Waiting to Begin is a heart wrenching story about how the decisions we make can have life altering effects. Sometimes our decisions and other peoples' reactions to those decisions can undermine our confidence and self worth if we let it. If we keep those decisions from the ones we love the most, the secrets can eat away at the most loving of relationships. If we can find the courage to reveal our secrets, it will open up the possibility to find true happiness. Bess has one of that kind of secrets. It has been tearing her up inside for decades. Can she find the courage to finally tell the truth to those closest to her? If she does, will it change the way they feel about her? Amanda Prowse can really pull at your heartstrings. Her characters are written so well, it is like you are living in their mind, thinking and feeling everything they do.

Bessie had a huge disappointment on her 16th birthday when she got her exam score but an even worse problem when a boy she trusted, well,,,,,,Now she's 53 and unhappily married to Mario for many years, And it's her birthday. . This dual time line novel takes the readers through the ups and downs of Bessie's live, She's very relatable and Prowse, who is a wonderful storyteller, makes her come alive. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

(3.5 stars) Quick, engaging read. Prowse’s storytelling drew me in and kept me absorbed. But I’ll warn you…Bessie’s story is an emotional (and sometimes depressing) one… it takes some rain, after all, to get the rainbow at the end.

It’s Bess’ 53rd birthday. She should be at a point in life where she is fulfilled and confident. Instead, she feels invisible, inadequate, and laden with guilt. As the day unfurls, she looks back to her 16th birthday and the secret that derailed her all those years ago. Since then, she’s been passing time. Just waiting to begin. Will this birthday finally be a starting point for her?

Prowse’s excavation of Bess’ inner thoughts was powerful. I think many people can identify with some of her inner struggles… Have I made the most of my life? Am I living to the fullest? Am I true to myself or to the judgments of others?

I thoroughly enjoyed the jaunt back to the 80s as Bess’ 16th birthday unfurled… from crop sweatshirts to Duran Duran to mixtapes…I was transported back in time to my childhood.

Thank you Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

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.

I really enjoy Amanda Prowse books. Deep topics that are sensitively written with great characters. This book is about what ifs, the grass is always greener and how you should be grateful for what you have, even if it seems to be little at the moment. It made me reflect on my own blessings. It is also about secrets and how they can affect your life and happiness...or lack thereof. I

read this in a day as couldn't put it down and was intrigued to know the secret of Bess' life in 1984. Me being around the same age as Bess and growing up at the same time really made me sink into this one.

A clever story that I got totally absorbed in, written with warmth and compassion. This is a thoughtful, moving story and I really loved it....Would highly recommend, and looking forward to the next one from Ms. Prowse, she is an automatic request for me.

I am a big fan of Amanda Prowse and I always look forward to her books. I absolutely loved this. It was beautifully written and very moving with fantastic characters. Wonderful book.

May 15, 2021 · edit
liked it

I enjoy Amanda Prowse books but this one did not enthral me as much as others.
It follows Bessie at two different stages of her life at 16 and 53. It covers her hopes, dreams, disappointments and reality. It is an easy read with a variety of well developed characters. I found Bess somewhat irritating although I felt for her teenage angst.

This is a pleasant, distracting read

Amanda Prowse never disappoints and this book gets another top notch, glittering 5 stars from me! I'm not usually a 'cryer' and it takes a lot to make me tearful but this story really tore at my emotions from sadness to laughter and touched me deeply with beautiful prose that Amanda is so good at writing. I loved that the book was set out in alternating chapters - Bessie as a 16 year old in the 1980's and then as a 56 year old in 2021.. Having lived through those decades myself it was a nice slice of nostalgia to recall what life in the 80's was like and especially for a girl in her mid teens. Bessie makes many mistakes in those adolescent years that shape her life and affect her - and many around her - in really negative ways. Mental health and how a few bad choices can affect the rest of ones life is a main feature of the book. Without repeating the synopsis and without giving away any spoilers, all I will say is that I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending it to everyone, and in every place where I interact with other readers. Read it and I'm sure you will love it as much as I have. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

At first I wasn't quite sure to think of this book. It really asked, what would you do for absolute happiness? The only thing I didn't like about this book was the alternating chapters in time. However, that's the only thing. This book made me laugh and ugly cry both in the same moment. I felt like this book stayed with me long after I finished. Would recommend this book!

I enjoyed this family drama from Ananda Prowse.

An event from Bessie’s teenage years has impacted on the rest of her life, leaving her feeling unfulfilled, dissatisfied and insecure.

The story flies between present day and the events that have had such a significant impact on her life and choices.

Amanda’s skills include ensuring that you want to keep turning the page to find out what happens next, and I found myself rooting for Bessie and her family.

I did have some unanswered questions around her complicated relationship with her son in law but overall it was a good, if at times, unhappy read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Prowse always delivers and with her latest, Waiting to Begin, she has proffered up her best so far. Bessie’s birthday is bittersweet and also traumatic. The narrative jumps from 1984 to 2021, focused on events, thoughts, and emotions on her birthday. It’s a thoughtful, beautiful story. Bessie comes to many realizations. Life has to be what you make of it, not just existing. Mario was my favorite person in the book. The birthday luncheon with Bessie’s parents had me gasping for air because I laughed so hard. There are tender scenes, tough scenes all in between. Don’t wait to begin this one!

As much as I hate the hackneyed phrase ‘easy read’, I can confirm that Waiting to Begin is not one of them. Bess is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders as she reflects on her life. She’s now fifty-three and her private angst has led to the break-down of her marriage to the lovely Mario.
The book takes us back to sixteen-year-old Bess, with her best friend, and childhood dreams of romance and Duran Duran. Once revealed, her secret is heart-breaking and it’s easy to see how her teenaged decisions have impacted on her adult life. My heart became a little broken as I read the details of her downfall.
As we flick back to the present day, I went from having little empathy for Bess to wanting reach out and help her come to terms with the cruelties of youth. It’s hard to write a review without revealing any spoilers and that would be a shame with such a poignantly crafted story.
This book is for anyone who loved and lost a best friend, felt the strength of love from a sibling or simply struggled through teenage years. Please don’t misunderstand this review, I highly recommend it as despite the seemingly helpless storm that Bess sails, there’s always sunshine after a rainy day.

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.

I'm sorry to say that I just couldn't get into this book and didn't get beyond the first to chapters. Perhaps I was expecting too much because I'd read some of the many five star reviews. The title seemed very apt to me - "Waiting to begin". So little happened in the first chapter that I was waiting for it to begin. I think I like books that hook you more at the start.
This was my first Amanda Prowse and will probably be my last.

I found the title of this novel apt - 65% in and I was still waiting for the story to begin. There isn't much of a story. This novel is character driven, and yet the main character, Bessie, is not likeable. I did warm a little to her towards the end of the book when her story finally unravelled, but it wasn't enough. I warmed to Mario and Chuts and Bessie's parents were sweet (if a little irritating at times). I found the teenage parts of the story boring - pages and pages of Bessie's innermost thoughts. I skipped over some parts, wanting to get to the story. I was really surprised at this book, because in the past I've been gripped by Prowse's books, but sadly not by this one. I will say that the ending was satisfying - the novel's saving grace. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Calling Amanda Prowse! Amanda, please stop making people cry. OK, don’t because we all need a good cry once in a while.

Waiting to Begin is the story of Bess, told in alternating chapters on her 16th birthday and her 53rd birthday. I can relate to a lot of things in this book because I am only two years older than Bess. I used Sun-In, I made mix tapes, I listened to Bonnie Tyler. I mean, what Gen X-er didn’t belt out “Total Eclipse of the Heart” at full volume anytime it came on the radio?

This is how Amanda sets a scene. She makes reference to things that people remember from whatever time she’s talking about. This is how she creates stories that you can get lost in. She makes it so real and relatable that characters like Bess and even Lawrence and Michelle (you’ll understand when you read the book) remind you of people you knew in high school. Everyone knew a Bess, whether you liked her or not. And every high school had a Lawrence. Every single high school had a Lawrence. And then there’s steadfast Mario, the guy that no one really paid attention to in high school (we don’t even meet high school Mario in the book), but he’s stable and solid and totally the guy that girls want to marry.

Neither of Bess’s birthdays go really well in this story, but it is a story worth reading. Bess is not going through a mid-life crisis. It’s more like an unusual and beautiful coming-of-age story. We watch her become a wife and a mother, all the while holding onto a secret that colors every single facet of her life. And she can’t really begin her life until she lets that secret loose.

I have never read an Amanda Prowse book that I didn’t like. I just love her more every time I read a new one. Amanda’s books make you feel her characters’ stories so deeply, and this one is no exception.

Amanda Prowse has a gift of making her characters real; of making you examine yourself introspectively. I loved this book. I hated this book. I cried. I cheered. Teenage Bess reminded me so much of my teenage struggles, “being young, naive and open...”And how those struggles affect our entire lives. “I want to feel valued, appreciated, needed...”. From a teenager in the ‘80’s to a middle aged woman today - Bess will be sure to stir memories in you!

Loved it as I do all Amanda Prowse books!

I raced through this book, my heart was breaking at times for Bessie. Truly a beautiful emotional book with Amanda’s unique ability to weave a story that touches the reader. Definitely another 5 star read! Managed to read in 24hrs.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this brilliant book.

Wonderful story and great characters. Another great book by Amanda Prowse.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

The story takes place over two days - one being Bess's 16th birthday in the 80's and her 53rd birthday in 2021.
As the story progresses we discover more about Bess and the heartbreaking events in her life. We almost see her come right down to rock-bottom and learn how she manages to claw her way back.
Ms Prowse does not disappoint once again with her writing. It is so full of emotion and realness. She manages to capture a snapshot of life in words.
Another book that leaves you with a lot to mull over once the last word has been read. (Some readers may need to keep tissues on hand)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.