Gail’s comfortable life is shaken when the head of the school, where she works as deputy head, announces her retirement later in the year. Gail’s expectations of becoming the new head are quickly dashed along the realisation that her own role was at risk with the incoming head bring their own deputy.

Gail’s emotional journey and reflections over the three days that follow are delightfully told. Her daughter, is getting married the next day and she has to contend with her ex husband, Max, arriving unexpectedly on her doorstep with a cat, and her daughter having a crisis about the wedding. In reflecting about her current situation she reminisces about her past relationships and the decisions that she took.

The central characters are well developed and engaging with a range of social settings as the backdrop. The story unfolds at a good pace and it is a really easy and satisfying read.

This was my first story by Anne Tyler and I don't suspect it will be my last.

'Three Days in June' follows Gail during the weekend of her only daughter's wedding, accompanied by her ex-husband Max and a cat.
This novella covers everything it needs to despite it being only 176 pages. We see love, loss, fear, and reconnection over the course of the three days, and it all felt authentic. A bittersweet realisation of what life can be like as we grow up with our loved ones, watching on as they slowly withdraw and find themselves with a new life separate from what was once intertwined.

Thank you netgalley and vintagebooks for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is an entirely character lead story very little happens but you are lead into the minds of the characters as they prepare for their daughters wedding
I’ve enjoyed several of Anne Taylor’s previous novels and was therefore expecting a style of writing. I have to be in the right mood to enjoy it and luckily on this occasion I was.
Tyler has the skill to describe individual people’s characteristics so perfectly that you feel you know them well by the end of the novel the way that their characters behave given a set of situations is what makes these novels interesting.
The author has a clear straightforward way of writing making the reading her novels an enjoyable experience
I recommend this novel for those who enjoy a primarily character driven novel if you like the novels of Elizabeth Strout such as my name is Lucy Barton or oh William, then you will enjoy the novel
I read an only copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is pro in the UK on the 13th of February 2025 by random house UK, vintage.

This review will appear on StoryGraph, Goodreads, and my book blog bionic Sarah S books.wordpress.com after publication it will also appear on Amazon UK.

I went into this having only read the blurb and thinking it sounded nice but with no other expectations. It sounded like the sort of soft slice of life literary fiction that I really like, and that's exactly what it is.

This is a cozy, gentle hug of a book. There's drama and tension, but it's drama distilled through and softened by the years-long relationships of people who know each other well and have rubbed off each other's sharp edges. It's perfect for sitting down with a cup of tea and a couple of hours to spare and reading in one sitting.

My favourite thing here is that Gail is very clearly autistic, but this is never something that's explicit in the book and it isn't at all the focus of the novel. After feeling really alienated by All The Little Bird Hearts last year it was refreshing to see myself represented in a way that doesn't feel like fetishisation or like it's trying to tick a representation box. Gail just is who she is.

This is a lovely little slice of life, a time capsule of a long weekend that ends perfectly. I was enjoying it all the way through, but the final paragraph especially is perfect and brought a happy little tear to my eye.

This is just nice. Well worth the read.

This story was amazing, I connected with it so well, a story written about growing up, marriage, children, divorce and reconnecting, the well written characters flowed from the page and i enjoyed it very much

The day before her daughter’s wedding, Gail quits her job then is forced to put up her ex-husband for the wedding weekend. Told over three days, Tyler unravels a story of a whole life: a marriage, parenthood, loves lost and found. No one creates characters as subtly as her - people you instantly recognise and yet continue to be surprised by. A perfect story.

I love it. Anne Tyler rocks. For the full review go to https://www.tumblr.com/joebloggshere/772062793245638656/three-days-in-june-by-anne-tyler-i-love-it-i-love

A divorced couple are forced to spend the weekend together when their daughter gets married. Memories are brought to life as situations remind the couple of times together, They split because the wife had a brief affair with a fellow teacher when their daughter was still at school . Both parents were teachers, not in the same school. The story literally takes place over 3 days and the ups and downs of family past events mix with the present day confusing the couples time together. Wondering if they should have split in the first place. Their daughter has a hiccup just before the wedding day, when the grooms sister spreads gossip about the possibility of the groom being unfaithful. This is talked through by the couple and they go ahead with the wedding, much to the worry and concern of the mother, All works out in the end, with even the divorced couple probably getting closer again.

Three Days in June was a charming and delightful read. I really like the writing style and despite the absence of dramatic moments and unexpected plot twists, the story held my attention and was never dull. However, I found the ending disappointing as it was too predictable and shifted the tone towards almost chick lit style, detracting from the realism that characterised the rest of the book.

Three Days in June, much as it's title suggests takes place over three days in June and follows Gail a sixty-one year old Assistant Headteacher during the weekend of her daughters wedding.

I couldn't tear my eyes from the page, watching Gail's life unfold and uncovering her secrets Day one, Friday follows the day before Debbies' wedding, Day two, the wedding and Day three, Sunday is the day after the wedding. Day one starts with Gail basically being kicked out of her job, and right after Gail's ex-husband turns up at her door with a cat, expecting to stay with her despite planning to stay with her daughter and her daughter getting cold feet. All in all not the weekend Gail expected. Gail is socially awkward and lacks people skills, her ex-husband Max is more of a go with the flow type of person, and we see this as Tyler examines their failed marriage.

I loved Tyler's writing, though I didn't have much love for Gail, nor any of the characters really, though I liked that. Tyler in my opinion captured family dynamics perfectly, the flaws, quirks and love that flows through this dysfunctional family unit.

Thank you to Random House UK, Vintage, Chatto & Windus and Anne Tyler for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve read a few Anne Tyler books but I have to say Three Days in June isn’t one of favourites. This is possibly because I didn’t like Gail and found her irritating and selfish. In fact there was very little I admired about her but I did finish the book because I liked her ex husband, her mother and her daughter.

Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June is a masterful exploration of family dynamics, brimming with her signature wit and keen psychological insight. The novel centers on Gail Baines, a socially awkward mother navigating the complexities surrounding her daughter Debbie’s wedding. Tyler’s portrayal of Gail is both touchingly vulnerable and refreshingly candid, making her a relatable protagonist.

The narrative unfolds over three pivotal days, skillfully capturing the nuances of familial relationships and the unexpected challenges that arise. Tyler’s ability to turn ordinary events into profound storytelling moments is evident throughout the book.
In Three Days in June, Tyler once again demonstrates her unparalleled ability to delve into the intricacies of human relationships, making this novel a delightful and thought-provoking read.

A calming read. I didn't really know what to expect from this book and I feel it was a very medium paced book that covered a lot but also not very much at all.
Coming in under 200 pages it had before the wedding, the wedding and after the wedding as chapters as although a fair bit happened it felt like not much really moved.
The characters were interesting and there was definitely a plot but to me it just felt a bit too slow and I didn't really agree with the core theme/lesson/happening of the book which I shan't be mentioning as it's a BIG spoiler.
Overall, I just don't think this was the book for me. A short and smooth read but not very impactful for me.
Favourite Quote - Why did everyone just assume I knew what I was doing?
Favourite Character - Celine

Anne Tyler masterfully delivers a family dynamic that feels both deeply realistic and hopeful. The novel unfolds over the course of three days in June (duh): the day before a wedding, the wedding day itself, and the day after. These seemingly ordinary moments become the backdrop for an intimate exploration of relationships, self-reflection, and personal growth.

At the heart of the story is Gail, a woman grappling with life’s transitions—having just been fired from a job she didn’t particularly like, while navigating her daughter’s wedding and the emotions it stirs. This was my first experience reading Anne Tyler, and her sharp, clear prose instantly captivated me. I loved how she crafted a protagonist who is both assured and set in her ways, yet insecure when it comes to relationships, especially with her daughter.

The subtle jealousy toward the groom-to-be’s family and the gradual acceptance of past mistakes felt incredibly authentic, as did the quiet determination to start making amends. Tyler’s ability to find depth and insight in everyday life is remarkable, making this a quick but profoundly resonant read.

I’ll definitely be diving into more of Anne Tyler’s work. If you’re looking for a heartfelt exploration of family and personal growth, Three Days in June is a fantastic place to start.

This book tells the story of Gail and her ex husband Max reunited for a weekend for their daughters wedding. During this time Gail reflects on her life looking at mistakes she has made and what the future may hold for her. It also deals with her relationships with her daughter and mother. There were no big plot twists or dramas just observations of everyday living.
This book began well for me but I did get a bit lost as it was not always clear who was actually talking and whether they were reflecting on an occasion in the past. Not my favourite Anne Tyler book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the advance copy of this book.

A beautiful novel about reflection and emotion set over three days. Anne Tyler gets to the heart of human frailty and mistakes and has woven a tale that will resonate with readers. I will now start on her back catalogue to appreciate her literary takent.

This was a reflective look back at a failed marriage and the components that make up people’s complicated relationships. The characters felt very real but the daughter’s wedding didn’t feel fully fleshed out (but maybe this is more from the characters perspective who hadn’t been overly involved in the planning). I enjoyed this but it did feel short.

Anne Tyler is always my turn-to author for a good story, and here's another.

This is the story of Gail, and the wedding of her daughter Debbie. Her ex-husband Max is back in town, and Gail unexpectedly finds herself with him as a house guest, together with a cat. Debbie's relationship appears on the verge of breaking, and Gail is caught up in trying to solve everyone's relationship problems without realising that she has her own problems and opportunities.

This is fairly short, and I read it through in less than 24 hours, but then Anne Tyler is that good that you just can't put it down!

Wow what a lot of story to be packed into so few pages. An excellent, thoughtful and moving read. Really packs a punch.

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler is a masterclass in capturing the intricacies of family life, relationships, and the quiet drama of ordinary moments. In this novel, Tyler follows Gail Baines, a socially awkward mother of the bride, as she navigates the chaos of the days leading up to and following her daughter Debbie's wedding.

The story begins with Gail’s turmoil: she’s just lost—or perhaps quit—her job, and she feels left out of the wedding plans, particularly when she’s not invited to the spa day organised by the mother of the groom. Things take a further turn when her ex-husband, Max, shows up unannounced, bringing a cat with him and no place to stay. The real crisis, however, arises when Debbie reveals a secret about her fiancé, one that threatens to derail the wedding entirely and reopen old wounds between Gail and Max.

Despite the brevity of the book, Tyler manages to pack an incredible amount of depth into the narrative, skillfully weaving together themes of love, heartbreak, and family dynamics. Her writing is sensitive, with just the right touch of humour, making it feel like you’re listening to a close friend share her most intimate thoughts. Gail’s struggles, from her sense of isolation to her complex relationship with her ex-husband, are beautifully rendered, and the novel’s sharp, observant commentary on family life resonates deeply.

Three Days in June is a short, yet profoundly moving, read, showcasing Tyler’s unparalleled ability to create rich, multi-layered characters and draw out the emotional currents of everyday life. A true triumph, it’s a book that lingers long after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.