This book is a cute contemporary romance novella. For how short it is, I thought we got a good insight into the characters and their personalities. I didn’t think the MMC was super likable, but overall the novella was enjoyable.

The premise is that the main character, Britta, is asked to marry the MMC, Sumner, on New Years Eve because he is going to be deported back to Canada unless he gets married. Sumner has been in love with Britta from afar because she has past trauma around relationships. I didn’t think the representation of the green card marriage process was very accurate but it didn’t play a huge part in the story anyway.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my honest review.

Britta is a bartender at Sluggers, a local bar frequented by the hockey team, the Bridgeport Bandits. She has a no dating regulars policy, but has eyes for Sumner Mayfield. His work visa is about to expire and needs to marry an American or he has to go back to Canada. Of course Britta agrees, but no physical or emotional attachments. Like that’s gonna work lol.

Fake marriage and miscommunication tropes if you’re into that stuff. The spicy scenes were cringey and laughable, in my opinion.

Thanks to Net Galley and Amazon for the ARC! Pub date 12/1/23

What a cute quick read by Tessa. Im a def autoread anything by her. Great plots, relatable characters. Would def recommend

Thank you Tessa Bailey and Amazon original stories for this ARC of Same Time Next Year in exchange for an honest review.
Same Time Next Year follows Britta and Sumner. Britta is a bar owner and half sister of Bryce who plays for the Bridgeport Bandits hockey team with Sumner. Sumner is in quite a predicament because his visa is about to expire and he will be sent back to Canada on the cusp of getting signed for a professional team. Sumner’s hockey team begs Britta to marry Sumner so that he can stay in America and so their love story begins.
I really enjoyed this quick and fun novella. It was light hearted, funny, and easy to read. Sumner and Britta’s love story was a little too instalove for me, I would have liked more of a build up to them liking each other, but I did love the tension and build up of them actually going beyond friends. There were some steamy parts in this one!!! But there was actually a plot too which I appreciated and I loved the characters!! I highly recommend!

Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey was perfect! If you’re into hockey romances with marriage of convenience you’ll love this novella! It’s so fun that it takes place at new years!

As someone who really loves Tessa Bailey, I found this book to be pretty cheesy. The main character, Summer, was just too good to be true and not really realistic. Britta annoyed me at times and was also unbelievable. The fact that these two were brought together by a fake marriage was a little too over the top. Most of the dialogue during the "spicy" scenes were a little too cringe. It wasn't the spicy parts I minded, it was the dialogue, it was just bad. This book wasn't horrible, but it wasn't the best TB book I have read.

I don't think that the novella format really lends itself well to a romance. I find that they tend towards insta love or something similar where the characters come together too quickly for me to really develop any interest in them and their story. And this was no exception. I hate to give low ratings, but I know that Bailey has enough of a following that this won't result in her having trouble selling her works down the road. And really, I'm one opinion so even thinking I matter that much in the grand scheme of things is a bit much.

Britta and Sumner's story literally flew by. Sure, it is a year from the start of the book to the end, but that year is pretty much captured in a few quick moments together. I think that the reader is supposed to feel like their feelings have been brewing for quite some time and that between the few visits they end up spending enough quality time together, albeit online, to form a strong relationship and bond. But I just never got there. Maybe it was that it was so few touch points between the marriage and the ending. Or maybe it was that there was so much lust and dirty talk that I could only think of their story in terms of sexual desire and physical connection. Love didn't seem to factor into things for me. Britta being in her head about marriage and fighting it all the way didn't sit well with me either. I get it. I do. It just felt so forced especially when you had Sumner basically playing the opposite in terms of being in love and ready to spend his life with someone he hardly even dated. Also, gotta say that his behaviour was borderline stalker for most of the story which made me cringe.

So, not for me. Not sure if someone who loves Bailey would feel the same or not, because the last book I read by her was really good and this was a very big disappointment. Ah well. If you want a fun holiday romance, I am not sure this will fit the bill.

DNF at 14%.

Internalized misogyny from the FMC, red flags from the MMC (in his first POV chapter he tells all his teammates that Britta is off-limits for them which should be her choice, not his) and the whole setup to the fake marriage and the pressure and deception involved made me deeply uncomfortable.

This was such a cute novella! I loved both main characters and can't wait to read Tessa's next book.

Tessa Bailey never misses! A funny and sweet novella about taking chances and love! Such a good read!

This was a very short and steamy novella! Britta is a waitress at a local place that the hockey team hangs out at. It’s New Year’s Eve and the team begs her to marry one of the players so he doesn’t have to leave the country as his work visa is expiring. Sumner is the best player and so close to making it into the NHL. What Britta doesn’t realize is how this will change her life. This was fun and spicy!!
It’s definitely cute if you like fake dating, brothers friend and sports romance!

I loved this novella! I don’t typically read many novellas. I think this may only be my second or third one ever. I get worried that there isn’t enough content or that the story will just feel too short and timelines are skipped over, but I really didn’t feel that way with Same Time Next Year. I would honestly read Tessa Bailey’s grocery list if she asked me to. An insta-buy author for me and when I saw this was available on NetGalley I was quick to request it. Hockey romances are extremely popular right now and this one did not disappoint. Such a fun read and devoured it in just a couple of hours.

Thank you NetGalley and Tessa Bailey for the ARC!

This book was cute! I thought it was a sweet romance and loved the hockey players. It was what I’ve come to expect from Tessa Bailey. A solid, spicy romance book!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Tessa Bailey and Netgalley for this promotional copy of Same Time Next Year in exchange for my honest opinion...

This same time next year Sumner and Britta are supposed to call off their marriage. One year, to the day, after they agreed to be married, all so Sumner could stay in the States and apply for his green card. Otherwise, his chance at playing in the NHL wouldn't be lost. After all, the team is counting on Britta, and while she doesn't believe in marriage or happily ever after, she's willing to take one for the team, literally. But when she starts to notice her body reacting to Sumner's possessiveness, his sincere advances, and his touch, that's when she knows she's in trouble. Could Britta be falling for her husband? Is the sexual tension she feels whenever she's near Sumner more than just lust, but actual love?

This sexy little romance is just what I needed to read to get my mind off of the list of things I need to be doing! The pent-up tension between these two is so thick (ahem...) and steamy that it's like a tidal wave of hotness! The quick succession of events that happen throughout their year as a fake married couple fast-tracks their feelings right along with the storyline in an easy, enjoyable reading experience. If you're looking for a quick, spicy read, this one is for you. Come for the fake marriage trope, but stay for the sexual tension and (slightly kinky) sexy times. :)

As I delved into Tessa Bailey's "Same Time Next Year," I found myself transported into a world where love, laughter, and unexpected twists come together in a delightful concoction. This steamy novella is not just a romance; it's an emotional rollercoaster that tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you with a satisfied smile.

Britta, the ambitious waitress with a strict no-dating policy for hockey boys, and Sumner Mayfield, the beast on the ice with dreams of making it to the NHL, are characters that linger in your thoughts. Bailey masterfully breathes life into them, making their struggles and triumphs feel remarkably real.

What starts as a fake marriage on a wild New Year's Eve unfolds into a journey of self-discovery, sacrifice, and unexpected love. Britta's hesitance and Sumner's desperation are palpable, making you cheer for their unconventional union. As the seasons change, so do the dynamics of their relationship, revealing layers of vulnerability and strength.

The chemistry between Britta and Sumner sizzles off the pages, and Bailey's ability to infuse humor into their interactions adds a delightful charm to the story. You can't help but root for them, laugh with them, and feel a tug at your heart as they navigate the complexities of their fake marriage.

This story was short and sweet and I enjoy romances featuring hockey players. Britta works at a bar called Sluggers where the local hockey team gathers. She has a strict policy against dated players especially since her half brother is on the team but she can't help but develop a soft spot for one player, Sumner Mayfield. When the hockey team brings it to Britta's attention that Sumner's visa is about to expire, forcing him to go back to Canada just when he is on the brink of being called up to the National League, it becomes clear that they want her to marry Sumner to keep him in the country. Sumner has always had a crush on Britta and knows she doesn't feel the same so despite his team's best efforts he doesn't expect her to agree to this marriage scheme. Britta, however, surprises everyone when she agrees so long as Sumner gives her the money to buy into the bar. They agree to remain married for a year, giving them each enough time to get what they want. However, the more they interact the more challenging it becomes to deny their attraction.

This is my first taste of Tessa Bailey and I loved it! I had so much fun reading this short story and the idea of it - I don't even care about the inaccuracies that are probably in it because I loved the characters. I wish we had a full length story of Sumner and Britta!

Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Orignal Stories for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The length of this book was actually perfect. It wasn't too short that the story was rushed, but it also made for a quick read. I liked the storyline, but I just couldn't get past all the smut. The main male character was cringe worthy. There are a bunch of inaccuracies regarding hockey and the US immigration process. Since it is fiction perhaps the author chose to ignore any of the actual process to make the story sound better. I really enjoyed It Happened One Summer and decided to start reading more titles by Tessa Bailey. I feel like all the others I've read don't have much of a story and are just full of banter and smut. Unfortunately, I think it's time for me to take a break from this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for a digital copy.

Quick and gets right to business- if you know Tessa Bailey, you’ll know what’s coming. Mismatched couple, a fabricated reason for them to get together, then plenty of sex. Enjoyable if you like your romances with less romance and more graphic interaction, but beware to readers who like to keep it clean. I enjoyed it as a passing escape.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for allowing access to an ARC.

This was a short novella and it was very cute! I love the build up of the female main character learning that her parent’s failed love story is not the norm. It was nice going on the journey with her, learning to love the male character.