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The Unmaking of June Farrow is one of the most mind-bending and unexpected books I’ve ever read Adrienne Young takes us on a poignant, sensitive and soul-searching journey with the protagonist, June Farrow. This is a lovely tale of a woman discovering who she is, making sense of what is happening to her, deciding where to put down roots, and choosing who to give her heart to in the middle of impermanence.

June is from a family of women who are all expected to go mad at some point in their lives. It’s a curse passed down from mother to daughter. At the start of this story, June has just buried her grandmother who had been showing signs of insanity for many years. Her mother, acting erratically, disappeared years ago, leaving a baby behind. And at age 34, June is already having episodes of what she assumes is the family madness.

June lives in the mountains of North Carolina, where her family has always owned and run a flower farm. Like many other magical realism novels I’ve read in the past few years, this novel includes plants and caring for the land. The mention of various kinds of flowers and how to tend them is sprinkled throughout the book.

When she’s not working on the farm, June has a penchant for research. She has been trying to discover more about why her mother disappeared and where she went. She’s also working on uncovering the mysterious death of a local minister that looms over their small town. With a cryptic clue from her grandmother, and words on an old envelope, June sets off one morning, determined to find answers. Where the path leads her is beyond her wildest imaginings. She will need much courage to face the truth and she’ll discover a love she never thought was possible.

I highly recommend The Unmaking of June Farrow to fans of the magical realism and fantasy genres, as well as those who enjoy Adrienne Young’s writing. You will be captivated by June and her journey. This book will be released on October 17, 2023.

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.