One Golden Summer

by Carley Fortune
One Golden Summer cover
Good Books rating 4.19
Contemporary Fiction
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Waterstones
Paperback • £7.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 521
  • Added: 2025-09-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9780735247291
  • Publisher: Penguin Group
  • Published: 2025-05-06
  • Formats: 27
  • Reviews: 4

Alice, a photographer who prefers to stay behind the lens, returns to Barry's Bay after her grandmother's accident. The lake holds cherished memories of a summer spent with Nan and a photo that changed her life. As she settles in, she encounters Charlie Florek, the man from her past who now drives the familiar yellow boat. Their reunion sparks a whirlwind of emotions, as Alice navigates the complexities of love and the longing for simpler times. The sun-drenched days and warm nights on the lake bring Alice a sense of peace, but Charlie's piercing gaze makes her worry for her heart. As she spends more time with him, she realizes that he sees her in a way no one else does. This summer, Alice must decide whether to let go of her fears and embrace the love that has found its way back to her.

Reviews
Goodreads · Kat339 · 2025-07-29
heartwarming 4.30

The pairing of Alice and Charlie is celebrated as a perfect match, with the story delivering a deeply satisfying and emotionally powerful romance.

Kat339 expresses a strong affection for the characters and their development, especially appreciating the long-awaited happy ending for Charlie. The review underscores the chemistry and complexity between Alice and Charlie, noting how their relationship brings depth and emotional resonance to the story. The reviewer highlights the balance of humor, charm, and emotional struggle that makes the romance compelling and heartfelt.

Quick quotes

    Alice + Charlie are a match made in literary heaven.

    Charlie is a man struggling to overcome his losses and the feeling that he doesn’t deserve his HEA.

    Putting these two together for one perfectly imperfect summer was absolute dynamite.

Reddit - r/RomanceBooks · 2025-07-13
heartfelt 4.25

The book evokes strong emotions, balancing humor and vulnerability with a well-crafted character who is both confident and relatable.

This Reddit commenter was deeply moved by the story, experiencing both laughter and tears. They found the character Charlie to be a perfect blend of confidence, humor, and vulnerability, which made his relationship with Alice especially compelling. The review reflects a heartfelt reaction to the book's emotional highs and lows, highlighting the authentic and touching portrayal of the characters' journey.

Quick quotes

    It was soooo good. I laughed, I cried.

    Charlie is the perfect mix of confident, funny, but also vulnerable.

    I loved how the story balanced lighthearted moments with emotional depth.

Multicolored Book Reviews · 2025-07-07
engaging 4.20

The story is praised for its engaging pace, evocative summer setting, and well-developed characters who show meaningful growth.

This review appreciates how quickly the story reads and how the setting vividly brings summer to life, creating an immersive atmosphere. The reviewer values the character development, noting that the growth they experience adds important depth to the narrative, enriching the overall reading experience. The tone suggests a positive and enjoyable read with emotional layers beneath the surface.

Quick quotes

    It reads fast, the setting breathes summer and the characters are interesting.

    They definitely do show some growth, which gives the story more depth.

    A lovely summer story that captures emotion and character development.

Laurie is Reading · Laurie · 2025-06-29
engaging 4.00

The story reads quickly with a vivid summer setting and interesting characters who show meaningful growth, adding depth to the narrative.

Laurie finds the book very engaging and easy to read, with a strong sense of place that evokes the warmth and atmosphere of summer. The characters are praised for their development and complexity, which enriches the story and makes it more than just a light romance. Laurie appreciates the balance between a breezy pace and the emotional growth of the characters, making the book both entertaining and thoughtful.

Quick quotes

    It reads fast, the setting breathes summer and the characters are interesting.

    They definitely do show some growth, which gives the story more depth.

    A lovely summer read that combines warmth and character development.

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