Seven Days in June

Seven Days in June follows Eva Mercy, a successful writer of vampire erotica and single mother to a teenage daughter in Brooklyn. When she encounters Shane Hall, a reclusive literary author, at a Black literary event in Manhattan, their intense chemistry becomes impossible to ignore. The two writers share a secret past - a passionate week-long romance from their teenage years that neither has forgotten. Now reunited 15 years later, they must confront their history while navigating their present-day lives and careers in the publishing world. As Eva and Shane spend a week together in New York City, they grapple with chronic pain conditions, family obligations, and the creative process. Their rekindled connection forces them to examine how their past choices have shaped their current realities. The novel explores themes of second chances, Black art and literature, disability, and how trauma can both damage and fuel creativity. Through Eva and Shane's story, Williams examines the complexities of love across time and the possibility of healing old wounds.

Readers connect deeply with the complex romance between Eva and Shane, particularly their shared experiences with chronic pain and trauma. Many note the authentic portrayal of invisible disabilities and Black creative culture. What readers liked: - Raw, honest dialogue - Representation of chronic migraine sufferers - Balance of humor with serious themes - Literary references and writing about writers - Chemistry between main characters What readers disliked: - Pacing slows in middle sections - Some found the teenage flashbacks less compelling - A few readers wanted more resolution in the ending Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (162,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (21,000+ ratings) StoryGraph: 4.27/5 Notable reader comments: "Finally a romance that doesn't ignore disability" - Goodreads reviewer "The migraine descriptions hit so close to home" - Amazon review "Love the literary world building but wanted faster plot movement" - StoryGraph user

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🖋️ Author Tia Williams drew from her own experiences with chronic migraine headaches to create Eva's character, adding depth and authenticity to Eva's struggles. 📚 The book's central romance was partially inspired by the author's experience of reconnecting with her high school sweetheart via social media years later. ✍️ Eva's career as an erotica writer explores a growing literary trend: Black women authors reclaiming the romance and erotica genres, historically dominated by white authors and characters. 🎨 The novel's portrayal of the contemporary Brooklyn art scene reflects Williams' own connections to the community, gained during her 15-year career as a beauty editor in New York City. 📖 The book was selected as a Reese's Book Club Pick in June 2021, catapulting it onto the New York Times bestseller list, where it remained for several weeks.