It's a Wonderful Wife

By: Camille Pagan

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

Length: 1 hr and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this charming and heartwarming retelling of Frank Capra’s classic It’s a Wonderful Life, Camille Pagán, best-selling author of This Won’t End Well and I’m Fine and Neither Are You, introduces us to Bailey, a dutiful yet sharp-witted 30-something who finds herself on the verge of a nervous breakdown as Christmas Eve approaches. As if it wasn’t enough that Bailey’s husband has just cheated on her, the family business she’s been running since her parents died, which employs most of her small town, is about to go under. But even as she’s questioning whether her life has any meaning, Bailey bumps into a handsome stranger who claims to know her - and through a series of strange events, sheds new light on what it means to make a difference in this messy, wonderful world.

©2020 Camille Pagan (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Depressing...

Updated

Originally I DNF at 50% - This was like a depressing country song had an affair with the beginning of a Disney movie. I admit that I haven't seen "It's a Wonderful Life" in several decades... but I don't remember it proportionally being this depressing. This is less than two hours and the *entire* first hour is:

1. Bailey's parents died on Christmas Eve 20 years ago
2. The only company in town is closing down
3. Bailey & her husband (Chris) are infertile
4. Chris's brother is a bum whose wife left him & the kids
4b. They live next door so Bailey gets to see daily how ignored/poor/unloved the kids are
5. Bailey walks in on her best friend & Chris having sex

Despite loving Amy McFadden as a narrator - I couldn't finish.

At the urging of another reviewer that the second half was more cheerful... I finished it. Keep in mind this entire book spans about 24 hours in present day.

Another 25% was the “if you’d never been born” portion and detailing how everything would be even worse.

Then for last 10-15 minutes of the book, Bailey gets organized and decides to move forward. Don’t worry - two men are going to save her. Her soon to be ex will loan her the money to make payroll and the guy she’s just met 12 hours ago (yeah, they knew of each other in high school, but they haven’t seen each other in 20 years) is going to save the cannery and love her forever.

I really don’t relish bad reviews... but this was proportionally way too much negative to feel joy at the unrealistic “heartwarming” of the last 10 minutes.

Ugh

Too many reference to Its a wonderful life. One or two fine but it was to the point of hitting someone over the head. Story...Woman taken advantage of by family, friends and husband. Stoped listening before the end of chapter 2. I imagine the rest plays out that at 38 she hits rock bottom and finally realizes that she should live her own life and stop letting others drive.

Really well done!

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I hadn't realized the substitution in Life and Wife until I started this book. I decided to give it a try even though I'm a grumpy old man I don't like my staples messed with. I am so impressed with the nod to the original throughout the entire script. I definitely recommend!

Feel-good gold

Absolutely adorable, festive story for the holidays. This loose adaptation of “It’a a Wonderful Life” charms at every turn. Equally hilarious and heartfelt, even a Grinch like me can’t help but feel the love with this one. Three cheers for Bailey George!

cute

super cute! I really liked the twist of the modernized woman as lead. lovely Christmas story

predictable

I figured out the part of plot line after her 1st conversation with her best friend. I figured out the rest by the end of her leaving outside her childhood home. The narrator was very matter of fact which made it hard to listen to also.

Adorable

I wanted a sweet Christmas story to listen to while I decorated. This delivered perfectly! Yes it’s a bit depressing in the beginning but the message is beautiful just like the original ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.

Great short listen

Amy McFadden does a wonderful job bringing Camille Pagan's words to life. I highly recommend this book to fans of the genre.

Quick, cute read

Loved everything about it,... narration, story. No criticism, but did wish it were longer, it was a fun read.

Nice Surprise

This little story left me wanting more. I want to know what happens between Bailey & Nate. And I want to know the fate of the cannery.