This had so much potential, and I definitely got some Fredrik Backman vibes with the quirky, heartwarming side characters who completely stole the show. The pacing was pretty slow to start, and while Booker was sweet, their relationship felt underdeveloped — they liked each other right away, but it just didn’t get enough focus. The romance was more of a side plot, which was fine, but I found myself more invested in the people at the theater and the retirement home than in Rosie herself. Her immaturity and ageist comments made her hard to connect with, and the whole “she’s a liar” angle felt like a lazy way to handle her inability to be vulnerable and work through her trauma.

However, the ending was surprisingly touching, and I did feel emotional as the cast and Rosie started to figure out their path forward. It was cute and fun overall, but I was hoping for more theatre, more depth, and a more compelling main character arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first Courtney Walsh book, but certainly not my last. Everything's Coming Up Rosie is a heartwarming story about a young woman who suddenly comes face-to-face with an uncertain future and how she navigates through everything thrown her way. To start getting back on her feet, Rosie takes a trip back home and eventually realizes it may be the start over she needed.  Rosie is a very relatable character that you can quickly form an attachment too.  Walsh did a great job bringing her characters to life.  A must read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the advance copies—both audiobook and eBook.

I listened to the audiobook and also read the digital version, and I can confidently recommend both formats. At first, I wasn’t sure about the narrator—her voice sounded younger than I imagined for Rosie—but as the story progressed, she completely won me over. Her delivery was expressive, funny, and full of heart, and she really brought Rosie’s personality to life.

This is a warm, funny, and surprisingly touching story about figuring out who you are when life doesn’t go the way you planned. Rosie is a relatable, messy, endearing protagonist, and I loved watching her journey unfold—from feeling left behind to finding meaning and purpose in the most unexpected place.

The setup—directing a Cinderella production in a retirement community—is quirky, but it works. I laughed out loud multiple times, and the emotional beats landed just as well as the comedic ones. This is a great choice for anyone looking for a feel-good read with substance and charm.

This book was a wonderful journey with Rosie as she discovers who she is and what she really wants. She ends up in a place she doesn’t expect, and realizes that’s exactly where she’s supposed to be! I loved her interactions with all of the other characters along with her romance with Booker. I absolutely loved watching her friendship with curmudgeonly Arthur develop along with the way she poured into and helped Dylan just by choosing to give her a chance.

My only frustration with this book is that it’s set in Door County, one of my favorite places on earth, but there is nothing Door County about it. None of the towns are mentioned or visited, and Lake Michigan isn’t visited or mentioned once! Why?! Ok rant over :) This made me sad but couldn’t affect my rating because the story was wonderful.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own!

Sweet and Swoony 4.5 ⭐️

🌷This was such a sweet story! I loved how chaotic and quirky Rosie is but not in an over-the-top silly way but just in her genuine theater-loving way. She has a heart of gold and a thought process that will make you laugh for sure!

🌷The overall story feels natural, and realistic and every character leaves you with a lesson or pondering about something.

🌷As for Rosie and Booker, I absolutely loved their story, it is full of actual connection, courtship, and love. Booker is a man that bares it all out, while Rosie is more of an onion you have to peel back slowwwwwly but Booker is the perfect man for the job.

🌷Spice:0: kisses
🌷Language:0

I couldn’t put this book down! I am not a musical theatre kid and can’t carry a tune or act to save my life but I love watching theatre.

I had the option to have the ebook and the audiobook and the narration paired with reading was an incredible experience. It truly felt like I was emerged in the book. And with the characters. I loved the crossover with her hockey books. But it wasn’t in a way where you need to read them first. Just if you have read them you would appreciate the nod to them.

A big thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for both copies of the book!

Thank you for the advanced copy to Net Gally and Thomas Nelson Fiction. This was such a heartwarming read. It's my first Courtney Walsh novel, but won't be my last. I loved that Rosie experienced personal growth as she navigated her way through. This is a rom-com that is shrouded in a feel good story about personal growth. I couldn't put it down!

Love this one so so so so much! So sweet and heartwarming! The main character has such a wonderful development and was so wonderful to follow. Her story is so relatable as well!

Everything is Coming Up Rosie is a perfect summer rom-com. Rosie is still young(ish) and determined to pursue her dream of acting. Multiple rejections and a trip home are starting to uncover the layer of fear and uncertainty she’s been able to hold off. Seeing her best friends navigate their current season in life has her wondering if she has what it takes to make it after all. I love that in her despair she accepted a job, without reading the fine print, and shows up to find the unexpected. It is the unexpected that wakes her up out of her autoplay stupor though and allows her to start seeing things through a new lens. The supporting characters, especially a pretty cool physical therapist who happens to think her arrival is just what the community needs, are a great blend of personalities. Together, they provide opportunities of growth, seeking truth, having fun, taking risks, finding and tearing down her barriers, and re-discovering her why. I loved the support from her lifelong besties as well as all the new friends, of all ages, she encounters all the way. While there are some serious moments of self-reflection, there are also plenty of laughable moments and opportunities to be present and smile.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie follows Rosie Waterman, a woman with a big dream: to become a working actor. But life doesn’t seem to be following the script. When she loses both her apartment and her job in one day, she does what Rosie does best—throws herself back into the world, chasing the next opportunity. But how do you let go of a dream that’s rooted in your soul?

This book hurt me in the best way. It made me giggle, tear up, laugh out loud, and want to break into song. It stirred up something deep—belief in dreams, love, and the kind of hope that feels like sunlight after rain.

My favorite characters? Rosie, of course. Plus her amazing friends, a wonderfully complex teenager, a swoon-worthy love interest, and a delightfully grumpy old man.

Why am I being a little vague? Because this is a story you need to experience for yourself. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Also the end is amazing.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley, but that doesn’t affect my review. I don’t sugarcoat my opinions—I only recommend the stories that genuinely touch my heart.

When I saw that Courtney Walsh was writing a book that would have some older characters, I knew I had to pick it up!!! Her writing always has a way of bringing me so much joy and this one was no exception! I enjoyed the first three quarters of the book, but once I got to the last quarter, I loved it!! Rosie has come to a self-proclaimed quarter of a life crisis. What do you do when you realize that the dream for your life isn’t what you dreamed it would be? Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is a heartwarming book of self-discovery with delightful laugh out loud banter and characters that you can’t help but fall in love with (Bertie and Arthur 🥹🥹🥹). I also loved that there was a part of pushing those who’d think they want isolation into community.

I like this author books and I was really excited to have gotten this one as an ARC!

This was a heartfelt, joy, love, funny, and lighthearted story. You will not be disappointed at all because this author builds her characters and stories. Loved it and can’t wait to purchase this one and also gift it to a few friends.

This cast of characters were so much fun! I especially loved all our zany and funny senior citizens.
Cute storyline with a great message to learn from as well.
I zipped through this one pretty quickly!

4.5⭐️
I may be a little biased as a theatre person but I LOVED Everything’s Coming Up Rosie! Rosie was so relatable as the almost failing arts person in her friend group that tried to make everyone think she was doing fine.

I think this book balanced the line between rom-com and woman’s lit really nicely with some real hard hitting stuff about family and self discovery but alway found a way to make me laugh. If anything, I kind of wish it dig into the deep stuff a little bit more with some of the other characters but definitely leaves room if the author wanted to make it a series.

Overall, this book has a little something for everyone: romance, theatre, old people, young people, comedy, sad stuff, and more! I couldn’t put it down and wish it was longer!

Thanks NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital advanced copy of this book!

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

4.5 🌟

This book made me laugh AND cry multiple times.

This book has a found family troupe AND crabby old people - is anyone surprised I loved this... because you shouldn't be. There were SO many perfect characters in this book (Arthur ❤️) and I love the growth in relationship*s* Rosie experiences beyond just finding love. You need to run to read this book when it comes out.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

This is another beautiful story by Courtney Walsh. I'm honestly not sure if she could miss even if she tried. The characters in this book alone are fantastic, but then add in some major arcs involving the magic of second chances and an authentic study of "the human condition" and Courtney has created the perfect storm containing all the feels. Not to mention, I'm not a theatre person, but even I could appreciate this absolute love letter to that world. Now, as always, I'm left craving the next read Courtney will bring to life!

Rosie...This girl is adorably awkward and I was so here for it. She marches to the beat of her own drum and has crazy big dreams. I really appreciated the vibe that she doesn't feel grown-up and hasn't achieved all the things. That's literally my life. But then again, I guess it's everyone's life and that's the entire point. I loved seeing Rosie come into her own, learn, grow, finally embrace change, and refuse to give up. Her arc was such a wild, but super fun ride and I loved every moment.

Booker...What an absolutely precious man. At first, he was so aloof, but then out came all the golden retriever energy...but only for Rosie. It was such a treat experiencing them genuinely get to know one another and interact with all the characters around them. And I of course enjoyed seeing how Rosie inspired Booker to dream again most of all.

Things I loved:
❤️Rosie's friend group
❤️Connie (and that accent)
❤️golf cart stuck in the mud
❤️Daisy (what a super fun roommate!)
❤️Arthur (my fave character...what an absolutely adorable grump)
❤️late-night snack raids
❤️Bertie (especially her scheming)
❤️the non-date date
❤️Friday questions
❤️people and community (especially after that one truly challenging event)
❤️Belinda (even with all her difficult ways)
❤️all the theatre references
❤️all the emotions Courtney draws out from the reader...Her books are an entire experience. You get the romance you adore plus so much more!
❤️epilogue

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 rounded up
🌶️

My Quick Takes:
- 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 none
- Spice ❤️‍🔥 kisses only
- Content 🤔 parental abandonment

For anyone who is chasing after a seemingly unattainable dream, or has grieved a dream they had to let go, this book is for you. Rosie’s struggles and insecurities and half truths are all so relatable. I could see myself in pieces of her struggle.

This is a closed-door romance but leans a bit more toward women’s fiction. The plot focuses more on the struggles and character development of the female main character with the romantic interest being secondary. There was plenty of witty banter and flirty, which I loved. I usually don’t lean toward women fiction but Rosie was so relatable that I was quickly pulled into her sphere.

Absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a summer read!

Rosie’s acting career in New York isn’t going as planned. She’s almost out of money so she applies to every job she can and, like dies she realize, lands one at a retirement home as the director of the play for the senior citizens.

Rosie is in her late 20s and thinks she should have everything figured out by now. She thinks all her friends’ lives are going great and that she needs to get her act together. So she hides how life is really going.

This story started off slow to me, but once it picked up, I loved it. It just took a bit for me to get into it
I love the friendships she forms with the seniors, especially Arthur. There were a few scenes with him that made me cry! He was such a grump on the outside, but had such a good soul.

I loved Booker! He was so sweet and I loved how their friendship started and blossomed into more naturally. I’d say this was not too heavy on the romance. If you’re looking for a story that’s more women’s fiction with some romance, then this one is a good fit! I liked the character development of Rosie. I feel like she really grew into herself and became more confident and started to enjoy her life more. This was a cute, feel good, and sometimes emotional read!

This was a fun one. I had to laugh at several awkward situations that Rosie got herself into. She was quirky and fun- the type of person I would love to hang out with.
I loved getting to know all the residents of the retirement community- they each added so much to the story. My only complaint is the name Booker (ugh I hated it- made me think they were saying booger)
I enjoyed the plot and loved that it was a romantic story but it was also wholesome. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
I read this book and then got to listened to it on audio and the narrator did a fantastic job. It was well done and easy to listen to.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an engaging read! I enjoyed the plot and would read it again.