Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

5 reviews

clairebartholomew549's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is an exceptionally well-done slice of life book. We follow Gail through her daughter's wedding weekend as she deals with work issues, her ex-husband who she is on amiable but sometimes awkward terms with, and a myriad of feelings about her identity and her life. Gail is so endearing: she struggles to read people sometimes, but she is so genuinely kind-hearted and witty, and her relationships feel so real and lived-in. The characters are flawed and lovely, and being with them for the literary space of three days was a delight.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for giving me an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

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pomoevareads's review against another edition

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reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My 16th novel by Anne Tyler, and all time favourite author whose books I have been reading for years. 

Three Days in June takes place exactly as the title suggests over the weekend of Max and Gail’s daughter’s wedding. Max and Gail have been divorced for twenty or so years and he shows up on this weekend unplanned with a cat and asks if he can stay at Gail’s place because he has learned that their son in law to be is allergic to cats and he was meant to stay there.

Tyler captures the everyday feelings in such a nuanced way. Nothing feels contrived or unlikely. Three Days in June could just as easy be a story a woman tells her friend over coffee. It is an interesting story with small details, past history affecting the present and uncomplicated characters. 

If you are a fan of Ann Patchett and Elizabeth Strout or have enjoyed Tyler’s previous novels then I think this will be up your alley. This book is not for readers looking for a lot of plot. One day I will be a completist of her novels. I adore her.

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomca for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. Three Days in June publishes February 11, 2025. I suggest getting on what is surely to be a long waitlist at the library or better yet, preorder or pick up this book on pub day!

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srivalli's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

2.5

 2.5 Stars (outliner)

One Liner: Enjoyed the writing but disappointed by the ending

Life hasn’t been easy for Gail Baines. Losing her job, not being invited to participate in her daughter’s wedding activities, and the sudden arrival of her ex-husband (with a cat) cause more than enough stress. 

However, Debbie, her daughter, shares a secret with her parents, and it takes drama to the next level. How can Gail and her family navigate the situation? Will they address the past to find a way for the future? 

The story comes in Gail’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts:

This novella is a family drama divided into three parts – day one, day two, and day three. 

Since we get the story from Gail’s POV, we only see what she presumes and assumes. This makes for an interesting choice since she is quite judgmental and quick to jump to conclusions. 

The pacing is steady even as the narration moves between the present, the MC’s thoughts, and tiny snippets of the past. I’m not a fan of long chapters but this format made it easy to separate the days and their events. 

Despite having a heavy vibe, there are little bits of unexpected (dry) humor that lighten the scene and provide a little insight into the character(s). 

Of course, it is easy enough to guess the reveal that comes midway through but this is not a mystery book, so no extra points for the reader. 

Max brings his share of charm and humor while getting on the MC’s nerves for no reason. I empathized more with him as the story progressed. Though he is not the kind of person I like (have some ambition!), Gail made me root for him instead of her. TBH, he deserved better. 

Gail, our narrator, and main lead. What do I say? I don’t mind unlikeable characters. I understand her lack of social skills or discomfort in interacting with others. I can even see why she holds herself aloof and distanced. But, she is so darn judgmental and selfish! Though I felt for her initially, by the end, I couldn’t support her. Despite that, I liked how the author created her and Max’s characters to contrast and complement each other. 

A few things have been felt open, which is fine since this is a slice-of-life kind of novella. However, the ending was disappointing. I did not want THAT to happen. There has to be an adult-to-adult conversation, acknowledgment, apology, and acceptance. Some things cannot be brushed under the carpet or ignored when they have such a lasting impact on their lives. Also, the message it sends is very unappealing. 

To summarize, Three Days in June is an interesting read as a study of characters but was a letdown in terms of plot development and conclusion. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #ThreeDaysInJune 


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onion's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


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mamaofperfectpayton's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. The author did a good job writing day to day life, but the story started off too boring and the build up in Part 2 took too long for me. I liked the flashback parts better than the current day parts. The characters were awkward and some of the dialogue was awkward as well. The book was just okay for me. It is a quick read, but not one I would recommend. 

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