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Meet Me at the Lake
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Romance (2023)Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in Toronto. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn't.
At thirty-two, Fern's life doesn't look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern's back home, running her mother's Muskoka lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend's the manager, and Fern doesn't know where to begin.
She needs a plan—a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern's going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern's not sure she wants to know what it is.
But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?
At thirty-two, Fern's life doesn't look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern's back home, running her mother's Muskoka lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend's the manager, and Fern doesn't know where to begin.
She needs a plan—a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern's going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern's not sure she wants to know what it is.
But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2023
About the author
Carley Fortune
5 books12.9k followersCarley Fortune is the #1 New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of EVERY SUMMER AFTER and MEET ME AT THE LAKE. Her third book, THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT, comes out May 7, 2024.
Carley is an award-winning journalist and worked as an editor at some of Canada’s top publications, including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Toronto Life, and The Grid. She was most recently the Executive Editor of Refinery29 Canada.
Carley spent her young life in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, and in Barry’s Bay, a tiny lakeside town in rural Ontario and the setting for EVERY SUMMER AFTER.
Carley lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Follow her on Instagram @carleyfortune.
Carley is an award-winning journalist and worked as an editor at some of Canada’s top publications, including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Toronto Life, and The Grid. She was most recently the Executive Editor of Refinery29 Canada.
Carley spent her young life in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, and in Barry’s Bay, a tiny lakeside town in rural Ontario and the setting for EVERY SUMMER AFTER.
Carley lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Follow her on Instagram @carleyfortune.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 19,110 reviews
July 1, 2023
To me this wasn’t a magical feel good swoon worthy romance. It was a realistic romance about two people who met at the wrong time and had to find themselves before finding their way back to each other. And I loved that. Love is messy and imperfect and sometimes I wanted to scream at the characters. But I also really understood them and appreciated their flaws.
And the summer vibes are immaculate. The book is beautifully written with so many good metaphors. (4 stars because sometimes I did want to scream at the characters)
And the summer vibes are immaculate. The book is beautifully written with so many good metaphors. (4 stars because sometimes I did want to scream at the characters)
Want to read
August 12, 2022will actually riot if there is cheating again
Want to read
November 25, 2022CANT BELIEVE THIS IS NOT CHARLIE’S BOOK LIKE HE SHOULD BE THE MAIN PRIORITY HERE??
Want to read
July 1, 2023Carley, if you fuck this up again with a cheating trope that has zero groveling i’ll drag you to the police myself
May 8, 2023
There’s just no way this girl pined over a guy who didn’t show up for TEN YEARS because of ONE NIGHT. And the audacity of making her chase after him even at the end of the book!!!
October 2, 2023
Ms. Carley really outdid herself bc this was somehow worse than her last book. I’m sooo sick of the cheating trope, whether physical or emotional. I’m convinced she’s a serial cheater in real life-
Anywaysss, the characters spent ONE SINGLE DAY together 10 years ago, and I’m supposed to believe they’re soulmates?? Honestly, props to her for writing 12 chapters about that one day tho. 🫡 This could’ve been 200 pages shorter and it wouldn’t have made a difference. At least she didn’t flat out plagiarise another book this time 💅🏼 Also I hope she knows that she's allowed to write a book without trashy main characters ? 🥺 JUSTICE FOR JAMIE AND PETER 😫
“Hours ago, all I wanted was to get high, make my way home, and starfish across my bed, but the idea of seeing Will's Toronto was exciting. Spending more time with Will was exciting. And that was a problem. Jamie was the only guy I should want to spend time with.”
SHE KNEW HIM FOR 5 MINS MAX AT THIS POINT 😭
“I spent just one day with Will, and it changed my life. I once thought he might be my soulmate. I once thought he and I would be here together under very different circumstances.”
I wanna be this delusional 😫💗
“I didn't love that I was jealous of Fred, but so what if I was?”
YOU HAVE A WHOLE ASS BOYFRIEND BFFR 😭😭
“I want to shake him. I want to yell, Who are you and what have you done with my Will?”
BABE, YOU’VE SPENT ONE DAY WITH HIM 🤡
"Who gave it to you?" "My grandmother," he says after a moment. "It was my grandfather's." "You were close." "With my grandmother, yeah. You remember?" A hint of a smile graces his lips, and I want to hook my thumbs on the corners of his mouth and pull the edges up higher. "Of course," I say quietly. "I remember everything."
I can’t say this enough, THEY SPENT ONE DAY TOGETHER.
"I thought you were the coolest girl I'd ever met. I was considering breaking up with my girlfriend. Sending her a text.”
She’s so obsessed with love and other words 😭😭
“Will, I love you." "Fern, I can't," he says, and for a second, he sounds like Will again. But then his voice goes hard. "It's time we both stopped living in a fantasy and move on with our lives.' 🤭
Anywaysss, the characters spent ONE SINGLE DAY together 10 years ago, and I’m supposed to believe they’re soulmates?? Honestly, props to her for writing 12 chapters about that one day tho. 🫡 This could’ve been 200 pages shorter and it wouldn’t have made a difference. At least she didn’t flat out plagiarise another book this time 💅🏼 Also I hope she knows that she's allowed to write a book without trashy main characters ? 🥺 JUSTICE FOR JAMIE AND PETER 😫
“Hours ago, all I wanted was to get high, make my way home, and starfish across my bed, but the idea of seeing Will's Toronto was exciting. Spending more time with Will was exciting. And that was a problem. Jamie was the only guy I should want to spend time with.”
SHE KNEW HIM FOR 5 MINS MAX AT THIS POINT 😭
“I spent just one day with Will, and it changed my life. I once thought he might be my soulmate. I once thought he and I would be here together under very different circumstances.”
I wanna be this delusional 😫💗
“I didn't love that I was jealous of Fred, but so what if I was?”
YOU HAVE A WHOLE ASS BOYFRIEND BFFR 😭😭
“I want to shake him. I want to yell, Who are you and what have you done with my Will?”
BABE, YOU’VE SPENT ONE DAY WITH HIM 🤡
"Who gave it to you?" "My grandmother," he says after a moment. "It was my grandfather's." "You were close." "With my grandmother, yeah. You remember?" A hint of a smile graces his lips, and I want to hook my thumbs on the corners of his mouth and pull the edges up higher. "Of course," I say quietly. "I remember everything."
I can’t say this enough, THEY SPENT ONE DAY TOGETHER.
"I thought you were the coolest girl I'd ever met. I was considering breaking up with my girlfriend. Sending her a text.”
She’s so obsessed with love and other words 😭😭
“Will, I love you." "Fern, I can't," he says, and for a second, he sounds like Will again. But then his voice goes hard. "It's time we both stopped living in a fantasy and move on with our lives.' 🤭
April 20, 2023
wow. CF is 2 for 2 in making my heart feel like its going to burst with emotion.
i absolutely adored ‘every last summer,’ so it was such a relief to experience the same heart and soul in this sophomore novel.
i am a sucker for second chance romances and CF sure knows how to do them. the spark, the longing, the reconnection - all of it is done so perfectly. this story is the epitome of fated meetings, summer feelings, and heartfelt nostalgia.
thank you, berkley, for the ARC!
↠ 4.5 stars
i absolutely adored ‘every last summer,’ so it was such a relief to experience the same heart and soul in this sophomore novel.
i am a sucker for second chance romances and CF sure knows how to do them. the spark, the longing, the reconnection - all of it is done so perfectly. this story is the epitome of fated meetings, summer feelings, and heartfelt nostalgia.
thank you, berkley, for the ARC!
↠ 4.5 stars
September 1, 2023
the more i think about this book, the more upset i get. so yeah…came back to change my rating to ONE star or else i will not know peace.
1 ⭐️
“you and me in one year…don’t let me down.” -will baxter
this quote is quite literally a joke to me. i’m so disappointed because he was literally the one that let her down…so the audacity😐as you guys could tell from my updates…i was enjoying the majority of this book. every chapter switches from past to present and that’s simply the only reason why i wanted to finish it…to get to the ending to figure out what was going on and it was so underwhelming that i’m already forgetting everything i just read already😂
plot summary:
basically…will and fern meet each other on june 14th. no year lol just june 14th. they meet each other and then end up spending a whole 24 hours together…they were both in a relationship at the time, no cheating happened otherwise i would’ve rated this book negative stars…they had an obvious connection tho. they opened up to each other about dreams they had and shared secrets with each other. fern didn’t know where she’d see herself in 10 years so they made a one year plan and a pact to meet each other at the lake at her family resort. he never shows and then nine years later he shows up to work at her family owned resort.
guys. after meeting once and spending ONE day together…you’re telling me that she was so hurt 10 years later!? if i met a man and hung out with him for a day and he told me to meet him a year later and he didn’t show…bye lol on to the next because what? i’m sorry but there’s just no way after one day of knowing each other that you’re this upset about it😭the drama at the end…guys i said in one of my updates that if this book threw ridiculous drama at me…i would drag this book through the mud so that’s what i’m about to do.
“i don’t want your help. i’m sorry, but you and i…it was a mistake. we were a mistake. it’s my fault. i should have known from the beginning.” -will baxter
it’s safe to say that i adored will at age 22…age 32 will? no. absolutely not. yes this man struggled with anxiety…and i do hurt for him because i too, struggle with crippling anxiety, BUT. idk. carley fortune just didn’t write this book well enough for me to understand will. i feel like she should definitely try writing books with dual povs. there was stuff about will’s family that i think should’ve been explained better like his parents. i know he had a rough time with his parents, but i feel like the information about them was really vague. the drama at the end…i really don’t even get it. it was written so poorly that when will told fern he had anxiety…i was already mad about everything that went down. i feel like there was definitely a miscommunication trope and that is an absolute no for me. also claiming that they’re in love with each other 10 years later after only spending a day together is absolutely crazy to me. AND because of the stuff will put her through…i literally wouldn’t have forgave him, nor would it have been me chasing after him and fighting for a relationship…like girl😭honestly i can’t even be mad at the characters…this book was just written poorly. i liked fern and will at age 22 in the beginning, but then at 32, it just wasn’t it. during those 9 years after being stood up at the lake…i would’ve forgotten all about that man tbh lmao so it just didn’t make sense to me. yes their connection was strong, but that was literally it and they never talked either after that one day. it was giving november 9th by coho and when i tell you guys i have no idea why i rated that book 5 stars!?!? pls…when i have time i will be going through all of my old ratings/reviews and fixing them. but yeah this book was kinda giving november 9th except he didn’t show up a year later on the same day…he was 9 years late. fern definitely deserved better, but she’s crazy for holding onto him for so long.
“he kept positioning himself so that he was on the street side of the sidewalk.”
i feel like this right here is my entire reasoning for giving this book 2 stars (uh yeah the rule is still cute, but um 1 star). see!! will at 22 had me swooning in this moment ok😩why did he have to disappoint me. this is literally my favorite thing…ladies if your man or your guy friend is not doing this while you’re walking on a sidewalk…EDUCATE THEM. especially if he’s your guy friend, this will literally get a girl to fold instantly. simple things like this, that’s it!🤭🤭i liked that will cooked for fern, but this is age 32 will so if there’s ONE thing i like about that version of him…it’s that.
“for the record, i can’t dance for shit,” i said the fifth time i trampled his foot.
he ran his hands down my back and along my sides, resting them on my hips. “you’re perfect.”
🤭🦋wait let me rant again for a second. idk why carley fortune wrote that they both were in a relationship at the time they met each other because it just didn’t feel that way. i found it a bit disrespectful, but it’s hard to recognize that they were both in a relationship when carley didn’t make it a big deal. no one cheated and neither of their significant others got hurt, but it was just annoying because it kept me from fully enjoying their moments. so idk. carley needs to stop with the cheating trope and the almost cheating trope, someone’s gotta tell her lmao because isn’t this her second book ever!?! but uh yeah will at 22 was a nice gentleman :)
there was some spice in this book. i’m about to start cackling.
- “i’ve got a very long list of things i want to do to you, to do with you.” he says, his voice rough.
and then this man sucks her fingers. BAHAHAHA. idk maybe this could’ve been hot if carley knew how to write spice. i mean it wasn’t all terrible…just that specific part sent me and yeah it pretty much went all downhill after that so it makes sense.
before i wrap this review up i wanna briefly talk about fern’s mom and her diary. i loved her diary entries tbh. and omg i love peter and how he was a father figure to fern. peter and fern’s mom were endgame🥺so sad about her tragic accident.
i honestly don’t think i recommend reading this book😭i always hate saying that about any book because i feel bad, but ugh it was just disappointing! like it’ll have you going in the beginning, but you’ll most likely just hate the ending like i did. i don’t know if i’d read another book by carley fortune again…every summer after was good, but idk why i rated it 5 stars…all i remember is there was a cheating trope😡i pretty much bought this book because of the cover…i need to stop doing that ._. it’s a toxic trait of mine🫠
i’m sorry if i offended anyone who liked this book🥺totally okay for people to like/love it! it just was not for me😩although i don’t recommend, please don’t let that stop you from reading this book and forming your own opinion!!🫶🏼
old updates :
LMAOOOOO NOW IT’S A 1 STAR cuz f this book :D
hahahahahaha not me changing it to 2 stars last minute because i’m just terribly annoyed and will probably forget this book immediately😂
a bit of rant review to come…i thought this was gonna be 4 stars guys…the last few chapters honestly ruined it.
here we goooo. i’m going in with low expectations :D i’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews. i liked every summer after…i think? i rated it 5 stars but that was the old me hahaha. new me is picky when it comes to romance now🤭🤭
1 ⭐️
“you and me in one year…don’t let me down.” -will baxter
this quote is quite literally a joke to me. i’m so disappointed because he was literally the one that let her down…so the audacity😐as you guys could tell from my updates…i was enjoying the majority of this book. every chapter switches from past to present and that’s simply the only reason why i wanted to finish it…to get to the ending to figure out what was going on and it was so underwhelming that i’m already forgetting everything i just read already😂
plot summary:
basically…will and fern meet each other on june 14th. no year lol just june 14th. they meet each other and then end up spending a whole 24 hours together…they were both in a relationship at the time, no cheating happened otherwise i would’ve rated this book negative stars…they had an obvious connection tho. they opened up to each other about dreams they had and shared secrets with each other. fern didn’t know where she’d see herself in 10 years so they made a one year plan and a pact to meet each other at the lake at her family resort. he never shows and then nine years later he shows up to work at her family owned resort.
guys. after meeting once and spending ONE day together…you’re telling me that she was so hurt 10 years later!? if i met a man and hung out with him for a day and he told me to meet him a year later and he didn’t show…bye lol on to the next because what? i’m sorry but there’s just no way after one day of knowing each other that you’re this upset about it😭the drama at the end…guys i said in one of my updates that if this book threw ridiculous drama at me…i would drag this book through the mud so that’s what i’m about to do.
“i don’t want your help. i’m sorry, but you and i…it was a mistake. we were a mistake. it’s my fault. i should have known from the beginning.” -will baxter
it’s safe to say that i adored will at age 22…age 32 will? no. absolutely not. yes this man struggled with anxiety…and i do hurt for him because i too, struggle with crippling anxiety, BUT. idk. carley fortune just didn’t write this book well enough for me to understand will. i feel like she should definitely try writing books with dual povs. there was stuff about will’s family that i think should’ve been explained better like his parents. i know he had a rough time with his parents, but i feel like the information about them was really vague. the drama at the end…i really don’t even get it. it was written so poorly that when will told fern he had anxiety…i was already mad about everything that went down. i feel like there was definitely a miscommunication trope and that is an absolute no for me. also claiming that they’re in love with each other 10 years later after only spending a day together is absolutely crazy to me. AND because of the stuff will put her through…i literally wouldn’t have forgave him, nor would it have been me chasing after him and fighting for a relationship…like girl😭honestly i can’t even be mad at the characters…this book was just written poorly. i liked fern and will at age 22 in the beginning, but then at 32, it just wasn’t it. during those 9 years after being stood up at the lake…i would’ve forgotten all about that man tbh lmao so it just didn’t make sense to me. yes their connection was strong, but that was literally it and they never talked either after that one day. it was giving november 9th by coho and when i tell you guys i have no idea why i rated that book 5 stars!?!? pls…when i have time i will be going through all of my old ratings/reviews and fixing them. but yeah this book was kinda giving november 9th except he didn’t show up a year later on the same day…he was 9 years late. fern definitely deserved better, but she’s crazy for holding onto him for so long.
“he kept positioning himself so that he was on the street side of the sidewalk.”
i feel like this right here is my entire reasoning for giving this book 2 stars (uh yeah the rule is still cute, but um 1 star). see!! will at 22 had me swooning in this moment ok😩why did he have to disappoint me. this is literally my favorite thing…ladies if your man or your guy friend is not doing this while you’re walking on a sidewalk…EDUCATE THEM. especially if he’s your guy friend, this will literally get a girl to fold instantly. simple things like this, that’s it!🤭🤭i liked that will cooked for fern, but this is age 32 will so if there’s ONE thing i like about that version of him…it’s that.
“for the record, i can’t dance for shit,” i said the fifth time i trampled his foot.
he ran his hands down my back and along my sides, resting them on my hips. “you’re perfect.”
🤭🦋wait let me rant again for a second. idk why carley fortune wrote that they both were in a relationship at the time they met each other because it just didn’t feel that way. i found it a bit disrespectful, but it’s hard to recognize that they were both in a relationship when carley didn’t make it a big deal. no one cheated and neither of their significant others got hurt, but it was just annoying because it kept me from fully enjoying their moments. so idk. carley needs to stop with the cheating trope and the almost cheating trope, someone’s gotta tell her lmao because isn’t this her second book ever!?! but uh yeah will at 22 was a nice gentleman :)
there was some spice in this book. i’m about to start cackling.
- “i’ve got a very long list of things i want to do to you, to do with you.” he says, his voice rough.
and then this man sucks her fingers. BAHAHAHA. idk maybe this could’ve been hot if carley knew how to write spice. i mean it wasn’t all terrible…just that specific part sent me and yeah it pretty much went all downhill after that so it makes sense.
before i wrap this review up i wanna briefly talk about fern’s mom and her diary. i loved her diary entries tbh. and omg i love peter and how he was a father figure to fern. peter and fern’s mom were endgame🥺so sad about her tragic accident.
i honestly don’t think i recommend reading this book😭i always hate saying that about any book because i feel bad, but ugh it was just disappointing! like it’ll have you going in the beginning, but you’ll most likely just hate the ending like i did. i don’t know if i’d read another book by carley fortune again…every summer after was good, but idk why i rated it 5 stars…all i remember is there was a cheating trope😡i pretty much bought this book because of the cover…i need to stop doing that ._. it’s a toxic trait of mine🫠
i’m sorry if i offended anyone who liked this book🥺totally okay for people to like/love it! it just was not for me😩although i don’t recommend, please don’t let that stop you from reading this book and forming your own opinion!!🫶🏼
old updates :
LMAOOOOO NOW IT’S A 1 STAR cuz f this book :D
hahahahahaha not me changing it to 2 stars last minute because i’m just terribly annoyed and will probably forget this book immediately😂
a bit of rant review to come…i thought this was gonna be 4 stars guys…the last few chapters honestly ruined it.
here we goooo. i’m going in with low expectations :D i’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews. i liked every summer after…i think? i rated it 5 stars but that was the old me hahaha. new me is picky when it comes to romance now🤭🤭
May 2, 2023
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
Carley Fortune has entertained me again. Something about her good but flawed characters just work for me. Once again, they hold back, don't say what they need to say, and hurt themselves as much as they hurt others.
Both twenty two and beginning the next stage of their lives, Fern and Will meet for the first time and spend a glorious but bittersweet twenty four hours together. We don't know Will's inner thoughts but we do know Fern's and it's obvious that Will has woken Fern up in a way that needed to happen. In Will, Fern sees what she wants but he's not hers for the taking and she's not free to take. But they have a firm date to meet at her family resort in one year.
Fern spends the year thinking about Will but when the day comes he stands her up. A year before, Will gave Fern what she needed to change the direction of her life. Now his absence at the meeting Fern has longed for all year changes Fern again. Already reeling from past hurts, Fern still can't let go of the memories of that twenty four hours with Will.
Then ten years from the date of first meeting Will, there he is at her family's resort. He's there to help her again, when he's really the one that needs help. But these two can't get the words out to say what needs to be said. Usually I don't like that kind of thing, somehow not disclosing what is important, when to do so could explain so much. Too good to be true Will is here now but still, he seems out of reach even though she can touch him. Will is so likeable but has a wall up in some ways, Fern is so careful to not be hurt again, and then there are the interesting side characters to fill out this world of Will and Fern. I really did like what all the characters could add to this sweet story.
Pub May 2, 2023
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
Carley Fortune has entertained me again. Something about her good but flawed characters just work for me. Once again, they hold back, don't say what they need to say, and hurt themselves as much as they hurt others.
Both twenty two and beginning the next stage of their lives, Fern and Will meet for the first time and spend a glorious but bittersweet twenty four hours together. We don't know Will's inner thoughts but we do know Fern's and it's obvious that Will has woken Fern up in a way that needed to happen. In Will, Fern sees what she wants but he's not hers for the taking and she's not free to take. But they have a firm date to meet at her family resort in one year.
Fern spends the year thinking about Will but when the day comes he stands her up. A year before, Will gave Fern what she needed to change the direction of her life. Now his absence at the meeting Fern has longed for all year changes Fern again. Already reeling from past hurts, Fern still can't let go of the memories of that twenty four hours with Will.
Then ten years from the date of first meeting Will, there he is at her family's resort. He's there to help her again, when he's really the one that needs help. But these two can't get the words out to say what needs to be said. Usually I don't like that kind of thing, somehow not disclosing what is important, when to do so could explain so much. Too good to be true Will is here now but still, he seems out of reach even though she can touch him. Will is so likeable but has a wall up in some ways, Fern is so careful to not be hurt again, and then there are the interesting side characters to fill out this world of Will and Fern. I really did like what all the characters could add to this sweet story.
Pub May 2, 2023
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
May 6, 2023
Was thinking of rating this 4 stars then the MMC threw some drama and it made me drop the rating.
This eventually turned out to be a decent read, the same level as Every Summer After. Like ESA, it had its fair share of ups and downs. I enjoyed some parts, hated the others.
It starts amazingly, I was absolutely in love. The romance although is a bit insta lovey and so unrealistic- but it's one good thing about fiction, you don't expect it to be real. The MMC and FMC hang out with each other for one day and are head over heels for each other. Then they meet each other 10 years later and all those feelings come rushing back- which apparently were never gone in the first place.
I did not mind the plot at all, it was interesting. The pacing however dragged, especially in the second half, the first half was okay. The book is evenly divided with the flashbacks and present scenario, as compared to ESA. This time it's more 50-50.
In comparison to ESA, the characters are pretty simple to understand, to understand their motives, to understand their immaturity. The FMC, Fern- is not that appealing to the reader. She doesn't have the "it factor". Her personality is quite forgettable. Grieving the loss of her mother, she is back in her hometown, trying to run her mother's business and she loves Will- that's all there is to her.
The MMC, Will- I liked him. Compared to Fern, he's a complex character and has depth. Also, he has a story to himself. He is the charming, mysterious, broody, sexy and sadly immature type. He confused me at times, he wanted Fern then he didn't, then he did, then he didn't and at last he just accepted he wants her. It frustrated me a lot cause I seriously liked the guy.
Apart from the pacing, what makes me bump down the rating is the drama caused by Will in the final act- it's just so damn stupid. I want to keep the review spoiler free so I won't build on it. Another thing that I immensely disliked was the fact that both Will and Fern cheated on their significant others and it's apparently being overlooked by a lot of readers just cause it did not happen to the main characters. Fern's emotional cheating 10 years ago over Jamie, and Will's cheating on his gf oddly named Fred is not justified. The main characters do not even discuss it. It pissed me off and am sorry to point it out.
The romance was nice, it was angsty and the smut was HOTTT. Y'all Will really makes it sexy 👀The chemistry is really good.
If you are willing to look beyond the issues, you'll enjoy this book. It's okay as a summer read. But Carley Fortune really needs to do something about the cheating.
This eventually turned out to be a decent read, the same level as Every Summer After. Like ESA, it had its fair share of ups and downs. I enjoyed some parts, hated the others.
It starts amazingly, I was absolutely in love. The romance although is a bit insta lovey and so unrealistic- but it's one good thing about fiction, you don't expect it to be real. The MMC and FMC hang out with each other for one day and are head over heels for each other. Then they meet each other 10 years later and all those feelings come rushing back- which apparently were never gone in the first place.
I did not mind the plot at all, it was interesting. The pacing however dragged, especially in the second half, the first half was okay. The book is evenly divided with the flashbacks and present scenario, as compared to ESA. This time it's more 50-50.
In comparison to ESA, the characters are pretty simple to understand, to understand their motives, to understand their immaturity. The FMC, Fern- is not that appealing to the reader. She doesn't have the "it factor". Her personality is quite forgettable. Grieving the loss of her mother, she is back in her hometown, trying to run her mother's business and she loves Will- that's all there is to her.
The MMC, Will- I liked him. Compared to Fern, he's a complex character and has depth. Also, he has a story to himself. He is the charming, mysterious, broody, sexy and sadly immature type. He confused me at times, he wanted Fern then he didn't, then he did, then he didn't and at last he just accepted he wants her. It frustrated me a lot cause I seriously liked the guy.
Apart from the pacing, what makes me bump down the rating is the drama caused by Will in the final act- it's just so damn stupid. I want to keep the review spoiler free so I won't build on it. Another thing that I immensely disliked was the fact that both Will and Fern cheated on their significant others and it's apparently being overlooked by a lot of readers just cause it did not happen to the main characters. Fern's emotional cheating 10 years ago over Jamie, and Will's cheating on his gf oddly named Fred is not justified. The main characters do not even discuss it. It pissed me off and am sorry to point it out.
The romance was nice, it was angsty and the smut was HOTTT. Y'all Will really makes it sexy 👀The chemistry is really good.
If you are willing to look beyond the issues, you'll enjoy this book. It's okay as a summer read. But Carley Fortune really needs to do something about the cheating.
March 2, 2023
SUMMER BREEZE AND NOSTALGIA.
Adored it!!
Adored it!!
August 18, 2023
i probably should’ve dnf’ed this book when he tried to put her foot in his mouth.
November 4, 2023
Another heart-wrenching, poignant, angsty, and engaging second chance love story reminiscent of the movie "Before Sunrise" comes from author Carley Fortune, who has quickly become one of my favorite romance writers. Fortune skillfully tugs at my heartstrings, leaving me with tears, sighs, and red eyes.
Fern Brookbanks and Will Baxter's paths cross in Toronto ten years ago. Freshly graduated Fern has only a few days to say goodbye to the city before returning to her hometown to work at the lakeside resort inherited from her mother's family, and reunite with her long-time boyfriend. However, she has second thoughts about her degree and dreams, and is not ready to go back.
That's when she meets the attractive and idealistic artist Will, who is painting a mural at the café where she works. She watches him at work and realizes she's having a good time with him. When he asks her to give him a tour of the city's unexplored places, she agrees. Little does she know that this tour will be 24 unforgettable hours of her life, culminating in a pact to meet again one year later. Fern keeps her promise, but Will doesn't show up, breaking Fern's heart.
Ten years later, Fern's mother dies in a car accident. She returns home after inheriting her mother's business, leaving her life and business arrangements in the city behind. As she tries to gather her strength to attend meetings about the resort's finances, she is faced with the handsome and brooding Will Baxter, now 10 years older and wearing expensive suits, who has been hired by her late mother for business consulting.
Will is excellent at his job, and Fern needs his help to properly manage the resort. But can she put aside her resentments and heartbreak to work with a man she still has feelings for?
As we learn about their magical city tour experience, including their honest sharing of their dreams, fears, likes, dislikes, and future plans, we also see how their characters have evolved, grown, and survived over the years. The mystery of why Will didn't show up is heartbreaking, and I was rooting for both characters as they confront their feelings and rekindle their emotional bond.
I also enjoyed reading snippets of Fern's mother's diary, which shed light on her decisions, sacrifices, and beautiful love story.
Overall, this is a heartwarming, sentimental, well-written, and honest second chance romance with endearing characterization. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Fern Brookbanks and Will Baxter's paths cross in Toronto ten years ago. Freshly graduated Fern has only a few days to say goodbye to the city before returning to her hometown to work at the lakeside resort inherited from her mother's family, and reunite with her long-time boyfriend. However, she has second thoughts about her degree and dreams, and is not ready to go back.
That's when she meets the attractive and idealistic artist Will, who is painting a mural at the café where she works. She watches him at work and realizes she's having a good time with him. When he asks her to give him a tour of the city's unexplored places, she agrees. Little does she know that this tour will be 24 unforgettable hours of her life, culminating in a pact to meet again one year later. Fern keeps her promise, but Will doesn't show up, breaking Fern's heart.
Ten years later, Fern's mother dies in a car accident. She returns home after inheriting her mother's business, leaving her life and business arrangements in the city behind. As she tries to gather her strength to attend meetings about the resort's finances, she is faced with the handsome and brooding Will Baxter, now 10 years older and wearing expensive suits, who has been hired by her late mother for business consulting.
Will is excellent at his job, and Fern needs his help to properly manage the resort. But can she put aside her resentments and heartbreak to work with a man she still has feelings for?
As we learn about their magical city tour experience, including their honest sharing of their dreams, fears, likes, dislikes, and future plans, we also see how their characters have evolved, grown, and survived over the years. The mystery of why Will didn't show up is heartbreaking, and I was rooting for both characters as they confront their feelings and rekindle their emotional bond.
I also enjoyed reading snippets of Fern's mother's diary, which shed light on her decisions, sacrifices, and beautiful love story.
Overall, this is a heartwarming, sentimental, well-written, and honest second chance romance with endearing characterization. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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May 17, 2023
Oh, how I really wanted to love this one with its delightful watercolor cover and promise of a sweet summertime romance...
And while we do get incredible representation for mental health care, non-traditional relationships, and forgiveness in found families, I think Meet Me At The Lake had some major pacing issues that I couldn't get past.
Follow Me On Instagram! || More Bookish Posts Here
THOUGHTS:
- The first 200 pages of this book are really slow. It's a fun read to go back and forth with the character's memories to create that second-chance romance atmosphere.. but I think this went on for too long without revealing anything.
- The secrets that were built up felt like a relief when finally spilled -- and kind of happened all at once. The difference between when this happens in thrillers and in romance novels is that in thrillers, I'm really watching for the crazy to drop and it's almost like people watching from wherever I'm cuddled up reading. In romances... this long of a wait annoys me and doesn't provide a fun 'search' I guess?
- The best part of this book to me was the mom's relationship with Peter... I think that's a truer form of love than what I experienced between the seemingly lackluster relationship between the main couple.. and that's a number for any romance novel.
- There is cheating involved - however, it's more in that youthful no one knows what they're doing way rather than a hardcore adult way.. idk if that makes sense, but it will if you decide to read. (I'm not ok with any of it for the record, but there is a smidgeon of difference)
FAVORITE QUOTE:
Describing someone as being so charming they could "charm the knickers off a nun" - Just made me laugh. Sounds like a Southern saying.
"We're not the same people we were at twenty-two. It's ok to want different things." - This one really resonated with me! I want very different things than I did at twenty-two and my priorities have changed drastically!
NOTES:
- Great mental health representation
- Mature women's romance - the FMC is 32 and past the 'recklessness of youth', so to speak..
- Fast read / easy to follow storyline even with the alternating timelines-
- A slow burn.. in an excruciating way
- 🌶️🌶️ - But like all of the sudden smut.. not even a graceful entry into it because the first 2/3 of this book were slower..
↑↑ Update - Finish May 9th, 2023 ↑↑
I'm almost halfway through Meet Me at The Lake, and there are def some pacing issues... I shouldn't have to wait this long to glimpse any of the deep dark secrets?
When authors do this it really annoys me!
P.S. Costco has books for cheaper than Amazon right now. If you have a membership I highly suggest snagging a few for the summer there!
↑↑ Update - Started May 8th, 2023 ↑↑
And while we do get incredible representation for mental health care, non-traditional relationships, and forgiveness in found families, I think Meet Me At The Lake had some major pacing issues that I couldn't get past.
Follow Me On Instagram! || More Bookish Posts Here
THOUGHTS:
- The first 200 pages of this book are really slow. It's a fun read to go back and forth with the character's memories to create that second-chance romance atmosphere.. but I think this went on for too long without revealing anything.
- The secrets that were built up felt like a relief when finally spilled -- and kind of happened all at once. The difference between when this happens in thrillers and in romance novels is that in thrillers, I'm really watching for the crazy to drop and it's almost like people watching from wherever I'm cuddled up reading. In romances... this long of a wait annoys me and doesn't provide a fun 'search' I guess?
- The best part of this book to me was the mom's relationship with Peter... I think that's a truer form of love than what I experienced between the seemingly lackluster relationship between the main couple.. and that's a number for any romance novel.
- There is cheating involved - however, it's more in that youthful no one knows what they're doing way rather than a hardcore adult way.. idk if that makes sense, but it will if you decide to read. (I'm not ok with any of it for the record, but there is a smidgeon of difference)
FAVORITE QUOTE:
Describing someone as being so charming they could "charm the knickers off a nun" - Just made me laugh. Sounds like a Southern saying.
"We're not the same people we were at twenty-two. It's ok to want different things." - This one really resonated with me! I want very different things than I did at twenty-two and my priorities have changed drastically!
NOTES:
- Great mental health representation
- Mature women's romance - the FMC is 32 and past the 'recklessness of youth', so to speak..
- Fast read / easy to follow storyline even with the alternating timelines-
- A slow burn.. in an excruciating way
- 🌶️🌶️ - But like all of the sudden smut.. not even a graceful entry into it because the first 2/3 of this book were slower..
↑↑ Update - Finish May 9th, 2023 ↑↑
I'm almost halfway through Meet Me at The Lake, and there are def some pacing issues... I shouldn't have to wait this long to glimpse any of the deep dark secrets?
When authors do this it really annoys me!
P.S. Costco has books for cheaper than Amazon right now. If you have a membership I highly suggest snagging a few for the summer there!
↑↑ Update - Started May 8th, 2023 ↑↑
May 2, 2023
My friends told me that I missed out by not reading “Every Summer After” the author’s DEBUT novel released in May 2022, so when I was offered the opportunity to read her sophomore effort, I didn’t hesitate to download it.
The story may sound familiar, initially…
A random connection between two strangers results in one MAGICAL day together. They will bear their souls to each other in a way they couldn’t to anyone else, and despite an undeniable attraction to one another, they will part agreeing to not keep in touch but with a plan to meet again ONE year later.
But, the promise is broken when one or another doesn’t follow through.
In this romance trope (is it its own trope?) we are reading to find out WHY, and eagerly awaiting reconciliation.
Will it be too late? Can all be forgiven?
After Fern Brookbanks spent the day with the gorgeous, mysterious Artist Will Baxter, she made the difficult decision to remain in Toronto and pursue HER dream of one day opening her own coffee shop. ☕️
Her mother was devastated as it was always expected that Fern would follow in her footsteps and return home to help run the family’s lakeside resort that she would eventually inherit, as her mother had inherited it, from her own parents. (The Brookbanks Resort is compared to the one in the Classic movie, Dirty Dancing)
A year later, on June 14th, Fern is on the docks, waiting for Will with a Picnic lunch, excited to see him, and eager to tell him about all that she has learned about running a Coffee shop during their year apart-a plan he had helped her to put in place.
But, as the sun sets, she realizes that he isn’t going to show.
Now, it’s been ten years, and Fern’s mother has passed away.
Fern must decide whether to take over or sell the struggling property which is the place where her heart was broken, but also the place which holds so many of her fondest memories, as well. It will always be the place that feels like home.
How can she make this heart wrenching decision?
Unexpectedly, with the help of Will…
The story alternates between NOW, June 14, Ten Years Ago, and eventually the diary entries of Fern’s mother.
I enjoyed spending time with the likable, well developed characters and OF COURSE, found myself rooting for a certain outcome!! 🤞🏻
Do I have plans to read Carley Fortune’s first book?
I most certainly do-it sounds like the perfect book to add to my beach bag this summer. And, for those of you smart enough to have read it last year, THIS one is now available!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
The story may sound familiar, initially…
A random connection between two strangers results in one MAGICAL day together. They will bear their souls to each other in a way they couldn’t to anyone else, and despite an undeniable attraction to one another, they will part agreeing to not keep in touch but with a plan to meet again ONE year later.
But, the promise is broken when one or another doesn’t follow through.
In this romance trope (is it its own trope?) we are reading to find out WHY, and eagerly awaiting reconciliation.
Will it be too late? Can all be forgiven?
After Fern Brookbanks spent the day with the gorgeous, mysterious Artist Will Baxter, she made the difficult decision to remain in Toronto and pursue HER dream of one day opening her own coffee shop. ☕️
Her mother was devastated as it was always expected that Fern would follow in her footsteps and return home to help run the family’s lakeside resort that she would eventually inherit, as her mother had inherited it, from her own parents. (The Brookbanks Resort is compared to the one in the Classic movie, Dirty Dancing)
A year later, on June 14th, Fern is on the docks, waiting for Will with a Picnic lunch, excited to see him, and eager to tell him about all that she has learned about running a Coffee shop during their year apart-a plan he had helped her to put in place.
But, as the sun sets, she realizes that he isn’t going to show.
Now, it’s been ten years, and Fern’s mother has passed away.
Fern must decide whether to take over or sell the struggling property which is the place where her heart was broken, but also the place which holds so many of her fondest memories, as well. It will always be the place that feels like home.
How can she make this heart wrenching decision?
Unexpectedly, with the help of Will…
The story alternates between NOW, June 14, Ten Years Ago, and eventually the diary entries of Fern’s mother.
I enjoyed spending time with the likable, well developed characters and OF COURSE, found myself rooting for a certain outcome!! 🤞🏻
Do I have plans to read Carley Fortune’s first book?
I most certainly do-it sounds like the perfect book to add to my beach bag this summer. And, for those of you smart enough to have read it last year, THIS one is now available!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
May 22, 2023
doing all that for someone you’ve spent ONE DAY with is just so silly. and she’s a cheater on top of that with no self respect like, pick a struggle 😭
May 17, 2023
absolutely not!
April 15, 2023
I’ve never had to do this before, but Carley Fortune’s newest book has put me in a quandary. Do I review it with my head or with my heart? Let’s do a two-parter. Sorry, it’ll be a bit longer! I’ll give you my “head” review first, then share my “heart” review after. Sound good?
First a little synopsis:
Thirty-two year old Fern Brookbanks recently lost her mother, Maggie, the owner and proprietor of Brookbanks Resort on Smoke Lake in Canada, which has been in their family for over fifty years. As an only child, she grew up on the property, yet resented all the time her single mom spent working there. This led to a rebellious teen phase where Fern told Maggie that she didn’t want a future at the resort as was always planned and assumed after her graduation. This decision was further solidified the day she met Will Baxter.
While at university and working her shift at a coffee shop one day, she meets Will, a recent art school grad there to paint a mural on the wall. They spend a whirlwind day together while he paints and on a day-long tour through Toronto afterwards, where they quickly bond over less than ideal family situations, among other things. Unfortunately, they also discover that they’re both in relationships, and Fern is moving back home to Brookbanks in a week. Clearly attracted, they agree to meet exactly one year later at Brookbanks resort on a dock by the lake. Will never shows up.
Nine years later, with Fern trying to manage the resort that Maggie’s death has left behind, in walks Will. Why is he there and what will this mean for Fern? Can she forgive being stood up nine years ago and let him back into her heart? Are they even the same people they were then?
All right. Let’s jump into my “head” review:
Carley Fortune is a wonderful writer. She’s SO good at capturing a mood, a feeling, an atmosphere that puts the reader right there with the characters. I could almost smell the fresh air and hear the rippling lake and sounds of resort guests enjoying the property. The resort very much felt like its own character, and the guests and staff their own special family. If you’re like me, and you’ve seen Dirty Dancing severaldozen times, you’ll love her nods to it.
Just as in her amazing debut Every Summer After, she writes nuanced characters that you feel for. They have depth and a reason for their behaviors, both good and bad. Fern and Will are both likable, but emotionally complicated. I loved Peter, the pastry chef, who was like a surrogate dad to Fern, Fern’s lovable ex, Jamie, her best friend Whitney and Will’s sister, Annabel.
As for the romance, the spice level is moderate - mainly one multi-page extended play-by-play, but you can easily skip over it if you don’t like that stuff.
The story is beautifully written and full of charm, and I believe most readers who enjoy contemporary romance will find this a worthy sophomore effort from the author. Please read her author's note at the end. It's really worth a moment!
My feelings about the book are a little complicated, though, so now for my “heart” review:
Do you know that feeling when you start reading something and you’re sure in the first few pages that you know exactly where it’s heading and you get all excited? Yes?
Now, do you know that feeling when you find out shortly afterwards that you had it all wrong and you’re NOT, in fact, going to get what you had planned out in your head? D’oh!
If I’d been smart, I’d have read the blurb beforehand and known where things were headed, but in my complete adoration of Every Summer After - my favorite book of last year - I went into this blind.
Perhaps it’s just me, and everyone else LOVED Will and wanted he and Fern to find their happily ever after, but this weirdo here instantly adored her ex, Jamie, from my first introduction to him and was secretly hoping all along that Fern would find her way back to him! My heart really wanted THAT story. Jamie was loyal, funny, smart, caring and largely uncomplicated, in contrast to Will’s more moody, complicated, serious side. Don’t get me wrong: Will had plenty of charm and humor too, and he’s not a bad catch by any standard, but he felt so … typical. You know: hot, tattooed, tall, lanky, mysterious, blah, blah, blah. Jamie was my guy, and he played such a relatively small part in the story. The book also never really explained why he wasn’t good enough for Fern, who still openly has fondness for him. I kinda felt like he got a raw deal!
I could still enjoy Fern and Will’s story, but the heart wants what the heart wants, right? Perhaps Jamie will get his love story in another book. *hint, hint*
Putting my head and my heart together, my head gives this 4.5 stars and my heart gives this 3.5 stars, so I’ll put this firmly at 4 stars. I adore Carley Fortune’s writing, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
★★★★
Thanks to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and author Carley Fortune for this ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published May 2, 2023.
First a little synopsis:
Thirty-two year old Fern Brookbanks recently lost her mother, Maggie, the owner and proprietor of Brookbanks Resort on Smoke Lake in Canada, which has been in their family for over fifty years. As an only child, she grew up on the property, yet resented all the time her single mom spent working there. This led to a rebellious teen phase where Fern told Maggie that she didn’t want a future at the resort as was always planned and assumed after her graduation. This decision was further solidified the day she met Will Baxter.
While at university and working her shift at a coffee shop one day, she meets Will, a recent art school grad there to paint a mural on the wall. They spend a whirlwind day together while he paints and on a day-long tour through Toronto afterwards, where they quickly bond over less than ideal family situations, among other things. Unfortunately, they also discover that they’re both in relationships, and Fern is moving back home to Brookbanks in a week. Clearly attracted, they agree to meet exactly one year later at Brookbanks resort on a dock by the lake. Will never shows up.
Nine years later, with Fern trying to manage the resort that Maggie’s death has left behind, in walks Will. Why is he there and what will this mean for Fern? Can she forgive being stood up nine years ago and let him back into her heart? Are they even the same people they were then?
All right. Let’s jump into my “head” review:
Carley Fortune is a wonderful writer. She’s SO good at capturing a mood, a feeling, an atmosphere that puts the reader right there with the characters. I could almost smell the fresh air and hear the rippling lake and sounds of resort guests enjoying the property. The resort very much felt like its own character, and the guests and staff their own special family. If you’re like me, and you’ve seen Dirty Dancing several
Just as in her amazing debut Every Summer After, she writes nuanced characters that you feel for. They have depth and a reason for their behaviors, both good and bad. Fern and Will are both likable, but emotionally complicated. I loved Peter, the pastry chef, who was like a surrogate dad to Fern, Fern’s lovable ex, Jamie, her best friend Whitney and Will’s sister, Annabel.
As for the romance, the spice level is moderate - mainly one multi-page extended play-by-play, but you can easily skip over it if you don’t like that stuff.
The story is beautifully written and full of charm, and I believe most readers who enjoy contemporary romance will find this a worthy sophomore effort from the author. Please read her author's note at the end. It's really worth a moment!
My feelings about the book are a little complicated, though, so now for my “heart” review:
Do you know that feeling when you start reading something and you’re sure in the first few pages that you know exactly where it’s heading and you get all excited? Yes?
Now, do you know that feeling when you find out shortly afterwards that you had it all wrong and you’re NOT, in fact, going to get what you had planned out in your head? D’oh!
If I’d been smart, I’d have read the blurb beforehand and known where things were headed, but in my complete adoration of Every Summer After - my favorite book of last year - I went into this blind.
Perhaps it’s just me, and everyone else LOVED Will and wanted he and Fern to find their happily ever after, but this weirdo here instantly adored her ex, Jamie, from my first introduction to him and was secretly hoping all along that Fern would find her way back to him! My heart really wanted THAT story. Jamie was loyal, funny, smart, caring and largely uncomplicated, in contrast to Will’s more moody, complicated, serious side. Don’t get me wrong: Will had plenty of charm and humor too, and he’s not a bad catch by any standard, but he felt so … typical. You know: hot, tattooed, tall, lanky, mysterious, blah, blah, blah. Jamie was my guy, and he played such a relatively small part in the story. The book also never really explained why he wasn’t good enough for Fern, who still openly has fondness for him. I kinda felt like he got a raw deal!
I could still enjoy Fern and Will’s story, but the heart wants what the heart wants, right? Perhaps Jamie will get his love story in another book. *hint, hint*
Putting my head and my heart together, my head gives this 4.5 stars and my heart gives this 3.5 stars, so I’ll put this firmly at 4 stars. I adore Carley Fortune’s writing, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
★★★★
Thanks to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and author Carley Fortune for this ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published May 2, 2023.
August 6, 2023
8/6/2023 update:
Harry and Meghan have bid for the rights to Meet Me At The Lake for a Netflix film. "The plot details of the romantic novel are eerily similar to the lives of the royal couple." Really??? Which part? I'm trying to recall the detail ...🤔😸
5/9/2023
3.5⭐
Forget beach reads, I'm loving LAKE READS! Keep it coming Carley Fortune! 🌞👒👙
You can say I read CF's novels back to back. I love her debut "Every Summer After" which I read last month and glad to have her sophomore Meet Me at the Lake that just came out on May 2. The author has a way of creating a nostalgic feel for her small lake town setting. I want to visit her place and wish I knew these characters.
The story is told in a then-and-now format. The main characters Fern and Will had a great connection but life has its way of keeping them apart. Now, ten years later, and a second chance at love?
This one seals the deal. It's another great summer read that makes Fortune's novel a must-read for me! However, I have to be honest that I don't feel that Fern and Will's "situation" is very compelling. There's a little something that makes it unrealistic. I love the setting and characters (Jamie!) and think Meet Me at the Lake is one sweet read.
Thank you Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for my DRC.
Harry and Meghan have bid for the rights to Meet Me At The Lake for a Netflix film. "The plot details of the romantic novel are eerily similar to the lives of the royal couple." Really??? Which part? I'm trying to recall the detail ...🤔😸
5/9/2023
3.5⭐
Forget beach reads, I'm loving LAKE READS! Keep it coming Carley Fortune! 🌞👒👙
You can say I read CF's novels back to back. I love her debut "Every Summer After" which I read last month and glad to have her sophomore Meet Me at the Lake that just came out on May 2. The author has a way of creating a nostalgic feel for her small lake town setting. I want to visit her place and wish I knew these characters.
The story is told in a then-and-now format. The main characters Fern and Will had a great connection but life has its way of keeping them apart. Now, ten years later, and a second chance at love?
This one seals the deal. It's another great summer read that makes Fortune's novel a must-read for me! However, I have to be honest that I don't feel that Fern and Will's "situation" is very compelling. There's a little something that makes it unrealistic. I love the setting and characters (Jamie!) and think Meet Me at the Lake is one sweet read.
Thank you Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for my DRC.
February 25, 2023
You gotta try a little harder to sell me on a second chance romance. Fern spends ONE DAY........ONE DAY with Will. And then 10 years later, their paths cross and she is smitten. There were so many parts of the story that were underdeveloped. It was cringe, start to finish. Fortune's development is poor and juvenile. I think this is when we part ways as author-reader. Her books are not for me, and that's ok. But I would be SHOCKED if this book is for you.
June 7, 2023
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune is Love Story Fiction!
Fern Brookbanks and Will, both twenty-two years old, meet by chance in Toronto and spend one whirlwind day together. Their attraction is immediate, telling each other about their hopes and dreams for the future and secrets they've never told anyone.
But their timing is off...
With previous commitments to keep, they go their separate ways with promises to meet in one year at Fern's family resort. No connections with each other until June 14th.
On that promised June day, Fern is bursting with excitement to see Will again. She waits and waits on the dock all day and into the evening, but Will never shows up. She's devastated.
Now it's ten years later, Fern's mother, Maggie, has tragically died in a car accident and Fern is reluctantly running Brookbanks Resort. She discovers the vacation property to be in worse condition than she ever imagined, both financially and physically.
Fern's in a quandary of whether to sell and make her own dream finally come true or to stay and run the resort like her mother always dreamed she would do.
That's when Fern sees Will arrive at the resort. He finally shows up, nine years later, with an offer to help...
Meet Me at the Lake is written in a way that kept me wanting more every time I finished a chapter. I love the two main characters of Fern and Will, they have their personal issues, but they have a connection and I was more than just curious to see if they could make it work. I was invested.
I don't read many romance novels anymore because they often feel so "SSS". If you're curious, it stands for "similar, silly, and superficial". Am I right or am I right?
What I want is a love story with two well-developed adult main characters, serious relationship topics, preferably built around family but not absolutely, and beautiful writing to enjoy. I want Love Story Fiction and that's what I got with Meet Me at the Lake.
I stayed up far too late finishing this and ugly crying, but it was totally worth it. No regrets, as they say. It's that well-written love story I've been wanting for quite some time and finally found. I'm happy!
At the end of the book the author shares her personal thoughts about writing this story. You gain a good sense of the passion and care she took with writing her sophomore novel. I believe I have found another author to love and will be listening to her debut novel Every Summer After soon. I highly recommend Meet Me at the Lake to readers of Romance and Love Story Fiction!
4.25⭐
Thank you to Berkley for an ARC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Fern Brookbanks and Will, both twenty-two years old, meet by chance in Toronto and spend one whirlwind day together. Their attraction is immediate, telling each other about their hopes and dreams for the future and secrets they've never told anyone.
But their timing is off...
With previous commitments to keep, they go their separate ways with promises to meet in one year at Fern's family resort. No connections with each other until June 14th.
On that promised June day, Fern is bursting with excitement to see Will again. She waits and waits on the dock all day and into the evening, but Will never shows up. She's devastated.
Now it's ten years later, Fern's mother, Maggie, has tragically died in a car accident and Fern is reluctantly running Brookbanks Resort. She discovers the vacation property to be in worse condition than she ever imagined, both financially and physically.
Fern's in a quandary of whether to sell and make her own dream finally come true or to stay and run the resort like her mother always dreamed she would do.
That's when Fern sees Will arrive at the resort. He finally shows up, nine years later, with an offer to help...
Meet Me at the Lake is written in a way that kept me wanting more every time I finished a chapter. I love the two main characters of Fern and Will, they have their personal issues, but they have a connection and I was more than just curious to see if they could make it work. I was invested.
I don't read many romance novels anymore because they often feel so "SSS". If you're curious, it stands for "similar, silly, and superficial". Am I right or am I right?
What I want is a love story with two well-developed adult main characters, serious relationship topics, preferably built around family but not absolutely, and beautiful writing to enjoy. I want Love Story Fiction and that's what I got with Meet Me at the Lake.
I stayed up far too late finishing this and ugly crying, but it was totally worth it. No regrets, as they say. It's that well-written love story I've been wanting for quite some time and finally found. I'm happy!
At the end of the book the author shares her personal thoughts about writing this story. You gain a good sense of the passion and care she took with writing her sophomore novel. I believe I have found another author to love and will be listening to her debut novel Every Summer After soon. I highly recommend Meet Me at the Lake to readers of Romance and Love Story Fiction!
4.25⭐
Thank you to Berkley for an ARC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
August 10, 2023
ok no chemistry!
May 24, 2023
A very cute story! It did take me over a week to really get into this story but towards the middle is when I really felt like I understood where it was going. I'm a big fan of second-chance romances so this was a sweet one. It focuses on two characters that met a decade ago and in the span of a day they happened to form a very strong connection. After that day, however, they never saw each other again. Now, ten years later they unexpectedly stumble upon each other and they try to figure out what went wrong all those years ago while also having to deal with the feelings they both still very much have for one another.
July 11, 2023
I thought I was getting an epic second chance romance novel. What I actually got was a bunch of messy crap with characters who can't make up their damn minds.
Flashing between the past and the present, this book tells the story of Fern and Will who spent one magical night together and then promise to reunite the same day the next year, only Will doesn't show up. Nine years after they were supposed to meet up, he shows up unexpectedly throwing Fern at an already hard time in her life.
I can't exactly put my finger on why this book didn't work, but the word "lackluster" is flashing in neon colored lights as I type this. Will was just such a weak hero (in terms of plotting) and Fern really had no personality at all. Why did these people like each other??? They were both hot? They both liked getting high? I don't get the attraction at all.
It made me sad I didn't like this book, because Every Summer After was actually really great. But this one missed the mark, it may have even missed the entire map.
May 11, 2023
I enjoyed Meet Me at the Lake, but it didn’t have the same appeal as Every Summer After. Fortunately, there is no cheating trope in sight.
Fern Brookbanks has moved back home after her mother’s tragic passing to take over her lakeside resort. At thirty-two, it’s not the path Fern expected her life to take. She is still deciding whether to sell the resort or continue running it herself.
Her world gets shaken up again when Will, a man from her past, shows up, offering his services to help improve the resort’s business.
Ten years ago, Will and Fern met and spent a whirlwind day together, telling each other their hopes and dreams. They promised to meet again one year later at the resort. Fern showed up. Will did not.
This contemporary romance follows Fern’s perspective and alternates between the past and present.
As with her debut, Carley Fortune deftly draws the reader in and makes them feel like they’re right there with the characters.
I enjoyed this one, but I didn’t feel like it had the same magic as Every Summer After. Too much of the story hinged on the single day they spent together ten years ago. It’s hard to believe that they would form such a strong connection in one day, and a decade later, still expect them to be the same person with the same wants and needs.
I much preferred reading the present over the past timeline. It made me feel the feels, even though Will was pretty secretive about his personal life.
If you enjoy second-chance romances, then I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy this book.
3.5 rounded up.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Fern Brookbanks has moved back home after her mother’s tragic passing to take over her lakeside resort. At thirty-two, it’s not the path Fern expected her life to take. She is still deciding whether to sell the resort or continue running it herself.
Her world gets shaken up again when Will, a man from her past, shows up, offering his services to help improve the resort’s business.
Ten years ago, Will and Fern met and spent a whirlwind day together, telling each other their hopes and dreams. They promised to meet again one year later at the resort. Fern showed up. Will did not.
This contemporary romance follows Fern’s perspective and alternates between the past and present.
As with her debut, Carley Fortune deftly draws the reader in and makes them feel like they’re right there with the characters.
I enjoyed this one, but I didn’t feel like it had the same magic as Every Summer After. Too much of the story hinged on the single day they spent together ten years ago. It’s hard to believe that they would form such a strong connection in one day, and a decade later, still expect them to be the same person with the same wants and needs.
I much preferred reading the present over the past timeline. It made me feel the feels, even though Will was pretty secretive about his personal life.
If you enjoy second-chance romances, then I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy this book.
3.5 rounded up.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
May 9, 2023
2.0 ★
5/3/23 — um… it’s definitely a book! 😀 this might just be my most disappointing read of 2023 💀
i read every summer after last year and gave it 4 stars. it would’ve been 5 stars if it wasn’t for the cheating. i had high hopes for this one but it was just so…bland.
the characters had no chemistry, there was really no plot, i was just so BORED. and although there wasn’t literal cheating this time, i still don’t like emotional cheating. i don’t think it’s right, so it definitely ruined the book even more for me. i had to force myself to finish this.
i also find it a bit weird that the two main characters met in ONE DAY, fell in love, and then didn’t see each other for a decade but were still madly in love with each other 😭 it made no sense
maybe it’s just me 🤷🏻♀️ if this book sounds interesting to you give it a try! i just didn’t have any connections with the characters and was bored literally the entire time so it’s unfortunately getting a low rating :(
5/3/23 — um… it’s definitely a book! 😀 this might just be my most disappointing read of 2023 💀
i read every summer after last year and gave it 4 stars. it would’ve been 5 stars if it wasn’t for the cheating. i had high hopes for this one but it was just so…bland.
the characters had no chemistry, there was really no plot, i was just so BORED. and although there wasn’t literal cheating this time, i still don’t like emotional cheating. i don’t think it’s right, so it definitely ruined the book even more for me. i had to force myself to finish this.
i also find it a bit weird that the two main characters met in ONE DAY, fell in love, and then didn’t see each other for a decade but were still madly in love with each other 😭 it made no sense
maybe it’s just me 🤷🏻♀️ if this book sounds interesting to you give it a try! i just didn’t have any connections with the characters and was bored literally the entire time so it’s unfortunately getting a low rating :(
May 9, 2023
had to come back to say this is literally emily henry fan fiction. there were MULTIPLE instances where outright lines, details, metaphors, and nicknames were taken from all three of emily’s books (i believe this was written before happy place??) including but not limited to:
- deceased parent leaves *blank* to kid - beach read
- scar near hero’s mouth/chin - beach read
- neighboring cabin/beach houses between hero and heroine - beach read
- “peter” and “maggie”, LITERALLY PETE AND MAGGIE - beach read
- selling said beach house/resort plotline - beach read
- SEG (sexy evil gus)/evil villain face - beach read (is this a reach?)
- deceased parents’ diary entries/letters - beach read
- “you remember that?” “i remember everything” - pwmov
- watching beer/whatever beverage run down hero’s neck - book lovers (this is too fucking specific TELL ME IM NOT CRAZY)
- “…meets my gaze. ‘liar.’” - book lovers (cmon this happens right after aforementioned beer-down-the-neck scene ^^^^)
some of these COULD just be tropes or accidental but she’s made too much of a fuss over emhen on social media that i don’t buy any of this being a coincidence
this would’ve been considerably better if it didn’t have the cheating trope 😐 it literally was not necessary in the slightest and would’ve still worked the same had she not taken that angle.
also more development in the past (only one day??) as well as the present because i feel like, in the end, they still never TRULY got to know each other in either timeline, specifically not on page
- deceased parent leaves *blank* to kid - beach read
- scar near hero’s mouth/chin - beach read
- neighboring cabin/beach houses between hero and heroine - beach read
- “peter” and “maggie”, LITERALLY PETE AND MAGGIE - beach read
- selling said beach house/resort plotline - beach read
- SEG (sexy evil gus)/evil villain face - beach read (is this a reach?)
- deceased parents’ diary entries/letters - beach read
- “you remember that?” “i remember everything” - pwmov
- watching beer/whatever beverage run down hero’s neck - book lovers (this is too fucking specific TELL ME IM NOT CRAZY)
- “…meets my gaze. ‘liar.’” - book lovers (cmon this happens right after aforementioned beer-down-the-neck scene ^^^^)
some of these COULD just be tropes or accidental but she’s made too much of a fuss over emhen on social media that i don’t buy any of this being a coincidence
this would’ve been considerably better if it didn’t have the cheating trope 😐 it literally was not necessary in the slightest and would’ve still worked the same had she not taken that angle.
also more development in the past (only one day??) as well as the present because i feel like, in the end, they still never TRULY got to know each other in either timeline, specifically not on page
May 10, 2023
Overall I didn't love this. I wasn't really feeling the romance between our main characters. The fact that they pined for each other for 9 years after spending 1 day together baffles me. What baffles me more is that they never just decided to contact the other during that time...like why?
Fortune does do amazing at scenery and imagining you are there. I would love to visit Brookbanks resort and stay. I also do enjoy her writing style.
But I just wasn't vibing the romance...and I'll say it; I actually liked the ex in this book better....
Fortune does do amazing at scenery and imagining you are there. I would love to visit Brookbanks resort and stay. I also do enjoy her writing style.
But I just wasn't vibing the romance...and I'll say it; I actually liked the ex in this book better....
May 5, 2023
Boring AF and about 500 pages too long and yeah I’m aware this book is only 300+ pages.
I was hoping to love this more than Every Summer After (whose merit I could see despite finding it overhyped) but nope. The only thing I liked is its portrayal of grief and how we don't always need to have life mapped out to a T, so one star for those.
A painfully dull romance novel that I made myself finish in hopes that the ending would be good. Spoiler: It was not.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the Netgalley ARC.
I was hoping to love this more than Every Summer After (whose merit I could see despite finding it overhyped) but nope. The only thing I liked is its portrayal of grief and how we don't always need to have life mapped out to a T, so one star for those.
A painfully dull romance novel that I made myself finish in hopes that the ending would be good. Spoiler: It was not.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the Netgalley ARC.
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