This Time Next Year

by Tina Martin

The love of my life up and let me one day and I have no idea why. My life hasn’t been the same since.

When I run into Adrianna in a grocery store, I instantly feel the chemistry between us. Thinking there’s still a chance, I drive to her home in hopes that we can talk. Besides, she told me that if we were both single this time next year, we’ll give the marriage another go.

The only thing is, I don’t know why our marriage failed in the first place.

Genres: Christmas

46 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2025

About the author

TINA MARTIN is a talented, romantic suspense fiction writer and the author of over 95 titles. She enjoys Hallmark movies, running and traveling. (PLEASE NOTE: There are multiple authors with this name on Goodreads. If you're following me, look for my logo!)

Amazon: amazon.com/author/tinamartin
Instagram: instagram.com/tinamartinauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/tinamartinauthor

Her books are listed below:

An Unlikely Love Series
When I Needed You
When You Needed Me
Flicker: An Ahmalee + Cain Update
-
Back to Love Series
Marriage Quarrel in Quarantine
Countdown to You
Offsides: A Superbowl Party Romance
Crushed
-
A St. Claire Novel Series:
Royal
Ramsey
Romulus
Regal
Magnus
Honeymoon With A St. Claire
Major
Zander
Zavier
-
St. Claire Life Series
Honeymoon With A St. Claire
Just Being Us (Prequel to Zander)
Keep That Same Energy (Zander & Alyssa Update
-
St. Claire Women Series
Gemma
-
Season of Love Novelettes:
Hot Chocolate
Spring Break
-
The Marriage Chronicles:
Life's A Beach
Falling Out
War Then Love
-
The Boardwalk Bakery Romance:
Baked With Love
Baked With Love 2
Baked With Love 3
-
A Lennox in Love Series:
Claiming You
Making You My Business
Wishing That I Was Yours
Caught in the Storm with a Lennox
Before You Say I Do
Winter Wonder
Winter Wedding
The Weekend
-
The Love of Elias Series:
Been In Love With You
When Hearts Cry
You Belong To Me
When I Call You Mine
Who Do You Love
Forever Mine
-
The Blackstone Family Series:
Evenings With Bryson
Leaving Barringer
Forever Us
The Things Everson Lost
Candy's Corporate Crush
-
The Champion Brothers Series:
His Paradise Wife
When A Champion Wants You
The Best Thing He Never Knew He Needed
Wives And Champions
The Way Champions Love
His By Spring (A Champion Sister Novel)
A Champion's Proposal
The Convenient Husband
At The Right Time
-
The Alexander Series:
The Millionaire's Arranged Marriage
Watch Me Take Your Girl
Her Premarital Ex
The Object of His Obsession
Dilvan's Redemption
His Charity Challenge
Different Tastes
As Long As We Got Love
-
The Accidental Series:
Accidental Deception
Accidental Heartbreak
Accidental Lovers
Accidental Vows
-
The Dying to Love Her Series:
Dying To Love Her
Dying To Love Her 2
Dying To Love Her 3
-
The Dare and Deja Chronicles
Reception Romance
Long Distance Troubles
Back to the Valley
Into Forever
-
Standalone Titles:
Secrets On Lake Drive
Can't Just Be His Friend
The Baby Daddy Interviews
Just Like New to the Next Man
Falling Again
The Crush
Vacation Interrupted
Wasn't Supposed to Love Her
What Wifey Wants
Man of Her Dreams
Bae Watch
How To Love Me
Weekend Fiance: A Jared and KeShana InstaLove Story
For Ruby: A Micah & Georgiana Short Story
Snowed in at Shenandoah Valley

Reviews

[*Ebony I* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unwavering Love

This was a sweet story, but I wasn't blown away. This married couple has been estranged over the past year. Anna decided it was best that they separate and Trey didn't understand why. Everything in him still belonged to her, but he couldn't force her to be with him and he wanted her to be happy so he tried to give her her space. This situation was odd, because why carry that all on your own when you are married to a seemingly very supportive man? It seemed unnecessary. None the less I appreciated the unwavering support felt from Trey.

[Mrs. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, even short ones

I enjoyed this brief love story. I was happy when the truth was revealed about the marriage issue, and it wasn't anything that the couple could not overcome in time. Thank you for this no drama love story....

[JazzReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first read by this author. The story was interesting. Overall just ok to me.

[Gwendolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to give it to Trey, with his unwavering love for Adrianna. He hung in there for the woman he was deeply in love with. As for Adrianna, I didn't particularly care for her because of how she treated Trey, instead of coming clean with him about why she left him. I will say I'm not unsympathetic to what she went through, but come on.

Adrianna almost lost out on Trey in the end.

[Cheonica Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Time Next Year had me in my feelings from the jump because there’s nothing more unsettling than loving someone deeply and having them just leave without explanation. Trey running into Adrianna and instantly feeling that pull again felt so real. Some connections don’t fade they just sit quietly, waiting to be acknowledged.

Now when her reason for leaving finally came out, I could partially understand it. Pain will make you retreat inward and grief will convince you silence is safer than vulnerability. My heart is trying to understand how someone can have a loving, committed husband like Trey and choose to shut down instead of letting him in. That part was hard to swallow. Communication could’ve saved them so much hurt.

What made this story hit for me was Trey’s determination. He didn’t give up. He didn’t harden his heart. He fought for his wife, his marriage and the future he still believed in. That kind of love patient, intentional, unwilling to walk away is rare.

This story was a reminder that love doesn’t always fail because it disappears. Sometimes it fails because people stop talking. Sometimes, when the timing is right and the truth finally surfaces, love really does deserve another chance.

[Treasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second chance romance in a small town

Adrianna suffered a great loss but wasn't able to communicate this to her husband Trey.
Instead, she asked for a separation and told him that if they were still single a year later, they could try to work their marriage out.

Trey is left devastated by the heartache his wife has left him with. He makes a cautious decision to give her the space she needs with the determination to win her back when the time comes.

A year later as he promised himself, Trey is on a mission to get his wife back but as he is in the process of winning her back, Adrianna finally tells him why she left him in the first place.

The painful revelation doesn't only bring them back together but renews their love for each other.

[NubianJoí · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Deception Perception

“This Time Next Year”, a great novella for growth & wisdom as well as a cautionary tale in “the deception perception” couple edition. More so, forty six pages for couples to observe warning signs & study characteristics (in themselves and their mate) on how to communicate more effectively with your mate/spouse. Sadly, both Adrianna & Trey share culpability for their miscommunication. Yes, pride is destructive! However, what was intended for their destruction was obliterated by willful transparency, compassion & love for another 💕‼️Good message 📚🥹‼️

[Treya Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels like life…

You know how you read books in the back of your mind you’re like is this possible? This time next year by Tina Martin feels like we are watching life happen to two beautiful humanhuman beings. It is an honor, an absolute honor to walk through Treya and Adrianna’s experience-their lives, their emotions, and their journey to healing. May we also fortunate, so lucky, so loved to experience the same. This is a must read.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute lil short read. I feel like it wouldn’t exist if Adrianna felt safe enough to talk to Trey about why she wanted to leave him. Which, idk why she didn’t see Trey as a safe space. I felt safe with this man even though he’s fictional and the book is less than 50 pages long lol.

Trey came off as very thoughtful and in love. Adrianna was also in love but our girl was a runner, a track star. She came around in the end though.

[Cherie l brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story of enduring love. I really liked the Lumberjack-he was a very good and solid man. Despite the ordeal his dear wife took him thru, he continued to love her and only her. Hard to phantom why Adrianna made the choices that she did, but even in their separation, she didn’t take another man. Trye was the type of supportive, loving and caring husband of most any girl’s dream.

[Stephanie L. Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short & Sweet

Very well written and full of emotions. It held everything you needed in a compact timeframe. They were excellent examples of what to do and what not to do in a relationship. I had such a vivid and I do mean (VIVID) picture of the male lead. I appreciate this story so much thank you.

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

'This Time Next Year' is a captivating novella by Tina Martin that explores the connection between two characters, Trey and Adrianna, who, despite their breakup, still have a bond that pulls them back together. What will Adrianna reveal to Trey? To find out, you must pick up this engaging short read!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mighty Sweet

A sweet, quick read. Trey went about retrieving his wife and his determination and steadfastness paid off, positively. Adrianna finally shared her secret pain with Trey and not all things are right with the world again. Their love puts them on the path to FOREVERMORE and a son in three months. Yes, all is well!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When communication breaks down!

Trey and Adrianna loved each other so much that when Adrianna experienced heartbreak she choose to blame herself, not share her pain with her husband and moved out. Trey was hurt and thought his wife no longer loved him.

However they were eventually able to talk about and get help for the pain that caused their separation.

[Janice 'Ms_jae' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Love

As always, this author knows how to pull my heart’s strings. This Time Next Year is a very quick read that will have you swooning over lumberjack Trey and wishing Adrianna makes things right with her husband. I enjoyed reading their journey.
Kudos, Author Tina Martin.

[C.M. Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short second chance romance!

I loved how well paced everything was! This is my first time reading Tina Martin! I would definitely recommend this book and I’ll be diving deeper into her catalog soon

[Eulene Guillory · Rating 4 out of 5]

palate cleanser

Short, sweet, cliche’, but the right amount of heart tug, love making, rekindling, and second chance.. reading this did what I needed it to do after reading some heavy things

[Mia L Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Time Next Year

Beautiful short story about love lost and found. Anna and Trey find their way back to each other after a misunderstanding. Who doesn't love a second chance at love!

[KAREN MCCRAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one.

This is a short story but impactful. Trey is a man who loves his wife and can't understand why she left him. A lot of men after so long would have moved on and let their ego get in the way but not Trey.

[Lee Holden, E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Good read,I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Trey and Adriana are a married, but have been separated for a year. Trey still loves and wants his wife, he’s not sure why they’re apart. This is their journey to reconciliation and understanding.

[Mariann · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and sweet

A quick read so much love written in such a short story probably the shortest I’ve read in quite some time. I’m glad Trey and Adrianna were able to rekindle what they had and move forward in their marriage and in love.

[Vernell Renee Howard Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

The story is captivating from start to finish. Have faith in yourself and stand up for what you believe in. You are worthy of great things. Speak your mind and assert your needs. You have the power to make positive changes in your life. Loved It! ReneeG.

[Rhondalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short read

I enjoyed this short read. Trey, a wonderfully sensitive Lumberjack. He wonders what he did wrong to make his wife leave him. It’s been a year of separation. What does he need to get her back? Did he something wrong?

[Sassha Reads❤️❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick But Good

Trey struggled trying to figure out what made Adrianna separate from him but his love and desire for her never wavered. Unbeknownst to Trey, Adrianna was suffering in silence due to having a miscarriage. They talked everything out and now they have a son on the way.

[sheila ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This time next year

This was a great short story, I really enjoyed it , I am glad she decided to have a conversation with her husband and they were able to get past her being so hard on herself.

[Cameron Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute. simple.

I wish there was a bit more showing than telling. But I get that’s just par for the course when it is a short story. Overall, entertaining. It made my train ride pass by faster

[Velva Seay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Beginning?

This was a short but good book. Straight to the point. Trey was a determined man. He wanted his wife back but first he had to figure out why they were no longer together. Would he get the answer he needs?

[Tigger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, short, and complete story!
I wanted more, but Tina said up front that this was a novella.

[Donnica Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwww

Quick read. Had me at the beginning. I cried and was happy in the end.

Definitely read!!! It will give you all the feels

[Shahtia Gay-hairston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A time to rejoice

Loved seeing these two find their way back. Adrianna had me so puzzled when it was from Trey’s perspective. His poor self didn’t know what was wrong.