This is a great boy-girl romance book. The characters really came alive and you could feel their relationships as couples, friends, and cliques. The author did a great job making all of the characters actions and dialogue really true, sometimes funny, and sometimes mean. Many of the characters were bullying others and for some of their targets, it never stopped. Although the bulling was verbal, it changed the course of peoples lives.
I found it interesting that although the characters relationships changed throughout the book, and they matured, they were still the same basic people at the end. I really appreciated that the author did that.
As far as a story goes, this one is worth your time.
Enjoy!

It's hard to summarize my feelings for this one. Agreeing with another review I saw, this book exists more in new adult than YA. The over indulgence in mentions of sex and maturity of the absolute dramatics of the main characters' relationship fits more with a new adult scene than YA, which is part of what turned me away from it. But what is distinctly YA is the rose tinted lens over high school, which either works or simply doesn't. Here it was strong and necessary to tell the story, but I feel that it ultimately comes down to the readers' personal feelings on that time in life. So for me, high school happened, nothing special. To read a book where these characters have their whole lives ahead of them but are so desperate to hold onto this time just didn't vibe with me.
The two narrators were well rounded, though I felt so many personal complications were stuffed into such a short story. Overall, I feel this story could have used more, and also less. I wanted to love it more than I did, and would ultimately be interested in checking out future works by this author, depending on the subject.

This was such a cute book! It's young adult, fast paced, and perfect for the summer. I read this in one sitting and was very entertained the whole time. I would definitely recommend this!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was really looking forward to Six More Months of June based on the synopsis and I was not disappointed! Caplan and Mina are best friends, despite being polar opposites. The two of them have been neighbors most of their lives, and their moms are friends so the two have just orbited around each other, despite Caplan having an on/off again girlfriend named Hollis. Caplan, Hollis and the rest of their friends are the popular kids at school while Mina is a bookish introvert that mainly keeps to herself, until Cap's other best friend, Quinn asks Mina to prom.

As Mina and Quinn start getting closer to each other, Cap realizes he might have feelings for her too.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters and the dialogue felt very realistic. Unexpectedly, my favorite character ended up being Hollis, Cap's on/off again gf; in any other book, she probably would have been the mean girl determined to keep Cap and Mina away from each other, but instead she ends up being a good friend to both.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me access to this ARC. Friends-to-lovers isn’t my favorite trope, but I enjoyed this high school opposite attract story for about 3/4 of the book. Unfortunately when the will-they-or-won’t-they moment finally arrived, it was rushed and skirted over some really heavy issues (TW: suicidal thoughts, rape). For a story that at first seemed light and fun, the serious tangential topics gave this plot an identity crisis. I wish the author had delved into those subjects with the gravity that they deserve or had left them out all together. I was left with a feeling of uneasiness rather than satisfaction. Also, for being classified as YA, there is A LOT of sex in this book. It definitely needs content warnings.

Thank you Netgalley and Daisy Garrison for the opportunity to review this ARC.
This was a very sweet read about lifelong friends turned to lovers (and started with enemies to friends) which kind of gives me If He had Been with Me vibes (only not dark). Here we have Caplan and Mina. Caplan is a popular boy who everyone likes. His best friend is inexplicably Mina Stern, a nerdy bookish girl who lives across the street from him, who apparently has no other friends. Somehow they work out. As it turned out, in addition to both having no fathers, Mina's having died, and Caplan's not being in the picture at all, Mina taught Caplan to read which eventually bridged the gap between the two, and the rest is history. Until end of high school.
When Mina gets an invite from Hollis, Caplan's girlfriend, who's tired of competing for Caplan's attention and decides to try and befriend her, Mina is suddenly noticed by Caplan's best guy friend, Quinn. He starts harboring a crush for Mina and asks for Caplan's blessing to pursue her. Caplan only gives it half-heartedly, and is forced to face his own feelings for Mina, along with certain aspects of her past which has always made it hard for him to touch her to begin with.
The story gets much deeper than this. In a way, they function co-dependently. Caplan has a hero complex and feels its his job to protect HIS Mina. The concept of sharing her with anybody else is baffling and confusing for him, as he's never had any competition. This complicates the dynamic he has with his circle of friends. Mina, in turn, is trying to branch out of her comfort zone and discover who she is despite her trauma.
I really enjoyed how this story didn't turn out as predictable as I thought it would. Hollis turned out to really be the best friend anyone could really have, and I really loved the genuine friendship that blossomed between her and Mina and how she helped Caplan overcome his own feelings. Quinn turned out to be great too, and I just loved the dynamic and banter between the group of friends.
Now, what could have made this better, and the reason why it got 4 stars instead of 5 is mostly out of missed opportunity to explore certain issues more in depth. Mina's trauma for example deserved more exploration and explanation as well as Caplan and Mina's budding friendship instead of simply summarizing it in the beginning, which actually got better toward the end of the book so that their relationship came more to life. The issue with Caplan's father also should have been more explored as well. All these issues would have given it a more rich, layered story and reading experience without dragging the mood down. The ending was very sweet too, and I really like how we got to read Mina's college application essay.

This book felt like an unexpectedly refreshing re-vamp of the class "best friends to lovers" trope. Though the familiar premise tends to feel over saturated in the YA genre, Garrison's deft and light hearted approach gave Caplan and Mina's an energy that felt nonetheless engaging.. Something I really appreciated about Six More Months of June was the shift from Caplan and Mina's perspectives in the first person. Watching them try and work through their complicated and often times overwhelming feelings seemed natural and genuine. It didn't feel like the author was purposely making the characters oblivious to their true feelings for the sake of increasing dramatic tension, but rather that they truly were trying their best to make sense of them in real time. The progression of Caplan's attraction to Mina and how he conducts himself after he comes to terms with it was hilarious and relatable. Another thing I enjoyed was the growing friendship between Hollis and Mina, that avoided the pitfalls of a "girl hating girl because of their attraction to a guy" trope and instead found something more meaningful and heartwarming in their emotional bond (outside of their separate relationships with Caplan). One thing I will say that I wish we got more of was an insight into Mina's feelings for Caplan prior to the events of the book. There seem to be hints and then direct acknowledgements to Mina having stronger feelings for him than she let on. However, we as readers don't really see much of that from the chapters in her point of view, and in turn her eventual realization that she loves him feels a bit rushed/coming out of nowhere. Overall, a really solid contribution to the YA genre in a new and interesting way. It is filled with the perfect amount of fun and brightness for a summer beach read.

3.5 –This was a very quick, very sweet read that was exactly what I needed to get out of a slump. I’ve analyzed a lot why I much prefer YA romance content to the adult version and sometimes I think I gravitate towards YA in hopes to heal the part of me who didn’t have anything remotely resembling this type of relationship or experiences in high school (I had a wonderful friend group of a whopping two people who I love dearly <3) and I really felt that in this story. While the writing was a little choppy at times, it wasn’t super corny or cringe (okay, there was a little bit of cringe) which is not an easy feat for YA and a debut author! Mina and Caplan’s relationship was so sweet, wholesome and comforting.

I really liked and rooted for both of them as people, not just as a couple, although Mina was my favorite and I hope she’s living out her Girls (loved the reference as I just finished binging the show) dreams with Hollis in NYC. I loveddd the tidbit about her dressing as a witch as a kid when the “mean girls” spread rumors about her being one. Her character spoke to the teenage version of me who had no self-assurance or identity and I found Mina’s contrast to that comforting and empowering, even at 28. I also really respected Hollis and found it refreshing that the queen bee wasn’t a total bitch.

I think this story errs on the older side of YA as there’s a good amount of sex, drugs, and rock and roll going on here (not so much rock and roll,) so it’s definitely suitable for a wider audience than just the teenage demographic. I’d suggest it for anyone looking for something relaxing and easy that feels like the perfect ode to a heartwarming high school experience, whether you cannot relate or not.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I came into this book with eyes wide open; I had read the sipnosis and from what I could tell it would be a nostalgic if not a little cheesy read. I expected typical high school stereotypes and the like, but I hoped the book would twist them in such a way that I could not predict; sadly, that did not happen.

At the beginning of the book, everything was fine, you could even say it was great; the world-building had established pretty concretely the characters and the relationships between them. I found the dynamic between Caplan and Mina endearing and somewhat realistic given the circumstances and the context of the book, the flashbacks included were a pretty great addition because it allows the reader to develop a sense of balance in this new universe, being "rooted" to it; seeing them grow together and become the people they are is what made the relationship between people who are polar opposites believable. The secondary characters were great and the relationship between Caplan's friend group is amazing; I think a high school truth that is not often talked about, is that the "popular" kids are also nice people, maybe not with everyone, but between them there are real bonds, not just the wish to keep their social standing; just because they are known, does not mean they look down on people or that they are fake or plastic in their relationships to those who they consider their true friends. This is perfectly portrayed with Quinn and Caplan's girlfriend, Hollis, they may be popular, attractive and extroverted; but that does not make them the instant enemy of our protagonists, because they have feeling too, which gives them motivations and makes them in the end very complex.


Just by looking at the book, I knew our 2 protagonists would end up together, that did not stop me from wishing a different ending. I actually though Mina and Quinn were really cute together, and would make a wonderful couple ; he balanced her out in a way that felt more natural to Caplan's stark contrast. I think the lesson here is sometimes, even in YA books, the boy and the girl best friends are better staying that way; just friends.

I’m so sorry, so, so sorry. I’m just not in the right headspace right now to finish this book. So DNF at 19%.

I started it and liked it, and then some family stuff took over in my brains and I just can’t get through it anymore. My stuff is not even related to topics in this book. I guess it’s just bad timing.

So, this is fully a me thing, not the book. I might pick it up in the future again.

In Daisy Garrison's Six More Months of June, Golden boy Caplan and bookworm Mina embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and resilience. Set against the backdrop of Two Docks, Michigan, their saga unfolds as Caplan grapples with the fear of peaking too soon and Mina confronts the expectations placed upon her by her late father's Ivy League legacy. Narrated by Mina herself, the story delves into the intricacies of their unique friendship and the challenges they face as they navigate the complexities of high school social dynamics. Mina, with her remarkable academic prowess, is the class valedictorian, carrying the weight of her late father's legacy on her shoulders. Caplan, on the other hand, exudes charm and popularity, seemingly at the pinnacle of high school royalty. Yet, beneath the façade of his easygoing nature lies a vulnerability as he grapples with the fear of stagnation. When Caplan's unconventional best friend, T, confesses his feelings for Mina, the narrative takes an unexpected turn, unraveling a web of emotions that forces Mina to confront her long-held feelings for Caplan. As Mina steps outside her comfort zone and embraces the allure of high school popularity, Caplan struggles to maintain the equilibrium of their friendship. Fueled by insecurity and the fear of losing Mina, Caplan attempts to sabotage her blossoming social life, inadvertently pushing her further away. Meanwhile, Mina finds herself caught in the crossfire, torn between her loyalty to Caplan and the intoxicating allure of a world she has never known. Through Mina's introspective narrative, Garrison vividly portrays the emotional turmoil of adolescence, capturing the complexities of first love, heartbreak, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. As time runs out on their high school years, Caplan and Mina embark on a journey of self-acceptance and forgiveness. They confront their pasts, acknowledge their flaws, and ultimately, find the strength to mend the torn fabric of their friendship. With its captivating narrative and exploration of universal themes, Six More Months of June is a poignant coming-of-age story that resonates with readers of all ages. Daisy Garrison's writing is both heartfelt and humorous, delving into the complexities of relationships and the resilience of the human spirit. Readers will be captivated by Mina and Caplan's journey as they navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence and ultimately triumph over adversity.

This book is the perfect ode to high school, we have some of the typical tropes nerdy girl/ jock boy, friends to lovers, and love triangles. I loved how sweet the relationships were. and how the whole book encapsulated life as a high schooler. Although I am no longer in high school I found this book to be reminiscent and absolutely adored the whole thing!

Such a fun and funny coming of age story✨

Not gonna lie I was immediately draw to this book because I have a June birthday and I LOVEEE a June release✨💖

The banter and the love rectangle vibes were off the charts✨

The way their neighbors and childhood best friends had me unwell such a cute story✨

Loved the characters development, and the ending was absolutely perfect✨

Calling family is 3x funnier than he is and I said what I said 😂✨

Thanks for giving me the chance to check out this story!✨

dnf.

i wanted to love this so bad, and i love a good cheesy ya romcom, but this one isn’t doing it for me. the writing was so. choppy. like. there was a period. every. other. word. and it was like. hard to read.

i also don’t love how much focus there is on the mcs being in separate relationships just for them to apparently end up together at the end? when i read the synopsis i imagined a ‘better than the movies’ sort of vibe but there’s nothing cute about this.

maybe i’ll come back to this closer to summer though! it could be a case of right book wrong time so we’ll see. i’d still recommend this but probably to a much younger audience.

This is a heavy and unfortunately all too relatable YA story set in the final days of high school. There are fun tropes like friends to lovers, nerdy girl/jock, love triangle, etc., but there is also a lot of trauma to unpack. One of my only criticisms would be that I don't love the ending, but I understand it; I want the conventional happy ever after, but the book gives us what is probably the best ending for Mina. The other comment would be that the story borders melodrama in parts. It's also worth noting that this reads very contemporary; I can see today’s teens acting and speaking like this, which I can’t say for all new YA releases.

Please check trigger warnings for this title if you have any triggers.

"Six More Months of June" by Daisy Garrison is a heartwarming exploration of friendship and the poignant moments that accompany the end of high school. Set in the charming town of Two Docks, Michigan, the story follows the unlikely bond between golden boy Caplan and bookish Mina, defying societal expectations.

As Caplan and Mina navigate their senior year, the novel beautifully captures the challenges of preserving their unique friendship amidst changing circumstances. Garrison crafts authentic characters, making it easy for readers to emotionally invest in their journey. The dynamics between Caplan and Mina, along with well-developed supporting characters, enrich the narrative.

Daisy Garrison's immersive writing style paints vivid scenes of Two Docks, and the well-paced storytelling maintains a perfect balance between heartwarming moments and poignant reflections. "Six More Months of June" is a touching and uplifting tale that celebrates the enduring power of friendship and the transformative journey of self-discovery. It is a must-read for those seeking a story that captures the magic of growing up and the lasting bonds that shape our lives.

I love a good Hugh school romance. No matter how young or old you can always relate to this poignant unforgettable time in one’s life. I cant wait to see if our two mains end up together in this nostalgic ya romance.