Book Review: The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff

 

Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Fiction/Romance

Pub. Date: July 30, 2024

Publisher: Park Row

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "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.

 

Evelyn and Joseph have grown up together on the shores of Connecticut. Joseph's family owns an inn and has spent most of his childhood days with Evelyn and her brother. As they get older, feelings develop between Evelyn and Joseph, but Evelyn is sent away to school in Boston. She will only see her brother and Joseph during the summers, but each summer is glorious. WWII tears them apart like many other American families, but Evelyn and  Joseph come together after much strife to be married. As the years go by, Evelyn, a new mother, has to give up her dream of being a concert pianist, for life as an innkeeper in the town they grew up in. This isn't the life she imagined, but it has its sweet moments. They share three children: Jane, Thomas, and Violet, and their love sustains them for many years. Fast forward to their 70s and Evelyn finds out she has an aggressive form of Parkinson's Disease and doesn't have much time left. She makes the decision that instead of falling apart as her mother did, rattled with illness, and being a burden to everyone around her, she will end her life in one year. They have one more year of memories and celebrations by the Connecticut shore with their beloved family, but the catch is Joseph wants to end his life, too. They can't imagine a world without one another. Obviously, their family is shocked by this news and each child handles it differently. Amy Neff's debut romance, The Days I Loved You Most is a sweeping saga that is reminiscent of The Notebook. Fans of romance will relish this one.
 
I really enjoyed how Neff told the story of Joseph and Evelyn's romance. The story starts out with them as young children along the shore all the way to their 70s.  It takes us through important moments in history: WWII, the Kennedy assassination, the sexual revolution, and even 9/11. If you enjoyed the romance in The Notebook, you'll appreciate this sentimental story that shows a marriage through the ups and downs of life, parenthood, and eventually a life altering diagnosis. While The Days I Loved You Most deals with some heavier topics at times, it is balanced out nicely by the rest of  the story and flashbacks to happier times.
 
The chapters are also told from the children's points of view, so readers can get to know the family's shared history. Jane is the wild child who has a falling out with Evelyn and it takes years to get back on track. She flees to California and this upsets the family greatly. Then there's Thomas, who has always been responsible and studious, but he is dealing with some heavier issues as a married adult. Then there's Violet, who lives near her parents, but things aren't always as picture-perfect in her life as one might expect. All children deal with their parents' news differently and process things at a different pace. I found it frustrating that Evelyn wanted to end her life early, but I can't absolutely understand why. So, Neff explores the big issues of mortality and the idea of dignity in dying in The Days I Loved You Most.

I really enjoyed the Connecticut shore setting, which makes The Days I Loved You Most a wonderful romance for the summertime. If you love a sappy and emotional romance, definitely give this one a try before summer ends. Are you a fan of romances like The Notebook? Let me know in the comments if you read The Days I Loved You Most or if it's on your TBR list.