Is this the best Carley Fortune book yet?! It very well could be! I am obsessed with everything about Charlie Florek and his and Alice's relationship during their golden summer. At first he came off as a bit arrogant and annoying, but with time you can see just how loveable Charlie really is. He bakes for Alice, takes Nan to choir practice, and spends the lazy summer days just being with them. And if you loved the setting of Every Summer After, you're in luck because this takes places back at Barry's Bay (Charlie is actually Sam's brother!). Great execution, great romance, great summer setting, all-around just great great great! Definitley do not miss this one!

Easiest 5 stars ever. “Good things happen at the lake.”

There is SO much to love in this one. It took the top spot for my favorite Carley Fortune book!

This story follows 32 year old Alice Everly. Her grandmother, Nan, is feeling really down after hip surgery. Alice is going through a lot dealing with a bad breakup and being in a work slump. As a way to try to lift Nan’s spirits and also get a little escape herself, they decide to head to Barrys Bay for the summer (Alice’s first time back in 16 years).

Charlie Florek (yes, that Charlie Florek, from Every Summer After) is helping to fix up the cabin that they are staying in. He is just as flirty and fun as he was as a teenager.

Alice creates a summer bucket list with all the things she wished she would have done when she was 17. Charlie, being the kind and helpful man he is, decides to help her with it!

The banter right out of the gates is SO GOOD. What I love so much about this one is the foundation of friendship that they form first, building with the slow-burn. They are able to be open and be completely themselves with each other, which they have both struggled with.

The friendship between Charlie and Nan was a major highlight for me throughout. I also loved watching the dynamics unfold between Alice, her 3 siblings, and her parents as the story goes on. The banter between Alice and Heather is so accurate to a sister relationship.

And of course, getting some updates on Percy and Sam was just the icing on the cake!!

This book just felt so nostalgic to me. Reading about the bridge and rock jumping threw me back into all the memories I had of doing that when I was younger as well. I love when stories can evoke personal memories.

I sure do love those Florek boys!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is definitely a favorite of the year for me. If you loved Every Summer After, then you have got to read this one. Between the lake setting, a romance that gave me butterflies and characters that I felt attached to, this book was a total win.

From start to finish I felt the chemistry between Charlie and Alice. Even from simple moments like the way he said her name or looked at her. It was so easy to feel the pull and desire between them. Between Charlie's constant teasing and Alice speaking her mind, it created the most entertaining sparring. I loved how flirty Charlie was but also just a genuinely sweet and thoughtful guy.

Charlie and Alice were opposites but complemented each other so well. Alice could truly be herself and felt free around Charlie. They had fun together. Alice wasn't used to having these experiences. I loved how her photography connected to different pieces of the storyline. Especially going back to when her and Charlie were teenagers.

With a perfect blend of light, fun moments with deeper parts to the story, this is a book I will remember for a long time.

I have been wanting to DNF this book since being 20% in it but I kept going and I decided I'm just gonna DNF while I'm 60% in. I really think the author messed up with not giving Charlie a POV at all. We are reading this book because we know of Charlie's story and because we've read him in a passbook so it makes no sense for you not to have him have a voice at all in a book that should really be about him.

I do not care about Alice after everything happened in the last book with Charlie. Also Alice is very annoying and honestly is harassing Charlie throughout the whole book. I read lines were says Alice goes to kiss Charlie and he's hesitant or honestly uncomfortable yes he's like she just doesn't care and keeps trying to make a move on him.

Alice and her Nan I'm such a weird relationship because I feel like NAN barely likes Alice and would rather be around Charlie all day which is so weird. Also I think Alice storyline and purpose in the whole book is dumb. I understand that she wanted to be more authentically you in your career but it's not that deep that your picture is being shown in a gallery. For someone to have no money you're so price to have your work off of the Internet.

I just don't think this is what Charlie deserved after reading about him in every summer after. The book should have been in his POV or had at least a couple chapters of his POV because we're not really here for Alice.

I will never forget how entranced I was by Carley Fortune's first novel, Every Summer After. That entire reading experience was special and rare and I just loved the immersive summer setting at the lake and the characters within. I was also one of many readers a bit intrigued by Charlie, the older brother, and I was SO DELIGHTED when Carley announced that she was writing this book about Charlie's life in his 30s. I went into this book with high expectations for a great read set in Barry's Bay and my expectations were exceeded. This book gave me the same tingly feelings I had when I read Every Summer After, but I also found it significantly more relatable since it featured two main characters in their mid-30s. Alice in particular had a similar personality type to my own and I really related to her feelings of always wanting to help others and finding it difficult sometimes to stand up for her own needs and wants. I also revelled in a side character named Heather (yay!), related immensely to the ups and downs of interacting with Alice's 13-year old niece, and absolutely adored Alice's beautiful relationship with her grandmother (which made me miss mine SO much).

In short, this entire book had me vascillating between tears and a goofy grin and I swooned and instantly picked it back up after finishing and reread all my favourite bits. The banter and chatter between Charlie and Alice was SO FUN, the setting (as we already know) was 100% ideal, their character developments and career choices were realistic and fascinating, and the glimpses of Percy and Sam made me so happy.

Carley has said that you don't need to read Every Summer After before diving into this one, and that's true, but if you do ever plan to read Every Summer After I'd read that one first because many of the events will be spoiled and it will set you up to really savour and appreciate Charlie's story here. This will be one I return to, highlight, listen to on audiobook when it's out, and recommend widely.

good things happen at the lake!!! 📖🌞💘📸⛵️ and one golden summer proves it again and again.

from the very first page, carley fortune drops us back into barry’s bay with all her signature warmth & magic. you can literally feel the golden light warming your skin, hear the hum of the dock under your feet, and smell the sunscreen and old paperbacks on the porch. it’s a love letter to summer, coming home to yourself, and invisible strings 🌅

enter: charlie florek. my new favorite book boyfriend. this man is a green-eyed flirty menace with emotional depth and I ate up every single word that came out of his mouth. the banter? the tension?? I was SQUEALING. he brings fun back into alice’s life – makes her laugh again, feel seen again. and he shows up for her, quietly and consistently, even when she doesn’t know how to ask for help.

and then there’s alice everly, who sees the world so clearly through her camera lens, but has to learn to see herself with that same compassion. I loved her emotional arc. how after years of loving others so deeply, she finally lets herself be loved back. and not just passively, she chooses charlie too, even with all his baggage and his fears, she meets him there. this book is for the girls who are still figuring it out, but know a good thing when it shows up.

forehead kisses to Berkley for the eARC! i will be referencing this book in every ‘what should i read next?’ conversation until further notice.

DNF @ 22%

Unfortunately, this Carley Fortune was not for me. Part of this is my fault - I did not realize that Charlie, our MMC, is a character from Every Summer After, another Fortune novel that I did not like (particularly because of the third act conflict). The main reason though is the writing. While Fortune excels in setting, the characterization of Alice and Charlie feels much younger than their ages, and the dialogue feels forced and awkward to me. Alice is 32 years old, but her inner thoughts feel much more like someone in their early twenties or even younger. I know a lot of readers will really like this book, so I hope it finds its audience!

This book was exactly what I needed, it gave me life and made me so excited for summer. Carley Fortune just gets how to write atmosphere. I could feel the sun, smell the lake, hear the waves, it was like stepping right into Barry’s Bay. The setting was so vivid and nostalgic, and the whole story felt warm, honest, and just really human in the best way.

Alice was such a relatable character. She tries so hard not to be a burden and to show up in a way that’s easier for everyone else, so watching her slowly drop those walls and just be herself with Charlie was really special. I loved being in her head and seeing that transformation.

Now let’s talk about Charlie Florek. MY. HEART. This man is confident and charming with total golden retriever energy, but also has this soft, broken side that made me melt. The way he looked at Alice like she was the most precious thing in the world? Swooning. The way he cared for her and her Nan? Absolutely done for and had me melting in a puddle.

The romance was a slow burn, but so worth it. The tension, the flirting, the yearning, I was fully invested. Their connection felt real and layered, and they actually communicated (!!), which made everything hit even harder. And while it’s not some breezy, no-conflict summer love story (they definitely go through it), the payoff is so satisfying.

I loved this book so much and already want to re-read it. Take me back to Barry’s Bay, please.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the eARC via NetGalley!

𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙷𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙻𝚊𝚔𝚎 ☼

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Release May 6, 2025

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

ummmmm excuse me, carley we need to talk…. because you had no business writing the perfect summer romance.
this is hands down my favorite work by carley fortune. i completely ate this up with absolutely zero notes.

if you have read every summer after you will recognize our MMC. charlie was the brother of sam in ESA, and we finally get a story focused on him! charlie literally had me giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. he is THE summer book boyfriend of 2025.

out FMC, alice, is a photographer who is feeling a little lost after her relationship falls apart and she takes her grandma to stay at the lake for the summer to help her recover from a hip replacement.

i loved the focus on family relationships in this. between alice and her nan, charlie and his brother. also charlie dealing with the loss of his parents and coping with changes in his life.

i cannot recommend this enough! it was absolutely perfect and i cannot wait to run to bookstores to pick up my physical copy on the release day!

thank you @carleyfortune, @berkleypub and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this amazing arc!

I have read all of Carley’s books and I have to say that this one might be my favorite or at least tied for favorite with Every Summer After. Sooo happy to be back in Barry’s Bay! I loved getting Charlie’s story and I also really appreciated the little sneak peaks of Sam and Percy. It was well worth the wait. I felt like I was right back where I was three summers ago and it gave me such a nice nostalgic feel. I also FLEW through it.

I absolutely LOVED the friendship between Charlie and Alice. It felt authentic and the flirty banter was top notch. Also — pour one out for Nan, everyone needs a Nan! Overall, Carley gave me everything I was left yearning for when I finished Every Summer After.

Read if you like: banter, forced proximity, summery lake vibes, friends to lovers

Also — You can always count on Carley to give us beautiful cover!!

Huge thank you to NetGalley + Berkeley Pub for the ARC!

5 Stars!

When I finished Every Summer After, I was weary of reading One Golden Summer hoping that it would live up to the standards ESA set. However, it truly exceeded them. This book was amazing. I legit could not put it down. I loved being back in Barry's Bay and I absolutely loved Charlie's character this time around. Every time I started reading, I was instantly transported back to the lake, on the dock, with the sun shining and the banana boat heading our way. If you loved Every Summer After, you NEED to read this book - it's a non negotiable! And if you haven't read Every Summer After, then I'm super jealous of you and you have TWO amazing books to look forward to!!
​--

One Golden Summer introduces a new character, Alice Everly, who is at a crossroads in her career and her love life. She decides to take her Nan to Barry's Bay to Nan's old friend's cabin for the summer to help her recover from hip surgery. Little did she know that the summer would not only heal Nan, but it would change Alice forever. Charlie lives across the lake and has been helping out with Nan's friend's cabin. Soon, Alice recognizes him from a photo she took when she visited Barry's Bay at 17. The story from that photo comes back to life and Alice has the summer of her 17 year old dreams.

YES Sam and Percy make an appearance and my heart explodes throughout the entire book.
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Long story short - just go ahead and pre order your copy now! Thank you SO much @netgalley @berkleypub and @carleyfortune for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have already pre ordered my paperback copy to add to my collection!

One Golden Summer is hands-down my favorite Carley Fortune novel yet. It’s the perfect mix of love, lake life, and the bittersweet beauty of growing up. The setting was vivid and nostalgic, instantly transporting me to slow, golden summer days by the water. The main characters were relatable, captivating, and entertaining—and the supporting cast, especially the grandmother (my favorite!), made the whole storyline so easy to fall in love with.

This is the definition of a perfect summer read: heartfelt, emotional, and full of charm. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to pack for your summer vacation—whether you’re lakeside, beachside, or just dreaming of it.

As a high school librarian, I’ll absolutely be adding One Golden Summer to our collection—it’s the kind of story that will resonate with readers of all ages that are looking for emotional depth, nostalgia, and a truly unforgettable summer. Carley Fortune’s writing truly hits its stride here, and I’m already hoping for a sequel. Until then, I’ll be recommending this one to everyone I know.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the free advanced copy!

I loved Every Summer After by Carley when it first debuted years ago. I followed along every year a new release came out, but they just didn't have the same magic that book exuded. So when I heard her 2025 story would bring the return of Berry's Bay and Charlie I knew I was going to be seated. But to the point that I would be giving its sequel a 5 star review?! Well, that was a great surprise for me!

Granted, this story started off slow and I was sort of worried I was not going to enjoy Alice as a main character. But she really began to shine once she was introduced to Charlie. It's funny, I looked back at my review for Every Summer After and I saw I made a comment to protect Sam Florek at all costs... but I'm changing my tune and saying we must protect CHARLIE FLOREK AT ALL COSTS! He had amazing banter and my heart ripped out of my chest during those final 40ish pages of the story. It was a plot twist I did not see coming!!! I just felt like the chemistry between Alice and Charlie was so genuine and I think it will take a lot this year to top these two as my favorite rom-com couple. I enjoyed the peeks back into Percy and Sam's world from Book One while not feeling forced.

I am back on the Carley Fortune train until further notice!

Alice Everly spent one magical summer at the lake when she was seventeen, shy, and awkward. Now, years later, Alice is a photographer and recently single; she's back in Barry’s Bay to help her Nan recover from a hip surgery, and maybe reconnect with the girl she wanted to be. What she doesn't expect is Charlie—older, bolder, and still able to make her heart race. She didn't even know him then, had only taken one memorable photo, but it was everything she wished for herself that summer. As Alice and Charlie fall into an easy rhythm of sunny days and starlit nights, their connection deepens into something real—something that makes Alice question where she belongs, and who she wants to be. Because while Alice sees the world through a lens, Charlie is the one who truly sees her. And as Nan always says, good things happen at the lake.

This book is summer. Long days, starry nights, bikinis and boats, bucket lists, summer flings. Charlie had a play boy reputation, but that didn't really scare Alice away and I liked that she could look past his past. Alice was very relatable - an easy child growing up, often overlooked and reliable, everything is always "fine." Charlie was the first to look at her like she mattered, and to prioritize her. As always with friends to lovers, I found myself saying - just go for it!! Your reasons for not dating aren't good enough!! But, there's a bit of a twist holding Charlie back. Alice found her worth and I loved to see her grow and glow. Families and relationships can be messy, but they can also be worth it. Charlie and Alice were opposites and so good for each other. Add this romance to your summer reading list!

Thank you to Carley Fortune and the publisher, Berkley Romance, for this advanced reader copy.

We meet Alice as she is consumed (but not fulfilled) with her work as a photographer. She has been focused on her career since her break up 6 months ago. Circumstances bring her to the lake she spent a summer as a teenager where she first discovered her love for photography.

Here she meets Charlie. He’s kind a thoughtful, yet boastful and has a big ego. It’s clear from the get-go, he’s more than just a pretty face.

I love the Nan, Alice’s grandmother. I have a Nan in my family and they were so similar! Charlie’s brother Sam and his wife Percy are lovely additions to the story. I would have loved more of them in the story!

While Alice and Charlie have great chemistry together- they push each (other in a good way) to be more of themselves, from the get go it’s so obviously they aren’t “just friends”. It’s rather quite annoying to see them insist that they are.

The “second act break-up” goes longer than most books allow, which honestly was a nice surprise. I’m glad Alice found more of herself without him.

This was a fun summer read, however I was not a fan of the “miscommunication” trope. For both being in their 30’s they were acting like teenagers trying to be “friends with benefits.”

Did One Golden Summer just become my favorite Carley Fortune book? YES and I was not prepared!!

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5, contemporary romance)

“𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙠𝙚.”

Yesss, they do! I grew up going to the lake and so many of my core childhood/adolescent memories took place there. Carley Fortune masterfully captures the nostalgic, carefree and magical essence of summers at the lake in One Golden Summer, which is the companion novel to Every Summer After.

The story brings us back to Barry’s Bay — this time via Alice Everly: a burnt out photographer in desperate need of a reset. So when her Nan needs cheering up after an injury, it hits her: what better place to relax and recover than the lake? She hasn’t been back since she was a shy seventeen year old, but it’s where she first discovered her passion for photography after capturing a photo of three teens on a yellow boat.

What she doesn’t expect is Charlie Florek: the hot, flirtatious, charming and irritatingly confident guy from across the bay — and the yellow boat. Despite her resistance, they strike up a friendship and decide to recreate the summer of her teenage dreams. What follows is a summer of nostalgia intermixed with tender moments, delicious banter and undeniable chemistry.

I absolutely ate this book up!! It had me laughing out loud, giggling and kicking my feet. For real, I actually caught myself grinning like an idiot on the train. Charlie Florek is everything I want in a MMC and I loved his redemption arc! I loved seeing sweet Alice find her voice.

If you loved Every Summer After, you might just love One Golden Summer even more.

Thank you to Netgalley & Berkely Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🫶

Oh my goodness, Carley! Thank you so much for gifting us loyal ESA fans Charlie’s HEA. Long overdue and much needed. His love story was even more fantastic than I could’ve imagined. Honestly, everything about this whole book was fantastic. I loved Alice and her relatable career-in-crisis and post-bad breakup issues, I loved Nan for being a sassy and lovable side character, and I loved Charlie and his sexy air of mystery. Being back to Barry’s Bay for a whole summer made me so giddy. The friends to lovers trope was a great choice and I loved the easy banger between Charlie and Alice. They were the definition of made for each other. And everything concluded in such a satisfying way!

Overall, a must read for Carley fans and for anyone who loves a slow burn, friends to lover romance. My new favorite behind ESA!

Charlie stood out to me while reading Ever Summer After. My heart broke for him and I'm so glad he finally got the love and happy ending he deserved. I also just adored the role Sam and Percy played in this story - giving an update, but not allowing their relationship to steal the show. Alice was incredibly relatable with her insecurities. The chemistry between Alice and Charlie was incredible. I loved seeing Alice blush and get flustered by Charlie, because, honestly same. This is my new favorite by Carley Fortune. Loved it so much.

Absolutely loved every second of this book. It felt new and exciting but also cozy and comfortable. I loved getting to know these characters and felt that I knew and cared about them very quickly. Definitely the best book I've read from this author!

One Golden Summer takes us back to Barry's Bay, the setting of Every Summer After. This time Charlie Florek gets his Happily Ever After. It was such a comfort to revisit Barry's Bay and the characters from Every Summer After, even catching up with Percy and Sam.