One Golden Summer (by Carley Fortune)
I don’t read much romance, but Carley Fortune has become a delightful exception. One Golden Summer is the follow-up to her bestselling Every Summer After, set once again in the charming lakeside town of Barry’s Bay, Ontario. While it’s connected to the first book, it works perfectly as a standalone.
The story follows photographer Alice Everly, who returns to a lakeside cottage after many years away. She brings her grandmother Nan along to help her recover from a hip injury, hoping the peaceful setting will also help Alice rediscover her creative spark behind the camera.
Fifteen years earlier, Alice captured a striking photo of three friends racing across the lake in a bright yellow speedboat. Now that same boat—and its charismatic owner, Charlie Florek—re-enters her life. Playful, easygoing, and instantly smitten, Charlie quickly wins over Nan and becomes a tempting distraction for Alice.
What begins as a relaxing summer of lake days, family time, and quiet renewal gradually blossoms into a tender friends-to-lovers romance. The novel beautifully explores themes of vulnerability, second chances, and the courage it takes to step out from behind the lens and truly live—and love.
While I briefly thought I might become a full-fledged romance fan, I’ve realized I need to be quite selective with the genre (I should have trusted my original instincts). What sets Fortune’s books apart for me is her ability to create genuine, relatable characters. I especially love how she weaves in strong family relationships and multi-generational stories. Even though Alice and Charlie are younger than me and still figuring out their lives, their struggles with love and self-doubt feel authentic. I particularly adored Nan—watching her heal from her injury while carrying her own emotional baggage added wonderful depth to the story.
Fortune also excels at creating an irresistible setting. Her vivid writing made it easy to picture myself in a cozy lakeside cabin, surrounded by sun-drenched days of swimming, cooking, reading, and pure summer relaxation.
I listened to the audiobook version, borrowed from my local library via Libby. AJ Bridel delivers a warm and pleasurable narration that perfectly captured the story’s sunny, heartfelt vibe.
If you enjoy author newsletters as much as I do, you’ll appreciate Carley Fortune’s. It’s a great way to stay updated on her latest projects without relying on social media. You can sign up here.
You’re welcome to check out my review of another Carley Fortune book and the author event where I met her, which are linked below.
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