3.5 Stars.

☀️ The vibes:
- dual pov
- Second chance at life
- Romance sprinkled in

☀️ My thoughts:
I went into this one expecting women’s fiction with maybe a side of romance and I feel like that’s what I got from this summery read.

After 32 year old Kelsey has a near death experience - she 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- a cranky older woman whose personality reminded me of Georgette from Oliver and Company 🐩😂🙈. 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 premise of this book is very sweet, but the plot moved slow for me at first. While the first half felt slow for me, the second half was lovely and I really loved where the story went. There were moments that I really loved sprinkled throughout the book. I really feel like this could be an incredible movie with a story that would translate really well on screen.

I loved Hayden’s character (how could you not?). The romance element did come in like a tsunami- sudden and strong. While this isn’t my favorite romance pace- I found Hayden to be so sweet that I wasn’t too bothered!

The main issue I had was with Georgina. I just really found her so unlikable, and I tried so hard to understand her POV but really struggled. The depth of her horribleness to those around her was tough to swallow.

It wasn’t just Georgina that I struggled to connect with. I had a hard time connecting with the other characters also, and I had a hard time following the writing style in this one. The shifting POVs with the language of “I said” “she scoffed” or full conversations of quotes back and forth had me confused more than I’d like to admit on who was talking.

Overall- this was a summery read of second chances; there’s love, forgiveness, new beginnings, and lots of laughs. If it sounds like something you’d enjoy- try it out for sure.

Release date: July 2, 2024.

Thank you so much to Courtney Walsh, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*note- posted on Bookbub, Instagram stories on 5/30/24 and saved permanently to Story Review highlight reel, goodreads, Storygraph, and Barnes and Noble. Links provided. Will be posted on Amazon after release date when Amazon allows me to.

The summer of yes was a beautiful story about finding yourself again.

Kelsey has been head down, focused on her job for so long now that she didn’t even realize all the things she was saying “no” too.

It wasn’t until after I freak accident and an unexpected hospital roommate that she realized: “is all of this really worth it?”

So she makes it her mission to turn this into the “summer of yes.” Along with her hospital roommate, Georgina, who needs some help in the same area.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It took me by surprise. I figured it would simply be about a girl who is going to say "yes" to things all summer. But there was so much more to Kelsey's story than I expected and it spoke to me. I loved the message of believing in yourself, but also what the things are that in the end matter most in life.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelsonFiction for my ARC
#TheSummerofYes

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

FANTABULOUS!!! Courtney Walsh has firmly secured her place as one of my all-time favorite authors with her exceptional storytelling!! The Summer of Yes truly resonated with me, taking me on an emotional rollercoaster from laughter to tears and everything in between. This sweet, uplifting, and heartwarming story is the perfect feel-good summer getaway! Brimming with fun banter, humor, and tender moments, this story features authentic, relatable characters on a journey of self-discovery. While it leans more towards women's fiction, it still includes a light, sweet romance. It's a clean and wholesome read about love, family, forgiveness, finding joy everyday, living life to the fullest, and saying yes, which can lead to second chances. I absolutely adored this book so much!! 💛🩷💛🩷💛

Synopsis:
A near death experience catapults workaholic junior editor Kelsey Worthington into changing her life-one yes at a time. Kelsey always dreamed of being a writer, but she's settled into a routine of helping others tell their stories as a junior editor. Her relationships are safe, her job is secure, and her existence is stable-and she's great with that. Then an accident happens! While recovering overnight in the hospital, she meets Georgina Tate. Georgina sacrificed everything to become who she is today, but now, with only a handful of months to live, she must face her regrets. Kelsey is inspired by Georgina's story and begins to question her own list of "things I'll do someday." She starts to ask a simple question: What if said yes to all the things I normally say no to? And so, The Yes Plan is born!

In conclusion, I was completely captivated from start to finish! I wholeheartedly recommend and it deserves all the stars!!! 🌟 🌟🌟⭐️🌟

I adored this book. It was engaging from beginning to end. At times it was sad and at times it was funny and it was mostly endearing. The characters were likable - even when they weren’t. Growing as a person is hard and it’s always a blessing when we find others on the same life journey who can help us along the way. I loved this about the book. I would highly recommend and am looking forward to more by Courtney Walsh.

Kelsey Worthington doesn't realize how much of a workaholic she has become letting life pass her by without truly living in the moment until she was hit by car while getting coffee. She was taken to the hospital and ends up sharing a room with Georgia Tate, a successful mogul, who has also let life pass her by from the sacrifices she has made in order to have become a success. Kelsey gets a taste of what her life might look like if she continues this way so she creates a Summer of Yes and enlists Georgia to join. The two go on a journey of saying yes to things they haven't said yes to before and learn some meaningful lessons along the way.

I really enjoyed the light hearted tone of Summer of Yes and the dual narration of both Kelsey and Georgia. This book made me feel like how I did as a kid when summers felt like anything is possible. Such a fun read of remembering to try to live life to the fullest and it's never too late to change. Thanks Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Georgina and Kelsey meet when they share a hospital room for a few days. Georgina is a wealthy, well known business owner who sacrificed her family for fame. Kelsey realizes she is on the road to following in her footsteps, as she dreams of climbing the corporate ladder, so she decides to convince Georgina to have a summer where they say yes to things they normally wouldn't do. What follows is a soul warming journey of friendship and laughter and an amazing message about getting out of your comfort zone and saying yes! Another great Courtney Walsh read that you'll definitely want to add to your summer reading list!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for sending me a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc! The Summer of Yes was an all-around good time to be had. I enjoyed it thoroughly - the perfect summer, beach read!

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Courtney Walsh for the ARC!

Release date: July 2nd, 2024

I really enjoyed The Summer of Yes. It was really inspiring and fun to read. I would love a summer of saying yes to the things you normally wouldn’t. It could change your life.

This book is definitely an adventure and I’m excited to see what else Courtney Walsh has up her sleeves.

This was such a fun read!

Difference generations coming together to learn from each other how to live a more fulfilling life.

One of those "second chance" at life kind of stories, with the feel-good moments, the example of what you DON'T want your life to be, and all the heartfelt love by the end.

A fantastic summery read, with well developed characters and lots of adventure.


Closed door & no language.

The Summer Of Yes
by Courtney Walsh
Pub Date: July 2, 2024
Thanks to the author, Thomas Nelson Publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Both the author and publisher are known to me, and I highly recommend this book.
Things I liked about this book:
Stand-alone novel
Perfect for fans of Denise Hunter and Rachel Linden
Book length: 100,000 words
Includes discussion questions for book clubs. As a book club leader all of these things help make a book easier to read and lead.
This book provided a non-stop engaging and imaginative story line that had me hooked from page one.
I enjoyed the dynamic and witty push and pull between Kelsey and Georgina and their character development was so exquisitely crafted. I love to see characters grow into their most authentic selves and work for the life they want. Life gets busy and sometimes we get in our own way. Great book for summer!

It was a good plot and a good idea but it just moved so slowly and the characters weren't very interesting to follow because they lacked personality..

This is a summer must read. This book had me in tears, laughing tears. This book shows us all kinds of emotions: joy, hope, forgiveness and love. A feel good book that will leave a lasting impression. This book will encourage readers to consider the power of saying yes to new adventures and trying something new.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun, sweet, light summer read. The romantic subplot was satisfying and swoony, and the arc of empowerment and control over one's own life was exactly what I needed to read. Funny, full of atmosphere, and such a resonant, relatable read!

Just say Yes!
The Summer of Yes is an insightful, funny, sweet story about two women who have regrets about the course of their lives. They end up together in a hospital room, alone and afraid. Together they go on a journey to face their regrets and learn about love, forgiveness and hope. It's a story about life and living it fully and freely. This is a great summer read that may cause you to look at your own life, recognize some things you are saying no to out of fear and give you the courage to say yes! "You will never be happy if you listen to what everyone else says about it. It's what you say about you that matters."
I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheSummerofYes #NetGalley

A person might say it's fate when two people who are dedicated to their job end up in the same hospital room. Kelsey was it by a car while walking down the sidewalk. When Keelsey sees Georgina Tate, she knows exactly who she is, a woman who owns her own cosmetic company. Kelsey also notices that Georgina is very sick and seems so unhappy even though she is wealthy. Kelsey does some self reflection and decides to take some time off work and say yes to whatever comes her way, and she persuades Georgina to come along for the ride. I loved this book. Maybe it will inspire me to have my own summer of yes.

I can't say I enjoyed this one very much. The writing was a bit repetitive and in the end I had to give up the effort and DNF the book.

It might be suited for some, but unfortunately this was not for me at all.

This was a cute story that didn’t really get beneath the surface. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but I found both Kelsey and Georgina to be pretty one-dimensional and childish. Which is odd to say given they are 40+ years apart in age. For a summer read, this is fine, but I also think I would’ve enjoyed this if the characters were more fleshed and the drama/conflict was better explored.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Summer of Yes" by Courtney Walsh stands out as my top read so far this year, despite a roster of fantastic books. While women's fiction isn't typically my genre of choice, Courtney Walsh's previous rom-coms persuaded me to give this one a try.

I expect this novel will have an enduring impact on my life, prompting introspection about everyday decisions and the importance of saying "yes" to spending quality time with loved ones. Walsh masterfully weaves a story that is both relatable and transformative, encouraging readers to embrace life's opportunities with open hearts.

I highly recommend "The Summer of Yes." Courtney Walsh has a remarkable ability to touch hearts, and this book is a testament to her talent. Let her story resonate with you as deeply as it did with me.

A summery, predictable little rom-com. At times a little too cheesey for me, but overall I enjoyed this one. Alight read that also emphasizes the important things in life and not taking each day for granted.