Delighted to single out this novel in my essay ‘In Praise of Summer Reading’ for Zoomer magazine’s Books section, highlighting guaranteed great beach pleasers and deconstructing the history of the 'beach reading' state of mind.

very Summer After is emotive and heartwarming contemporary romance that revolves around childhood friends, Percy and Sam, and their love story. The story is about family, love, friendship, teenage angst, coming of age, young love, innocence, mistakes, heartbreak, loss, second chances, and forgiveness.

Writing is fabulous, beautiful, cozy, and steady to fast paced. it is written in first person narrative from Percy’s POV with alternative chapters of ‘Now’ and ‘Before’ that takes back to every summer they spent together from 17 yrs ago till their break up 12 yrs ago. Dual timeline worked really well here.

Plot is interesting and engaging. I loved the beginning. It started with Percy getting a phone call from her childhood friend, Charlie, brother of her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend – Sam, informing her about funeral of his mother that take her back to memory lane of her first summer in Berry’s Bay, how she met Sam and Charlie, how Sam became her best friend and eventually boyfriend, how Berry’s Bay became her best place in the world until everything fell apart 12 yrs ago.

It was interesting to know what happened all those years ago, why it was so terrible for her to move on, what happened that is giving her panic attacks, and how their reunion will be after 12 yrs when Percy will attend the funeral.

This is character driven story and I loved all characters. They all are realistic and relatable. Characters of any age can find connection with these characters. They made the story nostalgic making me think back to my own childhood, first love, and mistakes we make.

It feels hard to seperate Percy and Sam even in review. I feel like I can’t talk about one charcter leaving other one out of the discription. Percy is my favorite though, even with her mistake. She is lovely, kind, fun, and smart. In the beginning we see her vulnerabilty as she was being bullied by her best friend but her first summer at Berry’s Bay meeting Sam changed things. She is forgiving person as she let go of how her best friend treated her at the end of the summer and continued being best friend again.

I could understand her feelings and dilemma as her crush towards Sam grew to be love while Sam didn’t give any clue about his own feelings, keeping her hanging. I liked her for being true to her feelings and knowing what her heart really wants and still trying to move on when she realised Sam isn’t reciprcating her feelings and then making right decisions when he did.

I get her reaction and behaviour to Sam’s decision about college. When I think about it I don’t think Percy was that wrong making that mistake. Sam has been equally responsible but of course we don’t see that until it was revealed in climax. I felt for Percy suffering for that mistake for so long. I loved how determined she was to come clean about it when they finally met.

Sam is smart who wanted to be doctor ever since he lost his father to heart attack. He is kind, lovely, but not forgiving type. He keeps close lid on his emotions, he is resposible for his age and even more developed but he is clueless how to keep a realtionship and because of that he makes many mistakes that makes Percy feel unloved and insecure. He unknowingly was cruel for wanting her and at the same time pushing her away. You see why I said it’s not only Percy who is resposible for her mistake.

I liked him for being true to his life goal, thinking they have all the time and he wasn’t wrong but he wasn’t good at expressing it right. He is perfect and also not perfect at the same time. It was sad to see him suffering as well, going through hard time like Percy and it is amazing he still focused on studies and became doctor. I was surprised he was so calm when they first met in present and kept things lighthearted and even showed he still loved her. His reaction in the climax is shocking. This guy is hard to understand.

I also liked secondary characters. Charlie made story fun and light-hearted. It was interesting to know him more and finding his hidden talents. He looked irresponsible, total flirt, and playboy but he was actually smart and unlike Sam, he knew how to keep a relatioship. I liked him for pointing out Sam’s mistakes and trying to make him see where he is wrong. There is jealousy and teasing between brothers but they liked each other in their own way. Sue, their mother is amazing. I liked Percy’s parents too but they mostly stayed out of pciture. Delilah– Percy’s best friend, the same who bullied her, is also amazing. I wish I could see her more.

Percy and Sam’s childhood friendship, their first love, and relationship and how they grew up in present how their past affected them… the whole journey is best part of the book. It truly showed how silly and innocent first loves are. All those overreaction, high expectations, disappointments, and insecurity is totlly age apropriate, so realistic and realtable.

There are so many lovely moments. Like every readers who enjoyed this book, I loved those friendship bracelets, their movie nights, horror stories Percy loved and wrote, Percy’s swim training and her yearly challenge and how Sam helped her with it, their shifts at tavern… It was all beautifully written.

Their friends to lovers romance is another best part and it made me sad to see how that changed them, distaracted them from life they wanted and unltimately broke them apart. I wanted to kick them both for taking so long to make things right.

Climax is what I was waiting for whole book. I feel so smart for figuring it out or maybe not because I could see the hints even before I reached the middle of the book. I just wanted to see if I’m right or not and I went along the story to enjoy it more and I really did. Funeral, panic attacks, taking back in time for revelations, admitting it in present, and reactions to it made everything from climax to end most interesting. I wasn’t expecting this to become all steamy in last 20% of the book as for most of the story it was partially clean romance. End is pefect, lovely, and feel good but I still wanted to kick them for taking so long.

Why 4.5 stars-

Like I said I could figure out that mistake and what happened 12 yrs ago. It’s not hard to figure out and yup I have seen that happening before but it can be overlooked as I still enjoyed the story.

Overall, Every Summer After is emotive, touching, nostalgic, second chance romance about first love, young innocent mistakes and forgiveness.

I highly recommend this if you like,
Second chance romance
Childhood friends to lovers
First young love
Nostalgic story
Perfect summer read
Realistic and relatable characters
coming of age stories
Dual timeline
emotive and touching story

This is a lovely, heartbreaking story of growing and loving and hurting. I loved it at some parts and HATED it at others! I wanted to scream at the characters and then hug them for their ability to forgive. Sheesh. It is one rollercoaster ride of a story!

This book is exactly what summer needs! Romance, tragedy, the water, the heat of summer... everything. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have passed it along to patrons and friends!

Sometimes books that jump in timelines or POVs are so hard to read but this was perfectly done. I loved Sam, and was half in love with him myself by the end. Really enjoyed this one.

Everyone seems to be loving this book and I can see why. I read it in a few hours, really liked the easy read. However, I didnt love it as much as others seem to do. I still like it but something about this couple and the main character really bothered me.

How much did I love Every Summer After by Carley Fortune? To the moon and back. This book was SO good! It gave first love chills, brought back sweet memories of growing up, and special summers spent by the water. For me it was the ocean, for our heroine it was the lake.

At age 13, Persephone (Percy) and her family get a cottage and spend every summer by the lake. Next door is Sam and his brother Charlie, who live there year-round. Their mom runs a family restaurant and their dad died years ago. Sam and Percy get to be the best of friends. They grow up together and fall in love. They swim, play, watch movies, play games and every summer are able to pick up just where they left off. Meanwhile, Charlie is a player. He’s always with a new girl, very flirtatious, and teases Sam about Percy. It’s meant to be light-hearted, brotherly joking around. But, you can sense that this won’t end well.

After graduation, they all go to different colleges but Sam and Percy decide to try the long distance relationship. Sam is studying to be a doctor, he has a lot of pressure, he’s nervous about how he’ll do, and that manifests in his behavior being standoff-ish with Percy. He doesn’t call her back. Percy gets upset, and doubts his love. She calls him one time and a girl answers his phone. When Sam does get on the line, he’s clearly drunk. She’s devastated. And Sam eventually tells her he can’t do well in school and juggle their relationship.

It’s heartbreaking. Sam, Percy, and Charlie are all such rich characters. I felt each one deeply. Sam broke Percy. At that moment, feeling so much pain, Percy makes a choice that will tear all three apart.

Fast forward twelve years. Percy hasn’t spoken to Sam. Her parents sold the cottage a long time ago. Sam is a doctor. Percy is trying to make it in her own career. She returns back to the lake to attend Sam and Charlie’s mom’s funeral.

The book alternates between past and present, and kept me agonizing over how they’d find each other again. It’s a very emotional read. Percy wants Sam back. It’s not that easy. Things were said. Things were done.

Every Summer After is a terrific coming-of-age story. The cover even gives me all the feels. This is one of my top books so far this year. Such a beautiful story!!

Unputabledown!! Loved every single chapter and the two different timelines. I’m team Sam forever & always but he was a little frustrating at time (not saying how he really felt). I absolutely loved the cottage / summer vibes! I was expecting a bit more of the ending but she wrapped it up nicely I guess. I related to Percy on so many levels - her summer freckles love/hate relationship, cotton candy ice cream really is the best, the panic attacks and feelings of never being good enough. She became like a sister to me and one of my fave characters. I highly recommend adding this book to your summer TBR!

Thank you Sweet Reads Box for this #gifted book included in your May 2022 box. And thank you to Berkley publishing and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

what a joy of a summer book! very similar to THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY, Carley takes that premise and gives it an adult twist, filled with first love and first heartbreak. One of my favorite reads so far this year!!

Book of the summer! This is everything I love in a summer romance paired with the perfect setting! It has all the nostalgia, the tension, and the coziest writing.

This book has my favorite combination of tropes: second chance romance, childhood friends to lovers, and it’s always been you! 🥹

I loved the alternating timelines between past and present, and seeing Sam and Percy’s relationship develop throughout the book and over time.

I am so impressed this is a debut book, because to me it is near perfect!

Would recommend for fans of Love and Other Words and The Summer I Turned Pretty series!

Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Every summer Percy and her parents escaped the heat of the city, Toronto, and spent summers at a lakefront cottage. Percy becomes attached to her summer neighbors, Sam, a boy her age, his older brother, Charlie and their mother, Sue, the owner of a local restaurant. For Sam and Percy, a close friendship develops into more as each summer they grow older. A series of events leads to their estrangement until thirteen years later when Charlie calls to tell Percy Sue has died. Returning to the place where she broke her and Sam’s heart forces Percy to confront the past. Recommended as a good summer vacation read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

THE romance book of summer!

Carley Fortune
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Goodreads rating: 4.40

I was NERVOUS to read this one. It’s been all over booksta, & sometimes super hyped romances aren't my cup of tea. But THIS one, did NOT disappoint. I read it in like 4 HOURS. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could. It’s now one of my favorite books I have ever read, & def a top romance.

It. is. EVERYTHING.

SWEAR IT.😭🥹

READ IF YOU LIKE:
💕 SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
❗️COLLEEN HOOVER
❗️CHRISTINA LAUREN
❗️EMILY HENRY
🏡Small town settings
🛶Lake living
🌼Cottages
👩🏼‍🤝‍👨🏻Friendship bracelets
✨LEGENDARY DEBUTS
⏰Alternating timelines(past & present)

First of all, I am so glad that I saw @book_club_at_kelseys casting when I was starting- the Hemsworth brothers were PERFECT for Sam & Charlie. For some reason, I was picturing Minka Kelly (Lyla Garity from Friday Night Lights) as Percy from the get-go, & I just loved that whooollee vibe!

SECOND... HOW IS THIS A DEBUT?! Literally, this is legendary. Best debut I have ever read in my entire life.

✨Percy hasn't seen her first love in 12 years. It's been over a decade of heartache stemming from Percy making the biggest mistake of her life. Fast forward to present day, when she gets a call from his brother.. she's immediately sent back to Barry's Bay, where she left her heart all those years ago.

This book recaps the last 6 years & what went down b/t Percy & Sam. We see how their captivating love begins, as well as their absolutely gut-wrenching end.

I adored it from page ONE.. but the last 25%ish was PHENOMENAL. I love books that make me emotional (although I am v emo- doesn't take much). I was wiping alligator tears at the end of this one. 😭🥹🫶🏼

I related to Percy in many ways. Loved her.

Lastly & most importantly.. Sam Florek. What a guy. My heart absolutely broke for him; it made me take a step back & ask myself what I would do in his situation (trying to keep it spoiler-free). The love he has for Percy was unmatched & just made my heart feel like it was going to explode.

I cannot wait to re-read this one (EVERY SUMMER AFTER this one) 😉😩

You NEED to read this.. SO worth the hype! 🙌🏼

If you are looking for a sweet summery book to read by the beach this summer, look no further! When Percy's parents buy a lake house in a tiny town on Lake Ontario to get her out of Toronto for the summers, she didn't expect to meet anyone else her age, let alone her neighbour, Sam. This story follows Percy and Sam through alternating time periods, flipping between summers past and the present day as adults. It is about friendship, enduring love, mistakes, grief, and forgiveness. I really enjoyed the writing and was excited reading a book set in Canada!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and #NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my opinion!!

The present-day storyline lost some momentum for me toward the end, and I didn't find some of the two main characters' adult actions and opinions realistic or believable. But this book's world is a beautiful one, and the author handles the transition between the characters' past and present seamlessly.

This is the perfect summer read, it's emotional,sweet and captivating! read it in one day! I loved Sam & Percy so much, they will have a special place in my heart even though there were moments they both annoyed me.Sam was so so sweet I adored him.

This is a coming-of-age type of romance novel, it gave me Emily Henry's and Renee Carlino's vibes . I love both authors so you can imagine this one goes to my top.

Every Summer After takes the reader to an emotional ride.There are parts that were too heavy and omg I wanted to cry.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

***SPOILERS***

What a cute summer romance!! There was so much I absolutely loved about this book and not a lot of negatives (if any???)

I loved the back and forth timeline. I felt like it really helped to know why things happened or were the way there were in the future because if their past. I think I was more invested in the "past" part of the timeline for a majority of the book but eventually became really attached to their future and "present" timeline.

I really liked Percy as our MC. She was the image of confidence, growth, and then struggle in her adult years. Carley Fortune did a great job writing Percy as a pre-teen, teenager, and adult. Showing the different phases of growth and development for a female who's in and out of love with her childhood best friend.

I found that at any moment that I pondered this book while it was in progress and Sid "I wish the reader got more info on this or that" that my questions were answered by the end of the book. I really rooted for Sam and Percy and definitely wasn't expecting any of the twists at the end.

I really enjoyed Every Summer After! I read it in about 3-4 days (I read the majority over 2 days) which is quick for me. Second chance romances are usually hit and miss with me, but even though their separation period was long, I felt Percy and Sam's "before" period was significant enough that I could realistically get on board with these two still holding on to feelings after all these years.

The side characters were pretty good in the book too. In particular, Percy's friend Delilah who had an unexpected character arc and massive character growth, which I really enjoyed.

Every Summer After has a great good sense of place, and it had me wanting to visit Barry's Bay myself (yes, I even looked up cabin rentals). I think Percy and Sam still have a lot to work through, but I'm glad that the book made that clear too – mentioning disagreements and bad days in the last chapter.

After finishing it, I saw some reviews comparing it to Christina Lauren's Love and Other Words (one of my favorite books). While reading ESA, I did mention to a friend how it reminded me of Love and Other Words, as well as Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker; but I didn't realize just how similar it was to L&OW until I flipped back through. I didn't do a side-by-side comparison, but at the very least it does seem Fortune may have gotten a lot of her inspiration from that book. Take that for what's it worth.

Overall, I really enjoyed Fortune's writing style and will definitely be picking up more from her. I'm looking forward to reading what she writes next.

"I loved you," he whispers.
"I know," I say...
"You broke my heart."
"I know that, too."

When a writer makes your heart break with just a few sentences you know you are reading a book that will be become a classic (and hopefully a movie).

Every Summer After by debut author Carley Fortune is a romance novel that will live in my heart for a long time. Writing with honest feelings, real characters and true storytelling this writer has created a coming of age journey worthy of romance readers.

Persephone (Percy) meets Sam at the tender age of 13 when her parents buy the summer cottage next to their year round home. Told from Percy's point of view we follow through the teen years as she and Sam become best friends and navigate adolescence.

Sadly, when they start college things go awry and it will be 12 years before they see each other again for a very sad reason. I just want to pause to say the scenes where they reunite and the one in Sam' s truck was heartbreaking, endearing, sexy, sad and realistic in it's grabbing whatever happiness you can at the moment.

This story surprised me on many levels. It portrays panic attacks, self doubt, transitioning into adulthood and regret with such understanding and compassion. I wanted to be angry with these would be lovers but I just couldn't because their responses to events was honest and human; especially for how young they were at the time.

Why the falling out? Why are they brought back together? Why did the panic attacks start? Will they find their way back to one another? Every Summer After they met they were together until they weren't but sometimes summer can last all year long. Read the book, let your heart break and be so grateful the author decided to write a romance novel.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via #netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

It's been about a week since I finished this, so I've had some time to reflect. Ultimately this book is about regret, connection, forgiveness of both self and others, and second chances. It's the kind of book where I wanted to tell Percy to take deep breaths to ground and I had to remember to take deep breaths as I was reading. Some of the content was hard.

Percy and Sam first meet when they are in middle school. Percy's family bought a cottage next to Sam's house. They click (best friends) and have six summers together. Fast forward 10 years and Percy is heading back for Sam's mom's funeral. We know something happened 10 years ago, but we're not sure what. The book alternates between the present and the past, slowly revealing the events that unfolded. I really felt for both Percy and Sam and their connection and their humanness. It felt real. I will read more by this author. Given the ages of the main characters and the premise, this did feel like the New Adult genre.

This reminded me of Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. All options are my own.

What a great beach read. Flashbacks of past summers, friendship turning to love, a dreamy cast of characters…and a romance where we get a front row seat of watching it evolve and then fall apart. The writing is really good and I read it in one sitting. Put this one in your beach bag! You are going to love it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.