This is undoubtedly my favorite book from February! Junie is a remarkable debut that powerfully captures a girl's life-altering decision as she uncovers the truths about life, love, and friendships. I love how the book highlights finding joy even in the most challenging circumstances. Set during the Civil War era, this historical fiction novel blends elements of coming-of-age romance, mystery, and magical realism.

What I Loved:
✨Exceptional Writing: The vivid, detailed prose captures the essence of Alabama’s landscape and plantation life while effortlessly weaving character development, a strong plot, and a blend of subgenres. Quite an impressive debut!!
✨Romance: “Love is what you get to choose when you're not free.” The romance between Junie and Caleb develops slowly but is incredibly beautiful, grounded in reality, and swoon-worthy! My heart melted when Caleb referred to Junie as his “middle C.” He was my favorite character. 💙
✨Narration: Angel Pean’s narration is fantastic. The audiobook flows smoothly, with Angel brilliantly bringing out Junie’s fiery spirit and giving distinct voices to the diverse cast of characters.

✨Favorite Quote: “There ain't no good and evil in this world, not when the devils are the ones setting the rules.”

Other Highlights: Complicated Friendships, Junie’s Carefree Spirit, Magical Realism - the ghost of Junie’s sister, and a Grief Journey

Wow. This book was incredible. Erin Crosby Eckstine has created complicated characters who, as a reader, you really grow care about. This reads as both a ghost story and historical fiction. I often don't read historical fiction because I feel like it paints a sunny picture of a fraught time (I'm looking at you "Horse" by Geraldine Brooks). Eckstine instead paints a multi-dimensional story for her enslaved characters and Junie's own thoughts and actions throughout the book show her own complicated feelings about her life.

Erin Crosby Eckstine’s Junie is a hauntingly beautiful novel that blends historical fiction, magical realism, mystery, and romance into an unforgettable story of love, loss, and resistance. Set on an Alabama plantation in the years leading up to the Civil War, the novel follows sixteen-year-old Junie, an enslaved girl whose life is irrevocably changed when she unknowingly awakens the spirit of her deceased sister, Minnie. As Junie unravels the plantation’s buried secrets and navigates her growing connection with Caleb, she must decide what she is willing to risk in the pursuit of freedom—both for herself and those she loves.

Eckstine’s prose is exquisite, weaving a lush and evocative atmosphere that immerses the reader in both the beauty and brutality of Junie’s world. The novel’s magical realism adds a layer of depth and emotion, reinforcing the themes of grief and resilience. The characters are richly drawn, their relationships complex and deeply felt, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their fates. While Junie excels in its genre-blending storytelling and character development, the pacing occasionally lags, particularly in the middle sections. Some revelations feel slightly rushed, leaving certain plot threads yearning for further exploration. However, these minor shortcomings do not overshadow the novel’s emotional weight and literary brilliance.

A powerful, lyrical, and deeply moving novel, Junie is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the sacrifices made in the name of love and liberation.

This book is wonderful! I am so proud of Erin Crosby Eckstine for being selected as a GMA pick for her debut novel, Junie! I'm from Alabama, where the novel is based, and this fact is what initially peaked my interest. As I read I fell in love with the well-rounded characters, and I enjoy reading books that focus on history, friendships, grief, family sagas, and love. Read this book if you like those themes as well.

I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Junie is a historical fiction novel set right before the Civil War. Junie is the enslaved housemaid of the plantation owners' daughter, Violet. She and Violet share a relationship that is viewed as friendship by Violet. Junie is unable to fully embrace the relationship on these terms due to the difference in their stations in life. Junie is a complex character dealing with various levels of loss and grief and her inability to accept life as is. She longs for more and constantly feels the pull to escape (mentally and physically) her current circumstances. Although set during slavery, the novel does not solely focus on the horrors of slavery; but, additionally offers the reader hope that Junie will achieve her ultimate goal of freedom.

This is a historical fictional novel that dives into the life of an enslaved girl in the late 1800's. I've never been so frustrated with a character while wanting to hug her at the same time. Junie is ahead of her time and her internal desire for dreams and a life beyond being a slave is heartbreaking and refreshing at the same time. This novel explores the horror of slavery in the United States beyond the physical cruelty towards Black people in this country but exposes the emotional and psychological abuse as well. This novel brings up all the emotions - anger, sadness, hope, love and determination. A must read and beautifully written noel.

ABSOLUTELY amazing! The author did such a wonderful job portraying her character, Junie, and making you feel like you were a friend of us.
Each chapter had a new event that sucked you in, and you could NOT put this book down.
I will recommend this book 100000 times over again. Absolutely perfect.

3.5*...This book was well-written and, at times, difficult to read because of the slavery component of course. That said, I felt like it was similar to a lot of novels I've read about that time period. I realize a lot of similar storylines occurred in the real lives of plantation owners, masters, family members and the slaves that surrounded their lives on all sides. The characters were developed, but I was just looking for a little something different. This one encompassed a bit of magical realism, but I didn't think it was necessarily overdone or that it took away from the plot. It was portrayed as more of a confidante or conscience helping Junie from her past.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

I'm so glad we got to celebrate this magnificent debut on our show- Erin Crosby Eckstine's storytelling is so assured that it is no surprise to discover that she was an English teacher.

Set on the eve of the Civil War, this powerful novel follows 16-year-old Junie, an enslaved Black teen who awakens her sister's ghost and undertakes a dangerous journey to freedom.

For Junie, Bellereine's cotton plantation in Alabama is the only home she's ever known. As Eckstine points out in our interview, this critical distinction is why Junie is naive about how other plantations operate and how easily her luck could turn under different ownership.

In the sweltering summer of 1860, she spends her days working as a house servant alongside her opinionated cousin, Bess, and tending to Violet McQueen, the redheaded daughter of the plantation's white owners. But, at night, Junie secretly sneaks into the woods, mourning her older sister Minnie, whose death leaves a hollow void Junie can't seem to fill, and she holds much guilt for Minie's death, which unfolds for the reader on the page.

When the wealthy Taylor siblings arrive from Louisiana, threatening Junie with being sent away as Violet's maid, Junie realizes that her world filled with books, reading, and even quiet time to reflect will change drastically under this new household. The brutal behaviors she witnesses on his visit with Caleb, a boy who begins to capture her heart, solidify a deep fear for what is to come.

When Junie starts to take action, it awakens Minnie's ghost and sets her on a treacherous path toward freedom. Junie isn't the only one with secrets, though; the reader uncovers that Violet McQueen may be holding a few secrets of her own.
Inspired by the author's own family history, this novel provides a compelling exploration of slavery. Eckstine skillfully addresses common racial stereotypes that present either a "happy" enslaved person narrative or emphasize horrific brutality as the only two ways we can tell stories.

She acknowledges that both perspectives can be valid, as the horrors of slavery went on for over 250 years, but she stresses the importance of balancing these themes within her narrative. It is done well. This balance makes it an excellent pick for any book club, especially for Black History Month, as we root for Junie to find her voice.

Her journey from a naive house servant to a determined young woman is unforgettable, especially as she comes to terms with the harsh reality of her so-called "friendship" with Violet. As the novel concludes, the power dynamics play out on the page, making for a page-turning, soapy experience. This story was a memorable debut!

Heartfelt and beautifully written!! Junie is a read that will sweeps you into 1960s Savannah. Erin Crosby Eckstine masterfully blends historical depth with an intimate coming-of-age story, tackling themes of race, family, and resilience with grace. Junie is a character you’ll root for—curious, courageous, and caught between worlds as she navigates the complexities of the South during a time of change.

The writing is vivid, the setting atmospheric, and the emotions raw yet uplifting. If you love The Secret Life of Bees or Where the Crawdads Sing, this book will captivate you. A fantastic GMA Book Club pick that deserves all the buzz! I’ll be grabbing this one via audiobook as well for a second read.

***Erin Crosby Eckstine's richly detailed historical fiction explores the life of Junie, an enslaved young woman in rural Alabama haunted by her sister's speaking, demanding ghost while she dares to dream of love and maybe even a life of freedom.***

The Civil War is looming, and Junie is a sixteen-year-old who has spent her whole life enslaved on an Alabama plantation. She works alongside her family, caring for the plantation owners' daughter Violet, who is her own age, and gaining cursory exposure to Violet's studies of poetry and knowledge.

But Junie wanders restlessly at night, haunted by her sister Minnie's sudden death not long ago and by Minnie's ghost.

She fears that Minnie's death is her fault, and when Minnie asks her to complete three mysterious, questionable-feeling tasks, Junie feels compelled to do so.

When a potential suitor for Violet and his sister come for an extended stay, he makes known his casual cruelty toward Junie as well as toward his own enslaved servants--meanwhile, Junie is falling for his right-hand man, Caleb, and is finally letting down her guard with him.

When there is talk of Violet's engagement and pending marriage, Junie realizes that this shift would throw her own position into jeopardy. She feels torn by serving her sister's ghost when she wants to explore possibilities with Caleb, and she must determine how far she's willing to go to try to find freedom and autonomy in her life.

Erin Crosby Eckstine balances the horrors of living in an enslaved situation with the complex interpersonal relationships Junie forges. Without shying away from the often hopeless lack of autonomy, lack of power, and lack of say-so and constant fear of the enslaved, Eckstine builds a rich story of detail of life at the time. She also explores the complicated Violet-Junie dynamic, in which Junie is Violet's only company for many years, yet is at her mercy for all opportunities to learn, explore, and pause from backbreaking work.

The slow pace of uneventful Alabama life shifts dramatically when guests come to stay, and the story's events and the book's pacing begin snowballing in urgency as the story draws to its end.

I received a prepublication edition of Junie courtesy of Random House-Ballantine Books and NetGalley.

For more Bossy reviews of books about the Civil War, check out this review on Bossy Bookworm, the blog.

"Junie" is a profoundly heartfelt story about a young girl enduring the painful realities of slavery. The subject is profoundly troubling and can often feel overwhelming when approached lightly. However, Erin Crosby Eckstone has beautifully rendered a narrative that honors the gravity of this topic while conveying a message of resilience and hope.

Junie is a bright and spirited girl who dreams of a life beyond the confines of her enslavement. Despite the oppressive environment around her, she bravely learns to read and write, nurturing a deep-seated desire for freedom that speaks to her heart. When faced with the agonizing choice of remaining with her mistress, where she feels a small measure of safety, or returning to her fellow enslaved individuals, she chooses the path of integrity, even though it carries its heavy burdens.

As readers accompany Junie on her journey, they will feel the weight of her struggles as a teenage girl living in the brutal reality of the South during such a tumultuous time. The impending Civil War casts a shadow over her life, raising questions about the future of her family and community on the plantation.

Throughout her story, Junie experiences profound loss, cruelty, and the harshness of abuse, yet her spirit remains resilient. She embodies a deep commitment to her dreams of freedom, a testament to her inner strength. Amidst these challenges, she also finds unexpected love in a place she never imagined, reminding us that even in the darkest times, the human spirit can shine brightly, and connections can flourish. Junie's journey invites readers to reflect on the power of hope and the importance of compassion in the face of adversity.

I really was expecting a completely different book going into this but I wound up being pleasantly surprised which does not happen to me often as unmet expectations often stirs some remnants of dissatisfaction within me, but that was not the case here. As just a sidenote I have to say that I do not like the cover style whatsoever even though it technically is probably aesthetically appealing as it is colorful and bright and these things tend to attract the eye and be pleasing to the eyes, but there’s something about these very blunt bright colors that is offputting to me, there is no nuance in the colors, so in my opinion the cover did the book no favors but I picked this up in spite of that and was very glad that I did because I wound up becoming invested in Junie and enjoying this very much.

It’s in the vein of the reformatory, which was my favorite breed of 2024 and I suspect that Aaron Crosby Eckstine took some inspiration from that book. The idea of ghosts on a plantation of a former slaves is super compelling and I feel that there are so many ways to go with this idea, meaning that it could go simply paranormal, or it could be horror, or it could be a black issue book or a mixture of all those things and that is what this felt like in the end. There is something quite delicious about the prospect of diabolical spirit with the power to exact revenge on their subjugators, I would read 10 more books on this topic. Aaron Crosby Stein pulled this off well, not quite as well as the reformatory but close there was a bit more mystery to this story than in the other in terms of the living characters. The character work was great, I found Junie to be likable and easy to root for as I particularly enjoy reading about strong women. The writing was also well above average and made the reading experience quite effortless and I sped through this in only a couple settings and was pleased with the ending which is a rare thing when it comes to horror and paranormal books for me I find that the author often sticks the landing. For a debut this was impressive it didn’t come with the drawing clunkiness that so many debut books come with, this may have been the gift of a solid editor but the reading experience was seamless and I very much look forward to reading what Aaron writes in the future.

Sixteen years old and enslaved since she was born, Junie has spent her life on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama, cooking and cleaning alongside her family, and tending to the white master's daughter, Violet. Her daydreams are filled with poetry and faraway worlds, while she spends her nights secretly roaming through the forest, consumed with grief over the sudden death of her older sister, Minnie.

You know those books that grab you right from the start? This was definitely one of them. I couldn't help but fall in love with Junie's character - there's something so compelling about her spirit. Despite everything she endures, she still finds escape through poetry and dreams of distant places. That part of her personality really stuck with me long after I finished reading.

And can we talk about the ghost story element? I usually find supernatural additions to historical fiction a bit eye-roll worthy, but not here. When Minnie's spirit returns after Junie's desperate act, it feels like such a natural extension of the story. It's not just spooky for the sake of it - it really captures that feeling of being haunted by grief and family bonds that can't be broken, even in death.

I have to say, I got completely invested in Junie's relationship with Caleb, the coachman who arrives with the guests. Their connection develops so naturally, even with all the danger surrounding them. Those quiet moments between them provided some much-needed tenderness in an otherwise pretty brutal setting. Their scenes together were some of my favorites in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

I had high hopes for Junie and it didn't disappoint. I've been into female rage/revenge books, and this was similar but Black revenge. I really liked how Minnie's paranormal presence wasn't too over the top or unbelievable and there was a mix of good character development and a clear plotline. It was exceptionally well written and I will be waiting for Eckstine's next book.

Haunting, historical, and robust. Those are the best adjectives to describe this story. Junie is a houseslave just before the Civil War in Alabama. Her sister is dead, and various relatives have been sold or acquired their freedom over the years. The focus of this story is Junies’s life on the plantation serving the McQueens, specifically Violet. When Violet meets and gets a husband, Junie also meets Caleb. At times this story is very emotional. Junie is driven by the ghost of her sister. The story takes many unexpected twists and turns which made this a compelling read for me. The Author’s Note at the end gave me a deeper appreciation for this novel. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

Just a heartbreaking and powerful story. The character development is wonderful, and I was taken by Junies character. It integrated both hope and heartbreak and the writing style just had me turning pages. This was a pleasant surprise and I just love the cover art.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
4 star

This is a story of Junie, a slave on a cotton plantation in Alabama on the brink of the Civil War. This is an emotional tale of Junie as a young woman and her family ties and secrets. She is a friend and maid to Violet who she has grown up with and one in which Violet has taught her to read. When does life become what she has read in these books? Junie was always restless and as she gets older starts to dream of a different life. Another influence is when she starts to see and communicate with her dead sister's spirit. When Violet starts to court what will become of Junie? Does she get to stay with her family or would she be expected to follow Violet to a new life.
This is a riveting story and the reader gets to know Junie very well. I highly recommend this book.

Junie, by Erin Crosby Eckstine is a lot. I liked the book, it was not what I expected. I love magical realism and historical fiction, but I found the main protagonist to be frustrating at times.

The characters in this one are strong. The author did an excellent job at writing them all to feel like real people, well rounded and relatable, even the secondary characters. And through the characters, the themes of the work were explored well and historical details were brought to life. I really loved how the characters changed and grew throughout the work as well, especially relating to Junie and Violet.

What didn't work quite as well for me was the supernatural element. I liked its inclusion at first and was excited to see where it would go, but as the book went on it got lost in the background, only popping up to give the plot (and Junie) a push to keep things moving. Junie was also difficult to like at times, as she went back and forth on the same decisions several times, changing her mind and actions regularly. I think this contributed to the work feeling a bit YA in tone.

If you enjoy historical fiction set in the U.S. South during the 1860s, then this is a must read. It is advertised as an adult novel, but I really do think it's more YA in feel. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.