Leah Johnson (You Should See Me in a Crown) and George M. Johnson (Flamboyants) bring queer exuberance to their heartfelt YA holiday romcom, There's Always Next Year.
Cousins Andy and Dominique Cole's family have been in the Midwest town of Oakrun for generations. Two years ago, a magazine did a feature on Oakrun and, ever since, the "Start Up Tech Ninjas" with "more money than God" have been moving in. Around the same time as the magazine feature, Dominique went viral as a fashion influencer and left for New York City. Now, 17-year-old Andy's parents are on the brink of losing Cole's Hardware--just another local fixture being demolished to push out the "Black folks who have been the backbone of this town"--and 19-year-old Dom is coming back for the first time.
It's New Year's Day, which means Andy and Dom should be looking forward to reconnecting at their town's famed Festival of Lights this evening. But Dom is only back to act as the face of a fancy hotel chain opening in town, courtesy of the town's mayor. Andy loathes Mayor Youngblood, especially after she learned the real reason the "grimy man" chose Dom as his spokesperson. The Dom Andy knew two years ago would be appalled by the truth--but will Internet-famous Dom care? Meanwhile, Dom desperately needs the gig to make up for his recent lack of bookings. While Andy and her "lesbian punk band"-vibed crush embark on a madcap dash to get to Dom before the Festival of Lights hotel announcement, Dom reunites with an old track teammate who had always felt like "something more" than a friend.
Andy's and Dom's sympathetic, enthusiastic, and candid first-person narratives unfold over a single day, each deeply investigating what they're running from, and considering what they should run toward. The authors (no relation) sprinkle the story with plenty of twists, hilarious hijinks, an "ageless fairy gayparent" drag queen, an elder town gossip, icy streets, warm cocoa, and so much small-town nostalgia. They tactfully touch on racism, the complexity of life post-high school, and the need for unconditional love. Above all, the witty prose brings constant laughs. There's Always Next Year is a holiday title that will brighten any spirit. --Samantha Zaboski, freelance editor and reviewer
Shelf Talker: This cozy and candid holiday romp features two queer love stories, a local hardware store that needs saving, a loathsome money-hungry mayor, and drag queen shenanigans.