Member Reviews

I started this book enthusiastic and looking forward to turning the pages.

Unfortunately, the enthusiasm disappeared and after having got half way through I couldn’t carry on.

Disappointed read for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc

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4.25⭐️ // ARC provided by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Going into reading this, I have to admit, I was pretty nervous about all the hype - but it definitely delivered. The story is about two writers who used to date when they were teens, and have spent the rest of their careers apart - one dealing with chronic pain, single parenthood, and a rabid fanbase, and the other an enigmatic and closed-off recluse. The characters felt real, and flawed, and vulnerable in a way that can be tricky for a romance - and the issues that arise and are discussed are handled sensitively and thoughtfully (though I would recommend checking trigger warniings before reading).

The only reason for the slightly lower rating from me is because I feel like the story ended before it was finished - I'm not suggesting every loose end needs to be tied, etc, but I felt like it would have added to the story to go a little further on than it did, as the end felt slightly rushed to me.

But otherwise - brilliant writing, stellar plot, characters you can't help but root for - I'd definitely recommend this one.

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Love this book! Stunning.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access this book in exchange for my feedback.

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This book already started with a BOLD chapter and I really thought 'Oh boy, what have I got myself into...'
But as I read on, I almost forgot I was holding a book in my hands and began to experience the story.

Eva and Shane met in High School and spent a short but very intense time together. When he suddenly left, it devastated her. Over the years they both became well-known authors, led different lives, lived in different cities, sometimes even in different countries. At a literary event 15 years later, they finally see each other again. Due to a different circumstance, they meet and even end up spending the next few days together. As they reconnect, some long hold-on-to-questions get answered, some surprising truths come to light, and maybe they can both let go of the past. But life is never that simple.

This story deals with some serious issues, and I feel like you need to keep an open mind while reading it to get the best experience possible. I thought about giving this only 3 or 4 ⭐, but just because I personally disapprove of co-dependent and somewhat toxic relationships, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist in abundance in real life. And I feel like that was kind of the purpose. Not to show an idealistic version of how everything should be, but an honest and raw version of what real life for some people is actually like.
On that note, I wouldn't classify this book as a 'romance novel', even though romance/romantic love is involved (just wanted to warn you).

The writing style is beautiful, witty, immersive, emotional, and so much more.
Every character has so many nuances, they could be actual, real people. Their conversations and interactions are completely believable, and as a reader you can feel every emotion they go through.
Sometimes authors drag out plots unnecessarily or cut them too short so that the reading flow gets interrupted, but here everything has just the perfect length.
Usually there's always at least one thing I don't like about a book, here I can't think of anything.

Highly recommend!!

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Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. An entertaining and quick read about love! Good writing and very enjoyable. Works especially well as a quick holiday read!

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"Before I forget." "What's that?" "Stop writing about me."

When they haven't seen each other for 15 years, but all this time they were writing books to each other>>>

"I wrote my books like you were the only one who'd read them," he continued carefully. "My books did what I couldn't." Eva's breath slowed. "Which was what?" "Talk to you"

Eva and Shane met and fall in love in highschool. They spend week together, until they're separated...

"I've changed." His confident smile made it believable. "I think this is what writers call a character arc."

But after 15 years they reconnect. They're not the same person they were then, but still their chemistry is unmatched.

"I never realized I was lonely," he said. "Until I met you and I wasn't anymore."

As previously they meet for seven days in June, but what happens when one week ends?

"I stayed alive for you. But you killed me, anyway."

This book - I'm speechless, this was amazing and beautiful and sad and happy. Couldn't put it down. 5/5⭐

"As kids, we were too raw; we just weren't ready for each other. Now we are."

Thank you NetGalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

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wow wow wow... I genuinely can't get over how incredibly amazing this was holy crap love love loved it!!

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A fantastic book that really made me think deeply from beginning to end. I’d love to read more from this author!

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I know I'm the odd one out with my one star rating. I had highly anticipated this book and thought it was going to be one of my top books for 2022 but unfortunately for me, it fell flat.
I love a second chance love story but this felt forced and the characters too stereotypical. Shane and Eva were too dramatic and acted immature. I wanted to love the characters and root for them to get back together but I didn't. Sorry, it just wasn't for me!

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I wanted to love those book, but I found it at best silly and at worst problematic in it presentation of high stakes second chance love. The romanticisarion of extreme self destructive behaviour made the sections about Shane and Eva's teenage years almost unbearable.
The book I want to read is the novel Eva researches at the end!

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An enjoyable read and one that no doubt will be on many people’s piles at the beach over the summer, it’s characters are very engaging

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Tia Williams has a very engaging writing style, you really feel like you know the characters and I found this an unusual and interesting love story. The characters are complex and there is a lot of subtle suggestion, a well written engaging summer read.

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I heartily enjoyed this in one sitting - William's depiction of a love story that was fraught with barriers like class, disadvantage and invisible disability, was a far more thoughtful read that I was expecting to engage in. The spicy but intelligent love story is especially impactful for the strong characterisation of Eva. More realistic than Jasmine Guillory and a different vibe to Talia Hibbert, I look forward to more from Tia Williams.

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This was a lovely reading about love and true love, but still there are some questions left unanswered so it's only 3 stars for me. I loved the characters and the plot was interesting too covering some not so "talkable" topics but then involving the personal lives of those writers and their own problems.

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Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn’t wait to see how the story developed. Throughly enjoyed the story and the author will now be an auto buy author for me.

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Tia Williams’ voice and dialogue is so energetic and sparkling and feels like it bounces off the page. The love story feels original and unique - two people connected in their teenage years with a fierce attraction and traumatic events in common. I loved the characters and Eva’s back story - I feel like that could definitely be a book in its own right! Overall a wonderful take on a romance novel!

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This book was a pleasant read but I would've liked it more if it was more focused on the romantic story rather than trying to cover a lot of other sensitive topics,

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This book is everything Swear on This Life intended to be.

The story follows Eva and Shane, who fell in love when they were in high school. They both had their demons to deal with back then and let's say things didn't end that well. 15 years later, they are both successful authors who have basically been writing about each other all this time. When they meet again sparks fly, but what happened all those years ago still lingers between them.

I loved Eva as a character, how her chronic illness was portrayed and how she wanted to "break the curse" and give her daughter Audre the chance to be whoever she wanted to be. I absolutely adored Audre, she almost made me want to have kids, but I would've liked to see Eva explaining how life really was for her as a kid instead of continuing to feed her a sugar coated version of events. Also, random comment, but there were too many pop culture references for my liking. Other than that, this was an amazing second chance romance.

Trigger warnings for self-harm, alcoholism, drug use, sexual abuse, child neglect, racism and chronic illness.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Quercus Books and Tia Williams for this advanced copy.

I. Absolutely. Adored. This. Book. If you haven't picked Seven Days in June up yet, and are in need of a summer read, go and do it now!

The amount I was invested in Eva and Shane was mad. Im not one for soppy romances, and I think this is why this book suited me. Their journey is not all roses and unicorns. It's hard, gritty, brutal and honest. Yet, the love and compassion, my little heart couldn't deal.

Aside from their relationship, there's a lot of commentary in this book regarding chronic illness, mental health, addiction, race and diversity. That's just a snippet of what's at the core of this book, with them talked about in a very open and honest way. It was very insightful! And also, the sex positivity, I am here for it.

Another thing to adore about this book is the mother/daughter relationship between Eva and Audre. It's so lovely to read. In fact, Audre is just a firecracker of a character, and wise beyond her years! The female friendships are done so well. Whether it's between mother and daughter or Eva and her girlfriends. It was refreshing to see women empower one another instead of being jealous or catty! Just another aspect I really enjoyed!

I've gushed enough for now but please, do yourself a favour and pick this up! It'll have you laughing, hurting, thinking, and if you're as invested as I was, shouting at its pages!

*Please research any trigger warnings before reading *

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Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I've been hearing so much about this one online so was excited to see it get a proper UK release. Seven Days in June delivers a perfectly paced second chance romance with a fun literary theme - two authors writing their way back to each other after their turbulent teenage romance goes wrong. Shane is a first class messy romantic interest, whose flaws furnish his character with depth rather than lurching into red flag territory, which, in my experience, is actually a difficult tightrope to walk. All the characters, in fact, are humming with life and charisma - it's a book fully charged with emotion and humanity.

The only real drawback of this book is the clunkiness of the zeitgeisty pop culture references.
Tia Williams is tripped up by her own clear savvy for what is currently hot - it was like I could feel the references slipping out of vogue as I read them. The name dropping of authors felt particularly odd - especially the moment when one of the characters seems to be actively involved with Michelle Obama's real-life memoir. It was a slipping in and out of fiction that felt a little unnatural. I did, however, thoroughly enjoy the image of two teenagers doing lines off the back of a copy of The White Boy Shuffle.

Was delighted to see that this has been optioned for a limited series - though to me it feels like it just needs a thoroughly lovingly made movie. I can see this working perfectly on the screen. Looking forward to Williams' second adult venture!

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