One Sentence Summary
A coming-of-age story set in the 1990s about two sisters facing family secrets and their own struggles amidst the backdrop of a tumultuous summer in Ontario.
Book Genre
Fiction
Main Topic of the Book
Family dynamics, sisterhood, and personal growth.
Key Ideas
- The importance of family and sisterhood in shaping one’s identity.
- The impact of the past on the present and the need to confront family secrets.
- The struggle to find one’s place in the world and the complex relationships between friends, siblings, and parents.
- How societal issues such as racism, homophobia, and gender inequality can affect individuals and their relationships.
Main Parts of the Book and Short Summary
Part 1: The Beginning of Summer
We are introduced to sisters Celia and Anya, who are spending the summer at their family’s lakeside cottage in Ontario, Canada. Celia, the older sister, is dealing with the aftermath of a failed relationship and avoiding facing her past. Anya, the younger sister, is struggling with her identity and feeling lost in the shadow of her sister’s accomplishments.
Part 2: Secrets and Conflicts
As the summer progresses, tensions rise between the sisters and their parents, who are dealing with their own marital problems. Celia is forced to confront a painful secret she has been keeping from Anya, while Anya struggles with her growing feelings for her best friend, Finn, and her complicated relationship with their new neighbor, Tom.
Part 3: The Truth Comes Out
As the end of summer approaches, long-buried family secrets come to light, causing upheaval and forcing the sisters to confront their past and their own insecurities. Celia must make a difficult decision about her future, and Anya discovers the truth about her parents’ marriage and their impact on her own relationships.
Part 4: The Summer Ends
In the final days of summer, Celia and Anya come to terms with their past and make peace with their present. They also learn the importance of forgiveness and the power of sisterhood in overcoming life’s challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Family secrets can have a lasting impact and must be addressed to move forward.
- Personal growth and self-discovery often come with facing difficult truths.
- Sisterhood and the support of loved ones is crucial in navigating life’s challenges.
- Current social issues can affect and shape personal relationships.
- Forgiveness and acceptance are key in finding closure and moving on.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Carley Fortune is a Canadian author and journalist. She has written for various publications, including The Toronto Star, The National Post, and Chatelaine Magazine. She has a degree in journalism from Ryerson University and her debut novel, Every Summer After, was a finalist for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize.
Target Audience
Every Summer After is targeted towards young adults and adult readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories, family dramas, and stories about sisterhood and personal growth.
Publisher and First Publication Date
Harlequin Teen, June 1, 2021 (First Publication)