Common Sense Media Review
By Kya Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Some swearing in charming queer New Year's romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR, influencer Dominique Cole returns to Oakrun, Indiana, on New Year's Day, hoping to land a major brand deal that will secure his family's legacy. But then Dom runs into Tyler, his estranged best friend and love interest that he abandoned along with their shared college track dreams (and any hope of romance). He's also nervous to face his cousin Andrea, whom he ghosted out of embarrassment over his struggling career. Aspiring journalist Andy has her own issues: She's sitting on a story that could save the family business, but her New Year's Eve partying resulted in a trashed phone and stolen car—which contains the key piece to her story. New classmate Iris offers to help find the car, but Andy is conflicted since Iris' parents are part of gentrifying their town. As they search together, Andy feels an undeniable attraction to Iris. Neither Dom nor Andy can afford romantic distractions with their family's future at stake, and when they finally connect, Andy shares a secret that leaves Dom stunned and ready to act. By the town's Festival of Lights, both cousins face difficult decisions affecting their family, their lives, and their hearts. Make the wrong choice? Well, there's always next year.
Is It Any Good?
If winter romances and small-town hijinks warm your heart, this book is a cozy read for the holiday break. There's Always Next Year is a lighthearted story about how a seemingly ordinary New Year's Day can be the catalyst for a new chapter. Writing from two points of view, authors Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson (no relation) take readers on a journey in Oakrun, Indiana, that at times feels magical, but the lack of truly high stakes causes the story to shuffle along, despite events happening over the course of just one day. Intertwining themes of family, romance, and gentrification set this story up to be complex and endearing, but with the two main characters hardly interacting throughout the novel, the conflicts fall a bit flat. Teens who like their romances with a bit of social activism will appreciate the modern-day struggles of Dom and Andy. The format that incorporates social media posts, blog posts, and podcast transcripts will appeal to digital media-savvy readers. Each character could shine more brightly in a story of their own, but the authors do a good job creating a queer-positive story that highlights the beauty and power of queer love and a more inclusive world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about courage in There's Always Next Year. It's Dom's big moment to save his career and help his family financially. However, he uses his platform to expose the harm of gentrification in his hometown, potentially ruining his career. When was a time where you chose to do the right thing even if it went against your original plans?
Andy needs to locate her stolen car before the Festival of Lights so she can share some important information with Dom. Her classmate, Iris, volunteers to help her find it, but they consistently run into obstacles along the way. How have you persevered when faced with unexpected challenges?
Andy confides in her mother about the news story she's working on, and her mother helps share the information with all of Oakrun. When has an adult supported you in some big way? How did it help?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement ) , Friendship , Holidays ( New Year's Eve/Day )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Gratitude , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Farrar, Straus and Giroux
- Publication date : December 2, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : January 15, 2026
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