Set on the cusp of the Civil War in 1860 America, this was an incredibly moving and lyrical historical fiction debut inspired by the author's own family history about Junie, a young Black house maid and slave who is grieving her sister Minnie's recent death and navigating life working for the Bellereines on their Alabama Plantation.

I loved how much Junie was a dreamer, she loves poetry and finds herself falling for Caleb, another Black slave. After a traumatic incident causes her to take drastic actions, Junie is visited by her sister's spirit in a unique twist I wasn't expecting.

Full of Black joy, queer love, secrets and race/class tensions, this was great on audio and definitely worthy of its GMA book club sticker! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine is just a slice of a young slave woman’s life, but certainly enough to let the reader know she will make it in this world. What she has lived through is horrendous and she is still hanging in, although by the end she is in the throes of escape. To escape she gives up her entire life and the lives of people she loves. It is heart-breaking, but at the same time, reassuring. Junie has darker skin than house slaves normally do and she is the owner’s daughter’s best friend. Violet had taught her to read, which was the most invaluable gift she’s ever been given, and she passed it on. Her mother was dead, as was her sister. She still had grandparents who worked here at Bellereine. Her grandfather was Mr McQueen’s driver, and as Mr McQueen was gone for weeks at a time, so was her grandfather. Then came visitors. A man and his sister, and his driver/valet, Caleb. Eventually the man married Violet. He had plenty of money but no land. He was a cruel man. Violet would have land. Caleb became Junie’s friend, and so much more.

An interesting depiction of the life of a slave before the Civil War. Junie was a character one could not help but like, but she was a free spirit and that got her in no end of trouble. She’s be out in the woods at night, fall asleep, and return home late. Everyone covered for her. She was not real good at her job, but she tried. She met Caleb and thought he was stuck-up. Turns out he wasn’t and before too long he saw her point of view. They were both interesting and well-written characters to pull so much empathy out of the reader. The plot was different than most slave stories and yet strangely the same. Interesting in its horror. Well done.

I was invited to read Junie by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #ErinCrosbyEckstine #Junie

This is a beautifully written, magical book about a young enslaved woman, Junie, in pre-civil war Alabama, Junie's life is terrifying and hard, but not without beauty and hope. Her sister has died, but returned as ghost to guide Junie along in life. The ghost and touch of magical realism is perfect in the novel. The characters are all nuanced and real. This book would be perfect for a book group.

Beautifully written, powerful story, full of emotion and history. A worthwhile read for anyone who prefers to learn a bit of history through the eyes and experiences of such a lovingly constructed character. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

This was such a beautiful story. A debut novel about a subject that is not talked about very much. A story that will draw you in and have you cringing at things that happened. A story about slavery in Alabama in the 1800s right before the Civil War. This one is about families during the time when black people were treated property. Not even as good as animals in many cases. Also the story of two friends during this time. And a love story....

Junie is a sixteen year old slave girl. She's the maid to a white girl, Violet McQueen. As you get to know this young lady you will see how much she grows. How she fights for what she wants even when it seems she is giving up or being lazy.

Junie is Violet's maid. Though much darker that most housemaids, Violet seems to care for her. Claims she is her best friend. Yes they grew up together. Violet taught Junie how to read. How to write. They are almost as close as sisters. But they are not sisters. One is the maid and the other her master.

I loved Junie. She was so full of hope and laughter. So full of life. When she meets Caleb her life changes. They fall for each other over a matter of months. Caleb is the slave to guests who came to stay with the McQueens for a week. Everyone's life takes a big turn after this visit. Including Violet and Junie. Violet is to marry and Junie doesn't want to have to leave her family. This is the way of things back then. In a heartbeat families were torn apart. A slave owner would decide to sell a slave and it didn't matter that they were someones child or mother. It was the way of things. A cruel heartless way of things.

This story is a lot. It's history. It's a love story. Maybe two love stories. It's a story of hope. Of finding ones self. Of new beginnings. A story of hope. Hope for better things...

Don't miss the Author's notes at the end. So much info...

Thank you #NetGalley, #RandomHousePublishing, #Ballantine, for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Junie is an enslaved girl that works in the main house as a ladies' maid. She considers herself to be friends with Violet, who taught her to read and indulges her by letting her borrow books and even clothes. But can an enslaved girl and the master's daughter ever truly be friends?

I thought this was a well written book. I hadn't really read a book like this, where it treats slavery almost casually in some regards. For Junie, it is her life. She has one of the best jobs and her grandparents and aunt are with her. We see her grief over the loss of her sister. She thinks she grieves differently, more deeply, than her family, and has survivor's guilt. It's an interesting dynamic between her family and the family she serves, and how quickly things can change.

Sixteen-year-old Junie has spent her life enslaved on Bellereine Plantation, where she works as a housemaid, cleaning and secretly reading with the master’s daughter, Violet. But for months, her heart has been heavy with grief over the sudden loss of her sister, Minnie. When wealthy guests from New Orleans arrive, hinting at a marriage for Violet, Junie’s world is upended—she will be forced to leave her family behind at Bellereine. In an act of desperation, she accidentally awakens Minnie’s restless spirit.

As she works to complete the three tasks which Minnie's gift has set for her, Junie uncovers long-buried secrets within Bellereine’s walls. With the help of Caleb, a coachman who becomes more than just an ally, she begins to see a future beyond the only life she’s ever known. But as war looms and danger closes in, Junie must make the difficult decision of what -- or who -- she is living for.

This novel completely swept me away. Junie is a beautifully complex character — intelligent, determined, stubborn, and caught between duty and desire as she navigates impossible choices. Her relationship with Violet, the master's daughter, was one of the most compelling aspects of the story. Their bond, forged in childhood but complicated by the realities of the power dynamic of their relationship, was written with nuance and depth.

The blend of historical fiction and the supernatural was seamlessly executed, making the novel feel both grounded and otherworldly. The tasks Junie must complete to free Minnie’s spirit add an almost folkloric quality, while the realities of enslaved life cast an inescapable tension over the story. Every revelation felt earned, and the writing itself was immersive and evocative.

More than anything, this is a story about resilience, love, and the quiet yet powerful ways people carve out hope in even the bleakest circumstances. I highly recommend it.

This debut novel is a creative slave narrative. The title character, Junie is an enslaved young woman who is coming of age to be the maid servant of her once play mate. Junie experiences the tragic loss of her older sister, Minnie who appears throughout the novel as a “haunt” to Junie. The way in which the author uses the haunt in the novel, keeps the story moving along.

What gave me pause when reading this novel, is the casual nature in which Junie being literate is handled. Literacy amongst enslaved people was illegal. The punishments were severe and to read a novel that expresses this as no big deal made me question the intent of the novel. The author does provide inside in the Author’s Note. She wanted to write a novel about her maternal family and also did not want to write a slave narrative that has been done before.

This was such a beautiful, tragic historical fiction based on the authors own relative. I was absorbed in this story. Our FMC has complex thoughts and feelings and deals with some heavy stuff, particularly in regard to her recently deceased sister as well as her relationship with Violet, whom Junie is a maid for. I cannot recommend this enough.

“‘You're my middle C.’
‘Middle C?’
‘The key between the lows and the highs, the balance of it all, the true center of the music.’”

Erin Crosby Eckstine was meant to be a writer! Between the gorgeous writing and compelling storytelling in her debut novel, Junie, she held me hostage. Her lyrical words sang like a siren’s song.

Eckstine combined historical fiction and magical realism to create a stunning and heartbreaking story that explores some of the unknowns in her family history. Junie is based on one of Eckstine’s real ancestors (her great-great-great-grandmother) and this book takes place just before a pivotal event in her life. This coming-of-age story follows Junie as she grapples with a decision that emerges in the wake of seeing her sister’s ghost.

While the content is sometimes difficult to read, it sheds light on some of the horrors (both physical and psychological) slaves faced and evokes the strong emotions that their mistreatments warrant. Despite all of that, though, there is so much beauty in the story. Junie, a fan of literature and poetry, has such a unique way of thinking and seeing the world. Her thoughts were often poetic and captivating- I was truly blown away by the beautiful writing.

By the end, I was sitting on the edge of my seat- I had no idea what would happen. And though I’m so conflicted in how I feel about the ending- let’s just say it evoked some STRONG emotions in me- the author’s note makes me appreciate any uncertainties it left me with.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for a NetGalley copy of Junie. Eckstine’s debut novel is out now.

Title/Author: JUNIE by Erin Crosby Eckstine

Page Count: 368

Publisher: Ballantine Books/ Penguin

Format: Hardcover review copy and NetGalley (I read it as the eBook)

Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: DEBUT

Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/9780593725115

Release Date: February 4th, 2025

General Genre: Literary

Sub-Genre/Themes: Pre-Civil War, Enslaved people, Family, Arranged Marriage, Death/Grief/Loss, Plantation (cotton crops), Housemaids and Servants, Romance, Freedom, Ghosts, Coming-of-age, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Paranormal

Writing Style: Character-driven, high-stakes/emotional investment

What You Need to Know: "A young girl must face a life-altering decision after awakening her sister’s ghost, navigating truths about love, friendship, and power as the Civil War looms."

My Reading Experience: "See, in this life, we're all just floating down the river. You might have somewhere you wanna be, but like it or not, that river's taking you where it wants to go. Fighting the current don't hurt the river, it just wears you out."

In the same vein as Beloved by Toni Morrison, Junie is a haunting ghost story rooted in historical horror. Erin Crosby Eckstine pulls readers into a past confronting the brutality of pre-Civil War America, where history itself is the most terrifying threat of all. At its heart, Junie is a coming-of-age ghost story. The main protagonist, sixteen-year-old Junie, is a housemaid for a teen girl of the same age named, Violet. Junie's whole family lives on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama and just recently, Junie lost her older sister, Minnie to some kind of health complication after rescuing Junie from drowning. Minnie's ghost calls to Junie from the woods, insisting that three tasks be completed before it’s too late.

What makes Junie especially difficult is its unflinching portrayal of the period. There is no way to soften the realities of racism and violence against enslaved people or the cruelty that thrives in a society built on oppression and subjugation. Domestic abuse against women and enslaved people is woven into the fabric of daily life...and yet, through all of the trauma, there are moments of care, love, and quiet resilience.

" It's what we can choose that makes this life special."

The romance is especially endearing and accounts for the high stakes and the emotional investment. Eckstine’s writing is so immersive and compelling.

"You're wrong, " Junie says, "There's a life in this. There's a life in everything, even if you have to squeeze in to find it. And even if it's on the edges...it's room for love. We just gotta carve it out ourselves."The atmosphere is thick with tension and dread, and the supernatural blends seamlessly with the horrors of reality.

 Final Recommendation: If you’re drawn to ghost stories that carry weight beyond their hauntings, Junie is a book that will stay with you. Erin Crosby Eckstine has created something arresting, haunting, and deeply affecting. Read it, but know that you will walk away with a broken heart and a severe bookish hangover.

"There ain't no good and evil in this world, not when the devils are the ones setting the rules."

Comps: Beloved by Toni Morrison, Kindred by Octavia Butler, The Color Purple by Alice Walker

I liked the first part of a book. Junie is a young girl who is a slave is friends with the master’s daughter. She taught her to read and they have a strong bond. Then Junie awakens her dead sister’s ghost. I wasn’t into it after that.
This book just wasn’t for me. Many people like this book, so please read other reviews. Many thanks to the author, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Erin Crosby Eckstine, inspired by her family history, introduces us to Junie, a sixteen-year-old slave on an Alabama plantation. Junie has spent her life tending to the needs of her white master's daughter, Violet. It is Violet who has taught Junie to read, and they love to spend their days exploring the literary characters that they meet. When rumours swirl that someone is coming to visit a man who might be Violet's own Mr. Rochester, it is clear that Junie's life is about to change.

At the same time, Junie is struggling with the guilt over her sister's death and soon begins to realize that there are a lot of secrets on the plantation, and they are about to be revealed.

This was a darn good story! Junie is a character that I immediately took to my heart. I knew that this story was going to be heartbreaking in so many ways, but it was also a hopeful tale. Junie's love for her family, for her deceased sister, Minnie, and the fear of what comes next in her life made her the type of character that I enjoy cheering on and for.

I don't think you have to be a historical fiction devotee to love this one. It will certainly be one that I am recommending to my reading buddies.





Publication Date 04/02/25
Goodreads Review 16/02/25
#Junie #NetGalley.

In a word: heartbreaking. Honest. Devastating. Take your pick. But also amazing and thoughtful. Junie and Violet have a complicated relationship as slave and owner before the Civil War, just as Junie has a complicated relationship with her remaining family. Seeing the growth Junie goes through with Caleb, only to lose him in the end was soul crushing. BUT, I loved how real it was. I appreciated how well the author, Erin Crosby Eckstine, portrayed the horrors of slavery. The twist at the end with Mrs. McQueen was so unexpected and added so much more depth to the story. I can’t think of anything that would have made this better.

I loved this book so much! Julie was an absolute winner for me, Historical fiction that takes on a haunting twist?? Sold. I ate this book up. And don’t even get me started on how beautiful the cover is!!

All the characters played their part and I loved the ones that were meant to be loved. I loved the ending. I had the hardest time putting this book down. As a debut book this is spectacular! Junie is an enslaved woman in late 1800's and the story portrays a few years of her life in Alabama.
Junie's story is one full of curiosity and strength. She was taught to read and write by the plantation owner's daughter, Violet. They've spent their whole lives together and Junie feels they are sisters. She is Violet's housemaid, but it feels more than that. But she's realizing how intertwined their lives really are.

There is love and parts of it were brutal. It pulls in a ghost twist, but it was done so well. I couldn't put this one down from the minute I picked it up. There is so much packed into one book.

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine will be a book that people talk about all year, in my opinion!

The story of a young slave girl, Junie, who is the maid to the owner's daughter. They consider themselves best friends. She was taught to read and write and Junie wrote many poems. But life wasn't easy for any slave and she missed her sister and mother, both dead now. But her sister Minnie is a ghost, a "haint" that guides and advises Junie.

Junie comes to fully understand things the hard way. The story slowly builds to an intense ending but what made this book so good was the Author's Note. I appreciate her sharing her own family's personal story and how she weaved some of it into this historical fiction story.

My thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine Books.

I liked this story a lot-it gave me a lot to think about and I did like how she wrote the characters. Junie was a great character, and I wanted everything to work out for her. I liked how the author didn't sugarcoat the history of that time. I'm glad we are seeing history written honestly now. However, I didn't love the writing, and sometimes it felt more YA-ish to me. Will I read more from this author-YES. Don't miss the author's note in the end!

Junie is a wonderful novel. It is the story of a 16 year old slave growing up on Bellereine plantation in Alabama. Her mother has long been sold, and other slaves and relatives are now her family. They form the tapestry of her life, but she doesn’t quite fit the mold of a maid in the Big House. Her days are spent tending to the needs of the master’s daughter, Violet, and Violet gives her the gift of reading, which turns out to be a blessing and a curse. When guests from New Orleans appear one day and threaten to upend Junie’s life, she acts in desperation and in so doing, raises her sister Minnie’s spirit up from the dead. While initially unwilling to heed her sister’s spiritual calling, she eventually discovers hidden secrets that impact her past and her future. Her life’s path will hinge on whether to remain with her beloved family tethered to a life she has not chosen, or to seek freedom and follow another direction for her heart. And if she chooses love and freedom, what is the cost of what she must leave behind? I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Ballantine Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an objective review.

This book blew me away. I loved Junie as a character. The author loosely based Junie on her great-great-great-grandmother, who escaped from slavery at the start of the Civil War.

I think what I loved most about this book was that Junie was such a dynamic character. When we meet her, she is naive, almost content with her life at Belleriene. She's the favorite of Violet, daughter of the master, who has taught her to read and write, she loves wandering the woods and daydreaming, even writing poetry. But the death of her sister Minnie begins to weigh heavily on her. When Minnie's ghost appears to her in the woods with quests to fulfill, she begins to uncover some darker truths about life on the plantation. Through these quests, we see Junie grow and fully realize what staying enslaved will mean for her. There's a really great line about having to live in the margins - having to find small bits of happiness around the horrors that surround you, just to survive.

This is a book about grief, about being brave and asserting yourself even when it's dangerous to do so. I loved seeing her relationship with Violet - who is also a bit naive for most of this story - and how the two find ways to live in the margins of their lives in different ways.

It was a really beautiful story filled with resilience and hope.

This is the @gmabookclub pick for February, and I can see why!

A powerful, poignant and emotional story. Junie is an enslaved teenager on an Alabama plantation in the years prior to the Civil War. She and several of her family members labor for the McQueen family.

Junie is the maid to the McQueen’s teenage daughter, Violet, with whom she has an unlikely friendship. When guests arrive at the plantation, there is sudden talk of marriage for Violet, a frightening realization for both Violet and Junie. Junie tries to control the changes, enlisting the help of the guest’s coachman, Caleb. She also turns to her dead sister and awakens Minnie’s spirit. Things quickly unravel as family secrets and lies are revealed and life-altering choices are made.

The story is so well-written, just as bold and brilliant as the cover. Yet the words also have an extraordinary passion to them. I suspect that is because the author based it on one of her ancestors. She added an element of magical realism and changed many of the facts to fictionalize it. But a legacy flows through this story - and it is felt. Please don’t skip the Author’s Note!


Thank you @randomhouse for the gifted ebook via NetGalley. #Junie #Randomhouse @erincrosbyeckstine