After loving Ever Summer After by Carley Fortune, I had high hopes for This Summer Will Be Different. Unfortunately, this book just did not work for me.

I really liked the setting of the island, which gave me summer vibes. I also really enjoyed the meet cute between the FMC and the MMC.

However, I found that there was very little plot until 80% in, which made the majority of the book drag. I was not invested in the story, and felt like I was just reading the book so I could finish it.

I also struggled to connect to the characters. The romance felt entirely based on physical attraction, and I wish I had seen more of an emotional connection between the characters.

While I enjoyed the meet cute, I found it very unbelievable that the FMC had known her best friend for years and still didn’t know her brother’s real name. The nicknames made me cringe.

Overall, this book just wasn’t for me. Thank you to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC.

A great summer read. The story was great, I liked all the characters and just a touch of smut.

I would recommend this as a good beach read for your summer holidays.

The prefect summer romance!

I couldn't get enough of the way Carley develops Lucy and Felix's relationship, and the friendship between Lucy and Bridget is just chef's kiss.

I was so hooked that I finished it in two days flat. The writing style is just so addictive, making it impossible to put down. If you're after a read that's equal parts heartwarming and addictive, this is it.

I am an avid fun of Carley Fortune's writing and as always, she delivers!!!

This book takes you to how Felix & Lucy's relationship develops over 5 years of strong and undeniable chemistry to each other. As the book goes on, the longing between the characters and the slow burn immerses reader's emotions, that the anticipation that the book wanted you to feel over Felix & Lucy's relationship over the timeline of 5 years carried out very well throughout the book. The temptations between Felix & Bee get you so excited and giddy, like a sneeky teenager.

I could be bias because I love dual POVs, but although I love the suspense on the 'NOW' and 'THEN' timeline - I think it would be perfect if the timeline is also written in dual POVs. As I find myself kept flipping back to the previous pages to make sure I was on the right track.

However, as always Carley Fortune thought the story out very well, transporting you to the place and relating with the characters’ (Bridget & Bee's friendship as well as Felix & Lucy romance) emotions & their situations. Ending the book with a truly satisfying happily ever after 💕

This Summer Will be Different might be my less fave out of all her 3 books but I still enjoyed reading it. I think it's a perfect summer reading.

Tropes: Summer escape, Best friend's brother, forbidden love, secret relationship, friendship 💕

I absolutely loved This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune! It had everything for the perfect summer romance! So heartwarming, and so much fun. I absolutely fell in love with the PEI setting, and the relationships between Lucy and Bridget, and of course Lucy/Felix. I absolutely reccomend this to anyone looking for a summer romance with substance.

I’m not sure I can put into words how much I loved this book, it had me in tears, it had me laughing, I felt all the feels. I also have a new book boyfriend who is just perfection! This is such a feel good, fun book, a few heavier moments thrown in which were well worked within the story. I just loved it. Just read it!

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a copy of the arc for an honest review.

➳ 4 stars ✩
⤿ a spoiler free arc review

this was my second book by carley fortune and i honestly really loved this one!


💌 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽:
⤿ single pov
⤿ beautiful setting
⤿ best friend’s brothers
⤿ one night stand
⤿ flashback chapters
⤿ forbidden romance
⤿ found family
⤿ no cheating!

when bridget invited her best friend lucy to her home at prince edward island, she gave her three rules: to eat her weight in oysters, to leave the city behind and to not fall in love with her brother wolf. but bridget misses her flight and lucy accidentally sleeps with felix - who goes by the nickname wolf - she decides to not let history repeat itself. but now, when bridget has mysteriously run off to the island days before her wedding, with lucy following, she and felix are together, and having to re-evaluate their chemistry

i found it slightly difficult to get into the story at the beginning (i was not a fan of all the sparks, fizzes, crackles and pops) but after that it was a really amazing read.

carley’s writing has definitely improved since her debut and it really reminded me of emily henry’s. the vibes were just immaculate and i loved how prince edward island was depicted.

there was some insta-love, but i actually didn’t really mind. i think it worked well with the plot and it thankfully wasn’t too over the top.

the romance between felix and lucy wasn’t the best, in fact i would even say it was my least favourite part of the book. they did have a lot of cute moments and it wasn’t bad per-se, but it was definitely overshadowed by the friendship between lucy and bridget and the overall setting.

however, i didn’t really get a five-star feeling from this book. i can’t pinpoint what exactly, but i did feel like something was missing.

overall, this is a beautiful, summer-y read that i enjoyed a lot <3


thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This might be my favourite Carley Fortune yet! I loved the focus on friendship alongside the love story and the setting was (as always) IMPECCABLE. 🫶

Another great summer read with all the right vibes from carley fortune! this book followed felix and lucy on their journey together in PEI. i loved the best friends brother trope! i love the relationship between lucy and bridget as well! around 15% before the end a bomb was dropped and i was super scared for the ending, but it was brilliant and had me tearing up!

A perfect summer book. The author did a great job at exploring the relationship between felix and Lucy. I loved how it didn’t feel forced, rather it was wholesome and the brother’s best friend trope worked well in this book. Overall, I i finished this book in one sitting and would definitely recommend it. 3.75/5

I found this to be a quick, easy read. This is the second book by Carley that I’ve read but I just feel myself wanting a bit more. There’s something that I want that just doesn’t register with me when I read this.

I loved the characters and their relationships. I wanted more of a plot and a twist or two put in to keep the readers attention.

Fortune is very good at writing her setting and characters. The setting was spot on, romantic, cute yet summery and airy. The book is a great summer read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Fortune and the publisher for this e-arc.

I absolutely loved this!!! I’ve posted a longer review on TikTok with more detail, but this blew me away and I was so happy to read it!

"This Summer Will Be Different" by Carley Fortune is a delightful summer read that swept me away to the picturesque Prince Edward Island. I was captivated by the dual timeline narrative, seamlessly weaving between past and present as Lucy and Felix navigate their evolving relationship. Lucy's relatable journey of self-discovery and Felix's charming demeanor made them endearing protagonists, and their chemistry sizzles off the pages.
Fortune skillfully explores tropes like forced proximity and best friend's brother, adding depth to the storyline. While I appreciated Felix's nuanced character and his patience in navigating their relationship, I found some aspects of the plot, particularly Bridget's mysterious crisis, a bit over the top if not unnecessary. Additionally, the ending felt rushed, leaving me wanting more resolution.

"This Summer Will Be Different" is a heartwarming tale of summer romance and friendship that will leave you longing for your own island getaway.

Very grateful to the publisher @ for my copy, opinions are my own

The perfect summer romance.

I loved Every Summer After, and didn’t think the friends to lovers trope could get any better. Until I read this.
The characters are just perfect but still relatable. The relationships, both romantic and friendships, are written so beautifully that I definitely got all the feels while reading. It’s emotional, touching, funny and nostalgic.

There’s some great tropes including brothers best friend and forced proximity, but this is so, SO much more than a formula style romcom.
Brilliant.

Put it on your tbr now!

4.25/5

Instantly bought the connection and was rooting for our main characters but this also had so much more?! Found family, non-romantic soulmates, family relationships. I loved the setting and enjoyed the pacing. The third act breakup threw me and after that it got a lil mushy for me but I enjoyed the ending and glad it didn’t go the *typical* (what I was expecting) way with a proposal. Fun, spicy read and would recommend!

I absolutely adored this book. In fact, it's probably one of the best romance novels I have ever read. I loved Carley Fortune's first book, and this one gave me all of the same feels and more!

Lucy and Felix have a steamy interaction when she first visits Prince Edward Island. This was before they realised they had someone in common: Bridget. Bridget is Lucy's best friend, and Felix's older sister. When the pair figure out the connection, they vow never to touch each other aagain.

Flash forward five years and Bridget summons Lucy to her parents' home on PEI, just days ahead of her wedding. Bridget is flipping out, and the only thing that will settle her is having her best friend and brother close by. As the trio spend a few days reliving their summers together on PEI, Lucy casts her mind back to the last four years, when her and Felix were drawn back together again and again, despite their promise to respect Bridget's rule that they should never fall in love.

It's a gorgeous, romantic tale, one where we see two characters be their absolute best when they're together. Lucy and Felix are a safe haven for each other, and their chemistry is off the charts! They back each other, they communicate really well, and they are both so likeable. This Summer Will Be Different isn't just a lovely story, it's also a love letter to female friendship and found family. The characters are also so well developed, and all of their interactions make for the most enjoyable and engaging rom-com!

An easy five stars...highly recommended!

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by Carley Fortune (though I do own the others) and I was not disappointed.

Let's start with my favourite aspect of this book: Felix. He is the ultimate book boyfriend and I loved everything about him. He was a little too good to be true, in fact, I'm not entirely sure where his flaws were supposed to be.

Lucy on the other hand, has a few flaws, but they make her more endearing. Admire a person that would drop everything to be there when her friend needed her even when being beyond stressed.

Lucy and Felix together are perfect. Their chemistry was palpable. I thoroughly enjoyed their story, I wasn't quite ready for it to end. Their friends and family were also well fleshed out.

I initially found the dual timeline a little jumpy, but I soon got used to it. I thought the whole mystery surrounding Bridget was intriguing, but then the reveal was a bit disappointing? It just seemed a little dramatic, but the book was still enjoyable overall.

Another thing was that I couldn't quite figure out whether this book was supposed to be closed door or open door. Initially it was very closed door, but further into the book it changed.

If you are into the best friend's brother trope as well as sweet, wholesome romances, I would recommend giving this book a read.

This summer will be different @carleyfortune

Thankyou to @netgalley and @michaeljbooks for sending me this ARC!

Going into this book I already knew I would love the writing as Carley is one of my favourite authors. What I didn’t anticipate is that I would fall in love with Lucy and Miles as individuals and together. The story takes place over a period of years and the timeline was easy to follow. Bridget’s dilemma is a large part of the book and created a mystery. I learnt lots of new facts about oysters and flowers which is always a bonus. Miles may have just taken the top spot on the book BF list 🥹. This storyline stands out as the events take place in an unexpected order meaning it’s not predictable. If like me friends to lovers is one of your fave tropes you need to read this immediately!! I devoured this in 24 hours as it was so addictive.

My favourite Carley Fortune book !!!
Fortunes ability to capture the essence of a place is magical. I have never been to Prince Edward Island but I could picture it so vividly and I can’t praise her enough for that.

This book is a perfect mix of romance and platonic love. The love of my life is my best friend, we’ve gone from sharing Pizza Hut and cookie dough to celebrating our highs and lows. It was a beautiful exploration of how life yeets you and you just need to find a place to land.

Felix!!! My boy! EVERYTHING HE WAS SERVING. I WAS EATING.

Carley Fortune really is the queen of a dual timeline romance. Even though this is her third of this specific trope, all of her books have felt so different and each have their own unique plots and personalities!
Starting a Carley Fortune book is like walking into your favourite comforting memory, her writing is so beautiful and descriptive, the characters she creates are some of my favourite, by the end I always feel like I know them as a friend, if I met them in person a friendship would be instant.

This Summer Will Be Different is a beautiful book set on the equally beautiful Prince Edward Island, the perfect setting for a long awaited love story.
I love the dual timeline aspect, from the flashbacks to the past when the characters first met, to their developing complex relationship, to the present where they reconnect again and can explore their relationship in a completely different light.

I loved Lucy as a main character, she was really relatable in the sense that she didn’t know what her goal was in life, often feeling like she was stuck and unsure on how to grow and become the person she longs to be.
And Felix was the perfect male love interest, I mean who doesn’t want a man that loves to read?? I liked that he took charge of the situation their relationship was heading in, he saw the signs and knew what needed to happen for them to be together in the future. It makes a change to have a male lead that was aware of this and didn’t just want to rush into it!

There was a few parts of the book that I just felt could have been different, the whole mystery of why Bridget (Lucy’s best friend and Felix’s sister) ran back to PEI just days before her wedding in Toronto was a little dramatic. From the way she was acting and the way she begged Lucy to leave her work and join her, I thought it was going to be something more serious, so when we found out it just felt a little disappointing!
I also thought that maybe the last 20% of the book was rushed, I would have liked it to be longer and for it to be more thought out!

Overall I did really enjoy this book, Carley really captures readers hearts and creates the most perfect summer reads set in the most beautiful locations!