Book Review: One Golden Summer By Carely Fortune

Main Charecters

Sam Florek
Alice
Nan

Publisher’s Summary

Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life.

Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she’s most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she’s been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it.

Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he’s all grown up—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice’s soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart.

My Thoughts

Huge thanks to Carley for listening to her readers and giving us Charlie’s story! I loved getting to peel back the layers behind his goofy, golden-boy energy—he’s still funny and charming, but you see the depth and maturity too. That “happy” persona? Pure defense mode. It just made me love him more.

If you loved Meet Me at the Lake or Every Summer After, this one is for you. The cabin, the lake, the nostalgia—Carley nails that setting again. I felt like I was right back in Barry’s Bay.

📖 This is the companion to Every Summer After, so definitely read that first or you’ll hit major spoilers.
🐚 Think: forced proximity, friends to lovers, summer bucket lists, amazing banter, and the best kind of teenage throwbacks.
🥹 I devoured it in 24 hours —it’s the perfect beach binge.
🔥 Charlie and Alice’s chemistry?? So fun. And yes, he totally redeems himself.
🙃 The twist was a bit predictable, but didn’t ruin anything for me.
🎬 PSA: Every Summer After is being adapted by Prime Video 👀 If it hits, we better get a Charlie spinoff too!

This book had big The Summer I Turned Pretty energy (minus the brother drama), and I mean that in the best way. And don’t even get me started on the cover—10/10.

Favorite Quotes from One Golden Summer

I think of all the times in my life when I’ve stayed quiet because it was more comfortable than speaking up.

― Carley Fortune, One Golden Summer

When you aren’t staring at him, he’s staring at you. It’s like watching a tennis match

― Carley Fortune, One Golden Summer

But the thing about love languages,” Charlie says, “is it’s not just about how we express love, but how we receive love. You need someone to do something for you that makes you feel loved. Someone to help you.” I shake my head. “I hate asking for help.” “That’s because deep down, you want someone to see what you need before you have to ask.

― Carley Fortune, One Golden Summer