Month: April 2025

ECONOGAL > 2025 > April

Three Days in June Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

The Newest Anne Tyler

Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June reads like a novella. Short and to the point. But there is a definite back story. So, the book has elements of a novel. The entire story takes place in about 72 hours. And the opening pages are a bit of a misdirection. Even though the daughter, Debbie, is a bride-to-be on the cusp of saying vows, her parents Gail and Max are the main characters.

Point of View in Three Days in June

The saga which makes-up Three Days in June is told by Gail Baines. Gail is almost more than middle-aged, divorced and possibly fired or maybe just quit. And she carries secret guilt. She freaks out over the possibility of her future son-in-law cheating on her daughter just before the wedding.

The first of the three days in June follows Gail’s job loss and the potential disruption of the wedding.

Day 2 of Three Days in June

Debbie gets married with angst from her mother and a totally different attitude from Max. He is the forgive and forget type of person. This personality lends a lot to the back story. It is not always the male that cheats on a marriage.

Secondary characters add to the wedding scenes. Indeed, the families are the center of the plot instead of the bride and groom. Gail’s mom, Joyce, provides a good contrast in personalities. And Max is a keeper.

Final Day

In the final day of Three Days in June, Max and Gail re-connect. More flashbacks from Gail bring forth the pain of infidelity from both sides. Anne Tyler expertly writes of the trials and pains of adultery. Guilt and remorse from the cheater’s side and forgiveness from the betrayed spouse.

The writing is deep. Three Days in June looks at the possibility of conciliation long after a marriage breaks apart. Anne Tyler does a good job explaining the complexity of a relationship in the aftermath of a broken marriage. She offers hope and an olive branch for those who have made the biggest mistake of their life. Once again, the author strikes gold with her writing.

Every Time We Say Goodbye Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Timely Historical Fiction

Natalie Jenner’s 2024 release Every Time We Say Goodbye is outstanding on many levels. First, the story takes a compelling look at Rome in the aftermath of World War II. The city became a refuge for individuals caught up in the Hollywood blacklists of the McCarthy era.

Then the author dives deep into the human condition of the era. She focuses on the emotions of the survivors, particularly on those who lost loved ones during the war. Naturally, each character showcases the many reactions to intense loss.

Finally, Jenner’s publication date makes Every Time We Say Goodbye prescient to current events. Fascism is once again rearing its’ ugly head. How did she know how quickly the status quo would unravel? Once again, parallelism brings deeper meaning to the written words.

Protagonist

Vivien Lowry is a British playwright escaping to Rome after disastrous reviews. A woman with secrets in her past, she is barely living the present. Her fiancée never returned from the war. And she made several decisions in the past that still haunt her. Vivien is a compelling character. Her growth as a person is the story. Even the flashbacks to the war connect to her. Rome heals her heartbreak; Destroys it, then mends the soul again. Endurance is key.

Secondary Characters

Jenner uses a combination of fictional characters and fictionalized actions and dialogue from real life actresses and writers to create Every Time We Say Goodbye. Her story offers hope to the disenchanted. Yet, she does not overlook the evil in the world. Instead, her characters demonstrate ways to cope with those intent on disruption if not actual destruction.

The Roman Catholic Church plays a large role in the novel, like its influence on the city of Rome itself. The Church is shown without any colored lenses yet plays a pivotal role in one of the actresses finding solace in a discriminatory world. The existence of good and evil is a key theme throughout the book.

Recommendation for Every Time We Say Goodbye

This novel is highly relatable. The characters cover the spectrum of humanity. Opening quotes from Hemmingway, Stevens and Giambattista Vico set the tone. Everyone has secrets, everyone has setbacks. And you never know when goodbye is final.

This book is suitable for many audiences. The depth of emotional growth is tremendous. I highly recommend Every Time We Say Goodbye! Natalie Jenner scores again.

Variation Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Rebecca Yarros

Variation by Rebecca Yarros was on the new arrivals table at my local library. I grabbed it for a quick fun romance read and loved it so much that I knew a review was forthcoming before I was even halfway through. Yarros is another one of those bestselling authors that I was unaware of but now is a favorite. Her writing is that good.

Variation- A Ballet Term

The novel centers around ballerina Alesandra Rousseau. One of four sisters raised by a determined and domineering mother. All had a shot at greatness, yet tragedy struck and only the youngest two still perform. And not without jealousy intervening.

For those not familiar with ballet, variation equates to a solo dance. Yarros uses the title as a metaphor for where Allie is in life. Connections with family and the ballet troupe are strong but it may be time for her to fly solo.

Plot of Variation

A forced reunion between Allie and first love Hudson Ellis is complicated by a past tragedy as well as family secrets. Hudson’s adopted niece wants to dance even though her mother has forbidden ballet lessons. Furthermore, young Jupiter thinks Allie is her birth mother. The truth is closer than either Allie or Hudson know.

The pair are thrown together to help Jupiter find her history and pursue her dance dreams. Neither know of the possible danger. Allie is still healing from the past and Hudson is unwilling to pass on a second chance with his one true love.

New to Me Author

The author writes in multiple genres and may be best known for her Empyrean fantasy series. Variation is a stand-alone romance novel, but perhaps the author could create love stories for the key supporting characters. She weaves such a magical tale of heartbreak, redemption and happily-ever-after.

Recommendation

Yarros creates wonderful characters, believable conflict and leaves the reader wanting to experience more of the same. The romance is spicy, and I would recommend the novel for adults only. Variation explores many topics including parenting techniques and family loyalty. Finally, the novel spotlights the determination and hard work needed to reach one’s goals. Absolutely loved this book! I wish I owned a copy so I could read it again.