Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Book Review: Every Summer After

If you’re looking for a fun, light, and romantic (yet, also heartbreaking) book, then Every Summer After will check all the boxes! There is still time to binge read some summery novels, and just because it’s beginning to feel like autumn, it’s important to remember that summer goes until September 22nd (hey, that’s our little Link’s birthday!🐶). 

When I first picked up this book, I just loved the cover. Right away, I could feel the nostalgia wash over me, thinking about the summers growing up when we were out on the water, without a worry in the world. Similar to the cover, the story definitely evokes emotion, especially when it comes to reading about the relationship between the main characters, Percy and Sam. 

The themes surrounding this novel include family, love, heartbreak, loss, friendship, growing up and the anxiety of being a teenager, second chances, and forgiveness. Percy and Sam face many obstacles in their friendship, especially as they grow older and have to determine what they want their relationship to evolve into (romantic relationship or strictly friendship). The reader experiences the ups and downs of navigating their relationship, school, friends, and life in general, over the course of 6 years. 

This novel bounces between the present (Percy and Sam are in their thirties) and the past, making it incredibly hard to put down! I honestly just wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next, and whether Percy and Sam would figure out their relationship! One thing I really love about this book is that it touches on deeper topics, such as second chances and forgiveness — not only forgiving others, but also forgiving oneself for past mistakes. Percy is really relatable, especially as she learns to move past her regrets, forgive herself, and focus on the present moment and all the joys that the future can bring. 

In short, I really loved this book! I know this review may seem a bit vague, as it’s really hard to not say too much and give things away, but I do have to note that there is a plot twist in the story that comes as a major surprise! If you end up reading this book, please feel free to post your thoughts in the comments below. :)