She went to the lake to heal her heart — not to find the man who still owns it.
There’s something about Carley Fortune’s writing that feels like coming home to summer — that quiet shimmer between nostalgia and new beginnings. One Golden Summer captures that feeling perfectly. You don’t need to have read Every Summer After to fall under its spell; this story stands beautifully on its own. Through Alice Everly’s lens, Fortune explores what it means to be seen, to start over, and to risk love when it would be easier to stay behind the camera. The result is a heartfelt, wistful journey that lingers long after the last page.
Book Info
Title: One Golden Summer
Author: Carley Fortune
Series: Barry’s Bay #2
Publish Date: May 6, 2025
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5)
★ Buy on Amazon | Shop on Bookshop (US Indies) | Find on Goodreads
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Book Description
Good things happen at the lake. At least, that’s what Alice’s grandmother always said. Seventeen years ago, Alice spent one unforgettable summer in Barry’s Bay — the place where she captured a photo that would change her life forever. Now a professional photographer caught between burnout and heartbreak, she returns to the cottage to care for Nan after a fall. What she doesn’t expect is to see a familiar yellow boat — and the man driving it.
Charlie Florek was nineteen the day Alice took his picture. He’s older now, steadier, but still the same flirty, golden-hearted boy who made her feel alive. Their reunion stirs everything Alice thought she’d packed away — her creative spark, her longing, her fear of being truly seen. Between Nan’s sharp humor, a family full of love and chaos, and Charlie’s easy grin, one summer on the lake becomes a reminder that sometimes you have to step out from behind the lens to live the picture yourself.
My Review
One Golden Summer shimmers with nostalgia and emotional clarity — the kind of book that feels like sunlight through a cabin window. Even without reading Every Summer After, I was instantly swept into the rhythms of Barry’s Bay: the glint of lake water, the clink of ice in Nan’s glass, and the ache of memories that never quite fade.
Fortune writes with warmth and restraint, building a story that’s as much about renewal as romance. Alice Everly is a quiet perfectionist whose camera has become both armor and escape. Watching her rediscover joy — through spontaneous swims, messy art, and stolen moments with Charlie Florek — feels like watching someone breathe again after holding it too long.
Charlie is pure charm and contradiction: the boy who once ran from love, now facing his own vulnerability. Their chemistry hums beneath every scene, from teasing banter on the dock to late-night confessions under a sky full of stars. It’s tender, lived-in, and beautifully bittersweet.
Nan steals every scene she’s in — fierce, funny, and unfiltered — reminding readers that courage doesn’t fade with age. The intergenerational ties between Nan, Alice, and Charlie give this story emotional ballast; it’s a love story built on legacy as much as attraction.
This same nostalgic warmth reminded me of Grace’s Saving by Maeve Greyson—different era, same heartbeat of second chances.
Favorite moment: the sequence where Alice develops old photographs in Nan’s cottage darkroom, realizing that every picture she’s taken has been a mirror — not of others, but of herself finally daring to be visible. It’s quietly stunning.
Bottom Line: A tender, slow-glowing summer novel about finding your way back — to home, to love, and to the parts of yourself you left behind. Perfect for fans of Every Summer After, Happy Place, and anyone who believes certain summers never really end.
Why You’ll Love It
- ☀️ Second chances and slow burn romance
- 📸 Photography and artistic self-rediscovery
- 🏖️ Lake life vibes and family nostalgia
- 💬 Witty banter + emotional depth
- 👵 A wise and witty grandmother worth every page
Looking for more sun-soaked escapes? Explore my Summer Reads collection or browse Second Chance Romances for your next favorite.
Character Spotlight
Alice Everly – The heart of the story. A talented photographer who’s forgotten how to see herself clearly. Her arc—from quiet observer to active participant—is beautifully handled. She’s introspective, loyal, and just a little lost, which makes her rediscovery all the more satisfying.
Charlie Florek – The golden-boy-turned-grown-man with layers. Still charming, still reckless in small ways, but this time his heart’s on the line—literally and emotionally. He’s flirtatious and funny but carries a depth that makes his vulnerability feel real.
Nan Everly – The anchor. Fierce, witty, and full of one-liners that steal entire scenes. Through her, the story honors aging, resilience, and the wisdom of learning to accept help. Her friendship with Charlie is one of the most unexpected and heartwarming threads.
Sam and Percy Florek – Cameos from Every Summer After that add warmth and continuity for returning readers without alienating new ones. They help expand the Barry’s Bay world and reinforce the theme of chosen family.
Quote Spotlight
“Some photographs capture a moment. Others capture a life you forgot you were living.”
“You see the world so clearly, Alice. But do you ever let anyone see you?”
Final Thoughts
Carley Fortune continues to define what “summer reading” really means — not fluffy escapism, but stories that carry heart and heat in equal measure. One Golden Summer feels like coming home to a dock you didn’t realize you missed. It’s wistful, warm, and quietly brave — a reminder that sometimes the person you need to rediscover is yourself.
Best paired with an evening swim, a camera roll of imperfect photos, and Harry Styles’ “Golden” on repeat 🎶
Join the Conversation
Did you read One Golden Summer? Are you team Charlie or still loyal to Sam from Every Summer After? Share your thoughts below 💬
Shop the Book
Add One Golden Summer to your reading list or your beach bag — and support independent bookstores while you’re at it!
★ Buy on Amazon Shop Bookshop (US Indies) Find on Goodreads
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