New Year's Eve Chaos

Britta, the tough, witty bartender at Sluggers, is barely holding her bar together on New Year's Eve. The local hockey team, the Bridgeport Bandits, is celebrating a win, and the chaos is at its peak. Amid the revelry, Britta's half-brother Bryce drops a bombshell: Sumner, the team's gentle Canadian giant and star defenseman, is about to be deported because his work visa is expiring. The team's solution? A marriage of convenience to keep Sumner in the country. The suggestion is wild, but the stakes are real—Sumner's career and Britta's future are both on the line. The night is a whirlwind of noise, laughter, and the first spark of a life-changing decision.

The Marriage Proposition

Bryce and the Bandits corner Britta with their plan: she should marry Sumner to keep him in the U.S. Britta, fiercely independent and scarred by her father's betrayal, recoils at the idea of marriage. Yet, the offer comes with a tempting promise—Sumner will pay her enough to buy into Sluggers, her lifelong dream. The team's camaraderie and Sumner's quiet longing for Britta add emotional weight. Sumner, mortified by the spectacle, insists he'd never pressure her, but the seed is planted. Britta's resistance is fierce, but the possibility of saving both Sumner's career and her own future begins to gnaw at her resolve.

Terms of the Deal

Britta and Sumner retreat to the bar's office to hash out the details. Both are clear: this is a business arrangement, not a romance. Britta's aversion to marriage is rooted in her father's infidelity and abandonment, while Sumner's longing for family and commitment is palpable. They agree on strict terms—no real relationship, no physical intimacy, just enough authenticity to convince immigration. The deal is sealed with a handshake and a timeline: one year, expiring next New Year's Eve. Underneath the practicalities, unspoken attraction and vulnerability simmer, hinting at complications to come.

Boundaries and Yearnings

As the weeks pass, Britta and Sumner navigate their new "expirationship." They keep things strictly platonic, meeting only in public, focusing on paperwork and logistics. Yet, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Sumner's protective nature and Britta's guarded warmth create a charged atmosphere. Both struggle with their feelings—Sumner's longing is obvious, while Britta's fear of intimacy keeps her distant. Their interactions are laced with humor, tension, and moments of almost-confession. The boundaries they set begin to blur, and the emotional stakes quietly rise.

Studying Each Other

Preparing for their green card interview, Britta and Sumner must learn everything about each other—favorite foods, family stories, childhood memories. What starts as rote memorization becomes genuine connection. Britta is moved by Sumner's stories of his loving family, while Sumner is drawn to Britta's resilience and wit. Their study sessions are filled with laughter, vulnerability, and the slow erosion of their emotional defenses. The line between pretense and reality grows thinner, and both begin to realize that their arrangement is anything but simple.

Britta's Past Unveiled

During a study session, Britta finally opens up about her past—her father's double life, her mother's depression, and the loneliness that shaped her. Sumner listens with empathy, offering comfort without judgment. This moment of honesty deepens their bond, allowing Britta to feel seen and safe in a way she never has before. Sumner's steadfastness and gentle affection begin to chip away at Britta's fear of commitment. The emotional intimacy they share becomes the foundation for something real, even as they both struggle to admit it.

The Green Card Interview

The day of the immigration interview arrives, and nerves are high. Britta and Sumner present their carefully constructed life together—shared mail, photos, matching rings. The interview is tense, but their genuine affection shines through, convincing even the skeptical official. The relief is palpable, but so is the realization that their connection is no longer just for show. As they leave, Sumner reveals he'll be returning to Canada for training, and Britta is surprised by how much she'll miss him. The separation forces both to confront the depth of their feelings.

Summer Apart, Hearts Aflame

With Sumner in Canada for the summer, Britta throws herself into work at Sluggers, but the bar no longer feels like home. Their daily texts are a lifeline, but the absence is keenly felt. Britta's jealousy over a swimsuit magazine and Sumner's injury during training reveal how much they mean to each other. When Sumner returns, their reunion is charged with unresolved tension and desire. Both are forced to acknowledge that their "friendship" is anything but platonic, and the boundaries they set are on the verge of collapse.

Reunion and Restraint

Sumner and Britta finally see each other after months apart, and the attraction is overwhelming. They dance around their feelings, each afraid to make the first move. A night out together brings their chemistry to a boiling point, but Britta insists on keeping things casual. Sumner, ever honest, admits he can't separate sex from emotion—he wants more than just a fling. Their mutual restraint is both painful and poignant, highlighting the depth of their connection and the fear that keeps them apart.

Lines Blurred, Hearts Exposed

The tension finally breaks, and Britta and Sumner give in to their desire. Their first night together is intense, emotional, and transformative. Sumner's vulnerability and Britta's need for reassurance create a powerful intimacy. Yet, the morning after is fraught with uncertainty—Britta is still afraid to commit, and Sumner's declaration of love leaves her reeling. Both are left raw and exposed, unsure of what comes next but unable to deny the truth of their feelings.

Family, Soup, and Belonging

Britta meets Sumner's family, bringing homemade broccoli cheddar soup—a symbol of love and effort. The warmth and acceptance she receives are overwhelming, challenging her belief that families always fall apart. Sumner's pride in her and his family's embrace begin to heal old wounds. For the first time, Britta allows herself to imagine a future that isn't defined by fear or abandonment. The sense of belonging she feels is both foreign and deeply comforting.

The Call-Up and Crossroads

Sumner gets the call he's been waiting for—he's going pro, but the team is in Anaheim, across the country. The news is bittersweet; his dream is coming true, but it means leaving Britta and everything they've built. Britta is torn between her loyalty to Sluggers and her love for Sumner. The prospect of change terrifies her, and old fears resurface. Both are forced to confront what they truly want and what they're willing to risk for love.

Facing Fears, Choosing Love

Britta seeks solace at Sluggers, wrestling with her decision. A heart-to-heart with Bryce helps her see that she's been hiding behind the bar, letting fear dictate her life. Realizing that love requires vulnerability and courage, Britta decides to face her fears head-on. She dons an Anaheim jersey and shows up at Sumner's final game, signaling her choice to follow him into the unknown. The gesture is both a declaration of love and a promise to embrace the future together.

The Final Game

At the game, Britta sits in the family section, wearing Sumner's team colors and the lumberjack hat his grandmother used to wear. The sight of her in the stands gives Sumner the strength to play his heart out. After the game, he rushes to her, and they share a public, passionate reunion. Britta finally confesses her love, and Sumner asks her to come to California with him. Their embrace is witnessed by family, friends, and fans—a testament to the power of love and the courage to choose it.

A New Beginning

Britta and Sumner move to California, starting a new chapter together. Britta enrolls in business school, and Sumner thrives in his hockey career. Their relationship, once defined by an expiration date, becomes a source of strength and joy. They build a home filled with laughter, love, and the promise of forever. The challenges they face only deepen their bond, proving that true partnership is built on trust, honesty, and mutual support.

Permanent, Not Expiring

On New Year's Eve, one year after their unconventional wedding, Sumner proposes to Britta for real, giving her the ring she deserves. Surrounded by friends, family, and fireworks, they celebrate not just the end of their "expirationship," but the beginning of a permanent, enduring love. Britta, once terrified of commitment, embraces her future with Sumner, knowing that together, they can face anything. Their story is a testament to the transformative power of love, the importance of vulnerability, and the joy of choosing each other—again and again.

Characters

Britta Mayfield

Britta is the fiercely independent bartender at Sluggers, shaped by a childhood marked by her father's betrayal and her mother's depression. Her tough exterior masks deep vulnerability and a longing for safety. Britta's relationship with her half-brother Bryce is complex but loving, and her initial resistance to marriage is rooted in fear of abandonment. Over the course of the story, Britta evolves from a woman hiding behind emotional walls to someone willing to risk her heart. Her journey is one of healing, self-discovery, and learning to trust—not just Sumner, but herself. Her wit, resilience, and capacity for love make her a compelling and relatable heroine.

Sumner Mayfield

Sumner is a Canadian hockey player with a soft heart and a strong sense of loyalty. Despite his intimidating size and prowess on the ice, he is gentle, thoughtful, and deeply committed to those he loves. Sumner's longing for family and stability is a driving force, and his crush on Britta is both tender and intense. He respects her boundaries, never pressuring her, but his honesty and vulnerability eventually win her over. Sumner's journey is one of patience, hope, and unwavering devotion. He embodies the ideal partner—supportive, trustworthy, and willing to fight for love, even when it means risking his own heart.

Bryce

Bryce is Britta's half-brother and a key member of the Bandits. His easygoing nature and loyalty to both Britta and Sumner make him a bridge between the two. Bryce's suggestion of the marriage of convenience sets the plot in motion, and his tough love helps Britta confront her fears. He represents the possibility of forgiveness and the importance of chosen family. Bryce's presence is a reminder that healing is possible, even after deep wounds.

The Bandits

The Bridgeport Bandits are more than just a hockey team—they are a surrogate family for both Britta and Sumner. Their antics provide humor and warmth, while their unwavering support underscores the theme of community. The Bandits' belief in Sumner's talent and their affection for Britta create a sense of belonging that both characters desperately need. They are the glue that holds the story's world together.

Britta's Mother

Though mostly offstage, Britta's mother's struggles with depression and abandonment profoundly shape Britta's worldview. Her inability to recover from her husband's betrayal instills in Britta a deep fear of commitment and loss. The mother-daughter relationship is fraught but ultimately serves as a catalyst for Britta's growth, pushing her to seek a different path.

Sumner's Family

Sumner's large, close-knit family represents everything Britta fears she can't have—a stable, loving home. Their acceptance of Britta and their warmth challenge her assumptions about family and belonging. Sumner's stories about his parents and sisters provide a blueprint for the kind of relationship he wants with Britta, and their embrace helps her heal old wounds.

Riggs

Riggs is the team's wild goalie, known for his antics and offbeat humor. He provides levity in tense moments and is a vocal supporter of Sumner and Britta's relationship. His presence underscores the theme of found family and the importance of friendship in overcoming life's challenges.

Bryce and Britta's Father

The father's betrayal—leaving Britta and her mother for another family—casts a long shadow over Britta's life. His presence at games is a constant reminder of her pain, but confronting him becomes a turning point in Britta's journey. He represents the past that must be faced and overcome in order to embrace the future.

Sluggers Bar

More than just a setting, Sluggers is Britta's refuge and the anchor in her turbulent life. It represents both her comfort zone and her prison—a place she must ultimately leave behind to grow. The bar's evolution mirrors Britta's own, and her decision to step beyond its walls is a powerful act of self-liberation.

The Immigration Interviewer

The interviewer is a minor but pivotal character, representing the external scrutiny of Britta and Sumner's relationship. His recognition of their genuine connection provides validation and relief, reinforcing the authenticity of their love. He serves as a narrative device to crystallize the stakes and the reality of their bond.

Plot Devices

Marriage of Convenience

The central plot device is the marriage of convenience—a classic romance trope reimagined with emotional depth. What begins as a business arrangement to solve Sumner's visa problem quickly becomes a crucible for both characters' growth. The fake marriage forces Britta and Sumner to confront their fears, desires, and vulnerabilities, blurring the line between pretense and reality. The ticking clock of the "expirationship" adds urgency and stakes, while the gradual erosion of boundaries creates a slow-burn romance that feels both inevitable and hard-won.

Dual POV and Alternating Narration

The story alternates between Britta and Sumner's perspectives, allowing readers to experience their internal struggles, hopes, and fears firsthand. This structure deepens empathy and heightens tension, as each character's misunderstandings and longings are laid bare. The dual POV also enables rich character development and emotional resonance.

Symbolism and Motifs

Recurring symbols—like Britta's homemade soup, the wedding rings, and the bar—underscore the themes of home, commitment, and transformation. The soup represents effort and care; the rings, the transition from pretense to permanence; the bar, the journey from safety to self-actualization. These motifs ground the story's emotional arc and provide satisfying narrative payoffs.

Foreshadowing and Callbacks

The narrative is rich with foreshadowing—Sumner's longing for family, Britta's fear of abandonment, the "expirationship" deadline—all of which are paid off in later chapters. Callbacks to earlier moments (the lumberjack hat, the soup, the family section at games) create a sense of cohesion and emotional closure.

Emotional Honesty and Vulnerability

The story's most powerful device is its insistence on emotional honesty. Both Britta and Sumner are forced to confront and articulate their deepest fears and desires. Their willingness to be vulnerable—sometimes painfully so—is what ultimately allows them to find happiness together. The narrative rewards truth-telling and punishes avoidance, reinforcing the central lesson that love requires courage.

Analysis

Tessa Bailey's Same Time Next Year is a masterclass in the modern romance of emotional healing, vulnerability, and the transformative power of love. At its core, the novel explores how two wounded people—one scarred by abandonment, the other yearning for connection—can find solace and strength in each other. The marriage of convenience trope is elevated beyond mere plot device, serving as a crucible for growth, honesty, and self-discovery. Britta's journey from guarded survivor to open-hearted partner is both realistic and inspiring, while Sumner's steadfast devotion models healthy masculinity and emotional intelligence. The story's humor, warmth, and sensuality are balanced by its willingness to confront pain and fear head-on. Ultimately, the novel argues that love is not about erasing the past, but about choosing each other—again and again—despite it. The lesson is clear: true intimacy requires risk, but the reward is a life richer, fuller, and more joyful than either character could have imagined alone. In a world where so many are afraid to be vulnerable, Same Time Next Year is a hopeful, heartfelt reminder that the bravest thing we can do is let ourselves be loved.

Last updated: January 5, 2026