***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Becca and Charlie have known each other since university. Becca and Charlies have also hated each other since university.
Until now. Until Ally’s bucket list. The death of their loved one should mean they can go their separate ways and not look back. But completing the list is something neither of them can walk away from.
And sometimes, those who bring out the worst in you, also bring out the very best...
Over the course of ten years, Becca and Charlie’s paths collide as they deal with grief, love and life after Ally.
Not since Emma and Dex in One Day and Will and Lou in Me Before You will you root for a couple as much.
Ten Years by Pernille Hughes is an emotional story of love and loss and love again. And the journey is one that I’ll not soon forget.
Becca and Charlie are sworn enemies, but they have one shared love, and that is Ally. Ally is Becca’s best friend and Charlie’s fiance. When Ally dies after a tragic illness, Becca and Charlie go their separate ways and hope they never see each other again. But, on the one-year anniversary of Ally’s death, they are summoned by Ally’s mother, who tells them of a bucket list that Alley wanted them both to complete together. It’s only their shared love for Ally that make them agree to do the bucket list. And for the next several years, they meet up to complete one more item off the list.
This book started out emotional and very sad. It starts with Ally’s death and funeral and sets up the animosity between Charlie and Becca. It also demonstrates the love both Becca and Charlie had for Ally. I will admit it was a bit of a gut punch to read those first couple of chapters. The death of someone so young with so much love around her, even if she is a character in a book, is just very sad. The author pulled me in right away with this emotional start to the book. But as the book progressed and the characters started to heal, and so did I.
To say this is a slow-burn romance is an understatement, however, that is exactly what this story required. I never would have believed these two would get together soon after the funeral, they both needed time to process their feeling, and most importantly, they needed to grow up. I could tell early on that Becca and Charlie had a spark between them, and as they grew more comfortable together, I enjoyed their humor and banter.
The bucket list items were a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the way each of these characters reacted to each of the tasks, it also gave them a reason to meet up in person at least once a year.
I highly recommend Ten Years to anyone who loves romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Pernille Hughes
Pernille (pronounced Pernilla) studied Film & Literature at uni and took her first job in advertising,having been lured by the temptation of freebies, but left when Status Quo tickets was as good as it got. After a brief spell marketing Natural History films, she switched to working in Children's television which for a time meant living in actual Teletubbyland, sharing a photocopier with Laa-Laa.
Now, she lives in actual England, sharing a photocopier with her husband and their four spawn. While the kids are at school she scoffs cake and writes RomCom stories in order to maintain a shred of sanity.
Thanks for the warning about the first couple of chapters, Wendy. I have this one coming up this week, and will have a box of tissues nearby. I seem to cry easily these days. Wonderful review.
[…] Book Review: Ten Years by Pernille Hughes #TenYearsReadalongMonday: 🎧 Audiobook Review: Thank You for Listening by Julia WhelanTuesday: Top Ten […]
I love the Enemies-to-Lovers trope. It’s only second to the Friends-to-Lovers one. This sounds like such a great story. I’m definitely putting it on my TBR.
Thanks for the warning about the first couple of chapters, Wendy. I have this one coming up this week, and will have a box of tissues nearby. I seem to cry easily these days. Wonderful review.
[…] Book Review: Ten Years by Pernille Hughes #TenYearsReadalongMonday: 🎧 Audiobook Review: Thank You for Listening by Julia WhelanTuesday: Top Ten […]
It sounds like a fun book when you get through those first hard chapters.
I did love the idea of the bucket list & I agree it was a slow burn romance, great review 💕
Yes, it was about as slow as they go! LOL
Their bucket list adventure is my favorite part of the story. Amazing review!
It was so much fun. Thank you, Yesha.
This does sound like another fun one! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you, it was fun!
They are a fun couple. I always love good banter. Excellent review!
Thank you, Tessa!
I love the Enemies-to-Lovers trope. It’s only second to the Friends-to-Lovers one. This sounds like such a great story. I’m definitely putting it on my TBR.
I like friends to lovers too. Actually I like all the tropes!
This sounds like it’s a roller coaster of emotions. Great review, Wendy.
It sure is, Cathy!
This one sounds so sad with Ally but I like the idea of the bucket list and I do like slow burn romance, great review!
Thank you! It starts off sad, but ends up much happier.
Thanks for this lovely review Wendy! I’m so pleased you enjoyed Ten Years xx
It was my pleasure! Such an emotional book!
Good review.
Thank you, Rosie!
Wonderful review Wendy. Charlie and Becca sound like quite the couple!📚💜
They really are, thank you, Susan.