The power of this book is in Young's vivid descriptions as she skillfully renders the era - its sights, sounds and smells - for her readers which firmly puts them in the rural 1950's setting. The story is unique and the characters compelling, but where the story faltered for me were in the convoluted explanations of the time slips - who was where and when. I still feel like I didn't grasp the entire concept.
This is a slower paced story that touches on intergenerational trauma and mental health but is more about an eclectic family ability combined with a sweet second chance romance and a murder mystery. My favourite part was witnessing the bond between a married couple who have been through tough times. Through them, Young shows their complicated and enduring connection.
Young kept me turning the pages and her vivid descriptions of 1950's North Carolina will stay with me. I enjoyed the unique feel of this story, but the convoluted explanations of time travel made for a confusing read at times and left me wanting more clarity.
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Author: Adrienne Young
Genre: Magical realism
Type and Source: Hardcover from public library
Publisher: Delacorte Press
First Published: October 17, 2023
Book Description from GoodReads: A woman risks everything to end her family’s centuries-old curse, solve her mother’s disappearance, and find love in this mesmerizing novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Spells for Forgetting.
In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm—and the mysterious curse that has plagued their family line. The whole town remembers the madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance, leaving June to be raised by her grandmother and haunted by rumors.
It’s been a year since June started seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Faint wind chimes, a voice calling her name, and a mysterious door appearing out of nowhere—the signs of what June always knew was coming. But June is determined to end the curse once and for all, even if she must sacrifice finding love and having a family of her own.
After her grandmother’s death, June discovers a series of cryptic clues regarding her mother’s decades-old disappearance, except they only lead to more questions. But could the door she once assumed was a hallucination be the answer she’s been searching for? The next time it appears, June realizes she can touch it and walk past the threshold. And when she does, she embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but also uncover the lingering mysteries of her small town and entangle her heart in an epic star-crossed love.
With The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young delivers a brilliant novel of romance, mystery, and a touch of the impossible—a story you will never forget.
I really appreciate this! I also loved the way Young was able to magically unfold the setting, and I agree with your take on how she revealed the relationship between June and Eamon. I just wanted more. And I kept rereading about the time lines but couldn’t get any clarity either. Great review.
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