I love the philosophy of the book. To say yes to new experiences, opportunities, and people. Even though much of this book is very unrealistic, I loved it. I just couldn't put it down. Kelsey has a near death experience which causes her to take a good look at her life. Her unlikely roommate at the hospital is a cosmetics legend and powerhouse. She's used to getting exactly what she wants and she wants it immediately. She never expected a young nobody to take charge and to make her make some changes in her life.

I found the book absolutely delightful. The characters were great. As I said, unrealistic, maybe, but I really liked them.

I listened to the audio version. Both narrators were great and their voices matched the ages and personalities of their characters. I haven't read any of Courtney Walsh's books before, but now I will be on the lookout for her work.

I've read two of Courtney Walsh's books and thought they were really cute (patiently waiting for the third of the Holidays with Hart series) but The Summer of Yes is her best yet. Honestly, one of my favorites of 2024!

Georgina and Kelsey were so relatable. They both had such beautiful character development you just can't help but root for them. Anytime they both talked about work, lack of relationships, not enjoying life and wishing they could do things differently I couldn't help but nod in agreement. Maybe I also need a Summer of Yes. I feel like many readers will be able to identify with this book.

This is a story of taking chances and saying yes, finding friendship with someone you least expect and finding love even when it isn't part of your plan. A must read for the Summer!

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ARC. Loved it.

I adored this book! It even brought me to tears at one point! My favorite Christian song was even mentioned. Highly recommend this positive, thought provoking, woman empowering novel.

Many thanks to Net Galley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Courtney Walsh’s books. They are such feel good stories and she does a great job with the banter between her characters. I loved the NYC setting. I love the feeling of being in the city without being in the city. The audio was great too!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK!!! It’s one of my favorite books of all time!! ❤️ I will reread this often 😊 I connected so well to Kelsey and loved Georgina so much! I loved the grumpy vs sunshine in the friend dynamic. The author did a great job contrasting strong women with cinnamon roll guys. I loved the different references throughout to old movies, tv shows and music! I loved the summer vibes. Absolutely a most wonderful story of self discovery, friendships and love! Faith references were mild but well done. I also enjoyed both narrators doing the two different povs! Perfect 🤩

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me! I was drawn to this by the cover and description, however I was unable to really get into it! I was not a fan of the narrators voices. Sorry! Thank you for the opportunity to give it a try! Just wasn't for me.

I listened and had the ebook for this book and I really enjoyed that. This story is such a good one and honestly my favorite by Courtney Walsh! I binged this book and can’t wait for everyone to read it!

I really enjoyed The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh. I felt like it was a self-help book for myself about embracing life and saying yes to things that I normally wouldn't say yes to. Things that bring me fear or make me say "But what if..."

A quote that stuck with me was "I've dared to hope for things I want, rejecting the worst-case scenario-- that dreaded voice of doom that accompanies every exciting thing. I haven't mastered it, but I'm learning ." I am a wort-case scenario person and I feel like I related so much to this book.

Things I liked about this book:
- The connection between the main characters and how their lives intertwined and how they helped each other in different ways.

- The concept of saying yes to things you normally wouldn't and flipping the script on the what-if's. Instead of "what if ____ happens" it's now "What if it's amazing? What if it's fun and exciting and inspiring?" Being a what-if worst case scenario person I loved the flip and putting a positive spin on the "what if..." question.

- The various relationships between the characters.

- The dual POV between Kelsey and Georgina. They were so different and it was important to understand both and hear from both of them.

The narration was good. I am so glad that Geogina's personality came through in the narration. I would recommend this on audio.

Thank you NetGalley and HaperCollins Christian Publishing for allowing me to voluntarily read listen to the audiobook and give an honest review.

Beautiful & heartwarming! Courtney Walsh gives us a feel-good, second chance story with a little bit of a love story in between! It was so good! Grab this book for your beach bag/pool bag this summer!!

Audio narration was amazing!

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!!

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.