WAITING TO BEGIN 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?

MY THOUGHTS: 

Like all of Amanda Prowse books this one will leave you with some very big ugly tears. That is just the way she writes. Emotional and realistic. Happy and still tearjerkers. 

This is a story for the heart. It's about two timeframes. About two young girls. A marriage. A love story that will keep you wondering where exactly it's heading. Maybe. It starts out with a train ride in 1984 and ends with hope in 2021.

My very favorite quote from this book is: 'Phillip.' Her voice was tiny. 'I am really, really scared.' Again he sat next to her and put his arm around her shoulders. 'Don't be. It's only a storm and I'm right here.' 

Then there is this one: 'I think you've been waiting to start over, Bess, waiting to begin...' 

This book is so good. The characters are great. I liked every one except the boy, Lawrence. But then again he was young too. Young and very stupid. So maybe you have to forgive him. Maybe you have to say he was a kid who really messed up. It's hard to say that though when you read this story. When you read what he did you will not like him at all. Nope, I didn't like Lawrence one tiny bit.

Bess and Mario have been married and happy for quite a few years. They have their ups and downs but they seem to be in it for the long haul. No matter what. Except for maybe that one tiny secret that might break them. I rooted for them. I wanted them to make it so bad. I thought they were perfect for each other. I really hoped they would make it....

Bessie and Michelle were best friends back in 1984. Had been for a while. They did everything together. Even dressed alike. Called each their very best friend for ever ever. What could come between them. You think it was a boy but I say it was much more than that. A whole lot more that they didn't share when it needed to be shared. It was Bessie's birthday and the worst day of her young life. Could it have been any worse?

This story really makes you stop and look at things that you might not even think about. Is your marriage strong enough. Have you grown apart in any way. Can you weather any storm. As long as you are together and have no secrets I believe you can. I believe in love everlasting. Love of a lifetime. Forever and ever. It happens to a lot of us. 

I throughly enjoyed reading this book. Even she tears clung to my eyelashes and it was hard to see the words I wanted more. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Would they make it or not. Would they remain friends. Can they endure. And the ending was total perfection in my humble opinion. Total perfection.

Thank you to #netgalley, #amandaprowse, #lakeunionpublishing, #amazonpublishinguk for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

5/5 stars and a huge recommendations. Have tissues handy when reading though.