This was a beautifully written story about a young girls dreams and how they are shattered. When she is grown she must come to terms with her secret, and try to repair her life. I went through a range of emotions while reading this book and it was “Oh so good”. This is a book that will stay with me.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another brilliant book by the incredibly talented Mrs Prowse. The story, as most of hers do, centres around normal people living normal lives. This time the main character is Bessie, a mum with grown up children, parents who she loves but who drive her to distraction, a husband who she loves but has lost her way with and a secret she has carried for many years. The story evolves by switching between and teenage Bessie’s life and a grown up Bessie. There are problems in her marriage, estrangement from her brother and difficult relationships with other family members. Without giving any spoilers, the story climbs to a crescendo which had me reaching for the tissues. The way Amanda Prowse weaves a normal woman, with normal feelings (albeit carrying a large secret) into such a wonderful story is nothing short of a masterpiece in my opinion.

I’m not sure if I like this or not, however I have read all of Amanda’s books so I needed to review it. The narrative is dull and stodgy in parts, which I think is deliberate to add to the context of the book and the ongoing theme of being unfulfilled. I felt that Bess’ voice lifted up only when her life did! It was a great message, though, not to let life pass you by, and go for what you want. Hopefully some women will be inspired! I wouldn’t recommend the book as an introduction to Amanda Prowse, as she has written far better, but certainly it’s readable and the characters were as real as always!

Loved this book so good beautiful wrote gripping plot your hooked from the first page till the last just lovely I recommend to you all

An emotional journey that will warm your heart. This one takes place in two time periods as a 16 year old and a 51 year old. Food for thought, would you go back to your 16 year old self?

This story alternates between 1984 and 2011. Each chapter is labeled so you know where it’s going. It’s narrated by a woman who was 16 years old in 1984, and made a few wrong decisions at that time. These have haunted her since then. I wasn’t exactly enamored with the book during the first 75%, but I did not ever think of making it a DNF. The book then ties ends together and has a great ending. I receive a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Waiting to Begin tells the story of Bessie, alternating chapters between her 16th birthday in 1984 and her 53rd birthday in 2021. There are the events of the day mixed in with looking back over the previous years. At first I found it quite depressing but hoped things would improve as each birthday went on but it takes a while for this to happen. I do like a dual timeline story but what I hadn't realised was that more or less the whole book tells the story of those two days so I found it quite slow and frustrating as there's only so much can happen in one day, even with flashbacks. Bessie at 16 has lots to look forward to but things don't exactly go to plan and Bess at 53 is having a midlife crisis and during the day makes a soap opera like bizarre decision. The end of the book is fairly reassuring but there are just too many loose ends tied up too neatly, except for one skeleton that would inevitably come out of the cupboard....... This book needs something to lighten it and thankfully that comes in the shape of Bessie's parents, down to earth and always looking on the bright side :)
Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This book was so amazing! I really did not expect to be so enamored with it! It is such an emotional and heartwarming story. The characters are so relatable and you can really sympathize with them. I loved the character development with Bessie as well as how real this book felt. It wasn’t sugar coated, it didn’t feel like a cliche happily ever after story. The problems this character faced are very real for many people as well as the way they were handled. I loved the family love theme in this story. I’m not going to lie, the end made me tear up a little. That being said, there are a lot of sensitive subjects in this book so just beware of that before you read. Otherwise I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

Oh what a read! The book flits between the past and now. Filled with emotion and the need to know ‘the secret’ you will love the characters. A great storyline and ending. Quite simply a lovely book which I loved reading.

Amanda Prowse always knows how to tug at the hear strings and Waiting to Begin is no exception. Her books are a good balance of sad and sweet and she is good at writing memorable and believable characters. Looking forward to whatever she comes up with next!

Yet again Amanda Prowse tugs at your heart strings. A moving tale of teenage angst set alongside the adult she grows up to be. Beautifully written, as you would expect f you have read any of her previous books.
My only negative and I admit that it’s probably just me but I struggled with the main characters names, not my cup of tea and in my head Mario wears in red dungarees with a moustache - sorry

Amanda Prowse has done it once again! Another blubbery, red eyed read. Her writing makes you feel emotionally invested in the characters and that you know them. Told through the eyes of Bessie in two timelines, one is the present as a fifty three year old, and the other as a sixteen year old girl just on the verge of discovering love, life and all the problems associated with them. I didn’t always like Bessie but that’s the nature of how great Amanda Prowse is as an author. I didn’t always like her but I felt for her and wanted everything to be okay for her and her family. Great read and I highly recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity.

I loved this book! It was heartwarming and strong. It was exactly what I needed with everything going on in the world! A happy little escape!

As ever, Amanda Prowse does it again and wows me with her ability to be able to create a story which is totally realistic and plausible. She not only writes books that are real life and fills them with characters which are likeable and some dislikeable, annoying or even at best down right frustrating but she does it in such a way that you can almost forgive her about it.

There are always characters that have some issues and need to work on themselves but in this book they actually do, the author has got her character development right down to a fine 't'. The flow here on this book was faultless and I lapped it up.

This book has all the emotional feels though, as it takes you backwards and forwards on an emotional rollercoaster, this book is a heart wrenching story filled with both happiness and sadness, enough emotions to make you feel as though your head will explode and all the love that makes this book probably the worst book hangover to get over, I am sure many other readers and myself can relate to how Amanda Prowse makes really relatable scenarios through capturing everyday experiences people go through and producing stories that are both sensitive and rewarding once the book has finished. I love this about the author and the stories that she writes always leave me feeling like nothing else can fill this void.

A definite five / five stars and a `110% high recommendation.

Many thanks to both, Netgalley and publishers for allowing me to read such an absolute masterpiece by sending me an ARC for free in exchange for an honest review, I really loved it and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I am a huge fan of Amanda's books and this one certainly does not dissapoint.

Beautifully written, it had me engrossed from the beginning and kept me reading into the early hours.

A fantastic read, highly recommended and definitely worthy of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Many thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

Amanda Prowse is one of my favourite authors & is a lovely lady. I absolutely loved this book & will be recommending it to others to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

Amanda Prowse does it again.
This is a powerful story of love, loss, betrayal and secrets hidden for many years. The impact of the past on the present is palpable.
Told from the perspective of Bess who is in her 50’s, we share her journey into restoration and healing and acceptance of self. Bess has to learn to trust others with long buried secrets before she can move on with her life.
A great read from a fine author.

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.

This was a brilliant read - we learn all about Bessie's life and how all her hopes and dreams came crashing down around her feet with loss on so many levels; longed for career, best friendship and love. Bessie's past has shaped her future and left her feeling less of the person she should be. It is impossible not to root for Bessie and take her side every time, but at the end of the day she is holding back her life and needs to break free from her past and that means forgiveness and moving forward.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. My thanks to netgalley for an arc of this book in return for my honest opinion.

I've read previous work by Prowse so was eager to get my hands on this. I'd love to say I struggled to put this down, but I didn't. I was actively putting this book down because it is so well written that the story truly made me empathise and therefore sat in a pit of misery. I did of course eagerly return each evening to it, only to wallow alongside Bess in her many miseries. Though it may not sound like it, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I don't think I've previously empathised on such an enormous level with a character. Bess was very human, very believable and made a lot of typically human mistakes. I'd definitely recommend this book.

Waiting to begin is another beautifully written emotional tale by Amanda Prowse. Set in 1984 and present-day we follow the story of Bess a confident 16-year-old who is about to have the worst birthday ever and a horrible taste of how cruel the real world can be and present-day Bess who at 53 is having an equally horrendous birthday and is battling with a depression triggered by the events from her teens. Although our character has heartbreaking moments it is also written in a very readable, relatable style that is friendly and kind. I struggled to put this book down, it was an addictive read about first loves, family, and communication.