This book starts off strong as Ben wakes up one morning to his infant son crying and his wife no where to be found. More domestic mystery than thriller, we slowly learn what happened to June in this compelling and wonderfully written deep dive into the complexities of marriage, motherhood and grief. I loved both Ben and June and how this story was told alternating between the past and present as we see how the couple came together and how their marriage broke down.

The focus on mental health and post partum depression/disease was also excellent in the book. June struggles as a new mother with a workaholic husband and increasingly finds herself failing and wondering what her life might have been like if she hadn't had a child.

Recommended for fans of books like When I ran away or The nine lives of Rose Napolitano. Much thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for my digital and physical advance review copies. This book is out June 28th and will definitely be going on my forever shelf!

Though I’m not entirely sure this one should be classified as a mystery… I really enjoyed it. I knew where it was going and what it was ultimately going to be about, but it was so well done. I loved the writing style and how it alternated between the past, present, and the diary entries. It gave a full picture of everything going on in Ben and June’s lives and how we got to this point. I also felt that it gave a very realistic picture of what marriage and having children can be like at times. It’s not as black and white as we like to think and sometimes it does take us choosing to still be there (or not). Kudos to Alex Kiester and this well researched novel. Definitely looking forward to more from her.

This book feels like it would normally be right in my wheelhouse, but as a pregnant woman the child abandonment piece was too much for me. I couldn't read past the first little bit to see what would happen.

I really liked this book. Ben and June felt very real to me, and the evolution of their relationship with its dark twists and challenges was painful because Ms. Kiester captured the true ways in which lovers and parents can lose sight of one another without realizing it. Ben gets caught up with his demanding job and neglects really "seeing" June as a new mom with their son. June is trying all the time to be the best at everything, but she's utterly exhausted and feeling as if she's failed and has no one to go to for support. It's a heartbreaking story. As a mom, I appreciate the fresh light shone on post-partum depression, a frightening potential illness faced by new mothers. Living in Texas I also liked the Marble Falls, Texas setting for the latter half of the book. The Texas hill country is a special place, and I was pleased to read about it and its unique beauty.

Sometimes I read a book that just strikes a chord with me, and this book did exactly that. Ben and June are happy and in love with a new baby and a great life. But are they really? Ben does nothing but work, June thinks she can't do anything right. And then June goes missing. This book was emotional and heartbreaking while being hopeful at the same time. It was a wonderful read with some subject matter that is extremely relevant in present time. I can't wait to read more from Alex Kiester!

I was very excited to get an ARC of this book, and I really enjoyed it ! Ben & June have been happily married for several years and are now navigate being first-time parents, when one day Ben wakes up to find June, along with her suitcase, has disappeared. As he tries to piece together where she could be, he starts to realize that the more he uncovers about his wife, the more he realizes he doesn't really know her. I liked the alternate perspectives from each spouse and in past + present timelines. While I thought it was going to be a domestic thriller, I found it to heavier on the family dynamics and lighter on the mystery, but either way it was still a good story. Solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Truth about Ben and June by Alex Kiester is a mystery. The story begins when Ben awakens to his baby girl crying, and his wife, June, is nowhere to be found.
What unravels is the mystery of Ben and June’s relationship, June’s life, Ben’s life, their interconnectedness, and also how separate their lives really are.

This is a study of motherhood, couple hood,and friendship. It’s about relationships -spousal, friends, and the relationships between parents and children.

This book examines trauma. It isn’t light reading. It explores early motherhood, and the role of both the mother and the father. It looks at how men and women react to parenthood, and what they gain, and lose, to become parents.

I enjoyed this book. It gave me a great appreciation for being past being a new parent, but it also brought back memories of when I first had my own children. I could relate to what June was experiencing. I empathized with her on so many levels.

I really loved the ending of this book. I loved that Ben and June came together to fight for their marriage. That was very satisfying to me. I sometimes feel that men are written in a bad light in a lot of books, but Alex Kiester fairly portrayed Ben. He isn’t perfect; he’s shaped by his family of origin, and his worldly experiences. But he loves June and he loves his family, and he does what he needs to so that they, and he, are happy and healthy.

Thank you to @thoughtsfromapage for getting this book for an early discussion with @alexkiesterwriter .
I enjoyed that tremendously.

And thank you to #netgalley and #harlequinpublishing for the advanced e-copy of #thetruthaboutbenandjune.

The Truth About Ben and June by Alex Kiester Domestic drama which explores major topics of postpartum depression, and suicide. A heavy read but could not get involved in the story because it was difficult to relate to June.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

When Ben wakes up one morning and his wife June is gone, he finds himself alone with their young infant son. There is no note and no trace of June is found. The story takes off from there, flashing back in time to the past, and then to the present day, following June, and also Ben as he tries to find answers to where June has gone and why she left.

As the story progresses, we learn more about June, how she and Ben met, and how their relationship evolved. The tension builds as Ben continues to search for answers while finding care for their son and not imploding his professional career as a high powered lawyer.

I enjoyed the subtle mystery underlying this story, and the underlying theme of how communication is so critical, for spousal relationships as well as familial relationships. Making assumptions about another’s feelings and expectations can completely change the trajectory of one’s life and critical decisions.

There are trigger warnings particularly for postpartum depression and suicide.

I really enjoyed this novel and gave it 4.25 stars.

Thank you to Cindy at Thoughts From A Page podcast for arranging the eARC for patrons, NetGalley, and Park Row.

This book dives into the personal lives of Ben and June—the life we all have but perhaps hide from others.

One morning when Ben wakes he finds his wife, June, gone with no explanation.

The book then traverses current time of Ben carefully navigating what one might do when you’re not sure if your partner is truly missing…perhaps just out for a bit…? We then flashback to Junes life years ago and slowly the story builds as we get to know June.

They are new parents and with that comes the struggle of balancing their new life with their sweet baby boy, Mikey.

Secrets are revealed and June is still gone. I absolutely loved the direction this book went. I loved the slow building of suspense and thought the topic was handled well. I also really enjoyed entering the ballet world through June and learning about Medea in Greek mythology. I was never a dancer but we see how competitive that world is especially though June’s eyes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced e-copy.

The Truth About Ben and June by Alex Kiester

When Ben wakes up in the morning, he can't calm his crying baby, and he can't find his wife, June. She is gone, without a trace.

Although I enjoyed this story, young moms will especially relate to it. New mothers often wonder who they are and what they will become. Mix in newborn baby exhaustion, overworked husbands, minimal communication, and tense relationships. A variety of emotions take hold.

When June became pregnant, she gave up a dancing career and now wonders what might have been. Ben tracks down June's friends to determine her whereabouts and discovers his wife isn't who he thought she was. I enjoyed the unique structure of this novel, with June's version of the story told through letters she wrote to her deceased mom.

I also liked the dancing references, the novel's quick pacing, and its characters. Although the Greek mythology angle didn't work for me, I know other readers will appreciate it.

I fell absolutely in love with this book!
A MUST READ, inspired, gripping, realistic, dramatic, intense, nail bitting story that brings to light a mental health topic that so desperately needs to be talked about, also education needs to be put in place for all new mothers their spouse family on both sides & close friends so that people know the signs of postpartum depression/anxiety & other mental health illnesses. How about some public service announcement commercials to spread awareness & knowledge, we must help and protect those who are unable to or afraid to ask for help. Mental health should no longer be stigmatized, it should never have been shamed in the first place. But the fabulous way this story is told helps to spread this awareness we so desperately need in a way that has respect and thoughtfulness. I felt so much as I was reading, it literally was as though I became June, her feelings also emotions I felt them too fear, pain, loss, desperation, heartache & failure, being in a hopeless situation I was there with her for this nightmare. As a mother it broke my heart that any woman has is or would in the future feel this way at no fault of her own. Alex Kiester wrote this story with incredible care, compassion and love. It's an interesting experience to read the story from both perspectives because we so rarely think of our other half's side of the situation or how they perceive it, at least that's my opinion, I really liked that aspect of the book it was eye opening for me. I would most definitely give this book 5/5 stars (I would actually like to give it 10/5 stars but then were into improper fractions & absolutely nothing is improper about this novel so 5 Stars it is.) I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to expand their knowledge base on postpartum depression/anxiety, this is a very accurate betrayal told with a loving hand. I would also recommend this phenomenal book to anyone who enjoys a true love/Romance novel.
However this book is so so much more than any one genre it has a little bit of almost everything & then some. Love, loss, grief, suspense, mental health issues/awareness, old-fashioned stereotypical roles placed automatically on gender in relationships, parent child relationships & pressure that parents apply sometimes unknowingly, lost dreams as well as regret. But I would above all recommend this book to every first time expecting mother & all those pregnant so they can read a knowledgeable yet lovingly written accurate betrayal of what to watch out for in oneself and to know when to ask for help before it's to late, so that they don't become one of the astounding statistics, this book could help to save lives in my opinion as a mother. I had no clue what to look for as far as signs or symptoms I am thankful everyday that I had an amazing doctor who was on top of things or my daughter & I may not be here. I would like to thank Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing & Alex Kiester for the ARC of this phenomenal outstanding work of art. Bravo Alex Kiester.

Ben wakes one morning and finds his newborn son crying in his crib and his wife is nowhere to be found. Her suitcase is gone and there is no note nor memory of any discussion of her leaving, or any communication at all, really. Ben is forced to piece together this mystery and learns that he really didn't know his wife at all in recent months. Through her journal pages and conversations with friends, Ben learns the truth about June and her disappearance.

I appreciate that The Truth About Ben and June captured my attention immediately. Told from alternating points of view, we learn of Ben and June's relationship, their careers, their life with a newborn baby and how easy it can be to drift apart and lose sight of one another in these busy, often times, overwhelming stages of life.

This book contains several triggers, including postpartum depression/anxiety and suicidal thoughts. By the 50% point, I was struggling with whether to finish only because it made me so emotional from my own experiences. But I chose to keep reading because I hoped that this book would bring appropriate awareness to these very important and very common issues.

For the most part, I felt the author captured postpartum struggles very authentically - though everyone's struggle is their own, so many difficult moments resonated with me. I was left comforted by how the author ended this book.

This was a compelling story about a family struggling to be honest with themselves about their struggles and challenges. June, a new mom, is dealing with significant postpartum anxiety, and Ben is overworked at a job he has come to hate.

While frustrating at times, these characters were sympathetic enough for me to forgive their lack of communication and (at times) very poor decision making. I thought the conflicts that developed amongst the other mothers was interesting, but it is a trope that is overdone. There were also a few plot points that missed the mark for me, but I imagine this is a personal preference.

There were many parallels to my own life in this book (my husband is a lawyer and I call my daughters chicken and chickadee, too!), but most evident was how much I connected with June’s postpartum anxiety. I thought Kiester did a thorough job exploring how difficult this period can be and how much of a toll it can take on a family. This personal connection to the subject matter kept me intrigued as I read, but ultimately this book was just okay for me.

I recommend this book if you enjoy contemporary fiction with a touch of domestic suspense. Be mindful of the trigger warnings as this book was heavier than I anticipated.

This book grabbed me on the first page, it begins as a mystery as Ben wakes up in the morning, grabs their son, Mikey, and make their way downstairs but there’s no sight of June anywhere inside their house. Soon he discovers a missing suitcase and thoughts are running through his mind! It becomes a race to find June with the help of June’s friends and a journal she left behind. The characters and story are very much relatable, being new parents is both beautiful and complex. Thank you to Park Row Books and Harlequin Trade for a gifted copy.

Ben wakes to an empty bed and quickly realizes that his wife, with whom he has recently had a child after almost a decade together, has vanished. As Ben attempts to locate June, he realizes that he has neglected the most important role in his life. Has this knowledge come to him too late? For readers interested in themes of grief, postpartum anxiety, and marital struggles, THE TRUTH ABOUT BEN AND JUNE has much to recommend it. With important moments of insight, relatable characters, and fluid prose, it offers a unique perspective on contemporary domesticity.

The essence of love - the beautiful and tragic, the extraordinary and the mundane - revealed with such finesse and poignancy, that reading this book is as painful as it is incandescent.

What do we each bring to our relationships - our loves - but decades of patterns, old hurts, yearnings and the complicated misguided lessons learned from our childhood (that may or may not have once served us well, but are certainly now well past their prime) .

Meet Ben and June. A young couple, deeply in love, struggling and supporting, second-guessing and holding back as much as they are willing to confess (or may even be aware of), doing their utmost to live their best lives - together - (whatever that may mean), in care of each other and in service of the dreams they believe they ultimately share.

As June, a lifelong dancer, auditions tirelessly for an opening in a contemporary dance company (her childhood dream), and Ben, a M&A lawyer, works around-the-clock to service miserable clients and their meaningless mergers - the unimaginable happens.

A baby.

What is left of love - when your own identity, still wobbly and largely unformed, (as both an individual and a partner) is suddenly in the terrifying and unpredictable driver’s seat, responsible for the nurturance of an entirely new being?

How does one bond with the little one, when “withered by guilt and incompetency”, you are “struggling just to keep up with the basics.”

When life is an off-the-tracks-train-wreck - as you find yourself working (because someone has to) so hard and so desolately that the “scent of (your) wife feels uncomfortably Iike a memory”.

With subtle and heartbreaking insight, the author unpacks and lays bare the earthshaking, life-toppling changes brought to a relationship through childbirth - which cannot be predicted, (or even, for that matter, managed), layered on top of an already-tottering-and-entirely-outwardly-validated relationship barometer - a precipice destined for not only disaster, but cataclysmic soul-crushing despair.

“Love isn’t enough. Not when you’re drowning.”

“Maybe that’s just what marriage is. Just constantly over and under-estimating your partner, seeing them through your own gaze, never quite seeing them for who they really are..”

I loved this book, - the dynamics of the main relationship, Ben and June, captured so brilliantly - weighed down with so much that is brutal and unforgiving (grief, lack of sleep, hormones, shame, parental baggage, cruel neighbors, self-judgement, mental illness, poor communication, terror) - and at its heart so tender and heart-tugging that (we must believe) love is still present, still worth fighting for, if it can just be released and set free again.

A great big thank you to #Netgalley and #harperCollins for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

#TheTruthAboutBenandJune #NetGalley #BooksofHCC

First off, thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this Digital ARC of The Truth About Ben and June

If you enjoyed Gone Girl, the Truth about Ben and June, is for you. June, a wife and new mother, has gone missing. The story told form her husband Ben's point of view, brings out a domestic drama which some heavy topics (TW: postpartum depression & suicide). As he scrambles to try to figure out what happened to her, he realizes he had no idea of what was going on in her life. The story goes between Ben in the present, through the relationship since Ben and June met, and a journal June has been keeping in the form of letters to her deceased mother, detailing her struggles with motherhood and her spiral into what she is unaware is postpartum anxiety and/or depression and eventually possibly psychosis. An engaging and enjoyable read

Ben wakes up one morning to find his wife gone, their 4-month-old baby crying. As he scrambles to try to figure out what happened to her, he realizes he had no idea of what was going on in her life. The story goes between Ben in the present, through the relationship since Ben and June met, and a journal June has been keeping in the form of letters to her deceased mother, detailing her struggles with motherhood and her spiral into what she is unaware is postpartum anxiety and/or depression and eventually possibly psychosis. The author's notes at the end call the book a love letter to women with postpartum mood disorders, and it felt that way. I have read books (or sometimes been unable to finish books) that were so painfully accurate about PPD that it hurt to read. This book was somehow more gentle but no less accurate. It still made me cry at points because, oh, June, it's so hard, I know. Really a good book. 5 stars.

The Truth about Ben and June was a difficult book for me to properly rate. It’s by turns a harrowing portrait of the horrors of postpartum psychosis, a romance that is touching and realistic, a story about mourning, a mediation upon Greek mythology, and a tale of motherly angst.

Ben and June have a seemingly perfect life together. Their new baby, Mikey, appears to have cemented their bond.  But one day Ben wakes up in the middle of the night to find his son crying – and no June, who has packed a suitcase and left. While he deals with the police and tries desperately to find his wife, Ben flashes back to the past.

June and Ben met on New Year’s Eve 2010 in a New York emergency room, just minutes before the clock struck midnight.  Ben has a broken hand after punching a racist for spitting on his friend; June has a worsening case of the flu.  June dreams of being a prima ballerina and at thirty, her time is running out; Ben dreams of being a lawyer and is starting to climb the legal ladder.  They excel at both love and their careers, but when June fell unexpectedly pregnant, she had to give up her dream of dancing in Cave of the Heart, a ballet based on the Roman myth Medea.

They have Mikey and settle into a bourgeois suburban life.  And then June disappears, and Ben must work out why his wife has suddenly gone away.  Ben doesn’t know that June is slowly being mowed under by the messy pressure of young motherhood and regrets giving up her chance to dance, that she feels like she’s a bad and inept mother, that she’s keeping a journal where she communicates with her dead mother, and has had a vicious fight with the women in her Gymboree-like class over what may or may not be an extramarital affair; or that she has an evolving obsession with the Medea myth (and if you know anything about Greek mythology…).

The Truth about Ben and June is a very human, very chilling story.  Touching, heartbreaking, and a little bit anger-inducing, it manages to be an engrossing reading experience.  The plotline is marginally predictable but perfumed with foreboding, which makes its somewhat conventional ending a disappointment.

But there’s a lot to love about this book. June and Ben are both good if not perfectly nice people with complex lives. June is filled with longing, shame, love, sadness and frustration.  Ben thinks he has a happy, joyous marriage and is unaware of June’s pain, body issues, and personal trauma until he reads her diary.  There are narrative red herrings, twists and turns, most of them completely necessary.  A real fear that something awful might happen fills the air, and moments of awkward humor dot the landscape (like June accidentally bumping Mikey’s head into the head of another baby while fighting with one of her play group rivals).  Flashbacks show us how hard it is to deeply love one’s art as well as another person, but the third act denouement does pick the easiest way out of the very thick narrative forest through which the audience has been lead.

This is a hard book to categorize and thus an even harder book to review.  It’s definitely worth a read and definitely worth spending your time on.  It grabs the reader’s attention and doesn’t let go, even if the ending is a tad on the weak side.

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