Until Next Summer

By: Ali Brady

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Karissa Vacker

USA Today bestseller

"A heartfelt and hilarious frolic through a nostalgic landscape of color wars, first kisses, and toilet-paper porch decor—with a cocktail in hand."—Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times Bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures

Two former best friends each find love at an adults-only summer camp in this romantic and nostalgic novel that proves “once a camp person, always a camp person."

Growing up, Jessie and Hillary lived for summer, when they’d be reunited at Camp Chickawah. The best friends vowed to become counselors together someday, but they drifted apart after Hillary broke her promise and only Jessie stuck to their plan, working her way up to become the camp director.

When Jessie learns that the camp will be sold, she decides to plan one last hurrah, inviting past campers—including Hillary—to a nostalgic “adult summer camp” before closing for good. Jessie and Hillary rebuild their friendship as they relive the best time of their lives—only now there are adult beverages, skinny dipping, and romantic entanglements. Straitlaced Hillary agrees to a “no strings attached” summer fling with the camp chef, while outgoing Jessie is drawn to a moody, reclusive writer who’s rented a cabin to work on his novel.

The friends soon realize this doesn’t have to be the last summer. They’ll team up and work together, just like the old days. But if they can’t save their beloved camp, will they be able to take the happiness of this summer away with them?

©2024 Ali Brady (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Until Next Summer is a heartfelt and hilarious frolic through a nostalgic landscape of color wars, first kisses, and toilet-paper porch decor—with a cocktail in hand. Whether you’re a “camp person” or not, I defy you to read Ali Brady’s latest without glowing from the inside at this tender and hopeful exploration of friendship, romance, and the magic that only a very special place in the woods can hold."—Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times Bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures

"For fans of every single good thing—friendship, romance, summer camp, and reclaiming your authentic self—this book is a complete winner. It’s redemptive and romantic in the most perfect way."—Annabel Monaghan, bestselling author of Same Time Next Summer

"Get ready for an extra dose of nostalgic summer feels—with a side of steamy romance—in this delight of a novel by authors Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey, who write together as Ali Brady. You'll fall in love with plucky Jessie and earnest Hillary as the two women—whose friendship fractured a decade ago—try to find their way back to trusting each other, all while trying to save the summer camp that meant so much to them as kids. Throw in a hot, conflicted camp chef and a sexy, brooding writer holed up in a camp cabin with his dog, and you have yourself a recipe for two spectacular summer flings—and maybe even more. But just like the calm waters of the fictional Camp Chickawah's lake, there's more depth than you might expect beneath the surface, and you'll find yourself laughing and crying along with Jessie and Hillary as they host several weeks of adult campers and are forced to discover what it really means to save the day—not just for the camp, but in their own lives, too. Until Next Summer charms with crackling summer romance, the magic of true friendship, and an against-the-odds story of discovering the things that matter—and finding the courage to fight for them.”—New York Times bestselling author Kristin Harmel

Really enjoyed it!

Nostalgic to modern day relatable. Loved the layers of the story and characters. This author team has put out some great books. Can’t wait for the next one!

Emotionally refreshing summer read

This was the second book of Ali Brady's I've read and I'm constantly impressed by the mature themes of grief, vulnerability, sexual consent and pleasure, mutual respect and individual growth that permeate the pages. It's fun to laugh, cry and feel alongside the characters and reflect on the universal themes the characters endure. Would recommend to anyone looking for a fun but thoughtful summer read!

Waiting for what comes next!

An absolutely wonderful listen. Summer camp tends to stay with those who attended. From the friendships to the activities to the bug juice, the experience shapes and impacts the attendees for the rest of their lives. We get to go to camp along with Jessie on what is to be the last summer at the camp. When she finds out that the camp is being sold, the very place that has been the only place she has ever loved and felt safe, she aims to make the last summer the best ever. Rather than a last summer of kids, she makes a hard left and makes the final summer to be camp for adults, most who were past campers. It is a life altering summer for everyone. Long lost friendships renewed, old hurt feelings brought into the light and fences mended, new and old friendships formed, arts and crafts and lots of fun activities, camp plays, an amazing chef (former camper), love and romance all at summer camp that was so deeply important to so many. Add in a little bit of secrecy, an unscrupulous son of the original owners and a group who want nothing more than to save their beloved camp and you’ve got a truly wonderful listen.

Didn’t live up to expectations

Cute, different premise. Great narrators, but cringeworthy storylines - a whole group discussion about pubic hair? A face off with a bulldozer? Overly detailed sex scenes? Sigh. Throw in the characters’ lack of ability to plainly communicate, and there you have it. I listened to the whole book because I used a credit for it.