Reading this book I felt like the MC's children - how could both parents decide to commit suicide? But the story takes the reader through all the trials and tribulations of Joe and Evelyn. I ended up understanding his desire not to live without her. Very emotional read.

The Days I Loved you most by Amy Neff
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The Days I Loved you most is the story of Evelyn and Joseph and their decades long love story. The ups and the downs, and now their story is coming to a close and so they have gathered their children and grandchildren to enjoy their time they have left.
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What I liked:
-I really enjoyed how the downs of the relationship were included in the story. Life is not easy and to have Evelyn and Joseph’s rough times included was very realistic.
-The decision Evelyn and Joseph made was not easy and I loved getting a few chapters from their children’s POV to see how they each were struggling.
-SOBFEST. Those last few chapters were ROUGH.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely fell in love with the storyline in this book. It's not typical to find a book whose MC's are in their later years in life. But Evelyn and Joe are married, have adult children and Evelyn is about to die. She's been given a diagnosis and a prognosis that leaves her on her death bed in the near future, so she decides rather than die a death that might not leave her dying with dignity that she wants to commit suicide and die on her own terms and in her own time. Joe loves this woman more than life, more than himself, and the thought of living without her he can't bear. So, he decides against her wishes that he, too, will commit suicide and die with her.

Telling their children of their decision has very mixed reactions but mostly terribly distraught at the idea they'd both do that. I felt how they did, but as the story unfolds and you realize the depth of Joe's love, it becomes more and more understandable why he would choose to die when she dies. What I loved about the story is that we learned (due to two timelines) how they met, fell in love, and about some of their ups and downs. I thought this was a very beautiful love story and I'm so glad I read it.

As an End-of-Life Doula, I was instantly drawn to the description of The Days I Loved You Most. I mean, a love story so deep that one can't possibly live without the other? I had to know more and so begins my deep dive into the love story of Joseph and Evelyn through decades of happiness and sorrow (this is where the author gets real, it's not always sunshine and laughter).

Be prepared for a story that bounces back and forth in time as well as POV's. Relationships between spouses, mothers and daughters, siblings and events such as 9/11 are discussed with raw emotion. The setting is mostly on a CT shoreline, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about familiar landmarks. While tempting to read the ending quickly, I'd advise to relish this slowly to better process what happens to our lead characters.

This is the author’s debut novel. It is a winner! The writing is excellent. The author created such wonderful characters. I will be thinking about them for a while. Fans of The Notebook will love this book.

This is Joseph and Evelyn’s love story. It is told in alternating timelines starting in 1940 when Joseph and Evelyn were neighbors and childhood friends with Evelyn’s brother, Thomas. Their love story unfolds in multiple points of view: Joseph, Evelyn, and their three children - Jane, Thomas, and Violet.

The book begins with Joseph and Evelyn in their late 70’s. One of them has been given a devastating health diagnosis. This leads them to decide to end their lives in a year. They are giving themselves one more year to live a full life and create happy memories. They are hoping their children will support their decision.

Their story shows the highs and lows of a marriage/relationship. The sacrifices made for each other. The love that endures and becomes stronger through the years. This is an emotional book.

“Look at the beautiful garden we have made……Together.”

I only made it through 2 chapters because the font is so incredibly small and I could not find a way to adjust it. I could zoom in, but had to do it page by page and it was difficult

But the book is great and I loved the story so far and I will add it to my want to read list

Got it from Libby and finished it. My review:
Heartwarming. And yet also just a smidge bit too perfect. Evelyn and Joseph. Are long time married and make a pact to end their lives together in 1 year. Even though the author does show some cracks in the facade of the perfect marriage, I still found it a bit unbelievable. And a bit too sappy. But overall a good read.

This was not my typical romance but I liked the different feel of it. It was definitely a very sweet and heartwarming story.

4 ⭐
The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff

As an End-of-Life Doula, I was instantly drawn to the description of The Days I Loved You Most. I mean, a love story so deep that one can't possibly live without the other? I had to know more and so begins my deep dive into the love story of Joseph and Evelyn through decades of happiness and sorrow (this is where the author gets real, it's not always sunshine and laughter).

Be prepared for a story that bounces back and forth in time as well as POV's. Relationships between spouses, mothers and daughters, siblings and events such as 9/11 are discussed with raw emotion. The setting is mostly on a CT shoreline, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about familiar landmarks. While tempting to read the ending quickly, I'd advise to relish this slowly to better process what happens to our lead characters.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row and Netgalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are authentically my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I. Am. Not. Crying.

Okay, I’m crying. This is a beautiful love story and a testament to how a relationship changes over time. It’s about Evelyn and Joseph and their family. After Evelyn gets a devastating diagnosis, she and her husband tell their children not only about it but their intention to live one final year together before ending their lives together. Thus begins a family saga from their teenage years during WWII, through childbirths, raising children, and growing old. It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. But reader beware of heavy themes in this book.

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I had no idea what this was about when I started, and once I realized, it immediately ruined the writing and characters. I couldn't finish this because 1) how selfish and 2) it was so repetitive.

Unfortunately I just could not get into this book.. the beginning caught my attention and then it was downhill from there. I really wanted to love it because I’ve seen such great reviews but sadly it just wasn’t it for me

Take a deep breath as you begin this title. The story opens with a husband and wife telling their adult children that they plan to end their lives in exactly one year. They have their reasons although Jane, Violet and Thomas are in no way accepting when they hear this. The novel takes off from there.

In these pages readers get to know Joseph and Evelyn over the course of their lives, beginning when they were kids. They move together through the significant events in their lives, their children’s lives and those around them.

The story is told by different characters and in different time lines. This allows readers to experience past events as they were happening.

Will Evelyn and Joseph move ahead with their plans? Read this emotional title, get to know the characters, see what they decide and see what you think.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Get swept up in the love story in Amy Neff's The Days I Loved You Most. Evelyn and Joseph, both in their 70s, have made the decision to end their lives together after some devastating health news. They agree to live out one more year with their children and grandchildren, and then that's it. They can't imagine living without each other.

What a love, huh? But as we learn through chapters that take us back into the past, there were times when that love was tested... and almost never got started.

In these past chapters, we see how a marriage falters and gets back on its feet. We see how Joseph and Evelyn's relationship influenced their children - for good or bad.

And we see how we can never predict the future.

This was a lovely love story that would be a great book club read.

The Days I Loved You Most is published by Park Row and is available to purchase now. I received a free e-ARC for this review.

This book was so lovely. I absolutely loved the story and all of the characters. It was heartfelt, yet it discussed important topics and made me think about my own life and relationships. I enjoyed the timeline jumps and learning more about Evelyn and Joseph throughout the years and the different personalities/stories of their children. And finally, I was pleased with the ending and the resolution to the story. This book really made me think and feel which is what I'm looking for in a great novel. One of the best books I read this year!

This book is a love story, an end of life story, a family story, a best friend story.

As a wife that deeply loves her husband. As a mom that fiercely loves her children. As a daughter that devastatingly lost her mom to a terminal illness - there was so much I could relate to. But not everything. I strongly disagreed with the main characters plan to end their lives together. But I loved it as a premise and launching point for this book. The alternating timeline from past to present worked perfectly allowing me to see how they became the couple and family they are now. The multiple points of view allowed me to see how they arrived at this plan as the only possible option. This family has faults and problems like every family. Their love for each other runs deep.

The tears just fell at many points throughout the book. I’ll never tell how many tissues I required.

This reminded me of a version of The Notebook, So sweet and touching- fans of the romance genre will enjoy!

Wow! This has my heart aching! This wasn’t a book to me, it was a family’s story! This story is now a part of me! I’m left feeling for these people, not characters! I know in my head they’re not real! Oh but my heart wonders how this family is coping! Only a true reader will understand how I’m feeling right now! My heart is aching but in the best way possible

Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this. I recently read a debut novel set in a generational seaside inn, where a couple faces a devastating diagnosis. Despite some moral reservations about the storyline, I found the author's portrayal of the complexities of marriage and family life to be authentic. The ending was perfect, but I don't want to give spoilers!

“The choice to leave is not one you can take back. You need to be sure there isn’t a more important reason to stay.”

The days I spent with this book swept me away. It’s romantic but real. Heartbreaking but redemptive. This family and their love story will be on my mind for a long time. 🤍

I’ll also be sharing about this book on my upcoming Meg’s Reading Room podcast episode on 8/28/24.

Perfect portrait of an imperfect family where each flawed character is loved. This novel tells two stories. The first is the story of a family and how they grew and changed over decades. The second is the story of a family dealing with a rapidly degenerative health diagnosis for their spouse/mother/grandmother.

Evelyn and Joseph are the perfect loving couple. They have been married for more than 60 years and have overcome the many obstacles life have thrown a them. Life has not always been kind or easy for them. In the present (2001), Evelyn is diagnosed with stage 4 Parkinson's. She is declining quickly and has made the decision to die with dignity instead of allowing her family to watch her lose herself. She informs her family that she has chosen her death day to take place in a year’s time and Joseph has decided he will be joining her. The novel weaves time as the origin story of the family is unfolded and how each member deals with the current situation. Each member has to come to terms with what is happening and what will come.

I greatly enjoyed this story. The characters were real and flawed. Mistakes were made. No one was perfect. The character arcs and growth were beautiful to see. Each of Evelyn and Joseph's children believed they had a fairy tale romance, but as their history is revealed we see things were not always what they seemed and how you have to fight for the ones you love.