Everything about this was perfect to me. From the start, I was enraptured by alice and her story. then from there it’s a stunning, emotional, and endlessly romantic story. It’s the perfect blend of everything I love in a romance. The wittiest banter, authentic and vulnerable moments, and unquestionable chemistry. Carley Fortune is also so gifted at dropping you right into the setting of her stories. I could picture everything so perfectly. In short this is the perfect summer read. I already want to reread. 5 stars obviously 🌟

As a Kobo user, I am deeply saddened by NetGalley's decision to move to LCPs, which are not supported by Kobo. This was the last ARC I received before the change, so this will be my last review.

Carley Fortune has done it again! One Golden Summer follows photographer Alice as she heads to the lake with her grandmother who is recovering from hip surgery. It's there that she meets Charlie Florek, the golden older brother from Every Summer After. Charlie spends the summer helping bring Nan back to her pre-surgery self and Alice to remember the joy in life and why she got into photography in the first place. A romantic, friends to lovers slow burn that is absolutely swoon worthy and will have you planning a trip to the lake before you're even halfway through it. You don't want to miss this one.

Carley Fortune, I love you and everything you write. I have a dear friend who says it's not truly summer without a new Carley Fortune book, and I couldn't agree more. This book will perfectly satisfy anyone's cravings for a sweet, summer romance. I loved getting to return to Barry's Bay for the first time since Every Summer After. I adored getting to learn more about Charlie and how much he's grown since we first met him. While this book can be read as a standalone, I think the reading experience is greatly improved if you read Every Summer After first. Or, in my case, reread it so you actually remember what you're getting yourself into with Charlie Florek. I thought this story was a wonderful addition to Carley Fortune's summer universe (and I loved that sneaky little Meet Me at the Lake easter egg). She continues to raise the bar with every book she writes, and I can't wait for people to fall in love with Alice and Charlie like I did.

One Golden Summer was everything I wanted—wistful, romantic, and brimming with nostalgia. Carley Fortune captured the magic of summer by the lake, weaving a story that felt both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Alice was a protagonist I instantly connected with—thoughtful, guarded, and searching for something she couldn’t quite name. Her return to Barry’s Bay with her Nan was meant to be a peaceful escape, but the moment Charlie Florek re-entered her world, the summer took on an entirely new meaning. Charlie was the perfect mix of charm and sincerity, his presence a reminder of the girl Alice used to be and the woman she was still becoming. Their chemistry was electric, built on stolen glances, easy laughter, and the kind of tension that makes a romance truly unforgettable.
Beyond the romance, this book was about family, second chances, and the bittersweet ache of time passing too quickly. Fortune’s writing was evocative and immersive, making me feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, hear the hum of a boat cutting through the water, and ache for a love that felt as inevitable as the changing seasons.
This was a story about seeing and being seen, about allowing yourself to want more. And by the time I reached the last page, I didn’t want to let it go.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

If you need me, I’ll be sobbing on a dock somewhere, re-reading ‘One Golden Summer’ for the 100th time.

I’m not sure what I expected when picking up this book, given that I was fond of the first book due to its trope. But Alice and Charlie? UGH. They had the kind of chemistry that makes you want to grab your camera and snap the moment.

I fear this book stole my heart and I’ll never received. It was the perfect balance of second-chance romance, lazy lake days, with emotional angst. I knew I was going to love Charlie at some point after the first book but I didn’t know to what capacity. Right now I can tell you with absolute certainty that you will definitely fall in love with the yellow boat—and also Charlie’s smile that has me giggling for days (even though I can’t see it but let’s pretend I can).

Trust me when I tell yall this book is absolutely worth it.

A formulaic and predictable read, but perfect for those who enjoy the friends-to-lovers trope and the nostalgic charm of summer at the lake. While it doesn’t break new ground, it delivers exactly what fans of cozy, feel-good romance are looking for.

First of all, THANK YOU to Carley Fortune, her publishers and NetGalley for an advanced reader's digital copy of One Golden Summer. I've read all of Carley Fortune's books right from the start when Every Summer After was first released. I have loved all her books since then! I remember during the first book, I didn't like Charlie at all. Jumping into One Golden Summer, I didn't clue in that this book is Charlie's story! Another great read, another great story. I loved every bit of this book!

For all the Charlie haters out there, I think this story really turns your hate into love for him!

I absolutely adored this book. I loved the supply of the female, main character characters care career in photography.

I loved how nostalgic this book felt and thinking about your 17-year-old self.

I loved the relationship between the mailman character and the grandmother.

Just overall fabulous book and I can't wait for my friends to read it when it comes out!

Carley Fortune hasn't missed yet for me and this book was no exception! I really loved Alice as a character; at the start I was slightly worried that it could turn into a "not like other girls" situation, but that was not the case at all. Her strengths and weaknesses feel so lived in and developed over the course of the book. I personally related to her struggle with artistic block, as well as continually showing up for others without always having that reciprocated. Ever since I read Every Summer After, I've been wanting to see Charlie's love story, and this book did not disappoint. You can truly see how suited to each other Alice and Charlie are despite their more on the surface differences. As always, Fortune does a fantastic job of crafting endearing, flawed characters that undergo realistic growth, both as individuals and with other people. I'm so excited to see others fall in love with these characters, and can't wait to read whatever Fortune writes next!

Alice takes Nan, her grandmother, to Barry's Bay for the summer to recover from her hip replacement because "good things happen at the lake". At 17 years old, she found her love for photography at Barry's Bay and Alice plans on spending the summer nursing her grandmother back to health, rediscovering her passion, and doing things that her teenage self never had the courage to do. 

Overall, 4 stars. This book is a fantastic and easy summer read; I devoured this book in one sitting. I loved the small-town lake setting, the breaking down of barriers, the friendship between Alice and Charlie, and the slow burn. This book was more about self-acceptance, friendship, and family. Alice's character was relatable in so many ways, wearing armor in professional settings, always there for her family without ever asking for help, and either hiding or not knowing what she really wants to her own detriment. Charlie's shameless flirting was fun, and I really enjoyed seeing a forever bachelor become absolutely smitten.

Format: ebook

Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group!

This is a story about healing and learning to trust your heart with other people again ❤️ Set in the beautiful small town of Barry's Bay and the cabin on the lake that stole Alice's heart when she was 17, this felt like the perfect summer read of 2025.

Alice is a successful photographer who is feeling lost in her life. When her grandmother breaks her hip, Alice decides that the pair should relocate to the lake at Barry's Bay for the summer in order for them to both rest, heal and recharge. She wasn't expecting to come face to face with the boy with the green eyes who inspired her love of photography all those years ago.

Charlie is a shameless flirt who helps Alice and Nan get settled at the cottage. The pair decide to begin a no string attached summer fling because neither of them feel they are the "relationship type". My heart hurt for both Alice and Charlie as they navigated their blooming feelings for each other but feeling helpless that they aren't enough 💔

Carley Fortune beautifully transported me to the lake shore in cold March in MN while I was reading this novel. I didn't love either main character, I found them to be slightly whiney and immature, but I enjoyed reading about their personal growth throughout this novel. I could envision myself on the yellow boat with the pair crossing off items on Alice's list.

This novel is a slow burn and mild spice (🔥🔥/5) and I would classify this more as literary fiction than a true romance. I felt more of the focus was on Alice healing her heart and soul than falling in love.

Thank you Berkeley for the ARC!

All the stars!!!

Stuck in a reading rut with no end in sight, One Golden Summer pulled me out of the dark hole and filled me with so much joy and happiness. This story is a perfect blend of nostalgia, warmth, and heart. Alice’s return to Barry’s Bay, with its shimmering lake and golden memories, felt like stepping back in time to my own cherished summers. And Charlie Florek—oh, Charlie—his charm, depth, and those piercing green eyes absolutely stole the show.

Alice’s journey from behind the camera to stepping into the frame of her own life was beautifully written, with moments that brought up so many emotions. Every sunlit scene and every heartfelt glance between Alice and Charlie felt so vivid, I wanted to dive right into the pages.

I cannot wait to go back and read everything Carley Fortune has ever written. Based on this book alone, she is my new favourite author in this genre!

This book is pure magic, a hug for the soul, and a reminder of the beauty of second chances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an eARC of One Golden Summer prior to its publication.

Carley Fortune outdid herself with this one! I've been hoping we'd get a Charlie book since I read Every Summer After, and my heart can't handle what I just read. One Golden Summer is a beautiful love story about an unlikely friendship that blooms into something more over the course of the summer. I love that we got to see Charlie and Alice's friendship bloom into such a strong foundation for their romance. Both of these characters had so much depth and showed so much growth over the course of the book. Watching Alice find her voice and come out of her shell was really touching, as was watching Charlie and his bravado slowly start to show signs of vulnerability. Also, Charlie's friendship with Nan will melt the iciest heart. The banter between these two was phenomenal and they were a perfect match from their very first phone call. The note he left on the fridge was diabolical! This book is more than a romance. it's about forging beautiful, lasting friendships, finding inner strength, and learning when to ask for help. If you're looking for a romance full of nostalgia and small town charm with complex characters this one is for you! I'd recommend this title to fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez.

“Good things happen at the lake.” 🥹

Carley truly knows how to write the best summer stories. The lake setting is the perfect backdrop to this story. I love how you really got to dive into the characters and their insecurities and struggles. It made them feel so real!!

My babies Charlie and Alice truly deserve the world and I loved watching them grow and find one another. They fit so incredibly well together and are just adorable!!

One of my new favorite summer romance books!

OH. MY. HEART.  I am absolutely swooning over this book, and most of all - over Charlie Florek.  I never anticipated how much I would love him and how his banter reminded me of my own husband.  I'm utterly smitten, you guys!!  This story swept me up!!

Alice's return to Barry's Bay with her sweet, wise Nan is everything I adore in a summer novel.  Small town, golden lake days, the magic of a single summer shaping a lifetime.  

The nostalgia is perfection - transporting me straight to those dreamy summers on the lake.  I will be taking this book to my cabin this summer for a reread to fall in love with lake life (and Charlie) all over again.  

This book isn't just a romance, it's a feeling in the best possible way.  It's about finding your way back to what matters, about second chances - not just at love, but at rediscovering yourself.

Cheers to lake life, golden summers and Charlie Florek sealing your heart and never giving it back!

All the stars!!

New book crush unlocked with Charlie Florek!! The nostalgia Carley Fortune is able to create with each of her books makes me long for a summer at the lake, and I've never even been to a lake. Great summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this e-arc!

I just finished this beautiful, perfect book and feel lost for words. how can I begin to describe the book of the summer? I urge you to dive right in.

Down from a recent break up and life lately (relatable), photographer Alice Everly makes her way with her grandma to the wonderful Barry’s Bay where she meets none other than our very own Charlie Florek. They flirt, they have a time at the lake, they just might fall in love!!!

Wow, I mean literally WHOA!!!!! I cried, I SOBBED, I had a sick grin on my face almost the entire time - I felt everything reading this masterpiece. It’s not everyday you get to experience a 100/10 knock out of a book. Charlie Florek is everything ever and my girl Alice is his perfect match. I giggled and kicked my feet, I blushed, I had to tell myself to slow down and appreciate this book for what it is in real time. I knew as I read I’d yearn for the first time I ever read this book. God what a ROMANCE!!!

One Golden Summer is packed with everything I ever want when reading about two people falling in love. It was mega tender, the side characters are full bodied and everyone is fleshed out. I had chills! I rooted for literally everyone. I fell back in love with Sam and Percy (my BABIES!). I knew I missed Barry’s Bay and this corner of the world Carley Fortune has carved out for us, but man this exceeded all my expectations. SO. GOOD! I want to hug and thank Carley for this, seriously.

Okay, I’ll shut up now - RUN to buy this 5/6 I know I will be.

6 stars, you heard it here first. I am in love with One Golden Summer. .

Another great one by Carley Fortune! I really enjoyed reading this book from Charlie's perspective. So much more to him thank you originally think. It's a great beach read!

carley fortunes writing is pure magic.

this feels so full circle. every summer after was the book that made me start my bookstagram. i devoured that book in one evening and honestly, it changed my life. to have an arc of one golden summer, which follows up with charlie, the mmc’s brother in every summer after, is unreal. this book was truly just an incredible reading experience from beginning to end. i was engrossed in it from page one.

No surprise, but this was a 5 star read for me. As someone who grew up on the lake, Carly Fortune’s books always bring back so many memories for me.

There is nothing better to me than a summer romance, and this had everything I loved in it.
I instantly fell in love with Charlie and Alice— the banter, the slowwww burn, I ate it up! What I loved the most was seeing the true friendship between Alice and Charlie develop before there was any romance. This is one I didn’t want the story to end, I needed more of Charlie!

I do think it’s important to read ‘Every Summer After’ first, in order to really appreciate Charlie and Alice’s story.

Carly Fortune has easily become an auto buy author and I highly recommend reading all her books!