One Golden Summer Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Carley Fortune is the #1 New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of One Golden Summer, a heartfelt romance novel that explores themes of love, loss, and second chances. Known for her emotionally rich summer romances set against stunning lakeside backdrops, Fortune brings authenticity to her storytelling through her deep personal connection to Barry's Bay, Ontario—the setting for both One Golden Summer and her debut novel, Every Summer After.

Before becoming a full-time novelist in 2021, Fortune was an award-winning journalist who worked as an editor at some of Canada's top publications, including Refinery29, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and Toronto Life. Her journalism background gives her writing a distinctive voice that combines emotional depth with sharp observational detail. Fortune is also the author of Meet Me at the Lake, which was optioned by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Productions for Netflix, and This Summer Will Be Different.

Her books have sold more than three million copies worldwide and have been translated into 30 languages across over 50 territories, cementing her reputation as a leading voice in contemporary romance fiction.

What is One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune about?

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune is a contemporary romance novel set in Barry's Bay, Ontario, the same lakeside town featured in her debut Every Summer After. The book explores themes of second chances, emotional healing, and rekindled connections against the backdrop of beautiful lake country. Fortune weaves together present-day romance with deeper explorations of mental health, family relationships, and the transformative power of nature and love.

Who is Carley Fortune, author of One Golden Summer?

Carley Fortune is a #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling author whose books have sold over three million copies worldwide and been translated into 30 languages. Before becoming a full-time novelist in 2021, Fortune was an award-winning journalist and editor at top Canadian publications including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and Toronto Life. She grew up in Barry's Bay, Ontario, the setting for One Golden Summer, and lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons.

Who should read One Golden Summer?

One Golden Summer is perfect for readers who love emotionally rich contemporary romance with beautiful natural settings. Fans of Carley Fortune's previous bestsellers like Every Summer After and Meet Me at the Lake will appreciate her signature blend of swoony romance and emotional depth. The book appeals to those seeking stories that balance heartwarming love stories with honest explorations of grief, mental health, and family dynamics, all set against the idyllic backdrop of lakeside Ontario.

Is One Golden Summer worth reading?

One Golden Summer is worth reading for anyone seeking a romance novel with substance and emotional resonance. Carley Fortune has established herself as a master of second-chance romances that deliver both heartwarming moments and healing. With her proven track record of crafting New York Times bestsellers that resonate with millions of readers worldwide, and her unique ability to create stories that are "as heartwarming as they are healing," this book offers both escapism and emotional depth.

Where is One Golden Summer set?

One Golden Summer is set in Barry's Bay, a small lakeside town in rural Ontario, Canada, where Carley Fortune spent her childhood. This same picturesque location also served as the setting for Fortune's debut novel Every Summer After. The author grew up "on the water, in the bush, down a dirt road," and this intimate knowledge of the area infuses her writing with authentic details about cottage life and the natural beauty of Ontario's lake country.

What themes does One Golden Summer explore?

One Golden Summer explores themes central to Carley Fortune's signature storytelling style: second-chance romance, emotional healing, and the restorative power of nature. Fortune's romances consistently touch on mental health, family dynamics, and grief "in ways that are both elegant and honest". The book examines how relationships evolve over time, the courage required to confront past hurts, and the transformative connection between people and the natural landscapes they inhabit, particularly lakeside settings.

How does One Golden Summer compare to Every Summer After?

One Golden Summer shares key elements with Every Summer After, including the Barry's Bay, Ontario setting that both books call home. Both novels showcase Carley Fortune's talent for crafting emotionally resonant second-chance romances set against beautiful lakeside backdrops. While Every Summer After was Fortune's breakout debut that launched her bestselling career, One Golden Summer represents her evolution as a writer after publishing four successful novels, bringing even more refined emotional depth and character development to familiar territory.

What makes Carley Fortune's One Golden Summer unique among romance novels?

One Golden Summer stands out because Carley Fortune "reinvents the romance novel" by combining compelling love stories with literary depth and emotional authenticity. Unlike typical beach reads, Fortune's work is distinguished by rich character development, honest explorations of mental health and grief, and vivid sense of place. Her background as an award-winning journalist for 15 years brings a polished, sophisticated writing style to the romance genre, creating stories that are both escapist and meaningful.

Is One Golden Summer part of a series or a standalone book?

One Golden Summer is a standalone romance novel by Carley Fortune, though it shares the Barry's Bay, Ontario setting with her debut Every Summer After. Each of Fortune's books features different characters and independent storylines, so readers don't need to read her previous novels to enjoy One Golden Summer. However, fans who loved the lakeside atmosphere and small-town setting of Every Summer After will find familiar territory in One Golden Summer, making it feel like a spiritual companion.

What is Carley Fortune's writing style in One Golden Summer?

Carley Fortune's writing style in One Golden Summer reflects her 15-year journalism career, bringing "gorgeous, hilarious, gut-wrenching prose" to contemporary romance. Fortune creates vivid sensory details that make readers feel immersed in lakeside Ontario, while her character development reveals deep psychological insight. Her prose balances swoony romantic moments with raw emotional honesty, and she pays careful attention to small details like how "characters' relationship to their hair and their makeup" reveals personality.

Why has One Golden Summer become popular?

One Golden Summer has gained popularity because Carley Fortune has built a dedicated readership through her previous bestsellers that sold over three million copies worldwide. Her books attract readers seeking romance with emotional substance, and her settings in beautiful Canadian locations like Barry's Bay create irresistible escapism. Fortune's work has earned high-profile fans including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who optioned Meet Me at the Lake for Netflix, further amplifying interest in her entire catalog including One Golden Summer.

What books are similar to One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune?

Readers who enjoy One Golden Summer should explore Carley Fortune's other lakeside romances, particularly Every Summer After, which shares the Barry's Bay setting. Meet Me at the Lake and This Summer Will Be Different offer similar emotional depth with different Canadian settings. For comparable contemporary romance with literary quality and beautiful settings, try Emily Henry's Beach Read or People We Meet on Vacation, or Tia Williams's Seven Days in June, which Fortune herself recommends for its "gorgeous, hilarious, gut-wrenching prose".