Courtney Walsh has outdone herself with this brilliant book. I loved the two FMCs- Kelsey and Georgina- with their bonding and character arc over the story. This book reminds me of Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella in some ways, yet it is completely different. Two characters with very similar personalities but at different stages in their life make for some incredible perspectives. The story follows themes of second chance, self-discovery, unlikely friendships, and the promise to make you sigh contently when the book is over. If you're a lover of sweet romance, this book has the perfect side-plots that make you feel all gooey.

The narrators did an awesome job of translating the MCs grumpy X sunshine dynamic into audio and that added so much to my reading experience. If there's one thing you should do this summer, it's say yes to this book because it's totally worth it.

I have previously read a few of Courtney Walsh's books and was very excited to receive an audiobook from NetGalley, Courtney Walsh & Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review and I'm happy to report that I loved it! The Summer of Yes centers around two main characters, 30s career woman, Kelsey Worthington, and Georgina Tate, the super successful business woman who meet in a hospital room due to some unfortunate circumstances. This is not a pleasant meeting and both intend to go their separate ways, until Kelsey realizes that she wants more out of the life she's been living and decides Georgina will be an excellent companion. They embark on the Summer of Yes, which is saying yes to experiences they would normally limit themselves, from eating carbs, to going on a roadtrip that will forever change their lives.

The novel is voiced by narrators, Tanya Eby, Cathi Colas, who were perfectly cast and truly brought these characters to life. The quality of the audiobook was excellent and I enjoyed their portrayals of each other as well as the other characters in the book.

What an inspirational novel to listen to! It was beautiful to see these character grow, learn to cherish the beauty in life and not only accept, but embrace their destiny. Learning to trust your gut, believe in yourself and your abilities and in the power of forgiveness, Kelsey and Georgina's journey was such a delight. This novel tackled some topics that many women of all ages have faced and it encourages us to go for it! This is one of the books that will stay with me forever, reminding me to live.

When a book editor is treated like an assistant and sent out for coffee, her world gets upended when she's hit by a car that jumped the curb and hit her on the sidewalk. Her workaholic life isn't working. Luckily, her hospital roommate is her business mogul idol. She can see that her idol has regrets and she's torn between wanting to be this woman and also not ending up like this woman. So the two embark on a surprising and unlikely quest to satisfy a list of things they'd never done, and fix the wrongs of the past to make for better futures.
While having a very specific cheese factor, this book was also sweet in the way that it unravelled, the way the relationships built, the way the story pulls together. I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it in the beginning but the end was so worth it.

#arc
#netgalley
#thesummerofyes

LOVE this book! I’ve yet to find a Courtney Walsh book I don’t love - but this one is up there with Isadora Bentley for me! These two characters were so much fun - I loved the generational differences and how they taught each other life lessons. I loved all the situations they found themselves in - they made me laugh, they made me cry, they made me cheer for them! It taught me lessons on how to say yes to more, and to not always play it safe or turn down opportunities.

The narrators did a fantastic job as well bringing these characters to life!

I really enjoyed this sweet book. Georgina is a harsh but lovable character, and while I can’t relate to Kelsey, I love the idea of a “summer of yes.” This felt like a cozier and less scandalous version of Evelyn Hugo, and I think a lot of readers would really appreciate the communication throughout the book—no miscommunication trope here! Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to reflect on what they could say yes to while enjoying a fun story.

4.5 stars . I enjoyed this story. It had a message that so many (including myself) can use. I loved that their were two couples in this book and the dual point of view. I listened to the audiobook and I loved the narration. Having a different narrator for Kelsey and Georgina was wonderful. I especially loved the narrator for Georgina. There were a few small things that bothered me (for instance apparently the author hasn’t heard of HIPAA because Kelsey would not just be able to call and talk to Georginas doctors without her permission)

After Kelsey gets hit by a car and recovers, she decides to change her life. She decides that she’s no longer going to work in a job that she’s not appreciated in so she gets the rich woman who was sharing the hospital room with her to say yes to adventure and go on a road trip for the summer, despite the fact that she’s older and on dialysis. Kelsey decides she’s going to say yes to all the things all summer and make the most of the new lease on life she’s been given and wants Georgina, her hospital roommate, to do the same. Georgina has been a workaholic and sacrificed her family in order to have her career and now she’s successful but has no relationship with her grown son or her husband who never stopped loving her. Kelsey decides to take their road-trip to find Georgina’s son without her knowing it, and when they get there of course Georgina has figured it out and all is immediately forgiven. It was a little too neatly wrapped up in a bow for me. But I may be a little cynical 😂
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Kelsey & Georgina were the most relatable characters!

Kelsey is at the hospital after a hit-and-run accident. While at the hospital, she meets Georgina. They are both in different stages of their lives but have some of the same questions and desires. Kelsey and Georgina team up for a summer of yes. We hear all about their adventures.

The narrators were great! They both the characters to life.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the Advance Listening Copy of this book.

The narrators were great for this book. I absolutely adored this story and could relate so well to the main character, Kelsey. (Minus the being hit by a car part LOL.) In fact, all of the characters were relatable. This is a great summer read/listen. Especially for those that feel like your life has hit a dead end - whether it be your job, social life, or anything else. Sometimes, you just need to take a chance, and say yes!

I saw another influencer immitating the photo of the cover of this book and I immediately knew I had to go and investigate. The Summer of Yes was a bit of a slow book to start, but the premise felt promising. The plot was a little slow for my liking, but I can see how it can be delightful for readers tht enjoy character driven books, and not action/heavy plot books. The multiple points of views were well done and I felt connected to a couple of lines stated by the main character. These characters were relatable and completely imaginable. The love interest could have been a little more developed but I understand it was not a crucial part of the story.

Overall, I feel like this is a book I can recommend to those that love character driven stories.

A great summer read. This is a book for those who need to live a little or wish they could be more bold in their personal and professional lives. A story of an unlikely friendship and an unexpected romance too!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the audiobook of The Summer of Yes! As expected this was a fun read featuring some clean romance, but it was also so much more! I enjoyed following Kelsey and Georgina’s stories unfold and even caught myself giggling at the banter between the two of them throughout this story. I’m giving this one a 3,5 stars!

Thank you so much for Courtney Walsh for the advanced reader copy of this fun summer read!

The Summer of Yes was a fun read with a big heart. I loved the concept of these two unlikely "friends" going on a journey to undo regrets and just say yes, and I found myself smiling a lot throughout the book. Although it was filled with some heavier topics, the author found a way to still make it feel light and inspiring. I loved the ending and found myself fist pumping and trying to give Kelsey and Georgina imaginary high fives after the office scene.

My one complaint about The Summer of Yes was that it felt a bit too long. After awhile, Kelsey began to feel a tad bit annoying, while Georgina was insufferable in her stubborness, which I suppose was the point. I'm not really sure what part of the story would have been cut out because none of it felt irrelevant, but it just felt like it was dragging on.

Overall, I did like this book and would reccommend it for anyone looking for a fun summer read.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the early review copies of the e-book and audiobook via NetGalley.

After being hit by a car, Kelsey reassesses her life and starts making positive changes, starting with her “Summer of Yes.” She aims to step away from her workaholic and fear-ridden lifestyle and say “yes” to opportunities that bring her joy. She somehow wrangles famous businesswoman Georgina Tate (think The Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestly) into joining her, and the resulting caper is part THE HAPPY LIFE OF ISADORA BENTLEY, part THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF TANNER AND LOUISE, with a dash of THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENNI AND MARGOT. The story follows their adventures and the personal growth they experience. I got chill bumps during a couple of the more moving scenes.

I love an author who delivers engaging stories with interesting characters that are charming without being sappy. Walsh’s trademark is heart without heat, spunk without swearing, and emotion without angst. While I also enjoy darker tales, reaching for one of her reliably sunny novels is comforting. Her books are a joy to read, uplifting, and filled with characters I care about. I eagerly await each new release.

The audiobook has two narrators for Kelsey and Georgiana’s POVs, and both performances capture the heart and soul of each character.

This is a really cute story about two unlikely friends (essentially Joy from Inside Out and Miranda Priestley from Devil Wears Prada) and how that friendship changes each of their lives.

Is it predictable? Yes. Did I mind? No. It’s a great low stress, mood lifting read, and it’s also the kind of book that you could recommend to your mother in law without having to worry about greater than PG content.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. The Summer of Yes follows two friends who met in the hospital. They are both usually say no to everything people until one day they decide to venture out on a summer of saying yes. This was adorable. I loved the characters and their banter, It's a must read for the summer.

Wonnderful story that had me engaged from beginning to end. Narrators were fanastic.

Thank you to NetGalley aan the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The audiobook is well done; both narrators give a good perfomance that meshes well with the characters they are portraying. My problem is with the book in itself. I didn't like the character of Kelsey at all. She read like a quirky, insufferable manic pixie dream girl. And I wasn't interested in the story enough to continue reading it because I could see from the beginning what was going to happen. The extra star is for the well done narration.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

My first ever 5-star find from NetGalley!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my goodness this novel was such a delight! Such a perfect and predictable slice of summer bliss for when you want to feel good! I felt that the story was well paced and was laced with humor while also tackling some very important/emotional struggles within the characters’ lives. I loved the friendship between these 2 women, regardless of how drastically different they are from each other. The side plot of a newly-stemming romance was soooo adorable as well. This was my first ever Courtney Walsh novel and it definitely will not be my last!! <3
Huge thank you as always to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The perfect summer read. Although it would work anytime of year, I just happened to read it in summer. I loved the characters in this book! I was pulled into the story right away, and I couldn’t wait to find out how life played out for everyone. Was it predictable? Absolutely, but it was the getting there that made the story, not just the end. My only small quibble would be that I thought Kelsey’s romance was a little too insta-love, but that’s a me thing.

The narrators were great in the audio version that I listened to. I particularly loved the voice of Georgina, who actually sounded like the elderly lady she was. Definitely a pleasant reading experience.