The Sweetest Days

by John Hough Jr.

A riveting and poignant portrait of marriage—lauded by New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand as “gorgeous and heartbreaking”—that explores the long union of a middle-aged couple grappling with secrets, illness, and loyalty.

Pete and Jackie Hatch have been together for decades; they were high school sweethearts, although they didn’t marry until years after an explosive incident at the end of senior year broke them apart. Now in their sixties, with their only daughter grown and facing scary news about Jackie’s health, they travel to their Cape Cod hometown for Pete’s first book signing. But a disastrous encounter with an old schoolmate brings their long marriage to the breaking point and forces them to revisit the long-ago event that changed the trajectory of their lives.

Exceptionally moving and heralded by New York Times bestselling author Mary Beth Keane as “brutally honest and true,” The Sweetest Days is an insightful portrait of a couple in it for the long haul, and of the deepest feelings, both tender and fierce, that are held in the wake of an enduring marriage.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Literary Fiction, Womens Fiction, Adult

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2021

About the author

John Hough, Jr. grew up in Falmouth, Massachusetts and now lives on Martha’s Vineyard. He is a graduate of Haverford College, a former VISTA volunteer, speech writer for Senator Charles Mathias of Maryland, and assistant to James Reston at the Washington Bureau of the New York Times. His grandfather and his father edited the Falmouth Enterprise and his great-uncle was for many years the editor of the Vineyard Gazette. Hough is the author of five previous novels, including

Seen the Glory: A Novel of the Battle of Gettysburg, winner of the American Library Association's 2010 W. Y. Boyd Award, and three works of nonfiction.

Reviews

[Robert Dugoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this book

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Hough Jr. comes from generations of journalists, his spare style echoing that fine métier. He draws us quietly, assuredly, into the troubled intimacy of a long wed couple, Pete and Jackie. Thrown by her cancer diagnosis, they’re also shaken when a past high school mate shows up at Pete’s debut book signing.

The author deftly reveals the poignant impact, as they struggle with secrets, raw feelings, disease, and an empty nest — a once happy marriage challenged now to its core. It feels as if the two are our best couple friends, and we agonize as they decide, “Will we stay together?” Elegant and heartrending, THE SWEETEST DAYS will keep you rapt ‘til the end.

5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 22 Jun 2021
#TheSweetestDays #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story fell flat for me and I could not connect with any of the characters. I wanted to like it but at 35% I got bored. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my review.

[Ilyssa Wesche · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Richard Russo comparison was spot-on. I liked the story and I thought I would love it, because it is definitely my kind of book, but I could not connect with one single character. The women especially seemed one-note and quite frankly, Pete was kind of a dick.

I was glad that Jackie & Peter reconciled (although even that scene seemed forced. I refuse to believe the conversation between the two couples would have played out as it did.)

[Lisa Leone-campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tear-jerker novel tells the story of two high school sweethearts during a volatile time in our history. Peter and Jackie meet and fall in love in a small town. But a tragic accident occurs and their lives are torn apart. Peter must grapple with guilt and Jackie struggles to understand what happened and what part she may have played in the tragedy.

Later, Peter and Jackie meet again and decide to marry. It just seems like that’s what they should do. They have a daughter. And just as they are heading into their twilight years, Jackie is given very bad news about her health. As Peter and Jackie try to understand what this means to their marriage and their lives, it also brings up never answered questions from their previous life together.

Peter, a former political speech writer has just written a novel and he and Jackie have returned to their hometown for a book signing. Jackie’s father, who is in the throws of dementia, still lives there. As Jackie begins the difficult task of telling her family about her illness, Peter can’t help think about what they endured to get to where they are now and if their marriage should ever have occurred. Unbeknownst to him, Jackie too has her reservations about their life.

But during the book signing there is a disruption. Peter and Jackie must begin to analyze their lives together and separately, including all the inadequacies they feel, especially on Jackie’s part. In order to do this they must revisit those painful memories from their youth which molded them to become the adults they are now.

Although difficult, they must begin the process of being totally honest with each other and forgive and let go of the anger, disappointment and what-ifs from their past relationship. They must put the past truly behind them in order to become strong for what may lay ahead.

And although their future is unknown, by putting all their questions about the past to rest they begin to rekindle or perhaps reshape the love and find that perhaps these are their sweetest days.

This beautifully written love story flows effortlessly as if you are watching a captivating movie unfold in your mind, even though you may know how it ends, you can appreciate the sweetness of the days it took you to get there.

Thank you #NetGalley #GalleryBooks #TheSweetestDays #JohnHoughJr for the advanced copy.

[Desiree Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made it 42%.
Baby boomer nostalgia is not my favorite, as it's just not my era or one I enjoy, but I can overlook that.
But just can't navigate through the abortion discussions. I'm not good at skipping over parts I don't like, plus, I read for pleasure and enjoyment, so why read something I don't find enjoyable?

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel explores the lives of two long-married people, Peter and Jackie. It opens with Peter, a former speech writer and a newly published novelist, getting ready for his first book signing in a bookstore in his old hometown on Cape Cod, and with Jackie still reeling from very bad news about her breast cancer. It then jumps back into the early to mid-1960s, when they were both in high school. It eventually comes back to the present (some time during the Obama presidency, anyway). At first I thought I was going to really enjoy the book, but it wound up losing me partway through. I just didn’t find myself invested in the two main characters and the tragedy that first separated them (back in high school) and which haunted them down through the years.

CW: breast cancer, accidental death, abortion, dementia, civil rights and racism

While I received the eARC from NetGalley, I wound up listening to the published audiobook by Simon & Schuster Audio. The narrators, Fred Sanders and Amanda Carlin, did an excellent job with the various voices.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own

[Lynne Spreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pete and Jackie are around age seventy when this story begins. Pete has just published his first novel and they’re about to attend his reading at a bookstore. While he’s looking ahead, Jackie has just had a bad cancer diagnosis. We get a snapshot of their present-day life before an incident at the reading flings us back to their youth together, and this is where half the story occurs before returning to the present. In the flashback, we see them dating in high school, destined for marriage until one tragic night in which Pete considers taking a different course. Eventually, he goes back to Jackie, a woman who doesn’t share his intellectual or literary gifts, but is beautiful and smart and sturdy. The last part of the story is where they reckon with having spent their lives with the wrong person.

It’s an interesting premise. The writing is beautiful, with rich description and metaphor (e.g. Pete’s lifelong interest in the doomed General Custer.) Although there were some problems with the story (most of the women played the same wry, domineering role; most of the characters’ dialogue followed the same terse pattern), it was an interesting depiction of the way we can fall into an important decision and spend our whole life dealing with the results.

Many thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book.

[Geraldine (geraldinereads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pete and Jackie were high school sweethearts, but little does Jackie know that Pete has been keeping a secret for their entire marriage. When Jackie is diagnosed with cancer, it's finally time for the Pete's secret to come out.

I thought this one was very slow in the beginning, and it took me a long time to get into it. I think I was about halfway through when it finally picked up! The writing was good, but it took me a bit to get a hang of the writing style. I also felt like there were some parts of the story that could have been taken out to make the story flow better.

I really enjoyed the second half of the book, so I will definitely check out John Hough's next book release!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc!

[Courtney Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were very slow, but overall it was an enjoyable read.

[Lori Sinsel Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very touching real story. The story of Pete and Jackie is a true love story. It has all the messy elements of real life in it. While I can not say that I really liked the characters a whole bunch, their story was true to life. The couple had been together for years, already in their 70s when the book begins, this is a story of how one decision, made impulsively over 30 years ago, can still have lingering effects so long afterward.
The story begins with Pete and Jackie returning to their hometown for a book signing of Pete's first novel. After an encounter with an old classmate, memories are brought to the surface of a fatal decision that even now, after all the time past, has the power to destroy their relationship.
I enjoyed this novel, it is real and raw, written in a forthright manner, it holds nothing back, making the reader experience the pain and anger that the characters are feeling. I did not particularly like Jackie or Pete for that matter. I do not think I would want to be friends with either of them, but their story hit home for me. I was married to my high-school sweetheart for over 30 years, and when he passed away a few years ago I was devastated, so I can relate to how this couple feels. This story made me think about my relationship and about decisions made in the past and made me look at some of those decisions and I saw now how they do have a lasting effect on the future.
This is a really well written story and I like the fact that the central characters were an older couple, rather than someone in their 20s or 30s, it made the story that much more believable. John Hough Jr.'s style of writing fits the story to a tee. I give 5 stars, and recommend it to all readers, but with a warning, have a couple of tissues ready, because it did make me cry.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and the publishers at Gallery Books for the free advanced reader copy of this book. In return I am giving my honest review.
#TheSweetestDays
#JohnHoughJr
#GalleryBooks

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

So, The Sweetest Days was a tough one for me to review. I believe Mr. Hough is a talented writer, so the writing itself was well done. However, I had a difficult time with the characters. Peter, in particular, was difficult to connect with or even like at all throughout the majority of the story. In my opinion, if your protagonist and the primary narrator of your story is unlikable, it's going to be a tough road. I would have been fine with him not being a perfect character. Few people in real life are perfect....I just needed a few things to like about him. Pretty much the only thing I could give him credit for was that he was a good father. I was never sold that he was a good husband. Yes, he made a conscious choice to "choose" his marriage at several points during his life. Unfortunately, it never felt like he was "all in."

Jackie, Peter's wife, took a bit for me to connect with as well. We are introduced to her after she's received a cancer diagnosis after their thirty plus years of marriage. It's evident that there are things in their marriage that have broken her down. She doesn't seem to trust Peter or his level of commitment. All of this initially makes her sound like a bitter, unhappy woman. However, as the story unfolds and we get glimpses of their past, things fall into place and the reader gets a better understanding of how their history has influenced the state of their marriage. You also understand that the impact of her diagnosis is driving a great deal of her unhappiness as well.

I believe I saw glimpses of what the author was trying to do with this story. Unfortunately, I just couldn't embrace Peter's character enough to connect to it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review this book and the opinions contained within are my own.

[Laura Prindable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of The Sweetest Days by John Hough. This book about broke my heart. It made me think, and stuck to my bones. Unforgettable!

[Emily Matthys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I walked into the library last week with my son having the absolute intention of only picking up some books he had requested. It’s always difficult for me to not just (at least) take a quick glance at the new release shelves. As I’m browsing, I see this book, read the summary, and know instantly it’s coming home with me.

The word that keeps reverberating in my head is unexpected. This one was so completely unexpected. Yet, so perfectly timed.

The Sweetest Days is a story of love and loss. It’s about family and faithfulness and fear. It grasps what we think we know about our own mortality, wrings it dry, and tosses it on the shore. We are left changed, but not fixed; aware, but lost; grieved, but knowing. You will learn something and leave with the gift buried deep.

I will admit that I honestly could not stand Jackie for 97% of this book. I thought she was obnoxious and clingy and sometimes gross. I truthfully know not a single woman who possess the character traits and behavior patterns of this woman, but that’s a blessing as otherwise I’d likely be guilty of assault. She moved slightly into an area of redemption by the last pages.

May you find a similar redemption in these pages.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that I really enjoyed and I appreciate the messages about a long marriage and the choice to love. The flashback story of Jackie and Pete was to me the most interesting part of the book and I wanted to know more about their work in civil rights. The present day story was less compelling and maybe my challenge was that I didn't really like either of them very much. Still the message about choosing to love and how you build a life together was strong for me. I'm glad I read it and finished it. All in all a mixed bag. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Carrie Cappiello]

I've seen comparisons of the writing style of this book to Richard Russo and I can definitely see that. This is a quiet, introspective book with a look at a long marriage from both partner's views. Faced with a health dilemma and reaching the end of their lives together, Pete and Jackie reflect back on their relationship, their life experiences, and what brought them together. I'm sure we all will take time to review our lives when we know we are reaching the end. I especially loved Pete's perspective, he was honest and raw, real and loving. This is a quiet book that is great for readers that want an intimate look into someone else's relationship.

[Sarah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I sincerely thank Simon & Schuster for the free giveaway!

The Sweetest Days is a story that spans the lives of Pete and Jackie Hatch. The book starts out with them in their sixties, headed to a book signing, in their home town, for Pete’s novel. Then starts taking you back in time to explain how they got to where they are now. They were high school sweethearts until one day there was an argument, which then led to a terrible tragedy. Fast forward years, and their paths cross again and they get married. Fast forward back to the book signing and an unwanted blast from the past shows up and forces them to revisit the incident that ruined them in high school.

I truly enjoyed this book, although it made me sad. It really dug deep into the challenges of marriage. Some of the characters fell flat for me, but overall I could relate to most of them.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Won this in a goodreads giveaway. I had a lot of trouble getting into this book. It’s not bad, just not the type of book I like to read

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first John Hough Jr book, and I have to say I enjoyed it. Loved how his narrative jumped back and forth. I will have to look up another one of his novels

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old rereads

[Kaleigh Stickel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This put me in a slump 🥴

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it 42 pages before pulling the plug on this one (books I can’t finish get one star). I found the characters unlikeable and unnecessarily mean to each other. The protagonist seemed like a lech, commenting on the physical attributes of all women he encountered. I didn’t see much point in proceeding to the end—there are too many other books to try!

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. That rating seems rather harsh for me, but it is truthful. There wasn't too much to celebrate about this book for me. The writing style wasn't terrible or anything, but there were a few instances where there was just too much dialogue. That is usually one of my favorite parts of books, but not when it is completely overused, and nonsensical because of it. Half of the time I was spending my time diagnosing who was saying what, as there were cases of almost full pages of conversations. It may not be bothersome to some, but it sure was for me.

That was the least of my qualms with this novel, however. I truly could not stand the two main characters. Peter and Jackie are completely unlikeable, and while I was thinking that perhaps Jackie was being bitchy at the beginning of the novel because of the cancer diagnosis (a valid reason for a shift in personality), that was not the case, as she was always indignant and snobby. Peter is a lecherous man, in both his younger and senior years. It was terribly creepy how he described every woman he met with virtually only physical descriptors. That all being said, it was incredibly hard to root for either of these protagonists. I understand that people have layers, but when neither of the main characters have any redeemable qualities, it fills the reader with a sense of almost disquiet. That was what happened to me upon reading their story.

Strangely enough, I truly enjoyed the story with "the other woman" Corinna. While she - like most of the female characters - were typecast and alike, I found her more refreshing and real than Jackie. I am not one to post spoilers, so I don't want to dive too much into this, so I will just say that the Corinna segments were my favorite part of this book...by far.

I do think this book is worth reading, but it really just wasn't my normal style.

Thank you to Gallery and Goodreads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. :)

[Karen Axnick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a bit ambivalent about this book. It did not live up to the prepublication promotional material and was more disappointing than entertaining.

Jackie and Peter Hatch have past the thirty year mark of their complicated marriage. At the beginning of the story, Peter has just published his first political suspense novel after a distinguished career as a journalist and speech writer for a U.S. Senator. This new beginning is juxtaposed with the news that Jackie has just been diagnosed with cancer and given a rather dismal prognosis. From this point the author moves back and forth from past to present starting with their first meeting as seniors in high school. Their ensuing lives reflect what appears to be a stable, loving marriage that is, in fact, built on Jackie’s insecurity and Peter’s uncertainty.

The story is told in the first person narrative through Peter’s perspective. It was challenging to get into the book, which starts out very slowly, but became interesting at the half way point. While I never felt an affinity for either character, I did empathize with Peter after he experiences a traumatic and life-altering event as a teenager. Overall his character seemed rather self-absorbed and underserving of his wife’s devotion. I never felt Jackie’s authenticity until she began to face the reality of her diagnosis.

My ambivalence arises from the fact that the author is clearly good at his craft from a literary perspective, and I thoroughly enjoyed broadening my vocabulary through his well-chosen modifiers. Where the book fell short for me was the rather aloof approach to these characters lives. Since I didn’t experience much engagement emotionally with the storyline, I was pleasantly surprised with the forgiveness and redemption themes that colored their relationship at the conclusion.

My thanks to the author, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.

[Danielle B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter and Jackie are high school sweethearts. The book begins in present time, Jackie has gotten a bad cancer diagnosis and they are attending a book signing for a book Peter has written. During the event, a person from their past shows up and it brings back horrible memories. The story goes back and forth about their relationship and Jackie questions her marriage to Peter and everything they every knew about one another.

This book was a bit slow for me but picked up about halfway through. I wouldn't say I loved this book but I didn't hate it either.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know there was a great deal to like in this book, but I didn’t connect to it at all. I found it mawkish and depressing. This was too sad, too much about missteps and the sadness when faced with a serious illness. This was a story of the end days of Jackie and Pete, recalling years past.

Pete is a success, having written a promising book, but his return to his hometown to give a reading sets into motion a recollection of times past and mistakes made. When a former classmate shows up at the reading, he becomes a catalyst for recriminations and regrets

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated it only because every sentence ended with "he said or she said". That's all I heard while listening to this book. I deleted after Chapter 2. It may be an excellent book/story but it is so frustrating to me when an author has to say those 2 words after every dialogue. It's usually very easy to figure out who is saying what without telling us that "he said or she said". Very annoying and a waste of money for me. :(

[Rachel Brenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I knew it would be good, and that it would be "New England," and probably a little sad, and yet it still took me by surprise. I’m sure I’m not the first to say it, but his dialogue is spot on; he really captures how people talk. I finished it yesterday afternoon and I cried. And I couldn’t bring myself to read, or watch anything for the rest of the day.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some books draw a reader in immediately. Some books take some getting into gradually. Some books just don’t grab a reader’s attention. This was the case with me and The Sweetest Days. I could not immerse myself in the story. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters. I just had a complete lack of interest in the book. Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Was given an ARC from the publisher via Net galley in exchange for an honest review**

Very touching and emotional story. I gave it 3.5 stars due to the grammar and editing.

Peter and Jackie have been married for almost 30 years. They dated in high school until tragedy and betrayal tore them apart. Now life has dealt them another crushing blow now that Peter just published his first book. They've return to their hometown for his first book signing and Jackie finally finds out what really happened all those years ago when someone from their past makes an unannounced visit.

Peter Hatch met Jacqueline Lawrence when her family moved to the Cape in their senior year of high school, he had never met anyone like her. He lost his virginity to her, Jackie led the way in their relationship; that is until it came to politics. Jackie got Peter interested in her youth Church group, but when all the kids heard a black family in S. Carolina was being treated unfairly by the local grocery store, the kids decided to collect cans of food and drive down South to deliver it. But Jackie's father had a big problem with this mission, she had to make a choice; break her father's heart or disappoint Peter. She chose to disappoint Peter, thinking that they'd fight over it the next day.

In Peter's mind, he was done with her once he met the beautiful, adventurous cousin of a kid in the group. Corinna was from another town over. She was a rebel and was smart like Peter. He never told Jackie, but he planned on separating when they went away to college. He fell in love with Corrina that night. They planned on visiting each other at college and talked about the future, that is until Corrina's poor decisions and a car accident ended everything.

Ten years later, Peter runs into Jackie in D.C. He still thinks that she's beautiful, but he hurt her terribly years ago. She's not interested in what he wants. They get to talking and he asks her to dinner, 3 months later they're married. But in the back of his mind, he knows he's made a big mistake.

After Jackie finds out the real truth of what happened that night, she goes out and does something reckless. She's also known throughout her whole marriage that she's only had half of him; he always held himself back from her. Now she knows why, he never stopped loving Corrina. Now she wonders why he even married her, if he ever loved her.

Jackie's dying of cancer, she knows it's bad. It's Peter who's in denial until her surgery, when her doctor tells him her cancer's spread. After she's gone, their daughter, Jennifer, helps him keep going.

It's terrible to live with regrets. Jackie was a better woman than most, forgiving him for things he did, things he never said to her, and letting things go.

A must read!