A review by riana_reads
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I adored ‘Seven Days in June’ for so many reasons. An utterly convincing couple to root for. Both stupidly loveable. A generous sprinkling of humour. Black joy and love and friendship throughout. Generational trauma. Generational trauma through the lens of chronic illness! That final point is what sets this novel apart for me. I’ve never seen chronic illness and invisible disability written so vividly and truthfully. Eva’s headaches aren’t reduced to a mere convenient plot point, shoe-horned in whenever she needs to flee, or miraculously disappearing in the company of Shane. Her illness is woven through every chapter of this novel, it is a part of her everyday, her every thought, and the reader gets to feel how it hinders her right alongside her. It is remarkably powerful to read. 
I loved the references to Eva’s family history (and desperately want to read THAT book, please!). I loved her relationship with her daughter, and the pressure many parents feel to right the wrongs of generations past.

This book goes down so many unexpected avenues, it’s a joy to read even in the hardest moments. Is this couple a little trauma-bond-y? Yep. But I was only too happy to see them hold themselves accountable for that, and to explore how their surroundings brought them to such an intense relationship. I loved it! 
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