Oh, how I love Anne Tyler! Her latest book is short but packed with insights into the human condition. Her writing may seem simple--quaintly old-fashioned--but by the time you reach the end of her story, you are so invested in the characters that you feel like you've known them forever and you don't want to let go of them. She specializes in family dynamics and character-driven narratives. Once again, we are in Baltimore with a cast of quirky but very realistic characters. As the title suggests, the story takes place over three days in June. The narrator, Gail, is a prim and proper perfectionist, a divorcee whose daughter is getting married to a man who may have been unfaithful to her. Gail is on good terms with her ex-husband, Max, who is staying in her guest room for the weekend. Normally he would stay at their daughter's house, but he has brought a rescue cat with him and their daughter's fiancé is severely allergic to cat dander. Over the course of the three days, we learn about the history of Gail and Max's marriage. By the end of the book, I was on the edge of my seat even though most of the drama was brimming below the surface. Careful readers will pick up on all the.metaphors and psychology at play. Anne Tyler weaves the story together seamlessly, and I was in awe of how masterfully she peeled back the layers of her characters without resorting to melodrama. She really is a master of American letters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my views.

No one tells a more poignant story than Anne Tyler and such is the case with her newest novel.

As depicted by the title, the story spans over just three days, but what a lot of story is packed into these three days. Day one Gail Baines is skipped over for a promotion at her school apparently because she is socially inept. She leaves the school and returns home just moments before her ex-husband Max arrives with a cat in tow, seeking to stay with her for a few days while their daughter gets married. During this time she learns some news she is not able to let fo of. She can't understand why her ex and daughter can be so blase about it. Day two is the wedding day. The day goes off pretty much as planned but is also filled with much insightfulness for Gail. Day three is reliving memories from the wedding. It is also about learning to let go a little and live in the moment.

As always Anne's characters are so real and her themes are so relatable and could be something that occurs in any one of our daily lives. This is now my favorite book by her and I can't recommend it enough.

Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf for the advanced copy

It’s a beautiful wedding – with lovely flowers, a big, tasty cake and a couple very much in love.

However, the mother of the bride, Gail, isn’t happy. She’s 61 and has worked eleven years as an assistant for the headmistress of a private school. She hopes to take Marilee’s place when she retires soon. However, Gail gets called into Marilee’s office in the morning and learns upsetting news that her boss is referring someone else, out of state, for this job – someone who wants to bring along her own assistant. It’s not a good day for Gail. She wants to hide and yet, she has to be cheerful later in the day for her daughter’s wedding rehearsal.

She immediately steps out Marilee’s office and leaves the school without going back. She is beyond mad. After arriving home, she gets a surprise visitor: her ex-husband, Max, with an old cat in a carrier. They still have an acceptable relationship but not that friendly. He needs a place to stay. And this is just the beginning. What else can happen?

Weddings are entertaining for most unless there are issues that turn up. It’s easy to imagine what the characters look like with their fancy hair styles, dresses and suits. I can see it in my mind but it would have been fun to see it on paper: a group photo or sketch of the wedding party lined up.

Anne Tyler writes stories that people can relate to in life. It’s less than 200 pages without chapters but three parts that are quick to read with a lively dialogue. The author gets right in the middle of the complicated matters and lets out some of the hidden secrets in a family. It’s not hard to guess the ending but it’s an enjoyable adventure getting there.

My thanks to Alfred A. Knopf and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of February 11, 2025.

An enjoyable, quick read. Gail, the main character is quirky, funny, and her sardonic reactions to life and people provide some comic relief. The book takes you along on Gail's journey for three days as she deals (in a removed manner) with her daughter's wedding--day previous, day of, day following.

“Three Days in June” evoked a mix of laughter and tears! This delightful, quick-read book deserves a spot on everyone's reading list. I was particularly fond of the character Gail Baines, who, despite her social awkwardness, navigates the challenges of her only daughter's wedding. Adding to the chaos, her ex-husband unexpectedly arrives with a cat and ends up staying for the long weekend festivities. What’s not to love about this charming story?

This author! So here’s the deal- there are no murders, no car chases. This is not a thriller. What this is, is another amazing story about normal people trying to live their best lives. Hail is a very likable and relatable woman. I could really feel her love for her daughter and the way her world is begging for big decisions. A nice portrayal of a divorced couple who remain friends with so much history. Loved this!

What a great read. There is something very comfortable and real -in a good way-about Anne Tyler and with this one it feels like you’re listening to a story told to you by a friend. It’s about everyday life, about a marriage undone by divorce where people do “the right thing” and ultimately about strong women -or should I write women who realize their strength.

Three Days in June was a delightful book in the Anne Tyler style. I read this two weeks before my son's wedding, so that made it extra enjoyable! Tyler's writing style is always fun, and we've pretty much all been to weddings... so it's relatable to all. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

A sweet quick read about a divorced couple reuniting for their daughter’s wedding. I loved the awkward way the lead character interacted with the people in her life. It seemed so real. Characters in novels sometimes seem so polished and balanced. Gail reminded me of people in my life who don’t always say and do the “right” things.

I really liked this novel and its tight storytelling. I can see the novel having broad appeal for our patrons. I give it a strong recommendation! Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review it.

Delightful. A breezy read but by no means trivial. Anne Tyler knows her characters, and thanks to her skills as a novelist, so do we.

#NetGalley

Writing: 5/5 Plot: 4/5 Characters: 5/5

The eponymous three days span the wedding of Gail and ex-husband Max’s only daughter, Debbie. A quick 176 pages manage to encompass the potential perils of Debbie’s marriage and the complete history of Gail and Max’s complex and misunderstood relationship. Deeply character driven — I love that I was so interested in every single character even though I didn’t really like that many of them. To be clear, none of the characters were “bad” people, just mildly irritating and not my types!

The blurb labels Gail as “socially awkward” and that is certainly true, but more to the point, Gail never really seemed to understand herself, especially in relation to others. As the history is retold — in concise, clear, essential prose — we the reader gain the insight that Gail never had, until in a clarifying moment, she finally does. It is brilliantly done.

Read in one sitting — the prose just kept propelling me forward.

A pleasant reading experience as always with Anne Tyler - the MC reminded me of another fictional character the entire time, I just couldn’t put my finger on quite who….Regardless. My one criticism is that it felt a little short, or abrupt at the end. I understand it’s called Three Days in June but I still think it could have been beefed up a smidge - almost felt like a short story in a novel’s body at the end. Could just be me, sometimes reading in a Kindle skews my perception of how much I’ve read or not read.

So great! Might be my favorite Anne Tyler book ever. Great characters, funny asides, and gentle wisdom. I loved the main character - and I adored Max.