There’s Always Next Year
Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Published December 2, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About There’s Always Next Year

From New York Times-bestselling author George M. Johnson and USA Today-bestselling author Leah Johnson comes a revolutionary new holiday romcom for fans of Lynn Painter, Alice Oseman, and Nicola Yoon.

Andy was supposed to shed her too-serious student journalist persona and reinvent herself on New Year’s Eve. Instead, she puked on her crush, dropped her phone in a fish tank, and managed to get her car stolen. Now, she only has the first day of the year to stop the gentrification that’s threatening her family’s business right her wrongs from the night before, and figure out why she feels so drawn to the electric new-girl-next-door. How can Andy find her voice when everything’s being turned upside down?

Dominique is an influencer on the verge of securing a major brand deal that will ensure his future and family legacy. But when he runs into his former best friend, unresolved feelings emerge — and in a small town, there’s nowhere to hide. Not from his cousin, Andy, who has always seen him for his true self, not from his busybody manager, Kim, whose favorite color is money green, and certainly not from himself. When all the world’s a stage, can Dominique rise to superstardom without leaving the ones he loves behind?

There’s Always Next Year is a dual POV, double love story about what it means to nearly blow your life up, and race to put it back together before your time runs out. And if they fail? Well, there’s always next year.

My Review

I read George M. Johnson’s incredible memoir, All Boys Aren’t Blue, so I was excited to see his name on this book. I haven’t read anything by Leah Johnson, though I have a copy of You Should See Me in a Crown, and I’ve heard awesome things about it. This book made me sorry I’ve waited so long to read any of her books!

The opening scene is so much fun. Dominique is just getting off a plane, returning to his small town for the first time since he’s been living in New York as an influencer and model. He is prepared to be recognized as a local celebrity! I love how that scene plays out.

The story alternates between Andy and her cousin Dominique’s perspectives, telling two side-by-side holiday romance stories filled with hijinks and small-town drama. It’s got that perfect snow-covered holiday vibe, and it made a perfect upbeat read to break up the more serious books I’m often drawn to.

While this is a charming romance novel, it also highlights the harm that gentrification inflicts on small communities, destroying family businesses and driving residents from their homes and neighborhoods. The story balances this topic well with the development of the romance and the thawing of the estrangement between Dominique and his family and friends.

All in all, this is a perfect sweet romance to read this winter.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong language used occasionally throughout.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Dominique visits his mom’s grave and speaks to her.

Violent Content
One character commits some destructive pranks.

Drug Content
In her first scene, Andy wakes up with a horrible hangover and embarrassing stories about what she did while drunk the night before.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.