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Member Reviews

⛵️What a sweet, summer read! This is out today— and if I were you, I’d say YES to reading it! Thank you to @courtneywalsh for the sneak peek at this. I was so glad to have read it.

⛵️ This book has some of my favorite themes:
- self-reflection
- age gap friendships
- self-discovery
- and of course, a sappy sweet romance

⛵️ I’ve followed this author on IG for a long time, but this is the first time I’ve picked up one of her books— and I’m so glad I did! I really enjoyed my time with Kelsey and Georgina!

⛵️ Part of me wants to say some of the characters in this story are unrealistic. That they’re impossibly forgiving in an unforgivable situation. But isn’t it ok for fiction to be aspirational? To set an example for how people COULD be, if they wanted to? To set the best example for human behavior in hopes of inspiring the reader to be a better person?

⛵️ Overall, I think there’s a lot to take away from this book, and what more could I ask? I’ll definitely be reading more Courtney Walsh books in the future! Btw, this is closed-door if that matters to you.

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What a great story! I loved the message in this book and found it to be a good reminder. It's kept me thinking about the question, Do you regret it? I loved Kelsey or should I say Chelsea so much! Georgina was the perfect companion to Kelsey. I loved their banter so much. The book is a great feel-good summer read. The men in this book are too good to be true, but they were just what the ladies needed. I really enjoyed every minute of this book. I'll definitely look for other books by this author. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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I have read a few other Courtney Walsh books, and I’ve enjoyed every one. But this book was a whole other level. It’s not just your average romcom about friendship and going on a wild adventure (although that IS part of it!!). It’s a story of forgiveness and grace, both for others and yourself.

It’s a story of an unlikely friendship between Kelsey, a 20-something girl and Georgina, an elderly woman who built a cosmetic empire from scratch. They meet when they are forced to share the same hospital room, and their lives are never the same.

Together they decide to go on adventures where they say yes to things they have always said no to, in the name of their careers.

Is there romance? Yes, some. But the story is more so about their friendship and how their coincidental meeting sparked a new lease on life and an adventure between two very unlikely people.

It’ll make you laugh, cry, laugh again, and cry again. It was beautiful and I loved every minute.

I can’t wait to see what Courtney comes up with next!!

Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC, all opinions are my own.

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I was immediately drawn to the fun summer cover and playful title. This was a really light read, including a woman who has a near death experience who decides to finally say yes to all the things she normally says no to. I found the plot a bit too light and character development only meh. This would make a great beach read.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson and Netgalley!

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This book is so cute and inspiring! It’s about a young woman who realizes her entire life has been about saying no to things and prioritizing work above everything else. She enlists an older, very set-in-her-ways woman to join her in a “summer of yes,” a journey of choosing happiness and personal growth that leads to love and joy for both of them. It’s such a cute concept, and all about giving yourself permission to live and thrive, not just survive. I loved Kelsey and Hayden 🥹 and I loved the ending! I really like Courtney Walsh’s books; they really just make you feel good, like a big warm hug! This is definitely a must-read this summer!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read before pub day! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. THE SUMMER OF YES is out now!

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Courtney Walsh consistently posts about the types of books she writes- she writes happy romances, light, fluffy and I am a BIG fan. This book, The Summer of Yes is in fact light and fun with beautiful love stories- romantic and platonic- but its also deep and the kind of book that will make you a better person.

So, if you like mentors, strong women, growth, learning, second chances, swoony men, boats, adventures, and overcoming obstacles, read this book. And brace yourself, youre gonna learn something and come out a better person at the end.

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Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction for the advance readers copy. All opinions are my own.

What’s it about? A workaholic (possibly a criminal) with a near death experience and an older curmudgeon spend the summer together experiencing life.

Mini Review: The Summer of Yes is a charming story of self discovery. It’s a story of forgiveness and a story of making life count. There’s even a little romance, too.

**3.5 stars rounded to 4**

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Happy Publication Day!!!

The Summer Of Yes by Courtney Walsh
Genre: Contemporary Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
(swipe to read the synopsis)

This book is what I needed right now. I laughed, I cried and I just don’t want it to end. How many of us get stressed out and anxious about the future? As I get older, I try to find ways to bring stability to my life. Sometimes I do things I thought is the best for me, but because of my choices, I lost the fun and spontaneity in me. My current way of living resonates a lot with Kelsey. After reading this book, I found myself assessing my life decisions, my regrets that I thought I cannot change anymore. But will I have a second chance if I just say yes? How I wish it’s that easy to say YES to everything that challenges you. Saying no sometimes means you just want to be on the safe side. Ackkk I’m getting emotional as I make this review.

Read this book! Period. The characters in this book were relatable, Georgina and Kelsey are the perfect duo! If you’re in the mood for charming and motivational summer read, this is a fantastic choice. This book is categorized as contemporary romance but in my opinion, there’s not much romance in this one. There’s more to it than that.

Thank you @netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Courtney Walsh for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I sometimes wonder where I have been. I just read The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh. I went online and looked her up and she has a lot of books out. Why am I just discovering her? Has my head been in the sand or isn’t she publicized very well?

I loved this book and it goes without saying that she has a talent for developing a storyline that is believable and characters you come to love. I made that statement because I don’t think she would have that many books out if she wasn’t talented. Oh my goodness, let me tell you a little about this book.

The main character is Kelsey Worthington. She is an assistant editor, she always wanted to be an author but a professor told her she doesn’t have what it takes. There is Georgina Tate, the matriarch of New York business women, her son Hayden and husband Dylan. 

The two women are put in positions to question what would have happened in their lives if they would have said yes to all that they said no to. I wonder the same thing too at times. Don’t you? It is an interesting premise for a book and made a great read in my humble opinion.

This book will give you a lot to think about. Georgina is used to being the boss and getting what she wants and it came with a price. I’m not sure we were supposed to like her but, it took a while and I learned to love her and embrace who and what she was. She has a definite reason for the path she took in her life. If you are young, this book might make you think about what you want to accomplish and how you might go about it. If you are older, you might wonder if you need to make changes. If it's too late, you might rethink how you are going to finish out the time you have left.

If you enjoy a story that might teach you some important lessons of life like how to say yes instead of playing it safe and saying no, if you love to read about epic love stories or you just enjoy a good story, then this book should be on your radar. I thought the book would be nothing but fluff and fun. It is a lot more than that. I highly recommend this book for your summer reading pleasure.

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from #ThomasNelson, #FirstEditions, #Netgalley . The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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Courtney Walsh has done it again. Her latest, The Summer of Yes, was spectacular. This contemporary romance was cute, heartfelt, entertaining, and the characters were oh so delightful. And while I loved the romance, it was the character development that truly drew me in. Walsh cleverly created a plot with complexity, expertly weaving in threads of regret, loss, and fear. I could not help but adore every inch of this story! Reading this book was better than watching a movie any day!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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A freak accident forced Kelsey and Georgina to share a hospital room but that was only the beginning. These two set out on an adventure to say yes for the summer but it leads to so much more. Georgina reluctantly agrees to go but little does she know that Kelsey has a plan for their adventure.

I haven’t read a book by Courtney Walsh that I didn’t love! Her writing makes you laugh and cry while enjoying the story. I immediately fell in love with the characters and found myself invested in the outcome.

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*4.5
I was so pleasantly surprised with this book! It gave me summer vibes all the way.

The story is a journey of self-discovery and prioritizing what truly matters in life. We follow two women, young Kelsey and older Georgina, as they navigate their paths together. Their contrasting personalities lead to funny interactions and a beautiful friendship.

I realized I love coastal romances, and this one delivered. The intertwined storylines of Kelsey and Georgina were full of forgiveness, love, and friendship. Kelsey’s romance, though it seemed rushed initially, develops with clear intentions, taking it slow and steady. Georgina's love story, though different, was equally captivating. I loved every bit of it.

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Thank you NetGalley, Publishers and Courtney for the chance to read this one.

This is just what you need when you don't know what to pick up. Fun filled, summer loving. Lovely book :)

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A big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC!

What a sweet, endearing story about the power of saying YES (and NO…but we’ll get to that)! I loved the core message about how it’s never too late to start living a life you love. The characters practically jumped off the page and felt so real, largely because the author leaned into their quirks and all-too-human choices (both good and bad) allowing them to be perfectly imperfect.

There were honestly points where I started getting frustrated by certain decisions, especially with Kelsey who had zero boundaries in the beginning. But then the characters would catch themselves and have these relatable moments of self-awareness. It was refreshing seeing that kind of growth on the page!

This book spans many aspects of life that often lead to regrets, including career paths, love lives, and family dynamics. So, there’s something for everyone. Because who hasn’t had a regret or two? But as I mentioned earlier, this book is about saying NO just as much as it’s about saying YES. And I loved seeing Kelsey and Georgina realize that it’s okay to turn a complete 180 if a certain path in life isn’t bringing you joy. For me, the takeaway was about saying YES to new opportunities, while staying true to who you are. And sometimes that means saying NO.

My one critique is that the book felt long, with some passages repeating the same message from each character’s POV multiple times. But for many readers, the length won't be a problem at all! If you're a fan of grumpy/sunshine friendships, found families, second chances, and wholesome summer fun, then you'll love this book.

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This book was joy and growth personified, which I feel like can be hard to find in today's literary society. I thought that the author did a beautiful job pulling us into the character's lives and wanting us to feel for and with them.
The dynamic between Kelsey and Georgina was very well-done. I could feel their development throughout the course of the novel and really enjoyed their relationship. I thought that it gave insight into what a true relationship would be like - it was realistic.
This book made me want to say yes to everything in my life and be more open and carefree. It made me want to experience new things and truly be introspective (which not many books do).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Will definitely be picking up another Courtney Walsh book in the future!

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3.5 stars — it took probably 25% of the book to feel invested in the characters. Georgina was one of the most stubborn characters I’ve read in a long time. At some point, the stubbornness was frustrating but the ending was heartwarming and satisfying. I recommend it!

This beauty is out TOMORROW July 2!

Thank you to Courtney Walsh, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for an advanced copy!

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I adored this book so much! The characters, the story line, the locations — they were all perfect.

I felt like I was *in* Driftwood for a good portion of the book, and it sounded magical. I loved Kelsey’s outlook on life and her persistence with Georgina.

I really do believe one person can impact many lives, and Kelsey proved that through this story.

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I love Walsh! And The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh is a really sweet story of self discovery and friendships.
The story was great, the plot and character development were amazing, and I devoured this story. The writing was so lovely and it was such an easy book to get through. I had such a fun time reading this!

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

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I absolutely loved The Summer of Yes! I loved the characters, and their unlikely connection. I loved the fact that it was a friendship story that fueled two love stories. I adored the narrator who read Georgina's chapters. Her voice could not have been more perfect for this character. I also love the overall positive, upbeat vibes of the story that the cover captures perfectly. This book is out tomorrow, and you will definitely want a copy for your pool or beach bag!

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say yes to this book! it was a beautiful story about finding yourself, forgiveness, love, trust, & family... just all the good stuff. i laughed, giggled, kicked my feet and teared up the whole way through this book. I absolutely loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between georgina and kelsey. and of course the romance aspects as well. this was just an all around wonderful book and everyone should read it! especially if you're at a point in life where you may be questioning what you're doing. this book is definitely healing.

5 glorious stars to The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh. thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

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