A person losing they memory having to rebuild their relationships is not a new idea in novels but this fact does not detract the slightest bit from the success of Ten Dates. Rachel Dove has taken this premise and crafted one of the most enjoyable books I have read so far this year, such is the appeal of her writing and the characters she has created.

The real appeal of this novel is entirely the characters and their relationship. I absolutely loved both of them, but especially Callum and the way they are together. The fact of how they were before their romantic relationship started (I’m trying not to give away any of the plot so please excuse me if some of my phrasing seems clunky) and the point Alice returns to is brilliantly contrived to give them a starting point other than she doesn’t remember him at all and it worked brilliantly for the plot and to give Callum an awkward point to start from. the plot absolutely would not have worked so well if the author had chosen a different starting relationship for them.

The book is pure romance, it is exactly the kind of love story I like to read. It’s hard for me to explain what I mean by ‘pure’ because I’m not talking about it in the sense of sweet or lacking in passion. I mean that the romance of it is central and of the type that just lifts you and warms the cockles of your heart. It isn’t relying on bereavement or some great life disaster, it just lets the love story do its own talking. I’m not sure if I’m making much sense here but I hope you know what I mean!

I’ve read a good amount of crime and thrillers, some horror, some books with ‘Me Too’ or feminist themes recently and, whilst I love this type of book, getting back to some straight-forward, uplifting, joy-inducing romance was just what I needed and my experience of reading this book was pure bliss. Fans of romance are going to love it and I’m sure you will end up closing the book with a big smile on your face, just like I did. Happy reading in every respect.

Ten Dates is out today in all formats, including as part of a Kindle Unlimited subscription, and you can buy a copy here.

🏷"Your mind might have lost me, but your heart didn’t. Give it time."

🎶The Way I Loved You by Taylor Swift

📝The premise of this book was interesting. The first chapters got me hooked and I can't wait to see how Alice and Callum will navigate their unique situation. I love that we got dual POV which is actually perfect for this kind of story. Reading Callum's POV added an emotional heft to an already beautiful plot.

I find Alice and Callum's love story tenderhearted and hopeful. I just can't help but root for them from the start. Although I understand what Alice is going through, there are times I feel that I wanted to knock some sense on her. Callum though is definitely a keeper. He was so patient and loving and I adore how he recreated all their dates. You can feel his love for Alice throughout the book. I also love the secondary characters—they were all supportive! The ending was just a bit rushed for me and I would love to have an epilogue.

This book reminded me of the movies 50 First Dates and The Vow. If you loved those, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one too. Ten Dates is out tomorrow 03/10/2023. Don’t miss out!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel Dove for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own

Alice and Callum have known each other since they were very young, as he is her brother's best friend. However, they have dated for two years and they have been as happy as a couple can be. Suddenly, Alice is in a car accident and she is in a coma. When she wakes up, she has forgotten their relationship. And, considering that their whole lives they had a frenemies relationship and were always teasing each other, it's hard for her to understand how their love started. She is also, as far as she knows, an independent workaholic who didn't want to date anyone. Callum, on the other hand, has wonderful memories of them together and is sure that they are soulmates. Is their relationship lost forever? Can someone have something that special twice?

What I liked: I really enjoyed this book, it's so sweet and their love is written in such a wonderful way. First, the chemistry between Callum and Alice was palpable. Their connection was believable, so I wanted them to get together and that kept me hooked. Second, the book has a slow start and begins by exploring the accident and how confusing everything is for the main characters, so it felt more natural. Third, there are many, many happy moments, each date was a nice surprise. This book has every ingredient to be a great RomCom.

What I didn't like: The only reason why I didn't give this book 5 stars is that I am not really into the "maybe I should break their heart and leave them because I'm a burden" thing, which happens a couple of times for obvious reasons.

Thank you Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this arc.

I loved Callum Roberts and Alice McClaren. They were friends and enemies and all beetween in their lives. Family living closed togerher, experiencing many things together but never really together. Well one of them had no idea, one always knew.
After a car accident Alice wake up and has no memories of last 2 years. Hopefully Callum is patient and want to reconquest her by taking her to their first 10 dates. I fell for them and it was really hard let them go. Their dates were reall hilarious and the side characters were so nice. They made me laugh and cry. I was on the fence all the time.

This was a lovely romantic book, but it was a bit too soppy for me at times with the whole 'sparrow' thing.

Overall though, it was a really well written book and I really binged it!

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This lovely romance follows Alice who has just woken up, after a car accident left her in a coma.

When she awakes, she has forgotten the last two years of her life, including starting a relationship with Callum who has always been in her life but as her brother’s friend.

Callum is devastated but comes up with a plan, to take her on the same first ten dates to try and win her heart all over again.

Will Alice fall in love with Callum again? Will her memory return?

I loved reading this romance, not only was it sweet but the banter between all of the characters lifted the storyline to add a little bit of humour.

The idea of the ten dates seemed so special and although there are some doubts from Alice, Callum keeps determined to win back her heart, and continue the life they had planned before the accident.

There were heart-breaking moments too, as Alice struggles to come to terms with her forgotten memories. It must be such a hard situation to find yourself in, when everyone else knows more about your life than you do yourself.

Overall, a lovely, sweet romance where Callum must win back Alice’s heart with just ten dates.

Ten Dates by Rachel Dove is the most beautiful contemporary novel that warmed my heart and soul.
The story is told in the third person from two alternating points of view. The reader becomes well acquainted with the two lead characters. Both of which are easy to empathise with.
Love completely radiates from the pages – a mind recovering from a coma has forgotten much, but a heart still recognizes feelings of love. This is a love to last a lifetime. This is a love so huge, it fears hurting another. This is a love that denies self and always puts another first. This is a beautiful love.
Rachel Dove has written a novel that assaults your emotions. The raw emotion of love is palpable. The reader wafts alongside the characters as we long to know – what will happen at the end of ten dates?
The reader can feel the frustration of the lead character as she awakes from a coma. As people tiptoe around her, she feels invisible but she is still there! Her memories are locked inside her but she is “still me.”
Ten Dates is a work of great beauty. My life feels empty now that the book is ended. I cannot wait for more from Rachel Dove.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

𝘛𝘦𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 opens up with Alice in a hospital room struggling to remember the last two years of her life because of an accident. She has no memory of major life events including being in a relationship with Callum. When Cal learns that his love has no recollection of him, he proposes that they try and recreate their initial 10 dates that made them fall in love and if by the end she doesn't fall in love with him again then he'll willingly say goodbye.

- ~ -

Callum is an absolute sweetheart. His povs though swoony were heartbreaking to read, to see his lover have no remembrance of their relationship. But he was pateint with his love and understanding enough to take everything slowly and try his best.

"𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴, 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵. 𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦."

That's just the essence of how caring and devoted Callum is for Alice.

Now Alice, to be fair to her, was going through something life altering but she could have showed slight more sympathy for Callum and accomodated accordingly.

I think the author went heavy on the childhood frenemies aspect but it didn't entirely ruin the story so all's well that ends well.

Ultimately it was a good story with a good collection of some of the best tropes: childhood frenemies to lovers, second chance and my favourite brother's best friend.

- ~ -

3.82 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

First off I want to thank @netgalley, @bookandtonic & @writerdove for my free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Swoon worthy, cuteness alert, beautiful love story. This was such a great read, I really enjoyed it. Although on the slower side for me which was what made it more difficult for me, but everything else made up for.

I loved both POV's from Alice and Callum. I loved the background we got on them, all their banter it was so cute. They were definitely into picking on each other all the time since they were kids and brought it to their relationship which I found super adorable.

I'm sorry but Callum is to die for !!! He is such a beautiful person, such a thoughtful, caring, loving, supportive guy, he's totally my new book boyfriend. He was amazing, so patient with Alice's recovery. His love for her flew off the pages and melted my heart completely. Alice was also a great independent girl, while sometimes I felt she was just a bit too independent and was refusing to see what was in front of her. The side characters were also amazing, what a wonderful group of friends.

Although the loss of memory trop isn't a new one, it's not one I've read before to be honest, I loved how the author portrayed it, it was well done and well written. There was lots of details throughout but the ending did feel a little rushed to me. I would've liked to have an epilogue.

If you're looking for a swoon worthy, cuteness overload, enemies to lovers romance with fun banter pick this one up!

Another stunning book by Rachel, expertly written. Lovely range of characters and plot, penned in Rachel's expert way. Loved it!

This reminded me a lot of the movie The Vow. I loved Callum and just wanted him to be okay! He tried so hard. I wasn't sold as much by the amnesia recovery, but I'm glad for how it ended. I think people who like the amnesia trope will enjoy this.

Alice wakes up from a 3 months coma after being in a car accident with a memory loss of the last 2 years of her life, and with that she has no memory of how she fell in love and is in a relationship with her brother's best friend Callum.
as a result Callum suggests recreating their first 10 ten dates that made them fall in love, and by the end of it if she doesn't fall in love with him again he would leave.

first of all this is one of my favourite reads this year.
I loved that the story didn't feel repetitive to other romance books I've read, and the book is a dual POV so we got Alice struggling with her memory loss and not remembering her relationship with Callum and we got Callum dealing with the love of his life not remembering loving him.
Alice and Callum were written very beautifully and despite that their second chance love story was a slow burn it was interesting all the way through
I loved the secondary characters Lewis and Migs they added the comedic aspect to the book (I'd love a book about them).

OMG! This book brought me to tears in every way possible, tears of joy of course. This book was so damn sweet, it was perfection in every way, except for the accident of course. Alice has been in a horrible accident, and not only did she lose a little of her memory, she also doesn’t remember her live in boyfriend Callum. Callum is her brothers best friend, and clearly this trope would’ve been a great one to see play out. These two belong together, they are soulmates, and in this book, it was VERY demonstrated, I was swooned, from beginning to end. The support of her family, the way Callum wanted to show her with 10 dates that they belong together in hopes that her memory of their love will come back, this book was perfect, there is a ton of humor because her parents are hilarious, and how the end plays out???? PERFECT I can’t stop saying that work, tears just kept falling out. Loved this book.
Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

4.5 stars

When Alice wakes up from her coma, she has no memory whatsoever of her relationship with Callum. Callum is determined to show Alice how much she means to him by recreating their first ten dates, hoping the dates will either jog some memories or failing that, have Alice fall in love with him all over again. Will the plan work?

You know those amazing books that from page one, you just KNOW it's going to be something special? This one is just that. I was hooked right from the start of this story and couldn't wait to find out how the book ended. I felt so sad for Alice and the situation she was in and poor Callum, for standing by her even though she had no inkling how important he was to her. The two shared such an intense relationship - I could feel it so strongly through the author's words. I only have high praise for this second chance romance - definitely pick it up if you get a chance!

This has elements of many of my most favorite rom coms. Loved every minute and definitely recommend!

Kind of reminds me of the film 50 First Dates.

It’s a very slow burn type of romance as it is about second chances (especially as the main character cannot recall 2 years of her life due to a car accident.
It was so slow though for the pace of this kind of read.

It was cute though with the entire childhood friends to lovers/brother’s best friend thing going on.
I really enjoyed how strong the characters were well developed.

I dnf'd this book at 30% because I struggled to like the main character. Are people who normally come our of coma's this judgey and mean?

It felt hard to root for their connection when there is no knowledge of their relationship. Honestly the first 15% of the book should have been their back story not everyone in the room not realizing this girl has amnesia like how only at 15% into this book the doctors in the room are like maybe she has memory loss.

Also why does Alice hate the fact that they are dating when she admits at the start of the book she had a major crush on him? So like whats the problem, whats the issue? Even their fight that she remembers isn't a big deal.

I wanted a 50 first dates vibe but that's not what you get. You get a mean FMC and the author once again has written a perfect man with no personality except his love of the FMC.

I'm sorry but I don't think I'll be reading any more works from this author.

If you're looking for a good-feeling rom-com, this one should be added to your list!
Alice has just woken up from a coma and she does not remember the last two years. Which is a shame, because it seems like she has a really great boyfriend, who was a childhood friend, and he's going to help her remember! Callum sets out to recreate the 10 dates it took for the two of them to originally fall in love. And if it doesn't happen after that, Alice is free to live her new life without him.
I was rooting for Alice to remember everything because Callum was so earnest and so clearly in love with her. You can't help but want a happy ending, not a new ending for Alice!
It's a quicker read (under 300 pages) and if Alice doesn't choose Callum, I bet there will be a lot of readers who will take him!
Thank you to NetGalley for the early read.

I love Rachel Dove's work, and this is no exception. I love the whole premise of this; it's not the usual 'will-they-won't-they' romance, because they already have! More like a 'will-they-won't-they-AGAIN'. Such a great idea, and executed with Rachel's usual skill and wit. I really enjoyed it. It's not the first book of Rachel's I've read, and it won't be the last!

Oh my god, this book! It absolutely killed me!

Callum and Alice were perfect for each other and it was clear that they were meant to be together from the minute she woke up. The whole thing was incredibly written and had me crying and laughing out loud the whole way through.

It gave me The Vow and 50 First Dates vibes and, although it's been done before, it was absolutely amazing.

I would like to know whether Alice got all of her memories back but the ending was beautiful and fit so perfectly with the book.

5 stars!