This might be my favorite book of the year, if not ever. "Junie" is a beautifully crafted tale of bravery, family, perseverance, loss, and love. The story follows Junie, a 16-year-old slave on an Alabama plantation, as she copes with the grief of her sister's death the previous year.

After encountering her sister Minnie's ghost and uncovering secrets about her past, Junie embarks on completing three tasks to bring peace to Minnie's soul. Through her relationships with her family, the slave-owners, a fellow slave named Caleb, poetry, and herself, Junie navigates a harsh world and makes difficult choices.

It's been a long time since a book made me tear up, but this one did it!

This book was so beautifully heartbreaking in every way. Junie might be one of my favorite characters ever and will stick with me for a long, long time. The author wrote about such a heavy and dark time in history with a beautiful hopefulness through Junie's eyes. Erin's Author's Note at the end broke my heart and put it back together equally. Must, must, must read.

This book was beautifully written. I was immediately hooked by the way the author imagined the characters. They were complicated, broken, and yet all somehow tied together no matter what their social divides were. This was definitely a book that I could not put down up until the very end. Surprise twists and turns kept happening up until the very at end of this book. I was left feeling sad for the way that the characters of this era felt trapped in their lives. I also felt hopeful that there would be peace and better days ahead for these characters. I definitely felt all the emotions with this novel,

I was blown away by this book. What a beautiful, layered, multi-faceted depiction of the pre-Civil War south. Junie’s story is heartbreaking, thrilling, emotional, and empowering. I cannot wait until this becomes required reading in the classroom - because this is a story that needs to be heard.

A young girl, enslaved on an Alabama plantation, faces the stark changes brought by the Civil War. Lyrically written and gripping until the last page, this novel is a must-read.

Excellent book! Well written with deep characters, telling of life from a slave girls perspective at the dawn of the civil war. Her struggles were deeply felt and conveyed well. The touch of magical realism was intertwined well. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading Junie. Some may say that it was too “gentle” of a portrayal of slavery in the South. I thought it was perfect for THIS story though. The love displayed through this story from Junie’s family, to romantic love, to forbidden love was refreshing. Add in a dash of the paranormal and you’ve got your novel! Such a great read!

Wow, this was an amazing book with so much texture and grit. I loved Junie, the so called "carefree girl" who was anything but carefree, she just wanted a better life for herself. This book was very vivid and the characters so well described and defined. I really loved this book!

A thoughtful and well-written story about an enslaved girl in Alabama. For a debut, this was really good. The author has a beautiful writing style and really managed to make her characters (especially Junie) memorable. Despite the subject of slavery, there was still a lot of hopefulness to this story.
Would definitely recommend this one to anyone who loves a good historical fiction!

I devoured this book and will say with my fully chest that it deserves to be on the NYT best sellers list.

Junie traverses themes of mental health, grief, sexuality, love, race, hope, and reality in a captivating way. The characters in Junie are beautifully written. They’re complex and dynamic, making it impossible to know how they are going to react to any situation that comes their way or how their reactions will affect the direction of the story.

The plot and story are so detailed and well written that I found myself transported into 1860’s Alabama while reading— my mind even started to read the book in a southern accent at some point and I’m someone who has lived in the north my entire life.

3.5. I read this slower than I read most books but I was happy to pick it up when I did. It was an interesting story line.

Wow. I was hooked from the beginning with this one. This book had me in my feelings the whole time. The writing was beautiful without being overly descriptive.

Junie and her families story was heartbreaking. I was rooting for her survival. I thoroughly enjoyed the paranormal side of this story and the history of the slaves that previously died. I understand why the ending was left so open, however after taking this journey with Junie I really wanted more closure.

Overall, I really loved this book and will recommend to others.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review

I struggle to find the words to describe this brilliant debut novel—the sheer scale of heart found in this story. Junie is a character I will carry with me for a long time. We follow her journey of grief, friendship, finding love, and self discovery. Her strong determination is felt throughout this beautiful book. I can not wait until this comes out to reread it.

"Everybody wants to be free, Junie. Nobody deserves to live their life like we do."


Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC

I LOVE this COVER! It's one of the prettiest covers i've ever seen. I was so drawn to the book because of the cover. The book did not disappoint! I loved it. Defintly something a bit out of my comfort zone but it was so so good. Highly suggest you give it a shot.

Beautifully written! Junie is a story of a girl, enslaved as a housemaid on the Belleriene plantation in Alabama. Throughout the book, Junie struggles with grief associated with the loss of her sister, as well as her desire to be free, to explore, to feel the sublime as she reads about. Throughout the story and upon forging new relationships, she addresses her grief, and carves out something of her own, I felt so many things when reading this. Erin Crosby Eckstine writes a story of bravery, compassion, suffering, spirituality, and love. I will undoubtedly be reading again.

Raw portrayal of a 16-year-old enslaved girl in 1860 Alabama.

Junie misses her sister Minnie but when she encounters her ghost, she's not prepared for the dark secret the Plantation holds. A secret that ties her down. She needs the courage to break free without putting the rest of her family at risk.

Junie is complex with her strong ties to her mistress Violet. Her life as a servant in the Plantation and what it all entails is authentic. The love interest Caleb waltzes into her life and she's afraid to act on her attraction, fearing getting too close.

I loved how the author peels back the romanticized South and shows the harshness the enslaved endured. There's a big twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

Warning of scenes of abuse, rape, and suicide.

Engaging historical with a touch of the paranormal set in the pre-Civil War South and the girl who against great odds fights for a better life.

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine is a haunting and evocative debut that masterfully blends historical fiction with elements of the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War in Alabama, the novel tells the poignant story of sixteen-year-old Junie, an enslaved girl grappling with the weight of loss, the bonds of family, and the quest for liberation.

From the very beginning, Junie's character draws you in with her vibrant personality and rich inner world. Living on the Bellereine Plantation, Junie’s life is defined by her duties to the white family she serves and the close-knit relationships she maintains with her own family. The sudden death of her sister Minnie casts a long shadow over her, leading to nights spent wandering the woods and eventually awakening Minnie’s spirit. This supernatural twist serves as a catalyst for Junie’s journey, pushing her to confront the harsh realities of her existence and the dark secrets that lie within Bellereine.

The narrative beautifully captures the essence of the era, transporting readers back in time with its vivid descriptions and authentic portrayal of life in the South during the Civil War. Eckstine’s writing is both lyrical and powerful, balancing the grim realities of Junie’s world with moments of tender humanity and resilience. The supernatural elements, rather than overshadowing the story, enhance it by adding layers of depth and symbolism, reflecting Junie's inner turmoil and desire for freedom.

Junie's relationships, particularly with her family and Caleb, the coachman who becomes her ally and confidant, are depicted with nuance and sensitivity. These interactions underscore the novel's exploration of love, friendship, and the human spirit's capacity for hope and resistance. As Junie navigates the complexities of her world, she evolves into a character of remarkable strength and courage, challenging the forces that seek to control her.

The book’s pacing kept me engaged, blending moments of suspense and revelation with poignant reflections on identity and agency. Junie's journey is both a personal odyssey and a broader commentary on the struggle for liberation and the costs it entails. The narrative’s emotional depth and the timeless themes it explores make Junie a story that resonates long after the final page.

Junie is a compelling and unforgettable novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and those who appreciate stories of resilience and empowerment. Erin Crosby Eckstine has crafted a beautifully told tale that not only illuminates a dark chapter in history but also celebrates the enduring strength of the human spirit. This is a debut not to be missed, and I eagerly await future works from this promising author!

**Review is scheduled to post on my blog on February 1st, 2025!**

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!

This was such a joy to read. It's the Summer of 1860, and we are greeted with vivid imagery of south during this historical time. Growing up on a plantation, the main character, Junie, is subjected to slavery, but the story takes a warmer note with a the sense of overcoming, rising from the restricted path set out for her.

The descriptions of the setting, and the author's overall understanding of the time period and being able to submerge the reader was what really drew me into this story, and I felt in good hands. I LOVE historical fiction, and being drawn into the story with such enriched research was a treat!

Another thing I found interesting was the paranormal aspect, Junie's dead sister. Because of this, the book never took on and spooky/horror themes, and was more heartwarming. In the sense of Junie's story being a coming-of-age story, it was a success.

The cover is what drew me to this (SO GORGEOUS) though I am so happy I gave it a read. It was fantastic!

Junie is a powerful tale of a young girl navigating love, friendship, and power in the face of unimaginable challenges. If you're into stories that mix history with a touch of the supernatural, Junie is a debut you should check out.

A fantastic debut novel by Erin Crosby Eckstine.

Junie is a well crafted, moving story about an enslaved girl who struggles through the hardships of life, truths and betrayals on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama as the Civil War looms. She has awakened her sister’s ghost and in doing so discovers the secrets and lies that has surrounded her entire life.

But Junie’s strong will to survive all the forms of physical, emotional and psychological degradations will not defeat her. Or will it? She must decide her fate. Love, loyalty or liberation?

This books holds some twisty turns I was not expecting and is paced so well, it is a real page tuner. I highly recommend this book to any literary or historical fiction fan.

The author’s note is not to be missed. It moved me deeply. Thank you to Net Gallery and Random House Publishing for providing this ARC to me. Congratulations to Erin Crosby Eckstine on a stunning, thoughtful debut novel. I’m positive your grandmother is beaming!