The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh: Book Review

The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh is a story of redemption, second chances, and the chance to chase your dreams. Released in July 2024, it takes readers on a journey with two unlikely people. Kelsey is a workaholic, okay with the status quo in her life. When she wakes up in the hospital, her roommate is a woman she idolizes and wants to be like. Georgina is in the hospital for treatment for an illness she doesn’t want anyone to know she has. She is also lonely, as she’s lost the two people in her life she loved more than almost anything.

Synopsis from Goodreads

Kelsey Worthington always dreamed of being a writer, but she’s settled into a routine of helping other people tell their stories in her job as a junior editor. She doesn’t go outside of her comfort zone. Her relationships are safe. Her job is secure. Her existence is stable. And she’s great with that.

And then, the accident.

While she’s in the hospital overnight, she meets an older woman named Georgina Tate–a glass-ceiling-shattering, wildly successful businesswoman. Georgina sacrificed everything to become the woman she is today, but now, with a pair of failing kidneys and only a handful of months left to live, Georgina is forced to come face-to-face with her regrets. Kelsey is forced to reckon with her own list of “things I’ll do someday,” and she starts to ask a simple but life-changing What if I said yes to all the things I normally say no to? And the Yes Plan is born.

It takes some convincing, but Georgina finally agrees to go along with Kelsey on her Summer of Yes adventures. The two of them set off to see what might be out there waiting for them if they simply open themselves up to it. Together, they say yes to whatever comes their way–a whole day being tourists in their own New York City, dinner with strangers, a convertible that is far from practical but so much fun. But when Kelsey springs a surprise visit to Georgina’s son Hayden and Georgina’s ex-husband (who is not so much of an ex), the older woman is less than thrilled. But this is where the true journey begins.

My Opinions

I added The Summer of Yes to my TBR because I’ve enjoyed other Courtney Walsh books. While I enjoyed reading this, it wasn’t as good as the others in my opinion. But let me explain!

The cast of characters is interesting. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Georgina and Kelsey throughout the book. As for the men in Georgina’s past, they were ok. The ex-husband felt a bit flat, and Hayden felt too perfect. Does that make sense? It will if you read the book. The character I wanted more of is JP, Georgina’s overworked assistant. Though Belinda, the nurse, was a great character too. And I would have loved for her to reappear in the story.

There were times in the book when Kelsey’s attitude felt fake or maybe forced. I understand that she was trying to reexamine her life and say yes more often. But there were times when she just didn’t seem to be feeling it. And only said yes to make whoever she was with happy. Maybe it was the narrator for her parts that gave me that feeling?

What did I enjoy about the book? I loved the growth Kelsey and Georgina have, especially Georgina! By saying yes, or at least okay, Georgina was able to see where she went wrong in the past and had a chance to make things better. In the end, Kelsey had her ephinany as well.

Overall, though, I’m glad I said yes to The Summer of Yes. And I look forward to reading more by Courtney Walsh.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.