This Time Next Year

By: Sophie Cousens

3.5/5 🕰

Minnie hates New Year's Eve and Day. Her misfortune started the day she was born: January 1, 1990. She was one minute late, losing not only a $50,000 prize, but also her name! Now, every December 31 through January 1, Minnie faces disaster after disaster. She firmly believes she's jinxed, wishing she could just disappear every birthday.

Quinn Hamilton has it all. He was born as the first 90's baby in London, earning him a $50,000 jumpstart and notorious name. He lives life to the fullest and feels even more good fortune every birthday.

The two have a chance meeting on their 30th birthday, where they realize they were the babies born one minute apart. Through her use of changing time periods, Cousens reveals that this may not be the first chance meeting the two have had. In the year following Quinn's birthday party, both he and Minnie go through many changes, reveal secrets, and learn life lessons. Where will they be this time next year?

Overall, this story was an adorable NYE read. As someone who hates the holiday, this cute little tale thawed my heart towards the NYE hype. My absolute favorite component of the story was Cousens use of time periods. She switched between the past and present, showcasing all the NYE each character experienced. The reason this was so powerful is because as a reader, you start to connect the dots between Quinn and Minnie and all their missed connections. It was wonderful to read about the importance of timing and truly seeing what's in front of you. My inner romantic also loved the common theme of "the one" being right in front of you, but not appearing until you're ready to accept it.

While the writing and story themselves were winning points for me, I did have a few complaints about the book. For starters, Minnie's attitude really began to grate my nerves halfway through the book. I also was beginning to get annoyed at how she kept lying to herself. I don't know... at some point it was like "girl, get it together." I also felt like yelling at Quinn often. However, I do understand the importance of having "real" characters... characters with flaws and mistakes. Characters who make the same bad choices that we all make constantly. I love happily ever afters, but I also appreciate a book with reality. I guess for me, this one was a little too drawn out in that regard. The romance was too fast, then stopped, then too fast, then disappeared, and then it was summed up in the last few pages. It felt like something was missing while also having way too much at the same time.

Despite these "grievances," I did truly enjoy this book. I was able to get lost in the scenes and scenarios, and it did have a romantic feel. It's the first NYE book I've ever read, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I will say that I imagine it's well done for such a strange holiday to write about!