'm in the middle with it. I had a hard time getting into the story and felt like I wanted to skip around. It was okay.

It took me a while to get into this book. Longer than I would normally stick around for, before not finishing. Once I finally got good and into their story, things changed and I liked it much more.

The plot is of of Pete and Jackie’s relationship. I was all for the many references to bands and song titles- I love that kind of thing in a book!

The novel begins in present tense but reflects on events that change the path their lives have taken.
Pete, a talented speech writer for Senator Powell, wrote his first novel but an incident happens at book signing that brings back memories and unanswered questions.

Pete Hatch, high school football star, and Jackie Lawrence, his high school ex-girlfriend, reconnect and marry many years after separating following a tragedy during their school years. The death of a friend had changed the trajectory of their lives.

The Hatch’s were also facing Jackie’s health crisis. Knee-jerk reactions result in betrayal and, eventually, forgiveness.

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

I love this one. Such a sweet, tender story. I can’t wait till release day so I can share with family and friends. I’m sure everyone will love this as much as I did. Truly enjoyable

This got a great review by Elin Hilderbrand, so I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, I found the characters unlikeable from the start and it was hard for me to overcome that feeling.

The first half of The Sweetest Days was a bit slow for me. It took longer than I would have liked to get invested in the characters. Once I was into their story, the book was much more enjoyable for me.

The story of Pete and Jackie’s relationship reminded me that we all need to enjoy the ride along the way and not always hold on to issues from the past or hope for things to change in the future - focus on the now and enjoy it because it’s all we have. I loved the frequent references to bands and song titles, it helped me imagine myself in the time period where the characters were at each point in the story. Also, any book that references Phillies baseball is a winner for me!

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and the author for sharing this preview of the book.

Favorite Quote:
“Love’s a choice we make.”

I liked this book okay, the premise itself was great I just had a bit of a hard time connecting with the characters. I did love this realistic look into relationships and bumps in the road and marriage and everything that goes into life with a partner. I did live the flashback and present day viewpoints.

Pete and Jackie have been married for a long time and they each have secrets that they have kept from each other for years. When Jackie is diagnosed with cancer and given a 40% chance of survival their marriage is tested by the diagnosis. It is a beautiful heartbreaking story. I’ve been married 38 years and found this story to be very relatable.

An interesting love story, told well. Realistic and compelling account of the promises of marriage lived out.

This is such a beautiful book that is a heartbreaking love story.
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.
The author done a wonderful job on the writing. Just so heartfelt and beautiful!
Thus book will definitely have you thinking and all in your feelings

This is a lovely book about a couple in their sixties reexamining their marriage in the face of a cancer diagnosis. The novel travels back in time to show how they first met in high school and a tragedy that impacted their relationship. The novel is poignant with being maudlin. The characters are completely believable as is the plot. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of The Sweetest Days by John Hough. This book about broke my heart. It made me think, and stuck to my bones. Unforgettable!

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and I couldn’t put it down.
It follows the journey of this couples marriage. The old and the bad.

This book was not at all what I was expecting and in such a good way. After receiving a life-changing diagnosis, this is the story of a love affair. A real story with the human element and all the bumps and challenges that life throws at us. We get to learn the story of how Jackie and Peter met and go with them as they navigate an uncertain future.
I did not want to put this book down and finished it within 24 hours. It did get a little slow/long in the middle, but I really enjoyed this book and the story. The writing was so raw and real and while for at least some part of the story, I think I disliked everyone, I really enjoyed this book.

I almost stopped reading this more than once. Jackie and Hutch seemed like a perfect couple till they weren’t. The cancer seemed like an after thought in the beginning but it became part of the story. It was a good book not great but good. It kept me reading which I said I wasn’t sure if would.