One Golden Summer Audiobook By Carley Fortune cover art

One Golden Summer

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One Golden Summer

By: Carley Fortune
Narrated by: AJ Bridel, Carley Fortune
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THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! ∙ A radiant escape to the lake from the beloved author of Every Summer After and This Summer Will Be Different, hailed as the “reigning queen of sun-soaked romance novels” (Bustle)
“The way that Carley Fortune can bottle up the feeling of summer and put it into a book needs to be studied. Her books are so transportive!”—Glamour

I never anticipated Charlie Florek.

Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life.

Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she’s most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she’s been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it.

Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he’s all grown up—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice’s soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart.

Because Alice sees people—that’s why she is so good at what she does—but she’s never met someone who looks and sees her right back.

Accolades & Awards

Best of 2025
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Best of 2025 Coming of Age Editors Select Genre Fiction Women's Fiction Women's Voices Heartfelt Feel-Good Funny
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Critic reviews

"[The] reigning queen of sun-soaked romance novels."—Bustle

"The way that Carley Fortune can bottle up the feeling of summer and put it into a book needs to be studied. Her books are so transportive!"—Glamour

"[Fans] have been begging her to give Charlie his happily ever after for years—and she’s fully delivered with a sweet, summer love story."—E! News

"Carley Fortune has a knack for making the lake the most romantic place on earth, and, as such, One Golden Summer is a delight.”—ELLE

“The sparks between Alice and Charlie fly off the page and endearing Nan adds heart. This is a treat.”—Publishers Weekly

"Readers will enjoy the steamy love story that develops but will also appreciate Alice's personal growth. Not only does she find love, she finds her purpose in her career. Fans of Annabel Monaghan will agree with Nan that 'good things happen at the lake.'"—Booklist (starred review)

"Carley Fortune is an expert at capturing the essence of a sparkling summer romance at the lake."—Shelf Awareness

Editorial Review

Back to Barry’s Bay
Ever since Carley Fortune made her debut in 2022 with Every Summer After, fans have been clamoring for Charlie’s book. Now, it’s finally time for Charlie’s happily ever after. In One Golden Summer, Fortune takes us back to Barry’s Bay, Canada, and introduces us to Alice, a photographer who is returning to the quaint lakeside community with her ailing grandmother. To her surprise, the teenage boy she had a crush on during her first visit 16 years ago is now the charming local she keeps running into around town. Charlie helps Alice step from behind the camera and shift the focus to her own life and happiness, and their flirtatious friends-to-lovers slow-burn is full of laughter, longing, and sexy will-they-or-won’t-they vibes. Fortune’s go-to narrator, AJ Bridel, is back to perform this one, for a nostalgic and comforting listen that feels like a reunion with an old friend. —Margaret H., Audible Editor

Engaging Romance • Vivid Setting • Emotional Authenticity • Relatable Characters • Strong Chemistry

Highly rated for:

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I’m a big fan of Carley Fortune and have thoroughly enjoyed her previous three books. I was genuinely excited to pre-order this new audiobook back in November 2024.

I've been trying to get through this book but its been challenging. I've given it multiple chances, restarting at least five times. I even listened to another book in between, hoping to return with a fresh perspective, but I'm still struggling.

The narration has been a significant hurdle. I find that the portrayal of the characters, especially Charlie, feels overly exaggerated and obnoxious. It makes it difficult to connect with the characters and distracts me from fully engaging with the storyline. I’m still trying to adjust to the narrator’s style.

I’m contemplating purchasing a paper copy as a final attempt. I genuinely want to love this book, maybe a different format might help.

Difficult to sit through

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Not my fav, just ok storyline. I didn’t like the main characters very much, but grew to like them as it went on that’s all I have to say

I didn’t like the narrators voice when she was Charlie

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This book was perfect! I love Charlie and Alice as individual characters and as a couple. I love the way Alice shows up, but also has her own set of worries. Everything about this book felt real. Found family will always be my favorite. I’m so happy Charlie got his happy ending.

Perfect

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Love the story! This author is a must listen. Well developed characters and the setting is terrific. Totally recommend

Another great book

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I loved Every Summer After, but I think I liked this one better. Carley Fortune never disappoints me.

I loved this book.

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