In this One Golden Summer review, we’re diving into Carley Fortune’s latest summer romance to see if it lives up to the hype. Spoiler alert: One Golden Summer truly delivers those cozy, nostalgic vibes we crave in a beach read. This novel was highly anticipated (named among the Most Anticipated Books of 2025 by several outletscarleyfortune.com), and it’s now a #1 New York Times bestsellerpenguinrandomhouse.com – so of course I had to grab my sunnies and read it by the pool! Here’s my casual take on One Golden Summer and why it just might be your next favorite summer book.
Table of Contents
What is One Golden Summer About?
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune is a feel-good summer romance set against the gorgeous backdrop of Barry’s Bay. If that town sounds familiar, it’s because readers first fell in love with it in Fortune’s debut Every Summer After. In fact, One Golden Summer brings back some familiar characters from Every Summer After – most notably Charlie Florek, the charming older brother of Sam from the first bookswooon.com. (Don’t worry if you haven’t read Every Summer After; One Golden Summer stands on its own as a standalone storycarleyfortune.com. But fans of that book will squee at the little callbacks and cameos!)
The story follows Alice, a thirty-something photographer who spent one magical teenage summer at her grandmother’s cottage in Barry’s Bay. That summer, Alice snapped an iconic photo of three friends in a yellow speedboat – a picture that ended up changing her life and kick-starting her photography careerpenguinrandomhouse.compenguinrandomhouse.com. Fast-forward to the present: Alice’s beloved Nan (grandma) has broken her hip, so Alice suggests they spend another golden summer together at Barry’s Bay to help Nan recover and relive old memories. 🌅 Cue the nostalgia!
Of course, as soon as they settle back in, Alice crosses paths with Charlie Florek – the very same guy from that old speedboat photo, now all grown up. Charlie was nineteen that first summer when Alice secretly took his photo; now he’s a confident, flirty adult who roars back into her life driving that familiar yellow boatpenguinrandomhouse.com. Charlie manages to get Nan laughing and Alice blushing like it’s 17 all over again. Their days become filled with sunlit boat rides, bonfires, and stargazing on the dock… and Alice soon realizes the boy who once grinned at her from afar is seeing her clearly now in a way no one else haspenguinrandomhouse.com.
The setup promises a tender second-chance (or rather, “later in life”) romance with plenty of nostalgia and summer charm. And trust me, Fortune delivers on that promise. Here are my top five reasons why One Golden Summer is a must-read for your summer reading list. 😎📚
5 Reasons to Read One Golden Summer
- A Nostalgic Lakeside Setting: If you love cozy lake towns and cottage vibes, One Golden Summer will make you feel right at home. Carley Fortune beautifully captures the magic of a summer at the lake – you can practically smell the sunscreen and hear the loons on Barry’s Bay. The setting is brimming with nostalgia, from golden sunsets on the water to lazy afternoons eating ice cream in town. (Fortune herself grew up visiting Barry’s Bay, and it shows in the authentic detail.) This novel nails that relaxing, sun-soaked atmosphere; fans of Fortune’s romances will eat it upconfessionsofabookaddict.com. By the end, I was seriously Googling lakeside cottages – it’s that inviting!
- Lovable Characters (Old & New): One of my favorite parts of One Golden Summer is the cast. Alice is an immediately relatable heroine – introverted, creative, and a little bit unsure of her path. I loved that she isn’t some perfect chick-lit caricature; she feels like a real person who’s used to hiding behind her camera and letting others take the spotlight. Her relationship with her grandmother, Nan, is especially heartwarming (their bond and banter gave me all the feels, and it’s one of the best parts of the bookconfessionsofabookaddict.com). Nan is the kind of wise, witty grandma we all wish we had, and she adds a lot of warmth (and some hilarious meddling) to the story. And then there’s Charlie Florek – a familiar face for Fortune’s fans. Charlie was a bit of a legend in Every Summer After, where he appeared as the larger-than-life older brother who may have stirred up some drama. (If you know, you know! No spoilers here 😉.) Some readers were divided on Charlie back then – he had some controversial moments – but One Golden Summer does a fantastic job of redeeming and deepening his characterswooon.com. Here, we get to see the real Charlie: charming and confident on the surface, but also vulnerable and so deserving of love. He’s flirtatious and funny (the chemistry and teasing between Charlie and Alice gave me butterflies), yet he’s also grappling with past mistakes and losses that make him feel he isn’t worthy of happinessswooon.com. By the end, I was firmly Team Charlie. Whether you’re meeting him for the first time or you were curious about him after Every Summer After, you’ll fall for Charlie in this book. (Fans of the earlier novel will also appreciate the brief cameos by Sam and Percy – it’s like a little reunion that doesn’t steal the spotlight, but adds a nice touch for those in the know.)
- Emotional Depth (Beyond the Fluff): Yes, One Golden Summer is an upbeat, feel-good romance – but it’s not all light and fluffy. Carley Fortune weaves in some genuine emotional depth that might surprise you. Both Alice and Charlie are at crossroads in their lives. Alice is yearning for something more in her photography career and personal life, learning to step out from behind the lens and take charge of her own story. Charlie, on the other hand, is still healing from regret and grief (he’s had to overcome some serious losses in his past) and struggles with feeling like he doesn’t truly deserve a happy endingswooon.com. Their journeys give the story a poignant layer of growth and healing. I found myself really invested in seeing these two work through their insecurities. The book has some tear-jerker moments as Alice and Charlie help each other see themselves in a new light. It’s the kind of emotional payoff that makes a romance stick with you. 😊💖
- Sparkling Romance & Chemistry: If you’re here for the swoons, One Golden Summer has got you covered. The chemistry between Alice and Charlie practically crackles on the page. From their playful lake adventures to quiet nights sharing secrets on the dock, every interaction builds that will-they-won’t-they tension in the best way. I loved how their relationship ignites like a firework yet also develops naturally from a rekindled friendshipswooon.com. There’s humor (Charlie knows how to make Alice smile, and Nan’s well-timed interruptions made me laugh out loud) and there’s plenty of romantic tension – including a few steamy moments that are just right (tasteful and not over-the-top). Importantly, it never feels like a mere summer fling. You can sense real respect and understanding growing between them. By the time they finally confront their feelings, I was 100% rooting for these two to get their happily ever after. It’s sweet, it’s a little spicy, and it’s totally satisfying for romance lovers.
- Carley Fortune’s Signature Summer Magic: There’s a reason Carley Fortune has become a go-to author for summer reads. She has this almost magical ability to blend nostalgia, romance, and heartfelt life lessons into an addictively readable story. One Golden Summer is no exception. Her writing is breezy and engaging – perfect for a lazy afternoon – and she paints such a vivid picture of young love rekindled under the summer sun. I also appreciate that Fortune’s Canadian cottage country setting and characters feel authentic (shout-out to the Canadian slang and mentions of Timbits 😉). This book gave me the same warm-fuzzy feeling I got from her earlier novels (Meet Me at the Lake, This Summer Will Be Different, etc.), and it might actually be my favorite of hers since Every Summer After. It’s the perfect beach read to toss in your tote bag – heartwarming, romantic, and just emotional enough to leave an impression. Fans of Fortune’s previous books will be delighted (the novel truly “captures a summer at the lake beautifully”confessionsofabookaddict.com), and new readers will see what the buzz is about.
On a side note, I also loved that One Golden Summer offers a bit of a reunion with Sam and Percy (the couple from Every Summer After) without overshadowing Alice and Charlie’s story. It’s like a little Easter egg for fans – plus, knowing that a Prime Video adaptation of Every Summer After is in the works makes these Barry’s Bay stories even more excitingswooon.com!
Final Thoughts on One Golden Summer
At the end of the day, One Golden Summer lives up to its name – it’s pure golden escapism that left me smiling. 🌟 It’s casual and heartfelt, the kind of book you finish and immediately want to discuss with your best friend over iced coffees. Sure, the plot follows the familiar beats of a small-town summer romance (it’s comfortingly predictable in that way), but that’s part of the charm. Sometimes you just want a book that feels like a warm hug – and One Golden Summer is exactly that.
If you’re assembling your summer reading list, do yourself a favor and add this one. Fans of Emily Henry or Ali Hazelwood will likely adore Fortune’s style. And if you loved Carley Fortune’s earlier work, you won’t be disappointed by this return to Barry’s Bay – it might even become your new favorite. One Golden Summer is that rare summer novel that manages to be nostalgic yet fresh, romantic yet real, and above all, an irresistibly fun read from start to finish.
Verdict: Highly recommend for your next beach day or lazy hammock afternoon. 👍 Don’t forget the tissues (just in case), and prepare to fall in love with Alice, Charlie, and one unforgettable summer by the lake.
Looking for more summer book recommendations? If you enjoyed this novel, you might also check out our review of Carley Fortune’s debut, Every Summer After, and see why her stories have captured so many hearts. Happy reading! 📖☀️
External Links: For more on One Golden Summer, you can visit Carley Fortune’s official site or check out the book’s page on Goodreads to see ratings and reader reviews. Also, an interesting behind-the-scenes tidbit: in an exclusive interview with Swooon swooon.com, Fortune revealed she initially wrote a different love interest for Charlie before finding Alice – just a fun fact for the super fans! 😄
Alt: One Golden Summer book cover – two people in a yellow boat on a lake, evoking sunny summer vibes