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That Day in June
New
- GenresFiction
528 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Martina Reilly
32 books97 followersHi. It’s Martina Reilly here, the artist formally known as Tina Reilly! And before that, I was teen writer, Martina Murphy.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 17, 2016
This story is very simply told from the point of view of two characters. One is Sandy who ran away from home and has ended up homeless, sitting on a bench in the park most days, sheltering under bushes at night. She provides for herself as best she can. Enter Max, a high flying PR man who buys Sandy a cup of coffee and something to eat each day. Until the day that Max doesn’t come. What Sandy learns about Max is very different to the person she has known.
This was very easy to read. I wanted to know why Sandy had left home, why she wanted to return and yet felt unable to go back. I enjoyed reading from her point of view more than that of Max, but both were good. I enjoyed it although I found the liberal use of the f word, which comes more from Max and to a lesser degree from Sandy grated. But I’m prepared to concede maybe it was in keeping with the characters, where they came from and what they had lost. I did become very involved with these two and there were a few tears at times. This is a story about an unlikely friendship, loss, family, regret and choices made.
I thought the ending seemed a bit rushed. The reasons that Sandy left home, which we don’t really find out until a long way into the book, were probably not what I was expecting but that is necessarily a bad thing. This is a book that makes the reader think about issues such as homelessness and the choices each of us make in life as well as what it means to be a parent and to be part of a family. Worth reading in my opinion.
This was very easy to read. I wanted to know why Sandy had left home, why she wanted to return and yet felt unable to go back. I enjoyed reading from her point of view more than that of Max, but both were good. I enjoyed it although I found the liberal use of the f word, which comes more from Max and to a lesser degree from Sandy grated. But I’m prepared to concede maybe it was in keeping with the characters, where they came from and what they had lost. I did become very involved with these two and there were a few tears at times. This is a story about an unlikely friendship, loss, family, regret and choices made.
I thought the ending seemed a bit rushed. The reasons that Sandy left home, which we don’t really find out until a long way into the book, were probably not what I was expecting but that is necessarily a bad thing. This is a book that makes the reader think about issues such as homelessness and the choices each of us make in life as well as what it means to be a parent and to be part of a family. Worth reading in my opinion.
September 25, 2015
A story with real heart and soul, beautifully paced and with great emotional pay offs for characters Max and Sandy. A great balance of the dark and light, lovely quirky moments and great dialogue as always in Martina's novels.
February 8, 2018
An interesting story of a runaway teenager. Easy to read.
January 25, 2019
That Day in June tells the stories of Max and Sandy, two very different people, living in polar opposite circumstances, whose lives become entwined. It starts with a cup of coffee and a sandwich and, over time, grows like tree roots twisting their way relentlessly through the smallest of gaps, until unexpectedly it becomes apparent that their friendship is strong and resilient in a way that no one expected.
I had never heard of this book or author before, and only came to read it through a mess up at my local library resulting in me not being able to borrow the book I'd chosen. As a result, I was irritably scanning the shelves for inspiration and this book just quietly put itself in my eyes, suggesting maybe I might like to take it home. Now I know this may sound weird to some of you, but I've chosen books like this before and (so far) it has always led me to something that I end up loving.
The story is told in rather short, but cleverly carved, chapters; alternating between Max and Sandy as the storyteller. In this way Reilly gently peels back the character and history of each, exposing us to the reasons they seem to be drawn together at the same time that they find out themselves. Each has a distinct voice - Sandy's more clipped and, at times, emotionally detached like a wall has been put up for protection. Max's is more chaotic, emotional and less controlled. Both show starkly the difference between what is presented for public inspection and what lies beneath the surface. A sensitively handled and perfectly balanced illustration of the realities of life.
There are a couple of slightly cheesy points that had me rolling my eyes, but they're few and far between and don't warrant knocking a star off for me. I loved the characters, the delicacy and the layers of the story. On the face of it a very easy read, there's quite a bit more to this book and I thoroughly recommend it.
I had never heard of this book or author before, and only came to read it through a mess up at my local library resulting in me not being able to borrow the book I'd chosen. As a result, I was irritably scanning the shelves for inspiration and this book just quietly put itself in my eyes, suggesting maybe I might like to take it home. Now I know this may sound weird to some of you, but I've chosen books like this before and (so far) it has always led me to something that I end up loving.
The story is told in rather short, but cleverly carved, chapters; alternating between Max and Sandy as the storyteller. In this way Reilly gently peels back the character and history of each, exposing us to the reasons they seem to be drawn together at the same time that they find out themselves. Each has a distinct voice - Sandy's more clipped and, at times, emotionally detached like a wall has been put up for protection. Max's is more chaotic, emotional and less controlled. Both show starkly the difference between what is presented for public inspection and what lies beneath the surface. A sensitively handled and perfectly balanced illustration of the realities of life.
There are a couple of slightly cheesy points that had me rolling my eyes, but they're few and far between and don't warrant knocking a star off for me. I loved the characters, the delicacy and the layers of the story. On the face of it a very easy read, there's quite a bit more to this book and I thoroughly recommend it.
June 14, 2018
Hørt på lydbok.
Hadde ingen forventninger til denne og ut i fra coveret ... (ja,ja ...never judge a book osv.....) tenkte jeg at dette kanskje var en klisje-rik kioskroman. Jeg var på jakt etter en koselig og underholdnde, lettlest bok etter å ha lest mye krim den siste tiden. Jeg fikk det jeg ba om! Dette var strålende opplest på lydbok, og både plott og språk er BRA! Lettlest, koselig, engasjerende. Noen klisjeer, jada, og noe forutsigbart, jepp - dette til tross har jeg kost meg med denne perlen av en bok, en perfekt sommerbok!
Vi følger Sandy og Max. Sandy, en hjemløs tjuefemåring. Max, en overarbeidet PR-mann. De to kjenner til hverandre fordi Max daglig gir Sandy en kopp take-away kaffe når han passerer henne. Helt til han en dag ikke dukker opp, og Sandy bestemmer seg for å finne ut av hva som har hendt. Vi følger begge disse to i nåtid og ser hvordan livene deres vikles inn i hverandre samtidig som vi får tilbakeblikk til begge to sin fortid. Synes dette ble gjort på en god måte, for det er mye frem og tilbake uten at det blir forvirrende. Liker også hvordan mange såre temaer tas opp her uten at hovedpersonene fremstår som svake og stakkarslige offer.
Hadde ingen forventninger til denne og ut i fra coveret ... (ja,ja ...never judge a book osv.....) tenkte jeg at dette kanskje var en klisje-rik kioskroman. Jeg var på jakt etter en koselig og underholdnde, lettlest bok etter å ha lest mye krim den siste tiden. Jeg fikk det jeg ba om! Dette var strålende opplest på lydbok, og både plott og språk er BRA! Lettlest, koselig, engasjerende. Noen klisjeer, jada, og noe forutsigbart, jepp - dette til tross har jeg kost meg med denne perlen av en bok, en perfekt sommerbok!
Vi følger Sandy og Max. Sandy, en hjemløs tjuefemåring. Max, en overarbeidet PR-mann. De to kjenner til hverandre fordi Max daglig gir Sandy en kopp take-away kaffe når han passerer henne. Helt til han en dag ikke dukker opp, og Sandy bestemmer seg for å finne ut av hva som har hendt. Vi følger begge disse to i nåtid og ser hvordan livene deres vikles inn i hverandre samtidig som vi får tilbakeblikk til begge to sin fortid. Synes dette ble gjort på en god måte, for det er mye frem og tilbake uten at det blir forvirrende. Liker også hvordan mange såre temaer tas opp her uten at hovedpersonene fremstår som svake og stakkarslige offer.
July 14, 2021
I enjoyed this book. The way the author pulls you into both main characters worlds, their past and their present, their troubles and joys. Recommendable.
August 27, 2022
Liked that it was a different storyline, however a bit slow at times.
January 19, 2025
Such a lovely sweet book. It drew me in quickly, and I bonded with the main characters instantly. A lovely read!
July 10, 2025
Easy read, not crazy good but not bad
May 5, 2016
My Synopsis
Imagine This: You run away from home when you were seventeen. You've gotten used to the streets, at night and day. You like to exist on the sidelines of all the human traffic. That way, no one can recognize you are that Girl whose face was splashed all over the 'Missing' headlines seven years ago.
Now your life is a constant endless routine you have been used to. Getting a shower, getting some food at the shelter, pickpocketing when the need arises and sitting on one bench staring at the world go by.
Until a stranger works his way into your routine and buys you coffee every morning.
You like him. He's very nice. Plus he wants to know of your thoughts of each coffee. Now isn't that just FAB? Something to use your voice for, innit?
Except, one morning, there's no coffee, there's no stranger, there's no company and certainly no talking.
Where the hell is this guy? You find yourself asking after the third day. If he doesn't show up the next day, you are going to look for him.
Sandy's search for a stranger which leads to touching results and a heart-melting story about a journey to recover all that's been lost.
My Review.
I loved this book.
It has one of those rare unique storylines that reel you in from the start. I love the whole curiosity angle played from the onset. I was aching to know what happened to this stranger and how the lead character was going to locate him. OK, a star.── ★
You would also love the lead, Sandy. Her voice is... how do I put it?... very earthy, raw, with a dash of innocence that proves a character whose development had been stifled all through adulthood.
You would also love Max. The story alternates between their two point of views (Max's and Sandy's). It's really nice that the point of views of both characters are marred by their mental state. It gives character to the narrative and helps the reader sympathize with both leads. That said, this book is very quirky. A star.── ★★
Other characters in the madhouse are also fun to read about from Norm and his wife Evie, to Vic. All these characters were cool and kinda nuts. You'd also love Molly, the diseased woman who wouldn't leave her flat because she's succumbed to her situation—"I am dying soon, so rather be bedridden." A star.── ★★★
Backstory was one of the amazing features of this novel. From the onset, you are intrigued by the upbringing of Sandy because of her narrative voice. Max's backstory was also nice to read about for it explains why a perfectly sane character would find themselves in a madhouse losing it all.── ★★★★
My only problem with this title is, I wanted more earth-shattering secrets and revelations to make for fantastic OMG moments. It was all so mild on this front.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants something unique and very, very quirky (—in a good way). Anyone who wants something touching this Fall should go get this. If you want an unusual love story, this is one of the titles you must buy
Imagine This: You run away from home when you were seventeen. You've gotten used to the streets, at night and day. You like to exist on the sidelines of all the human traffic. That way, no one can recognize you are that Girl whose face was splashed all over the 'Missing' headlines seven years ago.
Now your life is a constant endless routine you have been used to. Getting a shower, getting some food at the shelter, pickpocketing when the need arises and sitting on one bench staring at the world go by.
Until a stranger works his way into your routine and buys you coffee every morning.
You like him. He's very nice. Plus he wants to know of your thoughts of each coffee. Now isn't that just FAB? Something to use your voice for, innit?
Except, one morning, there's no coffee, there's no stranger, there's no company and certainly no talking.
Where the hell is this guy? You find yourself asking after the third day. If he doesn't show up the next day, you are going to look for him.
Sandy's search for a stranger which leads to touching results and a heart-melting story about a journey to recover all that's been lost.
My Review.
I loved this book.
It has one of those rare unique storylines that reel you in from the start. I love the whole curiosity angle played from the onset. I was aching to know what happened to this stranger and how the lead character was going to locate him. OK, a star.── ★
You would also love the lead, Sandy. Her voice is... how do I put it?... very earthy, raw, with a dash of innocence that proves a character whose development had been stifled all through adulthood.
You would also love Max. The story alternates between their two point of views (Max's and Sandy's). It's really nice that the point of views of both characters are marred by their mental state. It gives character to the narrative and helps the reader sympathize with both leads. That said, this book is very quirky. A star.── ★★
Other characters in the madhouse are also fun to read about from Norm and his wife Evie, to Vic. All these characters were cool and kinda nuts. You'd also love Molly, the diseased woman who wouldn't leave her flat because she's succumbed to her situation—"I am dying soon, so rather be bedridden." A star.── ★★★
Backstory was one of the amazing features of this novel. From the onset, you are intrigued by the upbringing of Sandy because of her narrative voice. Max's backstory was also nice to read about for it explains why a perfectly sane character would find themselves in a madhouse losing it all.── ★★★★
My only problem with this title is, I wanted more earth-shattering secrets and revelations to make for fantastic OMG moments. It was all so mild on this front.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants something unique and very, very quirky (—in a good way). Anyone who wants something touching this Fall should go get this. If you want an unusual love story, this is one of the titles you must buy
August 6, 2015
This novel delved into the realities of life as a runaway, living on the streets wondering where your next meal will come from. But mostly this is a story about hope, and how just one individual can change the course of another's life. I really liked Sandy, despite her rather eccentric upbringing she had a good heart and I thought her friendship with Max had an authentic feel to it, it was plausible enough that I could really believe that he would open his house and his life to her as he did. I liked how they were beneficial to each other, despite being relative strangers in the beginning. The plot could possibly have had a few more twists, it could have been livened up a little, but overall a very enjoyable read.
August 1, 2016
I have mixed feelings on this book, as I find the first two chapters of the book very slow and dragging, so it was hard to picture the main characters Sandy and Max and to react to their on going problems. But I continued to read it and once we find max in hospital , Sandy's character builds into someone you feel the need to find out more about. Max's story is a working backwards in time progress , as you have to go back to find why he has ended up as this emotional person. So the mid section of the book was an interesting read , but the ending I feel is a what happens next moment as it seems to sprint to the final hurdle leaving many questions unanswered. So this is why 3 stars is my vote.
January 17, 2016
Received as a goodreads giveaway. Sadly not for me this one. Looking at other reviews I am obviously in the minority. I did not like the characters, the style and certainly not the dialogue. Something just jarred with me and I am sorry. Maybe my age means I could not emphasise with the characters and the fact I love very evocative description and this writer prefers a more simplistic style may not have helped.
May 15, 2015
Absolutely loved this book. I laughed. I cried. I could hardly put it down. I couldn't wait to find out what happened but I didn't want it to end. If I could give it more than 5 stars, then I certainly would.
June 8, 2015
A great read thoroughly enjoyed it
August 30, 2015
Great book the best I've read in a long time! A few tears though!
Want to read
January 7, 2016I still haven't had a chance to read it yet but it looks like a story that I will enjoy when I do.
February 9, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. Would highly recommend it.
April 4, 2017
An eye opener about homeless people and how easy it is to get lost in the crowd if you don't want to be found. 3.5 to 4 stars
May 6, 2017
A superbly written, heartwarming story. The characters are well developed and utterly realistic. I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews