Book Review: Every Summer After

A Two-Minute Book Review

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

I loved this sweet, summer-loving novel. Persephone (Percy) and her family started spending summers at a lakeside cabin when she was 13. Next door? Charming brothers Sam (also 13), his older brother Charlie, and their hardworking mother.

Told in alternating timelines (ages 13–18 and again at age 30), we watch Sam and Percy become best friends, something more, then nothing at all until they reunite for a funeral. Best to approach this as 80% “coming of age” story with 20% “second chance romance.” While the page count might disagree, the early days of the relationship between Sam and Percy are the story’s heart. I loved their friendship.

Overall, this was an endearing and genuine story with solid characters and emotions. It was a believable remembrance of summer loves and, best of all, friendships. I will buy Carley’s next book without hesitating.

Also, I loved the cover so much that I looked up the artist (Elizabeth Lennie). Scroll to see the painting, or check out her work online. @elizabethlennie_art

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