4.5⭐️ this book was so cute! 💕 perfect for all the broadway lovers out there. i adored following rosie on her journey of self-discovery—from feeling unsure to becoming a woman who knows her worth. her transformation was beautifully done.

i was completely obsessed with her relationship with booker 😍. he knew exactly what he wanted—rosie, in all her quirky glory.

the theatre setting might’ve been my favorite part! i felt like i was right there in the middle of casting and backstage antics. it was magical.

also? the side characters stole the show. i fell in love with every single one of them—especially arthur! this book honestly made me want to retire somewhere just like this whimsical place.

💫 a phenomenal book by courtney walsh—i’m officially a fan!

🎧 jorjeana marie was rosie. she captured her vulnerability and inner monologue beautifully. while i wish there was more variety in her character voices, but the emotion she brought to rosie made up for it.
𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4/5🎙️

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, & zondervan fiction audio for the gifted alc! 🫶🏼

𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖
🎭lots of theatre!
💞found family
⛳️camp vibes
☝🏼single pov
🪞self discovery journey

𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔
💋closed door-kisses only
❌no language

I know I’m in the minority, and so many others loved this book. However, I think it might be time that I move on from Courtney Walsh. As someone who is the same age as Rosie, I felt like she was so naive for her age. Really felt like an older young adult book, not an adult one. I just didn’t mesh with this story at all.

Rosie has dreamed of becoming an actor her entire life. She’s in New York, going to auditions, hustling like so many others - yet never quite getting close to the roles she longs for.

Then, out of the blue, she receives an email offering her the chance to lead a regional theatre. It feels like a lifeline. But when she arrives, she’s thrown for a loop - why is everyone around her… so old?

Turns out, the theatre is inside a retirement community. And her job? To stage a full production - with a cast made up entirely of seniors.

At first, the story moves slowly. Rosie’s original friend group feels underdeveloped, and I worried the book would stay on that shallow path. But once she enters the theatre world and meets the cast of unforgettable elderly characters, the narrative absolutely comes to life. Their quirks, warmth, and chaos were easily the best part of the book.

I’ll just leave you with this gem of a quote:
“Oh my. That’s a lot of sexy puppets.”

What I didn’t expect - and appreciated most - was the underlying exploration of what it means to dream. When do you keep chasing the goal? When do you pivot? And is that pivot a failure, or a quieter kind of evolution?

This book made me laugh more than I expected, and think more than I intended. A warm, funny, and surprisingly honest reflection on ambition, aging, and second acts.



I listened to the audiobook. The narration was adequate but I do wish there were more distinction between male voices - 20 year olds sounded the same as 70 year olds.

Thanks NetGalley for providing the ARC audiobook for review

Courtney's books are always a good time. Listening to this one was adorably lovely.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Rosie Waterman's dream of becoming a working actor isn't working out. When she's offered a job as the director of a regional theatre's production of Cinderella, she jumps at the chance. But 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 was quite the shock for Rosie but she soon got into the thick of things. I loved the variety of characters present in the community. Even Booker, the handsome physical therapist who was so supportive and patient. Rosie accepting her unconventional life trajectory was beautiful.

The narrator did an awesome job portraying various emotions in the book. I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4⭐
Steam level: 1🌶️ Kissing only

Everything’s coming up Rosie was such a fun and exciting read. When I read the synopsis to this book I was instantly drawn to the plot. An aspiring actress hoping to make it big in theatre is offered a new position as a theatre director for an upcoming production of Cinderella with no job in sight she journeys on and accepts the role but upon arrival she discovers the job position is to direct the play for a retirement home. Through her stay she discovers more about what drives the residents to journey on and new discoveries about herself she is yet to realize. This book was such a fun book it has drama, some great romance with a golden retriever MMC and such a great journey to self discovery and following your dreams. I really felt so touched by this story and really enjoyed the overall feel of the book. I also really liked the narrator and felt she did a great job at connecting with the characters. Overall a good read and do recommend for a good feel romance book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan audio for the advance listeners copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really sweet story! I enjoyed following along as Rosie found her footing and rebuilt her confidence after some set backs. It was an uplifting and heartwarming book, with lots of personal growth and found family. All of the characters were so lovely and vibrant, and I particularly loved the retirement community residents. Although this is marketed as a romance book, I would say the romance isn't the main plotline, which I actually really appreciated. I thought it was nicely balanced between plot with a good side of closed door romance.

This was my first book by Courtney Walsh and I will definitely be picking up more in the future!

Calling all Thespians - this is a must read! This story made my theater loving heart so happy with every reference (and there is quite a bit of them!)

The cast of quirky characters is so wonderful but I loved Rosie the most. She’s passionate and resilient, even when feeling down on her luck and in over her heard. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. As wholesome as this story is, it touches on some very real fears and insecurities we all feel when chasing our dreams.

This was a wonderful audio - the narrator captured Rosie’s quick wit and humor perfectly. I was very quickly swept up into this story.

I am in the minority on this one so definitely check out some of the other reviews if you are thinking of picking this one up. The thing that bothered me most about this one is that Rosie felt more like a 12 year old throughout the book in terms of how she approached romantic relationships as well as friendships, and the communication style she used with others. I did not feel any romantic tension or build up, and the ending was a let down for me on so many levels. In some ways Rosie showed some growth as a character, but for the most part it felt very contrived. The messages that Walsh was making were heavy handed, and she used a lot of telling instead of showing to convey her messages. I did enjoy the theater setting in a senior residential area, and I wish the uniqueness of the setting could have been used to carry the story in a more effective way.

Rosie has always wanted to be a Broadway actress. Every since she was a little girl, it's been her dream, and she promised herself she'd never let anyone take that dream away. Unfortunately, the universe doesn't seem to agree.
Jobless, homeless, and prospectless, Rosie agrees to take a job she doesn't even remember applying for, as a member of the theater department in Wisconsin for a summer run of Cinderella. With nothing to lose, and an unwillingness to admit to her friends that her life isn't perfect, Rosie accepts. When she arrives in Door County, Rosie realizes that she's actually agreed to be the director of a show at a retirement community. Unwilling to admit another defeat, she trudges on.

I will say, Rosie really annoyed me at first. Her friends obviously care about her, and would be supportive of her life without the star-in-the-making facade. It didn't become clear to me until about halfway through that Rosie wasn't just selfish and stubborn, she was protecting herself, and the small, scared girl she once was. Once I realized that, I could understand her choices a little better.

The narrator was not my favorite. Her voice sounded nasaly, like she had a cold. And even when listening at 1.25x speed, there were long pauses or sentences that dragged for no reason.

Sweet little low-spice (no spice?) romance about trusting yourself and letting others in.

This is a fun rom-com that follows Rosie as she is a struggling actor. She moved to NYC but has been struggling to find work and is eventually evicted by her roommates for not being able to pay rent. AS she is applying for any and every type of acting job, she recklessly accepts an offer without even reading what she was accepting. She has to figure out if she will stay or leave to pursue her dreams.

So this book was good, but I grew so tired of Rosie's inner monologue. She kept saying "I'm an actor", and similar quotes that was way too repetitive. I almost DNF'd it based on her immaturity, but kept going. I see what the author was trying to do with the character growth, but there was way too much repetition.

The audiobook was well produced and the narrator did a very good job with all the character's voices. I would listen to this specific narrator again.
3.5 stars but rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a delightful book to read, I loved it! Rosie is an aspiring actress that feels like she is a failure compared to her 3 best friends. She gets an offer where she thought she was going to be part of a directing team, but when she gets there, it is quite the surprise. I loved the strong friendships and the unconditional support they provide. I loved all the side characters, the banter that was simply delightful and fun. This is a book that has all that I am looking for in a book, romantic, heartwarming, fun and funny banter and wonderful characters. This is a book you don’t want to miss reading.
This audio is awesome; the narrator really brought the story to life. Highly recommend listening while cleaning.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Fiction; this review is completely my own opinion.

Everything's Coming Up Rosie is full of almost-exclusively likeable characters, starting with Rosie herself (despite her emotional baggage and current job crisis), as well as her best friends from home; retirement community staff—human resources director Connie, hot physical therapist Booker, events coordinator and Rosie's roommate Daisy, and Nurse Louie; teen Dylan, who has been dumped on her grandparents for the summer (she grows on us quickly); and a motley crew of retirement community residents, most notably Booker's grandmother, Bertie, and the curmudgeonly Arthur (who, like Dylan, grows on us). While the book opens in New York City, settings include Rosie's small hometown of Pleasant Valley, Illinois; Door County, Wisconsin, where the bulk of the story takes place; and Chicago; along with a few mentions of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where one of Rosie's besties has taken a news anchor position.

There are some great zingers, including this one (of several) from Bertie: “Ha. Connie never met butter she didn't like to spread.”

Content warnings include family abandonment and parental and spousal death. Overall, though, the book is quite cozy—no foul language or explicit sex scenes.

This is at least my second experience with narrator Jorjeana Marie, who gives a fine performance.

This book was more entertaining to me than Walsh's The Summer of Yes (2024), which also featured a developing friendship between a younger woman and a much older person. This recipe seems to work well for Walsh—the younger and older characters learn from each other's experiences. There were quite a few more-significant relationships in Rosie, which went a long way in my increased enjoyment. 3.66⭐

"There's a man here making my stomach flutter...." — me too, Rosie, me too.

Swoony, funny, and absolutely perfect! Even as someone who's not into theater, I couldn't get enough of Rosie, the seniors, and Booker. The narration was spot on. My favorite Courtney Walsh book yet! Thank you, NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Audio, for the opportunity to read, listen, and review this advanced copy.

This was a refreshing read!! I appreciated the humor of the setting and the confusion that led to it. This really felt like a new adult book (an age range that doesn’t get the spotlight a lot, but this book is it!!). The relationships felt real and I loved every one of our older characters and just want to watch a musical with them in it! Such a fun read.

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

Title: Everything’s Coming Up Rosie
Author: Courtney Walsh
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

{Thank you @librofm @netgalley @thomasnelson for the #gifted audiobook of Everything’s Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh. It’s narrated by Jorjeana Marie and I loved it!}

In this newest book by Courtney Walsh, the story shines a spotlight on the preforming arts world and asks the question—what happens when your dreams aren’t going as planned? And then what happens when somewhere along the way maybe your dreams aren’t really what you want after all. Is it okay to pivot in life? It’s a real look at the comparison game adults can play when your friends feel further along in life than you are. When really we all are just doing the best we can in life. Add in a retirement community with an excellent cast of characters and you have another heartwarming winner!

I really appreciated the character growth in this story and while the romance was a smaller focus and secondary to the story, it was very, very sweet.

You know I love an octogenarian character in a story and Arthur had my whole heart!

“That’s part of the adventure. 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.”

Out TOMORROW 6/10 and you 1000% need COURTNEY WALSH in your life!

Other Favorite Quotes:

“And you don’t feel like you were giving up on your dream?” “Nah. I just got a new one.”

“I’m a master at pretending. At only showing the shiny side of the apple, while hiding the rotten part.”

This was such a good listen! I loved Rosie & Booker! Booker was the sweetest, and I loved how Rosie rediscovered herself. This was a beautiful and inspirational story.

Courtney Walsh's gift for storytelling shines through in this charming book, presenting a narrative that was both relatable and heartfelt, with a perfect blend of humor, wit, and depth. The characters' captivating journeys of self-discovery and growth were moving, and I felt like I was being reminded of some very profound and meaningful life lessons.

The characters from the retirement community were a delight and added so much to the story. I loved their quirkiness and the wisdom they had acquired from their life experiences.

This was a great audiobook, and the narration brought this lovely, fun, and heartwarming story to life.

Thank you for the free ALC, Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio, and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Irresistibly cute and full of heart.

Rosie can't get an acting job in New York to pay her sky-high rent and is ready to slink home and admit defeat when she gets an offer to work on a production of Cinderella off off, way off Broadway. She eagerly accepts this high paying, board included offer, heading to Wisconsin to find she is IT! The entire production staff consists of one, just Rosie, and her pool of actors are all seniors with no experience.

Rosie was greeted by handsome Booker, welcomed by matchmaking Connie, and treated to a literary smack down with old timer Arthur. I love a story with quirky old people, and there is no shortage here, in addition to Arthur there are a multitude of fun residents.

After her initial surprise, Rosie is determined to do the best job she can, and her attraction to Booker might be the silver lining of this job. The Author's Note is personal and worth reading!

If you love sweet (clean romance), fun side characters, found family, and finding yourself, give it a try!

The narration was perfect for the character and very enjoyable.

Another sweet romance by the queen of clean rom-coms. In this one, Rosie needs to re-evaluate her career in theater. Her dreams haven’t panned out and compared to her friends who seem to be hitting all the “adulting” steps right on target, she feels like a failure. After blindly applying for every possible acting job she could find, she gets an offer to join a creative team in a production of Cinderella. If only she’d actually read the job description before jumping on the offer. Rosie finds herself in a retirement community, directing an unusual cast of characters, but also examining her life, her past hurts, her future options, and what it means to truly succeed at what you love.

Courtney Walsh is so good at writing perky heroines with witty quips and peculiar quirks. Rosie is FUNNY and utterly enjoyable.

What worked for me:
Realistically confronting the fact that sometimes your dreams don’t come true the way you imagined they would. It’s ok to pivot.
Strong friendships and found family relationships.
The setting (a retirement community) is so refreshing - totally overlooked by most rom-com writers. There’s even a retirement love story.
NOT a slow-burn: Booker and Rosie hit it off immediately.

What didn’t work for me:
The beginning was slow and dragged a little until Rosie was well into her stay among the retirees.
I think this was the right narrator - she was appropriately “Rosie;” however, the perkiness just got grating for me after a while. I think I may have enjoyed reading the story rather than listening to it. It was like listening to Bernadette from TBBT for hours.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the advanced access to the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.