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Meet Me at the Lake Paperback – May 2, 2023
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Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in the city. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn’t.
At thirty-two, Fern’s life doesn’t look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern’s back home, running her mother’s lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend’s the manager, and Fern doesn’t know where to begin.
She needs a plan—a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern’s going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern’s not sure she wants to know what it is.
But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?
- Print length336 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBerkley
- Publication dateMay 2, 2023
- Dimensions5.44 x 0.88 x 8.22 inches
- ISBN-100593438558
- ISBN-13978-0593438558
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- I spent just one day with Will, and it changed my life. I once thought he might be my soulmate. I once thought he and I would be here together under very different circumstances. I once thought a lot of things about Will.Highlighted by 861 Kindle readers
- You and me in one year, Fern Brookbanks. Don’t let me down. That was the last thing he said.Highlighted by 824 Kindle readers
- It was his idea to meet at the resort. I showed up. He’s nine years late.Highlighted by 718 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
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Every Summer After
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This Summer Will Be Different
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Price | $9.07$9.07 | $11.09$11.09 |
More from Carley Fortune | Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right. | This summer they’ll keep their promise. This summer they won't give into temptation. This summer will be different. |
Editorial Reviews
Review
“[Beautiful], charming, witty, poignant, and all the things you could want in a spring read.”—Katie Couric Media
"[A] beautiful, heart-tugging, love story about secrets, lies, missed connections and second chances. . . . [T]his novel brims with the warmth of summertime and the feeling of home. An exquisite, emotional read."—Jill Santopolo, New York Times bestselling author of Stars in an Italian Sky
“A breathtaking tale of star-crossed lovers that gripped me from page one. Meet Me At The Lake is nostalgia, summer breeze, second chances and pure heart.”—Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception
“A perfect summery blend of sexy romance and second chances . . . I fell in love with Will and Fern over and over and over again.”—Ashley Poston, New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics
“Meet Me at the Lake is a tender, sweet story that captures the joy and sorrow of growing up.”—Elissa Sussman, bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask
“Carley Fortune is the master of the love story, tapping into our most primal needs—to be valued and seen for who we really are. Meet Me At The Lake is story telling perfection."—Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script
“A completely addicting love story about the ways we find who we are and what we want amidst changing dreams and chances missed. Carley Fortune gives us another perfect summer read brimming with heart, a book to devour in a day, swept away in the nostalgia of young, sexy love."—Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push
"Readers experience Carley Fortune's writing with all five senses. . . . This is a beautiful story of letting go of expectations, growing into who you're meant to become, and letting love in when you don't feel you deserve it. The perfect summer read and an excellent follow-up to Every Summer After. Carley's talent sings on every page."—Iman Hariri-Kia, author of A Hundred Other Girls
"THE quintessential book of summer. Nestled in the heart of Canada's cottage country, Fortune masterfully crafts yet another enthralling tale of love and second chances that will burrow itself deep into your soul long after the last page."—Amy Lea, author of Exes and O’s
“Carley Fortune's Every Summer After found TikTok success, and her new romance, Meet Me at the Lake, continues to dazzle.”—Popsugar
“There is no summer without a Carley Fortune novel.”—BookRiot
“Fortune (Every Summer After) shines in this beautiful tale of love, loss, and forgiveness. This searing story of hard-won second chances is not to be missed.”—Publishers Weekly
“[An] immersive second-chance love story that will transport readers with its dual evocative settings of stunning rural Ontario and thrilling Toronto.”—Library Journal (starred review)
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Now
I make it as far as the front desk without anyone noticing me. It’s a striking piece, carved from a large tree trunk— rustic but not shabby, the epitome of Mom’s aesthetic—and there’s no one behind it. I hurry past, to the office, then shut myself inside and lock the door.
The room is more fishing hut than work space. Pine walls, two ancient desks, a small window trimmed with a flimsy plaid curtain. I doubt it’s changed much since the lodge was built in the 1800s. There’s nothing to suggest how much time Mom spent here, except for a photo of me as a baby pinned to the timber and a faint whiff of Clinique perfume.
Dropping into one of the worn leather chairs, I switch on the plastic tabletop fan. I’m already sticky, but it’s stifling in here, one of the few spots in the building without air-conditioning. I raise my elbows like a scarecrow and swing my hands back and forth. Pit stains are the last thing I need.
While I wait to cool off before changing into heels, I stare at a stack of our brochures. Brookbanks Resort—Your Muskoka Getaway Awaits, declares a chipper font above a photo of the beach at sunset, the lodge looming in the background like a country cottage castle. It almost makes me laugh—it’s Brookbanks Resort I’ve failed to get away from.
Maybe Jamie will forget I agreed to do this tonight, and I can sneak back to the house, slither into stretchy pants, and douse myself with a bucket of cold white wine.
The door handle rattles.
No such luck.
“Fernie?” Jamie calls. “What’s with the lock? You decent in there?”
“I need five minutes,” I reply, voice pinched.
“You’re not gonna bail, right? You swore you’d do this,” he says. But the reminder is unnecessary. I’ve been dreading it all day. All my life maybe.
“I know, I know. I’m finishing up some paperwork.” I clamp my eyes shut at the mistake. “I’m almost done.”
“What paperwork? Is it the linen order? We have a system for that.”
My mom had a system for everything, and Jamie doesn’t want me messing with any of them.
He’s worried. It’s peak season, but many of the guest rooms are vacant. I’ve been back for six weeks, and Jamie thinks it’s only a matter of time before I shake things up. I’m not sure if he’s right. I’m not even sure if I’m staying.
“You can’t shut me out of my own office. I have a key.”
I curse under my breath. Of course he does.
It’s going to be embarrassing if he has to drag me out of here, and I’m pretty sure he’ll do it. I haven’t made a scene at the resort since my senior year of high school, and I’m not about to start. Being here sometimes makes me feel like I’ve regressed, but I’m not a reckless seventeen-year-old anymore.
Taking a deep breath, I stand and smooth my palms over the front of the dress. It’s too tight, but the ripped jeans I’ve been living in aren’t appropriate for the dining room. I could almost hear Mom when I changed earlier.
I know you’d rather wear pj’s all day, but we have to set the tone, sweet pea.
I open the door.
Jamie’s flaxen curls are cropped short and styled into obedience, but he has the same baby face from when we were young and he thought deodorant was optional.
“Is it the linen order?” he asks.
“Absolutely not,” I say. “You have a system.”
Jamie blinks, not sure if I’m teasing. He’s been the resort’s general manager for three years, and I can’t get my head around it. In pressed pants and a tie, he looks like he’s playing dress-up. In my mind, he’s still a lake rat in swim trunks and a bandanna.
He doesn’t know what to make of me anymore, either—he’s torn between trying to please me, his new boss, and trying to prevent me from wreaking havoc. There should be a cosmic law against exes working together.
“You used to be fun,” I tell him, and he grins. And there, with his deep smile lines and sky blue eyes, is the Jamie who once sang the entirety of Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill stoned and wearing a purple caftan he’d nicked from Mrs. Rose’s cabin.
The fact that Jamie loved attention as much as he loved going commando was one of my favorite things about him—no one looked at me when Jamie was around. He was a good boyfriend, but he was also the perfect diversion.
“So did you,” he says, and then squints. “Is that your mom’s dress?”
I nod. “It doesn’t fit.” I pulled it from her closet earlier this evening. Canary yellow. One of at least two dozen brightly colored sleeveless shifts. Her evening uniform.
There’s a beat of silence, and it’s all it takes for me to lose my courage. “Listen, I’m not feeling—”
Jamie cuts me off. “Nuh-uh. You’re not doing this to me, Fernie. You’ve been dodging the Hannovers all week, and they check out tomorrow.”
According to Jamie, the Hannovers have stayed at Brookbanks for seven summers, tip like they’ve got something to prove, and refer a ton of guests. From the way I’ve caught him frowning into his computer screen, I think the resort needs good word of mouth more desperately than Jamie’s let on. Our accountant left another message today asking me to call him.
“They’ve already finished dessert,” Jamie says. “I told them you’d be right out. They want to give you their condolences in person.”
I scrape my nails across my right arm a few times before I catch myself. This shouldn’t be so hard. In my real life, I manage a trio of indie coffee shops in Toronto’s west end called Filtr. I’m overseeing the opening of our fourth and largest location this fall, the first with an on-site roastery. Talking to customers is second nature.
“Okay,” I tell him. “I’m sorry. I can do this.”
Jamie lets out a breath. “Awesome.” He gives me an apologetic look and then adds, “It would be extra awesome if you stopped by a few tables to say hello while you’re there. You know, carried on the tradition.”
I do know. Mom visited the restaurant every single evening, making sure this person liked the rainbow trout and that person had a restful first night. It was bonkers how many details she could recall about the guests, and they loved her for it. She said being a family-run business didn’t mean anything unless you put a face to the Brookbanks Resort name. And for three decades that face was hers. Margaret Brookbanks.
Jamie has been not-so-subtly hinting that I come to the dining room to greet the guests, but I’ve shrugged him off. Because as soon as I go out there, it’s official.
Mom is gone.
And I am here.
Back home at the resort—the last place I planned to end up.
Jamie and I make our way to the front desk. There’s still no one behind it. Jamie pauses at the same time I do.
“Not again,” he mutters.
The desk clerk who’s on tonight started a few weeks ago and tends to disappear. Mom would have fired her already.
“Maybe we should cover the desk until she’s back,” I say. “Just in case anyone comes.”
Jamie raises his eyes to the ceiling, considering. Then he narrows them on me. “Nice try, but the Hannovers are more important.”
We continue toward the French doors that lead to the restaurant. They’re propped open, and the clinking of cutlery and happy hum of conversation drift into the lobby along with the smell of freshly baked sourdough. There are soaring beamed ceilings beyond the entrance and windows that look over the lake in an impressive semicircle. It’s a renovation my mom choreographed after she took over from my grandparents. The dining room was her stage. I can’t picture it without her walking among the tables.
Taking a quiet breath, I tuck my white-blond bob behind my ears, her voice in my head.
Don’t hide behind your hair, pea.
As we’re about to pass through the doorway, a couple exits arm in arm. They’re in their sixties and swathed almost entirely in beige linen.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hannover,” Jamie says, hands spread by his sides. “We were just coming to find you. Let me introduce you to Fern Brookbanks.”
The Hannovers give me their kindest smiles, the facial equivalent of a there, there pat on the shoulder.
“We were so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing,” says Mrs. Hannover.
Passing.
It’s a strange word to describe what happened.
A dark night. A deer through the windshield. Steel crushed against granite. Ice cubes scattered across the highway.
I’ve been trying not to think about Mom’s last moments. I’ve been trying not to think of her at all. The daily barrage of grief, shock, and anger can make it hard to put weight on my feet in the morning. I feel a bit wobbly now, but I try not to let it show. It’s been more than a month since the accident, and while people want to express their sympathy, there’s a limit on how much suffering others can tolerate.
“Hard to imagine this place without Maggie,” Mr. Hannover says. “Always had that big smile on her face. We loved catching up with her. We even talked her into having a drink with us last summer, didn’t we?” His wife nods enthusiastically, as if I might not believe them. “I told her watching her run around was making me dizzy, and boy, did she laugh.”
My mother’s death and the future of the resort are two topics I’m not prepared to discuss, which is the other reason I’ve avoided the restaurant. The regulars will have something to say about both.
I thank the Hannovers and change the subject to their holiday—the tennis, the beautiful weather, the new beaver dam. The small talk is easy. I’m thirty-two—too old to resent the guests or worry about their judgment. It’s her I’m furious with. I thought she’d accepted that my life was in Toronto. What was she thinking by leaving the resort to me? What was she thinking by dying?
“We’re terribly sorry for your loss,” Mrs. Hannover says again. “You look so much like her.”
“I do,” I agree. Same small stature. Same pale hair. Same gray eyes.
“Well, I’m sure you want to head up to your room to enjoy your last night. You’ll have a great view of the fireworks from your balcony,” says Jamie, rescuing me. I give him a grateful smile, and he sneaks me back a wink.
We were a good team when we worked together as kids, too. At first, we used a code word when one of us needed rescuing from an annoying or overly needy guest: Watermelon. The elderly widower who wouldn’t stop telling me how much I reminded him of his first love: Watermelon. The bird-watcher who gave Jamie a detailed description of every species he’d seen in the area: Watermelon. But after a summer spending every day together down at the outfitting hut, hauling canoes and kayaks out of the lake, we began communicating silently—a slight widening of the eyes or a curl of the lip.
“Not so bad, was it?” he says once they move toward the elevator bank, but I don’t reply.
Jamie extends his arm to the dining room entrance. Many of the people inside will be guests of the resort, but there’ll be plenty of locals. With my luck, someone I went to high school with will spot me as soon as I step inside. Blood roars in my eardrums like a transport truck on the freeway.
“I don’t think I can do this,” I say. “I’m going to go back to the house. I’m exhausted.”
It’s not a lie. The insomnia began as soon as I got back. Every day, I wake in my childhood bedroom underslept and a bit disoriented. I look at the dense tangle of tree branches out the window, reminding myself where I am and why I’m here. In the beginning, I’d put a pillow over my head and go back to sleep. I’d rise around noon and stumble downstairs, filling the rest of the day with carbohydrates and episodes of The Good Wife.
But then Jamie started calling with questions, and Whitney popped by without warning often enough to give me a talk about how much time I was spending in my pajamas—the type of tough love only a best friend can provide—and so I began getting dressed. I began leaving the house, visiting the lodge, wandering down to the family dock for a swim or to drink my morning coffee, the way Mom used to. I’ve even gone out in a kayak a few times. It feels good to be on the water, like I have a shred of control, even if it’s just steering a small boat.
I’m still greeted by a procession of grief, anger, and panic when I open my eyelids, only now it passes quietly instead of clanging like a marching band.
Over the last couple of weeks, Jamie has patiently updated me on everything that’s changed in the many years since I’ve worked here, but what’s wilder is all the stuff that hasn’t. The sourdough. The guests. The fact that he still calls me Fernie.
We knew each other long before we started dating. The Pringle cottage is a couple bays down the lake. His grandparents knew my grandparents, and his parents still come to the restaurant for fish and chips every Friday. They spend most of the summer in Muskoka now that they’ve retired, venturing back to Guelph in September. Jamie rents a place in town, but he bought the vacant lot next to his family’s to build a year-round home. He loves the lake more than anything.
“It’s Canada Day,” Jamie says. “It would mean something to the guests and the staff to see you. It’s the start of summer. I’m not asking you to get up on the stage and make a speech before the fireworks begin.” He doesn’t need to add, The way your mom did. “Just go say hello.”
I swallow, and Jamie holds my shoulders, looking me in the eyes. “You can do this. You’re so close. You’re already dressed. You’ve been in there a million times.” He lowers his voice. “We’ve done it in there, remember? Booth 3.”
I let out a huff. “Of course you know what booth it was.”
“I could draw you a map of all the spots we desecrated. The outfitting hut alone . . .”
“Stop.” I’m laughing now, but it’s slightly frantic. Here I am with my ex-boyfriend, talking about the places we’ve had sex at my recently deceased mother’s resort. I’ve been punked by the universe.
“Fernie, it’s no big deal. That’s all I’m saying.”
I’m about to tell Jamie that he’s wrong, that it’s a very big deal, but then I see an excuse in the corner of my eye. A very tall man is wheeling a silver suitcase up to the front desk, and there’s still no one behind it.
The skyscraper’s back is facing us, but you can tell his suit is expensive. Custom made, probably. The black fabric is cut to his frame in the kind of impeccable manner that requires precise measurements and generous room on a credit card. I doubt an off-the-rack number would be long enough for this guy’s arms, and the cuff of his sleeve is perfect. So is his slicked-back hair. Inky and glossy and as meticulously styled as his jacket is tailored. He’s overdressed, to be honest. This is a beautiful resort, one of the nicest in eastern Muskoka, and the staff is always well put together, but the guests tend to keep things casual, especially in the summer.
“I’m going to go help him,” I tell Jamie. “I need practice with check-ins. Come make sure I do it right.”
There’s no arguing. We can’t just let the fancy man stand there.
As we round the desk, I apologize for making him wait.
“Welcome to Brookbanks Resort,” I say, glancing up quickly— even with me in my heels, he’s got almost a foot on me.
“Did you have any trouble finding us?” I ask, punching a key to wake up the computer. Tall dude still hasn’t said anything. The last stretch of road is unpaved, unlit, and has some wicked turns through the bush. Sometimes city people find it stressful, especially when they arrive after sundown. I’m pegging this guy as a Torontonian, though he could be from Montreal. There’s a medical conference starting next week—some of the doctors are arriving early, making a holiday of the long weekend.
“No.” He runs a hand down his tie. Says nothing more.
“Good.” I type in my passcode. “Are you with the dermatologists?” I navigate to the main menu, and when he doesn’t answer, I clear my throat and try again. “Do you have a reservation with us?”
“I do.” He says the words slowly, like he’s scanning them for errors.
Product details
- Publisher : Berkley (May 2, 2023)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0593438558
- ISBN-13 : 978-0593438558
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.44 x 0.88 x 8.22 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #65 in Contemporary Women Fiction
- #433 in Contemporary Romance (Books)
- #713 in Genre Literature & Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author

Carley Fortune is the #1 New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of EVERY SUMMER AFTER, MEET ME AT THE LAKE, and THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT. Her fourth novel, ONE GOLDEN SUMMER, is out May 6, 2025. Before becoming an author, Carley was an award-winning journalist and worked as an editor at some of Canada’s top publications. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Follow her on Instagram @carleyfortune.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book to be a great summer read with a sweet, feel-good story that's easy to read. They appreciate the character development, with one customer noting how it draws readers into the narrative, and the writing style receives positive feedback for its descriptive quality. The book evokes emotions of unrequited love and loss, and customers find it thought-provoking, with one review highlighting the diary entries from the mother's perspective. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with several customers finding it too predictable.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a great summer read that isn't just sweet.
"...- add this one to your TBR list and move it to the top, it's worth the read!" Read more
"...The plot is predictable but still highly entertaining...." Read more
"...It was steady, not too fast nor too slow and fitting to have the story unfurl slowly, recounting past events and present traumas...." Read more
"...There is a weightiness to this story, and layers that make it feel realistic and believable...." Read more
Customers enjoy this love story, describing it as a feel-good tale with a beautiful happy ending.
"...The characters are stereotypical but lovely. The plot is predictable but still highly entertaining...." Read more
"...It was steady, not too fast nor too slow and fitting to have the story unfurl slowly, recounting past events and present traumas...." Read more
"...I was immediately drawn into this story and could hardly put it down. I found it utterly engaging and what I wanted...." Read more
"...The story is a bit predictable, the reader figures out most of what is going to happen pretty quickly, but there are a few surprises thrown in for..." Read more
Customers love the characters in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating their backstories and another noting their healing moments.
"...- I felt like the book was better written, the characters were more likable and relatable and the writing style had improved for sure!..." Read more
"...The characters are stereotypical but lovely. The plot is predictable but still highly entertaining...." Read more
"...There are plenty of things that I loved like: -The set of side characters...." Read more
"...I liked the setting, and I like the secondary characters...." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its descriptive style and easy readability, with one customer comparing it to an R-rated Hallmark movie.
"...better than her first book (in my opinion) - I felt like the book was better written, the characters were more likable and relatable and the writing..." Read more
"In the scope of easy beach reads, this one is tops...." Read more
"...but the underlying story of the mother and daughter is just written so authentically and gorgeously...." Read more
"The author is a gifted writer. I absolutely loved her first book, and was really looking forward to reading this book...." Read more
Customers find the book emotionally engaging, describing it as a beautiful, heart-warming read that captures unrequited love feelings. One customer mentions the found family vibe that made them happy.
"...-good story, and though it’s steamier than I’d prefer, it’s beautifully heart-warming...." Read more
"...This book had my toes curling, eyes crying, and laughs rolling." Read more
"...I enjoyed the emotions in this book of instant connection, and the characters made a lot of mistakes which made them feel real to me." Read more
"...about each of the characters, especially Peter, and the found family vibe made me so happy...." Read more
Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one customer particularly appreciating the diary entries from Fern's mother and the use of description and anticipation.
"...As you can see, that book has a lot of assets but also missed the mark for me...." Read more
"...It’s a thoughtful, feel-good story, and though it’s steamier than I’d prefer, it’s beautifully heart-warming...." Read more
"...I loved the journal entries from Fern’s mom as well as this added such a rich depth to the emotions of the book that without it, would have been..." Read more
"...As for the story itself, it is well worth the read. It is also educational, particularly after the "Behind the Book" chapter...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some loving the setting while others find it too predictable.
"...It was steady, not too fast nor too slow and fitting to have the story unfurl slowly, recounting past events and present traumas...." Read more
"What I liked: Carley Fortune writes lovely imagery; it kept me going...." Read more
"...The characters also lacked so much emotion and consistency that I had a hard time feeling anything...." Read more
"...It is most enchanting and keeps you glued to the pages. A book you have to finish because you can’t put it down!" Read more
Customers find the book incredibly boring.
"...conflict, the author ties the end of the story together in an unexciting manner. I scrolled through the last pages...." Read more
"...the groundwork for the plot line, but it was vague and boring for the first 50% of the book. I found myself just pushing to get through...." Read more
"...was great, but the book wasn’t my favorite, it was slow and not that interesting." Read more
"...Moving on - Meet Me at the Lake was incredibly boring and very underdeveloped." Read more
Reviews with images

Absolutely perfect
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2023This one was so much better than her first book (in my opinion) - I felt like the book was better written, the characters were more likable and relatable and the writing style had improved for sure! I almost didn't get this book because I didn't care for the first one, but this one changed my mind about this author.
The story is a bit predictable, the reader figures out most of what is going to happen pretty quickly, but there are a few surprises thrown in for them throughout the book. The story does flow quickly and the reader can't help but zoom through the pages as they don't want the story to end, but they also need to know what is going to happen...it's a hard decision to make for the reader to read it all in one sitting or to stop reading it and take their time.
This one is more "the book of summer" than her previous book - for me anyway - add this one to your TBR list and move it to the top, it's worth the read!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2024In the scope of easy beach reads, this one is tops. If I was ranking, I think Fortune’s previous book (Every Summer After) is definitely my favorite but this one is great!
The setting is a Dirty Dancing-esque resort in Canada, which is so fun (especially if you loved that movie as much as I did). The characters are stereotypical but lovely. The plot is predictable but still highly entertaining.
For all the romance readers…I recommend this go on your Summer 2024 Beach Reads list. It’s quick, easy and pleasing.
P.S. If you haven’t read Every Summer After…definitely add to your list. I think it’s my favorite beach read ever.
P.P.S. Fortune has a new book out…This Summer Will Be Different. I’ll be reading it!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 20233 stars
Do you ever feel bad for the author when writing a less than perfect review? Because that’s how I feel right now especially after having read the author’s notes in which Carley explains that she really struggled to write this one.
But I swore to always be honest in my reviews so here we go, no matter what.
Is that book bad?
No.
There are plenty of things that I loved like:
-The set of side characters. From Fern’s best friend looking like an overenthusiastic puppy to the Roses, the old eccentric guests making cocktails, to Peter’s solid and discreet presence, they all helped me see that world, make it real.
-The setting. A resort alongside a Canadian lake. I could see myself swimming or hiring a canoe. I heard the birds in the trees, saw the dining room with guests etc. It felt like being on holiday.
-The pacing. It was just right for the story. We switch between past, when Fern met Will and now, ten years later. It was steady, not too fast nor too slow and fitting to have the story unfurl slowly, recounting past events and present traumas.
-The meet cute. Fern and Will’s day in the city ten years ago was the perfect romantic meet. It felt like a bubble in time where everything is ripe with possibilities. Will was the promising and handsome artist, Fern was prickly and undecided yet about her future. Both on the brink of a new life.
-Fern. I think Carley Fortune wrote Fern very realistically. She is full of doubts, is looking for her path in life. Past Fern had her demons, understandably so and went through a wild phase. New Fern is more mature but still struggling after her mother’s death. She will grow a lot in the story.
-The ending. Thank god we had these last 10 percent! That helped explain a lot about Will’s decision and had me feeling a smidge better.
But
I am a reader and reviewer very much driven by my emotions and feelings.
And what I felt very often was extremely frustrated!
I was angry with Will. He never showed up nine years ago and now that he is back, he gives no explanation, no excuses. And Fern chooses to go with it???
Sorry but if you don’t show up and you make a mistake, you GROVEL!
You explain and hope it’s a fantastic explanation to beg for forgiveness.
Not knowing what happened had me keeping Will at arm’s length. I didn’t trust him and didn’t warm up to him, even if he was kind of a baby whisperer. And I didn’t understand Fern in her decision to take a risk, knowing that her heart could be crushed again. Even if at the same time I admired her bravery.
As a character driven reader, not liking Will really dampened my enjoyment and is the main reason for my low rating alongside the lack of groveling.
What I would have liked to see more of was grief.
Fern just lost her mom. We get passing mentions that she misses her mom and see her reading her diary but I think the story would have gained even more depth if we focused more on the grief stages. I don’t mean to make it a sob story or the core of the book but it was nearly brushed under the rug. Or at least, that’s how I experienced it.
As you can see, that book has a lot of assets but also missed the mark for me.
Does that mean that Carley Fortune is a “one book” author like she feared? Certainly not as she has proven that she can write. I just hope for her that her next story will “spill out” of her like Every Summer After did.
Also, I haven’t looked at any review yet so I might be in the minority here. So go check other opinions (like I’ll do now 😉 ).
- Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 20234.75 stars
Meet Me at the Lake is the latest release from Carley Fortune, and an absolute winner for me! I was immediately drawn into this story and could hardly put it down. I found it utterly engaging and what I wanted.
Fern and Will meet early in their twenties when they are both trying to find their own path in life. Both are tasked with a heavy sense of obligation to family, but have aspirations of their own. They spend 24 hours together touring the town and there is a click of recognition, a spark that ignites unlike any before. But life takes them in different directions and they promise to meet up in one year.
Fast-forward ten years, life has not been easy for either one, as is often the case, and they are thrust back into one another’s lives. After the unexpected death of Fern’s mother, she comes back home to take over the family resort, not her first choice, and in walks Will…a decade late. He’s there with the purpose of helping the resort thrive and get back on it’s financial feet, and though the two resurrect their relationship, Will is still battling his own demons. The two have a lot to sort through, but Will is slow to open up.
In a way, this is a coming of age story. It’s about discovering what you really want and how to balance your own needs with those of others. The romance felt authentic and fraught with real life struggles. There is a weightiness to this story, and layers that make it feel realistic and believable. It’s a thoughtful, feel-good story, and though it’s steamier than I’d prefer, it’s beautifully heart-warming. I’ve loved both of this author’s books and look forward to whatever she writes next. (And you can’t beat her gorgeous covers!)
Top reviews from other countries
- RICARTReviewed in France on June 11, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good book
I loved it, it looked so real.
The plot was si nice !
Thanks for this !
I need more I was hoping something and I found better
- RachelReviewed in Canada on March 17, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Wholesome & Fun
I couldn’t put this down! It has the perfect amount of spice and wholesome romance. It also has sweet family moments throughout. Highly recommend!
- Erin KirstyReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Meet Me At The Lake
I was really late to the party with Carley Fortune! For some reason it took me ages to get to reading her first novel Every Summer After so I decided to not wait quite so long to read her next release (although I’m still a bit late!).
This one follows the story of Fern Brookbanks who has temporarily moved home to her family’s holiday resort following the death of her mother. An unexpected guest arrives at the resort bringing up more of Fern’s past.
The dynamic between Fern and Will is strained in the beginning, partly due to everything Fern is dealing with and partly due to their shared history. Fern is at a crossroads and has a lot of life decisions to make which is explored throughout the story.
There is a dual timeline throughout which helps to build up the beginning of Fern and Will’s relationship. It is an emotional journey from start to finish so prepare yourself for that!
There are definitely some similarities with Every Summer After so if you enjoyed Carley’s debut then I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one too. I will absolutely be rereading this again, infact I think I might try the audio!
- AliceReviewed in Italy on June 1, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
I have read both Meet me at the lake and Every summer after and i can definitely say that Carley Fortune is an amazing writer! Ferm and Will fall in love in just one day but life events take them apart. Years later they find each other again. They are not the same people they used to be. Will their love overcome their life struggles ?
- EllaReviewed in Germany on March 8, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
I really liked the language and style of the story. I could fully empathize with the characters. The only thing I didn't really understand until the end was Will's behavior. Nevertheless: A book I recommend.