Carley Fortune Books in Order

Below is the complete list of Carley Fortune books in order of publication. This is the recommended reading sequence for the series.

Standalone Novels Series

1. Every Summer After (2022)
   Buy on Amazon
2. Meet Me at the Lake (2023)
   Buy on Amazon
3. This Summer Will Be Different (2024)
   Buy on Amazon
4. One Golden Summer (2025)
   Buy on Amazon
5. Our Perfect Storm (2026)
   Buy on Amazon

About Carley Fortune

Carley Fortune is a Canadian author whose contemporary romance novels have quickly become international bestsellers. Known for her emotionally layered storytelling and nostalgic settings, Fortune writes character-driven love stories that explore friendship, memory, and the complicated ways people reconnect with their past. Her books have resonated strongly with readers who enjoy heartfelt, atmospheric romances often set against summer landscapes and lakeside communities.

Before becoming a novelist, Fortune spent many years working in journalism and magazine publishing. She built a successful career in media, serving in editorial roles for several well-known publications. Over time she became editor-in-chief of Refinery29 Canada, where she oversaw lifestyle, culture, and entertainment coverage. Her background in storytelling, editing, and narrative structure would later influence the pacing and emotional depth of her novels.

Fortune grew up in Canada and developed a deep appreciation for the country’s lake culture—an element that would become central to her fiction. Many of her stories are set in small lakeside towns where summers bring both nostalgia and complicated emotions. These settings create a warm, reflective atmosphere that complements the personal journeys of her characters.

Her debut novel, Every Summer After (2022), quickly became a publishing phenomenon. The book tells the story of Persephone Fraser and Sam Florek, two childhood friends whose deep connection develops over a series of summers spent at a lakeside community. Structured around alternating timelines between past summers and the present day, the novel explores how friendships and first loves evolve over time. The emotional storytelling and nostalgic setting helped the book become a bestseller and one of the most talked-about romance debuts of the year.

The success of Every Summer After introduced readers to Fortune’s signature narrative style. Her novels often move between different time periods, gradually revealing how past decisions shape present relationships. This layered storytelling allows readers to understand the emotional history between characters while slowly uncovering secrets, misunderstandings, and moments of personal growth.

Her second novel, Meet Me at the Lake (2023), continued this exploration of love, loss, and reconnection. The story follows Fern Brookbanks, who unexpectedly inherits a lakeside resort and must confront both the challenges of running the property and unresolved feelings for a man from her past. Like her debut, the novel blends romance with themes of responsibility, grief, and second chances. The lakeside setting again plays an important role, reinforcing Fortune’s ability to create vivid atmospheres that feel both comforting and emotionally charged.

Reading Carley Fortune’s books in publication order highlights the development of her storytelling voice. Although she entered the literary world relatively recently, her novels demonstrate a clear thematic focus on memory, nostalgia, and the emotional complexity of long-term relationships. Her characters often confront choices made years earlier, giving her stories a reflective tone that distinguishes them from more conventional romance novels.

Another defining aspect of Fortune’s writing is her attention to emotional realism. Her characters feel authentic and relatable, often struggling with uncertainty, regret, and the challenge of rebuilding connections that were once broken. Rather than focusing solely on romantic attraction, her stories explore the deeper dynamics of trust, forgiveness, and personal growth.

Fortune’s background in journalism also contributes to the clarity and precision of her prose. Her writing style is accessible and engaging, with vivid descriptions and natural dialogue that draw readers into the story quickly. The pacing tends to balance quieter introspective moments with emotionally charged turning points, creating narratives that feel both intimate and compelling.

Despite being early in her publishing career, Carley Fortune has already established herself as a significant voice in contemporary romance fiction. Her novels consistently appeal to readers who enjoy emotionally rich stories set in evocative locations, particularly the nostalgic landscapes of lakeside summers. Following her books in publication order provides a clear look at the beginning of a promising literary career defined by heartfelt storytelling and memorable characters.