Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the ARC.

Hell yeah, I had a really good time with this! This is a fun and witty book which doesn't take itself too seriously, but still manages to not be too cartoonish. I even laughed out loud a few times. I kept thinking of this as something that could be adapted really well to a made-by-Netflix movie. It even has a scene where the characters are discussing which actors would play them in a movie, so maybe I'm onto something.

It could have been more compact, it felt slightly too long, and the epilogue wasn't necessary at all. The post script was a fun surprise, at that point I didn't think we would get the full resolution. At a few points throughout the book, information is kept from the reader. At the points the reader is up-to-date, and the characters are still figuring out some puzzle pieces, it felt a bit repetitive, because you're getting the information twice, sometimes even three times. But it was fun to sometimes know what's up and other times not at all!

I think this is a perfect book to take on holiday. It has short chapters, its silliness is highly entertaining, and at the same time it also gives you opportunity to think about the good and bad about relationships. Also, the dog is a great addition!

A great idea and it flowed along nicely at the start but I became bored fairly quickly. The characters were fairly interchangeable and the only one I really liked, strangely enough, was Hector. Padma's sections were dull and I skimmed most of those. A clever plot, nicely wrapped up but not for me although I'm sure it will have its fans.

Totally refreshing, hilarious and very entertaining.

Not my usual style of book but it made a refreshing change. It’s absolutely ridiculous but very witty. It was like golden girls meets white lotus. I could picture this being made into some crazy American hit comedy.

It’s a lighthearted funny read. Very much enjoyed it

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. As someone who is over retirement age and still working this was the perfect read for me. Really enjoyed it.

This book started out as a light frothy chic lit but somewhere quite early in became a multi dimensional story with great depth and twists. I particularly enjoyed the various points of view and I ended up empathising with many of the characters. Please don’t be put off by the cover or the book blurb, this book is so much better than it seems.

Book Review: The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

Three women nearing retirement decide to get rid of their husbands for the life insurance money.

What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out—everything.

This book is a mix of dark humor, chaos, and crime, with plenty of misunderstandings, plot twists, and moments where you think you know what’s coming… only to be completely wrong (or, sometimes, absolutely right).

Plot

The premise alone is ridiculous in the best way possible. It’s fast-paced, full of surprises, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Some of the twists are totally unexpected, while others you can see coming a mile away—but that’s part of the fun.

Characters

The three women at the center of this mess are quirky, likable, and full of personality. Their interactions and dialogue really make the book shine. Even when their decisions are questionable, you can’t help but root for them.

Pacing

It moves quickly, which keeps things engaging. The humor and twists make it easy to fly through. That said, some parts are so absurd that you just have to go with it.

Humor

This is where the book really works. The dialogue is sharp, the situations are ridiculous in a way that somehow makes sense, and it genuinely made me laugh. If you like crime stories with a side of dark humor, this one delivers.

Overall

The Retirement Plan is a fun, over-the-top crime caper that doesn’t hold back on the absurdity. Was it a bit too ridiculous at times? Sure. But did I still have a great time reading it? Absolutely. If you’re into dark humor, crime comedies, and a little bit of chaos, you’ll probably love this one.

Well this is an amusing story that initially feels like The first Wives Club but quickly evolved into something else completely. The wives are devious and clumsy rather than calculating and it's not quite revenge they're after.

The plot unfolds slowly as a number of twists reveal a more complex story than imagined.

It's quite funny as people are making assumptions left, right and centre and it makes for an interesting read. A comedy-crime story! I think in some respects there's a big moral to the story and that is to not take your partner for granted and actually communicate. However, if they'd been good communicators then we would have had their adventures unfold before us.

I really enjoyed this madcap tale of four couples who, thanks to a bad investment, find their retirement plans up in smoke and their marriages all but over. Now, they have plans of a different kind, the wives independently of their husbands. Crossed wires and miscommunication follow.🍸
The story is told from several POV's; the men, the women, the casino boss and the barber. All but one of the characters are likeable, but as always, the dog (Elmer) was my favourite. 🐶
Fast paced, funny, and at times ridiculous, The Retirement Plan is a book you will either love or hate. I loved it because it made me laugh out loud, but don't take my word for it. Read it for yourself. Go on, you know you want to. 🍸
Thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC. 🍸

Light hearted and darkly humorous, I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. I didn’t relate to any of the characters and found it difficult to remember who was who. I can see it’s appeal, just not for me.

Such a clever story. Expertly woven together story of what can happen when lies are told or assuming that lies are being told and the consequences. I lived it.

I firstly wanted to read this because of the fun and engaging cover, as everyone says don’t judge a book by its a cover but I did and it turned out to be brilliant! It was fun and witty in my opinion so if you love comedic thrillers then this one will be for you!

This is not like the books I usually read? But it got me engaged from the first chapters. The story line is amazing, I loved the characters and their thoughts. The multiple POVs made me feel like I am part of the story and the plot was something I anticipated but I loved the way it was portrayed. All the action made me feel like the characters are way much younger then being in their 60’s. They were full of life and full of action.

I adored this book! I loved that the main characters were older and not trying to be younger all the time. That they recognised and accepted that fact. All they wanted was a little comfort in their retirement and then their husbands blew it big time! I laughed out loud at the outrageous storylines of the hitman barber and the casino boss fighting off the attempts of her matchmaking mafia boss mother. The whole story was absolutely unbelievably, crazy but brilliant all at the same time! Definitely worth 5 stars from me for the entertainment value alone.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

A confusing start as to who’s who, but this settles as you get into the book. The story line is somewhat far fetched which I suppose makes it a fairly humorous book. It’s based around four couples and their relationships with both their partners and one another. The males in one group and the females in another, and how they saw their retirement which hits major problems along the way. Personally, I didn’t find it a captivating read, but can see it being read on holiday or as part of an easy going book club.

The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs is an absolute gem! From start to finish, this novel delivers a perfect blend of humor, warmth, and genuine emotion. Hincenbergs’ writing is witty, engaging, and full of heart, making it an absolute page-turner that’s hard to put down.

The story follows its lovable characters through the highs and lows of retirement planning, but it’s so much more than just a financial journey—it’s a story about life, relationships, and the unexpected twists that come with aging. The characters feel so real and relatable, each with their own unique struggles and dreams, making their individual journeys incredibly engaging. Whether you’re nearing retirement yourself or simply appreciate a well-told story about navigating life’s challenges, The Retirement Plan speaks to the universal experiences that we all face.

What I loved most about this book is Hincenbergs’ ability to balance humor with deeper reflections on life’s transitions. The story is lighthearted and often humorous, but it also touches on some poignant moments that really resonate. There’s a beautiful sense of optimism and hope throughout the narrative that reminds us of the importance of second chances, staying connected with loved ones, and embracing change.

The pacing is perfect, and the storyline keeps you hooked, with unexpected twists and turns that make for an enjoyable and satisfying read. It’s the perfect book to curl up with—comforting, funny, and thought-provoking in equal measure.

Overall, The Retirement Plan is a delightful and uplifting read that I wholeheartedly recommend. Sue Hincenbergs has created a truly heartwarming novel that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. Highly recommended!

I see that the author worked in TV production prior to this book, and it really shows. As a TV series, this would be great. As a book, however, I can't explain why I found it irritating. I stopped at exactly 50% of the way through as I had no desire to read any more. Plot-wise, it's all there. Four wives keeping secrets from their husbands and vice versa. Add in a mysterious and grisly murder to unravel and all ingredients are present and correct. The POV narrative changes hands a lot, which added layers of intrigue and was done well. It's well written, like a wittier version of a Liane Moriarty.

So what stopped me finishing it? I couldn't tell a lot of the characters apart. The women all seemed to want the same thing and sounded very similar and the men seemed like one homogenous man. On TV, this would work better, but I just couldn't picture any of them, and therefore, I was not emotionally invested in the plot. I just lost interest and didn't want to read on. I'd watch it on TV though!

Very enjoyable read with some great characters. It had many unexpected turns and kept me engaged until the end. And I absolutely love that the characters are older.

The end felt a little bit rushed in my opinion, but it didn’t take away from the entire experience of the book.

Can definitely see this being made into a movie.

I’m afraid I gave up early on this one. I didn’t enjoy the style of writing, the dialogue, nor the characters. Perhaps it is better suited to readers based in the US

This is a light-hearted, tongue in cheek, easy read. I found the story line easy to follow and humorous. I wasn’t gripped by it but it was an enjoyable read.

This is my kind of crime fiction – light hearted. I loved this book, it is so funny. When I first started reading I did wonder if this would be for me, but I needn’t have worried. I found it fast paced, with a twisty plot. It was twisty because these people change their minds like the weather.

There’s not a lot I can say about the actual story because the blurb tells you all you need to know before reading the book, to say any more would start to give clues about the plot and I would hate to slip up and give too much away.

I loved all the characters, the husbands, the wives/friends and the supporting characters too. There was the CEO of the casino where some of the story is set, she’s trying desperately to prove to her mum back in India that she is more than capable of running a profitable, successful business and she’d rather choose her own husband than have her mum choose for her.

There’s a saying, and it fits the whole situation in the book, the wives position as well as the husbands, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” This just about sums up the whole plot and its brilliant. And despite murder most foul being at the root of this story, it did turn out to be quite a heart warming tale too. As you can tell, I loved it. It would make a fab comedy movie. If they made a film of the book though, I wouldn’t watch it because the film is just never as good as the book, and besides, I have a picture in my head of all the characters and casting would just spoil that.

Above all it just made me laugh so much. Written with dry wit, and yet it also has a certain tenderness to it as well. Pam was definitely my favourite character.