The premise of this book is exactly what I find myself asking in my mid-30's – is xyz worth it? The time spent doing this thing, the prioritization of that thing – is it going to feel worth it later? Will it be the right choice? What I didn't love about this story (the Hallmark-adjacent tone, especially in the latter half) is what I think will resonate with so many people. Overall, I enjoyed it, especially the tonal shift between someone younger and older.

I liked the premise of this book, but I felt like it dragged a lot and I had a hard time feeling fully invested. The romance portion of the book seemed really rushed.

That being said, I enjoyed Georgina’s character development and her relationship with Kelsey.

Spice: none
Swearing: none

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This is the first time I’ve read a book by Courtney Walsh and though it was slow paced in the beginning I did get drawn into the book. As the ending drew near I found myself shedding happy tears, which I don’t often do when I read a book. So I walk away from this book ready and willing to read more of this Authors books. I found it to be captivating, romantic, and a page turner. The main point was not to let your goals rob you of time spent with your loved ones. It’s not a bad thing to have goals but balance your time between work and family. Forgiveness was also an important aspect of this book. I appreciate that the book was clean read and I am pleased with the time I invested to read this novel.
When Georgina Tate and Kelsey Worthington become room mates during a hospital stay they find they seem to have much in common. Georgina is the older of the two. She is a very successful business woman in New York City. She has reached the top of her field and is very well known for her achievements. Kelsey is a 32 year old associate editor for a well known publisher. She is pouring all her time and energy into her career. She doesn’t date or have many friends. Mostly she just works. When she meets Georgina she can’t believe how fortunate she is to have this chance to get to know the legendary Matriarch of New York City. The two talk and Kelsey asks Georgina if all her sacrifices she made for her business was worth it. Georgina lost her husband and son because she was always too busy to spend time with them. The women get together for a Summer of yes so they might try some of the things they’ve always said no to because of their careers . Is it too late for these ladies to change the course of their lives?
I recommend this book to readers of Christian Fiction, Women’s Fiction and contemporary Romance.
This book is a standalone read. It is scheduled for release on 7/2/24.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheSummerofYes #NetGalley

Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read "The Summer of Yes". This book was really good. I loved it. ! It was a heartwarming story of realizing what is important in life and finding love in the process. Kelsey and Georgina are the main characters and they are both workaholics. They happen to meet in a hospital room where Kelsey is being treated for an accident and Georgina is being treated for kidney disease. They form an unlikely friendship that leads to family ties being reunited and a new outlook on life. There’s also a double love story unfolding. It was a great book and I highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.


Yes! Yes! Yes! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Kelsey works for a big time editor in NYC and is married to her job. She says no to all the things and people in her life. One day she is hit by a car while on the side walk as she was picking up coffee for her boss. She meets Georgina Tate while in the hospital. Georgina is a big deal business woman who is prickly and ornery and dying from kidney failure. Kelsey is drawn to Georgina. Kelsey’s mother provides some motherly advice about saying “yes” more often. Kelsey notices the similarity between herself and Georgina and coerces Georgina to participate in the summer of yes. Along the way they both find that saying yes (and sometimes, “no more”), leaning into fears/discomfort, and surrounding yourself with the people you love is what life is all about.

I love the relationship between Hayden (Georgina’s son) and Kelsey…they are just so cute together. And the love forgiveness and patience Dylan and Hayden (Georgina’s estranged spouse and son) extend to Georgina is so sweet/tender. This is a book filled with some heartfelt romance and solid life advice.

Perfect beach read! A near death experience can really shake up your life! Are we saying yes to the things that really make us happy? If you love Sarah Adams and Katherine Center, this funny rom com is for you!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this darling book!!

Preorder it NOW!!!

Kelsey is an assistant editor who sacrifices everything for her job, but longs to be a writer. After a freak accident she wakes in hospital sharing a room with Georgina (think Meryl Streep in devil wears Prada, but slightly less abrasive). Recognising and relating to the sacrifices Georgina made to achieve success in business, Kelsey strong-arms her into a ‘summer of yes’.

This is a delightful premise and well executed. The first half of the book was a little slow to start, but I loved the focus on Georgina and Kelsey’s growth. The author did a beautiful job of exploring their insecurities, flaws and choices, whilst building their relationship characterised by caring, mentorship, honesty and more than a little snark. The romance was secondary to this but equally enjoyable - both Hayden and Dylan were warm, interesting, and often more emotionally mature than our female main characters!

The overall messaging about opening yourself to opportunities, finding your purpose, and setting boundaries was inspirational. I also really enjoyed the small beach town setting and the witty narrative.

I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an uplifting, cosy, romantic and inspiring read.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

This book was such a delight! The Summer of Yes is the story of two women saying yes to life by chasing experiences, seeking forgiveness, and creating new connections. I loved the contrast of the dual-POV, with Kelsey closer to the beginning of her adult and professional life and Georgina closer to the end of hers, it made for interesting perspectives. Their shared lack of filter made them endearing characters and added fun humor. Courtney Walsh has quickly become an auto-read author for me as her books always leave me with a feeling of joy and contentment. I highly recommend you say yes to The Summer of Yes!

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

This was a brilliant story of a bright, creative and passionate young woman, who after getting in an accident and meeting a famous founder of a cosmetics company, tries to get herself (and her hospital roommate) to have a more positive outlook on life, calling it “the summer of yes”. That opens them both to new opportunities, fixing up their old mistakes and smoothing out some regrets, as well as living and reliving some romance.
I found this novel absolutely amazing, inspiring and funny. The way Kelsey’s, our main character, thinking processes worked, was extraordinary! Charming, hilarious, profound, entertaining… she’s the whole package. Side characters and love interests were also fantastic, making it a great read. Only Georgina, who shared the protagonist role with Kelsey, was a bit off for me, mostly because of the stubbornness she displayed. She could have had more raw and vulnerable moments to help with relating to her character.
I think it’s also worth noting how brilliantly the storyline was lead. The author’s writing was absolutely superb, she was surprising the readers, changed directions of the story and made everything still very cohesive.
I completely adored this book, 4.5/5 rounded up.

Premise: A+++++. Assistant editor at a publishing house Kelsey Worthington is hit by a car on the sidewalk while getting her morning coffee. While recovering in hospital she meets legendary businesswoman Georgia Tate, who is suffering from kidney failure and has regrets. Enter Kelseys idea to seize the day with ‘The Summer of Yes’

For me this one had quite a slow start – not much seemed to happen until about a third of the way in and during that first third there was a lot of repetition.

Once Kelsey and Georgina finally embark on their Summer of yes it felt like the story really got started. For the most part I enjoyed the relationship and dynamic between the two MCs, although at for most of the book Georgina was overly stubborn and cynical until the end when she made a complete 180.

I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first, in particular meeting the characters of Hayden and Dylan and seeing how their relationships and romance developed with Kelsey and Georgina.

A fun Summer read which might inspire you to say yes more to things in your own life.

I struggled to get into this book, but once I was in, I really enjoyed it!

The sunnier weather we had briefly in the UK was the perfect time to speed through this fun, feed good book.

I enjoyed the romance, but enjoyed watching the relationship between Kelsey and Georgina.

The dual POV made it feel like a more enjoyable read too.

I especially loved Georgina who gave me Meryl Streep in the Devil Wears Prada vibes.

Thanks to Netgalley and Courtney Walsh for the advanced copy of this to read in exchange for an honest review.

What an inspiring story about love, friendship, forgiveness, and second chances. I absolutely love Walsh’s writing style and the banter between Georgina and Kelsey had me cackling. The relationship they formed was so wholesome. I was smiling throughout this one and it was hard to put down. It was atmospheric and the coastal setting had me craving a summer getaway.

Delightful, moving, fun and creative escape into the "what ifs" we all face or ignore in our lives. Join the journey and have a memorable experience! Courtney Walsh's latest will leave you examining your own life, happiness, dreams and possibilities! What a great story! This book was provided through Net Galley, the author and publisher for my reading pleasure and review. Definitely worth the read!

I loved this so much. The story line is so relatable to real life situations that happen to day to day and I appreciate that aspect so much. That makes you connect to the story even more than you did.

This book encourages everyone to live your life to the fullest and do not miss the chance or opportunity.

I liked the premise but the story and characters just didn’t grip me at all. I found myself rushing through the last half just to finish it.

The Summer of Yes is another great read by Courtney Walsh. Our protagonist had an accident, which along with meeting someone she has long admired, causes her to reconsider some major life choices. From there we go on an adventure of rediscovering what is truly most important in life. This story touches on so many things, friendship, love, bravery, forgiveness, etc. The relationship that develops between the two main characters was delightful. It was a wonderful, sweet story and I can wait to read more by this author! For sure a 4.5-5 star book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the advanced copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was another gem of a book by Courtney Walsh.

Kelsey has a near death experience that makes her rethink a lot about her life. She unexpectedly meets Georgina, who has a lot of life regrets due to her choices. Thus begins the Summer of Yes. A reluctant agreement of a road trip and to say yes to hard and scary and new things. Live life with no regrets. Choose joy over work. This book had it all. It also had a great example of true forgiveness and grace.

The characters were written and developed so well that I felt I truly understood them. The book had witty back and forth banter between Kelsey and Georgina and Kelsey and JP.

This is a book you should add to your TBR list.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy for my honest review.

“Life… is good. And wonderful. And horrible, and beautiful, and messy and everything all at once.”

The Summer of Yes is just so heartfelt and hopeful. I enjoyed it from the very first page. Finding one’s true path in life is both personal and deeply moving and when your path is full of regrets and what-ifs it can be painful to chart a new course.

Kelsey, an overworked and underappreciated book editor, wakes up in the hospital to learn three things 1. She has just survived a freak car accident without ever being in a car 2. The woman in the hospital bed next to her is none other than Georgina Tate the famous matriarch of New York businesswomen… and 3 Georgina is not at all pleased to meet her. Choosing to see this near-death experience as a wake up call, Kelsey hatches a plan to figure out if the life she’s living is actually the one she wants. To do this Kelsey decides to start saying yes to the things she would normally say no to and she is convinced that she and Georgina need to embark on this journey of saying yes together.

The Summer of Yes is about having the courage to look at your life choices and ask yourself, am I happy? Is what I’m sacrificing worth it? Does my job and the life that I’m currently living bring me joy and if it doesn’t am I brave enough to do something about that. It’s risky to feel things that are uncomfortable. It’s scary to say yes to the unknown and no to things that you have always just accepted as fact. I loved that this book explored these questions and while I found the story to follow a predictable path at times, I didn’t mind at all because it is beautifully written and done so well.

I am so glad that I read this book. It gave me all the feels and I think that if you are in the mood for a sweet and introspective story with lots of humor and a positive message, that you will enjoy it too!

Absolutely yes! I will scream it from the rooftops!
The way the cover drew in me, I instantly picked up this book upon approval just based on the cover art.
The characters are so lovable and relatable in the best ways. Womens fiction is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres and I love that this book is one that sparks that joy and love for me.
The dual POV was excellent and I love seeing the story come together through both Kelsey and Georgina’s thoughts and view point.
The perfect uplifting story of friendship and saying YES in life!
Recommend 100% to every one

This was a cute summer story. Kelsey and Georgina are adorable and I want an old lady best friend now. This story makes you really think about how you’re living your life. I love Georgina’s tough exterior and the banter is adorable. It pulls on your heart strings, but I do think the end was always too happy… is that a thing? 🤣

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