Amanda needs to take (another) bow as she has created another masterpiece of contemporary, domestic fiction! I have absolutely adored this book and been torn between dying to find out where the next twist or turn will be, and devouring every last word or sentence. Every one of Amanda’s books that I read seems to impress me and move me more than the last.

I think the mirror on the front cover seems to link to an overall message or question encapsulated in the book. I think all reach a turning point in our lives where we decide, or are forced to, hold a mirror up to yourselves and our lives and ask: Are you happy with what you see? Are you happy with what you’ve got? And if not, do you have the courage to make amends for your chequered past and move forward?

There are so many books that I read that I enjoy, and I will be left thinking ‘oh that was lovely’ or ‘oh, that was tense’ and that’s it. Very few books or authors carry the impact that Amanda Prowse’s books do. I have found myself emotional, reflective and completely invested in the character and story as if Bessie was a real person.

The theme of friendship is strong and this book and the way it is explored is quite poignant. It got me thinking about the intimacy of teenage friendships and relationships. They are strong and yet fragile: they have the ability to survive so much, including class divides, but they can end as quickly and abruptly as they had begun.

I loved the character of Bessie and found her completely relatable. I was rooting for her to find the strength to discover the happiness and peace of mind she so desired and so deserved, and was left wondering whether this would happen and what exact form it would take.

Overall, this is a gripping, emotional and poignant book. If you have never read a book by Amanda Prowse, but enjoy wonderfully well-drawn characters, carefully constructed and effective dual time line narratives or just beautifully written and pacey stories, I absolutely urge you to pick this book up. Though, honestly, I can’t imagine that any Amanda Prowse book will leave you disappointed!

Waiting to Begin by Amanda Prowse was just an amazing book. I loved! I really didn’t want it to end. Its beautifully written and a must read.

I highly recommend this book - well all Amanda's books they are just amazing and written from the heart!

Big 5 Golden stars for Waiting to begin

Big Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book.

Waiting to Begin centres around Bessie’s life, yo-yo’ing back and forth between 1984 and 2021. Her life as a happy, innocent 16 year old, with plans for the future in and the reality of today aged 53.

This was such a nostalgic read. I loved reading of Bess and best friend Michelle’s hopes and dreams - the music, the clothes, the food, the innocence, a time of simple pleasures and big plans - it took me right back to when I was 16 in 1984.

Fast forward to 2021 and life for Bess should be bliss, she’s married to devoted husband Mario, has two beautiful children but she’s not living her best life. She’s internalised her feelings and is floating through life, existing but not living.

Several things happened in her past that shaped her future and her life comes crashing down on her 53rd birthday. Her birthday should be a day to be celebrated, but a voice from the past unlocks a torrent of emotion that pushes her to a place she’s not sure she can return from.

The characterisations and raw emotion of Bess’s interactions with her family on the day of her 53rd birthday were intense and amplified the story, it was like the words we as readers read were written in another unidentifiable language for Bess - as a reader I felt she was walking a thin line, I felt anxious for her and wondered which way the story would go. Her husband, children, best friend and parents all there for her on the day, wishing her happy birthday but Bessie was so broken transported back to 1984 in her mind that their kind words and wishes fell on deaf ears - the inner voice in her head telling her she wasn’t good enough, wasn’t enough - she was a failure louder. She’d lived the best part of three decades going through the motions, existing not living and had become quite bitter, mean and dismissive with it.

As the story unravelled my opinions and thoughts of Bess spanned every emotion possible. I pitied her, felt sad for her, felt her pain and anguish but at times didn’t really like the person she had become, small minded and at times quite mean and unfeeling - particularly where her parents were concerned. I loved them, their life pretty much stuck in the past, enjoying the simple pleasures of life - their love of their family shone from the pages, outwardly proud of them all no matter what. With knowledge and the full story I came to a greater understanding of Bess’s character and my heart broke at the years wasted, how she’d lived with the consequences of both her own and her peers words and actions of that summers day back in 1984.

Waiting to Begin was both painful and endearing to read in equal measures book. Highlighting the importance of family, trust, communication and the power of words and actions. They can shatter or lift a person depending on that persons state of mind at the time. How decisions made at times of high emotion can shape and impact our lives without us ever realising quite how much.

The book is based on Bess’s birthdays and follows two timelines which alternate – her 16th birthday in 1984 and her 53rd birthday in 2021. I’m a little bit younger than Bess – but still close enough in age to totally empathise with the setting of both birthdays. Many a rugby club party where I embarrassed myself too (throwing up on the geography teacher’s shoes being one of the more repeatable ones!).

The two timelines are totally believable – although you’re not sure exactly what has happened to Bess in the intervening years. The relationship between Bess and her brother Philip and parents is written so well in both timelines – and whose retired parents don’t love a voucher for lunch out?!

I also liked the random fact that our favourite resort in Portugal, Vale do Lobo, where we used to have a house (must be a construction company thing – as the people who own a house there are skip company owners #newmoney) gets a mention. I could picture the beach top dog walk. (Please let us be able to go back there soon!!)

A number of times I wanted to shout at Bess to not do something – but obviously couldn’t!! Overall I enjoyed the book – and was keen to see how each timeline played out – and found the ending very satisfying.

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.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4040104642

In Amanda Prowse's newest release meet Bess on her 16th birthday and share her joy of turning 16 followed by a day that shaped her life forever in a way she never saw coming.

Throughout this story we jump between 1984 and 2021 as we piece together what happened on that day that should have been such a happy occasion filled with wonderful memories. As we travel between her birthday both then and now, we start to see how this day is causing her future self to unravel and the ramifications for both herself and her family.

A story full of love, shame and pain as we learn what happened 37 years ago and how this has since shaped the life and decisions that Bess has made. Once again we are taken on an emotional rollercoaster as we get to know Bess' nearest and dearest and see how secrets from the past finally come to a head and how the love and support of family can help Bess to move forward without the feelings of shame and guilt.

A wonderful story with a superb ending that left me with my heart in my mouth, I love reading books by Amanda and this was an absolute pleasure to curl up and devour.

I thoroughly enjoy books written by this Author. She never disappoints!

1984, Bessie is a happy 16 year old. She has dreams, a best friend and a secret love. 2021, Bessie is in a stale marriage, no best friend and an hiding a 37 year old secret from everyone. Will this secret destroy her life or will she be able to own up to issues and make the rest of her life happy.

This story is told in dual timelines, on Bessie’s birthdays and shortly thereafter. Your heart will break for 16 year old Bessie…so full of hope and promise on her 16th birthday, until it turns into the worst day of her life and shapes her future. Your heart will break for 53 year old Bessie, looking for validation from her husband, her family, all the time hiding a deep, dark secret that is tearing her life apart. Ms. Prowse really bring out the teenage angst, young love, mean kids. She does a great job of making you see how Bessie’s decision has effected her entire life until it comes crashing in on her. Like so many women, she is looking for something only she can give to herself. Well written story, satisfying ending. Another win for Ms. Prowse!

Thanks to Ms. Prowse, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone!

Waiting To Begin by Amanda Prowse
I love Amanda Prowse’s books. They are always a delightful read that you can really relate to in some way, shape or form. The characters are so believable. They are you or someone you know. Situations that we have all found ourselves in at some point in our lives.
We does our life, our story, really begin? We make decisions throughout our lives; some good, some bad. Some have consequences that we could not have even begun to imagine. Some decisions are secret; no one knows the real story.
If you could go back to high school and re-do some of your decisions, would you? At what cost? How different would your future look? Would your present day be vastly different?
I would if any of us are really where we thought we would be all those years ago. Actions have consequences. Your decisions affect more than just you.
Bessie’s life is complicated. She loves her family. But sometimes it takes a big dose of reality to snap you to attention and realize what you have. The grass is not always greener on the other side. Your perception is not necessarily someone else’s reality.
This story is told from two different times in Bessie’s life. High school and present day. It gives the reader an interesting perspective into Bessie and who she is. It looks at relationships and how they affect you. Who you surround yourself with says a great deal.
Set aside an afternoon and delve into this wonderful story. Bessie’s story will keep you reading. At what point, do we begin to feel happy and complete? Enjoy Waiting to Begin.

I was excited to read this new novel by A Amanda Prowse and oh boy. This did not disappoint
It is based around the story of Bessie, first in 1984 when she is sixteen, then jump ahead to when she is 53 and married with 2 children. Read about how her disappointments in her past have made her the person she is..
A beautiful book which made me cry and laugh and I couldn't put it down.. The writing style pulled me in to the characters
Excellent

This is the story of Bess at 16 and 53 set on her birthdays. It's hard to believe at 16 that the choices you make will have an impact on your life at 53 but they truly do. Bess harbors a secret for most of her life. Only when the secret comes out will she really begin tho heal.
I liked the main character at both ages and felt for her as her story is told. Some of the secondary characters were just that: Characters! I whipped through this in one day and enjoyed it all I only wish it could have gone on a little longer.

Thanks to netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc.

I tried to get into the storyline but found it difficult to connect with the main characters. The story unfolds very slowly…..I think the title says it all. I kept waiting for it to begin.
I did read the story to the very end though my heart was not into it.
With this said, maybe it was me not being able to get into Waiting to Begin. It was a interesting plot line though for me, the flow was slow.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

Amanda does it again and I think that she is getting better all the time, she is a fabulous author and I have loved every single one of her books.
Wow such a heart rending, emotional roller coaster. The story is about Bess as a youngster and then as a middle aged married woman, centering on her 16th birthday and her 53rd birthday and the emotions surrounding those days. Amanda has described the heartache of growing up and how keeping secrets can have such an impact not just on oursleves but on those surrounding us. Loved the harmonica sessions and the dancing and thought that her parents were the tops and were certainly real to me as a reader. This made me realise that deep down we are still our younger selves and need to acknowledge our flaws and faults and be honest with people that we care about.
I loved the ending which as a spoiler I cannot describe but the fact that it ended on all positive notes gave me a warm glow when it finished.
Would highly recommend this to all my friends to read.

I’ve always said that Amanda Prowse has the uncanny ability to create characters that are so real that you feel like they’re the kind of women you know. They’re the women you’re familiar with from seeing them pushing a trolley around your local grocery store, or at school pick-up or drop-off times. They’re the ones you smile at and say hello to, and the ones you eventually become friends with, enjoying regular coffee chats with, until eventually they are your circle, your tribe … the people who are your closest companions, who you share all of your mad, sad and bad times with, and of course, your wonderful, fabulous times too! It’s no surprise that the women we meet in Waiting to Begin are these people too!

The story here is told in dual timelines: August 1984, when Bess is turning 16 and August 2021 when she’s turning 53. Maybe I identified so much with Bess because she’s the exact same age as I am! Bess has her whole life ahead of her. She can’t wait to leave home to go and study to be an air hostess, and she’s anxiously waiting for her exam results which will be released today!! Then there’s the school dance to look forward to and some big news to break to her best friend Michelle about a certain boy she’s been secretly seeing. But the day doesn’t exactly work out as she’d been expecting. What do they say about “the best laid plans …”?

Skip ahead to 2021 and it’s Bess’s 53rd birthday. She’s been married to steadfast Mario for quite some time and they have two adult children. Their son is newly married and happily settled down, but it seems that Bess herself is uneasy about her life. Her relationship with her daughter is tense. Her best friend from all those years ago, Michelle, is nowhere to be found. It’s as if she’s uncomfortable with her parents and most of all, her marriage is on very shaky ground. And it’s all because Bess believes that her life never really started.

She’s still waiting for it to begin. Still waiting for the opportunities that have passed her by. Still expecting things to work out differently for her. Still wanting a different outcome. Still believing that this isn’t the life she’s meant to be living.

What happened to that excited, happy young girl with all those plans? How did her life turn out so differently to what she’d planned? How did she become this unhappy, bitter middle-aged woman who feels that her life has been one big disappointment after another, despite being married to such a wonderful man, who clearly loves her, and having two children? Well, it all comes down to choices really. Bess was naive, and had she been just a little bit more savvy, she would have been a lot more aware of the people around her and the influence they had on the choices she was making.

Reading Bess’s story made me think about myself back when I was 16, and all the angst that went with that time in my life. I can laugh about it now, but when you’re a teen, all your emotions and feelings are just so, so BIG! Everything happening to you is just so overwhelmingly HUGE! You don’t see beyond it. You certainly don’t see what effect your choices are going to make on the rest of your life. You’re thinking about fun and friends and now, now, now! If we felt like that back then, I can only imagine the pace at which teens today experience life! And back in 1984, who spoke about ‘stuff’? That wasn’t how we did things, was it? Amanda Prowse perfectly depicts this: the way things were so awkward and nothing was discussed. Easier to ignore it and it will either sort itself out or with a bit of luck just disappear altogether.

But as we see in Bess’s case, not talking about what had happened, and keeping it all bottled up just ate away at her until she just didn’t know where to keep all of those feelings and emotions. She had no clue how to talk about it, or who to talk to. She was angry, bitter and jealous about everyone and everything. It all became just too much for her. I can’t help but wonder, how many women our age are walking around like that today? Mostly due to no fault but the way things were. We talk about ‘trauma’ and ‘healing’ but where does it begin and end? And where does blame and fault come into the equation? Do we need to bear the burden of full responsibility for our past experiences or do we need to learn that some of that is just not our weight to carry?

In her calm and gentle way, Amanda Prowse once again deals with so many of these common issues that many of us carry around, without even realising it. These are conversation starters, a-ha moments, wake-up calls and often simply open-eyed and glaringly obvious answers to long held questions that can now be let go. Waiting to Begin is a 5 star read that will undoubtedly be yet another bestseller for this wonderful and compelling author.

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.

Another fantastic book by Amanda, Im fairly new to her books with this being my 2nd one but I am totally hooked and will definitely read more.

I love all the family dynamics in this story, I think there is the right amount of humour, frustration and sadness. I found Bessie's Parents equally heartwarming and frustrating.

There is such a lot of relatable things in this books, characters, relationships, situations and reactions to them. I relate quite a bit to Bessie when she is younger and somewhat when she's older too. I loved Bessie and Michelle's friendship and all the trials and tribulations of teenage friendships.

I really enjoyed the way the chapters when from Bessie as a 16 year old to Bessie as a 52/3 year old and the connections at each age.

You do begin to feel sorry for Bessie throughout the book. I equally wanted to sympathise with her and shake her at the same time. I can't believe she kept the secret for so long I wasn't expecting that.

I really love the meaning behind the title which becomes apparent further into the book.

This is such a raw and emotional book and I absolutely loved it. I cried and I giggled throughout. The Harmonica at the end, wow is all I'll say.

Covering two timelines of Bessie’s life, aged 16 and 53, this emotional story is about secrets, family and trust. It’s a poignant read and I loved getting to know Bessie and how she gets on in life. Her family sound wonderful and the little traditions they share were really special.

Bessie wanted to be an air hostess, she wanted to experience love, and all life, had to offer, but on her sixteenth birthday, her dreams started to crumble. This is an emotional and poignant coming of age story. It reflects on how your younger life can shape your future. The ethos of growing up in the 1980s, a time of change, is evocatively written. Bessie's choices less, and her naivety greater, than for young women, in the twenty-first century.

Bessie, at fifty-three, is at a crossroads in her life. Her children are happy with their lives and independent of her. Her marriage is more a habit than a partnership, and her dreams, remain unfulfilled. This is a journey of self-realisation for Bessie. She has to reveal her darkest secret and forgive her younger self.

This story is immersive and memorable, with experiences many can relate to.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

A woman deals with memories of the past on her birthday and a secret she’s only shared with one other person. As she goes through the day, she tries to ignore her insecurities while also grappling with the reality that her marriage may not be in the best shape. Author Amanda Prowse builds another strong character in a book that needed a little bolstering in her latest release Waiting to Begin.

It’s her 53rd birthday, and Bessie Talbot feels every bit middle-aged. Her children have long since left the nest; one has just left on his honeymoon, and the other is wrapped up in her career. Now it’s just Bessie and her husband, Mario. At one time looking at Mario would make Bessie’s heart race. These days she’d be grateful for the odd palpitation.

The day brings hearty wishes from family and friends, but Bessie can’t shake the feeling that she’s stuck. In fact, she’s felt stuck ever since her 16th birthday. That day started out completely different than her current birthday.

At 16, Bessie woke up knowing she had the whole world ahead of her. Exams had ended, and she just needed the results so she could continue on her path to becoming a flight attendant and traveling the world. She had a boyfriend, although she hadn’t told anyone about him yet, and she and her best friend were all ready to make a splash at the rugby club later that evening for the end-of-term party.

Then everything slid downhill. One after another, her birthday brought so many shocks that Bessie wanted nothing more than for the day to end. She wanted to forget the day ever happened.

She may have physically moved on from turning 16, but Bessie’s never quite gotten over that birthday in her heart and mind. Worse, there are things about that day she’s never told anyone—not her parents, not her best friend (who is her former friend now,) and not even her husband. Those situations still lay claim to who she is, and she thinks about them every year.

As she starts looking around at her life on this latest birthday, Bessie just wants to walk away from it all. It seems like everyone has moved on to bigger and better things. She’s the only one who’s stuck in the past. Try as she might, she can’t seem to make any strides forward. Before the day is out, Bessie will find herself at a crossroads yet again. This time she’ll have to decide whether she can salvage her birthday for good.

Author Amanda Prowse’s latest novel showcases her writing skills in building sympathetic characters. Readers will understand Bessie’s reluctance to move on from the past. Prowse lays out the events of Bessie’s life one careful layer at a time, proving her ease with characters who could very well live next door.

The trouble with the book comes in its pacing and plot. As Bessie relives her memories, the story flashes back to her 16th birthday and intersperses moments from that day with her current birthday. Both feel much longer than they needed to be, both in time and the number of incidents that occur.

Bessie wishes, repeatedly, for the day to end. At some points, readers might be tempted to wish for the same. No doubt, the events on her 16th birthday were necessary to establish her character for later, but Prowse spends too much time driving the main point home. Multiple situations and multiple mentions of those situations come up when a few would have sufficed. As Bessie shares every thought, complaint, and tear, readers might be tempted to tell her to move it along already.

Some parts of the plot are predictable from the earliest pages, leaving readers to wait for Bessie to come to certain conclusions on her own. The result is a story that is much slower than it needed to be. Fans of women’s fiction and diehard Amanda Prowse fans will probably want to read this one. I recommend readers Borrow Waiting to Begin.

I always look forward to reading books by Amanda Prowse as she writes from the heart with raw emotion and this, her latest, is no exception.

This story is told in two time lines with Bessie as the main character.

It begins in 1984 with Bessie at the tender age of 16 years old with a whole exciting future ahead of her. Bessie's 16th birthday should be a day of great joy for many reasons and it turns out to be one she definitely won’t forget as events on this landmark day shapes Bessie's future with huge consequences.

Bessie in 2021 is married with two grown up children and on her 53rd birthday this year she is caught up in all sorts of emotions as she ponders over her life.

With a loving family around her Bess still can’t shake the shame and guilt she carries and it weighs heavy on her shoulders and on her marriage to Mario.

The secrets she has kept hidden for 37 years prove impossible to endure any longer and their disclosure has consequences that Bess has to accept and come to terms with.

This heart-warming family saga had me invested all the way through. I loved the two time line stories and the down to earth characters. Well done again Amanda for producing such an interesting story that was a pleasure to read.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be on the blog tour as guest reviewer for Julie Boon on her fabulous blog boonsbookcase.blogspot.co.uk and my thanks to Net Galley for the digital ARC .

This was my first Amanda Prowse book and it certainly will not be my last.
A fantastic read which follows Bess when she is 16 and then in 2021 at the age of 53.
It’s an emotional read and has a little humour thrown in too. I thoroughly recommend this book.