Carley Fortune has a chokehold on summer nostalgia and emotionally messy romance, and One Golden Summer is no exception. I really liked this. It’s wistful, sexy and quietly devastating in that signature Carley way that makes you feel like you’re both falling in love and mourning something at the same time.

The setting? Dreamy. The romance? Absolutely swoony. And the emotional undercurrent had me in my feelings the whole way through. Fortune does such a good job writing about longing, not just for people, but for lives we almost had, or people we used to be.

When Alice was 17, she stayed with her grandmother at the lake house. She took a picture of the kids across the lake in their speedboat that became famous and literally changed her life. Ironically, she never met any of the kids in person, she was too shy.
Now she’s back at the lake, a professional photographer, taking care of her grandmother who had a fall. When she looks across the lake, she sees Charlie, no longer just a kid in a boat. The years have been kind to them both and they’ve got an intense attraction to each other. They’re both keeping secrets, however. Can their relationship survive finding out the truth?
This is a perfect beach read no matter where you are, 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love the setting of Barry’s Bay. Carley has a way of writing that makes you feel as if you are there experiencing everything the characters are. Alice and Charlie made me feel so giddy! I loved them both separately as well as friends and then eventually a couple. The progress of their relationship felt so natural and sweet. I was really curious about Charlie Florek since reading Every Summer After and I have to say that he has matured so much and quickly became one of my favorite MMC’s ever. This was a fun and emotional story that is perfect for those craving summer vibes at the lake with heart.

Carly, Carly, Carly. How do you always know exactly what my heart needs each summer?

This book is just the perfect summer escape. I loved being back at the lake. The two MC’s had fantastic chemistry and the slow burn romance was everything.

Nan is a gem who deserves to be cherished. I loved the intensity and loyalty of the entire Everly clan. The found family aspect of this is lovely.

Overall, I smiled, I swooned, I laughed. This book is definitely Carly Fortune’s best yet.

It isn’t summer without a new Carley Fortune, and she never disappoints!!!

Good things happen at the lake. 🥹🥹🥹🫶🏻

Quick important info: This is a sequel to Every Summer After, so you NEED to read that first before this one—or else that book will be majorly spoiled!

This book truly reminded me what a gem this author is and how unique her romance books are. Her voice and her way with words always make me feel so lighthearted, giddy, and nostalgic for memories that aren’t even mine! Haha.

What I loved about this book in a nutshell:
• The focus on the main character’s past. She missed her younger self and yearned for the things she didn’t get to experience as a teenager. She was a late bloomer. (Relatable.)
• Charlie fucking Florek — I loved him in ESA & always will. 🥵🥵🥵
• Summer bucket list & hijinks
• The FMC doesn’t stand up for herself enough, and again, I found her so relatable—especially with her confidence issues.
• A shit ton of goofy, smile-inducing banter 🤭
• Another summer in Barry’s Bay 🥹 & Percy and Sam are back!!!!
• No instalove & it was paced appropriately (love that)
• There’s an adorable meddling grandma

This was such a good summer romance, and it made me feel similarly to Every Summer After. I just love friends-to-lovers with depth, and this delivered. I just wanted a tinyyyyy bit more from the ending—I wasn’t impressed with the third-act breakup (and it was predictable). Either way, I adored this.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Berkley, for my ARC!

I loved a good redemption story! I am so glad we got to be back in Barry's Bay and finish out Charlie's story. It was SO good. I couldn't put it down. Fortune's writing is truly incredible. So beautifully descriptive. You truly feel like you are there. I need a cottage / lake summer in my life please and thank you! Fortune has easily established herself as one of my top auto-buy authors and I can't wait to read what she comes out with next!

Alice needed to chill with the camera but this was cute. Cocky flirting is my favorite kind of flirting so I was all about Charlie, plus he was my fave from Every Summer After. Nan and her storyline was such a good addition too. Great intimate scenes even though I am not always a fan of a slow burn in that regard but it kinda worked in this one. Carley Fortune is becoming an auto-read for me which is exciting for someone very picky with romance!

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Interconnected standalone with “book one”, Every Summer After

If this isn’t the perfect summer read. 💃🏼 This one is connected to the popular debut from this author, Every Summer After. The MMC is introduced, along with some plot details that show back up again in this book. We also get several cameos of the MCs from “book one”.

Personally, I enjoyed this one more than Every Summer After. I also enjoyed the MMC, Charlie, in this one way more than in Every Summer After. He has excellent growth and a meaningful character arc.

If you’re like me and were iffy on book one, I say give it a try!

I read this as a hybrid physical and audio. The audiobook was fine, but I didn’t love the MMC voice that the narrator used. Thank you @prhaudio for the review copy.

Perfect for you if you like:
Summer romance
Strangers to friends to lovers
Summer bucket list
Opposites attract

Alice needs a break. She didn’t think it would come in the form of her grandmother breaking a hip and the 2 of them spending the summer at a friend’s cabin that they haven’t been to since she was 17. While there she finds she can breathe for the first time in years. When she meets cocky Charlie, who lives across the lake, she feels something stir in her that she hasn’t felt in a very long time. But Charlie insists they just remain friends, while his actions say everything but.

This was a needed and appreciated follow up book to Every Summer After. We needed to know what happened with Sam and Percy and also what becomes of Charlie. This fulfilled everything I needed!

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: contemporary romance 📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
Another heartfelt lakeside romance by Carley Fortune with all the summer vibes.

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Summer nostalgia
Summers at the lake
Bucket lists
Slow burn romance
Friends to lovers
Found family vibes
Fun summer atmosphere
Only one bed
All the tension
Witty banter

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
Emotional growth
The cottagecore vibes
Nan’s subplot
The photo!
I adored Charlie

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
Quick resolutions
I wish we had Charlie’s POV


𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜:
★ “Good things happen at the lake”
★ “When you aren’t staring at him, he’s staring at you. It’s like watching a tennis match.”
★ “It feels like all the greatest kisses in one… It’s the starting gun and the finish line… reaches deep into my soul.”

i jumped straight into this book after reading every summer after (which i LOVED) and i cannot explain how much i ADORED this book !!!!!!

alice everly truly was the greatest surprise! i love her so much. i don't think i've ever related more to a character and i was blown away by the way carley fortune captured it so effortlessly. ALSO as a a photographer, sometimes it's hard for me to read books where the main character is a photographer bc it's not always captured the way it feels (for me). but MAN it was like carley peaked in my brain and wrote my love & passion into alice. like crazy ????

i can't lie i loved charlie from the moment he showed up & him in this book???? it's next level 🥹 like that man deserves so so so much !!! & i'm so glad that him & alice found each other !!

carely somehow put the lighthearted freedom & essence of summer into a book & then created a beautiful yet emotional romance that had me both squealing & crying. AMAZING.

thank you Berkley Romance & Berkley Pub for the arc! this is my honest review.

One Golden Summer captures summer nostalgia and the arduous nature of falling in love through the beautiful lens of Carley Fortune's writing! Carley's books are summer staples, and it is evident why romance lovers gravitate towards her stories when the weather starts to warm. As a bookseller, these are comfort books I turn to and recommend time and time again!

This book felt like the perfect summer romance. It captivated me early on and kept me interested throughout the book. These two characters alone are amazing and then to bring them together just made me giddy. I also love the relationship with a grandparent that is highlighted here, it’s such a beautiful relationship that really also helps move the story along. Also, the scenery here and the visual descriptions are so vivid. I truly want to visit this location because of this book

The pining! The miscommunication! I was rooting for this couple the whole way (but frustrated with them too)!

I have been waiting for Charlie’s side of the story since Every Summer After! This book did not disappoint, Carley Fortune sure knows how to write swing-worthy men. I love all the Canadian references, although I guessed Charlie’s medical issue early on, it was still an enjoyable summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I LOVED Charlie and Alice. Alice’s grandmother was one of the best characters! The setting was beautiful and I loved being back. So happy we got Charlie’s story! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review.

Wasn’t my favourite! I loved the lake setting of the book and all of the summer aesthetics. I enjoyed Charlie and Alive but I did feel like their romance lacked depth!

Carley Fortune did it again! Summery romance, great characters, lots of feeling. Great for fans of Emily Henry, Elin Hilderbrand, Jennifer Weiner.

4.25 ⭐️

The epitome of a summer romance. A gleaming redemption for Charlie. A perfect summer backdrop. Grab this book and go straight to the lake or the beach and start reading!!!!

By far in my top two favorite books by Carley Fortune. This just screams summer, and if you know me, you know I love any book that gives all of the summer vibes.

I absolutely loved Alice and her story. I loved that this book was not only a redemption for Charlie but also an introduction to Alice and her curiosity, ambition, and nostalgia. I also adored the side that she brought out of Charlie. While some of you may not be a big Charlie fan, I can assure you that he has grown and Alice helps him to come to this realization.

So basically to sum it up, if you’re looking for a sweet romance that feels like summer in a book then this is exactly what you should pick up this summer!! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Berkley for an arc of this book!!

Could not recommend a better summer romance <3 this EXCEEDED my high expectations, and I want to live in this world forever!!!

In regards to the book on its own (separate from ESA), I was so engrossed in this story and just fell in love with these characters. I identify so much with Alice that it felt like reading my own journal sometimes. And reading about her and Charlie felt so RIGHT - as a reader, I could truly feel that they are perfect for each other. Given how their relationship evolves because of the plot, I feel like both their arcs successfully walked the fine line in making their actions feel realistic and agreeable (because I very much value a third act breakup that actually makes sense - thank you Carley Fortune!!!). And NAN!!! I loved the role she played throughout their story, and I found her arc surprisingly sweet.

I'm a sucker for a full circle ending (the epilogue was perfect) and probably the most nostalgic person to exist, so this book just feels tailored to me and all my favorite things. This book is for the girls who believe that to love someone is to know them, always feel like they need to take everything on their shoulders, never ask because they never feel like they can, and desperately want to carve out their own place in the world.

You don't have to read Every Summer After to read this, but I highly recommend doing so. Percy and Sam were weaved into this story so flawlessly through some glimpses, and the continuation of Charlie's story feels authentic - sometimes a hard feat when writing an unforeseen follow-up, but Carley Fortune nailed it.

5 Stars!! Thank you SO much to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review. For publisher - instagram post linked! (follower count 39k, linked along with Goodreads review).