Look no further for a perfect beach read. In this latest book by Annabel Monaghan, author of last year's hit "Nora Goes Off Script", this story is one of second chances and childhood love. Samantha (aka Sam I Am) returns to her parents beach house on Long Island with Jack, her city fiancé in tow. Jack has never been, although they've been together for 4 years. He's very precise, rigid, and monochrome in his life as well as obsessed with tennis. Sam works for a human resource company and helps clients retain or dismiss employees based on data. It's been a long time since Sam has been to see her parents at their beach house where It's very beachy, whimsical , artsy, relaxing, and happy. Except Jack can't feel it. Also home for the summer is the boy next door, Wyatt, who broke Sam's heart when he left to go to California to find his dream as a singer / song writer. Sam had fallen apart but felt she moved on...until she sees Wyatt once again and the past resurfaces of all the special moments they shared. The attraction is strong and he knows her well. Sam is a different person with Wyatt, more free which she is struggling with. It turns out that Wyatt never stopped loving Sam which showed in the music he wrote which I can only imagine were great tunes.I loved all the descriptions of the ocean and the sand which made me feel as if I was there. See? Perfect beach read. I enjoyed reading this book and did so quickly. Was it as good as Nora Goes Off Script? No, sad to say. It's all romance (not smutty) and could be classified as chick lit, no humor here. But it was a wonderful distraction for the day and worthy to be on your summer reading list. I would recommend it.
Many thanks to #netgalley #annabelmonaghan #putnampress #sametimenextyear for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I've never really spent a summer at a beach, but somehow this book still filled me with nostalgia. Annabel Monaghan has mastered the act of telling a story that's filled with setting, story, and character in what will never feel like enough pages. You can feel the aching angst, the frustration, the connection. This story does make you wait for it- it's a slow burn but doesn't feel slowly paced.

If I'm really pressed, I loved this SLIGHTLY less than Nora Goes Off Script, but it's a slim margin, and I'm already hoping for another book from this author.

Thank you to net galley, and Putnam a branch of Penguin publishing for allowing me to read this arc. This book was the lite summer beachy read that I needed to enjoy. The story was cute and easy to read Sam and Wyatt spent their summers growing up as teenagers but, then life got in the way. Sam is about to get married she arrives at the beach with her Jack her soon to be husband. This story you will enjoy. I cant wait for her to write her next book.

This is a deeply heartfelt novel, more women's fiction than romance. The pace is a little slow for me. DNF ~34%.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This one was really cute and I really enjoyed reading it! It’s the perfect, cute, and sweet romance for the summer!

I absolutely LOVED this book! It had so many elements that I love: childhood friends to lovers, a story told over a series of summers, then and now storylines, second-chance romance, and it takes place in New York! For so much of the time I was reading this, I was literally craving the beach! When I think of summer reads, I don't typically think of Long Island, but the summer vibes in this book were immaculate! Sam and Wyatt grew up spending their summers together at the beach; it was only a matter of time before they got together. Their relationship was so cute! One summer though, Wyatt discovers something that threatens to tear his family apart, and it also ends up tearing him away from Sam. Now over 10 years later, Sam is engaged to Jack, and decides to spend some time with him and her family back on Long Island. She wasn't planning on Wyatt also being there...
This book reminded me of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Every Summer After, and One True Loves! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

"Same Time Next Summer" is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that delves deep into the complexities of love, loss, and the power of nostalgia.

In this story, Annabel Monaghan takes readers on a poignant journey alongside Sam, a woman who finds herself confronted with her first love after fourteen long years apart. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque Long Island beach house, the novel immerses readers in a world of summer memories and bittersweet nostalgia.

Monaghan skillfully weaves together the past and present, allowing Sam's recollections of her time with Wyatt to unfold gradually, building suspense and emotional resonance. Sam's internal struggle is vividly portrayed as she questions her current life choices and grapples with the feelings stirred up by Wyatt's unexpected reappearance.

The nostalgia-infused atmosphere of the beach house and the evocative descriptions transport readers to a time when Sam and Wyatt's love story began. The author expertly captures the emotions and complexities of first love, the pain of heartbreak, and the lasting impact it can have on one's life.

As Sam navigates her present relationship with her fiancé, Jack, and rekindles her connection with Wyatt, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster filled with tension, longing, and self-discovery. The choices Sam must make are thought-provoking, and the narrative keeps readers engaged until the very end.

"Same Time Next Summer" is a beautifully written novel that explores the power of memories, the resilience of the human heart, and the transformative nature of second chances. It will resonate with readers who enjoy immersive stories of love, self-discovery, and the enduring bonds of the past.

Genuinely the perfect start to my summer was reading this book. Not only is the page count to die for (under 300 🙏🏼), but the story is so full of warmth and growth. This book is for people who loved Love & Other Words and Happy Place. I’d honestly go as far to say that I actually loved this more than Happy Place 🫣

I loved Sam so much. She was so human with real flaws and quirks that endeared me to her. She was in a life that she specifically curated but you could tell that a spark was missing. I loved how she eventually stood up for herself and chased her dreams. Wyatt was so sweet. I loved how humble he was at every turn and how he was willing to grow from his mistakes.

This book felt like watching your best friends and just getting to soak up the nostalgia of growing up. The dual POV throughout the “Then” chapters was such a nice touch because we got to see how much Sam and Wyatt meant to each other. The extended cast was great as well.

I’m a sucker for a well-done second chance romance and this perfectly fit the bill for me. I’d be surprised if this doesn’t become the big book of the summer!! I didn’t think it would be possible for me to love this book more than Nora Goes Off Script, but Annabel Monaghan supremely outdid herself with this one.

Same Time Next Summer releases on June 6 so make sure it is on your TBR list! Thank you again to @putnambooks for the early finished copy of a book that has taken a special place in my heart. 🩵💛

Sam and Wyatt met when she was six years old and spent summers next door to each other on Long Island. In their teenage years, they admit to their feelings for each other and fall head over heels in love. Wyatt dreams of being a musician, and he plans to move out to LA when he graduates, with Sam following a year behind. When a startling discovery in their small orbit threatens to tear apart both of their families, Wyatt withdraws from Sam and she spirals. When Sam returns to the beach 12 years later with her fiance Jack in tow, Wyatt's presence next door threatens to topple the shaky foundation she's rebuilt without him.

Another gem from Annabel Monaghan! This was the perfect beach read, filled with young love, self-discovery, and reflection on what matters most in life and following your heart. This book is so relatable to anyone who has felt the ups and downs of young love. The writing was gripping and I was hooked from the first page! I loved watching Sam wake back up to herself and get back in touch with the free-spirit she nurtured all those summers at the beach. The side characters - specifically Sam's family - were so fun, funny, and heartwarming.

TW: Cheating, depression

Thank you Penguin Putnam Group for the review copy of Same Time Next Summer via NetGalley. I really enjoyed Annabel Monaghan's debut last summer (Nora Goes Off Script) and this was a strong follow up, I think I actually liked this one more! I loved the feelings evoked, a cheering on for the couple kind of romance while also appreciating that each character had their own identity, story, and were well written (they aren't superficial trope filled stereotypes). There was a sense of nostalgia evoked for me, perhaps the feeling of the ocean vibes and the idea that first loves matter... the enduring sense of continuity in self and experiences and feelings even as we grow up and find ourselves again and again.

This was a big win for me. I think it will be a hit for fans of the author and readers who enjoy Linda Holmes' books and other similar reads. A great choice too for romance fans who prefer a little less steam but still want a satisfying, engaging beach read.

It's official. If Annabel Monaghan writes it, I will read it. I adore her writing style, the cadence of her sentences, the emotion her words bring... Same Time Next Summer is SO good. It's the perfect summertime romance, and I can never get enough second chance with a dual timeline. I loved it from start to finish, and I am already anxiously awaiting the next gem she is sure to bring us!

*thank you Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Same Time Next Summer
Annabel Monaghan
NetGalley
Pub Date: 6/6/23

⛱️
I predict that the #1 beach read for 2023 will be Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan. There is something extraordinary about summer romances. I remember listening to Hot Fun in the Summertime, spending hours at Miami Beach in a yellow bikini (yep, I wore one), and falling in love/lust. We meet Wyatt & Samantha “Sam,” next-door neighbors in their Long Island beachfront havens, spending summers together from the age of 5-17; where their relationship develops until one fateful summer when life throws them a curveball. Their love is consuming, but can it last? Years later, when Sam returns to plan her wedding to her fiancée Jack, she recalls long-buried memories of a broken heart that nearly ruined her life. When Wyatt reappears for the summer…things happen. Is love meant to last? Will she give up stability for the unknown? How can Sam get past the deep hurt she still holds in her heart? Same Time Next Summer is the perfect read for summer or anytime because it reminds us all of first love, first romance, and first everything. Can you put a badly broken heart back together? Can magic be recreated? I LOVED IT and I know you will too. #SameTimeNextSummer @annabelmonaghan @netgalley @putnambooks #gpputnamson’s #love #heartache #comingofage #fate #summer #lovestory #broken #betrayals #summerfiction #LongIsland #pubdate:June6 #romance #beachread
⛱️
I received a complimentary copy of this ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel. Pub. Date: June 6, 2023.

4/5 stars
0/5 spice

Second chance romance with a swoon worthy musician... yass

Tropes:
Second chance
Childhood friends to lovers
Small town vibes
It was always you
He falls first
FMC self discovery/ character growth
Dual POV
Dual timeline

This was a pleasant surprise for me. I will admit the beginning didn't draw me in until I started to get more flashbacks of the relationship between to MCs. This book has Sweet Home Alabama vibes. Sam reluctantly comes back to her childhood summer home with her fiancée to check out a venue her parents recommended.

Right from the beginning you can tell that Sam is uncomfortable bringing her straight laced and proper fiancée to her parents' summer home, where they are their quirky, eccentric selves and completely unbothered. I adored the descriptions of their home... it was like I was there within all the controlled chaos.

As you read on you catch on to his restrictive Sam is because of her fear of losing herself to her emotions. Which is later revealed because of her big heartbreak from Wyatt. I really appreciated how the author created a relatable and age appropriate conflict. Sam and Wyatt were kids and didn't know how to handle the emotions they were feeling and the weren't mature enough to work through their conflict.

I found myself wanting more of the present day storyline with Wyatt so we could see how these two work together as mature adults. It felt too rushed... especially since Sam was in the midst of rediscovering her true self.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and the character growth they went through. I highly recommend for fans of second chance romance with a small town vibes. If you loved the movie Sweet Home Alabama then you'll love this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

Trigger/Content warnings:
Infidelity, divorce, grief, depression

4.25 stars out of 5.

This was a great beach read and a real page turner. I really enjoyed both Sam and Wyatt's characters. They really had great chemistry throughout the book and I was so happy with how the book ended. I also really enjoyed Sam's parents, grandparents, and siblings. Jake was kind of annoying to me though. This book was able to capture how amazing young love is and how it can blossom with time. Over, just a feel good book.

Sam is set to marry her fiancé Jake. They take a vacation to the family beach house and are going to look at a wedding venue to satisfy her parents. She arrives at the beach house and unbeknownst to her, her summer boyfriend from childhood, Wyatt, is there. Wyatt's family has a beach house directly next door to Sam's families. Sam feels a little uneasy seeing her old summer fling but why is she having those feelings? Read on to find out how this one ends!

This was my first book by Annabel Monaghan and I was really impressed. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars. I LOVED THIS BOOK! An absolute delight from start to finish. There are some books that are just great all the way through, and this was one of them. It captured the exact feelings of young love and how amazing and overwhelming it can be. There were a few little twists I did not see coming that really added to the plot. And the payoff at the end was so satisfying. Long live Annabel Monaghan for writing some of the best summer romances… I hope she never stops!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

It pains me to write this because I absolutely LOVED Nora. I thought it was so unique. I wanted to get my hands on anything Ms. Monaghan writes. Unfortunately Same time next summer fell flat. I love me a second change romance but I have this read book before.. many times. My favorites of this trope are love and other words and every summer after. This did not live up tot hat hype. I just did not connect with the MCs. They werent fleshed out enough so it was hard to root for them. The FMC was just so self indulgent and oblivious to what was going on around her. I needed so much more from the flash backs. You're still in love after 14 years of not speaking. but why? how? we never really get to know. A few convos later and BAM shes leaving her fiance for him. I will probably still read more from this author but this was a let down coming off of Nora.

2.5/5

Nora Goes off Script was one of my favorite books I've read this year so I was so excited to get my hands on Same Time Next Summer. This one was another amazing one from Annabel Monaghan with all of my favorite tropes -- first love, small towns, summers at the beach. Reminded me quite a bit of Every Summer After.

Sam visits her family home in Long Island with her fiance Jack to look for the perfect wedding venue. She's surprised to find her first love Wyatt living nearby. While grappling with wedding planning, Sam and Wyatt reconnect, ultimately leaving Sam torn between her past and her present.

This is tender and nostalgic, the perfect beach read.

I liked this one, but it didn't have the same spark for me as Nora Goes Off Script. I really felt for Sam and her epic teenage heartbreak, but it took awhile to understand it and I'm kind of horrified by how all the grown ups in her life managed her "recovery." I liked Sam's evolution and the second chance with Wyatt, but I honestly wish there was no Jack and there was a different vehicle to get her back out to the beach. I don't know, maybe that was the correct journey for her given the "recovery." Mixed feelings on this one, even though I binge-read it and really loved Sam and Wyatt.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for this honest review.

4.25/5⭐️

Sam is a 30-year-old successful woman living in Manhattan, planning her wedding near her childhood beach home on Long Island. But when she and her fiancé travel home to finalize details, she comes face-to-face with her childhood best friend and first love, Wyatt, who broke her heart and left her despondent at 17 and now lives in CA. As she begins to relax at the beach with her family and feel more herself, she begins questioning her decisions in life and what exactly happened to cause Wyatt’s loss.

I enjoyed this book. It had likable characters (although I did get a bit disgruntled with Sam occasionally), a good mix of past/present storylines and a good look at how we sometimes need to take a step back and make sure we recognize ourselves, both as we are and how we want to be.

Sweet with just the right amount of depth and angst.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing the free early arc of Same Time Next Summer for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

“If you’ve loved someone your whole life, it kind of makes sense that you’d love them forever.”
This is a childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance, that puts you on an emotional rollercoaster. This book takes us from the beginning of Wyatt and Sam’s relationship meeting each other at their summer house and becoming friends. We experience them falling in love with each other while also figuring out what happened to them to be where they are now. We get a lot of “then” and “now” chapters and moments that really help the story flow and dual POVs that are perfectly placed. Wyatt and Sam have that kind of love that makes two people naturally gravitate towards each other. I personally really enjoy the “my first love” stories, and this one is up there on my favorites shelf in that category. I am a “first love” gal so they hold a special place in my heart. This is 100% going to be the perfect beach read this summer. It is a feel-good romance that keeps you invested in the relationship and the characters.