kelsiandherbookshelf's reviews
280 reviews

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

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5.0



Could you fall back in love with the one who stole your heart after seeing that person for the first time in 15 years? Seven Days In June by Tia Williams tells the story of a romance that seems to defy time and makes you question what real love means as it evolves.

“Silly raunchy romance” author and single mother Eva struggles to navigate her writing career as she outgrows her characters and seeks to find the strength to write a more meaningful story. Her debilitating illness makes her writing and life in general much harder, but her astute 13 year old daughter Audre is there by her side. At the most unexpected time, Shane, a mysterious and successful writer appears and completely takes Eva off guard and we the reader get to experience their former world wind romance from fifteen years ago and journey through their present seven days in June.

Although this is a romance novel, it is deeply layered and filled with heartbreak and trigger warnings that include sexual assault, drug and alcohol abuse, and self harm.

Despite these heavy topics, Tia Williams brings comedic relief that is refreshing and well written, including pop cultures references to influences, television shows, Black Twitter, and NPHC Greek life.

Often times, romance novels only focus on the the two partners, but I enjoyed the detail Tia Williams emphasized on the generational family members as well the secondary characters: the daughter Audre and best friend CeCe. This created a well rounded story that anyone and everyone can relate too. While the majority of the book spans 7 days, the glimpses to the past aid in competing the story and when all the pieces fell together, I didn’t want this book to end.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

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5.0

Would you make a deal with the devil if it meant protecting the ones you love? In The Last Thing He Told Me, Hannah Hall was told, “You can’t make a deal with the devil and expect it to turn out okay”. However, she was determined to prove otherwise. Hannah Hall is married to Owen Michales and is the step mother to his daughter, Bailey. As Owen’s daunting past comes to light, the lies and danger that follow him and threaten his family and force Hannah and Bailey to grow through the their reluctant step mother daughter relationship in order to discover the truth together.

This thrilling and realistic story illuminated marriage and family in a creative way that showcased the importance of having a strong sense of self and in doing so, pushed the boundaries of selfishness and sacrifice, leaving the reader heartbroken yet hopeful.