Carley Fortune
Carley Fortune is a Canadian bestselling author whose novels of romance and summer nostalgia have become a major force in contemporary fiction. Born in 1984 and based in Toronto, Fortune draws deeply from Canadian settings, from the lakes of Ontario to the shores of Prince Edward Island, to tell her widely popular stories. Her career began in award-winning journalism before she published her smash-hit debut, Every Summer After, in 2022. With five consecutive New York Times bestsellers and multiple high-profile television adaptations, Fortune has established herself as a defining voice in Canadian popular culture.
Early career in journalism
Before becoming a novelist, Carley Fortune built a respected career in Canadian journalism, working for several prominent publications. She contributed to and held editorial roles at Refinery29, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and Toronto Life. Her work in this field was recognized with awards, which provided a strong foundation for her transition to long-form fiction. The skills honed in journalism, particularly narrative clarity and character development, are evident in the polished prose and engaging plots of her subsequent novels.
Breakthrough with Every Summer After
Fortune's debut novel, Every Summer After, was published in 2022 and immediately established her as a major new voice in romance fiction. The story is set in her hometown of Barry's Bay, Ontario, a small community that provides an authentic and vividly rendered Canadian backdrop. The novel was a commercial and critical success, landing on the New York Times Bestseller list and earning a place on the New York Public Library's Best Books for Adults list for 2022. Its popularity sparked significant interest from streaming services, leading to a television adaptation announced in 2024 by Amazon Prime Video titled Every Year After, which premiered on June 10, 2026.
Subsequent novels and national acclaim
Following her successful debut, Fortune published a new novel each year, each one becoming a national bestseller. Her 2023 release, Meet Me at the Lake, is set in Ontario's Muskoka region and also became a bestseller in Canada and the United States. The book's profile was further raised when it was selected for the 2024 edition of the CBC's Canada Reads competition, where it was defended by broadcaster Mirian Njoh, and it was optioned for film development by Archewell Productions. In 2024, Fortune published This Summer Will Be Different, a romance set on Prince Edward Island that topped the Canadian fiction bestseller list. Her 2025 novel, One Golden Summer, returned to Barry's Bay and follows the brother of the male protagonist from her debut. Fortune's 2026 novel, Our Perfect Storm, shifted settings to the beach town of Tofino on Vancouver Island and debuted at number one on the New York Times Bestseller List.
Television and film adaptations
The widespread popularity of Fortune's novels has led to a rapid expansion of her work into film and television, creating new production opportunities in Canada. The adaptation of Every Summer After into the Prime Video series Every Year After was so successful that a second season was announced in July 2026, which will focus on her 2025 novel, One Golden Summer. Her 2023 novel, Meet Me at the Lake, was optioned for film development by Archewell, the production company founded by Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. In March 2026, Netflix Canada announced a major 10 episode adaptation of This Summer Will Be Different, to be filmed on location in Prince Edward Island and Toronto. The key announced adaptations of Fortune's work include:
- Every Year After (Prime Video series, premiered 2026) based on Every Summer After.
- Meet Me at the Lake (film option, Archewell Productions).
- This Summer Will Be Different (Netflix series, announced 2026).
The Netflix Canada adaptation of This Summer Will Be Different features several notable Canadian actors. Sophie Nélisse stars as the protagonist Lucy Ashby. Francesca Reale plays her best friend Bridget, and Roby Attal plays Felix, who is Bridget's brother and Lucy's love interest. Canadian actors Malin Akerman and Megan Follows also star in the series as Aunt Stacy and Cheryl respectively.
Bibliography and recurring settings
Carley Fortune's bibliography is defined by its strong sense of place, with several of her novels forming a loose series set in her Ontario hometown. Her books consistently explore themes of summer, love, memory, and family within distinctly Canadian landscapes. The Barry's Bay series, which includes Every Summer After, One Golden Summer, and the forthcoming Only in Summer, creates a detailed fictional portrait of a small Ontario community. Her other novels are standalone stories that similarly use well-known Canadian locations as central elements of their plots and atmosphere, from cottage country to coastal islands.
Carley Fortune has published five novels to date. Her published novels are Every Summer After, Meet Me At The Lake, This Summer Will Be Different, One Golden Summer, and Our Perfect Storm. All five of these novels have been New York Times Bestsellers. Her next announced novel is Only in Summer, which is scheduled for release on May 18, 2027.
- Every Summer After (2022), Barry's Bay, Ontario.
- Meet Me at the Lake (2023), Muskoka, Ontario.
- This Summer Will Be Different (2024), Prince Edward Island.
- One Golden Summer (2025), Barry's Bay, Ontario.
- Our Perfect Storm (2026), Tofino, British Columbia.
- Only in Summer (2027), Barry's Bay, Ontario.
Awards and influence
Fortune's work has received significant recognition from literary institutions and cultural commentators. Her debut novel, Every Summer After, was named to the New York Public Library's Best Books for Adults list in 2022, a notable honour for a first time author. Beyond literary awards, her cultural impact in Canada was formally acknowledged in 2025 when she was ranked number 14 on Toronto Life's list of the 50 Most Influential people in the city. This recognition highlights her role not just as a bestselling author but as a significant figure in shaping contemporary Canadian popular media, especially through the successful export of her stories to global streaming platforms.
Publication and sales performance
Carley Fortune has achieved a remarkable record of commercial success, with each of her five published novels reaching the New York Times Bestseller list. This consistent performance is rare in publishing and demonstrates her strong connection with a wide readership. Her novels frequently debut at the top of Canadian bestseller lists, with This Summer Will Be Different topping the Canadian fiction list in 2024 and Our Perfect Storm debuting at number one on the New York Times list in 2026. The table below summarizes the publication year and a key sales achievement for each of her major works, illustrating her sustained market presence from 2022 onward.
| Novel | Publication Year | Key Sales Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Every Summer After | 2022 | New York Times Bestseller |
| Meet Me at the Lake | 2023 | Bestseller in Canada & US |
| This Summer Will Be Different | 2024 | Topped Canadian fiction list |
| One Golden Summer | 2025 | New York Times Bestseller |
| Our Perfect Storm | 2026 | Debuted at #1 on NYT list |
Questions about Carley Fortune
Where is Carley Fortune from?
Carley Fortune is from Barry's Bay, Ontario, a small town that serves as the primary setting for several of her novels, including Every Summer After and One Golden Summer. She currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario. Her deep connection to her hometown is a defining feature of her work, as she uses its landscapes and community feel to ground her stories. This authentic Canadian setting has resonated strongly with readers across the country and beyond.
What was Carley Fortune's job before she was an author?
Before becoming a novelist, Carley Fortune was an award winning journalist. She worked for several major Canadian publications, including Refinery29, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and Toronto Life, in both contributor and editor roles. This career provided her with extensive experience in writing, editing, and storytelling. The skills she developed in journalism are clearly reflected in the polished narrative style and strong character development found in her novels.
Is Every Summer After being made into a movie or show?
Yes, Every Summer After has been adapted into a television series. In 2024, Amazon Prime Video announced the adaptation, titled Every Year After. The series premiered on June 10, 2026. Due to the show's success, Prime Video announced in July 2026 that it would return for a second season. The second season will adapt Fortune's 2025 Barry's Bay novel, One Golden Summer, which features a character connected to the first book.
What is Carley Fortune's newest book?
As of 2026, Carley Fortune's most recently published book is Our Perfect Storm, which was released in 2026. This novel is set in Tofino on Vancouver Island. Her next announced book is Only in Summer, which is scheduled for release on May 18, 2027. That upcoming novel will be set in Barry's Bay, Ontario.
Is Meet Me at the Lake going to be a movie?
Meet Me at the Lake has been optioned by Archewell for development as a film. The book was also selected for the 2024 edition of Canada Reads. At the competition, it was defended by Mirian Njoh. The novel is set in the Muskoka region of Ontario.
What is the Netflix show based on Carley Fortune's book?
In March 2026, Netflix Canada announced a 10 episode series adaptation of Fortune's 2024 novel, This Summer Will Be Different. The series will be filmed on location in Prince Edward Island and Toronto. The cast includes Canadian actress Sophie Nélisse in the lead role of Lucy Ashby, alongside Francesca Reale, Roby Attal, Malin Akerman, and Megan Follows. This project represents a major television production based on Fortune's Prince Edward Island set romance.
Sources and further reading
- Carley Fortune (Wikipedia)
- About Carley Fortune (carleyfortune.com)
Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-02.
