This book felt like a warm hug on a chilly day—Carley Fortune’s writing transported me straight to late-night conversations by the lake, where fireflies danced and the scent of pine filled the air . Alice, with her fear of truly being seen, and Charlie, with his easy charm masking deeper insecurities, became so real to me that I found myself invested in every glance, every laugh, every “Good things happen at the lake” moment . I laughed out loud with their banter, swooned when Charlie quietly revealed his heart, and felt that gentle pang in the third act when life reminded them that love isn’t always simple—but, like so many readers, I felt it was earned, not forced . Bottom line: this isn’t just a summer romance—it’s a story about remembering who you are, daring to be seen, and risking your heart on the person who sees all of you—and that, to me, felt deeply personal and unforgettable.

'"And why are you smiling like that?" he says. Because for once in my life, I don't feel like I'm on the sidelines. For once, I'm in the photo.'

I didn't know it was possible, but I think I loved One Golden Summer even more than Every Summer After! I was sceptical at first that I wouldn't connect with a new protagonist and how she could possibly fit in with the characters I got so attached to in the first book, but I related to Alice on another level, the way she fits into her family and how being a shy teenager prevented her from seizing those bucket list moments. As always with Carley Fortune's books, there is this depth to them that makes me fall in love with all of the characters and their dynamics, not just the main character and love interest, but the wider cast as well.

The writing felt like summer itself, every time I dove back in I felt transported back to my happy place and that nostalgic summer feeling. It was also so clever and thoughtful, the way photography was weaved into the entire plot and played a huge part in the romance itself - all the little, wholesome, quiet and joyous moments that culminate in an epic love.

Carley Fortune has just claimed a spot in my heart as my favourite romance author. I cannot wait to read This Summer Will Be Different next !!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Michael Joseph for the ARC

No notes whatsoever. I will be recommending this to everyone this summer. A perfect summer romance. My favourite Carley Fortune to date!’

Just finished this book and it was pure escapism! I loved the characters and summery setting. I wanted to be at the lake! The slow burn romance was cute and I was rooting for them from the start. I enjoyed the overall storyline and it had a satisfactory ending. A great summer read!

I wasn’t a fan, I the setting was beautiful and the extra characters seemed to have more depth than the main characters. I think the book would have probably been better being duel or even multiple pov. Being in the FMCs head 24/7 felt so tedious I’m not her biggest fan! I would have loved a grandma chapter or two! Miscommunication is such a cop out trope, we’re all adults lets just actually have the conversation.
I think if you’re a Carley Fortune fan then you will probably love it, if you can take or leave her books I’d pick something else.

🌟🌟🌟

Carley Fortune's Every Golden Summer is a truly beautifully written novel that I adored from start to finish. It really reminded me of The Summer I Turned Pretty, making it an ideal read for anyone seeking a similar blend of romance and coming-of-age story.

Romance-aside, the relationship both Charlie and Alice shared with Nan added a layer of warmth and depth to the story. The reason behind Charlie’s reluctance to commit came as a complete surprise, and it’s not often a romance book does that for me!

This is my second book by Carley Fortune, and I definitely need to bump her other two books up my TBR pile after this. It's a slight shame I hadn't read Every Summer After first, as apparently the books are connected. However, this only makes me more excited to go back and spend more time with her characters in that earlier novel.

If you're looking for a captivating summer read, Every Golden Summer is the one for you. An easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of five.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I enjoyed this book a lot more than every summer after! It was cute and it was the perfect summer read! Thanks so much for an ARC!

What a gloriously romantic and tender summer read. I can see why everyone around him falls for Charlie (charming, confident, kind... what more could anyone need?), Alice really didn't stand a chance! But it was great to see Alice's life unfurl in so many other ways, and not just romantically. I've just got one important question - when do we get Nan's story Her early years would make the most fabulous follow up!

I loved this for the first third or so – really atmospheric writing, such a promising set-up, made me want to summer on a Canadian lake. A book I was really excited to return to whenever I put it down. But it didn't quite stick the landing for me: I thought the rest wasn't as good as the beginning and the reasoning for the third act break-up was pretty stupid but also inconsistent. I just wanted a little more. Overall I definitely enjoyed but I am a bit sad the book didn't fully live up to my expectations!

This was such a highly anticipated book for me and it really didn’t disappoint going back to the lake of Barry’s Bay. I loved how much Percy and Sam featured in this book as it nicely continued on from Every Summer After. One Golden Summer is a wholesome, easy read that finds Charlie and Alice getting to know each other over a summer. I thoroughly enjoyed the ease of this book but I don’t love a third-act breakup particularly one that’s then resolved quickly (within the writing but not the timeline). I also found the epilogue to leave me wanting a little bit more with the one year later flash forward.

Thankyou to Carley, the publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn’t wait to return to Barry’s Bay, and I was so excited to finally learn more about Charlie Florek. One Golden Summer was a slower burn than the first book, but still just as heartfelt and beautifully written.

I loved watching Alice and Charlie’s relationship grow—there was so much warmth and emotion in their story, and I was completely rooting for them the whole time. Carley Fortune really knows how to write characters that feel real and easy to connect with.

At times, the story felt a little drawn out and maybe could’ve been a bit shorter, but overall, it was such a fun and touching read. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read more from Carley Fortune.

3.25 stars

If you are a fan of Carley Fortune then this will tick all the boxes for you. It’s written in her classic style we all know and love and while the story is nothing overly original it still a joy to read .
It’s a companion to Every Summer After as we meet Alice and Charlie (!) again and what follows is a good solid romance story with a great strong female lead character . The vibes are real , it’s perfect for summer and the cover is also stunning !

If Every Summer After tore up my heart into little tiny pieces and threw them into the open air (yes, I was one of those grumpy fans Charley Fortune categorised would 'never forgive Percy for what she did') then Charlie Florek is the person who ran out to catch the said pieces of my heart, collected them, carefully stuck them back together, laminated it to form a whole, and returned it back to me.

One Golden Summer is my favourite of all of Carley Fortune's books. A seamless read that will transport you across to the serene Lake and Cottages at Barry's Bay. Where Alice goes to escape her 'real life' and ultimately finds herself again.

One Golden Summer is a discreet lesson in the art of self-love, erecting boundaries against everything that doesn't benefit you, being true to yourself, working hard, saying 'No' until the right opportunity arrives, taking risks, showing up for yourself, listening to and trusting your gut...giving first love a second chance, being compassionate and learning to forgive loved ones, not telling time pass by over something that could be resolved by simply taking the first step and picking up the phone.

And where you don't live your life that way, letting in someone who does and who can show you how it's done (note: not tell you) is a great start. Cue: Charlie Florek.

All the main characters are beautifully human in this book. There are no notes to take away, as it really felt like I was witnessing a sliver of Alice's real life. There are no villains, just greys. I felt like I was a part of the Everly Family and even the function in their dysfunction felt familiar...and that was fine. It was true and raw, they show up in moments where it truly matters. I loved Nan so much, her banter and her relationship with Charlie was heartwarming. This book is layered with the most beautiful and sincere displays of affection and kindness. It genuinely felt like I had been given a warm hug when I finished. Watch out for the Epilogue for that. The cherry on top!

Words will not do justice to Alice and Charlie and the way they compliment each other. On the face of it, two very different beings where Charlie presents himself as an extrovert, taking centrestage, bold, loud and confident, Alice is the opposite, trying to take the least amount of space, hidden behind the lens of her camera. And yet, their love language of acts of service speaks to the other. I would highly recommend this book just to see how that pans out...!

The most wholesome read that I will be revisiting again in the near future. This deserves an annual re-read.

And yes, all is now forgiven.

Thank you @netgalley and @MichaelJoseph @PenguinRandomHouse for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest unedited review.

This was one of my most anticipated reads this year as I was keen to see how Charlie's story would go. He didn't have the best reputation after Every Summer After so I was a bit wary about liking him at first. I appreciated how Alice and he were friends before anything else and that he was so helpful with her Nan. This was a solid read but not as good as Every Summer After, which continues to be my favourite by this author.

I enjoyed this but didn’t love it the way I have with previous books Carley has written. I think the expectations were higher having met Charlie previously. Whilst there were parts I loved – seeing Charlie realise his mistakes don’t define him and he’s worthy of good things – I just wanted more. The pacing felt a little slow too. Not terrible but wouldn’t rush to recommend or read again.
3.5-4*

This book was so gorgeous. The setting at the lake was so vivid and there was something about the writing style that really evoked that lazy summer feeling and it hooked me in and didn’t let me go until I got to the end. Alice and Charlie were so great and their banter was so good and felt so real. Their relationship and the way it unfolded was beautiful. This is the perfect summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC to review!

This is my second Carley Fortune and I had a good time! The other book I’d read was Meet Me at the Lake and intending to get to Every Summer After next.

One Golden Summer is a well written, emotionally rich story that captures the magic of fleeting moments. Carley Fortune once again delivers a compelling summer romance filled with nostalgia, longing, and the kind of slow-burn chemistry that keeps you turning the pages.

Alice Everly and Charlie Florek rekindle a connection that began years ago through a photograph Alice took when she was seventeen. Now, as adults, their paths cross again, leading to a summer filled with nostalgia, self-discovery and unexpected romance.

Alice, a photographer who has always preferred staying behind the lens, returns to the lake to care for her grandmother, Nan. What she doesn't anticipate is the magnetic presence of Charlie, who was once a subject in her award-winning photo. As they spend time together, Alice finds herself drawn to Charlie's charm and warmth, challenging her to step out of her comfort zone and embrace the possibility of love.

Charlie, with his easygoing nature and undeniable chemistry with Alice, adds a layer of complexity to the story. His flirtatious demeanor masks deeper insecurities and fears about commitment, making their developing relationship both tender and tumultuous.

Fortune's writing captures the essence of summer, the golden light, the serene lake, and the emotions that come with revisiting the past. The setting is vivid, and the character dynamics are engaging.
The Canadian lake setting is gorgeously rendered—Fortune’s prose makes you feel the sun on your skin and the water lapping at your feet. The characters are relatable, particularly the protagonist, who is torn between the safety of routine and the unpredictable thrill of love rediscovered.

While some plot beats feel familiar and it had quite a slow start and the pacing dips slightly in the middle, the emotional payoff was well worth it and this may have gotten me out of my reading slump!

I found this book to be quite slow to begin with but as it went on, I thoroughly enjoyed! I loved Charlie’s character and Alice’s strong persona. Carley’s books have usually been enjoyable for me and this one is no different.

I was so happy to finally get Charlie’s book and I am so pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the reading experience. I’m glad he finally got his happy ending.

I loved the banter between both main characters and the setting was just beautiful. I will for sure be reading more of Carley’s books in the future. It also contains friends to lovers and forced proximity which are two tropes that I love!!!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGallery for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book is absolutely beautiful! Every Carley Fortune book smells like summer's coming in hot.

I loved this book. I loved how she listened to her fans really wanting a book about Charlie and we got it. The writing just really hits the spot when it comes to summer, romance and finding one's self. All the tropes blends so well with the characters. I think this is one of my favourites so far but actually I find it hard to nail it to one. I'll be recommending this for sure upon release.

Thank you so much, I will cherish my copy!

Carley’s books have been quite hit or miss for me in the past, but I mostly enjoyed this one!

This book follows Charlie (the bad boy brother from Every Summer After) so I loved getting to see how his story played out.

Charlie was fun, flirty and pure sunshine. I liked how the relationship developed with Alice.

Read if you like:
- Forced Proximity
- Friends to Lovers
- Bucket List
- Lake Setting
- Banter
- Teenage Nostalgia
- Slow Burn