Let me just tell you in short: I love this book. It made me dream away and forget about real life for a while. Minnie starts off as a shy and insecure girl and grows into a beautiful and confident woman. The character growth in this book is amazing.
However I think that some parts in this book were unbelievable. Minnie and Quinn crossing ways somehow nearly every new year's day seems quite unbelievable. But however, I really did love this book and could dream away with it!
(It also got me out of my reading slump, so thank you Sophie Cousens!)

It has been a while since I've read a romantic comedy but after reading excellent reviews of Sophie Cousen's debut on twitter I was keen to read this.

This is the story of Minnie and Quinn who were born 1 minute apart at the same hospital and who meet by chance 30 years later.

I absolutely loved this well written, charming, funny, feel good romance. Minnie is an adorable heroine and I totally believed in the well drawn cast of characters.

If you love writers like Lucy Dillon and films like Sleepless in Seattle I am sure you will love this gorgeous debut.

Highly recommended. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.

I loved this wonderful book It follows the life of Minnie Cooper born on the first of the year and unfortunately for her the second baby born in the hospital after midnight, resulting in her parents missing out on a nice cash payout and free nappies.
Minnie has always felt she has bad luck since then along with a few other bad New Year’s Eve trips so now she stays at home to avoid any incidents or any more bad luck
Minnie bakes pies and her and her best friend set up a business together which is hanging by a thread as they make pies for people who are lonely or have no one to cook for them so they rely on funding all the time
Minnies mum always told the tale of Minnie should be Quinn but the other lady in labour at same time as her pinched the name and the prize, then biazarelly at a party on New Year’s Eve Minnie meets Quinn her birthday twin
Quinn lives in a big house on primrose hill with his mum and Minnie assumes he is entitled rich and therefore not someone she could care about. Or could she
This novel follows their friendship and their mother’s friendship and where will it lead to?

The market for romance novels is so saturated that it's nearly impossible for a new book to have a wholly unique plot that is in no way similar to anything else that has been previously published. But somehow Sophie Cousens manages the unlikely feat with her second novel, This Time Next Year.

Minnie and Quinn were born only seconds apart on New Year's Day. But in Minnie's eyes, Quinn got all the luck and glory that should have been hers: for one thing, he got the name Quinn (which was going to be Minnie's name before Quinn's mother stole the idea from Minnie's mother), and he also won the prize money for having been the first baby born in London of the new year. Thirty years later, fate brings them together on New Year's Day, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The book alternates chapters between the present and the past, so we get to see all of Minnie and Quinn's almost-meets and near misses of the past, which I thought was really fun and neat to see. That said, I found it kind of ridiculous that Minnie was keeping a grudge over Quinn's "stealing" the name meant for her. And I also thought that Quinn seemed unduly damaged by his mommy issues, and, after a while, his commitment issues were just plain annoying. But, overall, This Time Next Year was super cute and enjoyable, even when it was kind of ridiculous.

My expectations for this book were extremely high, so I was a little scared that it wouldn't meet them, but I can't express well enough how much I loved it in the end.

Since the blurb, this seems to promise a lot of things and in the end it fulfilled them all. "This Time Next Year" is much more than just a love story. It is also a story about friendship, family, and loving yourself. A truly emotional journey.

The two main characters felt realistic, perfectly flawed in a way that empathized with them, even though I felt a little more connected to Minnie. The supporting characters were phenomenal too, basically because you can see how each relationship grows over time.

The writing was also fantastic. Even though it felt a little chunky at first, it didn't take long for me to pick up the pace after a while and I enjoyed every POV, which doesn't always happen to me with these kinds of books. Sophie is a new author to me, but I can't wait to read more of her works.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book; two people born on exactly the same day, in the same hospital, a minute apart. From the synopsis you'd assume it's a romantic serendipitous style story, and for the most part it is; however, it also touches on how deceptive appearances can be. From the outset, you're convinced that Quinn has a charmed life, however he has had to deal with some pretty severe issues from a young age, which in turn has affected him in his adult life.

The beautiful story that is woven around these two gorgeous characters had me hooked from the get go. The friendship that they formed was just lovely, even though you could tell that there were deeper feelings there on both sides. I also loved the development of Minnie's character throughout; she goes from strength to strength throughout the book, with the support of a kooky yet adorable set of friends (Leila in particular was my fave).

This Time Next Year was a joy from start to finish, and is easily a 5 star read for me.

This book was super cute and was a very enjoyable read. Minnie was always told she was jinxed and should have been named Quinn. The book follows Minnie as she tries to navigate losing all she has and trying to find herself and trusting in herself. It's such a great story about love between friends, love between parents and child and love between soul mates.

I thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy

Loved it!! Loved the characters, story and writing style- so pretty much everything about the book. Poor Minnie. She seems to be the most unluckiest person on her birthday, which happens to coincide with New Year's Eve. Her bad luck started on the day she was born- January 1st. She was supposed to be a Quinn but ended up Minnie Cooper. Her parents didn't think her name al the way through, so now she has the name of a car and tons of bad luck. Minnie's mom never lets her forget about not being a Quinn. Minnie's life changes when she finally meets the name stealer himself, Quinn Hamilton. Yes, Minnie does have a touch of bad luck, but the rabbit fiasco in India could have happened to anyone!! She has a great bunch of friends who are always there for her. Absolutely adored Leila and Ian.

Definitely recommend the book. It was a fun story about friendship, family, love and so much more. How can you not love a book where the main character is named Minnie Cooper and has a cat named Lucky?? The wedding proposal was over the top and hilarious at the same time. I'm not sure hw Minnie lived in her parents's house with all those clocks. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House UK, Cornerstone through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Where do you see yourself this time next year? Hopefully in far better circumstances than the one we’re all currently experiencing. This is the question that Leila, Minnie’s best friend always asks, every New Years Eve despite Minnie’s belief that the day after, her birthday, is permanently jinxed.
If you’re in need of a feel good pick me up romcom with a hapless but lovable protagonist then look no further than Sophie Cousens debut, which is a glittery,sparkly gem of a novel. Be prepared for cheesy puns (and I love them!)and the chance to swoon over a male lead who has boyfriend potential stamped all over him.

Minnie and Quinn were born just one minute apart in the same hospital on New Years Eve. Minnie was destined to have Quinn’s name but fate intervened and she ended up Minnie Cooper instead. Fast forward thirty years,and their paths might just finally cross. Can Minnie and her love twin as he is affectionately labelled become just good friends or are they destined for more??

It’s the characters that make a novel like this so enjoyable and readable. Staying true to a well used format there HAS to be a loyal best friend who whilst integral to the storyline, still allows the main star to shine. In this novel it’s Leila. Trustworthy, reliable, dependable and a great source of fun she provides the joy and colour in Minnie’s life, sticking by her through thick and thin irrespective of Minnie’s foibles. We could all benefit from a dose of Leila’s inner sparkle and positivity! The No Hard Fillings staff add the requisite helping of quirkiness as does Minnie’s dad with this passion for horology. Not sure how I’d find living in a house full of ticking clocks but it fits in nicely with the theme of time slipping away.

If you’ve ever suffered from or are close to someone whose life is ruled by anxiety then this storyline will resonate with you. These relationships can become stifling and suffocating which the author acknowledges through Quinn’s relationship with his mother Tara. It’s this strand of the storyline I found particularly telling. No amount of money will guarantee a life of happiness free from stress and worry, dispelling Connie’s long held belief that the Hamiltons have led a charmed existence compared to the Coopers. By introducing this theme into the narrative the author has added sensitivity to a character that grows more alluring with every page. I totally understood Quinn’s character and his reluctance to develop a healthy romantic relationship. Love Actually is one of my favourite films (sorry!) and I could draw parallels between the brother, living in a psychiatric unit, highly dependent on his sister who sacrifices her own happiness for his wellbeing with this storyline.

This is a romantic story for all of us that are far from perfect but have still managed to find that one best friend or partner that accepts us for who we are, warts and all and loves us no matter what. In a world where perfection is held in high regard you only have to look at life through Minnie’s eyes to know that love isn’t limited to a few select beautiful people but there for us all, as long as we are brave enough to embrace it. For me this is a love story on many levels with love not confined to a romantic nature but a recognition of the deep love that can exist between female friends, parental love and love that can be damaging and debilitating as well as the beauty of unlikely friendships.

I didn’t expect to get quite so swept away in the lives of Minnie and Quinn but before I knew it I was reading the last page. With all the New Years Eve references I can imagine the extra appeal this novel would hold reading it over the festive season, which is always a time for reflection and re-evaluation. The sliding doors moments are a touching embellishment adding to the will they won’t they feeling I carried with me for the entirety of the novel.
I finished reading this romance wanting a Quinn in my life! Failing that I’d happily settle for a friend like Leila.

This Time Next Year doesn’t quite have the wow factor necessary for me to merit giving a 5 star review as it didn’t evoke the intensity of emotion that distinguishes a fantastic novel from a very good one but if I could award half stars then this novel is definitely worthy of 4.5. As debuts go, it’s a promising start to what I hope will be a successful literary career. I shall certainly look out for more from this author.
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

Born on the same night, same hospital but world's apart. Minnie and quinn grow up very differently. A coincidental meeting on new year's day starts of an unlikely friendship. Twists and turns of life and growing up and explored. Can they find common ground to build upon? A tale that has you guessing all the way through whilst hoping for a happy ending. I won't spoil it but I would like to know what happens next.

I decided not to finish this book at 48%. The premise sounds so cute, but this far in and I'm not quite sure what the plot is, and honestly, I'm bored. I'm finding that I"m forcing myself to read this.

This plot seems to be all over the place. I haven't figured out the point of the flashbacks yet and I really don't like Minnie, the main character. She seems determined to be a downer about everything.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sophie Cousens, and Random House UK for an advanced scoot of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Very easy to fall into, this story captivated me from the get-go. The characters are so likeable and relatable in many ways. They have realistic life problems, issues that most people can empathize with (money, relationships), and we all have our quirks and superstitions we believe in that can be a driver in life.

An unconventional love story, Minnie and Quinn are fantastic main characters. Coming from very different walks of life, they are kindred spirits in the best way possible. The friendships in this story are also lovely, and as per most of the books I’ve been reading, the misfit cast is quite enjoyable! I love quirky and fun characters and there are definitely some of those here!

The author does touch on some mental health issues in this story, which is great representation, as well as a look at how it can affect those around that person. I think it does a great job showing the way those dealing with MH issues can feel and how the guilt and embarrassment can drive a person even further into their issues. It also shows the compassion and frustration that can come with dealing with such humans.

There are so many things I want to talk about with regards to this book, however I fear I would just spoil too many things. So instead, I say go out and get this book when it is released and then you can understand the reasons I’ve listed (and more) as to why I love it!!!!

Quinn and Minnie are born on New Year’s Eve, in the same hospital, one minute apart.

Their lives may begin together, but their worlds couldn’t be more different.

Thirty years later they find themselves together again in the same place, at the same time.

What if fate is trying to bring them together?

I really enjoyed this story and didn’t want to put it down once I had started. Following the characters over the year and in flash backs to the past you really feel them develop and root for them.

As well as being a rom-com style story the book also looks at how other relationship dynamics affect your perception of yourself and your place in the world. I will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author.

This is not a young adult novel; I just wanted to clarify this before starting my review.

I have really enjoyed This Time Next Year, since it's a very original romance novel that relies on powerfully sincere and humane characters.

The protagonist is called Minnie and she’s a super sweet and kind woman. It is impossible not to love her and smile as you see how much she matures throughout the book. She’s very insecure and it’s evident that she’s a little bit lost in life, but she ends up finding her path. This book has some crazy funny scenes. Minnie thinks she’s jinxed because the woman who gave birth with her mother stole the name they were going to give her; and the truth is that unfortunate things happen to poor Minnie all the time.

The chemistry between her and Quinn (the baby who got the lucky name) is palpable. He’s a very gentle and polite man, but I must admit that I didn’t fall in love with him. However, I think it’s admirable that he’s always willing to leave everything for his mother, because that shows how much he loves her and how selfless he is.
Despite being a romance novel, love arises quite late and it’s true that I wanted and needed more to truly feel satisfied in this aspect. I’m aware that the novel is not meant to solely revolve around Minnie and Quinn’s love story, so I don’t consider this to be something really negative, but rather a matter of taste. In addition, we’re presented with very realistic couples; couples made up of people who make mistakes and whose expectations are not always met. I loved that! Another thing that I liked about this book is Leila, Minnie's best friend. Leila is a wonderful human being and her relationship with Minnie is tender, funny, and pure at so many levels.

The book pivots in time to show us not only Minnie’s and Quinn’s past, but also how close they have been to each other since they were born, even though they never realised it. I hope the author writes a sequel!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 'This Time Next Year' is a heart-warming romance that speaks to the importance of self-love, friendship, and second chances. Minnie and Quinn were born a minute apart on New Years Eve only to meet again on their 30th birthday. While their lives could not have been anymore different, fate has repeatedly brought them closer together without them even knowing it. With a ton of laugh-out-loud moments, the book reeled me in from the very start and left me wanting more. Not only is the story line and concept so intriguing, the characters themselves are so well developed that you can't help but cheer them on every step of the way. I found myself smiling at their quirky antics (the proposal scene could not have been any funnier), and frowning at some of Minnie's insecurities. Overall, 'This Time Next Year' was a beautiful read that I would definitely recommend.

Imagine going to a party to find that one of the hosts was born on the same day as you, the same hospital as you literally 1 minute apart, and your mums helped each other in labour. I mean, how crazy would that be, right?

Not as crazy as finding out that your name was never intended to be Minnie Cooper but the same name as your birthday twin…..huh.

Yes, Minnie Cooper. Yes, I snlaughed and no, I do not regret it! As for the fashion choice Minnie’s best friend, Leila, thrust upon on her, well, that was comedy gold! I have no idea how many times I laughed out loud at this book, all I know is that I do not have enough fingers to work it out!

‘This Time Next Year’ doesn’t have a serious undertone in general, however the storyline focuses on mental health and agoraphobia in more of a branching off manner, despite it having an impression on one of the main characters, Quinn. I say ‘impression’ loosely as I don’t want to give any of the storyline away, so please don’t think I am trivialising the importance of mental health because I’m not at all. I, along with millions of others, suffer with anxiety and depression.

Anyway, back to it! I really enjoyed Sophie Cousens’ novel and the humour that was laced throughout the entire read. It was so refreshing to read a book that contained enough humour to make me laugh out loud more times than I have in a while. I thought that the storyline was pure fun, pure indulgence and pure escapism. What more can you ask for?

Minnie’s love story isn’t like the one with Mickey, in fact it is completely different as it involves pie. Thousands of pounds worth of pie to be exact. Oh, and a super fan of Jennifer Aniston! Although to be fair, who ISN’T a super fan of Jennifer Aniston? She’s gorgeous!

I have a very strong feeling that Sophie Cousens’ novel is going to soar and, if an author can create a unique and hilarious love story that just keeps on giving, I absolutely cannot wait to see how Cousens’ puts her own individual spin on other novels in the future.

Minnie Mouse….sorry, Cooper, has a love interest and its not Mickey Mouse! Fun, loving, hilarious, and unique – definitely a catch in my eyes!

What do you get when you combine the name Minnie Cooper, "bad luck", and a nonlinear timeline? You get "This Time Next Year." I enjoyed reading about Minnie's story, and how she has a very unlucky birthday/New Year because her name was stolen during her birth. This book is lighthearted, serious when necessary, and keeps the reader engaged in wanting to know more. We get to see the interactions between Minnie and Quinn, the name-stealer, and how their relationship evolves.

Minnie is surrounded by likeable friends/employees such as Leila and Beverly, but has this jerk boyfriend Greg. Of course, this drew me closer to the life of Minnie. I would recommend this book to be read at any time of the year. It is not your typical/traditional love story, and for that reason, I loved it even more.

A beautiful, heart warming book with hope, love and laughter. Follow developing friendships and the antics they get up to. I highly recommend this novel from Sophie.

Oh I loved this gentle romcom book, it had me smiling many times the way through.
Minnie has always hated New Years Eve, somehow she feels its jinxed maybe because she was a minute too late to be first the baby born in the nineties in a local competition and then her mother’s favourite name Quinn was given to that very baby. She instead became Minnie Cooper and has always been told by her Mum that things wouldn’t have happened to a Quinn Cooper.
What happens when she meets the Quinn who ‘stole’ her name?
This was such a feel good novel for me and I loved seeing Minnie’s growth throughout the story. Even though we could tell Minnie’s Mum loved her, I could totally understand why Minnie didn’t have much self confidence. Thank goodness for her best friend Lelia.
Interspersed at the start of some chapters the book has some sliding door moments when Minnie and Quinn actually met on the dreaded New Years Eve without them knowing over the past number of years. It did take one of two of these moments, to get into that groove.
This had all the hallmarks of a romcom I love, supportive friends, quirky characters, funny moments, some snarkiness and the realisation that someone means more than you than you though.
Read in two sittings.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. This book was a slow start for me, but by mid book it just exploded. Well worth the wait. I enjoyed this one.