Same Time Next Week by Milly Johnson
When Ray opens his diner, customers are few and far between. But as five very different women come together, can Ray’s Diner be at the heart of their friendship?
Same Time Next Week book review & synopsis
Wow. Fans of Milly Johnson know to expect a warm and witty read packed with humanity, but in Same Time Next Week she has surpassed herself. This really is the most terrific novel. It’s as if the author has looked deep into the souls of her characters and distilled them to vivid perfection on the page. I could not have loved it, or them, more.
I was initially concerned that the plot structure might be tricky to follow because there are five women, Amanda, Sky, Mel, Erin and Astrid whose lives become interwoven as the story progresses, but not a bit of it. Each woman is distinct, universal and appealing. Through these five fantastic, real women, Milly Johnson provides a complete cross-section of society.
They have illness, anxieties, menopausal symptoms, difficult partners, awkward families and challenging work situations; all of which could echo the life of any reader. At the same time, they have romance and employment success, they have fresh starts and wonderful opportunities, so that they are like beacons of optimism and hope that lift the spirits as the story is read.
I adored the men in the story too. I don’t want to spoil the read for others, but the contrasting personalities of the likes of Steve and Bradley compared with others like Bon and Ray provide enormous humour. I laughed aloud frequently and, often, when I’d just shed an emotional tear.
Friendship is at the heart of Same Time Next Week
However, whilst the most important, most affecting and most successful element about the five women is friendship, Same Time Next Week has other sensitive and profound themes that are completely authentic. Stale and constricting marriage, sibling rivalry, awkward sexuality, family dynamics, corruption, community and philanthropy show just how important human connection is and how challenging and rewarding life can be.
Indeed, any reader who has ever felt alone, misunderstood or friendless needs Same Time Next Week because between its pages Milly Johnson provides love, companionship and sheer joy in book form. Same Time Next Week is a celebration of life in all its manifestations, but above all else, it’s an uplifting love letter to female friendship, making the reader feel as if they are one of those friends. This is a simply glorious read and a book of the year for sure!
Same Time Next Week by Milly Johnson is out now (Simon & Schuster, £16.99).
Read more fiction reviews by Linda Hill including Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney, A Skye Full of Stars by Sue Moorcroft, Foster’s Mill by Val Wood, All I Want For Christmas by Karen Swan, City of Silk by Glennis Virgo, Things We Lose In Waves by Lucy Ayrton and Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings.
