One Golden Summer

One Golden Summer creates an enchanting escape where love conquers life's toughest challenges. Carly Fortune has crafted another winner with Charlie Florek - a character so compelling he'll set impossibly high standards for future book boyfriends. This novel masterfully balances heartbreak and hope, creating that bittersweet reading experience where even the painful moments feel beautifully crafted. It's the perfect summer read for anyone seeking emotional depth alongside romantic escapism. While it stands alone perfectly, readers familiar with Fortune's "Every Summer After" will appreciate the shared setting and character connections that add extra richness to the story. The lakeside backdrop provides a gorgeous, nostalgic atmosphere throughout both books. Fortune continues to demonstrate her talent for creating immersive romantic fiction that lingers long after the final page. Her writing style draws you in completely, making it impossible to put down. Book arrived in excellent condition. Highly recommend for fans of contemporary romance seeking their next emotional journey.

This is the first book that I have read and listen to by this author. I did not realize that there were a few books previously that I could have read before reading this book that had these characters in them. I'm not sure if it took away from my experience by not having read the previous books however, I find that I really loved this book! When I started the book I wasn't 100% sure what I was going to think, however, as I continued on I was definitely drawn into the story. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. I was hoping that the main characters would have a happily ever after even though there were a few times that I was worried that would not happen. And I'm not going to say if it did or didn't but the ending was definitely satisfying. I just felt the entire book was very well written, the storyline was engaging and drew the reader in, I definitely had a lot of emotions and feelings that I experienced with the book, and I'm glad that I read and listened to the book. I ended up getting the ebook and audible version. The narrator did a great job and I like how the audible version had the extra information that was in the back of the e-book because sometimes the audible doesn't include that and this time it did. I'm thinking I may go back and check out more of this author's books.

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune was a really enjoyable read, even for someone who doesn’t always gravitate toward contemporary romance. The Ontario cottage setting is vivid and warm, and the story focuses on emotional growth, belonging, and revisiting places that shaped you. Alice’s arc, from outsider to finally feeling like she fits, was especially well done. This book can be read as a standalone, but some characters appear in Every Summer After, and I think reading that first would enhance the experience. That said, I still found this story engaging and satisfying. A great choice for readers looking for a nostalgic, character-driven summer romance.

This book was such a fantastic and easy read! The heartfelt story and yearning had my emotions all over the place. I definitely recommend and really enjoyed this book. I will be reading more from this author.

This book was chosen as a book club read. I have never read a Carley Fortune book before this one but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by her writing style. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Alice and Charlie are truly end game. I enjoyed their banter from the first phone conversation. It was cute and gave you time to watch their chemistry and personalities evolve together. I also loved how Alice is written—she thinks she is this shy woman who doesn’t know how to speak up for herself but she’s actually very strong willed and knows who she is. Charlie just gives her more confidence in herself. Her relationships with her family are also fun and heartwarming. This is definitely a slow-burn book but it does have a little spice about halfway in. It’s also important to note that this book is about a 33 year old woman and a 35 year old man. So it was refreshing to read about adults. This can be read as a standalone but Charlie’s brother Sam, his story is another book that can be read before this called “Every Summer After”.

Easily my favorite Carley book 🥹 this was incredible There’s just something about reading a Carley Fortune book in February that makes you yearn for summer. Her books always makes me feel so nostalgic for warmer months and has me wanting to lounge by a lake with a book. I really enjoyed Every Summer After and much like every single other fan of that book, I was beyond eager to see Charlie get his own story! Alice, Nan and Charlie were the summer trio of my dreams and I adored seeing more of Charlie’s charming and caring personality through Alice’s eyes. I loved the Percy and Sam cameos, the lake-town setting, the youthful pull that Alice and Charlie had towards each other, and every single member of Alice’s family. Getting a chance to go back to Barry’s Bay was so much fun and it’s just making me more excited to see these characters on the screen once the show is released! ☀️ friends to lovers ☀️ golden retriever/ reformed playboy mmc ☀️ forced proximity (neighbors) ☀️ summertime, lake house setting ☀️ single pov

To be quite honest, I’m not sure about how to feel about this novel, which is Fortune’s fourth foray into the literary world and a follow-up to her debut, Every Summer After. Despite Charlie being an exquisite character (physical and personality traits alike) and Alice’s perspective giving depth to their relationship, I felt as though something were missing. I ordinarily would feel tickled by their banter and utterly charmed by Charlie’s suave-like and self-assured attitude. I wasn’t though. I liked the book and believe it’s a good read, but the spark of connection was missing on my end re: wholly immersing myself in their world. Perhaps this was a result of the expectations I held after re-reading Every Summer After mere hours before starting One Golden Summer. Maybe it was because This Summer Will Be Different raised the bar even higher. Let me be even more honest… it was probably the hype that social media and early readers compelled me to feel. Others apparently consider this an absolute tearjerker. However, I didn’t cry at all (I am considered a bawl baby and can make myself cry pretty quickly and easily). Overall, it’s a worthwhile read. One major point in its favor, which caught me off guard— a side character shares the unique name of one of my relatives.

Book Title: One Golden Summer Author: Carley Fortune Tropes: Second Chance, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Friends to Lovers, Found Family, Small Town Summer Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Open door – heartfelt and romantic) 🤩 The Vibe: One Golden Summer is a golden-hour daydream—sun-drenched, nostalgic, and emotionally rich. Carley Fortune returns to Barry’s Bay with a story that perfectly captures the bittersweet magic of summer: long days on the lake, laughter echoing across the dock, and a romance that simmers with tension and heart. With moments both swoony and sincere, this is Fortune at her best. 👩‍❤️‍👨 Main Characters: Alice: A reserved, introspective photographer who prefers to stay behind the lens. She’s searching for something more, and a return to the lake—and to herself—might be the answer. Charlie Florek: Once the charming “bad brother” from Every Summer After, now a flirty, grown-up golden retriever of a man with a serious side and a heart of gold. He’s here to change the narrative—and maybe win a heart along the way. 💕 What I Loved: • Charlie. Freaking. Florek. Flirty, magnetic, and so much deeper than expected • Nan’s hilarity and heart—truly the MVP side character • Cameos from Sam and Percy added layers of warmth and continuity • The lake setting felt immersive and cinematic • The tension. Was. PALPABLE. Every look, every touch—perfection • Alice and Charlie’s dynamic: opposites on the surface, but so in sync underneath • The nostalgia of being 17 again—and learning how to move forward 🚫 What Didn’t Work For Me: • A few predictable beats toward the end, but the emotional payoff still landed • I wouldn’t have minded a bit more from Alice’s internal journey near the resolution 💭 Final Thoughts: After being let down by several highly anticipated books this year, One Golden Summer was exactly the read I needed. Warm, wistful, and wildly romantic, this is Carley Fortune’s strongest novel yet. I adored being back in Barry’s Bay and watching Charlie’s redemption arc unfold alongside a love story that felt both exhilarating and emotionally grounded. Pure sunshine in book form.

It was better than i expected

Beste boek van Carley Fortune, een must read!

Si te gustó “Every Summer After”, “One Golden Summer” te encantará. Es un libro perfecto para la época veraniega. Fácil de leer y muy entretenido. Te enamorarás de cada uno de los personajes.

I was completely engrossed in this book and loved Alice and Charlie's story. All the experiences in nature by the water: I felt like I was right there with them. Sensitively told. Wonderful!

Lovely vacation read.