The Hopefuls

A Novel

By: Jennifer Close

Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

A brilliantly funny novel about ambition and marriage from the best-selling author of Girls in White Dresses, The Hopefuls tells the story of a young wife who follows her husband and his political dreams to Washington, DC, a city of idealism, gossip, and complicated friendships among the young aspiring elite.

When Beth arrives in DC, she hates everything about it: the confusing traffic circles, the ubiquitous Ann Taylor suits, the humidity that descends each summer. At dinner parties, guests compare their security clearance levels. They leave their BlackBerrys on the table. They speak in acronyms. And once they realize Beth doesn't work in politics, they smile blandly and turn away.

Soon Beth and her husband, Matt, meet a charismatic White House staffer named Jimmy, and his wife, Ashleigh, and the four become inseparable, coordinating brunches, birthdays, and long weekends away. But as Jimmy's star rises higher and higher, the couples' friendship - and Beth's relationship with Matt - is threatened by jealousy, competition, and rumors.

A glorious send-up of young DC and a blazingly honest portrait of a marriage, this is the finest work yet by one of our most beloved writers.

©2016 Jennifer Close (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A fascinating drama about relationships, loyalty, the price of aspirations and success, The Hopefuls will surely ensnare you into this world from page one - and hold you there, tightly, until the final word." ( Refinery29)

"The author of Girls in White Dresses delivers her latest novel about a couple navigating the political ladder in DC. Inspired by Close's own experiences moving to Washington for her husband's work on the Obama campaign, The Hopefuls is blisteringly honest about the circus of American politics and Washington's exhausting culture of competition - one that that renders people outside of political circles virtually invisible." (Meredith Turits, Elle)

"Narrator Jorjeana Marie's lively performance and perfect pacing make this audiobook a compulsive listen.... Marie's subtle yet effective accents and tonal modulations highlight the characters' personalities, strengthening listeners' connection to the story. With its vivid details of life in D.C., this is a must-listen for an election year." ( AudioFile)

a fun and cute story

loved the story - a little of an unexpected ending. I will probably read again.

Meh

This book feels like a whole lot of nothing until the final few chapters. The main character, Beth, is negative, judgemental, and passive, making it difficult to like her or really care about what happens. She seems determined to dislike everything about DC, and though she resents her husbands career motivations, she doesn't seem to have any herself. Rather, she's one of those people who seems to just let things happen to her, and complains the whole time. Beth and her husband befriend a charming Texas couple, but even then I'm not clear why they're friends.

Honestly, there isn't much plot to speak of for about the first two thirds of the book, and I almost gave up on it. When the drama finally did happen, it was interesting enough to listen through. I'm just not convinced that it made up for how boring the book was before!

The narrator speaks very slowly, but did a good job with the voices and handled the emotional parts well.

Im sure there are people who would like this book - probably if you're from around DC or into politics, but I wasn't a fan.

Slow predictable story

This turned out to be a relatively plain, vanilla story. Glad when it ended. Predictable.

Accurate depiction of DC

pretty accurate description of DC. I have lived here so long that I had forgotten all of the nuances of being a young professional in the nation's capital.

Interesting

It was an interesting view on working/campaigning for a future president but a little to democratic for me at times. It was a cute contemporary and an enjoyable story.

Voice worse than the story

What did you like best about The Hopefuls? What did you like least?

Some parts of the main character were relate-able, but she was generally whiny, and her voice was very nasally! Also, the worst Texan accents I've ever heard!

Has The Hopefuls turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, I'll still read books in this genre, but not read by this narrator.

What didn’t you like about Jorjeana Marie’s performance?

Her voice, and attempted accents -- both are annoying.

Something about the narrator

Maybe it is because the auditory is elevated but I kept feeling like the narrator needed to blow her nose. Maybe this is crass but for me it got in the way of the story.

Predictable storyline. Narrators voice awful.

If the reader had a cold, they should have delayed production until she was well.

Is this real?

The book was above average. A lot of the details seem too real, which makes me think it might be. Or the author did excellent research and interviewed White House staff about what running a campaign entailed. Overall, I give the book a solid B rating.

Supporting your 'Blue' spouse in a "Red" state

great narrator, telling what it's like running for an elected office. Based on her experience in Washington, DC, and then again in Texas. Both hopeful and exhausting. A quick read! This'd be perfect for a book discussion group this Fall.