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A poignant mirror into the magic of the mundane, Anne Tyler’s ‘Three Days In June’ lifts the veil on inner conflict on the pathway to happiness.

The 25th novel from the 83-year-old Pulitzer Prize winner opens with a decision point – Gail Barnes is being removed from her assistant headteacher position on the eve of her daughter’s wedding. Suddenly, with the past in the form of ex-husband Max at her door, can she finally understand what she wants from life?

Coming in at a succinct 165 pages, the Baltimore based novel is loosely anchored around events before, during and after the nuptials of Gail and Max’s only daughter Debbie.

As a character, Gail is a bristly, laconic figure who outwardly heralds self-sufficiency but yearns inwardly for connection. Reminiscent of Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge, this socially awkward ‘right angled’ character is beautifully drawn as a vulnerable prisoner of her own self-sabotage.

Tyler has mused that her ideas spring from her one word idea card system. For this novel, she said the outline aligns to the famous Sex and The City quote ‘find someone to love the you you love”

That key question is showcased under the layer of warmth and wit, as Tyler muses on the difficulty humans have to get to that point - painfully wading to understand self-worth and how it is perceived by others.

As a novel, it is the mastery to elevate the everyday, interlacing the rhythmic beauty of normalcy with larger questions around self-sufficiency, relationships and power that lingers long in the mind. Reminiscent of Ibsen’s theatrical realism and kitchen sink dramas, the mundane acts as a sharp, dramatic backdrop to familia tension.

In a recent interview Tyler expanded on the inspiration for her lifelong thematic focus, ‘How we handle day-to-day life as we go through it, with its disappointments and its pleasures, that’s all I want to know’

A gentle layerd read, which leaves life affirming warmth in its wake. With thanks to @vintagebooks for the ARC via @netgalley

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Three Days in June is a book about love, family relationships and forgiveness. Set over the 3 days of their daughter Debbie’s wedding, Max and Gail, divorced for 21 years, spend time together under the same roof.
This was a lovely, easy read and I enjoyed the unexpected plot twists and the way Gail’s character was written. I’ve never read anything by this author before but will definitely be reading more!
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

well this is a strange one, i’m not sure if i enjoyed the book but i couldn’t put it down and read it in one day. it’s the kind of book that draws you in and you have to find out what happens next but i’m not sure if anything really happened in the book!
give it a go and see what you think

A lovely short novel, full of compassion and so entertaining. I can thoroughly recommend it.

My thanks to the author, to the publisher and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book and share my review.

The saying goes that ‘good things come in small packages’ and that perfectly describes Three Days in June. At just under 200 pages it’s a slim one but it’s 193 pages of perfection.

The story centres around the wedding of Gail’s only child Debbie and the action takes place the day before, the day of and the day after the wedding. We spend the three days with Gail, who is reflecting on her past and contemplating her future. The arrival of her ex- husband brings shared memories and a rescue cat looking for a home.

There is no high drama, as anyone familiar with Anne Tyler will know, her writing is low key. Focusing on human connections and the small details of life, sprinkled with wit and humour. It’s a warm story and I really cared for the characters.

If you feel like you need to a bit of self care, I recommend picking this one up and spending your afternoon immersed in this touching and enchanting story - I adored it.

Anne Tyler is a prolific American author whose books I have been enjoying for over twenty years, this is her twenty fifth novel. Her literary style is appealing and her characters usually feel very relatable, this latest novel is no exception.

Once again she takes an everyday situation, this time a wedding day and the days surrounding it and weaves a gripping story. The three days are full of heartbreak and joys. Many emotions surface that cause the protagonists, the parents Gail and Max and their daughter Debbie to confront the past and to face what the future holds.

Read in less than a day, at less than 200 pages this was more of a novella and for that reason I probably would not have considered this if it had not been written by Anne Tyler. A great read if you are a fan of her writing or a reader looking for something heart warming and witty.

With thanks to NetGalley, Random House and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

It is rare to find a novel that makes you laugh out loud but also leaves your heart aching – but then this is the skill of Anne Tyler. Love, marriage, motherhood are not easy for Gail Baines with her apparent lack of people skills. And getting through her only daughter's wedding – in the company of her ex-husband, her mother, and the family of her son-in-law to be – is never going to be plain sailing. And so it proves, though in often unexpected ways. An absolute gem of a book – I have already recommended it to everyone I know.

Lovely story of nothing much other than the comfort found between a couple who have been divorced a long time but come together for their daughter’s wedding day.

Gail and Max and their daughter Debbie.

Only three chapters and a couple of hundred pages but it’s a full story.

Plenty to make me chuckle in its observations of life and conversation between two old friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chatto and Windus Publishers for the eARC.

It’s rare to come across a story that takes you deep into the complexity of love and human connection. Two people, once bound by marriage, find themselves separated, but the love between them doesn’t simply fade away. Instead, it lingers, pure and undeniable, despite the weight of past mistakes and the scars of doubt.

The beauty of this story lies in the moments of intimacy that blossom amid misunderstanding. It captures how we, as humans, struggle to trust after being hurt, how the past can cloud the present, and how hard it is to let go of something that feels so right. It’s about the quiet resilience of love—how, even in its most fragile form, it can adapt, grow, and transcend the hurt we carry.

Each moment feels raw and real, especially as they come to terms with their choices and how time forces them to evolve. It’s more than a love story; it’s a journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and finding your way back to the people you are meant to be with.

Under 200 pages, this novel isn’t just a quick read, it’s a reflection on the deeper currents of emotion and connection. You won’t forget it once you’ve finished, and you’ll think about it long after the last page. For a tale that’s as honest as it is moving, this book will find a place on your keeper’s shelf.

A short and endearing story! It's packed full of the complexities of life, and for the most part I enjoyed it. I think I just struggled to fully connect to the story but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment entirely. I'd be interested to try some more of the authors books!

Published 13/2 - a charming short read and it takes place over three days in June. Gail, in her early 60s is having a bad day. She is assistant head at a private school and expected to take over as head but is passed over because she lacks people skills. Rather than waiting to be let go, she walks out. This is the day before her daughter Debbie’s wedding and the bride, bridesmaids etc are at a Spa day, but Gail wasn’t invited. Then her ex-husband, Max, arrives - with a cat - to stay because he can’t possible stay at Debbie’s because her husband to be, Kenneth is allergic to cats. Add to this already bad day, Debbie announcing that Kenneth has a secret and Kenneth’s best man turning out to be one of Gail’s exes. The story progresses to the wedding day and the day after and we see memories bubbling up to the surface. Gail is quite blunt at times, and she lacks the ability to understand people and in the beginning you feel that she might be quite unlikeable, but there is a sense of humour there and almost a fragility. As for Max, she might complain when he arrives, but you get the feeling that she is quite happy for him to be with her - there is a sense that there is almost unfinished business. The reason for their divorce was quite surprising and with the wedding, with Max being there again it gives Gail a chance to remember and finally come to terms with her past. This is my fourth Anne Tyler novel and I really enjoy her depictions of family, of people and of moments.

I adore Anne Tyler's intimate glimpses into the minds of people and families, the complex thoughts that we tend to keep to ourselves, but that we, as the reader, are privy to.

It is the eve of Debbie's wedding to Kenny and Gail's ex-husband, and Debbie's father Max, turns up looking for a place to stay. At the same time, Gail appears to have been pushed out of her job. Weddings have a way of making us reflect on our own past and Gail spends time remembering her own wedding and marriage.

This is a short book but it doesn't suffer for that. It's filled with observations that make it relatable and there is a pace to the book that means not a word is superfluous.

Sad and funny in just the right amounts.
Love Ann Tyler, her understanding of people and situations are enthralling.
Gail is the Deputy Head of a school in Baltimore, Marilee is the Head, she tells Gail she is leaving and has someone to take over Headship and a new Deputy. Gail storms out of the school. When she arrives home her ex-husband Max is there with a cat, preparing to stay with her whilst attending their daughter Debs wedding. The wedding is to take place the following day and they are due to attend a rehearsal. Gail has a lot going on, with leaving her job and Max turning up unexpectedly. Their daughter Debbie turns up in tears and declarers that her Fiancé has been unfaithful. Gail and Max disagree on what steps to take.
The actual wedding goes smoothly and Max and Gail put on a united front. Meanwhile the cat is making herself at home in Gail's house.
What caused the breakup of Gail and Max's marriage?
Will Debbie and Kenneth be happy?
The sharp wit, funny comments and insights make this book a great read. Only left me wanting more.
Thank you Ann, NetGalley and Chatto & Windus for this ARC

An interesting glimpse into a marriage that had failed, but somehow revived at the time of the couples daughter's wedding. The ex husband landed at her door with a fostering cat in tow às his plan to stay with his daughter was scuppered by her fiancé's allergy to cats. In the short time together the couple refind each other.

This was only a short book but Anne Tyler as always packed a lot into it. Relationships that were both fascinating and equally frustrating at times. Characters I really would love to hear more of too but I’m not that’s something this author does follow ins.

Gail is at a crossroads on the day before her daughter’s wedding. As people come together to celebrate the occasion, including ex-husband Max, Gail has to confront decisions she’s made that has led to a life where she feels adrift. Three Days in June is a heartwarming and nostalgic look at self-discovery and second chances.

I got into this book really easily and loved seeing Gail develop as a character. I liked the concept of it being only three days. Gail’s narration on past situations allows for such a lot to be said in such a short, simple book.

With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

It is many many years since I last read anything by Anne Tyler, and I don't remember her being anything like this delightful. Because this little gem is an utter delight. In recounting the events of the eve of Gail Baines' daughter's wedding, the wedding day and the day after, Tyler packs a lifetime of mistakes, regrets and redemption into less than 200 pages, with the lightest of touches and a hefty dose of humour.

Nothing much actually happens. Well, Gail might be about to lose her job as assistant head in a high school, and her ex husband Max turns up at her door to stay for a couple of nights for the wedding, with a cat in tow but no suit, and her daughter finds out the groom has been keeping a secret from her. In the course of three days Gail remembers what it was she loved about Max and sharing her life with him, and learns a thing or two about forgiveness, not least about forgiving herself. And she adopts the cat, which is definitely my idea of a happy ending.

Events are told in Gail's voice, and Gail herself reminded me very strongly of Olive Kitteridge - prickly, obstinate, would almost die rather than show affection, and her own harshest critic. She is a wonderful creation and this is a perfect piece of writing.

A beautiful, relatable story of real love, with all its twists and turns. I loved it and found it a captivating read.

The story:
For Gail Baines, the day is not going well. About to be passed over at work (and having been accused of a 'lack of people skills'), she thinks the best thing might be to steal a march and quit before she's let go. To add to the unsettling changes around her, tomorrow is her daughter's wedding day, and her ex-husband has unexpectedly landed on her doorstep (with an unwanted cat in tow), her daughter has announced the marriage might be off, and the best man turns out to be an ex...

Over the course of three days, Gail finds herself looking back at the course her life has taken. With old memories stirred up by events in the present, will she find herself able to accept the actions of others, and of herself?

My thoughts:
Anne Tyler is an author I've wanted to read for a while, and "Three Days in June" seemed a good place to start – and though it is relatively short (just 176 pages), I found it to be a perfectly formed gem of a book.

Gail is a wonderful protagonist; blunt talking, lacking in social niceties, and with a genuine puzzlement over why some people behave the way they do, she might appear at first glance to be an unsympathetic character. But underneath she has both a sense of humour and an endearing vulnerability that won my heart and had me rooting for her to find happiness (and adopt the cat!).

On the eve of daughter Debbie's wedding day, Gail seems somewhat out of the loop, with Debbie off on a beauty day to which Gail hasn't been invited. So when ex-husband Max turns up on her doorstep (his plans of staying with Debbie having been put paid to by his arrival with a foster cat to which her fiancé is 'deathly' allergic...), despite her protestations, it's clear Gail is glad of the company. As an emotionally eventful three days unfold, and memories of both past happiness and mistakes rise to the surface, I was gripped to find out how the story would end, and whether Gail was capable of letting some happiness into her life.

This was such a great book, and I'm very glad I've now experienced Anne Tyler's writing – if this is anything to go by, with its mix of humour, sadness and optimism, I look forward to many more enjoyable reads!

The day before your daughter's wedding will always be busy but Gail Baines got far more than she asked for. First, it was her job as assistant head at the local school. There was a moment when she hoped that she would be promoted to head but the discussion moved into the subject of 'people skills' and before she knew what was happening Gail had been sacked or resigned, depending on who was explaining the situation. When she got home (in the middle of the day: who would have thought that could happen?) her ex-husband was there with a cat. He thinks that he'll be staying and that Gail will be adopting the cat. And that's before Gail discovers that the groom hasn't been entirely honest about his personal life.

I'm a big fan of Anne Tyler. You get characters you can empathise with, whom you understand. Their problems are ones you've encountered and their pleasures give you joy. You recognise how they live their lives. Max Baines hasn't changed much over the years: he can still be annoying. Who doesn't bring a suit to their daughter's wedding? Max thought his olive sports jacket would be fine if Gail ironed it. He's also a 'sort of vegan' who eats salmon and prime rib. He does bring nostalgia, understanding and a lot of shared memories though. Even the cat can become endearing.

Debbie Baines is, perhaps, the most shadowy of the characters. Her prospective mother-in-law is the organiser of the wedding, which Debbie and Kenneth would have liked to be more understated but it's Kenneth's parents who are footing most of the bill. Debbie's quietly firm though: there is something in Kenneth's past that needs explaining but she's going to sort it out and make her own decisions - no matter what Gail says.

For me, the highlight of the story was the gradual uncovering of the reason why Gail and Max are divorced - and it wasn't at all what I was expecting. That is Tyler's genius.

In addition to reading the book, I also listened to an audio download, which I bought myself. The narrator is J Smith Cameron and there's an excellent range of voices which I quickly settled into. I'd be happy to listen to more. I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy.

My favourite Tyler is possibly Vinegar Girl, a reworking of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.