A review by penandpaper
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

dark emotional reflective 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

3.0

This book had so much potential, which is why I’m so sad to say it was disappointing. The premise was incredible, and there are moments of insightful depth and beautiful prose. But when you leave those moments, it’s startling. The other characters in the book feel like caricatures of fun friends, and their interactions are so one-dimensional and poorly structured that it feels like a different book altogether. Many of the once-relevant references are dated and come off cringey, and the central relationship is ultimately a case of “Insta love.”  After spending 15 years apart, they fall back together without any resistance at all. The saving grace of this book is that the seven days they spent together in high school is beautifully crafted and heartbreaking. I wish I could say the same about the rest of the book because I agree with the book’s philosophy— black characters should be able to have fun, lighthearted interactions and not just be exploited for their pain. I wish I could say I loved this book, but it’s just fine.

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