The Last Days of You and Me
A gorgeous uplifting book club pick from Debbie Howells for 2024, for fans of David Nicholls and Jojo Moyes
by Debbie Howells
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date 29 Jan 2024 | Archive Date 29 Jan 2024
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Description
Marnie didn’t realise – when she stormed into a bookshop one day, demanding a self-help book – that she was about to make a new best friend.
Bookshop-owner Rae didn’t know she had been living like a shadow since her parents died. But then Marnie exploded into her life. And suddenly she realised things had to change… more so when she meets handsome nurse, Jack.
And when Forrest’s life is turned upside down by a fatal car crash, he knew he was being given a second chance, but didn’t know why. He thinks Marnie might just be the woman he’s destined to be with. But – as she discovers that she has an illness she may never recover from – what if it’s too late for them?
Can it ever be too late though? To make friendships that change everything. To grow, to change, to start again. Even – for two unlikely new best friends to find love at last…?
The Last Days of You and Me is a heartbreaking, uplifting, magical story about friendship, love and above all what it means to truly live. Perfect for fans of Me Before You, Love Actually and One Day.
Readers love The Last Days of You and Me:
‘Oh boy! It’s poignant, it’s raw, it’s blooming emotional. Tissues at the ready… We don’t know what may be around the corner… A stunning read, one that took my breath away. Very highly recommended.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow… this book. It’s very rare that a book captivates me from the first few pages alone, but this one definitely did. This was so beautifully written and so well thought out. I flew through it. It’s a raw story of friendship, love, grief, and so much more… Incredible.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Every now and again, a book comes along that firmly slaps me with a massive “Wow!”. And that is just what The Last Days Of You And Me did… [It] swept me away on an emotional journey of heartbreak, grief and loss… A powerful, magical and quite simply beautiful read… You will lose your heart to this wonderfully touching and bittersweet tale.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A beautifully written tearjerker, and worth every single one of my tears! I’m not prone to getting sentimental, so that’s saying a lot… It was sad and heartbreaking, but there was beauty… [It] reminds us of the power of love and what it can do… A five-star experience!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A book that made me cry so much… about acceptance of loss and death… about soulmates and friendship. I loved it.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Such a moving story, have tissues nearby. This could easily be a read that’ll make you cry!… Inspirational… You never know what fate will put in your way… A story of love, of loss and more.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘It’s a story unlike I have ever read. Trust me, go read this book.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘You’re in for an emotional read, so grab those tissues and find yourself a secluded spot... Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure… Love, life, friendships and so much more… Highly recommended.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9781804150085 |
PRICE | £1.99 (GBP) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
This was such a warm but incredibly thoughtful book about death but also very much about life and about relationships and how your loved ones can still be part of your life even after death. With some brilliant characters including a grieving bookseller with a special knack for recommending books, a free spirit who has found herself stuck in a small town life, a lawyer who has changed his arrogant ways since a fateful car crash, and a hospice nurse with two cheeky goats. This is a gently paced story that touches in on the characters over the course of a year and is a fabulous relationship read with many ups and downs, some heartbreaking moments but still a lot of joy.
The Last Days of You and Me follows Rae, Forrest, Jack and Marnie, who are navigating life after loss. The book tackles some heavy topics with sensitivity and balances it well with insights from the characters about finding connection and purpose after loss, and preparing for loss.
I loved the interconnectedness of the stories, and the feel of the small country town. I love a bookshop setting, and I really liked the way the author wove book recommendations into the storylines. The insights into being a carer for someone at the end of their life was relateable and moving. I also really enjoyed the side stories, and the way they influenced the growth of the main characters. Gertie and the goats brought comic relief and warmth to the story.
This is a great book for anyone looking for a story with both emotional depth and joy. It was heart wrenching, but balanced it well with messages of hope and reflections on life. Make sure to have tissues on hand.
Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book.
A beautiful story that broke my heart and put it back together.
Honestly, there isn't much more to say. This book made me cry and taught me so much about life, death, grief, love and friendship. Nothing in life is promised and we should try to make the most of the time we have with the people we love.
Thank you Boldwood Books, Debbie Howells and NetGalley for this arc that'll always have a special place in my heart.
An absolutely beyond beautiful novel. The ways relationships touch the lives of four characters-Rae, Marnie, Forrest and Jack-are stunning. Their connections bring life back into the sadness and regrets that each has. A remarkable story of friendship, healing, and love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
wow… this book. it’s very rare that a book captivates me from the first few pages alone, but this one definitely did.
this was so beautifully written and so well thought out. i flew through it.
it’s a raw story of friendship, love, grief, and so much more.
i can see myself reaching for this book again in the future, and definitely need to get my hands on a physical copy.
an incredible book.
Pick up this gorgeous hug of a book and get transported to a beautiful place wraps itself round you like a cosy blanket. It has warmth, charm, laugh-out-loud moments and a wistful nostalgia. I absolutely loved it.
This is an absolutely beautiful book that has some heartbreaking moments as well as some heartwarming ones. This is a story about relationships, friendships, self discovery, love and loss. All are very emotively and sensitively written. Marnie walks into the bookshop that is owned and run by Rae. Neither of them knows that this meeting will change their lives. There is also Forrest, an arrogant lawyer whose out look on life changes after being involved in a car crash, and Jack who is a nurse in a hospice. I loved how everyone was interlinked in some way. This drew me in and is a book that will stay with me. I can’t recommend this enough. Thank you to Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Debbie Howells for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so unlike anything I have ever read. Reading the stories of loss made my heartache along with the characters. This book captivated me from the start. Love, life, and death are interwoven as the characters learn about themselves and the meaning of living.
Special thanks to Debbie Howells, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for perhaps the most interesting advanced reader copy I have ever had the joy of reading. Four strangers’ lives intersect in this haunting and lovely book that uses magical realism and exquisite writing to draw the reader deeper and wring out every single emotion. It’s a story unlike I have ever read. Trust me, go read this book. This is the beginning of my Debbie Howells read-a-thon.
This is a heartbreaking story which also shows the love of family and friends who are all going through their own life journey. It is a story that will stay with me
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC which I thoroughly enjoyed
“The Last Days of You and Me” by Debbie Howells is a heart-wrenching novel featuring a cast of interconnected characters. Each character is going through their own journey related to loss and grief. They each are learning and reflecting about the meaning of life. It highlights the universal need for friendship and love. It makes you think about what is important to you, the reader. I really enjoyed it and hope to read more by this author.