I absolutely loved this book! I continued to be amazed by Adrienne's ability to create such depth of characters and story from the very beginning of her novels. Each character on the page feels like a real person, like you're reading an extremely enthralling history book. They're well-rounded and have their own motivations and backstories. The writing is so visceral that it practically jumps off the page. You can practically hear the way Eamon says June's name. Your heart hurts for June every time she looks at Annie. Your brain screams "more" as June unravels the mystery of the curse of the Farrow women. This book was so atmospheric, and the tension, mystery, and need to know are palpable. I could not put this down until I finished it. The way that each timeline intersected was remarkable. I felt the story unraveling as I read as my reading pace quickened. I didn't know how Adrienne could solve it or put it back together again, but she did. And can we talk about this line -- "You may have ruined my life, June. But first, you gave me one." Screaming.

Loved. Absolutely loved.

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🫑
The Unmaking of June Farrow was my 5th book by Adrienne Young and, once again, I was not disappointed.

I have to admit that the first 24% of the book was a little slow. It was a lot of character building setting up the background of the story. It was a lot of walking through the day-to-day activities before…BAM! At 25% I started to get very intrigued and had a hard time putting it down from that point.
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The Farrow women are cursed with a hereditary ailment that plagues the mind; leaving them with hallucinations and an unraveling mind.

June is determined to break the curse and discover the mysteries surrounding the death of her mother. However, in order to do so, she may just have to give into the hallucinations she is afraid of so that she can unmake her truth and finally take control of her life.
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Adrienne Young’s books are so beautiful. She paints a wonderful picture of the worlds she creates, allowing you to step out of reality and into the mysteries of her story.

This is a Magical Realism story combing modern and historical Blue Ridge Mountains small-town charm with mystery and suspense and a complex plot.
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It is considered an Adult novel based on the age of the characters. There is a pretty vanilla on-page explicit scene, but I wouldn’t say it’s for 18+. Any age is fine as long as you can follow along with the complex plot.

Since I typically review mostly fantasy books, I want to point out that this book falls along the themes of Spells for Forgetting; it is Magical Realism, it is not Fantasy.

If you liked Spells For Forgetting, you will like this one even more.

i really really really wanted to like this one. i seem to be in the minority here, but i do see how a lot of people will enjoy this.

the cozy mystery and small farm town elements were there. there was magic, a non-linear timeline, a whodunit plot line, and familial relationships. i just don’t think that it came together well. with time travel/non-linear timelines, it can get clunky and confusing really fast and this just didn’t work for me. i felt a major disconnect with the characters and the plot because i was so focused on how the past and future were fitting together.

i really wish i connected to the characters and the story more because i think this concept is very unique and interesting. the lyrical writing was definitely the star of the show!

thank you to delacorte press and netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

3/5 stars!

As usual, Adrienne’s prose is so atmospheric and lovely. This story was heartbreaking and the family bonds were strong. I loved the mystery element to the story! The writing was so descriptive and beautiful and you really felt everything that was happening.

The romance part of the story was incredible. The way the story came together had me in tears by the end. I am still thinking about June a week later after finishing this book. I loved everything about it!

+ magical elements
+ family bonds
+ non-linear timeline
+ emotional romance
+ strong, protective women
+ small town atmosphere

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book that’s quickly become a favorite!

The Farrow women are known in their small town to be different, strange and mysterious as they have lived on their wildflower farm for generations. June Farrow, raised by her grandmother after she was abandoned as an infant by her mother is determined to change the destiny of the Farrow women. After her grandmother’s death, June follows the clues to learn more about why her mother disappeared decades before and this search leads her to another time and another version of herself.

I really enjoyed this novel once I got into it. I love magical realism and time travel so this book was right in my reading wheelhouse. The story and characters were great and mostly I liked how it all tied together in the end. That being said - there is a bit of messiness with the dates and time jumping that lead to some interesting conversations with other bookstagrammers (with no real closure on some of it) so it is a bit confusing with a few plot holes. I read it but two of them listened to audio which I think led to the confusion so I would suggest maybe not solely listening to this one. If you like a good magical realism story I highly recommend this one. I think I will have to look at this author’s backlist.

4.25

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this ARC for review

Whenever I read a book where theoretical physics comes into play, I get an absolutely giddy feeling because I know the author will take me on a journey. And I don’t know how to review this because it’s such a carefully plotted storyline that you have to walk a fine line when discussing it.

So, as a reviewer, you mention the romance, the red door, and the feeling of having a strong tribe and family, but you can’t mention much else or other readers won’t get the experience. They won’t get that feeling of ‘whoa’ that takes over your entire body when you watch the book in motion, when all the carefully laid clogs start to work together, and you realize what a fantastical journey you’ve been on.

Life is often cyclical, and most people see time as a straight line, but some of us who study physics know that it is anything but. It would be easy to go off course when bringing those concepts into a book, but Young stayed the course. She wrote a book that brings the beauty of love and time and all its iterations into a superbly stunning read.

Thank you, Ballantine Books, for the advanced copy.

It took me several tries to read this book because of the very slow pace. I think the plot really just picked up once the mysteries started to unfold and the plot twists all came towards the end. The last 20% of the book wasn’t enough for me to fully understand the intricacy of the plot as it felt liked info-dumped on me. I might have to reread it to fully absorb the story.


But, it did have beautiful writing by the author. She made it easy to imagine the story setting despite the time skips. Some twists were predictable, but it still offered some mindblowing stuff. I was frustrated on how the characters acted on some parts, but I think it went well with the mysterious theme that the author was trying to achieve.


What this book contains:
- small town mysteries
- time traveling
- magical realism
- self-discovery
- second chance romance
- strong family (motherly) ties
- eerie & mystical vibes


Pacing & writing style:
- very slow pacing until you hit 80%
- more in-depth narrations than dialogues
- detailed imageries
- first pov


Ratings:
3.75/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Random House), and the author for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book, it was so beautifully written. It kept me guessing and wondering where the story was going but as things unfolded, I couldn’t put it down. I loved each of the Farrow women and their stories. I will be putting all of Adrienne Young’s books on my TBR because I just loved this one and the perfect writing. Thank you Random House and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book.

The Farrow women are well known in their small mountain town--primarily for their thriving flower farm and the curse that affects them. After being raised by her grandmother when her mother disappears, June Farrow is determined to ensure the curse that plagues the women in her family will end with her, one that she knows has already come to claim her. For a year preceding her grandmother's death, June had begun seeing and hearing things that weren't there. To save those she loved a little heartache, she held that secret close to the belt until she uncovered clues regarding her mother, which takes her down a path to more questions than answers. With that truth coming to light, a red door appears and though she doesn't believe it to be real she crosses the threshold to a new journey that may lead her to the answers she seeks.

Wow, just wow. This story was a thing of beauty. I cannot possibly put into words how much I loved this book. June had such conviction especially when it came to the people she loved. Her interactions with her family had a pleasant mix of comfortable banter and awkward tenseness, which was natural given the circumstances. She is a fierce FMC who comes from a long line of formidable women. While I could talk about it all day, there are some things, especially some characters, one must simply experience and that shouldn't be ruined.

When you think the story might have this story figured out, it shifts in another direction. The mix of mystery and magical realism with a looming murder and disappearances adds to the twists and turns in this book. It draws you in so quickly, and Adrienne's magnificent writing immerses the reader into the story. Do not sleep on reading this one!

As always. AY has created something so fresh, inventive, and atmospheric that I don’t even know where to begin describing what category it fits into. For now, I think I’ll go with magical realism.

There isn’t a ton I feel like I can say without spoiling. However, I loved June as our narrator. She was soft and quiet but strong and protective of those she loves. I loved the family dynamics, the twisty curves AY threw at us, and how everything wrapped up in the end. I loved going on this journey to solve multiple mysteries, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

Read this if you:
•like magical realism
•atmospheric writing
•want to feel ALL THE FEELS (long after you finish the book)
•like books where everything pieces together beautifully

I can’t give this book enough stars. The writing is lyrical and beautiful. You’re immediately hooked on the story and you don’t want to put this book down. This book truly has a bit of something for everyone. There’s an emotional romance, there’s small town vibes, there’s magical realism, mystery, historical fiction, and more! This is a MUST READ book. There were times that my heart BROKE reading this book, and others where the writing and the story just sewed my heart back up and was so dang heartwarming.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ vague open door
🤬🤬🤬 brief strong language

This book is, in a word, evocative. Gorgeous storytelling and layering. Honestly one of the best books I’ve read this year. I couldn’t put it down after the first few chapters. The mystery unraveled at such a perfect pace and gave me all the fall vibes. It releases on October 17 so do yourself a favor and preorder now!

The Unmaking of June Farrow is another brilliant story by Adrienne Young! Young’s writing style is so beautiful, evoking an air of mystery, suspense, and magic that is hard to put down. I became so easily immersed in June’s story as she tries to end the curse that has plagued all of the women in her family. It’s is a mind-bender, and I’m so glad I buddy read it with Leah at Leah’s Books because I had a lot of predictions and things to talk about as I read this compelling and unforgettable book.

June Farrow comes from a long line of unusual women, and after he gran dies, she’s left with some cryptic clues that might be related to the curse all of the Farrow women share. June’s journey takes her to places she never imagined, and she becomes embroiled in secrets that are much bigger than she ever expected. I adored June and her story. It’s a mind-bending journey, complete with a murder mystery, love story, and more.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot, as I don’t want to give anything away, but, whew, it is good! Young has a writing style that really resonates with me. Rich in imagery, the writing is almost poetic in its delivery. The storytelling is immersive, atmospheric, and compelling, and I found it almost impossible to put the book down. That’s the gift that is Adrienne Young. She grabs you right from the start by weaving engrossing and wholly unique stories with rich and vivid settings and layered and complex characters.

An exceptional blend of mystery, magical realism, and romance, The Unmaking of June Farrow is one of the most memorable books I’ve read this year, and I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoyed her other adult novel Spells for Forgetting. I can’t wait to see what Young has in store for readers next!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

4.5
I LOVED this book. I was a huge fan of THE SPELLS FOR FORGETTING and couldn’t wait to read this one. Young has a gift when it comes to writing atmospheric, magical stories. I loved the back and forth between timelines. It was interesting that we worked backwards in time in this story which made it so unique. I loved June’s character. A strong, independent woman who would do anything for her family. I highly recommend this cozy, mysterious magical realism story.

The Unmaking of June Farrow is a story of a young woman who risks her life to end her families curse. This fantasy/mystery read has a twisting timeline as June also works to figure out the disappearance of her mother. While I found this book to be super well written, I don’t think it was my jam. I found the timeline aspect to be a bit confusing at times and typically enjoy a little more suspense or action (as I am mainly a thriller reader). This book was “cozy” with a touch of romance and could see this being a readers favorite, but again it just wasn’t for me.

I gave this novel ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I do think the author did an amazing job putting this story together and I enjoyed the character development. If you are into cozy mysteries with a touch of fantasy, I think you would love this read!

I just finished this book and I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it. Any book with a time-travel, timeline component gets so tricky so fast, and I don't know if I followed the rules and how everything worked. Because of that, I think I was trying to decide if everything made sense instead of just being in the story, which made me feel less connected to the characters and their journey.

There's no doubt that this was written well. Adrienne Young has a beautiful and atmospheric writing style which I generally enjoy. That said, I felt sad for like 95% of the time while reading. Every character had so many devastating things happen to them. For the majority of the book, I was frustrated for June because people were blaming her for choices out of her control, keeping major secrets from her, and it felt like she had no control over her life.

I think there are a lot of people who will enjoy this and I honestly wish I connected to it more because I think the concept is fascinating and there are so many beautiful scenes in the book. Overall, it's sadly not one of my favorites (the plot with the minister was a big part of this). Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Farrow women are cursed with an unexplainable madness that inevitably affects them at some point their lives. But there is a reason for it, and as June Farrow uncovers more about her mother’s life and her own future, she realized it is more complicated than she ever imagined. This is an atmospheric suspense with just the right amount of romance and magical realism that may make your head hurt (speaking from personal experience). I recommend this book as a great Fall read. I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

4.5/5 - "The Unmaking of June Farrow" by Adrienne Young is a captivating blend of mystery, family curses, and timeless love that kept me engrossed from start to finish. With its beautifully crafted characters and a story that seamlessly weaves together the past and the present, it's a mesmerizing novel that deserves a 4.4 out of 5 stars rating.

Set in the picturesque mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, the novel introduces us to June Farrow, a young woman burdened by the weight of her family's generations-old curse. Adrienne Young masterfully sets the stage, painting a vivid picture of the Farrow family's flower farm and the town's eerie history, centered around the mysterious disappearance of June's mother, Susanna Farrow.

The book excels in character development, especially when it comes to June. The slow unraveling of June's determination to break the curse, even if it means sacrificing her own dreams of love and family, is both moving and relatable. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

I was enamored with the way Adrienne Young was able to seamlessly blend various genres. There were elements of mystery, romance, suspense, and fraying timelines that engulfed me throughout the novel. The mysterious door that appears and the journey it unlocks adds a layer of intrigue and magic that keeps readers engaged. The romantic subplot is beautifully crafted and their love story is heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure.

While "The Unmaking of June Farrow" is an enchanting read with a well-executed plot, there were moments when the pacing felt slow. Some sections of the story seemed to move briskly, while others were more contemplative. Additionally, I think that this book requires an atmospheric setting for successful reading. I found it difficult to read this novel in broad daylight on my couch, but the second I dimmed the lights, got in my reading chair, and got cozy with a cup of coffee, I was hooked.

Despite my small critiques, Adrienne Young's storytelling prowess shines in this novel. "The Unmaking of June Farrow" is a tale of love, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of family, wrapped in a cloak of mystery and magic. If you enjoy stories that blend the contemporary and the supernatural, this book is well worth your time. I highly recommend it, and I'm eager to see where Adrienne Young's storytelling takes us next.

Title: The Unmaking of June Farrow
Author: Adrienne Young
Genre: Mystery, fantasy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm—and the mysterious curse that has plagued their family line. The whole town remembers the madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance, leaving June to be raised by her grandmother and haunted by rumors.

It’s been a year since June started seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Faint wind chimes, a voice calling her name, and a mysterious door appearing out of nowhere—the signs of what June always knew was coming. But June is determined to end the curse once and for all, even if she must sacrifice finding love and having a family of her own.

After her grandmother’s death, June discovers a series of cryptic clues regarding her mother’s decades-old disappearance, except they only lead to more questions. But could the door she once assumed was a hallucination be the answer she’s been searching for? The next time it appears, June realizes she can touch it and walk past the threshold. And when she does, she embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but also uncover the lingering mysteries of her small town and entangle her heart in an epic star-crossed love.

I’m a huge fan of this author’s YA books. I wasn’t quite such a fan of her first adult novel, but this one was so good! I was just as confused as June during parts of this, and my mind was spinning, trying to figure out what, exactly, was going on. The women in the Farrow family are such strong characters, and all of them fascinated me. I can’t imagine having to make the choices June had to make. This was an excellent read, and I read it straight through in one sitting.

Adrienne Young is a bestselling author. The Unmaking of June Farrow is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Random House/Ballantine in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 10/17).

"The Unmaking of June Farrow" follows June Farrow, the next of the Farrow women to face the curse that's plagued their line for generations. Having heard the story of her own mother's disappearance and witnessed the madness slowly overtake her grandmother's mind, June has sworn that she will never have children, letting the curse of the Farrow women die with her.

What she hasn't told any of her loved ones is that she's already been experiencing some of the biggest symptoms of the unraveling including vivid hallucinations of a man she does not know and a bright red door. As June begins to investigate her mother's disappearance by following a trail of clues laid out by her grandmother, she sets into motion a journey that will change her life – and history – forever.

I quickly fell in love with the backdrop of Adrienne Young's beautiful novel, set in the small fictional town of Jasper, North Carolina. The rich setting was amplified by the magical element of the story which made up the core of the narrative.

June Farrow was a protagonist both easy to love and easy to root for. Her self-imposed exile from love invokes a lot of sympathy, and it only makes her eventual romantic arc that more satisfying. The lovely cast of side characters making up June's family also added another layer to the depth of the story, helping weave an even richer web of June's life and her world. The emphasis on the Farrow women was especially wonderful – I adore any narrative that centers women over generations.

I won't go too into detail on the magical element, but I thoroughly enjoyed that whole aspect of the story and involves one of my favorite tropes(?) in literature. It is also, in my opinion, one of the hardest tropes to do right, and I can safely say this book does it very well.

My only complaint is that we didn't get more time with June as I wanted, specifically in exploring her relationships and dynamics with certain characters introduced halfway through the story. While the plot itself was naturally satisfying in its execution, I feel like it would have benefitted from some more development time.

Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend "The Unmaking of June Farrow" to those seeking a cozy fantasy romance that is grounded in an intriguing and equally engaging mystery plot.