Words cannot describe how happy I was to hear we were diving back into the Every Summer After universe and getting to see Charlie's happy ending and Carley did not at all disappoint. Charlie is every bit of the charmer and flirt we remember from ESA but so much more grown up and nuanced and sweet. He and Alice were different in so many ways but really brought out the best in each other and balanced one another perfectly. This book, much like all of Carley's other books, felt like diving into a pool of summer nostalgia and I want to stay here all summer long.

I love when an author revisits a setting - it is an opportunity to enjoy a new story and also look for easter eggs throughout the novel. Canada is lucky to have an amazing author bringing fantastic contemporary romances to readers.

Absolutely loved it! This was exactly what I needed for Charlie's story

5 stars

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy!

I absolutely adored this book! I say this every time Carley Fortune comes out with a new book, but this was her best yet. I love the setting, I love the characters, and I love the plot; every single book Fortune writes is a perfect summer read, and this was not any different! Alice and Charlie were perfect together, and they balanced each other so well. The book was both very emotional and humorous, and I had a wonderful time reading it! I can't wait to read whatever she writes next :)

So I didn't realize this was a complementary book to Every Summer After! I read that one years ago and didn't remember the story or the characters all that well, but after reading the summary again, it came back. However, I'm ok with not having it fresh because I could appreciate these characters for who they are in this book. So you don't have to read Every Summer After first - but if you plan to read that one, definitely read it first, if that makes sense.

Anyway, this is the story of of Alice who comes to the lake with her Nan, as she's recovering from surgery. She meets Charlie and they instantly hit it off in a flirty fashion. I loved the banter between the two. This all seemed real, although there was the typical romcom if you only communicate you would elimiate the drama trope. But this was done really well. I enjoyed the budding romance and the lake scene.

One Golden Summer is Carley Fortunes best! The MMC, Charlie is witty and charming and overcoming his reputation from his younger years and still dealing with his grief from the death of his parents 20 years ago. Alice Everly, the FMC, a famous photographer and people pleaser is learning to stand up for her own self and learning how to let go and have fun. Like many FMC’s, she’s come into her beauty and doesn’t recognize it until the hot Charlie with green eyes helps her believe. Charlie’s relationship with Alice’s nan, who broke her hip is delightful and humorous. This is a perfect book for summer into fall.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and to PRH Audio for the gifted ALC*

This is absolutely the book of the summer and the much awaited sequel to Every Summer After. And thank god, because Charlie deserved his happy ending. (And I'm saying this as someone who absolutely loved ESA and Charlie's role in it)

I absolutely adore Charlie Florek and his dang yellow boat, so it made sense that Alice would fall for him too. I loved her summer bucket list and absolutely want to recreate it for myself (maybe minus the part about jumping off the bridge lol). What I liked most about this book was its sense of family and community. Alice spent so long investing all of her time and energy into her work, so she was overdue to finally get away from it all and *relax*. Add in a cabin stay with her sassy grandmother and I was sold. But not only that, we get to see Percy and Sam again too! The audio was great too, awoogas and all. The ending left a little bit to be desired, but it all ended happily so I'm content.

Nothing says summer like a new Carley Fortune romance. From the gorgeous book cover to the stunning lake setting in Canada, you know you’re going to be able to escape for a few hours. And whether you’re a diehard Carley Fortune fan or a new reader, this book can be read as a standalone.

I gave a gushing 5 star review to the first book in this series, “Every Summer After”, which is where we first meet Charlie, the main male protagonist here. He and Alice Everly meet cute in this book and despite Charlie warning Alice that he is not romance material, she falls for him.

They enjoy a slow-burn romance that hits a serious roadblock in the last act. Despite this, you know that Alice and Charlie will have their happily ever after. There is some mild spice here and overall, the sweet and sexy story makes it the perfect beach or pool read.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This may be the perfect summer book. Nostalgic, great character development, and easy to read. I really enjoyed revisiting some of the main characters and was excited to reunite with them

A five star romance read from Carley Fortune!!!
I did not necessarily need a sequel to Every Summer After, but good golly did she kill it!! The piinniing and slow burn in this was done SO WELLLLLL. I was barking for Charlie and how he treated Alice. I was giggling and kicking my feet with how fun this was. Over all, such a good summer read for the beach and to sit in the sun with. Absolutely loved it.

Carley Fortune is a must-read author for me and I jumped at the chance to read One Golden Summer! I loved that Charlie got his redemption story, although there were certainly some red flags with his behaviors for me. I didn't love that he wasn't completely honest with Alice from the get-go and I really didn't love the dating of a sibling's ex...
However, hesitations aside, I loved the book and the connections made throughout the story. Another classic summertime (or anytime!) read from Carley Fortune. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for the ARK of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another classic from Carley Fortune. the queen of the summer romance has done it again. This time, with a fresh take. One Golden Summer is a spin off from one of Carley's previous books, but you don't have to have read that one to get what you're looking for from One Golden Summer. If you're looking for a quick beach read with surprisingly fleshed out characters, this one is for you. If you've read and enjoyed any of Carley's other books you won't be disappointed.

This one exceeded expectations! Not only is this the perfect beach or summer read, it really is one of those books that you just can’t put down! I’m talking about grabbing this book whenever I had a free moment and finish it in 2 days! The summer lake vibes are absolutely nailed and you feel like you really are at the lake with this group!

I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet and then I did it all over again many times. I absolutely loved Charlie and Alice’s story. There is something about how perfectly Carley told the story of two 30-something year olds looking to get their shit together but for very different reasons. I loved both of their stories and how they were truly friends to lovers. The way they cared for one another on so many levels just made me cheer for them more. Also Charlie literally is Alice’s love language through and through, yes I know he is a person but he is her love language, okay? The character development, the many relationships forming and mending.. Ahh, everything was perfect!

The lake and the summer together truly healed them both, and proved that indeed good things do happen at the lake!

This is a just read for the book girlies if you love:
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Found Family
Summer nostalgia
Rom com vibes

My newest Staff Pick at my local Indigo! I was excited to be back at Barry's Bay with Charlie and Alice. I could relate so much to Alice with how she felt as a teenager and adult. I thought I knew Charlie from Every Summer After, but getting to know Adult Charlie was a whole other level--one that I loved. The chemistry Alice and Charlie had was sizzling and I was hopeful every time there was a chance for Alice and Charlie to get together. I was not expecting the ending at all and I'm sure anyone that loved Every Summer After or Carley's other works will love One Golden Summer.

I love that Ms. Fortune despite North American success still writes about her native Canada. That is part of the charm of her summer romance novels.

I needed this book this summer - I live in Toronto and visit Muskoka so it feels like home when I read it. The story was cosy and I loved the family relationships throughout the book. And the love story was just enough steamy and just enough tension and just enough real.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy.

One Golden Summer was just an okay read for me. I don’t enjoy a miscommunication/not communicating trope and there’s a lot of that here. The pacing was quite slow, but the slow pace did give the relationship time to develop. A big plus for me was getting to see Alice and Charlie’s feelings build organically through experiences and dialogue.

I thought Alice’s character grew nicely and I enjoyed her journey through the summer. Charlie, on the other hand, not so much. Starting off their relationship with such a big omission and sending mixed signals all summer are such red flags for me. Yes, he was romantic and kind and sweet but then it was whiplash when he would tell Alice they’re just friends. I just didn’t enjoy that aspect of his character.

Overall, it’s a decent romance and I think Fortune’s regular readers will love it! It’s a 3.5/5 for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

🚤Book Review🚤

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Genre: Romance

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader eCopy of Carley Fortune’s One Golden Summer.

Carley is a beloved Canadian romance writer so this is an unpopular review of @indigo’s “book of the summer”, sorry🙈

SPOILER: There are certain literary icks that I just cannot stand and one of them is in this book. I am not a fan of siblings dating their siblings’ ex (also talking about you Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano).

That’s the review. It’s cute, corny, the characters don’t meet until the 20% mark. Giving this one a 3.25⭐️. Also was too local for my liking. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I did like this passage:
💋 “ls like all the greatest kisses in one. Like kissing your high school crush, and the best friend you’ve fallen in love with, and the person you want to stand beside for as long as time will let you. It’s the starting gun and the finish line. It’s a surge of pleasure and satisfaction and rightness that reaches deep into my soul.”

I admittedly wasn't the biggest fan of Every Summer After so I was hestitant to pick this one up but I'm so glad that I did! It was great to get a redemption arc for Charlie but also a better understanding of who he is as a character. I loved Alice (though Nan was the star of the show!). OGS had great chemistry and banter and the twist tied the whole story together. Grab a glass of wine and pick this one up this summer!

I was really excited to revisit Barry's Bay and finally explore Charlie's story and it did not disappoint!! It is a great summer read and as always, I love the depth of her characters and the way that they need to grow as individuals throughout the book too.

What a fantastic read! I had a great time with the story. I will definitely be looking into future titles by this author! I loved everything about this book to be honest. I had a great time with the characters and the plot.