Carley Fortune has firmly established herself as one of the most beloved contemporary authors of heartfelt summer romances. With her 2025 release, One Golden Summer, she has once again captured the attention of readers worldwide. This novel, an instant New York Times bestseller, combines the warmth of nostalgia with the emotional intensity of rediscovered love.
In this review, we’ll dive into the novel’s characters, setting, themes, and impact—unpacking why readers everywhere are calling it one of the best romance releases of the year.
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The Magic of Carley Fortune’s Storytelling
Carley Fortune has built a reputation for blending emotional honesty with evocative settings. Her novels are not simply about romance; they are about how place, memory, and timing shape love. In One Golden Summer, she returns to familiar territory—a lakeside community where the past never quite fades, and every ripple in the water seems to hold a memory.
The Premise: A Return Home
At the heart of the story is Alice Everly, a 33-year-old Toronto-based photographer. Her life has been shaped by looking through a camera lens—capturing moments while rarely stepping into them herself. When her grandmother suffers a fall, Alice returns to Barry’s Bay, the lake town of her youth.
It is here that she reconnects with Charlie Florek, the boy once immortalized in her most treasured photograph. Now older, more complex, and carrying his own emotional baggage, Charlie reawakens memories Alice thought she had left behind.
Their reunion is not just a rekindling of romance—it is a rediscovery of self.
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Barry’s Bay: A Setting That Breathes
One of the hallmarks of Carley Fortune’s novels is her ability to make a setting feel like a character. In One Golden Summer, Barry’s Bay comes alive with detail:
- The shimmering surface of Kamaniskeg Lake at sunset.
- The buzz of cicadas in the late summer evenings.
- The echo of speedboats bouncing across the water.
- Forest-lined paths that smell of pine and earth.
This isn’t simply a backdrop for the romance. It is the environment that shapes who Alice and Charlie are, and it holds the history of their connection. The descriptions are so vivid that readers often describe feeling transported into the story, as though they are sitting on the dock with Alice, camera in hand, watching the golden light shift over the water.
Characters with Depth and Humanity
Alice Everly
Alice is more than just a protagonist; she is a woman defined by both absence and presence. Her career as a photographer has given her an eye for beauty, but it has also shielded her from stepping fully into her own narrative. Returning to Barry’s Bay forces her to confront old wounds, unresolved feelings, and the vulnerability of being truly seen.
Charlie Florek
Charlie, the boy in the boat, is no longer just a nostalgic memory. He is complicated, layered, and flawed in ways that make him deeply human. Readers are drawn to the contrast between his charming exterior and the deeper struggles he carries beneath the surface.
Nan
Alice’s grandmother, Nan, is the catalyst for Alice’s return. Though not the central character, Nan embodies themes of family, legacy, and resilience. Her injury is what draws Alice back, but her presence provides grounding, wisdom, and the reminder that home is more than geography—it’s connection.
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Themes That Resonate
Nostalgia and Memory
The novel thrives on the tension between past and present. For Alice, returning to Barry’s Bay is more than just coming home—it is confronting the life she might have had and asking whether it is too late to reclaim parts of it.
Healing and Transformation
Both Alice and Charlie carry wounds—personal and relational. The process of healing is neither quick nor easy, but it is portrayed with tenderness and authenticity. This makes their love story feel earned rather than rushed.
Being Seen
One of the strongest themes is the act of being seen—not through a lens or from a distance, but truly, intimately, without filters. Alice’s journey from observer to participant mirrors the emotional vulnerability required in love.
The Fleeting Nature of Summer
Summer itself is symbolic throughout the book. It represents brief, golden moments that can shape a lifetime—a reminder that joy can be fleeting but also transformative.
A Romance with Substance
Unlike some contemporary romances that focus purely on chemistry, One Golden Summer balances passion with introspection. The love story between Alice and Charlie is about more than sparks; it is about growth, forgiveness, and rediscovering what matters most.
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Carley Fortune’s Prose
Fortune’s writing is often described as lyrical yet approachable. She has a talent for weaving sensory detail into emotional landscapes, ensuring readers not only see but also feel the world she creates. Phrases linger, dialogue feels natural, and the rhythm of the prose mirrors the ebb and flow of the lake itself.
Why Readers Connect So Deeply
Readers often describe this book as comforting, emotional, and transportive. Its success lies in its universality. We may not all have a Barry’s Bay, but we all have places that hold our memories. We may not all have a Charlie Florek, but we all have someone who shaped our past. The novel taps into those shared emotions, making the personal feel universal.
Comparison to Fortune’s Earlier Novels
Carley Fortune fans will notice echoes of her earlier works. Much like Every Summer After, One Golden Summer deals with lakeside nostalgia and the powerful pull of first love. But where her earlier books leaned heavily on rekindled romance, this one deepens into questions of identity, self-expression, and what it means to reclaim one’s voice.
The Critical and Commercial Reception
As an instant bestseller, the novel has garnered praise from critics and readers alike. Reviews highlight its ability to balance romance with depth, offering more than just escapism. Many call it Fortune’s strongest novel to date, noting that it cements her place among the most important voices in contemporary romance fiction.
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A Book Club Favorite
The layered themes, emotional conflicts, and symbolic setting make One Golden Summer perfect for group discussions. Book clubs can dive into topics such as:
- What does it mean to “return home” after years away?
- How do we reconcile our past choices with our present selves?
- Can love that was once lost ever truly be regained?
- What role does memory play in shaping identity?
Strengths at a Glance
- Vivid, transportive setting that feels like a character in itself
- Characters with emotional depth and complexity
- Themes of healing, nostalgia, and transformation
- A romance that feels earned, not forced
- Beautiful prose that lingers after the last page
Considerations for Some Readers
While the novel has been overwhelmingly well-received, some readers may find its slower, reflective pacing a departure from fast-paced romances. However, this contemplative rhythm is precisely what gives the story its emotional weight.
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The Emotional Impact
Perhaps the greatest strength of One Golden Summer is its lingering emotional resonance. Readers describe finishing the book and feeling both nostalgic and hopeful—reflecting on their own lives, choices, and loves. It is a story that does not end when the last page is turned but continues to live in the reader’s heart.
Who Should Read It
This novel will appeal to:
- Fans of character-driven romances.
- Readers who love summer nostalgia and evocative settings.
- Book club members seeking rich themes to unpack.
- Anyone in need of a hopeful, emotional story about rediscovery.
Final Thoughts
One Golden Summer is more than just another romance novel—it is a meditation on love, memory, and the courage to step back into moments that once defined us. Carley Fortune has crafted a story that feels both timeless and timely, a reminder that the golden glow of summer can illuminate even the darkest corners of the heart.
It is no wonder this novel became a 2025 bestseller so quickly. It is not simply read; it is experienced, savored, and remembered.
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FAQ
- What is One Golden Summer about?
It follows Alice Everly, a photographer who returns to Barry’s Bay to care for her grandmother and unexpectedly reconnects with Charlie Florek, the boy from her youth. - Is this book connected to Carley Fortune’s earlier works?
Yes, it features a returning character from her earlier novels, but it stands on its own. - What themes does the novel explore?
Themes of nostalgia, healing, being seen, rediscovery, and the fleeting beauty of summer. - Is it a fast-paced romance?
It is more reflective and character-driven, focusing on emotional growth alongside romance. - Who would enjoy this book most?
Fans of literary romances, book club readers, and anyone who loves nostalgic, lakeside settings. - Why is it called One Golden Summer?
The title symbolizes the fleeting yet transformative power of one unforgettable summer in shaping identity and love. - Is it appropriate for book clubs?
Absolutely—it offers rich themes and discussion-worthy conflicts. - Why did it become a bestseller?
Because it resonates universally—combining nostalgia, romance, and emotional honesty in a way that speaks to readers across generations.
