Fans of Carley Fortune’s beloved book Every Summer After may notice a few changes to the storylines in the adapted Prime Video show, Every Year After.
The story begins with Percy (Sadie Soverall) returning to Barry’s Bay after learning about the death of ex Sam’s (Matt Cornett) mom — and dealing with her lingering feelings for her former flame. Set in dual timelines, both the show and the book begin to unravel what went wrong with Percy and Sam’s past romance and how his brother, Charlie (Michael Bradway), plays a role in the aftermath.
While there are some alterations in the storyline (keep reading for a breakdown of the biggest moments), the Every Year After cast assured Us that the essence of the book remained the same.
“I think there’s less of things changing and more of things just being added. But I think you’re getting the actual bones of the book and the love story. I think all of the themes and the tone are the same,” Aurora Perrineau, who plays Percy’s friend Chantal in the series, exclusively told Us.
Scroll down to see more of the biggest changes in the show versus book:
Sam Not Knowing About Charlie and Percy’s Past
Perhaps the biggest alteration in the page to screen adaption was Sam not knowing about Percy’s past one-night stand with Charlie. While Percy doesn’t think Sam knows the truth in the book, he later admits that Charlie told him.
“When I was writing the book, I knew from the beginning the reason why Percy and Sam had kind of fallen apart, but it wasn’t until I got to writing the scene in which Sam and Percy are confronting that I realized Sam is known for such a long time,” Fortune explained of her process during an exclusive interview with Us. “That just felt so heartbreaking and beautiful and sad that all these years had gone by. So he’s had a lot of time to grapple with this.”
In the series, however, viewers watch a heartbreaking scene of Percy informing Sam of her brief encounter with Charlie — and a deeper wedge is thrown in their present-day relationship.
“I think what was important to Amy was showing Sam’s response to that news. You want to see things on TV. You want to see him be confronted with this,” Fortune said. “For a second season, we are going to be with Sam while he’s still grappling with this information. I think that just makes for good on-screen drama. I could get that for sure.”
The Tavern of It All
Aside from Percy and Sam’s second-chance love story, another major storyline in the series revolves around Sue (Elisha Cuthbert) leaving her Tavern establishment to an unexpected person. While the brothers assume the restaurant is being willed to them (and Charlie even has plans to sell the Tavern to Delilah, played by Abigail Cowen), a will reading reveals that Percy is the new owner.
“I was very shocked about Percy getting the Tavern. I gasped. I was not expecting that,” Fortune told Us of the change. “When I was reading the script, it kind of ends the episode with that reveal and I didn’t have the next script. I remember writing to [showrunner] Amy [B. Harris], like, ‘What is going to happen?’ It was a big shock to me.”
While initially feeling surprised, Fortune explained that the alteration “made a lot of sense” with turning the book into a show.
“It puts so much tension in the relationship between Sam and Charlie and Percy,” she said. “So I can see definitely why that made sense for this version of the story.”
Despite initially not wanting to be the new owner of the Tavern, Percy ultimately decides to keep it and revamps the restaurant. None of these events unfold in Every Summer After.
Chantal and Jordie’s Romance
While the story largely centers around Sam and Percy, viewers also get a deeper look at some of the other characters’ stories — and a budding romance between two. While Percy’s friend Chantal (Perrineau) initially is engaged, she ultimately breaks off the relationship and pursues a relationship with Sam’s friend Jordie (Joseph Chiu).
“The expansion of the characters was important for the longevity, I think, of the show — just that there’s more outlets for the characters to go. I think for Percy to have kind of someone that is like a rock for her to come to Barry’s Bay with her — which is really, I think, the biggest change for Chantal in the book, as opposed to just being on the phone,” Perrineau exclusively told Us. “But yeah, I think it’s important, also for Sam’s best friend to be more in his life while he’s navigating these things.”
In the book, Chantal does not come to Barry’s Bay — and thus, does not pursue a romance with Jordie.
Delilah’s Teenage Pregnancy and Abortion
Another story line that impacts the main characters is Delilah’s unexpected pregnancy as a teen and her abortion after learning the news. None of this occurs in the book.
The Proposals (And Lack Thereof)
Readers of the book know that Sam tries to propose to Percy when they are young, which doesn’t happen in the show. Instead, Percy finds a ring intended for Sam’s girlfriend, Taylor (Roan Curtis). But Sam doesn’t go through with the proposal and ultimately breaks up with Taylor.
Charlie Cliffhanger
While the book concludes with Sam, Percy and Charlie spreading Sue’s ashes, the show takes a sharp turn toward Charlie’s story. In one of the final scenes, Charlie is seen seemingly suffering a health emergency after uncovering a photo of the trio hanging in an office. Fans of Fortune’s novels know that the photo is taken by Alice, who is Charlie’s love interest in One Golden Summer.
“I really would love to see a second season of the show. They’re not quite there yet and I think because Sam is still kind of getting his head around what’s happened, that makes a lot of sense,” Fortune told Us of the ending. “I love how the show ends with a very clear set up for bringing One Golden Summer into the second season, which I’m most excited about.”
Every Year After is now streaming on Prime Video.
