Blockbuster romance writer Carley Fortune has revealed that her sixth book, “Only in Summer,” is scheduled for release on May 18, 2027. This new novel will transport readers back to Barry’s Bay, Ont., the familiar backdrop of her earlier works such as “Every Summer After” and “One Golden Summer.” Fortune shared in a newsletter that she recently acquired a cottage near Barry’s Bay, fulfilling a long-held dream since her family’s lakefront property sale.
In “Only in Summer,” the protagonist Eleanor Florek, also known as Ellie, mirrors Fortune’s own dream of owning property in Barry’s Bay. Ellie, the cousin of Charlie and Sam from Fortune’s previous Barry’s Bay tales, returns to her childhood town to purchase a property only to discover a neighboring house being torn down for a grand mansion by its new owner. While Fortune has not disclosed much about the plot, speculations suggest a budding romance against the picturesque lakeside backdrop.
Hailing from Toronto, Fortune has an extensive background as a writer and editor for publications like 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.” Notably, “Meet Me at the Lake” was a finalist on Canada Reads in 2024, championed by fashion influencer Mirian Njoh, marking the first romance novel featured on the show.
“Every Summer After” was adapted into the Amazon Prime Video series “Every Year After,” recently renewed for a second season based on “One Golden Summer.” Additionally, Netflix Canada is in the process of adapting “This Summer Will Be Different” into a 10-episode series.