I received an ARC of Three Days in June through @netgalley, and it turned out to be a gem. The story takes place over a single long weekend, where a middle-aged couple finds themselves questioning their choices and relationships during a family gathering. Old wounds resurface, secrets come to light, and there are small yet profound moments of self-realization. Anne Tyler’s writing is beautifully understated, perfectly capturing the messy, intricate dynamics of love, regret, and family. It’s a quiet, poignant reminder that even the smallest moments can carry so much meaning.
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This was my first Anne Tyler novel, and after this, I can’t wait to dive into more of her work.

I am so thankful to Netgalley for letting me read and review this new Anne Tyler novel. Her writing is evocative and so realistic and just so easy to read. I love Anne Tyler's writing and she's just so accurate her observations. Gail Baines is having a bad day after finding out that she's losing her job and has been told the day before her only daughter Debbie's wedding. The day doesn't get any better when ex-husband Max turns up bringing a rescue cat with him. Max unexpectedly has to stay with Gail which means she is more disgruntled than ever. Anne Tyler is so adept at describing the minutiae of ordinary life and events and she is at her best here. We're taken through the wedding rehearsal, meet Kenneth's (the groom) parents and hear why Debbie should or should not go ahead with the wedding. I loved this book and really did not want ut to end.

There are few authors who can sustain a high quality of novels over decades, but Anne Tyler is consistent and 'Three Days in June', published 60 years after her debut novel, is one of her best. Tyler has the gift of a deep understanding of human nature, and a way of communicating it that is utterly relatable and lovely to read.

The point of view character of this novel is Gail, a teacher in her early 60s, whose only daughter is about to get married. The three days are the day before, the day of, and the day after the wedding. On the first day, just to add to the pressure, Gail discovers she is losing her job, and then her ex-husband arrives to stay with her along with a cat. What with a pre-marital crisis, memories of the events leading to her own divorce, and a domineering mother of the groom, there's plenty of fuel for an absorbing story.

Gail is an awkward but likeable character, described by another character in the first chapter as lacking in people skills. Which is true to some degree, but maybe no more so than a lot of humanity. None of Tyler's characters are extreme - they are the sort of complicated, nuanced, realistic people that we know in our own lives. Gail is very relatable, as she tries to navigate the complexities of 'ordinary' situations. I also really liked her ex-husband, a very different person to Gail but also very sympathetic. I was desperate for them to reconcile and find a way to be happy in their later years.

The short, condensed timescale works really well. Tyler's books can sometimes seem a bit slow or feel unfocussed, but that was never an issue here. It also ensured it felt well paced even though as with all of her novels it is not a thriller. That's just not the type of story she writes, and nor would you want her to. It's a warm, moving, story that makes you feel some hope for humanity. An absolute treat for any readers who enjoy well written stories about ordinary people.

I absolutely loved " Three Days in June". Gail Baines, is the protagonist of the story and  the absolute anti-hero of a mother of the bride with a divorced husband, Max,  as a side kick, who has moved in with her for the duration of the wedding,  with a cat. Her daughter is about to get married and all is not well in this family  setting.  Written with a sharp sense of humor, I would recommend this quirky portrait of the trials of family life to anyone who loves Elizabeth Strout but without depressing characters. 5 stars.

This sounded so good! I have heard of Anne Tyler before, but I hadn't read any of her books so I was intrigued how I would find this.

It is a short, quick book, perfect for when you want to fit in a read but don't have much time. I read it on Boxing Day, squeezed into an hour or so gap in the afternoon and it was lovely.

I didn't know what to expect from her writing, but it was very good. Nothing much happens in this, but the characters and narrative are so well written. It's very every day and that's what makes it special.

It's a great portrayal of a dysfunctional family, of ageing, divorce, trust issues, marriage, worry, and it was very well done indeed. I've not been through what the characters have - I've never been married, been divorced, had a child - and yet Anne makes it all seem like such a familiar experience. I think any adult would enjoy it but readers of a similar age to the characters (60s) would get the most out of it.

There is no complex plot, no real twists or turns or surprises, no outstanding reveals. It's everyday and ordinary, but it's a masterclass in gentle but powerful storytelling and characterisation.

If this isn't on your 2025 radar, then get it on it! Buy it, borrow it, or steal it (but don't steal it); however you get your hand son it, get it, and read it quickly, it's glorious. I will definitely be looking out for her other work now.

A short book with a strong emotional impact set just a few days before a wedding. Gail is struggling with her career, and her loneliness after her ex shows up at her house with a cat, and maintaining her composure while she tries to figure out what the mother of the bride is supposed to do. After hearing some distressing news, she is worried about her daughter's choice of spouse and tries to fit in with the ongoing wedding planning. Anne Tyler navigates the rocky terrain of human weakness with poise and wit and a great deal of humour.

As always, Anne Tyler has written a brilliant novel - one never tires of her characters, her Baltimore setting, or her storylines. It never ceases to amaze me how an 80-year-old (plus) writer can still write great stories. They are always thought-provoking, often funny, often sad - essentially, Tyler captures life in all its realness.

In 'Three Days in June', Gail Baines, a 61-year-old assistant headmistress in a private school, is preparing for her daughter, Debbie's, wedding. The book opens with her headmistress, Marilee, telling her she is going to have surgery - and that she is retiring. Much to Gail's chagrin, Marilee tells her a new educator will be replacing her and even though Gail evidently hoped she would succeed Marilee, this clearly isn't going to be the case. Gail ups and leaves and goes home. I love the way that this [somewhat unrealistic] marks the rest of the story.

Max, Gail's ex-husband, turns up with a cat he has fostered - and this cat is somewhat symbolic in the story. The wedding comes and goes, despite Gail and Max thinking that Debbie is not going to marry Kenneth - he apparently sleeps with someone else prior to the big day but Debbie forgives him. Anne Tyler superbly draws characters is simplistic ways, from Sophie, the mother of the groom, through to Gail's mother. It's the little things, the small details, that allow her to do this. She is a master of showing, not telling.

I loved this novel and can't wait to work my way through Tyler's vast catalogue - there are still many books of hers I haven't read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Absolutely loved this - superb characterisation and the author has such a keen eye for relationships and their nuances.

The story's about Gail, an assistant headteacher who struggles with social skills; the day before her daughter's wedding, her life is turned upside down when she quits her job after being passed over for a promotion. To make things worse, her ex-husband Max becomes her uninvited houseguest, she feels sidelined from the wedding plans (though we can see why! - her daughter is very, very patient and I think takes after her dad), and then her daughter tells her something that might stop the wedding going ahead...

It's a short but very deep book, covering three days - the day before the wedding, the wedding itself, and the day after. But Gail's thoughts and concerns over those three days reflect her entire life and the mistakes she's made. It's brilliantly done: showing someone in later life having an epiphany and wondering if she has the courage to make a new start. The characters are developed so well - we see laid-back Max and how annoying he must've been for Gail, but we also see how patient and wise he is. Gail is very blunt and not very good at understanding other people's points of view and feelings - but we empathise with her rather than disliking her.

One of my best reads of the year. I'll be buying this for friends next year!

When your daughter is getting married but you find out the groom might not have been faithful and your ex husband turns up on the doorstep, you know the next few days aren't going to be straightforward. A cat is added to the mix amongst the various guests and family. This is a story of chaos and trying your best to be your best whatever the circumstances. A tale of family life and the ups and downs and curve balls that get thrown at us. It's rather a descriptive book,at times to the minutiae, which is done well to paint the picture in the reader's mind. The ordinary to the extraordinary this short read takes it all in.
A detailed read of the chaos of life.

For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
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I enjoyed this story of former husband and wife, Gail and Max, reuniting for their daughter’s wedding.
The story was authentic and believable.

This book is for the most part cleverly written. I felt the anguish of the two main characters throughout and so desperately wanted them to be together. This is a story of life, actions and consequences and I being lost.

However, I found the reading of this book to be somewhat tedious as the words “he said”, “I said”, “she said”,etc were used repeatedly on every page! Maybe this was deliberate on the author’s part but I struggled to be invested in the book because of this.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I think this book could have been right for some people, but it really didn’t draw me in. I respect the idea of writing about everyday life without and big plot twists or dramas, but this felt too dull for me.

The amount of dialogue in comparison to all other text felt very extreme and made it easy to lose track of who was saying what. Nothing made me deeply invested in any of the characters and I started to feel quite frustrated about how dull the main character seemed to act towards her own daughter’s wedding. I don’t feel it’s necessary to have to feel sorry for a female lead who doesn’t have her hair and makeup done daily.

Had this book been longer, I don’t feel I would have finished it, however given it was only 200 pages I gave it the benefit of the doubt.

This book wasn’t for me, but I have heard that this is the author’s genre so it may be that I wasn’t the right fit for this book.

You really can't go wrong with an Anne Tyler book. A relatviely short story focusing on Gail for the days before, of and after her only daughter's wedding. Her event leads her to reflect on her own relationships and life choices. Absorbing, witty and oh! that final page!

This is a thoughtful book. It is exactly what it says, set over 3 days. Gives a unique glimpse into life changing events and their ripple effects.
My opinion changed during reading of the characters.

I’m not a stranger to Anne Tyler’s work, but I haven’t read anything by her recently and this book reminded me why I love her writing. She is able to capture the most ordinary and turn it extraordinary.

‘Three days in June’ follows Gail Baine’s life for three days where she experiences crisis in her work life, her daughter’s upcoming marriage and her ex-husband coming back into town and staying with her. We read this story in three parts which include the day before, day of and day after her daughter’s wedding.

You won’t experience any mystery or any twists and turns in the plot but you do get to experience the depiction of life at its most ordinary though extraordinary. What a joy to read.

Three Days in June, although fairly short, packs a lot into its pages. Anne Tyler deftly observes daily life over the course of three days as Gail prepares for the wedding of her daughter Debbie. Gail is not the most prescient of people and stuff just happens to her. Lacking in people skills, and yet well meaning, Gail seems to have to cope with a lot - from losing her job to taking in her ex-husband who arrives unannounced and with a cat under his arm. Gail is a worrier, speaks her mind without thinking, and often feels les-than. Her ex, Max, is carefree and laid back - on the surface, but underneath lies a gentle and caring man. The complexities of relationships and just of general life itself are recounted with understanding, and discernment - all packed into 200 pages. This is story telling at its best.
Told with humour, showing the patterns of the past repeating themselves, of human relationships and of learning to come to terms with the unexpected, this is an engaging story, with depths that might not be apparent if read too quickly! It's worth savouring, inspite of the temptation to read it all in one sitting! Or read quickly and then read again slowly to dig into it more deeply.

With thanks to Netgalley and Random House Vintage UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review.

A pleasant enough book. Gail is a 61 Yr old assistant head teacher in a private school but is ousted for having no people skills.
When her ex husband turns up for their daughters wedding things become more complicated. The ex husband and friends don't seem to help but the rescue cat her ex brings with him does.
Having spent a few days together her ex is hoping to rekindle their love from 21yrs ago.

Another lovely intimate character portrait from [author:Anne Tyler|457].

It's hard to know what to write about Tyler at this point in her career-- she is consistent, I feel, in both quality and style. If you enjoyed her previous books, you'll probably enjoy this one also. If you found her other books boring, or had complaints that nothing happened, [book:Three Days in June|213243949] won't satisfy you either.

As the title promises, this one is set over three days in June. The day before, the day of, and the day after the wedding of Gail's daughter. Of course, we also do some revisiting of Gail's past to build our understanding of who she is and how and why she's at this place in her life.

Tyler explores characters, situations and feelings. Her stories are thoughtful but undramatic, which happens to work for me, and I'm often left with a bittersweet feeling at the final page.

Anne Tyler has a knack for taking ordinary characters facing ordinary situations and turning them into a story we can engage and empathise with. This short novel focuses on 61 year old Gail Baines whose daughter Debbie is getting married to her long time boyfriend Kenneth.

Gail is dealing with a lot over this time. The day before the wedding she’s been told she is no longer wanted in her role of acting headmistress despite years of dedicated service. Then she discovers she has been pushed aside from her daughter’s wedding preparations by her fiancé’s mother. And to top it off her ex-husband Max, Debbie’s father, turns up on her doorstep looking for a bed for the night and not only that but he has a cat in a carrier that he thinks Gail might like to adopt.

A family wedding often puts strain on family relationships and Tyler has captured that well with sensitivity and with a streak of humour throughout. Her fondness for her characters is displayed by her portrayal of them. Gail is a pragmatic woman who says what she thinks and doesn’t waste time on empty platitudes while Max is affable and easy going, but also better at reading people. Their relationship is warm and relaxed, one of love and respect for each other. While Max seems to get on well with Debbie, she and Gail don’t seem close but Gail only wants her to have a happy marriage and tries to ignore the hurt caused by being side-lined from the wedding preparations. Told with humour, sensitivity and love this short novel is a lovely portrayal of ordinary people grappling with ordinary situations and relationships that have the potential to change their lives.

Gorgeous, short and bittersweet read about a woman who attends her daughter’s wedding with her ex-husband.