The Summer of Yes

By: Courtney Walsh

Narrated by: Tanya Eby, Cathi Colas

Sometimes you’re so busy writing other people’s stories that you lose the plot of your own.

This wasn’t how Kelsey Worthington’s day was supposed to go. She wasn’t supposed to be picking up Starbucks for her smarmy boss. She wasn’t supposed to get hit by a car that jumped the curb. And she certainly wasn’t supposed to wake up in a hospital room next to Georgina Tate—the legendary matriarch of New York City businesswomen.

Kelsey and Georgina couldn’t be more opposite. Kelsey’s a dreamer, a writer who questions her own skill. And Georgina is a confident businesswoman whose years of shouldering her way into boardrooms and making her voice heard have made her far too outspoken for the faint of heart.

But now, when Georgina’s failing kidneys force her to face some big regrets about the way she’s lived her life, the two women recognize they share a common thread. Maybe it’s time to confront a few things. They must ask themselves: What if I said yes to everything I’ve always said no to?

With Georgina as her companion, Kelsey soon finds herself doing things she’s never done before. Eating street food. Swimming in the ocean. Matchmaking for Georgina with the help of Georgina’s handsome son. And writing her own romance—both in book form and in real life.

So begins the Summer of Yes.

• Stand-alone novel
• Perfect for fans of Denise Hunter and Rachel Linden
• Book length: 100,000 words
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

©2024 Courtney Walsh (P)2024 Thomas Nelson

Fun characters

This was a great and fun book to read—well, listen to. The characters were cute, quirky and acerbic! It was great to listen to the development of these two females. And then when we got to know the men, well, let me just repeat a fun and quirky, enjoyable read

Cute wholesome story

When Kelsey wakes up in a hospital bed with no recollection of what happened to her, it makes her reflect on her life. But when I cantankerous OLD woman named Georgie ends up as her roommate, that’s when things really take.

Kelsey has to sign an NDA so that she cannot disclose any of Georgie’s information. But that gets her thinking about what Georgie’s life has been, which leads Kelsey to the summer of yes.

This story was so sweet and gave me all the feels. Full of love and hope, and resilience.

It was the perfect summer travel book!

Such an encouraging and fun book! Finished it on a plane and it was the perfect summer travel book! The relationships between the characters and the thoughts and fears of each were so real and well-described. The voice on this audiobook was good too!

Loved it!

Well crafted. More than surface story. Lived the Godly theme of forgiveness and mercy. I need more of this author!

Fun story

I loved the clean romance and how Courtney made me laugh! Can't wait to listen to another by her.

A cute book with a serious lesson

The Summer of Yes finds Kelcy in the hospital after being struck by a car (while she was on the sidewalk), in the same room with the cantankerous seventy-something Georgina Tate, businesswoman of the times. As fascinated as Kelcy is with Georgina and how she became the woman who broke all the glass ceilings, Georgina would rather never have met Kelcy. But, in true-to-form sweet, simple, unjaded form, Kelsy wins Georgina over and convinces the dying woman to join her on an adventure she has dubbed the Summer of Yes. Their trip takes the two to the sleepy town of Driftwood where Georgina and Kelsy must face their demons--Georgina's being her estranged family and Kelsy her desire to be a writer.

The Summer of Yes is riddled with humor, one-liners, and simple quips. Georgina is a hoot who never cracks a smile and Kelsy is so glass-is-half-full it is almost nauseating (in a good way). Author Cortney Walsh has beautifully blended these personalities to reach the finish line of simply: say what's on your mind and if you don't like the way things are, make a change.

I listened to this book on a long drive and there were times when its happiness was almost annoying, but it seeped into my psyche and four days later, when I reflect on the messages within the book, I realize this is a sleeper -- there are some very good life lessons in this one written in a fun way so as not to hit you over the head.

I would very much recommend reading The Summer of Yes.

easy read and relatable

I enjoyed the story line and can relate to it! Make your life count! I enjoyed how easy it was to read and it kept me intrigued.

Heartfelt summer read

Wow!! What a heartfelt summer read with lots of life lessons along the way. Absolutely loved this book.

Absolutely loved it!

I think this is my favorite book by Courtney Walsh so far — absolutely loved the storyline and the characters!

Heart wrenching

I loved this book! Loved how the Summer of Yes made me see how I need joy and more yes in my life!