Everything about this book was lovely — the community, the magic, the family, the nostalgia. This is a book with a stunning plot that would also be worth reading on vibes alone. Ill definitely be picking up this author’s other books

This is my favourite Young novel by far! I was captivated from the start and surprised just how drawn I was to the story. I found the character dynamics very interesting, and I loved the romance that developed throughout this story. The setting wasn’t one I expected going in, but the historical aspect did add to the story. I will admit that I got a little confused with the timelines throughout the story, but that is very possibly a me thing! I genuinely feel like I’ve never read anything like this one, and I was immersed from start to finish! Almost wish I’d saved it for the autumnal months, though.

TW: murder, violence, domestic abuse, death, memory loss

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

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I want to thank NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book.

This book has been on my shelf for far too long and once I finished it I was kicking myself for not starting it sooner.

Adrienne Young's writing is lyrical, beautiful and captivating. From the descriptions to the emotion, she manages to transport you within the pages of her story.

June Farrow's family have always lived on the outside of society, accepted to a certain point but the family name holds a certain amount of fear and suspicion. When her Grandmother dies, June is set on a path of discovery that leads her to unexpected places. Secrets, heartbreak and darkness are at the centre of this story.

The incredible cast of women in the Farrow family and their witch abilities reminded me of Practical Magic. I also found myself likening it to The Time Travellers Wife (IYKYK). I will be diving into more of Adrienne's books in the future.

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

Many thanks to NetGalley, Quercus Books, and the author for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am so shocked at how much I enjoyed this book. The vibe, the whole eeriness, kind of sucked me in. June always knew what she was destined for: the mysterious curse that has followed the women in her family. After her gran passes, she knows this is inevitable and she will end up surrendering to it. But little did June know what actually awaited her.

The way the mystery was entrenched in the layers of the story kept me hooked. I wanted June to come out of this happy and healthy. The more I read, the more this felt impossible. There was this impending doom, with a delicate way of going about relationships and love between all the characters. The dark of us, the real history of hate that has been rooted for aeons, is sort of explored as a theme while holding out for a bright and happy future.

This story is essentially about rebirth into something beautiful, no matter how dark your history is. There is always a way to heal, a way to get rid of the haunting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I just finished The Unmaking of June Farrow and... wow. This book was such a beautiful blend of mystery, magic, and a little heartbreak. 😮‍💨✨

June starts seeing strange visions after her grandmother passes away—a red door, a man she doesn’t recognize, and moments that don’t quite belong in her life. What follows is a time-bending journey full of secrets, love, and the haunting legacy of the Farrow women. 🌙⏳

The writing is atmospheric in that classic Adrienne Young way, and the small-town + slightly eerie vibes were chef’s kiss. The plot unravels slowly, so if you love a story that makes you feel things and sit with the quiet moments, this one’s for you.

My only tiny gripe? I got a little lost in the time travel bits here and there—but honestly, it didn’t take away from how emotional and magical this story felt. 🫶

If you’re into generational stories, mysterious family secrets, and romance that defies time, you’ll want to add this to your TBR.

For some reason it took me an incredibly long time to get around to this book and I have no idea why I waited so long! I was immediately captivated by the mystery surrounding the Farrow women and could not put this book down. Whilst certain elements towards the end did feel a little rushed, overall I thoroughly enjoyed myself

Adrienne Young can do no wrong. Once again I devoured this book, I could not put it down and the magic was captivating. This was beautiful and heartbreaking. If you want a book to get lost into and then spend a few days reeling, read this book!

Thank you for the ARC! Sadly unable to read as this was downloaded onto an old device I no longer have access to and the book has since been archived.

After browsing, I found that "The Unmaking of June Farrow" by Adrienne Young has resonated with many readers for its atmospheric setting and heartfelt exploration of family secrets and destiny. Based on that and my own reflections on the book, here's my review:

I recently finished reading The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young, and it truly captivated me. Set in the enchanting, small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, this novel pulled me into a world where family legacy and mystery intertwine with every page.

I found myself completely absorbed by June’s journey. Her struggle against a seemingly inevitable curse and her relentless pursuit of the truth about her mother’s disappearance felt both heart-wrenching and empowering. I appreciated the way the author intricately wove the history of the Farrow family into the present-day narrative. Every clue June uncovered led to even deeper layers of the town’s dark past, and I loved how that mystery gradually unfolded.

The vivid descriptions of Jasper and the evocative imagery of the flower farm added a rich, almost tangible quality to the setting. It wasn’t just a backdrop—it was a character in its own right, full of secrets waiting to be revealed. And then there was the mysterious door... Crossing that threshold felt like a symbolic rebirth for June, marking the moment when her fate, her heart, and the legacy of her family converged.

What struck me most was the blend of suspense with a tender exploration of star-crossed love. Even as June’s unraveling past threatened to overshadow her future, there was a palpable sense of hope and the promise of transformation. It’s rare to find a story that balances so many elements so seamlessly—a mystery that challenges the past while opening up the possibility of a bright, uncharted future.

I left the book feeling inspired and a little bit more aware of how our histories, no matter how dark, can shape us and even set us free. The Unmaking of June Farrow is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a richly atmospheric tale that is as much about personal discovery as it is about unraveling age-old mysteries.

I highly recommend it to readers looking for a story that is both haunting and hopeful.

I’m not usually someone who gets totally immersed in a book. I tend to skim descriptions and often forget names and places. But Adrienne Young never lets me do that. Her descriptions are so natural and necessary that I truly feel drawn into whatever world she’s created.

While this book may have ended up exactly where you expect it to, and I’m never a huge fan of ‘memory problems’ as a plot device, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

I really enjoyed the generations of overlapping Farrow women. Their bond and strength and determination carried this story and made it worth reading.

Adrienne Young’s The Unmaking of June Farrow is a spellbinding mix of mystery, magic, and family secrets that captivated me from start to finish. This standalone novel follows June Farrow, a woman grappling with the mysterious disappearance of her mother and the strange, otherworldly visions that plague her. When she stumbles upon a clue linking her family’s past to an unsolved murder, June is thrust into a journey through time that forces her to confront not only the truth about her lineage but also the choices that define her.

The plot is beautifully layered, blending elements of a slow-burn mystery with a touch of time-travel fantasy. Adrienne Young weaves suspense and emotion seamlessly, keeping you guessing as secrets are revealed and the threads of the story come together in a way that feels both surprising and inevitable. The pacing is perfect, with every twist pulling you deeper into the Farrow family’s haunting legacy.

The world-building is atmospheric and rich, set in a small, rural town steeped in whispers of magic and old family curses. The way Young integrates the supernatural elements into the everyday is subtle but deeply effective, creating a sense of wonder and foreboding that lingers throughout the book.

June is an incredibly relatable protagonist—strong, curious, and determined, yet deeply human in her fears and flaws. The supporting cast, particularly her family and the enigmatic love interest, add depth and complexity to the story. I was especially drawn to the multi-generational aspects of the narrative, which explore themes of love, sacrifice, and the bonds that tie us to our past.

Fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab or The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo will likely adore this book for its bittersweet, magical realism vibes and emotional depth. The Unmaking of June Farrow is a beautifully written tale about finding yourself in the face of loss, love, and the power of choice. It’s poignant, magical, and utterly unforgettable.

Absolutely adored this book and im not in the least bit surprised. I love Adrienne and her writing she has such a great range and I would read anything by her

I will read anything this author writes. Even her grocery list. Adored this book as well as all of her other works!

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young.

4 STARS.

Magical realism or whimsy? Or maybe both? Adrienne Young is good at writing this genre, either way. This is the second offering I've read by the author and continue to be impressed by the writing, world building and characterisation.

The women in June Farrow’s family are cursed. Her mother left her on the streets as a baby during her descent into madness, and now her grandmother has passed away under similar circumstances. June is the last remaining Farrow woman, and she believes she’s about to meet a similar fate when her own mind begins to unravel.

Haunted by hallucinations and eerie memories, June begins to see her doctor and prepare for the worst. But then her grandmother sends her a message from beyond the grave – a mysterious letter and photograph posted just before she died. These could be the key to unlocking a mystery spanning over a century, and stopping the curse of the Farrow women.

What unravels is not June’s mind, but a beautiful, time-slip love story.

I’ve taken my time getting round to this novel which was a huge hit last year. I have to admit, I read the author’s Spells For Forgetting a few years ago and wasn’t blown away by it – whilst it was beautifully written, the plot just didn’t grab my attention.

But, with June Farrow, this author has taken things up a notch. She draws a rich tapestry of life, love and magic set against a stunning backdrop of rural Americana. This book has just the right amount of magical realism combined with authentic emotion – it actually reminded me of one of my all-time favourites, The Time Traveller’s Wife.

The time travel gets a little complicated, and there’s a murder mystery in the mix to keep track of too, but I never felt lost in this novel – just utterly absorbed. Despite its many threads, this complex story felt seamless and heartfelt.

I couldn't read this as an ebook for some reason so will get it when it comes out! Sorry! (Leaving a 4 star review to be fair.)

I absolutely love Adrienne Young's writing. June Farrow buries her grandmother but she does not bury her secrets. She wants to know more about her mother and father and receives a necklace and a mysterious picture that sets off a chain of events. Then June steps through the red door and everything changes. I loved the mystery in this one and how it all unfolded. There was one big reveal I didn’t see coming.

Thanks to Quercus for the review copy.

When I picked up The Unmaking of June Farrow, I wasn't expecting such an emotional rollercoaster. Oh my.
The whole novel was captivating with intriguing characters, such good time travel elements (though I had to really concentrate to get how time travel worked in this universe), and a little murder tossed into the mix. Such a great combination! It all fit together so well and I was on the edge of my seat, wanting to know how it would all play out. I loved this book so, so much!!

Think this was just not for me. Love Adrienne Young normally. Maybe wrong time? Bought this book as I was way behind on my ARCs. The writing was really good, I just couldn’t get into the story.

June Farrow is cursed, her whole family line is, her mother went mad and disappeared and now she herself can see and hear things that aren’t there; voices, chimes and a door that appears out of nowhere. When June’s grandmother dies and she finds more clues about the curse, June decides to risk it all and the next time that door appears, to walk through it and face what has plagued her for so long.

I don’t want to give much away as to what is beyond the door that June walks through, which means I can’t talk about much of the book, but needless to say that Adrienne Young one again demonstrates that she is an incredible storyteller. There is a magic/scif fi – fantasy element to this, of course, I mean doors are just appearing, and a murder plot with twists and turns a plenty. But the true heart of this story is that it’s a love story, a heartbreaking, beautiful love story that is so endearing and intimate to read, a real delicious and tender slow burn.

This book really does have something for everyone – sci-fi/fantasy, a feminist empowering protagonist you will absolutely love (truly Young knows how to write a badass female lead!), murder mystery, themes of family, romance, sacrifice and self discovery – and it’s intertwined perfectly by Young.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Once again Adrienne Young has reminded me why she is one of my favourite authors for bringing to life a complex and original story with beautiful characters that you can’t help but love. This was such an enjoyable and easy read.