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Waiting to Begin
From the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner comes a story that asks: what would you risk for a shot at happiness?
1984. Bessie is a confident sixteen-year-old girl with the world at her feet, dreaming of what life will bring and what she’ll bring to this life. Then everything comes crashing down. Her bright and trusting smile is lost, banished by shame—and a secret she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life.
2021. The last thirty-seven years have not been easy for Bess. At fifty-three she is visibly weary, and her marriage to Mario is in tatters. Watching her son in newlywed bliss—the hope, the trust, the joy—Bess knows it is time to face her own demons, and try to save her relationship. But she’ll have to throw off the burden of shame if she is to honour that sixteen-year-old girl whose dreams lie frozen in time.
Can Bess face her past, finally come clean to Mario, and claim the love she has longed to fully experience all these years?
1984. Bessie is a confident sixteen-year-old girl with the world at her feet, dreaming of what life will bring and what she’ll bring to this life. Then everything comes crashing down. Her bright and trusting smile is lost, banished by shame—and a secret she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life.
2021. The last thirty-seven years have not been easy for Bess. At fifty-three she is visibly weary, and her marriage to Mario is in tatters. Watching her son in newlywed bliss—the hope, the trust, the joy—Bess knows it is time to face her own demons, and try to save her relationship. But she’ll have to throw off the burden of shame if she is to honour that sixteen-year-old girl whose dreams lie frozen in time.
Can Bess face her past, finally come clean to Mario, and claim the love she has longed to fully experience all these years?
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2021
4201 people are currently reading
4590 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Prowse
83 books1,965 followersPrevious Book: 'Swimming to Lundy', published th August 2024'.
Latest Book: 'This One Life', published 7th January 2025.
Next Book: 'Ever After' published 7th August 2025.
Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda has appeared on numerous shows where her views on family and social issues strike a chord with viewers. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national and independent Radio stations including LBC, Times Radio and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles, 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.
Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...
Praise for Amanda Prowse:
'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan
'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail
'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!
'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun
'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan
'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat
'Magical' - Now magazine
Latest Book: 'This One Life', published 7th January 2025.
Next Book: 'Ever After' published 7th August 2025.
Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda has appeared on numerous shows where her views on family and social issues strike a chord with viewers. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national and independent Radio stations including LBC, Times Radio and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles, 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.
Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...
Praise for Amanda Prowse:
'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan
'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail
'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!
'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun
'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan
'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat
'Magical' - Now magazine
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 556 reviews
June 10, 2021
EXCERPT: I'm running out of time . . . I will never have the job of my dreams and take to the air like lucky Daniel . . . Gone is the prospect of great sex with someone who is yet to discover me and who will in turn help me discover myself . . . I'm running out of time to make amends . . . And with each year my kids slip further from my reach . . . falling into the arms of their life partners who they put before me and I know that's how it should be, but I find it hard to be happy about it . . . because it leaves Mario and me on our own.
ABOUT 'WAITING TO BEGIN': 1984. Bessie is a confident sixteen-year-old girl with the world at her feet, dreaming of what life will bring and what she’ll bring to this life. Then everything comes crashing down. Her bright and trusting smile is lost, banished by shame—and a secret she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life.
2021. The last thirty-seven years have not been easy for Bess. At fifty-three she is visibly weary, and her marriage to Mario is in tatters. Watching her son in newlywed bliss—the hope, the trust, the joy—Bess knows it is time to face her own demons, and try to save her relationship. But she’ll have to throw off the burden of shame if she is to honour that sixteen-year-old girl whose dreams lie frozen in time.
Can Bess face her past, finally come clean to Mario, and claim the love she has longed to fully experience all these years?
MY THOUGHTS: Whenever I finish a book by Amanda Prowse, I am emotionally bruised, battered and totally wrung out. Waiting to Begin was no exception.
This is a story of actions and consequences, something few teenagers think about. Bessie is one of those teenagers who let her hormones rule her brain. As a result her life becomes a trainwreck.
Fast forward to 2021 and Bess is suffering empty nest syndrome. On top of that she feels that her marriage to Mario has become stale. Things she used to think were cute, now drive her insane. They aren't close anymore, the loving communication and meaningful discussions, along with affectionate gestures have disappeared. She is at that stage of her life when she wonders, 'is this all there is?' She wants to be loved, adored; she wants to feel special, to feel that glimmer of attraction, a frisson of excitement. She wants to feel alive instead of tired and worn out by the repetitiveness of her life.
I didn't always like Bess, but I have to admit that I could see parts of myself in her at various stages of her life, which gave me food for thought, a reality check.
Prowse takes things that most of us feel at one time or another, combines them with relatable and realistic characters, and weaves a story that both compels and captivates. Tissues mandatory.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#WaitingtoBegin #NetGalley
I: @mrsamandaprowse #lakeunionpublishing
T: @MrsAmandaProwse #LakeUnionPublishing
#fivestarread #contemporaryfiction #familydrama #sliceoflife
THE AUTHOR: Amanda Prowse was a management consultant for ten years before realising that she was born to write. Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their two teenage sons.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Waiting to Begin by Amanda Prowse for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'WAITING TO BEGIN': 1984. Bessie is a confident sixteen-year-old girl with the world at her feet, dreaming of what life will bring and what she’ll bring to this life. Then everything comes crashing down. Her bright and trusting smile is lost, banished by shame—and a secret she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life.
2021. The last thirty-seven years have not been easy for Bess. At fifty-three she is visibly weary, and her marriage to Mario is in tatters. Watching her son in newlywed bliss—the hope, the trust, the joy—Bess knows it is time to face her own demons, and try to save her relationship. But she’ll have to throw off the burden of shame if she is to honour that sixteen-year-old girl whose dreams lie frozen in time.
Can Bess face her past, finally come clean to Mario, and claim the love she has longed to fully experience all these years?
MY THOUGHTS: Whenever I finish a book by Amanda Prowse, I am emotionally bruised, battered and totally wrung out. Waiting to Begin was no exception.
This is a story of actions and consequences, something few teenagers think about. Bessie is one of those teenagers who let her hormones rule her brain. As a result her life becomes a trainwreck.
Fast forward to 2021 and Bess is suffering empty nest syndrome. On top of that she feels that her marriage to Mario has become stale. Things she used to think were cute, now drive her insane. They aren't close anymore, the loving communication and meaningful discussions, along with affectionate gestures have disappeared. She is at that stage of her life when she wonders, 'is this all there is?' She wants to be loved, adored; she wants to feel special, to feel that glimmer of attraction, a frisson of excitement. She wants to feel alive instead of tired and worn out by the repetitiveness of her life.
I didn't always like Bess, but I have to admit that I could see parts of myself in her at various stages of her life, which gave me food for thought, a reality check.
Prowse takes things that most of us feel at one time or another, combines them with relatable and realistic characters, and weaves a story that both compels and captivates. Tissues mandatory.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#WaitingtoBegin #NetGalley
I: @mrsamandaprowse #lakeunionpublishing
T: @MrsAmandaProwse #LakeUnionPublishing
#fivestarread #contemporaryfiction #familydrama #sliceoflife
THE AUTHOR: Amanda Prowse was a management consultant for ten years before realising that she was born to write. Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their two teenage sons.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Waiting to Begin by Amanda Prowse for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 10, 2021
Story was told in alternate timelines of Aug 20, 1984 and Aug 20, 2021, which is our protagonist Bess's birthday. Both days brought a significant change in her life. Both days torn her apart because she kept secrets from her loved ones, and paid a huge price by first losing her best friend and then her husband.
This book was full of teenage and family drama, had eye rolling moments and yet enjoyable at the same time. While one part of the turbulent relationship was handled beautifully and was given a happy ending, it was the other for which I was waiting to be mended and hear the other side of the story. But it never came and am not happy since a lot was invested from the start in that relationship and was left open.
Anyways, it was an easy read which could have been better.
This book was full of teenage and family drama, had eye rolling moments and yet enjoyable at the same time. While one part of the turbulent relationship was handled beautifully and was given a happy ending, it was the other for which I was waiting to be mended and hear the other side of the story. But it never came and am not happy since a lot was invested from the start in that relationship and was left open.
Anyways, it was an easy read which could have been better.
April 6, 2024
Waiting to Begin is the next novel written by Amanda Prowse. I have been a fan of the author throughout the last few years and find myself balancing her books... that is to say... to catch up on those from the past and to stay current as she publishes each new one. In this novel, we read about two periods: 1984 and today, 2021. Bessie has a secret from a long time ago when she was in high school. Her bestie Michelle keeps her sane during those years, but now, Michelle is no longer in the picture. What happened?
Family drama. Classic story. Lighthearted but painful at times. It's one of the more toned down plots I've read from Prowse to date, but still highly enjoyable. Bess is a mostly likeable character who now has two children. Her son is married and they are easily accepted as a gay couple without any issues ever coming up in the story. Bess and her daughter aren't particularly close but they do have a relationship, and Bess's husband seems committed... even though there's a bit of tension between them. Even Bess's parents are still around, so there's strong character transition between the ~40 years.
When I read a novel by Prowse, I devour the pages. It's not fluffy but beautifully depicted. It's longer than some of her past books, but it reads so quickly... before you know it, the book has ended and you're left wondering... where did the time go? All in a good way. The story makes you feel things. The writing is clever and poignant. At times, I wasn't connected to Bess who had a bit of an attitude on some ways. But she learned how to overcome it. When her secret comes out, I felt awful for her. I had a small issue reconciling her as the same adult character as when she was a child, but people do change. Prowse takes you on a magnificent journey, and I'm very glad I read this book. It made the start of the week quite promising.
Family drama. Classic story. Lighthearted but painful at times. It's one of the more toned down plots I've read from Prowse to date, but still highly enjoyable. Bess is a mostly likeable character who now has two children. Her son is married and they are easily accepted as a gay couple without any issues ever coming up in the story. Bess and her daughter aren't particularly close but they do have a relationship, and Bess's husband seems committed... even though there's a bit of tension between them. Even Bess's parents are still around, so there's strong character transition between the ~40 years.
When I read a novel by Prowse, I devour the pages. It's not fluffy but beautifully depicted. It's longer than some of her past books, but it reads so quickly... before you know it, the book has ended and you're left wondering... where did the time go? All in a good way. The story makes you feel things. The writing is clever and poignant. At times, I wasn't connected to Bess who had a bit of an attitude on some ways. But she learned how to overcome it. When her secret comes out, I felt awful for her. I had a small issue reconciling her as the same adult character as when she was a child, but people do change. Prowse takes you on a magnificent journey, and I'm very glad I read this book. It made the start of the week quite promising.
June 19, 2021
I really loved this. It truly shines in this genre. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I read my first book from Amanda Prowse! Now I see why they receive so much love!
The story takes place in two timelines, both involving the main character Bess and her dreams for the future.
What impressed me most is how quickly the book reads. The flow is there, and the story engaged me from the start. How did the past shape who Bess is now and what can she learn from her past to find true happiness? This is such a thoughtful and powerful book.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
I read my first book from Amanda Prowse! Now I see why they receive so much love!
The story takes place in two timelines, both involving the main character Bess and her dreams for the future.
What impressed me most is how quickly the book reads. The flow is there, and the story engaged me from the start. How did the past shape who Bess is now and what can she learn from her past to find true happiness? This is such a thoughtful and powerful book.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
December 30, 2020
WOW!! I was only going to read one chapter before bed and ended up reading the whole book.
The story alternates between 1984 and 2021.
In 1984 we meet sixteen year old Bessie ‘A big girl with big dreams” she has her future all planned out and wants to become an air hostess. She is best friends with Michelle and they are inseparable. Bessie has an exciting secret that she hasn’t told Michelle about Laurence, but sadly Michelle also likes him!!
Bessie goes to get her exam results and she is in for a disappointment that will ruin the rest of her birthday. The day gets worse as later at the rugby club she is told some home truths and realises her secret was not so secret!!
We meet Bessie again in the present time, she is married to Mario and they have two grown up children. It’s Bessie’s birthday but she is not happy with her life and has been thinking about when she was young and had ambition and hope.
I loved this book!! You get to see how the past has shaped how Bessie is now. She has been Keeping a secret from her family that has always haunted her, but she needs to face those demons before she can enjoy living life again.
A beautifully written book that had me enthralled.
A MUST read!! I would have have given it much more than 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
The story alternates between 1984 and 2021.
In 1984 we meet sixteen year old Bessie ‘A big girl with big dreams” she has her future all planned out and wants to become an air hostess. She is best friends with Michelle and they are inseparable. Bessie has an exciting secret that she hasn’t told Michelle about Laurence, but sadly Michelle also likes him!!
Bessie goes to get her exam results and she is in for a disappointment that will ruin the rest of her birthday. The day gets worse as later at the rugby club she is told some home truths and realises her secret was not so secret!!
We meet Bessie again in the present time, she is married to Mario and they have two grown up children. It’s Bessie’s birthday but she is not happy with her life and has been thinking about when she was young and had ambition and hope.
I loved this book!! You get to see how the past has shaped how Bessie is now. She has been Keeping a secret from her family that has always haunted her, but she needs to face those demons before she can enjoy living life again.
A beautifully written book that had me enthralled.
A MUST read!! I would have have given it much more than 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
June 10, 2021
I found this to be a book that really pulled at my heart. I think the main character, Bess, was very relatable and I felt terribly for how her past continued to affect her life.
This is a slow moving story. There are two timelines, August 22nd, 1984 and August 22nd, 2021. That date is significant, as it is our MC's birthday (16th & 53rd) and life-changing events occur on this day 37 years apart. Due to the timeline of the story and most of it occurring on those two days, there is a lot of daily activity and internal thoughts, feelings, and family interactions that make up the story. This means you are in for an emotional story, not an action-packed one.
I enjoyed getting to know Bess and her family. I had to laugh at some of the interactions with her parents, which was a nice reprieve from the tears threatening at other moments. There were a couple of sections towards the end that seemed to drag on or were a little repetitive, but it was needed to really give that part of the story the gravity it needed.
Overall, I think this is another solid story from Amanda Prowse and I look forward to reading more in the future.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a slow moving story. There are two timelines, August 22nd, 1984 and August 22nd, 2021. That date is significant, as it is our MC's birthday (16th & 53rd) and life-changing events occur on this day 37 years apart. Due to the timeline of the story and most of it occurring on those two days, there is a lot of daily activity and internal thoughts, feelings, and family interactions that make up the story. This means you are in for an emotional story, not an action-packed one.
I enjoyed getting to know Bess and her family. I had to laugh at some of the interactions with her parents, which was a nice reprieve from the tears threatening at other moments. There were a couple of sections towards the end that seemed to drag on or were a little repetitive, but it was needed to really give that part of the story the gravity it needed.
Overall, I think this is another solid story from Amanda Prowse and I look forward to reading more in the future.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 24, 2021
In 1984, Bessie is sixteen and she has her whole future planned and dreams of being an air hostess. She and her best friend Michelle are close, they love to hang out together, coordinating their out fits and make up. They love Duran Duran, they have just finished their high school exams and are nervously waiting for the results. Bessie’s extremely upset when she doesn’t do as well as she expected, she fails and things only get worse. She’s having a secret relationship with a boy from school, her world comes crashing down when she thinks he’s told everyone, she’s embarrassed, humiliated and crushed.
Bess is now fifty three and married to Mario, she has two adult children Jake and Natalie. Her mum and dad are still the most lovable parents in the world, her son has just gotten married and Mario is a hard worker. But her marriage is flat, she and Mario have lost their spark and Bess could be to blame. She has a secret, she’s being carrying the burden of it for thirty seven years and to save her marriage she will have to face her painful teenage past.
Like everyone Bess needs to feel valued, appreciated, needed, loved and she doesn’t. It’s not Mario’s fault she feels like she does or her families, it’s the heavy burden of shame, guilt, regret, it makes her feel unworthy and not good enough. I was a teenager in the 1980’s, my heart broke for teenage Bessie and I could relate to some of the issues she struggled with. What a thought provoking and well written story, I loved Waiting To Begin, it made me laugh, it made me cry, and you will need a box of tissues.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and five big stars from me. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Bess is now fifty three and married to Mario, she has two adult children Jake and Natalie. Her mum and dad are still the most lovable parents in the world, her son has just gotten married and Mario is a hard worker. But her marriage is flat, she and Mario have lost their spark and Bess could be to blame. She has a secret, she’s being carrying the burden of it for thirty seven years and to save her marriage she will have to face her painful teenage past.
Like everyone Bess needs to feel valued, appreciated, needed, loved and she doesn’t. It’s not Mario’s fault she feels like she does or her families, it’s the heavy burden of shame, guilt, regret, it makes her feel unworthy and not good enough. I was a teenager in the 1980’s, my heart broke for teenage Bessie and I could relate to some of the issues she struggled with. What a thought provoking and well written story, I loved Waiting To Begin, it made me laugh, it made me cry, and you will need a box of tissues.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and five big stars from me. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
June 19, 2021
This is another great piece of contemporary writing by Amanda Prowse, of whom I am a big fan.
In this book, Bess, the central characters, life story is told in two parallel times. The first is now on her fifty-third birthday and the other on her sixteenth birthday.
At sixteen, Bess was certain a glamorous and exciting life. Her future as an air hostess was all mapped out with her best friend Michelle. It is also the day that her exam results will be posted and that first step to success can be taken. However, as the day unfolds Bess loses not only her thoughts of the future but also her best friend and any shred of confidence and self-worth she may have possessed.
Fast forward 37 years and Bess is not happy. She lives in an ordinary house, with her husband who gets on her nerves, missing her adult children who are moving on with their lives and happy futures. On this birthday Bess will be faced with a choice, can she learn to settle for what she has and tamp down her secrets or will she gamble her past on a deceptive future.
This is a wonderful story told with great humour, but which also had me reaching for the tissues. It was very thought provoking and really made me think about my own life.
In this book, Bess, the central characters, life story is told in two parallel times. The first is now on her fifty-third birthday and the other on her sixteenth birthday.
At sixteen, Bess was certain a glamorous and exciting life. Her future as an air hostess was all mapped out with her best friend Michelle. It is also the day that her exam results will be posted and that first step to success can be taken. However, as the day unfolds Bess loses not only her thoughts of the future but also her best friend and any shred of confidence and self-worth she may have possessed.
Fast forward 37 years and Bess is not happy. She lives in an ordinary house, with her husband who gets on her nerves, missing her adult children who are moving on with their lives and happy futures. On this birthday Bess will be faced with a choice, can she learn to settle for what she has and tamp down her secrets or will she gamble her past on a deceptive future.
This is a wonderful story told with great humour, but which also had me reaching for the tissues. It was very thought provoking and really made me think about my own life.
March 18, 2021
I am a big fan of Amanda Prowse and was excited to see she had a new book out. This book was a big disappointment, really from the very beginning. I had a hard time relating to any of the characters and I just could not finish it. I see I am in the minority with my review as others have loved this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 16, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable read
Waiting to begin was a very powerful, heartfelt book. It shows how everything you do has consequences and sometimes can change who you are. I really enjoyed this book.
Waiting to begin was a very powerful, heartfelt book. It shows how everything you do has consequences and sometimes can change who you are. I really enjoyed this book.
January 6, 2021
I write this as tears are streaming down my face. Wow.. is all I can say. This book has all the emotions putting you on a roller coaster ride. The highs and lows. Such a fantastic read.. more than 5 stars.. This is going to stay on my mind for awhile. Book hangover in all the best ways Thanks to the Author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
July 28, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
I seem to be in the minority here - there are so many raving reviews for Waiting to Begin , but the protagonist spoiled the story for me, and I didn't enjoy it at all.
This story is told in two timelines, both taking place on Bessie's birthday. All you really need to know, though, is that Bessie is a massive narcissist.
It's 1984, Bessie is turning sixteen, and she's excited to find out how she did in her school exams and to make the boy she's secretly been having sex with her actual boyfriend. Of course, everything crumbles and falls apart (otherwise, this book wouldn't exist), but all of the things that happen are Bessie's fault or the direct consequence of her own actions, and she just blames everyone around her. But sure, she's only just turned sixteen - no one's expecting her to be a mature adult, even if she is making very adult choices for her life.
In 2021, the only thing that's changed is Bessie is married with two adult children; she is still the vain, selfish prick she was at sixteen. She only cares about her presents and how many people post a public birthday greeting on her social media. She's very aware that she hasn't been the best wife for many years (and has actually been keeping a secret from her husband and the rest of her family for most of her life) but only cares that he's not the best husband despite her years of neglect. But don't worry, she'll almost cheat on him and decide to change her base personality in an afternoon because gasp, she loves him! But wait, he doesn't want to bow down to her and accept she's going to turn into a different person overnight?! How rude! But she's going to tell him her deep, dark secret that she should have told him decades ago! That will fix everything! What a crock of shit.
There's a bit of an emotional payoff if you actually make it through the whole book, but it's not worth dealing with Bessie's toxic personality.
I seem to be in the minority here - there are so many raving reviews for Waiting to Begin , but the protagonist spoiled the story for me, and I didn't enjoy it at all.
This story is told in two timelines, both taking place on Bessie's birthday. All you really need to know, though, is that Bessie is a massive narcissist.
It's 1984, Bessie is turning sixteen, and she's excited to find out how she did in her school exams and to make the boy she's secretly been having sex with her actual boyfriend. Of course, everything crumbles and falls apart (otherwise, this book wouldn't exist), but all of the things that happen are Bessie's fault or the direct consequence of her own actions, and she just blames everyone around her. But sure, she's only just turned sixteen - no one's expecting her to be a mature adult, even if she is making very adult choices for her life.
In 2021, the only thing that's changed is Bessie is married with two adult children; she is still the vain, selfish prick she was at sixteen. She only cares about her presents and how many people post a public birthday greeting on her social media. She's very aware that she hasn't been the best wife for many years (and has actually been keeping a secret from her husband and the rest of her family for most of her life) but only cares that he's not the best husband despite her years of neglect. But don't worry, she'll almost cheat on him and decide to change her base personality in an afternoon because gasp, she loves him! But wait, he doesn't want to bow down to her and accept she's going to turn into a different person overnight?! How rude! But she's going to tell him her deep, dark secret that she should have told him decades ago! That will fix everything! What a crock of shit.
There's a bit of an emotional payoff if you actually make it through the whole book, but it's not worth dealing with Bessie's toxic personality.
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March 29, 2021
Known for writing stories that keep people from turning off the bedside lamp at night, Amanda Prowse has written a beautiful tale of a middle-aged woman who risks it all for a shot at happiness.
Told from Beth’s perspective in dual timelines, her 16th birthday in 1984 and her 53rd birthday in 2021, Beth reveals the incident that took away her happiness and influenced everything she did thereafter. Although happily married to Mario and with two grown children, Beth knows there’s something missing and she’s to blame. When Mario doesn’t acknowledge her birthday, she steps up to the plate and changes her future.
Prowse shows how carrying yesterday’s baggage, with all its shame, regret and anger, can seep into our present life and has the potential to ruin relationships and slowly leach away our happiness. For every woman who has ever considered her worth or doubted her attractiveness, Prowse reveals that taking a leap of faith and steps towards self-healing put one on the path to claiming the future. She acknowledges that the journey involves heartache, fear, sadness, doubt, loss and anger; however, it leads to determination and resilience. Prowse will make sure you’ll walk every step with her believable and relatable characters and experience the depth of emotion that change brings. She’ll even appeal to your feelings of nostalgia from the 1980s!
This ode to the younger version of you trapped in an older body will fill your head so that you can’t possibly read another book until the memory fades! What are you waiting for? This is a sign. Take steps....now. Do it for YOU.
Publication June 8, 2021
I received this gifted copy from Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide this review.
Told from Beth’s perspective in dual timelines, her 16th birthday in 1984 and her 53rd birthday in 2021, Beth reveals the incident that took away her happiness and influenced everything she did thereafter. Although happily married to Mario and with two grown children, Beth knows there’s something missing and she’s to blame. When Mario doesn’t acknowledge her birthday, she steps up to the plate and changes her future.
Prowse shows how carrying yesterday’s baggage, with all its shame, regret and anger, can seep into our present life and has the potential to ruin relationships and slowly leach away our happiness. For every woman who has ever considered her worth or doubted her attractiveness, Prowse reveals that taking a leap of faith and steps towards self-healing put one on the path to claiming the future. She acknowledges that the journey involves heartache, fear, sadness, doubt, loss and anger; however, it leads to determination and resilience. Prowse will make sure you’ll walk every step with her believable and relatable characters and experience the depth of emotion that change brings. She’ll even appeal to your feelings of nostalgia from the 1980s!
This ode to the younger version of you trapped in an older body will fill your head so that you can’t possibly read another book until the memory fades! What are you waiting for? This is a sign. Take steps....now. Do it for YOU.
Publication June 8, 2021
I received this gifted copy from Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide this review.
May 26, 2021
Waiting to Begin by Amanda Prowse follows the story of Bessie as she was in 1984 and now, in 2021. As a sixteen year old, she has her entire life planned out, is best friends with a girl named Michelle and is seeing a boy named Lawrence. In the present day, she is married to Mario with two adult children. She reflects on her life and how she got to the point where she is, she isn't happy and can't seem to find a way to fix it.
I absolutely loved this novel. It took me a while to get engaged with it but as soon as I did I couldn't put it down because of how emotional and moving it was. I thought that the way the author used the alternating past and present chapters was really well done with the juxtaposition of where Bessie was and where she is now. The characters were all real and raw and it was so easy to empathise with everyone involved and everything tied up at the end very well.
5/5 stars for me. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this copy to review.
I absolutely loved this novel. It took me a while to get engaged with it but as soon as I did I couldn't put it down because of how emotional and moving it was. I thought that the way the author used the alternating past and present chapters was really well done with the juxtaposition of where Bessie was and where she is now. The characters were all real and raw and it was so easy to empathise with everyone involved and everything tied up at the end very well.
5/5 stars for me. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this copy to review.
December 29, 2020
WAITING TO BEGIN
BY AMANDA PROWSE
I usually love all of Amanda Prowse's novels but this one was disappointing for me. There are two timelines here concerning Bessie the main character and her family which are 1984 and the present. There isn't much happening. Bessie and her best friend in 1984 both like the same boy but Bessie is keeping a secret from her best friend. In both timelines it is Bessie's birthday to which she isn't very enthused at her Birthday gifts.
In the 1984 time line Bessie is disappointed because she discovers that out of 362 people in her class she comes in at 361 (2nd lowest in her class). Her dreams are dashed at becoming an airline hostess and on her way to a dance she learns that her boyfriend has announced that they have had sex to another boy when they had made a pact to each other to tell nobody. This complicates the fact that she had rehearsed a speech to break it to her best friend that her relationship with the boy they both like is not going to turn out as Bessie had hoped.
In the present day it is also Bessie's birthday but she is married to someone else where the doldrums of marriage has set in. She is now in her fifties and has a son and a daughter. She is feeling underwhelmed by her husband's remembering her birthday by his lack of a card. She calls him at work and he surprises her by coming home and he discloses a long ago disappointment that happened that he feels that he didn't get his needs met.
Usually I love Amanda Prowse novels but this one I felt I am in the minority compared to other reviewer's here on Good Read's. This one seemed superficial and less compelling in both the plot and characterization's. This surprises me that I don't feel like this one is very relatable to me.
Publication Date: June 8, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Amanda Prowse and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with my Arc in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#WaitingtoBegin #AmandaProwse #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley
BY AMANDA PROWSE
I usually love all of Amanda Prowse's novels but this one was disappointing for me. There are two timelines here concerning Bessie the main character and her family which are 1984 and the present. There isn't much happening. Bessie and her best friend in 1984 both like the same boy but Bessie is keeping a secret from her best friend. In both timelines it is Bessie's birthday to which she isn't very enthused at her Birthday gifts.
In the 1984 time line Bessie is disappointed because she discovers that out of 362 people in her class she comes in at 361 (2nd lowest in her class). Her dreams are dashed at becoming an airline hostess and on her way to a dance she learns that her boyfriend has announced that they have had sex to another boy when they had made a pact to each other to tell nobody. This complicates the fact that she had rehearsed a speech to break it to her best friend that her relationship with the boy they both like is not going to turn out as Bessie had hoped.
In the present day it is also Bessie's birthday but she is married to someone else where the doldrums of marriage has set in. She is now in her fifties and has a son and a daughter. She is feeling underwhelmed by her husband's remembering her birthday by his lack of a card. She calls him at work and he surprises her by coming home and he discloses a long ago disappointment that happened that he feels that he didn't get his needs met.
Usually I love Amanda Prowse novels but this one I felt I am in the minority compared to other reviewer's here on Good Read's. This one seemed superficial and less compelling in both the plot and characterization's. This surprises me that I don't feel like this one is very relatable to me.
Publication Date: June 8, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Amanda Prowse and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with my Arc in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#WaitingtoBegin #AmandaProwse #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley
June 11, 2021
As with all of Prowse books you get the three R's, Raw, Real and Relatable. Waiting to Begin was no different. The writing has you thinking you are watching a movie.
I flew though this book its not dual timeline its written in two different eras but you are going to love it.
I gave this book 4 stars and I can't wait for Prowse next book.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
I flew though this book its not dual timeline its written in two different eras but you are going to love it.
I gave this book 4 stars and I can't wait for Prowse next book.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
April 19, 2021
Amanda Prowse is an international bestselling author of twenty-seven novels published in dozens of languages. And each one of these books is a gem for readers who love to curl up with a story that promises laughter, tears, love and understanding.
“Waiting to Begin” has a clever format, that could be a gimmick, but instead works wonderfully to create a compelling story. We meet Bess on her 16th birthday. A day that her sweet family celebrates in their usual folksy way. Sixteen is always a special birthday, but today is also the day that Beth will receive her O Level exam results. This means she will be able to move forward with her dream of becoming an air hostess. And she has a special boyfriend, and she anticipates celebrating with him. But, by midnight of her birthday, her entire world has crashed down.
We also see Bess on her 53rd birthday. And the story alternates between these two timelines. While still celebrated in the usual way with her parents and family, this 53rd birthday marks another 24 hours for Bess of a life upended. For too many years she has been mired in shame. Will this birthday also end in devastation? Is it too late for Bess to begin?
I was quite moved with this story, even though I did not like Bess and could not really relate to her. And this shows what a gifted writer Ms. Prowse is- because I did believe in the story itself and the power of love and light to win. I couldn’t stop reading this book and Bess’s story has continued to occupy my thoughts. Highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
“Waiting to Begin” has a clever format, that could be a gimmick, but instead works wonderfully to create a compelling story. We meet Bess on her 16th birthday. A day that her sweet family celebrates in their usual folksy way. Sixteen is always a special birthday, but today is also the day that Beth will receive her O Level exam results. This means she will be able to move forward with her dream of becoming an air hostess. And she has a special boyfriend, and she anticipates celebrating with him. But, by midnight of her birthday, her entire world has crashed down.
We also see Bess on her 53rd birthday. And the story alternates between these two timelines. While still celebrated in the usual way with her parents and family, this 53rd birthday marks another 24 hours for Bess of a life upended. For too many years she has been mired in shame. Will this birthday also end in devastation? Is it too late for Bess to begin?
I was quite moved with this story, even though I did not like Bess and could not really relate to her. And this shows what a gifted writer Ms. Prowse is- because I did believe in the story itself and the power of love and light to win. I couldn’t stop reading this book and Bess’s story has continued to occupy my thoughts. Highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
May 11, 2021
Her Secret Past
I was captivated by this story of raw emotions, of being human and the choices we make in life.
Bessie a young sixteen year old is horrified when she sees her dreams go up in smoke. She loses her hopes for the future, her best friend and her reputation and faces a secret she will carry with her into the future. Worst of all her brother with whom she is very close is part of the secret that she can tell no one...not even her parents.
Fast forward years, Bessie has been married to Mario for years , they have raised two beautiful children, Jake and Nate. At fifty three she sees her marriage has crumbled to the point of destruction. She is devastated and wants to recapture what they once had.
Can Bessie come to terms with the secret she has held, confess to all and face up to the consequences in order to try and save her marriage, or will all be lost.
This is a wonderful story of life, love and mistakes. A story of growing up and realizing one is human and that you can be strong enough to face up to the choices made in life. A novel of gaining confidence to live a life without secrets and to fully enjoy being alive. First you have to let go of the old and embrace the new person you will need to become.
This was a true to life story and the characters were fantastic. I loved every word and was so glad I had a chance to read it.
Thanks to Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of the book for an honest review.
I was captivated by this story of raw emotions, of being human and the choices we make in life.
Bessie a young sixteen year old is horrified when she sees her dreams go up in smoke. She loses her hopes for the future, her best friend and her reputation and faces a secret she will carry with her into the future. Worst of all her brother with whom she is very close is part of the secret that she can tell no one...not even her parents.
Fast forward years, Bessie has been married to Mario for years , they have raised two beautiful children, Jake and Nate. At fifty three she sees her marriage has crumbled to the point of destruction. She is devastated and wants to recapture what they once had.
Can Bessie come to terms with the secret she has held, confess to all and face up to the consequences in order to try and save her marriage, or will all be lost.
This is a wonderful story of life, love and mistakes. A story of growing up and realizing one is human and that you can be strong enough to face up to the choices made in life. A novel of gaining confidence to live a life without secrets and to fully enjoy being alive. First you have to let go of the old and embrace the new person you will need to become.
This was a true to life story and the characters were fantastic. I loved every word and was so glad I had a chance to read it.
Thanks to Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of the book for an honest review.
June 9, 2021
Another great read by Amanda Prowse. In this book we meet Bessie and her family the chapters alternate between 1984 and 2021. In August 1984 Bessie is celebrating her 16th birthday, getting her o level results and looking forward to her school dance and meeting up with her boyfriend Lawrence.who no-one knows she's been having sex with On this day her best friend tells her that she wants to be with Lawrence. Thus is the first devastation for Bessie on what should be a happy day.
In August 2021 Bessie turns 53, married with two grown up children, she feels life is missing something going back to her childhood.
A heart warming tale with lovely characters. I loved it
Received this book from Netgalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review
In August 2021 Bessie turns 53, married with two grown up children, she feels life is missing something going back to her childhood.
A heart warming tale with lovely characters. I loved it
Received this book from Netgalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review
June 6, 2021
It's 22nd August 1984 and Bessie's sixteenth birthday, she wakes with great hope for the future because it's also results day for school exams, she's hoping she's done well because her dream is to become an air hostess. Later that day her world comes crashing down around her and Bessie is left full of shame and carrying a secret she can never share.
It's 22nd August 2021 and Bess is now fifty three, she is married to Mario and they have two children, Jake and Natalie but their relationship is failing. Jake has recently got married and watching him settling into married life, Bess knows, in order to save her own marriage, she must finally face the demons she's been hiding from for the last thirty seven years and reveal to her husband the secret that changed her world in 1984.
The story begins in 1984, with Bessie and her brother Philip on a train, their destination isn't revealed until much later in the book. We are then led on a journey which alternates between 1984 and 2021, and centres around her birthday in both timelines. It's a tale of huge aspirations, broken dreams, love, loss, secrets, lies, trust and betrayal and once again, at the hands of this hugely talented author, it's been told beautifully, with compassion and integrity. The chapters are seamless, the switching between the two timelines is faultless and the characters are brought to life so exquisitely that if they stepped out of those pages they would be as real as you and me. I was completely invested in this story, as I am with all the books I've read by this author, but more so in this one because it's my era, I was 16 in 1984, full of hope for my future too, now 53 and married with two children, that's where the similarities between Bess and myself end, but I found myself reminiscing about those years as a teenager and wondering, if I could rewind to 1984, would I have done anything different, maybe I'd have chosen a different career path, but that's the only thing I'd change. This story shows that life is what you make it, we all have choices and those choices map out our journeys through life and make us the people we are today. As always with this author, I highly recommend this book but you will need tissues, it's an emotional read that had me smiling and crying throughout.
I'd like to thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
It's 22nd August 2021 and Bess is now fifty three, she is married to Mario and they have two children, Jake and Natalie but their relationship is failing. Jake has recently got married and watching him settling into married life, Bess knows, in order to save her own marriage, she must finally face the demons she's been hiding from for the last thirty seven years and reveal to her husband the secret that changed her world in 1984.
The story begins in 1984, with Bessie and her brother Philip on a train, their destination isn't revealed until much later in the book. We are then led on a journey which alternates between 1984 and 2021, and centres around her birthday in both timelines. It's a tale of huge aspirations, broken dreams, love, loss, secrets, lies, trust and betrayal and once again, at the hands of this hugely talented author, it's been told beautifully, with compassion and integrity. The chapters are seamless, the switching between the two timelines is faultless and the characters are brought to life so exquisitely that if they stepped out of those pages they would be as real as you and me. I was completely invested in this story, as I am with all the books I've read by this author, but more so in this one because it's my era, I was 16 in 1984, full of hope for my future too, now 53 and married with two children, that's where the similarities between Bess and myself end, but I found myself reminiscing about those years as a teenager and wondering, if I could rewind to 1984, would I have done anything different, maybe I'd have chosen a different career path, but that's the only thing I'd change. This story shows that life is what you make it, we all have choices and those choices map out our journeys through life and make us the people we are today. As always with this author, I highly recommend this book but you will need tissues, it's an emotional read that had me smiling and crying throughout.
I'd like to thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
February 9, 2022
a quite miserable story but with a happy ending
I really wasn’t enjoying this book. It was well written with believable characters but the storyline was, well, a bit depressing. It wasn’t until the epilogue that things got better. All in all I’m glad I read it but I wouldn’t reread it like other books I have in my library.
I really wasn’t enjoying this book. It was well written with believable characters but the storyline was, well, a bit depressing. It wasn’t until the epilogue that things got better. All in all I’m glad I read it but I wouldn’t reread it like other books I have in my library.
June 12, 2021
Waiting To Begin is the story of a woman, Bessie, but told on two simultaneous days, her birthday, but thirty-seven years apart.
At sixteen, Bess thinks she has it all. Her results are out today, her future is all but planned out, she just needs those results to get where she wants. Bess's family is your usual type, a caring, but an annoying set of parents and an older brother who is just - urgh! She's got a tentative boyfriend and dreams of their life together
Thirty-seven years later, Bess is content. Well, on the surface, anyway. Nothing quite panned out how she hoped, but she's not unhappy with her life. A doting husband, two great kids, one of them married, their own home. But, there are still gaping holes in her life. There are still secrets that are eating away at her, affecting everything she does, though no one else knows.
Not wanting to give the story away, I will comment on the essence.
Decisions we make, flippantly, can have huge effects on our life. The need to be keeping up with the rest of the world can eat away at you, making you do things you might not have, otherwise.
My heart filled with pity for teenage Bess. I wanted to scoop her up into a hug, and tell her everything will be okay. I will admit to wanting to physically harm a certain young man, too,
The same sorrow was felt for older Bess, who is sifting through her life decisions, not sure whether to rock the boat, but finding herself in a situation where she has no choice.
An emotional story that will definitely tug, hard, at your heartstrings.
When Waiting To Begin flashed up as another new book to come, by Amanda Prowse, I jumped at the chance to read, because she is my all-time favourite author.
Her stories never fail to touch the heart, and the way she tells them leaves you emotional for a long time to come,
Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
At sixteen, Bess thinks she has it all. Her results are out today, her future is all but planned out, she just needs those results to get where she wants. Bess's family is your usual type, a caring, but an annoying set of parents and an older brother who is just - urgh! She's got a tentative boyfriend and dreams of their life together
Thirty-seven years later, Bess is content. Well, on the surface, anyway. Nothing quite panned out how she hoped, but she's not unhappy with her life. A doting husband, two great kids, one of them married, their own home. But, there are still gaping holes in her life. There are still secrets that are eating away at her, affecting everything she does, though no one else knows.
Not wanting to give the story away, I will comment on the essence.
Decisions we make, flippantly, can have huge effects on our life. The need to be keeping up with the rest of the world can eat away at you, making you do things you might not have, otherwise.
My heart filled with pity for teenage Bess. I wanted to scoop her up into a hug, and tell her everything will be okay. I will admit to wanting to physically harm a certain young man, too,
The same sorrow was felt for older Bess, who is sifting through her life decisions, not sure whether to rock the boat, but finding herself in a situation where she has no choice.
An emotional story that will definitely tug, hard, at your heartstrings.
When Waiting To Begin flashed up as another new book to come, by Amanda Prowse, I jumped at the chance to read, because she is my all-time favourite author.
Her stories never fail to touch the heart, and the way she tells them leaves you emotional for a long time to come,
Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
February 27, 2022
What was it all about
Waiting to begin by author Amanda Prowse was all about the consequences of the actions in teenage life leaving a mark on adulthood.
Bessie was etched carefully over the years with the empty nest syndrome and introspection about her life, causing her to face her past.
How it made me feel
The Queen of emotions struck gold once again as she played with my heartstrings, making Bessie’s life shine. The writing had the capacity to make me quiver with all those feelings, sometimes overwhelming me. All in a good way.
How the past could shape the present and future was unfurled in the story by the secret that Bessie had kept hidden for 40 years.
The Good
The flow of the story and the emotions captured in the words made a big book read fast. There was something so palpable about the words that they haunted me for a long time.
Written in dual timelines, the book showed me Bessie’s life and decisions taken by her. The characters were beautifully rounded and kept real.
The Bad
Nothing much. I felt too much could be said, as I had to take a break to calm the waves arisen in me.
I am a cover junkie, didn’t really like the cover. It didn’t call to me.
The Conclusion
A beautiful read, as per the norm, a heart-wrenching book.
Waiting to begin by author Amanda Prowse was all about the consequences of the actions in teenage life leaving a mark on adulthood.
Bessie was etched carefully over the years with the empty nest syndrome and introspection about her life, causing her to face her past.
How it made me feel
The Queen of emotions struck gold once again as she played with my heartstrings, making Bessie’s life shine. The writing had the capacity to make me quiver with all those feelings, sometimes overwhelming me. All in a good way.
How the past could shape the present and future was unfurled in the story by the secret that Bessie had kept hidden for 40 years.
The Good
The flow of the story and the emotions captured in the words made a big book read fast. There was something so palpable about the words that they haunted me for a long time.
Written in dual timelines, the book showed me Bessie’s life and decisions taken by her. The characters were beautifully rounded and kept real.
The Bad
Nothing much. I felt too much could be said, as I had to take a break to calm the waves arisen in me.
I am a cover junkie, didn’t really like the cover. It didn’t call to me.
The Conclusion
A beautiful read, as per the norm, a heart-wrenching book.
June 17, 2021
It’s August 1984, and Bessie is turning sixteen. She dreams of becoming an air hostess, she has a great best friend, and she’s even been seeing a boy. The future looks bright until the whole day takes a turn for the worse. From here on, Bessie lives with shame and a secret.
August 2021, today, Bessie turns fifty-three. She’s trying to hold her marriage together and be a supportive mom. But the secret she’s been carrying for thirty-seven years has tainted her and her relationships. Will she be able to share her secret after all these years and allow healing in her life?
This story is a mix of coming-of-age and family drama. It has good diversity and fun British references. The story’s pacing is slower, however, which allows you to get attached to Bessie. Once you know her, I think you will feel sympathetic towards her. I loved the beautifully choreographed timelines and the satisfying conclusion.
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours @MrsAmandaProwse and @lakeunionauthors for an invitation to this tour and a #gifted copy.
August 2021, today, Bessie turns fifty-three. She’s trying to hold her marriage together and be a supportive mom. But the secret she’s been carrying for thirty-seven years has tainted her and her relationships. Will she be able to share her secret after all these years and allow healing in her life?
This story is a mix of coming-of-age and family drama. It has good diversity and fun British references. The story’s pacing is slower, however, which allows you to get attached to Bessie. Once you know her, I think you will feel sympathetic towards her. I loved the beautifully choreographed timelines and the satisfying conclusion.
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours @MrsAmandaProwse and @lakeunionauthors for an invitation to this tour and a #gifted copy.
June 6, 2021
Waiting to Begin by Amanda Prowse
Bess is celebrating her 53rd birthday. It is 2021 but her life isn't as she imagined growing up. She and her husband Mario have grown apart, partly due to a secret from years past which is eating her up inside. It has affected her relationship with her brother, whom she no longer sees, and to an extent her parents. Her confidence is at an all time low and she is considering some very rash decisions indeed. She looks back and wonders how her life has come to this, especially when she receives a call from her ex best friend Michelle with whom she hasn't spoken in 37 years.
Interspersed with the narrative, is reflections from her 16th birthday in 1984, when her whole life seemed to be in front of her, and we find out, bit by bit, what went wrong.
Amanda Prowse said she wanted to write books that keep people turning off the bedside light at night, and this is exactly what she has done. She has written a book as gripping as any thriller, full of real people with real emotions. Bessie's story will make you laugh, and make you cry, and you will certainly be invested in her story. I absolutely love Amanda Prowse's books, and this certainly doesn't dissapoint.
Bess is celebrating her 53rd birthday. It is 2021 but her life isn't as she imagined growing up. She and her husband Mario have grown apart, partly due to a secret from years past which is eating her up inside. It has affected her relationship with her brother, whom she no longer sees, and to an extent her parents. Her confidence is at an all time low and she is considering some very rash decisions indeed. She looks back and wonders how her life has come to this, especially when she receives a call from her ex best friend Michelle with whom she hasn't spoken in 37 years.
Interspersed with the narrative, is reflections from her 16th birthday in 1984, when her whole life seemed to be in front of her, and we find out, bit by bit, what went wrong.
Amanda Prowse said she wanted to write books that keep people turning off the bedside light at night, and this is exactly what she has done. She has written a book as gripping as any thriller, full of real people with real emotions. Bessie's story will make you laugh, and make you cry, and you will certainly be invested in her story. I absolutely love Amanda Prowse's books, and this certainly doesn't dissapoint.
Want to read
October 15, 2021I’m a fan of Amanda Prowse, her books tug at the heartstrings every time. Waiting to Begin is no exception. It’s told along two timelines, the first is Bessie’s 16th birthday and the second is Bess’ 53rd. The difference in Bess between the two is stark. At 16, she was fun and optimistic, ready to become an air hostess and see the world. A traumatic incident with a boy left her depressed with her future on hold. At 53, Bess is married with 2 adult children. Her marriage is stale, and she’s been carrying the secret of her 16th birthday ever since it happened. It’s affected her entire life and she’s ready to let it go, but she’s not sure she can.
The characters were relatable and real. The plot makes you think, and might make you cry. I recommend this book, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
The characters were relatable and real. The plot makes you think, and might make you cry. I recommend this book, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
February 3, 2024
I’m writing this with tears still in my eyes because I cried and cried at the ending. It’s the ending I needed for such a difficult book because I was mad and sad and down right brokenhearted by the middle.
Terrible hurt and sadness loomed over most of this story and I just didn’t like the Bessie. But when the rest of her life fell apart I couldn’t stop reading. I wanted something good to happen for her and I loved her wonderful husband so much!!
I’m grateful I finished this because it was a beautiful ending.
This author has such a special touch for writing meaningful, heartfelt themes.
Thanks Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley.
Terrible hurt and sadness loomed over most of this story and I just didn’t like the Bessie. But when the rest of her life fell apart I couldn’t stop reading. I wanted something good to happen for her and I loved her wonderful husband so much!!
I’m grateful I finished this because it was a beautiful ending.
This author has such a special touch for writing meaningful, heartfelt themes.
Thanks Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley.
July 2, 2021
This is my first Amanda Prowse book and I'm glad I gave it a try. It's a bit of an emotional roller coaster, as you go through both her empty-nester sadness and her frustration with her relationship with her husband. You also go through the highs of their beginning relationship and all of her regrets and missteps. It was interesting to take this journey even if I didn't always like Bessie as she made her mistakes. It was lighter in places, which was nice through the rough parts. It all came together well. I'm glad I read this.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
June 7, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I loved the book. I have always enjoyed Amanda Prowse's book.
I am a mystery book lover but Amanda Prowse's books have always got my attention and I have always enjoyed her books.
The Story keeps going back to Bess's childhood and her as an adult. I liked the way she has written it. I would say it was no less than a suspense genre book. There were twists. There were surprises.
I can relate to Bess's story in many ways. her childhood trauma. The way it affected her adult life.
I enjoyed the book and will recommend this book to everyone.
I loved the book. I have always enjoyed Amanda Prowse's book.
I am a mystery book lover but Amanda Prowse's books have always got my attention and I have always enjoyed her books.
The Story keeps going back to Bess's childhood and her as an adult. I liked the way she has written it. I would say it was no less than a suspense genre book. There were twists. There were surprises.
I can relate to Bess's story in many ways. her childhood trauma. The way it affected her adult life.
I enjoyed the book and will recommend this book to everyone.
November 26, 2022
Another fantastic novel by this author! Like every novel that I have read by her, its filled with emotion and gets you hooked on right from the start, and you end up getting lost into the plot that you don't even realise that you have the end!
"You should take the time to think about your life. You need to live a life you like."--- This line from this book is meant for each and every one of us!
Thank You NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC!
"You should take the time to think about your life. You need to live a life you like."--- This line from this book is meant for each and every one of us!
Thank You NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC!
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