Annabel Monaghan has written what might be the perfect summer novel (or the perfect novel for anytime the reader is missing summer). Wyatt and Sam are both flawed, lovable characters and there is no way you can't pull for them. There are really no stereotypical villains, just people. That may be what was the most satisfying part of the book: the characters are believable people who are not perfect, but none are perfectly vile, either. The setting itself is almost a character with the ocean and beach as well as Sam's parents' summer house on Long Island being so important to the development of Sam's and Wyatt's characters as well as playing into who their parents are as well. I hated finishing the book because I found myself wanting to just sit in the tree house with Sam and Wyatt for a while and then go and visit Sam's shell collection near the cove. I've never visited Long Island, but this book--a love story of people, but perhaps even more a valentine to place--has put it on my travel wish list.

I went into this month’s book with high expectations, to be honest, as Nora Goes Off Script was one of my favorite reads of 2022! To say I was counting down the days for the release of Annabel Monaghan’s next book Same Time Next Summer would be a total understatement, and you guys, it did not disappoint! I could not put down this book and was often thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading… which is a hallmark of a great book.

I liked this book a lot because of how realistic it felt. Although it's a second chance romance with a good bit of drama in it (or at least past drama) it didn't feel too angsty. I appreciate that.

Sam and Wyatt's romance is told through flashbacks and through alternating viewpoints and I really have to give it to the author for writing such a unique first love and unexpected breakup story. I really didn't see it coming and it made this story stand out from all the other second chance romances out there.

I think part of why I liked this book so much was because of Sam. She's such a sweet character. In the beginning she tries so hard to please everyone. She defers to Jack on most decisions in her personal life, and for the most part sticks to a plan when she's at work. That is, until she snaps.

But more on that in the book! I don't want to spoil it for you.

The best part about a summer story is the atmosphere. I loved reading about Sam's family and their house. As a reader I could practically visualize Wyatt's tree house as the description leapt off the pages. In my mind I could imagine the wedding venue tour and I could daydream about the cake tasting, when Sam dragged Wyatt along to check out flavors with her.

If you're a fan of Summer love stories, I think you'll find this one enjoyable. What started out as the story of Sam's first love and eventual first heartbreak became so much more. Sam's family went through so much and it was so enjoyable to read about Sam in adulthood, as she learned to make decisions for herself and figure out what would truly make her happy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I know this is a book that I'll want to read again, and recommend to my best friend. Read more of my book reviews here!

This is the perfect book for summer! I loved the characters and the setting so much that I could not put it down. The relationship between Sam and Wyatt was believable and added depth to each of the characters. Annabel Monaghan is such an amazing writer, all the details in her story were intentional to bring this story to life. I highly recommend this book!

i have to keep it real with you: i feel like i have read this book a dozen times before and there was not much fun or new about this version that made me love it. 😔 when i saw @abbimbay (of @bybayjewelry) say essentially this thought in her @goodreads review, it summed it up so well.

summer stories and second chance romances with childhood friends-turned-first loves can be done so well and maybe if i hadn’t read other GREAT ones (every summer after comes to mind most notably!), i would have enjoyed it more!

and listen, i still liked it! i just wasn’t wowed by it, and it felt overly familiar in that way of “wait, didn’t i read this one?” which… isn’t great. just, tired, i guess.

Sam is a caricature of her younger self, now a buttoned tight, HR employee living the rat race in New York City with a monotone apartment and a doctor fiancé. That is, until she agrees to visit her family’s summer vacation home on Long Island and crossed paths with her teenage flame, Wyatt. He broke her heart when she was 18 and she wants nothing to do with him….until she doesn’t.

This is a quintessential summer beach read. Throw backs to sandy beach days, too much sun, and the smell of the ocean jump off the page at you while experiencing throwbacks with dual POV of that messy, first teenage love. To anyone who lost their first love, has had a messy ghosted breakup, or held on despite the pain, this one might hit hard.

People will say this is too similar to Love and Other Words or Every Summer After but I would argue that the second chance, friends to lovers, summer romance is just a very specific niche of romance and this one fits into the category perfectly.

Overall, its cute and I liked it. The scenes were painted perfectly, I liked the characters, and the writing style was quick and fun. I enjoyed seeing Sam grow back into herself, choose color, and admit her true interests in life. I even liked the first love interest and think the author does a good job of not making him a villain in any way.

I disliked the pining and cheating adjacent behavior - it is not normal to plan a wedding to one person and be obsessively thinking about another. I’m all for leaving the wrong romantic interest behind, but cut it early and clean and be honest. I also didn’t like some of the behavior teenage Wyatt had towards Sam, but that is my own personal preference.

Vibes:
Second chance
Beach
Small Town
Quirky family
Musican
Dual POV
Pining
Friends to lovers

CW: emotional cheating (my interpretation), infidelity, sexual content, alcohol, addiction, drug use

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and Annabel Monaghan for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

So painful to give this rating after LOVING Nora but I had to force myself to finish this :(

Something about the writing left me feeling very disconnected from the characters and the ending felt rushed. I found myself rolling my eyes on multiple occasions which is not a good sign in a romance. I’ve also realized I don’t love second chance romance when the “before” timeline is when they are in high school. It feels like YA which is not what I was in the mood for.

I will preface this all by saying I read an early review copy and the formatting was off on my kindle which probably didn’t help with the disjointed feeling.

Such a bummer!

Same Time Next Summer is the perfect story for any season! AM is a new writer, but has become a must read author for me. She mixes hollywood vibes with a solid dose of reality, making this book unpredictable and refreshing. Would you want to run into your first love while you are vacationing with your fiancé ? Well, Sam is certainly in a predicament and finds that growing up isn’t as easy as she thought. Can time heal all wounds? This is a story of young love, family ties, and personal growth. “You’re the cake that looks ordinary until people dig in and find it’s spectacular” This is no ordinary beach read and I found this sweet quote not only applies to our characters, but the book as well. Loved it!

"Same Time Next Summer" by Annabel Monaghan is a heartwarming and nostalgic romance that invites readers to step into a world of second chances, summer adventures, and the enduring power of connection. This novel is a delightful blend of romance, friendship, and the magic of revisiting the past.

Monaghan's writing style is evocative and engaging, transporting readers to the idyllic setting and emotions of summer love. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their journey toward rekindling their connection is both enchanting and touching.

At the heart of the narrative is a timeless exploration of love, nostalgia, and the bittersweet beauty of revisiting a cherished moment in time. The author skillfully navigates the challenges and joys that come with reigniting a summer romance after years of separation.

"Same Time Next Summer" successfully balances the tender moments with the nostalgic atmosphere, resulting in a narrative that is both heartwarming and poignant. The themes of rekindled love, personal growth, and the fleeting nature of summer add depth to the story.

In conclusion, "Same Time Next Summer" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that captures the essence of second chances and the lasting impact of summer love. If you're looking for a book that offers a blend of romance, nostalgia, and the warmth of seasonal connections, this novel provides a captivating and uplifting narrative that will leave you with a sense of joy and contentment.

Really enjoyed this perfect for summer dual timeline romance!

**I had an ARC but the formatting was off and I think it was really taking away from my enjoyment of it. I’m glad I switched to the paperback about halfway through!

Things I loved:
-beach town setting
-past and present timelines
-second chance romance
-love triangle that wasn’t uncomfortable
-wedding planning
-navigating family troubles and dynamics
-Sam’s personal journey
-Wyatt - swoon central

Things that weren’t my fave:
-I’ve been noticing lately that I don’t love when romances put the couple together at the end of the book and then it’s over. I like to spend time with the couple as a couple - yes this one had them in the past timeline together but I would have like to see them together in present more too

3.75 stars rounded up! I thought this was a super cute summer beach read but not a super memorable read. I grew up going out to the eastern part of long island and am recently engaged and planning my wedding so I really had a lot in common with our FMC!! Lol. Overall cute but not an all time fav read

Big fan of Annabel Monaghan since Volvo and I found this a fun and sandy summer read despite it taking place IN Long Island. I’m 7 years new here and it is ON- a hill I’m willing to die on. Sam and Wyatt and Jack… saw this ending coming from page 1 but it was still a mostly enjoyable and semi-feel good (don’t love the emotional cheating aspect) page turner for me. I’ll still be back for Monaghan’s next book!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

📖𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿
✍️Annabel Monaghan
🗓️6.6.23
💘Contemporary Romance
★★★★

I discovered author Annabel Monaghan after reading and loving 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘎𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘖𝘧𝘧 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵, and was so excited to read her follow up novel.

This was such a binge read that I read almost in one sitting by the pool, and thought it was the perfect summer read. It’s a second chance romance with great chemistry, with themes of first love, family drama, and self-discovery.

🎧 I paired the book with the audio and thought they were both great! I will auto-listen to anything that Brittany Pressley narrates, and was so happy to find that she was included in the narration cast, along with Dan Bittner.

𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁
💕second chance/friends to lovers romance
☀️self-discovery
🏖️small town/beach setting
🫶🏻first love
🗣️dual POV

Thank you @putnam and @prhaudio for the gifted copy for review

Thank you to Netgalley, PRH Audio, and GP Putnam for the ARC

This was great as as an audiobook. I loved the summer vibes and the second chance aspects. I'd definitely check out more from this author

"Same Time Next Summer" by Annabel Monaghan captures the essence of bittersweet nostalgia and the transformative power of revisiting the past. With a charming blend of romance and self-discovery, this novel takes readers on a journey through the complexities of love, time, and the unexpected paths life can take.

Sam's life seems neatly planned out - a devoted fiancé, a promising career, and a wedding to look forward to. Yet, her plans are thrown into disarray when she returns to her family's beach house and comes face to face with Wyatt, the boy who shattered her heart fourteen years ago. As memories resurface, Sam is forced to confront the feelings she thought she'd buried, and question the choices she's made since.

Monaghan's portrayal of the Long Island beach setting is vivid, making the reader feel the sand between their toes and the salty breeze on their skin. The beach becomes a symbol of both Sam's past and the crossroads she faces, emphasizing the theme of returning to familiar places to find clarity and closure.

The alternating timelines between Sam's past and present offer a well-structured narrative, gradually revealing the events that led to the heartbreak and the subsequent growth of the characters. The chemistry between Sam and Wyatt is palpable, and Monaghan deftly explores the tug-of-war between the pull of first love and the commitments of adulthood.

As Sam grapples with her emotions, readers are invited to question the nature of love, the significance of timing, and the resilience of the human heart. The emotional journey Sam undertakes feels authentic, and her moments of self-discovery are poignant and relatable.

The writing style is engaging and heartfelt, effortlessly transitioning between Sam's past and present, drawing readers into the web of emotions she navigates. If you're seeking a summer read that combines romance with introspection, this novel is a perfect choice.

4 stars - pretty predictable plot line and didn’t have that same pull as a book like every summer after

Sweet and nostalgic, this is a wonderful summer romance book! Sam and Wyatt have a long, tangled history that peaked in a glorious summer romance before abruptly ending. Sam has put her life back together, perhaps far too tightly. But when she finally drags her new fiancé to her family beach home, guess who’s right next door?

This novel doesn’t shy away from messy personal or family issues, but it’s mostly a light, fun summer beach read. Very fun and quick addition to your summer reading list!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the complimentary digital review copy of this title.

The author of the widely adored Nora Goes Off Script hits it out of the ballpark again with her latest book, Same Time Next Summer. Sam and Wyatt grew up spending summers together at their neighboring family beach houses on the shores of Long Island. From playing in the sand as kids to developing the most idyllic summer romance turned first love, they thought it was forever...until it wasn’t. Heartbreak of the most epic kind ensues, and when Sam finally puts her life back together and gets engaged to the PERFECT man, the beach calls her back home and back into the world of Wyatt. Emotional, sweet, nostalgic, and heartbreaking, this is one book you should definitely pack in your beach bag this summer.

I love a second chance romance! While I did feel like the end was a bit rushed, I did enjoy it! Definitely give this one a chance if you’re looking for a good summer read.

Thank you for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

This was an absolutely perfect summer read! I instantly felt transported to Long Island and the beach where the Holloway and Pope families visited every summer. This is my first book from Annabel Monaghan and I cannot wait to get my hands on NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT! I really loved her writing style and truly enjoyed how well the story flowed. I was wholly immersed. I don’t want summer to end!

My only complaint with the story was there were times when I felt that Sam was acting quite immature for a 30-something woman. I can understand how disorienting being around your childhood crush and teenage boyfriend might be after so many years, especially when they destroyed your heart, but there is a certain level of restraint that I expected from her when she found herself around Wyatt, especially when she is set to marry someone else.

All in all, though, I tore through this book, despite dropping it in the Milwaukee River while kayaking this weekend! I can’t wait to read more by this author. Here’s to the last weeks of summer!

Thank you to Annabel Monaghan, Penguin Group Putmam (@putnambooks), and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.