In "One Golden Summer," Carley Fortune weaves a captivating tale filled with evocative storytelling and rich character development. The novel follows Alice, a successful Toronto-based photographer, as she revisits her cherished summer spent at Barry’s Bay with her grandmother, Nan. One summer, at just seventeen, Alice captured a defining moment—three teenagers laughing in a yellow speedboat—a memory that still resonates with her.

Now, as she grapples with a sense of longing, especially after Nan’s accident, Alice plans a return to the lake, hoping to rekindle the magic of those sun-soaked days. Their peaceful retreat soon takes a lively turn with the reappearance of Charlie Florek, the boy who had once caught Alice’s eye from afar. As a charming adult, Charlie brings joy and warmth to Nan, awakening something profoundly within Alice.
She didn't think she possessed.
As they spend lazy afternoons and warm evenings together, Alice finds herself drawn to Charlie's genuine admiration for her, a feeling that awakens her heart in ways she had never expected. Through their connection, Alice begins to rediscover herself and the joys of being truly seen, making this a summer of transformation and new beginnings.


This book arrived at the perfect moment for me, prompting me to stay up late into the morning, unable to put it down. It evoked a wave of nostalgia, reminding me of idyllic summers spent with family and friends up North in Gravenhurst and Beaumaris on the stunning shores of Lake Muskoka.

Gravenhurst, just 208 km from Barry’s Bay and nestled by Lake Kamaniskeg, holds a special place in the heart of author Carley Fortune. I was thrilled to see Charlie’s journey continue as an adult, transitioning from the teenage boy in Fortune's debut novel, “Every Summer After,” which captured the angsty romance of Sam and Percy’s summers on the lake.

“One Golden Summer” introduced a rich cast of characters, including Alice, Nan, and Charlie. A couple of characters show up from “Every Summer After.” Each character evoked a deep emotional response and stirred cherished memories of my time at the lake. Some moments brought me to tears towards the conclusion.

The novel beautifully intertwines themes of self-discovery, family, and friendship, culminating in a heartwarming resolution that encapsulates the strength of their connection. "One Golden Summer" is a poignant tale that captures the essence of summer's magic and the transformative power of love, making it an ideal pick for a beach read or a getaway escape.<br/><br /><b>Special thanks to Penguin Random House Canada (Adult), Viking, and NetGalley for providing an e-arc through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my ow

Really enjoyed revisiting Barry’s Bay, and getting to see Charlie/Sam/Percy again. The new characters (Alice and Nan) are delightful. I just felt like I was back in the comfort of a family home reading this book… this book is a warm hug. It’s a perfect summer beach read!

Thanks so much to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for a copy of the book for my honest review. This book releases on May 6th!

THIS. BOOK.

I am once again FLOORED by Carley Fortune’s ability to write such a captivating, heartwarming, and nostalgic romance. This is a novel all about revisiting your past so that you can move forward, and that message rings true throughout One Golden Summer.

We follow Alice, a freelance photographer from Toronto, who is feeling unhappy with where things seem to be heading in her career, and when her grandmother experiences a hip injury, she takes this as an opportunity to get away for a while at Barry’s Bay (which is a real place, by the way!!!!) to take a break and hopefully find herself, while also spending some time with her lovely Nan. What she didn’t expect was Charlie Florek - the charming neighbour who can’t help but get involved in her holiday.

My favourite parts of this novel were the banter and the setting. Carley knows how to write characters who are quick on their feet with comebacks and for creating characters where teasing is their love language. I adored all of the interactions between Alice and Charlie, from the funny moments, to the serious, the heartwarming, and everything in between.

And let’s not forget the setting of Barry’s Bay itself. With the way Carley describes everything, it really makes you feel like you are there on Alice’s lake country getaway. The vivid depictions of the cozy cottages, to the lakeside views, sounds, and smells. I was INSTANTLY captivated and obsessed with all of her descriptions.

For the readers out there who loved Every Summer After, you NEED to read this. You are reunited with some familiar faces, and acquainted with some new ones. This is the perfect read to kick start your summer!!

Big thank you to Penguin Random House Canada & NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of One Golden Summer!

📷 Friends to Lovers
📷 Characters in their 30s
📷 Summer Romance
📷 Exquisite Banter

“I want you to have a life full of freedom and joy and glitter and art”

I loved Charlie since the first Carley's book, and here, he was so sweet and funny. Alice is so endearing. And both of them together... my heart can not recover.
This book made me relive the emotions of all my summers. I found myself so much in it. Everything I like to experience every summer is there, it's a warm feeling, love, friendship, family, the lake.
There is everything I love in romance in here.

One summer at the lake, Alice Everly took a photograph that she's never forgotten. Now, 17 years later, she meets the mystery man in the photo and finally experiences the summer she deserves.

Once again, I believe Carly Fortune has written the number one beach read of the summer. There's just something about her writing that just transports you to the lake. The chemistry between Alice and Charlie was pretty instant, and I did love their banter. It was still a slow burn romance that I loved watching unfold. This story carries on from Fortune's first book, Every Summer After. While you don't need to read Every Summer to appreciate One Golden Summer, I'd definitely recommend it as you will love seeing other character's stories evolve. The final third of the book was relatively predictable but well-executed. Add this book to the top of your summer TBR!

4.25/5⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.



I have nothing good or bad to say about this book but DNF. I’m sorry I was soooo boredddd. It’s your typical summer on the lake romance just like most of her other novels and not much seems to change in this one.. it’s a no for me

Five stars, no notes, perfect!!!!! Carley Fortune did it again 😭😭😭 Finished it in less than 24 hours. I knew I was going to love it from the first chapter and really solidified Carley as one of my favorite writers.

Charlie and Alice are the embodiment of the saying, “to be loved is to be seen,” and it made me emo how much that was explored throughout the book. Like, they really SAW each other!!!! The way Carley describes summer at the lake and Charlie’s “aurora borealis” eyes is something I’ll never get over 😭 it felt so nostalgic and immersive, I loved being back in Barry’s Bay. I didn’t think anything could top Every Summer After but this is the perfect follow up. I also loved how much Sam and Percy we got in this.
GOOD THINGS HAPPEN AT THE LAKE ✨

I've been a huge Carley fan since day 1. When I read her first book Every Summer After I remember telling everyone it felt nostaligc. Even though I'm not a lake girl- It felt like going back in time to my teens. I got a similar feeling with TSWBD, but being from PEI- it was hard NOT to feel that way about TSWBD.
One Golden Summer did not dissappoint. This was is somewhat of a sequel of Every Summer After- Focusing on Charlie. Who just so happened to move into one of my top book bf's. It's told from the POV of new character Alice- who is fantastic.

Carley's writing is pure magic. To have a reader, who is very much not a cottage/lake girl, feel like she's reading about her own experiances is something so special. And after 4 Carley books- I've finally figured out why I feel so nostalgic- it's not the setting or the characters- but the feelings that Carley is able to bring out.

I wasn't surprised by much in the book- but I didn't need to be. I loved everything about it. *have tissues handy*

Shouting from the rooftops to check this one out when it releases.
A million thank you's to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the early copy.

5 stars from me

She's done it again! I am obsessed with all of Carley's books, and this one is no different. I think Charlie might be my new favourite male main character from all her books. I love the return to the universe and I never wanted this book to end.

Oh Carley! Congratulations on this delight of a Canadian love story. Truly this book has my yearning to sew floral cafe curtains, use the glitter eyeshadow, and get in the sun (with SPF, of course). Thank for this joyful story of Alice and Charlie <3

I would absolutely recommend this gem to anyone wanting to smile, believe in love, or get their spark back. It is so fun and honestly just a treat.

Thank you Net Galley, Penguin Random House Canada| Viking, and of course Carley for sharing this advance copy with me in exchange for my honest review. One Golden Summer will be available on May 6th, 2025! #ARC

The Queen of Canadian summer reads is back!

For fans who loved Every Summer After, Carley Fortune returns us to Barry's Bay and finally gives us Charlie's love story.

Photographer Alice and her grandmother will be spending all summer at the lake. For Alice, it allows her time to rest from her hectic work schedule and recuperate from a painful breakup. For Nan, it allows her to recuperate from a painful hip surgery. Neither one would expect this to be the summer of moving on, forgiveness, and love.

Enter Charlie Florek. Handyman, boat enthusiast, playboy. Something about Charlie makes Alice wish she were a teenager again. What begins as a summer romance can not be anything more, warns Charlie. But as the days pass, Alice cannot help but ask, "Why can't we have more than one glorious summer?"

Initially, I had put this as a 4, but a day later, this fictional romance has me all googly-eyed and grinning from ear to ear. Charlie and Alice had me shipping them hard from the very beginning. I loved the banter, the texts, and how good they felt in every scene together. Also, I am so glad that Nan got a precious little romance too. Can we please get a novella( at the very least) of Nan and John? It was nice to see a little more of Percy and Sam and where they are in terms of their own relationship( not going to spoil it at all).

One of my favorite reads of 2025!



Expected Publication Date 06/05/25
Goodreads Review Date 07/04/25

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own

This was everything I crave in a romance.

Summer Nostalgia
A sweet grandparent
Fun side characters
A self assured male lead who balances are level headed sensitive female

Fortune knows how to write a setting and places wonderfully flawed and contagious characters that make you laugh, swoon and route for them. Alice and Charlie were so wonderfully different but in the way it highlighted the others best qualities I love when you see two characters just get eachother.

The tension was palpable and I was rushing through the pages to see where these two were headed. The emotional depth blended with the fun of summer and a great banter scattered in each interaction. Throw in an absolute gem of a grandparent and this book has some of my most favourite things in a romance.

This is officially a top romance ever for me.

I was so surprised and honoured to receive an advanced copy of Carley’s new book.
One Golden Summer is a sequel to Every Summer After. Though it can be read as a stand alone I suggest to read ESA first as you get to see much more of Sam and Percy in the sequel.

Fortunes writing has a way that you go through all the characters emotions as you read. The grief felt real, I felt their frustration and fear. I was rooting for them. I was at the 90% mark and still didn’t know how things would end up.

This is a wonderful Summer read! It takes you back to the lake and all the memories with it. Thank you Carley Fortune and Net Gallery for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a solid romance book. The couple was very cute (I especially loved charlie) but what I found most enjoyable was the amazing ability Carley Fortune has to transport the reader to any place she writes about. Though it was a literal ice storm as I was reading this, it felt like summer time at the cottage. I didn't love the third act conflict, just felt a bit random and made me lose interest, but other than that, a very enjoyable read. If you enjoyed previous books, you'll enjoy this one.

I’ll start by saying that I’ve never felt more honoured and lucky to get my hands on this arc. Carley is one of my favourite authors and I was so excited when I saw NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada approved my requests.

One Golden Summer was so perfect in every single way. I was immediately transported to Barry’s Bay and sucked into these characters lives from the very first page. I was giddy and kicking my legs in the first couple of chapters and KNEW this book would earn a spot of my list of favourite books. I was itching to pick it up as I fell in love with its characters. Alice, Charlie and Nan were so loveable and funny. I also loved the complexity to their characters and I’m already itching to pick it up again to go back to their world.

I was one of the many who were rooting for Charlie’s happy ending after reading Every Summer After and Carley did not disappoint. Charlie has easily made his way to the top of my favourite book boyfriends. The banter, flirting and acts of service were EVERYTHING. They truly are a match made in heaven.

There’s also some pride that comes along with a Canadian setting. It’s always so refreshing to to read a book set in a Canadian city, let alone have a chapter in include your hometown (hi Ottawa!).

I just loved this book so much that I don’t even know how to put it into words. I cannot wait for all my friends to read it.

This was the book I didn’t know I needed, and yet I’m not sure why I wasn’t one of those readers at the author’s event asking for Charlie’s story because I remember reading Every Summer After and thinking that Charlie was the perfect character to dig deep with… you just knew his emotions and fears were there. And under the playboy laissez faire attitude, was a little boy turned man who held a lot of grief inside.

I am also one of those readers who don’t care for series with my romance books. I like standalone ones where I can jump into love with whatever new character I turn the page on. With only a few exceptions (I’m thinking The Simple Wild by KA Tucker as one), I am not the one these series are written for.

Well… add this one to the Tucker series on my forever shelf because I loved this (kind of standalone??) duology that brought me back to Barry’s Bay.

Charlie: complicated, flirty, empath who sees everything but hides behind the saucy words that come out of his mouth.
Alice: introverted and sensitive. She’s the “good girl” of the family and needs to find her boundaries. She feels like me in so many ways. Including the relationship with her Nan.

What happens over the course of the book is the story of Charlie and Alice. We get snippets of Sam & Percy (💕) but the focus is on the friendship to lovers romance that always sucks me in.

Perfect for the summer. I suspect this new one will make a lot of CF readers very happy.
Including this one 👋🏻

Carley Fortune makes you feel every emotion with her characters. This is a beautiful book, that blends humor, and emotional depth, is a must read..easily top 5 favorite books.

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and net galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOOOOOOOW. The way that Carley Fortune has the ability to write so nostalgically needs to be studied. This book brought me right back to Barry's Bay. It made ME nostalgic of my 17 year old summer in Barry's Bay, as if I was even there??? I loved every single second of this book. Every Summer After is my all time favourite book, so I went into this book with very high expectations. I wanted to learn more about Charlie, I wanted to deep dive into his thoughts. Right off the bat, the banter between Charlie and Alice was top tier. Their chemistry is unmatched! While they clicked it off right away, I wouldn't say that it was an instant romance, their romance was very well developed and had me swooning and giggling. All I'm going to say is BRING THE TISSUES!!!! The reveal near the end had me SOBBING. My heart HURT!!!

Also, as a self-claimed #1 ESA fan, it's also so sweet to get updates about Sam and Percy. I dont know why I didn't expect it but when we got a glimpse into how they're doing too, i sobbed happy tears!!!

Please please please give this book a read! You will not regret it!

One Golden Summer: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5

Pub date: May 6, 2025 - preorder now!!!

One Golden Summer is the best romance I've read in a while and it is a must read if you're headed to the lake this summer!

One Golden Summer follows Alice who is taking the summer off to spend at the lake with her grandmother, Nan, at the cottage Nan brought her to when she was a teen. The cottage belongs to John, her grandmother's friend, but it is sitting open this summer and the perfect place for Nan to recover from her recent surgery. Alice has a deep connection to the cabin, especially since the photo she took there when she was 17 happens to be one of the best prints she's made thus far in her career. Preferring to stay behind the camera has always worked for Alice, but when she meets someone enchanting on the lake this summer, she begins to step outside her comfort zone and learns to take risks and follow her heart.

There was lots I loved about this book, but most of all it was the setting. I was brought right back to days at my lake watching teens on speedboats and jetskis pass by. I really related to Alice as my experiences at the lake as a teen were not the same as some teens who party and spend the days with friends from nearby cottages, I was often watching my cousins head off to visit their friends or sitting on the dock daydreaming about finding teen love at the lake. I also really connected with the relationship between Alice and Nan, and even had to put the book down for a moment when I got a bit teary eyed thinking of my grandma and the times I spent with her at the lake.

I will definitely be packing those other Carley Fortune books in my bag next summer when I head to the lake and you should pick this one up once it is out on May 6th so you can bring it with you wherever you go this summer too!

The amazing Carley Fortune strikes again! This novel is set within the magical backdrop that is Barry's Bay, Ontario, Canada. I loved the story line with the MMC and FMC and their characters as they developed. This is a slooooow burn love story with a twist and turn that I did not see coming. This will be a perfect addition to the top of your TBR for this summer!

Thank you Net Galley, Carley Fortune and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.
One Golden Summer will be available May 6, 2025 pre-order today!