<i>The Summer of Yes</i> follows two people, Kelsey and Georgina. One is at the beginning of her career, trying to make her mark, while the other has accomplished everything there is to achieve. However, both have regrets about how they approached their personal lives.

To be honest, I expected this to be more about Kelsey and Georgina. The first part of the book of the two of them didn't lead anywhere for the two of them, and I was hoping this would be the kind of empowering book about women bonding. Instead, it focused too much on romance.

Georgina struggled to balance her family and her huge cosmetics empire, so, in the end, she just gave up on her family. Kelsey wanted to focus on her career so much that she ignored everything that wasn't related to it. Once they realize they must change something in their life, everything goes smoothly.

I would've liked more fire between the two couples, as there was basically no chemistry, build-up, or anything. For a book about two grown women, sharing some kisses here and there that led nowhere is just unrealistic.

Also, what was the passage about judging women who have one-night stands and then coming up with "morals" to judge them? It was so preachy it made me roll my eyes soooo much.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

I was so excited to read Courtney Walsh’s latest but unfortunately this one didn’t WOW me like I thought it would! The premise is very cute and the characters did have that Courtney charm that we have come to know and love but I wasn’t fully engaged by the plot, things moved a bit to slowly to keep me fully invested. As a result it took me quite some time to get through this one and I found myself gravitating toward other books rather than picking this one up!

If you’re a fan of literary fiction, character driven stories and books that feel like a warm hug from a friend - I would recommend you pick this one up!

I truly am a diehard Courtney fan, but may stick with her romcoms from now on as literary fiction doesn’t seem to do it for me these days!!

Just the most delightful book about saying yes to the opportunities that scare you, that push you out of your comfort zone, that change you into a better person. I adored Georgina and Kelsey's relationship as they grew and changed and tried to be better, happier people. And the double dash of romance was just the cherry on top!

Thank you to Netgalley for my complimentary e-arc. All opinions here are my own.

Kelsey is a junior editor who has put her dream of being a writer on back burner. Georgina is a wildly successful business woman who is facing a dire health diagnosis and has painful regrets of some of her past decisions.

After a miraculous death-defying experience, Kelsey ends up sharing her hospital room with the famous Georgina. Kelsey realizes after her accident that she needs to waste no more time and reach for a more fulfilling life and embrace a summer of “Yes”. After some finagling she gets Georgina, to join her in a Yes adventure. They begin small with local NYC sightseeing but soon advance a road trip on a road trip that has them visiting a coastal town in Georgia. There Georgia reconnects with her family with Kelsey falling head over heels with Georgia’s son

This sweet novel encourages the reader to go forth in life with love, compassion and say yes to things that makes l the most of life! Like the other books I’ve read by the author I really enjoyed the characters ( especially when they are older) I also thought narration was well done.

I want to thank Net Galley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing | Thomas Nelson Fiction and the author herself for a chance to listen/read an ARC version of this novel.

What a delightful read! I so loved the message of taking risks and being willing to stepping out of your comfort zone. I loved the female friendship. This story kept me engaged from the very beginning. I didn't feel like the romance was needed, but it wasn't a huge part of the story so it's ok. I laughed and found my heart touched. Loved it. 4.5 stars.

I really liked the concept of this book -- say YES more!! -- but I wasn't a huge fan of the execution.

It was written in such a way that I was pulled out of the story often with an odd metaphor or turn of phrase, and I felt bored for most of the story. It ultimately felt forgettable and was lacking the magic I wanted from a premise as seemingly magical as this one. The romance didn't grip me, and for the LOVE, can we stop referencing H*rry P*tter in books?! There's honestly no need to mention it anymore.

It wasn't a standout for me, but I did like the themes of family relationships, healing, and choosing the kind of life we want. It did inspire me to say yes to more fun and adventure in my life.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. THE SUMMER OF YES is out now!

The Summer of Yes is a well written book. I enjoyed the characters and their adventures. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

"The Summer of Yes" by Courtney Walsh is a heartwarming and inspiring novel that beautifully captures the essence of self-discovery and transformation. The story follows Emily Ackerman, a woman who has spent most of her life playing it safe and putting others' needs before her own. Determined to break free from her routine, Emily embarks on a summer of saying "yes" to new experiences, opportunities, and, ultimately, herself.

Walsh's writing is both engaging and relatable, drawing readers into Emily's journey with a perfect blend of humor and emotion. The characters are well-developed and endearing, making it easy to root for Emily as she navigates the challenges and joys of stepping out of her comfort zone. The novel's setting, a picturesque small town, adds to the story's charm, providing a cozy backdrop for Emily's adventures.

"The Summer of Yes" is more than just a romantic comedy; it's a story about finding the courage to embrace life fully and the unexpected beauty that comes with it. Through Emily's journey, Walsh explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and the power of positivity.

Overall, "The Summer of Yes" is a delightful and uplifting read that will leave readers feeling inspired and hopeful. Courtney Walsh has crafted a story that encourages us all to say "yes" to life's possibilities, making this book a perfect summer read for anyone looking to find a little magic in their everyday lives.

“What if… just, what if… I’ve been given a second chance here? What if I’m waking up to where I am, and I don’t like it?”

What would you do if you got a second chance at life? That’s just the decision Kelsey has to make when she wakes up in the hospital after a near-death accident.
She meets Georgina, a well known successful business woman who has only a few months left to live, thanks to her kidneys failing. They both have regrets in the way they have lived and together they say yes to anything that comes their way. And it might just change their lives.

This book was amazing! I absolutely loved it and loved all of the characters. We follow both Kelsey’s and Georgina’s POVs throughout the book. Georgina is an all business, no nonsense woman and I loved seeing how her friendship with Kelsey grew and she began to open up about her life. The romance was so sweet and I loved Hayden and Kelsey together, and how Hayden got her to say yes to things she was afraid of. I can’t forget to mention JP! He was a fantastic character and I loved seeing his interactions with Kelsey. I did get bored in the beginning but I absolutely loved the book in the end, and highly recommend this summer romance. Courtney Walsh really knows how to write and how to make you fall in love with her stories.

“Yes, it’s risky to feel things. And it’s risky to hope for good. And it’s hard to say yes to the unknown. And it doesn’t always result in wonderful memories. But that’s what it means to be alive.”

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

I always enjoy Courtney Walsh books. She has a way of writing such lovable characters, The Summer of Yes was no different.

“Saying yes to simple pleasure might be even more important to me than saying yes to big things. After all, it’s the little moments that make a life.”

It is so easy to get sucked into a schedule, or routine and let time pass you by. Usually it takes some sort of unplanned shake up to open your eyes. Which is exactly what happened to Kelsey. After an accident she finds herself in a hospital room, alone and questioning all the decisions she made up until this point. That is until she meets Georgina, and decides to make some big changes … starting with saying yes … to everything’

Younger characters befriending older ones is always my jam. I loved that Georgina was a little crabby, but got sweeter the more she was around Kelsey, and the more we got to know about her. I enjoyed their friendship and how they ended up bringing out the best in each other. Although their relationship was the center, I loved the sneaky little bit of romance we got in this book.

“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.”

The Summer of Yes is a wholesome story about finding saying yes and finding yourself along the way. I think a lot of people will enjoy this book, however it was a little too predictable and cheesy for me. It read like a Lifetime movie with a lot of clichés - so wholesome, NYC gal falls for the country boy, quits her job but finds something even better, befriends boys grumpy mom and they all become a family.

Every once in a while you stumble across a book that you were meant to read, that connects with what’s going on in your own life more deeply than you anticipated. The Summer of Yes was that book for me. I was pulled to it from the title and the description about two workaholic women, having recently made my own significant career change for some similar reasons. What I didn’t anticipate was how beautiful the character development would be and how much I couldn’t put the book down. I highlighted so many passages and expect this book will be in my thoughts for quite some time.

Courtney Walsh is an automatic buy and read for me, and this novel is no exception to that. This is such a fun, feel-good, beach read book that follows Kelsey and Georgina through their Summer of Yes! Kelsey has an accident that requires her to stay in a hospital with a famous roommate. Upon meeting her, the two take on a challenge together to say yes to things, changing the course of their lives forever.

I loved this so much. The perfect light rom-com to read in the summer and to make you smile.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio as well!

This was a fun adventure and thoughtful story. Kelsey and Georgina are unexpectedly brought together and find out they are both overworked, stubborn, and missing out on life. They decide it is time to make a change and both challenge each other when they need it most. This story has a great message about focusing on the present and taking time for your loved ones. I can't wait to read more from Courtney Walsh.

Read if you like:
-Road trips
-Adventure
-Female Friendship
-Second Chances

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing and NetGally for this Advanced Release copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed this tender yet fun story. Perfect for summer reading - light but still tugs at the heart.

Kelsey Worthington is a workaholic and doesn't like to take risks or step outside of her comfort zone. After being hit by a car and surviving, she meets Georgina Tate - a well-known successful business woman - in the hospital. Georgina has everything she's dreamed of, but has said no to some pretty important things along the way. Kelsey starts to question if the life she is pursuing is really worth it. Kelsey convinces Georgina to join her on a Summer of Yes adventure!

I really enjoyed this book! It was so unique and had all of the great qualities that I love about Courtney Walsh’s writing. It did start out a little slower paced for me - but that may have just been my mood. I was unsure about Georgina at first, because she was pretty unlikable. But by the end, Walsh really had me caring about her and being able to empathize. I love it when authors do that!! There was such a good message in this book about taking risks, forgiveness and grace!

The male characters in this book were wonderful and so full of love and grace!! This was a great summer read! I highly recommend!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the e-book and audiobook to read and review.

Looking for a summery book to stick in your beach bag? Found it! ✔️
Crave a lighthearted, fun story that’s also thought provoking? Got it! ✔️
Love a book that reads like a heartwarming, inspirational movie? Look no further! ✔️

☀️ This is the story of two women in different stages of life who strike an unlikely friendship and have a meet cute of sorts in a hospital room.

☀️ Realizing the two very different women share a common bond of regrets in life, Kelsey wants to start saying yes to more things in life— and wants Georgina to come along with her on a Summer of Yes trip so that she too, can start living life more freely, especially in the face of a dire medical diagnosis.

💭 My thoughts:

I love books about the power of friendship. Although Georgina is prickly and hard to get close to, Kelsey keeps trying. Why? Because she sees something worth uncovering beneath all of Georgina’s armor. And that’s the gift of friendship. Someone who cares deeply, invests in you, and sees you for who you really are. We all need a friend like Kelsey and may we all strive to be a little more like Kelsey in our own friendships.

This touching yet humorous book takes a good look at what’s truly important in life and reminds us life is short: so love the people in your circle fiercely, embrace new opportunities and remember to say “yes” to more things that make you happy.

Other Highlights I Loved:

🩷Coastal setting
🩵Themes of forgiveness, grace and reconciliation
💛Dual POV
🤍Witty and sarcastic banter (so many laugh-out-loud lines!)
🩷Second chance romance
🩵Two romantic love stories featured
💛Women supporting other women
🤍Kelsey and Georgina’s evolving relationship
🩷Kelsey’s creative writing gears being switched on
🩵JP, Georgina’s assistant
💛Road trip adventures
🤍Taking risks and trying new things

Content: kisses only, no language. Car accident, terminal illness, parent abandonment/estrangement, marriage separation.

A chance encounter between young editor Kelsey and a legendary businesswoman Georgina leads to an unlikely companionship and a summer of "yes"!

I just loved how wholesome this book was! Be warned, it is going to make you feel all kind of feelings! It did make me cry, and not too many books do Kelsey is an interesting character. She is quite persistent and I won't lie, she got a tiny bit on my nerves trying to coax Georgina, an elderly woman on dialysis, to go on adventures. But, just like Georgina, I did warm up to Kelsey eventually and even began liking her "writer's brain" and her running narratives. The banter in the book is hilarious. The novel really inspires you to take leaps of faith, make amends, chose kindness and family, and maybe even say 'yes' to a second chance at love. And... there is an amazingly wonderful new book boyfriend on the block!

This is a beautiful heartwarming story about family, grace, forgiveness and preserving love. I would reread this book in a heartbeat

4.5 ⭐️
This was the CUTEST and most heartfelt summer read! When our fmc, Kelsey, has an eye opening wake up call, she decides to start saying yes for the first time in her life. Yes to adventure. Yes to happiness. Yes to fun. This is a clean read, no cursing, no spice. The love story is so sweet and the mmc is super swoony. There were so many emotional moments that had me reflecting on my life, too. I enjoyed every minute of this. 🩷

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction & NetGalley for sending this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review! I will definitely be reading more by this author!

3.5 ⭐️

This was a perfect summer roadtrip down the East coat audiobook for me! This book was kind of the same vibe as Letters to Juliet for me.

Kelsey is in sort of a slump and not super content with her life. While in the hospital she meets an old lady, and sorts of forces a friendship on her 🤣 Not gonna lie, the first 40% or so of the story was very slow. I appreciated having an audiobook to listen to.

Kelsey and Georgina embark on a journey to reconcile her with her family, knowing Georgina doesn’t have much longer to live. Reflecting back, I have some issues with Kelsey inserting herself in others business and forcing Georgina to do things she didn’t want to do. However, the roadtrip is where things picked up and I was vibing with the summer coastal feels. Kelsey meets Georgina’s son 👀 and they have their own little summer romance moment. I do love that Courtney Walsh is a Christian and clean writer, so the romance felt very lighthearted. And while I don’t usually read just women’s literature, I’m glad that a significant part of the book was focused on Courtney and Georgina’s journeys of saying yes rather than having this be another romance read.

Thank you so much NetGalley for this!