What We’re Reading in May 2025
CURRENTLY READING
One Golden Summer
by Carley Fortune
I’m calling it now — this is going to be THE book of the summer. You’ll pick it up when you’re heading to the lake in June / July. Then re-read it when you’re at the beach in August. Then you’ll pick it up in late September when you’re craving those perfect summer days when life is care-free and falling in love is the easiest thing you could do… and as you turn those final pages to wish summer good-bye until next year, you’ll shed a few tears with Charlie and Alice.
Get your copy of One Golden Summer (Amazon) and read with us!
What Victoria Loved
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
@Carley, are you kidding me with Charlie?! He has so quickly topped my list of favorite MMCs ever. All of his actions are done with clear intention from his flirty banter to dressing up for a night in with Nan. I dare you not to smile when this man is on the page. I was so freaking giddy reading about him, I would’ve put a school girl to shame. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more charismatic man in my life, it’s a bit disappointing that he’s fictional.
And as great as Charlie is, I think it’s his relationship with Alice that makes him — them — all the better. As I was reading this book, I wrote a note to myself: “I’m having trouble controlling the butterflies, the flutter flies, the freaking lightning bugs dancing around my chest, my stomach. I can feel my heart squeeze. I feel the zing reach my fingertips and my toes.” Their chemistry is addicting. Not because the tension was so overwhelmingly sexual, but because it felt safe, real.
Nan says it best: This is what it looks like, what it feels like to be in the presence of two people falling in love. Finding lifelong friendship to find their forever. The innocent, fearless dive into unknowingly falling in love. Those were some of my favorite memories when I first met my husband. It was about the little moments: when we stayed up all night talking, the first time we held hands, when I was having a bad day and he just sat with me until I felt comfortable enough to share my troubles, the moment I saw him differently and realized I was in love… And I think a big reason why I’m so obsessed with reading romance novels. I think that’s why I’m so in love with this book. It’s just magic.
Read my full Sneak Peek.
Set the mood. Listen to our Summer Nights playlist (Spotify).
What the Book Club Loved
Come back at the end of the month to see how the Book Club rates One Golden Summer!
FIREWORKS & STEAM: X/5
WRITING STYLE: X/5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: X/5
THE LOVE STORY: X/5
“XX”
- READER
If You Loved One Golden Summer, You’ll Love These
ANOTHER SUMMER ROMANCE SET AT A LAKE: Just for the Summer (Part of Your World #3) by Abby Jimenez (Amazon)
Do you believe in fate? Guard your heart because Abby delivers another cute meet cute. When two people find they’ve been cursed out of love, they make a pact to see if they can break it…. but what if they were always destined to end up together? Justin is one of the best MMCs I’ve read — he’s the epitome of if he wanted to, he would and if I’m being honest, he even goes beyond that. PS: The entire Part of Your World series is adorable and I recommend it - go start from Book #1 and work your way to this gem.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.5/5
ADVENTURES WITH A GRANDPARENT: You With a View by Jessica Joyce (Amazon)
Noelle is grieving the loss of her grandmother when she discovers decades-old photographs and love letters from her gram’s past. Naturally, she turns to TikTok to help her find answers, and she’s shocked when the man’s grandson replies. She’s even more shocked when she finds out he’s none other than her high school rival, Theo. When she finally meets her grandmother’s secret love, he offers to take Noelle on the honeymoon road trip he had planned for her grandmother. The twist? Theo has to come too. This little road trip (with plenty of opportunities for one bed!!) will take you on an emotional journey.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
A SUMMER OF ADVENTURE: The Summer of Broken Rules by KL Walther (Amazon)
Step into the summer I dreamt of as a teenager in this young-adult romance. Imagine spending quality time with your favorite people at your favorite place, while playing your favorite game. This enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance has all the ingredients for the perfect summer read. I promise you will not want to leave the beach / pool / sun lounger until you’ve finished this book.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
BY THE AUTHOR: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (Amazon)
Percy and Sam’s story. If you’ve jumped straight into One Golden Summer, you might be curious to learn more about Charlie’s brother and about that photo Alice takes of the trio at the lake. Every Summer After is a beautifully written nostalgic love story that spans six years and one weekend when Sam and Percy are forced to face how their big young love fell devastatingly apart.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
