Every Summer After

This was one of those books that had me hooked from the very first page. The story beautifully alternates between past and present, slowly revealing the history between Percy and Sam. Their connection felt authentic, heartfelt, and deeply emotional. I loved how the novel explored themes of first love, friendship, family, regret, and second chances. The summer lake setting was so vividly described that I felt like I was right there with them, making the book the perfect escapist read. What really stood out was her ability to capture the intensity and nostalgia of young love while balancing it with the complexities of adulthood. The chemistry between the characters was undeniable, and the emotional moments hit hard without ever feeling forced. This book made me smile, ache, and root for the characters every step of the way. If you enjoy emotional romances, dual timelines, and stories that transport you to a beautiful summer setting, Every Summer After is a must-read.

Told across six summers and one transformative weekend, Every Summer After is a nostalgic second-chance romance set in the small lakeside town of Barry’s Bay. It follows Persephone “Percy” Fraser as she reconnects with Sam Florek—the boy she once loved and lost—after years of silence. This book absolutely captivated me from start to finish. Carley Fortune has this incredible way of writing that made me feel like I was right there in Barry’s Bay—swimming off the dock, flipping through pages on the porch, and holding my breath through the heartbreak. The setting felt like a character in itself, wrapping the whole story in that nostalgic, sun-drenched glow of first love and painful regrets. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Percy, Sam, and Charlie. Sam’s quiet depth and big heart tugged at my emotions in every chapter, while Charlie’s witty, borderline inappropriate banter had me laughing out loud. The sibling dynamics felt so authentic, and the chemistry between Percy and Sam was palpable—tender, complicated, and so real. What really stood out to me was how raw the emotions were. This wasn’t just a romance—it was a story about timing, forgiveness, and growing up. The way it explored grief, guilt, and what it means to find your way back to someone (and yourself) after everything changes… it was so much more than I expected, and it stuck with me. If you’re a fan of emotional, character-driven love stories with heart and depth, this is one you’ll want on your shelf.

This isn't the deepest book I've ever read, but it was absolutely a 5-star read for me. What I loved most was that this wasn't just a romance. Yes, I was completely invested in Sam and Percy's love story, but I was equally invested in the relationships surrounding them. The brotherly love between Sam and Charlie was beautiful, and even the complicated relationship between Percy and Charlie added so much depth to the story. There were moments when I was frustrated with Percy. At times she seemed to be playing the victim, but by the end I saw her differently. I don't think she ever doubted that she loved Sam. I think she doubted herself. Her fear of not being enough made it easier to believe the worst and that made her mistakes feel human rather than manipulative. Carley Fortune has a writing style that pulled me in from the very beginning. Some authors tell you a story. Others invite you to become part of it. This felt like the latter. I didn't feel like I was reading about these characters; I felt like I was spending summers with them. The story is messy, emotional, frustrating, sweet, and full of love in all its forms. Not perfect love, but real love. The kind that survives misunderstandings, mistakes, time, and distance. When I finished, I wasn't thinking about the plot. I was thinking about the characters and how much I'm going to miss them. And for me, that's one of the highest compliments I can give a book.

So good! Enjoyed every second! Excellent plot, loved the characters! So excited to watch the show now! I hope it lives up to the book!

This was a sweet romance that spans many years. A bit predictable but still really well written. Finished in 1 day. Can’t wait to watch the series based on this book.

I dug through my camera roll and found this picture from a year ago when I first read Every Summer After. (It’s such a great beach read) 🛶 With the series adaptation being released I listened to the audiobook to refresh my memory. The dual timelines are what make this story so great. Being kept in the dark until the past finally catches up to the present is why this was a one day read. You can’t help but root for Percy and Sam when a love story is built over a lifetime. Yes, there were a few moments where I wanted scream at them but… they were young and stupid!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 Stars) I listened to Every Summer After on audio, and at first, it really felt like it had the potential to be a solid 4-star read for me. The beginning is charming, easy to sink into, and definitely has that cozy, nostalgic summer atmosphere that so many readers love. It’s a cute, pleasant story with a smooth flow, and the type of book you can listen to without needing to focus too deeply. However, as the story went on, the pacing became a real issue. At around ten hours, this audiobook felt unnecessarily long. The plot didn’t have enough depth or twists to justify that length, and I honestly think it would have been a much stronger book if it wrapped up closer to the seven-hour mark. Around the midpoint, I found myself losing interest at times simply because the narrative stretched itself thin. When it comes to the writing itself, Carley Fortune keeps things very simple. There’s nothing particularly inspiring, profound, or memorable about the prose. It’s straightforward and easy to follow, but it doesn’t stand out, and I wouldn’t say it’s developed enough to be considered a distinct “writing style.” It does the job, but it never elevates the story or adds emotional depth the way some authors can. I also didn’t fall deeply in love with the characters. They were fine, but not the type that stay with you after the book is over. Because the character connection never fully clicked for me, the slower pacing felt even more noticeable, and some of the emotional beats didn’t land as strongly as they were intended to. Overall, Every Summer After is an easy, pleasant listen — perfect if you’re looking for something light, summery, and uncomplicated. While the overly long runtime, very simple writing, and limited emotional connection kept it at 3.5 stars for me, it’s still a sweet story that delivers exactly what many readers look for in a nostalgic summer romance. I’m still open to exploring more of Carley Fortune’s books, and I’m curious to see how her other stories compare!

If I could bottle the feeling Every Summer After left me with, it would be a warm summer evening at the lake. You know you’ve found a great book when you finish the last page with a smile on your face and the overwhelming urge to turn right back to page one and experience it all over again. Percy and Sam are beautifully flawed, but together they’re absolute perfection. I think Sam knew the moment Percy dropped one of her big words that he’d found someone who truly understood him. And when he didn’t shy away from her unfiltered personality, it felt like these two were destined to be endgame—if only they could stop getting in their own way. This story is packed with all the feelings. It captures the magic of childhood summers spent at the lake or the beach, where friendships are made effortlessly and the only real worry is that summer has to end. Nostalgia weaves through every chapter as Percy looks back on their friendship, their first love, adulthood, and the heartbreak of where it all went wrong. As she searches for a way to move forward without Sam, the answer becomes clear: she can’t. He’s her lobster 🦞, and he has been since they were thirteen. Carley Fortune has crafted a beautifully told story about first love, forgiveness, and finding your way back to the person who feels like home. It’s tender, heartfelt, and the kind of book that leaves your soul a little warmer than it was before you started reading. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It’s exactly the reason I love to read.

The book came with an almost perfect condition without any breakage found. The quality of the pages was really impressive . The printing of the cover was fine and not so dull. The book was an impressive add to my collective at a pretty condition Review of the novel: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 If you're looking for a small town romance with a glimpse of innocence, this book is the one. I bought it without having much knowledge of the storyline, and was pretty impressed afterwards. I had originally expected it to be a city romance with busy lives, but with the nature of the characters, Sam Percy and Charlie, small town fitted them so well and i wouldn't want it any other way. The character building as they grew older was so strong and inspiring. It's a second chance romance (my first one) and portrayed a very true and realistic friendship even after they've drifted apart. It's nostalgic, intense, and an escape fro the busy lives of big cities, even in the book! The lake and the nature is portrayed very nicely in the book and the entire novel is from the perspective of Percy. It's the kind of writing style that makes you feel and highly aware that you're reading a book rather than reading someone's personal diary; which was kind of difficult at first. So if that works just fine for you, go for it! You'd feel alot - deep effection for the characters and their choices - when you finish the book!

I loved loved loved this! Such a brilliant way to portray real people messing up and loving each other! Would recommend :)

Loved every second of this one! 5+ stars! Really made me want to rent a cottage at a lake lol.

Quite expected reading.. typical story.. it reminded me another story from different author.. i stopped reading it cause it kind annoys me that the man.. was waiting for her and she was too sad to try what they had.. lies.. this is not even a bit realistic..😂

This book took me on a lovely nostalgic journey. It was an escape I desperately needed. Easy to read and totally engaging. Just simply enjoyable. Leaving me with that warm and fuzzy book hangover. The characters feel like friends I'm going to struggle to let go of. I miss them already.