Every Summer After by Carly Fortune

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Paperback, Print

Pages: 320

Start Date: January 1st, 2023

End Date: January 3rd, 2023

My Ratings

Overall: ★★★★

Character Development: ★★★

Ending: ★★★

Spice Level: 🌶

Tear Jerk-ability: 💧

Readability: Easy, Quick Read

Summary In My Words

At age 13 Percy's family purchase a cottage in Barry's Bay, her first day there she meets her neighbors Charlie & Sam. Percy & Sam are forced together by Sam's older brother Charlie, so can have a party & not have his little brother lurking. Unexpectedly the two teens hit it off & overtime become inseparable. 

As they grow over the course of six summers & they discover themselves through their teen & early adult years, decisions they've each made drive them apart. That is, until a devastating loss brings them back together nearly 12 years later. 

My Thoughts - Contains Spoilers, Continue at Your Own Risk

I liked the author's decision to pop between the past & the present for each chapter - giving us context for what was happening in the current timeframe without giving us too much right away. I loved the detailed growth of the characters, watching their "coming of age" helps with undestanding & relating to everything that they went through. I would have liked Sam's character to be more than the "small town kid" that never leaves home until college, I just couldn't understand why Percy was the only one traveling to see him . . . Wouldn't he have wanted to visit her in Toronto even just once?

Charlie's involvement story is crucial, but we didn't really get to really know him. What was the motivation for his choices? I would have liked to have some of the story from his point of view.

I'm Curious

1. Would you have forgiven Delilah? If she ex-communicated you at school because she pissed her pants over a movie? I realize that later on Percy is the jerk, but that wouldn't have happened if she hadn't let Delilah back into her life, wouldn't you agree?
2. Do you believe in "young love"? Do you think that Percy & Sam could have known that 13 years old that they were meant to be?At one point Percy told us that her & Sam hadn't ever had sex, do you find it believeable that teenagers would have the self control to abstain from intercourse?
3. Sue, Sam & Charlie's Mom, also had experienced love at a young age. Do you think this as an example held any weight in the feelings Sam was having for Percy?
4. In the book Percy visits Sam often, why do you think it is that Sam never visited Percy in the city? Does this feel like a one-sided relationship to you?
5. Percy makes a huge mistake, this mistake is what costs her a relationship with Sam. Do you think her reasoning was valid? Could you relate to the situation & it's outcome? If you were Sam, would you have forgiven her?

Next Book: Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris