The right person could appear anytime, anywhere, in these two stories of finding love and creating family.
Father's Day
Robin Masterson’s little boy wants a dog more than anything in the world. And there just happens to be one right next door! But the friendly black Lab belongs to Cole Camden, the unfriendliest man in the neighborhood. Cole hasn’t always been so solitary, so aloof, but life has dealt him some harsh blows. Robin actually understands and shares his heartache, and soon Robin and Cole are looking at each other in a whole new way. They can make each other whole, and make a family again.
Same Time, Next Year
With a broken engagement behind him, James Wilkens decides to celebrate 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 at the same time a year from now. Except it turns out to be more than a date—it’s a wedding!
Debbie 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.
Father’s Day is the story about Robin and Cole and Jeff and Blackie. Robin and her son Jeff just bought a house next-door to Cole and Blackie, his family black lab.
Unbeknownst to Robin, Cole suffered a terrible tragedy years before, and since then has been rather reserved and standoffish in the neighborhood. But since he’s met her, more than one neighbor has mentioned that he seems to be opening up, turning back into his old self. They are quickly attracted to each other, but their relationship takes a little bit of time, both of them concerned that Jeff be put first.
Same Time, Next Year is the story of James and Summer. They meet in Las Vegas, spend one year exchanging letters, and meet again a year after their initial meeting. They quickly decide to marry after admitting that they have strong feelings for each other, and the story is about adjusting to being married, adjusting to adding a wife or a husband into one’s personal life when no one knows you were even dating! Love was never the issue, but sometimes you bring baggage into a relationship that’s not easily handled.
Both stories are quick reads, and very typically Debbie Macomber stories, behind closed door love scenes and an emphasis on their feelings and relationships.
The first story in this book is "Father's Day." I give the story a 2. The main thing that I did not like was that there was only the POV of Robin. I would have liked to have the POV of Cole. The reader was left to wonder what he thought. I also did not care for Jeff. For a 10 year old he was just too much. This book was written in 1991. I had an eleven year old boy at that time. There is no comparison with their attitudes and actions. Also, Jeff could go to a friend's house 2 blocks away with no supervision. I know things are a lot more strict now, but even in 1991, kids did not just go and do what they wanted to do by themselves. Robin came off as wishy washy. The story was cute, but could have been better.
I give "Same Time, Next Year" 3 stars. It was okay. I remember reading the Manning books when they came out. I assume I read this one, but I don't remember it.
Re-packaged older stories. Typical Macomber. It's off-putting to read a book recently published but the characters are living in an age when cell phones were still flips and not smart. They feel just old enough to be out of date but not yet historical. Meh.
Father's Day deals with dating and marriage after death of a spouse and child.
Same time next year is about an actress at Disney and a lawyer meeting at a New Year's celebration. It follows them into the first year of marriage and the challenges they face from marrying quickly. (I'd read this one previously)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book contains two romance tales. Neither tale similar to the other, but both are an affirmation that love wins out. The first story is a beautiful tale about people finding love after serious losses at love. The second about a never married, but hurt by love, couple. Both show love has challenges from all directions but in the end lovevwins.
Debbie Macomber knows how to tell a great love story! She does it in a way that you feel everything the characters are going through! You don’t want to put down the book until you finish even though you know the lovers will work things out.
I did not expect 2 stories in 1 book. Both stories were pleasant and easy reading. Had a hard time putting my Kindle down.The characters in both stories were enjoyable. Love does funny things to all of us.
The two stories are uplifting with characters you relate. I would recommend reading this book when you have time to read each story to the end. This is a good feel reading adventure for me that's why I rated it so high.
Two stories in one book from one of my favorite authors! Funny, formulaic at times, but always enjoyable. In trying times, I always yearn for a book with decent people and happy endings.