Kelsey Worthington’s, day wasn’t supposed to go this way. She wasn’t supposed to be getting Starbucks for her boss and she certainly did have get hit by a car and end up in the hospital, on her bingo card. That is what happened though, she wakes up in a hospital bed, with no memories after getting the Starbucks. Her family & friends don’t know she is there, nor does anyone else and she isn’t really worried about that. She is intrigued by her roommate, Georgina Tate, a legendary NY business woman. Since she will be in this bed, in this hospital for some time, she slowly befriends Georgina. The two have nothing in common but it doesn’t seem to matter. Even when Georgina won’t disclose why she is in the hospital to anyone. She eventually caves and tells Kelsey. Their differences aren’t so drastic. Kelsey is a dreamer, who doesn’t know how to stand up for herself. Georgina is so used to making up her mind quickly and decisively. She has confidence enough two people. The two could really use each other outside the hospital and it so happens they do. With Georgina’s failing kidneys and Kelsey’s desire to make changes in her life, the two set out, to conquer the world, make amends and find peace with their lives. Both woman give it their all to have the summer of fun. They let loose, have faith in themselves and the process. Kelsey even finds love and Georgina works on redemption with her son.
This was a very cute story and the prefect summer read. The characters really make this story, so good. It is light and witty, just like I like it. I want to thank Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Courtney Walsh for my copy of The Summer of Yes, for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review this book. I am so happy to read all the summer books.

The Summer of Yes was a slow read for me. It doesn’t offer much in the way of surprises. The plot is straightforward and follows the expected beats of a feel-good summer read. I found the story a bit too predictable, and the character development, while adequate, doesn’t delve as deeply as it could.

Overall, The Summer of Yes is a pleasant read that delivers exactly what it promises: a feel-good, inspirational story about taking chances and embracing life. It’s perfect for those looking for a light, uplifting read, but it may not leave a lasting impression.

I loved this book so much, for so many reasons. It was quirky, thought-provoking, and fun. Most introspective, “it’s time to rethink your life” are filled with boring navel gazing, but this one wasn’t like that at all. The heroine was likable, relatable, and believable, even though she did crazy things. I found myself rooting for her (and her partner in crime). Her antics kept me turning the pages wondering what was coming next. And, spoiler alert, who doesn’t like a happy ending. Well done. I can’t wait to read more from this author and share a copy with a friend who could use a summer of yes.

Courtney Walsh will always be an automatic read for me - I love how she’s able to give emotion & meaning to a book, and keep it positive and light.

I love the idea behind a summer of “yes” - especially when I have said “no” to a lot of things in life.
The characters brought a lot of joy & laughs as I was reading. Especially Georgina. I was not expecting a sassy old lady to become my favorite character.

Did everything wrap up super easy & in a neat little bow? It’s to be expected with Courtney Walsh, but that’s why I read her books. I love knowing that I’m going to have a light & fluffy read that is sure to bring a smile to my face.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson & NetGalley for the e-ARC. And thank you to Courtney Walsh for the traveling ARC I got to participate in with some friends.

4.5 stars

Wow! So good! Inspiring and thought provoking. A great romance subplot. Very well-written. I couldn't get enough of it.

No swears, mentions of others drinking alcohol, but main characters choose not to drink, and kissing only.

The Summer of Yes is a sweet and easy story highlighting the importance of second chances, forgiveness, love and taking risks. I found Georgina exhausting but understand her personality is a huge part of the story. Thank you to the author and Thomas Nelson Fiction via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book is so cute!! Thank you, @thomasnelson , for sending me a copy, I loved it!

If you’re looking for a quick summer read, I highly recommend this. Kelsey and Georgina’s yes-y summer is adorable and fun, with a young gal trying to make positive changes and a grumpy old woman who doesn’t want to learn new tricks. They’re cute and endearing and a good time. The romance here is cute, clean, and oh-so sweet, so a safe read for any younger bookish friends.
The story maintains a steady pace and is told from multiple POVs, and the length is perfect; a combo that means it’s easy to breeze through but not so short it’s silly.

The beginning of August means the summer is almost over, but there’s still time squeeze this one in. ☺️

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

The book starts with Kelsey getting hit by a car, on the sidewalk! She wakes up and really wakes up - realizes her life revolves around an editing job she's not happy with and has nobody that would take care of her after the accident.

She's put in a room with wildly successful businesswoman, Georgina - who left her family in order to work her way up the corporate ladder. Now she's facing the end of her life and has regrets. Kelsey decides to have a Summer of Yes - where she says yes to things she normally wouldn't do and ropes Georgina into it with her -- and that leads them down south and to Georgina's estranged family. It's a great story, full of love and hope.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Courtney Walsh does it again. 👏🏻🥹

What a sweet and wholesome story! 😭

The Summer of Yes follows Kelsey and Georgina as they go on a “summer of yes”, where they are tired of the rut & are ready to embrace the new. 💛

I absolutely adored the relationship between the two main characters, and the character development that took place for both characters. I could definitely see myself in both characters. 🥹

I also really appreciated the subtle, yet powerful faith tie-in’s. Giving grace, overcoming fear, etc. SO GOOD. 🙌🏻

The only thing separating it from a 5-star is because…I honestly didn’t *love* the relationship between Kelsey and Hayden. 🙈 I thought it was very rushed, and very insta-love. Like, slow down, y’all quite literally JUST met. 🤣🙈

This is a solid book, and is guaranteed to make you smile from cover to cover. 💛

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Publishing for an e-ARC of this book. 🌸

I've read a fair amount of books about a grumpy character lately and I was afraid this premise would be cheesy. I was so wrong, Walsh nailed the characters. The recipe for each character was well thought out and balanced. I loved it! When done right, these books are so heartwarming and stick with you for a long time. I'm happy to say this will be on my mind for awhile.

Okay, this one was adorable! Such a fun read and original concept. The MC was so funny and relatable, although I thought I predicted the ending, there was a slight surprise that I didn’t see coming but absolutely loved. I can’t wait to read more by Kristy Greenwood!

Another perfect summer read from Courtney Walsh. I loved the story line and characters. The combination of lighthearted moments and humor alongside more serious issues was perfect.

Boy! What I wouldn't give to have the freedom to just say yes to anything for a whole summer! At least yes to the things that I have been saying no to. Are you saying no to the wrong things? This book really makes you think about it!! Super read!

I have loved everything I’ve read by Courtney Walsh and this one didn’t disappoint. This one is a sweet, clean, refreshing book about relationships that you allow to change you for the better. If you’re looking for a beautiful story about friendship, getting out of your comfort zone and saying YES, or just a palate cleanser, this is perfect.

4.25 stars!!!
This was my very first Courtney Walsh, although I have heard wonderful things about her romances! This book was SO endearing. It was a very sweet story with humor and romance intertwined. I loved the message it sent and there were so many quote-worthy lines. I highlighted quite a bit! The characters were loveable, even the frustrating ones. ;) The Netgalley copy did not work on my Kindle. It kept crashing so I ended up buying it! I will definitely continue reading Courtney Walsh in the future. I can't wait to read her past romances!

Courtney Walsh is the queen of uplifting reads. This book feels like it’s in a similar vein as her previous work The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley. This was fun, uplifting and the perfect mood brightener

ARC Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Kelsey was just going about her day when she was struck by a car in the Starbucks’ parking lot. The near death experience left her forever changed. Upon leaving the hospital she vowed to stop being afraid of living and open herself up to new experiences. Will she be able to stick to her resolution, or will she revert to her old self at the first sign of trouble?

The Summer of Yes solidifies Courtney Walsh as one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. I can always count on her to write a heartfelt story with an uplifting message.

This book deals with the themes of fate, forgiveness/ grace, and bravery. It also showcases the importance of female relationships.

Kelsey and Georgina were an unlikely duo but vital to each other’s journey. Kelsey kept me laughing as she refused to allow Georgina to give up on life. Her meddling ways took the mature business woman from rigid routines to being open to adventure. In the same way I loved watching Georgina mentor Kelsey. Using her years of experience, she imparted invaluable wisdom that helped her find happiness.

Special thanks to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Courtney Walsh for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

thank you to netgalley and to thomas nelson fiction for providing me with an e-copy of this book! i had been looking forward to reading it for months, and i'm glad i finally got the chance to. though it was a fun book (reminded a lot of the show hacks--in particular the relationship between the two main characters, and how a friendship blossomed out of hesitance), i gotta say i'm a little disappointed. kelsey as a main character and narrator just didn't do it for me. she was too quirky and millennial for my liking. i wish we would've had more chapters from georgina's pov, as i seemed to enjoy those more, but they felt scarce in comparison to kelsey's. but overall, it was a cute book with a sweet message. and a great introduction to courtney walsh, whose books i'd never read before!

The Summer of Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Courtney Walsh

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Kelsey Worthington always dreamed of being a writer, but she's settled into a routine of helping other people tell their stories in her job as a junior editor. She doesn't go outside of her comfort zone. Her relationships are safe. Her job is secure. Her existence is stable. And she's great with that.

And then, the accident. While she's in the hospital overnight, she meets an older woman named Georgina Tate--a glass-ceiling-shattering, wildly successful businesswoman. Georgina sacrificed everything to become the woman she is today, but now, with a pair of failing kidneys and only a handful of months left to live, Georgina is forced to come face-to-face with her regrets. Kelsey is forced to reckon with her own list of "things I'll do someday," and she starts to ask a simple but life-changing What if I said yes to all the things I normally say no to? And The Yes Plan is born.

It takes some convincing, but Georgina finally agrees to go along with Kelsey on her Summer of Yes adventures. The two of them set off to see what might be out there waiting for them if they simply open themselves up to it. Together, they say yes to whatever comes their way--a whole day being tourists in their own New York City, dinner with strangers, a convertible that is far from practical but so much fun. But when Kelsey springs a surprise visit to Georgina's son Hayden and Georgina's ex-husband (who is not so much of an ex), the older woman is less than thrilled. But this is where the true journey begins.

My Thoughts: This was a story of two women, met by coincidence in the hospital, where Kelsey faced her own mortality and made her take a look at her life. Kelsey has realized that she has always played it safe and wondered where she would be if she just said ‘yes.’ Georgina has built an empire, however, it has costed her everything, her family, her happiness, and now her health is in dire straights. Kelsey relentlessly asks Georgina to take a road trip with her and start her summer of yes. Georgina reluctantly agrees but when a surprise visit to Georgina’s son, Hayden’s hometown gets factored in, Georgina almost gets cold feet. This is where their journey begins and it is definitely a journey. This follows the tropes of roadtrip, evaluating life decisions, regrets, and an unlikely relationship between two women.

The story is narrated by Georgina and Kelsey, in their POVs. Kelsey is spunky, eclectic, quirky, and caring. Georgina is eccentric, regimented, success-driven, yet once you get through the tough exterior, you meet the sweet woman who isn’t cranky and grouchy, but endearing. The characters were flawed and imperfect, which made them feel authentic and real, easier to relate to. The characters were created with depth, passion, witty, endearing, and intriguing. The supporting characters really elevated the story, especially Hayden. The author’s writing style was complex, dynamic, heartwarming, compassionate, closed door, and engaging. The story was a slow burn. We slowly build up the characters with their backstories, how we got to this point, the plot is built in layers, and the ending was the sweetest HEA I have read in a while. The plot more focused on the women’s relationship and romance was a secondary subplot, which is fine with me, I still enjoyed it.

This was an amazing story of two women, the relationship they build with each other, and finding their own romance story. It was touching, heartwarming, heart wrenching at times, a little slow at parts, but in the end, to have the most wonderful HEA that I have read in a while, really bought it together for me. The message of the story is what gripped me, am I working just to live, or am I living to have fun? I would highly recommend either the audio or the physical book, I tend to prefer audio versions. Go pick up today!

After walking out of a Starbucks, Kelsey is hit by a car. She wakes up in the hospital with a roommate, Georgina Tate, who is the wealthy & notorious head of a cosmetics company, who is dying but keeping it a secret. With much reluctance, Georgina admits to Kelsey that she has some regrets in her life. Kelsey, having had a revelation due to her near-death experience, decides to take some time off from her career as an assistant editor to start experiencing some things she has avoided in her life. Among other things, she eventually convinces Georgina to join her in her Summer of (saying) Yes, and they embark on a road trip to visit Georgina’s estranged son, Hayden.

This book was light & enjoyable, albeit a bit predictable. Kelsey’s desire to be a writer is evident from the beginning, yet she seems to not fully realize it until nearly the end, which felt slightly unnatural. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a casual rom-com read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Courtney Walsh. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.