Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother. Lucy and Felix’s chemistry is unreal, but the list of reasons why they need to stay away from each other is long, and they vow to never repeat that electric night again.

It’s easier said than done.

Each year, Lucy escapes to PEI for a big breath of coastal air, fresh oysters and crisp vinho verde with her best friend, Bridget. Every visit begins with a long walk on the beach, beneath soaring red cliffs and a golden sun. And every visit, Lucy promises herself she won’t wind up in Felix’s bed. Again.

If Lucy can’t help being drawn to Felix, at least she’s always kept her heart out of it.

When Bridget suddenly flees Toronto a week before her wedding, Lucy drops everything to follow her to the island. Her mission is to help Bridget through her crisis and resist the one man she’s never been able to. But Felix’s sparkling eyes and flirty quips have been replaced with something new, and Lucy’s beginning to wonder just how safe her heart truly is.

I absolutely loved Every Summer After, it was one of my favourite books the year it was published. Unfortunately I didn’t love Meet Me at the Lake, it really fell flat for me so needless to say I was intrigued to see how I would feel about This Summer Will be Different. I’m delighted to say I loved it! A solid 4.5⭐️ read for me, which might change to 5⭐️ when I’ve had more time to think on it.

There are 3 rules for the trip:

1) Eat your weight in Oysters
2) Leave the city behind
3) Don’t fall in love with my brother

Lucy ‘Bee’ Ashby joins her best friend/roommate Bridget in her hometown on Prince Edward Island every summer. On her first visit to the island five years ago, Bridget is late to arrive so Lucy is left to explore on her own. At a local restaurant she meets a gorgeous islander with the bluest eyes and ends up going back to his place. It’s not until the next morning that they both realise the stranger, Felix, is actually Bridget’s brother ‘Wolf’. They mutually decide it can’t happen again but the chemistry is palpable and only seems to get stronger every year.

The story is told in different timelines- present and past, with the past revisiting each time Lucy was on PEI and when Felix was in Toronto, which I think really added depth to the story and their relationship. The writing was beautifully descriptive and definitely made me want to visit the island one day. I loved the characters but obviously Felix was my favourite closely followed by Lucy’s aunt. I just loved everything about it! Oh and we even got a little mention of Happy Place by Emily Henry (another one of my favourites).

A great story of found family, female friendship and platonic love, and of course a gorgeous romance. You will probably want to read this in one sitting like I did. I would highly recommend.

Tropes-
• Best friends brother
• Dual timelines
• Forbidden romance
• Forced proximity
• Female friendships
• Found family


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

another perfect summer book! I had the best time reading this. I loved the friendship between Bridget and lucy, the location the book was set in made me want to go there on holiday immediately.
the forbidden love between bridget and felix was just perfect, I loved the stolen glances, I could feel their love and i just wanted them to be together it made my heart hurt.

Well what can I say about this story but wow! I adored this book...I devoured it in 2 days at every opportunity I had. Lying in bed poorly did not stop me 🤣 an amazing distraction.

This was the most beautiful story of love, friendship and finding and loving yourself.

I love Carleys writing and the timeline shift bringing you into each story line as it happens in time feels like it gives me a much better picture of how it happened and the feelings of each character.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for gifting me an advance copy of this in exchange for an honest view.

This story follows the ups and downs of Lucy and Felix’s “relationship” - they first met years ago, hooked up one night, only for Lucy to realise Felix was her best friend Bridget’s brother! The book goes between the present and the past and we see the relationship develop and change. We get to see Lucy and Bridget’s friendship and Lucy figuring out what she wants from life.

The relationships and friendships in this book really drew me in and kept me wanting to read. It was very easy to get through and I really enjoyed it! I loved Every Summer After so had high hopes for this, and it did not disappoint.

The book is mainly set on Prince Edward Island and now I’m desperate to go to Canada! Carley Fortune wrote about this island so beautifully!

Would definitely recommend this one for a light, summer romance read!

This book definitely meets the brief of ‘romantic summer read’. The author’s afterword mentions that she wanted to write something fun, and she succeeded - there are moments of angst, character growth, and plenty of pining, but through it all there’s this thread of joy and abiding love. The chemistry between Lucy and Felix shines on the page, matched and possibly eclipsed by the strong friendship between Lucy and Bridget. Add in the obvious fondness for Prince Edward Island and the references to Anne of Green Gables, and this is the author’s best work yet.

Carley’s latest work shines brightly! Her prose transports you to a tranquil island where the tang of salt fills the air and the rhythmic melody of ocean waves lulls you into serenity. The characters are beautifully crafted, each playing a vital role in the narrative beyond mere romantic entanglements. Primarily centered around Lucy, her closest confidante, and Wolf/Felix, the tale weaves a captivating web of relationships.

Upon arriving on the island, Lucy’s best friend imparts three cardinal rules: first, indulge in a feast of oysters; second, leave the hustle and bustle of the city far behind; and lastly, guard your heart against falling for her brother. Yet, as fate would have it, that final rule is not so easily upheld.

What sets this story apart from conventional romance narratives is its profound exploration of self-discovery and the quest for belonging. The bond shared between the best friends is tender and heartwarming, illustrating that the most enduring love stories extend beyond the realm of romance.

This is now my current favourite book of the year. A few open door scenes but mostly about the love between friends. This will be a great summer read.

Carley Fortune has done it again! Truly one of my very favourite writers, I was over the moon to receive an ARC of This Summer Will Be Different.

Carley has a uniquely mesmerising way of writing novels that are a love letter to so many elements - to the locations in which they are set, to the love stories she explores, and to the rich characters that extend well beyond the romance.

I particularly adored the celebration of female friendship and sisterhood developed in this book - Lucy and Bridget's friendship is so heartwarming and nostalgia inducing for all of us lucky enough to have beautiful female friendships. I was also totally besotted with Aunt Stacy and her firecracker spirit.

Meanwhile - you couldn't hope for better character chemistry or a beautiful journey to love for Lucy and Felix. Carley is a master of writing the 'forbidden' romance - and the electric chemistry practically danced off the pages in this book. If I could give it 10 stars I would.

I also really enjoyed that whilst they face their trials and tribulations along the way, the story is ultimately uplifting and fun - and had me smiling throughout.

The only downside is I devoured it in a day and am now left longing for Carley's next magical read!

A truly special thank you to Penguin Random House, Carley Fortune & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my review.

Lucy and Felix met by chance and spent time together by chance, but when such sparks are hovering around, it's hard not to fall in love, but to pretend that everything that happens is an accident. But Felix turned out to be the brother of her friend, who forbade her to fall in love with her brother, as a joke, of course.
I was amused by the situation and Bridget's reaction when Lucy had to tell the whole story.
As always, Carley's books made me nervous. Here I was worried about the minor characters, Bridget and Miles, I was so worried about what happened to them. Thank God, there was no global drama!
I'm glad everything went well.
This book is not only about love, but also about friendship, about how important and valuable friendship is in life. And if you have such a friend for whom you are ready to spontaneously part (and this is mutual), then take care and appreciate this person.
I liked this book, this atmosphere and these characters.
References to Anne of Green Gables, my God! What amazing emotions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for giving me a copy to review.

I think This Summer Will Be Different is Carley's best book so far. At first I didn't like that Felix and Lucy's relationship was purely based on sex once a year but Lucy was almost obsessed with him. I found it hard to understand why they had such deep feelings for each other when they only spent a maximum of a couple of weeks in the same place each year. But as the book went on, their relationship got better and by the end I was rooting for them to have a happy ending. I also loved Lucy's friendship with Felix's sister Bridget. The setting of Prince Edward Island sounded so beautiful and it made me wish I could go there on holiday.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of This Summer Will Be Different!

I loved this book so much!
I read Every Summer After last summer and also gave it five stars so when I was accepted for the ARC of this book I was so excited.
I am always a little bit nervous with the 'brothers best friend' trope but this book did it so well. Lucy and Bridget were the best friends and Felix was such a great MMC. I felt like this book showed a part of real life and it was more than just a cute romance.

"I am here now, and everything is okay."

This Summer Will Be Different follows Lucy and Felix, all the way from when they met for the first time 5 years ago, catapulting us into the current state of their relationship in the here and now. The electric chemistry in this book does not disappoint. And whilst this book does provide you with such an all-consuming romantic relationship, such a key part of this book surrounded the pure friendship between Bridget and Lucy. And what are female friendships if not everything?

I have to say my favourite part of this book was the communication between characters. Through flower seeds and books, to knowing what someone's thinking just from the look on their face, this book truly exemplifies what it is like to be wholly and fully known.

This Summer Will Be Different was impossible to put down! I flew through the pages, treasuring my time spent in Prince Edward Island. Why not spend your summer chasing dreams with Lucy and Felix?

I absolutely loved Lucy & Felix’s story and this should be bumped straight to the top of your summer tbr!

𝙢𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ★★★★.✫

𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨...
Lucy & Bridget have been best friends for years - and when Bridget suggests a trip back to her home in PEI, Lucy jumps at the chance. When Bridget misses her flight and has to follow a day late, Lucy falls into bed with an attractive oyster shucker... only to later realise he is Bridget’s very off-limits younger brother, Felix. The story unfolds over the following five summers, as Lucy & Felix try to stay away from each other.

𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙...

The setting 🌊 Carley made me fall in love with Prince Edward Island! And I think this is the reason this is such a perfect summer read - I felt like I was there, enjoying walks along the beaches and freshly shucked oysters! (and I don’t even like oysters that much 🙃)

Felix 🫶🏼 Felix definitely joins the line up of book boyfriends! Seeing him grow up from a heartbroken to 23 year old to a steady and caring 28 year old with his own business made me swoon, he really was the perfect man in this book.

The chemistry between Lucy & Felix 🔥 This was definitely there from the off, and I loved watching it develop into something more, as they are drawn back to each other every summer. The present day vs flashbacks of previous summers worked so well, and definitely added to the tension and angst!

The only reason this wasn’t quite a 5★ read for me was that - whilst I loved the strong female friendship - a bit too much of the storyline hinged on Lucy’s dependency on Bridget (and the plot twist which all felt a bit blown out of proportion 😅).

I’ll start by saying I was already a huge fan of Carley Fortune’s; I read Every Summer After when it first came out and it remains one of my favourite books, equally I adored Meet Me At The Lake. But this one, This Summer Will Be Different, it blew me away. What is this absolute magic that Fortune weaves into her stories, I just couldn’t get enough of it.

In her author’s note Fortune describes how she wanted this book to be fun, both in writing it and in our experience of reading it and it really is. It’s such a joyous read, but one that also has great depth and heart to it. This is a story of love but not a singular type, yes we have a wonderful love story but there is also the love between best friends, of family (however that may look) and of community. It’s simply brilliant.

This Summer Will Be Different begins five years ago when Lucy meets Felix by chance whilst on vacation on Prince Edward Island. But when she realises that he is her best friend, Bridget’s brother, their electric night should become a distant memory. Each year with Lucy and Bridget’s return for a summer escape, she promises herself she won’t end up in Felix’s arms, but it’s easier said than done. Not this year though. This year it will be different. With Bridget facing the biggest crisis of her life, Lucy must join her for one last trip to the island. But how safe will her heart ever really be when faced with Felix once again?

Fortune always writes the most wonderful characters and I absolutely love Lucy, Felix and Bridget, equally good are her supporting cast. Each of her characters are written with such depth they leap from the page. The connection between Lucy and Felix was so apparent I was rooting for them throughout, this is a soulmate love story.

I really liked the duel timeline that flipped between the past leading to the present and the here and now counting down to Bridget’s wedding, it worked so well to showcase the evolution of the relationships in the book. I’ll also add that this was a very well done third act break, it allowed for Lucy to really figure herself out and get herself in the best position to make the right choice for both her and Felix.

Another thing that Fortune does so very well is in creating the most incredible sense of place. Here PEI really comes alive and is as significant as the characters are to the story. You feel as though you are there with them, with the sand between your toes and the wind blowing through your hair.

I cannot get enough of Fortune’s books and cannot wait for what she writes next.

Lucy was given one rule to stick to from her best friend, Bridget: don't fall in love with her brother. Perhaps not as easy as we might think, especially when Felix is introduced to the story.
The setting was absolutely dreamy; I wanted to be on Prince Edward Island (also birthplace of Anne of Green Gables), soaking it all up, and equally, I loved finding out more about Lucy's flower farm.
The chemistry between Lucy and Felix was brilliant, I loved seeing how their relationship had developed over the years, and how they navigated it. All of the side characters were just so wholesome- Lucy's aunt Stacey, and Lucy's best friend Bridget in particular.

I was really curious to know what Bridget's secret was, as well as what the aftermath of it all would be and how each of the characters' stories would fit together.
Carley Fortune is a firm auto-read author for me. After her past two books being perfect summer reads, she's only gone and done it again - I read this one in a day.

I love Carley Fortune, and I just eat up her summer romances.

I must say this is my fave Carley Fortune, I loved the setting of this book. It felt cozy but still had that summertime energy.

The character development was gorgeous and the MMC loves to read... like come on. I devoured the romance and the spice was spicy, however it is still sweet which i loved.

Thank you for the ARC!

Caley Fortune demonstrates her mastery in crafting captivating love stories once again with her third book. From the moment I picked it up, I found myself completely immersed, unable to tear myself away. The dynamic friendship between Lucy and Bridget, intertwined with the warmth of chosen family bonds, immediately drew me in. The familiar trope of the best friend's brother crush was skillfully woven into the narrative, adding an extra layer of excitement.

While the suspense surrounding Bridget's secret may have felt slightly prolonged, it certainly didn't detract from the overall experience. Instead, it served to deepen the intrigue and keep me eagerly turning the pages.

What truly stole my heart were the multiple timelines showcasing the evolving relationship between Lucy and Felix. Their journey was nothing short of enchanting, and I found myself rooting for them from their very first encounter.

Fortune's vivid descriptions of Prince Edward Island were simply breathtaking. I lost count of how many times I found myself Googling images of this picturesque destination while reading. Her evocative prose transported me to a world filled with sandy beaches, majestic lighthouses, and delectable seafood delights, leaving me yearning for a summer getaway.

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. "This Summer Will Be Different" has undoubtedly earned its place on my list of must-reads, and I eagerly anticipate whatever enchanting tale Caley Fortune weaves next.

A romance book that is GREAT chemistry between the characters!!!!! The forbidden romance element to this book contributed so well to the angst and chemistry that builds throughout the book 😊 In all honestly, I’ve read better third act conflicts, however I still enjoyed it as it felt as though it was resolved quite quickly. I’ve really enjoyed Carley’s other books to date so knew that I’d enjoy this one just as much - her writing style is very me! Best friends brother, found family, once night stand, flashbacks, super steamy 🌶️ what more could we ask for?!

✨2.5 stars✨

This the first Carley Fortune book and the premise sounded interesting.

I was enjoying the book and I really liked the setting… up until the 50% mark but then the multiple timeline just became too muddled as nothing was distinct enough about them.

This has best friend’s brother so if you like that trope you might like this book! However, we’re told that our protagonist Lucy “bee” cannot be with Felix because that was one of Bridget’s rules… don’t fall in love with her brother.

Yet when the reveal happened it turns out she already figured it out and was then fine with it… what was the point? The third Act break-up felt pointless as well.

It might work for you if your looking for a light summery read… or you enjoy this author’s writing

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.