This book feels like the lovechild of Waitress and Where the Crawdads Sing, with the atmospherics of Mad Honey. Set in 1960s Tennessee, Bees in June is a story of female self-empowerment, attunement with nature, and the strength of ties that bind, all told with a luscious magical realism bend. I was enchanted listening to this audiobook, as I have long enjoyed Brittany Pressley's narration, but the male POV and the narrators' performance nearly stole the show. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys magical realism and stories that capture the imagination.

Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks for gifting me with an ALC to review. All opinions are my own.

This novel stole my heart! It is quintessentially southern fiction, with all the charm of neighbors on porches, cakes being passed around on plates, drinking lemonade from mason jars, and pickup trucks coming down a dusty drive. But it’s the characters here you won’t soon forget.

Rennie, a tender kind spirit, is married to an angry man who has turned abusive. She cares for her beloved elderly Uncle Dixon, the man who is now the keeper of Rennie’s late aunt Eugenia’s bees. Her uncle continually tells Rennie to listen to the bees, to trust them. When a stranger comes to town, Rennie feels like she may have a friend, an ally in him, and, strangely, he seems to connect with the bees, too.

The story is a blend of heartbreak and heaviness, but it's the warmth, love, and protection that stand out. Set in 1969, it's empowering to see Rennie's true friends stand by her, offering support and protection. But what's truly inspiring is Rennie's growth, her courage, and her newfound belief in herself.

One of the most beautiful aspects of the story is the harmony between humans and nature. The magic of the bees and the hope for second chances create a sense of connection and peace that resonates throughout the narrative.

🎧I was so glad I decided to pick up the audiobook along with my physical copy. The narration by Brittany Pressley, Michael Crouch, and Seth Podowitz was fantastic. The separate narration of the bees really brought them alive and made it even more magical.


Thank you @uplitreads @elizabethbassparman and @harpermusebooks for this #gifted book.
Thank you @harpermusebooks #HarperMuseAudiobooks for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley.

5 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

Oh my goodness! I loved this book so much! Elizabeth Bass Parman has hit the ball out of the park. Rennie is a spectacular main character and she grew so much in this novel. love that it was set in my home state of Tennessee. Give this novel a try if you love magical realism, bees, small southern town settings, heartwarming stories, and wonderful characters.

Brittany Presley did a fabulous job bringing the book to life. Michael Crouch and Seth Podowitz did wonderful narrating the bees.

Synopsis:
Rennie King's world isn't at all what she expected when she married the hotshot baseball player from her small town of Spark, Tennessee. Reeling from the loss of her newborn son, she desperately needs the support of her husband, but instead of providing comfort, he is becoming increasingly angry, often turning that anger on her.

When a glowing bee lands beside her, Rennie senses she needs to check on her beloved beekeeper uncle. The bee stirs long-forgotten memories of a childhood lived close to nature, a connection she lost over time. As the summer progresses, she finds both the bees and her uncle advising and encouraging her. While healing from her loss, she gains the courage to break free from the husband who is becoming increasingly violent.

With help from her family, her friends, and of course, the bees, Rennie dares to hope that she can build a happy life for herself and opens a business that could provide a path to independence. But starting over is hard, and as the heat rises that summer, so do tempers, until everything comes to a head the night the astronauts first step onto the moon's surface.


Hope-filled and infused with magical realism, Bees in June captures Rennie's journey back to her true self, creating a rewarding life that the bees showed her was possible if she only believed in herself and the magic that surrounds her.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Museum for the advanced digital copy of the audiobook.

Charming Southern story of young woman in a terrible marriage where husband is abusive even when she loses her baby. She has an aging uncle who was more of a parent to her than her own mother and there is a bit of a connection with the bees he takes care of on his farm. Her optimism and perseverance and the family she builds around her gives motivation to move forward and survive.

I really enjoyed this story and the magical realism intertwined with it. It was a unique take on a theme that is slowly taking over the book world and I loved it. I enjoyed the little narrated snippets from our friends. I also really enjoyed how the FMC slowly but surely started to come into her own, how she started to stand up for herself, even when she took that huge step backwards, I could forgive her for it for the grief she was dealing with at the time. The story being told rang true for the time period it takes place in and I loved the women standing for women characters we were introduced to.

The only thing I did noy enjoy was the romance that we were presented with towards the end of the book. I didn't feel it was completely necessary. He could have just been a very good friend to her, he didn't have to be a romantic interest. I didn't buy it. It felt like a last minute thought sub plot and wasn't well fleshed out.

Bees in June
Author Elizabeth Bass Parmen
Narrator Brittany Pressley Micheal crouch Seth Podowitz
4stars
A gentle read ,that although contains subjects such as abuse and the death of an infant , is a comforting and uplifting read
Bees are one of my favourite thing and I loved that they play an important part of the story , although the chapters written from the bees don’t quite have the voice that I would like them to.

I've always been a sucker for a small-town historical fiction, and the touch of magical realism solidified the five-star review for me.

Rennie's special connection to the bees saved her life in more ways than one. I'm not usually a fan of stories where animals act as narrators, but the commentary from the bees added foreshadowing and needed perspective to the plot.

*please check trigger warnings* Some heavy topics explored, with a HEA.

Wow. An emotional rollercoaster. And magical at the same time! An absolutely beautiful story.
4.5 stars
While there are some magical aspects this is a story of a woman facing her fears straight on and showing up for herself. It reminded me a lot of the musical “waitress” at some times!

My favourite parts were the commentating from the bee’s on the story - they were expertly narrated! Here are some of my favourite quotes from the bees:

“So she did not mention the bees?
Are we not her heart?”

“So we have to wait until her heart catches up with her brain?
Until she has a full knowingness of what she is faced with …yes”

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this book in advance of it’s release.

Bees in June is a heartfelt story with a touch of magical realism. I enjoyed following Rennie’s journey as she worked through grief, family struggles, and finding hope again. The small-town setting and glowing bees added a unique charm. A few parts were predictable, but overall it was a warm and uplifting read.

A great summer story that is masterfully narrated make this a winner. The characters are multi-dimensional and easy to relate to and the plot is solid-give it a try!

Oh my goodness, what a precious story this is. Set in rural Tennessee just outside of Nashville, I felt an immediate familiarity with the setting of this book that helped the story really resonate with me.

There are few things Rennie loves more in this life than her Uncle Dixon, her dog Jane Austen and baking. She faces life with her sidekick Nadine and some good advice from the bees, and I think this book might have convinced me that I do, in fact, enjoy magical realism.

If you’ve ever seen the movie (or Broadway show) Waitress, this book reminded me of its story, and I really, really liked it. I also loved that this story was set against the historical backdrop of the moon landing, as it provided such a clear time period to nestle the story into.

The audio of this one was also great, and I loved doing another immersive read; is this my new favorite thing? It just might be.

Although Rennie’s life is far from perfect, this book made me want to sit out in Aunt Eugenia’s flowers with a slice of Rennie’s honeymoon cake and pass a summer evening.

I absolutely love a good slice of cake. What is your favorite kind of cake?

I listened to the audiobook version of this book. Narration is performed by the very talented Brittany Pressley. She is the Voice of every character in the Book. She really has perfected her craft. You would think there were several other narrators used to voice all of these characters! She is by far my favorite narrator. I will listen to a book just because she is the narrator.
This book started out slow and had a supernatural feel to it. I wasn’t sure I was going to like but it exceeded all of my expectations. The character development is superb. I especially like the closeness she had with her Aunt and Uncle.
I am a firm believer in not spoiling a book for others. I do not read the back of a book so I can be surprised. Do not sleep on this book. The delicate way the Bees orchestrate life events was unexpected. It had a hint of a love story and was not a main part of the book.
The Complex characters are set in a time where women couldn’t have their own money, own their own things and divorce was something new. Perfectly blended together like the main characters honey moon cake.
Give this book as a gift to a lover of women’s fiction. Someone that enjoys stories about overcoming an obstacle, empowering women, strong family ties, and falling in love by chance.

So many elements to navigate in this story including magical realism, domestic abuse, grief from loss, and self discovery. Although the perspective from the bees was a bit odd to me in the beginning, I grew to appreciate them and the more light-hearted feeling they brought to an otherwise highly emotional story. Overall, Bees in June was a wonderful read!

🌻Memorable quotes:
"We can complain that rose bushes have thorns or we rejoice that thorn bushes have roses "

We thought we had our whole lives ahead of us, but we managed to squeeze q life time of happiness into the years we were given"

"Prob 3:5-6 that verse tells me itd ok I don't understand I'm not suppose to"

"You teach ppl how to treat you,"

"Know your worth."

💛 Review:
I am obsessed with this book! I picked it up just because of the cover, but it ended up being the perfect story to end my summer with. The writing was funny, engaging, and very well-paced, with just the right amount of witty banter and dialogue. The magical realism - talking bees! I know I know stay with me-- it is done well, woven in seamlessly, and adds to the book's charm. The author's descriptions are just vivid and immersive enough to paint the picture without getting too wordy. I was hooked from page one and loved every minute of this captivating story.

I've never read a book that made me feel hopeful, light, warm, cozy, and at home, while still tackling serious subjects in a thoughtful and respectful way.I've never read a book that made me feel hopeful, light, warm, cozy, and at home, while still tackling serious subjects in a thoughtful and respectful way.

The narrators were perfectly cast, bringing distinct personalities and lives to each character.

Bees in June is a must read, about love and loss, finding yourself, knowing your worth, and starting over. I would highly recommend it, and I will be purchasing this book my for shelves.

🐝Thank you, Netgalley and publishers, for this audio ARC.

#bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #netgalley #booktube #bookstagram #bookreview #newbooks #arcreviewer #arc #tbr #booktalks ##bookbites ##bookish #bookworm #bookmarks ##bookhaul ##bookaholic #booklove #elizabethbassparman #beesinjune
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Uncle Dixon always told Rennie to tell the bees everything, but somewhere along the way, Rennie forgot. Now, with her life at its lowest, she begins to see the bees in a new light. Will she believe again in the magic of the hives, and will she listen as the bees try to guide her home?

I was afraid this was going to be “too sweet” for me. But I enjoyed Rennie. She is very timid at first but she comes into her own. And trust me, with the husband she has, she better or she is going to be a statistic.

This is a good book to read between some of your heavy books. This has some domestic drama, good friendships and strong family bonds.

This does have some interludes where the bees are talking. At first I was not a fan. But as the story moved along I liked the significance of their conversations. The bees are the magical realism and this added a good bit to this tale! And with the author’s note…heck I was researching bees 😜🐝.

This is narrated by Brittany Pressley; Michael Crouch; Seth Podowitz. I enjoyed this tag team of narrators.

Need a sweet, home town feeling drama…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

Bees in June is a tender, magical-realist Southern novel about grief, resilience, and a young woman finding her inner strength with the help of a Greek chorus of bees, her talent for making food, and finding support from her community.

In the author's note, Parman states that she had written this story originally without the magic of the bees, an addition which certainly does take it over the top. From the audiobook narration, it was hard to tell how the bees' part might have been written, since we heard two distinct voices. I also wasn't sure if these bees were alive or 'dead and all-knowing.' In the end, did that detail matter? Maybe, to help my understanding of how the magic worked. I might have liked more of that world-building, and a hint more foreshadowing about the Celtic ritual revelation.

The main character, Rennie, was continuously described the bees as having had 'a hard life.' Though the author described her Biblically-strict mother, I honestly couldn't or find much sympathy for her, particularly because she still had the loving aunt and uncle described in greater detail. If this detail had been used to further push her into the open arms of the abusive Tiny, I might have bought it more, but it wasn't. Overall, it was hard for me to feel sorry for her save for the fact that she was a woman of a particular era; if that had been her only problem, I would've been fine with it. Otherwise, she was quite the milquetoast.

I wanted to enjoy the cooking and baking scenes, but integral though they were supposed to be, these were glossed over. When Rennie makes a cherry pie, something that I might find difficult and also interesting, all it says is that she 'adds the cherries to the crust.' Really, is it that easy? Might she at least open a jar or a can first, some detail along those lines? Because of that, I also found it hard to believe that she was such a good baker.

Tiny was particularly atrocious, and though believable, I might have liked some moments of vulnerability for him earlier on. Perhaps it was how the narrator chose to depict him, every sentence a sneer. If someone is that consistently awful, then it's incredibly hard for me to believe Rennie would be so attached to him, soft-hearted though she was.

In the end, this was an interesting read. While the author tied everything together logically, the writing felt like a debut. Would still be interested to see what other takes on the magical realism genre Ms. Parman may have in the future.

Bees in June AUDIO by Elizabeth Bass Parman is the story of a woman who married the wrong man, but grew strong and righted herself. The story is narrated and analyzed by bees. This whole thing takes place in Southern Appalachia where people’s belief systems are more mystical than much of the world. Rennie had not had much in the way of parents but she had always had Uncle Dixon and Aunt Eugenia and the bees. Now her parents were gone, as was Aunt Eugenia, and Uncle Dixon was fading, but she still had his bees and she believed. Tiny, her husband, had escalated and she seriously feared for her life. Fortunately she had a friend or two to help her out at this low point in her life, and her cousin, Natalie. She believed both she and Uncle Dixon had a friend in Ambrose, a man who had moved here from Kentucky and brought his bees with him. After uncle Dixon passed she, and all of them, discovered that he had sold his farm to Ambrose. She though it would be hers. So did Tiny and after the funeral she found him ripping through the farmhouse looking for the money that he thought was his.

Rennie is a likable character, a product of the time, as much as anything. Divorce was unheard of in the area and she was afraid. When she went to the police to report Tiny, she discovered they would side with him and call it a domestic disturbance. She had no one to turn to except the bees and she wasn’t sure they hadn’t let her down as well. It was a low point. This is an interesting look at a sub-culture of American life in the late sixties. The setting is drawn clear as day and is in many ways to be envied. It was a heart-wrenching story; most of the time it didn’t seem as if there would be a happy ending. Spousal abuse is always an ugly topic but it is handled well in this book. Rennie did discover herself, through her baking, and she wasn’t ready to give that up.

The narrators are Brittany Pressley; Michael Crouch; Seth Podowitz and they were excellent. They read with caring and never let on if they thought it was all nonsense. The voices of the bees were comforting to both Rennie and the reader.

I was invited to listen to Bees in June by Harper Muse Audiobooks. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperMuseAudiobooks #ElizabethBassParman #BeesInJune

I really struggled with this one. The bee POV chapters felt odd and unnecessary—they pulled me out of the story instead of adding to it. I also found the mix of themes confusing. On one hand, there were Bible verses and hints of faith, but later, the book introduced reincarnation, rituals, witchcraft, psychic characters, and even bees discussing “the universe” It came across as inconsistent and even a bit deceitful since many of the characters were portrayed as Christian.
On the positive side, I really enjoyed the narration. Pressley did a phenomenal job bringing the characters to life and was the highlight of the experience for me.

With dual timelines and dual POVs (one being from the bees), this historical fiction novel with a hint of magical realism was the perfect book to end the summer. A book about bees is always catnip for me since my father-in-law was a bee farmer, and this one did not disappoint. The bees were the perfect juxtaposition against the harsh realities that the MC was facing with an abusive husband.

I listened to the audio which was very well done. There were multiple narrators and each one brought a lot of life to the characters. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Rating:
I loved it

What you’ll find:
Pregnancy loss
Dual timelines
Magical realism
Domestic abuse
TN setting
POV of the bees

A magical and heartfelt story about survival and self-discovery, Bees in June reminds us that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is learn to save ourselves—and in doing so, we uncover a strength we never knew we had.