Brooklynite Eva Mercy is a single mom and bestselling erotica writer, who is feeling pressed from all sides. Shane Hall is a reclusive, enigmatic, award-winning literary author who, to everyone’s surprise, shows up in New York.

When Shane and Eva meet unexpectedly at a literary event, sparks fly, raising not only their past buried traumas, but the eyebrows of New York’s Black literati. What no one knows is that twenty years earlier, teenage Eva and Shane spent one crazy, torrid week madly in love. They may be pretending that everything is fine now, but they can’t deny their chemistry – or the fact that they’ve been secretly writing to each other in their books ever since.

Over the next seven days in the middle of a steamy Brooklyn summer, Eva and Shane reconnect, but Eva’s not sure how she can trust the man who broke her heart, and she needs to get him out of New York so that her life can return to normal. But before Shane disappears again, there are a few questions she needs answered…

With its keen observations of Black life and the condition of modern motherhood, as well as the consequences of motherless-ness, Seven Days in June is by turns humorous, warm and deeply sensual.

I read Tia Williams’ “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde” last year and immediately added this book to my TBR upon finishing the former. While I enjoyed “Love Song…” more, I still enjoyed this one. What I really appreciated this time around was how Williams foregoes tired romance tropes in favor of a more grounded, heartfelt exploration of two people who are shaped by their pasts and are trying to navigate their present. This is a story about reconciliation, both with others and with oneself.

The story focuses on two characters: Eva Mercy and Shane Hall. Eva is a single mother and a bestselling author of a successful paranormal romance series. On the surface, Eva seems to have it all: fame, a fiercely intelligent and somewhat precocious daughter named Audre, and a supportive circle of friends. But beneath the seemingly polished exterior, Eva is struggling. She’s tired of writing about the same characters and feels that there is more to her writing career than witches and vampires. Eva also lives with chronic pain from migraines, a condition that Williams portrays realistically throughout the novel.

Shane, on the other hand, is a celebrated but enigmatic literary author. He’s reclusive and haunted by past demons, including a troubled childhood and an ongoing battle with sobriety. Shane and Eva knew one another as kids and had a very strong bond until, one day, Shane abruptly disappeared from Eva’s life. When Shane unexpectedly pops up at a literary event in Brooklyn, the two reconnect, and their chemistry is palpable. Seeing each other again after so many years stirs a whirlwind of conflicting emotions for both of them.

One thing that makes this book work so well is the way the author alternates between past and present to gradually uncover the depth of Eva and Shane’s relationship. Their teenage romance is intense and electric but tinged with the pain of their respective traumas. Through these flashbacks, we gain a better understanding of the wounds that still define them as adults. As they reconnect over the course of seven days in a sweltering Brooklyn summer, they must confront their shared history and the secrets that kept them apart. Their emotional growth feels authentic and well-earned as both characters learn to forgive not only each other but also themselves. There’s a lot to unpack in a week!

Eva and Shane’s relationship feels real because it’s messy and complicated, a reflection of the challenges that come with rebuilding trust and overcoming personal baggage. The romance is tender, sensual, and refreshingly mature. Despite the characters’ traumas, the novel never feels weighed down by darkness. Instead, it offers a hopeful message about healing and the possibility of finding love and creativity after years of pain.

Another thing that stood out to me was how Williams balances romance with larger themes of identity and healing. Eva’s relationship with her daughter, Audre, is a highlight of the story. Audre is precocious and headstrong, providing both comic relief and emotional support to her mother. At the same time, Williams explores the long-lasting effects of motherlessness and abandonment through both Eva’s and Shane’s experiences, offering a nuanced portrayal of how childhood trauma continues to shape adult relationships. Eva’s mother was present in her life, but she was very self-absorbed, and this is shown in the ways Eva connects with Audre, ensuring that she is the mother to her daughter that she never had.

The dialogue – another highlight – crackles with intelligence and charm. Eva’s inner monologue, in particular, is laced with humor, providing levity to balance the heavier themes. The opening scene alone had me laughing out loud.

Overall, I found this to be a deeply moving story. Williams has crafted a romance that is as much about self-discovery as it is about rekindled love. With its rich character development, dual timelines, and witty dialogue, this book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a romance that is both heartfelt and thought-provoking.

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