Okay, let's talk about that book everyone's passing around at the beach - Carley Fortune's "Every Summer After". I finally grabbed a copy last June after seeing it all over Instagram, and wow, it's one of those stories that sticks with you. But is it worth the hype? Should you spend your summer on it? Here's everything I wish I knew before reading.
Every Summer After At a Glance
4.1★
Goodreads Rating
352
Pages
2022
Release Year
$10.99
Kindle Price
What Exactly Is This Every Summer After Book About?
At its core, "Every Summer After" is a second-chance romance wrapped in nostalgia. We follow Percy Fraser who returns to Barry's Bay after twelve years for a funeral. The catch? She hasn't spoken to Sam Florek - the boy next door she spent every childhood summer with - since she destroyed their relationship at age 20. The story alternates between present-day tension and those perfect sun-drenched summers of their youth.
Fortune nails that bittersweet feeling of growing up. Remember those friendships where you felt truly understood? That's Percy and Sam. They bond over comic books and canoe trips from ages 13 to 18, until everything collapses. Now at 30, Percy's confronting all those messy feelings she buried.
Key Characters You'll Meet
| Character | Role | Personality Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Persephone "Percy" Fraser | Protagonist | Ambitious magazine writer, avoids vulnerability |
| Sam Florek | Love interest | Quiet, observant doctor with family burdens |
| Charlie Florek | Sam's brother | Life of the party, hides pain behind humor |
| Sue Florek | Sam's mom | Warm, maternal figure to Percy |
What Sets This Every Summer After Book Apart
Unlike typical romance novels, this story digs into how childhood trauma shapes adult relationships. Sam's dealing with his dad's abandonment, Percy's got perfectionist parents - it's messy. Their connection feels real because it's built on years of inside jokes and shared history.
The lakeside setting becomes its own character. Fortune describes the water so vividly I could smell the pine trees. It reminded me of summers at my cousin's cabin - that mix of freedom and intensity only exists when you're young.
What I Didn't Love (Keeping It Real)
Look, the ending felt rushed. After 300 pages of tension, the resolution wraps up a bit too neatly. And while I appreciate imperfect protagonists, Percy's big mistake made me groan - who does that? Still, her flaws make the redemption more satisfying.
Deeper Themes in Every Summer After
This isn't just a beach read. Under the surface, it explores:
| Theme | How It's Explored |
|---|---|
| Time & Regret | Percy's haunted by "what ifs" from her teenage choices |
| Family Baggage | Sam's fear of becoming like his absent father |
| Identity | Percy's struggle between career ambitions and personal happiness |
| Forgiveness | Whether some mistakes are truly unforgivable |
Who Will Actually Enjoy This Every Summer After Book?
Based on reader reactions:
- Perfect for you if: You loved Emily Henry's "People We Meet on Vacation" or Jenny Han's summer vibes. You enjoy slow-burn relationships built over years. Nostalgic settings make you feel things.
- Might disappoint if: You want spicy scenes (it's more emotional tension than physical). You dislike flashbacks. You prefer fast-paced plots over character studies.
My college roommate dumped it at chapter 5 saying "too much teenage angst." But my sister read it twice back-to-back. Go figure.
Purchasing Every Summer After Book: Your Options
Since its May 2022 release, multiple editions exist:
| Format | Where to Buy | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Paperback | Amazon, Barnes & Noble, indie bookstores | $10-$17 |
| Hardcover | Limited stock at Bookshop.org | $18-$25 |
| Audiobook | Audible, Libro.fm (narrated by Aj Bridel) | $12-$15 (or 1 credit) |
| eBook | Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books | $9.99-$12.99 |
Pro tip: Check library apps like Libby first - I borrowed the audiobook for free with a 6-week wait.
A Personal Connection
Sam and Percy's story hit close to home. I had a "lake friend" like that - Sarah. We'd spend summers building forts until her family moved away at 15. Reading this made me track her down on Facebook after 20 years. We're meeting for coffee next month. Funny how a book can do that.
Every Summer After FAQs Answered
Is Every Summer After spicy?
Not really. There are a few moderately steamy scenes later in the book (maybe 2-3), but it's more emotional than physical. Focus is on tension and history. I'd rate it PG-13 compared to romances like Colleen Hoover's.
Does it end on a cliffhanger?
No, it's a complete standalone. The ending ties up major threads - some say too neatly. But you won't be left hanging wondering if Sam and Percy end up together.
Is this YA or adult fiction?
Definitely adult. While sections cover teenage years, the core perspective is 30-year-old Percy reflecting on adult consequences. Themes like career burnout and marriage pressure skew mature.
How long does it take to read?
Most readers finish in 3-5 days. At 352 pages, it's manageable for a weekend. The audiobook runs 10 hours 12 minutes - I listened during my commute over a week.
Is there a sequel planned?
Fortune hasn't announced one. Her next book "Meet Me at the Lake" (2023) is a separate story. Though fans beg for Charlie's story - Sam's brother steals every scene he's in.
Should You Read Every Summer After This Summer?
Honestly? If you're craving a nostalgic escape with emotional depth, yes. It's not perfect - Percy frustrated me sometimes, and the timeline jumps confused my mom. But the relationship feels lived-in, and Fortune captures those defining teenage moments beautifully.
Best way to experience it? Find a dock, dangle your feet in water, and read until the fireflies come out. That's how I did it last July, and man, it hit different.
"We were thirteen and invincible. We hadn't yet learned how easily bones break or hearts shatter."
- A line that perfectly captures the book's ache
Beyond the Every Summer After Book
Loved it? Try Fortune's "Meet Me at the Lake" - similar lakeside nostalgia with new characters. Or dive into these read-alikes:
- "People We Meet on Vacation" by Emily Henry - Best friends-to-lovers with summer travel
- "The Summer I Turned Pretty" by Jenny Han - If you want more teenage summer drama
- "Evidence of the Affair" by Taylor Jenkins Reid - For complex adult relationships
Final thought? This every summer after book sticks because it's about more than romance. It's about the people who shape you during those endless summers when you're becoming who you'll be. And who doesn't need a little of that magic?
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