5 ⭐️ BABBYY! My fave romance of the year (so far). This book gave me those butterflies of what it felt like to fall in love for the first time. Imagine: you’re 17, you’re hanging out at the lake/beach/home with a boy you think is cute, he’s cocky but around you he’s a sweetheart. You spend all day talking about everything - the future, your past memories, etc. And then you kiss for the first time, and its magic 🌟

This book bottles that feeling of being young and having so many possible futures with the reality of what sometimes being an adult is. BUT it reminds us to never lose sight of what makes us happy.

Gosh, I love Charlie. He is an acts of service dude and it speaks to my heart. And Alice is a badass who is discovering she should care less what people think of her (which I relate to so much). And the slow burn?! 🥵 yes plZZZ

This should be the book of the summer. Let’s MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC! I LOVED IT

I’m trying to put into words how I feel about One Golden Summer! I can for sure say it is without a doubt my absolute favorite by Carley! I truly enjoyed the entire thing and I was hooked from the very beginning! The banter, the teasing, the looks omg! I devoured it all!!!! CHARLIE FREAKING FLOREK!!!! That is all! I loved getting his story! Getting his perspective of things made my heart break for him. I just wanted to give him the biggest hug! And our girl Alice! Oh man I love her! I related to her on so many different levels! One of my favorite things about this book was how she was able to find herself and be unapologetically her! I loved how Charlie brought her out of her shell and she was able to be her true authentic self but also that she was able to see him for who he really is and not what other people think. The whole book was perfect. No notes! I think it will be such a great summer read.

Her best yet! CF has outdone herself, and I adored this story. It was wonderful to be back at the lake with characters who feel like old friends. She keeps getting better & better, can’t wait to see what she does next.

Carley Fortune always finds a way to draw me into her worlds. In this follow up to one of my favorite romances of all time, I believe this one takes the prize. Between Alice and Charlie's chemistry, peeks into Sam and Percy's life, and Nan, Heather and Bennett being precious little gems, I couldn't pick a favorite character... Although Nan is pretty high up there. There wasn't much of a miscommunication trope and I love that. It's hard for me to get into friends to lovers, but I was instantly rooting for Charlie and Alice's friendship and relationship. If I could give more than five stars, I would over and over again. Being back in Barry's Bay was a breath of fresh air.

One Golden Summer
By: Carley Fortune
Rating : 5 Stars

When I saw that I got approved to read this book early I was incredibly excited!!! Ive read all of Carley's books and have loved them all!!
From the very first page One Golden Summer had me HOOKED!!!
This is definitely a book you'll want to read for the Summer!!
This Book has a little bit of Everything.... It's Everything you want in a Rom Com but also has its serious moments like dealing with grief, regrets, aging, and health conditions without it being super heavy.

Alice Everly is a photographer who feels like she's sort of lost her way. So when her grandmother falls and injures herself Alice decides its the perfect time to get away for the both of them to not only help her grandmother recover but to also return to the place where Alice took the photo that inspired her to make photography her career.
What she didn't expect was Charlie Flores... the Handsome, Charming, Flirt who she can surprisingly be herself around and who also happens to be.....

One of the boys in the picture that changed her life.

If you haven't already I recommend reading Carley's Debut novel Every Summer After. One Golden Summer is Charlie's story (Sam's older Brother) and there are things in Every Summer After that would be good to know going into this new book.

If you Love :
- Lake Settings
- Rom Coms
- Great Banter
- Slow Burn
- Forced Proximity
- Friends to Lovers
- Family Themes
- Nostalgic Feelings

Then this is definitely a book you should add to your TBR!!!

Publication Date : May 6 2025

Thank You to Berkely Publishing, Net Galley, and author Carley Fortune for this digital ARC to Honestly Review

OMGGGGGGGG, it took me until 30% to realize this is Charlie Florek from Every Summer After! The older brother in Every Summer After that hooks up with Percy - that one.

SO, SO, SO GOD. I swear, Carley is the queen of friends to lovers and getting me all up in my feels. I cannot.

We follow Alice, who’s most definitely a people pleaser, and a photographer that’s on the verge of burnout. SO - after her grandmother had a hip replacement (I think) after falling at a dance class, she decides to take her grandmother back to the lake where they used to go when she was younger. It kind of brings her back to her childhood, where she never felt seen, part of the group, and truly - this entire character hit home for me.

At the lake, where they’re staying at an old friend of her grandparents’, they meet Charlie Flores who’s there for the summer building a tree house for his soon to be niece/nephew, AND also keeping the lakehouse up for the family friend. 

Alice makes a bucket list of sorts for the summer at the lakehouse and Charlie helps her complete it. We get the sweetest friends to lovers and ugh, my heart.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for an eARC in return for an honest opinion.

Miss Carley, this is your best book yet. Being back in Barry's Bay was so nostalgic and if you look up RIZZ in the dictionary, there's a picture of Charlie Florek.

I had such a good time with this book. I felt like I was there in Barry's Bay myself with the way this book had me giggling and kicking my feet.

We all know how Every Summer After went and Charlie's involvement in that book, and if you had any ounce of resentment towards Charlie Florek from that book, this one will hopefully wipe it all away! Does he need therapy? Maybe. Does he have commitment issues? Also maybe. But we love him.

Our FMC Alice Everly, full government name is important btw, is so likeable and felt so real! She's one of my new favorite romance FMCs and wish we could have more of her.

I loved this book dearly and can't wait for the official release!

"I saw something else in those photos,” Charlie says. And then he goes for it. ‘I saw myself falling in love wth you." - Charlie Florek

This is definitely Carley Fortune’s best book yet. I have yet to read “This Summer Will Be Different”, but her other two books were not my favourite. This book however, I really enjoyed the story and relationship development between Alice and Charlie. I think their chemistry is amazing and it’s refreshing to see two people in their early/mid-30s finding love again.

Tropes:
☀️ Barry’s Bay Setting
☀️ Friends to lovers
☀️ Friends with benefits
☀️ Photographer FMC

Pros:
- CHARLIE FLOREK
- Alice being a photographer (because same)

Cons:
- Honestly, don’t have much to critique.

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley and the author Carley Fortune for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Good things happen when you read a Carley Fortune book.

One Golden Summer is a masterpiece of summer romance! I loved every moment of Alice and Charlie’s sparkling, joy-filled summer of fun and sizzling romance in Barry’s Bay.

Returning to Barry’s Bay felt like coming home. The setting is always a main character in Carley Fortune’s books, and this one is no different. The vivid descriptions of light reflecting off the water, the sounds and smells of summertime at the lake, and the small details about the look of John’s cozy cabin transported me to Kamaniskeg Lake alongside Alice, Charlie, and Nan. Alice, the main character and narrator, is a photographer, and the author did an amazing job using imagery to let readers see the world through Alice’s eyes—and often through her lens, too.

Carley Fortune has outdone herself with the flirting, banter, and will-they-or-won’t-they tension. While Alice and Charlie’s connection is undeniable to everyone at the lake—and their chemistry is off the charts from their very first meeting—the friendship they form over the summer is rooted in mutual trust, respect, and understanding. They become each other’s biggest supporters and confidants, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with their love story. Alice capturing Charlie falling in love with her through the photos she takes throughout the summer is one of the most romantic things I’ve ever read.

The main characters, Alice and Charlie, are beautifully written and full of depth. There is so much more to Charlie than he allows the world to see. He uses flirting, humor, and physical intimacy as a shield, but when he lets Alice in and she learns how he views himself, his fears, and his vulnerabilities, I just wanted to give him a hug. His acts of service and kindness show what a huge heart he has. His friendship with Nan is so wholesome and sweet, as is his love for his brother and sister-in-law. Alice is such a creative and loving soul. She loves with her entire being, and it comes through in the way she cares for those closest to her. Her character development was phenomenal, and it was inspiring to read about her rediscovering her passion for photography. I loved how Alice embraced her fears and dedicated herself to having the fun and adventurous summer she missed out on as a teenager. Her summer bucket list was such a fun aspect of the story.

The family dynamics were another highlight of One Golden Summer. I loved Alice’s relationships with her family—especially her bond with Nan, her grandmother. Nan often shared great advice and wisdom, but she also proved that people continue to make mistakes and grow from them, no matter their age. Lastly, I loved being reunited with my favorite characters from Every Summer After! There were many special moments in this book that felt like an extended epilogue to Every Summer After.

I highly recommend One Golden Summer to romance readers and fans of Emily Henry and Jessica Joyce!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

3 stars. I'm so bummed that I didn't love One Golden Summer. I've heard incredible things about Fortune's books, and especially One Golden Summer, so I'm prepared for booksta and book tok to come at me for my feelings about this one. Truly, I'm so grateful to Berkley and netgalley for giving me the chance to read One Golden Summer, which is admittedly my first book from Fortune. And it wasn't bad, but it also wasn't super memorable for me either. The book itself felt very tropey and the characters too archetypal for my liking (a little paint by numbers esque). But I think the biggest issue for me was that I just didn't jive with the writing style itself, which I found to be a bit staccato? Not every book or author is for everyone, and clearly I'm in the minority when it comes to Fortune. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to read this one early, and don't go by my review-- just look at goodreads. Clearly, I'm in the minority for this one.

I was shocked when I was approved to read One Golden Summer. I’ve always heard great things about Carley’s books. I read this really slow because I just didn’t want it to end.

I love Alice and Charlie. Alice really sees people but she’s never met someone who really sees her, until she met Charlie. They are just so cute and I love the banter between the two of them. I was rooting for them the whole time.

This is one of those books that I know I’ll read again! Especially in the summer. It’s a perfect summer romance book! I loved the ending. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Carley! I love her writing style. I will be running to the bookstore on release day to pick up a physical copy!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Carley
and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC!

Rating: ✨✨✨✨✨
Publication Date: May 6 2025

#OneGoldenSummer #NetGalley

Thank you @berkleyromance and @carleyfortune for my gifted ebook. One Golden Summer is out May 6th. I’ve already preordered a signed copy and I can’t wait for it to arrive!!

I didn’t know if there was a way to love Carley’s writing any more after her first novel, but I think One Golden Summer has done it! I did listen to ESA before reading OGS to take me back mentally to Barry’s Bay, but it’s not necessary.

The book tells Charlie’s story and picks up 3 years after the end of ESA. Alice has a magical summer when she was a teen in Barry’s Bay. She picked up photography that summer and fell in love enough to make it her career. She took a photo of some kids she met and it has been the pinnacle of her skills. When her Nan needs to recover from hip surgery, she offers to take the summer off to be her caretaker at the lake. She meets Charlie and quickly realizes he’s one of the kids from her photo.

Charlie is a massive flirt with everyone and reminds Alice of what it’s like to be 17 again. She has a list of summer goals she wants complete and Charlie helps her with these. You are immersed in the location and if feels as if you are riding in the yellow speedboat yourself.

It’s absolutely impossible to read this book and not fall in love with Charlie. I’m so happy Carley decided to continue with these characters and we get to see them as adults. I love the depth and growth that each of the characters find and learning a little more of their story after the first book ends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alice grew up with her grandmother's adage of "good things happen at the lake" always in the back of her mind, especially after the one life-changing summer she spent in Barry's Bay at age 17. Now, when Alice is feeling burnt-out by her career and her Nan falls, breaking her hip, she decides it's the perfect time to escape back to the lake for the summer. Enter: Charlie Florek. The boy on the yellow boat that changed the trajectory of Alice's career, that has also run away from his big city life to the lake for the summer. Could they be just what each other need?

Ugh. I devour Carley Fortune's books every single time. They always come out when I'm in the mood for a summer romance and counting down the days to our annual lake vacation. *Chef's kiss* perfection! Did I entirely forget that Charlie was Sam's brother? Yup. But that's a user error, I immediately black out after I read a book and also always go into books blind. It's a Carley Fortune, obviously I'm going to read it.

THE VERDICT: 5 stars

WHAT I LOVED:
- The setting!!! Barry's Bay was just as magical and it was so fun returning to such a breath-taking setting. I felt like I was there with the way Carley Fortune laid out the details.
- It reads like a The Summer I Turned Pretty or other summer young-adult book (it was the heavy nostalgia and summer getaway vibe), mixed with the complexities of having adult characters.
- The banter was 10000/10
- I love a grandma character and Nan delivered from start to finish; watching Nan and Charlie develop their own relationship was so sweet; Nan having her own secondarily storyline was also precious and played out perfectly.
- The bucket list was the perfect guiding force for the story.
- The exploration of grief was so well done, along with the complexities of Alice navigating her family relationships and struggles within her job.

WHAT WAS A MISS:
- The twist wasn't necessarily shocking, I definitely saw it coming, but that didn't bother me!
- There was a third-act breakup, but it was done well and it made sense in the context of the characters' lives and personal struggles.
- The ending felt a little rushed imo, but maybe that's just because I loved it so much and wanted more.

Thank you to Carley Fortune, NetGalley and Berkley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Have I been living under a rock, for Pete's sake? In my defense, I went into this COMPLETELY blind. I didn't look at the synopsis and I have tried to avoid all early reviews. Still, how did I not know that this was more of Charlie and Sam???????????????? I even got a quarter of the way into the book, thinking there is something so familiar about this... then it clicked and I felt like a DOOF!

Good things happen at the lake. Amazing!! This was amazing. From seeing old faces to so many new characters, being back in this little world was so nice! Charlie needed his story and I am so glad he got it.

Alice is spending the summer at a cottage on the lake with her grandmother. She hasn't been there since the summer she spent there with her when she was seventeen. It was that summer that set Alice on the path of her life. She snapped an iconic photo of three teenagers on a yellow speedboat and knew immediately that she would never feel as happy without a camera in her hand. Now, she is a credited photographer, but she still lives life behind the lens. Meeting Charlie Florek changes everything. She feels like she can be totally herself. She can stand up for herself and put him in his place. They form a really sweet friendship first and the interactions with Alice's grandmother, Nan were all so much fun to read.

Carley Fortune makes you feel all the feels in One Golden Summer. This is a perfect beach read. This is friends to lovers, where you fall in love with both of the MCs. Alice was so real! I can absolutely relate to feeling more comfortable on the sidelines.

🗓️ May 06, 2025

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of returning to Barry’s Bay 🥰 It was just what I needed to get out of a reading slump. I love everything @carleyfortune writes but there is just something so comforting about being back on that lake. This is Charlie’s story. He’s no longer that teenage boy that betrayed his brother all those summers ago. Heartwarming and emotional at times with nostalgic reconnections with Percy and Sam. It’s like reconnecting with your childhood friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you @netgalley @berkleyromance for this highly anticipated eARC in exchange for my honest review.

What’s your most anticipated upcoming summer read? This was mine!!!

#onegoldensummer #carleyfortune #netgalley #berkleyromance #charlieflorek #aliceandcharlie #everysummerafter #summerreading #newrelease

It’s all about love, self-discovery, and the magic of a summer that changes everything. Charlie, with his quiet strength and kindness, is the perfect companion to the story. Their connection felt both real and messy. A perfect read for anyone looking to escape into a golden, sun-soaked summer.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley publishing group for the arc!

I knew Charlie Florek was going to wreck me, but I wasn’t prepared for how fast and far I’d fall in love with him and Alice. This book is truly the story of my heart 🥹

OMFG i’m so absolutely in love and obsessed with this book. this is my first book by carley fortune and i cannot wait to read the rest of her work.
i guarantee this is the read of the summer!
if there was an award for a shameless flirt charlie florek would be in first place.
alice is such a relatable and real fmc and i adored her
all the relationships between these characters was beautiful.
this book just nostalgia like no other.
this book with me my personality for the foreseeable future. i can’t wait to grab a physical copy on May 6th!

A new 5 star read has been added to 2025!! I LOVED this!!! Carley Fortune is an absolute master at emotional, atmospheric, summery reads and this was just what I was looking for. Summer romances that make me feel like I’ve been transported there are my favorite and this did just that!! This book pulled me in from the beginning and I read 75% of it in just one day. The writing was engaging and fast paced, the setting was beautiful as always, the characters felt real, and the romance made my heart HURT. I loved Alice’s character and could relate so much to things she went through and experienced. Her relationship with her grandmother hurt me and healed me all at once as someone who misses their grandmother everyday. I absolutely loved that their relationship played such a big part of this book. I LOVED Nan. Loved loved Charlie’s character and getting more of his backstory. He felt so raw and real and made my heart hurt!! True character growth in his story. Alice and Charlie’s romance and relationship growth was so sweet and felt so real. They both had so much depth to them and took so much time to get to know the other and care for each other that it felt REAL!! They supported each other so much. Loved the tension, the banter, the nostalgia, the lake setting, the relationships, everything. Truly the most perfect summer beach read that will have your heart hurting and healing all at once ❤️‍🩹

Thank you Berkley for the arc!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Carley Fortune for the opportunity to read this incredible ARC! ☀️

Barry’s Bay and the Florek brothers are back in One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune! This book is written from the POV of Alice, who spent one summer on the lake with her Nan when she was seventeen. Alice took a photograph of three teenagers in a yellow speedboat that catapulted her into a career as a photographer. As her Nan recovers from a broken hip, Alice plans for them to spend the summer back at the lake. She quickly runs into Charlie Florek, who just happens to be one of the teenagers in her photograph. Sparks fly instantly between the two, but it turns into a game of push-and-pull. Dealing with the struggles of different pasts and presents, Charlie and Alice are hesitant to jeopardize their friendship as they grow closer throughout the summer as they work on Alice’s summer bucket list. As they check off more and more items, will they be able to keep their hands off each other and more importantly, their feelings in check?

This was actually my first Carley Fortune book, and I am 100% a fan now! I have already started reading her backlist. 😍 One Golden Summer is absolutely the perfect book to read this summer. Charlie is definitely one of my favorite MMCs that I’ve ever read. Every character was just so well done. It was impossible not to fall in love with the side characters, especially Nan and Percy. There was a depth to this book that sucked me in. I loved that the storyline went beyond “just” a romance. This book will absolutely have you hooked. I rated this book 5 stars, and I highly recommend that you check it out on May 6th when it’s released!! ☀️