June Gray

“I’ve been on two deployments and I’ve found myself in really dangerous situations, but not once did I feel like I would actually die. But this time it feels as if … as if maybe I’m not coming home.” — Graham to Eden

I came across author June Gray’s splendid novelette, Under the Wishing Tree, because it was a featured new release on the GR blog of another writer I recently discovered, Maida Malby. Having some free time while on a break from writing, I decided to check it out and was rewarded with a surprisingly tender and resonating romantic story about two lonely people who make a deep and tender connection that lasts much longer than their brief time together.

Packaged as a small town, second chance romance, this becomes a bit more than that because of the author’s deft skill and sensitivity in crafting this story. June Gray imbues Under the Wishing Tree with a quiet but not insubstantial resonance you don’t normally associate with this genre and related sub-genres.

Told in alternating short chapters between the past and present, with Graham Moore narrating the past, and Eden Mendoza narrating the present, the short length of the chapters and the backstory juxtaposed against the now, makes for a very engaging and romantic narrative.

Moore is a soldier compelled to take the wrong train on his way to prepare for combat and then ship out to hostile territory. What he finds in Oakwood Hollow is a charming small town awaiting a festival which surrounds a wishing tree. It is a quaint, lovely small town with a host of quirky yet endearing townsfolk which includes a young girl who holds book club meetings for one — herself. The author does a nice job with these secondary characters, adding color and depth to the story, while turning Oakwood Hollow into a real place for the reader.

The best thing Moore discovers in Oakwood Hollow, however, is not the town, but the owner of the Someday Cafe. It is that meeting, and one wonderful day, that casts a shadow over the present. That day from the past is seen through Graham’s eyes, while the present, with it’s lonely ache for what might have been, is seen through the eyes and heart of Eden. Letters, that wishing tree, what happened and whether there can ever be a way forward for Eden are elements of this sensitive and heartfelt novelette.

June Gray gives both sides of her romantic entanglement some nice moments, but we feel Eden’s heartache in the present without Graham the most palpably. The loss of her father, whom Eden talks to at his gravesite, and bits about the town’s reaction in the past to the letters Eden receives give us insight into both Eden, and a feel for Oakwood Hollow. I can’t go into much more detail than that, but it is a lovely story that’s well written and splendidly executed by the author.

Because of how the story is packaged and marketed — including the cozy-style cover — I think it’s warranted for other readers to know there are a couple of softly explicit scenes of intimacy in Under the Wishing Tree. In the scenes, June Gray manages to capture the passion and desire while not forgetting the feelings wrapped up with the need to connect. The author’s descriptive choices create the heat but remain tasteful, making those brief scenes as well done as every other element in this resonating story.

I only make mention of it in case that’s not your thing, or perhaps not what you’re expecting due to the cozy-style cover and book description — I know it surprised me. Though I certainly didn’t mind those scenes, as a writer I thought the author had done such a wonderful, sensitive job with her characters, especially Eden, that had she chosen to place those scenes off-screen in this particular story, Under the Wishing Tree would have been just as great. That’s not a knock in any way, but rather a compliment.

All in all this is a lovely and tender story that’s tremendously engaging. Though novelette, or short novella in length, Under the Wishing Tree feels full, rich even, which is to author June Gray’s credit. I'm happy to see this listed as the first book, and hope this writer continues to gravitate toward stories like this, because Under the Wishing Tree was a terrific find. Very highly recommended.… (more)

I love forbidden romances. I want the author to convince me that these our leads should defy all convention and stay together--you need to prove it to me.

And this one didn't totally reach that goal.

A mutual love of books does not seem a valid of enough reason to sleep with your mom's boyfriend...#sorrynotsorry

Originally this story was written as serial parts and this novel is the bundled version of those parts. And it shows not only because this is divided into parts but also because the story moves fast and keeps the details to a minimum. Which works well since there is always some new twist that occurs to keep the reader coming back for more.

But in the same breathe, that means you really only scratch the surface of what is happening here. Instead of teasing out the conflict, you only what's needed to get the point across.

I'm not saying I wanted a full blown essay on why it's ok to lust after your mom's boyfriend--I just wanted to explore this situation a bit more because it is so unique. And I didn't totally get that here.

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: http://wp.me/p7hLUw-1OA
Actual Rating: 3/5
… (more)

Loved this! The chemistry between Henry and Elsie was off the charts hot! I love a great friends-to-lovers romance ESPECIALLY when the friends have unwittingly been in love with each the whole time. I was a little pissed off with Henry a time or two (I won't say why, lest I spoil the story) but ultimately I rooted for him to pull his head outta his nether parts and win the girl! My only complaint to the author was picking such old-fashioned names for the main characters. I mean, Elsie? Seems like a name you give your prized heifer, not your romantic heroine, lol. I may have had to mentally change her name to ELISE in order to believe the story but that was the only "flaw". Great story, wonderful writing. I particularly liked the "Henry Sessions" because we got a better understanding of what made him tick. Just made me fall even deeper in love with him...also why I was screaming "oh come ON!!!" when he behaved stupidly (again, I won't give spoiling details). A widely recommended read if you like friends-to-lovers romance with a sassy heroine and a sexy, slightly scarred hero! Who doesn't??… (more)