OVERALL: I don’t have many comparisons in the romance genre, but I think this book would appeal to lovers of ‘Queenie’ by Candice Carty-Williams, ‘Transcendent Kingdom’ by Yaa Gyasi and ‘Thin Girls’ by Diana Clarke. I mean, I liked how two storylines were brought together but it stretched the bounds of plausibility. Also, the last 70 pages could’ve been resolved by two phone calls. It didn’t bother me too much in this novel but I couldn’t believe that Shane wrote all his novels drunk and didn’t need to edit. I know it doesn’t mean that the author has drawn on their own experiences but I do think they could be more creative in choosing careers for their protagonists. NOT SO GOOD BITS: Honestly, I find books about writers lazy. The scenes in Audre and Lizette’s POVs were unexpected but it added depth to get their perspective on events. Finally, I loved the side characters and use of different points of view.

Eva was a sympathetic character and I loved how her chronic illness was fully integrated with her personality, and not miraculously cured by love. In particular, the use of flashback and the structure over seven days in June (fifteen years apart), kept me engaged. There were lots of different elements that tied seamlessly and kept the stakes escalating. GOOD BITS: The plot gave far more than a standard ‘will they get together?’ romance. That’s why I’m giving this book four and a half stars. Additionally, the inclusion of Eva’s daughter and mother allowed the author to explore the theme of generational trauma in a compelling way. While the love interest, Shane Hall, is completely unlikeable – and ostensibly Eva deserves better – I found him and their love totally believable. The characters’ pasts and issues with chronic illness and addiction added an unexpected depth.

RATING: Usually, I don’t like romance, books about writers or novels where most of the action is backstory. But she needs to know what happened during those seven days in June. Now they’re grown up and acclaimed authors, Eva’s determined not to let Shane break her heart again. She doesn’t want anyone to know that she was a 17-year-old who dodged her mother’s creepy boyfriends and self-medicated to cope with chronic illness. Eva’s ashamed to admit that Shane broke her heart when they were troubled teenagers. In 2019, successful single-mother Eva Mercy and recovered alcoholic Shane Hall meet at a literary event. THE PLOT: ‘Seven Days in June’ by Tia Williams is a romance about two writers.

7 days in june tia williams