Once again Anne Tyler got it right for me. Her characters and situations are so real. The protagonist in this novel is Gail Baines, a somewhat introverted socially awkward midlife teacher in the days immediately preceding her only daughter's wedding. Her personality is possibly costing her job, the groom's mother has taken over the wedding, and her ex husband has shown up at her door needing a place to stay. I felt like Gail had been having a midlife crisis for years, and it was finally coming to a head and she was giving herself a chance. A midlife coming of age novel ?

Oh did I love this book! Three Days in June by Anne Tyler is a beautifully crafted novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics, love, and personal growth. The story centers around Gail Baines, who is navigating a series of personal crises just before her daughter’s wedding. The arrival of her ex-husband, Max, and the revelation of a significant secret by her daughter Debbie, add layers of tension and emotional depth to the narrative. Let's not forget the cat!

What makes this book stand out is Tyler’s ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments, creating a story that is both engaging and relatable. Gail’s journey is portrayed with sensitivity, capturing the nuances of her relationships and the challenges she faces. The novel’s exploration of past and present conflicts, and how they shape the characters’ futures, is particularly compelling.

I found this book to be a refreshing change from the action-packed fantasy novels I’ve been reading. Its focus on character development and emotional storytelling provided a welcome break, allowing me to immerse myself in the intricacies of family life and personal redemption. The humor and warmth in Tyler’s writing make Three Days in June a memorable and enjoyable read. I finished this book with a smile on my face, and went to look up other books by Anne Tyler to read next!

We meet Gail at first being told by her boss that she is leaving, Gail will not be promoted as her replacement even tho she has served as second in command for years because, well, her “people skills” and in fact will probably not keep her present position. She goes home.

She has to prepare for her daughter’s wedding. She wonders, why wasn’t she invited to the beauty day? And who appears at her door, but her ex-husband, Max! With a cat!

As only Anne Tyler can, we become closer to Gail, as we recognize and accept those parts of ourselves that regret our past decisions, our relationship to family, and what we want from life as we move forward.

Gail is every woman, complete with quirks, doubts, and yearnings; totally sympathetic, lovable, and well meaning, if a little awkward. Tyler has a wonderful ability to entertain, provide insight, and encourage self forgiveness. A wonderful read.

Full of sweetness, charm, humor, and all the joys and struggles of living. The book will melt your heart. I wish the book could have continued and not ended! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a lovely read.

This is tge first time reading one of Ms. Tyler’s books and all I can say is that I have been missing out!! Three Days in June was a delight to read. I loved the well drawn characters and the story in general. The difficulty of young love and forgiveness and well established but love interlaced with regrets and acceptance were so beautifully depicted that I was sorry when it ended. I will definitely recommend this book in the future. It was a breath of fresh air

Gail is having a rough day. She lost her job (or quit…it’s up for debate). Her daughter is getting married tomorrow (mostly good news but of course there is bit of mourning involved as well). Her ex-husband is staying with her (unexpectedly – he arrives without warning with a cat in tow) for the wedding. And on top of all of this, there’s some drama with the wedding that unfolds (something her daughter learns about her soon to be husband). All of this reminds Gail of old times...in both good and bad ways.

If you love Anne Tyler, you’ll love this – it’s classic Anne Tyler. Her books are like putting on a cardigan in the fall. All of her books (or the ones I’ve read so far, about 10 or so, but I have plenty left to get to) are about family life. The ins and outs of it all. Her stories feel like they’re about one thing but end up being so much more by the end. Big things, small things, subtle things. It’s the guts of family life. Like opening a clock and seeing all its gears.

Gail and Max’s daughter, Debbie, is getting married -- in June! And this should be a very special three days for their family. However, Gail and Max have been divorced for about 15 years. Max is supposed to stay at Debbie’s apartment during the time he is in town. However, he brought a cat with him (his neighbor suddenly passed away, and who else could take care of the cat?). Debbie’s fiancé, Kenneth, is deathly allergic. Where will Max stay?

And is Debbie really happy with Kenneth? Should she marry him? And Gail is in the middle of a possible change of employment -- should she go back to teaching? Should she stay at the same school or move to a different one?

Oh, so many questions to deal with during these “Three Days in June.” And when Max shows up at Gail’s door (with the cat!), they decide to make the best of the situation, trying to help Debbie, talking about Gail’s employment decisions, and -- who is going to keep the cat?!

This is a wonderful Anne Tyler-style story with her quirky characters and daily life situations that we all deal with, but that Tyler just seems to have a special way of telling. And as the reader gets to know more about the family and some of the past events in their lives, a fresh future seems to arise to set them on a new track.

This is a regular story told in a unique way that leaves the reader with hope. I highly recommend it!

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Anne Tyler, and Knopf for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Quintessential Anne Tyler. Loved the quirky main character. This story feels like a breath of fresh air.

In "Three Days in June" by Anne Tyler, a socially awkward mother of the bride, Gail Baines, navigates the days before and after her daughter's wedding. Gail is having a bad day as she loses her job, her ex-husband shows up unannounced, and her daughter shares a secret about her husband-to-be. The novel explores the joys and heartbreaks of love, marriage, and family life with sensitivity and humor.

I have thoroughly enjoyed taking a break from my typical genre to delve into a new book. This was a quick and engaging read, and my first experience with this particular author. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to explore more of their work in the future.

The message conveyed in this book is one that resonates with many of us. It explores the universal desire to belong and maintain connections with those we hold dear, while also acknowledging the obstacles that our own thoughts and actions can present. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of the cat in the story, adding an extra layer of charm.

If you appreciate simple, humorous, and emotionally resonant storytelling, then this book is must-read. It feels as though a close friend is sharing a memorable tale with you, one that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Thank you, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Three Days in June follows Gail, the mother of the bride, in the days surrounding the wedding. This is such a beautiful, tender story. On one page I was laughing out loud and on the next it made me teary. Any introvert can relate how Gail navigates the wedding, but how she goes through life. I've always loved Anne Tyler and this is one of her best.

This was so classic Anne Tyler -- engaging, humorous, and deceptively simple but loaded with complex revelations about human nature at its best and at its most flawed. As always, I loved the familiar setting, and I loved the way the overall plot -- the lead-up and aftermath of a daughter's wedding--turned into a life-changing moment for the bride's divorced parents. The story was a little thin for my taste -- I prefer Tyler's longer works. But the story and the characters touched my heart and, in the end, made me smile. Very, very sweet -- the kind of nice story we all need right now.

This might be my new favorite Anne Tyler book. A short novel over the span of three days for a no longer married couple who are brought together by their only daughter's wedding, this one shows a wide range of emotions. The main character is so well developed and perfectly captures what it is like to be an ordinary introvert. I could not love this more.

Anne Tyler has done it again with *Three Days in June*, delivering a heartfelt and simple story that feels like a glimpse into the real lives of her characters. Her writing style is beautifully understated, allowing the small, everyday moments to shine in a way that's both touching and relatable. I felt completely absorbed in the story, as if I were living alongside the characters, witnessing their struggles and joys firsthand.

What truly made this book stand out for me was the ending—it left me feeling incredibly happy, tying the story together in such a sweet, satisfying way. It’s a book that reminds us of the beauty in ordinary life, and I found myself smiling long after I finished it. If you love character-driven stories that feel real and meaningful, this one is a must-read!

My first book by this author but now it won't be my last! Funny, relatable, and honest. Loved it and highly recommend!

Anne Tyler has the gift of storytelling that is straightforward and a joy to read. This book is no exception. Once you start, you will not want to put it down. It's a short novel that covers three days in the life of three people. There is a depth that covers the complexities of life, relationships and the way in which we limit ourselves in life. The simple day to day events of three days in June is masterfully told by Anne Tyler's gifted hands. I never regret picking up an Anne Tyler novel and know that I will be touched by every story that she tells. Highly recommend!!

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler is a short but packed story about , well, three days in June, surrounding the main character’s daughter’s wedding. As the wedding festivities & events are happening, Gail, the MOB, has some opportunities to reflect on herself, her former marriage, and her life. It was reminiscent to me of Olive Kitteridge, which is a wonderful compliment from me. Olive is my favorite book character & I found Gail to be similar. Anne Tyler can take the most mundane details of ordinary life - like pumping gas, caring for a cat, etc., and make them lyrical and interesting. She gives great insight into her character’s personality, family dynamics, and life issues. You truly feel you are sitting at the table with old friends. The lesson in the book is self reflection and realizing in the “golden years” that you made mistakes but you are willing to deal with them. While it might seem just like a story about a wedding , it actually was much deeper than that.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read abs review this little gem of a book!

Another wonderful Anne Tyler book.. We get to spend three days with Gail, the divorced mother of the bride on the day before, the day of and the day after the wedding. It is quick, delightful read as we get to know Gail, (and her daughter and her ex husband) as she navigates the impending wedding and its aftermath.

3 chapter book where it seems to be centered on the bride but really is about the mom. 3.5 stars

Story: 3 Characters: 4 Engagement level: 3

"Haven't these past three days felt like going backward in time together?"

Highlights:
- Focused on older mom
- Real person with flaws and cranky thoughts
- Some life truisms lines that hit home (some noted below)
- Flashes back to her younger life at times
- Interesting relationship with her ex husband
- Usually like shorter chapters but appreciated this clean 3 chapter format: before, day of, and after the wedding

Lowlights:
- Would've liked a bit more about what happened with the daughter
- Slow moving in parts

Notable quotes:
"Some overweight women are so lush and creamy skinned and sublimely confident that you have to wonder why thinness is considered an asset."

"Someday I'd like to be given credit for all the times I have not said something that I could have said."

"It's hard to resist someone who thinks you hung the moon."

"It seemed that she lived on some other level than ours, someplace louder and more brightly lit."

"Anger feels so much better than sadness. Cleaner, somehow, and more definite,"

"I wondered why it was that I had so many irritating people in my life."

"One of life's frustrations is that sometimes, it's best to say nothing."

"Sometimes when I find out what's an other people's minds I honestly wonder if we all live on totally separate planets."

This is about Gail Baines and all the things going on in her life and her bad day. Her daughter is getting married the next day. Gail has to deal with her ex husband. So much is going on with this book and it can be read in one sitting.

My first time to read an Anne Tyler book and not my last. I enjoyed the quick read and all the excitement.

Engaging, Refreshing, and Emotional.

3.5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book will be released 2/11/25.

Destined to be a book club favorite!

I loved Anne Tyler's new book Three Days in June which explores the complicated relationships among three generations of family in Baltimore. Despite it's delightfully compact size, Tyler's characters are richly developed as the mother of the bride recounts her daughter's wedding weekend.