Plan Bea

By: Hilary Grossman

Narrated by: Lisa Beacom

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

We live our entire lives thinking we know those closest to us. But do we ever really?

On the outside, Annabel O'Conner has it all - the perfect husband, two adorable children, an amazing job, and a mother from hell! Just when she gives up trying to regain her overbearing mother's love, an unexpected call turns her world around and makes Annabel question everything she believes about her life.

Could falling in love give a cold, stubborn, and selfish woman a second chance to open her heart back up to her family?

Beatrice Buchanan has spent more years than she can remember distancing herself from everyone close to her. She barely has a relationship with her grandchildren. The only time she manages to have a one way conversation with her daughter is during her weekly 15-minute commute to the nail salon. When Bea meets Walter on a cruise she realizes there may be more to life than designer clothes, killer handbags, and impressing the ladies at her posh country club.

As the mother and daughter duo team up to plan "Long Island's wedding of the year" they confront the secrets and lies that have defined them. This humorous and emotionally honest women's contemporary fiction novel will tug at your heartstrings and the twist ending will shock you.

©2015 Hilary Grossman (P)2016 Hilary Grossman

Good Story

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review. I liked this story. It brought together a family that had been separated by tradegy for more than twelve years. I like the way it brought out all of the little problems that was keeping the mother and daughter apart as well as sabatoging all of the other things that were going on in their lives. The narrator made me see Bea in a real way. She mastered the other voices but she nailed Bea.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good Story with Lots of Heart

This book had a great mix of funny, sad, and heartwarming moments. The characters were definitely multi-faceted as well, which made them more relatable. It was easy to become immersed in the story/characters' lives.

The narrator was amazing! She gave each character such a unique voice that I could have picked out which character was speaking without being informed within the text. I would love to listen to some of her other work.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Very Enjoyable!

Any additional comments?

Very enjoyable, engaging and entertaining story. Creative with a great plot-line. A different kind of love story. A roller-coaster ride of emotions. Definitely worth your time.

Mother and daughter relationships are some of the most complex and simple at the same time. Beatrice and Annabel were both great characters. Of coarse Walter was great too. Really didn’t expect that ending. But it was perfect.

Lisa Beacom did a really good job with the narration. This is the first time I have listened to a book she has narrated. Pleasant voice. Good character voices. Smooth even pace. Clearly spoken. Very easy to listen to.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

OMGosh I didn't plan on loving this book so much!

This book is funny, sad, and over all heart warming! I couldn't help but fall in love with all the characters. It was truly a wonderful journey getting to know Bea and Annabel. I'm so glad the story turned out the way it did before it was too late. If anyone finds themselves in a relationship like Bea and Annabel's do something before its too late because not everyone gets that 2nd chance. I hope Hilary Grossman gives us more of Bea. The narrator Lisa Beacom did a fabulous job bringing the characters to life, each with their own personality. Most of all she should get some kind of award for bringing Bea to life with her voice. Loved it all so much!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great Listen that Puts a Smile on Your Face

What made the experience of listening to Plan Bea the most enjoyable?

Lisa's Beacom's characters are very well done and consistent. From the children's voices of Violet and Harley to that of Anna's over-the-top mother, Bea, and those in between, she does a great job. The storyline might be a lighter listen, but it's filled with family surprises and it's just plain feel-good fun.

What other book might you compare Plan Bea to and why?

Lots of books include family secrets and revelations, but maybe because I don't read a lot of books in this genre, I can't really come up with a good comparison.

Which scene was your favorite?

The wedding planning scenes all come to life, but the stationery store happenings were probably my favorite, although the histrionics on the wedding day are a close second. Loved the ending which definitely surprised me.

Who was the most memorable character of Plan Bea and why?

It's a tie between Anna and Bea as this mother and daughter learn so much about one another and themselves after being at odds for so many years.

Any additional comments?

My only complaint about the book is that there are a few obvious grammatical errors. Regardless, I think there's a hint about an upcoming book in what may turn out to be a series and I'll happily listen to it.

This book was provided to me at no charge in exchange for an honest review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Plan To Be Amazed!

First off I rarely give a story a five star rating and I don't take giving one lightly! But, this book is fantastic! I was expecting a romance, a love story. What I got was so much more! It is a love story alright but not between a woman and man, but rather between a daughter and mother.

Annabel's mother Beatrice is a real piece of work! She a narcissist, she's a cold and indifferent mother and grandmother. Spending only 15 minutes a week touching base with her daughter over the past several years.

Quite unexpectedly Bea announces that she's getting married and she wants her daughter to help her plan the wedding! Somewhat reluctantly Annabel agrees to help.

This starts Annabel on a path of discovery, sometimes painfully, learning things about herself and her mother which completely upturn everything she thought she knew about their turbulent past.

The twist at the end caught me completely off guard. This audiobook is well written and narrated and I highly recommend this book. What a very pleasant surprise!

Plan Bea appears to be one of the authors first novels written, If so I'm thoroughly impressed and see big things ahead for Ms. Grossman!

This audiobook was gifted to me at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks Audiobook Boom!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Plan Bea

I really enjoyed this book.There was a bit too much chatter at times,but all in all it was great.Lisa Beacom did a fine job narrating.Anna has had a terrible relationship with her mother most of her life.She is married with two kids,yet her mothers terrible treatment towards her affects every aspect of her life.Bea,her mom, decides it is time to make amends.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Perfectly matched narrator

Plan Bea is a wonderful exploration of a mother and daughter trying to rebuild a broken relationship. There were moments that made me laugh, moments that choked me up and moments I just wanted to slap someone.

The characters were well developed and I found Annabel likeable and relatable, as for her mother Bea..... see the last point in the previous sentence.

This is the second of Hilary's books I've read and I'm really looking forward to the next one (You big tease Hilary! Leave me hanging like that! Now hurry up and publish Plan Cee!)

**Edit**
I just reread this via audiobook in preparation for the sequel, Plan Cee. I loved the story just as much this time around, even knowing the twists in advance. The narrator is brilliant - capturing the characters perfectly, from a small innocent boy to the snobby grandmother Bea.

I reviewed a complimentary copy.

Loved this!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It held my interest and had a great plot twist.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Plan Bea?

Plot twist at the end (no spoilers!).

Any additional comments?

Narrator did a great job with Bea's character. Really brought her to life!

bad narrator

What didn’t you like about Lisa Beacom’s performance?

The more I listened, the more grating I found her voice. I couldn't finish the book because of it.

Any additional comments?

I received this book at no cost through Audiobook Boom in exchange for a fair review.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful