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!

Gosh, I just loved this one. It gave that summer camp, young love kind of vibe that follows a couple through to a adulthood. Life becomes messy and complicated and the true test of a relationship or any potential for one happens then. Such a great summer read!

MEET ME AT THE LAKE is a heart-breaker, charmer of a story. This is the classic second-chance romance where a couple meet one sweet summer day and bond instantly. Fern Brookbanks and Will Baxter have an instant spark. However, they lead separate lives and they make a pact to meet one year later at Fern's family resort. Only Will doesn't show up. Fern is hurt and Will's betrayal rocks her to the core.

Time marches on. Fern's mother passes away and she inherits the resort. She doesn't want it, but duty calls. Fern's ex-boyfriend Jamie is the manager of the resort, making things awkward. Fern quickly discovers that the resort is in disrepair and needs renovations. She didn't sign up for a life overhaul, but sometimes pulling on your big girl pants is required. Strangely, Will shows up and offers his assistance. Why is he here? Fern's heart is in turmoil. A lot has changed since they first met many years ago. Promises were made and broken, leaving questions unanswered. What is Will after? Can they recapture what they once had?

This is a very unique story filled with many emotional moments. The author shoots from the hip with a keep'em guessing plot, clever wordplay, crackling chemistry and compelling characters. I was moved to tears so have Kleenex on hand while reading Ms. Fortune's winning novel. Fern and Will are a beautiful couple who meet again years later with the chance to start all over again, but do they take that leap of faith? Betrayal, questions and anger need to be dealt with before they can move on. The author expertly includes characters with depth and secrets that add a richness to the plot. This is a beautifully executed and insightful love story that will capture your heart and won't let go. MEET ME AT THE LAKE is a timeless masterpiece!

𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑴𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒌𝒆
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲: saving a resort, Dirty Dancing, love triangle, second chance?, friends to lovers, small town, journal entries

"𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆, 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂"

Love the whole saving the resort theme of this book. Gives me Hallmark Christmas movie vibes but of the summer version!

After her mom’s sudden passing, Fern decided to took over their family resort. However, business was slow and saving it from the hands of developers proved to be very difficult. Enter the consultant that her mom was talking to prior to her death and it’s no other than Will - the guy Fern met nine years ago, had spent 24 hours with after a chance encounter in Toronto. They were supposed to meet at a lake but Will never showed up and here he is now entering her life again nine years later…

When I heard that the author had narrated parts of the audiobook, I immediately went the audiobook route and I really enjoyed it! Thanks @libro for my copy!

I just love the nostalgia that a small town lakeside resort gives! Love reading the entries from her mom’s journal and how it helps with the impact of the storytelling. Ugh her mom’s story is just 😭 I just felt all the chances at love that was lost because of miscommunication and bad timing :/

I did overall enjoyed this and finished it in less than 2 days. I love reading about the emotional depth and character growth but I feel like I couldn’t connect much with leads?

Anyway, I would still recommend this if your are looking for that summer nostalgic read!!

💭 What are you guys reading this weekend?
☕️ I can’t pick between a romance, thriller, or a cozy mystery 😂

I’m not sure if it’s the warmer weather or what but I’ve been on a slight romance kick lately. Who am I?! Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and am now excited to read Every Summer After!

The relationship between Fern and Will is electric! The fact that they’ve thought of each other every day for ten years but neither was aware is both heartbreaking and the perfect catalyst for their ultimate reconnection. Once they’re on the same page, their original spark is ignited into an all-consuming flame.

There is more than one vein of sadness in this book but it’s balanced nicely with lighthearted side characters who bring just as much joy.

This book is written with dual timelines. One following Will and Fern on their adventure together ten years ago and the other in present day when they reconnect at Fern’s family lake resort. We learn pivotal information about their past just in time to see the relevance in their present. Carley Fortune has a natural talent and I love her writing style!

I really enjoyed this second chance romance.. I still have Every Summer After on my shelf and now I’m even more motivated to read it!

Synopsis:

Told in dual timelines this is the story of Fern and Will’s love. It pivots from the day they met ten years ago to current day. Present day Fern has come back to her family’s resort that her mother oversaw for all of ther life. She wanted Fern to take it over but Fern wanted her own life. Fern often resented how much her mother’s work took away from their time together when she was growing up. Now that she’s back, ten years later, she must decide if she should sell it or keep the resort that her grandparents started. In order to keep it she needs to rely on Will’s expertise in marketing to revamp the resort to a more profitable business. T

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed the connection between Fern and Will and how their story played out. I think I may have lifked even more were Fern’s flashbacks and discovery of her mom’s life. That did cause me to shed a few tears.I liked that both Fern and Will were flawed characters. WIll dealt with some mental health issues and Fern had been an angsy teen. My only complaint was that I didn’t feel like the problems with the resort were completely resolved by the end of the book.

I absolutely devoured EVERY SUMMER AFTER last year. I was on the fence about reading it and was cautious about the hype, but I literally sat there and finished the book in one sitting on my deck on a sunny afternoon. That was such a wonderful and specific reading experience that I was super nervous to read her sophomore novel. Such high expectations! ESA was not perfect – it was messy in a way that really worked for me. I was curious to see if this novel would have much of the same (not really!) or if the author would branch out a bit. I was happy to still see dual timelines following the lead couple, a second chance romance, and another glorious summer setting.

MEET ME AT THE LAKE is centered around the main character’s family resort on a lake in Canada. Fern determined as a college student that she didn’t want to take over the business someday and broke her mom’s heart in the process. Years later, with some success managing coffee shops in Toronto in the meantime, her mom passes away in an accident… leaving the resort to her.

Beyond the grief and family feels of it all, the story alternates between past and present with Fern and Will – a boy she had a whirlwind day/night with as a college student. It feels a bit like instalove (especially because the chemistry 10 years ago just wasn’t there for me as much as it was in present day). The two of them set up a plan to meet one year later at the resort but Will never shows and never communicates with her. When he shows up years later as a consultant (her mom hired before she died), she tries to figure out what went wrong, why he didn’t show up, and if they have the opportunity to do things right this time around.

I really liked the overall premise but if I’m being honest, the present day love story and Fern falling back in love with her family’s resort were much better than the flashback scenes. Like I said, I just didn’t FEEL it that much. I think there was always going to be too much comparison for me to EVERY SUMMER AFTER and this book didn’t match up for me. I wonder if I would have felt differently if I read this one first?

Overall, I think readers of her first book will still enjoy this one but try to go in with normal expectations.