Every Summer After by Carley Fortune - A Review

This one has that quiet, emotional pull, especially if you love childhood friendships, lake summers, and the kind of first love that never fully fades. I found myself getting just as wrapped up in the setting as the story.

I liked how the timeline shifts between past and present. It adds a lot of depth and makes everything hit a little harder emotionally. Percy feels messy and real, and I appreciated that she’s not written to be perfect or even fully likable all the time. The romance itself is soft, a little aching, and feels earned instead of rushed.

At times, the guilt and reflection dragged a bit, and I wanted more forward movement to balance all the longing. There were moments where it felt a little emotionally stuck, even though I still cared about where things were going.

Overall, it’s a warm, nostalgic read that leans heavily into feeling and atmosphere. Not perfect, but it absolutely hits that bittersweet summer vibe and stayed on my mind after I finished.

★★★★

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