Sigh… loved this one! All the feels! I shouldn’t have been surprised because The Summer of Yes and Isadora Bentley are two of my favorites but I just loved this one! It sucked me in so fast and even made me think theatre sounded fun and I am not an actor nor do I have any desire to do theatre in any form- I took a class in jr high with my best friend but we quickly volunteered for the sound/lights and I was much happier there 😅

Rosie is an actor living in New York but life isn’t turning out quite the way she imagined and she ends up broke and homeless and takes a job out of desperation to direct a play at Sunset Hills but when she shows up to work she realizes it was not what she was expecting and she really should have read the job description before accepting. But maybe she is suppose to be there for a reason…

I loved the underlying message in this book so so much! It’s okay for dreams to change. A lot of the time they change for the better- because we change and isn’t it great because man when I was a teenager I made some pretty awful choices and I am so glad not everything in my life ended up the way I wanted it to back then.

I loved all the side characters and residents of sunset hills- Aurthur- he was such a gem- all gruff on the outside but man there were a few scenes with him that just made me cry.

Belinda- she was a feisty one and I equally loved her character and wanted to shake some sense into her.

Daisy- she was the perfect roommate for Rosie

Booker- in Rosie’s words he isn’t perfect but maybe he is perfect for her- seriously he was 👌🏼 I mean a physical therapist for a retirement community- can it get any cuter?

Rosie- she had some struggles and I just wanted her to be honest with her friends and family and she just kept digging herself deeper and then she meets Booker and he just cracks into her protective shell and all the residents of Sunset Hills just really do a number on her and help her to find joy in her life again.

And to the Author I loved your note at the end- I’m sure glad you let your dreams change and that we all get to benefit from your beautiful stories ❤️

3/5 ⭐️
Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is a sweet, feel-good story about finding yourself when life takes an unexpected turn. I really enjoyed Rosie’s voice—funny, self-aware, and relatable. Her journey from struggling actress to unexpected director in a retirement community is both heartwarming and humorous.

The premise is charming, and the senior cast adds plenty of quirky charm. While the plot felt a bit predictable and slow in parts, the message about redefining success and embracing change was uplifting. A light, cozy read with a strong female lead and a satisfying arc.

This was absolutely delightful. I loved the self-discovery. I loved the friendships and found family. I loved the sweet romance, the comedy, the poignancy, and the inside look at the world of community theatre. I loved the unusual setting and overall, just loved this book!

Courtney Walsh does such an amazing job with feel-good stories. Rosie is definitely relatable, trying to figure out her path in life. She accepts a job at a theater, not realizing it's in a rural retirement community. I love the setting, and all of the fun characters found within the community! And who wouldn't want to see a production of Cinderella put on by retirement community residents! The characters were great, the humor was a perfect balance to the struggle of figuring life out. The romance was sweet, but I do wish it had felt a bit more... romantic?

Overall, this is a charming, feel-good story that will leave you with a smile on your face!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson, NetGalley, and Courtney Walsh for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions,

📚ARC REVIEW

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Rosie Waterman’s dream is to become a working actor, but lately that hasn't been working out. When she loses her job and apartment on the same day, she decides to turn her life around and apply for multiple jobs. When she’s offered a job as the director of a regional theatre's production of Cinderella, she jumps at the chance. However, when she arrives, she quickly realizes that the "regional theatre" is actually in a retirement community, and the "actors" are actually senior citizens with no acting experience whatsoever. This isn’t what she expected but maybe it’s what she needs.

This was such a cute story. I adored the characters and especially Arthur, the grump. I loved the small town vibes at the retirement community and the staff and residents. I loved Booker and Rosie together, their banter was great and their relationship was sweet. I laughed out loud at several of the funny moments Rosie got herself into. I loved that this was a closed door (kisses only) romance but also about finding oneself, your people, and learning to enjoy life!

This book will publish on June 10, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh. OH HOW I LOVED this book. I was an easy read, swoony but with no spice. Walsh created great characters with tons of heart that you just could not help but to root for.This is everything I was looking for in a rom-com.

I loved it! After a few deeper, more emotional reads, Everything’s Coming Up Rosie was exactly what I needed.

I couldn’t put it down. I adored these characters—all of them—even the salty, somewhat grumpy ones. The retirement community setting was such a fun and refreshing backdrop, and I loved how everyone came together to stage a production of Cinderella with Rosie as their director— a young aspiring actress who, by her standards, isn’t quite at rock bottom, but at “rock-bottom adjacent.”

The way Rosie ended up in a retirement community directing a cast made up entirely of senior citizens had me grinning, and I loved even more how they poured into her—especially the slightly grouchy but wildly talented theatre legend (who I completely pictured as Ed Asner).

Courtney Walsh’s signature humor and witty banter shine here. If you enjoyed The Summer of Yes, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, or My Phony Valentine, I think you’ll love visiting the vibrant world of the Sunset Players. The residents, some instantly delightful and others who grow on you, along with the staff and, of course, Booker and Rosie, make this story so memorable—especially Booker and Rosie, who have quickly become my new favorite rom-com couple!

With a quirky but lovable FMC, a funny and honorable MMC, and a cast of unforgettable side characters, Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is a total delight—perfect for summer or anytime you need a good pick-me-up.

🌸 A QUICK NOTE: Even though it’s from a Christian publisher, the story doesn’t include any faith elements. And while there are some spicy undertones, the romance is clean.

✨ Thank you, @netgalley and @tnzgift, for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

It took a minute to find my groove with this one—but once it clicked, I was all in. Think Broadway flair meets small-town charm with a sprinkle of found family, flirty banter, and heartfelt growth.

Rosie Waterman’s dreams of Broadway stardom have gone a bit… off-script. Jobless, apartment-less, and desperate, she accepts a gig directing Cinderella—for senior citizens. In a retirement community. Yeah, it’s giving “unexpected detour,” but also: surprise delight.

This story is heartwarming in the best way, the kind that sneaks up on you and suddenly you’re emotionally attached to an ensemble cast that includes quirky retirees, a moody teen, a cinnamon roll hero, and Rosie’s fierce girl gang. I laughed (hello, mud and critter chaos), I swooned (quietly—it’s closed-door), and I may have shed a tear or two watching Rosie rediscover herself.

It’s women’s fiction with romance on the side and themes of self-acceptance, second chances, and letting go of the life you thought you should have.

Bonus points for:
🌟 Small-town vibes
🎭 Found family feels
🌟 Unexpected friendships
🎭 Spunky side characters ( please give us more of them Courtney).

If you’ve ever grieved a dream or felt totally lost in the “what now?” phase of life, Rosie’s story will speak to you. Sweet, funny, and sneakily profound—this one’s easy to recommend to anyone who’s ever needed a little reminder that sometimes life’s best moments come from Plan B, C or D.
Detour!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- A charming, feel-good read with heart, humor, and a heroine worth rooting for.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read a Courtney Walsh book that I didn't love. This one was so good. I loved the retirement center setting and Aurther was probably my favorite character. I loved the growth we saw through Rosie throughout the book. So fun!

What a cute story! A tad hard to read sometimes based on how the format was showing up on my kindle, but otherwise I love that it was a romance, but also about her overcoming obstacles in life. I love everything she writes!

Rosie Waterman becomes jobless and homeless on the same day. While on a trip back home, all she sees are the successes her best friends are enjoying, but where is she? Not where she would like to be.

When she is offered a job as the director of a regional theatre, directing a production of Cinderella, she jumps at the chance even though she doesn’t have much experience. But it’s in Wisconsin, not New York. When she gets there, she realizes that the regional theatre is in a retirement community and the actors are senior citizens with no prior acting experience.

Instead of giving up, Rosie learns what it means to lean into the challenge, to feel her feelings, and not run away from them. She meets unexpected challenges head-on and was able to experience the support of her new friends and her (old) true and trusted friends. Rosie discovers she can still dream and that it’s okay to follow through on it.

There were parts of this that made me laugh out loud, and that doesn’t happen very often. I liked all of the characters, and especially the growth and depth that Rosie showed.

I have a love-hate relationship with Rom-Coms, but it's all love when Courtney Walsh writes them! There isn’t one that she has written that I haven’t loved.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson. All opinions expressed are honest and mine.

This book is a warm hug on a cold night. Super sweet and I loved how the story was more about the FMC’s growth than the romance. The romance was sweet but I loved Rosie’s story arc.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

OVERALL STAR RATING: 5/5
CLEAN RATING: 5/5

The plot was unique, the characters were AMAZING and overall, just an incredible balance of humor and heart. One of my favorite things is sassy elderly characters and this book had a handful!

Rosie Waterman wanted to be a star, but at this point in her life, the only thing she’s really nailed is the part of struggling actress. She’s embarrassed at her lack of accomplishments and although she has a very tight knit group of girlfriends, she tends to exaggerate her career journey. She doesn’t want to be labeled a failure but not being 100% honest and authentic with her friends is also taking a toll on her.

Desperate for work, Rosie leaves her home in New York and accepts a summer internship to lead a theatre group in Wisconsin. She’s excited and impressed when she sees the grounds where the theatre is located. Sunset Hills is gorgeous and comes with free room and board in the coziest little cottage. Then the reality hits her – this gorgeous campus is a RETIREMENT community! She’s surrounded by old people…old people who will be cast and starring in the play she’s to direct! NOT exactly the dream she thought she had signed up for.

Of course, these senior citizens are going to keep you highly entertained. Plus, there might just be a little love interest between Rosie and one of the other staff members who is more appropriately aged. Lol I loved that this story went deep. Lighthearted in some parts, but also very heartfelt regarding finding your true self, accepting what life offers and most importantly, being authentically YOU! A beautiful and inspiring story.

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

Such a wholesome, sweet story. If you are in the mood for a sweet story with some quirky characters that is spice-free and just overall heartwarming, Rosie is for you.

This is a closed-door romance but leans a bit more toward women’s fiction - though the romance was there, the overall plot really focuses more on our FMC and her character growth and development. She's struggling to find her way in life - deciding whether or not to give up her big dream of being an actress after many years of failure.

My favorite part was probably just the setting of the retirement community and all the sweet side characters. The story was cute and a fun, fast, easy read but not a ton of depth. All good, if that's what you're looking for.

This is a cute one! A solid read with a delightful cast of characters and a wonderful lesson about hopes and dreams.

Thank you to Netgalley for my complimentary e-arc. All opinions here are my own.

Everything's Coming Up Rosie is a sweet tale of self-discovery and the unexpected joys found in unlikely places. Rosie Waterman's journey from struggling actress to community theatre director offers readers a blend of humour and emotion. The ensemble cast, particularly the senior citizens at the retirement community, add charm and depth to the narrative, making it a delightful read.

However, the novel's pacing presents challenges. The story unfolds slowly, with an extended setup that may test the patience of some readers. Additionally, the prose occasionally feels overly verbose, with descriptions and internal monologues that could have been more concise to maintain momentum. These elements, combined with a somewhat predictable plot, might detract from the overall engagement for those seeking a more dynamic narrative.

Despite these issues, the book's strengths lie in its heartfelt themes and endearing characters. Rosie's personal growth and the supportive community she builds resonate well, offering a comforting message about embracing change and finding purpose in unexpected places. Ideal for readers looking for a cozy read, especially during leisurely times like a holiday break.

This is a charming, feel-good rom-com that delivers exactly what many readers need—a joyful escape. In this lighthearted novel, Courtney Walsh introduces Rosie, a struggling actress whose dreams of Broadway have fizzled. With nothing left, she returns to her small hometown, ashamed and hiding her failures from her successful friends.

When a mysterious job offer lands in her inbox, Rosie jumps at the chance without reading the fine print. What follows is a heartwarming journey of self-discovery, unexpected surprises, and the kind of personal growth that only comes when life veers wildly off script.

Rosie is relatable in her vulnerability and self-doubt, yet her journey is full of warmth, humor, and hope. The story is refreshingly clean, uplifting, and threaded with themes of second chances and the power of believing in yourself—even when life doesn’t go as planned.

I absolutely adored this book! From start to finish, Everything’s Coming Up Rosie had me completely hooked. The characters were so full of heart and personality—I felt like I truly knew them. There’s such a beautiful depth to their emotional journeys, and the growth they each experience felt real and rewarding.

The love story was tender, heartfelt, and swoony in all the right ways. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and most of all, it made me feel. I also have to give a special shoutout to the older characters—they were charming, hilarious, and added so much warmth and wisdom to the story.

This book was the perfect blend of humor, heart, and healing. It’s one of those stories that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is an absolute gem.

Loved this book. Sweet and lovely but I always enjoy some feisty seniors!
Thanks to Thomas Nelson publishing for a copy of this book!

DNF page 218

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

My many thanks to the Author, Publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this book!

I was having trouble getting into this book, a lot of the decisions made in this book I found to be rather dumb. And the advice was often even worse. Now I get that this is marketed I believe as “Clean Fiction”
not “Christian Fiction” but everything about this book I found to be very of the world. I get what I am about to say is controversial and not everyone will agree with me, but regardless I’m still going to say it.

The majority of this book revolves around the idea of self happiness. And following your dreams and your heart, and essentially finding your own happiness. I staunchly disagree with these ideas. I get this is very much the mantra of today, but nowhere do we see these principles or ideas expressed anywhere in Scripture. In fact we see quite the opposite. Instead we see how God is the author of our Lives, our need to Trust and lean on Him in all things. Our joy is to come from Him and not from things of the world.

There were other things expressed in this book that I disagreed with, if it had been just one principle I disagreed with I could have lived with it, but all of them compounded upon each other just bugged me too much to continue.

I hate this book was such a miss for me.

Content notes:

A woman mentions her husband might get lucky tonight.

Multiple mentions of a women having several “sexy” ventriloquist puppets, including mentioning that one is wearing a bikini.

The woman makes an inappropriate routine with the puppet calling people sexy, saying it’s looking for a man, that she has needs. When asked what those needs are the woman reaches into the bikini bottoms of the puppet pulling out a paper, before she is quickly ushered off stage. (Not overly detailed)

A mention of a girl not wearing a bra, and how a man can probably see straight down her shirt. (Not detailed)

Mentions of a man’s physique (mildly detailed)

Mentions of a woman feeling exposed in front of a man while wearing skimpy pajamas (bikini bottoms, a tank top and no bra) mentions of her covering herself with her arms, and then throwing a sweatshirt on.

Mention a a woman having thoughts about a man she shouldn’t. (Based on context probably sexual but no details)

Our main characters go to a bar, mentions of a lady being potentially tipsy. The Lyrics “Country girls shake it for me.” Are written mentions of people shaking to the music. Mention of a man having a bottle in his hands (we find out he is drinking non alcoholic beer)

A woman confesses her feelings to a man while drunk