4 stars.

A fun book centered around life’s priorities and what truly matters. After a car accident, Kelsey finds herself recovering in the hospital with a cranky older woman, who also happens to be the ceo and founder of a multimillion dollar beauty company. As an unlikely pairing, the two set off for a summer of “yes!” Where will the summer take them?

Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, second chance love, forced proximity,

Content warning: car accident, marriage separation (past), terminal sickness diagnosis.

An emotionally Uplifting book. If you're looking for a heartwarming and humorous book give this one a read!
The summer of yes is a must-read in these summers! Haha. Get ready to fall in love with this enchanting story!
Courtney is one of my favourite authors.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story is written in dual timelines between Kelsey and Georgina and both FMCs are completely lovable for different reasons. Loved the friendship that grew between the two ladies and the message of forgiveness and grace. The way that Dylan showed Georgina grace was so inspiring!

Long story short, I appreciated this story for many different reasons but mainly being that I am always actively working on saying “Yes” when I can, while I can, because these days aren’t promised (especially with my boys while they’re little). Time isn’t promised so I wanna make sure I’m always making the best of the time God is giving me on earth.

“Life can’t be lived in reverse.”

Author’s Note— absolutely loved it! I definitely was able to relate to these women who respond “no” simply out of fear. I’ve been working on saying yes like I said and doing more things that I’d usually be afraid to do the last couple months. It’s scary, but it’s been great and totally worth it! Thank you @CourtneyWalsh for writing this book!

4.5
Genre ~ friendship fiction
Setting ~ New York
Publication date ~ July 2, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 382 (46 chapters)
Audio length ~ 11 hours 30 minutes
Narrators ~ Tanya Eby, Cathi Colas
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ road trip, regrets, unlikely friendship

Kelsey & Georgina meet when they’re both in the hospital together.

It was a little slow to start with Kelsey trying her darnedest to convince Georgina to go along with her plan. The plan is to start living life to the fullest without regrets. To say yes to things she ordinarily would say no to because she was too busy trying to get ahead at work. It just so happens that Georgina has the same similarities in her life, even if she’s too stubborn to admit it.

The characters were perfect. The banter was perfect. The journey to forgiveness was perfect. There is a budding romance to root for, but I wouldn’t say it’s a main plot point. Hayden, Georgina's son, was the sweetest and for sure book boyfriend material.

Overall, a lovely book that makes you think ~ if you’re working to live are you really fully living? As I am in my last summer with my only daughter before she graduates I feel like this will be my summer of yes, as well, because I certainly don’t want to look back on my life and have any regrets at all. Life is precious and you never know when your last day living it will be. So let's live it to the fullest!

I was able to listen to an audio copy as well.
Narration notes:
I think both narrators sounded perfectly aged and did a nice job.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for the gifted audiobook!

If you say YES to anything this summer, say YES to reading this book!

I absolutely loved this book and can't think of one negative thing to say if I wanted to. Absolutely the happy and feel-good story I needed!

When Kelsey wakes up in a hospital after a car accident that she doesn't remember, she is (not warmly) greeted by her hospital roommate, Georgina. Against all odds and against Georgina's will, the two of them strike up a plan to have a summer of saying YES where they have previously said no to adventure, opportunities, dates, etc. etc.

Along the way they learn a lot about themselves & each other, find (or re-find) love, friendship, purpose, and ultimately a second chance at life!

I absolutely loved the progression of watching Kelsey and Georgina go from having nothing in common to sharing....well, you'll just have to read it to find out what they share in the end!

This story is light and happy and will be the perfect beach read this summer!

Read if you enjoy:

- Unlikely friendships
- Second chance romances
- Closed door romances
- Saying YES to adventures
- Books that feel like hugs

I think this is Courtney's best book to date and I can't wait to read what she writes next!

I absolutely ADORED this audiobook! Courtney Walsh is a favorite of mine and she absolutely KILLED IT with this one! This was the perfect summer read!

I am a big fan of Courtney Walsh’s novels and really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. There are themes of self discovery and friendship amidst it. I especially loved the character development.

What a refreshing read! Just in time for summer! This story of a young woman and an older woman and how life unfolds for one summer. They are an unlikely pair who push each other outside of their comfort zone. I will definitely read more Courtney Walsh books as this was my fist!
This book would be great for those who enjoy:
• Reading on the beach
• Women’s literature
• To feel all the feels
• Unlikely friendships
• Love that is never too late (sweet not spicy)
I want to have my own summer of yes!
I had the pleasure of the e-book as well as the audiobook to enjoy. The narrators were perfect for the characters they portray. The pacing is appropriate as well.

Thank you Net Galley, Courtney Walsh, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the pleasure of previewing a copy of this novel. I received this complementary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I like this but it wasn't a favorite for me. Kelsey has a near death experience and while in the hospital she meets Georgina Tate, a incredibly successful older woman who seems to have many regrets in life. Because of her near death experience Kelsey thinks about all her own regrets, all the things she wanted to say "yes" to, but didn't. She makes the decision to start saying "Yes" and wants to help Georgina say "yes" as well. After much underhanded behavior by Kelsey, Georgina agrees to have a Summer of Yes with Kelsey.

There were parts of the book I enjoyed but I was also frustrated with Kelsey's lying, meddling, and manipulative behavior. Overall, I think readers will enjoy. I didn't love the narrator for Kelsey. She sounded oddly robotic at times.

This was a 3 star for me but I think others might enjoy it more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Courtney Walsh for an honest review in exchange for a review copy.

I picked this one up because of the cover alone, but very glad I did.

This was a wonderful book about self-discovery and highlighted a beautiful friendship about a younger woman and an older woman, each with something to learn from one another.

The ending was a joy without being too sappy!!

Definitely think everyone should pick this up and it could easily be a really fun book club pick!

This book was such a delight! The Summer of Yes is the story of two women saying yes to life by chasing experiences, seeking forgiveness, and creating new connections. I loved the contrast of the dual-POV, with Kelsey closer to the beginning of her adult and professional life and Georgina closer to the end of hers, it made for interesting perspectives. Their shared lack of filter made them endearing characters and added fun humor.

After enjoying the ARC of this book, I was pleased to find that the audiobook made it even better. The narrators were spot on for the characters - the voice of Kelsey perfectly peppy, and the voice of Georgina perfectly acerbic. Courtney Walsh has quickly become an auto-read author for me as her books always leave me with a feeling of joy and contentment. I highly recommend you say yes to The Summer of Yes!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for gifting me with an ALC to review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What a beautiful story! Makes you feel all the emotions! Happy, sad, hurt and grateful. A story of family brought together with a happy ending!

I listened to this audio and found it quite enjoyable overall. The sound quality was impressive, with a rich depth that made the experience immersive. The balance of tones was particularly well done, capturing both serious moments and lighter, humorous ones perfectly.

However, I did find the pacing to be a bit slow for my taste. There were times when I wished it would pick up the pace to keep the momentum going. Despite this, the content itself was engaging enough to keep me listening until the end, as the slower moments allowed for a deeper appreciation of the material.

If you're looking for an audio experience that blends depth with a good dose of laughter, this one is definitely worth a try. The thoughtful production and enjoyable content make it a solid choice, especially if you don't mind a more leisurely pace.

The Summer of Yes was a sweet, inspirational story of Kelsey and Georgina. Kelsey recently had a near death experience and she meets her hospital roommate, Georgina, who has a challenging chronic disease. Kelsey decides to take time off of work and trick Georgina into a summer of yes They take chances, do things they wouldn’t normally do and ultimately try to determine what matters make in the world.

The story started slow for me and as a medical professional, I did not feel Georgina’s disease was portrayed accurately. The story was predictable, but I enjoyed Kelsey’s character.

I read this book and listened to the audio. I really liked the dual narrators and felt it added to the story.

A complementary copy was provided by publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own.

“We all need someone to believe in us”

This book was a breath of fresh air. Courtney Walsh is something special. She wrote this fabulous book about fears and life and mortality. About love and friendships and forgiveness. About it never being too late to change your life.

This book was exactly what I needed to challenge my own mindset and to take me on a wonderful journey.

You can expect ⬇️
Dual perspectives
Some Romance (the sweet kind)
Disrupters (the good kind)
Never too Late
Unlikely Friendships

When overcrowding lands Kelsey and Georgina in the same hospital room… a friendship does not form. However, there is a bond. Kelsey is a bit like a dog with a bone in how she peruses Georgina (her idol) and how she desperately wants to change both of their lives.

It was wonderful. I enjoyed this audiobook so much.

Thank you Harper Collins for the #gifted ALC to read and review

This is the first time I’ve read a book by Courtney Walsh and though it was slow paced in the beginning, but did pick up, I will be adding Courtney Walsh books to my reading list, Its a really cute book, a nice reminder that life is short so make it sweet