What do you think?
Rate this book
Elvis in the Twilight of Memory
Forty years after their romance and twenty years after his death, this fresh, intriguing memoir offers previously unpublished photographs of the King and his first true love, and furnishes a glimpse into the heart of an Elvis on the verge of stardom. Reissue.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 1997
13 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 5, 2022
If anyone is looking for a great read about Elvis Presley, this is the one. This was written by June Juanico. It's her story with Elvis before there was Priscilla, before the Memphis Mafia and before the flashy jumpsuits. It's a story, not about the legend, but about the human being. It is written so beautifully that I feel like I am there with them. For me it's not "Elvis and Priscilla," it never was... "It's Elvis and June." You don't have to be an Elvis fan to enjoy this book! Give it a read!
August 11, 2016
I very much enjoyed June Juanico's memoir of her time with Elvis. I think that because Elvis associated himself with so many women, June kind of gets lost in the mix. That's what makes this book important: she was one of the women he ever truly loved (as much as Elvis could, anyway). June's name belongs on the list with those such as Ann Margaret, Priscilla, Linda Thompson, and Anita Wood.
While their love affair was brief, it was powerful. They were both entranced with one another from the beginning. One of the things that I love most about this book is the fact that June was with Elvis right before everything exploded for him. I believe that because of this, her stories show what was as close to the genuine Elvis as possible, when he was still just a kid from Memphis riding the wave of his fame before he became a typical celebrity. We still see things that are always Elvis: his quick temper, his jealous streak, his romanticism, his humor. One of my favorite parts of the book was how Elvis was jubilant after he "showed them son of a bitches" at the Jacksonville, Florida show by saying "Fuck you very much" at the end of the show rather than his typical "Thank you very much." He then asks June, "Baby, you don't think I'm vulgar, do you?" Then puts a pair of her panties on his head and "glides" around the room they were staying in.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the fact that June talks about Gladys. Many other Elvis books - most in fact - do not really get to the heart of Gladys Presley and who she was, both as a person and to Elvis. June speaks such kind words of "Lovey" and paints her as a warm, humorous, and loving mother to her son and others he holds dear. Another part of the book that makes me giggle is when June, Elvis, Gladys, and Vernon are returning from their daytrip to New Orleans. Elvis and June are sitting in the front seat, and Elvis keeps teasing June by running his hand up her thigh. Gladys doesn't know exactly what he's doing, but she knows he's up to something based on June's reactions, so she reaches over the front seat from the back and whacks him in the back of the head and tells him to stop!
These stories are just a couple of examples of how charming this book is. There are many more things to discover in these pages. I plan on reading it again, eventually, just to live vicariously. :)
While their love affair was brief, it was powerful. They were both entranced with one another from the beginning. One of the things that I love most about this book is the fact that June was with Elvis right before everything exploded for him. I believe that because of this, her stories show what was as close to the genuine Elvis as possible, when he was still just a kid from Memphis riding the wave of his fame before he became a typical celebrity. We still see things that are always Elvis: his quick temper, his jealous streak, his romanticism, his humor. One of my favorite parts of the book was how Elvis was jubilant after he "showed them son of a bitches" at the Jacksonville, Florida show by saying "Fuck you very much" at the end of the show rather than his typical "Thank you very much." He then asks June, "Baby, you don't think I'm vulgar, do you?" Then puts a pair of her panties on his head and "glides" around the room they were staying in.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the fact that June talks about Gladys. Many other Elvis books - most in fact - do not really get to the heart of Gladys Presley and who she was, both as a person and to Elvis. June speaks such kind words of "Lovey" and paints her as a warm, humorous, and loving mother to her son and others he holds dear. Another part of the book that makes me giggle is when June, Elvis, Gladys, and Vernon are returning from their daytrip to New Orleans. Elvis and June are sitting in the front seat, and Elvis keeps teasing June by running his hand up her thigh. Gladys doesn't know exactly what he's doing, but she knows he's up to something based on June's reactions, so she reaches over the front seat from the back and whacks him in the back of the head and tells him to stop!
These stories are just a couple of examples of how charming this book is. There are many more things to discover in these pages. I plan on reading it again, eventually, just to live vicariously. :)
April 24, 2021
I didn’t really have an opinion of Elvis Presley, but then we visited Graceland in March (2021). What an interesting guy. He’s so much more than how he’s remembered, and this book added another layer. One has to wonder how his life may have been different had he married June, and it made me think about my own life and the various crossroads and choices.
February 4, 2023
This is the fifth Elvis book I have read as a new fan since the 2022 Elvis film. And although I love Guralnick for the exhaustive research he put into his 2 volume book series and appreciate both his balanced and more tempered attempt in addressing Elvis' complicated life, I think I may love this book more. I love it because it is a refreshing and intimate portrayal of Elvis the Man, not the Legend. It is also very well written and so detailed it makes you feel like you are along for the ride in 50s Biloxi or Florida or Memphis. This book is so engaging, it hurts to put it down.
To paraphrase June in an interview about Elvis, she has fun, sweet, and innocent dreams but when she wakes up reality hits her, that's in the past, it's over and her day is shot. The melancholia that pervades the book is achingly beautiful and oh-so-frustratingly tragic, because it was avoidable. There are certain books that transport you to some mythical place and in that place, only those characters exist forever. I felt like I was in June's sad whimsical surreal dream, just before she woke up!
This book is full of unfulfilled dreams, lovers' lost, and the impetuousness of youth. It also presents a different picture of Elvis, an Elvis that could've been. Would Elvis' life have turned out differently if the lovers had not sinned by wasting their love away? Or would the inevitable have happened sooner if not later? We don't really know and that's what makes this book all the more enticing, the broken promises and potential what ifs it offers. You feel like a third wheel accompanying this couple and you fall in love not only with them, but also with the side characters: Pat and Buddy.
Elvis first sees her tanned brown face with piercing blue eyes in a sea of white faces. Her dark hair, blue eyes under thick eyelashes and deep tan will be the mold he will eventually embody for himself and look for in other women in the future. June herself is spunky, temperamental, stubborn and impetuous, all qualities we find in Elvis and very few with his other future ladies (Ann Margret perhaps is an exception). June is 5'6", intelligent, wears pants and short shorts, and speaks her mind. In fact, in their little tiffs, it is Elvis that soothes her and makes up with her. Her spunk and impetuousness leads her to a rash decision that she has confessed to Ronnie McDowell as the biggest regret of her life. And when June realizes her mistake, it is too late, her friend Pat makes sure she knows it too. And we love Pat for it, because she speaks on our behalf. Yet despite Pat's efforts, the outcome is unchanged, the dye is set.
I have not been able to let go of this book and it has been 2 days now. I have watched every documentary about June. I have listened to the soundtrack of this tragic love story, particularly 2 songs that now have a different meaning to me: Is It So Strange and Unchained Melody. These two songs are on repeat for me currently and I inevitably end up crying out of longing for these 2 (dimwits, lol). The songs June adds in her book are smart and integral to her story. Through these songs, we are swept up in the highs and lows of the lovers' thoughts and emotions. We remember and are haunted by Elvis' words: "wait for me, wait for me." And like June, in the end, we are at a lost, we listen to Elvis singing these songs, and cry over everything that could've, would've, and should've but never was. Are You Lonesome Tonight is a perfect conclusion to June's book and it best describes her melancholia and regret over the loss.
For those who seek Elvis & Me to read thinking it is a love story, read this instead. Here you will find the real Elvis. An Elvis that the writer still loves and longs for, and you feel it! They are not empty words from a dry mouth with empty sockets. If there is 1 book I will reread over and over yearly, it will be this. It haunts me now still and I think it will haunt me for years to come.
Thank you, June, for such an achingly beautiful book. Maybe in your own way, you are trying to fulfill the promise you made to Gladys. The title is fitting too, especially if it is true that June now suffers from Alzheimer's.
Ps. I forgot to mention that Peter Guralnick wrote the introduction to this book, if that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is!
To paraphrase June in an interview about Elvis, she has fun, sweet, and innocent dreams but when she wakes up reality hits her, that's in the past, it's over and her day is shot. The melancholia that pervades the book is achingly beautiful and oh-so-frustratingly tragic, because it was avoidable. There are certain books that transport you to some mythical place and in that place, only those characters exist forever. I felt like I was in June's sad whimsical surreal dream, just before she woke up!
This book is full of unfulfilled dreams, lovers' lost, and the impetuousness of youth. It also presents a different picture of Elvis, an Elvis that could've been. Would Elvis' life have turned out differently if the lovers had not sinned by wasting their love away? Or would the inevitable have happened sooner if not later? We don't really know and that's what makes this book all the more enticing, the broken promises and potential what ifs it offers. You feel like a third wheel accompanying this couple and you fall in love not only with them, but also with the side characters: Pat and Buddy.
Elvis first sees her tanned brown face with piercing blue eyes in a sea of white faces. Her dark hair, blue eyes under thick eyelashes and deep tan will be the mold he will eventually embody for himself and look for in other women in the future. June herself is spunky, temperamental, stubborn and impetuous, all qualities we find in Elvis and very few with his other future ladies (Ann Margret perhaps is an exception). June is 5'6", intelligent, wears pants and short shorts, and speaks her mind. In fact, in their little tiffs, it is Elvis that soothes her and makes up with her. Her spunk and impetuousness leads her to a rash decision that she has confessed to Ronnie McDowell as the biggest regret of her life. And when June realizes her mistake, it is too late, her friend Pat makes sure she knows it too. And we love Pat for it, because she speaks on our behalf. Yet despite Pat's efforts, the outcome is unchanged, the dye is set.
I have not been able to let go of this book and it has been 2 days now. I have watched every documentary about June. I have listened to the soundtrack of this tragic love story, particularly 2 songs that now have a different meaning to me: Is It So Strange and Unchained Melody. These two songs are on repeat for me currently and I inevitably end up crying out of longing for these 2 (dimwits, lol). The songs June adds in her book are smart and integral to her story. Through these songs, we are swept up in the highs and lows of the lovers' thoughts and emotions. We remember and are haunted by Elvis' words: "wait for me, wait for me." And like June, in the end, we are at a lost, we listen to Elvis singing these songs, and cry over everything that could've, would've, and should've but never was. Are You Lonesome Tonight is a perfect conclusion to June's book and it best describes her melancholia and regret over the loss.
For those who seek Elvis & Me to read thinking it is a love story, read this instead. Here you will find the real Elvis. An Elvis that the writer still loves and longs for, and you feel it! They are not empty words from a dry mouth with empty sockets. If there is 1 book I will reread over and over yearly, it will be this. It haunts me now still and I think it will haunt me for years to come.
Thank you, June, for such an achingly beautiful book. Maybe in your own way, you are trying to fulfill the promise you made to Gladys. The title is fitting too, especially if it is true that June now suffers from Alzheimer's.
Ps. I forgot to mention that Peter Guralnick wrote the introduction to this book, if that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is!
July 26, 2022
Interesting memoir from June Juanica, who became Elvis’s serious girlfriend just as he was becoming a star, and right at the cusp of when he became a superstar, starting to film movies but not yet in the army. It paints a portrait of Elvis as humble, polite mama’s boy, pre-drugs, pre-debauchery, a guy who loved driving and fishing and spending time with his family and friends. Before he was consumed by celebrity and corrupted by Tom Parker. Essential for any Elvis fan.
June 6, 2022
Reread: 2022
i read this in 2005 after i fell in love with elvis presley. elvis was an amazing guy, and this book made me smile, cry, laugh. the emotions that went into and the feelings that june and elvis had were amazing. i keep wondering would elvis be like if he married june and not priscilla. im glad june wrote this and made people see that elvis was a nice human and lovable person.
i read this in 2005 after i fell in love with elvis presley. elvis was an amazing guy, and this book made me smile, cry, laugh. the emotions that went into and the feelings that june and elvis had were amazing. i keep wondering would elvis be like if he married june and not priscilla. im glad june wrote this and made people see that elvis was a nice human and lovable person.
October 27, 2022
A very well written book but my goodness, the ending broke my heart. How I wish that June had stayed with Elvis as I truly believed he loved her and never stopped. Perhaps things would have turned out differently for him if she had stayed. When she broke his heart, I just ached for him and felt so angry with her. She chose to let the colonel drive a wedge between them and wrongly decided that Elvis didn’t love her and that there was no place for her in his life when there was. And I think she regretted that decision for the rest of her life. Such a sad sad ending to a truly beautiful love story.
July 10, 2012
Of course we all know how this story ends. However, As Elvis sweeps June off of her feet we get swept right along with her. This book was a wonderful insight into who the young Elvis Presley was just as his career had started taking off. You also get to know Gladys Presley "Lovie" as June called her, through Junes eyes.
This is a wonderful read for any Elvis fan! Enjoy!
This is a wonderful read for any Elvis fan! Enjoy!
July 26, 2022
my favorite before Ginger Alden's .. June really got the raw end of his heart...
October 12, 2025
This is a very well-penned story about June's relationship with Elvis. She was always connected to him, even after they both moved on in life. They stayed in touch via their friends.
After finishing this book, I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if they had stayed together. Elvis always needed someone with him to smooth out the curves in his life. He needed someone to ground him. His passion was off the charts to be the best. His manager was definitely not good for him. Tom Parker continues to be the one to blame for how his story ended. However, June did not make him the center of her book. She told about the group of people that they friended together. I was amazed at her best friend staying in touch with Elvis after June had already moved on.
June captures Elvis' true voice in this book. Her dialogue with him rings true every time. I can honestly believe her writing about their relationship and her relationship with his family. June was close to his mother, and she had a good relationship with Lovie. June knew what his mom meant to him. June mentions still being in contact with her after she had moved on in her life. The sad death of his mother was on her mind, and how he would cope without her.
Elvis kept up with what was happening in June's life after she married and had two children. He was still concerned about her. Even though he could not settle down with the demands his career kept on him, he truly did love June. However, she came to know that they would not be able to have a life together because of his career demands. Tom Parker kept getting into their lives and destroying them. He planted spies around Elvis to report to him. Parker could not stay out of Elvis's personal life. He used him to gain what he wanted out of life. Elvis did not come to terms with this until it was too late. I have read several books about this and also watched movies about it. Parker is to blame for the downfall of this superstar.
June is smart enough to know that her life would not be what it should be if she remained with Elvis. She struggles with letting him go because she truly loves him and cares what happens to him.
This comes to light in her story. She still wants to know that he is okay without her there, caring for him. But, she has her own life to live. Her best friend seems to never get over their shared time with Elvis. She wants it to continue. June knows it has to end for her because she wants to have a family and a husband who is there for her. When Elvis goes on tour and makes these movies, June finds out how her life would be if she had stayed with him.
It was heartbreaking when he bought Graceland, and his mother died so soon after this. His mother never cared for Parker. Vernon did not step up and do anything about what was going on. I was surprised that he remarried after she passed, too. He was always quiet, June said. He was passive.
The big surprise was how June revealed that Priscilla was often with these three children of Vernon's new relationship instead of at the parties with Elvis. It seems like Elvis was leading two separate lives all the time. Something that June was not okay with, and she decided to move on because she did not like this. It went against what she believed in. June knew his career would always be first. No matter what he wanted, he would do what Parker asked. Because he was afraid to be poor again.
If this superstar interests you, this is the book to read! June has a unique take on his early life. She writes about it well.
After finishing this book, I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if they had stayed together. Elvis always needed someone with him to smooth out the curves in his life. He needed someone to ground him. His passion was off the charts to be the best. His manager was definitely not good for him. Tom Parker continues to be the one to blame for how his story ended. However, June did not make him the center of her book. She told about the group of people that they friended together. I was amazed at her best friend staying in touch with Elvis after June had already moved on.
June captures Elvis' true voice in this book. Her dialogue with him rings true every time. I can honestly believe her writing about their relationship and her relationship with his family. June was close to his mother, and she had a good relationship with Lovie. June knew what his mom meant to him. June mentions still being in contact with her after she had moved on in her life. The sad death of his mother was on her mind, and how he would cope without her.
Elvis kept up with what was happening in June's life after she married and had two children. He was still concerned about her. Even though he could not settle down with the demands his career kept on him, he truly did love June. However, she came to know that they would not be able to have a life together because of his career demands. Tom Parker kept getting into their lives and destroying them. He planted spies around Elvis to report to him. Parker could not stay out of Elvis's personal life. He used him to gain what he wanted out of life. Elvis did not come to terms with this until it was too late. I have read several books about this and also watched movies about it. Parker is to blame for the downfall of this superstar.
June is smart enough to know that her life would not be what it should be if she remained with Elvis. She struggles with letting him go because she truly loves him and cares what happens to him.
This comes to light in her story. She still wants to know that he is okay without her there, caring for him. But, she has her own life to live. Her best friend seems to never get over their shared time with Elvis. She wants it to continue. June knows it has to end for her because she wants to have a family and a husband who is there for her. When Elvis goes on tour and makes these movies, June finds out how her life would be if she had stayed with him.
It was heartbreaking when he bought Graceland, and his mother died so soon after this. His mother never cared for Parker. Vernon did not step up and do anything about what was going on. I was surprised that he remarried after she passed, too. He was always quiet, June said. He was passive.
The big surprise was how June revealed that Priscilla was often with these three children of Vernon's new relationship instead of at the parties with Elvis. It seems like Elvis was leading two separate lives all the time. Something that June was not okay with, and she decided to move on because she did not like this. It went against what she believed in. June knew his career would always be first. No matter what he wanted, he would do what Parker asked. Because he was afraid to be poor again.
If this superstar interests you, this is the book to read! June has a unique take on his early life. She writes about it well.
January 4, 2024
I have been on an Elvis Presley memoir reading marathon. Pretty sad that the man never ended up writing his own. But amongst the many memoirs available, I particularly seem to enjoy reading about the ones either his long time loves. Priscilla, and now June. It’s incredible how, when I am reading the accounts of these women (as a third party) I had the same reaction each time. I feel sucked into their world, into the warmth, love and playfulness of Elvis Presley, the lover. I had the exact same feeling in both cases. I loved and wanted to read more about the time they spent together, felt like it was all consuming, felt empty when he wasn’t around. I liked how he would try and come up with a solution for everything. Overall, I have to say — I can’t get enough of reading about Elvis the Lover. Whether these memories are fabricated, or tainted by passage of time, rose tinted glasses, etc. one can never ever know. But, I had the same exact feeling reading both the books about Elvis the lover — like I can’t have enough of him.
August 18, 2024
A really interesting perspective from a woman who clearly impacted and meant a lot to Elvis, even years after their ended relationship. June's writing was also super engaging and balanced a not too formal or too casual tone. After a bit, I did get tired of the monotony of it all -- you can only read about dates, dating, and a boyfriend/girlfriend drama so much -- but this definitely felt informative to the man. I appreciate the focus of his flaws as well, and his tender moments in opposition.
A fun read for those interested in fresh takes on who Elvis was in the early years of his life.
A fun read for those interested in fresh takes on who Elvis was in the early years of his life.
April 20, 2024
I absolutely adore this book so much. They truly did always love each other. In my opinion, & I know he had f’d up & went with other women & ghosted her, I feel like if it wasn’t for Colonel absolutely hating June, and hating her with Elvis, Elvis wouldn’t have have gone to the other women & ghosted. The way she wrote about him, & the way they loved each other, if things were different, they would have ended up together. I would absolutely read this again & I definitely recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2022
It was cute! And I did enjoy it and I love June’s personality. You get a glimpse into the Elvis in the beginning of his fame. Although I find it a tad unbelievable when she says “maybe Graceland was bought for me” and thinking that she herself could change Elvis’s mind about the lifestyle he was living. Still enjoyable!
May 4, 2023
I did not want this book to end. I have such a book hangover! I adore this book. It will forever be one of my favorites. Their story is so beautifully tragic. You feel as if you are in sitting right next to them hanging out with them. I truly enjoyed reading a bit about Gladys and seeing her relationship with June. I definitely recommend this book.
December 16, 2025
I don’t know how this book isn’t more popular.
It is so underrated and had me kicking my feet the entire time. It also made me feel a sinking feeling of sadness and guilt for stardom and people who are alienated from everything.
It is so underrated and had me kicking my feet the entire time. It also made me feel a sinking feeling of sadness and guilt for stardom and people who are alienated from everything.
March 20, 2024
I loved this book so much! Absolutely one of my favorite Elvis books! Such an amazing story!
April 6, 2024
Sweet. Simple. I'm not a huge Elvis fan but definitely appreciate his popularity. It was enjoyable to "see" a different part of his life.
June 30, 2024
crying, crying, and more crying.
December 5, 2024
My absolute favorite book on Elvis <3
July 9, 2015
I first read this book in 1997. At that time in my life it devastated Elvis for me. I had to remove every image of him and could not listen to his music for years. A few years ago - much more wiser and matured- I re read this book and it moved me to tears again, but with a different perspective. This is one of my top favorite books/ memoirs!
April 21, 2014
Amazing book! An amazing story of the legend Elvis Presley's first love as well as the most real biography you are going to get.
July 4, 2016
I was expecting a soppy teenage romance, but it was much better than that. Interesting picture of Elvis at a time when he was at his most exciting.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews