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Our Perfect Storm
Not yet published
Expected 7 May 26Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart in this heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After and One Golden Summer.
Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. Both passionate, impulsive, and headstrong—they’ve always clashed . . . and come back together. Until now. It’s the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, and she doesn’t know where they stand or even if George will show up as her best man.
Then, at the start of the festivities, in walks George. For one glorious evening, surrounded by her loved ones, Frankie’s life is finally perfect. But it all comes crashing down when her fiancé dumps her the next morning, leaving only a note as an explanation.
Crushed and confused, Frankie returns to her family’s home to wallow. But George has a different idea and a plan for healing Frankie’s broken heart. He wants her to go on her honeymoon. With him. For one week, to the lush rainforests and misty beaches of Tofino.
Frankie agrees, seeing the trip for what it really is: one last chance to repair their friendship. Even if it means unearthing secrets and long buried feelings neither knows how to handle. Even if it means falling apart for good.
Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. Both passionate, impulsive, and headstrong—they’ve always clashed . . . and come back together. Until now. It’s the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, and she doesn’t know where they stand or even if George will show up as her best man.
Then, at the start of the festivities, in walks George. For one glorious evening, surrounded by her loved ones, Frankie’s life is finally perfect. But it all comes crashing down when her fiancé dumps her the next morning, leaving only a note as an explanation.
Crushed and confused, Frankie returns to her family’s home to wallow. But George has a different idea and a plan for healing Frankie’s broken heart. He wants her to go on her honeymoon. With him. For one week, to the lush rainforests and misty beaches of Tofino.
Frankie agrees, seeing the trip for what it really is: one last chance to repair their friendship. Even if it means unearthing secrets and long buried feelings neither knows how to handle. Even if it means falling apart for good.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 5, 2026
102 people are currently reading
226305 people want to read
About the author
Carley Fortune
7 books35.2k followersCarley Fortune is the #1 New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of Every Summer After, Meet Me at the Lake, This Summer Will Be Different, and One Golden Summer. Her next book, Our Perfect Storm, comes out May 5, 2026.
Carley's books have sold more than three-million copies and have been translated into thirty languages. Every Summer After is in production as a TV series with Amazon Prime Video.
Carley spent her young life in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, and in Barry’s Bay, a tiny lakeside town in rural Ontario. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Follow her on Instagram @carleyfortune.
Carley's books have sold more than three-million copies and have been translated into thirty languages. Every Summer After is in production as a TV series with Amazon Prime Video.
Carley spent her young life in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, and in Barry’s Bay, a tiny lakeside town in rural Ontario. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Follow her on Instagram @carleyfortune.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews
February 16, 2026
thank you so much to netgalley for providing this ARC!
i really thought i was going to love Our Perfect Storm. it has all the elements i usually enjoy, especially childhood friends to lovers, which is one of my absolute favourite tropes, and reading the synopsis literally made me giddy. i have loved the other books by this author, so i really thought it would be the same for this one, but it just didn’t fully hook me.
the concept is solid, and there are definitely emotional moments throughout, but the writing felt a bit disjointed at times. because of that, i struggled to form a strong connection with the characters. i understood what they were going through, but i didn’t always feel it. the best way i can put it, is that i feel like it was missing the ‘magic/sparkle’ that you usually get from a favourite romance.
both main characters came across as quite immature in different ways, especially our female lead (which i always hate to say). i appreciate flawed characters, but some of the choices and reactions made it harder for me to stay invested. instead of feeling swept up in their journey, i found myself feeling slightly detached.
the romance also took a while to click for me. i kept waiting for that shift where everything would fall into place emotionally, and it didn’t really happen until the very end. when it finally did, though, it was genuinely sweet and satisfying. those last moments showed the kind of tenderness and growth i had been hoping for all along.
overall, it was an enjoyable read, just not as impactful as i expected. i just felt like i was always at arm’s length from the story. if childhood friends to lovers is your thing, it might still work really well for you, it just didn’t completely land for me.
i really thought i was going to love Our Perfect Storm. it has all the elements i usually enjoy, especially childhood friends to lovers, which is one of my absolute favourite tropes, and reading the synopsis literally made me giddy. i have loved the other books by this author, so i really thought it would be the same for this one, but it just didn’t fully hook me.
the concept is solid, and there are definitely emotional moments throughout, but the writing felt a bit disjointed at times. because of that, i struggled to form a strong connection with the characters. i understood what they were going through, but i didn’t always feel it. the best way i can put it, is that i feel like it was missing the ‘magic/sparkle’ that you usually get from a favourite romance.
both main characters came across as quite immature in different ways, especially our female lead (which i always hate to say). i appreciate flawed characters, but some of the choices and reactions made it harder for me to stay invested. instead of feeling swept up in their journey, i found myself feeling slightly detached.
the romance also took a while to click for me. i kept waiting for that shift where everything would fall into place emotionally, and it didn’t really happen until the very end. when it finally did, though, it was genuinely sweet and satisfying. those last moments showed the kind of tenderness and growth i had been hoping for all along.
overall, it was an enjoyable read, just not as impactful as i expected. i just felt like i was always at arm’s length from the story. if childhood friends to lovers is your thing, it might still work really well for you, it just didn’t completely land for me.
Want to read
August 28, 2025FRIENDS TO LOVERS STAN WE WON!!🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️🤭🤭🤭
Also the cover is gorgeous, I’m in love!💜
Also the cover is gorgeous, I’m in love!💜
anticipated-books
December 17, 2025A Carly Fortune book with winter vibes and no "summer" in the title? Take my money. I was convinced the world would end in fire or ice before we got this. My frostbitten heart is ready.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m so cheerful right now because I finally found my favorite book by Carley Fortune! This one completely won my heart.
The novel is irresistible, not only because of its beautiful depiction of Tofino. The breathtaking nature, the perfect coastal estate, and those pastoral ocean views are described so vividly that they almost force you to start checking plane tickets and hotel reservations immediately. But beyond the stunning setting, the real magic of the story lies in the slow and heartfelt evolution of Frankie and George’s relationship through the years.
From the very first waltz they share, you feel something special between them. Even though it happens during a rehearsal dinner where Frankie is about to marry someone else, there is this quiet, undeniable feeling that these two people are meant to be. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s also about healing. Healing after heartbreak, picking up the scattered pieces of your life, and facing past trauma that continues to shape your future, especially when it comes to complicated family histories. The way the story approaches those emotional layers feels honest and deeply relatable.
In some ways, the premise reminded me of a more dramatic, romantic version of that famous airport moment in Friends when Ross finds Rachel and asks her to join him for the honeymoon after his wedding collapses. Rachel says yes, of course. Thankfully, in this book Frankie doesn’t actually marry Nate, and she definitely doesn’t leave George alone at the airport. But still, when your wedding is called off and you decide to leave for the honeymoon trip with your best friend, it’s pretty obvious that unresolved feelings are going to surface sooner or later. And yes, a romantic escapade is almost inevitable.
The overall direction of the plot may feel somewhat predictable, but what truly elevates the story is the beautiful intertwining of past and present. We slowly discover how Frankie and George first met when they were children, both carrying their own sadness because of family struggles. George had just lost his mother, and his father, unable to cope with the grief, sent him away to live with his grandmother. Their childhood meeting almost feels like a gender-reversed version of The Secret Garden—quiet, tender, and full of emotional discovery. Thankfully, George’s grandmother turns out to be nothing like the intimidating figure Frankie initially imagines.
Watching these two reconnect years later in one of the most stunning places on earth is incredibly satisfying. Both Frankie and George are burned out from their demanding careers, and their attempts to rebuild themselves feel realistic and grounded. Their chemistry is wonderful, and the romance that develops is sweet, gentle, and deeply endearing.
I especially loved the quieter details in the story. The whale stories Frankie’s mother used to tell her were beautiful and touching, and George’s letters absolutely melted my heart. Those moments added so much emotional depth to the narrative.
And here’s something many readers will probably appreciate: there is no cheating in this story. If you’ve had hesitations because of certain elements in some of the author’s previous books, you can relax here. This romance feels honest, comforting, and emotionally satisfying.
The ending, especially the epilogue, left me with a big smile. Honestly, I can’t think of anything negative to say about this book. All I can do is happily hand over my five stars and recommend it to every romance lover out there.
This is easily one of the best romances of the year.
So what are you waiting for? Go grab your copy!
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for sharing this highly anticipated romance with me in exchange for my honest thoughts, which I truly appreciate.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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The novel is irresistible, not only because of its beautiful depiction of Tofino. The breathtaking nature, the perfect coastal estate, and those pastoral ocean views are described so vividly that they almost force you to start checking plane tickets and hotel reservations immediately. But beyond the stunning setting, the real magic of the story lies in the slow and heartfelt evolution of Frankie and George’s relationship through the years.
From the very first waltz they share, you feel something special between them. Even though it happens during a rehearsal dinner where Frankie is about to marry someone else, there is this quiet, undeniable feeling that these two people are meant to be. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s also about healing. Healing after heartbreak, picking up the scattered pieces of your life, and facing past trauma that continues to shape your future, especially when it comes to complicated family histories. The way the story approaches those emotional layers feels honest and deeply relatable.
In some ways, the premise reminded me of a more dramatic, romantic version of that famous airport moment in Friends when Ross finds Rachel and asks her to join him for the honeymoon after his wedding collapses. Rachel says yes, of course. Thankfully, in this book Frankie doesn’t actually marry Nate, and she definitely doesn’t leave George alone at the airport. But still, when your wedding is called off and you decide to leave for the honeymoon trip with your best friend, it’s pretty obvious that unresolved feelings are going to surface sooner or later. And yes, a romantic escapade is almost inevitable.
The overall direction of the plot may feel somewhat predictable, but what truly elevates the story is the beautiful intertwining of past and present. We slowly discover how Frankie and George first met when they were children, both carrying their own sadness because of family struggles. George had just lost his mother, and his father, unable to cope with the grief, sent him away to live with his grandmother. Their childhood meeting almost feels like a gender-reversed version of The Secret Garden—quiet, tender, and full of emotional discovery. Thankfully, George’s grandmother turns out to be nothing like the intimidating figure Frankie initially imagines.
Watching these two reconnect years later in one of the most stunning places on earth is incredibly satisfying. Both Frankie and George are burned out from their demanding careers, and their attempts to rebuild themselves feel realistic and grounded. Their chemistry is wonderful, and the romance that develops is sweet, gentle, and deeply endearing.
I especially loved the quieter details in the story. The whale stories Frankie’s mother used to tell her were beautiful and touching, and George’s letters absolutely melted my heart. Those moments added so much emotional depth to the narrative.
And here’s something many readers will probably appreciate: there is no cheating in this story. If you’ve had hesitations because of certain elements in some of the author’s previous books, you can relax here. This romance feels honest, comforting, and emotionally satisfying.
The ending, especially the epilogue, left me with a big smile. Honestly, I can’t think of anything negative to say about this book. All I can do is happily hand over my five stars and recommend it to every romance lover out there.
This is easily one of the best romances of the year.
So what are you waiting for? Go grab your copy!
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for sharing this highly anticipated romance with me in exchange for my honest thoughts, which I truly appreciate.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
March 12, 2026
[arc review] this is my favourite carley fortune novel ever.
‘our perfect storm’ is a childhood friends to lovers romance that follows frankie after she’s jilted on her wedding day.
instead of letting her all expenses paid honeymoon to go to waste, frankie goes with her best friend, george—in hope they can rebuild their friendship after years of on and off contact.
I loved this. I absolutely devoured it, and I’m jealous of everyone that will get to read this for the first time. I’m even jealous of the version of me that got to read it for the first time!
one of the main driving points of this story is how we’re made to feel like we’ve got to have everything worked out by a certain age—and if we don’t, then we’ve failed.
except it’s not the end of the world if we don’t have it all worked out by 30. life is trial and error—it’s about living life the best way possible that works for you, because nobody really has it all figured out.
from the first page I was completely and utterly captivated.
the setting. the characters. the quiet yearning for years. always waiting for the best time but never getting it right. the slow burn!
the writing is immersive and captivates you in a way that carley fortune always does so well.
frankie and george are by no means perfect. both characters are deeply flawed and have their own struggles and inner demons. it’s what makes them feel so real—and as a reader, you find yourself rooting for them to work it all out.
overall this is a fantastic story that weaves between past and present so effortlessly. frankie and george have so much depth—even the side characters felt integral to the plot, and were written in a way that they slotted in so perfectly.
I’m so lucky to have gotten to read this early and I can’t wait to read it again when it’s published!
also completely unrelated side note but if this ever gets picked up to be adapted into a movie I need sarah pidgeon and david corenswet to play frankie and george.
thank you michael joseph for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
‘our perfect storm’ is a childhood friends to lovers romance that follows frankie after she’s jilted on her wedding day.
instead of letting her all expenses paid honeymoon to go to waste, frankie goes with her best friend, george—in hope they can rebuild their friendship after years of on and off contact.
I loved this. I absolutely devoured it, and I’m jealous of everyone that will get to read this for the first time. I’m even jealous of the version of me that got to read it for the first time!
one of the main driving points of this story is how we’re made to feel like we’ve got to have everything worked out by a certain age—and if we don’t, then we’ve failed.
except it’s not the end of the world if we don’t have it all worked out by 30. life is trial and error—it’s about living life the best way possible that works for you, because nobody really has it all figured out.
from the first page I was completely and utterly captivated.
the setting. the characters. the quiet yearning for years. always waiting for the best time but never getting it right. the slow burn!
the writing is immersive and captivates you in a way that carley fortune always does so well.
frankie and george are by no means perfect. both characters are deeply flawed and have their own struggles and inner demons. it’s what makes them feel so real—and as a reader, you find yourself rooting for them to work it all out.
overall this is a fantastic story that weaves between past and present so effortlessly. frankie and george have so much depth—even the side characters felt integral to the plot, and were written in a way that they slotted in so perfectly.
I’m so lucky to have gotten to read this early and I can’t wait to read it again when it’s published!
also completely unrelated side note but if this ever gets picked up to be adapted into a movie I need sarah pidgeon and david corenswet to play frankie and george.
thank you michael joseph for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Want to read
August 28, 2025Yay! We have a cover & a purple one at that 💜
Want to read
September 4, 2025a title without the word summer? 👀👀
these covers will always eat 💜
these covers will always eat 💜
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Frankie and George have been best friends since childhood, but over the years they’ve slowly begun to drift apart—so much so that Frankie isn’t even sure George will show up to her wedding as her best man. When Frankie is unexpectedly left by her fiancé the day before the ceremony, she is absolutely crushed. Lost and unsure of what comes next, she returns to her parents’ house with no plan and a broken heart.
George, determined not to let her fall apart alone, tells her they will go on her honeymoon trip to Tofino together. He’ll spend the week helping her heal, reminding her who she is beyond the life that just unraveled. Frankie agrees, hoping this trip might also be the chance they need to reconnect and save their long-fractured friendship.
This. Book.
I was so excited when I learned this story would be set in Tofino—my most favourite place on Earth—and Carley Fortune captured it perfectly. The lush rainforest, the misty beaches, the moody weather that seeps into your bones, even the Toki Doki food truck (which has since closed, and I will never be over it 😭). The setting isn’t just a backdrop; it feels alive, echoing the grief, longing, and emotional uncertainty Frankie is moving through. Tofino becomes a place of reckoning, healing, and quiet transformation.
What I wasn’t expecting was how deeply I would fall in love with George and Frankie. Their connection feels intimate in the way only long-standing friendships can—built on shared memories, inside jokes, and a deep understanding that doesn’t need constant explanation. The chemistry between them is undeniable, rooted in familiarity rather than fantasy. The yearning, the restraint, the history between them had me completely undone. I might even love them more than Percy and Sam, which is something I truly never thought I would say.
I also really appreciated how honest this book is about the messiness of real life. It explores how complicated it can be to become a young mother, to have your career dreams altered or cut short, and to grieve the version of your life you once imagined. It acknowledges how disorienting it can be to reach your 30s without clear answers, and how waiting for the “perfect timing” often means waiting forever. These themes felt deeply human and handled with so much care and compassion.
Despite the emotional depth, this book was incredibly easy and enchanting to read. Carley Fortune’s writing is tender, immersive, and quietly devastating in the best way. I devoured this in a single afternoon, unable to put it down, and found myself thinking about Frankie and George long after I turned the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was an absolute privilege to read.
____________________________
I’m now completely devastated that I didn’t have a childhood best friend who was secretly in love with me for almost our entire friendship.
For the record, I’m married to the love of my life. Carley Fortune, explain yourself.
____________________
How did I get approved for this ARC?!?!
*cue internal (and some external) screaming *
George, determined not to let her fall apart alone, tells her they will go on her honeymoon trip to Tofino together. He’ll spend the week helping her heal, reminding her who she is beyond the life that just unraveled. Frankie agrees, hoping this trip might also be the chance they need to reconnect and save their long-fractured friendship.
This. Book.
I was so excited when I learned this story would be set in Tofino—my most favourite place on Earth—and Carley Fortune captured it perfectly. The lush rainforest, the misty beaches, the moody weather that seeps into your bones, even the Toki Doki food truck (which has since closed, and I will never be over it 😭). The setting isn’t just a backdrop; it feels alive, echoing the grief, longing, and emotional uncertainty Frankie is moving through. Tofino becomes a place of reckoning, healing, and quiet transformation.
What I wasn’t expecting was how deeply I would fall in love with George and Frankie. Their connection feels intimate in the way only long-standing friendships can—built on shared memories, inside jokes, and a deep understanding that doesn’t need constant explanation. The chemistry between them is undeniable, rooted in familiarity rather than fantasy. The yearning, the restraint, the history between them had me completely undone. I might even love them more than Percy and Sam, which is something I truly never thought I would say.
I also really appreciated how honest this book is about the messiness of real life. It explores how complicated it can be to become a young mother, to have your career dreams altered or cut short, and to grieve the version of your life you once imagined. It acknowledges how disorienting it can be to reach your 30s without clear answers, and how waiting for the “perfect timing” often means waiting forever. These themes felt deeply human and handled with so much care and compassion.
Despite the emotional depth, this book was incredibly easy and enchanting to read. Carley Fortune’s writing is tender, immersive, and quietly devastating in the best way. I devoured this in a single afternoon, unable to put it down, and found myself thinking about Frankie and George long after I turned the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was an absolute privilege to read.
____________________________
I’m now completely devastated that I didn’t have a childhood best friend who was secretly in love with me for almost our entire friendship.
For the record, I’m married to the love of my life. Carley Fortune, explain yourself.
____________________
How did I get approved for this ARC?!?!
*cue internal (and some external) screaming *
Want to read
January 28, 2026Yay! Can’t wait 💜
Just pre-ordered!
Just pre-ordered!
Want to read
August 31, 2025 ☀︎༄.° pre-release:
OMG. OMG MS CARLEY DO NOT PLAY W ME RN. IM SCREAMINGGG THIS LOOKS SO GOOD (the cover too. i’m in shambles.)😭😭🫶🏻🫶🏻
OMG. OMG MS CARLEY DO NOT PLAY W ME RN. IM SCREAMINGGG THIS LOOKS SO GOOD (the cover too. i’m in shambles.)😭😭🫶🏻🫶🏻
Want to read
August 23, 2025what’s a girl got to do to get an arc?
Want to read
December 19, 2025Friends to lovers?! Okay, I'm definitely reading this. Is it too much to ask for another Barry's Bay, Charlie Florek and Alice Everly? 🫢
February 8, 2026
thank you to netgalley & penguin random house canada for the arc 🫶🏼🤍
4.5/5 stars !!!
THIS BOOK SUCKED ME IN!!!! i binged 70% in two sittings which is so good for me rn with contemp romances!!!!! Carley, the woman that you are wow.
This had so many aspects to make an enticing romance:
1. the setting. Being Canadian and having this set in Tofino was fucking perfect. I have never been to Tofino but hearing of all the familiar places & learning about its culture and history was amazing. I felt like we were there with the characters. I loved the week they spent there and their itinerary. Even besides this, the whole setting of their childhood homes was also so atmospheric.
2. The formatting. Told in past and present, it reveled information and built their connect PERFECTLY, and it wasn’t too drawn out in the past chapters. I loved getting bits of their childhood and the span of their relationship (it’s childhood friends to lovers done RIGHT!!!!)
3. George. WHAT A CUTIE PIE!!! he literally was perfect. Each character is flawed and has their own issues to work through, including parental death & abandonment, and i enjoyed the exploration of both. (i just wish his name was george..)
4. Bingability. LOVE LOVE LOVE how easy this was to read, short chapters, and you never wanted to put it down.
Another important topic of the book was whales, as Frankie’s mom loves whales, and it plays into their relationships history. I loved learning more about this in increments.
This is just overall an amazing amazing new release from Carley Fortune and I am so excited for everyone to read and scream about this one.
4.5/5 stars !!!
THIS BOOK SUCKED ME IN!!!! i binged 70% in two sittings which is so good for me rn with contemp romances!!!!! Carley, the woman that you are wow.
This had so many aspects to make an enticing romance:
1. the setting. Being Canadian and having this set in Tofino was fucking perfect. I have never been to Tofino but hearing of all the familiar places & learning about its culture and history was amazing. I felt like we were there with the characters. I loved the week they spent there and their itinerary. Even besides this, the whole setting of their childhood homes was also so atmospheric.
2. The formatting. Told in past and present, it reveled information and built their connect PERFECTLY, and it wasn’t too drawn out in the past chapters. I loved getting bits of their childhood and the span of their relationship (it’s childhood friends to lovers done RIGHT!!!!)
3. George. WHAT A CUTIE PIE!!! he literally was perfect. Each character is flawed and has their own issues to work through, including parental death & abandonment, and i enjoyed the exploration of both. (i just wish his name was george..)
4. Bingability. LOVE LOVE LOVE how easy this was to read, short chapters, and you never wanted to put it down.
Another important topic of the book was whales, as Frankie’s mom loves whales, and it plays into their relationships history. I loved learning more about this in increments.
This is just overall an amazing amazing new release from Carley Fortune and I am so excited for everyone to read and scream about this one.
January 10, 2026
Pour yourself a glass of Gewürztraminer, grab your credit card, and have your passport and travel planner ready because you will be planning a trip to Tofino when you are done reading this beautiful book.
This is my new favourite. The writing is rich, the descriptions are perfectly painted, and the story is emotionally resonant. I can’t get enough of Frankie and George. If you are a fan of Little Women and have always cheered for Laurie, this book is for you.
Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. These are two people who really know each other. When you see them in a room, you can only assume that they are a couple, but that’s not the case. Toward the end of their twenties, life has kind of gotten in the way of their friendship. Frankie is about to be wed, but her fiancé leaves her completely shattered with nothing but a note saying he can’t marry her. How can she recover from the pain of this breakup? By attending the honeymoon in Tofino, with George, and reconnecting/repairing their friendship after being apart for too long.
We live in a society that makes you feel like you need to have your life figured out by the time you reach your thirties. One of my key takeaways from this story is that it’s okay if you don’t have it figured out. In fact, it’s okay to start all over, try something completely new, and suck at it.
The pacing of this book is very balanced. We have our fast moments of adventure, our slower moments that allow for reflection, and chapters that are so purposeful you can’t help but feel completely satisfied. Usually, when I finish a book I love, I say, “My only critique is that I need more,” but with this, I don’t need to. The story is complete. It is perfect as it is.
Unfiltered thoughts:
- BIG LOVE to Kevin. 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
- Aurora, the bestie who loves love. Girl, I see you. I, too, want to analyze every interaction and conversation my friends have when they’re dating.
- If I had a shot for every time the Kawarathas were mentioned… (I live in the Kawartha’s, so this is exciting and I’d be happily drunk)
- A Peterborough & Lakefield mention?? Carley, did you write this specifically for me? 😍
- The characters are my exact age, making everything feel so close to home
- Page 222! Mrs. Fortune brings HEAT, DESIRE & TEASING in the best possible way.
Thank you SO much to Penguin Random House Canada | Viking for the advanced reader copy. ❤️
This is my new favourite. The writing is rich, the descriptions are perfectly painted, and the story is emotionally resonant. I can’t get enough of Frankie and George. If you are a fan of Little Women and have always cheered for Laurie, this book is for you.
Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. These are two people who really know each other. When you see them in a room, you can only assume that they are a couple, but that’s not the case. Toward the end of their twenties, life has kind of gotten in the way of their friendship. Frankie is about to be wed, but her fiancé leaves her completely shattered with nothing but a note saying he can’t marry her. How can she recover from the pain of this breakup? By attending the honeymoon in Tofino, with George, and reconnecting/repairing their friendship after being apart for too long.
We live in a society that makes you feel like you need to have your life figured out by the time you reach your thirties. One of my key takeaways from this story is that it’s okay if you don’t have it figured out. In fact, it’s okay to start all over, try something completely new, and suck at it.
The pacing of this book is very balanced. We have our fast moments of adventure, our slower moments that allow for reflection, and chapters that are so purposeful you can’t help but feel completely satisfied. Usually, when I finish a book I love, I say, “My only critique is that I need more,” but with this, I don’t need to. The story is complete. It is perfect as it is.
Unfiltered thoughts:
- BIG LOVE to Kevin. 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
- Aurora, the bestie who loves love. Girl, I see you. I, too, want to analyze every interaction and conversation my friends have when they’re dating.
- If I had a shot for every time the Kawarathas were mentioned… (I live in the Kawartha’s, so this is exciting and I’d be happily drunk)
- A Peterborough & Lakefield mention?? Carley, did you write this specifically for me? 😍
- The characters are my exact age, making everything feel so close to home
- Page 222! Mrs. Fortune brings HEAT, DESIRE & TEASING in the best possible way.
Thank you SO much to Penguin Random House Canada | Viking for the advanced reader copy. ❤️
March 3, 2026
5 stars!
Another absolute banger of a book from Carley Fortune!!! This one packs an emotional punch and feels more mature(?) ((for lack of better words)) than her others, which I feel like elevated the reading experience alongside so many critical plot points!!
This book felt so raw and real. This book follows childhood best friends after the main character, Frankie's fiance breaks off their wedding days before. It gripped me from the beginning. The whole book, I was eager to learn more and get to the next chapter. You can tell Carley put a lot of love and thought into this book, especially with the focus on both the Canadian Wildfires in 2023 and the North Atlantic right whales. It truly feels like this book means a lot to her, and you can feel it in the story and characters.
I have always adored how realistic Carley's characters are and the romance between them. This book is no different; without spoiling too much, Frankie and George stole my heart and really pulled on my heartstrings. It was such a beautiful story about loving someone so deeply and how that ties into self-love.
Thank you SO MUCH to Berkley and Netgalley for the early copy of this book. I am so happy I was able to read this book early. Truly my most anticipated release this year and it lived up to that!!! This comes out May 5th, mark your calendars!!!!!!!!
Another absolute banger of a book from Carley Fortune!!! This one packs an emotional punch and feels more mature(?) ((for lack of better words)) than her others, which I feel like elevated the reading experience alongside so many critical plot points!!
This book felt so raw and real. This book follows childhood best friends after the main character, Frankie's fiance breaks off their wedding days before. It gripped me from the beginning. The whole book, I was eager to learn more and get to the next chapter. You can tell Carley put a lot of love and thought into this book, especially with the focus on both the Canadian Wildfires in 2023 and the North Atlantic right whales. It truly feels like this book means a lot to her, and you can feel it in the story and characters.
I have always adored how realistic Carley's characters are and the romance between them. This book is no different; without spoiling too much, Frankie and George stole my heart and really pulled on my heartstrings. It was such a beautiful story about loving someone so deeply and how that ties into self-love.
Thank you SO MUCH to Berkley and Netgalley for the early copy of this book. I am so happy I was able to read this book early. Truly my most anticipated release this year and it lived up to that!!! This comes out May 5th, mark your calendars!!!!!!!!
Want to read
August 29, 2025OMG SO EXCITED IM SAT 🎉☺️
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Want to read
November 2, 2025Carley look into the ball 🔮… it’s saying I’m destined to get the arc
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved it!
I love her writing style and I just fell in love with all the characters of this book.
It's so cute and so sweet and just the right amount of drama.
Everyone one can see they are in love except her and I was screaming at her! When I got to 60% I was so angry at her I wanted to smack her I had to take a break and text my friend who had also been approved for an ARC because she was the only one who knew what I was going through!
If you loved her other books you love this one too and if you need to angry text someone when you get to 60% find me on Bookstagram 😘
I love her writing style and I just fell in love with all the characters of this book.
It's so cute and so sweet and just the right amount of drama.
Everyone one can see they are in love except her and I was screaming at her! When I got to 60% I was so angry at her I wanted to smack her I had to take a break and text my friend who had also been approved for an ARC because she was the only one who knew what I was going through!
If you loved her other books you love this one too and if you need to angry text someone when you get to 60% find me on Bookstagram 😘
January 10, 2026
Carley Fortune has been hit or miss for me in the past but boy did she knock it out of the park with this one.
One thing Fortune excels at is how detailed and real her settings feel. And sure they are based on real experiences but it still takes a lot of skill to make a reader feel like they’re there like she does. Her characters are also three dimensional, especially with Frankie and George.
I loved everything about this story and it reminded me why I am such a fan of the romance genre. It will make you feel allllll of the emotions and I can’t recommend this enough!
So grateful to @penguinrandomhouse for my advanced copy.
One thing Fortune excels at is how detailed and real her settings feel. And sure they are based on real experiences but it still takes a lot of skill to make a reader feel like they’re there like she does. Her characters are also three dimensional, especially with Frankie and George.
I loved everything about this story and it reminded me why I am such a fan of the romance genre. It will make you feel allllll of the emotions and I can’t recommend this enough!
So grateful to @penguinrandomhouse for my advanced copy.
Want to read
August 23, 2025๋ · ˚ 🖇️ ⊹ ⌇ pre-read. ⋆
new carley book?!?!? this is about to be amazinnggggg , i really enjoyed my last read by her, so this is going to be super fun <3
p.s. i REALLY would not mind a arc...i mean , it must be a HUGE burden for you guys...
new carley book?!?!? this is about to be amazinnggggg , i really enjoyed my last read by her, so this is going to be super fun <3
p.s. i REALLY would not mind a arc...i mean , it must be a HUGE burden for you guys...
September 8, 2025
Carley Fortune really knows how to write romance that just sweeps you away. This one had all the emotions, the chemistry, and the kind of characters you can’t help but root for. The writing felt effortless and pulled me right into the story, and there were so many moments that made me grin like crazy.
It’s one of those books that makes you feel everything all at once—sweet, funny, heartfelt, and a little bit swoony in the best way. Totally the kind of story you want to curl up with and get lost in.
It’s one of those books that makes you feel everything all at once—sweet, funny, heartfelt, and a little bit swoony in the best way. Totally the kind of story you want to curl up with and get lost in.
kindle-tbr
December 19, 2025harcover release... kill me
edit: arc received tho teehee ty
edit: arc received tho teehee ty
Want to read
September 24, 2025give it to me please Carley
March 21, 2026
5 ☆
Thank you so much Penguin Random House for the eARC.
Talk about a book that pulls you head first into a story where it seems that the only people who exist in the world are Frankie and George. Every moment was doused in yearning, pining, and adoration. The perfect depiction of an effervescent, all-consuming love. I truly haven’t read a romance book in such a long time where it seems like the two main character’s were made from the bones of each other’s being. The chokehold I had page one meeting Frankie’s vivacious heart and George’s eager and hopeful personality in the prologue as children, I knew I was done for.
Having met at a young age as neighbors, this is a story that has so much history and depth. They are best friends, they know the ins and outs of each other lives like no one else. This book is not only my new favorite Carley Fortune book, but has easily solidified itself in my top 5 romances I’ve ever read. It absolutely nailed the friends to lovers. In the 400 pages there was never a dull moment or a break in pacing. Lightly inspired by moments from Little Women (which is one of my favorite stories and movies), I was bursting at the glimmers of that classic being intertwined with Carley’s book. It’s not a retelling, Our Perfect Storm holds its own with its own unique roots that trail you along a vast stretch of learning to love your loud side without watering down to fit the mold of who other people want you to be and taking risks at laying your heart’s truth out in the open.
When Frankie gets left with a note the day before her wedding calling it off, after regaining some of her footing, Frankie and George decide to go to Tofino and live out her honeymoon she never got as a way to heal and process. The way George plans out everything and did research to try and help Frankie with her healing had me so emotional. He loves so softly and passionately. The setting was intimate, immersive, and flew off the page. With vivid details, and at the heart, the depiction of the healing element of nature, I am now desperately wanting to book a trip to Tofino and live out the week that was written out for them.
The flashbacks, the letters, the memories and stories that were shared really help humanize these characters that made them feel more than just a figment of my imagination. I’m going to love this book so loudly and talk about it nonstop. I can’t wait for the release so it can meet the hands of all different readers who i know for certain will see parts of themselves within the intricacies of George and Frankie.
Carly Fortune THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRILLIANT MIND!! I will carry this story with me and be rereading it again so soon.
Thank you so much Penguin Random House for the eARC.
Talk about a book that pulls you head first into a story where it seems that the only people who exist in the world are Frankie and George. Every moment was doused in yearning, pining, and adoration. The perfect depiction of an effervescent, all-consuming love. I truly haven’t read a romance book in such a long time where it seems like the two main character’s were made from the bones of each other’s being. The chokehold I had page one meeting Frankie’s vivacious heart and George’s eager and hopeful personality in the prologue as children, I knew I was done for.
Having met at a young age as neighbors, this is a story that has so much history and depth. They are best friends, they know the ins and outs of each other lives like no one else. This book is not only my new favorite Carley Fortune book, but has easily solidified itself in my top 5 romances I’ve ever read. It absolutely nailed the friends to lovers. In the 400 pages there was never a dull moment or a break in pacing. Lightly inspired by moments from Little Women (which is one of my favorite stories and movies), I was bursting at the glimmers of that classic being intertwined with Carley’s book. It’s not a retelling, Our Perfect Storm holds its own with its own unique roots that trail you along a vast stretch of learning to love your loud side without watering down to fit the mold of who other people want you to be and taking risks at laying your heart’s truth out in the open.
When Frankie gets left with a note the day before her wedding calling it off, after regaining some of her footing, Frankie and George decide to go to Tofino and live out her honeymoon she never got as a way to heal and process. The way George plans out everything and did research to try and help Frankie with her healing had me so emotional. He loves so softly and passionately. The setting was intimate, immersive, and flew off the page. With vivid details, and at the heart, the depiction of the healing element of nature, I am now desperately wanting to book a trip to Tofino and live out the week that was written out for them.
The flashbacks, the letters, the memories and stories that were shared really help humanize these characters that made them feel more than just a figment of my imagination. I’m going to love this book so loudly and talk about it nonstop. I can’t wait for the release so it can meet the hands of all different readers who i know for certain will see parts of themselves within the intricacies of George and Frankie.
Carly Fortune THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRILLIANT MIND!! I will carry this story with me and be rereading it again so soon.
February 17, 2026
Friends to lovers done so damn well! This might actually be one of the most romantic books I’ve read in a very long time. George Saint James is swoon worthy. But he’s also flawed in all the right ways. This book shows how we go through so much in our lifetimes and how life can be scary and complicated. And that it’s ok if you aren’t where you thought you’d be in your 30s. I literally could relate to that wholeheartedly and it was a good reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out all the time.
And oh my gosh can Carley bring the environment to life! This book had me feeling like I was there in Tofino with them.
Frankie is such a layered character too and filled with so much emotional uncertainty. And you see and feel it from the prologue. I truly loved both of these characters, their growth, their emotions, their history, their yearning - OMG THE YEARNING! It was palpable. and to be honest I didn’t think anyone could top how I felt about Charlie and Alice. But here we are. And really, I guess I can’t say Frankie and George are better. They’re not. They’re equals in my opinion because they are both so different and each couple has their own incredible story. I can’t compare them. I just know that I love them both.
I don’t know how Carley does it, but this book is truly perfection to me. I know I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
Random thoughts while reading:
“Oh she is so in love and she doesn’t even see it”
“I can’t believe I’m crying over a whale right now”
“This makes me miss my mom so much”
“I want to be friends with Kevin”
“I want to be friends with all of them”
“I wish I could buy a Frankie cookbook”
And oh my gosh can Carley bring the environment to life! This book had me feeling like I was there in Tofino with them.
Frankie is such a layered character too and filled with so much emotional uncertainty. And you see and feel it from the prologue. I truly loved both of these characters, their growth, their emotions, their history, their yearning - OMG THE YEARNING! It was palpable. and to be honest I didn’t think anyone could top how I felt about Charlie and Alice. But here we are. And really, I guess I can’t say Frankie and George are better. They’re not. They’re equals in my opinion because they are both so different and each couple has their own incredible story. I can’t compare them. I just know that I love them both.
I don’t know how Carley does it, but this book is truly perfection to me. I know I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
Random thoughts while reading:
“Oh she is so in love and she doesn’t even see it”
“I can’t believe I’m crying over a whale right now”
“This makes me miss my mom so much”
“I want to be friends with Kevin”
“I want to be friends with all of them”
“I wish I could buy a Frankie cookbook”
March 16, 2026
I think this is my new favourite Carley Fortune book 💜
It was my most anticipated ARC and I saved it until I was in Tofino which made the read even better.
“Our friendship is the fire. I think we’re giving it oxygen.”
The story is about the epic friendship of Frankie and George. Starting when they’re 8 and continuing into their 30s, Our Perfect Storm seamlessly switches between timelines and paints a beautiful picture of how deep their connection really is.
Of course I also have a soft spot for Canadian settings and the Vancouver Island descriptions were perfect.
Thank you for the ARC NetGalley & Penguin Random House!
It was my most anticipated ARC and I saved it until I was in Tofino which made the read even better.
“Our friendship is the fire. I think we’re giving it oxygen.”
The story is about the epic friendship of Frankie and George. Starting when they’re 8 and continuing into their 30s, Our Perfect Storm seamlessly switches between timelines and paints a beautiful picture of how deep their connection really is.
Of course I also have a soft spot for Canadian settings and the Vancouver Island descriptions were perfect.
Thank you for the ARC NetGalley & Penguin Random House!
March 28, 2026
honestly this might be my favorite carley fortune book ever🥹 i'm a sucker for childhood best friends to lovers, and this was executed soso well! now i fear i need to go to tofino this summer🤩
November 27, 2025
Carley Fortune does not miss.
January 20, 2026
This is a book that would work really well as a movie, I could picture it playing out in my head vividly while reading. I loved the tension and complexity in the relationship between the characters. For someone who doesn’t read romance too often I had a good time reading this!
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