Seven Days in June Review

By Nic Daniels

TW: Self-harm, addiction, alcoholism, drug abuse, mentions of SA

Hello audacious readers!

Things are heating up as we dive into Hot Love Summer. Last month, we talked about living through loss in Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. This month, we’re exploring love and second changes in Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.

Eva Mercy and Shane Hall met for one week in June at 15 years old, finding solace in each other. Their connection is an eye in the storm of their life with Eva dealing with chronic illness and comofrt based on the genrosity of her mother’s boyfriends and Shane haunted by his past and struggles in foster care. Both are stuck in a world that refuses to understand or sympathize with them and turn to writing as a means of escape.

Eva becomes a popular erotica author due to create another book in a series she has long fallen out of love with. For her, the series is a safety net that she has been able to rely on for over a decade, especially for income that provides a comofrtable life for her daughter. Because of this, she is trying her hardest to keep it going despite there being a new story she’s yearning to write.

Meanwhile, Shane has become a prolific fiction author that is trying to cope with the addiction of running away from himself, whether through substances, stories, or helping other people. Currently, he’s trying to trade alcohol for healthier habits like running, teaching, and having no boundaries for the students he’s trying to help. And despite the success of his last novel, writing has always been tied to his alcoholism and writing while sober has been more of a struggle than he wants to admit.

So, when they crossed paths again at a writers’ conference 15 years later, they discover that the spark is still there. However, they’re no longer teenagers and each decision is a step closer to bringing them together or driving them apart.

I adore the way this story explores the two main characters. Nothing feels like it comes out of nowhere or is shallow. Every action has not only has a reason but a history that adds so much depth and reliability to the story, even if I can’t personally relate to issues like chronic illness or addiction. I also like how the tension of their issues add to and damange their romance. Like yes, there is something intoxicating about someone being able to love you at your worst and meet you in that place. However, Williams isn’t shy about those issues being the reason they’re doomed to fall apart either.

There are a lot of ways this story could have gone wrong but the key thing that keep is the story on track is Williams’ refusing to make Eva and Shane the “solution” for each other’s problems. Both times they met, they had lives and issues going on that were bigger than themselves. They’re in fight (Shane) or flight (Eva) mode, which dictates pretty much every part of their lives and impedes their own ability to let go of what they know for something better.   

Watching them cycle through the highs and lows of their story feels honest in a way that a lot of romances lack. There’s no over explaining or forcing the audience to see something that isn’t there. It’s watching two soulmates have to live and learn with and without each other. And, to me, each step to their happy ending feels well deserved.

I hope you enjoyed Seven Days in June. Stay tuned for the upcoming IG live, where me and Audacity founder, Jessica, will talk even more about all the details I cou;dn’t fit here. Feel free share your thoughts on this book and, until next time, don’t forget to read audaciously!