Scan barcode
A review by bookstorian
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
May 2024
I was initially nervous for my reread of this book, I have reread a few books this year and the novels haven't aged well but I believe that this story has gotten richer and deeper with age. I appreciated the structure of the story more and understood the intensity of Eva and Shane's relationship more. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to reread it for book club.
Here's what liked:
+ Structure. Very simple yet clever weaving of seven days across June in the present and the past.
+Exploration of so many themes including chronic illness, generational and childhood trauma, gender and race. There was a lot packaged into the novel an I thought each of these were beautifully done.
+Relationship between Eva and Shane. It's unique yet familiar. Second change romance is definitely a trope that I'm into.
+Audre, hands down one of my favourite tween characters. I forgot how wise. mature and perceptive she is. The turtle metaphor (<3)
Here's what I didn't:
-The ending! As I got closer and closer to it I started to remember what the ending was going to be and my anger grew. The main plot should never be wrapped up in an epilogue.
-The idea that they were secretly writing to each other in their work wasn't executed as well as it could have been. It was clear that they were inspired by the other and found meaning within each other but the writing entire novels as a way to communicate to one another in the years they were apart wasn't clear.
Certainly keen to explore some of Tia William's other works now.
***
July 2021 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Seven Days in June' was a surprising read for me, a went in blind to what I was about the experience but took away a strong message of connection and hope for each of the characters. There were some really strong and entertaining elements to the novel but also some pitfalls, especially the ending!
Here is what I liked about the book:
-The premise. The idea that two successful novelists also knew each other in the past and had a very short, intense relationship was interesting.
-I like the switches in perspective between multiple characters, even though it was inconsistent I enjoyed the little snippets into a handful of the other character's thoughts.
-Andre. Loved this character, she was sassy and wise and really unique.
-The flashes between the past and the present. Although the past was rather graphic at times, it built the backstory for each character and their relationship. It gave me as a reader a much deeper understanding of their lives and how they came to be the adults.
-The connection to the month of June, from the past and full circle into the present. Perfect title.
-It was funny and real. The novel was littered with laugh out loud moments.
Here is what I found difficult about the story:
-The ending. The Epilogue became a quick skip to the ending that should have happened within the main section of the story. This was a big disappointment for me, I just wasn't sure that the Epilogue was the right place to wrap up the story.
-I was not prepared for the raw, graphic nature of the story. The blurb really didn't allude to how heavy the content of the story would be. Make sure you read through the content warnings.
I was initially nervous for my reread of this book, I have reread a few books this year and the novels haven't aged well but I believe that this story has gotten richer and deeper with age. I appreciated the structure of the story more and understood the intensity of Eva and Shane's relationship more. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to reread it for book club.
Here's what liked:
+ Structure. Very simple yet clever weaving of seven days across June in the present and the past.
+Exploration of so many themes including chronic illness, generational and childhood trauma, gender and race. There was a lot packaged into the novel an I thought each of these were beautifully done.
+Relationship between Eva and Shane. It's unique yet familiar. Second change romance is definitely a trope that I'm into.
+Audre, hands down one of my favourite tween characters. I forgot how wise. mature and perceptive she is. The turtle metaphor (<3)
Here's what I didn't:
-The ending! As I got closer and closer to it I started to remember what the ending was going to be and my anger grew. The main plot should never be wrapped up in an epilogue.
-The idea that they were secretly writing to each other in their work wasn't executed as well as it could have been. It was clear that they were inspired by the other and found meaning within each other but the writing entire novels as a way to communicate to one another in the years they were apart wasn't clear.
Certainly keen to explore some of Tia William's other works now.
***
July 2021 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Seven Days in June' was a surprising read for me, a went in blind to what I was about the experience but took away a strong message of connection and hope for each of the characters. There were some really strong and entertaining elements to the novel but also some pitfalls, especially the ending!
Here is what I liked about the book:
-The premise. The idea that two successful novelists also knew each other in the past and had a very short, intense relationship was interesting.
-I like the switches in perspective between multiple characters, even though it was inconsistent I enjoyed the little snippets into a handful of the other character's thoughts.
-Andre. Loved this character, she was sassy and wise and really unique.
-The flashes between the past and the present. Although the past was rather graphic at times, it built the backstory for each character and their relationship. It gave me as a reader a much deeper understanding of their lives and how they came to be the adults.
-The connection to the month of June, from the past and full circle into the present. Perfect title.
-It was funny and real. The novel was littered with laugh out loud moments.
Here is what I found difficult about the story:
-The ending. The Epilogue became a quick skip to the ending that should have happened within the main section of the story. This was a big disappointment for me, I just wasn't sure that the Epilogue was the right place to wrap up the story.
-I was not prepared for the raw, graphic nature of the story. The blurb really didn't allude to how heavy the content of the story would be. Make sure you read through the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Self harm
Minor: Addiction