'Every Year After' changes more than fans may expect from 'Every Summer After'

Prime Video’s Every Year After may follow the same emotional premise as Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel Every Summer After, but the adaptation introduces several major changes that set it apart from the source material.

One of the biggest differences is the setting. While the novel takes place in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, the series relocates the story to British Columbia. Percy’s hometown also changes from Toronto to Seattle.

The show significantly alters Percy’s career as well. Instead of working as a senior editor at a home décor magazine, she is portrayed as an obituary writer, highlighting how deeply her past continues to affect her present-day life.

Percy and Sam’s romance has also been reworked. Their first kiss, which occurs after a movie night in the novel, is moved to the anatomy scene in the series. Meanwhile, several supporting characters receive expanded storylines.

Chantal, who plays a relatively minor role in the book, becomes a much larger presence in the show and is given a new romance with Jordie. Delilah’s character is also transformed, with the adaptation depicting her in a troubled marriage and involved in an affair with Charlie. The series additionally hints at a possible queer storyline for Delilah, something not explored in the novel.

Another major change involves Sue Florek. The adaptation deepens her bond with Percy and ultimately has Percy inherit The Tavern after Sue’s death, creating new tensions between Percy, Sam and Charlie.

Perhaps the most significant alteration concerns Percy and Charlie’s relationship. In the novel, Percy cheats on Sam with Charlie. In the series, however, Sam breaks up with Percy before the encounter takes place, making the situation less morally complicated for the protagonist.

The timing of Sam learning the truth is different too. In Every Summer After, he discovers the betrayal shortly after it happens. In Every Year After, Percy keeps the secret for years before finally revealing it as an adult.

By expanding supporting characters and reshaping key moments from the novel, Every Year After offers longtime fans a fresh take on a familiar love story while introducing plenty of new drama along the way.