
Sometimes what you think you want and what you actually want turn out to be different things . . .
Rosie Waterman has one to become a working actor. But lately, that hasn’t been working out. When she loses her apartment and her job on the same day, she does what she always does–puts herself out there, ready to find the next big thing. But a trip home makes her realize that while she’s been struggling to make this dream come true, all her friends have become real adults with careers and weddings and babies on the way. Rosie’s been at this for years, and she has nothing to show for it. But how does she simply let go of her dream?
When she’s offered a job as the director of a regional theatre’s production of Cinderella, she jumps at the chance–even though she’s only directed in college and the job is in Door County, Wisconsin, and not in New York. She has no other offers, and at least she’ll be getting paid to do something theatrical. But when she arrives, she quickly realizes that the “regional theatre” is actually in a retirement community, and the “actors” are actually senior citizens with no acting experience whatsoever.
Working on the show presents new challenges, forcing Rosie to learn how to step up and be the leader this fledgling theatre troupe needs. The more time she spends with her new cast, the more she begins to rethink what it means to dream big, especially when that big dream hasn’t turned out to be at all what she thought it would be. It’s not at all what she expected, but could it be exactly what she needs?
My Review:
Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! Funny and touching and thoughtful and inspiring! What an incredible story, made all the better by the phenomenal performance of narrator Jorjeana Marie. Yes, this is another audio book win for me. Comedy beat perfection. Inner dialogue perfection. Rosie’s personality – perfection. And all the various characters in the retirement village – yet even more perfection. This narrator is off the charts fantabulous! I could tell she was relishing the story as much as I was and that made my listening experience extra special.
Rosie is hilarious and heartbreaking all wrapped up in a cute package of insecurity. It seems like she has it all together – but that’s just what she portrays to the outside world, including her very best friends. She’s an actress more often performing a role offstage than on. And it’s tiring and stressful and even debilitating…until one summer in Wisconsin.
Cue the dashing hero, an eclectic mix of quirky secondary characters and a theatre to save before the summer’s out! And while the theatre needs some redeeming, Rosie does too as she navigates an emotionally fraught path to a deeper understanding of herself.
I’d be laughing hysterically at one point and then wiping tears from my eyes the next. The depth of emotion in Rosie’s story is stunning! Her struggles are so relatable, her insecurities all too common. A sympathetic heroine with a depreciating sense of humour that deflects from what’s really hidden in her heart.
Did I say brilliant already? Well, it’s worth saying it again. Brilliant! The kind of story that stays with a reader even after you reach the end. The kind you want to revel over and ponder on and just plain bask in the bookish afterglow. Definitely a book I will revisit over and over again!
My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this copy.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.
US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice
Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice
International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.
If you would like a chance to win a copy of Everything’s Coming Up Rosie, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 3 2025.
ok you had me at brilliant. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
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🙂 Good luck, Lucy!
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Oh wow! This sounds like a must read!
mauback55 at gmail dot com
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It really is! Good luck, Melanie!
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oh this sounds wonderful. thanks so much for your review. I would love to read a new to me author and a fun/relatable book right now. I will be off the grid Wednesday thru Sunday. but cant wait to check back
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
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Ooooh, you haven’t read anything by Courtney Walsh? You are so in for a treat! Good luck, Lori!
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I don’t read a whole lot in this genre, Kav, but your cries of “Brilliant!” have me intrigued. Count me in, please! 🙂
ckbarker at gmail dot com
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Counted! Good luck, Cheryl!
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Sounds brilliant!!
manderley23 at gmail dot com
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It sure is. Good luck, Kimmy!
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I’ve read all of Courtney Walsh’s books and I’m definitely looking forward to this one. Yay for your great review! Sandyavery at comcast dot net
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I haven’t read quite all of her books but I’m getting there. Good luck, Sandy!
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I can’t wait for this one to release!! Fabulous review! cilydav at hotmail dot com
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Thanks, Cindy. Good luck!
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Been a very long day – more doctor appointment miles from home, but getting home and turning on the computer, reading your review on EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSIE left me smiling and forgetting the problems of the day. If just reading a review of the book did that, just think how better I would feel with the opportunity of reading this fabulous sounding book. I just know I’m going to love Rosie! A book that can make you laugh out loud and grab for the tissue a bit later is definitely my kind of book.
Thank you for your review, which has this book way up on my TBR list, and for the chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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Glad you can have some reprieve now from your long day! My advice? Settle in with a good book. 🙂 Good luck, Kay!
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Sounds like a good one! I’m in the mood for some humor.
Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com
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You’ll enjoy this book then. Good luck, Jolene!
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Thanks for the fantastic review, Kav! You really know how to pique our interest. I love Courtney’s books. They’re always delightful and delicious. This one sounds like a winner!
whthomas13 at yahoo dot com
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You’re welcome, Winnie. It’s such a great book. Good luck!
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A new book by Courtney Walsh? Count me in. I always enjoy her books.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
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Counted! Good luck, Pam!
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Ooh, yes, this was one of the ones I discovered on contemporary day during reader’s choice week! I thought it looked good too!
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That’s when I heard about it too. Good luck, Elly!
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I love Courtney Walsh and her books so very much! Her writing is exactly what I need at this point in my life. 💚
dmandres5 at gmail dot com
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She knows how to reach our hearts and make us laugh. Good luck, Melissa!
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I have always wanted to try Courtney! This sounds so good! I worked in a retirement home and I truly loved my time there! Thnx Kav!
sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom
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This would make a great introduction to her writing! Good luck, Sarah!
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I love Courtney Walsh’s books…she rates right up there with Becky Wade for me! 🙂
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
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That’s a dynamic duo right there. 🙂 Good luck, Trixi!
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I never miss a Courtney book!
melmo2610ATgmailDOTcom
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I have a wee bit of catch up to do still. Good luck, Melmo!
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