Overall this was a good story. I read somewhere that the young characters in the book had “old” names that were 100% realistic and I couldn’t get that out of my head because it’s true! That would be one critique. Still love Anne Tyler and will read anything she writes!

This was a sweet light story. I enjoyed it. The characters were relatable, and I really loved that Max and Gail found their way back to each other. It made me look at things a little differently. Do I look more harshly at the mistakes others make, and look at my own with more forgiveness, like Gail?

We do all make mistakes, and sometimes they can destroy what we love, while indulging in a moment's whim. Sometimes those things that are destroyed can be mended, sometimes they can't. So think about what you do before making one of those monumental mistakes.

A quick read.
I found most of the characters to be rather bland.
The cat was more interesting Gail.
Most of the people seemed indifferent to each other and what was going on.
And who still uses an answering machine?

I very much enjoyed this book. The story was very good and it really makes you think about the choices you make in life.

Thank you for the ARC.

Three Days in June is a short novel that follows main character Gail through the course of three days, the day before, after, and the wedding day of her daughter. Through the preparations for the wedding, and the realities of life of the mother=of-the-bride after the wedding, we follow Gail as she navigates these feelings she experiences, of stress, chaos, of past experiences in her own life, of letting go, of growing older, of unconditional love. The characters in this story are well developed, and you can't help but get connected with them over the course of these three days. I found this story to be enjoyable, funny, sweet, and uplifting.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC.

Anne Tyler finds hilarity in the mundane in this delightful story about Gail Baines, a socially awkward mother of the bride navigating the three days surrounding her daughter’s wedding. I do not necessarily connect much with the main character, who is a middle-aged divorcee preparing for her adult daughter’s wedding day. However, I still felt a kinship with Gail and laughed out loud multiple times while reading at some of the ordinary and simultaneously ridiculous events taking place and her hilarious commentary throughout. Less than 200 pages, it is a quick read filled with drama, joy, and heartbreak surrounding the dynamics of love and family. I do wish there had been a bit more resolution at the end, but enjoyed the journey regardless! This book was my first by this author and I absolutely plan to read more. I definitely recommend this one, especially to women who may connect with this main character, as I think you’ll find it entertaining! Thank you to NetGalley, Anne Tyler, and Knopf for the gifted ARC. This is a voluntary and honest review.

Three Days in June follows Gail through walking out on her job through her only child's wedding. Gail is a bit different. She has a complicated relationship with her daughter, which is evident when Gail is excluded from some of the pre-wedding festivities. To complicate matters, Gail's ex-husband, Max, shows up unannounced needing a place to stay for the wedding weekend. Not only does he arrive at her front door with no wedding attire, but he also has brought a cat. Yes, you read that correctly - a cat. Right before the wedding, their daughter shares a secret to make Gail and Max question whether a wedding will even happen. The secret also brings up things that happened in the past when the couple was still married. Three Days in June starts out as a story about a quirky woman over three days, but then evolves into a tale about the complexity of life and relationships. I also want to shout out that I found Max to be an absolute delight. While this is a shorter read, it certainly packed a punch.

Three Days in June, by Anne Tyler, is a spare and quiet novel about a 61 year old woman whose daughter is getting married. The book covers a three day period during which Gail Baines contends with the stress of being a mother-of-the bride, hosting her ex-husband, and learning a secret about her son-in-law-to-be. This is a perfect book for those who enjoy character-driven stories and Anne Tyler's beautiful writing.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler is a warm, witty, and deeply human story that captures the chaos and tenderness of family life. The story unfolds over a wedding weekend, as 61-year-old Gail—recently laid off and bracing herself for her daughter’s big day—grapples with unexpected guests, including her ex-husband, who shows up uninvited with a cat.

Tyler’s writing is full of charm and sharp emotional insight. Gail’s inner voice is both funny and heartfelt, and the family dynamics feel messy in a very real, relatable way. It’s a short read, but it manages to say a lot about love, change, and the strange beauty of growing older.

If you enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth and subtle humor, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Three Days in June is the story of Gail, a 61-year-old mother of the bride, who's facing a few life challenges, in the three days before, during, and after her daughter's wedding. A quick yet satisfying read, this 4-star tale is very much recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alfred A. Knopf Books for the advanced reader copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

Absolutely delightful story, told over the span of three days, about a divorced couple preparing for their daughter's wedding. I adore Anne Tyler's writing, she does a beautiful job crafting her characters so that as you read her books, you feel as if you've known them your whole life. Her subtle details about their life experiences are so well done and relatable--I always find myself nodding and saying, "Yes that's just how I feel about that too." I love that her heroines have flaws and heartache. I enjoy her skill with dialogue most of all. Highly recommend.

Three Days in June is a quiet novel, beautifully written. I suspect it’s highly relatable for anyone who’s ever gotten married, had kids, or had their children get married. Unfortunately, none of those apply, and I struggled to connect with the story- but I can definitely see how others would.

Thank you Anne Tyler, Knopf, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wonderful family story about divorced parents who come together for the wedding of their only daughter. During the pre-wedding celebrations, rehearsals and the wedding day itself, the parents discuss the transformation in their daughter, while sharing moments of reflection and pride to those that once contributed to the breakdown of their own marriage.
Thank you to Netgalley, Knopf and the Author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Three Days in June is quintessential Anne Tyler where she explores human emotions and experiences during a transition in life with her brilliant microscopic lens. A true slice of life story.

Gail and her ex-husband, Max, come together for their daughter’s (Debbie) three-day wedding weekend. While Max seems ready to embrace the next stage for Debbie, Gail is at a crossroads with this time period in her life. She feels unanchored in her career, her personal life, and most of all, in her relationship with Debbie. She contemplates past decisions in relation to her marriage and divorce as the weekend events trigger memories. To complicate matters, something has transpired between Debbie and her soon-to-be groom, Kenneth, which leaves Gail unsure what motherly advice to give.

Tyler brings levity to an otherwise serious subject and the cast of characters are fully drawn out as only she can do. Although short, the book is very thorough in the completeness of the story. The weaving in of Gail's flashbacks works so well and ties into the present seamlessly. I highly recommend this book for those looking back on their life as they enter into the future, wanting to ensure they chose and are choosing the right path for them. In the end, revisiting the past is not always a terrible thing, especially if reconciliation with it leads to a hopeful, newfound future.

Overall I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and interesting subject but nothing that was life changing. I would recommend.

For Anne Tyler fans, what a treat that she's still writing, and that her themes are as resonant as ever.

🌶️ HOT TAKE: A wedding book where the mother of the bride takes the cake.

🧶 THE SUMMARY:
Gail’s daughter is getting married this weekend and for most mothers, that would mean a to-do list a mile long. But this wedding is a small affair, just immediate family. And Gail’s daughter hasn’t needed her as much as she’d thought, so when she asks for Gail’s help wrangling her ex husband, how could she say no?

💁🏻‍♀️ MY THOUGHTS:
🔸 This is a perfect example of book that on the surface, is about very little, but is so emotionally layered. I loved the heartbreaking feeling of knowing the characters are suppressing such emotion and being able to read the subtext of their actions thanks to our omnicience. And after I finished, I found myself liking this book more and more.

🔸 So many of the books I’ve read about wedding weekends are about a scandal amongst the wedding party or family drama that derails the event. And don’t get me wrong, there was drama in this book, but the effect is a much softer storyline, one that celebrates accepting people as they are and challenges the idea that only the bride deserves a happily ever after. Loved this one!

Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the ARC, provided in exchange for an honest review.

Three Days in June brings Anne Tyler’s signature style to a story packed with potential: a frazzled mother of the bride, an unexpected visit from an ex-husband (cat in tow), and a last-minute secret that could derail a wedding. It’s a premise ripe with emotion and tension, and Tyler approaches it with her usual warmth, wit, and sensitivity.

Gail Baines is a relatable protagonist—flawed, overwhelmed, and trying her best amid the chaos. The dynamic between Gail and Max is the emotional core of the novel, offering glimpses of tenderness and regret that feel honest and earned. Tyler excels in capturing the quiet complexities of family life and long-term relationships.

That said, while the writing is undeniably elegant, the plot itself unfolds with a muted pace. The central conflict, though compelling, feels underdeveloped, and some emotional beats don’t land as powerfully as they could. Readers who enjoy Tyler’s slower, character-driven narratives will appreciate the nuance, but those looking for more dramatic payoff may be left wanting.

Overall, Three Days in June is a gently told story about love, regret, and second chances. It didn’t fully grab me, but there’s still much to admire in Tyler’s craftsmanship and insight.

This is a short,quick read about three days in the life of the protagonist, Gail, surrounding the wedding of her daughter. Day One is the day before the wedding when she finds herself without a job anymore and having her ex-husband show up looking for a place to stay. Day Two is the actual day of the wedding and Day Three, the day after the wedding. If this description makes the book sound boring, that’s because it is pretty boring for the most part. Fortunately, the reader is given some interesting background information through Gail’s stream of consciousness. The nice thing about literary fiction is good character development and we definitely get to know both Gail and Max. While Gail has a somewhat checkered past, both she and Max appear to lead fairly “ho-hum” lives in their middle age. I found myself feeling sorry for Gail around her ineptness at helping with the wedding and dealing with social situations. Thankfully, the book was short because it was really more than I wanted of a pretty boring three days.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

This was a quick but interesting, slice of life read. The plot wasn't particularly exciting, but it held my attention throughout. The characters and their actions were realistic and relatable. Part of me felt like it would've been more interesting if there had been multiple perspectives (I kept thinking something was going to happen with the groom's sister). I liked the story overall though and thought it was worth reading as long as you're not expecting something really dramatic or thrilling.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.