Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
Published by Knopf on February 11, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Goodreads
A new Anne Tyler novel destined to be an instant classic: a socially awkward mother of the bride navigates the days before and after her daughter's wedding.
Gail Baines is having a bad day. To start, she loses her job—or quits, depending on whom you ask. Tomorrow her daughter, Debbie, is getting married, and she hasn’t even been invited to the spa day organized by the mother of the groom. Then, Gail’s ex-husband, Max, arrives unannounced on her doorstep, carrying a cat, without a place to stay, and without even a suit.
But the true crisis lands when Debbie shares with her parents a secret she has just learned about her husband to be. It will not only throw the wedding into question but also stir up Gail and Max’s past.
Told with deep sensitivity and a tart sense of humor, full of the joys and heartbreaks of love and marriage and family life, Three Days in June is a triumph, and gives us the perennially bestselling, Pulitzer Prize–winning writer at the height of her powers
After more than 20 years since their divorce, Gail and Max found themselves thrown together as they prepared to celebrate their daughter's wedding. A big reveal may derail the celebration, but it also has Gail confronting her past and reflecting on her history with Max.
I had read another book by Tyler which I enjoyed but it had not left me with all the feelings that Three Days in June did. This story started out with rather upsetting news for Gail regarding her job. It seemed she was losing her grasp on the plans she had made for her future. Already a bit discombobulated, she found her ex-husband on her doorstep needing a place to stay for the wedding. Reluctantly, she opened her home to Max and his cat as they prepared for three days of festivities.
I found it so easy to fall in step with these characters. I was instantly amused by Max's and Gail's interactions as their reunion was filled with many humorous moments, and I was sort of excited that Max and his cat had Gail reassessing aspects of her life. I also liked the way Gail warmed to the cat and Max as the weekend played out.
There was a parallel between the current situation and the past which opened up an interesting line of communication between Gail and Max. It felt like an opportunity for forgiveness and maybe a chance to appreciate the good parts of their history, or finally get closure.
Interesting characters and fantastic storytelling made this a great read for me, but that ending! It was so unexpected yet perfect. I was moved many times during this story. I shed both happy and sad tears, but the end left me so hopeful and happy. Like I said, totally unexpected but wonderful and welcome.
What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange
Published by Celadon Books on January 14, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Goodreads
From New York Times bestselling author Tracey Lange, a poignant story about the resilience of family, the importance of community, and the magic of middle school hockey
When Kyle McCray gets word his father has suffered a debilitating stroke, he returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, where he doesn’t expect a warm welcome. Kyle left suddenly two and a half years ago, abandoning people who depended on him: his father, his employees, his friends—not to mention Casey, his wife of sixteen years and a beloved teacher in town. He plans to lie low and help his dad recuperate until he can leave again, especially after Casey makes it clear she wants him gone.
The longer he’s home, the more Kyle understands the impact his departure has had on the people he left behind. When he’s presented with an opportunity for redemption as the coach of the floundering middle school hockey team, he begins to find compassion in unexpected places. Kyle even considers staying in Potsdam, but that’s only possible if he and Casey can come to some kind of peace with each other.
Full of love and hope, What Happened to the McCrays? takes an intimate look at both sides of a failed marriage and two people who must finally confront the awful pain of their past or risk being consumed by it.
What happened to the McCrays? That's the question I was asking myself over and over again. Kyle and Casey fell in love as teens. They were a solid team for twenty years embarking on new ventures while weathering some big storms together. That was until they suffered a great loss that they were unable to recover from. It had been two and a half years since Kyle left, but upon his return to Potsdam, he found he was still drawn to Casey and this community which were both his home.
This is my third book from Lange, and it was an emotional masterpiece for me. Kyle and Casey were young when they started dating, but they appeared to have built a rock solid life together. When we looked back, it was easy to see how much love these two shared, and I kept asking myself, "What happened to the McCrays?" There was a point where I thought I figured it out, and when it was confirmed, my heart shattered and I was a snotty mess. But then there was more! And that was also heartbreaking.
The losses that Casey and Kyle experienced were heart wrenching, but they were lucky to have such a wonderful community to support them. Kyle's father, Casey's brother, and the coach all looked after these two, and they were lucky to have them in their corner. But I would say, Potsdam as a whole rallied for them, and especially Casey, post "the event" which tore this couple apart. It was also wonderful the way Potsdam welcomed Kyle back with open arms, full hearts, and forgiveness.
There was so much pain and guilt and grief, and I could not staunch my tears. I cried for the tragic events they experienced and how their lives were ripped apart, how Kyle and Casey lost each other. But for all the tears I shed, I was able to stay hopeful. I had hope that together, Casey and Kyle would be able to find some peace, that they would be able to heal, that they would be able to connect to each other again.
I was overwhelmed with emotion as I read this book. It moved me to tears, over and over again, but also filled me with hope. As a big fan of second chances, I am glad I had the opportunity to accompany Casey and Kyle on this healing journey which was wonderful and so, so satisfying.
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