There’s Always Next Year

Two Black cousins spend New Year’s Day on a mission to rectify past wrongs in this winning queer romance by George M. Johnson (Flamboyants) and Leah Johnson (Bree Boyd Is a Legend). Running low on funds and clout, 19-year-old Dominique—a model in New York City—returns to his hometown of Oakrun, Ind., on New Year’s Day, hoping a last-minute gig with a local hotel developer can help save his career. Meanwhile, Dom’s 17-year-old cousin Andy, whom Dom has been ghosting for months, is recovering from a wild NYE party when she realizes something devastating: she lost the flash drive containing evidence she needs to shut down a rash of gentrification projects threatening everyone in Oakrun, including her family’s hardware business. Additionally, the contents of the flash drive—if they fell into the wrong hands—could ruin Dom’s career. And when Dom learns of his latest contract’s shady business practices, he’s forced to consider the lengths he’s willing to go to accomplish his goals. Simultaneously, Dom and Andy each struggle to navigate potential romances alongside their own tense dynamic. Organic, voice-driven alternating POV chapters interspersed with social media and blog posts and podcast transcripts weave together complexly rendered relationships complicated by socioeconomic conflicts and divides. Ages 14–up. Agent: (for Leah) Patrice Caldwell, Patrice Caldwell Literary. (Dec.)