The Summer of Yes will remind you what it’s like to take risks in life and how important it is to share time with those you care for. A warm and easy read.

** spoiler alert ** It took me way too long to get through this book, which is a clear indicator of how invested I was in it (hint: not very). I was intrigued by the premise, but it just fell flat for me.

My main complaint is one of my biggest reading pet peeves: instalove. The immediate, all-consuming love between Kelsey and Hayden was unrealistic and I would have preferred for Kelsey to have gone on this journey without the external influences and pressure of a romantic relationship. And, while we are on the subject of romantic relationships, I just did not buy the Greatest Love Story Ever Told brought to you by Georgina and Dylan. And do NOT get me started on the Georgina / Hayden relationship, because I might never stop.

This was both a visual / audio read for me and, while the narrators (Tanya Eby - Kelsey; Cathi Colas - Georgina) were fine, they definitely weren’t my favourites.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars.

Solid 4 star read. I really, really loved the end. I can't deny that it took me a little while to really get hooked, but the pay off was definitely there. I loved the message of the story too. For me, it really resonated and was a good reminder about life.

I started off listening to this as an audiobook. And I almost didn’t continue. I kept questioning whether one of the voices was AI. But rather than give up, I switched to the written version and liked it better. Although, for me, it was a very slow start to a pretty simple story. But for me, the audiobook was not the way to go, I think it’s a very individual thing if you like a reader, or how they’re reading it, And this one did not work for me as an audiobook. It was easy to listen to, but one voice in particular didn’t do it for me.

It was the story of a young woman, Kelsey and an older woman, Georgina (cranky, successful business woman) who met in the hospital after Kelsey’s accident. Kelsey is an editor but aspiring writer who has given up her dream of writing and is living a “safe life” by saying no to anything out of her comfort zone. Georgina has a serious health condition and has made her own choices that she regrets. The story focuses on Kelsey getting Georgina to go along with her on a summer of saying “Yes”. There’s more to this story and of course relationships, choices and regrets that get explored. And multiple opportunities to say yes or have a chance to make a change to your life.

This book was cute but really took too long to get going for me, and then the end, felt rushed. I’m probably in the minority in not loving this, but I felt it was a bit repetitive and in places things just happened too quickly in terms of the romance. I did enjoy the second half of the book much more than the first. This would probably make a fun beach read and perhaps I wasn’t in the right mood for that.
#TheSummerofYes #netgalley

I LOVED this book! I listened to the audio and particularly enjoyed the dial narrators for Kelsey and Georgina. The story of their summer of yes, and all of the revelations were so delightful and enjoyable. I will definitely be recommending this to others!

This book was super fun, and that's exactly what I needed. I thought some of the characters were a little unbelievable at times, but I enjoyed their interactions. This book was actually not what I expected and I was pleasantly surprised.

This audiobook was an easy listen, but started slow. The plot was lackluster to me, but the characters were rich. I would've loved more substance to the love story as well - it felt too insta-love and I really prefer more tension and burn.

This book is so good! It's about a woman that has built a career but never taken chances, until a young woman enters her life and doesn't give her a chance. She takes a chance on love and finds true happiness. It was a beautiful story and very encouraging and empowering!

I really enjoyed this as a listen. It was well narrated and the characters felt real. I could imagine Kelsey and Georgina so different yet so alike.
The concept is a wonderful one and I loved hearing the authors note at the end. It gave the story even more importance to me. Maybe we should all be saying yes to more.
I think Georgina was my favourite character- she grew more than the others but there was still an element of her that was always going to remain and I liked that. The stubborn older lady who is too set in her ways to admit she might not know best. I saw a bit of myself in her.
Definitely one to add to the wish list.

I really enjoyed this audio book. It was an easy listen and the perfect summer read. I will definitely be picking up more books by Courtney Walsh!

Honestly I did not get a chance to finish this audiobook. I wasn’t a fan of the reader. But I enjoyed the light hearted writing.

A story of an unlikely friendship and learning not to regret life. This story was beautiful and I loved every moment of it.

I can’t even begin to explain all the ways I loved this book. A couple of star crossed ladies—one young and full of possibilities, but afraid to choose any of them, and one far more seasoned but full of regrets, and whose possibilities are very slim—run into each other in an uncanny twist of fate. Then they decide that the correct answer (what was the question again?) is to go on the road trip of a lifetime and say yes to everything they’ve always said no to in the past. Kelsey and Georgina are the most unlikely pair, but I immediately loved the crusty Georgina, and Kelsey was a trip (see what I did there?). Their destination was unexpected, and there were a few unplanned detours en route to (you’ll never guess where!), but they soon discover that the best laid plans are for the birds. You’ll never see saying no in quite the same way. The audiobook version (which I listened to in its entirety) was so well done, and I loved the dual narrators. I would definitely recommend it! I received an advance copy of the audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

I am very hit or miss with Walsh. I LOVE some, and find some cheesy. This was a really lovely summer read. Different from most of my summer reads and I loved that. The characters were so likeable.

"The Summer of Yes" is a new favorite for me. I loved Kelsey and Georgina's friendship and how they challenged one another to do new things.

There's an old saying that "Everything you've ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear." And Kelsey after a traumatic accident, she realizes she's not living the life she wants to live. But the problem is, she doesn't really know what she wants out of life.

It just so happens that her roommate in the hospital is the famous business mogul, Georgina Tate, and Kelsey thinks perhaps she can learn something from such a successful woman. The problem is, the cost of success has been high for Georgina, and if she had it all do to all over again, she's not certain she would make the same choices. But rather than admit that, as she's nearing the end of her life, she shuts people out and pushes them away. So, she has absolutely no interest in baring her soul to Kelsey.

But Kelsey has come to realize that the life she's created for herself has been the outcome of all the times she's said "no" to something. No, she doesn't want to go out after work. No, she doesn't want to go on that vacation. No, she doesn't have time to visit her parents. No, no, no. So, she determines that this summer will be the summer of "yes." And since she thinks Georgina will benefit from some of the same medicine, she drags her along for the experience.

What neither of them realize at the start though is that they are exactly what the other needed in their life.

The story is just so powerful, all while being realistic and funny, that I just couldn't put it down!

Thank you to Courtney Walsh, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for an advance review copy. I absolutely loved reading it!

LOVED LOVED LOVED!!! One of my favorite books this summer!!! I didn’t want it to end!! I need more books from Courtney Walsh! Thank you for this arc!

3.5/5

I overall really enjoyed this book. It was slightly slow at first, but once the main story really started I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book was about love, friendship, second chances, and living life to the fullest. It was fun, emotional, and funny. I loved seeing the main characters learn to prioritize what is truly important in life and their character growth. It was great seeing their slow friendship and their other relationships grow.

Also, I listened to the audiobook. I really enjoyed both narrators.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book! It was the perfect way to start the summer giving all of the “yes” vibes. I recommended this one to friends all summer long!

I really loved the meaning behind the book. The author’s note made me feel like she and I go through a similar anxiety. Over the course of reading this book, I lost my Dad. Maybe it’s my life changing event to help me have the courage to say yes to more. Anyway, I’m grateful for this lovely story and the author for having the courage to tell it.

I am Kelsey Worthington. I play it safe, I prefer to help others and am a little scared to step out of my comfort zone. The difference between Kelsey and I is that Kelsey has a near death experience that completely changes her life and pushes her out of her comfort zone. After this experience Kelsey starts tackling her “things I’ll do some day” list.

Kelsey meets Georgia and they run on off on a summer adventure and say “Yes”.

This is a cute novel, an easy summer read that leaves you filled with joy. I liked this book because the characters are SOOO relatable.

I wish the plot would have had a few more twists than it did.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this book prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.