A review by bribreez
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

4.25⭐️/ 2-3🌶️

Lucy Ashby has always gone to Prince Edward Island every summer with her best friend, Bridget since that’s where Bridget grew up. Five years ago, when Lucy went to PEI for the first time, she stumbled upon the most gorgeous man named, Felix, and found herself having easy conversations with him. One thing led to another, and Lucy shared a steamy night with Felix. Once the sun came up, more fun was had until, Lucy found out that the man she slept with was Bridget’s younger brother! Told in now and then chapters, this story illustrated how Lucy and Felix met, as well as their relationship over the course of five years worth of summers. A forbidden romance, summer setting, best friend’s brother, and a picturesque town, this was the perfect book to read in the summer. 

Carly Fortune knows how to write summer romances, and with this being her newest release, I had high hopes for this book. When Lucy and Felix met for the first time, it seemed like a spontaneous, and great night they shared, but with Felix being Bridget’s brother, it instantly changed things since one of Bridget’s rules was, never fall in love with my brother. In the “now” chapters, there was still that lingering connection between Lucy and Felix that didn’t go away, and I could see that despite some tension, they very much still cared about each other. 

Lucy was an interesting character because, like most twenty something year olds, she was trying to figure out her life, and doing her best. In the “past” chapters, I got to see Lucy as she figured out what she actually wanted to do going from working in PR to working at her aunts flower shop. Lucy had a love for flowers, and creating beautiful floral arrangements that still spoke to her in the “now” chapters as well. In the present timeline, Lucy was now twenty-nine, and with her floral business going strong, there were moments that even I picked up on that there was still something missing in Lucy’s happiness or maybe fulfillment in her life. 

Felix Clark was a great looking man without a doubt, but he was also a quick hand at shucking oysters, being a good brother, and having this undeniable connection with Lucy. To anyone who came across Felix, they would see the charming man who could easily get any tourist he wanted for the summer, but there was so much more to him like Lucy knew him unlike anyone else. The thing I liked most about Felix was how he always paid attention to the smallest things about Lucy. The moment in the past, when Lucy mentioned she dreamt of having a flower farm, Felix never forgot, and even years later still thought it’d be a great thing for Lucy. Felix showed his understanding and support for Lucy in subtle ways, but had the biggest impact on Lucy’s heart. 

This was such a lovely, lighthearted, but also sentimental romance that I throughly adored. Lucy and Felix were a perfect match for each other, but the timing was never right for them. All those summer over the course of years illustrated the history Lucy and Felix shared within those summers at Prince Edward Island. I think the way the story was written in “past” and “now” chapters really added to the build up of how Lucy and Felix met as well as all those moments that shed light on their relationship. As much as I enjoyed the progression in Lucy and Felix’s romance, I also liked seeing the bits of Bridget and Lucy’s friendship and how they were always there for each other through the highs and lows of life. The sense of friendship and love highlighted through this story was endearing, loving, and sentimental. I feel like this book was the perfect story to read in the summer, and the whole time while I was reading, I felt like I was actually there alongside Lucy, Felix, and Bridget. This was a lighthearted story with a deeper meaning than I think most wouldn’t expect, but will understand after reading it. Lucy and Felix’s story ended on the perfect note, and I loved seeing that after so many years, they not only got their happy ending together, but also brought to life their dreams as well.