*This is a book review of This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens.
“‘If he’s still in your head, it’s worth taking the risk. You never know just how perfect it might turn out to be.'”
– Leila
Quick Facts
Author: Sophie Cousens
Release Date: August 1, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Contemporary Fiction
Main Characters: Minnie Cooper (lol) & Quinn Hamilton
Number of Pages: 368
SJ Rating: 47%
The Synopsis
Fate is a beautiful thing, as shown in the case of Minnie Cooper & Quinn Hamilton–two people who were destined to be together from birth. After years of coincidences and chance encounters, their time to romantically find each other arrives, but will the rocky road of commitment issues and insecurities prevent them from finding true love?
The Good
Honestly, this was a very boring book, and for some unknown reason, I kept wanting to go back to read it after I set it down.
I appreciate the small moments where global warming and the future of our planet is discussed.
I also enjoyed the slow building anticipation (does not seem grammatically correct but moving on) of when the characters realize just how involved they’ve been in each other’s lives. Though, I expected a bigger reaction or deeper conversation when that particular moment arrives.
The only other thing I liked about this book is the very subtle way the fourth wall was broken. When characters break the fourth wall, my heart gets really happy.
The Bad
Honestly, I wasn’t immediately hooked when I started reading this book; the beginning made the whole book seem decently predictable.
Also, the book is written in third person point-of-view, which kind of put me off to it. There are just some books I think would sound better written in first person, and this book is one of them. It would provide the missing detail and imagery that would make the book more immersive and really capture the reader’s attention.
I am not sure how to explain this. There are time jumps all throughout this book, and the time jumps within the chapters get a little confusing compared to the time jumps that are chapters.
The Overall
Every time I read “Minnie,” I thought of Minnie Driver. Do with that information what you please.
I don’t quite understand how this book is an “instant New York Times bestseller.” Of course, it’s all based on my preferences and opinion when it comes to romantic, contemporary adult books.
The best thing about this book is the parallels between the two leads, like how they were unknowingly in India at the same time and interacting with the same stray dog.
Though this book isn’t a favorite, I must ask: where do you see yourself this time next year?
Next book to be read and reviewed: What Would Frida Do? by Arianna Davis
“‘Be a good companion to yourself and you will never be lonely.'”
– Leila
