Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Oh my goodness how can such a short book make me feel so much. It really says something about how amazing the writing is when the story can pull you in so much in under 200 pages.

This is a short story and a quick read. Three days surrounding the marriage of Gail’s daughter lots of activity happen. Gail’s ex-husband needs a place to stay for the weekend and brings along with him an unwelcome cat. Question arise as to the infidelity of the groom to be. Reflection by Gail’s of her past marriage and mistakes. The recent loss of her job. So much happening in just three days, but isn’t that how life is? When it rain, it pours.

In three days there are many revelations and soul searching discoveries. Good, bad or indifferent, you learn from each interaction. The characters in this story were tough and brought an otherwise 4 star rating to generous 3. With the exception of Gail’s ex husband Max, ALL the characters are unlikeable. Without a champion character it is difficult to become vested in a story. Max seemed the most reasonable and honest about his feelings and acceptance of where he is in life. All the others were hypocritical, burying their heads in the sand, negative and cynical.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Alfred A. Knopf the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book. This was a super disappointing read coming from this author.

This was full of the most unlikable characters. They were all very shallow and didn't seem at all interested in the wedding, the daughter, or each other.

And the ending was most confusing.


NetGalley/ Knopf February 11, 2025

Anne Tyler never disappoints. Being a 50-something woman and an empty nester, I identified completely with the protagonist. That’s Tyler’s gift - she captures the experience womanhood at every age.

The book begins with Gail, a midlife woman, being fired when she's expecting a promotion. Her people skills are poor, she's told. She goes home to deal with a sweet but annoying ex-husband who doesn't understand boundaries, a condescending mother, a snotty daughter who's about to be married, a pushy mother of the groom, etc. It just goes on.

Gail is negative and closed-off, and at one point I thought, Oh, this is an unreliable narrator! Which was kind of interesting because then I could look forward to the human mystery being solved. But no. Nothing really changes, Gail undergoes no character arc, and then at the end of the book, something happens which I won't reveal. The end.

I usually enjoy Tyler's slow and rich depictions of characters, how they often start out sort of annoying, but then you come to see their good sides and they become dear to the reader. Not this time, unfortunately.

Three Days in June is an endearing novel about finding yourself - no matter what age you are. It’s never too late to self reflect and be the best version of yourself.

Thank you for the opportunity of an eARC and I am leaving this review willingly.

Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June is a wonderful, awkward-feeling novel. The story follows the three days surrounding Gail’s daughter’s wedding. There are people to love, some to dislike. There are laughs and chuckles that will delight the reader. There is a depth of humanity and understanding that makes the most ordinary interactions feel real. This book is a gift to give yourself.

Three Days in June is a short story. Gail starts off the first day quitting her job. This of course being after her boss encourages a change in career. Gail finds herself heading home to prepare for her daughter’s wedding rehearsal that evening. As if the day couldn’t get any worse, her ex-husband Max shows up on her doorstep. Looking for a place to stay for the weekend, along with a cat. Their daughter Debbie shows up next to discuss concerns about her future husband.

This was my first Anne Tyler book and I had mixed feelings. On one hand I could relate to Gail struggling to fit in socially. She never felt comfortable in social situations finding it hard to engage others. Her relationship with her ex- husband and daughter was contentious due to past choices.

I think I would have enjoyed this story more if they delved into the relationship between mother and daughter. Exploring why Gail was excluded from wedding planning and bridal party activities. Gail always seemed hesitant to upset her daughter, even when she felt her advice would be helpful.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review..

Three Days in June was a a great read. Perfect feels for someone aging, with the only off-putting part being some of the wording chosen. Like tarmac instead of asphalt.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

Really appreciated the pacing and organization of this book - three chapters, three days! Easy.

At times I really resonated with the main character and other times less so. LOVED the ending. This book is incredibly discussable and I think would be a great book club pick.

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy!

I absolutely loved this book. I am late to the game with this author, but I am hooked. I will be reading all of her books. This story spanned three days, told in the third person by the grumpy, guarded mother-of-the-bride. The characters were colorful and authentic. I am sad to be not be walking through their days with them.

A short book with a punch!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange of a fair review.
It a wedding and the Mother of the Bridge is socially awkward (who isnt?). We follow her through the awkwardness of the wedding, the awkwardness of her ex husband staying with her (and a cat!) for the duration, and the awkwardness of a job as it comes to its conclusion.
Gail is me - I swear it.
Albeit short, this story is enough. It kept me interested and was uncomplicated. It was a great little book for a couple of sittings but there is lots of love and humor throughout to make you want a little more.
4*
Clean and recommendable.

This was a cute little story that fit nicely with my actual life, in that we just celebrated my daughter's wedding. I thought the story read well, but I really found it hard to connect to the mother of the bride and her lack of emotion at various parts of the plot. I guess I was feeling so happy and emotional about my own happiness. Her withdrawn feelings didn't make sense to me. As I read, I understood better what her issues were and why she had them. I think I would have wanted her story a bit fuller.

Three Days in June is the first Anne Taylor book I've read so I didn't know what to expect. I wanted to like it, but I just didn't, mainly because the main character is so unlikeable. She's socially awkward, clinical, and almost acts like she's on the spectrum. I found the story tedious and at the end, all I could think is, "That's it?! How pointless.". It wasn't BAD, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Enjoyed Anne Tyler’s newest novel, Three Days in June. Quick read and engaging. I loved the structure of three days surrounding a wedding and appreciated the distinctly-drawn characters.

A great family read about the bonds of family regardless of the circumstances. Thank you for the advanced read.

Entertaining read. Gail is having a wicked weekend of her daughter’s wedding. Everything is upended. Her job, her exhusband, her future son-in-law, her daughter, the mother of the groom. Throw in a foster cat and emotions run high. Recommend. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

My goodness - I did not expect a book that was about only three days and less than 200 pages to be full of so much. It was full of so many feels, so many layers, and also this wonderful humor as the truth unfolded. This was unexpected storytelling in the very best way. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this February 2025 treat of a read!

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. I have been reading Anne Tyler for a long time and I knew I wanted to read this book even before I found out how delightful the characters are inside it. Gail's only child is getting married tomorrow and she has to deal with possibly losing her job and her ex-husband coming into town at the same town as dealing with the feelings of being left behind as your child leaves the nest. I found a lot of similarities of myself in Gail as someone with fewer social skills according to her boss. Her ex-husband is wacky and even the foster cat comes alive as a complete character in this delightful book.

This book is short and sweet. I love all of Anne Tyler’s books, but this one really had me smiling the whole way through. It centers on Gail Baines and the day leading up to her daughter’s wedding, the day of the wedding and the day after.

Gail is on the brink of losing her longtime job because her people skills are lacking, she is divorced and her only child is getting married. She’s lonely and realizes she’ll be even lonelier once her daughter takes on a husband. When there’s a mix-up with her ex-husband’s plans, he asks to stay with her for those three days, and he brings along a stray cat. When their daughter brings some disturbing news to them, it causes some emotional upheaval for Gail and digs up some memories she’d rather forget.

Gail is my favorite kind of protagonist. She’s snarky, she’s funny and she takes no bull from anybody. Living vicariously through her for those three days was an absolute joy. Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the ARC.