This was just an ok read for me. I wasn't a fan of the writing style but managed to persevere until the end. It did drag on a bit though and I was ready for the end a lot longer than it was.

I probably should have read the blurb a little more closely before requesting this one, because the "dead best friend's fiancee" trope (is that a trope?) isn't something I think I like. This story of completing your dead bestie's bucket list with her ex fiance had a lot to like, but ultimately the slow pacing, slow burn, and heavy emotional tone was hard for me to get through. For readers of In Five Years by Rebecca Serle, Float Plan by Trish Doller, and One Day by David Nicholls, this is an emotional romance with a literary fiction bent. Would definitely recommend if you're in the mood for something a little heavier and slower than the average romance book!

I think grief romances might be a trend, because this is the second story, I've read this month with the same premise. This definitely a slow burn romance, and even when you think the chemistry between Charlie and Becca will finally spark, one of the two would ruin it and then you are back to ground zero. I was so happy to finally get to the ending and to know that the two of them were going to be okay.

This book took me a while to get into - I found myself getting very emotional to start with and at times I had to stop and come back to it.

I found myself swapping between loving and loathing both Becca and Charlie ti start with. One minute I was siding with one then next I was seeing things from a different side.

As the book went ok I started to love them both equally as we saw their stories unfold.

This is a heartwarming story that is full of emotion and passion.

Pernille Hughes' Ten Years is an expertly crafted enemies-to-lovers novel that is both entertaining and well-written. The story follows the ten-year journey of Becca and Charlie as they attempt to fulfil the bucket list of their deceased friend Ally. Despite their mutual dislike and irritation towards each other, they embark on various adventures such as climbing Snowdon, cycling from London to Brighton on a tandem, and attending a music festival. The author sensitively handles the topic of death and grief, portraying how it affects individuals differently and how it can be difficult to move on.

One of the novel's strengths is the development of the characters of Becca and Charlie, as they learn to cope with their grief and grow over time. The reader can anticipate that they will eventually end up together, but the journey towards that outcome is portrayed with depth and wisdom. Hughes expertly weaves together a love story that is not just fluff and froth, but a story that offers insight and understanding about the complexities of love and loss.

Overall, Ten Years is a delightful and engaging read that will leave readers rooting for Becca and Charlie's happy ending.

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***

I really liked the set up and the realistic portrayal of grief, anger, annoyance, resentment and how it continued and evolved

Another book that has sucker punched me is this book, which features possibly one of the most standout opening chapters I’ve ever read, as we meet a young girl who has the world at her feet, and the loveliest personality to boot, but then …
This is the biggest stunner of a book I could ever imagine, with two characters trying to live on after the death of their world, the lovely Ally. Both Becca and Charlie always hated each other, but are forced together yearly by a bucket list from Ally who wanted each to see what she saw in them. Both characters blew me away (blew, blew, blew!), as did the twists and turns, where what I expected to happen would suddenly disappear and I’d be literally thinking ‘what?!?!?’ The sad parts, the grief, really punched me in the gut (oh my god how I cried in this book!) and the vividness, vibrancy and humour was fantastic and had me smiling along. All in all one of my favourite books of all time, and a privilege to have read.
Thanks so much to the publisher for the book in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, but it felt clichéd at times and unfortunately wasn't as memorable as others in this genre. Pernille's writing was good but it was predictable and I found the characters to not be particularly likeable. I would still read other books by Hughes!

This was one of my favorite books of 2022. I loved how wildy different Becca and Charlie were and their transition from bickering enemies to eventual lovers felt natural and real. I read this as part of a readalong and loved it.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

enjoyed this story every bit of it. I found this author from this site and was super happy to review the book. Glad to do and will find more books when they come out. Liked this a lot.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this book. I was waiting and waiting for the chemistry between Becca and Charlie to sizzle over and loved what happened. This is a gorgeous book and will leave with a smile on your face.

Unfortunately, this book just didn’t grab me and I wasn’t able to push myself to finish. The writing style just wasn’t for me.

So slow, no chemistry, and the enemies to lovers trope got old really fast. The biggest problem was I couldn't connect to the characters.

This was just the palate cleanser I needed after reading so many dark-themed books! Ally's death devastates all those who love her but she's sent emails to boyfriend, Charlie and best friend Becca about spreading her ashes. And although they barely get along, of course they comply with her wishes. It's funny, emotional, and packs a punch of gut-wrenching feelings about life, love, and even death. So sweet that it should be "required" reading for anyone getting engaged (or thinking of it)!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I couldn't get into this book and to be honest after the 3rd attempt I gave up - it just was not for me. I don't give up easily but this time it had to be done.

I really enjoyed this one! - unfortunately I don’t remember much about the story as I read it not long after my dad die, but I remember it healing my hurt a little and I had a smile on my face when I finished it.

Full disclosure: I was reading this book right around the time my father passed from cancer. I have waited in writing my review in order to give myself a chance to potentially pick the book up again.

So Ten Years centres around Charlie and Becca, a pair whose only connection was Ally. Ally was Becca’s bestie and Charlie’s girlfriend. However, Ally dies after a battle with cancer and leaves behind a bucket list for the pair to complete. They decide to do one item per year.

Again, this could be due to my own grief, but I just was not fond of this book. It hit a little too close to home. Charlie and Becca’s ‘chemistry’ wasn’t quite where I wanted it to be. And the storyline was very slow. Add in the fact that they were grieving as well and it was kind of a perfect storm. I made it about 40-50% of the way through and stopped. I have felt no desire to pick the book back up, so I am counting this as a DNF.

This is likely one of those ‘it’s not the book, it’s me’ type situations, hence why I scored the book as a 3⭐️. Thanks very much to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Very emotional book however it was quite slow to read. The themes are quite heavy and some trigger warnings. I wouldn’t rush to pick it up again .

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! This book had potential but I did not feel the chemistry between the two main characters. It was sad and tough to get through. Overall, it was a bit dull and boring.