What's Wrong With June?

by Qarnita Loxton

June has worked hard for her family, but she is starting to feel like the dull accountant trope. She is safe and comfortable and bored. June wants more. And on the eve of the new year, when the radio DJ encourages listeners to make the most of it, June feels like he’s talking to her, and she decides to make a vision board — magazine cutouts, silver glitter and all. 

Maybe 2022 is the year that June Cupido reinvents herself.

208 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2024

About the author

Qarnita Loxton was born and lives in Cape Town. She has practised as an attorney, studied psychology and worked as an executive coach. Her first novel, Being Kari (Kwela 2017), was longlisted for the 2018 9mobile Prize for Literature and shortlisted for the 2018 Herman Charles Bosman Prize. Being Lily followed in 2018.

https://linktr.ee/qarnita

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved June and I totally got what was wrong with her because that is where I am right now. At crossroads, and I have made a major decision which is going to shift and uppend my life as I knew it.

This extract, "I'd walked home by myself along the beach, the sand hot and the air already sticky with heat as I realised that I had the day stretching ahead of me. Except for swim lessons, I had no commitments. In my usual life, I'd be anxious - irritated and restless without work - but the on that walk I'd felt only the luxury of time. "

I loved Qarnita's Being series, but June is more thoughtful, more profound, more creatively stretching. It's about what happens when half of a married couple wants, desires something much more for themselves, and the aftermath of taking or not taking that step towards The More of and in their lives.

Eish, coupling is as challenging too. The person you were at 20 is not the person you are at 40, 45 or even 50. Everyday we are BECOMING, evolving with the changes in our environment, our families, our jobs, our bodies, our diets, our interests.

What IF you want more of this one life you have... More OUT of this one life? Do you throw caution to the wind and go YOLO! #livemore #makethemostofyourlife or do you keep scrolling the gram and #WISHYOUWEREHERE while sneaking a ciggie behind the washing line?

Find out what June did, and how much it cost her because whatever decision you make, it will cost you and The Pied Piper always collects.

"I had no idea what would happen next, but for the first time, I felt like the main character in my story."

Brave, brave June.

Such a timely story for such a time in my life as this.

[Sheryl Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read it in 3 days.
I think,we as woman have all felt like June at some point in our lives and that is why this book is so relatable. Except I don't think many of us would have the guts to do what June did.

[Imadah Fataar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was inspirational. June overcame her fear of swimming and achieved some things on her vision board. She took the much needed break ( travelling to Mauritius) from the monotony of chasing a career and looking after her husband and daughter. I recommend this book to middle -aged woman specifically from Cape Town, South Africa.

[Mapitsi Makola · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an unexpectedly unhinged yet motivating read. The story follows June Cupido, a wife, daughter, sister, mother, and successful accountant, as she attempts to reinvent herself outside of her family and work roles.

Inspired by the start of a new year, June creates a vision board, sparking a series of events that leave her family wondering, 'What's Wrong With June?' This book came into my life at the perfect time, giving me the courage to start pursuing my long-held desires in this new year.

Qarnita Loxton's aim is clear: to inspire women to live their lives beyond their families and work. Set during the Covid era, the book serves as a poignant reminder of the scars and losses we endured. Yet, despite these challenges, Loxton encourages us to keep living.

While I loved the concept, I felt the execution fell slightly short. Nevertheless, this book is perfect for women seeking encouragement to pursue their passions or anyone looking for a motivational boost to start doing what they've always wanted to do.

Thank you @nbpublishers for this beautiful review copy💕.

[Roelia (Roelia Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her poignant novel, “What’s Wrong With June?” Qarnita Loxton masterfully weaves a tapestry of emotions, identity, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of a post-pandemic world that feels so far away but also so recent, this book delves into the complexities of mental health, family dynamics, and the impact of social media.

June, the protagonist, is a character who resonates deeply. Her struggles with anxiety and feeling trapped mirror our collective experiences as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Loxton’s writing brings June to life, making her relatable and authentic. I was invested in her journey, rooting for her all the way.

The novel also explores the dynamics of a large, caring, and occasionally interfering family. June’s interactions with her relatives add depth to the narrative. We see love, conflict, and the messy beauty of familial bonds. It’s a reminder that family shapes our identity, even when we’re far from home.

Loxton’s vivid descriptions evoke the lush landscapes, the scent of frangipani, and the warmth of the Indian Ocean. I have a dear friend who moved to Mauritius, and I was thinking of her non-stop while reading this book.

“What’s Wrong With June?” is a compelling exploration of resilience, self-discovery, and the human spirit. Loxton’s prose invited me to reflect on my own life, to find appreciation in ordinary moments, but also to do more with the opportunity we do have. As I turned the pages, I felt a kinship with June, and I suspect you will too. She lives and learns, makes mistakes, and grows!

Note: Spoiler alert—there’s nothing wrong with June; she’s flawed, beautiful, and utterly human.

Thank you to Exclusive Books for this gifted copy.

[Sudha Raman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up What’s Wrong With June? as a lighthearted holiday read during a visit to The Book Lounge in Cape Town in November 2024, after it was recommended by the staff. I expected something gentle and escapist, and in many ways, that is exactly what this book offers.

There was also a delightful, unexpected moment of personal resonance. June places a photo of Marina Bay Sands on her vision board for the new year, and later travels to Singapore with her best friend. As a reader based in Singapore, that coincidence made me smile and added a layer of connection I did not anticipate.

Loxton’s writing is accessible and easy to slip into, making this an effortless read on the surface. That said, I did find the pacing slower than I would have liked. Certain sections felt draggy, and I kept wishing for a sharper, more energetic rhythm to move the story along.

I struggled most with one of June’s major choices later in the book. While it is positioned as a catalyst for self-discovery, the absence of remorse and the way she seems to continue on with her life largely unburdened by that decision left me deeply uneasy. Rather than complicating her journey, it flattened it, making the growth feel unearned and emotionally weightless.

I was also frustrated to spot at least two typos, which pulled me out of the story more than it should have.
Overall, What’s Wrong With June? is a reflective, gently affirming novel about restlessness, midlife questioning and the desire for more. While it did not entirely work for me in terms of pacing and certain narrative choices, it still offers moments of warmth and relatability, especially for readers navigating questions of identity, comfort and change.

[adeela_books ❁ཻུ۪۪ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars ⭐️

[AD-PR] | TANDEM READALONG
Thank you for the PR copy Tandem, NB publishers & author.

🌸

I absolutely enjoyed participating in my first readalong that too, with Tandem! It was so much fun reading & discussing the book with my fellow readalong partners.

This book was insightful and beautiful. The story of June was so well written, you pretty much become invested in her world and eager to see how it all unfolds.

The characters were all planned out and created well. Each one had their own unique personality that stood out and contributed to the story.

I really liked June! She was determined and strong, but most of all, she really went after what she wanted, which was so inspiring and badass! I was really happy for her. It felt like she was a friend whose happiness I was rooting for. Her growth was incredible, and being able to witness it felt special.

Her adventures were such a treat to read about, and this made a great reading experience with a wonderful story indeed!

So when it ended, I was surprised as I wished to read more. I really did keep up with this readalong infact I read ahead many times, which shows how much I enjoyed WWWJ

This book is for anyone out there wanting to read about seizing the day and making the most out of your life, especially when you're feeling stuck. Props to the author for writing a good book!

[P.L. Waites · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's Wrong With June was an interesting read, some parts are relatable. June always puts others first, she works extremely hard, saves money, and has a husband and a daughter who is 23 years old. They do not have that close mother/daughter relationship, the daughter is closer to the father.

June scrolls through Instagram and sees how her friend lives a good life in Mauritius and she becomes a bit jealous. There is tension between June and her husband, he doesn't want to go out with her, he just wanted to stay at home ever since his father passed away and covid.

Carla, June's friend, encourages her to visit Mauritius and June takes that leap. June became carefree and did things that were on her vision board. Some choices weren't good that she made in Mauritius such as Elliott, a man she ends up being intimate with, but that was a bit of a red flag from his side when he just moved on to another woman thinking that June left for South Africa to be with her family and wouldn't go with him to Singapore.

She decided to remain in Mauritius and her husband ended up surprising her there. I do wish that she would've communicated with him more. At least June got to put herself first for a change and she was in control of her own happiness.

I recommend this read. Thank you Tandem for giving me this opportunity to be part of this amazing readalong.

[Kaylyn Pautz · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I want to say that this title is so fitting! I asked myself what’s wrong with June more times than I can count while reading this book.

June is a Capetonian in her 40’s who just isn’t very happy with the life she’s living. She realised that her life revolves around everyone but her. She’s tired of trying to please everyone else and just needs time to figure out who she is.

June makes a vision board and realises that she’s missed out on so many things (she can’t even swim). She’s saved all this money but never actually spent it on something for herself. Realising that her life isn’t what she’d hoped, she hops on a plane to Mauritius.

While June is in Mauritius she learns so many new things about herself. She also starts trying new things. She gets to try dim sum and even takes swimming lessons! But are the small changes enough to make her happy?

This book made me feel all sorts of things. I realised that maybe I shouldn’t sit back and skip out on certain opportunities. Maybe I should go out with those friends, or go for that hike.

I highly, highly recommend this book! You won’t be sorry that you picked it up!

[Natisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful read that explored avenues of mental health and the complexities of family dynamics.

June feels trapped by her life especially when she scrolls her Instagram feed and sees beautiful posts from her best friend, Carla who lives in Mauritius. She does the unthinkable and goes to Mauritius for a holiday, stunning her family. What ensues is, is a journey of self discovery and enlightenment that changes her very being.

This was a beautiful story which is brimming stunning imagery and deeply emotive, healing as June finds herself.

Pick this up for a beautiful and quick read

Thank you to NB Publishers and Tandem Collective for allowing me to join this readalong

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! So many readers are going to find that it resonates on so many levels.

June will jump off the pages and find a place in your hearts because so many of you will relate to her.

You'll find characters here that you recognise from your everyday life, and you'll find their behaviour (and June's!) scarily familiar too! Its a wonderful reminder that no matter how much time we dedicate to others, we should never lose ourselves in the process.

Whether you choose to use this book as a guide for some life-changing self-development or purely as a means of escapism, you'll definitely enjoy it from start to finish.

[Riley Herbert-Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's Wrong With June? happens at the intersection of 'what if I put myself first?' and 'what cost would it carry?'

It was poignant and meaningful. It is an exploration of love and belonging and what happens when love is simply no longer enough to sustain you. In this novel, Loxton explores themes of friendship, family and mental health in a way that was unsparing and real, all the while maintaining a good sense of humour.

Loxton's writing is simple and refined. Her prose is true and unpretentious and reflects the genuine nature of her characters.

Loved this book and look forward to reading much more of Qarnita Loxton's work!

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad I left this book for December to read! It's a bit of everything: funny, joyful, easy-to-read, but well-written with depth!

It's all about choosing yourself, rediscovering your magic and loving yourself. After all, how can one give from an empty cup?

Definitely one of the better SA books that I've read this year.

[Grace Wildermuth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty enjoyable, easy read for a long plane ride. That being said, it felt more like a thought experiment than a novel. I thought the characters didn’t have enough nuance and depth and after a while the book felt repetitive and stretched out.

[Neems · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was relatable and real on so many levels. I found myself rooting for June and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[La Penna Blu · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 but I think I read it at a particularly significant time in my life so it resonated a lot.

[Faziela Harris-Davids · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whats Wrong with June? is beautifully set in Cape Town and I love the authors capability to showcase the tradition and beauty of what the city has to offer.

I do wish the topic around mental health was more explored and that the main character, June, her arc was on a more intrinsic level.

Thank you to Tandem Readers Collective, Exclusive Books and NB Publishers for the gifted copy.