It's time to
My Current Read
📖 Name of the Book: One Golden Summer
📄 Plot: Good things happen at the lake. That's what Alice's grandmother says, and it's true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen-it's where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life. Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she's most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she's been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry's Bay.
But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it. Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he's all grown up
—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice's soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart. Because Alice sees people-that's why she is so good at what she does-but she's never met someone who looks and sees her right back.
📖 Genre: romance, summer, fiction, contemporary, adult
Reading One Golden Summer transported me to the serene, nostalgic world of Barry’s Bay, where memories and new beginnings intertwine beautifully. The book’s depiction of a summer spent at a picturesque lake perfectly captures the warmth and simplicity many of us yearn for in hectic times. What resonated deeply with me was Alice's journey as a photographer who usually stays behind the lens, watching life rather than living it. Her slow awakening to desire and vulnerability felt authentic and uplifting. Many readers who love contemporary romance and stories set during summer will find themselves immersed in the vivid setting and relatable characters. The dynamic with Alice’s grandmother added a touching multigenerational layer. The idea that "Good things happen at the lake" becomes almost a mantra, reflecting hope and healing. Charlie Florek’s lively presence and his connection to Alice through the iconic yellow speedboat photo added charm and tension that kept me turning pages. Personally, I appreciated how the book addresses themes of coming back to one's roots and rediscovering joy—in this case, through photography and renewed relationships. It also reminded me how powerful a simple summer can be in shifting life’s trajectory. If you enjoy books exploring personal growth amid picturesque summer settings, One Golden Summer should be on your TBR list. It's a perfect pick for lazy afternoons or evenings when you want to escape into a heartfelt romance with relatable characters and a soothing lakeside backdrop.
