Every Summer After: A Heartfelt Return to Love and Self-Discovery
There’s something about summer romances set against the backdrop of nostalgia that pulls at my heartstrings, and Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After was no exception. This radiant debut captivated me from the very first page, blending the innocence of first love with the heavy weight of regrets and second chances. As I turned the pages, I found myself reflecting on my own youthful romances and the bittersweet ache of growing up.
Told over six summers and one pivotal weekend, the story centers on Persephone (Percy) Fraser, a character whose journey I found strikingly relatable. After making a life-altering mistake a decade before, she retreats from her childhood paradise of Barry’s Bay, choosing instead the hustle and bustle of city life, distancing herself from genuine connections. But when tragedy calls her back to the lakeshore, she is forced to confront the lingering feelings for Sam Florek, her childhood friend turned lost love. Their chemistry is palpable, brimming with depth and an undercurrent of unresolved tension.
Fortune masterfully intertwines past and present, allowing readers to experience Percy and Sam’s relationship unfold over the years. Each flashback to their sun-soaked afternoons by the lake reinforces the notion that love, whether found or lost, leaves an indelible mark. I felt like a voyeur peeking into the evolution of their relationship, the way their friendship seamlessly transitioned into something more. The dual timeline was executed beautifully, creating a palpable tension that had me on edge as I rooted for them to find their way back to each other.
One of my favorite aspects of Every Summer After was the writing style. Fortune’s prose is vivid and immersive, with descriptions that made the idyllic summer setting almost tangible. I could smell the fresh lake air and hear the laughter echoing over the water, pulling me right into Barry’s Bay as if I were experiencing it alongside Percy and Sam. A reviewer mentioned the “magic and romance” being palpable, and I couldn’t agree more; the sensory details light up the page, enriching the reading experience.
The themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and the complexity of love resonated deeply with me. The characters are impeccably well-developed and, at times, their choices made me want to scream in frustration—yet that only made me connect with them more. As Percy grapples with her past, her journey towards understanding the weight of her decisions reminded me that, often, we must confront our histories to allow for a brighter future.
While some readers noted a slow pacing, I found it allowed for deeper character exploration, making the eventual emotional peaks all the more satisfying. Fortune’s ability to delicately balance lighthearted moments with profound emotional depth really shone through, capturing the essence of what it means to be young, in love, and eternally tied to the past.
If you’re seeking a book that will evoke nostalgia while exploring the nuances of love and loss, Every Summer After is your perfect summer read. It’ll resonate with anyone who has ever navigated the complexities of relationships and the impact of the choices we make—like a warm hug on a cool evening by the water. I finished this book with a heart full of empathy and a lingering sense of hope, wishing for my own magical summer moments.
So whether you’re lounging on the beach, tucked up in bed, or even on a rainy afternoon, grab a copy of Every Summer After. You’re in for a beautifully poignant journey that just might rekindle your own memories of youthful love.