Anne Tyler is 84 years old and still a prolific writer, and here I am reading her for the first time. Three Days in June captures the life of a 61-year-old divorced mother of the bride for 3 days around the wedding of her only child daughter. For a novel encompassing just 3 days, I feel like I know this woman fully. Like, Elizabeth Stout's Lucy Barton, Anne Tyler's Gail Baines is a no-nonsense blunt-speaking introvert who is full of reflection, introspection, and profound observation that makes me feel like I am reading my own story. It's funny that those of us who are often accused of not having good people skills often get people the most. I loved this story of imperfect people just getting on with life, and I will definitely be checking out her earlier works!

4.5 stars

thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

SYNOPSIS

- At 61, Gail just quit—or been fired from—her job after being passed over for a promotion.
- She already feels like an outsider in her daughter Debbie’s wedding plans, and then her ex-husband, Max, shows up on her doorstep with a foster cat and no place to stay.
- If that weren’t enough, Debbie drops a last-minute revelation that throws the entire wedding into question.
- Over the course of three days, Gail navigates old wounds & the messy complexities of life.

MY THOUGHTS

- Short but impactful. At under 200 pages, this book is brief, but it doesn’t feel rushed or underdeveloped. Tyler has an incredible ability to say so much with so little—each sentence, each interaction, each observation is deliberate and meaningful. I easily read in a day, but the story will definitely linger with me.
- A first, but not the last. This was my first Anne Tyler novel, but it won’t be my last. She has a rare talent for capturing human nature with quiet precision, turning everyday moments into something deeply insightful and meaningful.
- A book about the little moments. This isn’t a novel driven by big plot twists or high drama. Instead, it’s a book that finds meaning in the ordinary—the small conversations, the unspoken tensions, the way people misunderstand or surprise each other. Tyler’s storytelling feels effortless, but there’s so much depth in her writing.
- Masterful character work. The characters are perfect. Gail, Max, and Debbie are all flawed but deeply human. Gail, in particular, is such an interesting protagonist—socially awkward, sometimes abrasive, but also vulnerable and introspective. I loved the way Tyler allowed her to be complex and real, rather than forcing her into a neat, likable mold.
- A realistic, deeply felt exploration of love and relationships. The novel touches on so many aspects of human connection—romantic love, parental love, lost love, and self-discovery. Gail and Max’s interactions were especially compelling. Their history is complicated, their banter sharp, and there’s an underlying ache in their relationship that feels incredibly authentic.
- Quiet but powerful exploration of themes. Tyler weaves love, relationships, aging, loneliness, and infidelity into the story with subtlety and depth. Rather than grand statements or dramatic moments, these themes emerge naturally through the characters’ quiet struggles and interactions.
- Subtle humor and warmth. Despite its sometimes heavy themes, the book is heartwarming and even funny in places. Tyler’s writing is wise, perceptive, and laced with subtle humor. Even in difficult moments, there’s a warmth to her writing that makes the book feel comforting.
- The ending is perfect. I loved the ending. It felt just right—satisfying, true to the story, and reflective of the novel’s overall themes.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A short but powerful novel that captures the beauty and heartbreak of everyday life. Anne Tyler’s writing is sharp, warm, and deeply insightful, making even the most ordinary moments feel profound. This is my first book by her, but it won’t be my last.

Thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is out now.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Three Days in June by Anne Tyler. I love an Anne Tyler novel. They are all (or almost all?) set in Baltimore, and they seem to all have awkward characters with awkward relationships. They lead simple lives. This one is the story of Gail and Max, who were married and have been divorced for many years, during the weekend of the wedding of their daughter Debbie. Gail has just been told that she is losing her long time job at a school. Max shows up at her door with a rescue cat, and needing a place to stay for the weekend. Without saying much, the two explore their lives and their relationship, and maybe find a way back to each other? I enjoyed this one, will read anything that Anne Tyler writes. #netgalley #threedaysinjune #annetyler #lovetoread #baltimorestory #familyrelationship #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #booknerd

This short little novel packs a big punch. I've read a few Anne Tyler books over the years and fits right in with the others in both style and comfort. She is so good at bringing complex characters to life in everyday situations, a "slice of life", showing us the humanity through both action and thought. In this case, as the title suggests, we see everyone moving through three days, which just happen to be the wedding weekend of the main character's daughter. I think I loved the most that Joan is a relatable, authentically flawed, often "in her head", middle aged woman! We need more of that in literature. If you are looking for a simple story with ordinary people going about their lives, that also showcases the depth of human complexity, then this might be for you.

Please note: I received a digital copy from NetGalley & Knopf in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

Three Days in June follows 61 year old socially inept Gail Baines for three days: the day before her daughter’s wedding, the day of and the day after. She is passed up for a promotion at work, her ex husband shows up with a cat to stay the weekend and her daughter faces a challenge with her upcoming nuptials. Gail is very aware of her lack of social skills and how it affects her work and personal life. The weekend forces her to re-evaluate her life, the changes and her vulnerabilities.

In under 200 pages Anne Tyler was able to explore well developed thoughtful characters balancing humor and emotional depth with a bittersweet ending.

4 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgalley and @aaknopf for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Three Days in June was a corny, quirky and witty read….
So much family drama!
The story has humor, empathy and realistic situations happening that you can relate too.
A memorial novella from a favorite author Anne Tyler……
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was cute! A novella about a woman whose daughter is about to get married. I liked the storyline and the characters were all very different and enjoyable. I am Not yet at the age where my child is old enough to marry so I do think someone like my own mother would relate to this story more. Overall I liked It a lot. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

I do think that Anne Tyler is a beautiful writer, but this book did not work for me. It's extremely slow and there is very little plot. The plot that does happen, which centers around the main character, Gail's, daughter's wedding, fell very flat for me. There is a moment where the reader is led to believe that there will be a climax of sorts, some action that shakes things up in this family, but the moment passes and nothing happens. Gail is not introspective at all, so there is not much character growth from her throughout the short novel, either. There just wasn't much here that I enjoyed besides the writing, which is admittedly excellent.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler is a delightful exploration of family dynamics set against the backdrop of a daughter's wedding. Gail Baines, the mother of the bride, is a wonderfully complex character—her social awkwardness and introspective nature make her both relatable and endearing. The interactions between Gail and her ex-husband, Max, are both humorous and poignant, highlighting the intricacies of their past and present relationship. Tyler's writing is sharp and insightful, capturing the essence of human connection with her signature warmth and wit. While the novel is brief, it leaves a lasting impression, offering a heartfelt look at love, forgiveness, and the ties that bind us.

I loved this book SO much. Probably my favorite of the year so far and my favorite Anne Tyler yet. Anne Tyler writes everyday family stories so well. She brings magic to mundane everyday moments.

QUICK GLANCE-
My format- ARC Ebook
Other formats- 📖Physical (176 pages) and Audio🎧 (4 hours and 23 minutes)
Spice: 🚫
Language: 🚫
Publication Date: February 11, 2025

MY THOUGHTS-
Charming, witty, and quirky, Three Days in June is a delightful blend of humor and heart. There wasn’t a lot that happened with the plot, and I don’t often give character-driven novels five stars. But this was absolutely worth the read!

Mother of the Bride
Novella
Three Day Setting
Complicated Family Dynamics
Reflective

Thank you to @netgalley for my advanced copy of this book!

This is a heartwarming story with a bit of humor. It’s a short, “feel good” story. The characters are well developed and relatable. I enjoyed it.

I appreciate her writing, but I realized this author is not for me. I need a little more plot, and I am not a fan of curmudgeons, which the main character is. So while this was not a book for me, I think this quick read will work for many readers!

What is supposed to be a joyous weekend is not going as planned. Gail Baines is not having a good day. She’s feeling a little left out. Her daughter Debbie is getting married tomorrow and is enjoying a spa day. But Gail wasn’t even invited. Is this how it’s going to be from now on. Debbie wanting to do things with her mother-in-law and not Gail?
Plus, Debbie’s father, Max just showed up at the door wanting to stay with Gail for the weekend. One look at Max and Gail remembers why he is her ex. It’s just another day in the life of Gail. Always second guessing herself and always worrying about the next thing to happen, that usually doesn’t. Author Anne Tyler has written a thoughtful book about expectations and sometimes more than not, reality. A book with no killings, finding of dead bodies or shape shifters. Just a nice, enjoyable book. Thank you Netgalley and
Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an early copy. This review is my honest opinion.

I have not read Ann Tyler before and I just loved this. The story is told over the three days surrounding Gail’s daughter’s wedding. Gail’s ex husband shows up the day before the wedding and has to stay at her small home because of a foster cat. The writing in this book is beautiful. I could identify with Gail on several levels. Her relationships with her mom, daughter and ex were thoughtfully developed. Though it’s a short book, Tyler does a great job of resolving the conflicts put forth in the story. I look forward to reading more from Ann Tyler’s backlist. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Such a wonderful read that gives us a story on life. A simple life, no crazy story, no crazy plot. A story on life. Lesson learned, just be you.
A beautiful example of what words can mean. Anne Tyler is a genius.
Thank you NetGalley!

This is a short and sweet one. It was well written, characters were well developed, kept me reading. I just felt like I wanted a little more from it somehow? I did like the flashbacks to Gail and Max’s past, which helped us to understand how they were dealing with what was happening in the present. There was wedding drama that I don’t think was fully addressed. Maybe it just needed to be a little longer in general - four days? Five?

Anne Tyler is one of those authors who are able to reveal, through their exquisite story and character development, the complexity juxtapositioned with the simplicity, the wonder countered by the ordinary, the exalted joys and the deep, deep sorrows that form the foundation of this thing we call life.

In her newest novel entitled "Three Days in June," we meet a fractured family meeting after much emotional estrangement and some geographical distance, for the three days (before, of, and after) the wedding of their thirty-something daughter. What a treat it is to be the proverbial "fly on the wall," so to speak, as mother and father (long divorced) and adult daughter (long cast in the role of "go-between" for her parents) as they all attempt to navigate (and survive!) this very long wedding weekend.❤️

This is a charming, funny, sad, and serious little gem of a novel. I guarantee that you are in excellent hands with my beloved Anne Tyler, and I highly recommend this lovely book.

The "Three Days in June" was published on February 11, 2025. I am very grateful that NetGalley allowed me an advanced galley proof, and the review provided reflects my heartfelt opinion of this and all works by Anne Tyler.

#annetyler
#threedaysinjune
#netgalley
#quietlyextraordinary

Three Days in June is the just released novel by celebrated and beloved author Anne Tyler. This beautifully crafted story peers into the life of 61 yr-old Gail Baines—educator, mother, divorcee—as she loses her job, deals with her daughter Debbie’s wedding, and wrestles with people, memories and regrets from her past.
This novel is masterfully written in Tyler’s beautiful, simple prose, each word carefully chosen for its meaning and impact. The limited cast of characters is fully realized and sympathetic, imbued with great humanity and compassion.
Tyler’s laser focused observations of the human condition and relationships elevate this touching tale. There is much gentle wisdom conveyed in each “snapshot” in time during these three days, which really represent many years of the character’s lives.
This lovely, bittersweet story is to be savored, and reread. Admirers of thoughtful literary fiction and Tyler’s fine prose will be pleased with this new novel.

Thank you to Knopf Publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

This was a good quick read. A weekend wedding is the backdrop for this heartwarming story of a mom who comes to grips with with how she handled her own marriage. The Mom is a quirky character who reminded me of Frederick Backman’s Ove. Very enjoyable! I received this arc from Netgalley in return for an honest review.