Title: One Golden Summer
Author: Carley Fortune
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 6, 2025
A radiant, new escape to the lake from #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune
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 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.
Good things happen at the lake!
Alice Everly, in her thirties, has a successful career as a photographer. She’s skilled at her job. Since her recent painful breakup, she’s thrown herself into work. Then, her beloved grandmother, Nan, falls during dance class and breaks her hip. After surgery, Nan needs time to heal and do her exercises. Noticing Nan’s depression, Alice clears her schedule and decides to take her grandmother to Barry’s Bay, a place she hasn’t visited since she was seventeen.
Before they arrive, they must make the place safe for Nan. Alice is told to contact Charlie Florek to fix the house to prevent another fall. Charlie agrees to make the necessary adjustments.
Arriving at Barry’s Bay stirs fond memories for Alice. It’s where she became a photographer after capturing a photo of three teenagers in a yellow speeding boat. That image, entered in a contest, launched her career. When she finally meets Charlie, she realizes he’s one of those teenagers. She also can’t look away from his intense green eyes.
What begins as a friendship soon edges into romantic territory, despite neither seeking a relationship. Can they make it work long-term after the summer ends?
I didn’t know Charlie was a character from a prior book, so I got spoiled about Sam and Percy. My suggestion is to read the books in order. Still, I enjoyed this love story. I liked how Alice grows as a character. Charlie was funny, charismatic, and able to see the real Alice. Nan was also lovable, and her struggles felt authentic.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
No comments:
Post a Comment