One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

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.

Paperback, 401 pages

Published May 6, 2025

 by Berkley

4.5/5 stars

Canadian author Carley Fortune is an auto-read for me.  One Golden Summer released last year so yea I am a little behind, had to get this in before her new release next month.

The thing with this author is that she gets summer.  There is the cottage setting, the lake and slower pace.  I love that her books are set in Canada, mostly Ontario.  Seeing familiar places adds to the charm.

To aid in the recovery of her Nan, Alice takes her to a cottage in Barry's Bay.  A place that has history with her family.  Alice reflects about her time there as a teen.  This is where Charlie enters the picture, he might not remember her but she sure remembers him.

I liked each of the characters, Nan gave some nice comical relief, Charlie...well he was easy to like.  And Alice as she slowly comes out of her shell.  There is secrets for each of time and watching them come to light was an emotional journey.

I won't say too much about the plot about suffice that One Golden Summer is a story of healing, family, memories and realising you are stronger then you think.  I think my favorite by this author....so far.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge.  #3