Assistant editor, Kelsey, ends up in an accident and shares a room with the great Georgina Tate--glass-ceiling-shattering business woman. 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.

This was such a character driven book! The contrasting lives of Kelsey & Georgina were written amazingly. I loved the idea of "The Yes Plan" and how Kelsey did her best to work that ik favor of Georgina.

These two are very complex characters; one hides behind her stable job, and the other is too proud. The clever idea of adding Georgina's estranged family to the mix worked well for Kelsey as well.

There were so many funny & emotional momments that felt too real. I loved the love interest of Kelsey so much and how they started bonding.
Overall, this was a refreshing read!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish - it'll make you stop and think about the things in your own life you say yes (or no) to. Such a feel-good story!

4.75 Stars

This is the first Courtney Walsh book that I have read. It will not be my last. I thought this was a delightful story. I laughed out loud so many times. I think my face hurt from all the smiling I was doing while reading. Her characters are so much fun and the witty banter between them all made them seem more real to me. As I was reading, I found myself relating with Kelsey so much. I loved her relationship with Georgina and how she grew throughout the story.

There were so many quotes that I adored. One in particular really stuck out to me. “You’ll never be happy if you listen to what everyone else says about you, Kelsey. It’s what you say about you that matters.” “My parents would say it’s what God says about you.” Her eyes flick to mine. “What does God say about you? That you should quit?” “Doesn’t sound like God, no.” “It’s a wild and precious life, Kelsey. If you have something that sets your soul on fire, you have a responsibility to chase that thing.”

How true this should be in my life as well. The faith content in this book was understated, but present in the best ways. I would highly recommend this book. I read the physical copy and also listened to the audio. While I enjoyed the narrator who read for Georgina more than the narrator who read Kelsey's sections. I felt, like other reviewers, she sounded almost more robotic in nature. That would be my only complaint about the audiobook experience.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I don’t get it. I really felt this book fell flat for me. It was painfully predictable & I honestly just felt it was all very naive & silly.

The premise was cute, but the way the character development unfolded & the uninteresting things that they thought were radical, just bored me.

I wish there had been more! More shock value, more turns & twists, more obstacles, and more believability.

Nothing felt original or realistic. It all just felt unbelievable. It felt like a lot of other things I’ve read and a bit unoriginal.

After 32 year old Kelsey has a near death experience - she is hit by a car and the next thing she lying in a hospital bed.

Kelsey realizes that she hasn’t really done anything yet because she has always said no to everything. She’s never been out of the country or taken a road trip or played hookie and never skinny dipped etc.

She meets Georgina, her hospital roommate who is a cranky older woman whose who is dying of a kidney disease and is currently on dialysis. As Georgina is accepting that she doesn’t have much more time to live, she finds herself with her own regrets. She reluctantly agrees to accompany Kelsey on her summer of yes adventures.

The Summer of Yes is about having the courage to look at your life choices and ask yourself, am I happy? What can I do differently in my life? Take more chances even though Kelsey was apprehensive?

I especially enjoyed the bater between Georgina and Kelsey. Their personalities are totally different and it made for a great read. It also made you want to root for these ladies to have a lifelong friendship!

If you are looking for a feel good read that will make you laugh, please read this novel!



Be sure to say YES to this book!

This book was a YES for me from the beginning! The author delves into heavy topics in a witty, light way. It feels like a breezy fun read but at the end, you realize you broached some pretty serious topics. It never felt “heavy”. The characters were so different yet spectacular together. The witty banter had me literally lol’ing. This was a lovely read and it just made me darn happy!

the summer of yes takes you on an adventure as two characters learn to live their lives and say, you guessed it, yes.
the book starts out slow and it doesn't have romance until towards the end, so it was hard for me to read. i wasn't just what i was getting into with this book. i've read courtney walsh before but this is different from most of her books.
but not in a bad way. once i got over halfway through the book, it got pretty good. i'm glad i had the opportunity to read this and if you like more woman's fiction and less romance, this is for you.
--3.5 stars

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

Beautiful life lesson showing us how easy it is to make our careers pivotal goals while missing out on what truly matters in life. Interesting take on this story is how we should interpret "disruptors" for what God is trying to show us. Story of forgiveness and second chances.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story, both funny and poignant, serves as a resounding reminder of our life's priorities.

We follow Kelsey, a young assistant editor secretly aspiring to be an author, who suppresses her dreams to throw herself into work and climb the career ladder. Her path intersects with Georgina's in a hospital, an aged businesswoman who has achieved great success in her professional life but whose personal life is in total disrepair, filled with regrets. From this encounter, an unlikely relationship blossoms, opening up new horizons for both women that they had long stopped hoping for.

The story and characters are touching, and the writing is humorous. I had a delightful time reading it. I would have gladly read additional pages to see the romance mature further and to explore what happens next.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction, NetGalley, and Courtney Walsh for a chance to read this book for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.

THE SUMMER OF YES
BY: COURTNEY WALSH

This literary fiction novel will most likely be an inspirational reading experience to whoever reads it. This Author was a wonderful new discovery for me that I can't emphasize enough with what an uplifting ability she has the imagination to create such a heartwarming story. Courtney Walsh has written a winner called, The Summer of Yes. It is a five star worthy story written with a lovable character named, Kelsey Worthington, and another main female protagonist named, Georgina Tate. They have a serendipitous meeting when they both share the same hospital room, in New York City. They are both confronted with the ideas of regrets and an existential crisis of asking the question of whether or not they are living their best lives? Due to Kelsey's inquisitive mind, since she is an assistant editor at a publishing house she starts questioning herself and her roommate in the hospital room they share when she asks Georgina, "if it was worth it?" Georgina Tate is a 75 year old woman who could be dying from two failed kidneys. She is a lonely, but a powerfully rich successful owner of a world wide company. Kelsey feels that she has a solution for something that they share in common and that happens to be sacrifices and not living their lives to the fullest. Her new idea for both of their lives to improve is to start saying yes from now on to everything they've chosen not to do, within their value systems and moral code. They both have rejected so many opportunities that would've enriched their lives. Now is the time for saying yes as they both take time off from their obligations of jobs that offer financial stability, but not without costing both women what they've lost.

Kelsey has been run over by a hit and run driver on the sidewalk as she was doing her friend, Tess's job by getting a coffee for their boss named, Charlie. Kelsey wakes up in the hospital dazed and confused with a concussion. She is just waking up and her first thought is that she's worried about her job. She refuses to contact her parents and her best friend, Ravi to let them know she was hit by a car. She realizes that she's lucky to be alive escaping the accident without having any broken bones. Then when she improves the foggy thinking she hears a bossy woman in the other bed complaining that she shouldn't have to share a room. When Kelsey realizes that her hospital, roommate is the famous Georgina Tate, she senses that Georgina must have made some major concessions to have achieved such success and Kelsey asks Georgina, "was it worth it?" Georgina is annoyed with Kelsey until Kelsey decides to start saying yes, instead of saying no of everything she has denied herself. It starts with her buying them each a pretzel with salt and cheese which she and Georgina eat together in Georgina's hospital room. That is how it starts for them both by their mutual agreement of sharing the pretzel which neither of them would've done beforehand eating from a street vendor.

Kelsey was persuaded before she was discharged from the hospital by Georgina and her male assistant to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement which prohibits her from discussing with anybody the fact that Georgina is in the hospital with two failing kidneys. Kelsey who decided that she has had enough of being denied at her job her true calling deciding to take a medical leave combined with her three weeks of paid vacation and experience: The Summer of Yes. Which is the perfect title for a book about two women who are going to embark on a journey together of doing things that they previously wouldn't have done, by playing it safe and going forward saying yes to things that are outside each others comfort zone. Kelsey being the caring person that she is talks a reluctant Georgina into joining her. From now on when Kelsey is approached with trying something new she says yes and does it. Georgina is a lot more stubborn and set in her ways which underneath her refusal while they both go on a road trip her underlying emotions are both shame and fear. Kelsey has already accomplished saying yes to things as simple as going with Ravi to the zoo to see the penguins and having dinner with his family eating spicy food. She feels innately that her passion for working is her natural creative quality that yearns deeply to write rather than edit someone else's work. Georgina faces challenges urged on by Kelsey's supportive desire to see her face some important fears with her selfless desire to see Georgina happy. Will they both reach their goals of finding what they discover they yearn to fulfill? For both of them it's taking risks, but the question is will they dare to continue to do what they need to in order to find meaning and happiness? The stakes get higher for both of them as they continue their journey?

This was really a departure from what I normally read, which is something new for me and it was truly inspirational. There is some romance for both women but it suited me perfectly, since it's clean and wholesome. I was impressed how this award winning author presented this subject as a class act. It's a beautifully written story that Kelsey is a character that is lovable and Georgina is less appealing due to her hard shell, but you can't help yourself from rooting for both of them as they are challenged to push through their different circumstances. Will they each make the right choices to find what they each deeply crave? The characters are all wonderfully developed and their individual journeys will require them each having to give up things that are difficult and important to them in order to achieve inner peace and joy. Will they both take the action required to gain what is most important to them? Easily Five Stars and one that I truly recommend without any reservation. I'm looking forward to reading this authors previous award winning work.

Publication Date: July 2, 2024! Available Now!

Thank you to Net Galley, Courtney Walsh and Thomas Nelson Fiction for generously providing me with my fantastic ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheSummerofYes #CourtneyWalsh #ThomasNelsonFiction #NetGally

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

This was a really fun book. I enjoyed reading it a lot!

What a TREAT of the summer!!! I loved everything about this delightful and meaningful book. I loved the unlikely friendship; I loved the dual love stories; I loved the reminders of what is truly and undeniably most important. I also found it wildly refreshing to read a fresh, fun, “of-the-moment” women’s fiction + romance book without any language or racy scenes. Just pure and outstanding, all-around! Five shining stars! I can’t wait to read more from CW!

Unfortunately this one just fell a little flat for me. DNF at 50%. The characters were sweet but I sadly didn't feel as invested in what was happening in either of their storylines. I do think lots of people will like this one, sadly it just wasn't for me.

I was expecting something similar to The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley but this book has a completely different feel. Not bad different, just different. First person voices of Kelsey and Georgina are complete opposites and the snarky banter is fun. Georgina’s personal assistant JP has a dry sense of humor which is quite delightful. The banter between Hayden and Kelsey is really fun and Kelsey’s hyperdrive writer imagination that conjures romcom situations and far off circumstances is quite hilarious. Self-realization and rescue from fear happen even as idea of death and terrible regrets loom. I loved the reconciliation and redemption integrated into the plot, even if faith is not explicitly mentioned.
It’s another winner from Courtney Walsh! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

When a book editor is treated like an assistant and sent out for coffee, her world gets upended when she's hit by a car that jumped the curb and hit her on the sidewalk. Her workaholic life isn't working. Luckily, her hospital roommate is her business mogul idol. She can see that her idol has regrets and she's torn between wanting to be this woman and also not ending up like this woman. So the two embark on a surprising and unlikely quest to satisfy a list of things they'd never done, and fix the wrongs of the past to make for better futures.
While having a very specific cheese factor, this book was also sweet in the way that it unravelled, the way the relationships built, the way the story pulls together. I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it in the beginning but the end was so worth it.

#arc
#netgalley
#thesummerofyes

BOOK REVIEW - The Summer of Yes - Courtney Walsh - 4/5 Stars

THE STORY
What a wonderful story this was! I don't read a lot of Womens Lit but each time I do, I'm reminded of how I should read more of this inspiring genre. I'm feeling so inspired right now! I loved the whole premise of this story and how the storyline played out. Kelsey and Georgina were such interesting characters, so different yet so similar. I loved Kelsey from the start while Georgina took a while to grow on me. It's always fun to see a reverse Grumpy-Sunshine with the FMC being the grumpy one. And Hayden *sigh* he was almost too perfect to be real, so swoony. The internal character monologues were a bit repetitive at times but overall a very enjoyable read.

THE ROMANCE
Yes, this may be classed as Womens Lit but you get not one but two romances in this story! And they're Courtney Walsh romances so you know they are going to be good! Her swoony moments never disappoint!

THE TRUTHS
There's so many wonderful truths in this book, reconciliation, forgiveness, hope and healing but the one that stood out to me was the main theme of facing fear, saying yes. I had my own summer of yes moment last year. I've always hated going to things or trying new things by myself so I would often not do them or wait to do it with a friend which was easy when I had friends to go with. But then I moved to a new city where I knew no one. So had to decide if I was going to miss out on new things or face my fears and embrace them. I chose Yes, it wasn't always easy but it has been rewarding. So don't let fear hold you back, trust in God and say yes to the opportunities He places in your life!

I absolutely fell in love with this book. The concept of saying yes and being more go with the flow is something that ours extremely intriguing to me. Don’t we all need to consider being like this sometimes. Perfect beach read in my vacation! 😍

I’ve never read a book by this author before but I absolutely loved it! Thank you so much for the ARC! I loved this story, it was extremely well written. Will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author!

After Kelsey gets hit by a car abs recovers, she decides to change her life. She decides that she’s no longer going to work in a job that she’s not appreciated in so she gets the rich woman who was sharing the hospital room with her to say yes to adventure and go on a road trip for the summer, despite the fact that she’s older and on dialysis. Kelsey decides she’s going to say yes to all the things all summer and make the most of the new lease on life she’s been given and wants Georgina, her hospital roommate, to do the same. Georgina has been a workaholic and sacrificed her family in order to have her career and now she’s successful but has no relationship with her grown son or her husband who never stopped loving her. Kelsey decides to take their road-trip to find Georgina’s son without her knowing it, and when they get there of course Georgina has figured it out and all is immediately forgiven. It was a little too neatly wrapped up in a bow for me. But I may be a little cynical 😂
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

I had never read a Courtney Wash book before this. I was drawn to the darling cover and description. I was definitely not disappoint. Great book! The characters were well written, you felt like you were handing out with friends. Highly recommend.