Every Summer After by Carley Fortune is an incredible debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I did so rather quickly. The current-day chapters kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat as I waited to discover why Percy and sam no longer talk. The alternating chapters created a perfect balance of anticipation and nostalgia. The past chapters were by far my favourite, and I've never wanted to have a lake house more in my life. Those chapters on their childhood invoked such a deep sense of longing and nostalgia, and I honestly could have read a whole book reflecting on the past. In contrast, I did find myself disappointed in the reason for Percy and Sams falling out (spoiler alert ahead), as cheating is typically an immediate no for many readers. The fact that it was isolated to the last couple of chapters was a benefit. Overall, a very enjoyable and easy read.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. There are two timelines, one following Persephone's summers at the cottage as a teenager and the second her adult life. In the earlier timeline, we get to see her relationship with Sam develop through the years. In the current timeline, she is estranged from Sam after some big mistake she committed 12 years earlier. I was a quite concerned because the "big mistake" was fairly obvious from the start, but as I kept reading I was convinced that there's no way my assumption is what actually happens as it makes absolutely no sense given their relationship and is pretty unforgivable. About halfway through I started to get bored with the story, as nothing was really happening in the past timeline except for Persephone complaining and acting immature. Which was to be expected since she is a teenager I guess? She started to get very annoying. In the future timeline nothing really happens either. Then the big mistake is revealed which was exactly what I was expecting but with even fewer reasons for it to be plausible than I could have imagined and it further cemented Persephone as immature and selfish. Back in the future, the mistake is revealed and then literally the next page, Sam is like I'm over it. No real discussion, nothing happens, the end. The ending really ruined this one for me, which was unfortunate because the beginning was great.

This was a good book, not a great book. It was very predictable and nothing exciting really happened. It was a coming of age story where the story has been told countless times before, but the characters act like it’s all new or that they are the only ones experiencing it. I think this story is perfect for someone much younger and with a lot less life experience than myself.

4.5/5

Have you ever read a book that was set in a town that you know very well? And as you read it, you couldn’t help but smile as you vividly pictured yourself in the place of the main characters? That was how I felt reading Every Summer After, which is set in Eastern Ontario, where I grew up.

This book is a about Persephone (Percy) Fraser, who has spent the last 12 year’s avoiding the small town of Barry’s Bay after making the biggest mistake of her life. When she receives a phone call that sends her back to town, she must face Sam Florek - the man she left behind and assumed she would have to live without.

This story was so beautifully written and full of emotion, had incredible description of the location, and well developed characters. Percy was flawed but in a way that made her real and extremely relatable. I absolutely adored Sam, he was so sweet as a teen and charming as an adult.

I do have to say that I did not like the conflict at the end of the book, and that some parts felt a little rushed. Despite this, the rest of the book was so strong and I still loved the main characters so much.

This book is for all those who love a second chance romance, who want to read about glorious summers spent on the lake, and who know that Moose Tracks is one of the best ice cream flavours (IYKYK).

I love a good second change romance book, and I love the friends to lovers trope even more. Carley Fortune does a beautiful job at pulling readers in from the very first chapter. This book reads like you're part of an inside joke between friends with how Carley paints the setting, character development, and references to the past like waves of blissful nostalgia.

I did find the ending a bit rushed, and the emotional maturity of the main character a tad unbelievable given the time jump which is why I'm giving this four stars. I recommend this book to everyone and is one of my favourites I've ever read.

Such a fantastic read! Can't believe it's a debut. Loved the characters and writing in this book. Also enjoyed the setting and love that the author is Canadian. I'll definitely be reading more by this author.

I really enjoyed the reading experience. Definitely gives off vibes from Summer Sisters by Judy Blume.

I couldn't put this book down, although i will take away a star because it does have one of my least fav tropes in it. But other than that it was so similar to TATBILB

here’s a book I read last weekend and loved. It’s a second chance romance and as someone who’s happy place is the exact location in the book I could envision all of the lake scenes at the cottage. Barry’s Bay Area is just so soul cleansing and I love nothing more than sunsets and sunrise on the dock!

MAD LOVE for this one! I loved every page, Carley's ability to tell a beautiful story with only words is remarkable. I felt like I was watching a movie. I loved this one SO much and it was extra special as I am Canadian like Carley. BRAVO! If I could give this book 1000 stars I would!

This was the perfect summer read! I loved the cottage setting which brought me back to so many Canadian summers. Such a good second chance romance/first love story. Would recommend for anyone who loves Christina Lauren or Abby Jiminez.

Thanks to Penguin Random House, Carley Fortune and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Very very cute and a light summer read!
Gives back the summer I turned pretty vibes.

I also wanted thank you so much for sending me an ARC of this book, I’m forever honoured to be among the people who have the joy of reading a new release sooner than the specific release date!

Oh my, the hype is real for this one.

Teenage summers spent by the lake, best friends, first love, ALL the feel good nostalgia…… Ugh what’s not to love about this one?!

I know you’ve seen it everywhere already so I won’t repeat what you’ve read a million times, other than to reiterate, go buy it! And please do so before summer ends as I can’t think of a more perfect book to close out summer with.

I absolutely adored this book! Set in cottage country in Ontario, it was the perfect book to kick off my summer reading list! I loved the buildup to the relationships between the main character and the two brothers. Highly recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to read a keep you on your toes romance!

4 ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, Viking and Carley Fortune for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

Persephone Fraser could have a different life if not for one big mistake she made one summer when she was too young. She could have stable relationship with a man she loved, she could have many cottage summers on the lake with her beloved and she would not lose the ability to write horror stories, that she loved tremendously. However, one misstep and her life is one of constant try to keep her heart protected and a distance from almost everyone. She must return once and look into her past, look into the eyes of her first love and see all the possibilities, she would confess of her mistake as it is too hard to carry it any longer. She dreams that it may help her overcome her burden and start her life from a blank page.

I did enjoy the novel quite a bit, particularly because it was set in Canada, near Toronto, near places I know, and it felt familiar. The character development is wonderful, the reader follows Percy’s contemplations about her past, she is developed both as a teenager and as an adult. Sam Florek, the first love, is greatly written too, their teenage romance is cute. At the same time, I felt like the build up was not worth the revelation, as I pretty much guess by the middle of the story. At some parts, it felt drugging to much and too much moaning. Overall, it was nice and quick read. I am looking forward to more work by Carley Fortune.

Absolute perfection. In every single way.


This is THE book of summer. If you haven’t already fallen in love with this book, you MUST add it to your 2022 summer reading list. Apologies in advance for me never shutting up about this one!

A Canadian debut author with a gorgeous Canadian setting. An ode to cottage country Ontario, and cottage life. Teenage friends to lovers, AND a second chance romance. Dual timelines. Summer fun and first love nostalgia. ALL OF IT.

This book made me so happy. The writing feels like magic - there’s something about it that just captivates you, pulls you in and immediately makes you fall for these characters.

Percy is so real, raw and relatable. Sam is such a good friend to Percy. Seriously the boy every teenage girl wants to be friends with, and wants to fall in love with. The way their friendship develops was such a joy to witness and watching it become more made me SWOON.


I don’t always love when a book holds back on telling you a big reveal but somehow it completely worked for me here. I waited with my breath held to find out what ended Percy and Sam’s initial relationship - I had a feeling I knew what caused it but was also surprised about how it all unfolded. I actually stopped reading when I could tell the reveal was coming soon because I couldn’t face it and didn’t want it to happen.

And it broke my damn heart.

This book made me bawl, smile, laugh, swoon - all of the emotions.

I could seriously go on and on and it still wouldn’t do this book justice. This will be a top read for me this year! Trust me when I say this is a must read.

This was a really good summer read. The setting in Ontario's cottage country was really well done, and made me feel like I was by the lake in the summer - something I have lots of memories of doing myself. Unfortunately I didn't love this one as much as I had expected to. I found the chapters that were set when they were teenagers to be a bit uncomfortable in a romance novel. Obviously these chapters were important to the plot, however it made it difficult for me to be very invested in the relationship of 16 year olds. I did really enjoy the parts where they were adults though, so I am looking forward to reading whatever Carley Fortune writes next!

I absolutely adored this book, to the point I went out and purchased audiobook and physical copies after release.

Sam and Percy have been best friends since they were 13 years old. Eventually their friendship turned into something more, until an fell spectacularly apart. It's been 12 years since she's seen him when she gets a call that sends her racing back to where it all began. Their connection is undeniable as it always was, but can she confront the decisions she made and the years she spent punishing herself for them?

Ok, WOW. I totally get why this is the book of the summer. I've been seeing it everywhere and was worried it might not live up to the hype, but IT DID. I read it in one day (which I hadn't done in a while), because I couldn't put it down. The split timeline kept things interesting as we slowly learn what happened that led them to split in the first place. The chemistry between Sam and Percy is undeniable and was a delight to read.

I recommend this to anyone who loves a book set in Ontario and/or anyone who loves an endearing love story.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the review copy.

I love this book. Everything in me loves this book. However, I am having a hard time writing a review because I also just happened to read Love And Other Words a few days before this one (not knowing they had many similarities), and everything I want to say, I feel like I am repeating!!

I am very late to the game in reading this book; it has sat untouched on my Kindle app for far too long and I am ashamed. As a resident of Southern Ontario myself, I could not get over the Canadian references and different schools, places, and such, that I was familiar with! I LOVED being able to do vividly imagine this story because it made it feel SO REAL!

Those Florek brothers were to die for. Honestly. I love that I have read so many books lately featuring respectful and well-behaved young men - even if Charlie could be a bit testy sometimes… frankly, Charlie’s comments and “slip up” only made his character that much more real - and it was sooo blatant, right from the start, that he also had a thing for Percy so you knew he didn’t have ill intentions with his actions… Hats off to Sue Florek who raised some genuinely good boys on her own while also running a business and managing her household. I wish we could have heard from her at the end in some way, a note maybe, because I feel as if she had some wisdom to embark on adult Percy.

I loved this book so much that I had to buy a physical copy to keep on my shelf and I cannot wait to read more of Fortune’s work in the future!