Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. Isn't it interesting the amount of books and movies that focus on how someone needs a brush with death to realize how much more to life there is beyond work? This was another example of that idea and was enjoyable.

I LOVED The Summer of Yes! This was the sweetest story about saying yes to the things you always say no to, finding that they were also the things that had held you back from truly enjoying life, and realizing what is most important in the process - spending your life with the people you love and doing the things that set your soul on fire.
My heart hurt for all the time lost with friends and family but so happy with how everything turned out! I laughed, I cried, I wanted to stand up shouting ‘in your face!’, and genuinely did not want this one to end!! I enjoyed all t

In the Summer of Yes, we meet Kelsey, a workaholic who has all but forgotten how to live her life outside of her office as an assistant editor. She wakes up in a hospital bed, having just been hit by a car. In the hospital, she meets Georgina Tate, cosmetic guru who is chronically ill with kidney failure. They become somewhat of an unlikely companionship and embark on a "summer of yes" after Kelsey realizes that she hasn't been living her life to the fullest and Georgina hasn't been either.

I found this to be a charming and quick read. Was it cheesy at times? Of course. However, that didn't take away from the overall themes and messages in the story, that we cannot be limited by ourselves and that hope is the most important part of all. While definitely silly and mostly unbelievable, I found myself smiling through the story. This is perfect if you're looking for an extremely lighthearted book that is just life affirming.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Love love loved this book!! Unexpected friendship and sunshine. The perfect read for your vacation.

Will be picking up more from this author!

This is my first book from Courtney Walsh, and it definitely won’t be my last.
I loved the whimsical characters and reflection of the two main characters lives and how they reflected if they are happy in their own lives from the decisions that they made.
I feel not only is this a brilliant fictional work, but also a book that allows its readers to reflect if we are truely happy with the decisions we’ve made in our lives. If we’ve said yes enough or enough no’s to the things that don’t matter.
After reading this beautiful book I have adapted the “season of yes” into my own life and I’ve found positive changes and I’m enjoying the things that matter to me more. All thanks to Courtney Walsh! I’ve 100% recommend this book to my coworkers and friends!

If you mix one part Thelma and Louise and one part Golden Girls and add in a little romance, you get this book. When Kelsey winds up in the hospital after being hit by a car, her roommate is none other that Georgina Tate, NYC businesswoman icon. After much convincing, Kelsey and Georgina start a whirlwind summer of saying yes to all the things they've said no to. What could possibly go wrong? But, what could possibly go right? Super cute romcom with a HPE!

A read-in-one-sitting book, which I enjoyed while sitting by the pool on vacation. I appreciated Kelsey, the main protagonist, whose life has become all shades of neutral colors when she's allowed her work to control her life. And not even work that truly fulfills her. Okay so the opening car accident where she's miraculously hardly harmed pushes believability, but it sets up her encounter with an older successful woman in the hospital that changes both their lives.

I enjoyed the pace and the gentle message of the power of love, forgiveness, and primarily hope. My only critique is that I wished the author would have given more space to the first-person narrative of Georgina, the older woman, as it's heavily weighted to Kelsey, the younger.

I adored this book!

I loved the characters and their dynamics, even if they were messy and/or complicated. I liked the story line of a summer of yes and a super unexpected friendship. Ending in the most beautiful of ways

We follow two characters that you soon love and want the best for. These characters join up to have an unforgettable summer of no longer immediately saying no.
This was a great summer read that is cute and predictable. Nothing life changing but a great message of friendship, family and having no regrets.

What if you said yes to everything instead of the usual no? The Summer of Yes is about two women Kelsey and Georgina who meet in the hospital both experiencing situations that leave a mark on them. The characters are lovable and the storyline is clever, but not quite as engaging as some of Walsh’s other books. With that being said, it is still a cute light hearted read that will leave you feeling good at the end.
Thank you NetGalley, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for my ARC.

The Summer of Yes is a positive, feel-good story about two head-strong women who learn to say Yes. Kelsey wakes up in the hospital after surviving a near-death experience. While recovering, she meets Georgina when the older woman is brought in to share Kelsey's hospital room until another is available for her. Kelsey recognizes Georgina immediately - a local, highly successful business woman whom Kelsey has always looked up to. Kelsey learns a little more personal information about Georgina and decides that she is going to help Georgina connect with her estranged family. This is going to be her summer of yes - she survived being hit by a car, so she is going to say YES to things that she normally wouldn't - starting with a road trip to take Georgina down south to visit her son and husband. As they travel and say YES together, they learn a bit more about each other and about themselves along the way.

I was a little disappointed at first with this story. I felt like the beginning was too slow and didn't hold my interest very well. I also wasn't sure how I felt about FMC Kelsey - who wouldn't take NO for an answer, was sneaky and did things behind Georgina's back even though she asked her not to, told people about their conversations even though she signed a NDA. I didn't really connect with her throughout the book.

I think I liked Georgina's character the best. I thought that her reconnection with her husband was so sweet and I enjoyed that part of the storyline. I thought the ending was very nice, but it didn't redeem the slow and off-putting beginning for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advenced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Wonderful romantic women's fiction filled with moments of self-discovery, learning to say "yes" to life, and realising the power of overcoming fear and shame.

I enjoyed being part of Kelsey and Georgina's journey as they experienced their Summer of Yes and tackled several difficult life situations. There were moments I cheered and times I wanted to whack Georgina into making better choices.

Fear is an enemy everyone has to deal with, so I found their "adventures" relatable and uncomfortable at times.

Loved Georgina's family, their "Jesus-level" of grace and forgiveness... reminds me of how blessed I am because of Him.

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

4.5 Stars

I adored this book! It was a heartfelt story about an inter-generational friendship, living life to the fullest and love.
Kelsey, a thirtysomething woman in a dead-end job, finds herself in the hospital room with Georgina, an older and successful business woman, as her roommate. Both have regrets and Kelsey convinces Georgina to hop on her “Summer of Yes” bandwagon where they attempt to change the trajectory of their futures.

I loved Georgina and Kelsey’s dynamic – Georgina is sarcastic and at times their banter was laugh out loud funny. It was fun following along their summer and seeing them truly have fun and live their lives. There were some emotional periods especially within Georgina’s storyline, but overall if was such a delightful read!

Kelsey Worthington, a junior editor content with her predictable life, faces a turning point after a brush with death puts her in the hospital for a brief stay. There, she meets Georgina Tate, a pioneering businesswoman with failing health who is now confronting her regrets. Inspired by Georgina's story, Kelsey creates "The Yes Plan," vowing to embrace opportunities she usually avoids. Together, they embark on a Summer of Yes, exploring new experiences and challenging their boundaries. Their journey leads to unexpected encounters with Georgina's past, sparking a transformative adventure that intertwines their lives and reshapes their views on love, forgiveness, and living fearlessly.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish & review the ARC prior to the pub date, but overall, this was an OK book - I enjoyed while reading, but it won't stay with me. It prompts you to reflect on the opportunities you come across in your own life, both good and bad. The romance felt a bit lackluster, so if you're reading for that, you might be disappointed.

*thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an eARC of this book in exchange for a review*

Courtney Walsh can do no wrong. This book was light and fun and packed full of meaningful moments that made my heart squeeze in the best way. I loved Kelsey from the start, even though I typically am not a fan of a workaholic FMC. Also, she is a certified meddler—which was tough at times—but very realistic for someone trying to avoid their own issues. And Georgina? What did we do to deserve this masterpiece of a character? Though all prickles on the outside, she was somehow completely irresistible. I wept for her. She is epic.

The Summer of Yes is so lovable—it celebrates friendships of all kinds; it highlights self-awareness and forgiveness as essential to a full life; it unpacks the hardships we carry as part of what shapes us, for better or worse. Was it predictable? Yes—in a way that felt both warm and familiar. But it’s not a run-of-the-mill sweet romance. Walsh took the question “what if,” ran with it, and then gave us this beautiful piece that centers on the meaning that life can have if we choose it.

Plus, the men in this story are the biggest cinnamon rolls. It’s sweet. It’s beautiful. It’s a yes from me.

So in love with this storyline and the two female leads. One who work and the other who is at the crossroads of making that same decision. So thankful that both are painted as good choices but that only path can bring you deep joy.

I almost DNF this book so many times. It just wasn’t a right fit for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

What would you do with a second chance at life?

✨ Book Review: THE SUMMER OF YES by Courtney Walsh ✨

🚙 Book Synopsis: After a freak accident puts Kelsey in the hospital and in the same room as a grand dame New York City businesswoman, Georgina Tate, Kelsey feels the need to reevaluate her isolated, career-driven life. And she’s decided that Ms. Tate is the perfect person to go along with a summer full of saying yes to the things that bring joy. When Georgina actually says yes to this scheme (with her own conditions), they’re off on the summer adventure of a lifetime.

🏁 My Take: Kelsey may be the heroine who starts the summer of yes and self discovery, but Georgina Tate is the character that makes this story sing. Her acerbic wit is a wonderful counterbalance to Kelsey’s overly sunny and optimistic viewpoint. Plus, Georgina’s lessons learned and relationships repaired were the real tearjerkers because she’s older and more stubbornly set in her ways. Ultimately, she has more to overcome.

Overall the story was solid. I loved the premise and it definitely made me smell the roses a bit more. Go into this for the life outlook makeover and/or the female relationships. I found the romance to be quite secondary.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

😘 Thanks to @ThomasNelson, @TNZFiction, and @NetGalley for an eARC and audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I adored this book and the relationship that forms between Kelsey and Georgina. It's a fun Thelma and Louise vibe that is clean and full of humor and self discovery. There are so many things that can go wrong in life and we don't always take the time to say yes and experience it. Life is risky, even when we are playing it safe.

This books is a dual point of view, which I love because it gives you a deeper connection and understanding of our ladies. This story is about their growth and living life, heartbreaks and trials. It is not a romance book, although there is a subplot there. It's about the connections of friends, no matter the age, that help us learn to live life to it's fullest. I loved the humor and back and forth banter in this book. It makes you relate to the characters and see the real side of their personalities.

This books also has a depth that I find refreshing, as it's not superficial or surface level friendship. These two are truly humans who seek something more and the connections they haven't had in life. Their growth and self discovery from their travels and experiences throughout the book is remarkable and moving. You don't want to miss this book!

I have read a couple of books by Courtney Walsh and I loved them, so when The Summer of Yes was available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. I was delighted to learn I was approved! While the previous two I read by this author are romcoms (My Phony Valentine and My Lucky Charm), The Summer of Yes is women's fiction, with a little bit of romance and some humor.

Kelsey Worthington is a junior editor whose job it is to help other people tell their stories. She is dedicated to her career and thrives off of routines.

However, after a near-death experience and a chance encounter with an ailing successful businesswoman, Georgina Tate, Kelsey rethinks her life choices and literally takes her newfound friend along for the ride.

In the first 20% of the book, Kelsey spends quite a bit of time contemplating her summer of yes and trying to convince Georgina to partner with her. I understand that the premise of the story needs to be set up, but I would have preferred to get into the saying yes portion sooner, Once it did, I was hooked. This is why I never give up on books that start slow simply for that reason. The payoff was worth it.

Kelsey's and Georgina's summer of yes starts small. They vow to say yes to things they have said no to in the past, while being open to saying yes to new adventures that come up. For example, Kelsey starts by saying yes to spending the day at the zoo in the middle of the week when she would normally be at work. Gradually, bigger issues arise and saying yes isn't so easy. They don't say yes to everything. They don't put themselves in danger, but they do say yes to finding ways around obstacles.

There are two budding romances with some humor sprinkled in. The romances are unlike anything I've read. I was genuinely curious to find out how everything would come together in the end, in the romance department and otherwise.

There are some heavy topics that are addressed in this book, but I'd still classify it as a light read. I am finding that this is Courtney Walsh's writing style. She aims to make readers feel happy, while addressing serious, real-life situations. Her characters can be flawed, as humans are, but they are loveable. Say yes to The Summer of Yes if you're looking for this type of book to read. You just may be inspired to say yes more often to your own life choices.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.