One Golden Summer
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! ∙ A radiant escape to the lake from the beloved author of Every Summer After and This Summer Will Be Different, hailed as the “reigning queen of sun-soaked romance novels” (Bustle)
“The way that Carley Fortune can bottle up the feeling of summer and put it into a book needs to be studied. Her books are so transportive!”—Glamour
I never anticipated Charlie Florek.
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.
Because Alice sees people—that’s why she is so good at what she does—but she’s never met someone who looks and sees her right back.
“The way that Carley Fortune can bottle up the feeling of summer and put it into a book needs to be studied. Her books are so transportive!”—Glamour
I never anticipated Charlie Florek.
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.
Because Alice sees people—that’s why she is so good at what she does—but she’s never met someone who looks and sees her right back.
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Community Reviews
This was a wonderful summer read. There was a lot of back and forth of the FMC and MMC that maybe got a little much in the middle but I really loved the storyline and the setting. Highly recommend as a fun summer read.
A great summer read. I love the visuals of this small town by the lake. I didn’t realize this was booked two in a series and I did not read book one.
Carley Fortune writes summer romance like she has successfully bottled sunshine, lake water, and the breathless little spark of a first crush. I adored One Golden Summer. I was smiling like a love struck fool for almost twelve hours.
Alice is a Toronto photographer who is tired, heartbroken, and disconnected from the work that once made her feel alive. She returns to Barry’s Bay to help her grandmother recover from a broken hip. This brings her back to the lake where she once took the photo that changed her career. That photo captured three teenagers in a yellow speedboat. One of those teenagers was Charlie Florek. Years later, he is now very grown, charming, and aware that Alice is worth paying attention to.
Charlie had me from the beginning. He is shamelessly flirty, helpful without being overbearing, and very much giving golden retriever energy. I loved the way he followed Alice around like a puppy dog while pretending he was just being friendly. Sure, Charlie. We all believe you. He and Alice have chemistry that made the whole book feel sun-warmed and sparkly.
Nan was also a highlight. I loved her so much. She is opinionated, funny, and completely aware of what is happening between Alice and Charlie before they are ready to admit it. Every romance needs a grandmother who can clock true love from across the lake and then act like everyone else is being ridiculous for taking so long to catch up.
Now let’s talk about Charlie’s little, “I cannot be with you because I might die,” routine. Sir, c’mon. I understood that his heart condition was serious. Fear can make people do messy things. Alice deserved the truth much sooner. Tell her what is happening, what you are scared of, and the risks. Then, let that grown woman decide what she wants to do with her own heart. Do not put her through emotional gymnastics because you think hiding your feelings is noble. It is not noble. It is annoying.
That frustration aside, I loved the romance, Alice’s healing arc, the lake, the small-town atmosphere, the summer bucket list, the photography, and how this book made falling in love feel both exciting and safe. Fortune has such a lovely way of writing romance. Her stories have a Nicholas Sparks feeling where love is tender, dramatic, and easy to sink into.
The audiobook was enjoyable, though the male voices were not always my favorite. Sometimes the narrator’s Charlie voice sounded a little too exaggerated during the sex scenes. I caught myself wanting to giggle when I should have been panting. That said, the romance still had plenty of heat. Bridel's rendention of Charlie and Alice had me smiling, blushing, and cheering them on the entire story.
One Golden Summer is cute, emotional, spicy, and full of summer charm. It made me want to go sit by a lake, flirt with a man in a boat, and pretend I am also having a soft little healing arc. I will definitely be picking up more Carley Fortune.
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