Waiting to Begin

Written by Amanda Prowse

Narrated by Amanda Prowse

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?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jun 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781713585909

Amanda Prowse

Amanda Prowse likens her own life story to those she writes about in her books. After self-publishing her debut novel Poppy Day in 2011, she has gone on to author twenty-five novels, including the number 1 bestsellers, Perfect Daughter and What Have I Done, six novellas and a memoir. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages and she regularly tops book charts all over the world. Remaining true to her ethos, Amanda writes stories of ordinary women and their families who find their strength, courage and love tested in ways they never imagined. The most prolific female contemporary fiction writer in the UK, with a legion of loyal readers, she goes from strength to strength. Being crowned 'queen of domestic drama' by the Daily Mail was one of her finest moments. Amanda is a regular contributor on TV and radio but her first love is, and will always be, writing. You can find her online at www.amandaprowse.com, on Twitter or Instagram @MrsAmandaProwse, and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/amandaprowsenogreaterlove

Reviews for Waiting to Begin

[desiree_reads · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

We all have our reading, and writing preferences. No judgement of the author, or the characters, but here was my exit point at Loc 544:
"It was impossible not to think of Jake and Daniel, intoxicated with the first flush of love and all the expectations of the newly wed."

[lorikboyd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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!

[grandmacootie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read in a short author bio that Amanda Prowse’s ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning off the bedside lamp at night, that ensure you walk every step with her great characters, and tales that fill your head so you can’t possibly read another book until the memory fades . . . Well, let me tell you, in this and every other book I’ve read that she’s written she has realized that ambition, she has succeeded. Waiting to Begin is another in a long list of stories by Amanda Prowse that draws you in, connects you with the characters, makes you feel their joys and even more their pain and hurts and shame and fears. Her books are never easy to forget but you are always so satisfied and fulfilled and glad you read them.In 1984 Bessie is just a typical teenage girl, lots of hopes and dreams for the future, a little clueless, a lot trusting. And then that all gets turned around and she is betrayed. And has to escape.In 2021 Bessie is a fifty-three year old woman. Married, but maybe not so happily anymore, and with grown children who don’t really need her so much. And Bessie is tired and worn out, because even though she escaped the horrible events of 1984, she didn’t escape the shame and the secrets. And the thing about secrets is that sometimes they seem to take over, they grow and grow and one secret leads to another and unraveling them seems like an impossible task.Bessie is another of author Amanda Prowse’s wonderful characters. Not always very likeable because she’s at the end of her rope, and quite possibly the end of her marriage. She wants the joy her son has in his new marriage in her own life, but there is so much to wade through, so much to tell, so many relationships to deal with, and will these relationships survive the truth?Waiting to Begin is a story I can’t recommend highly enough. I cried – a lot - because life is not only hard for Bessie but for all those caught intentionally or unintentionally in her web of lies. I wanted so badly for things to work out for her and Mario, her and her children, her and her parents, and most of all I was desperate for Bessie to be happy again.Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of Waiting to Begin for my reading pleasure and honest review. This is another solid, well-crafted story with wonderful characters and events that grab you and won’t let you go. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it without hesitation. All opinions are my own.