This book was so fun to read, and honestly, an important lesson in saying yes instead of letting fear get in the way. Kelsey and Georgina are such a fun duo. Once their summer of yes began, I couldn’t put this book down. I enjoyed watching Kelsey challenge herself and not back down from encouraging Georgina to do the same, even if her methods were slightly stressful at times. Kelsey had some tough truths to uncover about her life, and I loved how honest she was with herself about it and stood firm in who she was but allowed herself to make some healthy changes as well.
Georgina was a strong character with a hard outer shell that she wasn’t ready to let anyone break through. It was fun to see how she grew and yet stayed true to herself as she got to know Kelsey and as Kelsey pushed her to say yes to new adventures…and old ones.
Kelsey and Georgina’s stories are the focus of this book, but there’s some sweet romance as well and I found myself wanting to know more of their story after the book ended.
This is a great pick me up, with real emotion and challenges, but a great lesson and an encouraging story of saying yes to things you wouldn’t normally. This is a book that I can see myself rereading anytime I need some encouragement to start saying yes and challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone.

Thank you to @netgalley @thomasnelson for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Summer of Yes • Courtney Walsh
•••
This was a fun book that I enjoyed buddy reading with @emilylovesreading_ and @emileereadsbooks. I went into it expecting a romcom but this book is definitely more women’s fiction. The first half of the book we really get to know the characters and start the “summer of yes” experience! I loved Georgina and her interactions with Kelsey as they get to know each other. The romance picks up in the back half and was very cute. This book is definitely meant for a summer read with lakeside vibes and fun banter. ☀️

I have read several of Courtney Walsh's books, and this one has been my favorite so far. I look forward to her books because she writes likable characters and usually have to overcome very relatable situations. Her books also written with themes of grace, forgiveness and hope as anchoring points.

In this book you have two main characters, Kelsey and Georgina Tate. Throughout the book the POV is mainly from Kelsey's point of view, but it does switch to Georgina's view in a few spots throughout. The two main characters meet in the first chapter when they are roommates in the same hospital room. Although different in age (one in her 30's the other in her 70's) and life circumstances, both Kelsey and Georgina are very similar in their corporate drive and a love of control. This unlikely duo, team up to try and change the things they don't like in their life by "saying yes" and embracing all of the things they tossed to the side in their singular pursuit for success.

This book was enjoyable with main characters from different generations and walks of life. I appreciated Georgina in her 70's. The interaction and Kelsey and Georgina was fun to read.

As a rom-com I appreciated how the institution of marriage was honored. Also the intimacy level is chaste and at most has brief kissing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you @thomasnelson for the early copy.

What can I say about this one?? The Devil Wears Prada and the Hallmark Channel had a baby. I didn’t expect to love this book so much.

“I have the flirt game of a potted plant.” Kelsey

“Don’t wait to love the people you love. We aren’t guaranteed a second chance - we’re only lucky enough to seize one when it comes.” Georgina

Kelsey dreams of being a writer but has settled as an assistant editor at a publishing house. Kelsey’s life is forever changed when she is hit by a car walking on the sidewalk. While recovering in the hospital, she gets a roommate, who is none other than Georgina Tate, billionaire owner of Tate Cosmetics. Seeing similarities in the two women’s workaholic and hard exteriors, Kelly strikes up a challenge with Georgina to start saying “yes” to things they normally wouldn’t. Kelsey calls it “The Summer of Yes.”

This is told in first person from both Kelsey and Georgina’s perspectives. It’s a dual love story that explores women supporting women, not accepting defeat, and what’s really important in life…. Loving the people who love you. 😘

Kelsey and Georgina are so delightful!

✨ Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
🤍 Steamy rating: Mild
🤬 Profanity: None

Triggers: Kidney disease, hit & run, and family estrangement

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC of The Sumer of Yes.

I am a Courtney Walsh fan, but unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. I DNF at 37% because it was SO. SLOW. The love interest, while introduced early, should come earlier on. The friendship/road trip aspect isn't enough to keep the reader engaged.

This book had so much potential and I loved the concept of two very different women embarking on an adventure where they don't let fear hold them back.

Georgina gave strong Miranda Priestley (Devil Wears Prada) vibes which was a refreshing contrast to Kelsey's sunshine temperament. So together, they make a good duo and reminded me of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

However, the writing was very lacklustre and really lost momentum several times. I did enjoy the redirection and speaking to the reader when male characters were introduced and joking about the potential tropes that weren't going to unfold. But other than that, this book didn't make me particularly excited.

Fantastic!! While each of us may not see ourselves completely in Kelsey or Georgina, I’d bet that each of us can find a bit of us in one, the other, or both of these ladies. The insight and risks Kelsey take are refreshing and can challenge each of us to find a little more “yes” in our lives. She may even challenge you to do some soul searching. I certainly found myself wondering more about the choices I’ve made in my own life while reading this fictional story. While this story was focused mainly on the two women, there was, of course, also a dash of romance. Not enough to overpower the story, but just the right amount for us to see why Kelsey and Georgina ask even more questions about the importance of saying "yes." This book is right at the top of my favorites from Courtney Walsh.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

O quão bom é adentrar uma leitura com expectativas e ver elas não apenas supridas, mas superadas?

The Summer of Yes foi meu segundo contato com a escrita de Courtney Walsh e, novamente, tornou-se favorito para mim. Assim como o livro anterior dela que li, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, havia me conquistado no ano passado, o verão do sim vivido por Kelsey esse ano teve igual, e diria até melhor, resultado!

Foi uma delícia reencontrar a narrativa leve e divertida da autora, que não demorou a me prender logo de início e que eu só não devorei em menos tempo porque estava/estou meio devagar para ler no Kindle esses tempos mesmo. Se não fosse por isso sinto que teria lido-o em ainda menos tempo, mas no geral isso não atrapalhou minha experiência final que continuo afirmando que foi sensacional. Assim como no livro anterior dela, The Summer of Yes é certeiro em desenvolver-se num ritmo tranquilo, que às vezes até parece não levar a lugar algum, e então nos surpreende com uma reflexão ou pensamento de real impacto. Kelsey e Georgina são tão opostas, e eu não sabia muito como isso iria se desenrolar, tive até certo receio se o clima de uma não iria afetar a narrativa da outra na leitura em si, mas no fim elas se complementaram.

A leitura tanto tem de divertida, com algumas sacadas ou piadas dos personagens, quanto de comovente e tocante em alguns momentos, ao falar desde sobre perdão, mágoa, insegurança, culpa, medo, e muitos cenários mais bem recorrentes de jovens, jovens adultos, idosos e por aí vai. Também toca um pouco no ponto da família e o peso que nossas escolhas tem e junto com elas as consequências a serem ligadas, da mesma forma que também deixa claro o quanto é sempre possível mudar e recomeçar, corrigir um erro e afins, desde que se queira de fato.

A jornada dessas duas mulheres, em fases e cenários tão diferentes da vida, mas tão iguais em um ou outro aspecto também, é um convite a nos fazer refletir sobre o que estamos fazendo das nossas vidas, o impacto que queremos que isso tenha ou não no futuro e nos demais ao nosso redor, bem como ao que queremos deixar de legado até, quando já não estivermos mais aqui. É uma trama bem-humorada mas ainda séria aqui e ali sobre a importância de cultivar boas relações e cuidar de quem amamos também.

Sem dúvidas, um favorito desse ano de 2024, e eu só fico mais empolgada por ler mais da autora, agora ainda mais certa de que quentinho no coração e mensagens importantes são figurinhas constantes de suas histórias, bem como personagens gente como a gente e que eu queria muito amigar - Kelsey principalmente, hehe. Recomendo demais a leitura!

Everyone has a little bit of fear inside them. As adults we’re often conditioned to say no out of fear- fear of what others will say, fear of disappointment, fear of the unknown. Everyone should have a ‘Summer of Yes”. Embrace the unknown, take that new class, meet someone new.

This book made me laugh, cry, and hopeful that the main characters would find what they were looking for. It was a quick read and I’m hoping for a sequel.

A freak accident nearly takes a young editor's life and lands her in the hospital. Kelsey's hospital room mate is Georgina Tate, a famous and successful NYC businesswoman dying of kidney failure. As she watches Georgina, Kelsey begins to re-evaluate her own pursuit of success. Maybe achieving fame and fortune is not the secret to the good life, in fact, maybe it is time to start saying yes to things that matter before it is too late. What follows is a road trip you don't want to miss. This thought-provoking read from Courtney Walsh has a nice balance of humor and drama and it makes me want to read more by this talented author.

If you’re looking for a charming summer read, look no further!

It took me a bit to get fully immersed, but that was no fault of the book. As a mood reader, life events were putting a damper on my reading but once I was able to approach it was a clearer mind, it was smooth sailing!

Georgina and Kelsey come from different backgrounds and life styles but a hospital stay throws them together. Kelsey’s sass keeps Georgina from walking all over her, and Georgina has a soft side under the crustiness. Because despite the two different worlds these women come from, they are all too similar and both needed a wake up call.

I wasn’t expecting a ton of romance given the nature of the book (it’s definitely women’s fiction and not a rom com) but the little bits we get are so sweetly done!

Walsh crafted a meaningful story that captures summer delight while also pulling the reader deeper. At its heart, The Summer of Yes is a story of forgiveness and second chances, of saying yes and doing what scares you, of letting others in, of learning to hope again and finding your voice.

And a special shoutout to JP and Kelsey’s banter; it was hilarious… particularly the line about the Mockingjay salute, haha!

For those curious about faith, there are brief mentions of God and a “Jesus-level forgiveness”. It’s not stated if the characters are themselves Christians, but it’s clean and wholesome!


*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I devoured this book but yet I didn't want it to end! The story and the writing pulled me in from the beginning. I loved the quirkiness in the story as well. Dylan, Hayden, Georgina, JP and Kelsey were such great characters. I'm definitely sad reading the last lines of their story!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own

I enjoyed this book quite a lot, but think the pace is a little slow, especially in the middle of the story. This was my second book by the author. The first was The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, which I loved! I appreciate that this was a clean read, but thought there would be faith elements as well. I also expected a little more humor, but really enjoyed the witticisms from the main character.

Romance is definitely not the main feature in the story, but was sweet. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I'll leave it at that.

The Summer of Yes gets a big YES from me. Corny? Maybe so… I loved it.

I thought it was slow the first quarter of the book. Not so much that I was ready to give up on it, but enough that I was waiting for the story the book description promised to show up.

Looking back, it was fine, but I would have preferred more to the end of the story than the beginning.

The characters were so well woven, the conflict was prevalent and real, and the humor was great. This will be a good I keep coming back to over the years.

I love Courtney Walsh’s books. This one was another endearing and uplifting read. Kelsey decided to embark on a summer of yes after an accident with her reluctant new friend. It’s exactly how it sounds…a bucket list summer where the only answer is yes. It started a little slow for me and there were parts I would have cut out, but overall it was enjoyable. There’s love, there’s almost death, and there’s family reconciliation. A great summer read when you want to escape for a day!

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC.

This book is so relatable because I too have said no so many times that I’ve forgotten how to say yes. Courtney Walsh knocks it out of the park again with another romance that leaves you thinking about life all the while smiling through her book.

I really liked this book! It was witty and enjoyable to read. The characters and the storyline was easy to follow along. This is the first book I’ve read by the author and look forward to read more !

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This is my first time reading this author and I am blown away by her writing. This book is witty and written with such unexpected humor. The “disrupters” in one’s life can truly change the course of their life and lead them to a path of happiness.

Kelsey finds herself in the Hospital with a most unusual and disgruntled roommate. As she tries to get to know Mrs Tate she finds they have more in common than they originally thought.

The two of them head on a journey of saying yes and find that love, forgiveness and a hope for a future is well worth the disrupters that eventually got them there.

Great read and I will definitely be reading more by this author.

I am so glad that I said 'yes' when I requested this book. Even more so that NetGalley said 'yes' to my request. The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh has such relatable and intriguing characters. This could easily be my story or your story. Humor, wittiness, forgiveness of self and others, grace, rekindling of lost love, and finding new love. Finding the true meaning of life and desiring that over all else. I did not want to let these characters go. I did not want the story to end.
Releases July 2nd. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was so refreshing! I loved the characters and how they felt "real!" This book grabs you right from the first page. Kelsey gets hit by a car and meets another woman that ends up sharing a hospital room with her. I absolutely loved Georgina's character and how as the story went on, we got to know her better. She is an enchanting character that is tough and gruff. Her life choices have made her the way she is. Kelsey's brashness was jarring at first, but I started to really respect her. This is a wonderful story!! READ IT!