Well, I won’t make that mistake again. I had never read one of Carley Fortune’s beach reads. I had her latest one, One Golden Summer, home twice from the library, and had to take it back because there were people waiting for it. When I picked it up this time, I zipped through it in one day. The next time she has a book out, I’ll bring it home and read it immediately. Yes, I enjoyed this spicy summer romance that much.
Alice Everly is a photographer who feels most alive behind the lens. After her boyfriend dumped her after four years together, she’s taken on a number of jobs to distract herself and stay busy. Just before her thirty-third birthday, though, her father calls. Her grandmother, Nan, fell, shattered her hip, and had hip replacement surgery. Alice drops everything to help her beloved grandmother. But, Nan seems sunk into depression until Alice suggests the two of them head to Barry’s Bay, a small village four hours north of Toronto. They’re going to stay at an old friend’s cottage. Alice and Nan are both fragile at the moment. But, as Nan always says, “Good things happen at the lake.”
Alice loves that lake. At seventeen, after Nan gave her a camera, Alice discovered her passion for photography. She took one picture that changed her life forever, three young people laughing as they sped across the lake in a yellow boat. Alice was too shy to introduce herself to the teens, but she had an eye and saw their joy. She’s shocked to meet the man who is the cottage’s caretaker, Charlie Florek. Charlie was driving the boat that summer when they were teens.
Alice doesn’t even know how to communicate with Charlie, a large, gorgeous man who jokes about everything. But, as a neighbor, he’s around to help Nan and tease Alice, something the shy woman doesn’t know how to handle. But, for “One Golden Summer”, she and Charlie will grow close as they work on Alice’s bucket list of teen expectations. But, as much as they seem attracted to each other, Charlie pulls back when they get too close.
Fortune’s latest book is a hot summer book, filled with sexual attraction and the painful past experiences of two needy adults. Once I’ve had a little distance from reading this one, I’ll pick up one of Fortune’s earlier books. She featured realistic, likable characters, struggling with life. She truly wrote about One Golden Summer.
Carley Fortune’s website is http://www.carleyfortune.com
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune. Berkley, 20225. 385p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
By coincidence, Jackie just heard about Fortune recently, and she has one of her earlier books on hold at the library. Glad you liked it. I’ll let her know.
Not such a coincidence, Jeff. Jackie & I like a lot of the same books and authors. You’ll have to let me know if she liked it. This is the only one of hers that I’ve read.
I’ve always thought this author’s books looked interesting, but I’ve never red one. Because of your very positive review, I’ve just put it on hold at the library. Thank you!
I can’t wait to see what you think, Margie. I’ll read another one after I return from my Mom’s in November. She only has three others, so I’ll try another one. I really liked this one, characters, setting & the relationships.