Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I’m so shocked but I didn’t relate to our MC and I truly don’t believe In the love story and in a romance book you have to root for the romance.

woof ok this review is hard to write, mostly because i really enjoyed carley fortune's debut 'every summer after' when i read it last year, but her sophomore novel just did not do it for me.

i won't get into the nitty gritty of the plot, but basically our main girl fern spent one day 10 years ago with a guy called will. they have a whirlwind day in toronto, and their connection is undeniable, but they are both dating other people. fast forward to the present when will turns up at fern's family resort in muskoka that fern has just inherited from her late mother. fern takes will up on the offer to help get the resort back in shape, and their love is 'rekindled.'

basically, this book was just not believable. there is NO WAY these two were still pining after each other ten years later after having full lives, evolving as people, and not having anything beyond a connection on the day they spent together (ie. no kissing, hand holding, etc). fern & will are also not enjoyable to root for, as they are just kinda cardboard cut-out characters; there's nothing about them that makes them interesting to me.

this is yet another romance that also deals with grief, but it didn't hit the same as the first did. there are a lot of pages from fern's mother's diary inserted into the book, but not much was done with them, so it didn't add to the story.

overall, just skip this one.

OMG, I didn't think any book could top Every Summer After but this will definitely take a spot in my top books of the year pile.

Ten years after she spent one of the best days of her life with Will, never to see him again, Fern still wonders what happened. She knows the timing couldn't have been worse, the fact that she had a boyfriend and was moving didn't help but it didn't deny the attraction and mental connection she felt with Will. At the end of the crazy day, they decide to meet the next year on the same day at Fern's mother's lakeside resort. But Will never shows and ten years later he's still taking up space in Fern's mind and heart.

When Fern's mother dies tragically and she is forced to help get to the lakeside resort in order she discovers it's in disarray. She needs to figure out what to do and to her surprise, a solution arrives in the form of Will.

This book is legit almost perfect. It is swoony. It's melty. It is almost perfect. The utter desire between these two folks. On every page. I didn't read Carley's first book but honestly idk how this one could be topped. The grief that Fern feels after losing her mom. Her trying to figure out if she wanted to stay at the resort or not - running away or staying, and her growth throughout. I also loved Will - it's obvious that he loved her from the jump and getting Fern to figure that out?? Priceless. When he gave her the piece of ART? MY HEART MELTED. Just absolutely stunning. I adored this book.

-.5 because there was literally barely any diversity lol. Like no queer people, no POC, nothing. Awkward.

Everyone and their cat read her debut novel Every Last Summer last year, except for maybe three people…and if you are one of those three, I say start with this one! Only because I had such high expectations after ELS and I think it might have caused me to not care for this one as much.

It was hard for me to like the male main character. He just didn’t have a very likable personality, especially after standing Fern up. The lack of communication and jumping to decisions on his part had me rolling my eyes and saying to Fern, “next, girl. Let this one go.”

I also don’t see the point in her mothers diary. If it was for us to get a glimpse into who her mother was, we could have just gained that from Peter or Fern. I kept expecting a bombshell to be dropped in it somewhere (what’s the point of a diary?!) and it never happened so I was disappointed there.

I do always enjoy a water type setting and second chance romance stories, so they were my positive points in this one and what kept me reading. I also loved Fern’s best friend. She’s someone I would hang out with.

Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

FEATURES
✌🏼Second Chance Romance
🌊Lake setting
🧠Mental health rep
⏰Alternating timelines
💃🏼Dirty Dancing

✨When Will Baxter shows up in Fern's life, 10 years after their first encounter, all of her feelings for him come flooding back.

☁️THOUGHTS
The anticipation was so high for Fortune's second novel! I loved that the author was a narrator; the audiobook was well done overall. There was such an atmospheric lake feel, that I give the author huge credit for! Definitely a good summer-y story. Toward the end, I did really start "feeling" something for the MCs. The last few chapters made me feel strong emotion.

However, the rest of the book/story sadly missed some marks for me. I wanted to love it. I really did. 🥲 I typically LOVE second chance romance; however, the "first chance" between our MCs was a SINGLE DAY romance, TEN years ago (unrealistic)... when they both had significant others! All of those things together were just a *no thank you* personally. Insta-love, miscommunication, & cheating plots (of any sort- not just physical) typically kind of give me the ick. While I understand some of the circumstances & mental health reasons for the miscommunication, I feel like this made it hard to even understand/feel the connection between the two MCs; it lacked substantial romance in general, IMO. I found myself bored in the "past" chapters, preferring the ones set in the "present." There just felt like there wasn't much going on?? There WAS an emotional side plot (an experience our MCs had in common- which is where my feelings toward the end of the book came in) that took the back-burner. I wish it would’ve taken more forefront to add some intrigue; instead, the two plot points seemed somewhat divided/didn't seem to fully mesh. The audiobook took a couple weeks to finish just because I found myself gravitating toward listening to other books instead.

There were definitely some parts I enjoyed, but overall, I didn't love this one. Per usual, I definitely do not discourage you from reading it/forming your own thoughts! 😊

This one was not as good as her last- too cheesy and I didn’t feel the chemistry. I needed the male MC to grovel more, he also was too feminine for me…. It was okay but not my fave.

I love Fortune's writing and Fern and Will make a great couple but this one didn't have the magic Every Summer After did for me. The misunderstanding could have been resolved early on and I had a hard time buying into how in love they were after just one day. That being said, I still enjoyed the story and would totally recommend it as.a beach read.

Thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the copy to review.

It felt like I was living inside an Hallmark movie, set in Summer and Spring, where the two characters set to meet at the Lake. I definitely recommend to anyone who loves friends-to-lovers, Gilmore Girls and books about traveling.

By now you have been seeing this book everywhere. I saw it in the airport in Munich earlier this month and was reminded just how much I enjoyed this slow-burn romance.

On the one hand, I hate a conflict that could be solved with honest communication. On the other hand, Fern and Will can take allllll the sweet time they need.

Fern and Will meet and spend the day together, an immediate, intense connection felt by both. Unfortunately, neither are in a place where their feelings can be acted upon, and so the reluctantly part and agree to meet again one year later at Brookbanks Lake Resort, Fern’s family’s resort. But Will doesn’t show, crushing Fern’s heart.

Fast forward nine years later, Fern is back to run the family resort after the tragic death of her mother, a thing she never wanted to do. Much to her dismay and surprise, Fern finds out the resort is struggling, and Will is the consultant her mother hired to help get it back on track.

The writing beautifully captured Fern’s feelings of nostalgia over the good times growing up at the lake resort (that sounded absolutely gorgeous!). Something she didn’t fully appreciate at the time which fills her with regret since losing her mom.

The romance was full of longing, some hurt over the past, but also the joy and desire with finally getting the one you’ve wanted for so long. And I loved it! Even though the story was told through Fern’s POV, these feelings came through from Will, too.

Meet Me at the Lake was a second chance romance, but also an emotional story with Fern dealing with grief, growing up, figuring out what’s important in life, what makes you happy. It also touched on some mental health issues. The writing was beautiful with complex characters, a heady romance, and wonderful settings! I’ll definitely be reading more of Carley Fortune!

I alternately listened to Meet Me at the Lake and listened to the audio version which was a delight! A.J. Bridel performed Fern and all other characters to perfection! The wide range of emotions coming through loud and clear. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

Average follow up to Every Summer After, entertaining read but didn't have the spark of the first novel. I would recommend to readers of Emily Henry.

“‘I don’t want to be an escape. I want to be the reality’…’You’re not an escape. You’re everything.’”

Fern and Will. Will and Fern. This book took me quite awhile to get through, mostly because it is such an endearing and engrossing story that I really took my time with.

I was easily and swiftly transported to the lake every time I began to read. I love how essentially all of the characters are flawed, but they are not defined by those flaws. There is a real sense of family and camaraderie with these characters and they all just felt so real.

The Behind The Book at the end gives quite an in-depth look into the raw emotion from the author herself that helped to shape this story. While I did not enjoy this one as much as Every Summer After, it is a solid read with a real focus on mental health which is so so important.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the ARC.

This book got me! I was such a massive fan of Carley Fortune's debut [book:Every Summer After|58014893] and was so excited to see what she would write next.

I was instantly hooked by the premise - which gave me all the Before Sunrise (Ethan Hawke + Julie Delpy) vibes! LOVE!

Fern and Will met 10 years ago. She was working at a Toronto coffee shop and he was hired to paint a mural in the store. Fern gets the the job of basically babysitting him while he works and the two end up spending 24 hours together. A day that will change them both. Will is leaving the next day. Fern is moving back home in a week (she just graduated from university). They make a pact to meet up one year later. Fern shows up. Will doesn't.

Ten years later Will literally walks into Fern's life. The chemistry is undeniable. But can they get past the past and find a second chance together?

Romance is not my go-to genre but what I love about this book is that we get so much more than just a romance. We have characters who are struggling - with grief, life choices, past regrets, figuring themselves out. They are messy and trying and make mistakes. There's vulnerability. But walls are up. There are past secrets they don't want to confess - or perhaps face. There are layers to this story and to these characters and that's what kept me coming back page after page.

I would put this book in the company of Emily Henry and Ashley Winstead - a blend of humor, warmth, weightiness, the right amount of steam and fully fleshed out characters that you can connect to, relate to and root for.

There is some real weightiness to the struggles they are facing and Carley Fortune's authors note at the end of the book not only added a layer of understanding to these characters, but also to her as a writer and a storyteller.

We get dual timelines - living the 24 hours with Fern and Will in the past and meeting them in present day as they navigate this new relationship. There are also diary entries from Fern's mom which were a great add to the book and the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Such a great book and wow did I mark up all the great lines and passages. Highly recommend!

Ten years ago Fern Brookbanks and Will Baxter met by chance in Toronto and shared one perfect day. They agreed to meet again a year later on the dock at Fern's family resort. Will never showed up, and Fern is haunted by what happened. When her mother passes suddenly and she inherits the old, family-run lakeside resort, she is surprised to find Will checking in as a consultant to help.

I wanted to read Meet Me at the Lake because it sounded intriguing with the ten year ago "what might have been" storyline and the present day storyline at the old resort. I have a weakness for books and movies set at old family resorts (i.e. Dirty Dancing) so I found the setting intriguing.

I love the way this story unfolds slowly with glimpses of ten years ago vs. present day. Fern and Will are nothing like they were 10 years ago. Will is a mysterious character and only tells the bare minimum about himself and his life. Readers will learn more as Fern does ... and as the sparks between them grow stronger the more time they spend together.

I enjoyed Meet Me at the Lake and recommend it for readers who enjoy beach reads, old resort settings, and sweet, thoughtful love stories.

Carley Fortune became an auto-buy author for me following her insanely popular debut 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓. Immediately upon finishing, I wanted to turn around and reread it. Her new release shares so much of that same wonderful Summer nostalgia. With characters that are easy to connect with and a story that pulls at the heartstrings, 𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑴𝒆 𝑨𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒌𝒆 is the epitome of the summer read.

I binged Meet Me at the Lake so quickly and definitely have mixed feelings about it. Fun plot, a decent level of spice, and a beautiful setting. The characters and their actions though ... leave a little to be desired. It was totally readable and would be a great one to toss in the beach bag.

Carley Fortune won me over last year with her debut Every Summer After and I was anticipating her next romance. I really enjoyed this second chance romance that's great for summer reading at the beach, pool, or the lake!

Being a fan of her first novel and a massive fan of the movie Dirty Dancing, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Meet Me At The Lake! And it did not disappoint!

I loved Fern and Will’s story! I thought both characters were well matched and each came with baggage but somehow were stronger and better together. I LOVED all the Dirty Dancing references and loved the setting of a lake front resort.

However, for me the best part was the author’s note at the end: Behind The Book. Fortune’s explanation of why she wrote about certain sensitive and personal topics was eye opening and tough. It made me look at certain scenarios and characters in a different light; for the better.

If you want an epic beach read that is more than just a love story then you need to read this book.

Told in dual timelines, past and present. Will and Fern spent one day together when they were younger, and now he’s at the resort she’s the manager of. This was good. You can feel the tension between the two characters!