By: Ali Brady
Narrators: Brittany Pressley, Karissa Vacker Penguin Audio
ISBN: 9780593640821
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: 07/09/2024
Format: Audiobook
My Rating: 5 Stars
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?
Praise
"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
"Until Next Summer is an absolute must read! This novel beautifully captures everything that's magical and marvelous about long summer days, away camp, best friends, first kisses, finding your people and the place of your heart. When everything the Chickawah campers love is placed in jeopardy, our protagonists try everything they can think of to save the day. Rarely have I been so completely invested in the outcome of a story. In a word, it's Chicka-wonderful! Hey, if you know, you know and if you don't know you need to read Until Next Summer!"
—Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of Love at First Book
"Thank you to Ali Brady for taking me back to sleepaway camp. First loves, shower shoes, Color Wars, the camp play, best friend necklaces... you didn't miss a detail about what makes camp a place where time moves differently and the outside world is a galaxy away. Until Next Summer is an irresistible frolic through the joys of summer, friendship and young romance but also a reminder of the heartache that comes along with that unforgettable time in life. This book is for anyone who still thinks about their first crush, their first friend or their first sip of bug juice.”
—Elyssa Friedland, author of The Most Likely Club
"Ali Brady is back with a can’t-miss vacation-in-pages. Two estranged friends come together to celebrate the last season at their favorite place with the best idea of all time: adult summer camp! Whether you’re a former camper or could simply use an escape, run don’t walk to pick up this charming, fun, and utterly poignant novel about the pieces of our younger selves that are always waiting to be rediscovered. Ali Brady captures the feel of carefree childhood days so vividly that you can practically smell the s’mores. Until Next Summer, like camp itself, brims with summer romance, forever friendship, and, maybe most of all, finding who you’re meant to be. As a camp fanatic, I give this one five huge stars—and now I want to go to Camp Chickawah too!"
—Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds
"While the romances have their steamy moments, this story is ultimately proof that platonic soulmates are just as important as romantic ones. A fun, sun-drenched homage to camp memories."
—Kirkus
"Until Next Summer is the book equivalent of catching fireflies on a warm summer night and I couldn’t put it down. Full of charm, nostalgia and swoon, Ali Brady’s newest release is best consumed by the light of a glowing campfire."
—Lynn Painter, New York Times Bestselling Author
"Until Next Summer grabbed me with its summer camp nostalgia, the deep friendship between its protagonists, and two simmering romances. I was rooting for every single character to find their happily ever after, especially Camp Chickawah!"
—Jessica Saunders, author of Love, Me
About the Authors
Photo: © Robin Facer
Ali Brady is the pen name of writing BFFs Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. The Beach Trap is their first book together. Alison lives in Chicago and works as a VP creative director at an advertising agency. She’s the author of You and Me and Us and Little Pieces of Me. Bradeigh lives with her family in Utah, where she works as a physician. She’s the author of the psychological thriller, Impostor. INSTAGRAM
