Carley Fortune, a renowned romance writer, has revealed the upcoming release of her sixth book, “Only in Summer,” scheduled for May 18, 2027. This new novel revisits the familiar town of Barry’s Bay, Ontario, where Fortune’s earlier works, “Every Summer After” and “One Golden Summer,” were set, and where she spent her childhood. Fortune shared in a newsletter that the inspiration for this book came from her recent purchase of a lakeside cottage near Barry’s Bay, fulfilling her long-cherished dream.
In “Only in Summer,” the protagonist Eleanor Florek, also known as Ellie, shares Ellie’s aspiration of owning a property in Barry’s Bay. Ellie, the cousin of Charlie and Sam from Fortune’s previous Barry’s Bay stories, returns to the town from her childhood and plans to buy a property there. However, her plans are unexpectedly challenged when a neighboring house is torn down to make room for a grand mansion by its new owner.
While details beyond this are scarce, it’s anticipated that a hesitant romance will blossom against the backdrop of the picturesque lakeside setting in the narrative. Carley Fortune, a writer and journalist based in Toronto, has a notable background as an editor for various publications, including Refinery29, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and Toronto Life. Her earlier works include “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, championed by fashion influencer Mirian Njoh, marking the first romance novel to feature on the show. Additionally, “Every Summer After” was adapted into the Amazon Prime Video series “Every Year After,” which recently premiered and has been renewed for a second season based on “One Golden Summer.” Netflix Canada is also in the process of adapting “This Summer Will Be Different” into a 10-episode series.
