The Summer of Yes is a story of two women at different stages in their lives meeting in the same hospital room after both experiencing major health incidents. Feeling they have missed out on the things they want to do before they die, they decide to take a summer trip, saying yes to all the things they normally wouldn't. This is a story of unlikely friendship, regret, and how it's never too late to change things around! It was also so cute at times it had me smiling at my desk.

The two voices were distinct and good fits for the characters. Honestly wish all audiobooks would do different characters for varying POVs. That's unfortunately about the extent of how it stands out as an audiobook. I would probably prefer to have actually read this as an ebook, but it was nice and chill to listen to while working or driving.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for allowing me to listen to the audiobook in exchange for a review.

I love the clean romances that Courtney Walsh writes. I also like a multi-generational road trip! Make it a grumpy old person and I will totally buy in! I had the e book and audio version and I have to say that I preferred reading about Kelsey (Chelsea, Katie, Kimberly, whatever - haha!)
Kelsey feels like she is supposed to spend her summer with Georgina. A summer of doing things she wouldn't normally do. A Summer of Yes!
I have decided that I will let my summer be a summer of yes, too. Well, maybe not all yes but more yes than no!

A slightly new twist on the movie The Bucket List. I wish there was more differences but over all a cute story.

I am so so sad that this book came to an end! I have enjoyed every single second of this audiobook. It’s made my drives and my times sat at my work desk so much better and was such a happy, inspiring and uplifting book. I absolutely loved the plot and the concept of this book, it’s different to what I would typically read and was so much better than i expected it to be. I loved the characters and I loved the dynamic between Kelsey and Georgina they made me giggle so much and I love the development in their relationship and their character growth. The romance in this book was sort of unexpected for me I didn’t think it would have much romance and I was pleasantly surprised, I loved Hayden so so much. This book made me want to says YES! Go and do things I’ve been wanting to do, go and try things and stop worrying what people around think. I’ve been giggling, smiling and one pot I even started welling up at my desk listening to this. Truly such a lovely book, I will definitely be recommending and I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy on release day! Thankful I was accepted to experience this book before it came out.

I like the remarks made about how this story is going to be different from Jennifer garner and eat pray love.

Kelsi gets hit by a car. Stepping off a sidewalk. She wakes up in the hospital and shortly thereafter, she gets a roommate. Enter Georgina. She’s one of the top female executives in the US and has build Tate Cosmetics from the ground up. With a full hospital, Georgina’s anger over the roommate situation falls on deaf ears as there just isn’t any more room. Weirdly, Kelsi has been off the grid for 2 days and hasn’t had a single visitor. Neither has she contacted anyone to tell them she is in the hospital. Except work. Her big meeting for a book proposal gets taken by her teammate when she doesn’t show (because she almost died). Georgina also only has one visitor. Her paid employee. Who presents Kelsi with a non-disclosure agreement. Kelsi only agrees to sign this document if Georgina answers one question.

Does she have any regrets?

This begins Kelsis adventure to say yes to things she normally wouldn’t. Like, taking time off work and going on a road trip.

What women’s story doesn’t include a love interest or two? Kelsi accidentally on purpose meets a man who checks all her boxes. She falls very quickly for him.

But why is this man single? I really wish that had been touched on. It seems super unrealistic that a man would go around calling a girl cute and doesn’t have some past other than family drama. It was a light read. Not my favorite. I definitely prefer Courtney Walsh’s - “The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley”

As far as the narrator’s go, the woman representing Georgina bugged me a bit. I get that she was playing an older character. But many times it seemed as though she had something in her mouth. It could be the accent.

It was a really good story line. I just wanted to love the
characters more. To this book, I say sure, why not?

Thank you NetGalley, Courtney Walsh and Thomas Nelson for providing the ARC of this novel. I would give it 3.5 stars but I’m rounding up to 4.

I'll start off by saying I wish I read this one instead of the audiobook - one of the narrators' character voices didn't sit well with me (didn't match what I was picturing!). This is an uplifting story about finding one's self, forgiveness, and second chances. It follows the parallel & intersecting stories of Georgina, an older cosmetic woman in charge, and Kelsey, a budding editor/writer in NYC. I found both characters easy for readers to relate to, though their journeys felt stuck in a cycle for me at times.

My favorite part was Georgina and Kelsey driving through the city for their summer of yes - it gave total Princess Diaries Mia & the Queen in SF vibes!

Thank you to Harper Collins & NetGalley for this ARC and audiobook.

Such a cute rom com!

Young editor Kelsey and successful business woman Georgina are unlikely friends, but get to know each other when they share a hospital room. The accident that put Kelsey in the hospital is a wake up call to focus on what's important thus launching the summer of yes. Kelsey strives to not be so married to her job and accept offers for leisurely afternoons at the zoo, movies, etc. Convincing Georgina to come along for the journey takes a bit more work.

A great message about carving out time for fun and accepting requests from friends and family to join in for various events. At life's end, what will mean the most?

The audiobook is well narrated (Tanya Eby and Cathi Colas). I particularly enjoyed the narrator that read Georgina's chapters. The cover is perfect for the story.

Definitely recommended!

3.5 ~ Kelsey is an aspiring junior book editor that has a near death experience and she has a wake up call. She realizes she spends way too much time worrying and saying no, and she is now going to have a Summer of Yes. While recovering in the hospital she meets hospital roommate Georgina Tate, a notorious very successful business woman and their paths continue to merge. The Summer of Yes is a fun, mostly light book that was a good palette cleanser mixed in with a little light romance. Thank you to Harper Collins/Thomas Fisher Publishing and NetGalley for an advance audio copy in exchange for my honest opinion. The Summer of Yes will be available on 7/2/24.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
The cover for this book really caught my eye. It's brilliant. It screamed FUN READ. What I read was.... meh.
After a freak accident, Kelsey is in hospital where she meets the elderly, successful maven Georgina. Right there, you're thinking, young lady starts to review her life and clearly the old lady has regrets because she just worked all the time.
Yep.
That's the plot. And it doesn't get better. There's not much depth to either Kelsey or Georgina. I mean, the worst thing is that Kelsey works a lot? Getting hit by a car makes you re-evaluate your entire life in your mid 20s? Because you've mean to be a writer and never written anything?
Georgina is dying of kidney failure and needs to make amends with her son.
So, Kelsey invites Georgina on the summer of yes, where they hit the road -- yes, total strangers go on a road trip together -- where Kelsey tricks Georgina into going to the town where her son lives. You know what happens next....
I always feel bad when I don't love a book because I know how hard it is to write a book and get it published. But this was too contrived, the characters really weren't that interesting and I knew what would happen after page 10.

I initially requested and read the e-book and loved it! Hands down a 5 star read. I loved it so much I wanted to grab the audio version for a second go round. As much as I liked the story, I didn't enjoy the audio version as much. Not that the narration was bad but I felt like the voice for Kelsy didn't match. I think the narrator sounded a bit too mature for her character I would have liked to have had a younger voice. Other than that, this was again an enjoyable time. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to listen and review this advanced copy.

I don’t know why I haven’t read more by Courtney Walsh because she writes such happy, positive and inspiring books. This is my 2nd CW book & I’d recommend both!

The Summer of Yes is a story about:
•multigenerational & unlikely friendship
•second chances & new beginnings

In dual POV, we meet Kelsey & Georgina as hospital roommates. Kelsey is a young, overworked editor & Georgina is an older, spunky & cynical business mogul. They’ve both let their careers rule their life & are pondering if it was all worth it. Kelsey decides to make some changes and embarks on “the summer of yes” and is determined to get Georgina to join her.

I highly recommend the audiobook. It was enjoyable and easy to listen to.

Title: The Summer of Yes
By: Courtney Walsh

Genre:
Fiction, Contemporary, Women’s, Chic Lit, Audiobook, Clean Romance

Summary/Review:
You Only Live Once is the overarching theme of this beautifully written novel by Courtney Walsh.

Kelsey Worthington (32), a well known editor, wakes up in the hospital and unbeknownst to her, she’s had a near death experience. Kelsey was hit by a car while walking down the street. Kelsey soon meets her new roommate, Georgina Tate. She is a successful older woman Kelsey looked up to while learning about her in a college course. These two workaholic women quickly learn they have similar lifestyles and personalities. Excited Kelsey and Reluctant Georgina determine they could benefit from a summer of saying yes! And so begins the emotional roller coaster Courtney Walsh has masterfully created! I can’t say enough about my love for this novel!

The transitions between the two different points of views were skillfully orchestrated for the reader to follow. The themes of love, forgiveness, and hope are flawlessly written for the reader to quickly connect and empathize with the characters. The Summer of Yes is a funny, yet heartbreaking novel. I highly recommend this summertime novel! Soon to be published on July 2, 2024.

Thank you Courtney Walsh , Harper’s Collins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#reluctantreaderreads
#Courtneywalsh
#thesummerofyes
#cleanromance
#NetGalley
#advancedreadereditions
#Harperscollinschristianpublishing

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. It was so heartwarming. I knew the moment I started reading it that I was going to be grinning from ear to ear and I did, It was sweet. It was wholesome. It was lovely in every way. Just a good ol dose of sunshine. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ALC of The Summer of Yes!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫ALC Review

Courtney Walsh is an auto-read author for me and once again she didn’t disappoint. This was such a fun story about redemption and living life to the fullest. I love that the author had a troupe I have been enjoying more and more lately that of the intergenerational friendship! Our main character Kelsey survives a near death experience and ends up in the hospital recovering with a super successful business woman Georgina. Together they embark on the summer of yes and find their way to true happiness. It was a beautiful story of change and finding your way to health and happiness in life.

Quote: "We aren't guaranteed a second chance-we're only lucky enough to seize one when it comes."

The audiobook was narrated by Tanya Eby and Cathi Colas and I truly enjoyed it.

Thank you to Harper Collins, the author Courtney Walsh and Net Galley for the advanced copy of the audio book!

The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh is about Kelsey, a single 32 year old publishing editor who has a near death experience. She wakes up in the hospital next to Georgina Tate, one of the most successful businesswomen around. They forge a relationship and start a summer adventure to say yes!
It is sweet and sappy, witty and snarky and laugh out loud funny. The idea of saying yes to life will resonate with each and every reader. The writing style likens to The Guncle or A Romantic Comedy, and the story line to any Elin Hilderbrand book. It is a really fun and meaningful summer read. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for my audio ARC. The dual narrators were excellent picks for who I would imagine Kelsey and Georgina to be.

I loved this book. The idea of opening your mind up to new experiences and saying yes when you would normally say no. I love where all of their decisions lead. I love the personalities of all the main characters. This is a fun book with good life lessons.

This is the perfect summer read! It was fun, quick read, while still being thought provoking! Nobody knows how long they have in life, so it’s interesting to think about what we would change! After Kelsey has a near death experience, she decides to say yes to all the things she would normally say no to!

The relationship between Kelsey and Georgina was fun. I enjoyed their banter and how they both helped each other grow. I loved the touch of romance in this book with Georgina’s son, Hayden!

I think this book has a little something for everyone! A thought provoking, feel good book perfect for long Summer nights!

Kelsey Worthington (in her 20’s) has a near death experience and becomes hospital roommates with Georgina (an older woman who is well known for her cosmetic company). Georgina is given the grim diagnosis of a couple of months to live. I loved the unexpected friendship between Kelsey and Georgina, both workaholics as they take a break in life and embark on the journey of the summer of yes. The banter is amazing, Georgina knows how to give it and Kelsey can dish it right back. I loved the dual POVs and the storylines of both Kelsey and Georgina, however each of those storylines that were presented were very surface level. One major issue I had is that the ending felt too perfect and wrapped up in a bow. The story asks the reader, what do you make a priority in your life?

Thank you to Netgalley, Courtney Walsh and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

In “The Summer of Yes,” Courtney Walsh weaves a delightful tale of two women at different stages of life, both learning to embrace the power of saying “yes.” Kelsey Worthington, a workaholic junior editor, and Georgina Tate, a successful businesswoman facing her own mortality, form an unlikely bond that changes their lives forever.

The heart of this novel lies in the exploration of female friendship and second chances. As Kelsey and Georgina embark on a series of adventures, they discover the magic of opening themselves up to new experiences. Their interactions are genuine, filled with humor, vulnerability, and shared wisdom. Through their journey, Walsh beautifully portrays the strength and resilience found in women supporting each other.

And then there’s love—the kind that transcends age and circumstance. Whether it’s rekindling lost connections or finding new ones, the romance in “The Summer of Yes” is tender and heartfelt. Walsh skillfully balances passion with emotional depth, leaving readers rooting for these characters to find happiness.

Overall, “The Summer of Yes” is a feel-good read that celebrates life, forgiveness, and the transformative power of saying “yes.” Walsh’s writing is warm, engaging, and perfect for fans of contemporary romance. So go ahead, say “yes” to this charming novel—you won’t regret it! 🌸

Note: “The Summer of Yes” is expected to be published on July 1, 2024.

just go ahead and add this to your summer tbr 💃🏼

this is my first book from this author - though i’ve had her on my tbr for a while and she did not disappoint. i did this one on audio!

this book was heartwarming and had me swooning and giggling.

in the beginning georgina 100% reminded me of Meryl Streep’s character (Miranda) in the Devil Wears Prada. i also love her narrator. she really brought the character to life for me. kelsey was so likable and so relatable. i loved the journeys both characters take to step into their most fulfilling lives- a season of saying yes and figuring out what they really want from life.

a sweet cozy easy read! 🩷