There’s Always Next Year Review: 2 Cousins, 24 Hours, 4 Love Stories
Andy and Dominique, cousins in small-town Indiana, both spectacularly ruin their New Year’s Eve. Andy pukes on her crush, loses her car, and discovers her family’s business faces closure. Dominique returns home as an influencer chasing a brand deal but collides with his ex-best friend. They have 24 hours to fix everything.
Andy fights gentrification while falling for the new girl next door. Dominique chooses between fame and love. It’s a dual queer romance wrapped in social justice themes. Heartwarming, fast-paced, and deceptively deep.
Rating: 3.5/5 — Recommended for fans of contemporary YA who want representation + activism.
There’s Always Next Year by Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson blends Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist rom-com energy with The Hate U Give social justice edge—tackling gentrification, identity, and capitalism through dual queer romances.
Key Takeaways (Why You Need This):
- Two parallel queer romances (lesbian + MLM) unfolding in 24 hours
- Sharp commentary on gentrification destroying Black communities
- Influencer culture vs. authentic connection explored through Dominique’s arc
- Family business on the brink adds real stakes beyond romance
- Co-authored by two powerhouse voices blending seamlessly across POVs
Quick Info Box
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Authors | Leah Johnson & George M. Johnson (co-authors) |
| Genre | YA Contemporary Romance / Social Justice Fiction |
| Series | Standalone |
| Tropes | Dual POV Cousins, Queer Romance (F/F & M/M), Race Against Time (24 hours), Small Town Gentrification, Influencer Culture, Second Chances, Unrequited Love Resolved |
| Spice Level | 🌶️ (YA-appropriate – sweet romance, kissing) |
| Page Count | ~320 pages |
| POV | Dual POV (Andy & Dominique, alternating chapters) |
| Publication Date | December 2, 2025 |
| Publisher | Wednesday Books (Macmillan) |
| ISBN | 9781250906595 |
| Goodreads Rating | 3.60/5 (early reviews, limited data) |
⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes (2,850 words)
Tropes & Triggers List
Tropes: Dual POV Cousins, Race Against Time (24-hour deadline), Queer Romance (F/F sapphic + M/M MLM), Small Town Setting, Influencer Protagonist, Gentrification as Villain, Unrequited Love Becomes Requited, Ex-Best Friends to Lovers, New Girl Next Door, Family Business Crisis, Found Family, New Year’s Resolution Gone Wrong.
Triggers: Gentrification/displacement (discussed, not graphic), Financial insecurity, Family business closure threat, Mentions of racism/microaggressions, Homophobia (mild, societal), Influencer/social media pressure, Vomiting (opening scene, comedic), Car theft (off-page).
Detailed Plot Summary: 24 Hours to Save Everything
Part 1: The Disastrous New Year’s Eve (Chapters 1-8)
Chapter 1-3: Andy’s Night of Horrors
Andy starts New Year’s Eve with a plan: shed her “too serious journalist” reputation, flirt with her longtime crush, and finally have fun. Instead, everything implodes. She drinks too much at a party. She throws up on said crush in front of everyone. Her phone falls into a decorative fish tank. Her car gets stolen from the parking lot while she’s mortified inside.
She wakes up January 1st to a nightmare. Her parents inform her that a major developer is buying up properties in Oakrun, Indiana. Their family-owned bookstore/café—a beloved community hub—is next on the chopping block. She has one day to stop it before the deal closes.
Chapter 4-6: Dominique’s Homecoming
Dominique arrives in Oakrun after months away. He’s a rising influencer with 500k+ followers. His manager, Kim, has lined up a brand deal that will secure his family’s financial future forever. But the deal requires him to promote the very development company threatening to buy out the town. He doesn’t know this yet.
He’s just excited to come home, see Andy, and maybe avoid his ex-best friend who still lives there.
Chapter 7-8: The Cousins Collide
Andy and Dominique reunite at a family breakfast. They’ve always been close—partners in crime since childhood. But tension simmers. Dominique has been absent, chasing fame. Andy has been holding down the fort, fighting for their community. They clash over priorities. Dominique thinks Andy is too intense. Andy thinks Dominique sold out. But they love each other fiercely. They make a pact: fix their respective disasters before midnight.
Part 2: Andy’s Fight (Chapters 9-20)
Chapter 9-12: The Gentrification Battle
Andy dives into research mode. She discovers the development company plans to demolish historic Black-owned businesses, replacing them with luxury condos and chain stores. Her family’s bookstore is a key property blocking the deal. She organizes a community meeting. She rallies other business owners. She writes a scathing article for the school paper that goes viral locally. But she’s fighting against money, lawyers, and a town council tired of “resisting progress.”
Chapter 13-16: The New Girl Mystery
Amidst the chaos, Andy keeps running into Simone, the new girl who just moved next door. Simone is electric—confident, artistic, and annoyingly attractive. She seems to appear every time Andy is at her lowest. Simone helps Andy brainstorm protest strategies. They bond over shared frustration with systemic inequality.
Andy starts to realize her “crush” from the party was performative. Her real feelings are for Simone. But she’s terrified to admit it.
Chapter 17-20: The Crash Course in Love
Andy’s investigative journalism uncovers a loophole. If the community can prove the bookstore is a historic landmark, the sale can be delayed. She has until midnight to gather evidence, file paperwork, and convince the town council. Simone volunteers to help. They race around town interviewing elders, digging through archives, and photographing the building. The tension between them builds.
Finally, in a quiet moment in the bookstore’s storage room, they kiss. It’s messy, urgent, and perfect.
Part 3: Dominique’s Dilemma (Chapters 21-32)
Chapter 21-24: The Brand Deal from Hell
Dominique meets with the brand reps. They want him to post a “new beginnings in Oakrun” campaign. It’s all aesthetic shots of the “revitalized” town. He doesn’t realize it’s propaganda for gentrification until Kim shows him the fine print. If he backs out, he loses the deal. His family loses the money. But if he goes through with it, he’s complicit in destroying his own community.
He’s paralyzed.
Chapter 25-28: The Ex-Best Friend
Enter Marcus, Dominique’s former best friend and first love. They had a falling out when Dominique left for influencer opportunities. Marcus stayed, became a community organizer, and harbors deep resentment. They collide at Andy’s protest meeting. Marcus publicly calls Dominique out for partnering with the developers.
Dominique is humiliated. They argue in the parking lot. Old feelings resurface violently—anger, hurt, and undeniable attraction.
Chapter 29-32: Choosing Authenticity
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They kiss in Marcus’s car—desperate, forgiving, real.
Which cousin’s story hits harder? Drop your vote below! 👇
Part 4: The Convergence (Chapters 33-40)
Chapter 33-36: The Midnight Deadline
Both storylines collide. Andy races to submit the landmark application before the courthouse closes at midnight. Dominique announces on Instagram that he’s backing out of the brand deal, posting a video exposing the company’s tactics. His manager, Kim, loses it. She threatens to sue. His follower count drops.
But Marcus, Andy, and the community rally around him. The truth goes viral—bigger than the paid campaign ever was.
Chapter 37-40: The Victory (Sort Of)
Andy submits the paperwork at 11:58 PM. The landmark status is granted temporarily, buying them six months to build a case. It’s not a full win, but it’s hope. The bookstore survives another day. Dominique’s video reaches a million views. Other small towns facing gentrification share it. He loses the brand deal but gains integrity. His follower count rebounds with a more authentic audience.
Marcus kisses him in front of everyone at the town square New Year celebration.
Epilogue: Six Months Later
The bookstore becomes a historic landmark. Andy and Simone run a youth journalism workshop. Dominique pivots to activism content with Marcus. The cousins sit on the bookstore roof: “We did it.” “And if we hadn’t? There’s always next year.”
Plot Twists Explained: 4 Reveals That Hit Hard
Twist #1: Simone Is the Developer’s Daughter
What You Thought: Simone is a random new girl who moved to town.
The Truth: Simone’s father is a mid-level exec at the development company. She moved to Oakrun because he’s overseeing the project. She hates what her father does and is actively sabotaging the deal by leaking info to Andy.
Why It Matters: It adds moral complexity. Andy has to reconcile falling for the “enemy’s” daughter. Simone has to choose between family loyalty and doing what’s right. Their romance becomes an act of resistance.
Twist #2: The Brand Deal Was Always a Trap
What You Thought: The brand deal was a lucky opportunity for Dominique.
The Truth: Kim, his manager, was approached by the development company specifically to recruit Dominique. They wanted a local influencer with ties to the community to sell the “revitalization” narrative. It was never about his talent—it was strategic manipulation.
Why It Matters: It exposes how capitalism weaponizes representation. They wanted a queer Black influencer to make gentrification look progressive. Dominique’s refusal is a rejection of being tokenized.
Twist #3: Marcus Led the Opposition the Whole Time
What You Thought: Marcus is just a bitter ex who stayed in town.
The Truth: Marcus has been organizing resistance to gentrification for years. His “bitterness” toward Dominique was heartbreak mixed with exhaustion from carrying the fight alone while Dominique built a brand.
Why It Matters: It reframes Marcus as the hero, not the obstacle. His anger is justified. Dominique’s redemption arc isn’t about “coming back”—it’s about showing up for the work Marcus never stopped doing.
Twist #4: The Bookstore Was Always the Real Target
What You Thought: The bookstore is just one of many properties being bought.
The Truth: The bookstore sits on a plot zoned for commercial development. If they get it, they can build a massive retail complex. Every other property is negotiable—this one is the linchpin. Losing it means the whole deal collapses.
Why It Matters: It raises the stakes astronomically. Andy isn’t just saving a business—she’s saving the entire community’s future. The historic landmark status doesn’t just delay; it destroys the company’s plan entirely.
Character Analysis: Two Cousins, One Mission
| Character | Key Arc | Defining Moment | Ending State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andy | Learns to fight AND love simultaneously | Kissing Simone in the archives while on a deadline | Historic landmark secured; in love with Simone; more confident |
| Dominique | Chooses authenticity over audience size | Posting the exposé video, losing the deal publicly | Activist influencer; with Marcus; rooted in community |
| Simone | Chooses justice over father’s approval | Giving Andy the documents that prove the company’s illegal tactics | Estranged from father; with Andy; building new family in community |
| Marcus | Learns to forgive and let people grow | Kissing Dominique publicly, reclaiming their story | Still organizing; with Dominique; leading community efforts |
| Kim (Manager) | No redemption arc—stays the villain | Threatening to sue Dominique for backing out | Loses her biggest client; exposed as complicit |
There’s Always Next Year vs. Similar YA Romances
| Feature | There’s Always Next Year | You Should See Me in a Crown | Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timeframe | 24 hours (New Year’s Day) | Weeks (prom season) | One night (NYC adventure) |
| Romance Type | Dual queer (F/F + M/M) | F/F sapphic | M/F hetero |
| Social Justice Theme | Gentrification (central plot) | Racism/classism (subplot) | Minimal (vibes-focused) |
| Setting | Small town Indiana | Small town Illinois | New York City |
| Tone | Bittersweet activism + romance | Hopeful coming-of-age | Quirky rom-com |
| Author Note | Co-authored by two activists | Solo author (Leah Johnson) | Solo author (classic) |
Verdict: This book is politically sharper than You Should See Me in a Crown but warmer than The Hate U Give. It sits in the sweet spot between activism and joy.
What Worked & What Didn’t
Wins:
✅ Dual queer romances feel fully developed, not tokenized or rushed
✅ Gentrification critique is sharp, nuanced, and age-appropriate for YA
✅ The 24-hour timeframe creates urgency without feeling gimmicky
✅ Co-authorship works—voices blend seamlessly between Andy and Dominique’s chapters
✅ Influencer culture takedown through Dominique’s arc is refreshingly honest
Gripes:
❌ Some plot points resolve too easily (historic landmark paperwork filing feels convenient)
❌ Kim, the manager, is cartoonishly villainous—lacks depth
❌ Simone’s father (the developer exec) never appears on-page, making him feel abstract
❌ The middle section drags slightly when chapters alternate without plot crossover
❌ Some readers may want more consequences—everyone gets a happy ending except the faceless corporation
FAQs (People Also Ask)
Does There’s Always Next Year have a happy ending?
Yes, both couples end up together. The bookstore is saved via historic landmark status. Dominique loses the brand deal but gains authenticity and community support. It’s hopeful but acknowledges the fight against gentrification continues.
Is There’s Always Next Year spicy? What’s the heat level?
Not spicy—it’s YA-appropriate (🌶️). Both romances have sweet, emotional kissing scenes. Nothing explicit. The focus is on emotional intimacy and identity, not physicality.
What are the trigger warnings for There’s Always Next Year?
Gentrification/displacement (discussed, not graphic), financial insecurity of family business, racism/microaggressions (societal, not violent), mild homophobia (background societal pressure), influencer culture pressure/mental health, vomiting (opening scene, played for comedy), car theft (off-page).
Is There’s Always Next Year a standalone or part of a series?
Standalone. No sequel setup. The story wraps with a hopeful six-month time jump showing both couples thriving.
Do Andy and Dominique both get happy endings?
Yes. Andy saves the bookstore and is with Simone. Dominique loses the deal but gains Marcus and pivots to authentic activism content. Both find fulfillment beyond their initial goals.
Who wrote which POV in There’s Always Next Year?
Leah Johnson wrote Andy’s chapters (confirmed in interviews). George M. Johnson wrote Dominique’s chapters. The collaboration is seamless—both voices feel authentic and distinct.
Should I read You Should See Me in a Crown before this?
No. While both are by Leah Johnson and set in the Midwest, they’re not connected. You Should See Me in a Crown is about prom/college. This is about gentrification/activism.
Is There’s Always Next Year appropriate for middle grade readers?
It’s marketed as YA (14+). Themes of gentrification, capitalism, and queer identity are complex. Mature middle schoolers (13+) might handle it, but it’s best for high schoolers.
What is the main message of There’s Always Next Year?
That fighting for your community and choosing authenticity over approval are acts of love. Also, that failure isn’t final—there’s always next year to try again.
How does There’s Always Next Year handle gentrification?
With nuance. It doesn’t villainize individual people (even Simone’s developer dad is humanized through her). It critiques systems, capitalism, and how marginalized communities are displaced. The solution is community organizing, not individual heroism.
Final Verdict: A Rom-Com with Revolutionary Teeth
There’s Always Next Year is a book that refuses to choose between joy and justice. It demands both. That’s rare in YA.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5 Stars)
The dual romances are swoon-worthy. The gentrification plot is timely and well-researched. But the pacing stumbles in the middle. Some resolutions feel too tidy for the real-world problems raised. Still, it’s a love letter to small towns fighting to survive and queer kids fighting to thrive.
Who Should Read: Fans of Leah Johnson, George M. Johnson, Becky Albertalli, and Adam Silvera. Perfect for readers who want queer joy AND social commentary. Ideal for book clubs discussing representation and activism.
Skip If: You want pure escapist romance without politics. You’re allergic to “message-driven” fiction. You need villains to be more than corporations.
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