This one took me weeks, just to get to the halfway mark. I really wanted to like it, but I just couldn’t get into it at all. I stopped at the 55% mark in the audiobook and there still wasn’t any romantic developments. It’s really about an old chick and a young chick going on a road trip together. It just didn’t hold my interest enough to continue.


The narrators were good for the parts.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This one may not have been a win for me, but I’m certainly interested in trying again!

This was a fun listen. I love the idea of challenging yourself to say 'yes' more - so many of us are stuck in the 'no's' This adorable love story came with a little more substance than the average romance. It touched on themes not just of taking risks and trying new things, but learning to stand up for yourself and evaluate the criticism and the critics aimed your way. Uplifting story with an inspiring message, heartfully told.

Yes! This story had ALL the feels. I cried then I giggled, but always I was invested in the lives of the characters.

Kelsey Worthington wakes in the hospital with a raging headache, and the news that she's been there two days already. The last thing she remembers is walking out of the Starbucks with her boss's coffee. She never saw the car that jumped the curb and apparently hit her, but boy does she feel it. Sleep is her friend, but judging by her lack of visitors, it's her only one. Meeting her new roommate, business mogul Georgina Tate, who is even more alone than she is, makes Kelsey take a look at her own life.

Georgina, for her part, is resigned to the fact that she is dying. Her kidneys are failing and her tissue type and blood type are rare. The only possible match is one she feels she abandoned years ago - her son, Hayden. She's said no to so many things over the years but the one she has always regretted was the no that lost her a family.

When Kelsey barges into Georgina's life with the idea of having a Summer of Yes, Georgina shoots her down at first but Kelsey is persistent, and a complete pest, until Georgina finally caves. At first, they start out as "tourists" in their own city of New York, checking out all of the tourist traps that neither has ever had time for. From eating street food to seeing New York from the top of the Empire State building, they do it all. Then, Kelsey suggests a trip to swim in the ocean. Georgina offers her classic Mustang and puts Kelsey behind the wheel. When Kelsey's GPS takes them to Hayden's shop, Georgina is horrified. How can her son ever forgive her? When her husband - who isn't her ex like she's been telling everyone - also shows up, she's pretty sure her heart is in more danger than her kidneys. In the face of the two men she has always loved, can she lock her heart down and scurry back to New York before they learn how very sick she is?

I loved so many things about this story! Kelsey was scared to death to try things, but she was so brave in saying yes. Georgina had hardened herself to the point that no one could see her heart, until Hayden and Dillon came back into her life. I loved Dillon. He stayed true to his vows even though he hadn't seen his wife in nearly 2 decades. Once she was back in his territory, he persisted until she cracked. Kelsey and Hayden were an obvious couple from their first meeting. The sparks practically flew off the page.

Readers who love sweet romance with a substantial jolt of angst will love this book. If you're a fan of Courtney Walsh's books, this one was another great addition to her book list. I loved it! (I listened to it, and the two narrators did a great job voicing Kelsey and Georgina.)

Wow. Just wow. This book was fantastic! I absolutely loved it. You can’t go wrong reading this book. It was such a beautiful exploration of how the two female main characters held themselves back from authentically living and finding their joy, and their journeys to reclaiming that for themselves. The relationship between the two main characters was so engaging. And, of course, the romances were lovely as well. A new one and a second chance one. Kelsey, an editor in New York, found her life unexpectedly interrupted after she was hit on the sidewalk by a car. In the hospital she ended up in a room with Georgina, a legendary businesswoman with failing kidneys. The accident made Kelsey rethink her life and everything she had been saying no to. Resolved to implement a “Summer of Yes”, she was determined to convince Georgina to participate too and face her regrets. This is a standalone novel. The story includes elements that involve accident, hospitalization, kidney failure, dialysis, marital breakdown, and parent/child estrangement. The romance in this story is closed door with mild innuendo. There is no harsh language.

The narration was very good. It is dual POV with dual narrators, both female. Both narrators gave excellent performances, with good emotional expression, even volume, and pleasant tone. The variation in voices for other characters was defined and well done. There was a tendency to over-enunciate sometimes from both narrators. It seemed more pronounced from the narrator supplying Kelsey’s voice, but that may have been because it fit alright with Georgina’s character, but felt a little off with other characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for a complimentary copy. This review is being shared voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I listened to the majority of The Summer of Yes while on a solo road trip and it was the perfect listen. I am always a big fan of the grumpy older companion. The romance was definitely secondary to the larger story of Georgina and Kelsey. All in all, a fun feel good read!

The Summer of Yes is a wholesome, feel good and somewhat predictable story about embracing life. There were a lot of cliché story lines in this book and it was an easy and enjoyable read but didn't feel fresh or exciting.

This is a dual POV story and I love that the audiobook had different narrators for both Kelsey and Georgina. Georgina's voice was spot on for me, but Kelsey's wasn't my favorite. I found that the audio leaned really cheesy, like a Hallmark movie. There is even the big city girl (I never got the feeling Kelsey fit in the city) and small town boy romance.

This was such a sweet story! I love the idea of saying yes to things you don't normally want to agree to, and this was so well written! It tugged at my heartstrings way more than I expected for a "summery" book in the BEST way. The characters had great development and stories, the romance was fun (both of them!) and I love the relationship between Kelsey and Georgina. This was a great summer read that still had substance!

A definite feel good read that has you questioning why you don’t say yes (or no) more often. Characters are relatable as well as the daily grind we have all gotten to know. A must read for sure

'The Summer of Yes' is fun and easy read about friendship, forgiveness, second chances and confronting your fears to live a more fulfilling life.

Kelsey Worthington has been grinding as an assistant editor at the expense of her personal life. When she's hit by a car while running errands for her unappreciative boss, she ends up sharing a hospital room with formidible businesswoman Georgina Tate, who has failing kidneys and is estranged from her son. Kelsey becomes determined to make up for lost time, and convince Georgina to join her.

Dual narrated, with Tanya Eby voicing Kelsey's chapters, and Cathi Colas voiceing Georgina, this book was a fun, easy listen. At times, however I'd have liked more Georgina and Kelsey's chapters condensed. Cathi Colas was perfectly cast as Georgina and while Tanya Eby has an engaging voice, she sounded like she was in her 40s and not a 32-year-old which detracted a Kelsey's chapters for me.

I did have a bit of an ick at the slut shamy response by Kelsey's to Georgina asking her if her summer of yes included going home with men. To be fair the book is written by a Christian author for a Christian publisher, and for the most part its not overtly religious, but I that judgy and moralistic comment should've been left out.

Overall this was a charming read with a good reminder that we should confront our fears and start opening ourselves to new experiences and people. I look forward to what Courtney Walsh writes next.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the ALC

The Summer of Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my Goodness this book was soooo fun. You will fall in love with the characters. You will smile & laugh out loud tons. It was the best Summer read! A feel good fun read Life is short. Be brave & just Say Yes!!!
Thank you NetGalley!!

I loved this book so much! Loved the characters and how I made me think. However I didn’t love the audio readers on this. They were fine but not my favorite.

I loved this book. While it has romance, really there is so much more to the story. This is really about two women who must decide how they really want to spend the rest of their lives. They learn to recognize how their own decisions effect not just their now but their futures. And they get to choose what future they want. I'm pretty much a say no person and honestly, I'm pretty happily contented in my choices but even so, this book makes me think about what my choices mean. I think it is thought provoking.
The narration was great so that enhanced the story for me as well.
I might have enjoyed seeing a few more "yes" moments before reaching the crux of the story but obviously they did step out of their comfort zones.
So, I'd say read or listen to the book, (like I said, the audio was great), and then sit for a bit and ponder your own yes and no moments. But no matter which choices you make, remember that relationships are important.

Sex: a little innuendo
Language: I honestly can't remember, which likely means no
Violence: no
*I received a complimentary audiobook through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

I freaking love Kelsey and Georgina and their friendship they have together. Both workaholics coming together for a road trip was perfect. This whole saying yes to just about everything is something i think everyone needs to do once in awhile in life.

💙 Multigenerational Friendship
💛 Happy Ending!
💙 Romance
💛 Road Trip
💙 Girl Power
💛 Saying YES!
💙 Celebrating Being Alive

The only thing i have a hard time with was the love at first sight moment but i can by past it for the meaning of this book. I think i will look into reading some more of Courtney’s books as this one was really well written AND the authors note the end indeed has spoken to me deeply.

4.5 ⭐

Holy Moly! This one started slow and picked up steam.

Kelsey is a workaholic, early 30s, and says no to everything as she moves up the ladder in her publishing house. Kelsey randomly gets hit by a car. Her hospital roommate is none other than girl boss, cosmetics empire czar Georgina Tate. Georgina is elderly, salty and not amenable to friendship.

Kelsey's workaholism doesn't sit right after her life altering injury. After speaking more with Georgina, she realizes that G has huge regrets. She needs a kidney transplant to survive and she has an estranged husband and son. Kelsey pokes her nose where it isn't welcomed!

Calamity ensues. Suffice to say, saying, "Yes," as a default leads Kelcey down a different road. It leads Kelcey to a more sustainable and alluring, creative future with people that love her.

Walsh's book reminds me that we shouldn't focus on the negative always, the "right" thing, the expected thing. Walsh's book reminds us that life is all part of the messy in between things. And, our life is better because of it.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Enjoyable read about two women embracing change for the summer. Kelsey was hit by a car and ended up sharing a hospital room with a world renowned businesswoman Georgina Tate. Together they go on an adventure.

Great narration by Tanya Eby & Cathi Colas. Loved Georgina Tate's voice!

This was heartwarming and sweet, and I found myself invested in both characters’ stories. A perfect lighthearted beach read with a little bit of hidden depth to it.

4 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute story. The main character wants to spend her summer saying yes, and when she meets an elderly woman who has pushed her family away and has obvious regrets, they decide to go on a roadtrip and discover a lot about themselves and each other. It’s heartwarming and makes you want to make the most of every day.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for granting me this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

This one had promise but unfortunately it wasn't for me. All the character interactions felt very forced and lots of jarring comments were made to hand-hold the reader into realising "wow we are so different!" "we likely never would have crossed paths if it wasn't for meeting them like this" and the like. Like we GET it, they are from very different circumstances coming together, it's not something that needs to be spoon-fed to the reader so heavy-handedly.

Also, the stereotypical "loud" and “heavy-set” sassy black woman nurse trope appeared within the first like 5 chapters. It was so uncomfortably weird, like WHY!!! Get some sensitivity readers for the love of god it just gives the ick. Even if you are going to relegate them to side characters, maybe don't write them as caricatures of black women instead of fleshed out normal people.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for my ARC audiobook 🎧

This was a sweet, uplifting and heartwarming story about a terminally-ill workaholic boss lady (I vote for Jane Fonda to play her!) and a plucky thirty-something set on charting a new path (I was picturing Anna Kendrick) after a near death experience. The two cross paths serendipitously and both impact the other.

I loved the message of this — what would life look like if you stopped living in fear, and started saying yes? This is a warm hug and I really enjoyed the narration in the audiobook.

3.5 Stars

If you’re looking for a light and cute, chic-lit/romcom that is pretty predictable but a fun ride- this is the book for you.

It’s a little outlandish, but if you put aside the “that would never happen in real life” thoughts- it’s a cute story and I did enjoy reading (listening to) this book.

Kelsey gets hit by a car and lands herself in the hospital. She has to share a room with an older woman named Georgina Tate. Georgina is a bulldog of a business woman and everyone in the industry knows who she is. Kelsey is just trying to get noticed professionally and is struggling to make her mark.

Georgina discloses she has regrets in life, and Kelsey sees this “second chance” and decides to embark on The Summer of Yes. She wants to do all the things she’s been saying “no” to. She takes ALL her vacation time, somehow gets grumpy Georgina to agree to join her- and off they go.

Is there an ulterior motive at play? Can Kelsey stick with her plan to say “yes”? Where do they land?

This is a cute book about love, friendship, family, regret and facing fears. It’s fun to see where this unlikely pair winds up.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for an audio copy of this book.