I loved this book so much! The sweetness of the bees and their love for those around them made my heart happy! I loved the small town, the growth in Rennie, and the love she found!

This was one of the best magical realism titles I have ever read. Rennie has just lost a premature baby and is desperate to find meaning in her life. However, her husband Tiny is becoming increasingly abusive to the point that she needs to escape him.

Her uncle and aunt's bee yard becomes a haven for her and she's discovering a strange connection to the bees, which begin to play a huge role in her life. Her neighbor is also a huge support in her difficult life, especially once her elderly uncle has died.

I can not wait until she publishes her next novel!

This was perfect. Perfectly magical, perfectly raw, perfectly real. I loved the bees and their part. Rennie, Dixon and Eugenia, Ambrose, Arden, May Dean and Ev, and the bees all set against the backdrop of the 1969 moon landing in a small Tennessee town (not to mention Jane Austen and Lewis Carroll).

The older I get, the less likely I’ve been to cry at parts of novels, but I did with this one. It was a beautiful story and one I’ve continued to think of after I finished reading.

This was my first time reading the author, and given that I’ve already put her debut on my kindle I can easily say that I’ll definitely be reading more of her work.

🍯🍯🍯🍯🍯 - a solid 5 honey jar read. Recommended!


TW - infant loss, domestic violence



Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the DRC

Thank you so much to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in advance!

This was a great mix of magical realism, period fiction, and found family. I loved the period setting of 1969 with all of the hope coursing through the town and their people about the first moon landing - that felt exciting and made you feel hopeful even when the main character felt like there wasn't any.

I did feel that the story was a little predictable, I saw a twist or two coming, but it was still exciting to read and done really well. There have been a lot of books about bees, but this was a different take on them and I really enjoyed that part. I would love to read more from this author!

Title: Bees in June
Author: Elizabeth Bass Parman
Genre: Historical Fiction with Magical Realism
Medium: Ebook
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Set in 1969 Spark, Tennessee, Bees in June follows Rennie Hendricks, a young mother reeling from the loss of her newborn son and trapped in an abusive marriage. The book opens with a powerful portrayal of Rennie’s grief after losing her child due to a premature birth. Although I’ve never experienced this exact loss, I have had several miscarriages, and those early pages hit home for me in a deeply emotional way.
As Rennie takes a job at the local diner, she slowly begins to rediscover herself through the healing power of food, the steady presence of her Uncle Dixon, and an unexpected comfort—her late aunt’s bees, which seem to carry a quiet magic and message of hope.
I found this book to be heartwarming and beautifully written. It tells the story of an abused woman finding her voice and power, showing Rennie’s transformation from someone broken by grief and control into someone full of quiet strength and resilience. Although the love story was not the focal point, it was a lovely touch that added light and warmth to her journey.
While the book is slow to start, it’s absolutely worth sticking with. The emotional depth, the lyrical writing, and the gentle thread of magical realism come together in a way that feels both comforting and powerful.
Elizabeth Bass Parman blends Southern storytelling with subtle magic to craft a moving narrative of grief, growth, and empowerment. The bees themselves nearly steal the show—glowing, humming, and whispering their way into Rennie’s life like a living metaphor for renewal. The richly drawn setting of Spark, Tennessee, and the warmth of the diner scenes add to the charm, making this an immersive and emotionally satisfying read.
Bees in June is set for publication on September 2, and I highly recommend adding it to your fall reading list.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher and author for the Advanced Reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I will never look at a honeybee the same way again! Three cheers for Elizabeth Bass Parman and her latest novel, Bees in June! Readers will root for the characters (most of them, anyway!) as they navigate 1960s life in a small town outside of Nashville, TN. Magical bees, the historic moon landing, witty Southern-isms, and a sweet, poignant story of perseverance and love. This novel definitely deserves all the BUZZ it is getting! 🐝🐝

Tears! This book…the BEES! This one will stay with me for a long time. It’s sweet & tender. It’s emotional & raw. It’s a love story that lasts generations and spreads amongst the characters both human and not. I adored this book. 5 honey-colored stars!

Bees in June 🐝
By: Elizabeth Bass Parman
Pub date: Sept 2, 2025
Publisher: Harper Muse

5🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

Rennie is lucky to have family and friends to help her navigate the losses in life. Her aunts bees play a huge part in this story and she has a gift which she will lean into.

When I read the author debut The Empress in Cooke County, I knew she would be one to watch out for. Heartwarming novels which will draw you in and melt your heart.

I absolutely loved this book
I loved the story of how the bees could talk to those that loved them
How strong Rennie became and finally stood up to her abusive husband
And loved to bake and turned it into a business

Bees in June is a beautifully written novel that hums with heart, warmth, and quiet strength. Elizabeth Bass Parman crafts a story that feels deeply personal and emotionally honest, with characters who linger in your mind long after you finish. The setting is rich and vivid, and there's a gentle rhythm to the storytelling that mirrors the natural world it so lovingly portrays. It’s the kind of book that wraps around you like a summer breeze—bittersweet, hopeful, and unforgettable. A true gem.

Friendship, family and the love and wisdom from our friend the bee; what a unique and heartwarming story. Learning to find the strength to save yourself from a dark and abusive situation and begin a new life filled with love and… honey. The first moon landing was an entertaining part of the story and even the cover. One of the little bees looks like a rocket taking off to the moon. 🐝❤️🐝

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read the e-copy of; Bees in June by Elizabeth Bass Parman.

Attracted to its beautiful cover like a bee to honey, this sophomore novel from Elizabeth Bass Parman is set in the same Southern Tennessee town as her debut and follows Rennie and her tumultuous marriage to an abusive husband in the 1960s. Luckily Rennie is getting help from her dead aunt’s special bees. This one is just so captivating with the perfect touch of magical realism, heart and the strength of a woman determined to chase after her dreams. I couldn’t put it down and highly recommend it for fans of authors like Sarah Addison Allen. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

CW: domestic abuse, loss of an infant

What a sweet story of hopes and dreams. Rennie is grieving the loss of her child born prematurely and dealing with her abusive husband. She accepts a job at the local diner and she re-discovers her love of cooking and this gives her options that she didn't know she had in life. I sat down to read the back half of this book and finished in one sitting. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, how I loved everything about this novel which was an excellent weaving of women's fiction with magical realism! The characters felt so real to me and the story line kept me turning the pages. The bees were also a "main character" and their importance to Rennie's story and to humankind in general was expertly woven through the whole book. I also loved noticing how the author brought Rennie and Ambrose together, so satisfyingly slowly.

NOTE: There should be a trigger warning on the landing page because some people might be triggered by the violent domestic abuse.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher, for an ARC of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest review.

This magical realism novel is emotionally touching on many levels…the tragedy of a stillborn birth…the terror of domestic violence…the lovingkindness and then loss of a beloved uncle, the tender feelings of a new romance…and, most importantly, finding the inner strength to take a stand and reclaim one’s true self. Woven throughout is the wisdom and guidance of the bees who witness and comment on the challenges of the human experience.

I found Rennie’s story both heart-breaking and inspiring. As the protagonist in a book chock full of interesting characters, she begins to remember her original connection with nature and slowly disengages from a controlling and abusive relationship with her husband, Tiny. It is this latter character that seems cliched in his portrayal of a violent bully and yet, as his own history is revealed, it becomes easier to understand his behavior. Of course, this is no excuse for projecting all his rage on his wife, but it does serve as a catalyst for Rennie to begin to see her life accurately and to make changes.

Overall, I found the storyline enchanting. The prose conveys the beauty and gifts of nature, as well, as compassion for the emotional challenges of life.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Beautiful story telling of love and loss, family and second chances with a small touch of magical realism. This is the author's second book and it was just as good as her debut. I would highly recommend reading this! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this one! Quite the emotional story about Rennie. Book is written in the third person and I was able
To connect with Rennie. Her husband doesn’t treat her well, and we witness her character development. Highly recommend

This was such a sweet book! The story was filled with love, loss and bees. It was so heartwarming and it handled tough topics very well.

Review: Bees in June by Elizabeth Bass Parman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ (4.25 stars)

Bees in June is a heartfelt, charming read that blends small-town warmth, a touch of magical realism, and just the right dose of bee lore and Christian faith.

I thoroughly enjoyed following Rennie’s journey as she learns to stand up for herself while learning to trust others again. Her growth felt authentic and inspiring, and the author’s portrayal of the small-town setting was beautifully done—rich in atmosphere and character. The magical elements added a whimsical charm without overpowering the grounded emotional themes.

While Tiny, the antagonist, felt a bit like a cardboard cutout at times, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. There’s a lot of heart here, and readers looking for a cozy, meaningful read will find plenty to love.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my copy of this book — all thoughts in my review are my own.

What a beautiful story of love and loss and some wonderful bees. I started and finished this book in one day and did not want it to end!!! This is the second book from Elizabeth Bass Parman and I absolutely love her story-telling and her beautiful writing!!!

Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for the honor to read and review this amazing book!!!