Book Blurb:
Sometimes what you think you want and what you actually want turn out to be different things . . .
Rosie Waterman has one dream: 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?
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beautifully written, emotionally charged, and filled with a wonderful cast of characters.
Rosie Waterman is a struggling actress. After years of fighting to make a name for herself in New York, she returns home for one of her best friend’s baby showers. Her three closest friends have no idea she’s barely holding on, let alone questioning whether it’s time to give up acting altogether. Just as she finally works up the nerve to be honest with them, an unexpected email lands in her inbox—an offer to direct a play for the summer. Without reading the fine print, she jumps at the opportunity and accepts the job in Wisconsin.
The first person she meets is Booker Hayes, the community's physical therapist, her ride to her new job. When she arrives at Sunset Hills, it’s nothing like she expected. She quickly realizes the detail she overlooked—the community is made up entirely of elderly residents. This isn’t just any theatre job. It’s at a retirement community theatre, and all the actors she’ll be directing are senior citizens! Booker sees straight through her bravado and dares her to be real with him. Over the summer, Rosie learns more about herself than she ever thought possible—from the most unlikely sources.
Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh is a powerful story of self-discovery. I deeply identified with Rosie—putting on a brave face for the world even when everything inside feels anything but okay. Her father abandoned her and her mother when she was young, and ever since, she has pressed down her emotions, "acting" like everything is fine. She doesn’t even realize she’s doing it until Booker challenges her to confront her feelings and be honest with both him and herself.
Rosie’s journey is raw and moving, and it brought me to tears. When she finally allows herself to feel—to truly let others in—her life becomes so much fuller, surrounded by people who encourage, support, and uplift her. Everything Is Coming Up Rosie was an absolute delight to read. Beautifully done, Courtney!
Request Everything's Coming Up Rosie at your local library, preorder it at most retailers, or find it for sale on Amazon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author Courtney Walsh and Thomas Nelson Fiction. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Comments