I enjoyed the heck out of listening too The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs. While not filled with laugh out loud moments, humor runs through the story from start to finish. And again, while it lacks those laugh out loud moments, the story had a very Dave Barry-esque vibe. The seemingly random events eventually converging into a delightful conclusion. The story centers around 4 couples who have been friends for decades. Thanks to bad investments they’ve all fallen on hard times. But when a freak accident happens on one of the four husbands dies, his wife suddenly discovers she’s rich from an insurance policy she wasn’t even aware her husband had. And…the other husbands have similar policies. Suddenly they remaining ladies and contemplating the possibility of bumping off their husbands. Little do they know that the husbands don’t their friend’s death is an accident and are now worried that their lives might be in danger and are making arrangements of their own to safeguard their lives. This is a wild comedy of misunderstands and I absolutely loved it. With the right cast this would make a fantastic movie. The book is narrated mostly by Kiiri Sandy, who has a fantastic job, with some small section done by John Pirhalla, who also does a good job. I very much look forward to seeing what Ms. Hincenbergs comes upon with next. I’d like to thank HaperAudio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review a review copy of the audio version of The Retirement Plan.

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An unusual twist on relationships and trying to come up with a way to get quick cash. It is fun, quick read that will have the reader gasping and laughing. One husband dies in a freak accident or was he murdered? The narrative follows four couples in their 60s, lifelong friends who have saved hard for their retirement dreams. However, when their husbands—Hank, Larry, Andre, and Dave—lose their entire retirement savings on a poor investment, the women—Pam, Nancy, Shalisa, and Marlene—are left feeling lost, angry, and utterly disillusioned with life and their spouses. After Marlene’s husband dies in an unfortunate accident, she receives a million-dollar life insurance payout. Her friends soon start to consider that widowhood might not be such a bad idea, especially when they discover all the husbands had the same life insurance policy. Enter Padma, the manager at the casino where Hank and Dave worked, who suspects the four men of embezzling millions from the casino. Add in Hector, the local barber and man who ‘can get things done’, and his wife Barbera, and the stage is set for a fun adventure filled with confusion, misunderstandings, plot twists, and double-crossing galore. The story goes in several unexpected directions and has dark humor throughout that I appreciated. Much of it revolves around assumptions and misunderstandings the characters have about each other’s motives. Something not to serious but rather a whodunnit with some laughs. Thanks to the author, the publisher William Morrow, and to NetGalley for the opportunity

2.5 Stars ⭐️

This was a new to me author, and then I realized that this was actually a debut novel by Ms. Hincenbergs. Unfortunately, this was not a book for me.

I ended up listening to this on audio and the narration was done by Kiiri Sandy and John Pirhalla. I really didn't have an issue with the narration itself; it was more the actual story that I had a hard time with.

The story starts off by introducing us to 4 couples who have been friends for decades. Not only are the couples friends, but the 4 men are best friends and the 4 women are also best friends. Right at the beginning, one of the men is unalived and that starts the ball rolling for the rest of the story.

From there, it really becomes a case of misunderstandings and miscommunication. First of all, I REALLY had a problem with the 4 wives - couples who had been together for decades - deciding to have their husbands killed. Seriously? And their reasoning for this crazy decision? Yeah. I had problems with all of it. There were a couple of funny circumstances, but not enough to sustain the story or overcome the fact that people who were supposed to love each other were making decisions that could only HURT their spouse.

I think the main issue that became a barrier that I could not overcome was the fact that I was not able to connect with ANY of the characters. I wanted to like them, to root for them, but I just couldn't. I think this was supposed to be a funny, lighthearted story, yet for me it was the exact opposite. Not funny and definitely not lighthearted. I've been married 33 years and I can not comprehend the actions taken by both groups - the wives AND the husbands.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio for the opportunity to listen to and review this Audio ARC. This book will be out for publication on May 6, 2025.

Three best friends, one big betrayal, and a whole lot of life insurance money. The Retirement Plan is a sharply funny, slightly murderous debut that dives into the chaos of long-term marriages, lifelong friendships, and the dreams we have for our golden years. When Pam and her friends Shalisa, Nancy, and Marlene find out their husbands have botched a retirement investment—and essentially sunk their future beach condo dreams—they’re left bitter and broke. But everything changes after one of the husbands dies in a freak accident and his widow pockets a massive life insurance payout…and moves to Florida.

That’s when the women learn their own husbands each have similar seven-figure policies, and the idea of retirement suddenly has a very deadly new meaning. They begin plotting with a hitman (yes, really), only to realize their husbands aren’t as clueless as they seem—they’ve got a secret plan of their own. Cue a suspenseful, darkly funny game of marital cat and mouse, where the line between villain and victim blurs fast.

This audiobook was such a fun and easy listen! It perfectly balances outrageous antics with surprisingly heartfelt moments. Yes, it’s totally over the top at times—there are plenty of “wait, what?!” moments—but that’s part of its charm. Underneath all the scheming and shenanigans is a thoughtful story about growing older, the complexities of marriage, and how even the most buried secrets can change everything.

Sure, it’s a bit ridiculous, but I had a blast with it. If you're looking for something twisty but light, and a little zany in all the right ways, The Retirement Plan is the perfect vacation read. Think The First Wives Club meets The Thursday Murder Club—just with more murder plots and margaritas.

The Retirement Plan is out now. Huge thank you to William Morrow and Mac Millan Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
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What an unexpected treat to discover this story. The audiobook version was one of my favorite audiobooks narrated by one person. The narration by Kiiri Sandy was perfection. (There is a chapter at the end of the story is narrated by John Pirhalla but the rest of the book is all done from a female narration). She switched accents no less than 4 times to include so many different voices. Her distinctions between male and female were so well done that I could have sworn there were multiple narrators.

Then we get to the story and it made me laugh out loud so many times. This feels like Finley Donovan meets The Thursday Murder Club. There is a group of friends that are at or near retirement age that have hatched a plan to steal from the Casino that 2 of the individuals work for and then things go sideways. There's so much more to this story than this description so just know that there are some fabulous characters to love and characters to root for. I highly recommend this one!

"The Retirement Plan" is a fun and humorous read that takes the reader on twists and turns that will keep you laughing and perplexed. I enjoyed this read, however, do not go into it thinking it will be a thriller, or even a mystery, it's a funny, larger than life cozy read that makes a reader feel confused but along for the ride. Check this book out if your a fan of cozy, funny untraditional mysteries.

The Retirement Plan is an absolute delight—a fun, lighthearted read packed with misadventures, misunderstandings, and laugh-out-loud moments.
The high jinks are nonstop, making it hard to put the book down. The misunderstandings between characters add a layer of charm and chaos that keeps the plot moving briskly. The characters were quirky and lovable, and their antics made for a super entertaining escape. Definitely a feel-good, fun time!

This novel is a wild and hilarious ride where three older women decide it’s time to cash in on their lousy husbands—literally. Just when you think you know where it’s going, their husbands throw in their own crazy plan involving a casino heist and the mob. It’s sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt, with characters you’ll root for even when they’re up to no good. I loved it!

Narration was very good. It was engaging enough that I stayed with it despite not liking the book. The premise was interesting, and there were a few genuinely funny moments (the pad thai scene stood out). But overall, this book wasn’t for me.

I didn’t like the number of coincidences or how central they were to the plot. I especially didn’t enjoy husbands who would take their wives’ retirement behind their backs before the book even starts, then cancel their life insurance and fake their deaths more than halfway through with not real plans to get them any money. There wasn’t enough growth to justify it. I also didn’t connect with the wives who were willing to kill men they ostensibly loved over money. Wanting Larry dead made a little sense, more motivation than money anyway. The rest didn’t. Everyone was hard to root for, and no one was growing.

Except Hector, but even Hector was a flat character. this book was not for me.

Too many coincidences, not enough payoff. I will not be providing any additional reviews of this novel unless specifically told too.

I think I would have liked this better if I read it, rather than listened to it. There were too many characters to keep straight for the first third of the book until you could get a feel for it, and I wasn’t sure I was going to finish listening.

Going into this book , I was expecting a witty, funny, and entertaining story. The book summary was an instant click for me. The premise and plot had potential, and the story itself was original. The author did set up a strong and promising storyline.
However, the execution didn’t quite hit its mark for me. While the plot had its strong points, I found it difficult to connect with the characters and the overall narrative. I felt disjointed as a reader. I was left with more questions than it answered.
The story had moments where it felt like it was on the verge of becoming something memorable, but it never quite got there. I think readers looking for a light, quirky read might still find this to be the read for them.

A must-read for fans of the Finlay Donovan series. The Retirement Plan reads like a comedy of errors. This book was a fun read and I loved all the miscommunications and twists and turns.

The characters were enjoyable and more complex than they seemed. The plot was cleverly thought out, and I really loved how it all came together. The use of multiple narrators was well-executed.

The audiobook narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life. Overall a fun and fast-paced story.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarperAudio for an ALC.

If you are looking for a fun, twisting, unbelievable, addictive romp, then your “reading plan” should be to read The Retirement Plan. I laughed at the various misconceptions but know you must just go with the absurdity of the various beliefs and actions that could easily been resolved with communication.

Couples nearing retirement hit financial problems and see a potential solution if they could collect death benefits from insurance money. This leads to a satirical, wacky, cozy mystery told from multiple viewpoints. Along with the humor there is an element of heart, as we see the characters understanding of aging and realization that their life might not be what they expected it to be.

There was outstanding narration by Kiiri Sandy and John Pirhalla that added to the believability of the characters while encouraging us to see the humor. Well done!

4.5 rounded up because don't we all need a good laugh?

Laughed my sox off! The story is hilarious and full of some really astounding twists. Think the stooges played by the Golden Girls directed by Mel Brooks. Perfect read for the times.
Voice actors Kiiri Sandy and John Pirhalla seamlessly demonstrate their interpretative skills (deadpan) impressively in this book.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio via NetGalley. ***** review #bookbub #goodreads #storygraph #librarything #B&N
#TheRetirementPlan by @hincenbergs @kiirisandy_narration @john.pirhalla @harpercollins @williammorrowbooks #debutnovel #satire #mysteryfiction #psychologicalthriller #humor #cozymystery #audiobook #contemporary #scheming #casino #hitmen #snarkfest #bestlaidplans #relationshipissues

A huge thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to review! This book was so unexpected in the best way. It was laugh out loud hilarious and I just adore a book that doesn’t take itself seriously at all! There is something so refreshing when an author leans into the absurdity of their text in a way that lets it still be suspenseful and thrilling but makes you laugh out loud along the way. It is also so weirdly heartwarming, which is weird for a book about wives hiring a hitman to kill their husbands but just adds to the fun twists and turns!

The Retirement Plan is an excellent blend of Humor & Satire with Mystery & Thriller. This story centers around four couples who have spent their adult lives as friends. Now, nearing retirement age, things have become rocky between the men and their wives, and the friends, on each respective side of the rifts, team up to figure out new retirement plans.

In this story, the comedic twists just keep coming as these characters dig deeper into their plans. It is quite funny, with a great edge from crime and imminent danger.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story which was performed by a single narrator until the very end, when a second narrator jumps in for the conclusion. This story is told in multi POV, but the one narrator does a great job delivering the story, I listened at 1.75x speed (my normal audiobook listening speed), with some moments where I slowed down to 1.5x.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult for this advanced listeners copy.

Filled with heists and hijinks, THE RETIREMENT PLAN is perfect for poolside reading.

The story follows four longtime couples nearing retirement, each grappling with financial strain, marital tension, or both. After decades of friendship, the group is rocked when Dave—one of their own—dies in a freak accident. In the aftermath, the wives begin to ask themselves a bold question: Is their marriage worth the trouble… or is a generous life insurance payout the better deal?

This is an entertaining, twisty tale with just the right mix of humor and heart. As the characters confront the realities of aging, lost dreams, and unpredictable futures, readers may find themselves both laughing and relating. The middle-aged cast brings a refreshing and often hilarious perspective on growing older, reevaluating relationships, and improvising when life doesn’t go according to plan. The male and female narrators really brought the audiobook to life!

Read this if you:
-believe offense is the best defense
-are fiercely protective of your leftovers
-you have ever underestimated your spouse

Boring is the word to describe this one. It was so confusing and far-fetched. I love stories with older characters but these husbands and wives were terrible people. Would not suggest. The titles I've received from Netgalley in the last two weeks have been pretty lack-luster.

THE RETIREMENT PLAN is what you get when you combine lies, omissions, lack of communication, assumptions, and misunderstandings. A most enjoyable book! If you're looking for twists, laughter, intrigue, and sharp dialogue, look no further. Grab your copy and prepare for a delightful ride!

The story is told from multiple points of view, offering readers a hilarious yet poignant glimpse into the minds of every character: the beleaguered wives plotting their husbands' demise, the paranoid husbands who believe they're on a kill list, Hector, the barber and hired hitman, and Padma, the Casino manager, all leading to some truly entertaining situations.

The audiobook was not just a reading but a fantastic experience. Kiiri Sandy and John Pirhalla delivered excellent performances, bringing all the different points of view to life with distinct voices and perfect timing, engaging the listeners from start to finish.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Audio, for the audiobook copy. And thank you, Sue Hincenbergs, for this excellent debut. I look forward to reading your next book!

This was a literary version Keystone Cops: a bumbling  and hilarious murder mystery. There was a smile on my face the entire time I was listening. 

The barber is a hit man, four couples like, hate, then like their spouses again, there is a hunt for a husband by a short Indian woman in 5 inch heels and a laundry list of presumptions that lead this crowd of amateurs down so many paths of distrust and deceit it's hard to keep them all straight.

The most significant presumption was the cause of the death of one of the husbands that leads this likable group of long time friends to question their own lives and relationships. 

A delightful book with an ending I assumed but with a twist as well.