Ben Willows has always been reserved, and after his wife June passes away, he sees no need to change. But kindhearted June had other plans: before falling ill she was helping out a young pregnant girl named Rose Swann, and June made Rose promise that she would introduce herself to Ben. Ben meets with Rose begrudgingly, considering her “June’s problem,” but the closer he gets to Rose the more he opens up to those around him, and learns just how much June meant to their small community.
Ben is thrown into Rose’s life when she goes into labor during their meeting. Although Ben tells himself that he will just drive her to the hospital and leave, he finds himself pacing in the parking lot, unwilling to leave the girl on her own. Rose has distanced herself from the father of her child, who also lives in the town, but opens herself up to Ben when an unexpected accident brings them even closer together.
Heyworth’s prose is clear and her portrayals of Ben and Rose very fair: Ben is a bit of a curmudgeon with a good heart, and Rose is independent and strong to the point of being stubborn. Although the story is centered on Ben and Rose, perspectives shift to a number of characters in this small Maine town, which provides the reader with a fuller picture of the community and adds humor and drama to the plot. Figuring out how all of the characters come together, and how the ever-present June fits into each of their lives, is an engaging part of the story.
The book is consistently well written but characters have a habit of reminiscing for too long, which slows the book down. Many of the plot points, such as a stray dog who arrives on Ben’s doorstep on the day he’s decided to get a dog, and the mirroring of the lives of the characters, are too convenient: but ultimately the story is sweet enough to forgive the cheesiness.
AFTER JUNE is the heartwarming story of a widower finding his way in the world thanks to several serendipitous connections.
Reviewed by Danielle Bukowski for IndieReader