Book Review: Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

A quietly compelling Anne Tyler novel about weddings, regrets, and the messy beauty of family—perfect for your next afternoon read.

Three Days in June is classic Anne Tyler—well written, emotional, deeply human, and yet somehow also lighthearted. The story follows Gail Baines through the day before, the day of, and the day after her daughter’s wedding. As she navigates the wedding chaos, including comforting her daughter over a secret about the groom, Gail reflects on her own marriage and how it all fell apart. Find out why I gave the short story 3/5 stars and read my review below.

What is the book about?

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 comes 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.

My thoughts:

Gail is a relatable and introspective character, and I genuinely enjoyed following her story. With Gail, Tyler does what she does best: showcase the joys and flaws of being human and how our perspectives shift over time.

This isn’t an action-packed page-turner, but it’s a quick read that keeps you invested because you care about these characters. I found Three Days in June to be an entertaining story about family relationships that felt personal and real.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the advanced reader’s copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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