'Every Year After' Needs To Do This One Thing To Honor The Romances
Book-to-screen adaptations always come with a bit of anxiety because the source material is generally so revered that readers don't want weighty changes. While some narrative shifts are entirely understandable considering the different mediums, bigger alterations that change character dynamics or mess with the love stories are rarely ever preferred. For instance, no Kate and Anthony fan wanted to see Anthony almost walk down the aisle with her sister Edwina in Bridgerton (2020).
Where a love triangle didn't exist in the book, the show pushed it a little too far. And now, with the release of Every Year After (2026) right around the corner, those same concerns are likely plaguing book fans with what-ifs.
There are rare instances in fiction where the love triangle isn't among the most tired tropes, and the situations make complete sense, like in Challengers (2024) and Materialists (2025). However, it's not something that's ever needed, especially with brothers. Carley Fortune's book doesn't go down this route, and we break down why the show shouldn't either when it releases on Prime Video this summer.
'Every Year After' Shouldn't Push A Love Triangle Like In 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'
Despite the fact that both adaptations are on Prime and comparisons will likely be drawn because of the beach town, friends-to-lovers arc, and, understandably, the brothers, Every Year After is nothing like The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022).
For starters, Carley Fortune's books are standalones, meaning both Every Summer After and One Golden Summer can be read without the other, though in order is always best. The first book follows Persephone "Percy" Fraser (Sadie Soverall) and Sam Florek (Matt Cornett) in a second-chance romance when she goes back to Barry's Bay for his mom's funeral.
The second—and presumably the sophomore season—should follow Charlie Florek (Michael Bradway) and Alice Everly in a slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance, a few years down the line. The role of Alice still hasn't been cast, but according to Elle, should the series secure a renewal, we'll likely be seeing their story come to life as the season will draw inspiration from One Golden Summer while still allowing Percy and Sam to stay on screen, too.
And now—the love triangle of it all. There's a moment in the first book when Percy and Charlie sleep together after Sam's absence in school briefly pushes her away, but they instantly regret it. It becomes the catalyst for Percy to leave Barry's Bay, break up with Sam, and choose not to return until the funeral. At the same time, it serves as the reason why they're all pushed toward improving themselves when the secret comes to light in the present.
In the book, Percy never goes back and forth with the Florek brothers, nor does she ever develop feelings for Charlie outside of the love she has for him as a friend. The hookup is a mere blip in their timeline, brought on by anger, frustrations, and heartaches, but it's not a choice either of them continues to make afterward, as though lost in some sort of haze. So, ultimately, here's to hoping the show doesn't push this beyond what's written in the source material.
A Love Triangle Would Ruin The Charm In 'Every Year After'
On the rare occasions when a love triangle actually gives us character growth, the trope contributes to the story's charm. The distinct inclusion of it in Challengers, for example, is exactly what makes the movie such a glorious romp when we take apart all the messy, complex human emotions all three of the main characters are battling with as they ricochet back and forth with each other. But when siblings are involved, there's no way to make it feel organic unless one of them leaves the picture at some point, and that's not the case with the Percy and Florek brothers.
A large part of the charm in the books is the memories they create in the summers they spend together. It's nostalgic and a little whimsical, and when Alice captures the photograph of them that we later learn about in One Golden Summer, it's clear to see that the deep admiration the three of them have for each other is worth preserving. Sam is the love of Percy's life, but Charlie is family, too.
The reason the hookup doesn't cause a lingering bitterness or animosity is that it means nothing. It's not a mistake they continue repeating, and if the show goes down this path, it can make things messier in a way that's unnecessary for this story. It can change their characters in a way that would feel inorganic, fabricated, and too dramatic. Plus, it's one thing to do these things when you're young, but when the characters reunite, they're long past petty high school antics.
Without an unnecessary love triangle, the show can be a glorious escape, brimming with two exceptional romances that are both special in their own way. The characters can still be complex and deeply human without a silly love triangle to sour the bonds between them.
