THIS!!! THIS IS THE ONE!!! THE EASY 5 STAR FEELING!!! this book has me all in my feels and with a sense of nostalgia. Charlie Florek the man that you are!!! I absolutely LOVED this book so much. Carley Fortune has been an auto-read author for me since Every Summer After and finally getting Charlie’s story feels so full circle. Even at 35, he’s still as charming, witty, and full of humour as he was in his teenage years. Being back at Barry’s Bay felt like coming home.

Knowing how charming and funny Charlie’s character is, I wasn’t expecting the story to be quite so vulnerable and emotional. Alice Everly… big forehead kisses for you my girl. A girl who puts others needs before herself, who cares for those she loves to a deep degree, who will spend a summer with her grandmother at her old friend’s cottage just to cheer her up. Her and Nan had a beautiful grandmother/granddaughter dynamic. They both learned from each other about letting things go, living without regrets, and forgiving others. Plus Nan was a fantastic comedic relief character!!

The way Alice showed up for her people was so beautiful. She brought out that inhibited, teenage side to Charlie while he brought out a more reckless, spontaneous side of her. They were able to develop a true, deep friendship, then more, while spending time together and creating memories.

Charlie Florek felt like he hasn’t changed a bit, while also realizing he’s changed a lot. The sweet, sunshine boy with a small-town charm. He does EXACTLY what he needs to do. The tension between him and Alice was palpable!!!! I wanted to scream through my kindle!!!! I love the shenanigans they would get into, checking off the bucket list one-by-one. I absolutely adored them!

This entire story felt so deeply real. I felt like I was in Barry’s Bay, on that yellow boat travelling across the lake without a care in the world. Seeing the story through Alice’s eyes and camera lens brought a whole different view to the way i pictured it. A truly feel-good, emotional, summer read with the most lovable characters. Can’t recommend this one enough!! It will go down as one of my favourite reads of 2025. Thank you Berkley for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Omg!!!!!! The perfect summer read🚤🩵 We are back in Barry’s Bay for Charlie’s story, with little snippets of Sam & Percy, for one more golden summer on the lake. I LOVED this one, it was so nostalgic and filled with emotion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Alice Everly is ready for a fresh start, and what better way to do that than to spend the summer at the lake with your grandma in the house you went to as a teen? And of course, none other than Charlie Florek, 17 year old Alice’s dream crush, is also residing next door for the summer in the same house as their youth. Now, Alice and Charlie are in their 30’s and keep having perpetually flirty run-ins that are causing trouble in denying their connection as their lives and families become more intertwined. Summer was always supposed to end but does that mean everything that comes with it has to also?

Barry’s Bay and Kamaniskeg Lake is such an immersive setting, I had lots of fun reading Alice and Charlie’s story. While lighthearted and flirty, deeper themes come up throughout the summer that put you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion. Also some spicy scenes and the chemistry is SO good!!!

Thank you Berkley’s Publishing, NetGalley and the author Carley Fortune for the E-Arc in exchange for my honest review.

If Carley Fortune writes a book, I'm going to read it. I always enjoy her books and often recommend them to patrons. I loved Every Summer After, so I was thrilled when I realized I'd get to catch up with some of the characters from that book. Alice and her whole family were really fun to read about. I would have enjoyed spending more time with the twins, but I understand why that didn't happen in this book (I'd read another book just about them). I love Nan so much, I want to be Nan when I'm older. This book made me feel so many feelings, I loved every minute of it. Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC!

My most anticipated read of the year did not let me down. Receiving an ARC of this book was a dream come true, and I will be sharing so much more about it post release on my booksta @shelfworthywords

Is this Carley Fortune’s best book yet? I think so!

Fortune masterfully captures what it’s like to be a Canadian visiting cottage country. As someone who’s crossed the Burleigh Falls Bridge and stopped at the Kawartha Dairy in Bancroft for Moose Tracks ice cream more times than I can count, I couldn’t help but smile and feel all the nostalgia.

Charlie Florek made me blush by page 22. He’s rumoured to be a bit of a Casanova (one look or one conversation with him and you’d get why), but he’s got layers. He’s cheeky and confident, delivering some of the best banter Fortune has ever written. If you met him in Every Summer After, you might not have been his biggest fan—but that’s what I appreciated about this book. It’s a realistic reminder that people mess up in their twenties, and that growth is possible when you own your mistakes and put in the work. That’s exactly what Charlie does, and it only makes him more lovable.

Alice Everly has always been the dependable one—the quiet overachiever, the “good girl” her family leans on. She’s a gifted Toronto-based photographer, known for going the extra mile for her clients, never ruffling feathers, never asking for too much, and being reliable to a fault. As a teenager, she snapped a photo in Barry’s Bay of three carefree teenagers in a yellow speedboat, and it sparked her love of photography. That spark has dimmed, and she’s going through the motions—until the perfect opportunity arises to head back to the lake with her nan, who’s recovering from an injury and could use a change of scenery.

I went into this book excited to see Charlie again, but everything changed when Alice said, “I’m an excellent listener and a vault when it comes to secrets.” Same, girl. Same. That one line instantly connected me to her. I adored everything about her character—her quiet strength, her loyalty, her heart. I’m glad this wasn’t a dual POV novel—being entirely in Alice’s head gave me the space to really understand her, root for her, and see the small, brave ways she starts to choose herself. She’s on a journey of self-discovery, reminding us that we don’t need to have it all figured out in our thirties. Sometimes you need to feel alive again, and complete the things you wrote on a silly little bucket list at 17.

Non-filtered ramblings:
- Nan is genuinely an incredible character and adds depth to this story. Her commentary and wisdom are a beautiful reminder of what a gift it is to age.
- The way I yelled “HECK YA, ALICE!” when she said “Sorry, that one’s mine.”
- Percy and Sam meeting Alice for the first time was everything!! I couldn’t help but smile at seeing their names on a page again.
- 🥒🥒🥒 iykyk
- THE TREEHOUSE

Thank you to Berkley Publishing | Berkley Romance | Carley Fortune for the ARC of One Golden Summer in exchange for an honest review.

It’s back to Barry’s Bay in Carly Fortune’s latest. This novel tells the story of Alice Everly and Charlie Florek. Alice is on the lake for the summer with her grandmother as she recovers from hip replacement surgery. Charlie is spending a sabbatical on the lake and is the caretaker of the house where Alice and Gran are staying. He’s alluring and infuriating, and it isn’t long before Alice and Charlie are attached at the hip. I love everything about this story. The romance, the family dynamics, Alice learning to find her voice. I adore this novel and cannot wait to see what Carley Fortune writes next.

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my review.

Wow! I loved being back at Barry’ Bay. This is such a great addition to Carley’s other work. You will fall in love with the characters. Once you finish the book you will want to start from the beginning because it is that good.This book will be the book to read this summer! I can’t wait for more from Fortune!

I had the chance to read an ARC of One Golden Summer, having never read one of Carley’s books before—and I absolutely LOVED it (4.5/5 ⭐️)! Alice and Charlie were such a joy to follow, and their chemistry made the story so engaging. The dialogue felt natural and witty, and the plot was refreshingly original—something that feels increasingly rare in romance these days.

I also adored the Canadian setting—Toronto and Barry’s Bay! As a Canadian, there’s something extra special about seeing familiar places come to life on the page.

The only reason I’m giving it 4.5 instead of 5 stars is that the pacing felt a little slow at the very beginning and end. But overall, this was such a heartfelt, charming read, and I’ll definitely be picking up more of Carley’s books in the future. If you’re considering it—read it!

Carly Fortune just never misses. Her books always make me feel nostalgia and giddiness all at once. I ride hard for forced proximity, and this one delivered!! The banter of these two was also superior!! I was laughing out loud one minute and then fanning myself the next. Also can’t forget all the tears shed at Charlie’s story🥹 this one had all my favorite things and I can’t wait to be rereading it again on a beach in July!

"Good things happen at the lake."

One Golden Summer is my favorite Carley Fortune book to date! This is a spin-off sequel to her first novel Every Summer After, and takes readers right back to Barry's Bay in Ontario, Canada. I had to refresh my memory about what happened in that book, but I remember really enjoying Sam and Percy's love story. This one tells the story of Charlie (Sam's big brother), and Alice, a 32 year old burned out photographer. Alice brings her grandmother to a cottage at the lake while she heals from a broken hip. It's the first time she's been there since she was a shy 17 year old, when she took the photo of three teenagers on a boat that sparked her career. She decides to make a bucket list and give herself the summer she never had back then. However, she never expected to run into Charlie, one of the teens in her photo, and that he would become such a big part of her story so many years later.

I loved escaping into this one- it made me feel all the things! Carley Fortune does a great job at setting the scene to make you feel like you're right there with them at the lake. I became completely immersed in the story and the nostalgic summer vibes. I felt very connected to both Charlie and Alice (and Nan!) and was rooting for them to find happiness. I was sad to see it end - maybe there will be a third book?!

This book will be released on May 6th and will be a perfect summer read!

WHOA!

That’s what Alice Everly said when she first met the gorgeous Charlie Florek.

And, it’s what I said when I finished this book!

It’s the kind of Summer Romance that makes you feel DESPERATE to finally reach the HAPPILY EVER AFTER that we are all reading this genre for!

“Good things happen at the lake”.-That’s what Alice’s grandmother Nan has always said.

So when her Octogenarian grandmother falls and breaks a hip while dancing to the Abba song “Dancing Queen”, the now 33 year old Alice comes up with a plan to cheer her up-return to Barry’s Bay for a Summer of rest and rehabilitation.

Alice spent just one summer at a cottage in Barry’s Bay with Nan when she was a shy seventeen year old-hiding behind the lens of her camera. But it happens to be where she took the photo, that started her career as a photographer-the one of three teenagers speeding across the lake in a yellow boat.

Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar, though she never knew his name. He is still driving the restored yellow speedboat, but he’s all grown up now and against all odds-he just happens to be the person who prepared the cottage for their arrival and stay.

The story counts down from Friday, June 27th-their first day at the lake-through their last day there, and we get to see a beautiful friendship unfold between Alice and Charlie.

And, eventually-a deeply emotional love story, though of course it isn’t always smooth sailing!

We first met Charlie Florek in the author’s DEBUT novel, “Every Summer After” which was his brother Sam’s love story-and quite frankly-I didn’t think this character was one we would ever see getting his own book-but I am so glad that we did.

Not only was it fun to catch up with Sam and Percy (yes, SHE is still rocking her break-up bangs!)

BUT also because I MUCH PREFERRED this story to that one-which felt too YA for my taste. I loved “goody two shoes” Alice and her grandmother Nan.

In fact this is MY FAVORITE book by Carley Fortune to date!

Publication Date: May 6, 2025 just in time for Summer beach bags!

Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

"One Golden Summer" was my first Carley Fortune read (I know, I know....), so I came in with pretty high expectations based on her reputation.

While overall vibe definitely fits the "easy summer read" category, I found the pacing slower than I expected and the plot was a little too played out - there wasn't enough to differentiate it from other beach reads for me. It took me a while to get through, and I wasn’t exactly racing to pick it up each day. That said, I can totally see this being a great book to read poolside, lakeside, whatever —something light, a little nostalgic, and reflective. I might just not be in the summer mindset yet. I also probably would’ve connected more with the story or characters if I’d read "Every Summer After" first, since there seemed to be some emotional backstory I might’ve missed.

Still, I’m glad I gave it a shot, and I appreciate the opportunity to read an advance copy. Big thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5 stars rounded up.

This is the perfect summer read. The one you bring to the pool or beach and read while the sun’s rays beat down on you. The plot is good, there are lovable characters, sweet details and a sprinkle of spice to complete this romance. Not only that, the pacing is great and the building of Alice and Charlie’s friendship is perfect.

Advanced reader copy provided by Berkley and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Alice returns to Barry’s Bay with her Nan for a much needed break from the world of photography. There, she meets Charlie, the charming and quick witted caretaker of their cottage, whose humor and warmth make him impossible to resist.

This is hands down one of the best summer romances I’ve ever read! If you loved Every Summer After, you already know Charlie, but this book lets you really get to know him. He’s the ultimate book boyfriend: kind, funny, and just an all around amazing person. The friendship (with benefits) he builds with Alice is so heartfelt and refreshingly honest, and honestly, I don’t think there’s another couple out there with their kind of chemistry and dynamic. Alice’s grandmother brought so much LIFE to this story (think Betty White in The Proposal). She was not only a rock for Alice, always offering wisdom and unconditional support, but she also formed such a sweet, hilarious friendship with Charlie that made me love him even more.

Read if you like:
-Friends to lovers
-Mutual pining
-Lakeside setting
-Bucket lists
-Summer flings

Perfection. I absolutely adore Carley Fortune's writing, her depth of characters, in her themes of friendship, family & love that always go so deep into her stories. Definitely the perfect summer read, and the ending... wow.

I will admit that this took me an embarrassing amount of time to realize this was CHARLIE-Charlie…like from “Every Summer After” Charlie.

BUT, once I realized that I was sooo excited! I am so glad she finally shared his story and it didn’t disappoint.

I loved this book cover to cover. The banter between Charlie and Alice was TOP TIER! She was a little too shy at some parts, in my opinion, but it was so fun to see Charlie bring her out of her shell.

Charlie was very cocky, sometimes overly so, but it was perfect for his character and I was kicking my feet and giggling the majority of the book.

THE TENSION in this book!! It was more of a slow burn/friends to lovers, and it was so much fun!!!

This book is a perfect summer read and I loved revisiting Barry’s Bay. Carley Fortune has such a brilliant and beautiful way of writing about summer, that it paints the most beautiful picture in my mind!!


Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC in exchange for my review.

ok i guess i'm going to be thinking about charlie florek forever??

5 beautiful stars for ms carley fortune!! again!!

every summer after is one of my fav romances ever so i literally itching to get back to barry's bay and read charlie's story. it absolutely met and exceeded my expectations!!

i really loved charlie in every summer after and was glad to see a whole book centered around him! carley did an amazing job of developing his character in this book in a way that felt consistent with his portrayal in the first one. i enjoyed how they tackled the Big Spoiler from ESA too, because it was such an important convo to have. some of my favorite scenes were between charlie alice and nan, i was just so charmed by that dynamic. and of course it was so sweet whenever percy and sam showed back up!! i do feel like charlie pushed alice away for JUST A BIT TOO LONG and i wish they resolved their drama during the summer. that's my one and only qualm though i love you charlie i love you alice i love you nan and i love you carley fortune!!!

thank you thank you berkley for the ARC!! <3 <3

This one is the perfect summer time/beach read! From the very first page, I was swept away by the warmth, nostalgia, and undeniable chemistry between the characters. I could not put this book down.

This one iis like a soft breeze off the lake, gentle, evocative, and layered with emotion. The way it captures those bittersweet in-between moments, where past and present collide, tugged at my heart in the most unexpected ways. Alice is such a beautifully written character, thoughtful, vulnerable, and so deeply real. And Charlie? Whew. The slow-burn tension, the flirtation, the longing... it all builds with the kind of ache that stays with you long after the last page.

The setting itself feels like a character, a sun-dappled haven that holds memories, secrets, and the promise of healing. The lake, the cottage, the yellow boat... every detail is painted with such love and wistfulness.

If you're looking for a book that will make you feel seen, make you swoon, and leave you a little breathless, this one is it. It’s romantic, emotional, and infused with just the right amount of angst to pull on your heartstrings in the best way.

Fantastic summer reading! Carley's writing is compelling and beautifully done. This is going to be THE book of the summer.

This book was utter perfection. I have loved every one of Carley Fortune’s book but this one might be my favourite. Returning to Barry’s Bay felt familiar and new at the same time. Alice was a fantastic protagonist and I loved how she flourished throughout the book. The depth given to Charlie was unmatched and swiftly led to him being crowned my favourite Florek brother. It was also so great to see Percy and Sam again and get a glimpse into what their life post Every Summer After is like. This book was so romantic and well written, I will definitely be picking up a copy when it comes out!

First off, thank you so much to the publishers and NetGalley for my ARC! I screamed when I was approved for it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

To start, I ate this up because it was so summery and cute. I have loved every book by this author and this one was no exception. However, it wasn't my favorite title from Carley Fortune. I would rate it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

It was fun & easy and cute, but nothing special. It felt oddly long for not much happening, while simultaneously being a very quick and easy read. I didn't love the aspect of insta-love that it felt like Charlie and Alice had, as well as the unexplained idea of friends with benefits. It felt like a key conversation was missing.

I loved the summer bucket list, and would love to see it in either the front or the back of the book in print form. While reading an e-copy, I couldn't remember everything that Alice had written and would have loved to refer back to it throughout the course of the summer.

Finally, I felt that the entire book wrapped up way too quickly. Suddenly Charlie was in the hospital but then magically better and having sex within 3 pages? It felt very rushed and while it was teased throughout the course of the book, it felt that it came very second-best to the sex scenes.

Again, not my favorite Carley Fortune book, but still worth picking up even through it fell slightly flat for me. I would love to see it as a movie though!💛