Goodnight June: A Novel

Hi reading fans,Have you ever read anything by Sarah Jio? If not, you are in for a treat if you pick up any one of her books. So far I've read "Blackberry Winter", "The Bungalow", "the Violets of March" and just today finished "Goodnight June".On my shelf I still have "The Last Camellia" and will be ordering "Morning Glory" and also "Look of Love" to be released in November. If you decide to read any of her books, I assure you that you have a treat in store. Her stories are full of love, compassion, heartache, some mystery and usually a big surprise at the end of the road.June Anderson, works for a bank in NY and has a high position because she has become exceptional at handling forclosures of small businesses operations that are behind in payments; she is able to do so without feeling one iota of empathy for the owners. She was raised in Seattle, mostly by her "aunt" Ruby. When Ruby passes away and June learns that she is the heir of Bluebird Books" in Seattle which is deeply in debt and way behind on mortgage payments, she discovers that her bank is the one threatening forclosure. That fact settled her decision to try to save the book store and to quit he bank once and for all. When she had returned to Seattle to settle things, she had a breather to realize that she was not happy at her job, and for quite a long time."Goodnight June" is the story of correspondence between the author of "Goodnight Moon", Margaret Wise Brown" and Ruby Crain, beloved aunt of June Anderson. It is based on 'possibilities' of how the popular children's book "Goodnight Moon" may have come to be, and the relationship to Bluebird Books.it is a story of how a highly well paid young woman, void of most feelings, learns how to forgive, how to love again, and how to conquer the immense mountain she has to climb in effort to save the historical book store. It's such a great, quick read, I really think you will love it as much as I did.G.P.S. as you may know, I do not like to give away too much of any story and so if you need more you can read the reviews on Amazon - in which case you may then find it unnecessary to bother reading the book. (smile) Some are nice, others quite critical - I guess how you much you enjoy (or not) any book, is in the expectation you have when you read a story.

Working in a high-powered job, June Anderson switches gears when she inherits her Aunt Ruby’s children’s bookstore, Bluebird Books. More used to foreclosing on businesses that can’t keep afloat, June finds herself in an opposite role as she struggles to reopen and operate the bookstore.While sorting through things, June discovers letters from her aunt to the famous children’s book author, Margaret Wise Brown, and letters from Margaret in return. Secrets and family drama unfold as June uncovers more.Gavin, the handsome owner of the Italian restaurant next door, gentles his way into June’s heart and helps her in her endeavors to save Bluebird Books, but will June’s efforts be enough to keep the doors of the bookstore open? Will she end up losing her job, her savings, and the bookstore? And maybe the love of her life?Readers of light romance, women’s fiction, historical fiction, and epistolary novels will nestle into June’s story with satisfaction, akin to curling one’s hand around a warm cup of tea, and be drawn into her struggles and endeavors.Another well-written novel by Jio, who never fails to unfold a layered story filled with drama, the right amount of tension, and a surprise or two. It’s the kind of novel you can sink into and feel comfortable with, like you are living the characters’ story along with them.

A story that contains many of my favorite ingredients,  Goodnight June: A Novel  takes the reader to the 1940s through letters between Margaret Wise Brown and a woman named Ruby Crain, a bookstore owner in Seattle.We first connect with June Andersen, a financial whiz working for a bank in New York. She is great at her job, but is beginning to suffer from high blood pressure and other evidence of stress.And then, serendipitously, she inherits her Aunt Ruby's bookstore, Bluebird Books, and goes to Seattle to settle the estate. Initially, she plans to sell the store, but it takes very little time before the memories of childhood moments in the shop with Aunt Ruby sweep over her and she is suddenly immersed in book love again. But then June discovers that the bank is about to foreclose on the store and she must pull out all the stops if she wants to save it.Her discoveries of the letters between her aunt and Margaret Wise Brown are like a wonderful bonus, and become part of a literary scavenger hunt. Could the letters help save the store? And will the hunky restaurant owner Gavin help her make the decision about what to do next? How will a five-year breach between June and her younger sister Amy affect the choices she makes?The secrets, the hidden treasures, and the wonderful settings of one of my favorite cities swept me up into the story, while all the unexpected surprises and moments kept me reading. The obstacles were like real frustrations in my own life, and I was rooting for June as if my own future happiness depended on it. Keeping bookstores alive in the future is a theme that many book lovers can relate to. There were sad moments, losses, and sister reunions. This story will go down as another favorite read. 5.0 stars.

I really enjoyed this book, I have liked all of her books and have preordered her newest. This book is one of her best

Sarah Jio doesn't disappoint. This book is as wonderful as all of her previous novels. The story line and character development is interesting and a page turner!

I couldn't put this book down!!! Great job Sarah Jio.

Well done Sarah!!

Very disappointed! Beyond the love angle there wasn't much content!