A wonderful take on life. I always enjoy putting myself in someone else's shoes and escaping for awhile. This was a wonderful story for that. I like that it was not all sunshine and roses, that there were misunderstandings and reconciliation of those misunderstandings. I love how kindness was shown in various ways. Life is not always a perfect ending, but if we are lucky it gets close to being one. This book was that for me.

This book gives me ALL the feels! I absolutely feel in love with the main character and her sweet story. It was beautifully written.

I really enjoyed this as an immersive novel that offered a deeply personal look at grief, identity, and resilience through the eyes of June, the neurodivergent protagonist. Told from June’s perspective, the story does a remarkable job of capturing the nuances of living with autism—her sensory experiences, emotional processing, and struggles with sudden blackouts when overwhelmed with anger all feel authentic and compelling.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is June’s relationship with her brother, (half-brother) which is beautifully written and adds depth to the story, providing a strong emotional anchor. I was also really interested in her begrudging friendship with the man on the bicycle.

The ending felt slightly unresolved, but I appreciated the look back and closure with the letter from her mother.

Overall, June in the Garden is a moving and insightful read, offering a raw and realistic portrayal of grief and neurodivergence.

I received a free copy of June in the Garden by Eleanor Wilde from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

June is a neurodivergent young adult suddenly facing the world alone after losing her mother. As everything changes around her, she realizes that to maintain her peace—and her beloved garden—she must take the initiative to seek help. June leaves her Scottish countryside home for the bustling streets of London in search of a family she's never known.

The story unfolds beautifully through June's unique perspective, which many readers will find both relatable and endearing. Wilde masterfully portrays this particular experience of a neurodivergent mind, and readers will find themselves deeply invested in June's journey and the friendships she forms along the way.

We are taken into the life of June, a 22 year old neurodivergent, who must now learn to navigate the world without her mother. Finding a clipping about relatives, she decides to leave Glasgow and travel to London to see if they’ll take her in. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

An incredibly heartfelt and sweet story. An emotional read about a woman who just wants family and to find her place in this world. A story about finding compassion for those who may experience the world in a different way. i couldn't put this book down. I spent the whole read wanting only the best for June and for her to find her place.

This book has everything, characters you genuinely care about, a story that keeps you reading. There are moments of joy, moments of utter heartbreak, moments of understanding. I can't recommend this book enough.

Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC.