Review: Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

 

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Publication Date: May 2nd 2023 by Berkley Romance & Penguin Audio

Pages: 320

Audio Book Length: 9hrs 56min

Narrator: A.J. Bridel & Carley Fortune

Source: Publishers

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Fern and Will meet and spend the day together, an immediate, intense connection felt by both. Unfortunately, neither are in a place where their feelings can be acted upon, and so the reluctantly part and agree to meet again one year later at Brookbanks Lake Resort, Fern’s family’s resort. But Will doesn’t show, crushing Fern’s heart.

Fast forward nine years later, Fern is back to run the family resort after the tragic death of her mother, a thing she never wanted to do. Much to her dismay and surprise, Fern finds out the resort is struggling, and Will is the consultant her mother hired to help get it back on track.

The writing beautifully captured Fern’s feelings of nostalgia over the good times growing up at the lake resort (that sounded absolutely gorgeous!). Something she didn’t fully appreciate at the time which fills her with regret since losing her mom.

The romance was full of longing, some hurt over the past, but also the joy and desire with finally getting the one you’ve wanted for so long. And I loved it! Even though the story was told through Fern’s POV, these feelings came through from Will, too.

Meet Me at the Lake was a second chance romance, but also an emotional story with Fern dealing with grief, growing up, figuring out what’s important in life, what makes you happy. It also touched on some mental health issues in a thoughtful way. The writing was beautiful with complex characters, a heady romance, and wonderful settings! I’ll definitely be reading more of Carley Fortune!

I alternately listened to Meet Me at the Lake and listened to the audio version which was a delight! A.J. Bridel performed Fern and all other characters to perfection! The wide range of emotions coming through loud and clear.  I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

A random connection sends two strangers on a daylong adventure where they make a promise one keeps and the other breaks, with life-changing effects, in this breathtaking new novel from the New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of Every Summer After.

Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in Toronto. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn't.

At thirty-two, Fern's life doesn't look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern's back home, running her mother's Muskoka lakeside resort--something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend's the manager, and Fern doesn't know where to begin.

She needs a plan--a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern's going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern's not sure she wants to know what it is.

But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?