At just 176 pages “Three Days In June” is a short novel about Gail Baines, a woman who is getting ready for the marriage of her only daughter, Debbie. She has suddenly been thrown off balance. Her daughter’s in-laws-to-be are paying for the wedding and Gail is feeling left out of the loop. She is a teacher and receives the news that the promotion she was next in line for would be going to another candidate and she is told that she lacks the necessary people skills for the position. Her ex-husband, Max, arrives at her door expecting to stay with her for a few days - and he brings a stray cat with him! Gail’s day is not going well. The marriage stirs up uncomfortable memories for Gail and Max and when Debbie shares a secret they’d rather not hear it is the icing on the cake.
Tyler has been writing for six decades and her critics say her novels are all similar. They are and that’s because she writes about what she knows and what we know. “Three Days In June” is a touchingly human story that has a familiar feel that I find very comfortable.