I really enjoyed this book. Minnie and Jessie meet by accident. Both are suffering from a heartbreak, and Minnie decides (taking the advice of her therapist) that they should become friends--no romance, no strings, and no sharing of personal information. What ensues is them spending time together, sharing new experiences, and a feeling of understanding from the other. The best romances come out of friendship...(just saying).

There are secrets on the part of both, which they have to work through. As the book came close to the end, I wasn't sure how the author could draw it to a satisfactory close, but she did. It may have seemed a little rushed, but it worked.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ebook. All thoughts are my own.

Can you fall in love with a person in five days? In Zoë Folbigg's latest release, those five days are actually five dates (not five consecutive days). Minnie Byrne and Jesse Lightning meet at a time when they are both in crisis. It's a bit of a meet cute for friendship. They establish some ground rules like: don't fall in love, don't use phones, etc. And they are off on one-of adventures together. My favorite was their time in France - although there was too much French dialogue without any translating.

Both Minnie and Jesse are likable characters and they have a definable chemistry. The arc of the plot is unusual as there is an entire section (Part II) that happens AFTER the Five Days. This is my first read by Folbigg and I do have enough interest to read more. Looking at the Acknowledgements, I see names of authors I love like Shari Lowe listed among her dearest friends. Safe to say if you are a Shari Lowe fan, you will also enjoy this author.

I had just a couple of niggles: the F-bombs and the Jesse's marital status when they started their adventures.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Happy Publication Day!! 🥳

What a ride - Minnie and Jesse start off as friends, with an excruciatingly awkward meet up. Both are reeling from messy relationship breakdowns and they agree to five dates and no electronic contact. It’s well written and their backstories unfold naturally as we understand how they got to where they are. Both are good, kind people doing their best and I wanted them to work it out. It’s funny at times and there’s some tender and wonderful moments - visiting zoos, time in London and Paris and Provence, missing each other in LA. The locations are particularly vivid and I could see them at St Pancras Station and in the lavender fields.

Part 1 worked better for me than Part 2, I was frustrated with the near misses in LA and I’d have liked to see more of them together and see how Minnie navigates her people-pleasing. I felt as if the dynamics of their being together were a little undercooked. It’s closed door too, so we don’t see how they connect. I’m off to read more of Zoë’s book though as I loved the characterisations, settings and the overall premise.

Thank you NetGalley, Zoë Folbigg and Boldwood Books for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Five Days is the latest book by Zoe Folbigg. I discovered this author last year when I read Fairytale of New York, which I loved. So I was eager to get my hands on this one. My thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an early review copy.

Jesse and Minnie meet when they are both dealing with bruised hearts. Following advice from Minnie's therapist they agree to go on 5 platonic play dates. No romantic ties, no swapping numbers and no googling each other.

I thought this plot was really intriguing and I do enjoy a meet-cute storyline. I loved the characters, they were both very likeable and so easy to relate to. I loved the way their backstories were slowly dripped into the narrative to create more depth and empathy.

This book is a wonderful romance read for the summer and perfect for fans of the friends to lovers trope.

“I want my time with you”.

Five stars for Five Days! I’m officially a champion of Minnie and Jesse and need a Jesse in my life!

A real and raw story with relatable characters whose journey I was invested in fully. This book reminded me why Zoe Folbigg is one of my go to authors; she never fails to disappoint.

Taking things back to the simplicity of childhood and developing a friendship without sharing details of your past. Touching on heartbreak, therapy and difficult family dynamics, this was a heartwarming and endearing story I already want to read again.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

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

This fun romantic comedy follows Minnie and Jesse, both who have recently had their hearts broken.

After an incident in a coffee shop Minnie suggests they meet up as friends but there are rules: no last names, no switching of contact details, no expectations apart from to have some fun.

Although Jesse, is reluctant at first, he soon comes to enjoy their meet ups, but he has a secret he is hiding from Minnie.

Will they develop more than friendship? What is Jessie hiding from Minnie?

This romance is really fun to read as Minnie has such a lively character and brings another side out of Jesse too.

It is lovely to see how the characters develop as you find out more about them, and their background.

It is the kind of romance, that you are constantly saying ‘will they, won’t they’ as neither seems to be sure of how the other feels.

Overall, a fun romantic comedy where a chance encounter leads to two strangers meeting up for five dates as friends.

When Jesse meets Minnie, he’s nursing a bruised heart and the last thing he wants is a new friend. But Minnie’s playful charm is irresistible, and Jesse soon finds her company uplifting. They agree to fortnightly platonic dates with no strings attached, hoping to avoid further heartbreak. However, as their friendship deepens over five days, Jesse reveals a secret that puts Minnie’s heart at risk. This delightful read explores the unexpected turns of friendship and love.

📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚

Five Days By Zoe Folbigg
Publication Date: July 26, 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📚MY REVIEW:

Okay, I don't know WHAT is going on. Am I falling in love with rom-com love, or am I simply lucky enough to be invited to be part of book tours for books that are genuinely and truly THIS GOOD?!

In just a few pages, this book had me hooked. The main characters, Minnie Byrne and Jesse Lightning, were two of the most real and most absolutely loveable characters I've ever read! And cool names, right?! The short chapters that alternated between their perspectives, the dual timelines, and the way this story was written so beautifully all came together to make this an effortlessly enjoyable and fast read.

This book feels like an epic love story you'd see up on the big screen. A meet-cute with a will-they-won't-they-will-they storyline that rivals your favorite Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks rom-com of the 1990s. I found that I couldn't stop thinking about Minnie and Jesse, even when I put the book down, because I couldn't wait to find out where their journey would take them next.

Five Days is for you if:

⭐You're a fan of meet-cutes
⭐You miss those fantastically dreamy (albeit cheesy) rom-coms from the 90s and early 2000s
⭐You enjoy the friends to lovers trope
⭐ You really like rom-com reads
⭐You just love a good love story

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first read from Zoe Folbigg, and it will not be my last. Be sure to get this book when it releases on July 26th!!

#FiveDays #ZoeFolbigg #NetGalley #ARC #boldwoodbookclub #boldwoodbookstour #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #romcomreads #fivestarreads #booklover #booknerd #bookcommunity

This story deals with so much more than just romance-it tackles life, love, family, broken hearts and all the messy stuff that goes with being alive that a lot of romances leave out. There’s lots of scenic locales like London, Paris and Los Angeles. There’s a lot going on and it’s easy to get sucked in and lost for several hours.
Millie is trying to get over her heartbreak so her therapist suggests she tries to make some new friends. So, she decides on a whim while she’s out one day to just introduce herself to Jesse. They both agree that neither has time for a relationship, but they seem to get on well, so they agree to friendly meet ups but not exchange numbers or anything, and see where things go. They both have loads of baggage so it seems like the ideal situation for both of them, but of course, that’s not all that’s going to happen.
They made quite the pair and there is a lot that happens in the span of those five days and leaves the reader with a heartwarming story and a satisfying ending.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

I don't read a lot of romance these days, but Zoe Folbigg is hard to resist!

Minnie is trying to make it in the performing arts; with one film under her belt it is soul destroying that it's release has been put on hold. When she meets Jesse, the last thing he needs is a new relationship - his heart hasn't recovered from the last one. When Minnie suggest that they meet up fortnightly, first names only, no googling, only friendship on offer it seems like a good idea. Can they stick to the rules?

I loved both these characters, each with their own issues but both desperately in need of an uncomplicated friendship. The story slowly reveals what has brought them to their current situations and I began to feel I knew them really well. This is a novel to sink into and enjoy. Well-written and just that little bit different to everything else on offer, I'm very happy to both recommend and give it a sparkling 5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is = as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

This story grew on me😍

4.5🌟 stars
I wasn't familiar with Zoe Folbigg's work or writing style and the start of this story, particularly Jesse and Minnie's first two dates, did not really grab me. But once they progressed to their Paris trip, I was hooked and the closer I came to the end, the more invested in their story and the mystery of how it would end. I landed up really loving the plot and main characters.

I liked the flashbacks into the pivotal events of the previous six months leading up to their first meeting. And, though Minnie's backstory was good, it was Jesse's that really appealed. He's a father desperate to be with his seven year old daughter in the midst of a messy separation from her mother and torn up by the recent death of his father. A male character who was easy to love.

The romance was touching, the end game not a given, and, after reading Five Days, I now want to read more by this author.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I thought the premise of this book sounded good and interesting. However I had the hardest time getting into this book and staying focused on it. I don’t think I really cared for the main characters. Minnie just annoyed me and Jesse came across as a jerk at times.
Perhaps I’ve just read too many romance type books in a row and they all seem the same.

Two individuals decide to spend time together without sharing any details about their pasts. This choice creates a unique space where every interaction is driven by the present moment, making their connection feel fresh and unfiltered.

As they engage with one another, their relationship develops in unexpected ways. Despite their initial lack of knowledge about each other, they discover surprising similarities and shared experiences that reveal how closely their lives intersect.

The story effectively shows that genuine connections can form when people engage with each other without preconceived notions. It beautifully illustrates how profound and unexpected bonds can emerge when people truly connect in the moment.

Minette (Minnie) Byrne, the youngest of the Byrne acting dynasty, is working hard to earn her place as an actress. She’s a bright, warm, positive character. Unfortunately, she’s managed to become involved with a love rat which has left her seeking professional help to sort out her broken heart. Taking her counsellor's advice, she tries to distract from her misery by attempting to make new friends. In a café/ bookshop she meets illustrator Jesse. It’s not the most auspicious of meetings, but something about her persuades the reluctant Jesse to agree to meet her at the zoo. There he hopes to use the visit to sketch characters for a child's book he and his late father were working on. Ground rules are set. It’s not a date. It’s not the beginning of a romance. It’s merely the start of a possible friendship. Or so they both think.
I loved both Minnie’s and Jesse’s characters. Minnie has been treated badly and although the reader can see Essex restauranteur JP is a total rogue, despite what he’s done she still can’t quite let go. Jesse too has his problems. Separated from his unfaithful wife and sleeping at a friend’s house, he carefully navigates a difficult situation, afraid of doing anything that might jeopardise contact with his small daughter Ida, whom he adores.
The story is a combination of humour, drama, sadness, and the mystery of why Jesse has an app which tracks planes.
Although this book began a little slowly, it soon picked up and I became totally engrossed and unable to put it down It’s a wonderful love story, supported by the magical backdrops of places like Paris and, of course, Provence – written so authentically I could almost smell the lavender!
Highly recommended.
I would like to thank Boldwood Books, the writer and Netgalley for an ARC of Five Days in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which had me was hooked from the beginning.

Minnie has come out of a bad relationship and been advised by her therapist to meet new people, make friends. She meets Jesse and without sharing numbers or what their full names are, they agree to meet each other.

I loved both characters, who were relatable and how the story wasn’t just about the romantic side of relationships, but also about how taking care of yourself is necessary first.

I highly recommend this book.

At first I really liked this book. It was cute and quirky but not cloying. But it started to go downhill fast and never picked back up. I don’t think the title suits it at all. I get the intention it just didn’t work for me. The ending was so unsatisfying and felt forced and rushed without enough information for the reader to feel the story was completed.

What a great idea for a plot!! It really intrigued me so I had to read it of course!!!
Minnie is a young woman who has been very depressed lately. So bad that her family interjected and put her in touch with a councillor. She’s also trying to crawl out from the shadow of a famous family and make her own way in life.
Jesse is reeling from the death of his father and the breakdown of his marriage. His young daughter Ida is really struggling with the change as Jesse has been replaced with an au pair. She really wants her Daddy.
Jesse is in a cafe and has an explosive incident with a young boy’s mother when the boy’s ball bounces and plops into his coffee sploshing all over his shirt. Minnie steps in to stand up for Jesse, who she feels is being ganged up on!! After calming the situation down, she gives him her hand and introduces herself as Minnie . She wants to have five days to have five platonic meetings to have a new friend with no romantic ties……
I thoroughly enjoyed the idea of this, the reality of this and the ending of this!! Brilliant!!
I f you also like the sound of this story, read this book!!!
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #TheBoldBookClub, #ZoeFolbigg.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for an early access for this book!

This book was incredibly refreshing. It’s not usually the type of book I read - which was ironic considering Minnie’s therapist had encouraged her to read genres outside of her usuals.

💐 Friends to lovers
💐 Grief
💐 Healing from toxic relationships
💐 Healing your inner child
💐 Slow burn

The world building when they were travelling was magical. The authors depiction of the environment was well done. The Bechdel theory was a really interesting one and I will be trying it in the future movies/books I read!

I highly recommend this one if you want to step out of the usual romance books!

This was such a beautiful read overall, I absolutely loved the characters and I felt so drawn into the world of their lives.

Minnie is heartbroken. Her therapist suggests she make new friends, so she decides to befriend a stranger who is having a bad day. Though Jesse is unsure, he agrees to meet her and just "hang out." The rules are simple: only first names, no phone numbers, have fun, and no falling in love. Five days. No chance of falling in love, right?

I loved this book! In true Zoe Folbigg fashion, things are never what they seem. This book is fast-paced and dynamic; the way she describes the different locations and the characters’ interactions made me feel as if I were right there with them, watching the scenes unfold. I love that her stories have a serendipitous quality to them—it makes for the most heartwarming happily-ever-afters. And those plot twists?! I did not see them coming, that’s all I’m saying.

Jesse was so endearing. His life was in pieces; he was heartbroken and grieving, but he was sweet and flawed, making him quite relatable. Minnie was a bit of a mess, also heartbroken but for different reasons, and she is desperately trying to piece her life back together. They made quite the unexpected pair, falling for the versions of each other they knew—none of them had the full picture—but in reality, who does? In the end, they had more in common than they knew.

This is the perfect summer read, and the blurb doesn’t do this story justice—there is so much that happens in and between those five days.