One Golden Summer: The sequel to the hit TV series EVERY YEAR AFTER - a breathtaking summer romance set in Barry's Bay

She captured him once on film. This time, he might just capture her heart.

Reading guide

One Golden Summer can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, but readers may also wish to start with Every Summer After to fully immerse themselves in the world of Barry's Bay.

This series follows new love stories set in the lakeside town of Barry's Bay, each focused on a different couple connected to the world of Every Summer After. In the debut, photographer Alice returns home to care for her grandmother and unexpectedly reunites with Charlie Florek, the man she once captured on film, sparking a slow-burning, unforgettable summer romance that challenges her to finally let someone see her true self.

Description

One Golden Summer is a breathtaking contemporary romance series that returns readers to the sun-drenched shores of Barry's Bay, the beloved setting of Carley Fortune's New York Times #1 bestseller Every Summer After. This sizzling series centres on unforgettable new couples whose paths collide at the lake, where good things always happen. In the debut volume, photographer Alice puts her camera and her whirlwind career aside to care for her Nan, only to find herself face-to-face with Charlie Florek, the man she accidentally photographed years ago. Their slow-burning, emotional connection unfolds against a backdrop of long summer days and sparkling lake views, making One Golden Summer the ultimate beach read for 2025 and beyond.

With the same crackling sexual tension and radiant storytelling that millions fell in love with in Every Summer After, Carley Fortune delivers a deeply emotional love story about being truly seen. Named one of the Most Anticipated Books of 2025 by Buzzfeed, Us Weekly, E! News, The New York Post, SheReads, and more, this series is a must-read for fans of character-driven, sun-soaked romance. Whether you are new to the world of Barry's Bay or returning to it, One Golden Summer promises a slow-burn, sizzling escape that will stay with you long after the final page.

Books in this Series

One Golden Summer The brand new romance from the bestselling author of BookTok phenomenon EVERY SUMMER AFTER - soon to be a major TV show

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Collection info

Available volumes

FAQ

Is One Golden Summer a standalone book?

Yes, One Golden Summer works perfectly as a standalone romance. However, it revisits the beloved lakeside setting of Every Summer After, so reading that first can enrich your experience of Barry's Bay and its characters.

What is One Golden Summer about?

One Golden Summer follows Alice, a photographer who returns to Barry's Bay to care for her grandmother after a fall. She runs into Charlie Florek, a man she accidentally photographed when he was nineteen, and as sunny days turn into slow, sizzling nights, Alice discovers what it means to be truly seen by someone else.

Do I need to read Every Summer After before One Golden Summer?

It is not required; One Golden Summer can be read independently. But fans of Every Summer After will enjoy returning to the same lakeside world and catching subtle connections between the books.

Adult readers of contemporary romance seeking a steamy

emotional summer love story with a slow-burn connection.

Adult

Content warnings

Mature sexual content

Themes

photographyfamilyself-discoverysecond-chance romancehomecomingbeing seen

For fans of

Beach Read by Emily Henry
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune