This sweet book is the perfect escape for 2020, and highlights all of the quintessential British things I love.

Minnie and Quinn are born one minute apart from each other on New Years Eve, and although they grow up in drastically different environments, they randomly meet on their 30th birthday. The novel jumps back and forth between various NYEs and NYDs until the two make their way truly find each other.

I am a huge fan of books that take place in various times and jump back and forth in the timeline, and I wish this book did a better job of making this aspect more seamless. Many times I was confused as to which year we were in. I was a huge fan of the secondary characters that Sophie created, and loved that she made so many of them as realistic. Tara was wonderfully described, and the real issues of mental health that many people deal with today. The book shows the importance of family bonds and friendship - even very unlikely friendships between Tara and Connie which becomes extremely important to both of them but especially Tara.

This book is so much more than a romance novel, and highlights family relationships, friendships, the importance of mental health, and had many heartwarming moments. I'm excited to see what Sophie Cousens comes up with next!

Thank you to Sophie Cousens, Random House UK/Cornerstone, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

4/5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I honestly don’t even know how to begin putting into words just how much I loved this book.

I adored the writing style of this author and the structural devices employed within this wonderful story - from it flitting between the past and the present and it being written in an omniscient style for both Quinn and Minnie - it sucks the reader in and has you willing fate to intervene.

Fate and luck is a fundamental theme in this novel, as it tells the story of two babies being born, to different mothers, one minute apart and how fortune seems to favour one over the other, whilst the other dwells on the what ifs...

This story made me happy, angry, saddened, frustrated, from one chapter to the next. I devoured this delicious book because I couldn’t get enough of it.

The writer’s flair for writing leaves you bereft wanting more. At points, I questioned how this story could be concluded with such few pages left, but the author just nailed it. It even had me questioning whether this was really a debut novel.

I am not someone who’d usually read a book twice, but this is one that I would make an exception for. I can see myself reading this again, as well as buying it for others (and myself) and recommending it time and time again, as it strikes the right balance for hitting you in the feelies, whilst being funny too.

A wonderfully warm and witty - it is a must read, especially on a cold, dismal and wintry day.

A cracking read. A rom com with the feelgood factor thrown in. When Quinn and Minnie meet for the first time one new years eve and discover they were born on the same new years day one minute apart, Minnie finds herself drawn to him but as things normally go wrong for her on this particular night of the year she's convinced she is jinxed. A great mix of characters and a story that makes you laugh and cry loved it

Do you believe in fate? Minnie and Quinn are born minutes apart on New Year’s Eve. Minnie has heard about Quinn her whole life, because that is what she was supposed to be named - Quinn Cooper. Nothing bad would ever happen to a Quinn Cooper her mom would say. But when your name is Minnie Cooper and your jinxed every New Year’s with unforeseen incidents, you shy away from big plans to ring in the new year.

Minnie meets Quinn on their 30th birthday after being locked in a bathroom all night. They may be from different worlds, but there is no denying the connection. The book alternates between past, present and all the times their paths have crossed unbeknownst to them. Maybe they were destined to find each other after all!
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My thoughts: I absolutely loved this book. I occasionally read romance but it’s not my typical genre, but I’d definitely read more if they were like this book. Great plot and the characters are so enjoyable. Who doesn’t like a character named Minnie Cooper?

This is a romance story plus more. Minnie and Quinn are born one minute apart on New Years. They grow up in very different environments, with very different families. The story moves back and forth in time from the present where Minnie and Quinn are starting their relationship to past New Years. It was a unique take on the traditional love story and I really enjoyed it. The characters are well rounded and it was interesting to see their backstories. It really helped to understand their personalities (and Minnie’s “birthday curse”). The supporting characters were also very strong. I did need to pay close attention to where we were in time at different moments but it is worth the effort. I really enjoyed the ending and I will keep an eye out for future books by this author.

Thanks to Sophie Cousens, Random House UK/Cornerstone, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one was a bit cheesy but that’s to be expected. There was a lot of flashing back and forth that was a bit hard to keep track of. I wish the main characters built up the romance a bit more - the author told us a lot how much Minnie liked Quinn but we never really got to see them experience that.

I enjoyed this book a lot, which surprised me to be honest because I'm not usually fan of timelines that jump around. But the characters were so engaging and the moving timeline so well entangled into the story that I didn't mind it one bit. It was exactly the sort of romance I love - the type that isn't expected or trite, that is intertwined with friends, family and real life. I'd be interested in reading more from this author.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for this honest review.

I enjoyed this, it's a very warm read. I liked the characters and seeing their relationship develop. Perfect read to cosy up with at this time of year

This Time Next Year was an enjoyable read that was very easy to fall into. The plot was pretty bland and a tad too predictable, so the oversimplicity kind of nagged me throughout the book. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it and I'd recommend it to anyone who's looking for an easy, lighthearted read (especially since the festive season is upon us!).

#'This Time Next Year by Author #Sophie Cousins is a wonderful book. It's posted on my Instagram blog in August. This is a novel that has fate, friendship and romance. How it's time to switch to Instagram #Maddie_approves_book_reviews for this amusing, fun and quirky blog!!

This Time Next Year is the perfect book for all of us right now.
A lot can change in a year, and we are all experiencing that in an unprecedented, and unfortunately negative way with this pandemic.

But this book, which is so tied to time, and yet charts an alternate reality in 2020, it made me feel so hopeful. People can change, things can go right, and even scared, flawed, messy people can find love. That feels like the perfect message to me for these times, and this story is so fun in addition!

Makes me believe in fate just a little bit.

Minnie Cooper and Quinn Hamilton have been on the periphery of each other's lives from the moment they were born, on January 1st, 1990.

Their journey to being together is not straightforward, but they get there eventually, after they both undergo significant growth and figure out a way to navigate their own issues together.

It's a fun, thoughtful novel, and I hope to read more of its kind from Sophie Cousens!

Thank you NetGalley for my advance copy of this book.
This was an enjoyable, yet predictable read which I wanted to love but didn’t. Even though I did enjoy this book, the description sounded exactly like the type of book I love (will they/won’t they storyline with a One Day feel) but I just didn’t love it. I think (possibly unfairly) I had high expectations for this book which it just didn’t reach. Had I not wanted to love it so much I probably would have enjoyed it more. Having said that, I did enjoy this book and would read another book by this author.

I will defuse rereading this book during December; a festive holiday read that delivers on the perfect amount of romcom.

I know that Minnie & Quinn are the couple of near misses that Nora Ephron would have turned into a classic.

I love how fate plays such a key role in this novel and how learning to accept yours is such a key theme. The second, third, and fourth chance romance left me laughing, crying, and wishing it would never end.

This was a fun, quick read, and I had a huge smile on my face when I finished reading!

Minnie and Quinn were born at the same time and at the same place, and fate makes sure that they find their way to each other every time. At first glance, it seems like they have nothing in common, but they of course learn that they do, despite their difference in status. I enjoyed seeing Minnie grow into a confident woman, and I loved seeing her and Quinn push each other's buttons.

All in all, this is a very comforting read, though I would have loved more focus on how Minnie and Quinn's relationship. Everything else worked for me.

There's just something about New Year's Eve and the power it has for amazing things that I am so glad this author chose to capture in this adorable romance. A fast read with a story that had you rooting them on, that you couldn't stop reading, but also didn't want to end. Basically everything you want in a romance novel. I can't believe this is Cousens debut romance novel, I'm already looking forward to what she'll write next!

A sweet and enjoyable romance story between two characters full of life and so different in any possible way. We all know how opposite attracts but still, these two have another kind of connection that it’s more rare to find.
They were born at the same time in the same hospital and over the years their path have crossed many times but in their adult life, at the age when they should start to think about having a family of their own, they meet again and everything changes.
There are many moments that I really enjoyed reading about them, their interaction with the families and all the ups and downs and experience and expectations for an young adult nowadays it can be read on the story.
Because I love romance, i would say this story it’s more woman fiction with a couple looking for that romantic elements in their relationship.
It’s a good book for escaping in a fictional world for few hours spent in these uncertain moments

This Time Next Year tells the story of Minnie and Quinn, two New Year’s Eve babies, whose very different lives have seemingly revolved around each other (without making contact) since the instant they were born (mere seconds apart in adjacent hospital rooms). When they finally do meet on the eve of their 30th birthday, sparks fly; but is their instant attraction and shared history enough to finally bring them together? Only time will tell…

As a huuuge fan of romance novels, I was very excited to pick up this book. Maybe I’m just primed for grand romantic gestures and confessions happening on the eve of a new year from all the wonderful romcoms that have perfected the trope (see: When Harry Met Sally), but the premise of this novel just sounded like the ultimate romantic tale.

And in a lot of ways this story achieved just that. This Time Next Year read like a short and sweet romantic comedy. I could picture the movie playing out in my head while reading this book.

Nevertheless, there were a few aspects of this novel that gave left me with a bittersweet aftertaste. Particularly, I personally found it a little hard to get behind these two leads falling in love. I guess I just found them lacking the level of chemistry I tend to expect in a romance novel.

Maybe it’s just because I’m ~old~ now, but it seems the more I read (and the older I get) the less and less I find the emotionally unavailable male love interest to be that attractive. I do think Quinn improved in the end, and was therefore a worthy partner for Minnie. But it took SUCH A LONG TIME to get there, and I just wasn’t super into that.

I also found the timeline jump near the middle of the book disjointed and hard to follow. It really pulled me out of the novel, unfortunately, and after that it took me a while to get fully engaged in the story again.

Despite my critics though, I found the almost meeting between the two protagonists and just missing each other over the many years (and many New Year’s Eves) trope was very romantic and well executed. And overall I thought this book was a mostly fun, lighthearted read.

Thank you to the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone/Arrow, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I love stories that have a hint of fantasy sprinkled in without being full on Avatar. Ya feel me, here? I love the whimsy, but not the blue creatures.

This book had that fine line of whimsy and fantasy to suit my liking, while keeping me so engaged and entertained. I also loved reading about NYE and fresh beginnings...who doesn't crave a fresh start from 2020?

Omg I can’t tell you how much I adored this book. The characters were amazing, literally every single one of them was unique and quirky and I just loved that. I love when characters have realistic life problems that you can relate to. The protagonist Minnie Cooper (poor thing) was such a loveable character and I instantly took a liking to her. The love interest Quinn Hamilton melted my heart and was absolute perfection! Minnie and Quinn are from completely different worlds, but you cannot deny the connection they had between them and I thoroughly enjoyed watching their feelings develop. I also loved the banter between them both!

One of the things I loved most about this book is that the author included some mental health issues and raises awareness of how it can also affect the people closest to them. Something so minor to some can be a trigger for someone suffering with mental health and this can cause mixed emotions for loved ones around them from compassion to frustration to guilt and embarrassment. I think Sophie done a great job of showing all of this in such a beautiful way.

Overall, this book was full of humour, was a really enjoyable read and to top it all off, it has the perfect ending! I will definitely be keeping a look out for more books written by this author.

"Where do you want to be this time next year?"

Minnie is a New Year's baby and this day is haunting her, because she always has a bad luck on that day. Meanwhile Quin seems to have the perfect life. They meet on a New Year's party, but they have another thing in common. They were born at the same day and time at the same hospital..

I enjoyed this book so much!! It was such a cute and lovely story! The writing was great and I enjoyed the flashbacks of each character. It definitely showed a bit more of their character and how each of them faced life. I also loved the secondary characters, with Leila being one of my favorites!!

The characters were very well written, the dialogues were pure gold and it was such a heartfelt story that I truly recommend if you're in need of a YA contemporary! I have to admit that I felt more connected to the characters because I'm also a New Year's baby and I demand that membership to the elite club!! ;)