"Good things happen at the lake."

I don't know if I'll be able to review this without crying but here we go!!

I loved this book with every fiber of my being. There is something so special, enthralling, and downright captivating about Alice & Charlie's love story. It's tender, vulnerable, magical, open, soft and slow all at the same time.

Alice my girl. You have my heart. I love her so much. Her relationship with Nan reminded me so much of my own relationship with my grandma. Their bond was a joy to read about. I love how, even in her older era, Nan showed Alice how you can still grow past your regrets and still have adventures and moments that make life worth living. Alice's growth and journey into finding her joy again had me so emotional. More of this please! It makes me want to go and find joy in my art again in a way I haven't been inspired to do so in a long time. While her and I are very different in many ways, I loved seeing a fmc who is around my age doing things for herself. To heal parts of her she couldn't and to just find joy and create special moments again.

Charlie Florek. Charlie Florek. CHARLIE FLOREK. From the moment he showed up I was just so down bad for him. Like that is my man and I'm gonna stick beside him! He is such a layered character in the best way. I loved how slowly but surely he peeled away and opened up to Alice, even if it took a little extra push for him to fully open himself. I love how strong, yet tender he was. How vulnerable he allowed himself to be, while also finding ways to keep his joy.

The ending gutted me. It tore me apart and then put me back together. What a perfect, vulnerable, and utterly romantic story.

Thank you forever Berkley for the ARC!!! Gonna go cry some more now!

Welcome back to the lake! This book is set a few years after "Every Summer After". We finally have our hands on Charlie's story! We left him as a big flirty Casanova type in "Every Summer After" and find ourselves with a slightly mellowed out version. Don't let that fool you, he is just as flirty and infuriating as ever, but maybe with a little too much self control?

Enter Alice Everly, recently dumped by her longtime boyfriend, she is trudging through life feeling burnt out and unfulfilled. When the opportunity arises to spend time at her grandma's old lakehouse, she reluctantly takes time off of work to spend time with her grandma at the lake. And of course, Charlie is the man preparing said lakehouse for their arrival and he may or may not live just across the way.

As Alice spends time at the lake her creativity and fire for life slowly come back as she takes photographs and creates a bucket list for the summer. From reading a smutty novel to doing a backflip into the lake she is ready to move life forward. But Alice sure didn't anticipate Charlie crashing into her life and Charlie can say the same for Alice. Get ready to giggle, kick your feet, and cry as you delve into their story.

I loved the writing, the setting was amazing. It was so easy to sink into this story. The characters were great and I absolutely loved Nan.

This might be my favorite book in 2025! It's so good! There are waves splashing on the beach and speed boats zooming across the lake. Charlie Fenwick (from Every Summer After) and Alice Every, a photographer, get a summer of fun when they return to the lake they love.

When Alice was seventeen, she spent the summer at Barry’s Bay with her grandmother (Nan). She took a breathtaking photo of two boys and a girl riding in a yellow boat and it started her career as a photographer. She has become successful in Toronto but is feeling burned out at work plus she recently went through a bad break-up. When Nan takes a fall and has her hip replaced, they decide to go back to Barry’s Bay for a summer of fun while Nan heals. Alice looks forward to doing all of the things she remembers enjoying when she was seventeen and she makes a bucket list of things she would like to do.

Charlie is taking care of the cabin they’re staying at. He is handsome and charming and Alice recognizes him as the driver in the boat photo she took when she was young. Nan invites him for dinner and when he catches a glimpse of Alice’s bucket list, he asks if he can join her with it. It’s fun when they jump off cliffs, float in innertubes and go for rides in his boat. Alice begins to feel more relaxed than she ever has and the photos she's taking now are her best work yet. Alice meets Charlie’s brother Sam and Sam’s wife Percy (Every Summer After) who are getting ready to have a baby and Charlie is building a treehouse for them.

As their summer of fun continues, she and Charlie become very close but he he tells her he’s not in a place where he can get involved with anyone and they need to just remain friends. He is on a sabbatical from his high-powered job in the city - we aren’t sure what happened, but he thinks being with Alice and Nan feels like family (his parents have both died). This is a slow burn romance and they don’t want the summer to end, but something happens to cause a third act break up. It's pretty dramatic, but it's short. I think this is a perfect beach read and I loved it. (The Canadian Lake setting is fantastic.) I think it's the author's best book yet! Thank you to the author, Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC. My full review will be at All About Romance closer to the release date.

I loved this book. It was fun to be back in Barry’s Bay. Loved seeing Alice grow over the summer. I’m so glad we got Charlie’s story.

Carley Fortune returns to Barry's Bay in a lose spin off to "Every Summer After". This book follows Alice, a Toronto-based photographer, and her grandmother, who's recovering from surgery. The two decide to relieve the summer that they spent at Barry's Bay, when Alice was 17. During that summer, Alice took a photograph of three teenagers (Charlie, Sam and Percy), that made photography a true job for her, and symbolized a type of teenage experience that she didn't have. As they return, they meet Charlie, who has grown a lot from the events of "Every Summer After". There's an inevitable pull between Charlie and Percy, as they have to grapple with the idea of a long summer away from Toronto, and what that could mean for their future. This book is Carley Fortune at her best, the romance and yearning is truly golden.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an early review copy.

This book had me laughing and crying within minutes of starting it. I have never felt more connected, seen, or understood by a character in a book as I did Alice Everly. And Charlie - woah! I am so glad we got to go back to Barry's Bay and get his story. This is brimming with summer nostalgia and perfect for fans of Jessica Joyce or Emily Henry! A romance that is grounded in reality but has you kicking your legs with giddiness and laughing with joy.

It's summertime on the lake, where nothing but good things happen. Alice is a reserved photographer who needs a new outlook on life and may find that spending the summer with her grandmother at the cottage she hasn't seen since she was seventeen. Alice has high hopes for this summer because this the place where it started it all, she took a picture that changed her life. However, she wasn't expecting to meet her annoyingly cute neighbor, Charlie Florek, or realizing he was in the life-changing photo. Alice is used to seeing people, it's her job, but she's not sure what to do when she's the one being seen.

I read this book having never read Every Summer After, but I will be doing so immediately. I loved reading Alice and Charlie's story. This book gave me all the witty banter and tension, and was a very well done slow burn.

Overall, I gave this book 4 stars.

Before I get to the nitty gritty of this review I want to point out how dumb I am so you can learn from my mistakes. I’m going to be honest I did no research going into this book I was just excited to read Carley Fortune’s new book early. While reading I started noticing some of the characters and their back stories sounded really familiar and it kept driving me up a wall. Well finally I went to Goodreads and happened to look up Carley’s first book “Every Summer After” and then it clicked. OMG “One Golden Summer” is a spin off of “Every Summer After”. See dumb moment 😉 Now some of you might be thinking, but do I have to go back and read that book first? yes but also no. I’ll explain, I 100% believe you can read this book without the first one because Carley does a great job of explaining everything and the characters are easy to flow and relate to. But if you are like me and want a better understanding, appreciation and depth to the story. Then read “Every Summer After” first before tackling Carley’s newest release.

Now onto my thoughts and feelings regarding “One Golden Summer”. I freaking loved this book. Hands down this is the best Carley Fortune book I’ve ever read. I had zero expectations going into this book and it blew me away. For starters the setting is a perfect cozy summer vibes. The imagery was beautifully conceptualized and many of the scenes left me feeling nostalgic of my own summer lake trips. The romance between Charlie & Alice was the best kind of slow burn. I loved watching them go from butting heads as neighbors, to best friends, lovers and then to more. Their journey kept me on the edge of my seat and their chemistry was off the charts. I also loved Charlie & Alice as individuals they both had their own insecurities and demons to battle. Watching them work together to overcome them was heartwarmingly relatable.

Overall, this is a perfect book for the upcoming summer season. I will 100% believe re-reading this every summer after (catch what I did there 😉) . I can’t recommend this book enough and ai can’t wait to own my trophy copy when it releases May 6th.

Lastly big thank you to Berkley Publishing& NetGalley for the e-arc! The thoughts and feelings in this review are my own.

Carley writes another beautiful love story that makes me want to visit Canada in the summer! The Canadian Tourism Board should be sponsoring her!

Good things happen at the lake.

I'm struggling to put my feelings into words for One Golden Summer, all I can say is how much I loved this book.

Alice and Charlie were perfection.

I'm so glad we finally got Charlie's story. I loved the link to the photo and just everything.

Another absolutely beautiful book from Carley.

Carley Fortune gets better with every book and One Golden Summer is no exception. Whether you've read Every Summer After or not, it's impossible not to fall in love with Barry's Bay and the characters that reside on it. With more emotional heft than your average romance, readers will connect more deeply with Alice and Charlie, rooting for them through all of their ups and downs.

This is a Canadian author that I will continue to recommend to anyone coming into the store whether they are a fan of romance or need a little convincing ;)

I really enjoyed this book!!! My favourite thing about Carley Fortune’s writing has always been the settings, and that remains true here. She writes descriptions so vividly and familiarly that it feels like I have been exactly where she is describing even though I haven’t!! It’s so nostalgic and lovely and summer feels so magical in this book.

I really liked Alice and her journey of self (re)discovery and how we got to see the world through her eyes and I liked the nods to her photography throughout!! I also liked Charlie a lot and I am so glad he got his happy ending!!

I will say for me the miscommunication dragged on a little bit too much and felt like it didn’t need to be stretched out so much, and I also would have liked to get a glimpse at Charlie’s thoughts, but otherwise such a great read!!!

Carley Fortune… say no more. I will read everything she writes and I’m never disappointed. Thank you Berkley and NetGalley.

I loved everything about this book, and it's my new favorite from Carley Fortune! I remember liking Charlie a lot in Every Summer After, but now I am fully in love with him. I was drawn into his story with Alice from the very beginning. The flirting and banter was PERFECTION. I was reading this in the airport and was embarrassed at how much I was smiling and giggling at their banter. Alice was so relatable to me. Her story was not only about her relationship with Charlie.. She had so much growth and it was so sweet to read about her finding her passion for photography again. All of the moments with the photos were highlights for me. And Nan!! I wish I had a grandmother like her. So happy to get this ARC - thank you to Berkley & NetGalley!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

RUN! and grab your copy of what's sure to be the novel of the summer season.

Highly recommended for fans of Emily Henry, Meg Mitchell Moore, and other authors in this genre.

If you haven't read Fortune's Every Summer After - read that first. One Golden Summer features characters from this novel and it would be more fun to read the two together.

Alice takes her grandmother to a lakehouse to give her some time to recover from hip surgery. Of course there is a meet-cute with a nearby neighbor. But these characters are well-developed and their story will mesmerize you. I couldn't put this down!

Charlie, the man you are!This book had me hooked—I could have devoured it in one sitting. Alice’s journey of self-discovery was so well-written, as she learned to care less about what others think and finally put herself first. Her growth felt raw, real, and so satisfying to witness.

And then there’s Charlie. Oh, Charlie. He’s the perfect mix of caring and cocky, absolutely full of himself in the most charming, sexy, and hilarious way. His confidence never crosses into arrogance—it just makes him even more irresistible. Plus, his love language? Acts of service and physical touch. Watching him fall for Alice was a delight, filled with sweet moments and undeniable chemistry.

The third-act breakup actually made sense, which is rare. It wasn’t just unnecessary drama—it felt like a natural obstacle that tested their love and made their bond even stronger. Instead of running at the first sign of trouble, they fought for each other, which made their relationship feel even more real.

Everything in this book came together so perfectly—the romance, the humor, the emotions. It’s the perfect summer read: swoony, heartfelt, and completely unputdownable.

The continuation of a series I didn’t even know I needed. I love everything Carley Fortune has written but Every Summer After is my favourite. I was delighted and surprise when I found out this was Charlie’s story. Carley once again captures the nostalgia of summer as a teen and the romance adult relationships bring in the perfect summer setting. This going to be my number one beach read recommendation this summer :)

ARC BOOK REVIEW

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
5 STARS

Thank you, Berkley and PRH, for the #free eARC of this book! #berkleypartner

SYNOPSIS: “Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life.

Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she’s most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she’s been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it.

Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he’s all grown up—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice’s soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart.

Because Alice sees people—that’s why she is so good at what she does—but she’s never met someone who looks and sees her right back.”

REVIEW: Good things happen at the lake, indeed! Carley Fortune knocks it out of the park with this one. I found myself totally immersed in Barry’s Bay with Alice and Charlie, and I found myself dreaming of my very own lake adventure.

This book is equally feel-good and romantic, all while exploring the harder, life issues that the characters are facing. Alice’s goal to have a seventeen-year-old summer is so fun and relatable. Who wouldn’t want the fun and freedom of a teenage summer?

The tension between Alice and Charlie is utterly delicious! Without giving too much away, the build between the two is surprisingly slow but absolutely luscious. I loved the push and pull of their relationship.

Nan was such a delight as a supporting character. She’s fierce, but also a good reminder of a life well lived—and it never being too late to fix a broken relationship. The appearance of a married Percy and Sam was a really nice full-circle moment for fans of Fortune’s debut.

Publisher: Berkley Romance
Pub date: 5/6/25

Ugh. Carley Fortune proves once again she is the queen of summer books. One thing I love about Fortune's books is that the characters are always in their 30s and have established careers, but they always go on a coming-of-age journey to understand what they truly want in their lives. And the understanding that just because you are an "adult," you have everything figured out. We're all on this journey of life, and the impact of emotional grief and burnout can happen to anyone. Charlie's story lives up to his original character in Every Summer After. Charlie and Alice's dialogue and banter are so well written it was such a joy to return to Barry's Bay. I loved every second of this book.