Eight friends. One holiday. A party that will change their lives forever.

When Karl and Nicole hosted their first New Year's party, they never imagined it would become a recurring holiday tradition with the same college friends for the next ten years. But when Karl's brother Mike dies in a head-on collision on his way to Karl’s house for the celebration, their hodgepodge group of party guests finds themselves bonded forever through an unexpected shared trauma. To honor Mike's memory, they make a pact to hold a New Year's Party each year, no matter what the circumstances.

Amanda Reynolds had no idea she wouldn’t get to ring in the year 1999 when she hopped into the passenger seat of Mike’s car that night. As she slipped in and out of consciousness, she couldn't have guessed that her boyfriend was tragically gone and her life was about to change forever because of friends she hadn’t even met yet.  

Evan was sitting in the living room with his girlfriend Amy when Karl got the call from the hospital. Not knowing what else to do, he rushed after his best friend to the hospital and—trying to calm Karl's worried mother—ended up sitting alone in a stranger's room, gripping her hand while she clung to life. 

Can one night in a hospital room forge a bond strong enough to fight for? Is it possible for friendships to truly stand the test of time? If you love rich characters, deep romance, and holiday magic, you'll love Gunderson's new heartwarming saga.