Gail Baines is experiencing a major shift in her life upon discovering that her workplace plans to squeeze her out on the eve of her daughter’s wedding.

She feels the abrupt loss of two important roles that have defined her for so long. Knocked out of her groove, Gail takes a deep breath to reflect and redirect. With much of her identity stripped away, her future is left wide open and rich with potential. If you are entering a new phase of life, this story offers much in the way of solidarity,

There’s not a lot of action in this contemplative narrative, however, it does give a few soft punches to the gut with its authentic sentimentality. I highly recommend this author to fans of Elizabeth Strout as their writing styles are quite similar.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of Three Days in June for my unbiased evaluation.  3.5 stars

2.5 Stars (outliner)
One Liner: Enjoyed the writing but disappointed by the ending

Life hasn’t been easy for Gail Baines. Losing her job, not being invited to participate in her daughter’s wedding activities, and the sudden arrival of her ex-husband (with a cat) cause more than enough stress.
However, Debbie, her daughter, shares a secret with her parents, and it takes drama to the next level. How can Gail and her family navigate the situation? Will they address the past to find a way for the future?
The story comes in Gail’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
This novella is a family drama divided into three parts – day one, day two, and day three.
Since we get the story from Gail’s POV, we only see what she presumes and assumes. This makes for an interesting choice since she is quite judgmental and quick to jump to conclusions.
The pacing is steady even as the narration moves between the present, the MC’s thoughts, and tiny snippets of the past. I’m not a fan of long chapters but this format made it easy to separate the days and their events.
Despite having a heavy vibe, there are little bits of unexpected (dry) humor that lighten the scene and provide a little insight into the character(s).
Of course, it is easy enough to guess the reveal that comes midway through but this is not a mystery book, so no extra points for the reader.
Max brings his share of charm and humor while getting on the MC’s nerves for no reason. I empathized more with him as the story progressed. Though he is not the kind of person I like (have some ambition!), Gail made me root for him instead of her. TBH, he deserved better.
Gail, our narrator, and main lead. What do I say? I don’t mind unlikeable characters. I understand her lack of social skills or discomfort in interacting with others. I can even see why she holds herself aloof and distanced. But, she is so darn judgmental and selfish! Though I felt for her initially, by the end, I couldn’t support her. Despite that, I liked how the author created her and Max’s characters to contrast and complement each other.
A few things have been felt open, which is fine since this is a slice-of-life kind of novella. However, the ending was disappointing. I did not want THAT to happen. There has to be an adult-to-adult conversation, acknowledgment, apology, and acceptance. Some things cannot be brushed under the carpet or ignored when they have such a lasting impact on their lives. Also, the message it sends is very unappealing.

To summarize, Three Days in June is an interesting read as a study of characters but was a letdown in terms of plot development and conclusion. I did enjoy the cat’s role and how it was woven into the plot.
Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

There's just something so soothing about Anne Tyler's writing. She creates characters so realistic, you'd swear you'd known them in the past. Her novels don't generally have a lot of action, but her understanding of her characters' inner lives, and her ability to convey that to her readers, is absolute magic. In this novel, a divorced couple have come together to celebrate -- albeit with much ambivalence on the part of her mother -- the marriage of their only daughter, and the story takes place over the day before, the day of, and the day after the wedding. Readers get to learn how and why they separated, how their separate lives have progressed since that time, and how their own personalities and histories impact their perceptions of their daughter's choices. A touching portrait of an aging pair whose lives didn't always turn out as planned.

Thank you to the publisher and to #NetGalley for providing this free eARC in exchange for an objective review. I'm confident readers of Tyler's earlier books will love this latest one.

I have read other Anne Tyler books and enjoyed them, somehow this one just did not appeal to me. I think from the description, I expected it to be lighter, it just seemed very sad. From the episode with her boss, to her daughter's wedding, to shopping for a suit for her ex-husband, and on and on, it just seemed like one sad episode after another. I guess the ending could be viewed as happy, but I kind of wanted her to turn her life around herself, she had made the first step by adopting the cat, but then when Max came back Gail took him back (or at least that is what the reader was led to believe), so I don't know if she really did change. I'm sure there are readers who will really enjoy this book, I am just not one of them.

A quick light feel-good read. I have to admit that this was not my favorite by the author and didn’t really pull me in.

This is the story of a 61-year-old divorced woman whose only daughter who is getting married. She is awkward around people and is told she did not have "people skills". She is forced to house her ex-husband, Max, before the wedding, Even though Max is a little bit of a slob, he's a nice guy, but she finds herself always seeing him as the Max at the time of their divorce. The reader gets to know about why they divorced. Many of the problems she is experiencing have to do with her own personality, but she is trying to change. The character did grow during the book and the ending was rewarding.

WOW, Anne Tyler really can write about the human perspective, relationships and life! Three Days in June" is about the day before, OF, and following a wedding and centers on the mother of the bride (MOB) Gail, who is dealing with work issues & her ex husband. Very heart-warming, a bit quirky and tender. I loved the foster cat who came with Max! My thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for my advanced reader's copy - a real pleasure to review it!

Three Days in June is glimpse into the world of Ann Tyler. Highly relatable, poignant, a simple tale told well. Is it because Tyler's characters are Everyman? Or is it because she notices the dailyness of life, the events both large and small?
Tyler is incredible at laying out an ordinary day, or three, and letting us see that her characters think and act and fret and move much like we might.
To say she is a master of nuance and a narrator of typical does not do justice to her great talent.
Three Days in June is a smooth read, a book that I finished quickly and helped me break a little reading slump. I think I'm ready for another visit to Baltimore. Thank you Ann Tyler.
And thank you to NetGalley andKnopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf publishing for the ARC of Three Days in June by Ann Tyler.

Anne Tyler used to be an author I always read any new book that came out. But it's been a minute since I've read an Anne Tyler book, and I'm sure glad I picked this one up. This is the story of 3 days in the life of Gail Baines, filled with a lot of activity - quitting her job, her daughter getting married, her ex-husband showing up unannounced at her house with a cat to stay for the wedding.

It's a lovely, short book about someone that I could really relate to in so many ways.

The story is straightforward - Gail's daughter is getting married but crisis happens when Deb finds out her finance has a secret he hasn't shared with her, Gail finds out the promotion she expected isn't coming in, and now she's dealing with her ex. But there's so much more to it, with each day taking Gail into her memories of her life, pivotal moments when she made decisions that she may regret, and finding a way forward into her future.

My only quibble is that I had a little trouble at the beginning with the family names of Gail and Deb's fiance, because Baines and Bailey are so similar. I really don't like when authors do things like this with names, it took me a while to get them straight. But that's honestly the only issue I had.

This was just a really easy book to sit and read, with a cat on my lap. And a reminder I should look into some more Anne Tyler books.

This book is an absolute delight! It's a quick, little slice of life story about Gail, whose daughter is getting married. Her ex husband, Max, has to stay the weekend with her because he brought a cat and the daughter's fiance is allergic. The wedding seems to be the main event but it's actually more about these 2 just coexisting for three days, how simple and easy it is. Gail is a little awkward in general and Max is a little annoying but they flow together so well. It's the relationship you always want with an ex that you co-parent with. And as you're reading, you start to think, "why don't they just get back together?" There is a bit of history telling, which is nice in such a short book. It fills in a couple of small gaps and still leaves plenty of room for the present. And I can't lie, at the end, I definitely had a tear in my eye.

I would recommend this for anyone that has read and enjoyed Anne Tyler before, as I have. Or for anyone looking for a quick family fiction read, there's a touch of drama too. This would be perfect for a beach house read, when you've got a few hours during some rain and need a little pick-me-up.

This was such a good read, drama snd humor all wrapped up on a nice package. Quick and easy read. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

This was a wonderful read. I finished it in one long, lovely beach day and, as I find with the majority of the Anne Tyler books I’ve read, I wish the book was just a tad longer. This author really has the ability to reveal enough about her characters for readers to actually care about them. And so it’s difficult to say goodbye to them once she’s got her story told! That being said, there’s advantages to being able to start and finish a good book in one good day. Enjoy!

I loved this book, as I do all of Anne Tyler's work. This story is not a deep or complicated read, but instead a focus on the everyday lives of a family working through an important event. The setting was an ordinary one, but as happens in life, the day to day stuff gets tangled and what begins as ordinary gets complicated with choices large and small. The characters were so well drawn, always a wonderful part of Tyler's talent, that I could relate to each one's situation and feelings. For fans of the movie Groundhog Day as a metaphor for real life, readers can enjoy the themes of change and maturation and appreciation during the three days in this family's life.

Set in the three days around her daughter's wedding (Day of Beauty, D-day, The Day After), this short novel by Anne Tyler digs deep. The reader meets Gail at the end of a less-than-perfect workday and then follows her home where she finds her ex-husband and his rescue cat in need of lodging for the big event. Not an ideal scenario for anyone and Gail seems to be a woman who is not particularity adept at handling surprises with grace. There is plenty of quiet comedy however as we see Gail and everyone around her reveal themselves in all of their individual glory both during this momentous life event and in memories that surround these occasions. A wonderful book to give to a friend or family member.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

Jennifer DeBernardis #netgalley #threedaysinjune #annetyler
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC. I love Anne Tyler and read this short piece of fiction in one sitting. I love her quirky characters and their believable, real selves. I love that it’s set in Baltimore, as a lifelong Marylander. We spend three days with Gail during her daughter’s wedding weekend where she walks out on her job and gets two unexpected houseguests.

Three days in June--before and after Gail Baines' daughter's wedding. Gail, 61, and long-divorced from Max, is a socially inept administrator to a headmistress. Thinking she's up for a promotion when her boss announce's she's resigning, she finds out -- not! This throws her into a tailspin, compounded by the arrival of her ex-husband, with a cat [!] intending to stay at her house before their daughter's wedding. And so it begins.

This novella [?] puts one in familiar Anne Tyler territory--ordinary life for those of a certain age. Not a fast read, and slowish in spots, but short enough to keep my going.

There are secrets, some soul-searching and the usual quirky characters--particularly Gail and Max; the others have minor roles, save for Debbie, the daughter.

Some lines/descriptions definitely brought smiles [only some noted!].

"I wondered why I had so many irritating people in my life."
"...one of life's frustrations is that sometimes, it's best to say nothing."
And conversely:
"Someday I'd like to be given credit for all the times I have not said something that I could have said."
"Sometimes when I find out what's on other people's minds I honestly wonder if we all live on totally separate planets."
"washing her face industriously" [describing a cat]

No spoiler but did not care for ending--though not sure what I would have done/suggested.

3.5, not rounding up because I didn't love and think I may be getting weary of Tyler.

I’ve read a handful of Anne Tyler novels, which for most writer would feel substantial but for this Pulitzer-winning author of 27 books, it still feels like I’m just getting acquainted with her work. I liked this book fine but it’s certainly not a favorite of what I’ve read so far. The story is narrated by Gail, a pragmatic and socially awkward sixty-something over the course of her daughter’s wedding weekend. Many things go wrong, some things go right, and all of it is told with Gail’s sharp, dry sense of humor. I really enjoyed Gail’s voice with her snarky asides and frequent self-congratulating for not saying what she’s really thinking. But overall, this story felt underdeveloped. There were quite a few side characters for such a short book (175 pages) and the relationships and conflicts Tyler introduced weren’t as fully formed as I would have liked. While I was perfectly content to be in this book, it didn’t hit me emotionally or give me anything profound to think about. I have a few additional minor quibbles, but, overall, this is a Tyler novel that will offer her fans some satisfaction, but it’s not the one I’d start with if you’re new to her work.

I’ve been reading Anne Tyler for many years . I’ve read over 20 of her novels and I keep on reading them. That says a lot about a writer who keeps me interested in her storytelling, her characters with her keen sense of human nature . This novel is short, sweet, funny , and touching. As in many of Tyler’s novels, there are characters who are a bit quirky, who we may not totally see ourselves in , but the emotions they feel over the ordinary things in life are real and so relatable. A mother of the bride is left out of the wedding activities planned by the mother of the groom, feeling pushed aside by her daughter. She’s dealing with job loss, the wedding, and an ex husband on her doorstep. The reality of coming to terms with herself and her past while wanting nothing but happiness for her daughter makes for a good story.

Anne Tyler is a treasure who writes with heart and humor. There’s no doubt I’ll read the next book she writes.

I received a copy of this book from Knopf through NetGalley.

Three Days in June
By Anne Tyler

I have had mixed reactions to Anne Tyler's books in the past – some I've liked, some not so much. This one is a keeper.

Gail Baines is an assistant headmistress in a private school. She is 61 years old, divorced, and as some would say, buttoned up tight. This is the weekend of her daughter's wedding and there are a lot of ups and downs. She has just found out that she may be losing her job. The wedding planning has been taken over by the groom's mother-in-law, leaving Gail on the outside looking in. And to top it all off, her ex-husband Max shows up on her doorstep, asking to stay with her – and bringing a cat!

Although the whole story takes place over three days, the drama and its consequences prove to last much longer than that. This is a touching book about having differences, making mistakes, asking and giving forgiveness – and ultimately not letting love get away!

I found this book to be tender and touching. Gail and Max, Deb and Kenneth – these are characters that most people will readily relate to. We have all made mistakes in life – the lucky ones get a "do over".

This lovely little book by prolific literary icon Anne Tyler takes place in one weekend in Baltimore. Imperfect protagonist Gail is a 61 year old divorcee with a worry list, facing career problems while simultaneously preparing for her only daughter’s wedding. An unexpected house guest of her ex-husband and his nameless foster cat complicate an already stressful time.

At 176 pages, this little stunner didn’t need to be a long book, or have a lot of unnecessary characters, or even take place in more than three days to fit in a whole lot of story. It’s a very honest and straightforward novel about relationships, marriage, love, and growth.

This was my first Anne Tyler, but it won’t be my last. I loved it. It was simple and sweet and compelling and wise. I read it in one sitting and I might go back and read it again. Highly recommend.