ONE GOLDEN SUMMER

This was just the romance I needed to complete a blissful week at the beach, when I’m always nostalgic for the most summery of summer stories! Alice is a photographer who, reeling from a recent breakup and creative burnout, spends the summer with her grandmother at Barry’s Bay lake. While Nan recovers from an injury, Alice has a swoony meet-cute with Charlie, the local Hot Dude who just happens to be the caretaker of their rented cottage - and is also the subject of a life-changing photo she snapped there as a teen. Despite best intentions, their undeniable connection blossoms into a whirlwind romance as they check off items on Alice’s summer wish list (and a few that are not 🔥). But is there truth to Charlie’s reputation as a heartbreaker - or can their summer fling lead to love beyond the lake?

This book had so many fun treats: I LOVE a photography backstory, and how did I not know this novel features the Florek brothers from Every Summer After?! As always, Carley Fortune harnesses summer magic in the tiny details of this idyllic setting, the perfect backdrop for a romance that manages to be both modern and timeless. This hit just the right note of sweet (but not overly so), classic (but also fun) and a bit steamy (but not cringe). Highly recommend for a breezy end of summer read! Carley Fortune just released the cover for her next book - scroll to the end for a peek, and a few pics of the golden summer week I read this one!

Just like ESA, this book has some special scenes featuring pierogis - they sound so yum but I don’t know if I can make them photogenic! Charlie’s birthday cake for Alice though - the sweetness of that scene, as Charlie salvages Alice’s birthday, won me over to Team Charlie (and team chocolate cake). Maybe next summer on the pierogis! Can’t wait to see what the next book has in store!

Did you read One Golden Summer? Do you have a fan cast for Alice and Charlie?