It’s such a pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for Ten Dates by Rachel Dove, and to share my review. Published by Boldwood Books on 10th March, this new and rather lovely romance is now available via Amazon for kindle (just 99p, or free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
I’m always delighted to hear that an author whose books I’ve enjoyed has joined the Boldwood family. I first came across Rachel back in 2016, when she came to do a talk at Wetherby library, not long after she’d had her very first book published as the result of having won a magazine competition – you’ll find my post about it here. Over the intervening years, I sadly haven’t managed to read as many of her books as I’d have really liked to. The following year I did read one of her Westfield series, The Flower Shop on Foxley St, and thoroughly enjoyed it (review here). And in 2018 I was absolutely blown away by The Long Walk Back – one of those books I’ve never forgotten, that had my heart in a vice-like grip from the opening pages, and never let go (you’ll find my review here). That was the last time I read one of her books (sorry Rachel!) – but her first for Boldwood was one that appealed to me immediately, and I was excited at the opportunity to rediscover her writing…
Is it the end of their love story or just the beginning?
Callum Roberts and Alice McClaren have spent two wonderful years building a life and a home and making plans for a future together. But when Alice is involved in a car crash, Callum fears that he has lost her forever. As he sits by her bedside he promises he’ll do anything if only she’ll open her eyes…
But when Alice does finally wake up, she has absolutely no memory of being in love with Callum or the life they once shared. In fact, all she remembers about him is how incredibly annoying he once was! How can she have forgotten him if she really did love him so deeply?
Callum is determined to prove to Alice that what they had was special, so he makes her a deal: he’ll recreate their first ten dates and make her fall in love with him all over again!
Alice isn’t sure Callum can fill in all the gaps in their story.And what if going back to the start only means the end?
This really was the most gorgeous read – two lead characters, very real people, who I entirely believed in and a love story that really put my heart through the wringer, made me laugh and cry and hurt inside, and that left me with an enormous smile on my face. You really can’t ask for more than that, can you?
After a serious accident, Alice wakes up in hospital after three months in a coma – to find her brother’s annoying best friend Callum sitting by her bed. At first, she thinks he’s there in place of her brother – until she slowly discovers that the accident has wiped out two years of her memory. Alice and Callum shared a home, and their relationship was something particularly special – she can’t believe they ever got together. So, with Alice’s agreement, Callum sets about making Alice fall in love with him all over again, by recreating the ten dates where it all started – with the ever present possibility that, if it doesn’t work and she can’t recover her feelings for him, they will go their separate ways.
I loved this couple beyond measure – Alice needing to rebuild her trust, Callum putting his life on hold while he does everything he can to return their very special relationship to its former footing, one small step at a time. At first the perspective is all Alice’s – but then we see things from Callum’s point of view too, and I became totally caught up in his desperate efforts to get Alice to fall in love with him again. Emotionally, this book is just perfect – and the whole story of the relationship between these two loveable individuals and their hearts that never forget is beautifully told. There are setbacks – and surprises – as the make or break moment of the tenth date draws closer, and I desperately hoped that they wouldn’t walk away from something so very special. But the whole book certainly isn’t all high emotion and the possibility of further heartbreak – there’s plenty of humour too, perfectly judged, much of it from the family relationships.
When this book ended – and I read it in a wonderful single sitting, while the world disappeared – I really didn’t want to leave Alice and Callum behind. And the ending? No spoilers, but I thought it was simply perfect. And so will you – this is a book I’d recommend really highly, a glorious love story that just gets everything absolutely right, and I can’t wait to see what this gifted author does next.
About the author
Rachel Dove lives in leafy West Yorkshire with her family, and rescue animals Tilly cat and Darcy the dog (named after Mr Darcy, of course!) A former teacher specializing in Autism, ADHD and SpLDs, she is passionate about changing the system and raising awareness/acceptance. Loves a good rom-com, and the beach!
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I didn’t buy this book but bought A Long Walk Back after reading this review. I love how you introduce me to so many amazing books. Thank you Anne!
And thank you for commenting Deborah – and apologies to your bank manager!