Loved this book!!! Love all the twists and turns and all the characters were so much fun and witty. Was a great read highly recommend <3

I read The Retirement Plan some weeks ago and thought I had posted a review but apparently not. However the story is still clear in my mind because it was funny, complex with a few unexpected twists and turns, and a final denouement that tickled my laughter buds.
There are an unlikely range of characters, all of whom become more real as the story progresses. The scenario of a retirement plan that fails and the creative solution devised by the group of men affected, without the knowledge of their wives, has many echoes in any retirement and captures with humour the sheer difficulty of living with someone you thought you knew from many years of living together and then find is behaving in a completely unexpected way. There were descriptions of the joy of partnerships and friendships going back over many years, the picnics, the teasing, the predictable behaviours. The grief of bereavement and how that affects the balance in a group of long standing friendships was also explored. I was totally carried along by the story, to the point where I wondered if my own retirement plan should change!
Sue Hindenberg has achieved a well written, light hearted story which tackles some real questions about the trials and joys of retirement.

I was unfortunately quite disappointed with this book. The idea and plot was so promising, but I found myself getting quite bored whilst I was reading. The story was ridiculous and ludicrous, and told the right way I think it could have been quite funny, but I don't think it hit that nail quite right. I want to reiterate that this book isn't awful, some parts were enjoyable and gripping, but overall I found it quite disappointing.

What a darkly funny book! I had been fascinated by the book's description, but had no idea really what to expect. And for the first few pages, I kept thinking it wasn't worth continuing. Wasn't this just going to be another rom-com beach read? But then the plot twisted and turned, there were various mishaps and mis-understandings, and some of the characters, such as Hector and Padma, develop some fascinating sub plots. Oh, and then there's the dog, Elmer.

I began to read more and more quickly, devouring the delightful situations, wanting to know how the author would bring about the denouement. And suddenly there was a whole other side developing with the husbands. I won't spoil the plot! It would indeed make a good beach read but it's so much more than that. It's very, very clever, totally absurd and full of unpredictabilities.

It also makes you yearn for a good margarita in the sun. Or white wine for breakfast.

I can't give it 5 stars as I didn't like the constant use of the F word. I know it's very common these days, but it just makes me ask why the writer can't think of better words and seems to have such a limited vocab in using it so much.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was sent an advance proof copy of The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs to read and review by NetGalley. I really enjoyed this book! While I can’t say that it was ‘jaw-droppingly hilarious’ as stressed by one reviewer, I did think it was really entertaining and amusing. The cast of characters are well drawn and the writing flows nicely and is very readable. There are plenty of twists and turns and you get to meet the wonderful Elmer - the dog! Though some of the themes are quite dark the overall feel is light-hearted and quite playful. I have been hovering between giving this novel 4 or 5 stars (4.5 would have been perfect!) but I did always want to get back to it so 5 stars it is!

I really wanted to read this book after I read the promo . Sadly I did not find it hilarious. It reminded me of a movie from the 1960s and was just ittitated by the characters.. sadly not forme.

This book is perfection! If you are looking for a fun read, this is the one for you! Light and frothy, for ladies of all ages.

enjoyed this book. It’s a fun, lighthearted read and the author has a great sense of humor. The story was filled with lots of twists, turns and misunderstandings. Overall, an enjoyable read! Recommended.

ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚✨️

The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs.

First of all, can I just say: I ADORED THIS BOOK.

I am so pleased that i was selected for an ARC, this is such a gem and I think it's going to be really popular.

The scene is set and it gives off 80s romcom vibes of 60 year olds living life, drinking cocktails and having bbqs in the back yard all whilst suffering from marital misunderstandings. But its so much more than that..... 👀

We meet 4 couples, the best of friends. We quickly find out that all 4 men were duped in a money making scheme and lost all of the respective couples savings. We also find out that they have figured out a way to recoup their losses. But the wives don't know about that!

One of the 4 men suffers a tragic death and his wife recieves a huge insurance pay out, the other three wives, desperate for a happy life, decide they too need to get rid of their husbands and benefit from their insurance policies. The gents, have a very different plan...!!

This story switches between different character points of view quite often and usually I'm not into this as I can find it hard to keep up with who's telling the story, however for this, it just worked perfectly. It was great to be in the know of all the antics and goings on and to get to know all the characters.

This book is humourous, chaotic, good spirited, full of twists and turns and really honestly is so full of heart. Yes this is probably a thriller, but its cosy and feel good too. I would really love to see this being made into a movie, the way this book played out in my head was fantastic and i really need to see it come to life!

This book is released in May 2025 and is a laugh outloud debut.

5⭐️

What a fun read ! I found it a little slow to start and took a while to sort out the characters. I’m just sad that when it comes out as a TV series or film I’ll already know the twists and turns. Seems tailor made for a fabulous screen play.

This book was full of humour. Who could be trusted? What a tangle of plans? Far fetched but a good read. I really enjoyed it.

“The Retirement Plan” by Sue Hincenbergs is a darkly comedic debut novel that intertwines themes of friendship, marriage, and the unexpected turns of retirement. Scheduled for release on May 6, 2025, this book has already garnered attention for its unique premise and engaging narrative.

The story centers on three long-time friends—Pam, Nancy, and Shalisa—who, along with their husbands, have envisioned a serene retirement. However, their plans are derailed when their husbands’ collective investment fails disastrously, jeopardizing their financial security and straining their marriages. The situation takes a darkly humorous twist when one husband dies in a freak accident, leading his widow to a comfortable life in Florida, courtesy of a substantial life insurance payout. This revelation inspires the remaining wives to contemplate a drastic solution: hiring a hitman to eliminate their husbands and claim the insurance money. Unbeknownst to them, their husbands are concocting a secret retirement scheme of their own, setting the stage for a suspenseful and witty game of cat and mouse.

Early reviews praise Hincenbergs’ ability to blend humor with suspense. One reviewer describes the book as “a quirky story” that works very well, noting the anticipation of whether the characters would carry out their plans . Another highlights the novel’s “twists and turns” and its capacity to elicit laughter, indicating a well-crafted plot that keeps readers engaged .

Hincenbergs’ background as a former television producer is evident in her storytelling, with vivid character development and a meticulously plotted narrative that has been described as “an absolute scream from first page to last” . The novel’s film rights have already been optioned by a Hollywood studio, suggesting its potential for adaptation and wider appeal .

In summary, “The Retirement Plan” offers a deliciously dark and humorous exploration of the lengths to which individuals might go to secure their futures. With its engaging plot and well-drawn characters, it promises to be a standout debut in 2025, appealing to fans of witty thrillers and dark comedies alike.

This book was just FUN! To try and take it as anything more serious ...........................
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This was an enjoyable read, lots of twists and turns/misunderstandings. The characters were likeable although there were too many of them to characterize beyond things such as 'he eats healthily' - that seemed to be Andres only personality trait! The ending was a bit all over the place as well. I enjoyed the plotline but not sure i would pick up another one by this author.

The book was well written but I found it was difficult to identify with characters. In fact it was somewhat too girly for this English retiree of 68. It did not appeal to my sense of humour and I could not wait to finish. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to try a new author.

Sue Hincenbergs’ Retirement Plan is genius! A cozy crime novel interwoven with morbid humor - simply great.

Pam, Shalisa, Nancy and Marlene are fed up with their husbands. Ever since they wasted their entire savings on a failed investment, an icy cold breeze has been blowing through their homes.

When Dave dies and Marlene collects a pretty penny from the insurance company, the remaining ladies come up with a plan for their retirement. But they made the plans without their husbands, who also have a few aces up their sleeves…

I really enjoyed this book and can only recommend it. It is Sue Hincenbergs' debut novel and I hope that there will be many more to come.

4.5 stars

Sue Hincenbergs’ The Retirement Plan is a riotously funny romp, evoking the charm of an '80s rom-com where characters stumble through a maze of misunderstandings and over-the-top shenanigans. The story unfolds in a way that would make any responsible adult sigh at the sheer lack of communication - but also secretly delight in the chaos that ensues. After all, the story’s absurdity is its greatest charm.

The plot kicks off with a wild premise: what do you do when your husband gambles away your retirement savings and starts grating on your nerves?

If you’re the women in this book, the answer is obvious - you conspire with your equally disgruntled friends to murder your spouses for the life insurance payouts. But, as it turns out, the husbands have a secret plan of their own.

Throw in a sketchy barber with a thriving sideline in dubious dealings, and you’ve got the makings of a comedy caper that keeps you guessing at every turn.

The novel’s narrative style is fast-paced, frequently shifting points of view to give readers a window into the antics of both the husbands and wives.

While every perspective adds to the hilarity, Padma, the exasperated casino boss juggling her own set of challenges (including an overbearing mother), stands out as a particularly compelling character. Likewise, Hector, the shady yet unexpectedly nuanced barber, is a delight to follow through his misadventures.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to balance humour with a surprising depth of characterisation. The absurdity of the situation never feels forced, and the twists and turns, though wild, are woven seamlessly into the narrative. The story explores the messiness of relationships and communication - or the lack thereof - in a way that feels both outlandish and relatable.

While none of the couples are models of healthy relationships, their antics are undeniably entertaining. This is not a book to read for moral lessons or life inspiration - it’s a story for those who want to laugh at the ridiculousness of human behaviour.

This was a fun lighthearted read with more twists and depth of story than I had envisaged on starting the book. I felt that some aspects of the story line e.g. Padma needed more depth to feel truly relevant. Whilst not my usual style of book I would recommend this for an enjoyable and easy read and would be great for bookclubs.

This book was the perfect blend of wit and intrigue for my tastes. It had a wonderfully dark sense of humor that had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. The story was filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me eagerly turning the pages, not wanting to put it down. Overall, it was an enjoyable and engaging read that brought a lot of fun into my day!

I really wanted to like this book. At the beginning it started off well with a good amount of humour and real life issues. The characters were strong and the situation seemed not implausible. However, it quickly became a bit tiresome and ridiculously far fetched. Whilst I realise this was a humorous light hearted read, I felt it lacked direction much of the time. However, parts of the book were really well written. and really quite funny.

Such a shame it wasn’t consistent throughout.

For me it was just too airy fairy.