By Book Club Team 
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune is a heartfelt second-chance romance about love, fate, and the passage of time. Fern Brookbanks spent one unforgettable day with Will Baxter when she was 22, filled with deep conversations, undeniable chemistry, and a promise to meet again in a year. But Will never showed up. Almost a decade later, Fern is struggling to keep her late mother’s lakeside resort afloat when Will unexpectedly reappears—offering to help. As old feelings resurface, Fern must decide if she can trust the man who once broke her heart. Set against the backdrop of a charming lakeside retreat, this novel explores love, loss, and the power of taking risks.
| Author | Carley Fortune |
| Publication date | May 2, 2023 |
| Goodreads Rating | 3,69 |
| Page count | 336 pages |
| Genres | Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Chick Lit, Second Chance, Canada, Adult Fiction |
Meet Me at the Lake Summary
Fern Brookbanks and Will Baxter meet by chance in Toronto when they are both 22. They spend an entire, magical day together—exploring the city, sharing their dreams, and forming an undeniable connection. By the end of the day, they make a promise: to meet again in one year at her family’s lakeside resort. But Will never shows up.
Now, almost a decade later, Fern is 32 and reluctantly managing her late mother’s resort, which is struggling financially. She feels stuck, burdened by grief and responsibility, and uncertain about the future. Then, out of nowhere, Will returns—offering his expertise to help save the business.
Despite the years and the heartbreak, the chemistry between them is still there. But Fern is wary. Why did Will disappear all those years ago? And why is he back now? As they work together to revive the resort, secrets unravel, old wounds resurface, and Fern must decide if she’s willing to take a second chance on the man who once let her down.
Past Timeline (Ten Years Ago – Age 22)
Fern Brookbanks, a recent college graduate, meets Will Baxter by chance in Toronto. They are both young, full of dreams, and at a crossroads in their lives. Will is an aspiring artist with a mysterious and somewhat troubled past, while Fern is still figuring out her future, torn between following her mother’s path and carving her own.
The two spend an entire, serendipitous day together exploring the city, sharing their secrets, fears, and ambitions. They connect deeply, forming an instant and undeniable bond. By the end of the day, they make a promise: to meet again in one year at her family’s lakeside resort in Muskoka. This planned reunion feels like a symbol of hope, a future possibility that neither of them wants to let go of.
But when the time comes, Will never shows up. He disappears from Fern’s life without explanation, leaving her heartbroken and wondering what could have been.
Present Timeline (Ten Years Later – Age 32)
Fern is no longer the carefree girl she was at 22. Life has been tough—her mother, Maggie, has passed away, leaving Fern to take over the family’s lakeside resort, a job she never truly wanted. She had always dreamed of a different life, maybe running a bookstore in the city, but now she feels trapped by obligation. The resort is struggling financially, and she’s under immense pressure to keep it afloat.
Then, out of nowhere, Will returns. He arrives at the resort, offering his business expertise to help save it. But Fern is both shocked and furious—where has he been all these years? Why now? She wants to know what happened, but at the same time, she doesn’t want to reopen old wounds.
Will is different from the man she met years ago. He’s no longer the carefree artist but a successful businessman. He seems more guarded, more mature, but also weighed down by something. There are secrets he isn’t sharing, and Fern can sense it.
Despite her reservations, Fern reluctantly allows Will to help with the resort. As they work together, old feelings resurface, but so do unanswered questions. Fern struggles between her lingering attraction to him and her lingering resentment. She’s torn—can she trust him again?
As they spend more time together, the truth begins to unravel. Why didn’t Will meet her all those years ago? He carries a past burden that he has kept hidden, something that made him believe he wasn’t good enough for her, that she was better off without him.
Emotional Climax & Resolution
Fern is forced to confront her own fears—about love, about the resort, and about the choices she has made in life. Will, in turn, must come to terms with his past and prove that he is ready to be the man she deserves.
In the end, Fern must decide: Can she forgive Will for breaking her heart? And more importantly, is she willing to take a leap of faith and open herself up to love again?
As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Meet Me at the Lake is more than just a second-chance romance—it’s a story about growth, healing, and the choices that define our lives.
Would you like me to include details about the ending, or do you prefer to leave it as a surprise?
Ending of Meet Me at the Lake Explained
After finally learning the truth—that Will disappeared ten years ago because he was struggling with addiction and believed he wasn’t good enough for her—Fern is torn between heartbreak and understanding. While she still loves him, she isn’t sure if she can fully trust him again. At the same time, she realizes she has spent years feeling trapped at the lakeside resort, running it out of obligation rather than passion. In the end, she chooses to step back and create a life that truly makes her happy, no longer weighed down by guilt or expectations. As for Will, she doesn’t take him back instantly, but they decide to move forward slowly, giving their love a second chance—this time with honesty, growth, and no missed opportunities. The ending is hopeful, showing that love can endure, but only when both people choose it for the right reasons.
Is Meet Me at the Lake Book Spicy?
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune has some spice, but it’s more of a slow-burn, emotional romance rather than a steamy, explicit read. There are intimate moments between Fern and Will, but they are written with a more romantic and heartfelt tone rather than being overly detailed or graphic. The book focuses more on emotional connection, longing, and tension rather than explicit spice.
Meet Me at the Lake: Age Rating
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune is best suited for ages 16 and up due to its mature themes, emotional depth, and some mild spice.
Meet Me at the Lake: Reviews
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune has garnered a range of reviews from readers and critics. On Goodreads, it holds an average rating of 3.69 out of 5, based on over 288,000 ratings and 26,000 reviews.
Positive Feedback:
- Emotional Depth: Many readers appreciate the novel’s exploration of themes like grief, personal growth, and second chances. The authentic portrayal of Fern’s journey resonates with those who value character-driven stories.
- Atmospheric Setting: The lakeside resort setting is often highlighted for its vivid and immersive description, adding a nostalgic and summery feel to the narrative.
Constructive Critiques:
- Pacing and Structure: Some readers feel that the dual timeline and pacing can be uneven, with certain parts of the story feeling slower or less engaging.
- Character Development: A few reviewers mention a desire for deeper exploration into Will’s character and motivations, feeling that more insight could have strengthened the romantic connection.
Overall Impression:
While Meet Me at the Lake has received mixed reviews, it continues to be a popular choice for readers seeking a heartfelt summer romance that delves into themes of love, loss, and personal discovery.
Meet Me at the Lake Characters
- Fern Brookbanks: The protagonist, Fern, is a 32-year-old woman who feels stuck running her late mother’s lakeside resort, despite having dreams of a different life. Ten years ago, she spent an unforgettable day with Will and made a promise to meet him again—but he never showed. She struggles with grief, self-doubt, and obligation, feeling torn between duty and her own happiness. Throughout the novel, she must decide whether to forgive Will and take a chance on love again while also choosing the life she truly wants.
- Will Baxter: Will is mysterious, artistic, and deeply flawed, having struggled with addiction and personal demons in the past. When he met Fern a decade ago, they had an undeniable connection, but he failed to meet her as promised. Now a successful businessman, he returns to Fern’s resort with an offer to help save it, though he carries secrets about his past and why he disappeared. Will must prove that he has changed and that he is finally ready to be the man Fern deserves.
- Maggie Brookbanks: Fern’s late mother, who was the heart and soul of the lakeside resort. Her passing left Fern with a sense of responsibility and guilt, as she feels obligated to continue her mother’s legacy despite her own uncertain dreams. Even though she is gone, her presence is felt throughout the novel as Fern reflects on their complicated relationship.
- Jamie: Fern’s ex-boyfriend and childhood friend, who has always been reliable and stable. He represents the safe, predictable choice in contrast to Will’s more passionate and unpredictable nature. Though they are no longer together, he still plays a role in Fern’s life, offering her a different perspective on love and security.
- Whitney: Fern’s best friend, who provides humor and emotional support throughout the novel. She encourages Fern to step out of her comfort zone and pursue her own happiness.