A review by niffler_for_words
Six More Months of June by Daisy Garrison

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

“June of senior year is like Neverland.”

6 More Months Of June was a total surprise. The first impression that book gave me is the nostalgia, a lingering cloud which fills the pages. It’s a coming of age book in the most literal way, in which the teenagers are already nostalgic from “Before” while eager for “After”. That month of June is the transition, when the chrysalid turns into a butterfly. 

Even if my highschool years are way behind me, the story made its job to invoke such feelings in me. I don’t know why, but I kept thinking about Dawson’s Creek while reading (yes, I’m that old). Yet, this book is also a lot more than that. I got caught by my emotions and let the story carry me away, while witnessing all the struggle Mina and Caplan have to face. Yes, there is a lot of highschool drama, but there is more to see here, and that’s the interesting part of the story. Everything is described with subtlety, and tact, some tenderness and sometimes a pinch of rage, using a very beautiful style. 

I loved both characters, with their behavior typical of their age, yet very mature for other things. The reading part was absolutely gorgeous, about Caplan but also Mina’s mother. These parts gave me goosebumps and made me pour tears more than once. 

(potential spoilers) if I understand the ending, and the choice not to make an epilogue, to let the road of life –and its potential twists and turns– open in front of these young adults, my autistic brain prefers closed endings. But that’s a very personal remark, and in the end, that choice was very empowering to Mina.

Thank you very much NetGalley, Daisy Garrison and Hachette Children’s Group for this ARC. My opinions are my own.