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

I enjoyed this feel good story that is told from 2 very different characters. If you are looking for an uplifting story with an easy to follow plot this one is for you. We are given complex relationships that need healing, laughable moments, and characters to cheer on to the end.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I adored this book!

I loved the characters and their dynamics, even if they were messy and/or complicated. I liked the story line of a summer of yes and a super unexpected friendship. Ending in the most beautiful of ways

I really loved this book! It was such a cute story and made me wanna go on a rode trip and do things that scare me. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author!

How many times in our day to day lives do we say no? What happens if we just said yes even half the time? Can you imagine how many rather exciting opportunities and experiences we are missing out on.

Kelsey was running an errand for work and is hit by a car. When she wakes up in the hospital, she makes a decision. She could've died, and she's been missing out on life. Giving her all for a job that she doesn't like. She wants to be a writer but has always questioned whether she can actually do it.

In walks Georgina. Georgina is the total opposite. Georgina is at the top of her career. She has put her career as number one, over her marriage, over her child. She has always wanted to the best businesswoman in New York City. She hasn't cared what she has to do to achieve this level of success.
But one problem, her kidneys are failing. Georgina is now confronted with not only her health but what she has done to her personal life to get to her level of success.

These two set out on a journey, Georgina could learn to dream a little and love life and maybe even try to repair some relationships that have been lost. Kelsey can learn from Georgina what it can take to achieve her dreams, give her some confidence to make some hard choices. But the two will far learn and experience more than the ever realized. The riches and love of life will be of learning to say yes even when it's a little scary.

Grab a good drink and head to the beach for this amazing adventure. Say yes!

What if you said yes to everything instead of the usual no? The Summer of Yes is about two women Kelsey and Georgina who meet in the hospital both experiencing situations that leave a mark on them. The characters are lovable and the storyline is clever, but not quite as engaging as some of Walsh’s other books. With that being said, it is still a cute light hearted read that will leave you feeling good at the end.
Thank you NetGalley, and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for my advanced copy.

I listened to the audiobook for this title and would definitely recommend it. The narrator was great and the book was a fun enjoyable summer read. The book follows two characters Kelsey and Georgina both meet in a hospital. Kelsey has just been in a car accident and Georgina was there for her dialysis. Kelsey during this whole encounter realizes how she is wasting her life on things that do not matter to her and asks Georgina who's facing the same problems to go on a summer of yes, It's basically yes day for grown-ups.This book is definitely character driven and they really make the story stand out. The writing was fun too, Courtney made the characters so rich and flawed that I liked reading about them and their struggles made them feel so realistic. I would say I understood where Kelsey was coming from but she had no right to meddle in Georgina's life the way she did and for Georgina.

Overall, an enjoyable read that I would recommend FOR people wanting character driven books and a fun read about female friendship.

Dual-POV journey - one woman at the beginning of her adult life, the other nearing its end. Kelsey, a junior editor, survives a near-death experience and decides to embrace life with a “Yes Plan.” Georgina, a successful businesswoman with failing kidneys, joins her. Their adventures—touristing in New York, dinner with strangers, and a road trip to North Carolina—unfold with introspection and gentle romance. However, the pacing occasionally falters, earning this heartwarming tale only 3.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for the e book. This is my first book by Courtney Walsh and it is definitely not going to be the last. The premise of the book is so heartwarming and thought provoking. It made me think that so many of us can’t find their calling in life due to their fear of what the future holds. Fear of the unknown stopped the mc from taking risks and doing what she loves. She falsely thought that what she did in life is the right thing, little that she knows that she is prone to take the safest road to avoid risk and being hurt. In this novel you discover that the safest route isn’t always the right one. Something else I loved about this book that it has no spice at all. There are noble feelings and love but no smutty scenes thankfully.

A joyful message of friendships in unlikely places, taking chances, having faith in taking those chances, and being open to life’s opportunities. Saying yes to more is an idea that sticks with you after reading this heartwarming story. There were a few plot areas that I found myself wondering how they were going to resolve - namely regarding the main character’s family. I love hearing how the book has resonated with the author’s life too - highly recommend!

This was a refreshing take on living life to its fullest, a perspective shift and making more “yes” choices to life’s opportunities. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet and emotional story from Courtney Walsh.

Audiobook was beautifully narrated and the story was full of hope. Thanks for an early copy through NetGalley.