This Summer Will Be Different. By Carley Fortune. Audiobook

Emma Smith

My expectations were cautiously set going into this new novel. My history with this author's work has been a mixed bag - I learned the hard way that Carley Fortune doesn't write YA, a fact my local Dutch publisher's catalog blurred with her debut. While her stories are consumable, I've found her previous books to follow a familiar blueprint. I picked this one up hoping for a twist in the formula.

We follow Lucy and Felix, whose story is a classic "right person, wrong time" scenario. They met with instant, electric chemistry five years ago, but a relationship was off-limits - Felix is the brother of Lucy's best friend, Bridget. Told from Lucy's perspective and weaving between past and present, the narrative gives us front-row seats to their simmering tension. I'll be honest: as individuals, Lucy and Felix didn't captivate me. They felt reminiscent of Fortune's past couples, and their emotional arcs, while present, unfolded predictably. The true intrigue for me lay with Bridget. Her sudden flight from the city just days before her own wedding, and her stubborn silence about it, cast a compelling mystery. She became the character I was most invested in understanding.

The writing is serviceable and fluid, making for an easy read - which undoubtedly contributes to its broad appeal. Yet, it struggles to carve out a distinct voice in a crowded genre. The dual timeline structure is executed well, effectively building the backstory and layering tension toward the climax. It's a necessary device to fully grasp who these characters are.

My initial worry proved correct: the plot structure feels deeply familiar. The narrative beats closely mirror those in Fortune's earlier novels, making the journey from meet-cute to conflict to resolution feel foreseeable. That predictability, this time, was a hurdle I couldn't quite overlook. While I read it quickly - it's the kind of book you can finish in a weekend - I also found it easy to put down. The central romantic spark didn't fully ignite for me, and the plot twists lacked surprise.

However, it's important to note this is a character-driven story where the plot exists to facilitate growth. On that front, it delivers. The events of the summer provide a clear catalyst for both Lucy and Felix to confront their pasts and evolve. So, while it didn't thrill me, its internal logic held.

In final thoughts, This Summer Will Be Different is a perfectly enjoyable, if familiar, seasonal read. It has its flaws and its predictability is undeniable, yet it still delivers the emotional beats and sunny escapism many readers seek. That said, I'm eager to see this author stretch beyond her established template. The current formula guarantees a comfortable read but risks blending into the background. While it successfully services its characters' development, I'm personally craving a fresher take from her next time.

For those looking for a breezy, character-focused story to get lost in, this book fits the bill. I'd especially recommend the audiobook for its immersive, vacation-like feel - perfect for a beach day or a long drive. It's the literary equivalent of a summer cocktail: refreshing, sweet, and exactly what you expect.