I loved Carley Fortune’s debut novel, Every Summer After, so was really looking forward to her next book.

This is a second chance romance with characters Fern and Will. I thought Carley's writing was as good as ever but I felt like the two timelines was too reminiscent of her first book and would love if she would try something different. It presented more comparisons and it didn't hit as hard as her first offering of this trope.
I loved the descriptions of the resort and lake, and really felt for Fern grieving her mother and figuring out her own life and path.
I didn't really feel like Will was a believable character though and honestly preferred Jamie. Between that and a slight recycling of ideas from Every Summer After brings this down from a 4 star read, but still a solid 3.5 and I look forward to what Carley Fortune brings out next.
Thank you to the publishers & NetGalley for an eARC copy of this book!

Fern Brookbanks dreams of opening her own coffee shop in Toronto. After the unfortunate death of her mother, however, she finds herself back home in Lake Muskoka running her inheritance: a struggling lakefront cottage resort. Helping Fern are her ex-boyfriend Jamie, who her mother hired as resort manager, and her mother's dear friend Peter, a master baker, who helped raise Fern and inspired her love of music. Then another one of her mother's hires shows up: Will Baxter, a business consultant whom Fern spent one incredible day with ten years ago, when they were both in their early 20s. They had agreed to meet up one year later but Will never showed up. And, now, here he is - standing in front of Fern in her childhood home. Is the chemistry still there?

I really enjoyed this novel. Not as much as Fortune's first novel, Every Summer After, but that one's hard to beat! Meet Me at the Lake is an immersive and entertaining read that relies on information withheld to build the tension. It's told in dual timelines as we learn more about Fern and Will's first date (and why Will didn't show up for their second), and more about Fern's relationship with her mother, which I also really enjoyed. Fortune is so good as creating these nostalgic summer settings, and Lake Muskoka is no different (think the Catskills' Kellerman's in Dirty Dancing!). It's also surprisingly witty, and while I didn't think Fern and Will had the chemistry Percy and Sam had in Every Summer After, I enjoyed their banter, especially in the early years. A satisfying second-chance romance read. 3.5 stars.

Loved Every Summer After so was eager to read this one. I liked the book alot and really connected with the main characters but the book did seem a little slow at times. A pleasant second chance romance novel.

3.5 stars!

This was overall fun and easy to read book. I am not a romance reader primarily but I heard a lot of good things about this authors debut book so wanted to check it out.

I really loved the theme of finding oneself and I truly appreciated the journey of self discovery that our MC goes through in this book.

I wasn't completely on board with the romance because it sort of felt insta lovey. They literally spend just one day together and then pined for like 10 years. Also, the Male MC didn't particularly stand out. He just came across as moody and broody -nothing I haven't read before.

The author's note felt deeply poignant. I am a new mom, my baby boy is just 3 months old and I just could relate to so many things the author has penned down in her note.

After reading and loving Carley Fortune’s debut novel, Every Summer After, I was eagerly anticipating Fortune’s sophomore novel, Meet me at the Lake.

Told in alternating timelines, Meet Me At The Lake follows the story of Fern ‘Fernie’ Brookbanks and Will Baxter who spend one magical, whirlwind day together and agree to meet again the following year (very reminiscent of the ‘before’ film trilogy, admittedly not as well executed) at the lakeside resort owned by the Brookbanks. A year passes and Will was a no-show. Fast forward to 10 years later, Fern has inherited the resort following the unfortunate passing of her mother and who else but Will turns up out of the blue offering assistance to keep the resort going.

I loved the setting, both in the past traipsing through the city and the present primarily situated by the lake. I adore Carly’s ability to construct the nostalgic summertime feeling and make the reader feel like they’ve been transported into scenes.The discussion and thoughts around grief, learning to live after loss and forgiveness, mixed with the complicated relationship Fern had with her mother was the most compelling part of the story for me, poignant and made for an emotional tale.


What I struggled most with was the characters and the romance.
- Will & Fern: Going back to the earlier point of the past scenes reminding me very much of Jesse and Celine in Before Sunrise, but the execution of was just not done as well. I had a difficult time buying into Fern & Will chemistry both in the past and present, as well as the events of that one day having such an impact that it’s been affecting them both for 10 years. Appreciating that reading is - at least for me - a form of escapism, but there was just something that was a tad unbelievable about their relationship. Throw in the miscommunication in the present and how unlikeable Will could be at times, it was just a lot to take in and I wasn’t getting the whole ‘soulmates’ vibe.
- Side characters: I was not a big fan of Will’s sister (there was a scene i just thought was entirely unnecessary) or Fern’s bff Whitney. I wish both Jamie and Peter had more page time, I

While is missed the mark for me, I did finish it in one sitting. I loved the flow of Carley’s writing and enjoyed all the sweet summer nostalgic vibes. It was a good, quick read I think others would enjoy more!

This book was so good. I loved the characters and the writing style. Loved the storyline and the setting. Carley Fortune is now a auto buy author for me, i adore her books.

Yes!! I prefer this sophomore book by the author over her debut, Every Summer After for it feels a bit more mature. Both great books though. It’s hard to deliver everytime, so a huge respect to the author for writing another amazing romance under a huge pressure that must have followed after the success of her debut.

Just a bit slow for me at times for me, but I’m an impatient reader😂 So you might like it slow. I highly recommend this book to add to your TBR!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

I don't tend to read a lot of romance novels but it was impossible to miss the hype last year about Every Summer After, this authors debut novel. After reading so many positive reviews, I bought that book and only got around to reading it recently and I enjoyed it, more than I expected to. So I went into this one with high expectations.
Meet Me at the Lake is a book about second chance romance. Fern and Will spent a short amount of time together ten years previously and they meet again. Unfortunately this one did not resonate with me like Every Summer After, the characters didn't have the same impact and as a result I wasn't hugely invested in whether things would would out for them. I did love the setting though and the vivid descriptions of the Canadian locations. I was more interested in Canada than the characters which probably isn't great feedback about a romance novel. Nonetheless, the book is well written and there was enough there to keep me turning the pages. I have no doubt this one will be hugely popular this summer even though it fell a bit flat for me.

Pleasant enough read. Holiday reading with gorgeous settings.

Meet Me At The Lake is told in single POV in two timelines- present day and flashbacks to a decade ago. In the present, Fern has had to leave the city and return back to her family’s resort (think Dirty Dancing) after a terrible accident involving her mother. She’s never wanted to run the resort, in fact she’s done all she can to avoid it since leaving for college. She knows she has to make a decision soon -stay or sell and go back to her real life in the city. She’s really struggling just being there never mind making that choice, when in walks Will Baxter a face she hasn’t seen since that one amazing day a decade ago.

Every Summer After was one of my favourite romances (and reads) of 2022 so I was extremely excited for this, it was probably one of my most anticipated releases of the year. While I definitely did enjoy it, I had some issues with it and it just didn’t quite hit the spot like her first book did.

My main issue was believability, I just don’t think two people could spend 24 hours together and then be broken hearted/pine over each other for a decade after. I also don’t really think they had as much chemistry in the present day as they did in the flashbacks.

I did really enjoy the writing, especially the descriptions of the resort. It sounds like a place I would love to visit. I also really liked the side characters, particularly Peter who I wish we saw more of.

I’ve seen a lot of people characterise this book as a second chance romance but I disagree. There is obviously romance in it but I think it’s more about Fern finding her own path, coming to terms with what happened to her mother, looking back at the relationship they had and the choices she made.

Overall, I did like it and enjoy it, just a bit less than Every Summer After.

3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC review: Meet Me By The Lake by Carley Fortune
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book is out on May 2nd (TOMORROW) so either pre-order your copy or go find it tomorrow in your local bookstore/kindle store!

Fern Brookbanks and Will Baxter spent a whirlwind twenty-four hours together and their lives are changed forever. 10 years later and they haven’t seen each other since that day. Both Fern and Will can’t stop thinking of one another. 10 years on and Fern is running her mothers lake resort, living a life she isn’t sure she wants or is ready for when a ghost walks into her life. Will turns up at Ferns resort as handsome and beautiful as ever. Will they rekindle their feelings that never really disappeared? Can they overcome the obstacles life has thrown at them since they last saw each other?

OH THIS BOOK IS BEAUTIFUL!!! Reading this book felt like being wrapped up in a warm hug in a blanket. It was just gorgeous. Something about the second-chance, friends to strangers to lovers is such a wonderful trope. I loved Every Summer After and I must say I was apprehensive to read this because I was worried it wouldn’t be as good and I was so wrong. This book is equally as wonderful and good as Fortunes first book. They’re both very different and yet also similar in all the right ways. It’s a great summer read about love, grief, friendship and family.

Thank you @carleyfortune @netgalley @yourswithlovex for the advanced eArc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Wow this was a beautiful book!

I actually haven't read Carly Fortunes debut but have seen on social media how adored it was, so I jumped at the chance to read this.

Fern and Will meet by chance and spend one amazing day together. They plan to meet a year later at her family's lodge but Will never shows, leaving Fern heartbroken.

10 years later Fern is begrudgingly drawn back to the lodge and soon after, Will turns up seemingly out of the blue. Fern wants to believe that the special connection she remembers they had on that day 10 years ago was real, but isn't sure Will is now the person he was back then.

Heart wrenching, beautifully written and totally absorbing. This book is perfect.

After reading and enjoying Every Summer After this month, I was really looking forward to reading Fortune’s next book. Meet Me At The Lake read more for me as women’s contemporary fiction rather than a romance. Whilst there was the romance between Will and Fern, I felt like this books main focus was Fern and discovering her path.

The main thing that I struggled with from the start, was that I found it hard to believe that Will and Fern spent one day together and then she spent ten years pining over him?! I never really bought into it and I found Will in present time a little bit pathetic? I just didn’t think he was all that great. It’s pretty hard to root for a couple when I didn’t think he deserved her.

Overall, it was an easy, pleasant read but it’s not one I’d recommend or buy

I was so excited for this one after loving Every Summer After, and I was absolutely not disappointed.
I adored the element with Fern's mum and her diaries and loved that she gradually learned more about her through her diaries.
I was a little frustrated with Will, particularly his actions towards the end of the book, and with some of his sister's comments.
I loved Fern's relationship with her best friend.
Reading about Canada was so exciting, I felt like I was visiting myself with all the beautiful descriptions.
Overall a perfect summer read!

Firstly, huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book!

Every Summer After is one of my all time favourite books. So when I say I screamed when I was sent this e-book, I'm NOT lying. I absolutely loved the author’s writing and have been not so patiently waiting for Carley Fortune's follow-up. However, I’m so sad to say that I didn't enjoy the second novel as much as her debut.

This one just didnt have me as enthralled as her debut, I couldn’t connect with any of the characters or their stories. The romantic interest didn’t have any chemistry whatsoever, it lacked that angsty/pining/all consuming feeling I think it was meant to be.

The miscommunication and the use of only one POV drove me a little insane too. I awould have liked more time for the reader to digest and better understand the reason for the couple's problems - which is revealed late in the book. While this one sadly didn’t live up to my expectations, I highly recommend reading the author's note at the end where she details her writing process for the very personal aspects of this story!

Meet Me At The Lake was such a poignant, thought provoking novel set in the dreamiest summer setting!

I went into this having not yet read Carley’s debut novel Every Summer After, so didn’t really have much to compare it too. But I was pleasantly surprised at the way she writes in such an emotionally descriptive way!

The story follows Fern and Will, set in a dual timeline from the single day they spent together 10 years ago and the present day. After spending that one magical day together they agree to meet again a year later at Fern’s family lakeside resort, but Will never shows…

A whole ten years pass and Will suddenly turns up at Brookbanks resort, right when Ferns life has been turned upside down and she’s inherited the resort after her mothers sudden passing.
As they try to work together to keep the business afloat, can Fern and Will finally figure out what happened all those years ago? And can they have a second chance at being together?

From the start I imagined the Brookbanks resort to be just like Kellerman’s from Dirty Dancing, and I’m so glad the likeness was also brought up in the book! It really helped me imagine the beautiful setting and the way an all American vacation resort would be set up!

I loved that we also got snippets of Fern’s mothers old diary entry’s, it really was so insightful and we got to hear about her sacrifices and the way her own love life impacted the rest of her adult life.

It was one of those books where there’s always unanswered questions, you might find the answer to some and then even more pop up

As for Fern and Will, I loved both characters, the story they went on was so heartbreakingly beautiful to read.
At times even I was questioning whether Fern and Will belonged together, whether they were truly compatible or whether they just fully connect with eachother
It’s definitely not your typical cutesy-romance, there was a lot more depth to the storyline. It was also really relatable, Will’s worries and anxieties aren’t something you get to read about from a male main character so that was really refreshing!

Overall I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it! Will definitely be reading Every Summer After when the weather starts to warm up!

Gaahhhh I adored this book! I inhaled this book as quickly as I could! This is a second chance romance, set in the past and present alternating between the two. Fern and Will have a great banter and smouldering chemistry from the get go, and I loved how this story unravels and we get more and more of their past as the story goes on.

Thank you to the publishers for an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley! This is the third book I have read by this author and my favourite so far! 🫶

So I’ll start by saying that Carley Fortune’s debut, Every Summer After, was one of my absolute favourite reads of last year. I was so excited when she announced Meet Me at the Lake and couldn’t wait to read it. It most definitely did not disappoint. This is another spectacular book; one where you feel totally transported to the beautiful lakeside resort and where you’re fully immersed in Fern and Will’s story. I loved it.

Fern has spent too much of the last decade thinking about Will, the man she shared a day long adventure with when she was 22. Their timing wasn’t right but their connection was undeniable. They agreed to meet one year later, only Will never showed. Now 32, Fern’s life isn’t panning out as she hoped. Following the sudden and tragic death of her mum she’s now back at the lakeside resort she grew up in, only now she’s in charge and she needs help. To Fern’s surprise it arrives in the form of Will, only he’s 9 years too late. But can Fern now rescue Will in the way he once did for her?

There is so much to love about this book. Told in alternating chapters between now and then - the then being Fern and Will’s epic day - it’s impossible to put down. This is the kind of story that’ll keep you reading way past bedtime.

I appreciate that some might not vibe with the idea of Fern and Will holding onto the idea of each other for a decade having only spent a day together, but you really do feel their epic connection. This is a case of right person but wrong time. These are two people who get each other, exposing themselves to one another in the ways they’ve felt unable to to with others. They’re each other’s ’what ifs’ until events bring them back into each other’s orbits.

I loved them both as MCs, they written with great depth, human flaws and very real vulnerabilities. I urge the reader to read Fortune’s essay at the end of the book to gain an even deeper understanding of what shaped these characters. I must also add my deep fondness of Peter, Fern’s father figure who was a wonder.

As with her debut, Fortune writes with such grace and beauty in transporting us to both urban Toronto and the Brooksbank Resort. You can feel Fern’s love for Toronto jump off the page and you feel so immersed in the beauty of the lake.

This is a beautiful story, as much about finding yourself as it is about finding your person. It’s also a story about grief, which at times is simply heartbreaking. Fortune also explores the complexities of familial relationships; the mother/daughter relationships between Fern and Maggie is as beautiful as it is tragic.

Overall a wonderful read and one is highly recommend.

Meet Me at The Lake is such a gorgeous story about love and loss and the many forms they take. The relationships Fern has with Will, her mother Maggie, her friends and Peter, her pseudo father figure, cover decades and are tumultuous, raw and beautiful. The story is dual timeline, following the day that Will and Fern spent together 10 years prior and after Maggie has died and left their family resort to Fern to run. It is also multigenerational as we get glimpses of Maggie’s youth through diary entries that Fern reads. Fern’s growth as she discovers what she wants out of life, what she deserves and how she wants to live it are beautifully written, as is the depiction of her grief as she comes to terms with the loss of her mother and the idea of following in her footsteps. The chemistry between Fern and Will is excellent as their relationship is filled with unfulfilled sexual tension that has not been lost in the 10 years since they last saw each other. This was a true rollercoaster of emotions with so many sweet moments to counteract those heavier scenes that made me weep, but absolutely one I’d recommend.
4.5*

After loving Every Summer After, I was a bit worried that Carley's newest novel, Meet Me at the Lake, wouldn't be able to live up to an outstanding debut novel but I had no reason to be concerned. This lived up to everything I hoped it would be. It follows Fern and Will, both now and 14 years ago, as they come back together for the first time after a perfect 244 hours hours years ago. When Fern is left her mother's hotel, can Will help her move Brookbanks forward?

This was such a cute story of first love and friendship and I loved every page. I flew through it as I had to know everything that happened 14 years ago to understand why Fern was less than impressed to see Will again.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I love books where the characters are so human, and this was exactly that. From the blurb I was slightly scared that it was just going to be Every summer after with new characters but as soon as I started reading I knew they were going to be very different books.

Fern and Will are both trying to navigate their way through life trying to understand what they want and who they are. The plot revolves around trying to figure out if what you wanted as a young adult is still what you want and who you want to be when you’ve reached your 30’s and coming to terms with how your life has played out so far, and I think this was handled so well.

Fern is at a crossroads in her life as her mother has suddenly passed away and she is trying to battle grief with her own goals and dreams. She has her walls built up and I really enjoyed seeing this story through Fern’s viewpoint and understanding why she was making the decisions she did. The book kept me hooked wanting to see things from Will’s point of view and understand what he had experienced in those 10 years apart. Once we finally got a glimpse into this story, I was not disappointed and I loved how raw and introspective his character was.

I also want more about Maggie and Peter, their story broke my heart and filled it up at the same time and I think it would be a heartbreakingly beautiful story to tell one day.