This Summer Will Be Different

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This Summer Will Be Different

by Carley Fortune

This story follows Lucy, who heads to Prince Edward Island for a getaway only to find herself falling for her best friend's brother, Sam. It is a slow-burn romance that feels heavy with the humidity of summer and the weight of long-buried secrets. Fortune writes with a distinct focus on the ache of nostalgia, making you feel the heat of the sun and the sting of past mistakes in equal measure. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the tension between the characters to build until it feels inevitable. You should pick this up if you enjoy stories that prioritize emotional stakes over grand gestures. It is specifically for readers who want a book that lingers in their mind long after the final page, perfect for those who appreciate the bittersweet intersection of friendship, forbidden attraction, and the messy process of growing up.

10 Books similar to 'This Summer Will Be Different'

Since you enjoyed the atmospheric pull and emotional complexity of this novel, we have curated a list that leans into those same feelings. Whether you are looking for that specific vacation-induced romantic tension found in Emily Henry’s work or the dual-timeline longing of Christina Lauren, these picks prioritize the slow, meaningful development of relationships. Each book here shares that signature blend of small-town charm and the ache of second chances. If you want to keep that summer-soaked, introspective mood alive, these stories offer the same grounded, heart-tugging journeys through love and personal rediscovery.

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Every Summer After
Every Summer After

by Carley Fortune

As the author's debut novel, this book shares the exact same evocative, nostalgic, and emotionally charged writing style that fans of her later work will immediately recognize. It masterfully balances a dual timeline narrative that explores the complexities of first love and the consequences of long-held secrets.

Happy Place
Happy Place

by Emily Henry

This novel captures a similar blend of deep emotional introspection and romantic tension set against a picturesque vacation backdrop. Fans of Fortune's work will appreciate the way it explores the evolution of relationships and the bittersweet nature of changing friendships.

Love and Other Words
Love and Other Words

by Christina Lauren

This story mirrors the dual-timeline structure and the intense focus on a formative past relationship that haunts the present. It delivers the same kind of slow-burn emotional payoff that readers of contemporary romance crave.

The Unhoneymooners
The Unhoneymooners

by Christina Lauren

While lighter in tone, this book offers the same irresistible 'vacation romance' atmosphere that makes 'This Summer Will Be Different' so escapist. It features a compelling enemies-to-lovers dynamic that crackles with witty banter and undeniable chemistry.

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People We Meet on Vacation
People We Meet on Vacation

by Emily Henry

This book is a quintessential recommendation for those who love stories about the complications of long-standing connections and the 'will-they-won't-they' tension. It shares the same focus on personal growth and the journey of two people finding their way back to each other.

The Seven Year Slip
The Seven Year Slip

by Ashley Poston

Readers who enjoy the emotional weight and slightly magical, atmospheric quality of Carley Fortune's writing will be drawn to this story. It deals with grief, timing, and the complexity of love in a way that feels both grounded and deeply moving.

Float Plan
Float Plan

by Trish Doller

This novel provides a similar sense of healing and self-discovery through travel, capturing the feeling of being lost and finding oneself again. The atmospheric setting and the slow-building relationship make it a perfect companion for fans of summer-set romances.

Things We Never Got Over
Things We Never Got Over

by Lucy Score

Fans who enjoy the 'small town' charm and the tension of a complicated, guarded romance will find this book highly engaging. It combines a slow-burn relationship arc with the emotional stakes of family history and personal redemption.

The Summer of Broken Rules
The Summer of Broken Rules

by K.L. Walther

This book captures the essence of summer nostalgia and the intense, life-altering experiences that often occur during a single season. It features a rich, immersive setting that fans of Fortune's atmospheric writing will find delightful.

Beach Read
Beach Read

by Emily Henry

This novel perfectly balances heavy emotional themes with a sparkling, witty romance, much like the dynamic found in Carley Fortune's work. It explores the intersection of professional ambition and personal heartbreak, making it a sophisticated read for the genre.