June

Author: Miranda Beverly-Whitemore

Publisher: Crown

Release Date: May 31, 2016

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Beautifully written novel split into two stories of both historical and present date.

Cassie Danvers just wants to get swallowed up by the house she inherited from her grandmother. Orphaned by her parents death at the age of eight, Cassie was raised by her grandmother June.  She then moved to New York City to find her career in photography but then found out her grandmother had brain cancer.  Now Cassie just lets the house fall apart around her.  Then one day there is an incessant ringing of the doorbell.  She finally answers it to find a young man tell her that she has been named the sole heir in Jack Montgomery’s estate. Jack was a famous movie star and apparently believes that Cassie is his granddaughter. Jack’s daughter Tate wants Cassie to have a DNA test to find out what is true, but before she will agree to it, she wants to try to find out the truth of her grandmother.

In June 1955, June and her friend Lindie live in St. Jude, Ohio. The town has been selected to be filmed in the upcoming move Erie Canal.  Lindie cannot believe her luck as she finds that the famous Jack Montgomery will be coming to town.  June seems to not care as she has accepted a marriage proposal, but hasn’t seen her fiancé in months.  After Jack and June meet, a romance is kindled, but the also famous Diane DeSoto wants Jack all to herself.  What is the true story behind Jack and June that sets the future course for her granddaughter Cassie.

This book was a really great read! I was unsure of what to think when I first read the cover, but after the first page, I was hooked.  I love it when authors tell two stories that are intertwined between the characters, especially when they are set in two different times.  The only problem I had was trying to decide which of the two stories I enjoyed more!   The main characters were easily relatable and the antagonists were easily despicable.  The setting was great and everything was completely believable.  I could see Twin Oaks both in 1955 and in 2015.  It was a little odd to have the house give its version of details every now and then, but it still fit right in.  I’ve not read any of Miranda Beverly-Whitmore’s books before, but this makes me want to pick up another.

Throughout the book there is some occasional strong foul language and some mild love scenes. I would recommend this book for mature audiences.