"Same Time" Next Year by Tessa Bailey Review

“It is so bad

I want to give you a zero

But that's not possible

So I give you a one”

- Tyra Banks, America’s Next Top Model

Star Rating: 1/5 Stars

Tessa Bailey, we meet again.

The first book I read written by you was My Killer Vacation, and that did not meet my

expectations. Around Christmas 2024, there was a group of authors who wrote an

interconnected series of Christmas Romance Novellas. You wrote Merry Ever After, another

disappointment. I have nonetheless decided to give another one of your books a shot, so

here we are with Same Time Next Year. Sadly this book was yet another let-down. Even

though this is a book under 150 pages, it still requires plot and structure, as those are vital

elements of writing. This review contains light spoilers, so proceed at your own risk.

1) The Plot and its issues

This is a fiction book, yes, however, your book still portrays a certain level of realism,

especially as it is set in the modern world. Our main male protagonist, Sumner, is a hockey

player from Canada playing in the USA. His main problem is currently being unable to stay in

the country because he is required to get a green card. This introduces Britta, our main

female protagonist, who will be in a marriage of convenience with our main male protagonist

to help him stay in the USA. Aside from that, a hockey player does not want to return to the

country where hockey is literally a national identity, this makes the book feel unrealistic and

forced. You cannot convince me that he can not be drafted for a Canadian hockey team

because there are “no open positions”. If he were actually good, I doubt this would be an

issue. However, correct me if I’m wrong. I don’t know much about hockey myself.

On another note, he needs to get a green card, so he can stay in the US and play hockey. To

do this he must get married and prove his marriage to his case officer/interviewer.

My question is: How on earth did he get a green card so quickly?! You expect me to believe that the guy who interviewed them saw them doing inappropriate stuff in a parking lot and was like, “Yep, they’re in love. Approve the green card immediately.” Please be realistic, at least a little bit realistic with the plot.

2) Sumner.

I never knew there could be a masculine version of “Summer” until now, and, honestly, I wish

I still didn’t. His character felt inconsistent throughout the novel. His upbringing tells us that

he has sisters, and he was taught to respect women, yet his POV was filled with constant

inappropriate thoughts and overall unpleasant commentary to read about. At times, I wished

he would just keep quiet.

Also, “Touch her and I’ll end your life”... Sir, you are not some mob boss’s son or millionaire.

You do not have that kind of power or connections. You're an amateur hockey player who is

almost 30 (which I believe is close to retirement age for a hockey player, again, correct me if

I’m wrong), and you’re clearly not that skilled if your talent alone can’t keep you afloat. This

man is desperate, and not even in a yearning way, just in an uncomfortable one.

3) Britta.

Britta, you confused me. She displayed a very complex relationship with commitment due to

personal reasons, however, one second it’s: “I’m not a relationship girl” and the next you’re

doing mature relationship-level acts with Sumner, even though you claim to have no

romantic feelings towards him. Then you suddenly shut him down.

You do have a right to turn someone down, however, at times it was just messed up. It felt

like she was stringing him along. You were aware of the fact that he was obsessed with you

and wouldn't turn you down, yet you seemingly took advantage of that and kept pushing the

line. Her character is one-dimensional and flat, she has trust issues, daddy issues, and is a

walking red flag. She was completely defined by her past and insecurities, without much

depth or development.

“Because if you do them to someone else, I will have to murder them with my bare hands.”

Pack it up. You work at a bar... please. This line didn’t deliver the way you thought it would.

(Ps: This quote was about how nice he was treating to her)

4) Writing Style

The overall writing was, to put it simply, not in my preferred style. At times, the literary

devices used felt excessive, and the descriptions she used were uncomfortable, cringy (not

in a good way), or just did not make sense. While descriptive language and writing can

enhance a story, in this instance, it was not executed well, particularly in the more romantic

scenes...

““ohhhh my god!” she shakes like a washing machine on the spin cycle.”

“I should be angry at you. Calling dibs on me like I’m the last french fry.”

“You’re more like filet mignon, sweetheart.”

Goodbye.

5) The... okay.

Despite my critiques, there were still parts of the book that were digestible, and a couple of

lines that were somewhat done well (if they had not been a part of this book with these

certain characters). Certain moments were alright, however with more research and a

revised writing approach, the concepts in this book could be significantly improved. Overall, I

have concluded to give her longer-form books a shot, as they might have more substance to

them.

Same Time Next Year or Same Time Never Read (we’ll see each other again, Ms. Bailey)