Reviews

Every New Year by Katrina Jackson

jackiehorne's review

3.0

An emotion-packed interracial second chance romance, in which ex best friends and once-a-year lovers are stuck together on a long airplane flight. The storyline moves back and forth between multiple New Years' Eves of the past and the present, showing how both shy Jewish nerd Ezra and polished but conflict-averse African-American Candace initially meet when their best friends begin dating in college, and how the two keep coming together only to allow their overwhelming feelings, lack of self-esteem, and fears of losing their friendship keep each from admitting their true feelings to the other.

That this one step forward, three steps back keeps happening for almost twenty years! without changing made for a somewhat repetitive read, but Jackson's strong writing and evocation of feeling make the story worth it.

samanthasprott's review

3.0

A sweet romance! Really steamy and emotional at parts but I was frustrated with the lack of communication and openness from the characters that clearly got them into the mess that is the book. I loved the concept of the book revolving around NYE every year, and it’s a pretty fast read!

malus23's review against another edition

3.0

This was well written, and someone more enthusiastic about contemp romance would probably enjoy it a lot more than I did. While the leads seemed like nice people, the complete inability to talk to each other gets on my nerves - a lot. And I just really couldn't see everyone else caring so much about whether these 2 finally got down to it or not. Do or don't, but stop dragging around moping over it.

missamandamae's review against another edition

5.0

Oh my word. I LOVE Katrina’s books and this absolutely did not disappoint. I was squee-ing and gasping and enjoying the whole ride of Candace and Ezra. Both are darling and lovable characters you just gotta root for. I am so excited to read the next installment!

kateritchie's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

courtnee_rae's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

samarayu's review against another edition

5.0

*no spoilers*

I may have cried a bit in some places in this book. The romance is so heartwrenching and lovely. It’s kind of a slow-burn romance — not something I particularly like, but as the whole thing is told in various new year’s eves in a span of 18 years, it was more my taste. There’s lots of yearning — totally my jam— that is just so pure and exquisite. Candace and Ezra are well-rounded characters, and I couldn’t help rooting for them both.

(I got an ARC from the author, no strings attached.)


Content Warnings:
parental sickness (cancer, diabetes, hypertension)

1002didi's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

turtleberry's review against another edition

5.0

This book had me in my feelings. I wanted to shake both characters so many different times during the story.

I said four stars at first but upped it to five because the book is still kinda sitting with me in my brain.

Great frustrated love story.

missberlyreads's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0