This Summer Will Be Different, published in 2024 by Berkley Romance, is a modern romance novel and the third book by Carley Fortune. Fortune is an acclaimed author of modern romance whose previous two novels, Every Summer After (2022) and Meet Me at the Lake (2023), were New York Times bestsellers. This Summer Will Be Different follows six years in the life of Lucy “Bee” Ashby as she navigates a secretive and turbulent relationship with Felix Clark, the younger brother of her best friend, Bridget. The novel explores themes of Belonging and Found Family, Miscommunication and the Folly of Assumption, and Accepting Life’s Changes.

This guide refers to the 2024 Berkley Romance Kindle edition of the book.

Plot Summary

Twenty-four-year-old Lucy “Bee” Ashby arrives on Prince Edward Island for a girls’ trip with her best friend and roommate, Bridget Clark. Bridget grew up on Prince Edward Island (PEI), and her parents own a seaside home there, nicknamed Summer Wind. Bridget has given Lucy three rules for the trip: eat as many oysters as possible, leave the stress of the city behind, and don’t fall in love with her younger brother, Wolf. While waiting on Bridget’s delayed flight, Lucy goes out to dinner, where she meets a handsome oyster shucker named Felix. Lucy goes home with Felix, and they have sex. The following morning, she learns that Felix is “Wolf,” Bridget’s brother, and is dismayed. Lucy makes Felix swear to hide their encounter from Bridget.

In chapters that shift between timelines, a 29-year-old Lucy recounts the past five years of her life. After returning to Toronto, Lucy takes a job at her aunt Stacy’s florist business, In Bloom. When Stacy decides to leave In Bloom, Lucy inherits the business. Bridget moves out at 27 to begin living with her fiancé, Miles, but she and Lucy remain close friends. They return to PEI several times; each time, Lucy rekindles her physical connection with Felix. Lucy reveals that Bridget’s aversion to the idea of her dating Felix stems from Felix’s ex-fiancée, Joy. Joy was a close childhood friend of Bridget’s, but they became estranged after Joy broke off her engagement to Felix. Lucy’s feelings for Felix start to deepen, but she continues to hide their connection from Bridget.

When Lucy is 28, Stacy dies of cancer. Bridget books a grieving Lucy a ticket to PEI but cannot come with her due to work constraints. Lucy spends this visit alone with Felix, who comforts her and allows her to stay at his house. After they sleep together again, Lucy realizes that her feelings for him have grown beyond sexual desire—she is falling in love with him. Worried that her relationship with Bridget is in jeopardy and unsure if Felix returns her feelings, Lucy panics. She ends their date early, leading Felix to think that she is no longer interested.

In the narrative present, Lucy prepares for Bridget’s upcoming wedding. In Bloom is thriving, but work takes up most of Lucy’s time, and she nurses a secret dream of leaving the business to start a cut-flower farm. Bridget suddenly calls Lucy in distress, asking her to come to PEI. Lucy hesitates to leave work on such short notice and is nervous about seeing Felix again, as their relationship has become awkward over the past year. She makes the trip anyway, wanting to support Bridget. Bridget refuses to tell Lucy what’s wrong, but Lucy suspects that something has happened between Bridget and Miles.

Lucy tries to keep her distance from Felix, but they often find themselves in close quarters as they both try to support Bridget. Lucy is confused by the continued care and affection Felix shows her. She grows increasingly irritated by Bridget’s refusal to tell her what is wrong as the planned date of her wedding draws nearer. Bridget’s refusal to talk keeps Lucy on PEI longer, forcing her to miss important meetings for In Bloom.

With five days remaining until her wedding, Lucy snaps at Bridget, berating her for wasting everyone’s time. She runs toward the beach in distress, and Felix follows her. He confesses his feelings for her, which Lucy reciprocates. When they return to Summer Wind, they find the house empty—Miles has flown into PEI to talk with Bridget in person. Lucy and Felix spend the next few days together, agreeing to try out a real relationship.

Bridget returns to Summer Wind with Miles but is still reserved and tense. Lucy realizes that her relationship with Bridget will never recover unless both women are honest with one another. Finally, Bridget tells Lucy her secret: Miles has taken a job in Australia, and they will move there after her wedding. Lucy confesses her relationship with Felix and is surprised when Bridget says that she already knew. The two women reconcile.

Lucy and the Clarks return to Toronto for Bridget’s wedding. Afterward, Felix stays with Lucy for several days. Lucy asks to move in with him on PEI, but Felix wants her to carefully consider her decision and decide whether this is what she really wants. They agree to take a break from their relationship, during which time Lucy works on developing her hobbies and friendships outside of work. Bridget moves to Australia, where she gives birth to a daughter named Rowan.

On a tip from Bridget, Lucy buys a piece of land on Prim Point Way in PEI, where she plans to start her cut-flower farm. After three months of no contact, Lucy reaches out to Felix, and they resume contact. Shortly afterward, she moves to PEI to live with him. Felix builds Lucy’s dream home on the Prim Point land, and they celebrate with a gathering of friends and family. Bridget surprises Lucy at the party with Miles and Rowan in tow, giving a toast to their enduring friendship. The novel concludes with Lucy happily reflecting on her relationship and feeling excited about her future.