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dphillips's review against another edition
4.0
A satisfying, fun mystery that I couldn't figure out until the end. Thxs goodreads firstreads for the opportunity to enjoy.
kaceyp14's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted this to be a four-star book and I think it could've been…but it was both too cliche and too unrealistic. The secrets were ridiculous and Jack's character lacked any depth at all.
colleengeedrumm's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Goodreads for providing such a wonderful story to read. I want to read her other novel [b:Bittersweet|18339743|Bittersweet|Miranda Beverly-Whittemore|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1404476771s/18339743.jpg|25893105]!
Once, they'd fallen into a fit of giggles over a squirrel's stuffed cheeks; they were in the side yard, and Cassie flopped onto her back and watched June's laughter braid with hers in the summer sky.
She realized they reminded her of babies, the way babies only ever wanted their mothers, and treated the rest of the world as a disappointing shadow, nothing in comparison to the promise of being once again in the company of the apples of their eyes.
Iceberg lettuce with cheddar, bacon, and croutons on top, slathered in a cup of ranch dressing.
Disgusting.
I knew plenty of emaciated women in New York who said they had celiac when what they really had was a case of the an-o-rexia.
Thomas shared Apatha's unnerving talent of rarely betraying what he was feeling. It was a quality Lindie found inconvenient in old women and downright dangerous in any kind of man, especially one who was privy to the secrets she was also keeping.
He couldn't understand what makes a rare thing wonderful is just that: it is rare.
Yes, that means I have to do some unpleasant things. But that's what a job is.
Let's drink before my cab comes. Elda held up the bottle in one hand and two glasses in the other. So she'd been waiting. Cassie couldn't see any reason to say no.
The best way to break the rules is to look like you're following them.
The only way to win the war was to seem to lose the battle.
There was something to be gained by committing your worst crime before you were old enough to drive; it put all your subsequent foibles in perspective.
Lindie, love who you love.
She wasn't like us. She didn't need anyone to witness how she felt. She only needed to feel it.
Once, they'd fallen into a fit of giggles over a squirrel's stuffed cheeks; they were in the side yard, and Cassie flopped onto her back and watched June's laughter braid with hers in the summer sky.
She realized they reminded her of babies, the way babies only ever wanted their mothers, and treated the rest of the world as a disappointing shadow, nothing in comparison to the promise of being once again in the company of the apples of their eyes.
Iceberg lettuce with cheddar, bacon, and croutons on top, slathered in a cup of ranch dressing.
Disgusting.
I knew plenty of emaciated women in New York who said they had celiac when what they really had was a case of the an-o-rexia.
Thomas shared Apatha's unnerving talent of rarely betraying what he was feeling. It was a quality Lindie found inconvenient in old women and downright dangerous in any kind of man, especially one who was privy to the secrets she was also keeping.
He couldn't understand what makes a rare thing wonderful is just that: it is rare.
Yes, that means I have to do some unpleasant things. But that's what a job is.
Let's drink before my cab comes. Elda held up the bottle in one hand and two glasses in the other. So she'd been waiting. Cassie couldn't see any reason to say no.
The best way to break the rules is to look like you're following them.
The only way to win the war was to seem to lose the battle.
There was something to be gained by committing your worst crime before you were old enough to drive; it put all your subsequent foibles in perspective.
Lindie, love who you love.
She wasn't like us. She didn't need anyone to witness how she felt. She only needed to feel it.
nancy33's review against another edition
2.0
This book was too mushy and melodramatic for me. For those who like romance books, this may be your thing. I couldn't wait for it to be over.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
A special thank you to Crown and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Talented storyteller, Miranda Beverly-Whittemore returns following Bittersweet (2014) with a compelling atmospheric tale of dual timelines---JUNE, a blending of past and present, rich in history, suspense, and intrigue, a grandmother’s secret past, sacrifice, friendship, and a mysterious Hollywood lover. Would make for a spectacular movie!
An old historic mansion estate, a small rural Ohio Midwestern town, memories, dreams, scandal, ---and a granddaughter some sixty years later, seeking answers in reference to her family’s past.
Infused with Hollywood (Gatsby type) glamour, reminiscent of an era gone by, secret loves, and those with evil motives of blackmail, lies, and murder- for their own selfish greed and purpose.
A house once filled with parties, laughter, and adventure back in its heyday, in small town St. Jude, Ohio—now left crumbling with only memories and dreams.
From 2015 (present) day to 1955 (past), a multi-layered complex coming-of-age tale of redemption, love, loss and family.
2015: Cassandra (Cassie) Danvers, Granddaughter-(now an orphan) a twenty-five-year old struggling artist and photographer, is going through a quarter-life crisis. Leaving New York, she has moved to an old family estate, she has inherited from her late grandmother, June.
1955: June Danvers, Grandmother- a private person, an artist growing up in the fifties, eighteen years old, and engaged to be married to Artie (Arthur). A conservative family. Her best friend, younger Lindie has a job working on the movie set. Lindie does not fit in with the others. She likes to sneak out with June in the evenings. Lindie wants to protect June.
Two Oaks, the estate home of the late oilman Lemon Gray Neely has fallen into shambles. Cassie’s grandmother, June raised her after her own parent’s death in a horrible car crash. She has inherited the home and $14,000 from her grandmother.
This amount is not enough to repair all the items in this old house and sustain her for long without a job. Every day she had good intentions of calling repairman; however, she continued to ignore the mail, the bills, and phone calls, curled up in her bedroom dreaming. Her father, Adelbert Lemon Danvers would be fifty-nine if he had lived.
Soon she begins having dreams of earlier days in this house. A house with a past. Did she really ever know June, her grandmother? Houses don’t always dream. In fact, most don’t. But once again, Two Oaks was dreaming of the girls—the one called June, who looked like a woman, and the one called Lindie, who looked like a boy.
Once known as a grand home, now is shambles. Constructed by ambitious dreamers, once a ballroom, now filled with bats, bugs, holes, dust, and mail addressed to the dead---almost fooling the mansion into believing itself still on the precipice of adventure. If Two Oaks was lonely, it was also lucky. At least it had known how what it felt like to be full. At least it had gotten to have a “Lindie” and a “June”. Now Cassie is here alone.
When Tate Montgomery (Jack's so called daughter), also a movie star, shows up with her people, at the door demanding a DNA—fighting against the will, she offers to give Cassie a million for her trouble, since there is a $37 Million inheritance at stake for Jack's granddaughter.
Cassie has become essentially a hermit. Soon, she receives shocking news. She has been named the sole heir to legendary Hollywood idol, Jack Montgomery, the star of the film, “Erie Canal”. How could he be her grandfather?
Cassie demands these answers before she takes the DNA. Then her stepsister (Jack’s other daughter), shows up, along with Nick Emmons who works for the Tates, along with Tate’s assistant—all hiding out at the old mansion from the media. More shocking secrets and Hollywood scandal. A mysterious inheritance. Jack Montgomery had passed three days earlier and he left Cassie everything. Why? She did not even know him.
Years ago Hollywood came to their small town for the filming of the movie “Erie Canal”, and lives became entangled which would forever change the course of their lives. What makes this suspense even more intriguing---in addition to June, Carrie, Lindie, is the gothic type ongoing mystery between the many secondary characters. This is so good, Southern fans will think they are in the Deep South with the sordid past.
Whittemore is a master at creating mysterious vivid settings, surrounded by a web of deceit, bringing characters to life with a blending of past and present----keeping you captivated from the first page to the last. Love the twist with Lindie at the explosive ending.
Rich in character, culture, history, art, travel, mystery, and romance. Of course, as the norm, I tend to be more enthralled with the secret past of the two friends June (18 yrs old) and Lindie (lesbian 14 yrs. old) and all which surround them, than the present. Something sinister and dark building around them from Ohio to Hollywood.
Past Supporting Characters: Jack, Diane, Alan, Arthur, Apatha, Lemon Gray Neely, Clyde, Eben, Thomas, from the 1950s race-relations, sexuality, and of course the limits and roles of women during this time. The author skillfully crafts historical fiction with modern literature, and a Gothic twist.
Present day: Nick, Elda, Tate, Hank, Margaret, Max Greed, power, betrayal, jealousy, scandal, and lies. When Cassie has all the pieces of the puzzle, she will not only learn something about her grandmother but something about herself. She may find a family after all and a home and town she can call her own.
What makes the novel charming and unique, as well as suspenseful - the handwritten letters (no emails, social media, cell, or hardly even a landline phone call). It is a refreshing change of pace in a world of today’s social media where everyone’s life is on display, compared to June’s era where everyone kept such scandalous secrets. Much more exciting with a bit of mystery than to put it all out there. Nice usage of the contrasts between Hollywood and small town living, present day with the foods, culture, and attire.
Loved, love June’s character. A mix of talented artist, Bohemian, wanderlust, romantic, unselfish personality, mysterious, and a true loyal friend. Finding her own version of happiness and true love.
I enjoyed reading about the author’s personal connection, inspiration, and research behind the novel--personally, a lover of preservation and historic properties. Highly recommend June as well as Bittersweet!
Fans of Karen White and T. Greenwood -literary, historical, mystery, and domestic suspense fans will devour!
JDCMustReadBooks
Talented storyteller, Miranda Beverly-Whittemore returns following Bittersweet (2014) with a compelling atmospheric tale of dual timelines---JUNE, a blending of past and present, rich in history, suspense, and intrigue, a grandmother’s secret past, sacrifice, friendship, and a mysterious Hollywood lover. Would make for a spectacular movie!
An old historic mansion estate, a small rural Ohio Midwestern town, memories, dreams, scandal, ---and a granddaughter some sixty years later, seeking answers in reference to her family’s past.
Infused with Hollywood (Gatsby type) glamour, reminiscent of an era gone by, secret loves, and those with evil motives of blackmail, lies, and murder- for their own selfish greed and purpose.
A house once filled with parties, laughter, and adventure back in its heyday, in small town St. Jude, Ohio—now left crumbling with only memories and dreams.
From 2015 (present) day to 1955 (past), a multi-layered complex coming-of-age tale of redemption, love, loss and family.
2015: Cassandra (Cassie) Danvers, Granddaughter-(now an orphan) a twenty-five-year old struggling artist and photographer, is going through a quarter-life crisis. Leaving New York, she has moved to an old family estate, she has inherited from her late grandmother, June.
1955: June Danvers, Grandmother- a private person, an artist growing up in the fifties, eighteen years old, and engaged to be married to Artie (Arthur). A conservative family. Her best friend, younger Lindie has a job working on the movie set. Lindie does not fit in with the others. She likes to sneak out with June in the evenings. Lindie wants to protect June.
Two Oaks, the estate home of the late oilman Lemon Gray Neely has fallen into shambles. Cassie’s grandmother, June raised her after her own parent’s death in a horrible car crash. She has inherited the home and $14,000 from her grandmother.
This amount is not enough to repair all the items in this old house and sustain her for long without a job. Every day she had good intentions of calling repairman; however, she continued to ignore the mail, the bills, and phone calls, curled up in her bedroom dreaming. Her father, Adelbert Lemon Danvers would be fifty-nine if he had lived.
Soon she begins having dreams of earlier days in this house. A house with a past. Did she really ever know June, her grandmother? Houses don’t always dream. In fact, most don’t. But once again, Two Oaks was dreaming of the girls—the one called June, who looked like a woman, and the one called Lindie, who looked like a boy.
Once known as a grand home, now is shambles. Constructed by ambitious dreamers, once a ballroom, now filled with bats, bugs, holes, dust, and mail addressed to the dead---almost fooling the mansion into believing itself still on the precipice of adventure. If Two Oaks was lonely, it was also lucky. At least it had known how what it felt like to be full. At least it had gotten to have a “Lindie” and a “June”. Now Cassie is here alone.
When Tate Montgomery (Jack's so called daughter), also a movie star, shows up with her people, at the door demanding a DNA—fighting against the will, she offers to give Cassie a million for her trouble, since there is a $37 Million inheritance at stake for Jack's granddaughter.
Cassie has become essentially a hermit. Soon, she receives shocking news. She has been named the sole heir to legendary Hollywood idol, Jack Montgomery, the star of the film, “Erie Canal”. How could he be her grandfather?
Cassie demands these answers before she takes the DNA. Then her stepsister (Jack’s other daughter), shows up, along with Nick Emmons who works for the Tates, along with Tate’s assistant—all hiding out at the old mansion from the media. More shocking secrets and Hollywood scandal. A mysterious inheritance. Jack Montgomery had passed three days earlier and he left Cassie everything. Why? She did not even know him.
Years ago Hollywood came to their small town for the filming of the movie “Erie Canal”, and lives became entangled which would forever change the course of their lives. What makes this suspense even more intriguing---in addition to June, Carrie, Lindie, is the gothic type ongoing mystery between the many secondary characters. This is so good, Southern fans will think they are in the Deep South with the sordid past.
Whittemore is a master at creating mysterious vivid settings, surrounded by a web of deceit, bringing characters to life with a blending of past and present----keeping you captivated from the first page to the last. Love the twist with Lindie at the explosive ending.
Rich in character, culture, history, art, travel, mystery, and romance. Of course, as the norm, I tend to be more enthralled with the secret past of the two friends June (18 yrs old) and Lindie (lesbian 14 yrs. old) and all which surround them, than the present. Something sinister and dark building around them from Ohio to Hollywood.
Past Supporting Characters: Jack, Diane, Alan, Arthur, Apatha, Lemon Gray Neely, Clyde, Eben, Thomas, from the 1950s race-relations, sexuality, and of course the limits and roles of women during this time. The author skillfully crafts historical fiction with modern literature, and a Gothic twist.
Present day: Nick, Elda, Tate, Hank, Margaret, Max Greed, power, betrayal, jealousy, scandal, and lies. When Cassie has all the pieces of the puzzle, she will not only learn something about her grandmother but something about herself. She may find a family after all and a home and town she can call her own.
What makes the novel charming and unique, as well as suspenseful - the handwritten letters (no emails, social media, cell, or hardly even a landline phone call). It is a refreshing change of pace in a world of today’s social media where everyone’s life is on display, compared to June’s era where everyone kept such scandalous secrets. Much more exciting with a bit of mystery than to put it all out there. Nice usage of the contrasts between Hollywood and small town living, present day with the foods, culture, and attire.
Loved, love June’s character. A mix of talented artist, Bohemian, wanderlust, romantic, unselfish personality, mysterious, and a true loyal friend. Finding her own version of happiness and true love.
I enjoyed reading about the author’s personal connection, inspiration, and research behind the novel--personally, a lover of preservation and historic properties. Highly recommend June as well as Bittersweet!
Fans of Karen White and T. Greenwood -literary, historical, mystery, and domestic suspense fans will devour!
JDCMustReadBooks
bunrab's review against another edition
4.0
Not my usual cup of tea, and I forget what might have brought it to my attention in the first place, but pretty interesting. A bit of a modern gothick, and a few of the characters are too stereotyped evil, but also some good plot twists. It's part mystery, part romance, part quarter-life crisis. I did enjoy the jumps between 1955 and 2015, and, oddly enough, enjoyed the dreaming house even though that's a bit woo-woo for me.
tnangle196063's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful book! I wasn't sure I liked it in the beginning as I had trouble bonding with the main character, Cassie, but I ended up very involved in the plot and how things would be resolved. The ending was an interesting twist and the author created lots of tension and suspense.
emilydoehrman's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this novel! The book used a series of flashbacks between past and present to tell a story in a way I had never before seen done. The book started from the point of view of a house. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it, but after the first few pages I was in love with the idea of thinking about all the lives and memories a house’s “eye” would capture that as humans we would overlook, miss, or be too distracted to notice. Shortly after, I was sucked into the storyline. I wasn’t drawn in by the cover (don’t ask me why, but the cover viscerally affects how I feel about a book), but the writing more than made up for it. Gotta give a shout out to my dad for getting this for me at the library book sale!
hannahjsimpson's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up this book because it dealt with all of my favorite things; a girl my age is brought back to Ohio after her grandmother does and she inherits a 1895 mansion. While the house is falling down around her she is shocked to find an old Hollywood legend has left her $37 million dollars and that he thought she was his granddaughter. What secrets did her grandmother and this grand house keep from her?
I truly haven't read something with this solid of writing in a while. June earns at least 3.5 stars on the authors writing alone. But then to craft a compelling story that had me tearing through pages to get the plot then rereading passages to absorb her brut idyl words is quite a feat. I particularly loved the dual story telling of 2015 Cassie and 1955 Lindie's points of view. The house itself is a character in its own right.
This is one of the few books I wish I could read for the first time again. (And I literally just finished it 5 minutes ago.) I received this ARC through my position at the Delaware County District Library.
I truly haven't read something with this solid of writing in a while. June earns at least 3.5 stars on the authors writing alone. But then to craft a compelling story that had me tearing through pages to get the plot then rereading passages to absorb her brut idyl words is quite a feat. I particularly loved the dual story telling of 2015 Cassie and 1955 Lindie's points of view. The house itself is a character in its own right.
This is one of the few books I wish I could read for the first time again. (And I literally just finished it 5 minutes ago.) I received this ARC through my position at the Delaware County District Library.
miajmu's review against another edition
3.0
I liked most of this book- the secrets, Hollywood insider gossip, the melodrama- but I thought the personification of the house didn't work. Those moments were few, the beginning and the end and a time or two in the middle, but that element seemed very disconnected from what the rest of the book actually was.