Every Summer After is a mature YA romance that is sad, funny, intense, and maybe just a little dramatic… but in the best way.
The story follows Persephone “Percy” Fraser and Sam Florek over six summers in Barry’s Bay. We watch their friendship grow from age 13 into something deeper, while the present timeline focuses on one very messy weekend when Percy returns for Sam’s mom’s funeral. Being back in Barry’s Bay — and back around Sam — kind of forces her to face the past she’s been avoiding.
This book is honestly an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed. I cried. I dramatically vented to my friends (who had zero context but listened anyway). Watching Percy grow from a 13-year-old girl into an adult dealing with consequences was fascinating. Things change… but they also don’t? If that makes sense.
And without spoiling anything: I will always be Team Sam. Always.
Carley Fortune does such an amazing job describing the lake, the cottages, the small-town summer vibe — you can literally picture everything. The flashbacks every few chapters make it super engaging because you’re constantly piecing the past and present together.
This is genuinely one of my favorite books ever. I’ve reread it four times (including the bonus chapters), and in my heart it’s not just a 5/5 — it’s a 100/5.
🔞 Age rating thoughts: Common Sense Media says 17+, and they’re not totally wrong. There is spice. But a lot of the book takes place when they’re teens. I read it at 15 and personally think it’s best for 16+, or mature 15-year-olds who know what they’re getting into.
📚 If you like: Second-chance romance, summer nostalgia, emotional growth, small-town lake vibes. Similar authors: Elle Kennedy (Avalon Bay series), K.L. Walther (The Summer of Broken Rules), Emily Henry (People We Meet on Vacation). Carley Fortune is a Candian author (:
⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars. No notes. Just feelings.
Also by Carley Fortune:
Meet me at the Lake
Fern and Will
This Summer Will Be Different
Lucy and Felix
One Golden Summer
Alice and Charlie
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