I may be showing my age with this review. I would love this book if I were 15-25 years old. But, at 43, the tale is too cutesy and predictable. And maybe that is comforting to some, like the way an early 2000's rom-com is. Everyone knows how it's going to end, but we all play along with the cat and mouse game. This story starts with a girl who has lost herself by putting everything she has into her career. And she suddenly gets a wakeup call and decides to try saying "yes" to life more and "no" to her career (via a vacation to try this out). And, it goes exactly where you thinking it's going as you progress in the narrative. For me, it was just okay. I finished it because I kept wanting a spin, a suprise. Maybe I'm too Georgina Tate in my stage of life :) I'm going to pass this on to my YA reader tween and see how she likes it as I'm sure she will have a fresher take than I.

After getting hit by a car, Kelsey shares her hospital room with a very successful older business woman, Georgina. Kelsey tries to make the best of the situation and Georgina is appalled that she is stuck with Kelsey. The two start to form a bond and the story goes from there. This was a grumpy sunshine friendship story.

I loved the relationship Kelsey and Georgina formed and the things they both learned along the way. While the story remained clean, there was plenty of character development and substance to keep you interested. Courtney Walsh is becoming a favorite author of mine.

This one was just okay for me. I loved the overall idea, but the execution fell a little flat. I enjoyed the alternating character POVs in the chapters, and I loved how Kelsey in particular really learned to believe in and trust herself. The character growth in both main characters was good. I also felt like the dynamics between the two, even given the age gap, were also great. However, as a romance lover I felt the romances were lacking...a lot. I almost wish they'd been left out of the plot altogether because of how undeveloped they were. Also, Kelsey's whole plan was really out of line if you think about it. I had high hopes for this one and enjoyed many parts of it, but over all I didn't love it.

Look Courtney Walsh can do no wrong in my eyes. I don't know how she manages it but every single book she writes is funny, but yet makes you think about life and often makes me cry at some point. This book of course did all three once again. It's made me rethink what I'm saying No to, and I may just have a winter of yes!

Thank you @thomasnelson for the ARC!


🚙 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🚙
This book should be on everyone’s end of summer reading list! Or anytime of the year really! There are a lot of beautiful messages woven into this story, and heartfelt moments. And I was crying by the end of it!

This story begins with Kelsey, who wakes up in a hospital bed recovering from being hit by a car. She is lucky enough to be sharing her room with wildly successful businesswoman Georgina Tate, who is there for her failing kidneys. Kelsey is inspired while she is in their room, and proposes an adventurous idea. Why not spend time saying “Yes” to everything they would normally not. She enlists Georgina to join her, because she sees Georgina has some lifelong regrets that have plagued her.

I love the back and forth between Kelsey and Georgina. Georgina is tough and set in her ways, and Kelsey somehow knows how to dig into the heart of her and encourage her. And I loved seeing the opposite unfold with how Georgina ultimately encourages Kelsey and how they breathes life into her again.

This really is a beautiful story. I had a hard time reading the kidney failing storyline, as I had my dad pass from this disease last year. However, there are no harsh descriptions of anything medical to read about, and there is hope ultimately surfacing in this story, so any reader worried about that can rest assured there is a HEA that Courtney’s stories always provide!

🎧 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
💛 Self-Discovery
🩷 Second Chance Romance
💛 Life Changing Moments
🩷 Small Town Romance
💛 Sweet, Closed Door Romance
🩷 Impromptu Vacations

Enchanting and perfect summer read with all of the delightful feels and personal growth that you want in a summer book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. What a great concept - say yes to things you would normally say no to. Very enjoyable characters.

This book was good, not great. I really wanted to love it, because I thought the premise of a summer of yes was so fun! Unfortunately, the characters seemed underdeveloped and contrived.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This author is fairly new to me. The writing reminds me a lot of Katherine Center's style, so if you enjoy her books I recommend reading this. While the story was cute overall, I had a hard time getting into it early on because not much was happening. I do think this is a great, bingeable easy beach read.

My 2nd book by Courtney Walsh and this was deep and also an easy read. I know it sounds contradictory. I meant that the writing is absolutely simplistic and realistic and story of Kelsey is what many of us realise is our story. The book dealt with so many important themes like self love, work life balance that it connected at a deeper level. What I loved the most was we hear a lot nowadays ‘Learn to say No’ and don’t give in to undue pressure at home and office. But this book explored the reverse theme and that is what can life be if we say ‘Yes’ to things which we generally say no to. The relationship between Kelsey and Georgina was endearing. Especially their funny banter at the beginning of the book. I really loved reading this story and looking forward to more of Courtney’s books.

A heartwarming and inspiring tale that beautifully captures the essence of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing life’s unexpected adventures. The writing is engaging and filled with humor, and is a beautiful blend of heart, and a touch of romance.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved the Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh. Kelsey and Georgina is the friendship you never thought you needed. Their banter, laughter, obnoxious tendency's all make for a great read. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud. Thank you NetGalley for introducing me to new-to-me author. Will definitely be checking out more of Courtney Walsh.

The Summer of Yes is the first book I have read by Courtney Walsh, and I’m not sure why I have not read more by her, but now I must. I follow her on Instagram, so when I saw this book, I thought it would be the perfect summer read, and it was. Not only is the cover cute, but the story is beautiful. It was a super easy read. Hallmark meets Yes Day meets Devil Wears Parada (if we are going for all movie references).

The character development is good. I loved that Kelsey wants to meddle in other people’s lives but seems unsure of how to change her circumstances. The idea of saying yes to each opportunity that presents itself, is the perfect thing for Kelsey. Georgina is an interesting character. I totally envisioned her as Meryl Strepp in Devil Wears Parada.

The storyline was great. Not very realistic, because who is going to listen to some girl they just met. But I am a romantic at heart. The Hallmark storylines pull me in. I can appreciate a good story that is completely unrealistic when it has good characters and a good moral to the story. We all need that sometimes. I loved the idea of saying yes to things that we wouldn’t normally do.

The budding relationship between Kelsey and Hayden is very sweet. I appreciate the closed door, non spicey romance that Courtney Walsh writes. I thought the relationship was a fun dynamic to the rebuilding of Georgina’s relationships with her husband and son.

The faith element was there though a little on the light side. But the overall message of the book was good.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh. Pub Date: July 2, 2024. Rating: 5 stars. I really enjoy Courtney Walsh's novels for their heartwarming characters and this novel was no exception. An older woman who is terminally ill gets put in the same room as another younger woman who was in a freak accident while both are in the hospital. The older woman is coming to terms with the life she has lived, being a top businesswoman and successful business owner. She has regrets even though she won't ad.mit it and Kelsey, the younger woman, talks her into a "road trip" of "yes." What Georgia, the older woman, doesn't know is Kelsey is planning on driving them to see her son who she has not seen or spoken to in years. I loved the dynamic between Georgia and Kelsey and how Kelsey knew how to push Georgia's buttons just enough to make her angry but not enough to completely shut her down. This was wholesome, real and had all of the good feels with some life lessons along the way. I highly recommend this novel and it is one to be savored. Thanks to #netgalley and #thomasnelsonfiction for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 had a lot of great messages about truly living your life and saying yes to the things that scare you. I’ll always read whatever Courtney Walsh writes but I didn’t love this one.

Kelsey wakes up in a hospital after being hit by a car on a New York sidewalk. Even more surpassing than that is that she ends up being roommates with Georgina Tate, female business mogul. The two develop a weird kind of friendship, much to Georgina’s dismay. Kelsey convinces her to join her on a Summer of Yes. What unfolds changes both of their lives forever.

This book is precious. Kelsey is lovable, even when she is relentless. Georgina is difficult, but you know there is more to her. I love their unlikely connection as they explore themselves and take a hard look at the fast paced lives they have both been living. It’s a good wake up call to slow down and love the people around you!

CW does it again!!!!! What an absolute delight this story was! I loved the setting, the growth we saw from the characters, the banter between elderly Georgina and young Kelsey, and more. I adored the transformation that we saw in Georgina and as with other of Walsh's books, the themes of hope, forgiveness, and starting over were so beautifully written.

YES! YES! YES! Just say yes to this book! I was not expecting this book to be as big as it is. Is it fun and cute? You bet! Did I expect many many tears? Nope. Did I expect to reevaluate my life? Nope. Yet here we are. This is the book that I didn't know I needed.

Courtney Walsh’s The Summer of Yes is a delightful and inspiring novel that skillfully blends humor, heart, and personal growth. The story kicks off with Kelsey Worthington, who finds her life taking a dramatic turn when she’s struck by a car and ends up in a hospital room beside the formidable Georgina Tate, a titan of New York City business.

The contrast between Kelsey and Georgina is stark and engaging. Kelsey, a self-doubting writer, has always played it safe and lived within the boundaries of her comfort zone. In sharp contrast, Georgina is a confident businesswoman whose career has been defined by bold decisions and unyielding assertiveness. However, as Georgina faces the reality of her failing kidneys, she starts to reflect on the risks she never took and the life she’s led.

The heart of the novel lies in the unexpected friendship that blossoms between these two very different women. As Georgina helps Kelsey embrace a more adventurous approach to life, Kelsey finds herself embarking on new experiences she never imagined, from sampling street food to matchmaking with Georgina’s dashing son, and even finding the courage to write her own romance.

The Summer of Yes excels in its portrayal of transformation and self-discovery. Walsh’s writing is both tender and witty, capturing the essence of personal growth through her vividly drawn characters. The dynamic between Kelsey and Georgina is both heartwarming and inspiring, highlighting the power of taking chances and stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

This novel is a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to make changes and embrace the opportunities that come your way. Walsh’s charming narrative and engaging plot make The Summer of Yes a refreshing and uplifting read. Whether you’re looking for a feel-good story or a bit of inspiration to say “yes” to new possibilities in your own life, this book is sure to deliver.

This one was average. I liked it but I wasn't motivated to read it. It was overall just fine to me. I liked the message of saying yes, I liked the romantic storyline and I loved the older FMC's personality. All of these couldn't combine into an overall winner for me for some reason but I can see the merit in this one for other readers. Maybe it wasn't the right time or fit for me but I would still recommend it. I think audio was a great format to consume this book!

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this story. My review can be found on storygraph, goodreads, barnes and noble and my instagram @manymerrybooks!