Carley Fortune, a renowned romance writer, has revealed the upcoming release of her sixth novel, “Only in Summer,” scheduled for May 18, 2027. Taking place in Barry’s Bay, Ont., the same setting as her previous works “Every Summer After” and “One Golden Summer,” the book holds a special connection to Fortune’s personal life. She shared in a newsletter that the inspiration for this novel came from her recent acquisition of a cottage near Barry’s Bay, fulfilling a long-held dream since selling her family lakeside home.
The protagonist of “Only in Summer,” Eleanor Florek, also harbors a similar dream of owning property in Barry’s Bay. Known as Ellie, she is the cousin of Charlie and Sam from Fortune’s earlier Barry’s Bay stories. Ellie’s journey unfolds when she saves enough to purchase a property, only to find out that a neighboring house is being demolished to make way for a grand residence, sparking unexpected developments in the lakeside community.
While Fortune has kept details scarce, the lakeside backdrop hints at a budding romance in the narrative. A Toronto-based writer and journalist, Fortune previously penned novels like “Our Perfect Storm,” “One Golden Summer,” “Every Summer After,” “This Summer Will Be Different,” and “Meet Me at the Lake.” The latter was a finalist on Canada Reads in 2024, championed by fashion influencer Mirian Njoh, marking the first romance novel to feature on the show.
“Every Summer After” was adapted into the Amazon Prime Video series “Every Year After,” renewed for a second season based on “One Golden Summer.” Additionally, Netflix Canada is set to adapt “This Summer Will Be Different” into a 10-episode series, showcasing the growing popularity and reach of Fortune’s captivating storytelling.