I loved absolutely everything about Bees in June. It’s a magical, uplifting, endearing, and charming story. Think Waitress meets Midnight at the Blackbird Café. With bees.
What’s Bees in June about?
Bees in June is about Rennie, a young woman stuck in an unhappy and increasingly abusive marriage. Rennie needs to find meaning in her life after her newborn son passes away and her husband withdraws from their relationship. When she accepts a job cooking and baking at the local diner, she rediscovers her joy in feeding and taking care of others, which prompts her to reconsider her life choices.
Rennie also spends a lot of time with her Uncle Dixon. He owns a nearby farm and cultivates bees, with which she’s always had a special and mystical relationship. The family bees lead Rennie along her journey of self-discovery, appearing to her when she’s most in need of safety.
Although there’s a lot of hope, magic, and love in Bees in June, there’s also quite a bit of sadness. Be prepared for the loss of a child, death in several forms, and domestic violence. Rennie’s husband is a complete and utter piece of shit. Just wait until you see where that storyline takes you.
What I loved about Bees in June
When I say I loved everything about Bees in June, I meant it. I couldn’t put this book down, and I was upset every time I had to do something besides read. This novel is full of optimism, grief, struggle, courage, and magic. It’s a story about the bond between family and friends, about knowing your worth, and about listening to your gut. It’s about a woman taking back her life with the support of those around her — including her honeybees.
Author Elizabeth Bass Parman draws you into Rennie’s world that oozes Southern small-town charm, mystical elements, and plenty of loveable characters. I adored meeting Rennie’s sweet and stalwart Uncle Dixon; her sassy and smarter-than-you-think cousin, May Dean; and the inspirational and encouraging diner owner, Arden.
And, of course, Rennie herself is wonderful. You love her and root for her. You want only the best for her, just like her beloved honeybees. The memory of Rennie’s kind and mysterious Aunt Eugenia drives a lot of the story, along with these otherworldly insects that seem to “belong” to Rennie’s family through generations.
Let’s talk about the bees
The honeybees in Bees in June are a rather unique element. Parman gives them their own (short) chapters in the book. I admittedly thought the bee narrative was a bit weird at first; the bees’ way of “speaking” is enigmatic. The bees reminded me of a Greek chorus, mysteriously popping up to comment on what’s happened so far, to impart some insightful wisdom, and to give the reader a glimpse of what’s to come.
After a short while, I started to appreciate the eccentric little passages in Bees in June. Giving the bees their own narrative was a great way to emphasize just how important they are to Rennie, and to the story in general.
Should you read Bees in June?
You should read Bees in June if you love magical realism authors Heather Webber and Sarah Addison Allen; if you love foodie fiction like The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living; and if you enjoy women’s fiction about women leaving a shitty life behind to step into their own power. It’s a great pick for book clubs, and I really have my fingers crossed for a movie or TV series adaptation in the future.
And, yes, while Rennie’s story does contain some romance, Bees in June is a life story. And I love that about this book.
What’s the book-inspired recipe for Bees in June?
Stay tuned for the book-inspired recipe: Honey Crunch Cake.
Although I received a complimentary advance copy of Bees in June from Kaye Publicity, all opinions expressed in this review are my own. I was not compensated in any way for this review or for any other promotion/publicity I’ve done related to this book.
