Allison’s Book Report: “Same Time Next Summer” by Annabel Monaghan

I live in a house full of romance-loving teenage girls, and if you have any of those in your own life (or are a romance lover yourself) you probably know all about a series of books-turned-uber-popular-TV-series called “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”  It has been and obsession of my youngest daughter’s for a long time now, and we are always looking for other books that have that first love/messy teen drama/summer vacation vibe.  There are a bunch of them out there, and I think this week's pick fits firmly into that category.

“Same Time Next Summer” by Annabel Monaghan is a charming and heartfelt story about a second chance at love and the power of memory. The book follows Sam, a woman living a seemingly perfect life in New York with her seemingly perfect doctor fiancé, Jack. However, her carefully constructed world begins to unravel when she returns to her family’s beach house on Long Island for the summer.

​This isn't just any beach house; it's the place where Sam spent every summer of her youth and, more importantly, where she first fell in love with Wyatt, her high school sweetheart. Wyatt and Sam were inseparable, sharing a deep and magical connection. Their relationship, however, ended abruptly and without a proper goodbye years ago, leaving a void that Sam has never truly filled.

​Upon her arrival, Sam is shocked to discover that Wyatt is back in town and working on her family’s property. The accidental reunion is awkward at first, but old feelings and forgotten memories quickly resurface. As they spend more time together, Sam is forced to confront the what-ifs and regrets of her past. She begins to question whether the life she's built with Jack is what she truly wants or if she's been running from the unfinished business of her first love.

​The novel beautifully weaves together the past and present, showing us flashbacks of Sam and Wyatt’s idyllic teenage summers. These nostalgic glimpses highlight the profound connection they shared, making their current predicament all the more poignant. Monaghan's writing is light and easy, capturing the warm, hazy feeling of a summer romance. The story is a delightful blend of humor, romance, and emotional depth, perfect for a lazy day at the beach.

​Ultimately, “Same Time Next Summer” is a story about listening to your heart, even when it's telling you something inconvenient. It's a reminder that sometimes the love we leave behind is the one that was meant to be all along.

If you are like us and you liked “The Summer I Turned Pretty” but can't get enough, make sure you grab this week's book – and don't forget to follow me over on Instagram @allison.the.reader for more book recommendations and book related fun!