I really enjoyed getting into this book – it has an unusual story-line, was well written, and clearly by an author who knows her Norfolk and its coast (I lived there for years). Whilst the ending was fairly predictable, there were enough people and ideas to keep me well involved throughout – albeit the middle section was a little slow. Believable, up to a point (e.g. would Dan really have followed through?), and interesting characters and stories. Well-studied views on some family issues and very funny in parts. Having read it, I’d agree it’s not the sort of book I’d normally have chosen. I was intrigued by the title (see the film of the same title with Alan Alda), but I’m really glad I did!

I've read and enjoyed a couple of other books by Heidi Stephens and was happy to get my hands on this one. The story is centred on two estranged sisters, Bel and Marie, who have to live together for a year after their mother dies suddenly. It's about family, love, loss, learning to trust and building a new family in tough times.

Both sisters are a little hard to like at times, especially Bel, but loved seeing the growth, and understanding and trying to resolve baggage from the past that's affecting their lives in the present And Nick! He has been through his own tough times, and really resolved to make changes in his life for the better. He was so supportive of Bel even when she seemingly didn't deserve his patience and love. The whole cast of characters was really amazing and added to my overall enjoyment.

The book really highlights the importance of looking after your mental health and a strong support system. I enjoyed reading about how wild swimming helped Bel centre herself. The Trade Nomads idea is so cool and I wish we had that where I live.

Really enjoyed getting lost in this story and would recommend to anyone looking a satisfying read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for an ARC of this book.

This is a shame as was enjoying the story and the potential for a great humorous read but the swearing was just too much…..I expect a bit but it was very overused and started to annoy and deflect attention from the story for me so sadly this was a DNF for me

Honestly this is one of the best books I have read recently - oh my word I just loved it! Our heroines are Bel and Marie who are sisters who have just lost their mother Lily. In her will Lily has left the sisters a house in Cornwall which they will get to keep if they live in it together for one full year.

The characters are so well written and some of Bel's thoughts were very much on the sarcastic side and made me laugh out loud and read them to my husband - this has never happened before!

Overall an emotional heart-warming read that I will definitely be recommending to others, a 5 star read for sure!

This book was heartwarming, cozy, and romantic. It at times had some strong language. It was fun seeing these two sisters being forced together and seeing how that played out. I loved all of the wide characters and the setting a lot! This is my first book by this author but won’t be my last!

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for the arc!
Pub date: 2/29/24

Eh. Just eh. I’m surprised I didn’t like this based off of some of the reviews I read. The language was a little much at times and the plot was unoriginal. This book is like Ali Brady’s Beach Trap meets Rachel Hanna’s Sweet Tea B&B. I normally hesitate when writing less-than-stellar reviews because I know how these things can impact the author and book sales, so I will not be posting my thoughts on my social media pages. There were parts of comedic relief that made me chuckle, but overall, this book left me unimpressed and wanting more. I will say, the author’s writing appears to have such potential and I hope she continues. This book, however, did not do it for me.

This is a good story. Sometimes I did not like the language but that is a personal feeling. The story is of two sisters who were sort of estranged having to spend a year together to get their inheritance . Lots of twists, falling in love, swimming in the sea. A lot of anger but a perfect ending .

I absolutely enjoyed this book.
Despite knowing absolutely nothing about it when going in, I just binged the entirety of the book.

Found myself laughing out loud and smiling throughout this book… If you love cozy stories, some cute romance… this book is for you!

Bel and Marie are opposite sisters, living different lives, and not even feeling like sisters. But what happeneds when there mom dies, and leaves everything to her friend expect the orchard house. The only catch is they must live in this house together for a year in order to sell and get the profits. But will they? Will the finally bond like sisters? Will they both find fulfillment in their life after this?

Honestly this book was hard warming, beautiful and sweet. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a book that has ups and downs. The beginning hooked me so quick!

Having read and highly enjoyed another of Heidi Stephens' books (Game, Set and Match), I was really excited to see what she had to offer next.

Same Time Next Year has a fascinating and engaging premise about two sisters who inherit a house when their mother dies. These polar opposites are forced to live together for a year before their inheritance can be finalised which leads to both funny and poignant moments – in fact, I went through the whole gamut of emotions reading this book. It was also an addictive page-turner and I was desperate to know what happened next.

My favourite part of the novel was hearing about how the sisters managed to renovate the house with very little money. I also enjoyed the introduction to wild swimming! In fact, this book kept me thoroughly entertained.

I'm very much looking forward to Heidi Stephens' next book and, in the meantime, I'm going to explore her backlist – I'm certainly grateful for the introduction to her work.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Same Time Next Year.

My first book by this author, and I absolutely loved it! We meet two sisters, Bel (Bluebell) and Marie (Marigold). Their mother has just died and has left them a house they didn't know she had. The only stipulation is that they must live together for a year before they are able to sell the house. Bel and Marie haven't been close for years, so the thought of living together for a year is unthinkable. Will they be able to last the year together?

This was such a wonderful read. The premise of the book was right up my street and I loved the idea of seeing Bel and Marie try to live together with the history that they have. I have to admit to initially liking Marie the most out of the two sisters, finding Bel difficult to connect with. She definitely has some past issues which she finds very difficult to let go of, and this makes her more than a little prickly, untrusting and unapproachable! I do find myself liking her more and more as the book moves on though and you find she has a wicked dry sense of humour. The book is filled with other likeable characters - Maggie, Dan, Jenna and of course Nick! Nick is another character with lots of past issues, and his development from "cute but mute" Nick to the man we know at the end is captivating! I do want to know however, where I can find a man like Nick because he is absolutely gorgeous in every way!

The majority of the book is based on the Norfolk coast and the scenery from this area gives great images of what life is like for Bel and Marie. I loved the beach scenes and could imagine myself with a coffee and a sausage roll watching the North sea coming in. We also get to see the delights of wild swimming with Bel, Nick and some of the local women swimming every morning in the sea, no matter the weather. It sounded fantastic, if not a little chilly at times! The story however isn't just about swimming and the beautiful Norfolk coastline. It's full of every emotion you can imagine, and will have you reaching for the tissues and laughing out loud in equal amounts! There are some sensitive moments, which are handled just perfectly, and Bel and Marie's storyline will have you hooked throughout. A word of warning however, there is some bad language throughout and some references to sex.

I flew through the book, unable to put it down until I'd finished it. My first book by this author, but I will definitely be looking out for more. Loved the storyline, loved the location, loved the characters... it was truly wonderful!! Would definitely recommend!!

I loved this feel good, warm and funny novel. Definitely a 5 star read. I've always enjoyed reading Heidi Stephens and her books never fail to pick me up and this one done wonders. This is definitely a book you need to feel warm and good.

What a warm and funny five-star read. I simply adore this author, but this one blew me away, I have always found them funny and relevant, but this one just has that extra something that adds the chefs kiss to it. You will be put through the ringer by this story but come out feeling all the better for it at the end. It is true that we are all different flowers from the same garden, it just happens that it’s a very large garden with us all in it and we all have different patches. Bel and Marie are such different characters, but you can see small parts of the special Lily in them both, even if they don’t see it themselves. What a difference a year makes, Marie is the me I would love to be, free spirited and fly by the seat of your pants type and Bel is the me more in my younger years, hiding my grief in drinking and other things. I must admit I loved how the Trade Nomads are highlighted, my cousin did something similar in Nepal for a couple of years, and when I told him about it in this story, he was super happy to see that more people will get to know about the tradition and hopefully become interested. Pick up this story if you are looking for a story that will suck you in, and make you care about a group of ragtag people who will worm their way into your heart. It may also have you running to your nearest wild swimming spot as well.

Omg where do I start? I have never read a Book by Heidi Stephen’s before and I didn’t know what to expect but it was absolutely brilliant from start to finish.

It’s all about sisters Bel and Marie and their whirlwind year together after their Mother dies.

I think i must have felt every emotion reading this book. It was heartbreaking in parts and tackled some really tough issues and I cried happy tears for some of the chapters but I loved it.

The setting of the book was beautiful and I loved the thought of cold water swimming, but the best part was the characters. I loved them all (apart from one) and my favourite by far was Nick he was just perfect.

Overall a brilliant five star book which really shows you the power of family and friends.

Now that I have finished this book I cannot wait to read every book Heidi has ever written while contemplating cold water swimming considering I live a few minutes from the beach.

Thanks to Netgalley, Headline Books and Heidi Stephens for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

This is my second Heidi Stephens novel after Game, Set and Match, which I really enjoyed. I wasn't sure at the beginning if I would like this as much, but it won me over in the end. It's the story of sisters Bel and Marie (real names Bluebell and Marigold, which they've understandably declined to use). The sisters aren't close and don't have much in common, but thanks to their recently-deceased mother's will, they now have to spend a year living together in and doing up a house they didn't previously know existed.

The main character is Bel, who, having emerged from a toxic marriage, has major issues with intimacy and trust. Casual sex is fine; anything more than that is definitely out of the question. Is there any possibility of opening herself up to a relationship?

Sounds a bit serious but this is actually a really fun read with some great characters. I liked the changing relationship between Bel and Marie, and Nick was a treasure. Ultimately a feel good read which I enjoyed a lot.

Beyond excited for this one! I love a good sister novel and I can’t wait to share my thoughts as well as bring this to readers. I’ve always wanted a sister so it’s fun to love vicariously between Marie & Bel. I can’t wait to see how things unfold and how romantic interest Nick factors in, Will they rekindle their sisterly bond!?
All fun things to look forward to in this story.