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.

the setup…
Kelsey Worthington is a junior editor for a publisher in New York. Her dream was to be a writer but she’s settled for the mediocre job of helping other people write their stories. But, her world is turned upside down when she walks out of a coffee shop and is hit by a car. When she awakes in the hospital, she finds her roommate to be the highly successful businesswoman she’s revered…Georgina Tate, the beauty industry mogul who’s crushed so many barriers and ceilings. While Kelsey is soon to be released, Georgina’s health is dire. Her kidneys are failing and because of her rare blood and tissue type, prospects of finding a donor are slim and she’s facing the end of her life. Kelsey looks at her own life and decides what if she starts saying “yes” to the things she fears and would normally turn down? The “summer of yes” is born as she drags the reluctant and extremely difficult Georgina into the plan.

the heart of the story…
I really liked and connected with Kelsey who’s consumed by work, letting her personal relationships take a secondary role in her life. It’s also clear how fear has driven a lot of her life decisions, as it’s done for Georgina who early in her career had to make a choice between her family and the business she built. I loved how these two opposites interacted after their rather serendipitous meeting in that hospital. They were good for each other and something about Kelsey inspired Georgina to let her in. Reconnecting with her estranged husband and son was a highlight of the story.

the narration…
I’m already a fan of Tanya Eby and she was ideal as Kelsey. I also enjoyed Cathi Colas as Georgina, capturing her sardonic tone perfectly.

the bottom line…
This is a story about how we let our fears prevent us from possibly achieving the dreams we really want, turning away from the paths that might lead to openings because it’s scary. It was beautifully illustrated through these two characters who on the surface couldn’t be more improbable as partners. It was life changing for both of them and thought provoking for me.

This was a perfect light read for the summer. The book's main characters, Kelsey and Georgina, meet while in the hospital and Kelsey hatches a plan to convince Georgina to go on a "Summer of Yes" where they yes to new adventures (as long as they are above the law and follow their morals. Kelsey has been spending her time on things don't really matter and it reminds Georgina a bit of herself in her younger years. I enjoyed the different ages of the two characters and the relationship that bloomed between the two women.

Thank you for this book and exchange for my honest review. The Summer of Yes was a hilarious, heartwarming story of friendship and not giving in to a slow death by not fulfilling your life’s goals and dreams. Every single book that Courtney Walsh writes is my favorite, and this one was no different.

“Because times change. People change. ‘Life moves pretty fast. And if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

In this book, Kelsey realizes one day she only works. She says no to everything else. But an accident helps her to wake up to the reality that she is missing out on life. She hopes that highly successful Georgina can help her find new purpose. But first, they both are going to have to be willing to expand their boundaries.

Some of what Kelsey says "yes" to is commonplace. But the book is equally as much about Georgina learning to make up for lost regrets. Learning to be open to new possibilities can be a challenge. Kelsey and Georgina have more in common than it first appears. This book features not one but two sweet romances.

I listened to the book via NetGalley. At first, I wasn't sure about it. But the characters grew in me and listening to it ended up taking it to a whole new level! Perhaps Kelsey could have said yes to a few more things. But overall, it was a sweet book that was life giving.

I wanted to listen and review the book. All opinions are my own.

3 🌟
Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Summer of Yes wasn’t my favorite but it's still a good book. This is a lighthearted and easy summer read.
The Summer of Yes is about 2 women who always say no to everything pairing up together for a summer of yes!

When Kelsey Worthington has a near-death experience going on a coffee run for her boss, she ends up in the same hospital room as business tycoon Georgina Tate. Georgina has kidney disease and potentially only a few months to live, so Kelsey talks her into a Summer of Yes where the two women say yes to things they’d normally say no to in order to fully live their lives. Kelsey has a bigger plan up her sleeve: to reconnect Georgina with her estranged husband and son. Along the way the women learn how to love, forgive, and live life to the fullest.

This is a cute story, but it’s predictable and not a whole lot happens. I really liked both main characters and enjoyed the alternating chapters from their POVs. The book has a good message and a happy ever after, but the romance is pretty shallow and Georgina’s entire storyline is fixed way too neatly. Overall though, it’s a quick and enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Christian Publishing, and Courtney Walsh for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6848924861Thanks to NetGalley & Harper Collins Christian Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


Still searching for light and fun summer vibes? Courtney Walsh presents her bittersweet yet entertaining novel that will bring you all the perks of summertime!


-what is it about-

The accident changed Kelsey Worthington's perception of life. After the scary experience, the woman decided to change her dull and comfortable existence into a risky to-do list of dreams and aspirations she'd always wanted to fulfil. Georgina Tate, an older woman with a medical condition, joins Kelsey on her Summer of Yes trip. Time to catch up on everything that has been waiting!


-what I loved?-

-> I adore the vibes of this novel. Courtney Walsh tried to present bittersweet themes that made the storylines of the main characters entertaining yet important. I think that the aspects of health issues, unfulfilled dreams, love, and friendship were well-developed throughout the entire book.
-> I liked the different points of view that allowed me to see the thoughts of the main characters. Courtney Walsh showed contrasting feminine perceptions of life and dreams. It is worth noting how Kelsey and Georgina changed on their journey.
-> The style was light and fun. I had no issues with getting into this story!



-what did I not love?-

→ The pace of the book was too slow. I expected Courtney Walsh to add to the storyline more dynamic and intriguing events.
→ Some chapters and themes were repetitive and unnecessary. I think more development in terms of the pace and importance of some situations presented in the novel would help as I got bored at some point while listening to the storyline

rating: 3/5 ✮✮✮
genre: Contemporary
themes: friendship, romance, girls' trip

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @thomasnelson for the ALC/ARC/gifted copy!

🚙 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🚙
This book should be on everyone’s end of summer reading list! Or anytime of the year really! There are a lot of beautiful messages woven into this story, and heartfelt moments. And I was crying by the end of it!

This story begins with Kelsey, who wakes up in a hospital bed recovering from being hit by a car. She is lucky enough to be sharing her room with wildly successful businesswoman Georgina Tate, who is there for her failing kidneys. Kelsey is inspired while she is in their room, and proposes an adventurous idea. Why not spend time saying “Yes” to everything they would normally not. She enlists Georgina to join her, because she sees Georgina has some lifelong regrets that have plagued her.

I love the back and forth between Kelsey and Georgina. Georgina is tough and set in her ways, and Kelsey somehow knows how to dig into the heart of her and encourage her. And I loved seeing the opposite unfold with how Georgina ultimately encourages Kelsey and how they breathes life into her again.

This really is a beautiful story. I had a hard time reading the kidney failing storyline, as I had my dad pass from this disease last year. However, there are no harsh descriptions of anything medical to read about, and there is hope ultimately surfacing in this story, so any reader worried about that can rest assured there is a HEA that Courtney’s stories always provide!

🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 🎧
Tanya Eby and Cathi Colas did a great job bringing Kelsey and Georgina to life. Both brought vulnerability to their narration roles. These two ladies were easy to distinguish too and I always love that when there are two POVs on an audio! I definitely recommend listening!

🎧 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
💛 Self-Discovery
🩷 Second Chance Romance
💛 Life Changing Moments
🩷 Small Town Romance
💛 Sweet, Closed Door Romance
🩷 Impromptu Vacations

This book was good, but not great. The characters seemed a little underdeveloped for me. I loved the premise of a summer of yes, it it seemed too contrived and forced.

Sometimes, you just need to read a book about friendship, and The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh perfectly fits that need. This book features strong themes of self-discovery and incredible character development. Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.