Blog Tour: Meet Me at the Lake Review

Hello, all!

One of my favorite reads of last year was Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (review here), so I'm thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for her latest release, Meet Me at the Lake. Big thanks to the publisher for having me!

Pub Date: 5-2-23
Adult - Contemporary

Fern Brookbanks' life hasn't turned out the way she wanted. She swore she would never end up back home running her family's lakeside resort. But after a tragic accident, she finds herself stepping into her mother's shoes whether she likes it or not. Now thirty-two, Fern is no stranger to office management, but the resort is overwhelming, her ex-boyfriend is the manager, and she doesn't know where to begin. Then along comes Will Baxter.

The first and only time Fern met Will Baxter was in their early twenties. He was a good-looking artist hired to paint a mural on the wall of the coffee shop she worked at, and Fern needed a distraction. The pair spent twenty-four hours together, exploring Toronto and opening up in ways they've never done with anyone. The timing may have been off between them, but their connection was undeniable. In the morning, they made a promise to meet up in a year at the lake of Fern's resort. Fern showed up, but Will didn't. In his expensive suits, Will seems nothing like the guy from Fern's memory, and it's clear he's hiding something from her, but the pull between them is still there. But one thing is clear: ten years ago, Fern let Will walk away from her, and she isn't willing to let that happen again.

If I'm honest, I was hesitant about this because some of the themes and structure felt like I was reading the previous book all over again. While there are a few similarities, it holds up on its own. Fern and Will were so interesting to follow. I loved seeing how they met and following along with them on their whirlwind adventure. I usually have trouble believing a couple is meant to be after they've only spent one day together (especially if that day was years ago as it was here), but something about their connection felt real. Watching them reconnect in the present and forgive their past mistakes was so satisfying. Fortune, once again, crafts a story that manages to be angsty, tender, and honest all at the same time. If you enjoy second-chance romances, this is the one to pick up.

Rating: 4/5

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