taroroot's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
frankly, i would never trust a man named Saul. additionally, i should not ever have to read "Ping!" in a non-corporate setting. other than that, it was okay. grief was really well explored throughout the book with both June and Saul.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Chronic illness, Cancer, and Blood
Minor: Animal death, Alcohol, and Suicide
theespressoedition's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As much as I absolutely adore Emily's latest contemporary romance novels, I just don't think her other books are for me... and that's okay.
A Million Junes was a book that I may have enjoyed if I'd had any idea what was happening. However, there are plenty of other "all vibes, no plot" books that I have enjoyed in the past, so maybe this wasn't the right time for me to read this one? I will say that I'm incredibly glad Julia Whelan narrated the audiobook because I at least enjoyed the performance even if I was clueless about the story itself.
I listened to almost the entire book in one afternoon. It's definitely a quick read, no doubt about it.
What baffled me the most is it felt like it was almost middle-grade at times, while adult at others, also a bit horror but sort of contemporary as well? I guess magical realism is the best way to look at it, with elements of creepiness that just kinda washed over the entire story.
Now that I'm writing about it, I'm thinking that in the future I just need to read it again and see if it hits differently a second time around. It's forbidden love - Romeo and Juliet style - and kind of messes with your mind, which are both things I normally enjoy. Maybe a second reading would help me out...
A Million Junes was a book that I may have enjoyed if I'd had any idea what was happening. However, there are plenty of other "all vibes, no plot" books that I have enjoyed in the past, so maybe this wasn't the right time for me to read this one? I will say that I'm incredibly glad Julia Whelan narrated the audiobook because I at least enjoyed the performance even if I was clueless about the story itself.
I listened to almost the entire book in one afternoon. It's definitely a quick read, no doubt about it.
What baffled me the most is it felt like it was almost middle-grade at times, while adult at others, also a bit horror but sort of contemporary as well? I guess magical realism is the best way to look at it, with elements of creepiness that just kinda washed over the entire story.
Now that I'm writing about it, I'm thinking that in the future I just need to read it again and see if it hits differently a second time around. It's forbidden love - Romeo and Juliet style - and kind of messes with your mind, which are both things I normally enjoy. Maybe a second reading would help me out...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Body horror, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Blood, and Murder
znvisser's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was my first magical realism in a while and it started off good: I was really invested, especially for the first half. Just a cute story, interesting build-up, and the magic was just mysterious enough to pull you in. Unfortunately in the second half the magic and memories derailed a bit for me and the previously well-outlined current day characters kind of fade away with it. It started to feel like a list of essential memories that makes the reader understand quickly what happened, but then you still have to sit through many more memories, while the two MCs are very slow in their understanding of it all and then finally there is a whole event where the past is literally spelled out, but it takes unnecessarily long by being buried in even more elaborate magic scenery (and unfortunately I am not a scenery type of reader).
So unfortunately this story went a bit downhill for me but because I enjoyed the first half I was invested enough to continue; it didn’t completely ruin my experience but I would have preferred to stay closer to the earlier vibes.
So unfortunately this story went a bit downhill for me but because I enjoyed the first half I was invested enough to continue; it didn’t completely ruin my experience but I would have preferred to stay closer to the earlier vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Cancer, Child death, and Dementia
Minor: Animal death and Suicide
maggienistler's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Cancer, Injury/injury detail, Animal death, and Blood
Minor: Child death and Suicide
lainiereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I wanted to forget this feeling forever. The feeling of being ripped into two people: the you of before and the one you'll always be once you know what it is to lose something."
Emily Henry discusses grief in a way that feels extremely personal. At times, it felt as though she took a look inside my own brain and somehow put my feelings into the story; it's her ability to take such a painful subject and make it so beautiful made this book an immediate favorite of mine. I picked it up on a whim and found myself hours later, absolutely in love. This book combines both dark and heavy topics with a witty, giggle-inducing romance in the way that only Emily Henry can do.
June is the best main character. She understands grief so well and is still so kind to those that she loves. She also grows so much! She is the perfect protagonist, because she is imperfect, and she learns and wants to be better! And she is also so funny. The banter between her and Saul is perfect and creates bright spots during the dark storylines.
And then there's Saul. Man, oh man, do I love Saul. He also has this great understanding when it comes to grief, and I found myself relating to him even more than June at times. His perspective on loss really helps June (and the reader) see what can come from loss and how important it is that you don't lose sight of the good in life.
Add in the most genuine friendship and a loving family, and there's still so much left to love in this book. I recommend it to everyone. It is extremely powerful and beautiful and poetic and cute and I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH. Like ?? Thank you Emily Henry once again, love u.
Emily Henry discusses grief in a way that feels extremely personal. At times, it felt as though she took a look inside my own brain and somehow put my feelings into the story; it's her ability to take such a painful subject and make it so beautiful made this book an immediate favorite of mine. I picked it up on a whim and found myself hours later, absolutely in love. This book combines both dark and heavy topics with a witty, giggle-inducing romance in the way that only Emily Henry can do.
June is the best main character. She understands grief so well and is still so kind to those that she loves. She also grows so much! She is the perfect protagonist, because she is imperfect, and she learns and wants to be better! And she is also so funny. The banter between her and Saul is perfect and creates bright spots during the dark storylines.
And then there's Saul. Man, oh man, do I love Saul. He also has this great understanding when it comes to grief, and I found myself relating to him even more than June at times. His perspective on loss really helps June (and the reader) see what can come from loss and how important it is that you don't lose sight of the good in life.
Add in the most genuine friendship and a loving family, and there's still so much left to love in this book. I recommend it to everyone. It is extremely powerful and beautiful and poetic and cute and I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH. Like ?? Thank you Emily Henry once again, love u.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Blood, Animal death, Violence, and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Murder
callmekt's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer and Child death
Book largely about grief. MC lost her father. LI lost his sister. Graphic violence scene about 4/5 through the book.
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