This second chance romance will make a great summer read with its beachy setting and great sense of place. Initially the novel toggles back in forth between then and now timelines, with Sam and Wyatt growing up neighbors in their summer beach houses in the then, and Sam and fiancé Jack returning to the beach house as her parents try to convince them to have their wedding on Long Island.

Throughout the novel we see Sam struggle with the person she used to be and the person she has currently become, a safe lifestyle that will keep her from taking chances. she is supported by a quirky but supportive and loving family.
My favorite quote from her artistic father
Sometime you have to walk away from all the things you don't want to make room for the future. Blank canvas.

There are parts of the novel where I had to suspend reality a bit, and it is very predictable, I also felt the ending was a bit rushed. Never the less if you are looking for a summer romance and you enjoy second chance romances I think you will enjoy this one.

Thank you Net galley and the publisher for this early release for an unbiased review.

Sunshine + salt + sand + this book = the perfect summer ☀️🌊

This book feels like a warm summer day at the beach and I loved it. I will be the first to admit that I’m not typically a second-chance fan. I don’t avoid them, I just don’t go out of my way to seek them out. But, one of my very first ARCs was Nora Goes Off Script and I loved it, so I knew I’d want to read this one! My expectations were exceeded.

This sweet book is about falling back in love with your person and yourself. It was such a sweet cast of characters. I have such a soft spot for Wyatt, I love a sweet, creative musician (obviously, I married one). I typically do not like when books jump timelines (then and now sections), but I feel it was incredibly well done in this book. It gave a good sense of the whole story and gave a really good reason for their initial breakup and distance.

This book does not have an epilogue (which I’m usually a sucker for), but it wraps up so nicely that I was left super happy even without one. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of the biggest books of the summer ☀️

Last week I picked up Annabel’s previous book Nora Goes Off Script and absolutely loved it. So when I got approved for an ARC of Same Time Next Summer, I dropped everything else and dove in. I was hooked from the first chapter and finished in 24 hrs-unheard of for me. Annabel does my favorite kind of romance-her writing is smart, fun, and not overly cheesy. I will read absolutely everything she writes in the future.

As evidenced by the book’s title, this book follows Sam who is living her perfect life with her fiance, Jack. The two head up to meet Sam’s parents who neglect to tell her that her old flame is staying at the beach house next door. From that point on, the plot gets going.

After Sam sees Wyatt again, we flashback and forward to the present day and the time when the two first met. Additionally, the entire story is told in third-person yet each chapter follows either Sam or Wyatt. While it can be a bit confusing at times, Same Time Next Summer is so fast-paced that you won’t even notice.

As this is a romance novel, I’m sure you can guess what happens but the book isn’t just about the romance. Rather, Sam is stuck in a rut. She’s dealing with a fiance she feels meh about, a job she doesn’t like, and dreads the thought of starting over. While staying at her family’s beach house, she’s able to think things through and see more clearly.

While the book has its fair share of sad and heartbreaking moments, it’s amazing to see how much work Sam does to become the person she wants to be. As we grow older, I’m sure most of us can relate to that sentiment of “being too much.” Same Time Next Summer throws that out the window and allows Sam to do what it takes to be herself.

I will say that I can see this book not being work for everyone as the romance isn’t the entire plot. We do see these characters grow up and deal with a lot as teens. For Sam, losing Wyatt is especially taxing and it does break her down in a way only first loves do. Eventually, she’s able to repair herself as best as she can.

.While it was a bit predictable at times, Annabel Monaghan wrote enough drama in there to keep me intrigued. The only complaint I had was the messiness between Sam and Wyatt’s families which felt a bit over-the-top. On the whole, I’d say Same Time Next Summer is the ultimate beach read, and one I know will be popular this summer for sure.

Sam has a great job, a perfect man, and a ring on her finger. Everything is going perfect when her family asks her to come visit the beach house this summer to consider getting married there. She is slightly worried about perfectionist Jack seeing her family in their relaxed beach environment, but she really begins to panic when she finds out Wyatt is also in town. Running into her first love was not part of the plan…

Ahhh you know that feeling when you really love an authors first book, and you are super nervous to read their second in case it doesn’t hold up? Well, fear not friends, Annabel Monaghan has done it again! This is a perfect beach read and has everything you could possibly want! I loved the alternating timeline, as well as the jump between Sam and Wyatt’s points of view. The way their childhood love affected where they went in life was fascinating and of course the tension between them was swoon worthy. If you are looking for the summer read to add to your beach bag, look no further than Same Time Next Summer!

I thought I had figured out the big secret in this book a couple of pages in but I couldn't have been more wrong-which makes me love it even more. It does drag in a couple of places but all in all a great summer read!

4/5 - Same Time Next Summer is a perfect second-chance romance beach read. Set on the beaches of Long Island, NY, Sam and her finace, Jack, go to visit Sam's family for a week at their beloved beach house. Sam seems to have it all - a great job, handsome fiance, and an upcoming wedding to plan. The only thing standing in the way is Sam's former teenage crush, Wyatt, who broke her heart before college. Wyatt also just so happens to be her parents' next door neighbor. As Sam goes through the motions of planning her wedding, she can't help but think of her former love and if marrying Jack is really what she wants. We learn about Sam and Wyatt's past and if they can move past their former heartbreak.

I absolutely adore Annabel Monoghan's writing. Her books are the ultimate summer beach reads with fun and well-developed characters. My main critique is that the chapters were so shore that the plot felt choppy and unfinished at times, but that won't stop me from picking up her future books!

Same Time Next Summer

I am very grateful that I was given an advanced copy of this book! I was drawn in by the super cute cover and after reading the summary I immediately added it to my TBR. This book is set to release on June 6th and is a great choice for the summer! Add this to my list of second-chance romance books, which happens to be one of my favorite tropes! This book reads super nicely, I really enjoyed her writing, the only thing that I had to adapt to was the present chapters are in 1st person and the past chapters are in 3rd person. This was honestly a super cute book, and the way she writes really set the scene so well. I loved Sam’s parents and their artistic style, I loved Sam’s journey to finding her true self again. If you want a quick, sweet, summery book, I’d definitely suggest this one!

4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5

A HUGE thank you to the publisher @putnambooks & @netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved Nora Goes Off Script, so I was super excited when I found out Annabel Monaghan had a new book coming out.  

This is most definitely going to be the top beach read of the year!  This book took me back to my NYU days when I lived in the city.  In the summer, my friends & I would either drive or hop on the LIRR to the Hamptons for the weekend.  There's nothing quite like summers in Long Island. 

Sam seems to have it all.  She has a great job in Manhattan and a doctor fiance who's near perfect.  As they're deciding on  wedding venues, Sam brings Jack out to Long Island to see one near her parent's beach house, where she spent her summers.  She didn't think she'd run into her first love.  The boy she spent every summer with since she was 5, the one who completely shattered her heart when she was 17.  But Wyatt's there and right next door again.  All the memories come flooding back.  Can Sam really be over her first love, and is she truly happy with where her life is?

This book was so good!  It had all the elements of a great romance.  It was well written with great characters.  I loved reading about Sam and Wyatt's past and their present.  I highly recommend this book, especially if you're spending a day at the beach.

Annabel Monaghan has this beautifully melodic and graceful way of writing that makes her books the best beach reads. It is very similar to how Emily Henry writes, and I’m just waiting for Emily Henry fans to discover Annabel Monaghan if they haven’t already.

This is her second adult book, and I was so excited to read it after falling in love with Nora Goes Off Script. After reading Same Time Next Summer, I will say that Nora still holds the number 1 spot for me. I didn’t get the same love story butterflies feeling that I did in Nora, although the last 15% of the book brought it back. The banter was not as constant as in Nora, but I think there was also less conversation. Reading this book felt more like a balm for the spirit instead of the heart. Rather than leaving me mooning over a perfect happy ending, it made me want to drive to the beach with the windows down and the music cranked and run full tilt into the water, east coast spring water temperatures be damned.

Same Time Next Summer tells the story of Sam and Wyatt, who grew up spending their summers together in neighboring beach houses on Long Island. The story alternates between past and present, switching from describing their childhood summers of falling in love and running wild on the beach, to the devastation Sam felt when Wyatt disappeared, to Sam planning her wedding to a new guy while trying to avoid the meteoric impact of adult Wyatt living next door again.

To me, this book is less of a love story between two people but instead is an ode to rediscovering who you are after adult things get in the way. I loved the family dynamics in this story and Sam’s slow slide into herself. Complete with laugh out loud moments, kooky lovable families, warm huggy scenes, and sunny, salty driftwood-scented breezes. Such an enjoyable read!

Thank you to Putnam and Netgalley for the e-ARC!

3.5 rounded up to 4

I wanted to love this one- Nora Goes Off Script was one of my favorite books in March- but Same Time Next Summer was just missing some of the spark Nora had. Don’t get me wrong- this book was a quick, easy read that, that for many, will be the perfect book to grab on the way to the pool or beach this summer. I think the major flaw for me here, though, is that this trope has been done before and has been done, IMO, better (think Every Summer After, Love and Other Words…)

Wyatt and Sam had sooo much potential, but their chemistry just wasn’t there. In general, I liked their story line- teen romance, torn apart by a big life event, reunited in the present, but she’s got a new man- see I told you, lots of potential. But I couldn’t quite figure out when the fell in love (in either timeline), and while there were glimmers of a connection between them, I just wasn’t feeling it, unfortunately.

There were definitely other things I enjoyed about this book! I loved the dual time line, dual POV, and the supporting characters. The way the author described Sam and Wyatt’s past summers at the beach made me nostalgic for my own childhood, reminding me of all the fun I had growing up in a beach town. When it comes down to it, I think I just needed more depth from the storylines- I wanted more chemistry between the main characters, and I think a few more pages may have helped to achieve that.

This one definitely sits solidly in the “liked, but just needed a little something” category for me, but still recommend it if you love second chance romance and are wanting a quick, easy read. You can be sure I’ll still be grabbing Annabel Monaghan’s books in the future!

I had been dying to get my hands on this book after I found out about it. I loved her first book that came out last year and was just waiting for the author to write another book! I will say that this felt a bit different writing wise and although the tropes weren’t a favorite I thought it was still a decent read.

The book is told from two point-of-views and they come from Sam and Wyatt. Wyatt’s are usually from the past and explain what happened between him and Sam and how their lives took them on different routes. They obviously have a lot of things left unsaid and you can tell that there relationship was never completely dead.

Friends-to-lovers and second-chance romances are not my favorite tropes. I tend to have a harder time with them when it comes to getting into the romance between the two characters. There are a lot of past chapters when it comes to their romance and I kind of wish there would have been more in the present. I didn’t feel their feelings for each other in the present and what was in the present was so short because Sam was dealing with other things like her upcoming wedding. For me, it just felt lacking in a way.

I did love Sam’s family though! They were a fun bunch and you could tell that they really cared about Sam and her choices when it came to big decisions. Her fiancé just wanted to her to be a carbon copy of himself and didn’t see the need for her to follow her passion of art.

Overall, this was a good book. I can see this being a popular pick for the beach because it has all the vibes!

Sam and her fiancé are visiting her family’s beach house for a few days, ostensibly looking at a wedding venue. While there, she’s forced to face her childhood sweetheart, Wyatt. The one who broke her heart into a million pieces. After years of therapy, she’s finally in a better place and with a dependable steady partner. But seeing Wyatt and hearing his music drifting across the sea air at night has her feeling things she knows she shouldn’t.

This is a truly beautiful coming of age, second chance love story. Annabel Monaghan’s description of Sam and Wyatt’s idyllic summers and reconnection will have you falling in love as you read. It’s the perfect summer beach novel. I absolutely loved her previous book, Nora Goes Off Script, and this story is just as good. Enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #SameTimeNextSummer #NetGalley

This is the first book I've read by Annabel Monaghan, and I will definitely read more. Same Time Next Summer is so much more than a romance. The book is about Sam, a girl who summers with her family at the beach on Long Island at the beach. It is about friendship, family ties, summer love, and what we are willing to sacrifice to protect one's self. The book is very readable and I didn't want to put it down. I definitely recommend Same Time Next Summer. Thank you, NetGalley, for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review. #SameTimeNextSummer #NetGalley

Sam and Wyatt are neighbors during the summer. Growing up together with the beach as the back drop. They fall in love and it’s the big one, the real deal. But it all comes crashing down. They can’t seem to recover. More than a decade goes by and they are thrown together again. Are they meant to be just friends now? Or is the spark still there?

This is the perfect summer romance. Go ahead and take a moment to add it to your summer TBR. It’s first love, coming of age, second chance romance, finding your happiest self, and more. All set in the glorious days of summer at the beach. My personal happy place. I was pining for the beach while reading this one.

I really enjoyed Annabel’s previous book, Nora Goes Off Script, and was so excited to get to read this one early. Thank you @netgalley and @ for the advanced copy.
You can grab your copy on June 5th or go put it on hold now at your local library.

Spice level: 🌶️/5

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

Loved this! I recently read this author's first novel, Nora Goes Off Script, and loved that one, so I was so excited to read this latest one. Wyatt and Sam are childhood sweethearts who used to see each other every summer. Most of the novel sets up their messy breakup. They then have to face each other when Sam brings home a fiance. One could argue that the ending is predictable but one could also argue that the ending is exactly what you want from a book like this! I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the writing. A perfect summer beach read.

3.5/4 and I’m so torn between the two!

This is the quintessential quick summer read and will definitely be a must for your beach bag. It’s quick, filled with some of the best romance tropes (I.e forced proximity as neighbors and second chance romances)

Wyatt and Sam grew up next door neighbors in a small town on Long Island. Wyatt, the music lover, and Sam, the swimmer met at the age of 9. They were next door neighbors and as they grew up found themselves seeking solace in each other rather than normal teen debauchery. One day, their friendship turns into more and they find themselves in love until a family secret blows up their relationship.

12 years later, Sam and Wyatt find themselves reunited at the beach as Sam begins to plan her wedding to Jack (a plain Jane’s dermatologist who doesn’t truly see Sam) As sam begins to spend more time with Wyatt, she begins to second guess her relationship with Jack.

I really did love this book. The only thing I found was that the ending was VERY rushed. It could have been 20-30 more pages and I would be extremely happy. Also, I wish I got more of a description of Wyatt’s looks, I had a hard time picturing him besides the long hair.

Thank you to GP Putnam and Sons for the ARC!

4+

This book confirmed me as a dedicated Annabel Monaghan fan. If she writes it, I will read it. She just has a way with words and characters and storytelling that is so lovely, and transcends a plot that on paper sounds like a Hallmark movie to a moving story of self-discovery (or rediscover in this case) and love. I feel like everyone going on vacation is going to pack this in their bag this summer.

The best way that I can describe this book is that it feels the adult version of a Sarah Dessen novel, but from the perspective of the protagonist after her teenage heart was broken. It has the atmospheric beach town and salty air and the intense first love and interesting family, but the meat of the book takes place over a decade later. I was rooting for the protagonist, and I was rooting for their relationship. I would have loved (SPOILER) more time with Wyatt and Sam getting to be together and be a couple at the end, but that's my only real quibble.

I also want to note that while this is a romance, the focus is largely the protagonist's relationship with herself, and that any smut in the book is very PG. An overall lovely summer read.

I LOVED Nora Goes Off Script by this author so I was thrilled to get this one early! Thank you Penguin for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is one of those great second chance romances where yes the story might be a little bit predictable but if done right it's still a great read. Annabel did it right! I loved Sam and her family and Wyatt! It really is something how any sort of trauma in your teen years can shape you. It was great seeing these characters work through all of it. Now I'm ready for a beach day or ten!

Every summer of childhood Sam and Wyatt spent at the beach in house's next door. They go from friends to something so much more until something changes. It has been over a decade since they spoke, Sam has spent the time constructing a life of structure where there are no surprises. Now she is back in the summer house to plan her wedding with her regimented fiancé and Wyatt is next door. Seeing Wyatt again has Sam questioning her life and what makes her happy. Is her carefully constructed safe life enough? A story of love and family and finding what truly makes you happy.