The Haiku Review

by Carley Fortune

Golden light returns
Hearts open by quiet waves
Seen, at last, at home.

A summer can change everything—especially when it brings you back to where your heart belongs. Carley Fortune’s One Golden Summer is a warm, nostalgic, and emotionally rich romance that explores memory, family, and the power of truly being seen.

At the heart of the story is Alice, a successful photographer who’ve spent years watching the world unfold behind her lens. When her grandmother Nan breaks her hip, Alice returns to Barry’s Bay—the site of a defining teenage summer—hoping to find rest and renewal. Instead, she reconnects with Charlie Florek, the boy from her original summer, now grown into a charming yet layered man. Their reunion ignites a journey of rediscovery: Alice learns she can step out from behind the camera and really be seen, while Charlie opens up beyond his flirtatious facade. The novel delves into the healing power of returning home—not just to a place, but to a version of yourself you left behind.

Fortune’s vision is to craft a romance that feels like a warm memory—sun-dappled, slow-moving, and infused with hope. She achieves this through vivid descriptions of lakeside life—the roar of a yellow speedboat, lazy dock evenings, kitchen banter—and through nuanced characterizations. Alice, Nan, and Charlie all feel real and emotionally grounded, shaped by strengths and regrets . The alternating pace between past recollections and present-day interactions strikes a gentle balance, building tension through nostalgia rather than drama .

This novel is beautifully suited for readers who cherish contemporary romance, especially those drawn to character-driven stories with emotional depth. Ideal for a lazy summer afternoon on the porch or a cozy rainy weekend at home, this book invites a slow read—savoring the details, letting the nostalgia soak in. It’s perfect for gentle wanderers seeking a love story that feels like coming home, as well as for readers who appreciate family dynamics and personal growth wrapped in lakeside charm.