This was such a heartwarming and uplifting read—perfect for kicking off your summer TBR! The characters were incredibly charming, each one adding their own spark to the story.
Rosie is feeling stuck. While her friends seem to be thriving, she’s struggling to keep her head above water and feels like she’s falling behind. After countless job applications, she finally lands an unexpected opportunity: directing a play… at a retirement community. What starts as a last resort turns into a transformative experience that helps her rediscover her confidence and passion.
Though I expected a full-on romance, the love story between Rosie and Booker takes a backseat to Rosie’s personal growth—which honestly made the book even better. Their chemistry was sweet and natural, but it’s Rosie’s journey that shines.
This witty, feel-good story is filled with humor, hope, and heart—and proves that detours can sometimes lead us exactly where we’re meant to be.

3.75 ⭐
After losing her job and apartment, Rosie receives news that might change her life (at least for now) directing a play. Little does she know, her cast is a little older than anticipated. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Enjoyed this faced-paced romance a lot.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars.

When I read the description, I knew I needed to read it as a former Wisconsin resident who's been to Door County numerous times.

Things I liked about this book:
I appreciated Rosie's growth throughout the book. I could relate with her wanting to keep things to herself and not being able to tell her friends/ family about her perceived failures.
I liked Rosie's chaotic energy.
I liked the secondary characters and how she improved her relationship with her friends and family.

Things I didn't like about this book
I had this as an audiobook and at some points, the narrator sounded congested/stuff nose. I get having a cold or allergies but there were some chapters were it was really noticeable and detracted from the story.

While I appreciated Josie's relationships, I didn't feel the spark between Booker and Josie. It seemed more platonic.
I didn't get why everyone just assumed that someone living in New York meant success when millions of people live in New York.

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh was enjoyable, predictable, and slow paced. I did enjoy the story, but I felt it moved at a snail’s pace. While it did move slow, I felt every scene served a purpose in the book, so it was not like there was just fluff thrown in. The characters were diverse and enjoyable. I always love the interactions and lessons learned from those older than us as well as the stories elders share. I feel this story is much heavier on the various characters and less on the plot. This will be loved by some readers and unenjoyable by others. I connected with Rosie’s depth of emotions and her ability and love of connecting with people. The story had a fun premise but was predictable at the same time. The flirting between Rosie and Booker also seemed to happen really quick. This book was enjoyable enough and I would probably read more by Walsh in the future, but it was not a favourite and one I would read again and again. Would I recommend it to some friends yes. I give it a 3.5 stars.
The audiobook version narrated by Jorjeana Marie was nicely done. It is easy to follow along while listening to the audiobook.
I received an eARC and advanced audio copy from Thomas Nelson. All opinions are 100% my own.

"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."

Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh

New favorite by Courtney Walsh! I loved so many parts of it. This was such a sweet, fun summer story filled with very lovable side characters, great leading female and male characters, a unique setting and story plot, and the beautiful messages of not giving up, of realizing that we have to go through hard things in life in order to appreciate the good, and to find community. While Rosie applied the community aspect to theater, I think that can be applied elsewhere as well.

I loved the sage advice from Birdie and Arthur, two of my most favorite characters. I loved watching the journey of not only Rosie, but also Dylan. She is a teenager with an attitude, but by the end, because someone helped her believe in herself, she transformed into a strong, confident person. And Rosie. I really adored watching her overcome imposter syndrome and believing in herself and finding a new way to pursue her dreams.

The romance was so sweet and Booker...dreamy. I loved all the little things he does for her.

Also, the audio for this one was excellent! Same narrator as Courtney's book, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley.

I definitely recommend this sweet story!

Favorite Parts:
Meet cute
Theater
Golfcart rescue
Omelets
Auditions
Car ride conversation
Loveable side characters especially Birdie, Arthur, and Dylan
Booker
Chipmunk
Meddling grandma
Pizza night
Picnic
Pursuing dreams
Author's note

Content Guide:
Language: none
Romance Content: Closed-door: Inn*endos, passionate kissing (mildly descriptive)
V!olence/g0re: none
S*bstance Use: Mild-side characters seem t!psy and are dr!nking in one scene
Prejudices: none
Rel!gious Content: Mention of prayer, "Thank the Lord" used as an exclamatory
Other: P@rental Abandonment (past), Infert!lity (mentioned briefly), Child given up for adoption (past)

Book Info:
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary Romcom
Romance Level: Closed-door (with only kisses)
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Zondervan Audio
POV: single

Thank you to the Author and publisher for the review copy on Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is the second novel by Courtney Walsh. Rosie Waterman has spent almost a decade in NYC pursuing a career in the theater. Unfortunately, the work she has done in theaters was more usher and less actress. And now Rosie is jobless, homeless, and heading home to Pleasant Valley, Illinois, for one of her best friend’s baby shower. It seems that while she has been grinding away in New York her friends have been finding their way into adulting. Taylor is married and expecting. Maya has her own business and is engaged to the mayor. And Marnie has been hired to leave her small town market to become the morning anchor in Milwaukee.

Having applied for about everything she could find, Rosie is surprised when she gets an offer from the Sunset Players in Door County Wisconsin as part of the creative staff. The job comes with room, board, and salary. This is a dream job that will help Rosie save up for what happens after the summer theater job is over.

However, Sunset Players is not what Rosie expected and the position is far more than she would have dreamed. She is the director, not a staff member. And the top notch theater is in a retirement community. Her crew is volunteers from the community and her actors are residents that try out for roles.

Told with humor and heart, this is such a good story. With wonderful characters and a delightful setting, this well plotted tale is such a pleasure. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

4.75⭐️

This is a review of the audiobook.

This was my first Courtney Walsh book so I had no idea what to expect. When I first started this book, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. It seemed to have a similar plot to a book I had recently read but I was pleasantly surprised.

Rosie is so enthusiastic, optimistic and full of sunshine and seems like the exact type of person who would accept a job she knows nothing about. And the grumpy MMC being described as a mixture of Scott Eastwood and Glenn Powel makes me wish this man actually existed so I could get the full effect of his hotness. (Chloe, if you're reading this, please find a way to make this happen, for scientific reasons of course.) This was also one of the best portrayals of grumpy x sunshine I've ever read and this trope has now moved up a spot on my favorite tropes list.

I didn't love or hate the narrator but Jorjeana Marie did a great job of bringing life to Rosie's character. I would definitely listen to another audiobook read by her though.

Four stars for the audiobook , I read both versions, and although it's the same story, I found it slower-paced in the digital book. This is in addition to the incredible job of the narrator Jorjeana Marie.

In every book by Courtney Walsh, the central focus is the growth of the main character as they go through different points and situations, the colorful second characters, scenes and beautiful places she creates for the story.
The love story or love interest is there and is a plus. But in this book, Booker Haze was more than a plus and was so on point.
.
Rosie returns to her hometown for the baby shower of one of her best friends. And when she runs into them, she can't help but feel like a total failure. Being an actor in New York wasn't what she thought, and after years of trying to get her big break or any part, she's sad and tired
But just when she's about to come clean, a job opportunity comes along that she decide to grab with both hands.

Until she gets there, and the dream position directing "Cinderella" is at a senior retirement community.
.
Another thing she didn't expect was Boker Haze, the physiotherapist who shows up at all the most opportune and inopportune moments.
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I really enjoy Courtney Walsh books, meeting her well and beautiful crafted characters. Seeing how they evolve and grow through so many challenges and overall the way they find happiness.
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This book is a love letter to the theater and all the people who are part of it and who love it. So, if you enjoy stories like "Funny Girl," great classics like "Wicked," or series like "Glee," you'll love this book.
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Thanks to Courtney Walsh and Thomas Nelson Fiction and Zondervan for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

Are you ready for the most heartwarming and sweet feel-good story? Everything’s Coming Up Rosie was so fulfilling in the best ways and will leave you happy and contemplating what matters most in life. I loved all the beautiful Insights on life, love, and achieving your dreams.

Rosie is such a fun, enthusiastic person and I loved being in her head even with all her self-doubt. She is truly so lovable and endearing. I love that she bursts into song within seconds of meeting Booker. And Booker. BOOKER!! Come on, could a guy be any more perfect?!

This book is written in single POV and leans toward women’s fiction. The love story was more of a side plot but it was still very prominent and made me smile. I’m usually a dual POV, focus on the romance gal, but this one really worked for me and I loved every moment and even shed a few tears.

I loved all the side characters that were just that - CHARACTERS! There is a whole cast of unique and dynamic people that I loved getting to know.

The theatre content was so much fun and the story is filled to the brim with theatre references. I know Courtney Walsh has her own performing arts studio with her husband, so it’s really fun to get all the behind the scenes insights from her.

I read the ebook ARC, ordered a physical copy, and already reread via audio—that’s how much I loved it. The audio was so much fun and really brought Rosie’s character to life. Loved the narrator. I highly recommend picking this lovely gem up in any format!

🔥: Kisses

Courtney Walsh never ceases to amaze me with her fun stories! The characters were so fun and relatable. I loved this story.

I found this to be a lackluster romance. I never felt any real emotional connection between the two main characters, The instalove really annoyed me because I couldn't see the chemistry between them. it felt more like lust than anything else.

I also had a real problem with the main character, Rosie. She was so immature for being almost 30, she behaved like a teenager and her inner monologue felt like that as well. I found myself rolling my eyes at her attitude and “quirkiness,” I'm done with authorr trying to create quirky characters on the guise of them being cute, adorable, and oh so special. She didn’t feel real, she felt like her only characteristic was being quirky. I really wanted to get into the book, but I just couldn’t get past this.

I thought the whole premise of her being the theater director for a senior community would be fun! But I just couldn't stand Rosie.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

3.75✨
Thank you NetGalley, Courtney Walsh and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio for providing an ALC in exchange for my honest review - Everything’s Coming Up Rosie published June 10th.

I was so excited to pick up another Courtney Walsh book after LOVING The summer of yes and Everything’s Coming Up Rosie did not disappoint!

The premise of this book is so fun - Rosie a struggling actor is offered a job as the director of a regional theatres production of Cinderella and she jumps at the chance. But when she arrives she quickly realises that the regional theatre is actually in a retirement community and her actors are senior citizens! This was hilarious and heart warming, and genuinely such a joy to read.

Rosie’s character development and growth was really well done, she’s a very relatable character and to see her thrive in her role as her confidence grew was wonderful. The side characters from the retirement community were a really lovely addition to the story - particularly Arthur, what a sweetheart.

The romance between Booker and Rosie was so sweet, it was super slow burn (maybe a little too slow burn in some places) and seeing their flaws and individual growth allowed them to become such a beautiful couple. There’s no spice in this book, so if that’s something that’s important to you, I’d pass on this one!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this, I listened to this book in 2 sittings and I’m looking forward to reading what Courtney Walsh releases next.

Narrator: I listened on 2x speed and Jorjeana Marie did a really great job at narrating Rosie. Her tone of voice and expressions fit Rosie perfectly and she did a really wonderful job bringing her and the story to life.

After her Broadway dreams fizzle out in NYC, Rosie reluctantly takes a job as a theater director—only to discover it’s at a retirement community. What follows is a heartwarming story of second chances, unexpected friendships, and finding joy where you least expect it.

I loved the cozy Midwest setting and the sweet romance that unfolds. Courtney Walsh always delivers on warmth and heart, and this one is no exception. The themes of being true to yourself, leaning on your support system, and embracing found family really shine.

I listened to the audiobook and found the narration well-paced, though I personally prefer reading Courtney’s books over listening—and that held true for this one too.

If you enjoy feel-good fiction with emotional depth and lovable characters, Rosie’s story is worth picking up! This one’s especially perfect for theater geeks and thespians. There’s so much heart (and humor) in the behind-the-scenes chaos of putting on a show.

As my first foray into Courtney Walsh's writing, I was thoroughly charmed. Her ability to weave together humor, genuine emotion, and relatable characters made for an utterly delightful reading experience. Jorjeana Marie's narration for the audiobook was a standout. Her expressive voice work brought each quirky character to life, perfectly capturing the story's heart and humor, making it an absolute joy to listen to.

If you're looking for a heartwarming story of self-discovery, unexpected friendships, and a touch of sweet romance, Everything's Coming Up Rosie is an absolute must-read.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Sweet story of knowing when to follow your dreams and when to change paths.

Overall: 3.5
Spice: 1 - kissing only
Narration: 4 - this may be my first book with Jorjeana Marie as narrator, but I hope to hear more of her.

Rosie has been following her big dream, acting in NYC, for several years, but has not much to show for it. When she is kicked out of her apartment, she returns home to Illinois and reconnects with high school friends. They are all following and succeeding at their dreams. When Rosie is offered the job of running a summer theater program, she jumps at the opportunity. But, then she learns it is at a senior citizen community and the actors are all seniors. Should she run back to New York or try to make this work?

With a unique premise and a solid message, this book grew on me as it progressed. It did take a bit to get into it, but the foundation is important to the story. It offers though provoking themes such as not knowing what we are doing, everyone has struggles, life feeling like a competition. I think these are relevant to any reader. I would have liked to see more scenes with the play and the senior citizens, but what we get is wonderful. The romance is a subplot in this one, with most of the focus on Rosie's discovery of who she is and wants to be. Would recommend as appropriate.

At first I had trouble getting into the story, but that was because of a weird slump I was in. That quickly turned around. I was not expecting the emotions I would feel in reading this one. So much growth and working through the fear of failure. That innate fear of letting down those you love and opening up to others. There is some romance but it is not whole story. This is very much about the FMCs growth and career path. Narrator, Jorjeana Marie, was amazing! The way she brought the emotions out in ALL the characters was beautiful. I loved this so much! I highly recommend for theatre nerds!

Thank you, @netgalley for the read!

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh was such a sweet, feel-good read about following your dreams—but also learning that sometimes, those dreams can change and grow along with you.

I absolutely loved Rosie’s character! She was quirky, fun, and full of heart. Watching her navigate life’s ups and downs was such a joy. And her relationship with Booker? So sweet and wholesome! Their connection felt genuine, and I loved seeing how they supported and brought out the best in each other.

What I loved most about this book was how Rosie ended up exactly where she was meant to be—even though she couldn’t see it at first. The journey she took was inspiring and so satisfying to watch unfold.

As for the audiobook, the narration was just okay for me—it didn’t take away from the story, but it didn’t add much either.

Courtney Walsh is a must read author for me. I always love her smaller-town settings, characters and their growth from start to end. There is always a ‘real’ feel to her books that I appreciate so much.

With Everything’s Coming Up Rosie, it took me a bit to get into. For once, I really didn’t care for her main character, Rosie. I felt that she needed to just be honest with her friends and family instead of always having to project such a positive spin on her not so positive life.

What saved the book for me were the side characters at the retirement home. I adored them with all their quirkiness and personalties.

My favorite modern setting is in a Senior community. This was a charming, fun read. The characters were sweet and memorable. It teaches us a life lesson through Rosie. Perhaps what we thought we wanted was really not what we needed and something much better happens. Uplifting and enchanting, exuberant story. Great narration.

I was blessed with an audio ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

Rosie had to leave NYC, there are no roles coming her way. She lost her apartment. The only job available was a community theatre director of their upcoming Cinderella production. Did I mention it's in Wisconsin? And in a retirement community? It was a job and she needed it. Through the production she meets friends, and works through what's really important in life. The production had plenty of bumps in the road and Rosie learns what a community means. It's a sweet book, definitely a YA story.