Carley Fortune Books in Order: The Complete Reading Guide

Carley Fortune’s novels have a way of making you forget the clock exists. Since her debut Every Summer After hit shelves in 2022, Fortune has become a #1 New York Times bestselling author, and for good reason. This guide walks you through her books in order, what connects them, and what to expect from their spice levels.

Number of published novels: 4 ·
New York Times bestseller rank: #1 ·
First novel publication year: 2022 ·
Most recent novel publication year: 2024 ·
Author’s birthplace: Toronto, Ontario ·
Author’s birth date: February 7, 1984

What is the order of the Carley Fortune books?

All Carley Fortune novels in publication order

• Every Summer After (2022) – Carley Fortune official site
• Meet Me at the Lake (2023) – Carley Fortune official site
• This Summer Will Be Different (2024) – Carley Fortune official site
• One Golden Summer (2024) – Carley Fortune official site

All four novels are standalone, so you can technically start anywhere. But if you want to catch the subtle character crossovers, reading in publication order is the way to go.

Which Carley Fortune book should I read first?

Are Carley Fortune’s books connected?

Are the standalone novels set in the same universe?

• Each novel is a standalone story with no direct sequel relationships. The Carley Fortune official site describes them as standalone.
• But there are minor connections: some characters from prior novels appear as secondary characters.

For example, the character Jake appears in both Every Summer After and Meet Me at the Lake. This is a small crossover, not a plot continuation.

Do characters overlap between books?

The pattern: Fortune weaves a shared world without forcing readers to do homework. Each book stands on its own, but the connections add depth for those who read them all.

What is the spice level of the Carley Fortune books?

How spicy is each Carley Fortune novel?

Here is how readers rate the heat across Fortune’s four novels.

The pattern: Fortune’s books are considered “spicy” by romance readers, but they are not erotica. Marie Claire notes that the spice level is a key selling point on BookTok.

Does One Golden Summer have more explicit scenes?

According to BookTok discussions, One Golden Summer is often cited as the spiciest of the four. However, exact spice levels are subjective. Marie Claire ranks it as her most explicit.

The trade-off: readers looking for a hotter read should start with One Golden Summer, while those preferring a slower burn will find the first three books more restrained.

Who is Carley Fortune and how old is she?

Carley Fortune’s age and background

• Born: February 7, 1984 (Carley Fortune official site)
• Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Age: 41 (as of 2025)

Carley Fortune’s career before becoming a novelist

• Worked at The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and Toronto Life.
• Oversaw the launch of Refinery29 Canada.
• Left journalism to write fiction full-time in 2021. (Carley Fortune official site)

The pattern: Fortune’s journalism background gives her narrative a sharp, character-driven edge that many romance readers appreciate.

Is Meet Me at the Lake a sequel to Every Summer After?

How are the two books related?

• Meet Me at the Lake is not a sequel to Every Summer After; it is a standalone novel. (The Carley Fortune official site confirms standalone status)
• There is a minor crossover: the character Jake appears in both books.

Do I need to read one before the other?

No. You can read either book first without any confusion. The crossover is a subtle Easter egg, not a plot requirement.

The implication: Fortune’s approach allows readers to jump into any book without feeling lost, but dedicated fans will enjoy the connective tissue.

What is Carley Fortune’s net worth and personal life?

Carley Fortune’s husband and family

• Carley Fortune is married to Brian Fortune. (Carley Fortune official site)
• They have two sons.
• She currently lives in Toronto.

Carley Fortune’s estimated net worth

A concrete net worth figure is not publicly verified. Estimates vary, but given her #1 New York Times bestseller status and over five million copies sold (Carley Fortune official site), she likely earns substantial income from book sales and potential adaptations.

The takeaway: Fortune’s financial success is a direct result of her rapid rise in the romance genre, but exact numbers remain private.

Four novels, one pattern: each standalone story set in a distinct Canadian locale with a unique romance trope.

Here is a comparison of key details across Fortune’s books.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Carley Fortune is a Canadian author born February 7, 1984. (Carley Fortune official site)
• She has published four novels between 2022 and 2024.
• All novels are standalone, but some characters appear across books.
• Her books are considered spicy by romance readers.

What’s unclear

• Net worth is not publicly documented; estimates vary.
• Exact spice levels relative to other BookTok titles are subjective.
• Future book release dates are not announced.

“Each novel is a standalone story.”

— Carley Fortune official site

“One Golden Summer is Carley Fortune’s most explicit novel to date.”

— Marie Claire

For readers diving into Carley Fortune’s world, the choice is clear: start with Every Summer After for the full Barry’s Bay experience, or jump straight to One Golden Summer if you want the most heat. Fortune gives you a standalone story that doesn’t punish you for skipping around.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Quinta Brunson: Biography, Age, Net Worth & FAQs
• Taylor Rooks: Journalist, Age, Husband, and Career