Carley Fortune

Meet Me at the Lake

Jennifer Gosnell

I will read anything Carley Fortune writes. Between this and “Every Summer After,” I’m a fangirl. This one hit especially close to home!! I was, like Fern, in university in Toronto 10 years ago. It was WILD seeing references to Graffiti Alley… No Name chips… SNEAKY DEE’S. Incredible. So Canadian. And I spend parts of my summers in Huntsville!! Ahh!! I loved this story. I was a teeny tiny bit annoyed about Will’s lack of communication. But also appreciated the anxiety rep. Carley’s stories just have so much heart, I cannot wait for the next one!

radhika dhawan

Angelyn Francis

Loved the chemistry and the plot. All the change Fern is undergoing feels relatable to the Saturn return era. I didn't love the closing action -- it felt abrupt and more complicated than the space it was given -- though I'm happy with how everything resolved!

OliviaPadilla

Alexis Donahue

Loved this plot and how the two interact in the present. I loved their love story.

We’ll have to take this review with a grain of salt because I’ve read this through a reading slump. 

I think this book was a good representation of why dual POVs is important. The plot was interesting but felt lackluster because I had to see it all through Fern’s eyes. The biggest reason was the issues Will had and I think seeing it from his side would have made it more well-rounded but instead it fell flat. I wanted to understand why Fern had to fight for the relationship, understand the struggles he faced in his life that led to his anxiety, not have it all take place in the last ten pages of the book. 

I saw some lack’s of chemistry but did see parts where it was made up. Now my biggest issue and I had a book that was 80% of this on the plot, and since the past was made up a lot of this is the reason I’m saying it. The emotional cheating was insane. The first book was blantant. But this one was harder because I was just uncomfortable by her lack of caring because she was attracted to someone. There was a way to avoid her being in a relationship and have no cheating and for them not to hook up during that first meet up. 

Just something I have a personal problem with. 

Priscilla Stanfield

We’ll have to take this review with a grain of salt because I’ve read this through a reading slump. 

I think this book was a good representation of why dual POVs is important. The plot was interesting but felt lackluster because I had to see it all through Fern’s eyes. The biggest reason was the issues Will had and I think seeing it from his side would have made it more well-rounded but instead it fell flat. I wanted to understand why Fern had to fight for the relationship, understand the struggles he faced in his life that led to his anxiety, not have it all take place in the last ten pages of the book. 

I saw some lack’s of chemistry but did see parts where it was made up. Now my biggest issue and I had a book that was 80% of this on the plot, and since the past was made up a lot of this is the reason I’m saying it. The emotional cheating was insane. The first book was blantant. But this one was harder because I was just uncomfortable by her lack of caring because she was attracted to someone. There was a way to avoid her being in a relationship and have no cheating and for them not to hook up during that first meet up. 

Just something I have a personal problem with. 

Starts slow, but don’t give up on it. By the end, Carley has brought you through some beautifully deep issues of the heart. A book I haven’t stopped thinking about since I finished.

Lindsey Sims

I adored Every Summer After, so I couldn't wait to dive into this one. I was hesitant because some of the themes and structure felt like I was reading the previous book all over again. While there are a few similarities, it holds up on its own. Fern and Will were so interesting to follow. I loved seeing how they met and following along with them on their whirlwind adventure. I usually have trouble believing a couple is meant to be after they've only spent one day together (especially if that day was years ago as it was here), but something about their connection felt real. Watching them reconnect in the present and forgive their past mistakes was so satisfying. Fortune, once again, crafts a story that manages to be angsty, tender, and honest all at the same time. If you enjoy second-chance romances, this is the one to pick up.

Meet Me at the Lake

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