A near-death experience catapults workaholic junior editor Kelsey Worthington into changing her life–one yes at a time.
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.
Two stories of love, forgiveness, regret, romance, and finding a way to live a fearless life intertwine as these two women make an indelible impression on each other. And it all starts with a simple “yes.”
My Review
Say yes to The Summer of Yes! Courtney Walsh has written another of my favorite books! She must be reading my mind because she knows how to write the exact book that I need to read to make me happy! The Summer of Yes made me very, very happy!
How many of us avoid doing stuff that we know would be fun, but we’re either too busy or too afraid? I’d be in that group. Kelsey Worthington was in that group too…until she’s hit by a car…on the sidewalk!! Then she wakes up in the hospital, and a cranky older woman is wheeled into her room. The woman wants her own room! She’s got money, darn it! But since no rooms are available Kelsey gains a roommate. Enter Georgina Tate, businesswoman extraordinaire and grouchy roommate. Before Kelsey leaves the hospital, she asks Georgina if all of the sacrifices she made were worth it and finds that Georgina has regrets…especially now that her kidneys are failing.
Kelsey miraculously convinces Georgina to join her in a summer of yes…saying yes to things they’d normally say no to. Within reason.What follows is an amazing journey in an amazing novel! The road trip isn’t in itself the journey. The real journey begins when they reach their destination…one Kelsey hasn’t clued Georgina in on…one that leads to her estranged son.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I adored The Summer of Yes! The characters are brilliantly written. It’s funny and charming and heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. I cried my eyes out, and I laughed too! It’s about forgiveness and accepting forgiveness! It’s got new friendships and romances. It’s about forging ahead even when you’re scared. It’s saying yes instead of no. It’s wonderful! I highly recommend it!!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About Courtney Walsh
Courtney Walsh is a novelist, theatre director, and playwright. She writes small town romance and women’s fiction while juggling the performing arts studio and youth theatre she owns and runs with her husband. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists. Her novel, Just Let Go, won the Carol Award in 2019 and Just One Kiss was a 2020 Christy Award Finalist.
A creative at heart, Courtney has also written two craft books and several full-length musicals. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children and a sometimes naughty Bernedoodle named Luna.
Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.
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