Carley Fortune Books in Order: The Complete 2026 Reading Guide

If you’re anything like me, opening a new contemporary romance novel feels like taking a ticket straight to a nostalgic, sun-drenched getaway. When it comes to atmospheric summer romance, second-chance love stories, and deeply emotional dual-timeline narratives, Carley Fortune has become one of the most defining voices of the genre.

A former journalist turned #1 New York Times bestselling author, Carley Fortune captures the bittersweet feeling of youth, long-buried secrets, and second chances against stunning natural backdrops—from Ontario cottage country to the rugged coast of Prince Edward Island and Vancouver Island.

Because all of her books are standalone novels, you can technically jump in anywhere. However, reading them in chronological publication order gives you a front-row seat to her evolving narrative depth, signature emotional tropes, and atmospheric world-building.

Here is your complete guide to every Carley Fortune book, complete with short summaries for each title.

Carley Fortune Books in Publication Order

1. Every Summer After (2022)

• Setting: Barry’s Bay, Ontario
• Key Tropes: Friends-to-Lovers, Second-Chance Romance, Dual Timelines
• Overview: Percy Fraser hasn’t stepped foot in Barry’s Bay since the catastrophic mistake that shattered her bond with Sam Florek six years ago. When she receives a phone call pulling her back to the lakeside town for Sam’s mother’s funeral, Percy must confront the ghost of her past and face the one boy she never stopped loving. Told over six summers of growing up together and one life-changing weekend in the present, this debut novel explores forgiveness, adolescent angst, and enduring love.

2. Meet Me at the Lake (2023)

• Setting: Muskoka, Ontario
• Key Tropes: Secret Connection, Missed Connections, Forced Proximity, Lake House Vibe
• Overview: Fern Brookbanks spent one unforgettable day in her early twenties exploring Toronto with a charming stranger named Will Baxter. They made a promise to meet again one year later at her mother’s lakeside resort—a promise Will failed to keep. Now in her thirties, Fern is back running the struggling resort when Will unexpectedly walks through the front door with a proposal to save her business. As hidden truths about why he disappeared come to light, Fern must decide if she can trust him with her heart a second time.

3. This Summer Will Be Different (2024)

• Setting: Prince Edward Island
• Key Tropes: Best Friend’s Brother, Forbidden Romance, Summer Vacation, High Chemistry
• Overview: Lucy has a strict rule for her annual summer trips to Prince Edward Island with her best friend, Bridget: don’t fall for Felix, Bridget’s irresistibly handsome younger brother. But from their very first explosive encounter, holding back proves impossible. Over years of secret late-night rendezvous and hidden island escapes, Lucy and Felix navigate an off-limits attraction that threatens to boil over when Bridget experiences a personal crisis on the island.

4. One Golden Summer (2025)

• Setting: Cottage Country & Small-Town Lake
• Key Tropes: Nostalgic Mystery, Found Family, Forbidden Attraction
• Overview: Alice spent one fateful summer at her grandmother’s lakeside cottage when she was seventeen. An iconic photograph taken during that vacation altered the trajectory of her life forever. Years later, when she returns to the lake to unravel the truth behind that unforgettable season, she crosses paths with the person who holds the key to her past—and her heart. It is a tender, sun-soaked story about memories, second chances, and golden-hour romance.

5. Our Perfect Storm (2026)

• Setting: Tofino, Vancouver Island
• Key Tropes: Best-Friends-to-Lovers, Jilted Bride, Honeymoon Escape, Misty Coastal Setting
• Overview: Frankie and George have been fiery best friends since age eight, but their volatile tempers often get in the way. On the morning of her wedding, Frankie’s fiancé dumps her, leaving her heartbroken. Enter George, who convinces Frankie to take him on her pre-booked honeymoon to the rainforests and mist-draped beaches of Tofino, Vancouver Island. What starts as a week meant to repair a friendship turns into a high-stakes confrontation with long-buried romantic feelings neither can run from.

Why Carley Fortune’s Style Works

Carley Fortune has carved out a unique niche in modern romance by combining the emotional nostalgia of coming-of-age fiction with high-heat contemporary romance.

1. Vivid Environmental Settings: Having worked for years as a top Canadian magazine editor (at publications like Refinery29 and The Globe and Mail), Fortune brings journalistic precision to her physical settings. From Ontario’s cottage country to Tofino’s wild rainforests, the locations feel like living, breathing characters.
2. Mastery of Dual-Timeline Storytelling: Fortune excels at alternating between past innocence and present-day emotional tension. This structure creates an immersive buildup where the reader gradually uncovers the “pivotal mistake” that split the main characters apart.
3. Flawed, Emotionally Complex Leads: Her characters make real, messy mistakes—jealousy, miscommunication, and fear of failure—making their eventual reconciliation deeply earned and satisfying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Carley Fortune’s books connected or part of a series?

No, Carley Fortune’s novels are all standalone stories. You do not need to read them in any specific order to understand the plot of each book. However, reading them in publication order lets you experience her growth as an author and her signature atmospheric themes.

What is the best Carley Fortune book to read first?

Most readers should start with her breakout debut, Every Summer After. It perfectly encapsulates her storytelling hallmarks: childhood friends to lovers, dual timelines, and lakeside nostalgia.

What is Carley Fortune’s newest book in 2026?

Carley Fortune’s fifth novel, Our Perfect Storm, is her 2026 release. Set in Tofino on Vancouver Island, it follows two childhood best friends who head on a ruined honeymoon trip together.

Are Carley Fortune books spicy?

Yes, Carley Fortune’s novels contain open-door romance with moderate to high heat (typically 2.5 to 3 out of 5 on the spice scale). The steam is emotionally grounded and tied directly to character development.

Final Verdict: Which Book Should You Pick Up Right Now?

Whether you’re packing your beach bag or curling up indoors, here is a quick cheat sheet to help you choose your next read:

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.