Carley Fortune Books: 5 Devastating Reads

There are some authors whose books feel like coming home. They wrap you in a blanket of nostalgia, summer sun, and achingly beautiful second chances. For me, that author is Carley Fortune.

I still remember reading Every Summer After, my heart pounding, smugly certain I had it all figured out. And then, the twist hit me like a physical blow. I literally gasped out loud when I realized the source of her panic attacks wasn’t what I thought at all—it was her own secret.

It was messy, human, and utterly devastating. And that’s the brutal honesty of her writing—it doesn’t just capture the raw, imperfect reality of connections; it forces you to live inside the wreckage, making every story feel like a memory you’ve scarred yourself with.

If you’re craving stories that will make you feel everything, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s break down all of Carley Fortune’s books, from her iconic bestsellers to her newest releases.

The Best Carley Fortune Books to Start With: A Nostalgic Journey

Carley Fortune’s books are a masterclass in capturing the bittersweet beauty of love, loss, and second chances. Whether you’re looking to see the best Carley Fortune books ranked by fans or just want a guaranteed emotional hit, these two standout novels are the perfect entry point.

They are the foundation of her brand, delivering that perfect, soul-crushing-yet-hopeful feeling we all chase.

Every Summer After

⚡ 🏆 NYT Best Seller | ⭐ 4.3 (120k) | 🌶️ 2/5 | 👀 Dual POV

Emotional, Slow-burn, Nostalgic… this book is the definition of a perfect summer read. It’s the story of Persephone “Percy” Fraser and Sam Florek, who spent six perfect summers together as teenagers, falling hopelessly in love. But their story shattered, and they haven’t spoken in twelve years.

The narrative flips seamlessly between their sun-drenched past in Barry’s Bay and their tense, suffocating present. After a single catastrophic mistake on Percy’s part forces her back into Sam’s orbit, the tension becomes palpable.

The dual timeline is executed flawlessly. You feel the weight of their shared history, the inside jokes, the lazy days by the lake, and the magnetic pull that never faded. But underneath it all is the looming question: what on earth did she do that was so bad it could break something this pure?

This isn’t just a romance; it’s a story about growing up, making catastrophic mistakes, and finding the courage to face the ghosts of your past. If you love a good slow-burn that will absolutely wreck you before putting you back together, this is your book. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Meet Me at the Lake

⚡ 🏆 NYT Best Seller | ⭐ 4.2 (60k) | 🌶️ 2/5 | 400 pages

Second-Chance, Whimsical, Healing… this novel feels like a warm, comforting hug after the emotional gut-punch of Every Summer After. It follows Fern Brookbanks, who returns to her mother’s lakeside resort after her sudden passing. Overwhelmed by the responsibility, she’s shocked when Will Baxter—the man she spent a magical 24 hours with a decade ago—shows up offering to help.

The problem? He’s not the carefree artist she remembers, and he’s hiding secrets of his own. The story explores themes of grief, legacy, and self-discovery with a gentle, compassionate touch.

When comparing Every Summer After vs Meet Me at the Lake, readers often find this story less about the panic of lost love and more about picking through the emotional shrapnel of grief and regret. While it is a second-chance romance, don’t mistake it for a soft landing.

The setting is a character in itself—a charmingly rustic resort that holds all of Fern’s childhood memories. You can almost smell the pine trees and hear the lapping water. It’s a whimsical and deeply healing story about reconnecting with your past to build a new future. A must-read for anyone who craves heartfelt romance with a touch of cozy melancholy.

📖 Reader Quote: “Carley Fortune’s books make you feel like you’re living the romance yourself—achingly beautiful and impossible to put down.”

Carley Fortune’s Newest Releases: Fresh Summer Escapes

Carley Fortune’s recent releases build on her signature summer romance formula, offering fresh takes on beloved tropes like friends-to-lovers and fake dating. Each new Carley Fortune book release is an event for romance lovers. If you’ve devoured her first two books and are desperate for more, these are your next obsession.

This Summer Will Be Different

⚡ 🏆 NYT Best Seller | ⭐ 4.1 (25k) | 🌶️ 2/5 | 📚 Standalone

Heartfelt, Forbidden, Island Escape… get ready for some serious angst. This book is for everyone who loves the exquisite torture of a forbidden, friends-to-lovers romance. Lucy is on Prince Edward Island for her best friend’s wedding, a place she’s tried to avoid because of one person: Felix, her best friend’s brother.

After a secret, steamy night together years ago, they’ve been pretending it never happened. But now, trapped on a picturesque island, the tension is electric. Every glance is loaded, every conversation laced with unspoken history. Fortune perfectly captures that feeling of being drawn to the one person you absolutely cannot have.

The PEI setting is lush and transportive, making you feel like you’re right there with them, breathing in the salty air. It’s a story about messy choices, fractured loyalty, and the selfish, desperate need to claim a love you know is forbidden—even if it means burning everything, and everyone, to the ground.

One Golden Summer

⚡ 🔥 Hot New Release | ⭐ 4.3 (8k) | 🌶️ 2/5 | 👀 1st Person POV

Fake Dating, Sunny, Steamy… this is the trope-heavy, fun-in-the-sun romance we all deserve. If you’re looking for something a little lighter but with all of Fortune’s signature heart, this is it.

It leans hard into the fake-dating trope, giving us all the forced proximity, witty banter, and “oh no, my fake feelings are becoming real” panic we adore.

This book is pure escapism. It’s sunny, it’s flirty, and it has just enough emotional depth to make you feel invested. The characters are charming, their chemistry is undeniable, and the whole thing feels like a vacation in book form. It proves that Carley Fortune can deliver not just gut-wrenching nostalgia, but also sparkling, steamy fun. It’s the perfect book to throw in your beach bag.

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Exploring Carley Fortune’s Twisty Side: The No-Show

While Carley Fortune is known for her heartfelt romances, she also excels at crafting twisty, interconnected narratives that keep readers guessing. She’s not a one-trick pony, and this book is the proof.

The No-Show

⭐ Top Rated | ⭐ 4.0 (45k) | 🌶️ 1/5 | 12 hrs audio

Mysterious, Interconnected, Twisty… this book is a brilliant departure from her usual formula. It starts with a killer premise: three different women are stood up by the same man on the same day. Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane are all left waiting for the charming Joseph Carter, and they have no idea he’s connected to the others.

What follows is not a typical romance but a compelling mystery. The story unfolds from the perspectives of all three women, and you become a detective, trying to piece together who Joseph really is and what he’s hiding.

The narrative is masterfully woven, with clues and red herrings that lead to a final twist that is both shocking and deeply emotional.

The No-Show showcases Fortune’s incredible range as a storyteller. You’re not just reading; you’re living inside the confusion and betrayal of three different women, untangling a web of lies that feels painfully, personally real. It’s a must-read if you want to see a different, more mysterious side of her writing.

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Why We Love Carley Fortune’s Tropes: A Deep Dive

Carley Fortune’s books resonate because they masterfully use beloved themes. When analyzing common Carley Fortune book tropes, we see that she uses second-chance romance, fake dating, and friends-to-lovers not as crutches, but as emotional amplifiers.

She elevates them, grounding them in such raw, realistic emotion that they feel brand new.

• Second-Chance Romance: This is her signature. In Every Summer After and Meet Me at the Lake, she weaponizes the past. The shared history between the characters creates an immediate, intense emotional investment. We feel their pining, their regret, and their desperate hope that this time, things will be different. It’s pure, unfiltered angst, and we can’t get enough.

• Fake Dating: In One Golden Summer, she takes this fan-favorite trope and makes it sparkle. It’s all about the delicious tension of the lie. The forced proximity, the shared secrets, and the slow, inevitable slide from pretending to be in love to actually being in love is executed with so much charm and wit.

• Friends-to-Lovers: This trope is all about emotional stakes, and Fortune nails it in This Summer Will Be Different. The foundation of friendship makes the potential for romance so much more rewarding—and the risk of losing it all so much more terrifying. She captures the delicate balance of comfort and a new, electrifying chemistry perfectly.

📊 Top 3 Tropes:

1. Second-Chance Romance
2. Fake Dating
3. Friends-to-Lovers

Carley Fortune Books: Trigger Warnings & Spice Levels

Understanding trigger warnings and the expected Carley Fortune books spice level is crucial for a safe and enjoyable reading experience. Her books are emotionally intense and often deal with heavy themes, so it’s good to know what you’re getting into.

Her stories are generally low to medium on spice, focusing more on emotional intimacy and tension than explicit mechanics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the order of the Carley Fortune books?

The books can be read in any order as they are all standalone novels. However, many fans suggest a specific Carley Fortune books reading order starting with her breakout hit, Every Summer After, to best appreciate her signature nostalgic and emotional style before moving to her newer works.

Are Carley Fortune’s books connected?

No, each book is a standalone story with unique characters and settings. You can jump in anywhere without worrying about missing a previous storyline or character arc. Each novel offers a complete, self-contained emotional journey.

What is the most popular book by Carley Fortune?

Every Summer After is her most popular and celebrated book. With over 120,000 reviews and a 4.3-star average rating, it’s the novel that established her as a powerhouse in the second-chance romance genre.

Are there any movie adaptations of Carley Fortune books?

Yes! Every Summer After has been optioned for a TV series adaptation, and Meet Me at the Lake is being adapted into a film by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s production company, Archewell Productions, for Netflix.

What is the typical spice level of Carley Fortune books?

Most Carley Fortune books sit at a comfortable 2 out of 5 on the spice scale. They contain open-door romance scenes that are steamy and emotional, but the narrative focus remains heavily on the character arcs and relationship development rather than constant erotica.

Your Next Unforgettable Summer Read Awaits

Carley Fortune has an almost supernatural ability to bottle the feeling of a hazy, nostalgic summer and the gut-wrenching ache of first love. Her books are more than just romances; they are brutal, honest excavations of human connection.

She digs into the bitter realities of forgiveness and the raw, often ugly, courage it takes to crawl back toward a second-chance romance.

If you’re ready to have your heart broken and then lovingly pieced back together, start with Every Summer After. You won’t regret it. And when you’re done, there’s a whole world of emotional, addictive Carley Fortune books and stories waiting for you right here on BooksAlchemy.