Six Days by Dani Atkins | Book Review | #SixDays

Two people. One love story. Six days.
He loves me… He loves me not… He loves me…

Gemma knows that she and Finn are destined to be together. They are soulmates. But then, on their wedding day, he never arrives at the church.

Gemma is convinced Finn wouldn’t abandon her like this, even though he has disappeared once before. But back then he had a reason. She feels sure something terrible has happened, but no one else is convinced. Even the police aren’t concerned, telling Gemma most people who disappear usually turn up in a week… assuming they want to be found, that is.

For the next six days Gemma frantically searches for Finn, even though every shocking revelation is telling her to give up on him. Before long, even she begins to doubt her own memories of their love.

How long can she hold on to her faith in Finn if everyone is telling her to let him go?

MY THOUGHTS

My heart sank for poor Gemma when she was left alone at the church on her wedding day. How could her fiancé Finn let her down when he was supposed to love her so much. But theirs is not a straightforward romance and Six Days takes the reader back and forth to the start of their relationship and its ups and downs.

I was expecting an emotional read from Dani Atkins and I wasn’t disappointed. I was mostly on Gemma’s side, although there were times when I thought for her own sanity she should give up on her relentless search for Finn and much like those around her, I considered him to be a heartless rat. But this is a story of shades of grey and whilst I was frustrated with Finn at times, I could empathise with him, especially when his backstory was slowly revealed.

Gemma and Finn make fabulous leading characters, with Gemma’s best mate Hannah winning the award for best supporting friend. So many of her observations and asides made me smile and she added a definite lightness to the story as well as always being there for Gemma.

I really did enjoy this one. The relationship between Gemma and Finn was superbly handled and I was totally invested in finding out why Finn had seemingly done a runner. Gemma’s absolute faith in Finn was almost heartbreaking and even when others believed the worst of him, quite understandably, she kept on believing. The story is told from Gemma’s perspective with clear date timed chapters and I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing how their relationship developed – or not. In many ways Finn seemed a perfect boyfriend however to say he had issues would be an understatement. When he rocked up and whisked Gemma off in style to a fabulous first date at The Manor House, I was was so envious. I hope it’s a real location as I want to go there, it sounds so wonderful. The other luxurious date setting overlooking Hyde Park I recognised as I have been there and I can attest that it is every bit as good with outstanding views as described in the book (and fantastic food!)

Six Days is a moving story of a complex relationship. It has humour and emotion with a cleverly written touch of mystery to keep you guessing. I haven’t read a book yet by Atkins that I haven’t enjoyed and I highly recommend this one. If you enjoy books by authors such as Jill Mansell, and you’ve never read Dani Atkins before, then I’m sure this would be a good one to start with.

My thanks to Ayo of Head of Zeus for the tour invite and proof copy. I was so thrilled to be mentioned on the proof cover with a quote from my review of A Sky Full of Stars.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dani Atkins is an award-winning novelist. Her 2013 debut Fractured (published as Then and Always in North America) has been translated into sixteen languages and has sold more than half a million copies since first publication in the UK. Dani is the author of four other bestselling novels, two of which, This Love and A Sky Full of Stars, won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award, in 2018 and 2022 respectively. Dani lives in a small village in Hertfordshire with her husband, one Siamese cat and a very soppy Border Collie.

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Publisher Pre-order link: Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1800246544/

Other reviews:
The Wedding Dress (2022)
A Sky Full of Stars (2021)
A Million Dreams (2019)
Our Song (2016)