This book sizzled with chemistry, romance and brilliant characters. I really connected with the story immediately and didn’t take long to race through it. A beautifully written story that is darker than expected and wonderfully engaging.

Not the book I was expecting to read based on the blurb... The romance bashing in this was terrible, made even worse because it comes from a character who's an author who found success with romance and erotica. I get the angst re: the YA plotline of her stories, but using this as platform for romance bashing in general, romance being 'supermarket porn' - no! Sorry, no way. Plus this was in no way a light story and I didn't know how much it wanted to take itself seriously with all the heavy and downtrodden tropes it wove in...

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

I really couldn't get into Williams' other work, The Perfect Find, so I was a bit wary about trying another one of her books, but I always trust a Reese Witherspoon Book Club, pick so I thought I'd give this one a try, and I'm so glad I did! The chemistry between Genevieve and Shane was honestly palpable, and I haven't felt such a genuine connection between two romantic interests in a book in a long time. From their very first interaction after reuniting I couldn't get enough of the two of them together, and it really warmed my heart to see Shane slowly be integrated into her life at home with her daughter, Audre (who I also loved as a very self-aware 12 -year-old). I really liked how Williams turned the narrative to secondary characters, but only when it felt necessary, and focused mostly on the two lovers. Such a perfect summer romance.

Skimming through my Kindle library in yes, June, I saw Seven Days in June by Tia Williams sitting there unread and really, if not now, then when? I’m so pleased I let this random title / month link make the call as Seven Days in June is a fantastic read. I devoured it over a few sunny afternoons in the garden – and here’s why.

Seven Days in June does what so many other romance novels try to and don’t get quite right. It’s the perfect blend of emotion and erotica. There are some stunningly sexy scenes between our lead characters, Eva and Shane, and the more we learn about them, the more the emotional investment is effortlessly ramped up.

It was the chatty, funny tone that drew me straight into Seven Days in June. Honestly, I laughed out loud so many times, but also felt my heart aching for Eva and Shane at different moments, they felt so real and rounded.

Eva (full name Genevieve) is a single-mum to 12-year-old daughter, Audre, she lives in New York and is the successful author of erotic supernatural series, Cursed (the love story of a witch, Gia and vampire, Sebastian).

She also suffers from chronic, often debilitating migraines and has writer’s block while working on the 14th book in her series.

Shane Hall is also an author. He is a publishing marvel who had wild success with his first 4 books, but he shuns the spotlight and whole literature scene.

Eva and Shane were teenage lovers (for only 7 days, yes, in June) but their high-drama experience (with some trigger warnings – quite graphic references to drug use and self-harm) meant that they didn’t see each other for a long time… When Shane reappears in Eva’s life, she has a lot of questions, emotions and, it turns out, unresolved sexual tension.

As well as the love story, there is interesting social commentary about being Black in America that runs through this book too. Eva’s heavily influenced by her roots: her mother, grandmother and generations beyond them. They were strong Black women who were often mis-labelled and not listened to. There are parallels in Eva’s life now and how she looks to her history to guide her now.

Their reputations were as wild and dramatic as their names – Clotilde and Delphine. Their lives had been affected by murder and madness and mysterious rage.

I had all the feels for Seven Days in June – no wonder it was a Reese’s Book Club pick. The short, sharp intense, intense and highly-charged relationship between Eva and Shane is so engrossing, in both time-frames, as it captures complex nuances and isn’t afraid to delve into the depths of emotion – both good and bad.

Excitingly, this book has been optioned for TV and I could absolutely see this being a huge Netflix must-watch. Obviously you need to read it before it hits the screen!

I loved the chronic illness rep in this story. I also loved how this was a second chance romance and the characters were older than the usual ages.

This book was a tough one to review as I was unable to get really into the book, I found it a little hard to connect with anything within the book.

Seven Days in June is like nothing I've ever read before. Beautiful, romantic and even dare I say sexy - and I usually don't love adult romance novels. But the story of Eva and her former love Shane reconnecting years later as adults is so compelling and satisfying, I raced through it, devouring every page without ever feeling satiated.

Was really looking forward to this one but could not connect with the characters. Also found the story hard to follow.

I expected this to be a second chance romance with some steamy scenes, but it's actually much deeper than this.

There are instances of drug use and abuse, death and grief, and alcoholism in this book, so it is something to be aware of before going into this book. However it is all dealt with and portrayed respectfully, in my opinion.

I'm not usually a second chance romance girl, but it was done so well here I was enthralled. Their chemistry is palpable and I rooted for them the whole time.

Thank you NetGalley for my advance copy of this book. I love stories about second chance love affairs so this book was right up my street. That said it didn’t quite hit the mark with me. Even though I did enjoy it, I didn’t love it like I thought I would which was disappointing. I did enjoy the book and was rooting for the characters, there was also some very funny pop culture references which made me laugh out loud. Overall a 3 star read for me.

While I loved the love story at the centre of this book.I felt the American phrases/words/locations made it difficult to follow as an Irish reader.

I adored this it took a little while to get into but once I got to know the characters and enough of their background I was hooked. Already looking for my next read like this.

4.5 stars - this was such a surprising novel for me. I felt completely immersed within the first 10 pages, and I was actually sad when it was over. What a treat it is to be able to enter a world so smoothly and effortlessly - all thanks to how Williams writes and describes her characters. I am NOT done with them - I need more books about Audre, and the book that Eva was hoping to write about her family! I desperately want to read it! Such a whirlwind of emotions this one - loved it!

What a book to start the year with and thank you Tia Williams for making me feel every emotion.

Firstly, the hilarious prologue drew me in. I just knew this writing style would be for me.

32-year-old Eva Mercy, previously known as Genevieve Mercier, is a best-selling erotica writer famous for her Cursed series. She is also mother to her 12-year-old daughter Audre who she shares with ex-husband, Troy.

Shane Hall is a now sober author who is struggling to write after giving up his vices. He keeps himself to himself in the author world and spends his time teaching English and mentoring young teens at schools in "bad" (for want of a better word!) areas.

Seven Days In June delves into their backgrounds both together and apart. As seventeen year olds they spent a week together but they were both very troubled. They were bad for each other. Meeting now is the first time they have seen each other in fifteen years and their lives have changed drastically.

Believe me when I say that this book had a grip on my heart. I read the entire thing in a day as I was so invested in their relationship.

There is a wonderful focus on Black authors and stories in the publishing industry and I enjoyed reading about Eva's struggles with her illness. It was new to have a main character like this.

I must add trigger warnings for self-harm and drug abuse.

Seven Days In June is a beauty and my heart both aches and is full at the same time.

This was the most beautiful book I have read in a long time. Shane and Eva first met as a teenagers when they had a crazy but short lived love affair. They then parted ways and hadn't seen each other since when Shane suddenly burst back into Eva's life. Eva is now a successful writer but she is wary of Shane who broke her heart. It's difficult to put into words what makes this story so beautiful.

This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year after trying a sample put out by NetGalley earlier in the year, but sadly it just didn't follow through for me. I absolutely loved the first 100 pages or so—it's fun, hilarious and seems to be heading in a super romantic and sexy way. After that, it felt like it lost some of the magic and could've done with a bit of a stronger plot and character growth. I'd definitely consider reading more from Tia Wiliams, but this one just wasn't quite what I'd hoped it would be.

This book was a great read

I felt that that in places the storyline was rushed and it felt almost a little unfinished. But I did enjoy what I read.

I liked the characters and how they had flaws

It was a enjoyable read, but not as gripping as I thought

Firstly, this is not a light and fluffy romance - both of these characters have a lot of past drama and trauma in their lives.

I think Tia Williams is more what I thought Jasmine Guillory would be. Although I know it isn't necessarily helpful to compare two black romance writers - I just expected Guillory's writing to focus on black joy in a way that I'm not sure she does, while I would say that Williams is writing about black people with her arms open to a full representation of emotions ranging from the tragic (but earned) to the joyful ebullience of the happy ending.

This second chance romance managed to be credible despite the short amount of time the characters have actually spent together in the past or in the present timeline. It shouldn't work but it somehow does.

I'm not sure we needed the brief sections from Cece or Lizette's povs but this didn't detract from the story.

I will keep an eye out for what Williams publishes next. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. First of all, that first line!!!! What a start. This book had me feeling everything and rooting for our characters. I loved it.