For me—someone who reads hundreds of books a year—summer truly begins when the latest beach reads from my favorite authors hit shelves. I’ve loved Carley Fortune’s lakefront romances for years, so her latest novel, Our Perfect Storm, quickly became one of my most anticipated book releases of 2026.
After getting my hands on an early copy, I’m here to tell you that it’s poised to be the book of the summer. Our Perfect Storm comes out on Tuesday, May 5, but you can preorder it now so it’ll arrive on your doorstep on publication day. In the meantime, read my full review below!
What’s Our Perfect Storm about?
Frankie is getting married, and she has no idea if George (her best friend since childhood and best man) will even show up. When he mercifully walks in on the first night of her wedding weekend, Frankie thinks her life is finally coming together perfectly, until her fiancé dumps her the next morning. Although Frankie plans to wallow at her family’s house until she figures out her next move, George has other plans. He convinces Frankie to go on her honeymoon in Tofino, a Canadian island dotted with ancient rainforests and sandy beaches, to heal her broken heart and repair their friendship—unless unshed feelings pull them apart once and for all.
Why you should read Our Perfect Storm
It beautifully portrays falling in love with your best friend.
If you loved the friends-to-lovers portrayal in Every Summer After, Fortune’s debut novel, you’ll love the way she depicts childhood friends who finally realize they’re meant to be. While the bulk of the novel’s action takes place during Frankie’s failed honeymoon, there are also flashbacks to the pair’s younger years, from the day they met to their stint as roommates. Laying the foundation of their bond adds so much depth to their budding romance and makes it that much sweeter.
Trust me when I say that this is one of the best depictions of childhood friends to lovers I’ve read—and I’ve read hundreds of romance novels.
It will make you want to book a trip to Tofino ASAP.
All of Fortune’s novels are love letters to coastal life in Canada, from Barry’s Bay to Prince Edward Island. Our Perfect Storm is no different, packed with lush descriptions about Tofino’s rainforests, lakes, and beaches. From the moment Frankie and George arrive there, we’re treated to vivid details about everything from the flowers to the interiors of the gorgeous resort. George is a environmental journalist and I loved how Fortune took lots of care to vividly detail the landscapes.
The food writing is also top-notch. Frankie is a recipe developer for an influencer she met in culinary school, and the way she speaks about food and wine will 100% make your mouth water!
It just might inspire you to write love letters.
As children, Frankie and George write each other letters that they drop in a mailbox they built between their homes. Over the next few decades, we see them communicate through notes, typically when things get tough. Without spoiling anything, letters play a lovely role in the novel’s conclusion—and I won’t blame you for getting misty-eyed while reading them! If you take only one thing away from this novel, may it be the fine art of sending snail mail to your loved ones.
It has a lovely subplot about…whales?
The novel opens with the revelation that Frankie’s mother abandoned her family for over a year when Frankie was just eight years old. As the novel continues, we learn that during that time, she lived on Canada’s east coast, where she studied whales—which means Frankie forever associates the animal with her unusual relationship with her mom. Fortune says she became “obsessed” with North Atlantic right whales while writing the book and hopes the novel will inspire readers to support conservation efforts to protect this endangered species.
There are a handful of references to Little Women.
It’s no secret that we love classic lit here at Country Living, so any time we find nods to some of our all-time favorite books, it’s cause for celebration. In Our Perfect Storm, Frankie makes several references to Little Women, from incorporating the movie’s score in her wedding ceremony to finding a kindred spirit in Jo March thanks to their shared fierce independence. Not to mention, the novel even opens with a quote from Louisa May Alcott’s classic! It reminded me of the Anne of Green Gables nods in This Summer Will Be Different.
The verdict?
Take it from someone who has devoured all of Fortune’s novels—this is her most emotional book yet. Frankie and George’s friends-to-lovers romance is utterly swoonworthy, and the use of flashbacks will have you deeply invested in how their story pans out. Coupled with stunning vacation imagery, lovable side characters, and witty banter, this is poised to become the book that everyone is raving about this summer!
If you haven’t read Fortune’s other books, what are you waiting for? Stock up below! They can be read independently, but One Golden Summer is loosely connected to Every Summer After.
Carley Fortune Books to Shop
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
Madison McGee is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines. For the past year, she has contributed shopping content, gift guides, product testing, and deals coverage across Hearst’s portfolio, which includes Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Men's Health, House Beautiful, Elle, Town and Country, Esquire, Country Living, Oprah Daily, and more. Prior to joining Hearst, she was a staff writer at BuzzFeed and worked in book publishing. Madison is a graduate of the University of Mississippi’s journalism program, and holds a Masters in Publishing from New York University. When she’s not scouting out the best deals, she can be found reading, cheering on the Baltimore Ravens, or exploring New York City’s indie bookstores.
