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 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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*Valid June 23, 2026 - July 20, 2026 at Canadian stores and indigo.ca, while quantities last. Not valid on previous purchases or in conjunction with other offers.
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#1 GLOBE AND MAIL BESTSELLER #1 TORONTO STAR BESTSELLER #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Rakuten Kobo's Best in Romance 2025 Nominated for the 2025 Goodreads Choice Award for Romance An Indigo Best Book of the Year
One of: - Audible's “Best Audiobooks of 2025” - PEOPLE's “18 Books PEOPLE Staffers Are Reading This Summer” - CBC’s “15 Canadian Romance Books To Swoon Over This Summer” - Kobo's "Top 20 Books of 2025" Praise for One Golden Summer:
“[Fans] have been begging her to give Charlie his happily ever after for years—and she’s fully delivered with a sweet, summer love story.” —E! News
“Carley Fortune has a knack for making the lake the most romantic place on earth, and, as such, One Golden Summer is a delight.” —ELLE
“The sparks between Alice and Charlie fly off the page and endearing Nan adds heart. This is a treat.” —Publishers Weekly
“Readers will enjoy the steamy love story that develops but will also appreciate Alice's personal growth. Not only does she find love, she finds her purpose in her career. Fans of Annabel Monaghan will agree with Nan that 'good things happen at the lake.'” —Booklist (starred review)
"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
"Fortune is now the reigning queen of sun-soaked romance novels." —Bustle
"Carley Fortune is an expert at capturing the essence of a sparkling summer romance at the lake." —Shelf Awareness
Overall rating: 4.7556562 / 5 from 221 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune is celebrated for its heartwarming story, relatable characters, and perfect summer romance. Customers highly recommend this book, praising its engaging narrative and memorable characters.
"I always love an easy breezy summer romance and Carley Fortune never disappoints!" — Alexandra K.
"One Golden summer, really loved the characters…Charlie and Alice, and the Nan." — Sarah
"Love Love Loved this book, easy read for the poolside/ beach!" — Amber
Reviews
A perfect summer read!
"I read this not knowing that it was a sequel to “Every Summer After”, but it did not seem to affect the enjoyment of the book. This is the ultimate summer rom com, set in an Ontario lakeside town and with all the traditional summer activities, plus a great romance with some spice. There was the requisite humour, fabulous characters you could easily think of as friends and some depth as well. I really enjoyed it. 4. 25/5 stars!"
— Margaret P. (4/5)
One Golden Summer Book
"A good read. I recommend it. I'll have to look into her other books to read."
— Jenny. D. (5/5)
One Golden Summer ~ A Must Read
"“I wasn’t expecting Charlie Florek” caught my eye while I was browsing for a vacation read, and I am so glad I picked up this book. Charlie and Alice are now two of my favourite characters. I even dreamt about them, and to me that is a sign of great writing."
— Marion A. (5/5)
The best hug.
"A perfect book to curl up in a favorite chair with a cup of cocoa. Everyone wants a person who """"""""sees"""""""" them and loves them for who they are."
— LisaAnn (5/5)
Too many teenager make out scenes
"Although the idea and premise of the story was good I found there to be too many graphic sex scenes that I don't think were necessary. I would find myself getting into the story and then there would be yet another hot and steamy scene between the main characters and I would get annoyed. I am not opposed to sex scenes in a book by any means but felt this story would have been better with fewer of them. I really liked the characters and feel there could have been much more story dedicated to them instead of the teenager make out scenes."
— Jen W. (2/5)
A very well written romance
"One Golden Summer is a well written book that puts some areas I know of in feature. It is written by a Canadian author and very picture descriptive."
— Joanne (5/5)
Great Book!
"Loved the book, couldn't put it down. Read it in two days!!"
— Michelle G. (5/5)
Golden Summers
"One a cold, dark, November evening in Canada this book is a lovely reminder that golden summers on the lake, and love in many forms, will always return again."
— Pjmf (5/5)
6 STAR READ
"I haven't read a romance book like this in a while. I did not want to put it down. Everday I looked forward to the time I would have to read Alice and Charle's story and what would happen next. I loved both the characters so much, including Nan, and once you got to know them, there was so much more to them then at first glance. I felt like I was back in summer, and it was so fun finally reading a book set in my hometown, Toronto. I hope I get to go to Barry's Bay one summer and visit the places that were written. I can't believe this was my first Carley Fortune book, but I can't wait to read more. I will definitely be re-reading this book many times. 5 STAR READ, MIGHT EVEN BE A 6 STAR READ FOR ME!!! DEFINITELY WORTH THE READ! PLEASE PICK IT UP :)"
— Aman (5/5)
A delightful read
"I completely enjoyed One Golden Summer. Carley Fortune writes a delightful story set on a canadian lake. I have read all of her books and enjoy how characters reoccur in her books."
— Heather (5/5)
Q&A
Published date: Mar 31, 2026
Language: English
No. of Pages: 416
Publisher: Penguin Canada
ISBN: 9780735247314
Dimensions:
4.17" W x
1.06" L x
7.51" H
CARLEY FORTUNE is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After, Meet Me at the Lake, and This Summer Will Be Different. She is an award-winning Canadian journalist who’s worked as an editor for Refinery29, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and Toronto Life. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons.
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