Whenever the winter season starts, I just want cozy, happy, holiday romances. It’s just the perfect season for fluff with a side of spice and Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey definitely delivers! I picked this up as my monthly Amazon First Reads book, hoping it would be fluffy and excited that it was just as spicy.

This is absolutely a read by the vibes kind of book. If you’re someone who cannot handle an unrealistic premise (why??) then you might have some issues with this backdrop. Yes, it makes no sense that they are able to get a marriage greencard within a year. Yes, it makes no sense that a white Canadian hockey player was going to be deported from America. Yes, it makes no sense that the government employee just happened to walking into the office at the same time they’re making out (was he coming back from lunch? coming in late to work?) Yes, it makes no sense that it is easier for a Canadian to get drafted into the NHL while in America than Canada (especially considering it isn’t for a national team or the Olympics.) And yes, it is absolutely makes no sense that a defenseman would get drafted into the NHL in his late 20s after a long spate of injuries kept him from getting picked up when he was younger. If you can ignore all of that, you’ll love this. I did!

Sumner plays amateur hockey but is close to get drafted into the big leagues BUT he’s about to be deported. He’s also WILDLY in love with Britta, his teammates half-sister. New Years Eve, she is convinced to marry him with the condition that they not fall in love and get a divorce promptly one year later. Sumner accepts but takes his as his opportunity to make her fall in love with him.

This is dual POV which I really enjoyed. Sumner is so hopelessly in love with Britta that it made me realize that is my one true favorite trope. Just a guy that is so completely and hopelessly in love and desperate for the girl to love him back (but also respectful of her choices/etc.) Sumner continually held himself at bay, knowing this wasn’t something Britta wanted, even when we the reader knew she did. He kept honest with her and never tried to push any advantage. Britta was a great heroine. She didn’t let herself get pushed around and stood firm on what she wanted. Her character definitely developed despite the novella being only 144 pages. Britta starts off so commitment-phobic and eventually, with Sumner by her side, works through her issues to decide what matters the most.

Despite saying this is gave me fluffy feelings, it also was such great spice. It was so unexpected. I thought it was going to just be a cutesy holiday romance and then suddenly explicit sex/thoughts. It was very well written and hot as hell.

Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey is such a great fluffy/spicy romance that bookends New Years Eve to New Years Eve. If you’re looking to read something quick but hot, definitely pick this up!

In this ice hockey romance, we're introduced to the boss girl, Britta, skillfully managing a bustling bar on her own and ice hockey player Sumner who can't take his eyes off of her. What sets this story apart is the refreshing twist that the guy harbors a crush on our leading lady, and she's well aware of it—a delightful departure from the usual tropes.

However, my enjoyment was tempered by the rushed pace. The narrative skips over significant moments like wedding details, such as the described "chaste kiss," and the absence of scenes depicting moving in together. Notably, the abrupt jump from New Year's Eve to March felt disjointed.

On a positive note, the openness of the male character about his infatuation adds a swoon-worthy element to the narrative. "If you don't like it, then stop being my dream girl." *swoon*

All in all, I love the book for what it is. A short little romance with spice and book boyfriend material.

(3/5 stars) This romance novella came sort of out of nowhere, but I was happy to pick it up for free as one of the Prime First Reads this month. This is a fun, quick read (~150 pages) as long as you don't think about it too much (is getting a green card as easy as Bailey makes it out to be for novella-length purposes? no). With all your favorite tropes (marriage of convenience, he falls first/harder, MMC is a golden retriever in human form, found family, etc.), this was a decent read but I'm not sure I'd pick it up for a reread any time soon.

Sumner and Britta do marriage of convenience right. This hot and steamy arrangement is full of yearning in the most delicious ways. Funny, tender, and achingly sweet, Same Time Next Year is yet another home run for Tessa Bailey.

3.5 ⭐️ || 3 🌶️
This short story started off so cute and then the writing completely fell apart. I usually LOVE Tessa Bailey's work but I personally think that this would have been much better as a full-length book rather than a novella. The story and characters had so much potential but ultimately fell off the deep end of being cringe towards the end.

Pros: "where's my wife?" golden retriever energy
Cons: everything about the front yard soup scene

Thank you Net Galley and Amazon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5⭐️ This was an excellent novella. He falls (hard) first, marriage of convenience, hockey player. The only thing I really struggled with was the spice seemed to tip toe just a little bit too far. Some of the description/dirty talk could have been left out and would have been fine. The communication from Sumner was incredible. I loved his patience and focus on talking things out.

Thank you to Amazon & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was so excited to learn that Tessa Bailey has written a short story for an Amazon original, that I squealed when I saw it!

This is a novella but it is on the longer side with 144 pages. So a short and quick read, but the signature banter and spice that comes with Tessa’s work is present throughout the story. The ending was super cute, and overall this was an enjoyable “bonus” read from one of my favorite authors!