I really enjoyed this book- the perfect summer read! I can't wait to reread this while on vacation on the beach!

Kelsey Worthington lives a safe life, taking no risks and rocking no boats. Then, she's hit by a car one day and miraculously survives. While she's recuperating in the hospital, another woman comes in to share her room. This woman is no other than Georgina Tate, one of the most successful glass ceiling-shattering women in the country, one who has achieved all her dreams. As Kelsey tries to get to know her, Georgina bites back hard. Kelsey just has a feeling that their meeting is fate and must mean something so she won't give up. When Georgina finally does admit that she has some regrets, she turns Kelsey's world upside down, wondering if she's so focused on safety that she's missing out on life.

Thus begins the "Summer of Yes" where Kelsey decides to say yes to all the things she's been saying no to for years. Feeling some kind of need to help Georgina, Kelsey pesters her until she agrees to join Kelsey on some of her "Summer of Yes" adventures. This book is just a delight! There's witty banter, adventure, a little romance, and lots of humor. This book will make you think about your life and evaluate your choices, but not in a negative way. It's just uplifting and fun.

I didn't realize until rereading the description blurb today that this book is considered Christian Romance. I will say straight up that I would definitely put it in the "clean" category, but would NOT call it a romance. It's a friendship and self-discovery novel, the romance is totally secondary. Also, there's nothing in this book that refers to anything Christian and there's nothing in it that I would call Christian in any way. So, if that's what you're looking for, this isn't the book for you. If you're looking for clean fun that makes you think a little about your life choices and if they're really making you happy, this is definitely the book for you!

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is my second book by Courtney Walsh and she is a talented writer and story teller. She is quickly becoming my go to author for feel good reads. I loved the character growth in this one and the concept of saying yes to the things you would have said no to in the past. I appreciated the sweet romance too. I will be reading more from Courtney.

I received an ARC of this from NetGalley and this was my first Courtney Walsh. I really enjoyed this book! It was a good mix of romance and a surprising friendship. I really loved that she included Georgina’s POV at times. There were times that the story seemed to be perfectly tied together at times, but I didn’t mind that since we all want a HEA anyways. 5 stars and one of my favorite books of the year!

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

Anything Courtney Walsh writes, I will read. This was a great read. It tells the story of saying yes and giving yourself a shot at new experiences.

Kelsey is hit by a car and her hospital roomie is someone very unexpected, the famous Georgina Tate, who created a multi-million dollar company from the ground up.

Georgina is not friendly, but it doesn't stop Kelsey from meddling in her life because she sees her future going Georgina's way (alone in a hospital with no loved ones, only her business).

The two embark on a journey of the "Summer of Yes" - Kelsey is determined to help Georgina reconnect with her husband and son.

Little did they know, the two women came into each other's lives at the perfect time.

I loved this book. Especially the story from both an older woman and younger woman - both at different points in their lives. They are both looking for different things, yet love is at the center of everything. I loved the dynamics between all of the characters, they were witty, fun, and smart. I loved the slow burn romances that were building - there was more than one which was awesome! I really enjoyed the perspective of an older woman who is getting a second chance love and a younger, new to love couple. The importance of relationships, romance and forgiveness runs deep from page one. I loved that the characters all grew and changed - to find their own happiness. I just truly enjoyed the overall positive and happy messages in this book, even when things were not happy and easy. Just an overall enjoyable read from the first page until the last!
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader and audio copies.

Thank you to Courtney Walsh, NetGalley, and Thomas Nelson for this #gifted book!*
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Title: The Summer of Yes
Author: Courtney Walsh
Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction
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Synopsis: “Nothing comes without a cost, young lady, and only you can decide if you’re willing to pay it.” When Kelsey’s world is rocked by an almost-tragic car accident, she finds herself landed in a hospital bed pondering the “what-if’s” of her life. Her hospital roommate is a grumpy old woman who turns out to be one of the most famous women in business, Georgina Tate. And Georgina has secrets she’d like to keep secret. As Kelsey embarks on a summer of saying yes to all the things she’s formerly said no, she relentlessly requests Georgina to join her, and for some reason, Georgina agrees. As the two set their professional lives on the back burner, they begin to discover all they’ve been missing when it comes to fun, family, and the future. Professional success has been so, so profitable. But when faced with all the things they’ve given up, the burning question remains—is it worth it?

Analysis: Courtney Walsh has become one of my favorite authors for those light-hearted reads, and The Summer of Yes is exactly that! I love the characters, their conversations, and the way they ask big questions. You’ll find yourself laughing and crying with the characters and asking those big questions right along with them. Happily Ever Afters are a given in Courtney’s books, so you know you’ve got romance and good things to come! Highly, highly recommend The Summer of Yes for a sweet, clean summer read.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions ťexpressed in this review are my own.

We all need to experience “The Summer of Yes”!! A time for us to reach back into our lives and think about all the things we never did because we were afraid or too busy, and somehow find the courage to say “yes” to new beginnings and experiences. I found myself making my own list as I followed along with Kelsey and Georgina as they packed up the baby blue convertible and rode off into the sunset.

Kelsey and Georgina are both strong-willed women who fate brought together so they could help each other deal with a future filled with changes. I thoroughly enjoyed their verbal sparring, idea swapping and dream sharing, as they very slowly became friends. Kelsey made Georgina feel young again, and her thoughts were filled with memories of a time when anything was possible, and she had it all. Georgina’s mind was sharp as a tack and so were her snippy comments as Kelsey tried to convince her to come along on her “Summer of Yes” tour. I could tell Georgina saw a kindred spirit in Kelsey; someone who reminded her of her younger self just starting out with the world at her fingertips. As their friendship progressed and their road trip took a slight detour, Georgina could see the benefit of trying new things by saying yes to Kelsey’s refreshing enthusiasm, and steadfast determination. We could all benefit from a summer like this where we could have the freedom to take off without a care in the world. I could only imagine how freeing Kelsey felt as she cruised along the highway, wind blowing her hair, as the world passed her by. Their destination may have been a mystery to Georgina, but Kelsey knew that in their “Summer of Yes” anything was possible if you believed in the power of love.

4.25⭐️ The message behind this book is something i think everyone should read and brought on a wave of reflection whilst reading. The characters were lovable, even Georgina, and I loved that we got dual POV because it really gives an insight into Georgina’s backstory and the way she works. Although at times I was frustrated with her decisions, there was always an explanation as to why which created a well rounded and established group of characters. I loved seeing the friendship between the two main characters develop and appreciated that this remained a main focal point throughout the story even when we met other characters. The setting is perfect for a summer read and the author did a very good job at creating a fun story with a deeper meaning. Many parts also had me giggling thanks to the sarcastic humour which is a big yes from me!

Continue to love all books by Courtney Walsh… it was refreshing to have a book where the primary relationship focuses on in the book was not the romantic one - but I also missed the romance being the primary focus at the same time. I LOVED Kelsey and Georgina’s relationship. This book was a fast read but slightly slower paced. This story was the sweetest read with the best reminders to live your life to the fullest, take time to slow down, apologize and forgive… and most importantly hold on tightly to those that you love.

This story brought me write back to my 20s when I drove my late grandmother to Michigan to visit her siblings. She was so giddy the entire trip which made me so happy and we just enjoyed our time together. After a brush with death, Kelsey meets and befriends Georgina, an older, lonely professional who has a life-threatening disease. Kelsey convinces Georgina to go on an adventure of a Summer of Yes. They learn things about love. About life. Just by saying yes. Yes to the unknown. To things that are risky. That scare you.
I did a tandem audio and e-read which led for an immersive experience, and a lot of feel good feelings.

Wow! I’ve had a lot of Courtney Walsh books on my TBR but this is the first one I’ve read. I love her writing style. I enjoyed the references to things like the Gilmore Girls and The Holiday movie. She also weaves in highly relatable themes, like at the beginning when the FMC is forced to rest due to a near-death experience. I think this will resonate with many women who feel they must constantly be working, unable to rest unless something serious, like illness, forces them to slow down. This book is about facing fears, saying yes to life, and embracing love.

If you’re looking for a clean romance, I recommend giving Courtney Walsh a read.

This book comes out on July 2nd. Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an arc.

This was cute. It wasn’t what I was expecting though which threw me a little. There wasn’t a ton of a summer of yes, and it took too long to really get going for me. But the second half of the book did suck me in and I really started to like the characters. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!!

4.5 stars
This is such a fun, entertaining, good read. Kelsey and Georgina are interesting, relatable, intriguing, captivating, complex, wounded, strong, entertaining characters. Their interactions and exchanges are entertaining to read and powerful. Their relationship is as good as the romance between Hayden and Kelsey. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. This story and characters resonate with me. The story captured my attention from the start and held it until the very end. The book is easy to read and get into.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC of this book. This is my second courtney walsh book and it cemented her place at the top of my favorite authors list. I love the idea of this book and the message it gave. I loved every single character and I was filled so much joy and hope, while reading this book.

Title: The Summer of Yes
Author: Courtney Walsh
Genre: Christian, General Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Fiction
Publication Date: July 2, 2024

Overview:
Kelsey Worthington, an almost-assistant editor at a major New York publishing house, is about to experience a crazy plot twist to her life. When a freak car accident lands her in a hospital room with wealthy and insanely successful businesswoman, Georgia Tate, fate may have it that their stories start to intertwine in the most unexpected ways. Kelsey’s cheerful, bubbly personality paired with Georgina’s cold, confident sarcasm makes this book a perfect grumpy-sunshine combo. Think road trips, beaches, and fancy hotels—all the fun summer vibes. Will Kelsey and Georgina say yes to the things they’ve always said no to? You’ll have to read to find out!

Writing Style:
This was my first Courtney Walsh book and I was pleasantly surprised! Her writing is witty, clever, and a lot of fun. She had some amazing one-liners that had me laughing out loud, and I was hooked right from the start. Her sense of humor is fantastic, and I loved the way she writes. The book is super easy to read, and her use of imagery is just beautiful.

Pacing:
Initially, the pacing of the book felt quick. I found this to be great because I was easily pulled into the story and wanted to know what was happening, I was hooked on every page! I couldn’t stop reading. However, as the plot progressed, I found that the pacing slowed considerably. Some chapters felt like filler, just trying to waste time until the resolution. Despite this, I still found the pacing to be decent with fun cliffhangers at the end of each chapter and POV changes that kept it interesting!

Character Development:
I have to say, Walsh truly outdid herself with the characters in this book. I would say my favorite part of the novel was the characters and their development. Each character was unique and carefully crafted, even down to their name choices. I could imagine each of them in their personality differences. Kelsey is cheery, vibrant, fun, but also a stereotypical young adult who is trying to find her place in the world. She is relatable, sometimes a little awkward but hilarious, adorable, and just felt real, in the best way possible.

Georgina is probably my favorite character, in all her business-like wonder. She is absolutely hilarious, a little bit cold, successful, but also real. She has lived a lot of life and now that she is aging, she is confronting her life and what she’s achieved but also what she has sacrificed. She is a softy deep down, but she likes to believe she is a lot stronger than she is. She is sweet, talented, and witty.
I won’t share any more of the characters, at risk of spoiling them, but you will just have to read to find out how amazing they are!

Some notes on characters that I wish were altered slightly. I wish we could have heard more from Georgina’s POV. We didn’t get a lot of chapters from her. I also wish we could have seen more from Kelsey’s parents, I loved her mom’s character and would have liked to see her be a bigger part of the story. And we don’t get to meet her dad at all which makes me sad! Also we don’t get to meet her sister either, I think that would have been a fun dynamic to have seen. I also would have liked to have seen less from Ravi, but we can talk about that more a little bit later.

Setting:
I cannot talk about this book without talking about the DREAMY settings this author includes. This is another thing that stands out about this book. I am a sucker for New York settings, it’s just so fun to me. The energy, the buzz, the dreaminess of it all. I just love it. But also, the other setting she spends part of the book in is cozy, sleepy, and beachy. Ah, I just love it all! Walsh truly outdid herself in this area too! I could feel the places she described and found myself imagining I was there.

Themes:
There are some themes I absolutely LOVED in this book. The focus on reconciliation and forgiveness is absolutely incredible. I don’t think I have ever read a book with such a beautiful focus on forgiveness. It was so refreshing to read a book with a theme like that. I also loved that the book addressed the theme of being able to “have it all”. I think our culture has lied to us when it has said we can have it all in life. This quote, on page 81, from Georgina’s perspective, really stood out to me “I’d done my best to make it work – did I, though? – but society lies to women when it says they can have it all. A family, a career, success at home and success in the workplace.” Walsh does an incredible job highlighting that it is impossible to have it all. To be successful in all areas of life at the same time is an illusion. I think that’s a tough theme to talk about and I am incredibly grateful that she took the time to struggle through this and I was thoroughly impressed with how she tackled it.

I did find some of the themes she brought up to be less appealing. The portrayal of men overall I found to be negative which was a bit disappointing to me. While I recognize there are men who have done things incredibly wrong and there are creeps out there, I was disappointed to see such an overall negative view of men in this book. I believe success for women doesn’t have to mean diminishing men, I would have preferred there to be a more balanced depiction of this when regarding business in this novel. But, while I don’t agree with some of the themes in this book, I think Walsh did a fantastic job of making me think about the themes and ponder them. So job well done!

A Little Reader’s Note: Is This a Christian book?
Something Walsh did amazing in with this book is her ability to talk about romance without explicit content. This novel is completely closed door with no sexual content. However, I will say there were some comments made that I was surprised to see, not because of the romance, but because it is coming from a Christian publishing company.

I also really did not enjoy Kelsey’s relationship with her best friend, Ravi. Their friendship seemed unrealistic and a bit problematic, especially from a Christian perspective. Again, there is nothing that happens between them, I just wouldn’t expect this sort of plot point from a Christian book. The problem for me is that they spend a considerable amount of time together, text one another, and have a few chummy, intimate moments together, yet the claim is that there is absolutely nothing going on and they have never had feelings for one another. I mean, if I were Ravi’s girlfriend, I would have some major issues with this relationship dynamic. I think it’s harmful to spread this idea that adult guys and girls can have this sort of relationship with no repercussions. Then, when the other person in the relationship does have issues with it, they are deemed controlling and having trust issues. I am shocked this was included in a book marketed as Christian.

Lastly, I don’t think mentioning God’s name once or twice makes a book to be marketed as Christian. While the overall themes may hint towards biblical ones, I left this book feeling like it really missed out in this area. And this is a problem I would say I have more with the publishing company than the author. I have read several pieces of Christian literature over the years. I have seen it done very awkwardly and poorly but I have also seen it done very well. And I don’t think Christian literature has to be cringey and awkward, it can be done very well. However, the reason why I feel this book missed the mark is I left it thinking overall the good and reconciliation and forgiveness that came out of the characters was just chalked up to them being good people. Many of the conversations about spirituality seemed way more New Age than biblical and there was no development there. Just because I am a Christian doesn’t mean that I don’t see life as broken, confusing, hard and messy. I think it’s powerful for characters to struggle with what they believe and wrestle with the meaning of life. But every time Kelsey and Georgina wrestled, God was never a part of the answer. It feels like a cop out to not address the topic of spirituality when going into this book when it was marketed to me as a Christian read. Especially when a big part of the book is each character's “awakenings” and confronting what life means. It seem unrealistic to not include God in that.

Conclusion:
The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh is an engaging and heartwarming read, perfect for fans of women’s fiction and those who enjoy a good grumpy-sunshine dynamic. Despite some of my opinions on the themes and overall confusion about the way it was labeled/marketed, I do think this book was sweet, fun, and thought-provoking. This would make a super fun beach read, wholesome book club read, and a worthy addition to your summer TBR!

Rating:
With that, my overall rating of this book is 3.5 stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book, so thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this E-ARC.

I am just simply not okay. It took me two weeks to finish this book. 1. Because I really did not want it to end. I am deeply invested in these characters. 2. Because I couldn’t actually see the pages. I was crying too hard.

I am not sure if this book was meant to be so extremely heartfelt or if it’s just the perfect book for where I’m at in my life right now but I have SOBBED through this whole book.

I will be having a summer of yes. Starting now.

Kelsey, a woman who feels content with the life she has, until she gets hit by a car on her way to work. She meets Georgina in her hospital room, when Georgina happens to share the same room with her. Together they embark on the journey of a lifetime. A summer of yes. Of doing things you wouldn’t normally do because you think other things in your life are more important. Money, work, climbing the ladder.

But you really only get one life. And what do you do when you think about how you might be wasting that, just so you can ahead at your job. Or so that you can buy the newest car or iPhone?
If you’re me, you read this book and then cry for two weeks. Then you go out and say yes to things you might not normally say yes to. Drive two towns over to try the ice cream place you’ve been meaning to get to for 3 years. Go scootering because your fiance wants too. Stay up and watch the sunrise while sitting on the beach.

Do all of those things but absolutely also read this book. This book is hands down my favorite read of 2024. It’s funny, cute, heartfelt and perhaps life changing. I adore it with my whole heart. It has absolutely the most perfect ending. I have no faults in this book. And if you do after reading it, I will not be listening. I love Georgina. I love Kelsey. I love everything about it.

Do yourself a favor and read it right now. Perfect summer read. Grab a pint of ice cream and some napkins first though.

Thank you NetGalley, publisher and author at an opportunity for an arc in exchange for my honest review. The Summer of Yes is the first book I have read written by author, Courtney Walsh. I stumbled upon this title in searching for upcoming releases and many of the reviews recommended it, so of course, I requested it when I had the chance.

The Summer of Yes is uplifting, and has a lot of humor. It’s a lighthearted read and throughout the book we see the themes of forgiveness and grace wonderfully integrated.

The book is full of banter, love and some very likeable characters. I enjoyed the dual pov, The humor and the life lessons.

Georgina is dying of kidney failure and all her success and money can’t change her fate. When she meets Kelsey in the hospital and they form a disgruntled bond over their similarities in being women who always choose work over everything they start their journey, “the summer of yes”.

The back and forth between Kelsey and Georgina is one of my favorite relationships in this story. The roadtrip to North Carolina and the scenery was perfect setting for the emotional journey that they take together. The base idea for this story although not brand new was still charming and sweet and I enjoyed the characters and the grace they have for each other.

Thank you to NetGalley and Courtney Walsh for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this story from the very first page! It has the same vibe and voice as The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley while telling a completely different story. Walsh's fan base is going to be so happy with this one!

Although the main character, Kelsey, bugged me in the beginning, I enjoyed following her character growth as she learned to say "yes" to more of the things she'd spent years saying "no" to, as well as learning to say "no" to things that weren't helping her live a fulfilling life. In a lot of ways, one of the things I loved most about this story was that it reaffirmed choices that I had to make early on in my marriage that did a lot to shape my future. I have no regrets, but reading about Georgina's put life into perspective. The characters felt so real and relatable, which isn't easy considering that I have basically nothing in common with either of them.

This is a book that is destined to become a comfort read, and one I want on my shelf so I can revisit it!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy to review. I was not required to leave a positive review and all opinions are my own.