The Days I Loved You Most

Evelyn and Joe have a Hollywood-worthy love story. They grew up together in an idyllic New England setting, fell in love, got married, had a family and have been married for 60 years. But when Evelyn gets a fatal diagnosis, the couple makes a decision that shocks and angers their four adult children.

I enjoyed the introduction of Evelyn and Joe's relationship and was ready for an emotional and endearing story. But despite its interesting premise and emotional start, this book fell flat for me. I thought the story was too slowly paced with the multiple perspectives that told the story bogging things down. 

I had high hopes for this book and found the courtship to be sweet (and my favourite part of the book), but I didn't feel a strong connection to the story or main characters. It felt like there was too much jumping back and forth, too many POVs and not enough time to dig into the emotional subject matter. 

Overall, I liked the premise and the charming 'childhood friends to lovers' story early on, but I didn't feel engaged as the story progressed and had hoped for more emotional oomph due to the subject matter. 

I'm an outlier with my feelings for this book so if you enjoy romance with some themes and subjects that will spark great discussion, then give this book a go!

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Park Row Books for the complimentary digital advanced copy which was given in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Amy Neff

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance

Type and Source: eBook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Park Row (Harlequin)

First Published: July 30, 2024

Read: July 21 - 30, 2024

Book Description from GoodReads: Unforgettable and utterly romantic, The Days I Loved You Most is a heart-wrenching, life-affirming novel that asks, How much would you sacrifice for the one you love?

In the summer of 1941, on the New England shores where they were raised, Evelyn and Joseph fell in love. Now, more than sixty years later, with a lifetime between them, they have gathered their three grown children to share the staggering news: she has received a tragic diagnosis, and he cannot live without her. So in one year’s time, they will end their lives on their own terms.

As the couple comes to grips with their fate, they retrace their past—the joys and regrets, the laughter and the sorrow—that brought them to this moment. They embark on a journey to live out their greatest dreams and to comfort and connect with each of their children before they're gone. But as their final days draw closer, they must confront the stark reality of what they are about to do, and make peace with the legacy they will leave behind for their family.

Spanning the twentieth century from World War II to 9/11 and beyond, The Days I Loved You Most is a timeless tale of unwavering devotion -- a moving tribute to the enduring power of love and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope and beauty to be found.