This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens is a sweet and low stakes story that is perfect to finish out 2020.
When it comes to celebrity book clubs, it’s all about Reese, Oprah and Jenna. But I have to say one that is a bit under the radar is the Good Morning America book club. I’ve been very impressed with many of their choices and I love to see more book clubs select some of their picks. From The Vanishing Half to Oona Out of Order to The Midnight Library, they really are putting some thought into the books they choose—just as much as the celebrity ones. So don’t sleep on the Good Morning America’s book club!
I didn’t expect them to select a romcom for their December 2020 pick. But it also makes sense in so many ways. It’s been a tough year and on top of that, there’s a ton of really serious and heart wrenching books out there. By the time December rolls around, I think we’re all ready for something lighter. And This Time Next Year certainly fits that criteria. However, it’s not simply a fluff story—there is some depth to this one.
The synopsis
Minnie Cooper knows two things with certainty: that her New Year’s birthday is unlucky, and that it’s all because of Quinn Hamilton, a man she’s never met. Their mothers gave birth to them at the same hospital just after midnight on New Year’s Day, but Quinn was given the cash prize for being the first baby born in London in 1990–and the name Minnie was meant to have, as well. With luck like that, it’s no wonder each of her birthdays has been more of a disaster than the one before.
When Minnie unexpectedly runs into Quinn at a New Year’s party on their mutual thirtieth birthday, she sees only more evidence that fortune has continued to favor him. The gorgeous, charming business owner truly seems to have it all–while Minnie’s on the brink of losing her pie-making company and her home. But if Quinn and Minnie are from different worlds, why do they keep bumping into each other? And why is it that each fraught encounter leaves them both wanting more?
A moving, joyful love story, This Time Next Year explores the way fate leads us to the people we least expect–no matter what the odds.
Minnie and Quinn
The premise is good and unique—Minnie and Quinn are born at the same hospital but since Quinn was the first baby born, he got the prize as well as the name that Minnie’s mother had originally selected for her (there’s a whole big story behind that). This leaves Minnie’s mother quite bitter and sets the stage for Minnie to believe she’s bad luck, especially on her birthday. This pessimistic viewpoint clouds Minnie’s every move. The chance encounter with Quinn all but confirms that she was fated to lose.
Quinn is rich, handsome, successful and life seems to be easy for him. The type of person who doesn’t seem to have many problems. But there is a lot more going on with Quinn than is outer appearance and wealth, which Minnie eventually learns more about.
I’m glad the author gave Quinn much more depth. Sometimes these romcoms kind of put characters like Quinn in the stereotypical category but that’s not the case here.
This is a story about missed connections and also fate. I feel that these always make for good book club choices as it makes you ponder your own choices and what role fate may or may not have played.
Overall, this is a quick read with a charming premise. Check out my book club questions here.
