
Member Reviews

I was so excited to hear Courtney Walsh’s new book Everything’s Coming Up Rosie. I have been a fan of a lot of Courtney Walsh’s books in the past and this passes the test as well. Her characters, their development, plot lines, and the witty banner that you could find between the characters is great. This one reminded me of summer camp. It reminded me of being in a community of people who are kind and who want the best for each other.
In this story, Rosie is a struggling actress and she has given up or is thinking about giving up her dream of making it big. She takes a new job, but she doesn’t realize that it’s in a retirement community directing their summer production of Cinderella. The characters are next level of course, and there’s a love interest that peaks your interest right away. The journey of Rosie, figuring out who she is, who to trust, how to be herself and what her dreams really are warms the heart.
Thank you, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction, and Net Galley for an early audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this advanced copy of Everything’s Coming Up Rosie.
I enjoyed this book so much! Very quick and easy read. It was a unique concept in that most of the main characters were elderly. I loved it! The silly theatre references were awesome, and I laughed out loud several times.
The book cover is absolutely perfect. It also has a very good life lesson that I hope sticks with me — it’s just life… take chances.
I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator. She did a great job!

This was absolutely delightful! Rosie takes a job as a director of the play "Cinderella" with plenty of surprises in store. I laughed out loud so many times I lost track. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were charming and witty. I highly recommend this fun, clean, and wholesome read. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie 📕
Rosie is stuck trying to become an actress in New York City, unable to reevaluate her options with her mother’s voice in her head telling her to never give up.
When she hits rock bottom and is evicted from her home share, Rosie accepts the first job she’s offered - a director role for Cinderella - not really reading the job description. When she gets there, she realises that it’s a retirement village and she will be directing senior citizens.
A work colleague, Booker, who she has instant attraction to makes it hard for her to want to leave.
Soon, Rosie realises that dreams can change and what she wants looks a little different.
My review 📖:
The start is very slow but once you get past the first few chapters, it starts to pick up.
I anticipated that the book was going to be good from the way Booker was first introduced.
For the most part, the romance in the book was great. I really enjoyed listening to the slow build up between them. However, the moment they decided to start casually dating, the romance suddenly stopped.
This is where the other aspects of the storyline really start to develop: the found family trope, the personal growth and the life reevaluations Rosie goes through. I have to say that the ending may have left a few tears in my eyes.
I enjoyed listening to this. I thought it was a sweet storyline. What was missing for me was the depth. Everything felt very surface-level and didn’t go into enough detail. When the romance started between them, it wasn’t really focused on any longer and the trials and tribulations Rosie went through only lasted a few chapters.
I also didn’t like the fact that it was narrated by only one person. If Booker had his own voice (and not the female narrators version of a male voice) then it could have been better. Otherwise, I thought her voice for Rosie was suitable.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ARC Audiobook.
Overall, enjoyable listen. 4 stars ⭐️

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.

Rosie Waterman has always wanted to be an actor, but it can be a tough profession and things haven't been working out so well. She struggles to be honest with her hometown best friends about how things are really going in her life. She thinks they’ve all got it made. Isn’t it interesting how our perceptions of one another aren’t always as accurate as we may think?
Should Rosie hold onto her dreams? She’s unexpectedly offered a summer job. Will it lead to great things for her? Professionally, and personally?
This is such a heartwarming story.
Read this for |
•nonfiction Fridays (love this!)
Read to find out more. ☺️
•lighthearted fun
•friendships, old and new
•quirky characters
•musical theater
‘Promise me you won’t let anyone steal your dreams.’
I enjoyed it! 💗
{ARC - NetGalley}
Narration by Jorjeana Marie
Publishes June 10th! 🎉
[Thanks to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for the advance electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]

Thank you NetgGalley, Courtney Walsh, and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio
"Everything's Coming Up Rosie" by Courtney Walsh is generating buzz, and here's what people are saying. The book, set to release on June 10, 2025, falls into the romance genre and is geared towards adult readers. The story revolves around Rosie Waterman, an aspiring actor who faces a series of setbacks, including losing her apartment and her job. This leads her back home, where she realizes her friends have moved on to more traditional adult lives.
Feeling lost, Rosie takes a job directing a production of Cinderella at a "regional theatre". However, she soon discovers that the theatre is actually in a retirement community, and her cast consists of senior citizens with no acting experience. This unexpected challenge forces Rosie to grow as a leader and rethink her dreams.
Early reviews suggest that readers are connecting with Rosie's journey and the heartwarming relationships she develops with the senior cast. One reviewer admitted that they didn't initially like Rosie but became invested in her story after she took the job at the retirement community, and they loved the healing that took place in Rosie and the other characters. The reviewer stayed up late to finish the book and was very glad to have read it.
Many reviewers are praising the book's setting within the world of theatre, with one calling themselves a "theater geek" and appreciating the references and call-outs. They specifically mentioned a "For Good" duet, a nod to the musical "Wicked," as a highlight. Even those who aren't theatre enthusiasts are expected to enjoy the relationship stories and Rosie's personal evolution. The characters at the retirement home are also being called the stars of the show.
The humor and banter in the book are also being well-received, and the ending is being described as "amazing". One reviewer loved the way the conflict ended. Overall, "Everything's Coming Up Rosie" is being lauded as a fun and heartwarming read with a relatable protagonist.
Some reviewers are particularly drawn to Rosie's flaws, finding that they make her feel like a real person. They appreciate that the book leaves them feeling hopeful and positive. The romantic aspect of the story, particularly Rosie's connection with the character Booker, is also resonating with readers. Booker's flaws made him a safe haven for Rosie.
However, not all feedback is overwhelmingly positive. One reviewer found it difficult to like Rosie, even with the insight into her backstory. Another reviewer noted that Courtney Walsh's books have been "hit or miss" for them in the past, expressing initial hesitation before ultimately enjoying the novel.
Despite some mixed feelings, the general consensus is that "Everything's Coming Up Rosie" is a delightful and poignant rom-com. Readers who enjoy stories about personal growth, unexpected friendships, and the pursuit of dreams are likely to find this book appealing. The book is full of laughter, compassion, and heartwarming moments.
#EverythingsComingUpRosie #NetGalley

I adored Everything’s Coming Up Rosie! Courtney Walsh has crafted such a sweet, feel-good story that’s full of charm, humor, and heart. Rosie is such a flawed, persistent, and relatable heroine who is trying so hard to chase her dreams even when life keeps throwing curveballs. I especially loved the cast of senior citizens she finds herself working with at the retirement community theater. They completely stole the show (pun intended) and added so much warmth and personality.
One of my favorite things? The plot didn't fall into that frustrating trope where the main character bails on the people who need her for some shiny, last-minute opportunity. I was bracing myself for that moment and so relieved when it didn't happen. Instead, the story unfolded in such a genuine, satisfying way. The ending felt earned and happy, but not in the predictable way I expected, which made it all the more touching.
It's a clean, cozy, uplifting read with a dash of romance and a whole lot of heart. And the audiobook is excellent—definitely recommend listening if that's your thing. This book is like a warm hug for anyone who's ever felt like they were running out of time to "make it." Loved it!

What a very cozy and sweet story! The audiobook was perfect. As always the narrator was great nice and smooth.
Thank you Zondervan and Netgally for the audio ARC

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. This was a cute romcom. If you are looking for a light hearted summer read you will like this novel!

A romance novel that is NOT cheesy! I really loved that this novel had zero swearing and no smut. And yet, it connects to the adult audience in ways that feel just right. Add in the oldest generation cracking jokes and it was just the perfect laugh out loud novel. It had a girly girl vibe to it that wasn't over the top to exclude other readers, but also connect with a lot of others. My first Courtney Walsh novel, and I thought it was wonderfully done.

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. Narrator was top notch.
I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this story! If you are someone who enjoys musicals this one is a story you don’t want to miss! I loved the storyline of following your dreams and not being afraid to find a new dream. The narrators were fun to listen to as well!

Reading a Courtney Walsh book is like walking into your favorite kind of story and getting to live there for a while.
This was so cute. And as a theater girlie, I felt seen.
If you'd told me I'd love a romance book set at a retirement community, I'd probably have given you some side-eye, but then I'd come back later and tell you you were right because I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Rosie and Booker and the hilarious cast of characters at Sunset Hills.
The cast of characters in this book is really what made this book shine. Each of the characters at Sunset Hills was unique and hilarious and all of them together was ridiculous in the most charming of ways.
Courtney has a way of describing settings and scenes within her books that truly makes it feel as though you were there with the characters, experiencing what they experience, and it's a magical experience. I loved the depth of Rosie and Booker and Arthur and so many of the other characters. You'd think with such a diverse cast, things would get confusing, but I never had any trouble distinguishing between anyone. They were all so unique and just themselves that they were easy to distinguish.
There was some slow pacing, and I wished the romance had been a little more developed, but I still finished the book totally content with where it ended.
Overall, there are a few heavier themes, but you'll leave this book feeling lighter and happier because you can't help but smile at the sweetness of all of it.
I guess if I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be that: sweet. Though another word that comes to mind is <i>curmudgeonly</i>.
Definitely recommend this to all my friends who like contemporary romance with depth and humor.
Notes:
Romance: Kisses
Violence: None
Language: None
Triggers/Content warnings: None that I remember.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for my audio copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved the audio! 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.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook!
I'll be honest, I didn't expect to love this one as much as I did! Leaning more towards Women's Fiction than Romance, (though we do get a really fun romance sub-plot, the story follows Rosie, who's trying to make it big as an actress. She accepts a job directing a production of Cinderella in Wisconsin, only to find out the gig isn’t quite what she expected: the show is being staged in a retirement community, and all the actors are seniors.
This book gives off such cozy vibes, with one of my favorite tropes—found family—plus a lovely dose of personal growth, character development, and just the right touch of romance. The narrator does an exceptional job bringing the story to life, and Courtney Walsh has a real talent for creating flirty banter and chemistry in a no-spice story.
While I don’t think this book will be for everyone, I personally really enjoyed it. I’d recommend it more to fans of Women’s Fiction than to readers looking for a traditional romance.

“Sometimes what you think you want and what you actually want turn out to be different things” Rosie Waterman’s big dream is to be a be a working actor. But when that does not seem to be working, she takes a summer job at a regional theater.
Courtney Walsh is back with wholesome late coming of age story. I loved the cast of characters, especially the physical therapist representation. I also appreciated and connected with the theme that it is not too late to redefine what you really want in life or maybe rethinking how to achieve your goals. I made a pretty significant career change at 42, moving from a physical therapist to healthcare IT. I think this book highlights the struggle that it takes to reframe your goals and make a change. This is a fun impactful read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.
This was a fun romance novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

This was a decent read, but it just didn’t really grab me. The story was fine, but I found myself wishing for more excitement or emotional highs and lows to keep me fully engaged. It felt a bit too low-key for my taste. The romance is very sweet and clean—I'd rate the spice level at about 0.5—so if you prefer subtle, wholesome love stories, this might be more your style.
That said, I do have a special place in my heart for books set in Wisconsin, and I appreciated the cozy Midwest charm woven into the setting. Overall, not bad, just not quite what I was hoping for.

It was hard not to fall in love with the main character of this book!! Rosie is such a relatable character to anyone that feels like they are not achieving their dreams. It was fun to cheer on Rosie and her ups and downs in the development of her character. The setting of this book was in a retirement community and the residents of this community that Rosie is interacting with are just the cutest thing. I love how they are also cheering her on to meet all of her dreams and successes in life. And how could anyone not like Booker’s (Rosie’s love interest) in this book?!?!! This book was cute little rom-com that I enjoyed very much.
Thank you Net Galley and publisher for the eARC of this book!!