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June in the Garden
June views the world differently from others. A keen horticulturist, she can name every flower species in the alphabet, yet when it comes to people and relationships she's still learning.
After her mother's sudden death, June must vacate her home. But when the social worker urges her to move into a flat with no garden, she resists. With no other options, she embarks on her first solo trip in search of a father she’s seen only in a single old photograph.
When June unexpectedly shows up at her father’s door, he panics and turns her away, unwilling to jeopardize his idyllic life and new family. On her way out, she spies an unruly backyard, and with nowhere else to go, she quietly moves into her father’s garden shed. Once again she can spend her days surrounded by flowers. But when her father’s twelve-year-old son discovers June, she must choose between being seen for the first time or running away.
After her mother's sudden death, June must vacate her home. But when the social worker urges her to move into a flat with no garden, she resists. With no other options, she embarks on her first solo trip in search of a father she’s seen only in a single old photograph.
When June unexpectedly shows up at her father’s door, he panics and turns her away, unwilling to jeopardize his idyllic life and new family. On her way out, she spies an unruly backyard, and with nowhere else to go, she quietly moves into her father’s garden shed. Once again she can spend her days surrounded by flowers. But when her father’s twelve-year-old son discovers June, she must choose between being seen for the first time or running away.
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First published June 17, 2025
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About the author
Eleanor Wilde
1 book50 followersEleanor Wilde is the pen name of an acclaimed YA author. Wilde holds a master's of education and worked for several years in the U.S. public education system. She has a love for books and gardening and spends her weekends up hills or foraging for wildflowers in the woods. June in the Garden is her debut adult novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
July 2, 2025
‘June can name every flower species in the alphabet. She finds it much harder to cultivate an understanding of people.’
Reading June in the Garden feels like lying under a jacaranda tree with your heart cracked open and a warm cup of tea in hand. Eleanor Wilde delivers a tender and quietly triumphant story about a woman who’s more at home with plants than people and honestly, same. (With the added addition of three ginger cats :p)
June is the kind of character who’ll sneak into your soul. She’s quirky, literal, neurodivergent, and endlessly endearing. After being rejected by her long lost father, she does what any rational adult would do, moves into his garden shed. (Uninvited, obviously.) Cue hilarity, heartbreak, and a whole lot of hydrangeas.
The writing is blooming with charm, Wilde knows exactly when to make you laugh, when to tug your heartstrings, and when to hand you a metaphorical sunflower. Think Eleanor Oliphant meets The Secret Garden. It’s a book about grief, growth, and learning that family isn’t always who you share DNA with, sometimes, it’s who brings you a cup of tea in the rain.
Pick up this one if you love gardens, misfits, or books that make you feel like the world might be kinder than it seems.
4.5⭐
I Highly Recommend.
Available Now!
Thank you Text Publishing for my early readers copy.
Reading June in the Garden feels like lying under a jacaranda tree with your heart cracked open and a warm cup of tea in hand. Eleanor Wilde delivers a tender and quietly triumphant story about a woman who’s more at home with plants than people and honestly, same. (With the added addition of three ginger cats :p)
June is the kind of character who’ll sneak into your soul. She’s quirky, literal, neurodivergent, and endlessly endearing. After being rejected by her long lost father, she does what any rational adult would do, moves into his garden shed. (Uninvited, obviously.) Cue hilarity, heartbreak, and a whole lot of hydrangeas.
The writing is blooming with charm, Wilde knows exactly when to make you laugh, when to tug your heartstrings, and when to hand you a metaphorical sunflower. Think Eleanor Oliphant meets The Secret Garden. It’s a book about grief, growth, and learning that family isn’t always who you share DNA with, sometimes, it’s who brings you a cup of tea in the rain.
Pick up this one if you love gardens, misfits, or books that make you feel like the world might be kinder than it seems.
4.5⭐
I Highly Recommend.
Available Now!
Thank you Text Publishing for my early readers copy.
June 27, 2025
June is beautiful. As is her plight, her plants, and her unique brain and way of being. I love to love the underdog. My empathy was screaming out at every twist and turn. June’s literalness, her routine and her traits. I see a little bit of June wherever I go, I see it at work, and I see it at home. Increasingly there are questions in my household, and this fictional story answered some of them, in a way.
June is rendered motherless, she is an object of routine and a quite specific subset of could it be OCD, could it be neurodiversity, but mostly what I know it was for our fictional June was an intangible, unspoken and unrealised grief. The story of June from early childhood to the present of now in her early twenties was peppered throughout by June’s memories, her narrative of her dear mum, and her mum’s addiction but this is not to be overshadowed by her love for June.
June has specific requirements. Lunch at 12 midday without fail, a cheese sandwich without crust, and real butter. This is one of the easier needs. June works to a set schedule, and one can easily see how she gets herself into strife at work when forced to work on the shop floor. Most literal, she will be honest and say exactly how it is, honesty is the best policy. One of June’s literal decisions bought about a months long stay in her ‘biological family’s’ shed. If only she had allowed one crucial message to be passed along. Have I captured your curiosity? You will have to read June’s story to see.
Not only I fell in love with June, the close circle she ever so slowly built on, captured my heart, too. These were very well written and perfect for this lovely rendering.
Much as Grace Vandenburg in Toni Jordan's Addition loves numbers, our beautiful June loves flowers, the placement, the care, the seasons. I think June has inserted herself into my heart for more than a season. This is a beautiful book.
With my greatest appreciation to Text Publishing and the author for my review copy, accompanied by some lovely seeds. I will plant these at the right time. June’s gardening almanac would guide me right, of that I am sure.
June is rendered motherless, she is an object of routine and a quite specific subset of could it be OCD, could it be neurodiversity, but mostly what I know it was for our fictional June was an intangible, unspoken and unrealised grief. The story of June from early childhood to the present of now in her early twenties was peppered throughout by June’s memories, her narrative of her dear mum, and her mum’s addiction but this is not to be overshadowed by her love for June.
June has specific requirements. Lunch at 12 midday without fail, a cheese sandwich without crust, and real butter. This is one of the easier needs. June works to a set schedule, and one can easily see how she gets herself into strife at work when forced to work on the shop floor. Most literal, she will be honest and say exactly how it is, honesty is the best policy. One of June’s literal decisions bought about a months long stay in her ‘biological family’s’ shed. If only she had allowed one crucial message to be passed along. Have I captured your curiosity? You will have to read June’s story to see.
Not only I fell in love with June, the close circle she ever so slowly built on, captured my heart, too. These were very well written and perfect for this lovely rendering.
Much as Grace Vandenburg in Toni Jordan's Addition loves numbers, our beautiful June loves flowers, the placement, the care, the seasons. I think June has inserted herself into my heart for more than a season. This is a beautiful book.
With my greatest appreciation to Text Publishing and the author for my review copy, accompanied by some lovely seeds. I will plant these at the right time. June’s gardening almanac would guide me right, of that I am sure.
September 10, 2025
My goodness what a treasure of a story this was. 22 year old June is on the autism spectrum and views the world differently from others. Her world is flipped upside down after the loss of her mother and has a difficult time dealing with the changes after living such a routine life. She sets off to London to find her biological father, with lots of adventures along the way. So many times I wanted to step into the pages and just give this sweet girl a hug. The story of June will warm your heart, bring a tear to your eye, and help you see the world a little bit better, but maybe a tad bit different.
June 29, 2025
What a beautiful story this is, book friends. I think I just found my very favorite book of the summer. I’m not gonna lie, I requested JUNE IN THE GARDEN by Eleanor Wilde from the publisher solely because of the cover—how could I not? After reading this brief synopsis, I knew that I made a good decision:
“𝘈 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘸, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘴.”
Oh, June. You have my heart, dear girl. I want to hold your hand, guide you, encourage you, and give you a huge hug—but never would—I know how much you hate hugs. The character development in this novel is truly incredible. My adoration for June grew with every page. Her world is flipped upside down after her mother dies, and then she embarks on an adventure to find her dad. Her journey will floor you, and probably break your heart a little too. If you enjoy quiet and thoughtful character studies, this book is for you.
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Reflections on loss and grief
- Neurodiversity representation
- Mental health awareness
- Mother/daughter relationships
- Memorable characters
- Flowers and gardening
- Slow-moving pace
- Character-driven novels
- Emotional reads
Oh man—the epilogue really did me in. It brought a tear to my eye, and made me hug this book fiercely after completing it. JUNE IN THE GARDEN will have a spot on my top reads of the year, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind about that. 5/5 beautiful stars! It’s out now!
“𝘈 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘸, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘴.”
Oh, June. You have my heart, dear girl. I want to hold your hand, guide you, encourage you, and give you a huge hug—but never would—I know how much you hate hugs. The character development in this novel is truly incredible. My adoration for June grew with every page. Her world is flipped upside down after her mother dies, and then she embarks on an adventure to find her dad. Her journey will floor you, and probably break your heart a little too. If you enjoy quiet and thoughtful character studies, this book is for you.
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Reflections on loss and grief
- Neurodiversity representation
- Mental health awareness
- Mother/daughter relationships
- Memorable characters
- Flowers and gardening
- Slow-moving pace
- Character-driven novels
- Emotional reads
Oh man—the epilogue really did me in. It brought a tear to my eye, and made me hug this book fiercely after completing it. JUNE IN THE GARDEN will have a spot on my top reads of the year, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind about that. 5/5 beautiful stars! It’s out now!
June 30, 2025
Awe I want to give June a big big hug and chat with her all about gardening! This book has SO much heart and truly is such a wholesome read. June navigates life after her mother’s passing— although she struggles with change she is brave and I valued this story so much! What a beautiful debut— thank you so much Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this ARC.
June 15, 2025
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
June in the Garden by Eleanor Wilde
I guarantee you’ll love this heartwarming, witty and beautifully written tale of a neurodivergent young woman, who sets off to find her biological father after her mother unexpectedly dies and then finds herself secretly living in a yellow garden shed.
Our protagonist June is a unique and charming character you can’t help but adore and she certainly views the world differently. I loved the way June’s growing relationship with young twelve year old Henry developed throughout the story.
June’s journey of exploring her independence and the changes in her life were so uplifting and at times emotional and I loved that her gardening and horticultural knowledge was her anchor. ⚓️
I hope we see more of June in another book! A fantastic debut novel with themes of family, trauma, identity, unique thinking patterns and gardening.
Publication Date 17 June 2025
Publisher Text Publishing
Thank you so much to the fabulous team at Text Publishing for a copy of the book.
June in the Garden by Eleanor Wilde
I guarantee you’ll love this heartwarming, witty and beautifully written tale of a neurodivergent young woman, who sets off to find her biological father after her mother unexpectedly dies and then finds herself secretly living in a yellow garden shed.
Our protagonist June is a unique and charming character you can’t help but adore and she certainly views the world differently. I loved the way June’s growing relationship with young twelve year old Henry developed throughout the story.
June’s journey of exploring her independence and the changes in her life were so uplifting and at times emotional and I loved that her gardening and horticultural knowledge was her anchor. ⚓️
I hope we see more of June in another book! A fantastic debut novel with themes of family, trauma, identity, unique thinking patterns and gardening.
Publication Date 17 June 2025
Publisher Text Publishing
Thank you so much to the fabulous team at Text Publishing for a copy of the book.
July 16, 2025
"Perhaps if we all just spoke clearly and plainly, the world would be a much simpler place."
"There's always a "but" or an "if" when it comes to random acts of "kindness.""
"Sometimes you only need one person."
"There's always a "but" or an "if" when it comes to random acts of "kindness.""
"Sometimes you only need one person."
January 21, 2025
I was fortunate to read an early copy of June in the Garden. Here's my review!
Essential and beautiful. June in the Garden is a primer in empathy and compassion.
We all live, perhaps unconsciously, by our own rules. June’s rules aren’t all that different; they’re just clearly stated, and at the very forefront of her thinking. Over time they’ve been her anchor and her scaffold, the means by which she learned to climb through the world. But when life presents her with a new and different kind of landscape, we learn that those around her bear more than just a little responsibility for helping her find the next foothold.
June’s literal thinking leads us to the heart of all the questions we hope we’ll never have to answer: Where will I go? What will I do? Who will love me?
There’s a little bit of June in each of us, waiting anxiously for the rest of the garden to bloom.
Essential and beautiful. June in the Garden is a primer in empathy and compassion.
We all live, perhaps unconsciously, by our own rules. June’s rules aren’t all that different; they’re just clearly stated, and at the very forefront of her thinking. Over time they’ve been her anchor and her scaffold, the means by which she learned to climb through the world. But when life presents her with a new and different kind of landscape, we learn that those around her bear more than just a little responsibility for helping her find the next foothold.
June’s literal thinking leads us to the heart of all the questions we hope we’ll never have to answer: Where will I go? What will I do? Who will love me?
There’s a little bit of June in each of us, waiting anxiously for the rest of the garden to bloom.
June 13, 2025
3.5 rounded up
A moving story about grief and family that follows June, a 22 year old neurodivergent Scottish woman following her alcoholic mother's death by suicide. Lost without her mother, June seeks out the father she's never met, discovering she has a half-brother along the way. Told from June's POV, it's a great insight into her neurodivergent mind, her love of all things flowers and gardens and her search for connection.
I will admit I had extremely high hopes for this one but found it very slow moving at times. If you don't mind a quiet, character-driven story this might do the trick. The neurodiversity rep was definitely excellent (June has OCD and a reactive attachment disorder). Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. Recommended for fans of books like Joe Nuthin's guide to life.
A moving story about grief and family that follows June, a 22 year old neurodivergent Scottish woman following her alcoholic mother's death by suicide. Lost without her mother, June seeks out the father she's never met, discovering she has a half-brother along the way. Told from June's POV, it's a great insight into her neurodivergent mind, her love of all things flowers and gardens and her search for connection.
I will admit I had extremely high hopes for this one but found it very slow moving at times. If you don't mind a quiet, character-driven story this might do the trick. The neurodiversity rep was definitely excellent (June has OCD and a reactive attachment disorder). Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. Recommended for fans of books like Joe Nuthin's guide to life.
Read
July 4, 2025The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing, publisher of June in the Garden:
‘June in the Garden is the book we all need right now. It’s heartwarming, witty, and ever so wise. Eleanor Wilde deftly weaves some serious themes into this perceptive and uplifting story about family and finding a place in the world. It’s a tender celebration of differences and of allowing people to blossom. June is a delightfully unique, endearing protagonist who sees the world differently, and through her eyes, you’ll see things differently, too. June in the Garden is an absorbing, poignant, and wholly original read. June will remain firmly embedded in your heart, long after the final page. I loved it.’
Jane Tara, author of Tilda is Visible
‘Essential and beautiful. June in the Garden is a primer in empathy and compassion. We all live, perhaps unconsciously, by our own rules. June’s rules aren’t all that different; they’re just clearly stated and at the very forefront of her thinking. Over time, they’ve been her anchor and her scaffold, how she learned to climb through the world. But when life presents her with a new and different kind of landscape, we learn that those around her bear more than just a little responsibility for helping her find the next foothold. There’s a little bit of June in each of us, waiting anxiously for the rest of the garden to bloom.’
Benjamin Ludwig, author of Ginny Moon
‘June in the Garden is a story that will weed its way into your heart. June is a lovely character you can’t help but root for, and her journey is at once a story of grief and coming of age, while also exploring independence and what it means to be a person. I cried; I cheered; I wanted to get my hands into the dirt alongside June, if she would let me.’
Rachel Mans McKenny, author of The Butterfly Effect
‘One of those books that compels you to turn the page to find out what has happened, what will happen next, and what lies ahead for June. All the while, you're captivated by a winning voice that makes you root for her from the very first line to the very last.’
K.J. Dell’Antonia, author of The Chicken Sisters
‘An exquisitely touching, gently humorous tale of love, loss and renewal...Both compelling and thought-provoking, June in the Garden is a novel packed with compassion, warmth and wit. I loved it.’
Sarah Haywood, author of The Cactus Club
‘June in the Garden is the book we all need right now. It’s heartwarming, witty, and ever so wise. Eleanor Wilde deftly weaves some serious themes into this perceptive and uplifting story about family and finding a place in the world. It’s a tender celebration of differences and of allowing people to blossom. June is a delightfully unique, endearing protagonist who sees the world differently, and through her eyes, you’ll see things differently, too. June in the Garden is an absorbing, poignant, and wholly original read. June will remain firmly embedded in your heart, long after the final page. I loved it.’
Jane Tara, author of Tilda is Visible
‘Essential and beautiful. June in the Garden is a primer in empathy and compassion. We all live, perhaps unconsciously, by our own rules. June’s rules aren’t all that different; they’re just clearly stated and at the very forefront of her thinking. Over time, they’ve been her anchor and her scaffold, how she learned to climb through the world. But when life presents her with a new and different kind of landscape, we learn that those around her bear more than just a little responsibility for helping her find the next foothold. There’s a little bit of June in each of us, waiting anxiously for the rest of the garden to bloom.’
Benjamin Ludwig, author of Ginny Moon
‘June in the Garden is a story that will weed its way into your heart. June is a lovely character you can’t help but root for, and her journey is at once a story of grief and coming of age, while also exploring independence and what it means to be a person. I cried; I cheered; I wanted to get my hands into the dirt alongside June, if she would let me.’
Rachel Mans McKenny, author of The Butterfly Effect
‘One of those books that compels you to turn the page to find out what has happened, what will happen next, and what lies ahead for June. All the while, you're captivated by a winning voice that makes you root for her from the very first line to the very last.’
K.J. Dell’Antonia, author of The Chicken Sisters
‘An exquisitely touching, gently humorous tale of love, loss and renewal...Both compelling and thought-provoking, June in the Garden is a novel packed with compassion, warmth and wit. I loved it.’
Sarah Haywood, author of The Cactus Club
May 28, 2025
Big thanks to Text Publishing for sending us a copy to read and review.
Loved, loved, loved this book.
It was a privilege and honour to meet June and follow both her physical and mental journey.
Experiencing life and embracing the differences a neurodiverse person offers is a treat.
A celebration of colour, routine and change nurture the relationship the reader will have with this delightful character.
The death of June’s mum, a trip to London from small town Scotland to meet biological relatives and many challenges shape up a narrative that will evoke laughter, endearment and sadness.
Arriving in London after a number of dramas June discovers her presence is a shock and her hopes of moving in are shattered.
She is whisked off to a hotel where a steep learning curb awaits.
Deciding she must get close to biological relatives becomes her mission.
The garden shed looks inviting.
Finding a spare key to the house she has the best of both worlds unbeknownst to the family.
A bond forms with her half brother when he discovers her and the powerful combination of familial ties and companionship tests her rigid approach to life.
In case you missed it… I loved, loved this and was sad when it was finished. Allow June to take you on her journey.
Loved, loved, loved this book.
It was a privilege and honour to meet June and follow both her physical and mental journey.
Experiencing life and embracing the differences a neurodiverse person offers is a treat.
A celebration of colour, routine and change nurture the relationship the reader will have with this delightful character.
The death of June’s mum, a trip to London from small town Scotland to meet biological relatives and many challenges shape up a narrative that will evoke laughter, endearment and sadness.
Arriving in London after a number of dramas June discovers her presence is a shock and her hopes of moving in are shattered.
She is whisked off to a hotel where a steep learning curb awaits.
Deciding she must get close to biological relatives becomes her mission.
The garden shed looks inviting.
Finding a spare key to the house she has the best of both worlds unbeknownst to the family.
A bond forms with her half brother when he discovers her and the powerful combination of familial ties and companionship tests her rigid approach to life.
In case you missed it… I loved, loved this and was sad when it was finished. Allow June to take you on her journey.
May 22, 2025
Where to even start…this was such a good book and reeled me in right from the beginning! June is a 22 year old woman with special needs who has just lost her mother. She travels from Glasgow to London to try to find some family to live with and she has many adventures along the way as well as the whole summer after she arrives. She has “no filter” as you might say, and tells it how it is, keeps a very strict routine, and loves gardening. This book made me feel so many different emotions, and I absolutely love how it ended. Wonderful story!!
July 2, 2025
Thank you @crownpublishing #partner for my #gifted finished copy and thank you PRH Audio for my #gifted listening copy of of June in the Garden! #Crownpublishing #JuneInTheGarden #EleanorWilde #PRHAudioPartner #PRHAInfluencer
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝-𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 - 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰!
𝟱★
There are a few book characters that I will remember for the rest of my life. I will now add June Wilson to that list. June Wilson stole my heart in this beautiful novel about loss, grief, and relationships. This book captivated me from the first sentence and I was rooting for June and her story until the very end. It’s not a quick read, but it’s one that you get to watch bloom along the way, and that’s what I loved. It’s about a young woman named June who views the world differently than others. After the death of her mother, she sets off to try to find her father, who she has never met before. When her father turns her away, she notices an unkept backyard and a garden shed. With nowhere else to go, she moves in and surrounds herself by her favorite things: flowers. But when her father’s son discovers June in the Garden, she must choose between being seen or running away.
June is honestly one of the most endearing characters you will ever meet. This book will both make you laugh and make you cry. It will make you feel a bit more compassion and empathy towards others (I hope). The finished copy has beautiful quotes and images of flowers at the start of each chapter. It was such a beautiful touch that I just loved!
🪴Character Driven
🪴Flowers and Gardening
🪴Neurodiversity Representation
🪴Loss and Grief
🪴Mother/Daughter Relationships
🪴Family Dynamics
🎧The audiobook was beautifully narrated by the talented Billie Fulford-Brown. I don’t think you could have picked a better narrator for this one! Fulford-Brown was flawless and was her narration felt effortless. I could listen to her narrate all day, but she just was so spectacular as the voice of June! This was an easy 5★ performance!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝-𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 - 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰!
𝟱★
There are a few book characters that I will remember for the rest of my life. I will now add June Wilson to that list. June Wilson stole my heart in this beautiful novel about loss, grief, and relationships. This book captivated me from the first sentence and I was rooting for June and her story until the very end. It’s not a quick read, but it’s one that you get to watch bloom along the way, and that’s what I loved. It’s about a young woman named June who views the world differently than others. After the death of her mother, she sets off to try to find her father, who she has never met before. When her father turns her away, she notices an unkept backyard and a garden shed. With nowhere else to go, she moves in and surrounds herself by her favorite things: flowers. But when her father’s son discovers June in the Garden, she must choose between being seen or running away.
June is honestly one of the most endearing characters you will ever meet. This book will both make you laugh and make you cry. It will make you feel a bit more compassion and empathy towards others (I hope). The finished copy has beautiful quotes and images of flowers at the start of each chapter. It was such a beautiful touch that I just loved!
🪴Character Driven
🪴Flowers and Gardening
🪴Neurodiversity Representation
🪴Loss and Grief
🪴Mother/Daughter Relationships
🪴Family Dynamics
🎧The audiobook was beautifully narrated by the talented Billie Fulford-Brown. I don’t think you could have picked a better narrator for this one! Fulford-Brown was flawless and was her narration felt effortless. I could listen to her narrate all day, but she just was so spectacular as the voice of June! This was an easy 5★ performance!
July 28, 2025
June Wilson views the world differently from others. The twenty-two-year-old avid gardener can name every flower under the sun and must stick to a routine. She works at Marks & Spencer's and her person is her mum.
But, June's mum has just died unexpectedly and her world has been tipped on its axis. Suddenly, there are changes and June doesn't know what to do.
There is someone who may be able to help. But, June has never met him before. This person doesn't know that she exists. This stranger is her father and he lives in London, which is a long way from the safety of Scotland.
So, June boards a train to London and sets off to her father's address. Except- she's not exactly welcome. With nowhere to go, June takes the only reasonable route (for her)- by moving into her father's yellow garden shed. There, she can hide out and try and figure out what to do next. Best of all, she has a new garden to take care of.
One day, her father's twelve-year-old son discovers her and June has an even bigger decision to make- stay or go. What happens next is something unexpectedly beautiful.
Books that feature a neurotypical MC are always a delight in my eyes. June is one of those special people. She's got a wonderful outlook on life, but is often misunderstood. Quirks such as always eating a cheese sandwich at exactly noon and a potato and chicken dinner, watching nature programs and speaking with raw honesty are what set her apart.
June finds an unlikely ally in her younger half-brother, Henry, who's dealing with his big feelings. Henry is being bullied and is often ignored by his parents. Henry simply needs his person to rely on and that's June. Separately, the siblings don't have much of a chance to explore and evolve, but together, they're unstoppable.
June in the Garden is a deeply empathetic and soulful read. I can't wait to see what Eleanor Wilde comes up with next.
5 🌟
But, June's mum has just died unexpectedly and her world has been tipped on its axis. Suddenly, there are changes and June doesn't know what to do.
There is someone who may be able to help. But, June has never met him before. This person doesn't know that she exists. This stranger is her father and he lives in London, which is a long way from the safety of Scotland.
So, June boards a train to London and sets off to her father's address. Except- she's not exactly welcome. With nowhere to go, June takes the only reasonable route (for her)- by moving into her father's yellow garden shed. There, she can hide out and try and figure out what to do next. Best of all, she has a new garden to take care of.
One day, her father's twelve-year-old son discovers her and June has an even bigger decision to make- stay or go. What happens next is something unexpectedly beautiful.
Books that feature a neurotypical MC are always a delight in my eyes. June is one of those special people. She's got a wonderful outlook on life, but is often misunderstood. Quirks such as always eating a cheese sandwich at exactly noon and a potato and chicken dinner, watching nature programs and speaking with raw honesty are what set her apart.
June finds an unlikely ally in her younger half-brother, Henry, who's dealing with his big feelings. Henry is being bullied and is often ignored by his parents. Henry simply needs his person to rely on and that's June. Separately, the siblings don't have much of a chance to explore and evolve, but together, they're unstoppable.
June in the Garden is a deeply empathetic and soulful read. I can't wait to see what Eleanor Wilde comes up with next.
5 🌟
October 24, 2025
A tenderly written book. I must admit I was drawn to the excellent front cover in the library (different to the one pictured here) but once I started reading I was pleasantly surprised!
A woman loses her mother - who is her guide to life. June is going to be evicted from her house and put in a shared living arrangement so she embarks on a journey to find her biological father and ends up secretly living in his shed and befriending her half brother.
Throughout the story there is a gentle unease as you know at some stage June will be caught in the shed or in the garden.
Positive ending.
Positive vibes.
A book full of heart!
I just felt like I could picture June so clearly!
4.5 strong, solid and happy stars!
A woman loses her mother - who is her guide to life. June is going to be evicted from her house and put in a shared living arrangement so she embarks on a journey to find her biological father and ends up secretly living in his shed and befriending her half brother.
Throughout the story there is a gentle unease as you know at some stage June will be caught in the shed or in the garden.
Positive ending.
Positive vibes.
A book full of heart!
I just felt like I could picture June so clearly!
4.5 strong, solid and happy stars!
November 4, 2025
Wow. What a fabulous way to experience life in the shoes of a profoundly neurodiverse main character. May I always be associated with the most patient side characters that June shares interactions with rather than the quickly dismissive or those that take advantage.
Fantastic epilogue that answers questions I feared I missed, and a wonderful author's note explaining "why this story'
Fantastic epilogue that answers questions I feared I missed, and a wonderful author's note explaining "why this story'
May 31, 2025
This was such a fun, adorable read, and oh June, you have my heart. What a beautiful character to get to know. Full of quirk and charm, she brought so much to this story, and the more I got to know and understand her, the more protective of her I became. Watching her relationship with Henry grow was especially touching.
What surprised me about this one is that I expected a lighthearted, feel-good read, but it delivered so much more. Each character is layered and thoughtfully developed, and June’s own backstory adds real emotional weight to the narrative. I was genuinely surprised by how much it struck a chord with me - even getting a little teary towards the end. Quite simply, a beautiful, heartwarming story.
What surprised me about this one is that I expected a lighthearted, feel-good read, but it delivered so much more. Each character is layered and thoughtfully developed, and June’s own backstory adds real emotional weight to the narrative. I was genuinely surprised by how much it struck a chord with me - even getting a little teary towards the end. Quite simply, a beautiful, heartwarming story.
August 6, 2025
I cannot figure out why I can’t connect with this book. The protagonist is similar to the protagonists in Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, Lenny marks gets away with murder, Emily Wilde’s encyclopedia of faeries, and that of Molly the maid in the maid. I don’t think it’s fatigue because I honestly don’t think I could get enough of reading characters that remind me of me but who get up to hijinks and shenanigans. But I read nearly halfway and I was never able to get there. For the first 25% of the book we don’t really even meet another character outside of June and I have a hard time connecting with June the way I did with the aforementioned other protagonists. I don’t know why. The writing is good. The plot seems up my alley. But it’s not for me.
July 14, 2025
Fell in love with this gem. Hard not to root for June and I learned so much walking in her wellies 😉. Highly recommend!!!
April 25, 2025
Oh this book is so beautiful.
Honest, tragic, to the point, hopeful. A story of grief, love and finding yourself - of expectation and disappointment. Of family.
And such an important point of view right now.
Please dive into June’s world 💜
Honest, tragic, to the point, hopeful. A story of grief, love and finding yourself - of expectation and disappointment. Of family.
And such an important point of view right now.
Please dive into June’s world 💜
Read
August 12, 2025 DNF @ 43%
Unfortunately, this didn't work for me :(
Despite making it 43% of the way through, not much has happened. A couple reviews have mentioned that the second half of this book is a lot more entertaining but I'm not invested in June's story to stick around to see what happens. Many chapters could have been removed including the one where June meets William. The author may have included that to show June's improvement in interacting with people but I'm not sure why other interactions such as with the ASDA employees she met shortly before isn't included.
I also felt things were very conveniently resolved for June. It was just all too easy.
I did think Eleanor Wilde did a great job writing in June's voice and portraying what it is like to live as a neurodiverse person however I'm not sure that can excuse her constant body shaming? June says
A couple pages later she says
She also says she finds "politics irrelevant to her lifestyle" which in this day and age is just plain ignorant. As someone on the spectrum, June should know that politics absolutely affect her lifestyle considering she and her mother lived in council housing and relied on a Aileen, a social worker, for help. That is all politics. Politics decides so much of June's lifestlye.
I do know June grapples with reactive attachment disorder and I'm not sure why that is. I have an inkling that her mother may have been abusive considering the way June is so wary and isolated from the world but I also think not?
Unfortunately, this didn't work for me :(
Despite making it 43% of the way through, not much has happened. A couple reviews have mentioned that the second half of this book is a lot more entertaining but I'm not invested in June's story to stick around to see what happens. Many chapters could have been removed including the one where June meets William. The author may have included that to show June's improvement in interacting with people but I'm not sure why other interactions such as with the ASDA employees she met shortly before isn't included.
I also felt things were very conveniently resolved for June. It was just all too easy.
I did think Eleanor Wilde did a great job writing in June's voice and portraying what it is like to live as a neurodiverse person however I'm not sure that can excuse her constant body shaming? June says
"I'm worried I'll start to look like Mora our old neighbour...She waddles when she walks, and her clothes look incredibly tight and uncomfortable on her body. She lives alone now that her husband, George has passed away. Mother said Mora must have eaten him."
A couple pages later she says
"...black wellies in a ginormous ladies size 9. I'm not pointing fingers—the owner could be anyone—but Mrs. Wilson does not look like the dainty-feet kind...Mother was a ladies size 5, just like me. Those welly boots in the corner are a better fit for a mountain bear."
She also says she finds "politics irrelevant to her lifestyle" which in this day and age is just plain ignorant. As someone on the spectrum, June should know that politics absolutely affect her lifestyle considering she and her mother lived in council housing and relied on a Aileen, a social worker, for help. That is all politics. Politics decides so much of June's lifestlye.
I do know June grapples with reactive attachment disorder and I'm not sure why that is. I have an inkling that her mother may have been abusive considering the way June is so wary and isolated from the world but I also think not?
July 13, 2025
“The garden speaks to me and it is a language I understand, for once. A language that many do not try to learn.”
Eleanor Wilde invites us to see the world through the eyes of June, who, after the sudden death of her mother, quietly sets out in search of the two things she’s missing: a family and a garden.
But what this book truly offers is something even greater, an intimate journey into a unique mind, and a different way of understanding life.
June sees the world through logic, order, and literal meaning. Flowers make sense to her, their names, their shapes, their rules.
People, on the other hand, don’t always follow patterns. Emotions are messy. Words don’t always mean what they say.
The author doesn’t romanticize these struggles with empathy and clarity, she helps us step inside June’s world and feel it from the inside out.
The garden is more than a physical place. It’s a symbol of balance and calm, a space where things grow the way they’re supposed to.
For June, it’s a refuge from the noise of a world that often feels overwhelming. 🫂
June in the Garden is ultimately a gentle reminder that there’s more than one way to love, to live, and to grow.
And sometimes, all it takes is a bit of time and a garden, for things to start making sense.
“Me neither. You get used to it. Sometimes, you only need one person.”
A beautiful and essential read.
A story about empathy, belonging, and allowing people to bloom in their own time.
There’s a little bit of June in all of us. ♥️
“My head feels like a thousand-piece puzzle that has been split apart. Broken, the pieces separated, perhaps even turned upside down. Nothing fits together anymore.”
“But routines and schedules exist for a reason. Without them we would become overwhelmed, like a garden overrun with holly and hawthorn.”
“Why bundle words with literal meanings into abstract expressions, making it hard for some people, like me, to decipher what they mean?”
Eleanor Wilde invites us to see the world through the eyes of June, who, after the sudden death of her mother, quietly sets out in search of the two things she’s missing: a family and a garden.
But what this book truly offers is something even greater, an intimate journey into a unique mind, and a different way of understanding life.
June sees the world through logic, order, and literal meaning. Flowers make sense to her, their names, their shapes, their rules.
People, on the other hand, don’t always follow patterns. Emotions are messy. Words don’t always mean what they say.
The author doesn’t romanticize these struggles with empathy and clarity, she helps us step inside June’s world and feel it from the inside out.
The garden is more than a physical place. It’s a symbol of balance and calm, a space where things grow the way they’re supposed to.
For June, it’s a refuge from the noise of a world that often feels overwhelming. 🫂
June in the Garden is ultimately a gentle reminder that there’s more than one way to love, to live, and to grow.
And sometimes, all it takes is a bit of time and a garden, for things to start making sense.
“Me neither. You get used to it. Sometimes, you only need one person.”
A beautiful and essential read.
A story about empathy, belonging, and allowing people to bloom in their own time.
There’s a little bit of June in all of us. ♥️
“My head feels like a thousand-piece puzzle that has been split apart. Broken, the pieces separated, perhaps even turned upside down. Nothing fits together anymore.”
“But routines and schedules exist for a reason. Without them we would become overwhelmed, like a garden overrun with holly and hawthorn.”
“Why bundle words with literal meanings into abstract expressions, making it hard for some people, like me, to decipher what they mean?”
July 10, 2025
“It’s raining cats and dogs. She’s as happy as a clam.
I’ll be as good as gold. He’s a night owl.
That was a piece of cake.
Why can’t people just say exactly what they mean?…”
June in the Garden follows June Wilson, a 22-year-old neurodivergent woman who recently lost her mother. A self-taught horticulture expert, June can name every flower but struggles with social interactions. With no one left to care for her, she flees before social services can move her into a residential home, determined to find the man who may be her father.
Though she has a job and knows how to take the bus, June has never taken a train or ventured far from home. Her journey exposes her to both kindness and cruelty. When her father rejects her, she ends up in the Wilsons’ shed—where she eventually meets her 12-year-old half-brother, Henry.
June is a character who will find a way into your heart. Seeing the world through her eyes was enlightening and eye-opening. June in the Garden is a lovely, moving book and a warm respite from today’s stressful world.
Audio Note: Billie Fulford-Brown’s narration is more than a companion—it brings June’s voice to life, making the audiobook an excellent addition.
Thank you, Crown Publishing, for the gifted book and to prhaudio for the audiobook,
June 8, 2025
I sometimes have a mixed feelings about books that center on a character who is autism-coded. The character is sometimes portrayed as one dimensional and stereotypical. This book started off that way I felt, with June taking things literally to the point of absurdity. As the book went on though, I got more involved with the story, and also appreciated the humor. I also just had to take the book for what it was, which is a funny and heartwarming tale, but not necessarily realistic. I liked how June, with all her rigidity, does learn to be more open to life and to try new things.
This book also deals with a concern that every parent has, especially those who have a child with special needs: how will my child manage when I’m gone? The answer the book gives is that it will be complicated, it will be messy for a while, but their life will go on and will still be beautiful.
Thanks to Goodreads & the publisher for this review copy.
This book also deals with a concern that every parent has, especially those who have a child with special needs: how will my child manage when I’m gone? The answer the book gives is that it will be complicated, it will be messy for a while, but their life will go on and will still be beautiful.
Thanks to Goodreads & the publisher for this review copy.
July 14, 2025
I’m undone. I fell in love with June and you will, too.
June’s perspective as a narrator disrupts so much of what we expect - she does not act in socially “appropriate” ways and her justification for behaviors may confuse the reader at first. Over time, however, I came to understand her better as she processes grief and loss. She’s deeply impacted by her trauma, but her emotional “episodes” are felt much more viscerally as we’re figuring out what she has experienced in real time, alongside June.
Read especially if you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Remarkably Bright Creatures. 4.5/5
June’s perspective as a narrator disrupts so much of what we expect - she does not act in socially “appropriate” ways and her justification for behaviors may confuse the reader at first. Over time, however, I came to understand her better as she processes grief and loss. She’s deeply impacted by her trauma, but her emotional “episodes” are felt much more viscerally as we’re figuring out what she has experienced in real time, alongside June.
Read especially if you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Remarkably Bright Creatures. 4.5/5
May 9, 2025
June’s mother has died. Her social worker would like her to move into a residential facility but she wouldn’t have a garden anymore if she did that. When she finds a lead to a potential family member she has never met she decides to go see if they have a suitable garden for her to tend if she decided to live with them.
This book was a similar vibe/style as Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, which was a book I enjoyed so was happy to find something in the same vein.
June is a plucky character whose love of gardens and plants is infectious.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for letting me have an advanced copy of Elinor Wilde’s debut adult novel June In The Garden
This book was a similar vibe/style as Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, which was a book I enjoyed so was happy to find something in the same vein.
June is a plucky character whose love of gardens and plants is infectious.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for letting me have an advanced copy of Elinor Wilde’s debut adult novel June In The Garden
July 27, 2025
Needed a bit to think on this book because wow, this is one that is going to stick with me for sure.
June Wilson is a bit different, but that’s okay. She has her mom to help her out, and her beautiful garden that she tends to day and night. However, when her mother dies, her caseworker wants her to give up her home so another family will be able to use it. This sends June down a spiral to find her father in London, leading her to take the subway by herself for the first time and experiencing the odd ways of the general public.
June is such a likable character, even while she is judging others quirks and sneaking around in private places
June Wilson is a bit different, but that’s okay. She has her mom to help her out, and her beautiful garden that she tends to day and night. However, when her mother dies, her caseworker wants her to give up her home so another family will be able to use it. This sends June down a spiral to find her father in London, leading her to take the subway by herself for the first time and experiencing the odd ways of the general public.
June is such a likable character, even while she is judging others quirks and sneaking around in private places
October 30, 2025
June is different. When her mother dies suddenly June is faced with being moved into a residential home in Glasgow so decides to take a trip to London to find her biological father. On finding him he panics as he was unaware of her existence so June has to make some decisions like finding somewhere to live so takes up residence in a yellow shed on the property. The 12 year old son of her father discovers her and they develop a friendship. Lovely story as we learn more about June and her passion for gardening and a great wish to be part of a family.
April 25, 2025
I love this book and the character June. Amazing storyline.
July 9, 2025
This book didn’t have a fast moving plot but was super sweet and heartwarming, with some sad parts about grief and mental health woven in.
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