I thoroughly enjoyed this story of learning to find out what your dreams really are and follow them with your whole heart.

Rosie is an actress who dreams of making it big in New York, but it's just not working at all. She's lonely, has no money or work, and has shut herself off from friends and family. A last ditch job offer at a theater in Wisconsin turns into a new path forward that she never could have imagined!

I didn't connect with Rosie a whole lot. It was frustrating to see her second guess everything in what was obviously a wonderful opportunity for her and try to stick to her New York dream which was dead in the water. Also frustrating to see her continually shut her friends out. However, that is all explained by her past difficulties with her dad abandoning their family, and her mom's reaction to it. And in the end, it's wonderful to see her let people in and find her true self and her true dreams, and follow them with her whole heart!

Booker is a bit of a cipher, I don't feel like I really knew him very much. His love for his adopted grandma Bertie and his work ethic were what stood out to me about him.

Just in general, I didn't feel a ton of chemistry in Rosie and Booker's romance and the ending was "happy for now" and a bit abrupt. This is a romance, but it's really more of a coming of age and finding herself story for Rosie.

I am not a theater person at ALL, I just have no experience and I don't know any of the songs Rosie loves to break out into at appropriate moments. But I know the author owns and runs a theater and I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the world of the Sunset Players. I've always had a soft spot for older people so I loved that aspect of the story.

Overall I really enjoyed the journey with Rosie, Booker, Arthur, Bertie, Daisy, Rosie's childhood friends, and just all the amazing ensemble cast of characters in this wonderful story.

Cute book with upbeat storyline and fun romance. I Didn’t however care for narrator. Would recommend book to friends for positive fun read.

Add this to your summer reading list. It is a pure delight. The characters are likable (and relatable). It's a book where you just want everyone to get their happy ending. AND no disclaimers needed.

Courtney Walsh has written a delightful story worthy of an encore in “Everything’s Coming Up Rosie.” The story is filled with rich characters, delightfully quirky people, who all grow together and help Rosie grow and change and achieve her theatre dream. I love the setting of the story, and it makes me wish there were such a place as Sunset, because I would for sure go visit. I love that the younger characters glean so much wisdom from the older characters, and the older characters can even use a gentle nudge from the younger ones, too. The plot keeps moving and does not lag anywhere. Quick wit and humor are sprinkled throughout alongside deep emotions and decision making. Deep and abiding friendships shine throughout the plot, and what an encouragement that is to the reader, to be that kind of loyal friend and to see out friends who love you just the way God made you. I loved this book, and I highly recommend it. It is a fun, lighthearted read with a deep message of hope, embracing change, and looking at your dreams in a whole new way.

Something about the books by this author are just really good, down to earth, feel good books. If you like feeling happy, this is a no brainer. 😅

4.5 stars

I did not want this book to end. So much so, I cried at the end. This book is absolute perfection. Every page, every line, every word was wonderful. But I knew it would be with Walsh’s stellar writing. There is so much to love about this book. Walsh delivers the perfect amount of heart, humor, swoon, and so much more. Her books never disappoint.

Rosie’s journey is one of the best I’ve read in a long time. I loved how it took moving to Wisconsin to direct a play at a senior living community to give Rosie just what she needed to find herself and to realize her strengths. There are so many character gems in these pages. Rosie’s friends: Mia, Taylor, Marnie were so fun and sweet. Daisy was a doll. The Wisconsin troop of seniors were my favorites. Birdie, Connie, and Belinda to name a few but Arthur stole the show for me.

And don’t forget Booker. He will forever be the measurement of future book heroes. He was so great and he and Rosie were perfect together. I loved their “Friday” chats.

How this book comes together is magical and the events that lead to that ending, I won’t soon forget. (And don’t forget the author’s note.)

I received an ALC and ARC approval from the publisher. Huge thank you to them.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗:
On the brink of giving up her dreams of acting, Rosie takes a job at an assisted living facility to direct a production of Cinderella, starring the octogenarian residents.

𝙼𝚢 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎:
This one is definitely for the theater kids!

CW always brings the heart in her books, & this one is no different. From Rosie’s supportive besties to the found family she finds in the assisted living residents (ARTHUR!), this book is sweet, fun and full of growth.

𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚚𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜:

💕"𝙄𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙩. 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛 𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧."

💕"𝙄 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮. 𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚'𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣."

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁:
✨theater & acting
✨ride or die besties
✨retirement community
✨found family

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. I have read several Courtney Walsh books, and this one did not disappoint. I love the story of Rosie going back to her hometown and becoming the theatre director at a senior citizen center. This is such a great, feel-good story.

4 Stars - clean fiction
Completed: Apr. 24/25
Format: ARC sent to Kindle

I've read many books by this author. While they are always funny and clean, they also have a good/positive life message. In this novel, we are encouraged to follow or pursue a healthy dream or goal that we have as long as it's still what we want. It's okay to change it in some way or to even find a new dream. The only thing I would personally add to that is to pray about it and ask God for His direction.

Rosie is a struggling actress with a penchant for the theater. She unknowingly ends up with a theater director position at a rather unusual location for the summer. She quickly finds herself enjoying the challenge, the camaraderie, having a roomy place to stay, a great roommate, and even her own mailbox and golf cart to utilize. She finds warmth and acceptance that is like a balm to her weary and frustrated soul.

For me, the highlight of this novel are all the people she meets within the community: a self-absorbed diva, a curmudgeon, a matchmaking grandma, her southern roommate, the moody teenager, and more. Of course, I must include Booker (a looker!). Their attraction and chemistry is quite swoony.
I personally didn't care for the bar scene or innuendos about a "walk of shame." It is not necessary in a clean romance. I appreciate that Booker did not drink alcohol due to his responsibility as the one who drove. I did feel frustration with Rosie toward the end but I can't say anything more without a "spoiler." I just felt a particular decision she made was too black and white--as well as contradictory to the important life lesson she learned. It's Booker that exemplified the life lesson more so.

There are many laugh-out-loud scenes, lots of swoon, a great community feel, eclectic characters, the blessings of good friendships, and twittter-pating romance. This novel releases in June 2025 and is a very good read.


*** My sincere appreciation to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, and to Net Galley, for an advanced audio copy. My honest review is voluntary and in my own words.

I enjoyed this book! I was a little unsure when I started it as I am very much NOT a theatre person, but I was pleasantly surprised by it! I mean, I enjoy most books by Courtney Walsh, although there have been a couple of books I haven't liked as much as others but that's just how it goes. Anyways, this was just such a fun read! I liked Rosie, and honestly, all the the characters were great. There were some spots where the story felt slow, and there were some choices Rosie made that I didn't quite get. But overall this is just a fun light-hearted read. Not everything is meant to be deep and philosophical. As someone who reads a lot of suspense, thrillers, and mysteries, I really like something light and fun once in a while!

Also I think it would be such a cute movie!

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

I have never read a Courtney Walsh book before, but I have heard from a few friends that they really enjoyed her books. So I decided to give this one a try. I thoroughly glad that I did! I enjoyed this cute book so much.
We follow Rosie who is trying to make being an actress as her job work for her. So while she is checking her email one day, she sees a job offer. Before checking where the job is or what it’s for she accepts the job. The position turns out to be in a retirement community. Rosie compares herself to her friends a lot, thinking she hasn’t made something of herself.
The book is so cute. There is a romance as well. Courtney Walsh doesn’t write smut, which is very refreshing to read. A romance not based on sex is few and far between.

I have previously read Courtney Walsh before and was happy to receive an advanced copy of this book.
This book is adorable! Rosie is chasing a dream that she is not sure whose dream it is. After numerous rejections in the theater world, she begins to send out her resume to everything she can. Rosie receives an offer to direct and be apart of the creative team for the production of Cinderella. But... Rosie did not read the job description before packing up and head to Wisconsin. Well she is quite surprised when she is taken to a retirement community and she is the only person on the creative team. Rosie transforms while in the community and as she begins to start figuring out what her dream really is. The "cast" of characters in this story are perfect. Rosie becomes interested in physical therapist in the community. Their story is so sweet! You will not be disappointed when you read this one! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy of this.

3.75 stars!

For as long as she can remember, Rosie's dream was to make it as an actor. She even moved to New York the second she could to make it happen, but life had a way of showing her that not all dreams are meant to come true. At least not in the way you thought. When presented with a rather unorthodox opportunity to help produce a stage production, she jumps at the chance without looking at the fine print (rookie mistake). Rosie was already ashamed to tell her friends back home that she wasn't quite making it as an actor in New York. What would they think when they find out she's producing a play for a group of senior citizen in a retirement community?

Along the way, Rosie meets a very wholesome cast of characters that teach her many lessons and help her to grow. She also meets a quite handsome physical therapist (and jack of all trades) who helps her peel back some layers, and find out what is actually holding her back from her dreams.

I really did enjoy this read! I found it adorable and entertaining. With zero spice, I would recommend this to readers of most ages and demographics. The musical theatre references were plentiful and I as a fellow musical theatre nerd truly appreciated them.

I loved how Courtney Walsh explored not only the romantic challenges and growth between Rosie and Booker, but also how Rosie's friendships evolve. It was refreshing to see a character be able to speak her truth and have her friends support her anyway.

Everything's Coming Up Rosie was quirky and adorable! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Courtney Walsh, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the advanced copy - I can't wait to buy a copy on publication day!

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie was a feel good story with some of the most lovable characters. Arthur was probably my favorite. I loved the friendships throughout the book! They just felt so genuine and relatable. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Courtney Walsh book I didn’t love, and this one is no different! Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

This book was wholesome and sweet in all the best ways. The strong, supportive friend group felt like a warm hug, and the found family theme gave it so much heart. It’s a beautiful coming-of-age story with just the right touch of romance.

Out of all characters I especially loved Arthur—his character was so grumpy and sweet and I loved the friendship and his moments with Rosie near the end were tender and emotional, and honestly, they made me tear up. A comforting, feel-good read that stays with you. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published June 10, 2025.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a cute rom-com with some funny lines. Themes include career expectations, chasing dreams, taking chances and unexpected friendships. A quick and easy read.

You will especially enjoy the book if you are interested in acting or musical theater!

ARC Review - Releasing June 10, 2025

Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh
4 Stars

🎭When your Broadway dreams lead you to.....a retirement community? This is a story about losing it all and finding something even better. 💫

⭐Read This If You Love:⭐

🎭🎶🎬Books about Theatre & Music Production
💕💌🌸Clean Romance
🏡🧓🪴Retirement Community
🤗🏠🍲 Found Family
☀️🍉🕶️A Good Summer Read

Rosie's journey is funny, real and inspiring. We follow a heartwarming and humorous story where she rediscovers her purpose after her dreams have shifted. Rosie has been wanting to be on Broadway and continues to strike out on her big dreams as a working actor. She goes home and is offered a job as the director of a regional theatre production of Cinderella - the catch? The job is in Wisconsin, not New York. She goes to take this job and realizes the job she accepted is actually in a retirement community and the "actors" are actually senior citizens.

We see Rosie really experience growth here from as what starts as a detour becomes a journey of self-discovery, joy and surprises. She meets Booker, who is a cinnamon roll type guy that helps her work through her feelings. He also was very patient with her, which I appreciated. She struggles with so much that I find relatable and I think others will too. It just took me quite some time to get connected to her personally (a lot of internal dialogue that was hard to digest), so I would say around 40% I was more connected to the story.

The side Senior characters really made this story too, so iconic!

Overall, a good book that I think would be a fun, easy recommendation for a contemporary women's fiction with a little romance to read during the summer or on a beach trip! (Romance could have been a bit more developed, but still cute!)

Oh, and READ THE AUTHOR’S NOTE! Loved that.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a copy of the audiobook and e-book to honestly listen to and read for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content: Clean romance, no language, a mention of "oh dear Lord in heaven" in a moment that would be considered shock, parent abandonment mentioned, mentions of death of a loved one, some inuendo jokes but nothing explicit. overall clean contemporary women's fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the Arc!

This was my first Courtney Walsh book and it did not disappoint! I love a good romcom and this was such an adorable read with loveable characters and self discovery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

After moving to NYC Rosie's dream of becoming an actor doesn't quite go as she had dreamed. She goes home and realizes her friends have all grown up and have careers and families while she's been struggling and also dealing with insecurities of what to do with her life. She jumps at the chance to to direct a summer theater production with a salary and lodging which works out great since is currently jobless and homeless- except it's in Wisconsin. Then she quickly learns it's in a retirement community and the actors are senior citizens with no acting experience.

While working on the show Rosie faces many challenges but as she spends more time with the cast she beings to think her big dream and falls for the very likeable Booker, the town physical therapist and fix it guy in the process. The side characters in this story are also very funny as well.

This is such a heartwarming, funny and lighthearted story. I really enjoyed it. It is just a clean feel good story. If you are a fan of Courtney Walsh you will not be disappointed. I have been a longtime fan of Courtney Walsh. I lover her writing style. Can't wait for the next story.

Okay, so let me start by saying this isn't the worst book I've ever read in the rom-com genre, and it actually made quite a refreshing change from the spicy books dominating the market at the moment, but this book (like so many) has it's flaws. So let's start with the points I just wasn't that keen on, you know 'bad news first' style:

Most of the characters felt a little too 2D for my liking. We don't really get anything to add depth, with the majority of character interaction being surface level. With the book being set in a retirement community with a cast of characters so eclectic, they deserved more 'screentime' and personality and this just failed to happen. I wanted more, I wanted to see more of Booker's grandma, I wanted to understand why Dylan was in the community, and I wanted some hilarity with the rest of the staff, with Daisy, with the cast of the show, but instead it was brushed over, and that left me disappointed.

Booker was a mediocre love interest at best. I've never been a fan of insta-love, but this might be the most mediocre case of it I've read about. He seemed nice enough, Rosie spent more than enough time worrying about how short this romance was going to be, and when they finally got to the dating part it just seemed kind of bland, immediately into the old married couple category. Oh the irony...

I mentioned it earlier, but the fleeting passage of time was not ideal. Where there was plenty of potential to delve deeper into the characters within this community, we were given brief snapshots, with weeks and even months passing by in order to push the plot along. This, coupled with brief glimpses of moments within this fleeting timeframe where all Rosie does is talk about how much she loves kissing Booker, eventually had me thinking I wish there was something more interesting to read about.

Rosie was supposed to be complex and struggle, and whilst she spent a good portion of the plot like this, by the end she basically decided that although she was only doing the whole acting thing for her mum, she was going to stick at it. Now this isn't necessarily a problem, but I'd expect the character to actually confront their demons and talk to the people who have negatively impacted them, especially in a story such as this, which is billed as a coming of age story. The outcome from the whole thing fell flat for me. Rosie may have allowed herself to feel more emotions, but if I were to play the 'where is this person in 5 years?' game, I'd say she's back to being unhappy after a brief stint getting some half-decent roles.

Now, so far I've picked out negatives, and obviously that's not going to portray the book well, but here are the points I personally found to be good and are the main reasons I'd recommend this to someone.

The side characters. Okay, they aren't as fully fleshed out as I would like, but I adored Arthur and Dylan, I wanted more of Daisy, and the rest of Rosie's friends. I felt for the characters, and I loved the relationships Rosie had with her friends. I'm an absolute sucker for an older character, so it's not really a surprise that I wanted more, nor that Arthur was my favourite character. There was just something so likeable about the characters and I wanted to keep reading so I could continue learning new things about them.

Rosie is complex and anxious, and whilst this was part of the negatives it was also nice to find a character relatable. You read a lot of characters that claim to be anxious but actually the complexity just isn't there, whereas with Rosie, it was clear that her doubts were real. As someone who suffers with anxiety and imposter-syndrome it was a relief to see part of that in a character, and see them learn to cope with that without eradicating it or making it seem like something that needed to be fixed, but rather embraced.

I loved the setting. A retirement community is just a little different from the small home-town romances you see all over the place, and as someone who grew up around the older generation, I have a soft spot for them.

I'm also a big theatre nerd so the references made me smile each and every time.

The overall message for the story, which conveyed that just because things look perfect on the outside, doesn't mean it necessarily is. Everyone's struggling with different things and no one has life figured out, and that's not a bad thing.

I'd recommend this for those looking for a break from spicy, small-town romances, and wanting something a little more light-hearted and fun. But if you want a lot of character depth, maybe take this one with a pinch of salt.