Meet Me at the Lake

By: Carley Fortune

Narrated by: AJ Bridel, Carley Fortune

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ∙ A random connection sends two strangers on a daylong adventure where they make a promise one keeps and the other breaks, with life-changing effects, in this breathtaking novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After.

Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in the city. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn’t.

At thirty-two, Fern’s life doesn’t look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern’s back home, running her mother’s lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend’s the manager, and Fern doesn’t know where to begin.

She needs a plan—a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern’s going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern’s not sure she wants to know what it is.

But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?

©2023 Carley Fortune (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Fortune explores the aftermath of losing a beloved parent and reclaiming a relationship in this unputdownable, witty, soulful and stirring novel."—GMA

“[Beautiful], charming, witty, poignant, and all the things you could want in a spring read.”—Katie Couric Media

"[A] beautiful, heart-tugging, love story about secrets, lies, missed connections and second chances. . . . [T]his novel brims with the warmth of summertime and the feeling of home. An exquisite, emotional read."—Jill Santopolo, New York Times bestselling author of Stars in an Italian Sky

“A breathtaking tale of star-crossed lovers that gripped me from page one. Meet Me At The Lake is nostalgia, summer breeze, second chances and pure heart.”—Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception

Slow story but beautiful writing

The storyline of this book is quite slow and meandering. The characters and plot could have been further developed to deepen the reader’s connection and interest. The narration performance is extremely well done, which helps tremendously. But that being said, it was worth the read because of the beautiful, descriptive writing. The author is very gifted in that regard, and I enjoyed the easy flow of her descriptions.

Hmm…

I am not a writer so I don’t know how this would be remedied, however I felt l didn’t get a chance to really empathize with the male protagonist’s situation until hearing the notes from the author. I wish there had been more hints or more clues that connected to the seriousness of his situation /condition and then a stronger wrap up so the weight clicks in better.
Had I not listened to the authors notes I would have felt a little lost and flat thinking he was just being sensitive.

I was also not in love with the narration.

But the story was sweet :) it’s a sweet summer read

Amazing story with important topics

Carley Fortune, you are an amazing human. After listening to the acknowledgments after the story, I felt SO SEEN. Thank you for addressing these important topics in this story, and for sharing your personal experiences. I realize I don’t know you, but I love you.
The story itself is just as amazing as her first novel (Every Summer After). Emotional, heartfelt, and interesting enough that I kept an ear bud in all day to finish this book! The story makes you care about the characters and you really root for them. Carley is definitely one of my favorite authors. I’ll preorder every book she releases.

Disappointed

Book was slow and anticlimactic. I really wanted to like it, but was left wanting more.

Fewer fireworks but still good

I agree with some of the other reviewers: it doesn’t have the same flare/dramatics as Every Summer After in the second half of the book, but it’s still a lovely story. The narrator had a great voice for the MCs but not so much for the secondary characters.

cute story

I very much enjoyed this book as well as the narrator. Would definitely recommend!

Sweet book

I enjoyed this booked and the narrarator was great! A few plot twists kept it interesting.

Didn’t hold my attention

Slow buildup, unrealistic dialogue, it was fine. I remember enjoying her last book, but found myself distracted during most of this without the motivation to rewind.

Love this series

Great narration by these two and a great story and loved the Knockemout book series

Love this read

Second chance romance❤️
I love this book and what it means deep down…. Love the author will read the first. Can't wait