Anne Tyler masterfully delivers a family dynamic that feels both deeply realistic and hopeful. The novel unfolds over the course of three days in June (duh): the day before a wedding, the wedding day itself, and the day after. These seemingly ordinary moments become the backdrop for an intimate exploration of relationships, self-reflection, and personal growth.

At the heart of the story is Gail, a woman grappling with life’s transitions—having just been fired from a job she didn’t particularly like, while navigating her daughter’s wedding and the emotions it stirs. This was my first experience reading Anne Tyler, and her sharp, clear prose instantly captivated me. I loved how she crafted a protagonist who is both assured and set in her ways, yet insecure when it comes to relationships, especially with her daughter.

The subtle jealousy toward the groom-to-be’s family and the gradual acceptance of past mistakes felt incredibly authentic, as did the quiet determination to start making amends. Tyler’s ability to find depth and insight in everyday life is remarkable, making this a quick but profoundly resonant read.

I’ll definitely be diving into more of Anne Tyler’s work. If you’re looking for a heartfelt exploration of family and personal growth, Three Days in June is a fantastic place to start.

This book tells the story of Gail and her ex husband Max reunited for a weekend for their daughters wedding. During this time Gail reflects on her life looking at mistakes she has made and what the future may hold for her. It also deals with her relationships with her daughter and mother. There were no big plot twists or dramas just observations of everyday living.
This book began well for me but I did get a bit lost as it was not always clear who was actually talking and whether they were reflecting on an occasion in the past. Not my favourite Anne Tyler book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the advance copy of this book.

A beautiful novel about reflection and emotion set over three days. Anne Tyler gets to the heart of human frailty and mistakes and has woven a tale that will resonate with readers. I will now start on her back catalogue to appreciate her literary takent.

This was a reflective look back at a failed marriage and the components that make up people’s complicated relationships. The characters felt very real but the daughter’s wedding didn’t feel fully fleshed out (but maybe this is more from the characters perspective who hadn’t been overly involved in the planning). I enjoyed this but it did feel short.

Anne Tyler is always my turn-to author for a good story, and here's another.

This is the story of Gail, and the wedding of her daughter Debbie. Her ex-husband Max is back in town, and Gail unexpectedly finds herself with him as a house guest, together with a cat. Debbie's relationship appears on the verge of breaking, and Gail is caught up in trying to solve everyone's relationship problems without realising that she has her own problems and opportunities.

This is fairly short, and I read it through in less than 24 hours, but then Anne Tyler is that good that you just can't put it down!

Wow what a lot of story to be packed into so few pages. An excellent, thoughtful and moving read. Really packs a punch.

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler is a masterclass in capturing the intricacies of family life, relationships, and the quiet drama of ordinary moments. In this novel, Tyler follows Gail Baines, a socially awkward mother of the bride, as she navigates the chaos of the days leading up to and following her daughter Debbie's wedding.

The story begins with Gail’s turmoil: she’s just lost—or perhaps quit—her job, and she feels left out of the wedding plans, particularly when she’s not invited to the spa day organised by the mother of the groom. Things take a further turn when her ex-husband, Max, shows up unannounced, bringing a cat with him and no place to stay. The real crisis, however, arises when Debbie reveals a secret about her fiancé, one that threatens to derail the wedding entirely and reopen old wounds between Gail and Max.

Despite the brevity of the book, Tyler manages to pack an incredible amount of depth into the narrative, skillfully weaving together themes of love, heartbreak, and family dynamics. Her writing is sensitive, with just the right touch of humour, making it feel like you’re listening to a close friend share her most intimate thoughts. Gail’s struggles, from her sense of isolation to her complex relationship with her ex-husband, are beautifully rendered, and the novel’s sharp, observant commentary on family life resonates deeply.

Three Days in June is a short, yet profoundly moving, read, showcasing Tyler’s unparalleled ability to create rich, multi-layered characters and draw out the emotional currents of everyday life. A true triumph, it’s a book that lingers long after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

As the title suggests, Anne Tyler's new novella 'Three Days in June' focuses on a couple of days in the life of Gail Baines. Whilst the focus is small, much happens over the course of the weekend that makes Gail revisit old mistakes and decisions, triggered by the prospective marriage of her daughter, a suggestion that she reviews her career, and the unexpected arrival of Max, her ex-husband.

I have read and enjoyed a number of Tyler's books and she is very adept at writing about women who don't quite understand the social mores around them. Indeed in some ways Gail Baine's reminded me of one of Elizabeth Strout's characters. For Tyler however, the tone was slightly different than in her other novels, with Gail being the narrator in a way that added an immediacy to the writing and made this a more pacey book than some of Tyler's other ones. Despite how short it is, it still packed an emotional punch and left me feeling touched and satisfied. I would highly recommend and would gladly read a follow up, if Tyler decided to go down that line.

I received an ARC of Three Days in June through @netgalley, and it turned out to be a gem. The story takes place over a single long weekend, where a middle-aged couple finds themselves questioning their choices and relationships during a family gathering. Old wounds resurface, secrets come to light, and there are small yet profound moments of self-realization. Anne Tyler’s writing is beautifully understated, perfectly capturing the messy, intricate dynamics of love, regret, and family. It’s a quiet, poignant reminder that even the smallest moments can carry so much meaning.
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This was my first Anne Tyler novel, and after this, I can’t wait to dive into more of her work.

I am so thankful to Netgalley for letting me read and review this new Anne Tyler novel. Her writing is evocative and so realistic and just so easy to read. I love Anne Tyler's writing and she's just so accurate her observations. Gail Baines is having a bad day after finding out that she's losing her job and has been told the day before her only daughter Debbie's wedding. The day doesn't get any better when ex-husband Max turns up bringing a rescue cat with him. Max unexpectedly has to stay with Gail which means she is more disgruntled than ever. Anne Tyler is so adept at describing the minutiae of ordinary life and events and she is at her best here. We're taken through the wedding rehearsal, meet Kenneth's (the groom) parents and hear why Debbie should or should not go ahead with the wedding. I loved this book and really did not want ut to end.

There are few authors who can sustain a high quality of novels over decades, but Anne Tyler is consistent and 'Three Days in June', published 60 years after her debut novel, is one of her best. Tyler has the gift of a deep understanding of human nature, and a way of communicating it that is utterly relatable and lovely to read.

The point of view character of this novel is Gail, a teacher in her early 60s, whose only daughter is about to get married. The three days are the day before, the day of, and the day after the wedding. On the first day, just to add to the pressure, Gail discovers she is losing her job, and then her ex-husband arrives to stay with her along with a cat. What with a pre-marital crisis, memories of the events leading to her own divorce, and a domineering mother of the groom, there's plenty of fuel for an absorbing story.

Gail is an awkward but likeable character, described by another character in the first chapter as lacking in people skills. Which is true to some degree, but maybe no more so than a lot of humanity. None of Tyler's characters are extreme - they are the sort of complicated, nuanced, realistic people that we know in our own lives. Gail is very relatable, as she tries to navigate the complexities of 'ordinary' situations. I also really liked her ex-husband, a very different person to Gail but also very sympathetic. I was desperate for them to reconcile and find a way to be happy in their later years.

The short, condensed timescale works really well. Tyler's books can sometimes seem a bit slow or feel unfocussed, but that was never an issue here. It also ensured it felt well paced even though as with all of her novels it is not a thriller. That's just not the type of story she writes, and nor would you want her to. It's a warm, moving, story that makes you feel some hope for humanity. An absolute treat for any readers who enjoy well written stories about ordinary people.

I absolutely loved " Three Days in June". Gail Baines, is the protagonist of the story and  the absolute anti-hero of a mother of the bride with a divorced husband, Max,  as a side kick, who has moved in with her for the duration of the wedding,  with a cat. Her daughter is about to get married and all is not well in this family  setting.  Written with a sharp sense of humor, I would recommend this quirky portrait of the trials of family life to anyone who loves Elizabeth Strout but without depressing characters. 5 stars.

This sounded so good! I have heard of Anne Tyler before, but I hadn't read any of her books so I was intrigued how I would find this.

It is a short, quick book, perfect for when you want to fit in a read but don't have much time. I read it on Boxing Day, squeezed into an hour or so gap in the afternoon and it was lovely.

I didn't know what to expect from her writing, but it was very good. Nothing much happens in this, but the characters and narrative are so well written. It's very every day and that's what makes it special.

It's a great portrayal of a dysfunctional family, of ageing, divorce, trust issues, marriage, worry, and it was very well done indeed. I've not been through what the characters have - I've never been married, been divorced, had a child - and yet Anne makes it all seem like such a familiar experience. I think any adult would enjoy it but readers of a similar age to the characters (60s) would get the most out of it.

There is no complex plot, no real twists or turns or surprises, no outstanding reveals. It's everyday and ordinary, but it's a masterclass in gentle but powerful storytelling and characterisation.

If this isn't on your 2025 radar, then get it on it! Buy it, borrow it, or steal it (but don't steal it); however you get your hand son it, get it, and read it quickly, it's glorious. I will definitely be looking out for her other work now.

A short book with a strong emotional impact set just a few days before a wedding. Gail is struggling with her career, and her loneliness after her ex shows up at her house with a cat, and maintaining her composure while she tries to figure out what the mother of the bride is supposed to do. After hearing some distressing news, she is worried about her daughter's choice of spouse and tries to fit in with the ongoing wedding planning. Anne Tyler navigates the rocky terrain of human weakness with poise and wit and a great deal of humour.

As always, Anne Tyler has written a brilliant novel - one never tires of her characters, her Baltimore setting, or her storylines. It never ceases to amaze me how an 80-year-old (plus) writer can still write great stories. They are always thought-provoking, often funny, often sad - essentially, Tyler captures life in all its realness.

In 'Three Days in June', Gail Baines, a 61-year-old assistant headmistress in a private school, is preparing for her daughter, Debbie's, wedding. The book opens with her headmistress, Marilee, telling her she is going to have surgery - and that she is retiring. Much to Gail's chagrin, Marilee tells her a new educator will be replacing her and even though Gail evidently hoped she would succeed Marilee, this clearly isn't going to be the case. Gail ups and leaves and goes home. I love the way that this [somewhat unrealistic] marks the rest of the story.

Max, Gail's ex-husband, turns up with a cat he has fostered - and this cat is somewhat symbolic in the story. The wedding comes and goes, despite Gail and Max thinking that Debbie is not going to marry Kenneth - he apparently sleeps with someone else prior to the big day but Debbie forgives him. Anne Tyler superbly draws characters is simplistic ways, from Sophie, the mother of the groom, through to Gail's mother. It's the little things, the small details, that allow her to do this. She is a master of showing, not telling.

I loved this novel and can't wait to work my way through Tyler's vast catalogue - there are still many books of hers I haven't read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Absolutely loved this - superb characterisation and the author has such a keen eye for relationships and their nuances.

The story's about Gail, an assistant headteacher who struggles with social skills; the day before her daughter's wedding, her life is turned upside down when she quits her job after being passed over for a promotion. To make things worse, her ex-husband Max becomes her uninvited houseguest, she feels sidelined from the wedding plans (though we can see why! - her daughter is very, very patient and I think takes after her dad), and then her daughter tells her something that might stop the wedding going ahead...

It's a short but very deep book, covering three days - the day before the wedding, the wedding itself, and the day after. But Gail's thoughts and concerns over those three days reflect her entire life and the mistakes she's made. It's brilliantly done: showing someone in later life having an epiphany and wondering if she has the courage to make a new start. The characters are developed so well - we see laid-back Max and how annoying he must've been for Gail, but we also see how patient and wise he is. Gail is very blunt and not very good at understanding other people's points of view and feelings - but we empathise with her rather than disliking her.

One of my best reads of the year. I'll be buying this for friends next year!

When your daughter is getting married but you find out the groom might not have been faithful and your ex husband turns up on the doorstep, you know the next few days aren't going to be straightforward. A cat is added to the mix amongst the various guests and family. This is a story of chaos and trying your best to be your best whatever the circumstances. A tale of family life and the ups and downs and curve balls that get thrown at us. It's rather a descriptive book,at times to the minutiae, which is done well to paint the picture in the reader's mind. The ordinary to the extraordinary this short read takes it all in.
A detailed read of the chaos of life.

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I enjoyed this story of former husband and wife, Gail and Max, reuniting for their daughter’s wedding.
The story was authentic and believable.

This book is for the most part cleverly written. I felt the anguish of the two main characters throughout and so desperately wanted them to be together. This is a story of life, actions and consequences and I being lost.

However, I found the reading of this book to be somewhat tedious as the words “he said”, “I said”, “she said”,etc were used repeatedly on every page! Maybe this was deliberate on the author’s part but I struggled to be invested in the book because of this.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I think this book could have been right for some people, but it really didn’t draw me in. I respect the idea of writing about everyday life without and big plot twists or dramas, but this felt too dull for me.

The amount of dialogue in comparison to all other text felt very extreme and made it easy to lose track of who was saying what. Nothing made me deeply invested in any of the characters and I started to feel quite frustrated about how dull the main character seemed to act towards her own daughter’s wedding. I don’t feel it’s necessary to have to feel sorry for a female lead who doesn’t have her hair and makeup done daily.

Had this book been longer, I don’t feel I would have finished it, however given it was only 200 pages I gave it the benefit of the doubt.

This book wasn’t for me, but I have heard that this is the author’s genre so it may be that I wasn’t the right fit for this book.