Where to Start with Carley Fortune
If you are new to Carley Fortune's emotional, nostalgic romance novels, the absolute best place to start is with her breakout debut, Every Summer After. Released in 2022, this book established Fortune’s signature style: dual-timeline narratives, lakeside settings filled with nostalgic summer memories, and deeply emotional second-chance romances.
While most of her novels are standalone stories set in different scenic destinations across Canada, there is one major exception. Her 2025 release, One Golden Summer, is a direct companion novel to her debut, taking readers back to Barry's Bay to follow a beloved side character. Therefore, following a publication-order path is highly recommended to get the full emotional impact of her interconnected stories.
Carley Fortune Books in Order of Publication
Carley Fortune has followed a consistent annual publishing schedule, releasing a new highly anticipated "summer read" every May. Here is the chronological list of her novels by publication date:
- Every Summer After (May 2022)
- Meet Me at the Lake (May 2023)
- This Summer Will Be Different (May 2024)
- One Golden Summer (May 2025)
- Our Perfect Storm (May 2026)
The Barry's Bay Universe: Every Summer After & One Golden Summer
While you can read most of Fortune's books in any order, her first and fourth novels share a setting and characters. If you want to experience this universe correctly, here is the order you should follow:
- Every Summer After (2022): Sets the stage in Barry’s Bay, Ontario. We meet Percy Fraser and Sam Florek, along with Sam’s charismatic older brother, Charlie Florek.
- One Golden Summer (2025): A companion novel that brings readers back to Barry's Bay. It centers on Charlie Florek and Alice, a photographer who took a photo of Charlie and his friends years prior. Reading this after the debut provides essential emotional context for Charlie's growth and personal struggles.
Book-by-Book Guide to Carley Fortune's Novels
Every Summer After (2022)
Set in the small town of Barry’s Bay, Ontario, this debut novel follows Persephone (Percy) Fraser and Sam Florek. Told over the course of six summers of their youth and one weekend in the present day, it is a classic childhood-friends-to-lovers story. The couple must confront the mistakes of their past and determine if their connection can survive years of separation.
Meet Me at the Lake (2023)
Moving to the scenic Muskoka region of Ontario, this book follows Fern Brookbanks, who inherits her family's struggling lakeside resort after her mother's sudden death. When Will Baxter—a man she shared a life-changing, 24-hour adventure with in Toronto nine years prior—shows up to help, they are forced to deal with grief, broken promises, and the sparks that never truly faded.
This Summer Will Be Different (2024)
Set against the red sand cliffs and breezy beaches of Prince Edward Island (PEI), this novel tells the story of Lucy and Felix. Felix is the brother of Lucy's best friend, Bridget, creating a forbidden romance dynamic. Over years of secret summer trysts on the island, Lucy and Felix must navigate their intense chemistry while trying to prevent their secrets from tearing their friendships apart.
One Golden Summer (2025)
Returning to Barry's Bay, this story focuses on Sam’s older brother, Charlie Florek, and Alice. Alice returns to the lake to heal and crosses paths with Charlie, a local legend whose life is not as perfect as it seems. The book explores themes of healing, artistic passion, and finding love where you least expect it.
Our Perfect Storm (2026)
Set in the misty rainforests and coastal surf beaches of Tofino, British Columbia, this novel follows Frankie (Francesca) and George. Best friends since childhood, their relationship is tested when Frankie’s wedding is abruptly called off. George convinces Frankie to go on her planned honeymoon trip with him, forcing the lifelong friends to confront buried secrets and a shift in their platonic boundaries.
What to Know Before You Start: Adaptations & Themes
Carley Fortune's novels are celebrated for their rich atmospheres, making them highly sought after for screen adaptations. Here is what to watch out for:
- Every Year After (TV Series): Released on Amazon Prime Video on June 10, 2026, this eight-episode television adaptation stars Sadie Soverall as Percy and Matt Cornett as Sam. A second season has already been greenlit, which will adapt the events of One Golden Summer.
- Meet Me at the Lake (Film Adaptation): This novel was optioned for a Netflix feature film adaptation by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Productions.
- Signature Tropes: Expect a lot of dual-timeline flashbacks, friends-to-lovers arcs, evocative descriptions of Canadian summer spots, and emotional depth dealing with real-world issues like grief, anxiety, and family pressure.