If you’ve ever had a summer that changed you — the kind that lingers long after the sun fades — then Every Summer After by Carley Fortune will feel like coming home to a memory you didn’t know you missed. This nostalgic summer romance has become one of the most talked-about reads of the year, blending warmth, longing, and the ache of what could have been.
In this post, I’ll share what Every Summer After is about, the themes that make it unforgettable, and why it’s more than just another second chance love story. I’ll also reflect on my own experience reading it — and how one real-life story reminded me just how true this book’s message really is.
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About Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Set in the picturesque town of Barry’s Bay, Every Summer After follows Persephone (Percy) and Sam, childhood friends who spend six summers growing up side by side by the lake. What begins as innocent friendship soon deepens into something more — until one fateful decision tears them apart.
Years later, Percy is forced to return home for Sam’s mother’s funeral, where old emotions come rushing back. The book unfolds between “then” and “now,” offering readers a sweeping look at love, regret, and forgiveness over the course of one weekend and six summers.
Carley Fortune’s storytelling captures the magic of nostalgic summer romance novels, with hazy afternoons on the dock, late-night swimming, and the bittersweet pull of growing up and growing apart.
Why Every Summer After Hits So Deep
I’ve read countless romance books over the years, but few have struck me like this one did. Maybe it’s because Every Summer After mirrors the very real experience of reconnecting with someone who once knew you best.
Fortune perfectly balances sentimental reflection with a realistic portrayal of what happens when life doesn’t go as planned. Percy isn’t flawless, and neither is Sam. Their story reminds us that sometimes, even when you’ve moved on, the past isn’t truly finished with you.
The emotional depth here is what sets it apart from many beach reads. Beneath the soft summer setting lies a raw honesty about guilt, redemption, and the courage it takes to say, “I was wrong.”
It’s no wonder readers searching for books similar to Every Summer After often mention Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren — both explore how time, distance, and unspoken feelings shape our relationships.
A Real-Life Case Study: When the Past Finds Its Way Back
Last year, a friend of mine — let’s call her Emily — shared a story that reminded me so much of Percy and Sam.
Emily grew up spending summers at her family’s cabin in Michigan, where she met Jake, the neighbor’s son. Every year, they’d fish, watch fireworks, and share secrets on the pier. But after college, life pulled them apart. They stopped talking, both too proud (and too hurt) to reach out.
Ten years later, Emily returned home after her father passed away. Guess who was still there — living in the same lakeside house? Jake.
At first, she said it was awkward — like being haunted by a ghost of her younger self. But slowly, old laughter returned. They started taking morning walks by the water again, talking about what they’d missed. Within months, they were inseparable.
Today, they’re married — and every summer, they go back to that same pier where it all began.
When I read Every Summer After, I couldn’t help but think of them. It’s proof that second chances aren’t just fiction — sometimes life gives you one more summer to make things right.
What makes this novel unforgettable is how universal its themes are. Here’s what truly stands out:
1. The Power of Nostalgia
Carley Fortune doesn’t just tell a story; she makes you feel the weight of time. Every page is soaked in nostalgia — the smell of sunscreen, the sound of lake water lapping against the shore, the echo of laughter fading into memory.
2. Regret and Redemption
One of the strongest messages of Every Summer After is that forgiveness — both of others and ourselves — takes time. Percy’s journey reflects that painful yet hopeful truth.
3. Friendship Before Romance
So many love stories rush straight into passion, but this one reminds readers that the strongest relationships are built on friendship first. It’s a friends-to-lovers book in the truest, most emotional sense.
4. Self-Discovery
Even after six summers apart, Percy learns who she really is — and that love isn’t always about staying, but about returning when you’re ready.
What Is Every Summer After About — In One Sentence?
At its heart, Every Summer After is about two people growing up together, losing each other, and finding their way back — a love story told through the lens of time, memory, and the summers that shape us.
If you’re wondering whether Every Summer After is worth reading, the answer is a resounding yes. It’s a book that lingers, not because of dramatic twists, but because it captures the quiet ache of growing up and realizing what truly matters.
How Every Summer After Stands Out from Similar Books
Readers often compare it to Love and Other Words, and that’s fair — both explore the heartbreak of missed chances. But where Fortune’s debut stands out is its setting and atmosphere.
Barry’s Bay feels alive — the dock, the bonfires, the lazy summer air — each detail is painted so vividly you can almost smell the pine trees. The writing’s simplicity is what makes it powerful; it doesn’t try too hard. It just feels true.
That’s also what makes this one of the best summer reads for anyone craving something emotional but comforting.
My Final Thoughts
Reading Every Summer After felt like flipping through old Polaroids — sun-washed, a little worn, but precious. It reminded me that even when years pass and hearts break, love has a strange way of finding its way back.
As someone who adores contemporary romance fiction, I can confidently say this is one of the most heartfelt books I’ve read recently. If you’re searching for a story that blends nostalgia, forgiveness, and hope, this one belongs on your nightstand.
If you enjoy emotionally rich historical fiction, don’t miss Bring Up The Bodies — a gripping tale of power, betrayal, and Tudor intrigue.
FAQs
Is Every Summer After a trilogy?
No, Every Summer After is a standalone Carley Fortune novel, not part of a series or trilogy.
Is Every Summer After book spicy?
It includes mild romantic scenes, but overall it’s an emotional second chance love story, not overly spicy.
Can a 13 year old read Every Summer After?
The book is best for mature teens or adults, as it explores complex themes like love, regret, and forgiveness.
What is the plot of Every Summer After?
It’s a nostalgic summer romance about childhood friends who reconnect years later for one heartfelt second chance.
Julius’s the resident literary connoisseur. He dissects classics and uncovers hidden gems. Expect his insights to enrich your reading journey, one page at a time.
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