What do you get when you take a small town, add a family curse, and sprinkle in some fantastical elements? You get Adrienne Young's The Unmaking of June Farrow.

Young painted a world where what you may think is a curse could truly be the key to finding ALL of your answers. She also showed us, the reader that love can be tested but can survive the test of time and distance.
Through June's self-discovery and family search, she finds things she didn't know she needed but did.
This story is about heartache, loss, and above all else, second chances...with a heavy dose of mystery mixed in there.

This book needs to be added to your TBR this fall.

I received this arc to read for an honest review.

The Unmaking of June Farrow
by: Adrienne Young

⭐5⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Unmaking of June Farrow follows the curious family of Farrow women who are cursed to lose their minds to an unknown illness in the small town of Jasper, North Carolina. June is determined to be the last of the Farrow women to suffer from this affliction by never falling in love and never having children. After her grandmother succumbs to her illness after many years of living in “two places at once”, June is forced to face her greatest fear; falling into the Farrow madness herself.

The Farrow curse, however, is not what it seems. June discovers that her mind is not the issue. The Farrow curse is actually the ability to cross into a different time. The Farrow women have been traveling between years for generations, but something is off when June is transported to the early 1950s. And as it turns out this is not the first time she’s arrived in this era. June is forced to uncover mysteries of a life that she doesn’t remember, the past of her mother who abandoned her as a baby and disappeared without a trace, and the murder of a local beloved minister.

This book was beautiful. I was sobbing by the end. The Unmaking of June Farrow is a story of love and sacrifice. I would highly recommend it.


Below are some of my favorite quotes from the book!

“There was a quiet in the mountains, even when the cicadas and the crickets were singing and the wind was howling. It was the sight of those rolling blue peaks in the distance that made me feel like maybe the earth wasn’t really spinning.”

“But the human brain was like the uncharted depths of the oceans. Science was still wading around in the shallows.”

“I was trapped in a museum of another life.”

“There was nothing that could have prepared me for a love like that, to sit and watch a dying thing grow. The fate of the Farrows was Annie’s fate, too. Maybe I’d risked everything to change it.”

“I’d never felt fear like that. Not ever. And I didn’t think there was any way to ever come back from that explosion of light that had birthed a universe inside of me when she said that word. Mama”

“There was a life on the other side of the door. A history. A strange disappearance. But in this life, I had something that I’d never had before.”

“But this aching love that was breaking ground inside of me didn’t feel selfish. It felt brave.”

“All that time, she remembered me. She was just waiting for me to remember her.”

“It was such an easy thing – that choice. I’d already made it.”

“She was a prism that colored me and my world with a story. We were the limbs of a broken tree with poisoned roots.”

We stood there, four generations of Farrow women, cursed to live between worlds. But in that moment, in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we existed only in one.”

“And then I spoke my vows into the summer wind. That I’d love him forever. That I would always, always come back. That no matter what, I would find him.”

In the Unmaking of June Farrow, by Adrianne Young, June comes from a long line of women, who all seem to lose their minds before they die. She realizes she is showing the same signs and symptoms as the other women in her family had and decides to go on a journey of self-discovery to figure out how and why this happens - and see if she can stop it. She soon finds herself looking into the mysterious death of a beloved town minister as well.

This book is an absolutely mind blowing read including themes of fantasy, time travel, mystery, and even romance. I honestly had to take a few days to process what I just read before I could write this review. There were so many twists and turns that it became pointless for me to try to guess what was going to happen…and I mean all this in a good way. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, audibly gasping with each twist, and wanting to know what was going to happen next and where June’s journey would take her.

I was provided the digital ARC to read and plan to buy the physical copy as soon as it comes out on October 17 so I can read it again and again!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for sharing this ARC!

I am not lying when I say that I absolutely devoured this book. I am not even sure I can come close to describing how The Unmaking of June Farrow made me feel. This book is part mystery, part time-travel, part thriller, part romance, and a million other things in between. It explores the way fate and our choices can intersect and provides a captivating story about love and loss and family. This is one of those stories that I think the less you know, the better going in. Trust me when I say you will not want to put this book down!

Huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

This was one of my most highly anticipated releases of 2023 and it did not disappoint.

This is a story of family, motherhood, love, and perseverance.

We follow June Farrow, a 30s woman born to a line of women suffering from a terrible curse: they all go mad.

We watch as June's last living relative passes and she descends into the curse she's known was coming her entire life.

When a mystery starts to unfold, we are transported to a time of new beginnings and second chances.

This has:
Murder mystery
Second chance love
Strong female family ties
Magic and whimsy
Farming (cozy)

I highly recommend The Unmaking of June Farrow be added to the top of your TBR.

I received the ARC from Net Galley, thank you so much! I have had multiple Adrienne Young books on my TBR list for awhile now and just haven’t gotten to them so this was my intro to her books. What a wonderful introduction it was! I have Fable on my shelf currently waiting for me to start and I cannot wait. For me the story started out a little slow but once I got into it… I devoured it. The plot was wonderful and all of the twists and turns of the story were 10/10.

Thank you for the ARC!

The latest book by Adrienne Young, a new YA fantasy, though it read more like a mystery/thriller to me maybe more toward magical realism again. so in this book we follow June, the most recent of the Farrow women and every generation there is this curse that follows them but June is determined to break it because it has plagued her family. She sees things that aren’t there like this random door that she’s never gone through but what happens if she does? That there is definitely the hook. A fun spooky read for sure! Super glad I gave it a chance. It was addicting and had me flying through to find answers.

The Unmaking of June Farrow was a thought provoking book. It held my attention until the very end. I enjoyed the journey of the book and it ended well. I found myself getting a bit confused with the timeline because of the time traveling, but it wasn’t enough to deter the story.

I had the incredible privilege of reading an advance copy of "The Unmaking of June Farrow" by Adrienne Young, and I am utterly captivated by this remarkable story. With her lyrical prose and masterful storytelling, Young has once again delivered a narrative that resonates deeply and lingers long after the final page is turned.

Set in a richly crafted and immersive world, "The Unmaking of June Farrow" introduces us to the unforgettable character of June, a young woman whose journey of self-discovery is both poignant and empowering. Young's writing breathes life into June, endearing her to readers and making her struggles and triumphs all the more relatable.

The world-building in this novel is nothing short of spectacular. Young's ability to transport readers to a vividly realized and culturally diverse realm is a testament to her skill as a storyteller. The intricate details of the world, its customs, and its inhabitants add depth and authenticity to the narrative.

What sets this book apart is its exploration of themes such as resilience, identity, and the enduring power of hope. As June faces numerous challenges and adversities, her unwavering determination and inner strength serve as a source of inspiration. Her character arc is beautifully rendered, and her evolution throughout the story is a testament to Young's ability to craft multidimensional and relatable characters.

The narrative is filled with tension, intrigue, and a touch of magic that keeps the reader eagerly turning pages. Young has a gift for pacing, and the story unfolds with just the right amount of suspense and revelation to keep you hooked from beginning to end.

The supporting cast of characters is equally well-developed, each contributing to the richness of the story. Relationships and alliances, both familial and romantic, are explored with nuance and authenticity, adding layers of depth to the narrative.

In conclusion, "The Unmaking of June Farrow" is a masterpiece of storytelling that seamlessly weaves together elements of adventure, fantasy, and personal growth. Adrienne Young's writing is nothing short of enchanting, and her ability to create characters and worlds that resonate with readers is unparalleled. This is a five-star read that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking a captivating and emotionally resonant tale of transformation and resilience. Prepare to be swept away into a world where hope and inner strength shine brightly even in the darkest of times.

4.5 stars

What a beautiful story! Adrienne’s work just gets better and better. The story is so captivating - the Farrow women are cursed and eventually all go mad, and June is afraid that it’s already begun for her. After receiving a mysterious photograph, June begins to dig deeper into her family history and discovers that the curse is more complex than she could have ever imagined.

Similar to Spells for Forgetting, this has a gorgeous cozy small town setting infused with magic and mystery. It’s full of strong female characters and the lengths they’ll go to for each other, and a beautiful love story that defies impossible odds. The only reason I’m not giving this a full 5 stars is that the timeline and logistics confused me at times, but it didn’t really take away from my enjoyment.

Thank you so much to Random House for the ARC!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press.

This is one of those “what did I just read?” twisty, emotional, absolutely breathtaking books. Adrienne’s writing drew me in from page one and I just didn’t want to put this down. I was constantly wondering what would happen and consistently surprised - this book is really a level up. It’s complex, has elements of fantasy/magical realism, mystery, contemporary and historical fiction, and romance. You’ll be immersed into the town of Jasper, feel all of June’s emotions, and want to be in a giant group hug with all of these characters. I will be thinking about this book for a LONG time and can’t recommend it enough.

Read if you:
- need to be completely absorbed into a story
- enjoy Shea Ernshaw’s writing
- are cool with magical realism and mysteries that aren’t scary
- want an emotional love story
- are looking for a book with fall vibes

The Unmaking of June Farrow
by Adrienne Young

5/5: ⭐
1/5 : 🌶

The Unmaking of June Farrow is a magical realism contemporary fiction novel. There's romance, mystery, and thriller elements. June is the latest (and currently the last) in a long line of Farrow women who are cursed. After her grandmother's death, June begins to unravel the mystery and madness surrounding her family. I don't want to say much more because I don't want to give anything away.

The writing is gorgeous and the story is inventive. I was completely immersed in the world that Young created. This is definitely on my recommend-to-everyone list.

This book is so good! I love June and could really relate to her character. The story made me feel every emotion, even if I didn't want to feel some of them! It was so good!

The Unmaking of June Farrow was truly spellbinding. Captivating from beginning to end, Adrienne Young wrote a creative and mysterious novel about a 30 something girl who is at a crossroads of which direction she wants her life to go, while also coming face to face with her family curse. I was sucked in from the first page and didn’t put it down until long after it ended. Loved this novel that transcends time so beautifully.

Ever since I read Spells For Forgetting I knew I was a fan!! This book is definitely in my top 3 favorite books of the year!!

June Farrow is a 34 year old woman who feels like she doesn’t belong in her time. She has weird stuff happening to her and the only one who has the answers was her grandmother who passed…or so June thought. June also keeps having strange memories and she has seen the red door more than once. June also knows that whatever lays beyond that red door will change her life forever!!!

I absolutely loved this book!! It was mesmerizing, enchanting, and whimsical. It gave practical magic vibes with a back to the future twist. It was magical!!

Literally just finished this ARC and had to immediately write a review. June is a complex, relatable character. Her story is fascinating, heartwarming and sad. This story has time travel, redemption, love, a solid mystery...what more could you want?

As with any novel by Adrienne young, it has such a unique feel! I love the way this book just hits right. Especially sitting on the porch in the dark in a cool night with a storm brewing. This novel is just the best kind…I love how we are brought into this story and just relate to our heroine the whole time. I was in suspense the whole book! Totally surprised many times. Definitely a read!!!! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC!!

4.5 stars rounded down. The Unmaking of June Farrow is my first book by Adrienne Young. She's a pretty hyped author on bookstagram, and after reading The Unmaking, I totally understand why. The writing itself was sensational. It was descriptive and poetic and flowy and even a little bit haunting. Though the story itself doesn't necessarily take place in Fall, but Young set the stage for a perfect Fall read. Tis the season for magical realism after all. The reason this gets 4 instead of 5 stars is probably down to personal preference. Time travel stories can be a little difficult for me, because the time travel aspect of the plot can sometimes be confusing. And although Young does a good job of describing everything, and in my opinion, she picks the PERFECT moments to divulge information, there were still parts where I was a little confused. I also felt the beginning was a little slow, and it took the first ~40% of the book for me to feel like I was engaged. But once I got there, I was ENGAGED. Like I said, even though it was a little slow in the beginning, Young chose the perfect moments to reveal pertinent information. There were also some surprises/ twists, which are things I always really appreciate-- especially if I can't guess them. And in this case, they were true and genuine surprises. All in all, I found The Unmaking of June Farrow to be a highly enjoyable read that I would absolutely recommend. I have a few other books from Young on my tbr, and this has me totally excited to read them!

I enjoyed this book but I felt there were a lot of details that were missing from the time where the two main characters are getting used to having each other there. They went from completely uncomfortable to definitely comfortable within a few chapters it felt like. I would have enjoyed more depth.

I love Adrienne Young's writing and this book took you to the setting. I wish I could say what the main plot is but that would be spoiling it so I will just say go into this one blind.
I loved where the story went but the ending did feel a little rushed and unexpected. Overall I loved the characters and how the book was about what you would do for love and your family.
Spells for Forgetting was so atmospheric and the setting was superb but the plot I felt lacking. In The Unmaking of June Farrow I felt the setting was not the best but the plot was amazing. Overall I love both of her books and gah her writing is so beautiful.