Thank you to NetGalley, The Publisher Michael Joseph and the Author Carley Fortune for this advanced reader copy (ARC).

This was my first book by Carley Fortune and I went into it with high hopes as I have heard great things about her previous books.
This is a perfect book to binge during summer or to get you into the summer feels. It was fast paced, a fun read and filled with popular tropes including best friend’s brother and forbidden romance.

I thought the romance in this book was great. It did seem a bit insta-lovey and lusty at the start but as we got to see more of the interactions between Lucy and Felix throughout the years, the more I could see that they really had an emotional connection and as a result I was rooting for them. The tension and angst between them was crazy and there were definitely some memorable steamy scenes! Not only was this book heavy on the romantic relationship but it explored the friendship we see between Lucy and Bridget so beautifully. Their dynamic was so heartwarming to read about and their bond and loyalty to one another were some of my favourite things in this book.

The only reason why this book was not 5 stars for me was because I found certain parts of the middle of the storyline to drag on a bit as some parts were slightly repetitive and I felt we could’ve gotten to the point a bit faster.

Overall I’d definitely recommend this book and I look forward to picking up other books by Carley Fortune in the future!

4⭐️

Title: This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
Release Date: May, 9th, 2024

4.5 Stars


Lucy, a tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island, finds herself swept off her feet by Felix, a charming local. However, she's unaware that Felix is actually her best friend's younger brother. Despite their undeniable chemistry, they both know they should stay away from each other, vowing to never repeat their passionate night together.

Yet, when Lucy returns to PEI each year for a retreat with her best friend Bridget, she finds herself unable to resist Felix's allure. Determined to keep her heart out of the equation, Lucy convinces herself that she can enjoy Felix's company without getting emotionally involved.

However, when Bridget suddenly flees Toronto a week before her wedding, Lucy rushes to the island to support her friend. Amidst the chaos, Lucy finds herself grappling with newfound feelings for Felix, whose demeanor has shifted. As she navigates her conflicting emotions, Lucy begins to question whether her heart is truly safe from Felix's charm.


"This Summer Will Be Different" delivers a delightful mix of romance, unbreakable friendships, and unwavering loyalty.I felt the sparks flying between Lucy and Felix, keeping me glued to the pages. And the bond between Lucy and Bridget? It's so beautifully depicted, I needed some tissues nearby.

With its perfect mix of laughter and tears, it's like riding a rollercoaster of emotions. Fortune's characters are so well-crafted, you'll feel like you're right there with them, experiencing every twist and turn of their journey. And let's not forget about the vivid setting of Prince Edward Island—it's like stepping into a painting that you'll never want to leave.

So grab a cozy spot and prepare to be swept away by this captivating tale!

Tropes:

Best Friend's Brother
Forbidden Romance
Instant chemistry
Opposites Attract
Second Chance Romance
Friendship and family




Thank you to The PublisherMichael Joseph, Penguin Random House | Penguin , The Author Carley Fortune & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

i’ve loved both of carley fortunes books so far and this was no different. i think every summer after is still my favourite but i really enjoyed this one too. i loved the friendships in this book and how it was about finding your found family as well as the romance. i’m also so happy there was no cheating trope in this one!! a perfect fun feel good beach read!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a preview read of this book.

This is the first Carley Fortune book I have read! I had seen her books all over last year, but hadn't got round to reading any. I was nervous that her books wouldn't live up to the hype, but this book did not disappoint! An ideal summer read. The story was full of romance, friendship and emotional moments that I just had to keep reading to find out what happened.

Although Lucy and Felix were the main storyline, I loved the friendship between Lucy and Bridget. It was really refreshing to see two characters whose friendship was important to both of them, not just the focus on the romance! I really enjoyed how the romance, friendship and family storylines joined together.

Fortune did a great job making Prince Edward Island come to life and I could imagine the story unfolding there.

This Summer Will be DIfferent is a thoroughly enjoyable read for the summer.
An excellent first book to read from Carley Fortune and look forward to reading her other books now too.

I am so pleased she did it again! Carley Fortune delivered another book which I was able to read faster than any other; the story was charming, spicy and deeply exciting with such romantic escapism and chemistry.
I loved the main characters Lucy (obviously), Bridget and Felix. I thought each were joyous to read about and I could not decide if I enjoyed the romance or friendship themes more. Both struck such emotional chords with me, and I enjoyed every second of them.

With a setting of Toronto, combined with Prince Edward Island, I was in love. The references to Anne of Green Gables took my breath away as so many of my favourite things collided. The references to Anne Shirley made this book for me!

There were so many lovely themes and quotes to take from this book. A story that will stay with me for a long time, with characters who seemed more developed and standalone than Carley’s previous focuses.

I could not recommend this book enough, and cannot wait for Carley’s next one! I am so happy I am keeping up with her releases. She is probably the only author I have ever had the commitment to do this for and she has never disappointed!

Firstly, thank you for the advanced copy of This Summer Will Be Different - easily one of my most anticipated reads for 2024!!
Carley Fortune became an auto buy author for me after I loved Every Summer After, I wasn't a big fan of Meet Me At the Lake but I definitely feel like TSWBD was just as good as ESA.
I immediately fell in love with the setting of Prince Edward Island and all of the references to Anne of Green Gables was just *chefs kiss* for me. Carley writes so beautifully, the descriptions of the setting are so vivid, as I reader I felt like I was right in the middle of it all. I loved the trope of 'best friend's brother' and was invested in the romance right from the first meeting, the chemistry and sexual tension between Lucy and Felix was so good.
I felt like this book was a bit steamier than the other 2 books, not that I'm complaining!
The only reason I haven't rated it five stars is because I was a little disappointed with how rushed the ending felt to me, I would have liked a bit more focus on Bridget's wedding after such a big lead up.
Another excellent book from Carley Fortune, I can't wait to see what's next. I will definitely be recommending to friends and family to pick up TSWBD as it's a perfect summer read.

Reading the blurb for ‘This Summer Will be Different’ cemented that this was going to be a must-read for me. From the forbidden nature of their relationship, to how they cannot help but give in to their yearning for each other, and the promise of the summery backdrop of Prince Edward Island, the description of Lucy and Felix’s story instantly drew me in.

From the start of the book, Lucy and Felix’s attraction is immediate, and in some ways their relationship relies on the “insta-love” trope. This would typically prevent me from being able to connect to the book. However, by the end of their story I was wholly rooting for, and believed in, Lucy and Felix as a couple. Lines such as “He’ll be my oasis, and I’ll be his” encapsulate the tender and romantic atmosphere Carley Fortune was able to convey, even if their relationship was initially built upon physical attraction.

Something I thought was done extremely well was the sultry atmosphere. Carley Fortune built up tension perfectly, and although she describes it as her “steamiest”, it certainly did not feel overly descriptive or explicit - something that I find usually distracts from the feeling in a romance book. Instead, Carley Fortune created a sense of intimacy, yearning, and undeniable connection through the steamy scenes. It was incredibly heartfelt and flirtatious, and sexy in a dreamy kind of way.

The descriptions of the landscape on Prince Edward Island were truly transportive. It was beachy, hazy, and had me craving salty coastal air whilst actually being in rainy England. This book also felt so cosy, partly because of the tender love between Lucy and Felix, and between Lucy and her best friend, and partly because of the sense of homeliness and belonging Carley Fortune crafted around the island setting.

Lucy also mentions ‘Happy Place’ by Emily Henry in this book, and I certainly felt this as an influence throughout the story, specifically in the characteristically ‘Happy Place’ beach town descriptions. Despite this, Carley Fortune’s writing certainly stands on its own and feels uniquely heartfelt and tender.

This might just be Carley Fortune’s best work, and there were so many aspects I adored. There were moments of humour, so much gentleness in the scenes where Felix takes care of Lucy, and a constant feeling of passionate yearning.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Carley Fortune has truly outdone herself with this sultry summer read!

Carley Fortune’s "Things Will Be Different This Summer" weaves a charming and heartfelt best friend’s brother romance against the picturesque backdrop of Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Toronto. The story follows Lucy (nicknamed Bee) as she navigates the complexities of friendship, love, and self-discovery during annual summer trips to PEI with her best friend, Bridget.

The novel’s premise is refreshingly trope-filled yet delightfully executed. Upon arriving in PEI, Lucy is immediately drawn to a handsome stranger, Felix, whom she meets at a local bar. Unbeknownst to her, Felix is actually Bridget’s brother - Wolf, as she knows him. The stage is set for forbidden attraction as Lucy grapples with her growing feelings for Felix while honouring her promise not to fall for her best friend’s brother.

Fortune masterfully develops the tension between Lucy and Felix, creating palpable chemistry that leaps off the page. The characters’ emotional journeys are nuanced and relatable. Lucy’s internal conflict - balancing her loyalty to Bridget with her burgeoning affection for Felix—adds depth to her character, making her a protagonist readers can root for.

The dynamics between the characters are another highlight of this novel. Bridget’s protective stance over her brother, stemming from his failed engagement with her former best friend, Joy, adds layers of tension and raises the emotional stakes. Lucy’s struggle to conceal her feelings from Bridget heightens the romantic tension, resulting in a captivating narrative that keeps readers engaged.

Supporting characters like Zach, Felix’s best friend, and Lucy's Aunt Stacy bring additional depth and humour to the story, enriching the overall reading experience. They serve as effective foils to the main characters and contribute to the novel’s lively and authentic atmosphere.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its ability to explore themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery without sacrificing pacing or character development. The author adeptly balances moments of lightheartedness with deeper emotional introspection, making "Things Will Be Different This Summer" a well-rounded and satisfying read.

While the romance between Lucy and Felix is central to the plot, Fortune also skillfully weaves in themes of personal growth and independence. Lucy’s journey towards self-realisation and confidence is a poignant subplot that will resonate with readers.

Overall, "Things Will Be Different This Summer" is a delightful summer romance with captivating characters, a picturesque setting, and a storyline that strikes a perfect balance between heartwarming and emotionally resonant. Carley Fortune’s narrative prowess shines through, making this novel a highly recommended read for fans of contemporary romance. With its relatable characters and engaging plot, this book garners a solid 4.5-star rating from me.

First of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH Carley Fortune, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for my first ARC on my most anticipated read for 2024.
 
I am an avid fun of Carley Fortune's writing and as always, she delivers!!!
 
This book takes you to how Felix & Lucy's relationship develops over 5 years of strong and undeniable chemistry to each other. As the book goes on, the longing between the characters and the slow burn immerses reader's emotions, that the anticipation that the book wanted you to feel over Felix & Lucy's relationship over the timeline of 5 years carried out very well throughout the book. The temptations between Felix & Bee get you so excited and giddy, like a sneeky teenager.
 
I could be bias because I love dual POVs, but although I love the suspense on the 'NOW' and 'THEN' timeline - I think it would be perfect if the timeline is also written in dual POVs. As I find myself kept flipping back to the previous pages to make sure I was on the right track.
 
However, as always Carley Fortune thought the story out very well, transporting you to the place and relating with the characters’ (Bridget & Bee's friendship as well as Felix & Lucy romance) emotions & their situations. Ending the book with a truly satisfying happily ever after 💕
 
This Summer Will be Different might be my less fave out of all her 3 books but I still enjoyed reading it. I think it's a perfect summer reading.
 
Tropes: Summer escape, Best friend's brother, forbidden love, secret relationship, friendship 💕
 
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read Fortune’s first book and wasn’t the biggest fan of the cheating trope and because of this, I avoided her second book. It’s still sitting in a box, I’m too scared to take it out.

When I saw this one was available to request on Netgalley I had a ‘why not?’ moment and requested it. God, am I glad I did. This was such a beautifully written story. Its genre is obviously romance, but for me the biggest character arc was seeing Lucy discover that she was okay on her own. She could live life and be okay. The found family was also such a beautiful tale in this book. Whilst you can’t choose the one you’re born into, you can choose your Found Family.

This is as much of a love story between Felix and Lucy as it was between Bridget and Lucy. Both complex in their own way, but so beautiful and dealt with so healthily during the story, I feel in love with all of the characters of this story.

I knew I wouldn’t be let down by this one. The best friend’s brother trope was 10/10. Carley Fortune truly knocks it out of the park every time!

ARC Review

4:75⭐️

Tropes ~ Forbidden love, best friends brother, five year time span, all the summer feels

✨ I went into this book with no expectations and not really knowing what is was about and I was blown away!! The writing is incredible and I felt like I was in the story alongside these characters, this is the perfect summer read☀️

✨ Bee and Felix felt like they were meant to be from the start and their story was heartbreaking whilst being sweet. I loved that as much as they clearly wanted to be with each other neither of them was sat around pining they both tried to live their lives. This book travels over a five year time span and ive never felt so strongly towards two characters ending up together!!!

✨ The friendship in this book was beautiful and seeing two girls grown into adults together with all the changes of relationships and life was so heartwarming and realistic, I truly adored their friendships.

✨ This book just has everything you could ever want in a summer read and I can honestly say I will be reading this book again this summer, this was my favourite book by Carly to date!!

Read this in one sitting. I like the FMC. I think this would be a great romance for those who have a crush on their best friend's brother! It's a cute, easy read which is exactly what I was looking for.

I am a huge fan of Carley Fortune and have been super excited for THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT. It was everything I had hoped it would be - such a beautiful, engaging read, and I didn't want it to ever end.

I can’t even put into words how much I loved this book🤩. If you loved the summer I turned pretty but want something with more depth then this is your vibe. And Yes I know that she writes the same books with slight variations but this one was amazing. The chemistry was electric. I fell in love with the characters and the story. It’s very rare for a romance book to be 5 stars but here we are🥰

Such comfy and cozy book. Sweet romance. So glad I got this arc. So much better than the book from last year. So sweet and fun read.

This Summer Will be Different follows Lucy and Felix. They meet on Prince Edward's Island 5 summers ago and spend the whole day and night together, until they realise that Felix is Lucy's best friend's (Bridget) brother. They make a pact that they won't repeat their hook up again. But every summer that Lucy and Bridget to back to PEI, the pull Lucy and Felix feel towards each other gets harder and harder to ignore. They meet again this summer when Bridget is running away from her upcoming wedding and won't tell anyone why.

I loved this book. It felt reminiscent to me of People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry which I adored (5 stars), so this was right up my street. I love reading books with past/present timelines because I love the suspense surrounding the mystery of what happened the last time the characters met. Not only this, but an added mystery Bridget running away from her wedding that was coming up and won't tell Lucy why. So the extra subplot of tension between 2 best friends was really intriguing.

Carley Fortune has said that the starting point for each of her 3 books has been the setting and it's an aspect of her books that I really enjoy, how she can transport me to a place I've never been before but can make me love it as if I have been. Her writing this book felt magical. This book has definitely put me in the summer feelings and made me want to take a holiday.

I'm definitely going to reread this in May when it comes out.

When I say I couldn’t put this book down, I really mean it. I devoured it in the space of two days. It’s SO bloody good, and Felix and Lucy are just everything 🥹

If you enjoyed of Every Summer After and Meet Me at the Lake, I’m certain you’ll love this one just as much, if not more. The angst 👏🏻 the longing 👏🏻 the tension 👏🏻 I truly couldn’t get enough.

Also loved all the mentions and references to Anne of Green Gables!

I’m a huge Carley Fortune fan, I absolutely love her other novels, so I just knew I’d love this one too. In fact, I think it might be my favourite yet!

This Summer Will Be Different is a will-they-won’t-they, best friend’s brother romance that is brimming with angst and longing, and set against a backdrop of the extremely idyllic Prince Edward Island.

I ADORED Every Summer After (I rated it 4.75), so I was over the moon to receive an eARC of this but in all honesty, I really struggled with how to rate it! Whilst I had a good time reading this, I didn’t have a great time, and whilst I find Carley Fortune’s writing beautiful - I highlighted so many lines! - I didn’t feel fully invested in Lucy and Felix’s story until about halfway through. As a result, it took me quite a long time to finish the book, and I do think it’s the type of book that would absolutely work best when devoured over a long summer day. It’s definitely the perfect summer read!

There are two major plot lines in This Summer Will Be Different: found family between Lucy and Bridget, and the romance between Lucy and Felix. Both plot lines I LOVED, but I would have liked the romance plot to be a little more fleshed out, which would have meant I got on board with the characters a lot earlier on too.

Leading on from this, I found the “now” and “then” timelines hard to follow at times - and I couldn’t help thinking that this book would be absolutely perfect with a dual POV. But I am quite biased, because I’m an absolute sucker for a dual POV, and plus I just really want to know what’s going on in Felix’s pretty little mind.

With all that being said, I did enjoy this book, just not as much as I was hoping to! In true Carley Fortune style, the writing is absolutely beautiful. She managed to pack so much into one novel: love, loss, grief, loneliness, friendship, and home, and there was a warmth which just radiated off the page. I was transported to long summer days on PEI and it’s no exaggeration to say that I want to live in the pages of this book.

Despite this not matching up to Every Summer After in my opinion, Carley Fortune was still able to make me feel all the feels. Every single one of them.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House for the eARC.

I'm a big Carley Fortune fan and loved her previous two novels but didn't race through either of them anywhere near as quickly as This Summer Will Be Different. What a brilliant story! I was hooked on Lucy and Felix's story from the very beginning and sped through to find out if they finally got their happy ending. A few tears along the way too!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.