Next Year, For Sure

A Novel

De: Zoey Leigh Peterson

Narrado por: Elizabeth Cottle

After nine years together, Kathryn and Chris are used to helping each other through every daily and existential dilemma. When Chris tells Kathryn about his feelings for Emily, a vivacious young woman he sees often at the laundromat, Kathryn encourages her boyfriend to pursue this other woman - certain that her bond with Chris is strong enough to weather a little side dalliance. When Chris's romance with Emily grows beyond what anyone anticipated, both Chris and Kathryn are invited into Emily's communal home, where Kathryn will discover new romantic possibilities of her own. In the confusions, passions, and upheavals of their new lives, both Kathryn and Chris will be forced to reconsider their past and what they thought they knew about love.

©2017 Zoey Leigh Peterson (P)2017 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Serious Whimsy--or Whimsical Seriousness

This novel, at least as read by Elizabeth Cottle, is a deceptively light-hearted take on issues that we've all had to deal with when embarking on (or already in) relationships with others: How much compromising is too much? Are some friendships made to last while others should just be allowed to run their course? What's the difference between loving someone and being IN LOVE with that person? Must we sacrifice and suffer for the things we want in life? How can we be sure what it is we really want and that we will remain satisfied if we get it?

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The characters are quirky but remain likable, Cottle's narrative voice is perfect for them, and Zoey Peterson's story-telling style is delightfully innovative. For example, at the end of several of the phone conversations, Peterson poses a series of questions that could have/should have been asked but were not--usually because one or both of the conversants was too self-conscious to ask or was attempting to sound less insecure/more emotionally evolved than (s)he felt. I think it's safe to say that we learn at least as much about these characters from what they don't say as from what they do.

One more comment about Peterson's writing: For the first time ever in reviewing a book for Audible, I was wishing there were four categories, i.e., that writing could be separated from story. If I'd had that option, writing definitely would have gotten five stars.

Boring

It really didn’t catch my attention. Chris was seemingly obsessed with a girl and did nothing about it. I didn’t understand his infatuation and the story really went nowhere with him.

Who is telling this story????

I could never figure out who was telling this story. I did not like the ending. The theme is interesting but there is something lacking.

boring

Completely boring. I'd like those hours of my life back please. nothing ever happens. Literally, ever!