There's Always Next Year

By: Leah Johnson, George M. Johnson

Narrated by: Eric Lockley, Khaya Fraites

"A snow-kissed, warmhearted ode to new beginnings, second chances, and the real, enduring magic of love and community." —Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

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

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

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

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

“Deftly narrated by Khaya Fraites and Eric Lockley, this cozy, well-paced romp delivers small-town pride, family love, and adorable teenage queer romance.”—Booklist

"[Khaya] Fraites' expressive narration matches Andy's bright personality, and [Narrator Eric] Lockley captures Dominique's youthful spirit."—AudioFile

A Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Critic reviews

"A snow-kissed, warmhearted ode to new beginnings, second chances, and the real, enduring magic of love and community." —Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

"As sweet and cozy as it is meaningful and justice-minded... Johnson and Johnson have penned a takedown of gentrification that doesn’t skimp on the romance or the fun." —Booklist, starred review

"A well-told holiday tale about family, forgiveness, love, and doing what’s right." —Kirkus

"[A] winning queer romance... Organic, voice-driven alternating POV chapters interspersed with social media and blog posts and podcast transcripts weave together complexly rendered relationships complicated by socioeconomic conflicts and divides." —Publishers Weekly