Bees in June was a heartbreaker of a book don’t let the pretty cover fool you. It’s written beautifully though and I very much enjoyed it. I will say the positives first: I was choked up for Uncle Dixon and his words of wisdom and healing. I also adored the magical bees that was definitely my favorite part of the story because I’m a believer and I really liked the authors take on magical realism. Okay, that being said I can’t review this honestly without saying I found the subject matter a little too triggering for me as I assume most mothers would. The only other drawback was the audiobooks narrator was super confusing to me. I couldn’t focus on what she was saying because of her tone being so soothing. I’m not much of an audiobook listener though so don’t take that comment very seriously. I’ve never Been able to concentrate very well in school when someone else was reading, not sure why 🤷🏼‍♀️ All that being said, thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

“I minored in English in college. It won’t really help me be a better farmer, but I think books can make us better people. It’s a good way to learn about the world without having to go do it all yourself.”
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Bees in June by Elizabeth Bass Parman is a clever magical realism set in the 1960s at the time of the Space program and the moon landing with the first walk on the moon. Did you know that those space suits were made by Playtex? There were some fun facts stirred into this book! The book was narrated by Brittany Pressley, Michael Crouch, Seth Podowitz and I especially loved the chapters where the bees were talking because the two voices brought those conversations to life for me! Brittany did an excellent job narrating the rest of the story.
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I’m not one to give away very much about the story because I prefer to go into books mostly blind. This is a story from the 1960s, a time when women were just starting to stand up to the rule of men. There are woman who are looking out for each other in this story. I love the magical realism surrounding the bees. As a woman of faith, I read this story through that lens and saw the incredible design in creation. I believe our world is meant to be a source of healing when we allow it to be.
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Meg from Meg’s Reading Room podcast recommended this one! I second her recommendation. If you love magical realism and stories that end on a note of hope and redemption, then I think you’ll love this one too.
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Trigger Warnings - Almost immediately we learn that the main character has recently lost her first child because it was born too soon. I know this is a no-go for some of you, but the words of her uncle were so beautiful and they may help you to heal.
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Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC and ALC I received in exchange for my honest review.

I just finished a NetGalley of Bees in June. Elizabeth Bass Parman's debut novel, The Empress of Cooke County, was one of my top reads of last year, and I was hopeful the sophomore novel would be on par with it. IT DEFINITELY WAS!!! It is just as good. Just like with Callie Jane, the reader, or at least this one, falls in love with Rennie immediately and pulls for her throughout the entire novel. She has issues concerning the death of an infant, an abusive husband, an ailing uncle, money insecurity, and the budding of a new love, not to mention her relationship with the bees. She is on a quest to find out who she is. How and will she navigate these conflicts in her life? Read and go on the journey with Rennie; it will warm your heart.

Bees in June is a stunning, heart-filled story that beautifully blends historical detail, magical realism, and a woman’s journey toward healing and independence. Set against the backdrop of the moon landing—a moment when humanity achieved the impossible—Rennie King begins her own impossible task: rediscovering herself after loss and breaking free from the confines of a life that no longer serves her.

Elizabeth Bass Parman captures the ache of grief and the slow, tender process of reclaiming joy with remarkable sensitivity. The bees as guides and symbols of resilience add a luminous layer of magic, reminding both Rennie and the reader that hope can be found even in the smallest, most unexpected places.

The writing is lyrical yet grounded, the characters vividly real, and Rennie’s strength—hard-won and deeply human—makes her a heroine to remember. The tension builds beautifully through the hot Tennessee summer, culminating in a breathtaking conclusion that mirrors the wonder of the moon landing itself.

Hopeful, poignant, and quietly powerful, Bees in June is a story that lingers long after the last page. An absolute must-read.

Loved this book so much! I resonated with it more than I ever realized I would and cherished the relationship between Rennie and her Uncle. And the bees…oh how I loved how the author intertwined the bees into the storyline. Beautifully told story of love, loss, redemption, and triumph!

What a beautiful, tender, inspiring, and emotional story this was. A strong message of being at one with nature and the importance of family and friendship. I absolutely loved this story and really enjoyed the narration. I can't wait to read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse audiobooks and the author for an advance copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for access to an advance copy of this audiobook.
This is a such a sweet and touching book. I had an audiobook copy and it was such a sweet story. New beginnings, family, friends and trigger warning abuse. I listened to this is one sitting!

Sparks Tennessee in the 1960s Rennie is stuck in an abusive marriage and has lost her newborn baby son. Rennies cousin Nadine, her uncle Dixon and an hive of bees that belonged to her Aunt Eugenia are her support system.
These bees aren't ordinary bees, though. They have magic to them and are intent on protecting and helping Rennie to find her own strength and her way forward for a better life.
Rennie finds work in the town diner cooking and this gives her the opportunity to use her baking skills to better her life.
Such a good small town story of an abused woman finding herself, her strength finding a new beginning for herself with the help of her support system.

The narrator of this book was great!! Made me feel like I was watching this first hand.

A unique idea for this storyline. An uplifting redemption story with new beginnings in family and love.

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

4.5
This book was so sweet and emotional! it does have heavy topics like domestic violence and the death of a family member. I thought this book was so sweet with the bees giving it a unique twist. I loved every second of this book, and I definitely teared up in some instances, but i could not stop listening to it. It reminded me of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, so if you've read that book and liked it, I would highly recommend picking this one up.

A huge thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion <3

This book was incredibly clever. I absolutely adored the subtle use of magical realism, especially in relation to the bees. It was both unique and brilliantly executed. I love a story that can truly surprise me, and this one delivered that. The characters were unforgettable: some I admired deeply for their fierceness, and others I couldn’t stand because of their weakness. It made for a powerful and emotionally charged read.

Thanks to Harper Muse Audio and NetGalley for the advance listener copy. The female narrator did a great job! The male narrator that did the voice of the bees felt a little forced. The book was well written, engaging and well paced! I really liked Rennie and felt for her but I did get a bit frustrated with her at times. I also liked Ambrose but wish that his character was a bit more fleshed out. This book does touch on domestic violence so check trigger warnings. I really enjoyed Uncle Dixon’s stories and the flashes of Aunt Eugenia’s past. I usually love magical realism aspects in books and the bee storyline was interesting but it was left unresolved- I would have liked to know how Eugenia, Ambrose and Rennie were actually connected to the bees. Overall I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read another book by this author!

OBSESSED. I read this book in one days and honestly couldn’t put it down! I read late into the night even though I needed to be up early the next morning.

This story was pure magic. From the storytelling to the literal magic of the bees, this story was full of love, respect and hope. I wish I could read this one again for the first time because it was so delightful.

Advanced reader copy provided by Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

I'm giving this book 4.5 stars. Rennie's story is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and inspiring. Set in the late 1960's/early 1970's Bees in June was a quick read, fun, and sweet. There are some trigger warnings for DV and child loss, so check those before you dive in.

From the synopsis: "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."

My only reason for 4.5 and not 5 is the cover. Looking at the cover, I expected something more contemporary, due to the art style. No, it doesn't take away from the story, but does provide a different expectation of the timeline of the story.

Otherwise, I had a great time with this one!

4.25 stars

Bees in June is an emotional and moving story set in a southern small town, blending just the right amount of magical realism with a bit of historical fiction. The dual timeline keeps the pace engaging, and at its heart it’s a story about real hardships, human resilience and finding strength when you need it most.

Rennie, Uncle Dixon and the bees are unforgettable, their stories will tug at your heart. It’s the kind of book that lingers with you…full of charm, heart, and a bit of magic.

This enchanting story whisks us away to Spark, Cook County, Tennessee, during the late 1960s, set against the remarkable backdrop of the Lunar landing. It revisits the charming county town first introduced by Elizabeth Bass Parman in her debut work, “The Empress of Cook County.” While “Bees in June” nods to its predecessor, it stands on its own.

“Bees in June” is pure magic and ranks among the most beautiful books I have read this year and ever for that matter. Every page is infused with heart and soul, from the cover to the epilogue. The depiction of the bees captivated me with glimpses of their perspective woven throughout the story, providing a beautiful and unique element. Their reflections on humans, love, and life touched my heart and, at times, brought me to tears.

This empowering narrative follows Rennie, a woman who uncovers her inner strength and embraces her talents after facing the loss of a child and fleeing from domestic violence. The love and community that support Rennie as she embarks on her journey of self-discovery are simply beautiful. I wholeheartedly recommend this simply beautiful and heartwarming read.

The audio narration was absolutely perfect. The bees having their own voice added so much to the story and the overall production. I absolutely loved it.

I really loved this audiobook! The narrators Brittany Pressley, Michael Crouch, and Seth Podowitz did a phenomenal job. This books was heart warming, yet saddening. I hated one of the characters and loved the rest, even side characters. I also loved the dynamic of storyline. There was a lot going on, in the beginning I was a bit worried how complicated the story was emotionally. However the way Parman navigated it, made the story smoothly paced and connected.

Thank you Netgalley, Parman and narrators, as well as Harper Muse Publishing for allowing me to listen and review this audiobook.

Set in a small Tennessee town in the 1960s, just before the moon landing, this book tells the story of Renny, a woman grieving the early birth and loss of her baby. Her husband, Tiny, a failed ballplayer, is a truly horrible character—a 'butthead' you just want to reach into the book and shake. Thankfully, Renny finds solace with her wonderful Uncle Dixon, a beekeeper who has recently suffered a stroke.

What makes this story truly special is the magical realism woven throughout. In between chapters, we hear from the bees themselves, who are working to help Renny in their own way. I felt a profound connection to the bees, especially during moments when Renny made questionable choices. I spent a good portion of this book shaking my head and crying over the events that unfolded. Despite the heartbreak, the story felt like a warm hug. I absolutely adored the blend of human emotion and the enchanting world of the bees.

Set in the summer of 1969, during the historic moon landing, this story follows Rennie King, a kind-hearted woman from Spark, Tennessee. Despite her seemingly idyllic life as the wife of the town’s heartthrob and baseball player, “Tiny,” Rennie’s life takes a tumultuous turn when she discovers her husband’s violent nature. One fateful day, a bee lands on Rennie, leading her to her uncle, who urgently needs her assistance. As Rennie becomes increasingly fascinated by bees, she forms an unlikely bond with them and gains newfound friends, including her cousin, the diner owner, and a newcomer named Ambrose. Together, they embark on a journey that transforms Rennie’s perspective on life and brings her a glimmer of hope in the face of ever growing adversity.

I shed tears, shouted into the void, laughed, and fell in love with this book. The characters were so authentic and had a profound depth. The plot was so innovative that I was pleasantly surprised. I listened to the audiobook, and it was incredible how the narrators portrayed the characters and brought them to life. The book flowed effortlessly and was clear. I believe the message of hope was beautiful and appreciated. The bees were my heroes, and they gave me a newfound appreciation for them. They represent hope, love, and belief in oneself to me now. This book is a beacon of light in the darkness, a truly remarkable read!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the ALC in return for my honest opinion.

I loved this book SO much! Right from the start I just couldn’t wait to get back to it. It’s such a warm, cozy story at times, but there is so much depth to the characters and a lot of different plot points. Great life lessons are taught and I just can’t wait for more people to have the opportunity to experience this book like I did!

Bees In June was a very sweet and cozy story. A quick summer read. The book was much more than I thought it would be, in the best way possible. I loved the characters, how the bees tied in to the story and the ending.