Whenever the winter season starts, I just want cozy, happy, holiday romances. It’s just the perfect season for fluff with a side of spice and Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey definitely delivers! I picked this up as my monthly Amazon First Reads book, hoping it would be fluffy and excited that it was just as spicy.
This is absolutely a read by the vibes kind of book. If you’re someone who cannot handle an unrealistic premise (why??) then you might have some issues with this backdrop. Yes, it makes no sense that they are able to get a marriage greencard within a year. Yes, it makes no sense that a white Canadian hockey player was going to be deported from America. Yes, it makes no sense that the government employee just happened to walking into the office at the same time they’re making out (was he coming back from lunch? coming in late to work?) Yes, it makes no sense that it is easier for a Canadian to get drafted into the NHL while in America than Canada (especially considering it isn’t for a national team or the Olympics.) And yes, it is absolutely makes no sense that a defenseman would get drafted into the NHL in his late 20s after a long spate of injuries kept him from getting picked up when he was younger. If you can ignore all of that, you’ll love this. I did!
Sumner plays amateur hockey but is close to get drafted into the big leagues BUT he’s about to be deported. He’s also WILDLY in love with Britta, his teammates half-sister. New Years Eve, she is convinced to marry him with the condition that they not fall in love and get a divorce promptly one year later. Sumner accepts but takes his as his opportunity to make her fall in love with him.
This is dual POV which I really enjoyed. Sumner is so hopelessly in love with Britta that it made me realize that is my one true favorite trope. Just a guy that is so completely and hopelessly in love and desperate for the girl to love him back (but also respectful of her choices/etc.) Sumner continually held himself at bay, knowing this wasn’t something Britta wanted, even when we the reader knew she did. He kept honest with her and never tried to push any advantage. Britta was a great heroine. She didn’t let herself get pushed around and stood firm on what she wanted. Her character definitely developed despite the novella being only 144 pages. Britta starts off so commitment-phobic and eventually, with Sumner by her side, works through her issues to decide what matters the most.
Despite saying this is gave me fluffy feelings, it also was such great spice. It was so unexpected. I thought it was going to just be a cutesy holiday romance and then suddenly explicit sex/thoughts. It was very well written and hot as hell.
Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey is such a great fluffy/spicy romance that bookends New Years Eve to New Years Eve. If you’re looking to read something quick but hot, definitely pick this up!
memorable quotes
“Traditionally, women are expected to dream of their weddings. But I’ve been thinking of mine since my oldest sister got married a decade ago. I want that moment, surrounded by family and friends, where I commit to love and protect someone my entire life. I want the person I’m marrying to know I mean it. Then I want to spend my life proving myself to them. I just haven’t met a woman that I could picture walking toward me in a white dress. Yet.”
Chapter Two – Sumner
“Can you not see that I’m starving to death for you? Can’t you tell I missed you so horribly that my family couldn’t even make me smile? “
Chapter Five – Sumner
“Learn to love me too,” I demand, in my own vulnerable state where my head and heart and lust are in a jumble, and I have zero control over what comes out of my mouth. “Love me like I love you.”
Chapter Seven – Sumner
