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Those Manning Men #4
Same Time, Next Year
Return to the Manning Family with book 6 in this fan-favorite series of classic romances, by #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.James Wilkens was almost a Manning groom—because he almost married one of the Manning sisters. With that broken engagement behind him, he spends New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas…where he meets Summer Lawton. She’s just suffered a painful betrayal, and James promises her that in a year, she’ll be over it. To prove his point, he makes a date to meet her in Vegas Same Time, Next Year. Except it turns out to be more than a date—it’s a wedding!Originally published in 1995
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1995
207 people are currently reading
790 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
894 books20.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 22, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
I dont read very many Stand Alone Books by Debbie Macomber but when i do i usually enjoy the stories just as much as i did if they were part of a series and this one was no different. I found this read very uniquely written unlike any other romance ive read before maybe its because its an older story.
The Characters were so interesting and intriguing to read about. Summer, Julie and James were all my favorites.
The Setting was beautifully described of Las Vegas mostly of The Las Vegas Strip which made me feel like i was actually there especially when the scenery was described.
Overall Another Good Romance by Debbie Macomber about 2 Hopeless Romantics agreeing to meet 1 year after heartbreaks!! Can't wait to read more by Debbie in the future!!
Review:
I dont read very many Stand Alone Books by Debbie Macomber but when i do i usually enjoy the stories just as much as i did if they were part of a series and this one was no different. I found this read very uniquely written unlike any other romance ive read before maybe its because its an older story.
The Characters were so interesting and intriguing to read about. Summer, Julie and James were all my favorites.
The Setting was beautifully described of Las Vegas mostly of The Las Vegas Strip which made me feel like i was actually there especially when the scenery was described.
Overall Another Good Romance by Debbie Macomber about 2 Hopeless Romantics agreeing to meet 1 year after heartbreaks!! Can't wait to read more by Debbie in the future!!
August 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this sweet story. The protagonists were likable characters who interacted with each other in a kind and loving way that I appreciated. I liked that how their courtship developed slowly through monthly letters, so while their marriage seemed rushed, they had already built the foundation for it over the past year.
New year's Eve in vegas, James Wilkens (a superior court judge) impulsively rescued a most seductive damsel in distress. One unforgettable night with Summer Lawton had him vowing to meet her at the same time, in the same place, next year. But even twice was not enough. So James impulsively made free-spirited Summer his wife.
New year's Eve in vegas, James Wilkens (a superior court judge) impulsively rescued a most seductive damsel in distress. One unforgettable night with Summer Lawton had him vowing to meet her at the same time, in the same place, next year. But even twice was not enough. So James impulsively made free-spirited Summer his wife.
September 26, 2014
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Same Time, Next Year is the fourth and final full-length novel in Debbie Macomber's Those Manning Men series. As with pretty much all the books in the series, it's a sweet, light romance. Although thankfully, Ms. Macomber doesn't gloss over sexual attraction, there are no explicit elements, making it suitable for most romance readers. In this book, James, Christy Manning's ex-fiancé and the man she left in the dust, finally gets his HEA. While James isn't a Manning by blood, he's been a friend of the family for years and is basically an honorary Manning. The Manning parents definitely treat him like one of their own and welcome Summer into their lives as well, but of course, they each have their own parents too, so it makes for a large, warm, family-oriented story.
James is a hard-working attorney who has just been appointed to serve out the term of a retiring Superior Court judge. At thirty-seven, he's the youngest person to be appointed to the bench in Seattle, and he has every intention of running for office in the fall in hopes of making his new job permanent. Most people seem to view James as something of a stodgy, stuffed shirt, which could kind of be seen in some of the previous books of the series. Although he does begin the book seeming rather reserved, he gets over that pretty quickly when Summer comes into his life. Once he realizes how much in love with her he is, he's transformed into a very loving and passionate man. I suppose it could be said that Summer simply brought out the best in him.
Summer is a light and breezy character most of the time, but her emotions still occasionally get in the way of her making the best choices. She's an actress and singer who performs at Disneyland. She really enjoys her job, but when she falls for James, she's more than willing to give it up to stand by his side as he pursues his career. Much like with the other heroines in this series, her parents are well-meaning, but a bit overbearing, and she kind of allows them to run rough-shod over her, though not nearly as much as Christy did in her book. I'm glad that Summer stood up to her cheating ex-fiancé, although I did question her judgment just a little when she didn't tell James about her ex continuing to call her even after they were married. I also felt like she let James's campaign manager get to her way too easily. I kind of understood that she wanted to do what was best for her husband and his campaign, but the man was obviously an idiot. Ultimately, I felt like she was a bit naive and should have had an open, honest conversation with James about it before essentially running away.
James and Summer are a cute and well-matched couple, but I have to admit the beginning of the story was a little slow for me. I just didn't really feel that building attraction like I wanted to. They met in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve right after Summer had discovered her fiancé's infidelity, and James consoled her. Having gone through a similar break-up himself, he understood her and assured her that she would feel much better within a year, which led to them making a 'date' to meet in Vegas again the next New Year's Eve. Throughout the coming year, they exchanged letters monthly, which I thought was a sweet gesture since few people actually write letters anymore. Supposedly a deep friendship built between them during that time, but we don't really get to see that happening. When they meet up again, Summer initially isn't even thinking of James in a romantic way, so the sudden attraction to one another and the quickie marriage felt like they were going from 0 to 100 within only a few days time. It might have been nice if they'd actually started experiencing romantic feelings for one another through their letter writing. Once they're married, though, the love and passion they feel for one another is very obvious. They can hardly stand being apart (honestly I don't think the long separation was all that necessary, but will grudgingly admit it added conflict and tension), and when they're together they can hardly keep their hands off each other.;-) I was so glad when James's dad finally put an end to their misery and brought Summer home to James.
With all the family ties, there are secondary characters aplenty. James's dad was my favorite. He's been wanting James to marry and give him grandkids for a long time, so he's crazy about Summer. He very much treats her like the daughter he never had, and has lots of great fatherly advice to dispense to both James and Summer. He's very involved in their lives, without being overbearing like Summer's family and the Manning parents can sometimes be. Of course all the Mannings who reside in Seattle show up at some point in the story, and it was fun to see them and their growing families.
Overall, Same Time, Next Year was a sweet story that I mostly enjoyed. Having read the entire Those Manning Men series now, plus The Manning Sisters duet, I know that Debbie Macomber sometimes uses soap-opera-style plotting that makes me want to groan, yet somehow it all works out in the end and I can't help feeling happy for the loving couple. Not to mention, her stories always express the all-important emotion I look for in a romance. There's one more wrap-up novella in this series, Silver Bells, that is supposed to reunite the entire Manning clan for Christmas while telling a new story. I have no idea who the main characters might be, but I'm looking forward to reading it this coming holiday season. Same Time, Next Year was originally published as a stand-alone novel in the Silhouette Special Edition line, and was later reprinted in the single-author anthology The Manning Grooms along with the third book of the series.
Same Time, Next Year is the fourth and final full-length novel in Debbie Macomber's Those Manning Men series. As with pretty much all the books in the series, it's a sweet, light romance. Although thankfully, Ms. Macomber doesn't gloss over sexual attraction, there are no explicit elements, making it suitable for most romance readers. In this book, James, Christy Manning's ex-fiancé and the man she left in the dust, finally gets his HEA. While James isn't a Manning by blood, he's been a friend of the family for years and is basically an honorary Manning. The Manning parents definitely treat him like one of their own and welcome Summer into their lives as well, but of course, they each have their own parents too, so it makes for a large, warm, family-oriented story.
James is a hard-working attorney who has just been appointed to serve out the term of a retiring Superior Court judge. At thirty-seven, he's the youngest person to be appointed to the bench in Seattle, and he has every intention of running for office in the fall in hopes of making his new job permanent. Most people seem to view James as something of a stodgy, stuffed shirt, which could kind of be seen in some of the previous books of the series. Although he does begin the book seeming rather reserved, he gets over that pretty quickly when Summer comes into his life. Once he realizes how much in love with her he is, he's transformed into a very loving and passionate man. I suppose it could be said that Summer simply brought out the best in him.
Summer is a light and breezy character most of the time, but her emotions still occasionally get in the way of her making the best choices. She's an actress and singer who performs at Disneyland. She really enjoys her job, but when she falls for James, she's more than willing to give it up to stand by his side as he pursues his career. Much like with the other heroines in this series, her parents are well-meaning, but a bit overbearing, and she kind of allows them to run rough-shod over her, though not nearly as much as Christy did in her book. I'm glad that Summer stood up to her cheating ex-fiancé, although I did question her judgment just a little when she didn't tell James about her ex continuing to call her even after they were married. I also felt like she let James's campaign manager get to her way too easily. I kind of understood that she wanted to do what was best for her husband and his campaign, but the man was obviously an idiot. Ultimately, I felt like she was a bit naive and should have had an open, honest conversation with James about it before essentially running away.
James and Summer are a cute and well-matched couple, but I have to admit the beginning of the story was a little slow for me. I just didn't really feel that building attraction like I wanted to. They met in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve right after Summer had discovered her fiancé's infidelity, and James consoled her. Having gone through a similar break-up himself, he understood her and assured her that she would feel much better within a year, which led to them making a 'date' to meet in Vegas again the next New Year's Eve. Throughout the coming year, they exchanged letters monthly, which I thought was a sweet gesture since few people actually write letters anymore. Supposedly a deep friendship built between them during that time, but we don't really get to see that happening. When they meet up again, Summer initially isn't even thinking of James in a romantic way, so the sudden attraction to one another and the quickie marriage felt like they were going from 0 to 100 within only a few days time. It might have been nice if they'd actually started experiencing romantic feelings for one another through their letter writing. Once they're married, though, the love and passion they feel for one another is very obvious. They can hardly stand being apart (honestly I don't think the long separation was all that necessary, but will grudgingly admit it added conflict and tension), and when they're together they can hardly keep their hands off each other.;-) I was so glad when James's dad finally put an end to their misery and brought Summer home to James.
With all the family ties, there are secondary characters aplenty. James's dad was my favorite. He's been wanting James to marry and give him grandkids for a long time, so he's crazy about Summer. He very much treats her like the daughter he never had, and has lots of great fatherly advice to dispense to both James and Summer. He's very involved in their lives, without being overbearing like Summer's family and the Manning parents can sometimes be. Of course all the Mannings who reside in Seattle show up at some point in the story, and it was fun to see them and their growing families.
Overall, Same Time, Next Year was a sweet story that I mostly enjoyed. Having read the entire Those Manning Men series now, plus The Manning Sisters duet, I know that Debbie Macomber sometimes uses soap-opera-style plotting that makes me want to groan, yet somehow it all works out in the end and I can't help feeling happy for the loving couple. Not to mention, her stories always express the all-important emotion I look for in a romance. There's one more wrap-up novella in this series, Silver Bells, that is supposed to reunite the entire Manning clan for Christmas while telling a new story. I have no idea who the main characters might be, but I'm looking forward to reading it this coming holiday season. Same Time, Next Year was originally published as a stand-alone novel in the Silhouette Special Edition line, and was later reprinted in the single-author anthology The Manning Grooms along with the third book of the series.
April 7, 2024
This one took a little to get into. But once they were married, it got better.
September 12, 2025
Great read
Debbie Macomber always comes through with a good read. You really relate to the people in the book. I will continue to read her books.
Debbie Macomber always comes through with a good read. You really relate to the people in the book. I will continue to read her books.
November 11, 2021
Sweet story.
January 28, 2025
MY RATING GUIDE: 3 - 3.5 Stars. This was a pretty decent read. I don’t generally go for Romance by itself. Usually I prefer it combined with either Mystery, Suspense, Action or Adventure, Sci-fi or Steampunk. I also like witty humor. This being the case, I did complete this book quickly and was briefly entertained, but it hasn’t been added to my favorites list.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/PRETTY GOOD; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Summer Lawton, 27yrs and a singer/actor for a theatre production inside Disneyland Parks in Anaheim, CA, plans to surprise her fiancé in Las Vegas. She has managed to cut time away from her busy work schedule to meet him in his hotel room at the end of his work trip, after all. Unfortunately, he has a surprise for her, as well.
James Wilkens, 36, is an attorney and partner in a prestigious Seattle law firm with an ambition to win the vacating court Justice seat in the next election. James is enjoying a lone vacation in Las Vegas over the New Year’s holiday. While standing at the edge of the crowd, waiting for the Countdown and watching the people - he notices a young woman attempting to pass through the tight groups, not making much headway. She appears to be crying. Contrary to his usual behavior, James acts on impulse and immediately plows through the crowd offering his height and body as a shield for her successful escape. They soon discover they each have a few days until they must return to their respective homes, and neither is in any particular hurry to return.
Comments ~
1) SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR was recommended as a sale book where I frequently make my purchases. This was my first Debbie Macomber title so I decided to pick it up at my library instead, which was a good choice for me.
2) STNY was published in 1995. Other than technology differences, I felt it held up well over time. It appears to be part of a series but I haven’t read the other books and found STNY read fine as a Standalone book.
3) STNY was a sweet Romance with minimal angst and a much deserved HEA. The conflict originated from outside the couple which did lead to misunderstandings but they were resolved quickly rather than dragging on throughout the book. Yay.
4) STNY read rather predictably with few twists and turns or surprises but I really didn’t mind. It’s what I call a Comfort read and sometimes that’s okay. It was pretty much what I expected after reading the blurb. The writing itself was good just lacking the sparkling dialogue I love and the tongue in cheek humor and the adventure, mystery or adventure my favorite novels contain.
That being the case, I still recommend STNY to readers looking for:
> a sweet Romance with a much deserved HEA and little angst - a Comfort, Beach or easy reading “unwind” book.
> a book with a cast of supportive secondary characters.
> a serious, caring MMC of integrity and a young-at-heart FMC who makes him smile.
> a Romance with a Second Chances theme.
> a “Seasoned” Romance (with MCs ages 27/28 & 36/37).
> a Slow Burn Romance which develops over time (18mos).
READER CAUTIONS ~ this is a Sweet Romance suitable for most readers.
PROFANITY - (I believe) None.
VIOLENCE - Minimal fisticuffs.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - PG-13. Minimal. Kisses until married; afterward intimacy which quickly fades-out to Closed Door (twice?)
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/PRETTY GOOD; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Summer Lawton, 27yrs and a singer/actor for a theatre production inside Disneyland Parks in Anaheim, CA, plans to surprise her fiancé in Las Vegas. She has managed to cut time away from her busy work schedule to meet him in his hotel room at the end of his work trip, after all. Unfortunately, he has a surprise for her, as well.
James Wilkens, 36, is an attorney and partner in a prestigious Seattle law firm with an ambition to win the vacating court Justice seat in the next election. James is enjoying a lone vacation in Las Vegas over the New Year’s holiday. While standing at the edge of the crowd, waiting for the Countdown and watching the people - he notices a young woman attempting to pass through the tight groups, not making much headway. She appears to be crying. Contrary to his usual behavior, James acts on impulse and immediately plows through the crowd offering his height and body as a shield for her successful escape. They soon discover they each have a few days until they must return to their respective homes, and neither is in any particular hurry to return.
Comments ~
1) SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR was recommended as a sale book where I frequently make my purchases. This was my first Debbie Macomber title so I decided to pick it up at my library instead, which was a good choice for me.
2) STNY was published in 1995. Other than technology differences, I felt it held up well over time. It appears to be part of a series but I haven’t read the other books and found STNY read fine as a Standalone book.
3) STNY was a sweet Romance with minimal angst and a much deserved HEA. The conflict originated from outside the couple which did lead to misunderstandings but they were resolved quickly rather than dragging on throughout the book. Yay.
4) STNY read rather predictably with few twists and turns or surprises but I really didn’t mind. It’s what I call a Comfort read and sometimes that’s okay. It was pretty much what I expected after reading the blurb. The writing itself was good just lacking the sparkling dialogue I love and the tongue in cheek humor and the adventure, mystery or adventure my favorite novels contain.
That being the case, I still recommend STNY to readers looking for:
> a sweet Romance with a much deserved HEA and little angst - a Comfort, Beach or easy reading “unwind” book.
> a book with a cast of supportive secondary characters.
> a serious, caring MMC of integrity and a young-at-heart FMC who makes him smile.
> a Romance with a Second Chances theme.
> a “Seasoned” Romance (with MCs ages 27/28 & 36/37).
> a Slow Burn Romance which develops over time (18mos).
READER CAUTIONS ~ this is a Sweet Romance suitable for most readers.
PROFANITY - (I believe) None.
VIOLENCE - Minimal fisticuffs.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - PG-13. Minimal. Kisses until married; afterward intimacy which quickly fades-out to Closed Door (twice?)
January 6, 2024
Downtown Las Vegas streets were utter chaos. Summer has been trying to make her way back to the hotel, but the crowd won’t let her through, and she’s trapped in the New Years Eve revelry. She’s on the verge of tears when a man appears out of nowhere and helps usher her to bench. That’s when she really falls apart, spilling her horrible evening to the man – Summer just found her fiancé in bed with another woman. What neither Summer or the man, James Wilkens, expected was the bond that one evening would create when he urged her to keep her head up and meet him back at that very spot at the Same Time, Next Year.
Debbie Macomber is a name synonymous with romance novels and Romance Writers of America have given her several awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Same Time, Next Year is the fourth installment in her Those Manning Men series, however, doesn’t follow a Manning man directly. Macomber delivers a beautiful love story without the love-at-first sight trope we see so often in romance novels. This book is really about making love work regardless of the challenges, and not allowing anyone to influence your decisions.
I give Same Time, Next Year 4 out of 5 stars. To be honest, this one barely squeaked out a 4-star rating. Macomber’s writings have been made into television movies, and this one definitely could shine on Hallmark. There were some events that didn’t feel plausible like Summer having the ability to enter her fiancé’s hotel room, and find him in bed with someone else, when he wasn’t expecting her. Hotels, especially in Vegas, don’t tend to hand out keys to other people’s rooms without their approval. I also felt like a handful of the characters could have been developed more – this opinion may change had I read the first three books in the series though. In the end, this isn’t a book I’d recommend to friends without prompting, but would suggest if they brought it up first.
I would recommend this book to romance novel lovers – the romance has a slow start the first few chapters, but is hot and heavy by the end. Given the vague discussions of sex, I would recommend this for more mature audiences over 13. If you have loved Macomber’s other works like the Cedar Cove or Heart of Texas series, you will love this one!
I chose Same Time, Next Year for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “New Years”. I was a bit concerned I wouldn’t be able to follow the story given that it is in the middle of the book series, but this made a good standalone read as well. This is the first read of the RWL 2024 Challenge. Want to know more about the challenge? Check out our original post here. If you’re looking for other options to use for this prompt, check out our weekly agenda for some suggestions!
Wishing you a Happy New Year and many blessings in 2024!
Debbie Macomber is a name synonymous with romance novels and Romance Writers of America have given her several awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Same Time, Next Year is the fourth installment in her Those Manning Men series, however, doesn’t follow a Manning man directly. Macomber delivers a beautiful love story without the love-at-first sight trope we see so often in romance novels. This book is really about making love work regardless of the challenges, and not allowing anyone to influence your decisions.
I give Same Time, Next Year 4 out of 5 stars. To be honest, this one barely squeaked out a 4-star rating. Macomber’s writings have been made into television movies, and this one definitely could shine on Hallmark. There were some events that didn’t feel plausible like Summer having the ability to enter her fiancé’s hotel room, and find him in bed with someone else, when he wasn’t expecting her. Hotels, especially in Vegas, don’t tend to hand out keys to other people’s rooms without their approval. I also felt like a handful of the characters could have been developed more – this opinion may change had I read the first three books in the series though. In the end, this isn’t a book I’d recommend to friends without prompting, but would suggest if they brought it up first.
I would recommend this book to romance novel lovers – the romance has a slow start the first few chapters, but is hot and heavy by the end. Given the vague discussions of sex, I would recommend this for more mature audiences over 13. If you have loved Macomber’s other works like the Cedar Cove or Heart of Texas series, you will love this one!
I chose Same Time, Next Year for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “New Years”. I was a bit concerned I wouldn’t be able to follow the story given that it is in the middle of the book series, but this made a good standalone read as well. This is the first read of the RWL 2024 Challenge. Want to know more about the challenge? Check out our original post here. If you’re looking for other options to use for this prompt, check out our weekly agenda for some suggestions!
Wishing you a Happy New Year and many blessings in 2024!
December 16, 2013
Summer Lawton was supposed to meet her boyfriend in Las Vegas to celebrate New Year's. Instead, she found him in the arms of another woman. Devastated, Summer was wandering through the crowds trying to decide what to do next when she ran into James Wilkens. Summer tells James about her feelings of hurt and betrayal. James assures her that she would be feeling much better at the same time, next year. To prove it, he suggested that they meet in Las Vegas again next New Year's. After a year long correspondence, they meet and suddenly decide to marry. This is a cute story.
June 27, 2014
In Macomber’s romance novel, Summer Lawton finds herself suffering the sting of betrayal. Judge James Wilkens not only rescues her, he assures her that with time, things will be better next year. Impulsively, Judge Wilkens makes an appointment to meet Summer in Vegas in one year just to prove his point. But one year later, they do indeed meet up again only to find the odds stack against them.
As always, Macomber weaves a tale of romance littered with obstacles to true love.
As always, Macomber weaves a tale of romance littered with obstacles to true love.
September 14, 2022
James a serious judge in his late thirties meets a young lady, Summer by chance in Las Vegas one New Year’s Eve and they bond over their love lives going off track. They continue to stay in contact through monthly letters and meet up the following new years. The story of their love is cute and one that I enjoyed but the book was just okay. Not needing to read again more than likely.
October 28, 2023
Same Time, Next Year (read 10/26/23-10/27/23) - again another delightful novel by Debbie Macomber. This book was combined in with Father’s Day making it a two novels in one book. Seamlessly they both seemed to flow easily and allowed me to take my mind off my worries of what was transpiring in life. Definitely a relief to let go and enjoy some enlightening reading.
August 10, 2018
Old book, new cover. Terrible story. Original starter but horrible story. What 28 year old runs away from a happy marriage (when she’s pregnant no less) just because some idiot said it would be good for her husband’s career? Not buying it.
February 6, 2020
This was a wonderful story. James and Summer seemed destined to be together. Life and love can move quickly.
I really disliked Ralph Southworth. He is a mean, nasty man who thinks to highly of himself.
I really disliked Ralph Southworth. He is a mean, nasty man who thinks to highly of himself.
September 11, 2023
Love at first sight
Savior to husband and wife in on year! Great read, wonderful characters. A true love story from beginning to end. I enjoyed this series each book more intense and a wonderful HEA!!
Savior to husband and wife in on year! Great read, wonderful characters. A true love story from beginning to end. I enjoyed this series each book more intense and a wonderful HEA!!
May 18, 2018
Best book in the series. The first year of James and Summers relationship is very touching.
February 25, 2019
Sweet love story.
December 26, 2024
This is probably a 2.5 star book for me. I read this book because I was trying to read some books set on/around New Years Eve/Day and it fit what I was looking for.
This book follows our main character, Summer, and the MMC, James. Summer literally runs into James on NYE in Las Vegas while trying to make her way out of a crowd of people. James can clearly see that she is upset, so he helps her out of the crowd and they start talking. Summer has come to Vegas to surprise her fiancé after telling him that she couldn't get off work to go on the trip with him. But surprise, surprise, she walks into his hotel room only to find him in bed with another woman. James, who went through his own bad breakup 5 years earlier, tells her it will take her 1 year to get over her fiancé, and she doesn't believe it because she just loves her fiancé so much. They agree to meet back in Vegas on NYE the following year. After they part they agree to stay in contact with each other and essentially become pen-pals.
Summer is more of a free spirit, and James, he kind of comes across like he has a stick up his butt and doesn't know how to relax. When they meet up again, Summer realizes that she has feelings for James, and he realizes that he feels the same.
The story goes on from there, but after a while I found Summer's personality to be annoying. Maybe it was because I listened on audiobook, and that is not my favorite way of consuming books, or maybe it was the narrator, because she did sound a bit like AI. But Summer seemed a little too young and immature to me at times. There was a 9 year age gap between the two of them, but she was always saying things as the book went on that just seemed immature at times, and hopelessly romantic in others.
I would consider another book by this author, possibly. It could have also been an issue of it being written 30 years ago and the fact I listened to it instead of reading a physical copy of the book.
This book follows our main character, Summer, and the MMC, James. Summer literally runs into James on NYE in Las Vegas while trying to make her way out of a crowd of people. James can clearly see that she is upset, so he helps her out of the crowd and they start talking. Summer has come to Vegas to surprise her fiancé after telling him that she couldn't get off work to go on the trip with him. But surprise, surprise, she walks into his hotel room only to find him in bed with another woman. James, who went through his own bad breakup 5 years earlier, tells her it will take her 1 year to get over her fiancé, and she doesn't believe it because she just loves her fiancé so much. They agree to meet back in Vegas on NYE the following year. After they part they agree to stay in contact with each other and essentially become pen-pals.
Summer is more of a free spirit, and James, he kind of comes across like he has a stick up his butt and doesn't know how to relax. When they meet up again, Summer realizes that she has feelings for James, and he realizes that he feels the same.
The story goes on from there, but after a while I found Summer's personality to be annoying. Maybe it was because I listened on audiobook, and that is not my favorite way of consuming books, or maybe it was the narrator, because she did sound a bit like AI. But Summer seemed a little too young and immature to me at times. There was a 9 year age gap between the two of them, but she was always saying things as the book went on that just seemed immature at times, and hopelessly romantic in others.
I would consider another book by this author, possibly. It could have also been an issue of it being written 30 years ago and the fact I listened to it instead of reading a physical copy of the book.
March 27, 2025
The best I can say for this book is that the grammar was good.
This read like 1950s propaganda for what a man wants a woman to believe she ought to be. A talented, beautiful woman wants nothing more than to give up her burgeoning singing and acting career to support her husband’s career goals and have babies, and at 5 months pregnant is even willing to leave this man while who loves her deeply and is completely enamored of the fact that she’s pregnant with twins, at the behest of his political advisor who destains her, calling her a showgirl instead of respecting her talent.
Why did I read the whole thing? I couldn’t believe Debbie Macomber wrote such crap. I mean, this was copy written in 1995, but I was an adult then, and that was SO not the vibe then! Thank God this was a short train wreck of a read.
This read like 1950s propaganda for what a man wants a woman to believe she ought to be. A talented, beautiful woman wants nothing more than to give up her burgeoning singing and acting career to support her husband’s career goals and have babies, and at 5 months pregnant is even willing to leave this man while who loves her deeply and is completely enamored of the fact that she’s pregnant with twins, at the behest of his political advisor who destains her, calling her a showgirl instead of respecting her talent.
Why did I read the whole thing? I couldn’t believe Debbie Macomber wrote such crap. I mean, this was copy written in 1995, but I was an adult then, and that was SO not the vibe then! Thank God this was a short train wreck of a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2020
So I’ve read a number of Macomber books, but this is the first one that was purely a romance which I found a little contrived, predictable and just not realistic.
Atty James meets actor Summer on NYE when she has just found out her fiancée cheated on her. James who had similar experience years earlier comforts her and they agree to meet at the same place the next year. They write letters in the meantime, and when they meet up again capriciously get married.
Atty James meets actor Summer on NYE when she has just found out her fiancée cheated on her. James who had similar experience years earlier comforts her and they agree to meet at the same place the next year. They write letters in the meantime, and when they meet up again capriciously get married.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2021
I enjoyed this love story. Debbie Macomber never fails to make my heart happy. In this story, part of a series, James meets Summer in Vegas on New Year's Eve. Summer is devastated about her recent breakup. James tells Summer that she'll feel better in a year. To prove his point, they plan to meet the next year. The next New Year's Eve they meet and the sparks between them are something neither expected.
November 13, 2018
To be fair, I'm generally not that interested in romance novels — picked this up because it fulfills part of the reading challenge I'm doing. Not much substance to it, rife with stereotypes and archaic gender roles — James making the pregnancy all about him, even saying that it's harder on the men? ick — but fairly well written, nice family/friend relationships.
September 30, 2024
Really enjoyed this one. Summer and James met in Las Vegas one year right after Summer had come to surprise her fiance. Turns out she was in for a surprise of her own. James made a pact that she would be much better off a year later and insisted she meet him back in Vegas on New Year's Eve. They did and ended up marrying during that same trip.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2018
Total happiness
How cute is this rain because I enjoyed this book immensely through the ups and downs some of those hide and some low blows but through it all late in Diridon came through I'd recommend this book to any romantic at heart
How cute is this rain because I enjoyed this book immensely through the ups and downs some of those hide and some low blows but through it all late in Diridon came through I'd recommend this book to any romantic at heart
November 20, 2023
Not one of my favorite Debbie’s book but still enjoyed reading it. Could have been shorter and was pretty predictable. Now I discovered the Manning series.
Could tell it was an early book. The running away part was ridiculous.
Could tell it was an early book. The running away part was ridiculous.
January 31, 2025
I have yet to read a Debbie book that doesn't make you part of the story. Her characters are well developed allowing you to share their emotions. Even when the book is predictable, you are still engrossed and can't put the book down.
January 4, 2018
I thought I’d try this bestselling author at least once. This book is over 20 years old, so maybe it’s not a fair representation. There wasn’t anything but a textbook cleanish romance novel here.
October 3, 2018
Cute story, nice easy read. A little sappy, a few little twists, and most everything buttoned up nicely. I'm interested in seeing if this is part of a series or a stand alone.
January 23, 2019
Natuke liiga ilus "roosamanna".
August 10, 2022
Very slow starting, not one of Debbie's better books.
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