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Love At Last #1
Every New Year
When Ezra Posner was eighteen, he met Candace Garret and fell in love.
When Candace met Ezra, she instantly knew he was the boy for her.
In the middle of their first year at college, Candace and Ezra share a clumsy kiss that should have been the beginning of an epic love affair, but it's not. Instead, it begins a nearly two-decade journey of never quite getting the timing right for love. For almost every New Year's Eve after, Candace and Ezra stumble into one another's arms, but can’t manage to hold onto each other for more than a single night. They live with the expectant giddiness of being able to spend New Year's Eve with the person they love, always hoping that next year will be their year. Until eventually, their annual trysts ruin even the friendship that held them together.
As 2019 ends, Candace and Ezra are both running away from their broken hearts. They board a plane hoping to finally move on from their relationship, only to run right into each other's arms.
Every New Year is a friends-to-lovers romance that takes nearly twenty years to bloom. It's also the first in the Love At Last series, where happily ever afters might take some time to mature, but they're always worth the wait.
Content Warnings:
parental sickness (cancer, diabetes, hypertension)
When Candace met Ezra, she instantly knew he was the boy for her.
In the middle of their first year at college, Candace and Ezra share a clumsy kiss that should have been the beginning of an epic love affair, but it's not. Instead, it begins a nearly two-decade journey of never quite getting the timing right for love. For almost every New Year's Eve after, Candace and Ezra stumble into one another's arms, but can’t manage to hold onto each other for more than a single night. They live with the expectant giddiness of being able to spend New Year's Eve with the person they love, always hoping that next year will be their year. Until eventually, their annual trysts ruin even the friendship that held them together.
As 2019 ends, Candace and Ezra are both running away from their broken hearts. They board a plane hoping to finally move on from their relationship, only to run right into each other's arms.
Every New Year is a friends-to-lovers romance that takes nearly twenty years to bloom. It's also the first in the Love At Last series, where happily ever afters might take some time to mature, but they're always worth the wait.
Content Warnings:
parental sickness (cancer, diabetes, hypertension)
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2019
23 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Katrina Jackson
57 books729 followersKatrina is a seasoned spinster with an active imagination, a love of romcoms and a keenly critical nature. She's a college professor by day who writes romances by...weekend. Right now she also happens to be on summer vacation. She enjoys yogurt, sparkling water and her three cats, who don't appreciate her love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 10, 2020
Look I am tired and dealing with a coworker who has the flu (regular) and I had to fly back from Boston and I feel exhausted and cranky. Reading this book was a chore to get through during all of this. This book takes too long for the two leads to even have a damn conversation (two decades) and instead we jump back and forth of them having sexy times every New Year's Eve until the past few because of a misunderstanding. I was exhausted and annoyed. Jackson also teases things with two other characters who will be the subject of her next book. I found myself irritated about it. The epilogue didn't work since she was trying to set up their story.
"Every New Year" follows Ezra Posner and Candace Garret. We find out that the twosome met when they were 18 and in college. Ezra fell for Candace immediately and it seems like Candace liked him too. Besides one kiss though, the two didn't get together until right before Candace did a semester abroad. After that they would see each other every other or about every other New Year's Eve and hook up and in between date other people. Something happens (it was stupid) though that has caused Ezra and Candace to not see each other for a while. Now they are heading to the same destination (Quito) and are finally revealing their feelings.
As I said, this took way too long. I think the sex scenes were great and all, but these two seem to never talk at all. Even in the end there are barely any words/dialogue between them. Candace talks to a coworker on her flight more than Ezra. They both bug their college friends about each other. I felt like they were both too old for this mess.
The book lacks any development between these two. I have no idea how Candace fell into her career, it reads as random. We keep hearing how Ezra is super smart...and I guess. I think doing time jumps like this makes it harder for the reader to get to know and root for the hero and heroine.
The setting for most of this book was either a random bedroom or an airplane. I have been to Quito and seriously....I just shook my head. Jackson got one thing right about standing on the Equator, but that was it.
The book ended with the focus next being on Miles and Mei (I think that's her name).
"Every New Year" follows Ezra Posner and Candace Garret. We find out that the twosome met when they were 18 and in college. Ezra fell for Candace immediately and it seems like Candace liked him too. Besides one kiss though, the two didn't get together until right before Candace did a semester abroad. After that they would see each other every other or about every other New Year's Eve and hook up and in between date other people. Something happens (it was stupid) though that has caused Ezra and Candace to not see each other for a while. Now they are heading to the same destination (Quito) and are finally revealing their feelings.
As I said, this took way too long. I think the sex scenes were great and all, but these two seem to never talk at all. Even in the end there are barely any words/dialogue between them. Candace talks to a coworker on her flight more than Ezra. They both bug their college friends about each other. I felt like they were both too old for this mess.
The book lacks any development between these two. I have no idea how Candace fell into her career, it reads as random. We keep hearing how Ezra is super smart...and I guess. I think doing time jumps like this makes it harder for the reader to get to know and root for the hero and heroine.
The setting for most of this book was either a random bedroom or an airplane. I have been to Quito and seriously....I just shook my head. Jackson got one thing right about standing on the Equator, but that was it.
The book ended with the focus next being on Miles and Mei (I think that's her name).
January 1, 2022
How did Katrina Jackson write not one but two perfect New Year’s Eve romances? Grand Theft NYE blew me away a couple of years ago and somehow this one is even better.
Candace and Ezra have been friends for 18 year. Friends who have been pining for each other for 18 years. Ezra has catalogued her laughs and she’s catalogued his smiles. The cuteness! They are convinced the other person isn’t interested and they don’t want to risk losing the friendship. Add in his shyness and social awkwardness and her wanting him to make the first move for once and you can see how this happened. You can also see how they just need to get out of their own way and do something about this chemistry already! But they started a pattern of inaction at 18 with a NYE kiss that went nowhere. Even though kissing progressed to sex in later years, nothing happened beyond that.
I adored both of these characters. Ezra cries freely and is in absolute awe that Candace ever even talks to him. He’s a brilliant nerd. Candace is grappling with how her life turned out and has difficulty seeing herself the way everyone else does: smart, effervescent, lovely. She feels like a failure, especially in their friend group, and so it’s that much more important for her to be pursued. Oh, it hurt my heart so good! This is one of Jackson’s more emotional books and I came close to crying a couple of times.
The structure choices really made this book for me. We get scenes from various NYEs over the years interspersed with the present NYE. Candace and Ezra have both independently decided it’s time to get over this unrequited crush…only to land on the same plane to Quito, she as a flight attendant, he as a passenger.
I really loved how their romance came to be, what they both needed to realize of why it took so long for them to get together. Plus, it was seriously hot! It was fun watching them explore Quito, since I was there 15+ years ago. Their friendship began because of Miles and Mei who are now divorced and we get to see the ripple effects of that divorce. I’m really looking forward to their book! There were also a lot of cool details around Ezra’s company, both his work in revitalizing public transportation (I want this to be real!) and his decisions to put his employees first as the company went public.
I inhaled this story. It was sweet and sexy and moving. Highly recommended.
Characters: Ezra is an 18/36 year old white Jewish engineering major who became a tech giant and millionaire. Candace is an 18/36 year old Black Art History and Spanish double major and Sociology minor who became a flight attendant. This starts out on December 31, 2001 and goes to December 31, 2019. It’s set in East Bay, CA and Quito, Ecuador.
Content notes: MMC’s mom has cancer (depicts hospitalization but she is now in remission), friends divorced, on page sex, diet culture, underage drinking, alcohol, inebriation (secondary characters), ableist language, mention of FMC’s mom’s diabetes scare, reference to past emergency plane landing
Candace and Ezra have been friends for 18 year. Friends who have been pining for each other for 18 years. Ezra has catalogued her laughs and she’s catalogued his smiles. The cuteness! They are convinced the other person isn’t interested and they don’t want to risk losing the friendship. Add in his shyness and social awkwardness and her wanting him to make the first move for once and you can see how this happened. You can also see how they just need to get out of their own way and do something about this chemistry already! But they started a pattern of inaction at 18 with a NYE kiss that went nowhere. Even though kissing progressed to sex in later years, nothing happened beyond that.
I adored both of these characters. Ezra cries freely and is in absolute awe that Candace ever even talks to him. He’s a brilliant nerd. Candace is grappling with how her life turned out and has difficulty seeing herself the way everyone else does: smart, effervescent, lovely. She feels like a failure, especially in their friend group, and so it’s that much more important for her to be pursued. Oh, it hurt my heart so good! This is one of Jackson’s more emotional books and I came close to crying a couple of times.
The structure choices really made this book for me. We get scenes from various NYEs over the years interspersed with the present NYE. Candace and Ezra have both independently decided it’s time to get over this unrequited crush…only to land on the same plane to Quito, she as a flight attendant, he as a passenger.
I really loved how their romance came to be, what they both needed to realize of why it took so long for them to get together. Plus, it was seriously hot! It was fun watching them explore Quito, since I was there 15+ years ago. Their friendship began because of Miles and Mei who are now divorced and we get to see the ripple effects of that divorce. I’m really looking forward to their book! There were also a lot of cool details around Ezra’s company, both his work in revitalizing public transportation (I want this to be real!) and his decisions to put his employees first as the company went public.
I inhaled this story. It was sweet and sexy and moving. Highly recommended.
Characters: Ezra is an 18/36 year old white Jewish engineering major who became a tech giant and millionaire. Candace is an 18/36 year old Black Art History and Spanish double major and Sociology minor who became a flight attendant. This starts out on December 31, 2001 and goes to December 31, 2019. It’s set in East Bay, CA and Quito, Ecuador.
Content notes: MMC’s mom has cancer (depicts hospitalization but she is now in remission), friends divorced, on page sex, diet culture, underage drinking, alcohol, inebriation (secondary characters), ableist language, mention of FMC’s mom’s diabetes scare, reference to past emergency plane landing
January 20, 2020
4.5 stars to this sweet and emotional read! <3
December 9, 2019
I was lucky enough to get an ARC and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! There were times I definitely wanted to beat our hero and heroine over the head but their shy and awkward love story made me beam with happiness at the end.
Ezra and Candace are both people who were unable to get their sh*t together for a long time (like so many of us are) and I appreciated how real they both were. I also loved the side characters in this and their genuine and patient coaxing to help Canzra/Ezdace (no? Okay) flourish and come into their own.
Their emotions and struggles were clearly put on the page and as much as I wanted to hurry them along, I’m glad the book progressed the way it did and had them genuinely confronting their misconceptions and feelings to ultimately have the best new year.
P.S. The declaration speeches were swoon worthy! 10/10
Ezra and Candace are both people who were unable to get their sh*t together for a long time (like so many of us are) and I appreciated how real they both were. I also loved the side characters in this and their genuine and patient coaxing to help Canzra/Ezdace (no? Okay) flourish and come into their own.
Their emotions and struggles were clearly put on the page and as much as I wanted to hurry them along, I’m glad the book progressed the way it did and had them genuinely confronting their misconceptions and feelings to ultimately have the best new year.
P.S. The declaration speeches were swoon worthy! 10/10
April 10, 2024
Re-read in April 2024: Still love it just as much!
Candace and Ezra have been friends (with some NYE benefits) for 18 years. They’ve also been in love with each other.
Unrequited love and pining are catnip for me, but the friends-to-lovers trope can be tricky to pull off in a satisfying way. You have to make me truly believe that the characters couldn’t get themselves together for however many years. Katrina Jackson made me believe and I loved every minute of it.
Presented in a (slightly) non-sequential timeline (trust me, it works), we see the relationship between Candace and Ezra from their freshman year of college (in 2001) to the present. We witness life and personality/communication issues keeping them from each other until the end of 2019/beginning of 2020 when they finally get their HEA. (It’s a Romance, that’s not a spoiler!)
I’m an emo reader and this book gave me lots of feelz (requiring many Kleenex). Can’t wait to read the next in the series (a second chance romance!!!!).
Source of book: Prize from Twitter contest hosted by @MelindaEdits
Candace and Ezra have been friends (with some NYE benefits) for 18 years. They’ve also been in love with each other.
Unrequited love and pining are catnip for me, but the friends-to-lovers trope can be tricky to pull off in a satisfying way. You have to make me truly believe that the characters couldn’t get themselves together for however many years. Katrina Jackson made me believe and I loved every minute of it.
Presented in a (slightly) non-sequential timeline (trust me, it works), we see the relationship between Candace and Ezra from their freshman year of college (in 2001) to the present. We witness life and personality/communication issues keeping them from each other until the end of 2019/beginning of 2020 when they finally get their HEA. (It’s a Romance, that’s not a spoiler!)
I’m an emo reader and this book gave me lots of feelz (requiring many Kleenex). Can’t wait to read the next in the series (a second chance romance!!!!).
Source of book: Prize from Twitter contest hosted by @MelindaEdits
January 9, 2023
Cue the water works
First of all you have to be ok with the miscommunication trope bc these two (Candace & Ezra) had so much unsaid emotions that whew chile you might want to shake them. Though I did think this was one of the first times I can honestly say ok this makes sense. It still took too freaking long for someone to finally say in no uncertain you're the one that got away. H E double hockey sticks how could they be sneaky links for 2 decades girl stop. In the end Quito served as a double HEA because it brought their love story/journey full circle.
Btw Jorge is truly a gem of a side character and I can wait to read his book.
CN: cancer, divorce, work promotion rejection, breakup, anxiety
First of all you have to be ok with the miscommunication trope bc these two (Candace & Ezra) had so much unsaid emotions that whew chile you might want to shake them. Though I did think this was one of the first times I can honestly say ok this makes sense. It still took too freaking long for someone to finally say in no uncertain you're the one that got away. H E double hockey sticks how could they be sneaky links for 2 decades girl stop. In the end Quito served as a double HEA because it brought their love story/journey full circle.
Btw Jorge is truly a gem of a side character and I can wait to read his book.
CN: cancer, divorce, work promotion rejection, breakup, anxiety
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December 29, 2020The damn waiting and the lack of communication... Here is my review ->https://youtu.be/_-MCYDhGK9U
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January 1, 2020Content Warnings
Every New Year is an angsty friends to lovers billionaire romance full of pining and heat, and I adored it. These characters could not get out of their own way to save their lives, and yet I kept on rooting for them to figure it out.
Read my full review on my blog.
Every New Year is an angsty friends to lovers billionaire romance full of pining and heat, and I adored it. These characters could not get out of their own way to save their lives, and yet I kept on rooting for them to figure it out.
Read my full review on my blog.
December 31, 2022
Ok, real talk, I started off reading this book mightily annoyed by both main characters (just HAVE A CONVERSATION AND TALK TO EACH OTHER PROBLEM SOLVED) and yet, got completely drawn in by the premise and the writing. The idea of these two pining away for each other in secret for TWO DECADES may drive a lot of people crazy but IT. JUST. WORKED.
I don’t even know how to explain it but I think it was the idea of Ezra putting Candace up on that pedestal and so completely unable to imagine that someone of Candace’s caliber could EVER in a million years go for a guy like him - ohhh Ezra. In a week filled with white men whining about deserving things simply because of their whiteness and maleness, you were a soothing balm.
And I loved Candace as well, feeling like she was unworthy and a failure - feeling like she couldn’t measure up to the kind of woman Ezra ought to be with. Both of these people loved with their whole heart while feeling as if they weren’t good enough for the other person and I really enjoyed the hell out of watching them slowly find their way back to each other.
And not to spoil anything but I am REALLY looking forward to the next book in this series.
I don’t even know how to explain it but I think it was the idea of Ezra putting Candace up on that pedestal and so completely unable to imagine that someone of Candace’s caliber could EVER in a million years go for a guy like him - ohhh Ezra. In a week filled with white men whining about deserving things simply because of their whiteness and maleness, you were a soothing balm.
And I loved Candace as well, feeling like she was unworthy and a failure - feeling like she couldn’t measure up to the kind of woman Ezra ought to be with. Both of these people loved with their whole heart while feeling as if they weren’t good enough for the other person and I really enjoyed the hell out of watching them slowly find their way back to each other.
And not to spoil anything but I am REALLY looking forward to the next book in this series.
March 3, 2020
So I stayed up finishing this book but I didn't want to finish it because I wanted to keep it going. It was sexy angst. I am still a little emotional. Whew. I should just pre-order the series.
December 7, 2020
How Katrina Jackson managed to make one of the most annoying romance tropes in life endearing I have no idea. Usually I can't stand the miscommunication trope that happens in romance because HELLOOOOO WE'RE ALL ADULTS HAVE A CONVERSATION, but alas, here I am stanning this book. Were Candace and Ezra frustrating? Absolutely! But it's clear to anyone within a 400 ft radius that they belong together and reading their story through New Years eve over the years just had me all in my feelings. Also, it was spicy and we love that.
December 23, 2019
Legit tearing up as I finish reading this. WOW...what a beautifully written book! So sweet and heartbreaking but we get to the HEA and *clutches chest* Kat did that y'all.
The book is all about Ezra and Candace's relationship over New Years Eve spanning several years. 18 years. How their friendship came to be, how it moved into them becoming intimate and hooking up every new year's eve but it going no further than that. Them never admitting their mutual pining and being in love. like damn this is some of that lovely tropey goodness and I'm putting it out there in the universe i need either a movie based on this or a multi-episode mini series on Netflix or something because the way it was written so lends itself to that!
So we see them in the past then it jumps to 2019 and oh no things aren't all roses as we would think. And here they are awkwardly stuck on the same flight. The tension. the misunderstandings. THE FREAKING EMOTIONS! I CRY!
This book is so emotional that I legit had to pause a few times to catch my damn breath because WHYYYY ARE THEY NOT JUST KISSING AND MAKING UP ALREADYYYYY??? obviously they do eventually but...>.> .
Ezra and Candace are just really interesting characters and I ate up every little detail about them as individuals and them together. We also have some amazing secondary character too. Candace's friend Jorge was a delight and while reading I hoped he would get his own book and read on to the end and you'll see that we won't see the last of him or Candace and Ezra's other friends :)
So this was a lovely, will make you cry but with joy eventually book and I highly rec it to every damn body. Damn this thing was good. So damn good like i'm upset how good it was lol. Just preorder it! Read it!
The book is all about Ezra and Candace's relationship over New Years Eve spanning several years. 18 years. How their friendship came to be, how it moved into them becoming intimate and hooking up every new year's eve but it going no further than that. Them never admitting their mutual pining and being in love. like damn this is some of that lovely tropey goodness and I'm putting it out there in the universe i need either a movie based on this or a multi-episode mini series on Netflix or something because the way it was written so lends itself to that!
So we see them in the past then it jumps to 2019 and oh no things aren't all roses as we would think. And here they are awkwardly stuck on the same flight. The tension. the misunderstandings. THE FREAKING EMOTIONS! I CRY!
This book is so emotional that I legit had to pause a few times to catch my damn breath because WHYYYY ARE THEY NOT JUST KISSING AND MAKING UP ALREADYYYYY??? obviously they do eventually but...>.> .
Ezra and Candace are just really interesting characters and I ate up every little detail about them as individuals and them together. We also have some amazing secondary character too. Candace's friend Jorge was a delight and while reading I hoped he would get his own book and read on to the end and you'll see that we won't see the last of him or Candace and Ezra's other friends :)
So this was a lovely, will make you cry but with joy eventually book and I highly rec it to every damn body. Damn this thing was good. So damn good like i'm upset how good it was lol. Just preorder it! Read it!
December 26, 2019
A slow-burn, simmering friends-to-lovers tale spanning decades, with our lovers first hooking up on New Years Even, then again and again on this holiday of hopes and expectations. Candace and Ezra's friendship is tested by both their fear of telling the other how they really feel and their diverging paths, as one goes on to become a billionaire and the other tries to chase their dream but finds themselves having to pick a different career once life gets a bit too real.
I adored how Jackson danced back and forth in Candace and Ezra's courtship timeline, giving the reader hot peeks in to their New Years' eves, but also moving us along to their well deserved happily ever after. The forced proximity of Candace and Ezra on the airplane and the glimpse into the career of a flight attendant was also fascinating, adding a great element to this story. I also very much enjoyed Ezra's non-asshole billionaire vibes and his gumption with learning everything about what Candace liked in bed. Super sexy.
So pleased I got to read an advance copy of the story! Thank you to the author.
I adored how Jackson danced back and forth in Candace and Ezra's courtship timeline, giving the reader hot peeks in to their New Years' eves, but also moving us along to their well deserved happily ever after. The forced proximity of Candace and Ezra on the airplane and the glimpse into the career of a flight attendant was also fascinating, adding a great element to this story. I also very much enjoyed Ezra's non-asshole billionaire vibes and his gumption with learning everything about what Candace liked in bed. Super sexy.
So pleased I got to read an advance copy of the story! Thank you to the author.
October 29, 2021
This book is the epitome of miscommunication and simply NOT TALKING TO EACH OTHER… and I loved every minute of it!
January 3, 2022
cute & steamy! unfortunately, the whole conflict of the book wouldn’t have ever have happened if the two MCs would’ve just communication, but overall, a fun read. Huge fan of friends to lovers
February 8, 2023
Come on already! Talk about dragging out the angst
January 11, 2020
This book had me in my feelings. I wanted to shake both characters so many different times during the story.
I said four stars at first but upped it to five because the book is still kinda sitting with me in my brain.
Great frustrated love story.
I said four stars at first but upped it to five because the book is still kinda sitting with me in my brain.
Great frustrated love story.
January 20, 2022
I desperately wanted to love this book as it was gifted by a friend and had such a cute premise.
Spoilers from here
Unfortunately I just struggled the whole way through.
The problem and pining could be solved by some toddler level communication.
I found the characters bland and under developed and so I had no interest in them or the success of their relationships.
Unfortunately the author spent so much time reliving the past, and no time developing the current relationship and personalities, that what we are shown and what we are told clash violently.
We are told they are obsessed with each other and are close friends, but this is never shown.
They dont talk outside of once a year, they have no clue what's happening in each others lives, they are obsessed with the 18 year old versions of each other.
We are told candace doesn't take shit from anyone...but gets yanked about like a leaf in the wind by Ezra. We are told she has a bold glorious personality but acts like a zombie who seems to exsist to mope about Ezra whenever shes on the page.
Ezra is just as bad, with a good old dose of uses every other woman in his sexual history as place holders and practise for Candace.
Anything outside of each other is given barely the most surface level detail in gloriously boring chunks of exposition.
The plot is actually really dull, it's not the romantic slow burn every new years on the dot without fail romance I had hoped for...it was actually a 'new years hook up, when they can be bothered to show up.'
The only redeeming factor is that the technical writing for things like description which when not filled with prattlingnpetty whinging was quite lovely, unfortunately I found myself skimming most of it just to get to some point of interest; even the sex scenes were painfully dull. The overuse of the word 'sex' to describe female genitalia vs the happy use of various slang for Ezras penis, came across as odd to me, and the frequeny of 'my sex' just made me roll my eyes.
All in all, I didn't expect to be so disappointed by a book so early in the year.
Spoilers from here
Unfortunately I just struggled the whole way through.
The problem and pining could be solved by some toddler level communication.
I found the characters bland and under developed and so I had no interest in them or the success of their relationships.
Unfortunately the author spent so much time reliving the past, and no time developing the current relationship and personalities, that what we are shown and what we are told clash violently.
We are told they are obsessed with each other and are close friends, but this is never shown.
They dont talk outside of once a year, they have no clue what's happening in each others lives, they are obsessed with the 18 year old versions of each other.
We are told candace doesn't take shit from anyone...but gets yanked about like a leaf in the wind by Ezra. We are told she has a bold glorious personality but acts like a zombie who seems to exsist to mope about Ezra whenever shes on the page.
Ezra is just as bad, with a good old dose of uses every other woman in his sexual history as place holders and practise for Candace.
Anything outside of each other is given barely the most surface level detail in gloriously boring chunks of exposition.
The plot is actually really dull, it's not the romantic slow burn every new years on the dot without fail romance I had hoped for...it was actually a 'new years hook up, when they can be bothered to show up.'
The only redeeming factor is that the technical writing for things like description which when not filled with prattlingnpetty whinging was quite lovely, unfortunately I found myself skimming most of it just to get to some point of interest; even the sex scenes were painfully dull. The overuse of the word 'sex' to describe female genitalia vs the happy use of various slang for Ezras penis, came across as odd to me, and the frequeny of 'my sex' just made me roll my eyes.
All in all, I didn't expect to be so disappointed by a book so early in the year.
January 20, 2023
A frustrating but satisfying read
3.5 stars
This was a good book to read in January as it offers just enough of a “kick in the pants” to make the year the best possible. It cautions the reader against always playing it a safe and learning to trust your emotions.
Ezra and Candace have been friends for 18 years and hook up lovers for about 14. They see each other once a year, have the best night and then go about their separate ways for the rest of the year. Unbeknownst to the other, that is not what they want. They each harbor their own desires for the other but worry that voicing it will ruin their friendship. So, year and year they stay silent but secretly hope the other will say something.
Candace is under the allusion she’s not good enough for Ezra. Ezra is convinced that Candace is out of his league. Both want nothing more than to spend all of their time together but are disappointed each year it doesn’t happen.
This book was frustrating because you know all the angst wouldn’t be necessary if they just TALKED IT OUT! However, what this book and the author did well was have the right people act as the voice of reason, tell them (individually) how ridiculous they were being and give them the push they needed to “put up or shut up”.
The end is very satisfying and now I’m definitely curious about their mutual best friends Mei and Miles.
3.5 stars
This was a good book to read in January as it offers just enough of a “kick in the pants” to make the year the best possible. It cautions the reader against always playing it a safe and learning to trust your emotions.
Ezra and Candace have been friends for 18 years and hook up lovers for about 14. They see each other once a year, have the best night and then go about their separate ways for the rest of the year. Unbeknownst to the other, that is not what they want. They each harbor their own desires for the other but worry that voicing it will ruin their friendship. So, year and year they stay silent but secretly hope the other will say something.
Candace is under the allusion she’s not good enough for Ezra. Ezra is convinced that Candace is out of his league. Both want nothing more than to spend all of their time together but are disappointed each year it doesn’t happen.
This book was frustrating because you know all the angst wouldn’t be necessary if they just TALKED IT OUT! However, what this book and the author did well was have the right people act as the voice of reason, tell them (individually) how ridiculous they were being and give them the push they needed to “put up or shut up”.
The end is very satisfying and now I’m definitely curious about their mutual best friends Mei and Miles.
January 2, 2020
Angsty slow burn goodness
Content notes:
This is such an achingly sweet story of two people who love each other but keep missing the time to confess their feelings. In a lot of ways, they get in their own way because of insecurities and a lack of communication, but the way they finally find their way together is so worth the angst and stress that lead to this moment. Plus, I am so, so excited for the rest of this series cuz I love the other characters so much already. Katrina’s books are always abundant with strong friendships and the many forms love can take, and this absolutely does not disappoint on that front. I want all their friends to have their own happy endings, and it was so wonderful seeing Candace and Ezra get their own - after 18 years of mutual pining!!
Content notes:
This is such an achingly sweet story of two people who love each other but keep missing the time to confess their feelings. In a lot of ways, they get in their own way because of insecurities and a lack of communication, but the way they finally find their way together is so worth the angst and stress that lead to this moment. Plus, I am so, so excited for the rest of this series cuz I love the other characters so much already. Katrina’s books are always abundant with strong friendships and the many forms love can take, and this absolutely does not disappoint on that front. I want all their friends to have their own happy endings, and it was so wonderful seeing Candace and Ezra get their own - after 18 years of mutual pining!!
January 4, 2020
*ARC provided for honest review, thank you Katrina!*
I started reading Every New Year during an impromptu trip to Norway with my sister in the week or so before Christmas. On our flight home, I was actually sat next to a really attractive guy wearing a tracksuit and attempting to read a really boring looking tennis guide who looked over and smiled a couple times. I fell asleep (it was early morning) but woke up before the end to read. Of course it so happened that the page I picked up from was where a sex scene began. So then my sister started reading over my shoulder and the guy next to me kept leaning forward (the tennis manual was long gone by this point). Long story short, he got a boner. I’m not sure if it’s because he was sneak reading the sex scenes or maybe it was just random? Whatever it was, there’s no judgement this side because a Katrina Jackson book really takes you there.
Rest of the review (including visuals!) here:
https://hannhasablog.wordpress.com/20...
I started reading Every New Year during an impromptu trip to Norway with my sister in the week or so before Christmas. On our flight home, I was actually sat next to a really attractive guy wearing a tracksuit and attempting to read a really boring looking tennis guide who looked over and smiled a couple times. I fell asleep (it was early morning) but woke up before the end to read. Of course it so happened that the page I picked up from was where a sex scene began. So then my sister started reading over my shoulder and the guy next to me kept leaning forward (the tennis manual was long gone by this point). Long story short, he got a boner. I’m not sure if it’s because he was sneak reading the sex scenes or maybe it was just random? Whatever it was, there’s no judgement this side because a Katrina Jackson book really takes you there.
Rest of the review (including visuals!) here:
https://hannhasablog.wordpress.com/20...
February 1, 2020
A friends-to-lovers romance that takes 18 years to bloom!
Candace and Ezra, soulmates, destined to be together, but never truly getting together – til fate steps in. The beauty of this friends-to-lover romance is in the emotion-provoking details. Bonus, those once-a-year trysts — smoking HOT!
“How long was too long to pine after someone who clearly didn’t want you?”
If even one iota of you is introverted, this book will resonate with you – sometimes stepping off that scary ledge to say what you want without fear of reprisal or loss, is daunting — you’ll get both Ezra and Candace. I’m NOT saying you won’t be yelling at them under your breath. Hang in there, though — you’ll come to that hotel speech and it will be EVERYTHING.
“Besides,” Jorge said, “I might not believe in God — to my mother’s everlasting shame — but I do believe in love and fate and romance.”
I’m with you, Jorge.
Candace and Ezra, soulmates, destined to be together, but never truly getting together – til fate steps in. The beauty of this friends-to-lover romance is in the emotion-provoking details. Bonus, those once-a-year trysts — smoking HOT!
“How long was too long to pine after someone who clearly didn’t want you?”
If even one iota of you is introverted, this book will resonate with you – sometimes stepping off that scary ledge to say what you want without fear of reprisal or loss, is daunting — you’ll get both Ezra and Candace. I’m NOT saying you won’t be yelling at them under your breath. Hang in there, though — you’ll come to that hotel speech and it will be EVERYTHING.
“Besides,” Jorge said, “I might not believe in God — to my mother’s everlasting shame — but I do believe in love and fate and romance.”
I’m with you, Jorge.
January 7, 2023
This couple spends nearly 20 years f*cking each other every New Year's Eve, each secretly wanting more with the other, but neither of them admit nor do they act on their feelings FOR 18 YEARS!? Absolutely infuriating!
This story is told in the present and in flashbacks. The flashback scenes are both cute and steamy. Every time we're in the present I'm so angry that they haven't gotten their shit together by now. I don't usually get mad about the miscommunication or lack of communication trope, but if I had this in print I would have thrown my book LOL!
The epilogue was a disappointment. While we do get an update on our central couple, this final chapter sets us up for the next book in this series with its focus on the best friend(s). I look forward to their story but after all that pining I wanted to see Candace and Ezra just being happy together. I'm sure we'll see them in the next book I want that happy last scene!
This story is told in the present and in flashbacks. The flashback scenes are both cute and steamy. Every time we're in the present I'm so angry that they haven't gotten their shit together by now. I don't usually get mad about the miscommunication or lack of communication trope, but if I had this in print I would have thrown my book LOL!
The epilogue was a disappointment. While we do get an update on our central couple, this final chapter sets us up for the next book in this series with its focus on the best friend(s). I look forward to their story but after all that pining I wanted to see Candace and Ezra just being happy together. I'm sure we'll see them in the next book I want that happy last scene!
February 17, 2020
An emotion-packed interracial second chance romance, in which ex best friends and once-a-year lovers are stuck together on a long airplane flight. The storyline moves back and forth between multiple New Years' Eves of the past and the present, showing how both shy Jewish nerd Ezra and polished but conflict-averse African-American Candace initially meet when their best friends begin dating in college, and how the two keep coming together only to allow their overwhelming feelings, lack of self-esteem, and fears of losing their friendship keep each from admitting their true feelings to the other.
That this one step forward, three steps back keeps happening for almost twenty years! without changing made for a somewhat repetitive read, but Jackson's strong writing and evocation of feeling make the story worth it.
That this one step forward, three steps back keeps happening for almost twenty years! without changing made for a somewhat repetitive read, but Jackson's strong writing and evocation of feeling make the story worth it.
August 21, 2021
This book is about college friends, unrequited love, and trying to move on after eighteen years. Better late than never when it comes to the love of of your life.
Candace and Ezra met in their freshman year in college. They each have feelings for each other but feel that their feelings are one sided. As the years go on they spend most New Years together and even start having extremely steamy hookups at New Years. They each think the other is only interested in that yearly hookup and nothing more. This year they each decide to spend New Years out of town to try to get over their unrequited feelings. However, they end up in the same place and are forced to confront their feelings. Their story was heartbreakingly beautiful and had a really wonderful ending.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Candace and Ezra met in their freshman year in college. They each have feelings for each other but feel that their feelings are one sided. As the years go on they spend most New Years together and even start having extremely steamy hookups at New Years. They each think the other is only interested in that yearly hookup and nothing more. This year they each decide to spend New Years out of town to try to get over their unrequited feelings. However, they end up in the same place and are forced to confront their feelings. Their story was heartbreakingly beautiful and had a really wonderful ending.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2020
Just excellent. The back and forth, the longing, the yearning *sighs* cannot recommend this book enough! Fair warning, though, that both characters will irk you with their naivety!! But so worth the slow burn. This friends to lovers romance is unique in its timeline structure and that the physical connection is already established. This is more about learning the words to communicate how you feel and giving yourself the credit that yes, you are worthy of love and yes, this amazing person you put on a pedestal returns the feelings.
Can’t wait for the next installment of Katrina’s Love at Last series!
Can’t wait for the next installment of Katrina’s Love at Last series!
December 23, 2019
This might be my favorite Katrina Jackson book to date! I was lucky/blessed enough to receive an ARC and this exceeded all my expectations and they were already high!
The hero is socially awkward and I loved him! The heroine doesn’t see how awesome she is and I related to her a lot. This romance feels real and contemporary and I was rooting for them like they were my real life friends!
This is book one in this series and I’m eagerly awaiting the next. I’ll also probably re-read this on NYE in Amsterdam and who knows maybe I’ll meet my own Ezra 🥰
The hero is socially awkward and I loved him! The heroine doesn’t see how awesome she is and I related to her a lot. This romance feels real and contemporary and I was rooting for them like they were my real life friends!
This is book one in this series and I’m eagerly awaiting the next. I’ll also probably re-read this on NYE in Amsterdam and who knows maybe I’ll meet my own Ezra 🥰
December 31, 2019
*no spoilers*
I may have cried a bit in some places in this book. The romance is so heartwrenching and lovely. It’s kind of a slow-burn romance — not something I particularly like, but as the whole thing is told in various new year’s eves in a span of 18 years, it was more my taste. There’s lots of yearning — totally my jam— that is just so pure and exquisite. Candace and Ezra are well-rounded characters, and I couldn’t help rooting for them both.
(I got an ARC from the author, no strings attached.)
Content Warnings:
parental sickness (cancer, diabetes, hypertension)
I may have cried a bit in some places in this book. The romance is so heartwrenching and lovely. It’s kind of a slow-burn romance — not something I particularly like, but as the whole thing is told in various new year’s eves in a span of 18 years, it was more my taste. There’s lots of yearning — totally my jam— that is just so pure and exquisite. Candace and Ezra are well-rounded characters, and I couldn’t help rooting for them both.
(I got an ARC from the author, no strings attached.)
Content Warnings:
parental sickness (cancer, diabetes, hypertension)
February 7, 2020
This was like a non-linear slow burn romance? I didn’t know that was a thing I needed??
Loved both characters, was rooting for them, frustrated with them, just right there with them the whole way. Beautifully real, flawed, characters.
Anyway, Katrina Jackson is still blowing me away at how good she is at telling a great story. Wow. Especially since reading so much of her backlist (which is good, that’s why I’m here), it’s just amazing to see the growth and maturity of her writing here. Wow. Goals.
Loved both characters, was rooting for them, frustrated with them, just right there with them the whole way. Beautifully real, flawed, characters.
Anyway, Katrina Jackson is still blowing me away at how good she is at telling a great story. Wow. Especially since reading so much of her backlist (which is good, that’s why I’m here), it’s just amazing to see the growth and maturity of her writing here. Wow. Goals.
March 15, 2020
This was well written, and someone more enthusiastic about contemp romance would probably enjoy it a lot more than I did. While the leads seemed like nice people, the complete inability to talk to each other gets on my nerves - a lot. And I just really couldn't see everyone else caring so much about whether these 2 finally got down to it or not. Do or don't, but stop dragging around moping over it.
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