While the story and the background characters were awesome. Rosie seemed to naïve to me. At the beginning it was expected but she didn't really change at all through the story.

Charming, Uplifting, and Full of Heart

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is a delightful blend of humor, hope, and heartfelt emotion. Courtney Walsh has a gift for writing characters who feel real—flawed but lovable, wounded but resilient. Rosie’s journey of self-discovery and healing had me rooting for her from the first chapter.

The chemistry between Rosie and the hero was sweet and slow-building, and I loved the way their relationship unfolded with sincerity and depth. The supporting cast and small-town charm added a lot of warmth and personality to the story.

One star off only because a few plot elements felt a bit predictable—but honestly, that didn’t take away from the comfort and joy this story brought. A beautiful reminder that new beginnings often bloom from broken places.

Perfect for fans of clean romance with a strong emotional core and a dash of humor.

A fun read, the story of Rosie who accepted a job without reading all the information. It sounds like a great place, full of quirky characters.

This book is so good and kept me hooked from the very beginning. Rosie Waterman’s Broadway dreams shatter when she loses her job and apartment in one day, forcing her to accept a directing gig at what she thinks is a regional theatre, only to find herself leading a group of spirited seniors in a retirement home production of Cinderella. Amid the chaos and unexpected friendships, a slow-burn romance blossoms with the charming physical therapist, Booker.
The characters are developed well enough to drive the plot forward with believable motivations, and the moments between Booker and Rosie made the story even more enjoyable. I totally fell in love with the members of the community, especially Bertie and Arthur, and the author has made the story even more interesting through their inclusion.
Highly recommended for fans of heartwarming, character-driven romances with humor, community, and a touch of slow-burn love.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and never wanted it to end! I enjoyed all the characters so much, so while it was a wonderful romance novel, it felt like so much more because of all the others I came to know and love. They hardly even felt like secondary characters because they were all so fully developed! I desperately hope there will be more books coming about this retirement community because I find myself wanting to visit again and again!

I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from NetGalley but have since purchased both the audiobook and the ebook for all the re-reads I anticipate!

Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh. I received a complimentary copy from the publishers via @netgalley
Genre: Romance/Christian Fiction.
Publication date: 10th June, 2025

Meet Rosie Waterman, an aspiring actress who loses her job and apartment all at once and she ends up back at home trying to make sense of it all, then she impulsively accepts a job directing a production of Cinderella, only to discover that the 'regional theatre' is inside a retirement community with senior citizens as cast members. What follows is a funny, feel good, soul healing story about rediscovering joy, purpose and love in unexpected places.

What I love:

📌 Quirky characters
📌 Humour
📌 Theatre Chaos
📌 Clean and heart warming romance
📌 Very uplifting with many life lessons.

I turned the last page with a huge smile on my face. An 8.5/10

If you need a good dose of bookish serotonin, this book is for you 🫵🏿

"Fear will always be the loudest voice in the room, unless you teach yourself to listen to something else.”

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh was a sweet Christian Contemporary Romance novel. It’s about a girl who’s always dreamed of being an actress. After years of living month-to-month in New York City, her dream just doesn’t seem to be working out. She’s extra discouraged because all of her childhood best friends seem to be thriving. Desperate, she takes a theater job she knows absolutely nothing about. Turns out, she’s directing a musical acted out by an eclectic group of people in a retirement community. She wonders how this could ever possibly turn out good.

Full review here: https://elizanoel.com/2025/07/22/everythings-coming-up-rosie-by-courtney-walsh/

Rosie is a down on her luck actor who is trying to figure out her next move in life. Having sent her application to many different theatre companies, one day she receives an offer to direct the Sunset Players in a rendition of Cinderella. But when Rosie arrives in Door County, Wisconsin, she is surpised to find that the theatre and actors look a little different that she expected...they're all geriatric!

Determined to make the best of this unexpected job, Rosie throws herself into getting to know the retired residents of Sunset Hills Retirement Community, and while not what she expected, she finds she really enjoys working with them. An additional perk to the job is the handsome physical therapist, Booker, who finds himself volunteering his time in the theatre just to be near Rosie.

As the play comes to it's finale, and Rosie's summer at Sunset Hills comes to an end, she begins to wonder if her life is meant for a different course. She loves acting, but is it worth the frustration and disappointment of rejection?

This was one of those books I really wanted to like but just couldn’t get into. The premise of this book is extremely cute: struggling actor takes a directing job without looking into it, and it turns out she’s signed up to direct a production of Cinderella at a retirement community. She’s contracted to stay for the summer, and of course, she meets a hot man and lots of great friends.

A lot of people seem to really like this book, so don’t let me deter you at all from reading this - I’m in the minority ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I may just
not love Courtney Walsh books (I was meh about Cross-Country Christmas and Cross-Country Romance). My main issue is that the main character is just not likable (to
me). And not in the way that she’s flawed or prickly or guarded - basically, not in a way that was interesting. Rosie isn’t honest with literally anyone in her life, and she looks down on her job at the retirement community despite being barely able to pay her rent. Of course we should all have jobs we enjoy and dignity in employment is important, but Rosie was really condescending about it and it was so obvious she found it beneath her. Also, it was ironic for her to act so above it when she didn’t even bother to read the job description. All of this wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing and could make for a great read, but unfortunately I just found myself frustrated by Rosie’s inability to realize she had relatively easy solutions to most of her problems. I did appreciate how straightforward the romance was, because I feel like in real life it should be relatively easy when you find someone you connect with. But that didn’t make up for the rest of the book feeling lackluster to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advance reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved everything about this one: the setting, the characters, and Rosie’s internal struggles. The latter was where I could really relate, and it hit home for me. The way those struggles were written about - feeling like a failure and pivoting in life - was so well done!

I loved each of the characters. They felt so real, and they made me want to know them personally. Rosie and Booker’s relationship was so swoon-worthy! Courtney does a fantastic job with writing romantic partners in a realistic but fun way. She is amazing at writing fun, light-hearted books that also don’t shy away from real-life struggles.

Thank you NetGalley for an early review of the book! Everything Coming up Rosie was a cute book especially for theatre nerds like myself! I thought the story was cute and fun. Watching Rosie navigate her life through unexpected situations has been truly inspiring. I love reading how about how she came from being unsure with her situation to fully thriving. Along the way she come to meet love and follow her heart to her dream.

At the end, I was smiling and smiling… and then I cried.

I didn’t want to read anything else for a while because I didn’t want to lose the feeling this story left me with. Everything’s Coming Up Rosie made me feel so many emotions, but the strongest one was hope. And I’m not sure I can even explain that fully.

This book had me laughing out loud — real laughter that almost knocked me off my chair. Courtney Walsh is such a talented writer. It’s incredible how she blends humor, heart, and transformation into one story. I loved lines like:

“Marnie is smiling at me, as expectant as Taylor’s stomach.”
“I don’t know how much time passes, because passion doesn’t wear a watch.”

The humor is sweet and fresh, but what struck me even more was the emotional depth. The character arcs are so thoughtfully done. This isn’t just a light rom-com — it’s a relatable story about comparison, disappointment, and the courage it takes to reimagine your life when it hasn’t gone as planned. We’ve all had moments when it seems like everyone else is thriving while we’re stuck. Rosie’s journey resonated deeply with me.

I kept turning the pages to see how she would move forward, what decisions she’d make, and how things might finally fall into place. Her choices weren’t easy — they were brave. And watching her grow was truly inspiring.

The chemistry between Rosie and Booker was everything. Honest, down-to-earth, and so refreshingly romantic. I loved the way he challenged her — not in a pushy way, but gently, firmly, and with so much honesty. And she challenged him right back. They changed each other. Their relationship felt like one of the healthiest romances I’ve read in a while.

While I didn’t think the prologue was necessary — it could’ve easily been chapter one — the story as a whole was brilliantly paced, with twists and surprises I didn’t see coming. And the revelations? So strategically placed, so disarming. They weren’t preachy or forced — just real and thought-provoking.

Even the side characters were memorable — yes, even Belinda. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time in their world. When I think about this book, I’ll smile. Every single time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

I was not prepared for how much I was going to love this book. I went in expecting something light and sweet. It's both of those but what I got was a story with way more emotional depth than I imagined. Everything’s Coming Up Rosie was a completely unexpected 5-star read for me, and now I want to read everything Courtney Walsh has ever written.

Rosie is the kind of character you root for from page one. She’s a little lost, a little fiery, and trying her best to chase a dream that’s starting to feel further and further out of reach. Her journey felt so real, like watching someone wrestle with who they thought they’d be vs. who they actually are. And honestly? It hit hard.

The setup is perfect: Rosie ends up directing a production of Cinderella at a retirement community in Wisconsin, and the cast is made up of senior citizens. Rosie is skeptical of the whole thing and even thinks about quitting but ultimately decides to stay on for the summer. It’s equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, but also such a beautiful reminder that purpose and community can show up in the most unexpected places.

I fell in love with the characters, their witty banter had me grinning from ear to ear and then tearing up while reading the next line because they decided to be so incredibly endearing. And the ending was perfect. I would’ve been satisfied either way, but the direction it took just made sense and felt realistic.

If you’re looking for a heartfelt story that leaves you smiling and maybe shedding a tear or two… this is it.

**Thank you to Thomas Nelson for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!**

I wasn't able to finish this book due to time constraints, but I did get about 30% of the way through. I really enjoyed what I did have the chance to read!

The plot was super original and funny. The main characters were witty and fun to read about, although I think their relationship was hinted at/developed too fast. The other thing I noticed was that it was ever-so-slightly crass (especially near the beginning). I was not expecting that, and it didn't add any value to the book, either.

Otherwise, I had fun with the part that I was able to finish!

Thank you to the author and the publisher for this #gifted book!*
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Title: Everything’s Coming Up Rosie
Author: Courtney Walsh
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Romcom
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Synopsis: Rosie Waterman has given up everything for her dreams of being a theater performer—even love, happiness, community. But when she finds herself out of a job and homeless, she realizes those dreams might have to wait a bit. Until a playhouse theater job arises in Wisconsin as a director. It may not be her dream job, but at least it’s in the same field. Upon her arrival, Rosie realizes this job isn’t anything she thought it would be—she’s been hired to work with senior citizens in a retirement community. Ready to run away from the job, the residents, and the super attractive young male physical therapist, Rosie is ready to throw in the towel. Little does she know that if she stays, this little community might just change her dreams and her entire life.

Analysis: I have thoroughly enjoyed Courtney’s books the last few summers, and this is another great one to add to the lineup. Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is the perfect blend of romance, friendship, and humor. You’ll get all the fun musical/theater references and all the quirky characters that are oh-so-lovable! The retirement community residents are hilarious, and we even get the grump. The romance is fairly light (and had me super nervous for awhile), but I loved how Rosie explores deeper themes of true friendship, community, and what happens when dreams don’t always go as planned. Even though I’d consider this book really light-hearted, the depth of Rosie’s emotions and the beautiful people around her had me experiencing all the ups and downs with her. I just love how Courtney writes her characters. If you’re looking for a sweet summer read, this is definitely the book for you!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

‘For the first time since I graduated college, I’ve started to wonder if there’s more to this life than what I originally thought or planned.’

WOW. This book taught me so much.

One of my favorite things about a Courtney Walsh novel is how she manages to craft the quirkiest, funniest, most heartwarming stories—and then, somehow, sneak in life lessons that hit you right in the soul. If you’ve read The Summer of Yes or The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, you know exactly what I’m talking about. She does it again in Everything’s Coming Up Rosie, and it is POWERFUL.

Rosie’s story is about letting go of what you thought your life should look like in order to discover something even better. It’s about unmet expectations, surprising second chances, and learning how to bloom where you least expect to be planted.

This cast of characters is gold. There’s a retirement community theatre troupe (!!), swoony romance, and just the right amount of humor to balance the deep, real moments. I laughed. I cried. I immediately wanted to read it again.

Highly, HIGHLY recommend. This one’s a standout.

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is available now and linked in today’s stories!

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

Content/trigger: difficult relationships, unmet expectations, a couple of religious exclamations, mild innuendo, romance—kisses only.

Everything's Coming Up Rosie is a sweet romance but it's so much more than a romance. It's about chasing dreams, overcoming expectations, even those we place upon our selves, and seeing the best in everyone. It's a hopeful feel good book that makes you have faith in humanity.

When an aspiring Broadway actress debates quitting and becoming a "real adult" but quickly puts out her resume to anything resembling a theater job to see what comes up, she gets accepted to a job position that isn't quite what she expected.
This book was funny, it was cute, it had community, it had obstacles, it had found family, it had love. I didn't want this book to end, I was glad how it did, but the characters could easily keep me amused for other books.

This book made for a nice comfort read. The main character, Rosie, is a single twenty nine year old who is pursuing a career in theatre. She moves from New York City to a little community in Wisconsin to be the creative director of a play there.
Rosie is portrayed as slightly immature, which was evident in some of her dialogue with friends. Also, the romance element was fairly predictable. These two things took a star from my review.
Overall though, I enjoyed reading through it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review this book before its publication date.

Such a cute, heartwarming book that basically feels like summer for grown ups. Thanks to @netgalley and @thomasnelson for an eARC of this amazing book from @courtneywalsh 🍓🌞🪻 #everythingscominguprosie #bookreview