I loved the theme of saying yes and the idea of an event being a disruptor. I'm new to empty nesting this year, and my kids both being away is definitely a disruptor and an opportunity. So, Kelsey and Georgina's story was a right time, right place story for me. I enjoyed their journeys and I love how it's making me reflect.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy. All opinions are my own.

figures that by the time I finish this it’s fall lol. but 4/5 stars, I loved the story, and I would definitely recommend it as a cute heart-warming read.

I asbolutely LOVED this book! I posted my review a while ago and I am just now sending my submission in. I read this book a little while ago over the summer and I loved it! The storyline was great and the characters played a crucial part in the story.

I absolutely adore anything that Courtney Walsh writes! She is an auto buy author for me. I love how the stories are an escape from the realness of the world and always leave you smiling and wanting more. This story is thought provoking but also full of humor. I always love the characters in Walsh's books. They are so well developed and relatable in some way to the reader. This book caused me to feel a range of emotions and think about many things from my own life but overall, it left me with a feeling of hope. I will absolutely recommend to others and look forward to future titles.

Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I love Courtney Walsh, she has quickly become one of my favorite authors & this book did not disappoint! I loved the characters so much, and while I couldn’t put this one down, I also didn’t want it to end! 5 stars for me!

Courtney Walsh can literally do no wrong in my mind, and this book no exception. So full of heart, laughter, and honesty. PLEASE PICK THIS BOOK UP.

Thank you, net galley, for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I've heard such wonderful things about Courtney Walsh and her writing, and I was so excited to read this one by her! It has the perfect summer vibes. I loved the concept of a "yes summer" and being open and willing to handle whatever comes your way. I also adored the friendship aspect of this book. I will definitely be picking up a few of Walsh's other books after this!

I love a good road trip story. Add in an unlikely friendship that forms as a result and I'm sold. This was a cute premise, although I'm not convinced it was that realistic (I guess you do have to suspend belief when reading sometimes). I just don't think the struggles the two women faced, particularly Georgina (who gives off serious Miranda Priestly vibes), could have been overcome/forgiven that easily. That being said, I liked the banter and back-and-forth between the two women. Once Hayden appeared in the story, it definitely picked up. Overall a sweet read.

This sweet closed door romance makes you consider all the ways your life might just change if you say yes. You’ll root for the main characters as they confront their pasts and build new futures.

** spoiler alert ** It took me way too long to get through this book, which is a clear indicator of how invested I was in it (hint: not very). I was intrigued by the premise, but it just fell flat for me.

My main complaint is one of my biggest reading pet peeves: instalove. The immediate, all-consuming love between Kelsey and Hayden was unrealistic and I would have preferred for Kelsey to have gone on this journey without the external influences and pressure of a romantic relationship. And, while we are on the subject of romantic relationships, I just did not buy the Greatest Love Story Ever Told brought to you by Georgina and Dylan. And do NOT get me started on the Georgina / Hayden relationship, because I might never stop.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Another adorable book that pulls on the heartstrings by Courtney Walsh. The characters were flawed and lovable, my favorite kind. I was immediately pulled into this novel when Georgina and Kelsey met in the hospital, I just knew the two were in for some great shenanigans during their summer of yes, and it didn't disappoint. I love when there is an older prickly character in a book who comes into contact with a younger person that brings out their soft side. One of my favorite tropes! If you are a fan of Arthur Truluv, AJ Fikry, and the like, you will enjoy this one as well.

I had seen so many good reviews for this book. I knew I wanted to read it also. But alas this book failed to woo me. I found the characters annoying and the book difficult to read. This book just didn't work for me.

I started off listening to this as an audiobook. And I almost didn’t continue. I kept questioning whether one of the voices was AI. But rather than give up, I switched to the written version and liked it better. Although, for me, it was a very slow start to a pretty simple story.

It was the story of a young woman, Kelsey and an older woman, Georgina (cranky, successful business woman) who met in the hospital after Kelsey’s accident. Kelsey is an editor but aspiring writer who has given up her dream of writing and is living a “safe life” by saying no to anything out of her comfort zone. Georgina has a serious health condition and has made her own choices that she regrets. The story focuses on Kelsey getting Georgina to go along with her on a summer of saying “Yes”. There’s more to this story and of course relationships, choices and regrets that get explored. And multiple opportunities to say yes or have a chance to make a change to your life.

This book was cute but really took too long to get going for me, and then the end, felt rushed. I’m probably in the minority in not loving this, but I felt it was a bit repetitive and in places things just happened too quickly in terms of the romance. I did enjoy the second half of the book much more than the first. This would probably make a fun beach read and perhaps I wasn’t in the right mood for that.
#TheSummerofYes #netgalley

The bright cover art completely pulled me in immediately. I thought, instant beach read, which is what this ended up being, but not a GREAT one. I just wish it was a bit more engaging. I found myself able to put it down and walk away from the characters and storyline.

The beginning and up until about 40% was pretty slow and I almost did not finish, having some other ARCs I would rather read. I am glad I stuck with it. The underlying message of embracing things in life both big and small and taking chances by saying yes was one that felt a little inspirational by the end.

I found both the lead female main characters to be somewhat annoying. Kelsey seemed a bit too timid and aloof. She forgot her supposed best friend, Ravi’s birthday until it had already past and she was supposed to bring the cake. Ravi just nonchalantly mentioned this like no hard feelings being forgotten by his best friend and completely welcomes her back into his everyday life now that Kelsey has more time having quit her job to say yes to living a more free life.

Georgina’s character was obnoxiously headstrong and self-centered especially in the beginning but also throughout the story. It also seemed unlikely that her husband, Dylan and son, Hayden welcomed her back into their lives with no issue after years of Georgina choosing her career over her family.

There were a handful of one-liners Kelsey had that made me laugh out loud and I did like the chemistry between Kelsey and Hayden.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The epitome of a summer read. Warm, thoughtful, fun. The two main characters are both relatable in different ways. What feels like an easy read ends up giving you pause to take a look at your life, the people in it, and the things that drive you and to re-evaluate; is this really where you want to be and how you want to be living? Likeable characters, beautifully written, and the perfect read for a warm beachy day.

DNFed @ 22%. My rating is based on what I read until that point!
I've been feeling like I'm DNFing all of my NetGalley books lately, and I've been trying to like this one, but I just can't. I was bored to death, and the characters were so unsympathetic to me that I just couldn't enjoy it.
I've been wanting to read Courtney Walsh for a long time, as I love Hallmark movies and I've read that she has similar books. That's why I requested this book. To be honest, I read the synopsis, but I didn't even realize that it wasn't a romantic book, it was more about finding ourselves as women in society. I don't like this topic, even in Hallmark movies. Although Sarah Morgan (my fav chick lit author) also has such subplots in her books and it doesn't bother me there, that's why I wanted to give it a chance.
I didn't like the characters. This "just work" American way of life is completely foreign to me, and I don't see any point in it. I just can't like a character who forgets her best friend's birthday where she was in charge of the cake and then doesn't even remember until the friend brings it up a few months later. I tried to love it, I tried to read at least 20%, so I read it, but why? I didn't enjoy it at all so I DNFed it

fun and interesting novel that's about taking risks sometimes and a fun friendship dynamic between the maiin protagonist.

Kelsey Worthington has settled into a routine. She's existing as a junior editor in NYC but not actually living. Until her accident. While recovering in the hospital, she meets Georgina Tate, a cosmetics mogul. Kelsey decides to use this disruptor as an invitation to truly live and asks her new "friend" to join her. They embark on an adventure of saying yes to all kinds of new adventures as they step outside of their comfort zones.
I like the theme. Saying yes opens Kelsey and Georgina to a bigger, more fulfilling life. But they also face their shadow side and regrets as they try new things and explore why they've become stuck over the years. As one of the characters days, "Sometimes you gotta wade through uncomfortable things to get to the payoff.”
I also like the wit. I laughed out loud a few times while reading.
The present tense also keeps me in the action. I felt like I was experiencing "Yes" with the characters rather than watching them from afar.
The romance part of the book annoyed me in places. The conversations and internal dialogue can be cheesy and unrealistic.
The end is neat and tidy. I usually dislike that kind of resolution becuase it's not reality. But since this book is a feel-good rom-com, it makes sense that the ending resembles a fairy tale.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“I like that I don’t have to guess what you’re thinking. I also like that you’re not afraid to say what you want. It’s refreshing . Most of the people I work with are either sucking up or shutting up.”
"I was worried what others would think so I walked faster. I have a real hard time occupying my own space. I don’t want to do that anymore."
"I know that every choice I’ve made up until this point— every single one in my adult life —has been out of fear.”
"It’s time for me to say no. To the things that are keeping me from feeling alive."
"[L]ife is good. And wonderful. And horrible, and beautiful, and messy, and everything all at once. And that is the beauty of it. It’s overwhelming , but it’s never boring. And it should be lived to the fullest...filling your life with the people you love doing the things that make you feel the most alive.”

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I really enjoyed this book. Kelsey wakes up in a hospital but she does not remember what happened. She just knows she does not have time to be in the hospital. While in the hospital she has a roommate named Georgina. Georgina has no interest in Kelsey, but Kelsey sees that they are so much alike. Now Georginia is facing the possible end of her life. Kelsey makes it her mission to change how she is living so she does not end up questioning her life purpose. Kelsey now had a goal to start living her life differently and saying yes to things she had been missing out on. She makes it her and Georgina's mission to start saying YES!

light hearted easy summer read. The first 40% felt really slow then it picked up. I enjoyed both of the characters but the plot line didnt sink in for me. Love story didn't feel believable. Easy read and I think certain people will enjoy reading- just not for me

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a reivew. Book released July 1, 2024