Carley Fortune is enjoying a milestone year. The release of One Golden Summer has cemented her as a leading voice in contemporary romance. At the same time, her New York Times bestseller Meet Me at the Lake is set to become a Netflix film through Archewell Productions. This announcement connects the Canadian author to Prince Harry and Meghan Sussex’s expanding creative portfolio, adding Hollywood energy to her already thriving literary career.
From Barry’s Bay to Bestseller Lists
Fortune grew up in Barry’s Bay, a small Ontario lake town where writing felt out of reach. After 14 years in journalism, she made the leap into fiction with her 2022 debut Every Summer After. The lakeside love story, inspired by her hometown, sold millions of copies. It introduced readers to a vivid fictional world rich with nostalgia and emotion. Fans became invested in her characters and soon demanded more stories set in that universe.
Her latest novel returns to familiar shores. It follows Charlie Florek, the charming younger brother from her debut, and photographer Alice Everly. The story blends tender moments, sharp banter, and intimate scenes, all set against the backdrop of lake life. Drawing from experience, Fortune spends summers in Barry’s Bay without WiFi or TV, embracing the simplicity that fuels her creativity. Within days of release, One Golden Summer reached No. 2 on the New York Times Best Seller list. This success confirmed her talent for crafting romance rooted in authentic settings.
Hollywood Comes Calling
The author’s storytelling has also caught the attention of the screen. Archewell Productions previously acquired the rights to adapt Every Summer After for Amazon Prime under the title Every Year After. Archewell Productions first acquired the rights to adapt Meet Me at the Lake in 2023. In August 2025, Netflix confirmed it will distribute the feature film under its multi-year first-look deal with Archewell, with the project now in active development. Fortune described the partnership as a perfect fit, noting the personal significance of the novel’s themes, which include love, grief, and mental health. The adaptation announcement sparked global excitement, with readers eager to see her characters brought to life.
Meet Me at the Lake
by Carley Fortune
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Carley Fortune’s work is expanding from page to screen at a moment when her readership is larger than ever. With a completed 2026 novel and new ideas already taking shape, she is shaping a literary and cinematic presence that reflects both her small-town roots and her wide-reaching success.
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