For some reason I overlooked this book and for that I am truly sorry. I saw the title listed in my lists and began reading in immediately because the publication date was coming up soon. Then I realized the publication date was almost a year ago. After downloading the book for review I was very disappointed with the beginning of the story and decided not to write a review for this title. In going through the library shelves I saw the book on the shelves; that is when I realized I was a year late. I downloaded the audio version and found the story much more interesting than when I started it. I finished the title and posted my review on Goodreads. I gave the story 4 stars mainly because the beginning was not so exciting.

This book feels like a cozy, alternative reality of the Devil Wears Prada. I really enjoyed Kelsey and Georgina’s journey. So many people work their lives away without really living and this book really reminds you of what is important.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC!

If you love uplifting stories that blend romance with themes of self-discovery and personal growth, then The Summer of Yes is the book for you!

Georgina Tate is a hard nosed, legendary business women who has given up her life for her work. Kelsey Worthington is a dreamer who longs to be a writer. Their lives collide when Kelsey is hit by a car as she absent mindedly answers a text from her boss and Georgina is in the hospital with kidney failure. Much to Georgina's dismay she finds herself with Kelsey as a roommate as they both recover. As Georgina's kidneys begin to fail, she lingers on the regrets of leaving her husband and son all those years ago. Kelsey decides to put her own priorities first after her accident. When she concocts a plan to get Georgina righting wrongs and living out her days to the fullest, she discovers that they both need a summer of yes. Yes to everything they've always let hold them back. Maybe it's time to confront their fears and find happiness along the way.

A fun and endearing book with characters you will fall in love with!!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC of The Summer of Yes.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves strong professional women who go through some personal growth and realize what's most important in life.

I loved the relationship between Georgia and Kelsey. They have a love-indifference relationship with Kelsey constantly pushing Georgia out of her comfort zone.

Yes there is a love story for the women but that's not the main story. The main story is the women and their relationship. If you want to read a great , funny, and heartwarming novel about women supporting women, you should read this book.

This book was so fun! I loved the concept of saying yes. I loved the relationship and the chance meeting of the two main characters. This was a good read.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC of The Summer of Yes! Courtney Walsh is one of my favorite clean romance authors - I love her books! The Summer of Yes was an absolute win for me. The relationship between Kelsey and Georgina was so sweet and I loved the message behind this summer. I recommend!

The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh is a heartwarming story about self-discovery, second chances, and embracing life’s unexpected opportunities. When Kelsey, a struggling writer, is thrown into an unlikely friendship with Georgina, a powerful businesswoman facing regrets, the two women set out on a transformative journey. After a life-changing accident, they challenge themselves to say yes to new experiences—changing the course of their lives in the process. With its engaging characters, witty dialogue, and a touch of romance, this novel is a delightful reminder that sometimes the best way to find yourself is to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the unexpected. A perfect feel-good read for fans of personal growth and adventure.

I went into The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh expecting a light, possibly cheesy read, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. What started as a fun summer story quickly revealed a deeper, more meaningful narrative about embracing life, stepping out of comfort zones, and saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities. The characters were relatable and well-developed, and their journeys felt authentic and inspiring. Walsh’s writing strikes a perfect balance between humor and heart, making the story both entertaining and thought-provoking. It’s a feel-good read with a purpose, and I found myself reflecting on my own choices long after turning the last page. Definitely worth the read!

I absolutely loved this book! It was a really easy read and from the get go I really enjoyed the characters as well as seeing where the plot went! Courtney Walsh’s writing is quickly becoming one of my favourites to read!

This is a review of the audio version of the book:
Once again I had both versions of this book on hand but this review is of the audio version.

I liked having two distinct narrators with different styles and probably ages to distinguish between the two ladies in the book. Kelsey has an accident which has her admitted in hospital. This is a turning point in her life when the reader (and Kelsey herself) sees how she deals with the downtime and the repercussions of the same. I felt like this first section was laying the foundation for a different tone than the actual rest of the book.

Kelsey shares a hospital room with Georgina Tate, someone she has looked up to and admired from afar. This chance encounter has Kelsey delving into things that are not exactly her business. The summer of yes is a way for Kelsey to get some joy into Ms Tate’s life and maybe learn something along the way.

I liked the reality checks that sometimes came up as the tale progressed. It may or may not have an impact on the direction of the story itself but they do appear. It is a tale with good characters and a story ARC that makes sense. I liked the writing and narrative style. I just felt like the book lost some steam in between. The author’s note at the end did add a little extra dimension to the overall tone as well.

I would recommend this book to fans of the genre and would definitely try another book by the author.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.

Both women annoyed the crap out of me and made it hard to read or care about either of them. Though I do love how Georgina begrudgingly helped Kelsey

Such a fun story! The perfect beach read! I loved the characters and the storyline! I always am excited to see a new book by Courtney

This book is like a warm hug and a big dose of inspiration all rolled into one. It’s sweet, funny, and just the right amount of emotional. The whole idea of saying “yes” to things and embracing life is so uplifting, and the main character’s journey is one you can’t help but root for.

The small-town vibes are charming, and the cast of characters feels like a group of people you’d love to hang out with. Plus, there’s romance, self-discovery, and so many moments that’ll make you smile (and maybe tear up a little, too). It’s got all the feel-good summer vibes, but with some depth that keeps you hooked.

If you’re looking for a story that’s equal parts heartwarming and empowering, this is the perfect pick. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to chase your dreams and live life a little louder. Highly recommend!

4.5 This was such a fun positive literary fiction book with a little romance thrown in. I loved the message of this book to slow down and enjoy life and say yes more. This was a warm hug of a book that really pulled me in. I flew through this book in a day and really enjoyed the writing , the characters and the pacing. This was my first book from this author but look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

This was so incredibly predictable. It definitely was a typical, light chick-lit story regarding the romance. The other storyline was very unrealistic, which others may enjoy for a summer read, but wasn't for me. (2.5/5)

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Full transparency- I do plan on being a little bit self editing when writing this review, because I made the mistake of picking up two books with a similar premise of "something happens to the main character and they feel that they got a second chance at life and need to re-examine who they are spending there precious time on this earth" pretty much back to back. This wasn't on purpose and I regretted that this happened almost immediately but it is what it is so I am going to do my best to disregard any negative feelings I had due to my mistake.
This book is a bit heavy handed with its messaging and that did impact my overall enjoyment but I also think that is its biggest weakness. I actually think that in spite of that, the character development and the complicated relationships are expressed very well. I do wish that there was more clarity on the feelings of the husband that left. I don't think I really bought how easily persuaded and how easy he was to forgive and forget. Overall, the plot progresses at a good pace and I think the dual POV served the plot progression well.

Summer of Yes is a delightful read that truly lives up to its name! The story radiates warmth, joy, and inspiration, making it the perfect book for anyone seeking a feel-good escape. The characters are relatable and well-developed, and the plot effortlessly balances heart and humor. I especially loved how it encourages taking chances and embracing life’s unexpected opportunities. If you’re looking for a book that leaves you smiling and motivated, this is it! Highly recommended.

The Summer of Yes is the first book I’ve read in a long time that I finished then immediately re-read (okay, so I started from around a third of the way through the second time, but still.)

The story starts in New York City, where assistant editor Kelsey has woken up in hospital two days after being hit by a car. Her hospital roommate is Georgina Tate, a famous businesswoman and founder of a cosmetics empire.

The entire story is told in first person point of view–Kelsey’s story and Georgina’s story.
I found that a little confusing at first, because I missed the first time the story switched from Kelsey to Georgian (despite the big chapter heading). But once I got used to the two points of view, it wasn’t an issue.

The first part of the story had a women’s fiction feel, given Kelsey’s career revelation, the two female points of view, and the use of first person. The second half had more of a romance feel, thanks to the introduction of a single man who was simultaneously every Hallmark cliche and a unique and well-rounded character.

While the story isn’t overtly Christian (there are a handful of mentions of God), it’s an inspiring call to reconsider our priorities, and to not say “no” (or “yes”) to everything.

Recommended for contemporary Christian romance readers, especially those who can’t say no.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Courtney Walsh’s The Summer of Yes is a feel-good read. It’s a reminder of how saying 'yes' can transform your life. As Kelsey encouraged Georgina to embrace new experiences, she realized how much she needed to do the same. This dynamic made for a compelling and heartfelt journey.

By letting go of what wasn’t working and creating space for what could, both characters found their way to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. The father-son-mother storyline added a touching layer of emotional depth that really resonated with me. This book is about growth, second chances, and the courage to embrace life’s possibilities.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own!

Did you say yes when you should have? I’m glad that I said yes to reading this book and living through a summer with it. I adored the book and its characters immensely.