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A review by theespressoedition
A Million Junes by Emily Henry
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: Body horror, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Blood, and Murder