This is an exceptionally well-done slice of life book. We follow Gail through her daughter's wedding weekend as she deals with work issues, her ex-husband who she is on amiable but sometimes awkward terms with, and a myriad of feelings about her identity and her life. Gail is so endearing: she struggles to read people sometimes, but she is so genuinely kind-hearted and witty, and her relationships feel so real and lived-in. The characters are flawed and lovely, and being with them for the literary space of three days was a delight.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for giving me an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

A masterfully written novella covering a three day span that just grabs you and pulls you right in. Through wonderful characters and well crafted dialogue, both internal and external, Anne Tyler captures the routine events of life in a way that makes your heart sing. And this is her 25th book since her first published novel in 1964! This offering is a true literary gift for readers who love reading.

Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Alfred A. Knopf/Penguin Random House LLC (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review

My first Anne Tyler novel—perfectly pleasant, but a little sweeter and affectedly quirky than is to my taste.

Thank you for an advance copy of a book by an author I have enjoyed reading in the past. This tells the story of a wedding and the 3 days surrounding it. We have a young girl getting married, but it's mostly about her parents, their relationship and how this big weekend impacts them moving forward. This was a short but touching story with such well developed, quirky characters. I really enjoyed this story.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I loooove a quirky character! This had me hooked from the very first page, like for real. It's impressive when an author can turn the ordinary and mundane into something so captivating. I'll be honest with you, nothing crazy or far-fetched happens in this book. It's truly the complete opposite of that and YET, you will not be able to put it down, I promise you that.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for my early copy!
Pub. Date: Feb. 11, 2025

This book covers three days in June and tells the story of Gail Baines. It starts with Gail walking into work as the assistant headmaster only to find out that she is being replaced so she quits…or is she fired?
She arrives home and shortly afterward, her ex-husband, Max, arrives (uninvited) on her doorstep with a cat and announces that he will be staying with Gail for the weekend due to their daughter, Debbie’s, wedding. Debbie, meanwhile, is participating in a spa day for the ladies which Gail was not invited to.
Just before the rehearsal dinner, Debbie confides in Gail and Max that her husband-to-be, Kenneth, acted questionably and she questions whether or not she should continue with the wedding. This revelation brings back to light an incident that ended Gail’s own wedding.
This is a quick read and the characters are realistic and the storytelling his honest. The interchanges between Gail and Max are quirky and they are total opposites.

As with most Anne Tyler's novels, she has managed to put a lot in a very few pages. This is a story of a marriage, a family, and their individual travels through time after a divorce and their subsequent feelings about those travels. I think most of people who have lived a reasonably long life often think about what they did, why they did it, and how their decisions affected their lives and the lives of others. I found this novel to be very redemptive in nature and totally satisfying. I highly recommend this novel! My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. Anne Tyler is indeed at the height of her powers.

This grabbed my mom heart right away. The stress of a wedding alongside the chaos of real life. This book felt so real & raw to me. Loved it!

This book was such a great journey! Gail is my favorite mother character of all time!! Her awkwardness but intense internal emotions felt so realistic

This was my first book by this Author. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read it early. This book kept my attention and was okay for the most part. I will check out more books from this Author in order to determine if I like her writing style.

This was my first Anne Tyler book and I’m not sure why. I started it thinking. Why do I care if the main characters
Are having breakfast, or setting up a litterbox for a
Foster cat, or why they were divorced, but actually I did care and was totally immersed in their life and was sad to see the story end. I want to read more of Anne Tyler’s stories now.

Told over the span of three days in the present but with flashbacks to the past, this was a quietly moving, insightful and at times humorous look into the ups and downs of a marriage. Great on audio narrated by J. Smith-Cameron and perfect for fans of authors like Katherine Heiny. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

CW: infidelity

"Three Days in June" is a poignant and heartwarming novel that showcases Anne Tyler's signature blend of warmth, humor, and insight. While it may not be my favorite among Tyler's works, it still manages to capture the complexities of human relationships with both sensitivity and wit. The story centers around a divorced couple as they navigate the emotional minefield of their daughter's wedding, grappling with unresolved feelings, awkward encounters, and unexpected revelations.

The novel's premise may remind some readers of Julia Strachey's "Cheerful Weather for the Wedding," which also explores the intricacies of family dynamics during a wedding. However, Tyler's unique voice and skillful storytelling make "Three Days in June" a captivating and memorable read in its own right.

What makes this book so captivating is Tyler's ability to create fully realized, multidimensional characters that are deeply relatable. "Three Days in June" is a must-read that will leave you feeling both moved and entertained.

A very sweet story I enjoyed reading this book.. Marriages are difficult and sometimes there is a second chance.

Really lovely. A quick, enjoyable read. Tyler excels at exploring relationships.

We meet Gail, a change-averse, people-averse, divorced woman in her early 60s, who, to quote Gail herself, is “not the kind of woman who dreams of doing things,” on the day before her daughter’s wedding. The novel takes place over the next three days.

Tyler explores loneliness and infidelity, potentially depressing subjects, but injects her characteristic warmth and humor. This is my second Tyler (I previously read and enjoyed French Braid) and I absolutely plan to pick up more by her in the future. No notes!

This review will be published on Goodreads now, and on IG @readingbythebay closer to publication (link to be added).

THREE DAYS IN JUNE is a beautifully crafted story that brings its eccentric and endearing characters vividly to life.

Just days before her daughter Debbie's wedding, Gail Baines faces a sudden upheaval—losing her job (or possibly quitting, depending on who’s telling the story). When she arrives home, she's met by her ex-husband, Max, who’s unexpectedly camped out on her doorstep with a suitcase and a cat in tow. Debbie's fiancé's allergies prevent him from staying there, so Gail reluctantly takes him in.

Set during the whirlwind three days leading up to Debbie’s June wedding, the novel captures Gail’s sense of disorientation. Criticized by her former boss for her lack of social skills, she now finds herself sidelined in the wedding preparations, which are being commandeered by Debbie’s future mother-in-law. Observing the chaos, Gail narrates events with a quirky humor that is both intentional and unintentional, adding a delightful charm to the story.

When Debbie confides a startling secret about her fiancé, Gail and Max must band together to help their daughter navigate a tricky situation. In the process, Gail reflects on her own past: her romance with Max, their wedding, and the eventual unraveling of their marriage.

At its heart, this is Gail’s story. Quietly poignant and deeply character-driven, the novel explores her journey of love, heartbreak, and rediscovery. Gail’s vivid anecdotes, wry humor, and nervous energy contrast beautifully with Max’s laid-back, carefree demeanor, making their dynamic utterly captivating.

THREE DAYS IN JUNE is a tender and heartfelt read, perfect for fans of character-driven narratives with a touch of humor and nostalgia.

I have not read Anne Tyler for several years, but was glad her writing style remains. The three days in the title refers to a weekend of thedaughter’s wedding starting with the rehearsal dinner and moves seamlessly to the wedding and then day after the wedding. Gail is the mother of the bride, Debbie ,
,who is joined by Max the ex husband and the cat which provides levity to the whole weekend! in the meantime the reader gets to know all about their respective jobs and how they functioned as a family before the divorce. Of course,Debbie’s in-laws are introduced at the rehearsal dinner.
In the meantime we learn that .Gail has lost her Assistant Headmistress,job at a respectable Girls’ School because she has poor people skills which is very evident from the start. the weekend progresses and Gail and Max regain their relationship and all ends well!

This was a sweet novella about a woman unsure about her life and plans. It takes place within 3 days of her daughter's wedding. The writer was beautiful and the story was realistic.

I can always count on Anne Tyler to write a book filled with unforgettable characters. And I found such a character in Gail. She tugged at my heart, those feelings of never fitting in, always feeling on the fringe, I could relate to them and she just found a special place in my heart where she will live going forward.

I truly loved this book and every moment I spent in its pages. I highly recommend it to lovers of beautifully written stories and characters. This was a really good one.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own

I really liked this book!! I was immediately hooked on Gail as she walked out of her boss's office. Gail isn't perfect and it's very clear she's aware of her own limitations. As we follow Gail over the three days before, during, and after her daughter's wedding, we watch her reflect on the mistakes she's made and how their repercussions follow her throughout her life. Her daughter Debbie doesn't include Gail in the pre-wedding activities, but of course she doesn't--Gail wouldn't put any importance on them and Debbie knows that. Her ex-husband Max shows up with a cat and knows her well enough to know what she'll do with the animal. Her loved ones see her for who she is and accept her fully. They may not always like each other or see eye-to-eye, but there is care and love. Gail is prickly, but she doesn't give a hoot. She isn't there for other people--she's there to be herself fully. Not many people will like her, but Gail reminds me of some people I know and still love.

Many thanks for the ARC.