A surprising book! Told from the point of view in June, an enslaved girl. She tells of her work in the house, her family and their struggles. Erin tells Julie’s story with heart and love. While slaveholders and slave life was often cruel and Junie’s life does include some of the atrocities, it is the tale of a young girl trying to make her way as best she can.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballentine Books for the early read.

This novel is a haunting and moving tale of Junie, an enslaved sixteen-year-old girl on the Bellereine Plantation whose life has been shaped by the unrelenting forces of slavery, grief, and a longing for freedom. The narrative pulls readers into the oppressive atmosphere of the antebellum South, exploring the inner world of a young girl whose dreams are in contrast with the brutal reality of her existence.

Junie's character is compelling, driven by a love for poetry and an intense connection to her late sister, Minnie. This connection deepens when Junie’s desperate actions awaken Minnie's spirit, propelling the story into the realm of the supernatural. The blend of spiritual elements with the harshness of Junie's reality adds a layer of complexity, as Junie must confront not only the physical chains that bind her but also the spiritual and emotional ties that keep her tethered to Bellereine.

The arrival of wealthy guests from New Orleans serves as a catalyst for Junie's awakening, shaking the foundation of her world and setting her on a path of discovery and rebellion. The inclusion of Caleb, a coachman who becomes Junie’s ally and love interest, introduces a tender yet complicated relationship that underscores the theme of love as a form of resistance. Their connection offers hope in a world that hasn’t been kind to them.

As Junie delves deeper into Bellereine's secrets, the novel reveals the horrors of slavery and the twisted dynamics that sustain it. Junie’s journey toward liberation is fraught with peril and difficult choices, and the narrative does not shy away from the complexities of seeking freedom in a world that denies it at every turn.

Junie's story powerfully reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the sacrifices that often accompany the pursuit of freedom.

Overall, this novel is a beautifully written and emotionally charged exploration of slavery, love, and the supernatural, with a strong, memorable protagonist whose story will stay with readers long after the final page.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. For some reason, nothing has been holding my attention lately so this is high praise! Junie is a historical fiction novel about a house maid (Junie) living in slavery in Alabama. She has a close relationship with Violet, the white girl of the house with whom she shared innocent childhood memories of reading and storytelling. Everything changes when Violet is set to marry, which will change Junie's life as she knows it. Plot wise, this book just doesn't stop. The ending of each chapter left me wanting more, and I couldn't put it down. There was an element of magical realism in this story which usually doesn't work for me, but I thought it really added to the story.

A new author in the historical fiction genre, Erin Crosby-Eckstine has written a gem. The character development is second to none. Junie is a sixteen year old enslaved girl who has lost her mother, father and older sister and becomes the housemaid of the daughter of her “owner.” The ghost of her sister Minnie comes to her and tells her that she must complete three duties so that her sister can leave the in-between place and go on to heaven. As Junie learns more about her lost family, she finds out that what she thought was true may not be. She has to make some difficult and dangerous decisions to be able to live the life she deserves even if it breaks her heart. I love these characters and will think about them for a long time.

Such a stunning debut! I have quickly become a historical fiction fan but this is really the first one I’ve read one that had a sprinkle of magical realism to it as well, which I loved.

This was beautiful, heartbreaking, atmospheric, and just incredibly well written. The dynamics between Junie and all the different characters made this whole thing feel so so real. I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for the gifted copy. This was a good historical fiction that I would recommend.
Junie was my favorite. She was tough and headstrong. She was smart and adventurous.

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine is a great story. Vivid imagery and lush storytelling, I very much enjoyed the story.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this book. Loved the premise, but I guess it isn't the right time for me to read this. DNF and moving on.

This is one of the very best books I've ever read. It's not my usual genre, so I wasn't expecting to love it. It's FABULOUS! The historical context, the actions and beliefs the characters, as well as the emotional impacts made it a page-turner. I was crying at the end. Junie was so strong and original, a truly lovable character who faces more than her share of hardships and loss. This one will stay with me for a long time.

Junie takes place in 1860, with a little of the novel trailing into early 1861. Junie is a slave, but up until recently, she was treated in a way that made her feel different than what you'd imagine - Junie knows how to read, she cares closely for her mistress - Violet - but also feels like Violet is her best friend. Junie hasn't been abused, physically, or otherwise. That is, until a suitor for Violet shows up who is everything you'd imagine a plantation owner to be - belligerent, angry, and physically violent. Junie's world is flipped upside down and she yearns for freedom.

I had mixed feelings about this book. It is slow and dense. I didn't mind that, but some of the characters and plot were harder to love and believe than others. First, there's Junie's dead sister, Minnie, who appears as a ghost, stuck in purgatory, who needs Junie to complete a series of tasks so that Minnie can pass over. While I'm not sure this fit that well, it was okay. There is also a love interest, Caleb. This felt like a fairly constant push/pull and annoyed me in the way that movies with obvious love interests will sometimes drag on far too long. I just wanted them to fall in love already. Violet is gay. For some reason, that isn't really an issue - hard for me to imagine how that could be possible for a wealthy daughter of the confederate south in 1860. And lastly, Junie. The level of naivete she has early on and how quickly she becomes set in a new group of beliefs feels incredible, in the not credible way.

There was a lot I liked too. The writing is pretty. The story hooked me. Overall, it was good, but not great for me. If you're interested in a different story about slavery and the American south, this might be good for you!

3. 5 stars, rounded down.

I loved this book. The story is so heartbreaking, and Junie is such a wonderful character. The focus on the psychological, mental, and emotional abuse — as well as physical — that enslaved people had to deal with was literally shocking. So many twists and turns in this book, heartbreak, absolute horror at what people *are* capable of doing for their own ego, as well as hope. So glad I prioritized this one.

I was asked to review “Junie” by Erin Crosby Eckstine. I love historical fiction, but this was the first time I have read something with a touch of magic realism.

Here we meet Junie, who has been enslaved in an Alabama since birth. She has tragically lost her sister, whom she still sees and speaks too. But this is much more than a ghost story. Junie is also friends with Violet, the daughter of the plantation owner. It’s through Violet that she meets Caleb, a young man indentured to a family of the man Violet is set to marry. Events set Junie on a trajectory where she faces many obstacles, but ultimately, she perseveres.

Junie is a thoughtful character who jumps from the page. Though her story is sad, she and the reader are still able to find joy. The writing is descriptive and evocative. I have read many pre-Civil War novels (the novel is set in 1860-1) but none set in Alabama. The novel does a good job of detailing the life of a young enslaved woman without romanticizing the Old South.

Four stars.

Thanks to the publisher, author and Net Galley for a chance to read and review this book.

"Junie" is a powerful and haunting debut that masterfully blends historical fiction with elements of the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, this novel tells the story of Junie, a young enslaved girl on the Bellereine Plantation, as she confronts deep grief, forbidden love, and the dark secrets that surround her.

The book's strength lies in its rich, atmospheric writing and the emotional depth of its protagonist. Junie's journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, as she grapples with the loss of her sister Minnie and the heavy burden of her existence. The inclusion of Minnie's ghost adds a poignant layer to the narrative, symbolizing the unresolved pain and trauma that haunt Junie and her world.

The relationship between Junie and Caleb is tender and well-developed, offering a glimpse of hope and love amid the harsh realities of their lives. The author skillfully portrays the tension between the characters' desire for freedom and the oppressive forces that seek to control them.

While the pacing occasionally slows, particularly in the middle of the book, the compelling storyline and well-drawn characters keep the reader engaged. The novel's exploration of love, power, and the fight for liberation is thought-provoking, and it raises important questions about the costs of freedom and the sacrifices that must be made.

"Junie" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with you long after the final page. It's a story of resilience, courage, and the unbreakable bonds of family, making it a worthy read for fans of historical fiction and those looking for a fresh perspective on the Civil War era.

Junie is the story of an enslaved girl coming of age on a plantation in Alabama, beginning to discover that her lifelong relationship with her white "best friend" is one of ownership, not friendship, and that the sense of freedom she feels roaming the forest near her home can never be truly hers. The author notes that she chose to focus on the psychological, emotional, and social degradations of slavery more than the physical ones, and that aspect of the novel made a compelling story. But I found the recurring presence of Junie's dead sister in the form of a spirit who needed her help to be a bit of a distraction from the realism of other sections of the story, and a thread that detracted rather than added to the novel's value.

Thank you netgalley for this arc !!

I absolutely loved this book!! I put a link to my full review on my instagram !! https://www.instagram.com/p/C-5TFOjgFth/?igsh=MXc2b25xdGt6cjZoeQ==

Junie is a detailed account of a young woman and the role she plays in a wealthy family. It's a long book, and the story is full of disappointment, scandal, hope, love, and self-expression. I took my time with this one because the subject was heavy with grief. Be warned. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger Warnings: use of racial slur, racism, violence, abuse, domestic violence, racism based abuse

What a beautiful and heart wrenching narrative, one that explores the complexities of enslaved people, and works to effectively portray an experience that is often forgotten and ignored in literature.

In the beginning of her author’s note, Erin Crosby Eckstine writes, “I wrote June intending to create a well-rounded and human portrayal of an enslaved character, someone I felt I’d rarely seen in literature.”

And boy does she deliver.

Protagonist Junie, who endeavors to discover the mystery behind her recently deceased sister, and to even greater extent, discover who she is and her desire for freedom and the life she deserves, is one of more complex protagonists I have experienced in more recently releases. She is a fully 3-dimensional character. She gets angry, loves to read, falls in love, has complicated feelings about Violet. I never grew tired of her, and loved seeing her grow and start to fight for herself.

She feels real to me, like I could see her running through the forests in my brain.

Speaking of, the writing for this book is absolutely gorgeous. I felt like I could feel, see, taste, touch, and smell everything in this book.

I cannot wait to read more from this author, and eagerly embrace every new voice she encourages us to hear.

Junie is a captivating and deeply moving novel that masterfully blends historical fiction with a touch of magical realism. Set in pre-Civil War Alabama, the story follows Junie, an enslaved girl whose life is marked by the brutal realities of her time. However, the novel takes an intriguing turn when Junie begins to communicate with the ghost of her sister, a unique element that adds depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

Eckstine’s storytelling is rooted in personal history, drawing from tales passed down through her own family, which imbues the novel with authenticity and intimacy. The rich portrayal of Junie’s world, combined with the delicate handling of complex themes like slavery, loss, and survival, makes this novel a powerful read. The infusion of magical realism doesn’t detract from the historical setting but rather enriches it, offering readers a nuanced perspective on the resilience of the human spirit.

A must-read for all ages, Junie is a genre-bending novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC of Erin Crosby Eckstine's novel Junie.

As a sixteen year old girl enslaved since birth on Bellereine Plantation Junie navigates the balance of being owned by the McQueen family and being the "best friend" to their daughter Violet. I thoroughly enjoyed the way that Eckstine portrayed Junie as a strong personality. One that, despite being a slave, had a vision and a dream.

Additionally, Junie is visited by the ghost of her deceased sister, Minnie, who leads her through a mystery that results in Junie learning well-kept secrets involving their and the McQueen family.

As a debut novel, Eckstine should be lauded for writing a touching, riveting, page-turning novel. I couldn't wait to see how Junie's story unfolded.

Junie is a debut novel by Erin Crosby Eckstine. It follows sixteen year old Junie who has been enslaved with her family on a plantation in Alabama for her entire life. The book portrays her grief after her sister dies, and her love of poetry and nature. An intense story unfolds, and it’s a page turner. With beautiful writing and a strong narrative voice, it’s a solid debut. The cover is also stunning and is what caught my eye in the first place.