Sometimes you just need a "disruption" in life to figure out what truly matters to you. When Kelsey's life is disrupted by an accident she fears the loss of time at her job will result in her not reaching the goals she's worked so hard for. Her hospital roommate, a well-renowned businesswoman, isn't so keen on Kelsey being in her space but as a somewhat tenuous relationship develops between the two of them their lives become entwined on a summer of yes. A sweet story with romance and a deeper lesson of the relationships that make life worth living this faith-based novel is a cozy summer read. I did find the main character hard to like at the beginning but the character development helped her become more enjoyable at the end. The audiobook was well-narrated and enjoyable to listen to. Thank you to NetGalley and the audiobook publisher for a free copy for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook of The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh.

The main character Kelsey wakes up in a hospital bed after being hit by a car. She is a hard worker assistant editor and can't miss her meeting with a TikTok famous creator. This was going to be her big break. Unfortunately, due to the concussion she suffered she misses this opportunity to sign on a new author. Missing her big break. Kelsey wakes up to a roommate in the hospital. This patient is nonother than Georgina Tate. Georgina is a very successful businesswoman. She is a very private person and doesn't want it to get out that her kidneys are failing. She is very curt and speaks her mind, which frightens most people.

After this accident Kelsey realizes that she has said no to so many things and needs to say yes to life. She feels like Georgina needs a little bit of carefree time. They go on an adventure to figure out what makes them happy and how to live without regrets.

I feel like this would be a great book club book.

Delightfully quirky and emotionally deep all mixed up in the best of ways. I laughed. I cried. I cheered. I swooned(!!!) Honestly, Courtney Walsh delivered so much more than I was expecting (and I was expecting a lot because she is one of my fave contemporary romance authors.)

The perfect blend of zingy banter and soul-searching discussions that pulled on all my emotions. This is one of Thomas Nelson’s general market selections so no faith content per se but there are some moving moments involving forgiveness and overcoming fear that are very impactful. I was especially touched by Hayden’s story. What an example! So much wisdom learned from some tough life lessons.

The story is told from two points of view — our young heroine Kelsey and the irascible, grumpy, gruff and all things grinch-y, Georgina Tate, a successful septuagenarian with a lot of attitude. The way Walsh throws these two together and then pits them against each other is sheer brilliance and makes for such an entertaining read.

There’s so much heart to this story – and not just the romance kind. Beautifully layered storytelling that made me pause and ask myself some pointed questions right along with Kelsey and Georgina. Love when a book causes reflection and prompts change and this one did that for me.

Part of my ‘reading’ enjoyment came from listening to the audio edition expertly narrated by Tanya Eby and Cathi Colas. They both added so much zest and personality to their performances that I could easily picture every scene playing out in my mind. I’ve become somewhat of an audio book snob and this edition of ‘The Summer of Yes’ easily makes my top ten audio books of the year.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio along with Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced audio book.

This was a fun romp through the lens of Shonda Rhimes' book the Year of Yes. Two women in very different points in their personal and professional lives decide to say yes to all the things they've been saying no to (hiding out of fear). The story was predictable in good ways, though a little more depth to the main characters would've added a needed layer to the story.

4.5 Stars!!

This is a fun adventure and a story that made me pause a little and think about my day to day life and the things that bring me joy.

Kelsey woke up in a hospital room after a near-death experience. As she’s coming to, the hospital puts an older woman named Georgina in her hospital room. Kelsey recognizes Georgina as one of the most successful woman in the state. She also learns her new hospital roommate is dying from Kidney failure.

Kelsey starts to reevaluate her own life and feels regret for the way her work life has taken over every aspect of her life. She even realizes she missed her best friend’s birthday a few weeks ago because of work … and she was supposed to bring the cake.

Kelsey decides she’s going to take all the vacation days she’s never used and start living her life. She realizes she’s been letting fear rule her life. She’ll begin by saying yes to all the things she would normally say no to.

What you’ll find:
Dual POV (done well with the audio)
Exploring NYC like a tourist
An unlikely friendship
A road trip!
A new love!
Second chance of love
Forgiveness and healing

Courtney Walsh shares an authors note at the end of the story of how this was her journey too. She realized she was letting fear prevent her from experiencing things in life and she wanted to make a change. I love that it inspired this story!!

This is a perfect summer read!!

Romance content: Just great kissing!

Thank you Courtney Walsh, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the gifted audio in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I was expecting a light and fluffy read, perfect for the beach. However, it was also more than just that. It was a look at the things we take for granted every day in this crazy journey called life. I was lucky enough to be able to read the ebook and listen to the audiobook at the same time. The audiobook was narrated by Tanya Elby and Cathi Colas. I was familiar with Tanya's narration, but not Cathi's. I thought both narrators were pleasant. This book reminded me a lot of Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler, and if you are looking for a sweet book, that will also make you stop and consider life (and might make you tear up in the process), this is the perfect book for you. I highly recommend this one!!!



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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Oh my goodness gracious I loved this. This is the PERFECT summer read.

I loved Georgina’s dry wit and there were several times I LOLd. Hayden was so sweet, and while there is a small side plot of romance, it is not the main focus. The path for Kelsey to find herself outside of work and Georgina to seek forgiveness (for herself) was beautiful. This story causes you to think and to feel, while still being light and beach-read-esque.

Narrators did a great job. It caught my attention from the beginning, wanting to know more about Kelsey and Georgina. While the story itself started a bit slowly leading up to the “main portion”, I was still totally committed. Then everything is just wonderful, such a feel good read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Courtney Walsh for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

When Kelsey wakes up in the hospital after a car accident with a famous entrepreneur as a roommate, she starts to question what she has actually done with her life. Determined not to waste anymore time Kelsey takes some time off work and decides to make it the summer of yes!

The Summer of Yes really has it all! It has emotion, comedy, romance, adventure, and determination! This book was so well written that I felt like I was a character in it, experiencing everything alongside the cast! 4.5⭐️

This includes an audiobook review...

I've recently become a fan of Courtney Walsh's romcom books. I love that she her books are lighthearted and fun without spicy sex scenes. She includes witty banter and joy. I kept reminding myself of those things as I read this book.

This is not a romcom. It has more women's fiction vibes with some romance. To be honest, I prefer romance to women's fiction, mostly because women's fiction get seem to get heavy at times. But I kept reminding myself that this was Courtney Walsh and she didn't let me down!

Just as her book about Isadora Bently made the reader think, this one did as well. But with lots of humor and lighthearted moments. Granted I felt that the stroy took a little while to get going, but I stick with it and was happy I did.

I follow Courtney Walsh on Instagram and as I was reading this book, I kept thinking that it sounded very personal. Then I read the author's note at the end and my suspicion was confirmed.

As far as listening to the audiobook, it has 2 narrators, both female because they are really the main focus of the book. Georgina is read by a woman with a bit of a gravel to her voice. I thought that was perfection! The other narrator does a fine job as well. I actually listened to the whole book in a day. It was delightful and kept me entertained whole cleaning houses and mowing my yard.

Many thanks to Zondervan Audio, Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the chance to listen to this book. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Coincidentally, this is the second book I’ve read this summer in which a main character’s near-death experience inspires them to consider what they want to do with the rest of their life. This one distinguishes itself with a dual POV from an absolutely charming intergenerational friendship.

Kelsey is a junior editor in the publishing industry who would like to be more, but simply accepts others’ evaluations of her as someone who just doesn’t have what it takes. She’s in the hospital after being hit by a car. Georgina Tate, beauty line mogul, is her reluctant roommate, and the older woman is dying of kidney disease. The stockholders can’t know this, so Kelsey has to sign an NDA. She’s happy to do so, but first she just wants to know one thing: was everything Georgina had to give up for her success worth it? As it turns out, maybe not. And right there, Kelsey decides she doesn’t want that to be her story. The Summer of Yes is born. And she’s bringing Georgina along for the ride, whether she wants it or not.

This story surprised me in giving each main character her own robust story, career and love interest. The older lady is not just here as a sidekick or plot point, which is how I suspected this might play out early on. Georgina is smart and successful and complicated and you’re simply not pulling anything over on this woman. The book did lose a few points for me early on when I found it hard to get into, as Kelsey’s earnestness and insistence with Georgina were over the top to the point of borderline unlikable for me. As it went on, it was clear that she was a person with a lot of insecurities and, deep down, a heart of gold. The pair’s adventure in the small town of Driftwood, North Carolina, played out much differently than I expected, and I was happily here for all of it. But mostly I was here for the memorable life lessons, reminding all of us to say yes to a few things we might not otherwise — most importantly, ourselves.

This comes out on July 2. Thank you so much #NetGalley #HarperCollinsChristianPublishing #ThomasNelsonFiction and #CourtneyWalsh for the very enjoyable advance listen!

What a book. How is this my first Courtney Walsh book? I’m going to add more of her books to my TBR pile. This is a great book about saying yes and second chances at life along with a delightful romance. We romance readers are so spoiled with so many great books coming out this summer. The narrators are top notch too!! They bring such warmth and depth to the characters, I just loved it.

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher.

A heartwarming, relaxing summer read! Stories of changing your attitude from saying "no" all the time to taking chances and saying "yes" and always inspiring, and this book doesn't disappoint in that aspect. Nice second chances and sweet light romance round out some included humor. I liked the dual narrators, though neither were my favorite voices.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the advanced audio copy!

The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh is a heartwarming story about embracing new experiences and taking risks. When Kelsey Worthington, a dreamer and writer, finds herself in the hospital next to the confident and outspoken Georgina Tate, the two women embark on a journey of self discovery and adventure. As Georgina faces her own regrets, she encourages Kelsey to live life to the fullest and say yes to new opportunities. Together, they explore new experiences, make unexpected connections, and learn valuable lessons about love and friendship. I consistently find joy in Courtney Walsh's delightful novels, and The Summer of Yes delivered! The audiobook version of this book is equally fantastic, featuring outstanding narrators.

This was my first Courtney Walsh book and definitely will not be my last. Between the humor and the emotional conversations, Walsh really pulls on heart strings of readers! This is the perfect Summer read. The narration was on point and fit the story perfectly.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for a copy of this audiobook.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Courtney Walsh for advanced access to the book and audio in exchange for my honest review!
Courtney Walsh is a new to me author. I absolutely adored The Summer of Yes and have already added some of her other books to my Amazon/Audible cart.
This is a perfect summer read. You'll be inspired to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new experiences. Say "Yes" to adventure and discover a whole new side of yourself.

I loved this!

What would your summer look like if you chose to face your fear and say, “Yes” to the things that intimidate you? It isn’t about giving up your morals, but instead, taking a leap of faith to pursue the things that really matter.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the opportunity to enjoy this audiobook!

4.5 🌟
Characters: 3
Connection to the book/Enjoyment: 4
Setting: 4
Plot/Overall Story: 4
Writing: 3

Every point= 0.25 stars, max per category 4 points

I really enjoyed this story! The character growth was so endearing and seeing some great Christian values (ex. Forgiveness, restoration, grace, etc.) on display without being an in your face Christian fiction was refreshing, even though I would have liked to see God directly mentioned. The characters annoyed me at times but I really enjoyed the story overall. I loved how this story was as unique with how it had two main female characters- definitely more of a women’s fiction feel but also a good touch of romance. It did feel more emotional at times that I expected because I got so connected to the story, but it is heartwarming and an encouraging story. Definitely one I will recommend to many! The audiobook was very well done with the two characters!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review the ebook and audiobook.

A twist of fate has career driven Kelsey meeting elderly business tycoon Georgina. Both women
have regrets about dedicating too much of their lives on their careers and worrying about the opinions of others. So they run away together to live The Summer of Yes.

The relationship between these two opposites was delightful to watch develop. Inspirational and charming with plenty of laughs to balance out the sweetness.

Narrated by Tanya Eby and Cathi Colas who both brought great life and warmth to the story. Would be a fun roadtrip book.

Just say yes to this slow burn romance because it may change your life.

After a near death accident and working non stop all her life. Kelsey decides to take time for what matters and says yes to everything including a road trip with an elderly lady. Which changes her life forever.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Audio format 🎧. A workaholic editor Kelsey has a near brush with death and lands in the hospital after being hit by a car. While in the hospital she meets Georgina, a very successful business woman who is dying from kidney disease.

They set off together in an adventure all about saying “yes” to things. There’s family drama, fun adventures and a whole lot of wonderful messages throughout this book.

Things I loved:
☀️ Audio narration with two narrators was fantastic. Both of them brought the characters to life
☀️ a feel good summer read with great underlying message of saying “yes” to things in life and taking chances
☀️ two very different narratives for the two main characters that really came together as one story
☀️ wonderful setting for a summer read

I don’t know that I would have loved this book so much had I read it in traditional format but the audio version of this story was so wonderful! I highly recommend listening to this one if you can. A 5/5 for me!

Thank you to Harper Collin’s and Net Galley for the a copy of the Audiobook in exchange for a review.