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Leon and June: A Lifetime of Love and Laughter
After being together for 60 years, coming to terms with life without Leon has been a difficult process for June, but she has many treasured memories of their marriage that will never leave her. In this touching memoir, she looks back at their life together. From when, aged 18, she first laid eyes on Leon at teacher training college in 1955; their fight to marry when their parents disapproved; happy memories of 1960s Liverpool; to building a loving home and family together, before finding fame as pensioners. Firm favorites of the Gogglebox show, they were loved for their gentle teasing, Leon's cheeky gags and humorous rants, and June's unerring patience and caring touch. Along the way they've experienced their fair share of highs and lows but as Leon always "As long as June's here, I'm all right." They did it all together. Now June shares with us the secret to a truly happy marriage in this wonderful celebration of two lives well lived.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
320 pages, Hardcover
Published December 20, 2018
40 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 17, 2018
What a wonderful read. I am a huge Gogglebox fan so was very sad to hear about Leon dying just before Christmas last year. Having saw June on This Morning recently talking about Leon and this book I couldn’t wait to read it.
Someone said they found the middle part of this book boring which I found was a silly statement to make. This isn’t a 200 plus page insight into Gogglebox or the last few years of their lives but it’s a fantastic story of days gone by, living in a post war era, falling in love, building a life and family together and inadvertently becoming famous when Leon put their name down to join what was to become one of the UK’s most-loved programmes in recent times.
I loved reading about June’s time growing up and getting an insight into how she met and fell in love with Leon. I was reminded so much whilst I read this book about my own nan and grandad and their life stories. In the same way that Leon really struggled with going to Auschwitz, my own grandad for many years couldn’t visit the site of his mother’s death where she died shielding her children from a bomb in an air raid shelter. But also in their family holidays, so very reminiscent of my own nan and grandad with my mum and then also with me and my brother in later years. Similar again is how outspoken Leon was, so too was my grandad and so it was with great warmth, love and respect that I read this story about two people who are just so relatable and down to Earth and won legions of fans whilst on Gogglebox. It really is a wonderful and bittersweet read that I very highly recommend.
Someone said they found the middle part of this book boring which I found was a silly statement to make. This isn’t a 200 plus page insight into Gogglebox or the last few years of their lives but it’s a fantastic story of days gone by, living in a post war era, falling in love, building a life and family together and inadvertently becoming famous when Leon put their name down to join what was to become one of the UK’s most-loved programmes in recent times.
I loved reading about June’s time growing up and getting an insight into how she met and fell in love with Leon. I was reminded so much whilst I read this book about my own nan and grandad and their life stories. In the same way that Leon really struggled with going to Auschwitz, my own grandad for many years couldn’t visit the site of his mother’s death where she died shielding her children from a bomb in an air raid shelter. But also in their family holidays, so very reminiscent of my own nan and grandad with my mum and then also with me and my brother in later years. Similar again is how outspoken Leon was, so too was my grandad and so it was with great warmth, love and respect that I read this story about two people who are just so relatable and down to Earth and won legions of fans whilst on Gogglebox. It really is a wonderful and bittersweet read that I very highly recommend.
November 28, 2022
A warm story of love and family, full of heart, emotion and humour. A real pleasure to read.
September 29, 2024
A cute autobiography of the heartwarming married life of Leon and june
September 8, 2020
This is 3.5. I listened to this and it was read by June. It was easy to listen to and I especially enjoyed the Gogglebox stories. Nice and light. RIP Leon and June xx
November 19, 2022
What a lovely book about such a lovely couples life . Having only seen the gogglebox side of them both was nice to read how they met and there lives. Leon seemed such a character.
March 28, 2020
Superb , uplifting & funny
Not only is this book a "must" for fans of Gogglebox but it is also an excellent commentary & social history of the decades lived by a lovely couple - Leon & June Bernicoff.
To me they were the stars of all the series they appeared in & Leon shared my political beliefs so I loved it when he expressed his views so forcefully & in such an entertaining way. Thanks June, I loved this book & was sorry when I came to the end. R.I.P. Leon. xxxx
Not only is this book a "must" for fans of Gogglebox but it is also an excellent commentary & social history of the decades lived by a lovely couple - Leon & June Bernicoff.
To me they were the stars of all the series they appeared in & Leon shared my political beliefs so I loved it when he expressed his views so forcefully & in such an entertaining way. Thanks June, I loved this book & was sorry when I came to the end. R.I.P. Leon. xxxx
July 21, 2019
I was given this book as a present. I was saddened when hearing the passing of Leon and I read the book to read all about their life together. This book is a real emotional roller coaster one moment you will be laughing out loud and the next with the honest writing you will be crying along with June as she adapts to life without Leon.
If your a fan of the couple from Gogglebox this book is a certain to read.
If your a fan of the couple from Gogglebox this book is a certain to read.
October 4, 2018
This is a true love story. I only got to know Leon and June through Gogglebox but they were so genuine and unaffected, I loved to see them. The news of Leon’s death really upset me as I could see the strength of their love. The book is beautifully written and made me laugh and cry.
September 29, 2018
What a heartening read.
I loved Leon and June on gogglebox it was a great heartwarming read and It is a true love story.
I loved Leon and June on gogglebox it was a great heartwarming read and It is a true love story.
December 30, 2018
Finished this book in 3 days! So interesting about how these two used to live as to now in the 21st century and was a sweet and loving book too. Highly recommend!
August 23, 2022
What a lovely read! I absolutely love Gogglebox and Leon and June were up there with my favourites!
They were such an unlikely couple to be on the show, that's exactly what made them perfect. Leon was so blunt and forward with his comments it was hilarious to watch the two of them. Leon, very outspoken and June quietly sat beside him! It was sad to read this now, after both of them have passed away, but a lovely read, and what made it all the more special was that June wrote this after Leon always said he would write a book about their story. Sadly, he never got the chance but the fact that June did this for him shows exactly how much love they shared.
The story was a little insight of their lives together, how they married even when their families were not particularly happy about their relationship given their different faiths. At a time when things were very hard back in the day, they had little money but they had each other and that's what counts. I loved the parts about Gogglebox of course, and it was great that there were pictures included too which showed the pair and their family over the years. Really lovely read, if somewhat poignant.
They were such an unlikely couple to be on the show, that's exactly what made them perfect. Leon was so blunt and forward with his comments it was hilarious to watch the two of them. Leon, very outspoken and June quietly sat beside him! It was sad to read this now, after both of them have passed away, but a lovely read, and what made it all the more special was that June wrote this after Leon always said he would write a book about their story. Sadly, he never got the chance but the fact that June did this for him shows exactly how much love they shared.
The story was a little insight of their lives together, how they married even when their families were not particularly happy about their relationship given their different faiths. At a time when things were very hard back in the day, they had little money but they had each other and that's what counts. I loved the parts about Gogglebox of course, and it was great that there were pictures included too which showed the pair and their family over the years. Really lovely read, if somewhat poignant.
November 9, 2018
Lovely read
I've been a gogglebox box fan since the beginning, June and Leon being my favourites!
I loved reading this book, very well written and funnily enough found myself reading it in June's voice!
June tells us all about their lives from the beginning, quite a lot of it had me laughing out loud, whilst other parts were emotional and touched on difficult subjects. It was just a beautiful read.
This book reminds me of watching an old black and white movie, curled up on a Saturday afternoon, laughing at the cheeky, handsome hero, trying to get the beautiful girl, getting carried away by the soothing music having a little weep at the sad bits, but by the end feeling content that you've just watched an amazing iconic film, one that you'll remember for a very long time.
I've been a gogglebox box fan since the beginning, June and Leon being my favourites!
I loved reading this book, very well written and funnily enough found myself reading it in June's voice!
June tells us all about their lives from the beginning, quite a lot of it had me laughing out loud, whilst other parts were emotional and touched on difficult subjects. It was just a beautiful read.
This book reminds me of watching an old black and white movie, curled up on a Saturday afternoon, laughing at the cheeky, handsome hero, trying to get the beautiful girl, getting carried away by the soothing music having a little weep at the sad bits, but by the end feeling content that you've just watched an amazing iconic film, one that you'll remember for a very long time.
May 20, 2020
I read the first few pages of June and Leon's story on May 5th without knowing that June had passed away on that same day.
Reading the rest of the book made me feel all kind of emotions. It was such a lovely story.
I absolutely loved reading about June and Leon's adventures, how they started their lives together... I laughed and cried multiple times.
I really recommend this book to any Gogglebox fans who loved watching Leon and June.
I can only hope that June and Leon have found one another.
"I'd join you you see. Always, June"
Reading the rest of the book made me feel all kind of emotions. It was such a lovely story.
I absolutely loved reading about June and Leon's adventures, how they started their lives together... I laughed and cried multiple times.
I really recommend this book to any Gogglebox fans who loved watching Leon and June.
I can only hope that June and Leon have found one another.
"I'd join you you see. Always, June"
February 19, 2019
What a lovely amazing tribute to Leon.
The last two chaptere have really touched my heart and made me rather teary and like i just want to curl up and cry.
It must be hell having lost someone you have spent 60 years of your life with and now have to get uaed to being without.
Sleep tight Leon xxx
The last two chaptere have really touched my heart and made me rather teary and like i just want to curl up and cry.
It must be hell having lost someone you have spent 60 years of your life with and now have to get uaed to being without.
Sleep tight Leon xxx
March 2, 2019
What a wonderful story !
I loved every minute of this lovely memory of Leon and June. I have always watched ' Gogglebox' and felt I was once again in the living room with this remarkable couple, I didn't want it to end. But all good things come to end.
One thing for sure you will not be dissapointed with this great read.
I loved every minute of this lovely memory of Leon and June. I have always watched ' Gogglebox' and felt I was once again in the living room with this remarkable couple, I didn't want it to end. But all good things come to end.
One thing for sure you will not be dissapointed with this great read.
July 19, 2019
Wonderful
I loved watching June and Leon, on Goggle Box. Bless your heart June for writing this book, at times it couldn't have been easy. You were and are a wonderful loving couple. Leon was so funny, and you've brought this out in your book. Leon would, I'm sure, be so proud of you. Thank you for sharing your love story Xx
I loved watching June and Leon, on Goggle Box. Bless your heart June for writing this book, at times it couldn't have been easy. You were and are a wonderful loving couple. Leon was so funny, and you've brought this out in your book. Leon would, I'm sure, be so proud of you. Thank you for sharing your love story Xx
January 25, 2021
June's Leon&June - life, love and laughter, an autobiography which offers a heartwarming insight into their wonderful life. It also mentions their time on Gogglebox, Leon s outbursts, in particular, and how it enriched their relationship even further.
A book which restores the idea of romance, passion for teaching and, more poignantly, caring for others.
A book which restores the idea of romance, passion for teaching and, more poignantly, caring for others.
January 7, 2022
Great read.
Really enjoyed this book as a former pupil of Mrs Bernicoff. Reading about Liverpool and their life together was very touching. Sad as well as they both have died now. Nevertheless what an interesting life they had together. And so much love they had for one another. Well worth reading.
Really enjoyed this book as a former pupil of Mrs Bernicoff. Reading about Liverpool and their life together was very touching. Sad as well as they both have died now. Nevertheless what an interesting life they had together. And so much love they had for one another. Well worth reading.
June 12, 2019
Lovely couple
June I always loved watching Leon and yourself on Googlebox. It will always be one of my favourite shows to watch. Thank you for sharing your beautiful love story with us. It's hard losing the husband you love, but treasure your memories.
June I always loved watching Leon and yourself on Googlebox. It will always be one of my favourite shows to watch. Thank you for sharing your beautiful love story with us. It's hard losing the husband you love, but treasure your memories.
January 19, 2021
Leon and June were two of the original cast of Channel 4's Gogglebox and theirs is a love story that spanned over 60 years. I always had a soft spot for Leon on Gogglebox as he reminded me so much of an old work friend, Neily Jordan. Both now no doubt looking down on us all and passing commentary.
September 29, 2018
I only read the begining and the last few chapters, I found the middle bits a bit boring, but loved the rest
December 6, 2018
Wonderful
What a pleasure to read Leon and June's story ............ It was a privilege to get to know who they really were as a devoted couple. You should be very proud June .
What a pleasure to read Leon and June's story ............ It was a privilege to get to know who they really were as a devoted couple. You should be very proud June .
February 17, 2019
Absolutely beautiful book
June you are such a great writer. Loved this book it was joyful and a great celebration of Leon’s and your lives together. Couldn’t put it down.
June you are such a great writer. Loved this book it was joyful and a great celebration of Leon’s and your lives together. Couldn’t put it down.
April 23, 2020
A beautiful and telling story of love, heartache and respect
May 22, 2020
Such a beautiful story and so sad they have both passed away. Least they are together again ❤
June 6, 2020
Wow. What a lovely book.
June 22, 2020
Such a lovely story about a lovely couple. Sadly missed. Really enjoyed reading about Leon and June's life.
October 1, 2020
Loved reading about how June and leon met. It was a beautiful story. R.i.p June and leon
October 21, 2020
loved it - a very uplifting love story
November 5, 2021
Wonderful
Wonderful read lovely couple so sad that there not with us today . Funny in parts lovely how they managed to make it work
Wonderful read lovely couple so sad that there not with us today . Funny in parts lovely how they managed to make it work
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews