Tia Williams

“Maybe they’d always be disasters—but couldn’t they support each other and grow together? No one was perfect! And maybe that was what real, adult love was. Being fearless enough to hold each other close I matter how catastrophic the world became. Loving each other with enough ferocity to quell the fears of the past. Just fucking being there” (322).

I sometimes get impatient with second-chance lovers, especially when half of the plot is devoted to flashbacks. But that didn’t happen at all with this one. It wasn’t a predictable one chapter present and the next past set-up. That can feel like a forced formula. I like the way this ebbs and flows between June then and June now.

The younger G&S are consuming and tumultuous and deeply emotional. I enjoyed seeing them in their younger days. Their backgrounds are equally tragic, causing them to feel unworthy and alone—like true misfits. Because of their similarities, their connection is combustible—and authentic for two troubled, self-destructive teens who have been wronged by so many.

The adult version of Eva (Genevieve) and Shane are equally enticing as characters—albeit, a bit more cautious—as they navigate their flaws as successful, adult writers. In present June, we see the effects of decades of unhealthy behavior and their need to atone for or hide from their brokenness. I love that their reunion is just as passionate and intense and frenzied. I love that they’re writers in different genres (hello, Gus and January from Beach Read) who have devoted their careers to writing about the other. They truly are each others’ muses.

I especially like the authentic ending—they see (with a little help from Audre and Cece) that they’re able to work through their shit—to accept themselves and forgive themselves—and still be able to be in a relationship. The former does not precede the latter. They don’t have to work to be perfect before they deserve a relationship. They can grow together. Like a family.… (mehr)

There is way more to this book than you might expect. Yes, it is rom-comish, yes, it is happy ever after. Yes, it has the boy and girl meet, fall in love, split, and get back together curve - but the undercurrent makes this book so much more.

Disclaimer: When I started the book, I was a little concerned I wasn't going to "get it." There is no denying Tia Williams and I come from different backgrounds, and I would be remiss if I didn't say that there were parts of the book I didn't understand, references to people, artists, and events, that are out of my wheelhouse. (This is nothing new, I don't understand a lot about many things, part of the joy of reading is what you learn.) BUT, what started as unknown for me became pure respect and fun as the pages turned.

Seven Days in June is a light-hearted book with sprinkles of middle-of-the-road issues and some intense and disturbing ones. There is a well-spun mixture of all sorts of subjects in this book: children of neglectful parents who come together to help each other, invisible disabilities that need to be recognized and not shamed, self-harm, drugs, loss of life, great parenting, open communication, understanding. Seriously, this book runs the gamut.

Eva and Shane have history. They knew each other when, and after 15 years apart, their lives collided again. Both have become well-known authors, Shane in a more traditional sense and Eva as a fantasy erotica novelist. When the two find themselves face-to-face at an event, their next seven days are a whirlwind of hot sex, deep conversations, uncovered truths, and unexpected realities.

The book is great, but my favorite part is how it is written. Tia Williams doesn't shy away from her truth and the truth of those she writes about. Tia Williams is a black author writing about black people. I loved the way she wrote with the correct vernacular, slang, and terminology. Yep, I'm a 55-year-old white woman, and some of it went way over my head - and it was beautiful. I don't want to read the same ole same ole written only by white, heterosexual cisgenders (not that this book had anything to do with sexuality or gender, but you get the point). I truly enjoyed the new perspective I got from reading/seeing things from a different point of view.

I also appreciate how Tia Williams spun the breakup part of the typical romance, HEA. In Seven Days in June, there isn't a huge deal-breaking, "I never want to see you again" moment where the girl (guy) storms out and bawls for days to his/her bestie and then 'poof' all better by some magical discovery of, 'oh, I didn't realize that was the case,' event. In Seven Days, the breakup is more subtle, realistic, and organic. Sometimes things don't work out, and we need time and space to figure ourselves out; that is precisely what Tia Williams allowed her characters to do, and I loved it so much.

Read Seven Days in June. You will get a whole new perspective on invisible disabilities (more needs to be written about this), you will need to wipe your brow during the steamy passages, you will fall in love with Eva's daughter, you will root for Eva and Shane to get their s*** together for each other, you will appreciate the realness in the sweet story. And, you will understand and appreciate the difficulties involving family.
… (mehr)

Mixing the nightlife and artistic creativity of the Harlem Renaissance with modern times, Tia Williams weaves a love story between 2 people who are ages apart. Ricki Wilde wants to get away from her family and their funeral business. She goes to NYC to follow her dream of opening a florist shop. She finds a benefactor, Ms. Della, who offers her space to open the shop. One night, Ricki meets a handsome man who intrigues her. Along with her friend, Tuesday, they search for him, and once found, he begs her to stay away. However, they are destined for each other. One problem, Ezra, a pianist, is 28, but can't age, as he has been cursed to be immortal. If Ricki and he fall in love, then Ricki will die on Feb 29, leap day. Weaving these 2 storylines together, along with the people that influence their lives led to an interesting and unique story.
You will find yourself rooting for Ricki and Ezra, and hoping they can find a way to live together in love.… (mehr)

I absolutely loved this. Ricki is the underachieving member of a well established funeral parlor family. Striking out on her own she moves to Harlem and falls in love with not only the community but her landlady Ms. Della. There is an instant gravitational pull when she meets Ezra and the two begin a passionate love affair. Ricki is gobsmacked whenezra tells her the truth of his past. There are so many intricate layers around this and they all involve leap day. There is so much to love about this- Rickis relationship with extra and Ms. Della,her embracing Harlems history and how she shows her appreciation of it and her showing her family that there’s more to get than they thought.… (mehr)