Just four days after its debut on Prime Video, Every Year After quickly climbed to the top spot as the most-watched series worldwide, surpassing another popular adult drama, Off Campus. Adapted from Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel Every Summer After, the show is promoted as a nostalgic summer love story spanning over a decade between Percy Fraser and Sam Florek. Set in a picturesque lakeside town, the series blends youthful memories with the present, featuring a cast of young actors with striking looks, which helped it attract a large audience right after release.
The adult drama centers on Percy Fraser (Sadie Soverall), who returns to Barry’s Bay after a decade to attend a memorial for Sue, a woman who once treated her like family. This homecoming unearths long-buried secrets, especially her unfinished romance with Sam Florek (Matt Cornett) and her biggest mistake: sleeping with Charlie, Sam’s older brother. The story weaves between past and present, revealing the turbulent love journey of the couple from their teenage years into adulthood.
However, rather than sympathy, Percy has become the most controversial character in the series. Many viewers feel she is portrayed as overly weak and emotionally dependent. Despite being repeatedly abandoned by Sam, placed behind his studies and future, and even dumped coldly via email, Percy cannot break free from the relationship. Adding to the drama, during their time apart, she sleeps with Charlie but ultimately returns to her first love.
Percy’s repeated entanglement between the Florek brothers, her impulsive decisions, and inability to let go of the past make it hard for many viewers to connect with the show. Critics argue the series builds a female lead lacking conviction and strength, willing to sacrifice her dignity and repeatedly forgive hurt just to hold on to a repeatedly broken relationship.
Beyond the character debates, Every Year After has drawn attention for its explicit romantic scenes in the later episodes. In episode 6, Percy and Sam take a significant step forward in their relationship, sharing their first intimate night after years of dating. The show dedicates considerable time to exploring their emotions before this heartfelt moment.
By episode 8, the series stirs more buzz as Percy and Sam reunite after over ten years apart. After heartfelt confessions built up over many years, they quickly fall into each other’s arms inside Sam’s pickup truck. While the show does not explicitly depict their lovemaking, prolonged kissing scenes and nearly full nudity strongly imply what happens next.
Many reviewers praise the nostalgic summer atmosphere, scenic lakeside setting, and the chemistry among the young cast, saying the series offers enough emotion to rise above typical teen romance clichés. However, some critics see it as an unconvincing love story, recycling familiar adult drama tropes. Several point out that Percy and Sam’s relationship is prolonged by misunderstandings, breakups, and reconciliations, making them a prime example of “lovers who shouldn’t be together.”
Still, it is precisely these heated debates about the stormy love triangle between Percy, Sam, and Charlie that have made Every Year After one of this summer’s hottest adult dramas.
Source: Page Six