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mecmccann's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you Tia Williams for writing the first book club book I adored.
Seven Days in June is a story about Black love. It was poignant, humorous, and hot all at the same time. In this book, we follow Eva, an erotica writer, who is summoned to speak as a panelist at a book event where she unexpectedly runs into her high school fling? boyfriend? situationship? Shane, from fifteen years ago. As she rediscovers what actually happened between them all those years ago, recognizes that they've actually been writing about and to one another for all these years through their books, learns about the man he has become, and about her family's historical curse, she learns about who she is and how everything fits together.
This book did exactly what it needed to do. Each character was fully fleshed out and individualized. In Eva and Shane's partnership, they became the best versions of themselves for and through each other, without sacrificing their core values. Seven Days in June was indeed a romance, but it was so much bigger than just-another-fluffy-romcom (and I love me a fluffy romcom). In this book we explored the effects of chronic pain, substance abuse, domestic abuse and negligence, trauma, and racism on relationships.
Rumaan Alam got it right when he said, "The result isn't escapism (though the book is a delight) but a vision of life as it truly is: complications and difficulties punctuated by profound joy."
Seven Days in June is a story about Black love. It was poignant, humorous, and hot all at the same time. In this book, we follow Eva, an erotica writer, who is summoned to speak as a panelist at a book event where she unexpectedly runs into her high school fling? boyfriend? situationship? Shane, from fifteen years ago. As she rediscovers what actually happened between them all those years ago, recognizes that they've actually been writing about and to one another for all these years through their books, learns about the man he has become, and about her family's historical curse, she learns about who she is and how everything fits together.
This book did exactly what it needed to do. Each character was fully fleshed out and individualized. In Eva and Shane's partnership, they became the best versions of themselves for and through each other, without sacrificing their core values. Seven Days in June was indeed a romance, but it was so much bigger than just-another-fluffy-romcom (and I love me a fluffy romcom). In this book we explored the effects of chronic pain, substance abuse, domestic abuse and negligence, trauma, and racism on relationships.
Rumaan Alam got it right when he said, "The result isn't escapism (though the book is a delight) but a vision of life as it truly is: complications and difficulties punctuated by profound joy."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Self harm
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
kiara_taylor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have never been so upset about a book being over. Absolutely loved everything about this book. So wonderfully written, I from the beginning routed for this couple more than any book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child death, Self harm, and Death of parent
arike22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Rape, and Alcohol
velorum's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I flew through this: the characters leap right off the page & scream “let me tell you about ME!”
There’s a ton of Internet jargon and pop culture references and slang, there’s generational trauma among a slew of trigger warnings and love and family and culture. There was so MUCH (please heed the trigger warnings) and yet so much silliness and lightness that framed this story. Maybe that speaks to the author’s point of how life can be jarring and full and sad.
I prefer my epilogues to be ADDITIONAL to the story. Here, the epilogue was doing all the work to wrap up loose ends.
This story between Shane and Eva (Genevieve) is melancholy and a rapid, all-consuming love story. It burns and burns out. Their second-chance encounter makes you want to know what the hell happed that week in June 15 years ago, and it all unravels as the story moves on.
I think what made me really upset was Ty’s storyline and around the 78%(??) mark, I just wanted to DNF, and pushed through anyway. His death felt senseless and was a lazy way to develop Shane’s character.
On second note, the last three chapters (epilogue included) were just a RUSH of plot and character development, and not in a good way…
TBC…
There’s a ton of Internet jargon and pop culture references and slang, there’s generational trauma among a slew of trigger warnings and love and family and culture. There was so MUCH (please heed the trigger warnings) and yet so much silliness and lightness that framed this story. Maybe that speaks to the author’s point of how life can be jarring and full and sad.
I prefer my epilogues to be ADDITIONAL to the story. Here, the epilogue was doing all the work to wrap up loose ends.
This story between Shane and Eva (Genevieve) is melancholy and a rapid, all-consuming love story. It burns and burns out. Their second-chance encounter makes you want to know what the hell happed that week in June 15 years ago, and it all unravels as the story moves on.
On second note, the last three chapters (epilogue included) were just a RUSH of plot and character development, and not in a good way…
TBC…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
adrienneleigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This second-chance romance was sexy and fun and had substance. Eva and Shane had great chemistry, and there were some very steamy scenes. Williams has a great sense of humor that comes through in many scenes. Eva’s precocious 12-year-old daughter Audre and Eva’s best friend Cece both sparkled. I loved the fun scenes set in NYC’s Black literary world of author panels, parties, and awards shows. But the book has a darker side as well, and addresses a lot of serious themes, including chronic illness, mental illness, self-harm, drugs, addiction, trauma, generational trauma, and poverty. I didn’t love how the ending was structured, but overall I really enjoyed this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
libellumartinae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alright, I'd like to say that this book is utterly fantastic.
I had been eager to start it and read it as it seemed quite an interesting and lovable readout it is much more, as it depicts many tough elements without being too heavy and although the relationships between the characters is tense and definitely darker at times as it held so many secrets and individual - and shared - trauma, it never seems like a tale of desperation. it's an hopeful outright out of life and starting again. probably one fo the best second chances romance - and romance - of the year and that I have ever read, also because there was the employment of the 'I am not enough' theme but in a way that wasn't stereotypical and neither annoying.
the sole thing I'd have liked to be done better is the ending as in some parts it felt too rushed. I also admit that it is a personal preference but I learned I much prefer finals in which they don't end up halfway through but with an epilogue. still, at parts, it seemed too fast to me and I'd like for it to be longer (if anything to stay with them a bit longer).
love yah!
I had been eager to start it and read it as it seemed quite an interesting and lovable readout it is much more, as it depicts many tough elements without being too heavy and although the relationships between the characters is tense and definitely darker at times as it held so many secrets and individual - and shared - trauma, it never seems like a tale of desperation. it's an hopeful outright out of life and starting again. probably one fo the best second chances romance - and romance - of the year and that I have ever read, also because there was the employment of the 'I am not enough' theme but in a way that wasn't stereotypical and neither annoying.
the sole thing I'd have liked to be done better is the ending as in some parts it felt too rushed. I also admit that it is a personal preference but I learned I much prefer finals in which they don't end up halfway through but with an epilogue. still, at parts, it seemed too fast to me and I'd like for it to be longer (if anything to stay with them a bit longer).
love yah!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicide attempt
jkreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5⭐️
TW: alcoholism, drug use, self harm, child neglect, paedophilia
Just…wow. This book was beautiful. A searing tale of Black love, pain and success told in beautiful prose brimming with emotion.
Seven Days in June is easily the best second-chance romance I’ve ever read. All of the angst and pain experienced by Eva and Shane had a purpose, none of it was gratuitous or over the top. The journey they went on throughout the book was SO satisfying, and it really felt like I was right there with them, I was so invested.
I’m always nervous going into a book with disability/illness rep because it’s never guaranteed to be done well. That was not the case here. I really loved how descriptive Tia Williams was in talking about Eva’s chronic pain and the impact that this had on every aspect of her life. I also loved that there wasn’t an underlying message of ‘just push through’. Sure, there were times where Eva tried to push through the pain but she knew this would come at a price. So many books that I see being hailed as having great disability rep very much promote the toxic message that ‘if you just push through and accommodate yourself, you can do anything’ when that just isn’t the reality for many disabled people. Eva spoke about parenting from bed or the couch, which I can very much relate to as this is something I’ve had to resort to on days where I’m struggling.
I listened to this on audio and the narration was wonderful, it really helped me connect with the story on a deeper level. I will probably be purchasing a physical copy of this as well though, because it’s definitely going to be one that I reread in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Pedophilia
rickireadss's review
3.0
i went into this one with such high hopes, and i honestly think that was what ruined it for me. i loved the chronic migraines rep. i somewhat tolerated the fact that both mcs were writers - i feel like this is hit or miss with me, but usually a miss. i did not check the CW before reading, and that was definitely my bad, but most of the reviews i had seen on tiktok or insta hadn't mentioned it being a "heavy" book -- this one most defintitely was, and it was much heavier than i could have anticipated. i ended up soft-DNFing this like 50% in and left in untouched for almost a month, but i pushed through hoping it would magically get better (spoiler alert: it did not) this was just not my favorite, and one of my disappointments of the year.
⚠️: self harm, drug abuse, alcoholism, drug use, addiction, chronic illness, suicidal thoughts, mental illness, suicidal attempt, abandonment, gun violence, death, grief, injury/injury detail, child abuse, child death, violence, sexual assault, toxic relationship, blood, sexual harassment, emotional abuse, racism, medical content, car accident, medical trauma, death of parent, domestic abuse, physical abuse, bullying, panic attacks/disorders, murder, forced institutionalization, pedophilia, vomit, ableism, sexism, adult/minor relationship
⚠️: self harm, drug abuse, alcoholism, drug use, addiction, chronic illness, suicidal thoughts, mental illness, suicidal attempt, abandonment, gun violence, death, grief, injury/injury detail, child abuse, child death, violence, sexual assault, toxic relationship, blood, sexual harassment, emotional abuse, racism, medical content, car accident, medical trauma, death of parent, domestic abuse, physical abuse, bullying, panic attacks/disorders, murder, forced institutionalization, pedophilia, vomit, ableism, sexism, adult/minor relationship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
nicole_defran's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m not sure where to start. I feel a little overwhelmed honestly. I feel like I thought it was a romcom based on the blurb and quotes on the cover but after finishing it there was romance but it definitely isn’t a romcom. I probably should have read the content warnings but I never have before and while romance can include some more serious topics not to this level. I think it will stick with me for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
literarychronicles's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Let me start by saying that I loved this book. I finished this book & thought that it was 5 stars & I will force all my friends to read it. However, after critically evaluating, I realised this is not 5 stars, but I still absolutely love it & I am going to force my friends to read it.
It's been a while since I read this book. I will never review this if I wait to write a proper review. Hence, here are my random thoughts.
👍🏻Disability - How it is always not visible. I thought this part was very well written.
👍🏻Humour
👍🏻Strong MC
👍🏻Self-harm and mental health issues were well portrayed
👍🏻Chemistry between the 2 MCs
👍🏻Flawed Individuals with baggage, overcoming childhood trauma, (although not completely healed) succeeding in life, & helping others
👍🏻Theme - How everyone deserves love and redemption
👍🏻Black spirit and representation
👉🏼 I don't enjoy spice in romance, but I didn’t mind this because I enjoyed the story
👉🏼 The week the MCs spent as teenagers doesn't feel like love. It was messy, dangerous, & toxic.
👎🏼Too many pop culture references
👎🏼The 12 years old daughter seemed too mature and was unrealistic.
👎🏼The conflict near the end felt clichéd. It could have been avoided with a text messeage.
👎🏼The ending seemed a bit flat compared to the build-up
👎🏼The epilogue could have been a part of the main text.
TW: Drug/alcohol abuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, child abuse, neglect
It's been a while since I read this book. I will never review this if I wait to write a proper review. Hence, here are my random thoughts.
👍🏻Disability - How it is always not visible. I thought this part was very well written.
👍🏻Humour
👍🏻Strong MC
👍🏻Self-harm and mental health issues were well portrayed
👍🏻Chemistry between the 2 MCs
👍🏻Flawed Individuals with baggage, overcoming childhood trauma, (although not completely healed) succeeding in life, & helping others
👍🏻Theme - How everyone deserves love and redemption
👍🏻Black spirit and representation
👉🏼 I don't enjoy spice in romance, but I didn’t mind this because I enjoyed the story
👉🏼 The week the MCs spent as teenagers doesn't feel like love. It was messy, dangerous, & toxic.
👎🏼Too many pop culture references
👎🏼The 12 years old daughter seemed too mature and was unrealistic.
👎🏼The conflict near the end felt clichéd. It could have been avoided with a text messeage.
👎🏼The ending seemed a bit flat compared to the build-up
👎🏼The epilogue could have been a part of the main text.
TW: Drug/alcohol abuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, child abuse, neglect
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts