Same Time Next Week – Milly Johnson | Book Review | @millyjohnson @TeamBATC @simonschusterUK #SameTimeNextWeek #booksky

Welcome to Spring Hill, home to a square of independent shops and cafes, a thriving local community and nearby the newest venture, Ray’s Diner. Here a group of women meet once a week over a cup of something warming.

Amanda is primary carer to her elderly mother and one of the only women in a male-dominated company. Used to being second-best all her life, is this her time to finally break ranks and shine?

Sky works at the repair shop, patching up old teddy bears, and their owners’ hearts. But her heart beats for the one man who is strictly off-limits.

Mel has been a loyal and loving wife to Steve for thirty years. Then when he goes to his old school reunion, life as she knows it will never be the same again.

Erin is trying to get over a traumatic loss where her guilt weighs more than her grief. Can she find the first step to healing lies in sharing an hour with strangers once a week?

Astrid is feeling in need of a change and a challenge. But when a fantastic opportunity presents itself, who is around to convince her she is worthy enough to take the risk?

Can these women find the answers to their worries, acceptance, courage, support here? Join them at the same time next week to find out…

MY THOUGHTS

My thanks to SJV of Simon & Schuster for the tour invite and for the lovely copy to review. Milly Johnson read an extract of the book at the recent BATC Showcase at S&S in London and I knew then that it was definitely a book for me. Same Time Next Week was published on 27 February 2025 in ebook, audiobook and hardback with the paperback to follow in June 2025.

I’ve read most of Milly’s books over the years, some of which are reviewed here (just type her name into the search bar) and they all have something in common; relatable characters that tug on the emotions together with lashings of humour. I was rooting for each one of these five women, each facing a difficult situation – Amanda – whose menopause symptoms are making her life a misery (I could readily identify there!) and an unloving mother who makes no secret that Amanda’s brother Bradley is the favourite despite Amanda being the one who does everything for her. Sky, the teddy bear maker (think BBC TV’s The Repair Shop) whose health issues make her fragility even more pronounced and not helped by having a sleazy landlord. Mel who never imagined that she would be subject to such betrayal and emotional cruelty. Erin, whose conflicting feelings of grief and guilt are preventing her from seeing a way forward. And, finally Astrid, who after having lost the love of her life is lonely and trying to find her place in the world as well as self worth.

A new diner in town, run by Ray, a Texan offering blueberry pie along with his generosity and kindness, becomes a safe space for our characters to meet, chat and generally advise and support each other. I loved following their individual stories and became quite fond of them – commiserating when life was pants and cheering for them at every bit of good news. I always think an author has done their job well when fictional characters have such an emotional impact that it feels quite sad to say goodbye to them. I was delighted to see the Pandoros and their cracker business (the paper type, not the biscuit) make a cameo appearance. Anyone who has read The Mother of All Christmases will remember them.

Same Time Next Week is a captivating, emotional but uplifting story, written with heart and humour. Who else but Milly could make a reader emotional over one page but have you snorting with laughter at the next.

I loved this story of friendship with its touch of romance. All these woman gained something by the end of the book namely friendship, self worth and confidence whilst losing that fear of moving forward and taking chances. Most definitely recommended.

Milly Johnson was born, raised and still lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. She is the author of 22 novels, 4 short story ebooks, a book of poetry and a Quick Reads Novella (‘The Little Dreams of Lara Cliffe’) and was an erstwhile leading copywriter for the greetings card industry. She is also a poet, a professional joke-writer, a newspaper columnist and a seasoned after dinner speaker.

She won the RoNA for Best Romantic Comedy Novel of 2014 and 2016, the Yorkshire Society award for Arts and Culture 2015, the Romantic Novelist Association Outstanding Achievement award in 2020, the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2021 and the Richard Whiteley Award for Inspiration to the County of Yorkshire in 2022.

She writes about love, life, friendships and the importance of community spirit. Her books champion women, their strength and resilience and celebrate her beloved Yorkshire.

Her 22nd novel ‘Same Time Next Week’ out 27th Feb 2025 is about five women all negotiating big changes in their lives. Will coming together in a friendship group at the new Ray’s Diner help them overcome what fate throws at them? Full of blueberry pie and cookies (don’t blame me if you start craving them)

Do check out Milly’s website. She has a monthly newsletter with insider info, competitions and even birthday celebrations

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