
Member Reviews

Three Days in June
This is the story of a divorced couple’s daughter getting married. The novel is definitely a quick and often funny read, I laughed out loud several times. It addresses trust issues, jealousy ( in laws) , love and marriage, divorce. I found the story often unbelievable, how little the bride’s mother was involved with the planning and details of the wedding, the father getting a suit on the morning of the wedding day, just to mention a few examples. The cat added to the humor of the story, but not to the point . Actually, what was the point?
Overall this was only a three star story for me.
I received a complimentary copy, opinions are my own.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.

This is the first book by Anne Tyler I’ve ever read. I liked the tightness of time this took place in and the small, focused cast of characters. I found most of the characters to be likable and the dialogue to be very believable. I will definitely seek out something else written by Ms Tyler.
Thanks to #netgalley, the author and publisher for this ebook to read. All opinions are my own.

Anne Tyler has written 20 (or more) novels and is a Pulitzer Prize winner. I really enjoyed at least two other novels by Anne Tyler; but Three Days in June just wasn't my cup of tea. (but on the positive side, it was a short story ... so why not give it a try.)
The Three Days in June are the days each side of a middle age woman's daughters wedding. The day before the wedding she has a challenging day at work and her ex-husband ends up crashing at her home before the wedding and arrives with a cat.
Instead of doting on her daughter and being involved in the wedding; the main character remembers her past. I just didn't connect with the Mother of the bride.
Publication date is scheduled for Feb 11, 2025, approx 176 pages. Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Publishers for approving my request to read the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.

I want to thank Knopf Pantheon and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Three Days in June by Anne Tyler.
The book deals with a divorced couple, a finance who cheats shortly before the intended wedding and an old rescue cat with no name.
Three Days in June publishes February 2,2025.

As a native Marylander, I feel strange in admitting this is my first Anne Tyler. Thank you, NetGalley. It certainly won't be my last. Her writing is grounded in every day people and events, making the ordinary extraordinary. She reminds me of Elizabeth Strout.

It was short and sweet. This was my first book by this author and I found the humor to be pretty dry, which I love. Some of the references were pretty dated and I had to double check that this was supposed to take place in present times. Overall, it was enjoyable.

It is difficult to write a slice of life story that captivates its readers, but Anne Tyler consistently makes it seem easy. No one can create uptight ousiders like Ann Tyler can.
In this case, our tense and controlled protagonist is Gail, an Assistant Headmistress at a tony private girls school in Baltimore. Gail is facing an uncertain future in her career, her daughters wedding and her ex-husband as her houseguest (and his cat) all at the same time.
So starts Three Days in June. These three days, before the wedding, day of the wedding and day after the wedding, find Gail navigating through some potentially life changing thoughts and decisions.
Gail isn't a particularly warm and lovable character, but we can appreciate and, to a degree, identify with her. Her ruminations on her earlier life humanize her.
The bit players in Gail's story are also engaging, making the book one that I did not want to put down. I also didn't want to come to the end too fast. I didn't want to leave this story behind.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of previewing an early copy.

An absolutely delightful read. Gail (the mother of the bride) was such a relatable character in all of her awkward glory, and I was rooting for her the whole time.

You can count on Anne Tyler to render life exactly as it is as she writes the poignant scenes in her novels. No punches pulled, but also no false drama. Just the million tiny heartbreaks and beautiful moments that make up our relationships to one another. I’ve not found another author that captures the rawness of how we let each other down….and then lift each other up. THREE DAYS IN JUNE fits well on the shelf of her many books. If you are a woman of a certain age, you will likely find much to identify with here. If you are younger, this book might terrify you and prompt deep promises to yourself that it will be different for you. And perhaps it will be. But in these pages, Tyler has created a comforting reminder that even if it isn’t, that’s okay. Life can still surprise and delight you.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Oh my goodness how can such a short book make me feel so much. It really says something about how amazing the writing is when the story can pull you in so much in under 200 pages.

This is a short story and a quick read. Three days surrounding the marriage of Gail’s daughter lots of activity happen. Gail’s ex-husband needs a place to stay for the weekend and brings along with him an unwelcome cat. Question arise as to the infidelity of the groom to be. Reflection by Gail’s of her past marriage and mistakes. The recent loss of her job. So much happening in just three days, but isn’t that how life is? When it rain, it pours.
In three days there are many revelations and soul searching discoveries. Good, bad or indifferent, you learn from each interaction. The characters in this story were tough and brought an otherwise 4 star rating to generous 3. With the exception of Gail’s ex husband Max, ALL the characters are unlikeable. Without a champion character it is difficult to become vested in a story. Max seemed the most reasonable and honest about his feelings and acceptance of where he is in life. All the others were hypocritical, burying their heads in the sand, negative and cynical.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Alfred A. Knopf the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book. This was a super disappointing read coming from this author.

This was full of the most unlikable characters. They were all very shallow and didn't seem at all interested in the wedding, the daughter, or each other.
And the ending was most confusing.
NetGalley/ Knopf February 11, 2025

Anne Tyler never disappoints. Being a 50-something woman and an empty nester, I identified completely with the protagonist. That’s Tyler’s gift - she captures the experience womanhood at every age.

The book begins with Gail, a midlife woman, being fired when she's expecting a promotion. Her people skills are poor, she's told. She goes home to deal with a sweet but annoying ex-husband who doesn't understand boundaries, a condescending mother, a snotty daughter who's about to be married, a pushy mother of the groom, etc. It just goes on.
Gail is negative and closed-off, and at one point I thought, Oh, this is an unreliable narrator! Which was kind of interesting because then I could look forward to the human mystery being solved. But no. Nothing really changes, Gail undergoes no character arc, and then at the end of the book, something happens which I won't reveal. The end.
I usually enjoy Tyler's slow and rich depictions of characters, how they often start out sort of annoying, but then you come to see their good sides and they become dear to the reader. Not this time, unfortunately.

Three Days in June is an endearing novel about finding yourself - no matter what age you are. It’s never too late to self reflect and be the best version of yourself.
Thank you for the opportunity of an eARC and I am leaving this review willingly.

Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June is a wonderful, awkward-feeling novel. The story follows the three days surrounding Gail’s daughter’s wedding. There are people to love, some to dislike. There are laughs and chuckles that will delight the reader. There is a depth of humanity and understanding that makes the most ordinary interactions feel real. This book is a gift to give yourself.

Three Days in June is a short story. Gail starts off the first day quitting her job. This of course being after her boss encourages a change in career. Gail finds herself heading home to prepare for her daughter’s wedding rehearsal that evening. As if the day couldn’t get any worse, her ex-husband Max shows up on her doorstep. Looking for a place to stay for the weekend, along with a cat. Their daughter Debbie shows up next to discuss concerns about her future husband.
This was my first Anne Tyler book and I had mixed feelings. On one hand I could relate to Gail struggling to fit in socially. She never felt comfortable in social situations finding it hard to engage others. Her relationship with her ex- husband and daughter was contentious due to past choices.
I think I would have enjoyed this story more if they delved into the relationship between mother and daughter. Exploring why Gail was excluded from wedding planning and bridal party activities. Gail always seemed hesitant to upset her daughter, even when she felt her advice would be helpful.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review..

Three Days in June was a a great read. Perfect feels for someone aging, with the only off-putting part being some of the wording chosen. Like tarmac instead of asphalt.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

Really appreciated the pacing and organization of this book - three chapters, three days! Easy.
At times I really resonated with the main character and other times less so. LOVED the ending. This book is incredibly discussable and I think would be a great book club pick.
Thank you NetGalley for an early copy!

I absolutely loved this book. I am late to the game with this author, but I am hooked. I will be reading all of her books. This story spanned three days, told in the third person by the grumpy, guarded mother-of-the-bride. The characters were colorful and authentic. I am sad to be not be walking through their days with them.