Blockbuster romance writer Carley Fortune has revealed that her upcoming novel, “Only in Summer,” is set to be launched on May 18, 2027. The book revisits the familiar town of Barry’s Bay, Ont., a location featured in Fortune’s previous works such as “Every Summer After” and “One Golden Summer.”
Fortune shared in a newsletter that she acquired a cottage near Barry’s Bay before commencing the writing process. This purchase fulfilled her long-standing dream following the sale of her family’s lakeside home.
The protagonist of “Only in Summer,” Eleanor Florek, also harbors a similar aspiration. Known as Ellie, she is the cousin of Charlie and Sam from Fortune’s earlier Barry’s Bay tales. Ellie’s desire to own property in the town she grew up in comes to fruition, only to face a setback when the adjacent house is demolished for a grander structure by its new owner.
While specifics of the plot remain undisclosed, it is anticipated that a hesitant romance will unfold against the picturesque lakeside backdrop. Fortune, a writer and journalist based in Toronto, has a background in editing for prominent publications like Refinery29, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and Toronto Life. Her repertoire includes novels such as “Our Perfect Storm,” “One Golden Summer,” “Every Summer After,” “This Summer Will Be Different,” and “Meet Me at the Lake.”
“Meet Me at the Lake” was a finalist on Canada Reads in 2024, advocated for by fashion influencer and model Mirian Njoh, marking the first romance novel to feature on the program. Furthermore, “Every Summer After” was adapted into the Amazon Prime Video series “Every Year After,” set for a second season based on “One Golden Summer.” Additionally, Netflix Canada is in the process of adapting “This Summer Will Be Different” into a ten-episode series.