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.

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune was such a refreshing and nostalgic read. Set against the backdrop of a golden summer, this book was filled with beautiful moments, first love, and a perfect balance of lightheartedness and depth. The setting was gorgeous, and the characters felt so real and relatable. Carley Fortune has a knack for making you feel like you're right there in the story, experiencing everything with the characters. It’s a perfect pick for a summer read, even if it’s the middle of winter! The emotional depth in this one really stayed with me long after I finished it.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARCs of these amazing books! I am so grateful for the opportunity to dive into these stories early. If you’re looking for the perfect blend of romance, summer vibes, and feel-good moments, these three books are definitely worth checking out.

For more of my thoughts and reviews, be sure to check out my YouTube channel: [Kiana Lashay](https://www.youtube.com/@KianaLashay1). Don’t forget to subscribe for more book reviews and content!

I think this may be my favorite book yet! I was so excited to be transported back to Barry’s Bay! I loved Every Summer After and I was so excited to see more of Charlie’s character. The story follows Alice who is a photographer and returns to the Lakehouse for the first time since was 17. She plans to have the summer of a lifetime with her grandmother. Charlie (the man from Alice’s award winning photograph) is also there for the summer. This book was so much fun to read and I loved all the nostalgic summer vibes. I absolutely adored the storyline and there’s so many tender and sweet moments. It was so fun seeing how Charlie and Alice’s connected progressed. I loved the witty banter and I found myself smiling and laughing while reading. I enjoyed seeing Alice’s growth and her journey of self discovery. It was so fun getting glimpses of Perry and Sam’s life.

Read if you like:
-Found Family
-Friends to lovers
-Forced proximity
-Summer vibes

This is the third novel by Carley Fortune. While I enjoyed it, it and her previous book did not capture my heart like her first,Every Summer After. In this book Alice returns to the lake after 15 years with her grandmother as she recovers from hip surgery. This town holds special meaning for Alice—it’s where she first found her purpose as a photographer. She even once photographed three familiar faces—young Sam, Charlie, and Percy (yes, the main characters from Every Summer After), though she was too shy to introduce herself. Instead, she submitted the photo to a contest that won her an award and kick-started her career.. Fast forward 15 years With her sisters moving on with their lives, her divorced parents in their own worlds, and a break up with her beau, she buries herself in work. Her grandmothers invitation to join her at the lake is just the diversion she needs. Much to her surprise, one of the boys in that long ago photograph, now comes into her life. And of course this summer will effect change. Recommended for all public libraries.

OH MY GOSH, this book was fantastic!! I have read and LOVED every one of Carley’s books, I’ve rated them all 5 stars, but this? This is my new favorite. It’s literally going into my favorite romances of all time. I could not get enough! This is the perfect summer read, with a romance that’s swoon-worthy, and a story of family bonds that is beautifully captivating. I can’t wait for this to be released into the wild because everyone should read this book!

This book was a beautiful summer love story with witty humor and truly loveable characters. Alice is such a relatable character who, like many, battles with a lot of insecurity. Charlie, on the other hand, was so outwardly charming that you really couldn't help but love him. Both characters have a clear connection, which is evident throughout the story. However, the human experience we see in both the main characters makes this story so enjoyable. They are simultaneously going through their battles, and watching them navigate that and eventually share their stories with one another made for a great reading experience.

Alice Everly decides to live the summer of a lifetime when she and her grandmother return to the lake house where she spent the summer she turned 17. Fresh off a breakup and feeling burned out from work as a commercial photographer, Alice decides to cheer up her recently injured grandmother Nan with a trip back to the lake. What she doesn’t expect is Charlie Florek, the man featured in her now famous photograph of three teens in a brilliant yellow boat taken during her first summer there.

As handsome and flirtatious as ever, Alice tries to keep Charlie at a distance. But as she gets to know him, and as he helps her recreate the summer of youth she has always wanted, Alice begins to worry she won’t be able to say goodbye. Because for the first time in her life, when Alice sees someone, he sees her right back.

Be still my heart. As much as I loved Percy and Sam’s story in Every Summer After, I think I may have liked Charlie’s even more. After not getting his happy ending in ESA, I was desperate for Charlie to get the love story he deserved, and boy oh boy has Carley Fortune done just that.

Alice + Charlie are a match made in literary heaven. For all his charm and humor, he is a man struggling to overcome his losses and the feeling that he doesn’t deserve his HEA. Alice, having always played it safe, is worried about a reckless kind of love. Putting these two together for one perfectly imperfect summer was absolute dynamite.

While slower to connect with the story at first, by the time I was 25% in, I was fully connected. By the time I reached the third act, I was so anxious that these two wouldn’t get the happy ending they both deserved (Robinne Lee’s The Idea of You has completely traumatized me to the point of never knowing if an HEA is really coming our way).

And for those who loved Every Summer After as much as I did, well we get a whole lot more of Percy and Sam’s story in this book too. The found family aspect is strong. I adored watching Charlie and Nan become the best of friends, as well as Percy and Alice. These characters and their relationships all added so much to the book and never took away from the love story at its core. And as for that love story…well, let’s just say this book will easily make my 2025 favorite romances list.

Read if you like:
▪️summer nostalgia
▪️friends to lovers
▪️forced proximity
▪️found family
▪️text messages
▪️bucket lists
▪️fantastic banter

Thank you Berkley for the advanced copy!

A beautifully written book, Carley Fortune's best work yet. I loved the story and can't wait for her next work.

Reading this almost made me forget it's the dead of winter. It felt so good to be back in the world CCD has created and to be with some familiar characters. Since diving into her first book, I had enjoyed Charlie so I am so glad we finally got his book. While I of course loved the romance to this story, the story with Alice's grandmother really stole the show for me. I miss mine terribly and so wish I could spend a while summer with her. So it was amazing to read about Alice's summer with her grandma. Getting a glimpse into married life for Percy and Sam was excellent too. But now for the romance, oh man oh man. The man that is Charlie Florek. 10/10 love him (also nearly wanted to slap him at one point). He is everything and I just would like for him to be mine IRL. I cannot wait for my physical copy to arrive!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for early access.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced e-book reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune was one of my more highly anticipated reads once I found out we were FINALLY getting a story about Carlie Florek (previous mentioned in Ever Summer After). I really loved the concept of Alice being this successfully photographer who feels unsatisfied by life as she approaches her thirty third birthday. The chemistry between Charlie and Alice is hot hot hot! The twist at the end of the book had me tearing up! I rated the book 4/5 as Charlie really annoyed me in the beginning of the book, but it makes more sense as you read and as his character development progresses. If you feel drawn by this beautiful cover and you’ve loved Carley Fortune’s books in the last - definitely read this one too!

This Summer Will Be Different was one of my favorite reads of 2024, so I could not wait to get my hands on Carley Fortune’s new release this year. And it did not disappoint!

I bonded with our main character Alice from the very first page. She gives so much of herself to everyone she loves while also being self reliant to a fault. I am glad that, through her summer at the lake and her budding relationship with Charlie, she learned to depend on her loved ones more and be more open when she needs help or support. I must admit, I may have also needed that reminder.

Charlie, on the other hand, with his cockiness and slight arrogance at times, took a while to totally grab me. However, once he finally did, I was hooked. He became a softer, more vulnerable, and all-around better version of himself with Alice. I was rooting for them so hard. Plus, I have always loved when the guy falls first and hard, and you cannot convince me this was not the case here.

All in all, One Golden Summer has only further cemented the fact that I will read anything Carley Fortune publishes. It is always a joy to support Canadian authors, especially when I adore their work this much!

A sweet, nostalgic read about love, growth, and the magic of a fleeting summer. The writing is vivid, but the pacing drags at times, and some character arcs feel a bit thin. Still, it’s an enjoyable, heartfelt story that sticks with you. Perfect for fans of summer romances!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5/5 stars

Absolutely loved this story. The dual love story between the older characters and younger characters was beautiful and kept me engaged.

This is definitely my favorite in the series! Charlie is completely swoon-worthy, and I loved how he got Alice out of her comfort zone. LOVED!

As someone who hated Charlie and never wanted his book, I loved this, the characters, and Charlie/Alice. It was insta-lust, but slow burn. She also did not pine away for years (which I was a little worried about). No cheating between the two, but small discussion about him with Percy. Charlie is withholding something from her and I wish he was the one who was chasing her, but it made sense how it ended up happening. This is a perfect summer read with the lake and cottage vibes.