There is something so good about Courtney Walsh's books, and this was NO DIFFERENT! I loved Kelsey & Georgina and there unlikely friendship. I think we should all say yes more often, you never know what might come of it.

⭐️ 4.25/5. I really enjoyed this story! It had heartfelt themes of regret, forgiveness, reevaluating life’s priorities, learning from your elders, and saying “yes” to adventures; while also being humorous, incorporating romance, and having a happy ending. There were a few times I felt like the plot was dragging just a little, but other than that I was very satisfied with this read and would recommend it as a fun summer story.

Kelsey wakes up in a hospital, with no recollection of how she got there. It is only after awhile that she realizes she was struck by a car while walking down the sidewalk. However, all Kelsey wants to do is get back to work, she has a meeting that may make of break her career, and that's what she has been working so hard towards all of these years. But being stuck in the hospital, she realizes she is sharing a room with "The" Georgina Tate, and somehow a unique friendship begins. Soon both Kelsey and Georgina find themselves doing things they would never have previously done, and saying yes to all of the things.

This was a very fun read, and one I would recommend to anyone looking for a light-hearted read. Perfect for vacation or summer lounging.

The audio quality was good, and the book easy to listen to.

It was what I needed.
I was traveling for work and I was really tired.
This book kept me company in a light and "breezy" way.
No drama (just an inch) no bad argument between the characters... a lot of love.
It was easy to read, to follow, to appriciate.
YES

And of course a really good narrator.

Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh was exactly the audiobook I didn’t know I needed! I’m giving it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars because it hit all the right notes—heartfelt, funny, and full of life lessons, all narrated brilliantly by Tanya Eby and Cathi Colas.

So here’s the deal: Kelsey Worthington is your typical workaholic junior editor. She’s great at helping other people tell their stories but has pretty much given up on her own dreams. Her life? Safe, stable, and… let’s be honest, kinda boring. Then BAM—she has a near-death experience. While stuck in the hospital, she shares a room with THE Georgina Tate, a glass-ceiling-shattering businesswoman who sacrificed everything to be where she is. Except now, with failing kidneys and only a few months left to live, Georgina is dealing with regrets. And this is where the magic happens.

Kelsey gets inspired to shake up her own life with a little thing called "The Yes Plan"—where she decides to say yes to all the things she’d normally say no to. It takes some convincing, but Georgina tags along on Kelsey’s “Summer of Yes” adventures, and what a journey it is! Picture two women—a junior editor and a business icon—touring NYC, dining with strangers, and cruising in a convertible that’s way more fun than practical. It’s all fun and games until Kelsey throws in a surprise visit to Georgina’s estranged son and not-so-ex-husband, and things get real.

What I loved about Summer of Yes is the mix of dual perspectives, unlikely friendships, and the reminder that it’s never too late to shake things up in life. There’s romance, but it’s the sweet, wholesome kind, and you can expect plenty of those good disrupters that make you rethink everything.

Now, onto the narration—Tanya Eby and Cathi Colas are wonderful. They brought these two women to life in such a genuine way. Kelsey is persistent (in a dog-with-a-bone kind of way), and Georgina is tough but vulnerable. The way these two characters grow together is such a joy to listen to.

Special thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced copy of the audiobook via the NetGalley app. While it’s technically a Christian book, it’s not overly religious at all—it’s more about love, friendship, and finding yourself. Highly recommend!

Two very different women meet when they share a hospital room. Kelsey is an unfulfilled writer, working for a publisher when she's hit by a car. Georgina is a wealthy businesswoman who's in renal failure. The story that unfolds is a heart-warming tale of finding what's important in life. It's poignant, funny, and there's some romance, too! It is an example of how someone you meet can change your attitude toward life. I admired Kelsey's spunk, in particular. The narrator really made the characters come alive. I'd highly recommend this book--very uplifting!

4 Stars

This was such a good story! I just loved the characters. The narrators did a great job of telling the story. Kelsey is a workaholic at the beginning of her career and finds herself in the company of another workaholic at the end of her career. They take off into the summer of saying yes together and it is just wonderful. The banter between these two is so good. I could totally see this book as a movie.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian publishing for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Kelsey wakes up in a hospital after being hit by a car on a New York sidewalk. Even more surpassing than that is that she ends up being roommates with Georgina Tate, female business mogul. The two develop a weird kind of friendship, much to Georgina’s dismay. Kelsey convinces her to join her on a Summer of Yes. What unfolds changes both of their lives forever.

This book is precious. Kelsey is lovable, even when she is relentless. Georgina is difficult, but you know there is more to her. I love their unlikely connection as they explore themselves and take a hard look at the fast paced lives they have both been living. It’s a good wake up call to slow down and love the people around you!

CW does it again!!!!! What an absolute delight this story was! I loved the setting, the growth we saw from the characters, the banter between elderly Georgina and young Kelsey, and more. I adored the transformation that we saw in Georgina and as with other of Walsh's books, the themes of hope, forgiveness, and starting over were so beautifully written.

This book was an enjoyable, easy read. Most of it was happily predictable but there were a few surprised in the plot though not many. I would definitely recommend this as a summer read! I enjoyed the characters overall. However, sometimes they felt a bit whiny. The message about living life to the fullest is absolutely one that we should embrace more often.

I thought the <i>The Summer of Yes</i> was a great concept to consider for life. It's funny to hear when the new thing lately is that it's ok to say no. Especially when it's meant to set boundaries and to allow yourself a mental and physical reset when needed.
This book did all of that while also allowing for a better understanding of what it means to say Yes when you're afraid and want to say no to protect yourself out of fear of the unknown. I do believe that there are big moments presented to us that completely stop the trajectory that we are on. And it's our decision to use this as a life reset to get us back on track.
<i>The Summer of Yes</i> is a wholesome and cute little story about not being afraid to do the hard things in life and saying yes to new experiences. The audiobook had two different readers for the two POVs and I loved that the narrators did not try to change their voice for other characters. They did a great job portraying the storytelling simply on their own.

Courtney Walsh’s The Summer of Yes is a delightful and inspiring novel that skillfully blends humor, heart, and personal growth. The story kicks off with Kelsey Worthington, who finds her life taking a dramatic turn when she’s struck by a car and ends up in a hospital room beside the formidable Georgina Tate, a titan of New York City business.

The contrast between Kelsey and Georgina is stark and engaging. Kelsey, a self-doubting writer, has always played it safe and lived within the boundaries of her comfort zone. In sharp contrast, Georgina is a confident businesswoman whose career has been defined by bold decisions and unyielding assertiveness. However, as Georgina faces the reality of her failing kidneys, she starts to reflect on the risks she never took and the life she’s led.

The heart of the novel lies in the unexpected friendship that blossoms between these two very different women. As Georgina helps Kelsey embrace a more adventurous approach to life, Kelsey finds herself embarking on new experiences she never imagined, from sampling street food to matchmaking with Georgina’s dashing son, and even finding the courage to write her own romance.

The Summer of Yes excels in its portrayal of transformation and self-discovery. Walsh’s writing is both tender and witty, capturing the essence of personal growth through her vividly drawn characters. The dynamic between Kelsey and Georgina is both heartwarming and inspiring, highlighting the power of taking chances and stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

This novel is a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to make changes and embrace the opportunities that come your way. Walsh’s charming narrative and engaging plot make The Summer of Yes a refreshing and uplifting read. Whether you’re looking for a feel-good story or a bit of inspiration to say “yes” to new possibilities in your own life, this book is sure to deliver.

This one was average. I liked it but I wasn't motivated to read it. It was overall just fine to me. I liked the message of saying yes, I liked the romantic storyline and I loved the older FMC's personality. All of these couldn't combine into an overall winner for me for some reason but I can see the merit in this one for other readers. Maybe it wasn't the right time or fit for me but I would still recommend it. I think audio was a great format to consume this book!

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this story. This review has been added to my storygraph, goodreads, barnes and noble and my instagram @manymerrybooks!

Short synopsis: After a near death experience, Kelsie strikes up an unlikely friendship with Georgia Tate, a very successful businesswoman.

My thoughts: I just adore Courtney Walsh’s writing style and ability to immediately pull me into her characters and storyline.

This is such a heartwarming story of unlikely friendship, forgiveness, and a romance subplot.

I loved the growth both Kelsie and Georgia went through as they stepped worked through their discomfort and said “Yes” to situations they would normally have said no to. It really made me realize that I need to say yes more myself

I read this on audio and loved how well the dual narrators told the story. They complimented each other so well.

Read if you love:
- Unlikely friendships
- Personal growth
- Romance subplot
- Second chances
- Terminal illness rep

- dual POV
- (Near Death Experience) NDE
- Life changing event
- 2 FMC
- “Is this the life you want to live?”
- Gilmore girls references
- “yes” list
- Different age group POV
- Older (70s)
- Mid (20s)
- “I have the flirt game of a plotted plant” 😂😂😂

- tw: hospital settings, chronic illness, someone dying

This book was provided to me via Netgalley as an ARC. My review is entirely my own and I have no obligation to provide a positive review.

A head injury sustained in a hit and run leaves Kelsey questioning her life choices. She decides she has said no way to much and decides from now on she is going to say yes. She talks her hospital roommate into joining her in this adventure and it opens up life and love for both of them. Enjoyable and fun, this book will keep you reading/listening to see what happens next. Great character development and narration.

The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh.
There is so much to really like about this book. It's a great summer read amid the smut and open door romances that are filling my local bookstore shelves. When Kelsey has a near-fatal car accident, she meets Georgina, an aging, successful make-up maven. Think an older Bobbi Brown. After much cajoling (the first half of the book), Georgina relents and they decide on a summer of saying yes to anything; they both clearly see the ways that wrong choices have given them regrets (some bigger than others). I thought this would be the trope that we've seen many times in the movies -- the older person / young person duo that set off and have a grand adventure. But I was wrong.

While the first half was a bit slow -- (it took a long time to solidify the relationship and get on the road!), the second half is what carried the heart of the book. There were predictable moments throughout but the themes of forgiveness and remaining true to ones promises despite rejection and hurt was a refreshing dose of doing what's right without apology. Tenacity, change of heart, perseverance and dealing with past problems were the most relatable themes. There were emotional stakes and although a beach read, they were in there- enveloped in some light, fluffy writing.

I found the narration to be slightly annoying but never enough to want to put it down.

3.75 stars

After a near tragic accident, Kelsey ends up in the hospital, sharing a room with none other than Georgina Tate. While she chats, and Georgina mostly tries to ignore her, the two slowly build a friendship. Or I guess something kind of like friendship. Kelsey has taken it upon herself to decide for the both of them that they will have a summer of yes! Where will their adventures take them?

This book was just so wonderful! I think we all have a moment in life where we feel like maybe we need a summer of yes! However, I have just as many moments where I feel like I need to learn to say no, so who’s to say! I listened to this one on audio and it was a perfect audio read! Following along with Kelsey and Georgina just brightened my days and I enjoyed every second!

Thank you to @harperbooks of my gifted copy of this book!

This was an interesting and different story - an older, curmudgeonly businesswoman hesitatingly befriending a young woman at the beginning of her adult life. However, I found the audiobook narrator too grating; her over-acting got in the way of my enjoyment, and ability to like the main character. I may have liked the book version better.

Thank you for the ARC

Another great uplifting story by Courtney Walsh. I enjoyed the concept of this book and being in my 60’s it makes me think a little deeper about some things I would like to accomplish. A fun read. Thanks for the advanced copy