lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Everything's Coming Up Rosie is my 8th book by Courtney Walsh. I always enjoy knowing I can go into her books expecting a sweet story, a clean romance, witty banter, lovable characters, and good life lessons all packed into one. Readers who also enjoy these things (plus theatre arts) are sure to enjoy Courtney's newest.

While it took me a while to warm up to Rosie's character and really get into the story, by the second half of the book I found myself enjoying it more. The banter between Rosie and Booker was fun to read. Arthur was my favorite character by far. Seeing him finally open up and also share wisdom with Rosie sold me. I also enjoyed seeing other characters develop as the story progressed. My biggest struggle was with Rosie's character, especially in the beginning. It was incredibly hard for me to believe you can have life-long best friends that you can't be open and honest with. Later on, we learn a bit more about Rosie and why she holds back, but I still felt like I was missing something in the resolution.

At the end of the day though, I did enjoy this story. I think a lot of people will. My heart strings were tugged, as they always are with Courtney's books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Courtney Walsh for providing an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

As a former theater kid, I absolutely adored the theater scenes throughout this book. The struggling actor, the retirement community rallying to put on a show, and the unleashing of an amazing talent through hard work and deep feelings. The author has done a fabulous job of weaving wisdom and guidance into a book to make it fun, believable, and heartwarming. Be sure to check this book out ASAP!
hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

At first I had trouble getting into the story, but that was because of a weird slump I was in.  That quickly turned around.  I was not expecting the emotions I would feel in reading this one.  So much growth and working through the fear of failure.  That innate fear of letting down those you love and opening up to others.  There is some romance but it is not whole story.  This is very much about the FMCs growth and career path.  I loved this so much!  I highly recommend for theatre nerds!
challenging emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

🎧⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧
I received an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of this audiobook from NetGalley & Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio.

The narrator, Jorjeana, brought this book to life effectively. Rosie aspired to be a working actor, but her career did not progress as she had hoped. All her friends seemed to have their lives in order. When she became jobless and homeless, she remained resilient and accepted a position as the director of a regional theatre production of Cinderella without hesitation.

Upon arrival, Rosie discovered that the regional theatre was located in a retirement community and that the actors were senior citizens with no acting experience. The story explores whether Rosie can fulfill her duties successfully. This situation presents a challenge and a learning opportunity for Rosie to discover her true ambitions. The narrative focuses on themes of second chances and understanding the essence of one's dreams.
adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I received an Advanced Listening Copy of this book. This was such a fun book. I loved the theatre aspect, it reminded me of when I was in theatre in high school. I loved the main character, Rosie, her journey was so heartwarming. I loved the retirement community side characters, they were really fun and added a great dynamic to the story. The love story was cute and sweet as well. The audiobook was great, I enjoyed the narrator, she did a wonderful job. 

A heartwarming and cozy read! Exactly what I love about Courtney Walsh's writing. Rosie’s journey was full of charm, humor, and unexpected lessons and I have to say that the quirky cast of seniors added so much fun!  I enjoyed watching Dylan's story unfold and the sweet romance with Booker. The story reminds us that dreams can change—and that’s okay!  This was a sweet, feel-good read with plenty of heart!  Add it to your summer list!

Thank you to @Thomas Nelson Fiction via @netgalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review
adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Courtney Walsh for this e-ARC. I  received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.75 ⭐️

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie was a surprisingly complicated read, one that was hard to pin down in terms of how it made me feel. At times, I felt so deeply seen by this story. But there were also several moments where I found myself pulling away from the narrative, frustrated with how sugary sweet this novel was. 

As someone who grew up in the world of theatre, Rosie’s story felt similar to my own. Like her, I spent years thinking the stage was my forever dream, until I realized just before college, that the path of performing professionally no longer thrilled me the way it used to when I was younger. When your identity has been so tightly wound around a spotlight, pivoting to a different dream feels scary and questionable. Having lived through that, I truly did appreciate the ways in which Walsh captured that kind of emotional whiplash with care and insight.

Where Rosie and I diverged, though, made parts of the novel frustrating for me. I’ve rarely struggled with being vulnerable and sharing the ugly parts of myself. So Rosie’s deep-rooted fear of opening up to others and her constant self-deprecation was at times hard to read. I wanted to shake her out of it, especially as it lingered far past the point of character development and started to feel like a loop.

That said, there were moments in this novel that struck me right in the heart. Some passages felt like they were written just for me! And then… there were the clichés. The kind that feel ripped straight from a slightly-too-glossy Hallmark script. A few plot points felt overly predictable, and the dialogue in certain scenes teetered on the edge of corny.

Still, I absolutely adored the setting—a theater program housed within a retirement community. That backdrop felt fresh, funny, and surprisingly timely, especially as intergenerational arts programs are gaining traction in real life. It added unique warmth and whimsy to the story that balanced some of its heavier emotional beats.

Overall, Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is a mixed bag, but it’s a bag worth opening, especially if you’ve ever stood under stage lights and asked yourself “what’s next?” after the curtain falls.
emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Rosie loses her job and apartment in the same day. She goes home for a baby shower and realizes that her friends have become adults while she is still a struggling actor. She lies to her friends and mother about what is going on in her life. She decides to move back home when she gets a job offer as a regional director’s production of Cinderella. She has no other options so she takes the job. She doesn’t realize it is at a retirement home. When she arrives she meets Booker, he is the resident handyman. She notices everyone around her is old. She learns that she is at a retirement community. She is in the verge of leaving because she doesn’t know how to put on a production of Cinderella with old people. She eventually decides to stay.

This was my first book by Courtney Walsh. I really enjoyed the writing style and I loved the side characters.. I thought the narrator, Jorjeana Marie was the perfect choice for Rosie.i thought the story was sweet and funny. I loved the banter between Rosie and Booker. my favorite character was Authur, the resident curmudgeon, who we eventually learn is a sweetheart. 
She finds out he was a theatre teacher and was a director on some professional shows. She helps him get back to the theatre and helps him find a second chance at love. In turn, he helps her with the play and he helps her find a professional acting job. 
I really loved how Rosie was able to make Dylan come to life. She was closed off and unhappy. Rosie invited her to join the production and slowly she comes to life and becomes a vital part of the production. She also learns what she wants to do in life. 

I also really loved Booker. They start out as friends and as they spend time together their relationship grows. I loved how he continued to pursue her even though she wasn’t planning on staying after the play was finished. I loved the relationship he had with his grandmother. 

I feel like the ending but but I would have been just as happy if she decided that she was done trying to be a professional actor and wanted to remain at the retirement home.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing me the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.