Say Yes Summer was cute and fluffy YA Contemporary, a coming of age story of Rachel and her summer of saying yes to everything. It was about pros and cons of saying Yes or No that comes with opportunity cost, experiencing the world for the first time, friendship, family, and love.

Writing was simple, easy, and entertaining. It was super-fast paced, I finished this book within a day, which rarely happens with me. It was first person narrative from Rachel’s perspective that made me understand her feelings and how she was seeing the world and experienced her summer adventure. Setting of Michigan and all beautiful touristy beach, Kalamazoo lake, Lake Michigan, Mt Baldhead and Rachel’s parents’ new venture cream cart and ice-cream gondolas (yum yum) gave the story whole summery vibe.

Plot was simple that started with Rachel suddenly realizing she missed out so much in four years of high school by saying No to everything except studies. Now she felt nobody knew her, she successfully made herself invisible and boring and now she wanted to change that. When she found her grandma’s self-help book ‘The Freedom to Say Yes’, she got idea of saying yes to everything and fully enjoy this summer. In doing so, she experienced many good things but also messed up lot of things.

It was interesting to read how Rachel came out of her shell, overcame her fears, rekindled friendship, found lovers, learned many things specially what it’s like to be free and live out in real world. It was pretty simple plot, I knew how this was going to end but at the same time it was cute and lovely to read Rachel’s summer adventure.

I loved all characters specially Rachel. She was smart, caring and lovely person. We see her thoughts towards her classmates and friends, how she saw them through their social media life and gossips she heard but not by knowing and interacting with them in real but as soon as she started interacting with them, she learned how wrong and judgmental she was, how much she blocked out reality and picturized them how she wanted to see them. It was bit weird to see she was observing Clayton so much that she could tell what was going on in his life but at the same time she literally didn’t know what Miles felt whom she knew in real for her whole life both in school and at job at her parents’ restaurant. She was wrong about lot of things and I liked how she realized that. Her development was best part in the book.

Clayton was popular guy, Westfield’s Soccer star and so very handsome but he was nothing like those famous boys who act like they own the world. He was lovely, kind, and gentle soul. Rachel thought he was perfect guy but in reality he was normal human who had his own issues. I loved him for being true and real all the time, even when Rachel messed things.

Miles was Rachel’s childhood friend and worked at her parent’s restaurant. He too was going through his own issue, trying to get over grief and loss. He was not bad. I knew he liked her. I felt for this guy and his reaction to both loss and feeling for Rachel was genuine but still I wasn’t completely at his side.

Carrie was my favorite secondary character. She was wise and smart and lovely girl. I liked the way she helped Rachel and how they sorted their problems. Bethany and Rouxi, her family and Nona were also great.

Love triangle and dating two boys at same time didn’t work that long. Romance and two-timing was wrapped pretty soon. But there were cute moments that made me smile and I liked how they knew each other better in this short relationships.

I liked message in the book given through Rachel’s development- not judging people based on what they show out to the world, even popular girls and boys have their problem and behind all their fame they are normal human being; it’s never easy for anyone to be out in the world and experiencing the real world and life; even best laid plans can go wrong; it’s okay and to mess things but important to not to hurt anyone’s feeling and make things right later; going out of comfort zone is good but also should stay true to yourself; and most importantly it’s okay to say NO.

Climax was filled with lots of drama with boys and then with family. But then Nonna’s wisdom made Rachel gather all courage and make things right by apologizing for her royal mess. End was lovely with packing, time with friends and surprise gift from family and Rachel finding her love.

Why 4 stars-

It’s not like I don’t like love triangle but what makes me not so inclined for love triangle stories is protagonist always going with a boy I don’t like as much as I like the other boy. And that’s what happened here! And another reason was, I have read/seen something like this before. It sounded a bit cliché and predictable.

Overall, Say Yes Summer was fluffy, feel good, enjoyable, cute and coming of age YA contemporary with lovable characters. I recommend this to fan of this genre.

I did really connect with Rachel in the beginning as I am also a "no" person but after that.. meh. I wish this was focused more on Rachel and her self growth and friendship rather than boys and a love triangle. the things Rachel says yes to are pretty underwhelming (goes to two parties, drives a couple hours to Canada, and goes on a carnival ride) and I could have absolutely done without the love triangle and cheating aspect. as soon as both boys were introduced in the beginning, I pretty much knew exactly how the story was going to play out. not the worst thing I've ever read but just predictable and underwhelming.

Such a cute feel good story. It instantly sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down! Follow along as Rachel Brooks spends the entire summer saying yes to everything that comes her way. Perfect for fans of Morgan Matson!!

Valedictorian Rachel Walls decides to spend the summer before college saying yes to new experiences. She goes to parties, reconnects with old friends, and finds herself caught in the middle of a love triangle. A good summer read for YA romance fans.

This was SUCH a fun summer read. I loved how it felt like watching a cute romcom right before my eyes, but all within the pages of the book. Watching Rachel grow into herself and take more chances was a fun story to read, and I think we could all benefit from saying yes a bit more. I recommend this book as a great one to bring to the beach and enjoy outdoors!

This is a very cute, very sweet, and surprisingly swoony YA that reminds me of YA back in the day. It’s a refreshing and quick summer read, and actual YA-aged Lauren would have loved this.

** I was provided an advanced copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review**

3.5/5

This was a pretty average book, I'm going to be real honest about that. It's stereotypical and I pretty much guessed what was going to happen before it happened. That being said I still really enjoyed myself while reading. I didn't mind the romance, I thought it was cute and I liked the setting ( takes place right after high school graduation). I really liked the fact that we have a character who felt stuck and decided to change things up to try and improve herself. It felt relatable and that could be why part of the reason why I enjoyed it. Overall a very quick, cute and easy read, if you want something short and kinda cute I recommend giving this a read.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Content Rating: 16+
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Published: May 12th, 2020 by Delacorte Press

Say Yes Summer is a light, straightforward rom-com that is a bit predictable, but still enjoyable. This is the first book by Lindsey Roth Culli that I have read, and while the writing and character development are relatively well done, it did feel a bit unpolished.

Rachel Brooks has done everything right in the first eighteen years of her life. She has had laser focus throughout her four years of high school and has let nothing interfere with her goals. The only problem with saying no is Rachel has missed out on all the ups and downs that high school has to offer. She has been a passive participant, a person looking in on but never experiencing anything.

"I was never brave enough to tell Clayton how I feel about him. I was never brave enough to talk to Clayton, period, and now it's too late."

Rachel is the valedictorian of her high school and has been accepted to her dream college with a generous scholarship. Her plan for the summer - to catch up on all the non-school reading she put aside over the last four years. That is until she comes across one of her Nonna's old books, A Season of Yes!

"We are, as Aristotle said, what we repeatedly do. Therefore, if we repeatedly say yes to opportunities, people, and experiences, we will become our truest, fullest selves."


For the first time in her life, Rachel is going to say yes to everything, yes to boys, yes to parties and yes to just about everything that comes her way. And YES, this gets her into loads of fun experiences. However, it also gets her into situations that she never expected to be in and ill-prepared to deal with, but isn't that part of growing up?

"I can't believe this happened. I can't believe I made such a freaking mess."

The relationship between Rachel and her mom had some tense moments, as mother-daughter relationships often do. However, I liked that the author took the time to show the renewed understanding, love, and respect that developed between Rachel and her mom. But my favorite relationship was between Rachel and her Nonna. Nonna is a real character; she is funny, caring, and hip for an old gal. The imagines of these two strong women supporting Rachel were very refreshing and so important to the story.

I would have liked if there had been more of a buildup between the characters regarding the romance portion of the plot. I don't want to give too much away, but Rachel will have to make some hard decisions in her journey to adulthood.

Say Yes Summer is a cute, easy to read a book that I would recommend if you are looking for a lighthearted romantic coming of age book. You will smile, shake your head, thinking back on all the crazy decisions you made as a teenager. Happy reading and happy remembering.

* Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published. *


** I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley, publisher, and author. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. **

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this title sounded cute and fun from the summary, a great summer read. I liked the idea of this goal driven high school senior opening herself up to new experiences and new people for the summer before starting college. I expected a summer of growth and adventure and looked forward to go along on the journey. Instead it turned in to a summer of teenage drama, lying, cheating, and going against your good principles. The things she chose to say yes to and her actions towards others made the book silly and frustrating rather then light and enjoyable. Maybe I'm too old for the teen fiction, it certainly was a loss for me.

Definitely a good book for the teen in your life. Well written and engaging. Super well defined characters make reading a joy.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you love Hallmark movies and cute romances than this is the story for you. Say Yes Summer introduces you to Rachel and her two love interests Miles and Clayton. Hello, summer and Hello love triangles. I'm. a fan of love triangles and this story did not disappoint. If you want a fun summer read. Check this book out.

This book was so adorkable and actually really relatable for all of the introverts out there. I often have the same thoughts where I wonder if I need to stop being a hermit and start saying yes to things, so the idea of only saying yes sounds great in theory. Obviously it gets super complicated for the main character Rachel when she says yes to 2 guys but some good things definitely come out of the experience. I think she also learns a lot about herself. Definitely recommend to teens or even adults who feel stuck as well.

3 stars
Cute but young story. It was a very slow book. Fluffy and light. Nothing to really grab you and then the ending left me hoping for me. I was like "that is it??"

What a fun summer read! This book was so cute and easy to get through. It was the perfect relaxing read to help keep my mind off of the crazy times we are in. I loved the main characters and their development. I also saw a lot of my bookish self in them and enjoyed their experiences of their "Yes Summer". I definitely recommend this quick read for Matson fans who might want something a bit shorter.

This light romance takes on what happens when a driven girl who has always said no starts to say yes. Even though there isn't anything particularly groundbreaking in this novel, it was a quxk and enjoyable read that will sell well to my readers who like romance and relationship stories.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving an eArc in exchange for an honest review!
2.5 🌟
The story itself was cute, but it was shallow and underdeveloped. I didnt care for the main character and felt like she was just annoying most of the time. There was no buildup or chemistry, you’re just plopped into a teenie bopper love story and one or two things happen quick that are unrealistic then it’s over.

Super cute quick read that takes place over the summer after high school graduation. It’s predictable but in that comforting way where even though you can figure out what’s going to happen, it’s fun to read. I love YA contemporary so this was a great read for me. I loved all the characters and happy with how the story ended. I recommend it if you are looking for a cute summer read.

My Thoughts:

Say Yes Summer was a delightful treat of a story! Rachel Brooks has always been a responsible, dedicated and hardworking student and daughter. As she's delivering her Valedictorian speech, she realizes that she doesn't know her classmates that well, and has missed out on a lot of fun during her high school years.

When at home, she comes across a book that inspires her to say "yes," to every new experience and opportunity that comes her way. What follows is an entertaining, fun, and lighthearted story about growing up, friendship, dating, and coming into your own.

I happily turned the pages on my Kindle, as this story just flew by! It was exciting to see what new adventure would await Rachel as each new day begun. It was a joy to see her grow as a character as she ventured out of her comfort zone, and had new experiences. Best of all was a friendship rekindled, as well as the time Rachel spent with Clayton, her high school crush, and Miles, her co-worker and childhood friend. A word of warning, there is a love triangle is this story as Rachel finds herself growing feelings towards both guys, as she spends time with them.

If you are looking for a light-hearted, fun, and easy going read, check out, Say Yes Summer by Lindsey Roth Culli!

This book was great! It was so easy to lose yourself in the story, and kept you turning pages to see what happened next! Will definitely be recommending!

What a cute read to kick off summer!
I loved this book, Rachel is a great character and the plot is fun and moves quickly. Rachel is the Valedictorian, super smart girl that never experienced high school life. Parties, boyfriends, and making mistakes were never part of her agenda, but now that summer is here, she decides to take some risks and just say yes to everything.

I really liked that both Miles and Clayton were good guys and neither were stuck up or treated her poorly. I had a favorite, Team Miles!, but I would have been happy for Rachel no matter which guy she chose. Seeing her gain confidence and have her first love(s) was sweet. I also really enjoyed the friendship part of Rachel reconnecting with Carrie and deciding to let past issues go.

I'm so glad I read this book, it made me smile and sometimes you need a feel good read.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.