Carley Fortune has been on a remarkable journey in recent times. Her literary career has taken an exciting turn as her novels transition from the pages of bestsellers to the screens of popular streaming platforms. With a whirlwind of activities from March to June, Fortune’s life has been a testament to her growing influence in the literary and entertainment worlds.
In March, Netflix began production on the TV adaptation of her 2026 novel This Summer Will Be Different with Fortune serving as an executive producer. Following this, in May, she published Our Perfect Storm a friends-to-lovers tale that immediately topped the New York Times bestseller list. Throughout the spring, she embarked on a 10-stop tour across the United States and Canada to promote the book. Now, she is wrapping up a press run for Every Year After the Prime Video adaptation of her debut novel Every Summer After.
From Barry’s Bay to the big screen
The novel Every Year After released in 2026, has captivated readers on BookTok and beyond. The story follows Percy, a Toronto teen who spends a summer at her family’s new lakeside cottage in Barry’s Bay, Ontario. There, she befriends her next-door neighbors, brothers Sam and Charlie. The narrative spans six summers, chronicling a romance that briefly blooms between Sam and Percy in their teens before they reconnect as adults.
Fortune’s personal connection to the story adds a layer of authenticity. Like Sam and Charlie, she grew up in Barry’s Bay. Her parents owned a restaurant, much like the boys’ mother, Sue, played by Elisha Cuthbert in the adaptation. Fortune, now 42, describes writing the book as a nostalgic experience. However, seeing the book brought to life by a team of artists and craftspeople was both surreal and humbling for her.
The art of casting and chemistry
Fortune was not involved in the casting process for Every Year After. “Casting is an art, and [it’s] not mine,” she says. However, when she was presented with a tape of Matt Cornett reading a eulogy, it brought her to tears. Later, when Cornett did a chemistry read with Sadie S
“The chemistry read between Matt and Sadie was done virtually, which is pretty common,” Fortune explains. “If you could feel it through the screen, when you put two people together, it was pretty clear that it was going to be a great, great match.”
The beloved ‘you came home’ scene
One of the most anticipated scenes from the book is the moment when Percy and Sam see each other for the first time as adults, known as the “you came home” scene. Fortune was both nervous and excited about how this pivotal moment would translate to the screen. She praises the performances of Cornett and S
Expanding the ensemble
Fortune expresses her delight in seeing secondary characters from the book given new life in the adaptation. Characters like Jordie, Delilah, and Chantal, who only appear in flashbacks or on the phone in the book, are brought to the forefront in the show. Abby Cowen’s portrayal of Delilah and Aurora Perrineau’s portrayal of Chantal have added depth and humor to the story. Fortune particularly enjoys the dynamic between Perrineau and Joseph Chiu, who plays Jordie.
Looking ahead to season 2
As the first season of Every Year After comes to a close, fans are eager to know if there will be a second season. Fortune hints at the possibility, mentioning that the idea would be to weave her second novel, One Golden Summer into a potential second season. She also points out a subtle “if you know, you know” moment in the first season where Alice takes a photo of Percy, Sam, and Charlie when she’s 17.
Fortune’s journey from bestselling author to executive producer of television adaptations is a testament to her storytelling prowess. As her novels continue to captivate audiences on the screen, her influence in the literary and entertainment worlds is sure to grow.
