Terrible Narration Makes Book Unreadable

I think I would like this book. I have liked the two other Dee Ernst books I have listened to. And I have several Joyce Bean narrated books in my library. She isn't on my "absolute-favorite narrator of all time list" but she is generally a good "reader". However she affects such a stereotypical New Jersey accent in this book, I could not finish it. It grated on my nerves so badly, I had to stop reading. A strong New Jersey accent is challenging to listen to even if it is authentic. This was so affected and such a caricature of the real thing, if I was from New Jersey I would be insulted.

I will probably pick up the ebook and read it eventually. It is going to take awhile for the awfulness of the audiobook to be wiped from my memory though.

If you are a huge Dee Ernst fan, the narration might be acceptable to you. If not, listener be warned.

3 people found this helpful

Good writing but slow story

I really liked this story in the beginning. I listened to the book and the narrator was fun to listen to. There was a lot of humor which I love in any book...but then it just got old and there was no real story towards the end. It wasn't a bad book, but I was expecting more out of it.

1 person found this helpful

Great Plot with Huge Flaw

With the exception of one incredibly unrealistic character, A Slight Change of Plan was humorous, engrossing and entertaining, especially for the over 50 crowd.

I loved that the novel centered on Kate, a 55 year old woman who was ready & eager to enjoy life to it's fullest. Kate, widowed for 8 years with 3 grown children, was brave enough to make attempt dating and try a new career. The plot was an interesting mix of family drama, friendship and romance, in that order of importance. Serious issues of adultery, illness, and difficult family members were mixed with lighter moments; enjoyable without being depressing or sappy sweet.

Unfortunately, there was one ridiculous character - Kate's mom - who was too nasty to make the ending believable. Spoiler: Mom stopped speaking to Kate right after her husband died and avoided all contact for EIGHT years. When Mom was hospitalized, Kate rushed to her side and took Mom home to care for the nasty bitch regardless of how cruel and hateful Mom treated Kate.

First, no decent mother (or human being) would be deliberately & relentlessly hurtful for months & years without regret or remorse. Second, no woman should allow anyone, including a parent, to disrespect and degrade her feelings & intelligence. I kept waiting for Kate to stand up to the old hag but she never did, which ruined the rest of a very good book.

Enjoyed this book

This was a great book to listen to on vacation - light and true to how life can throw you some curves along the way.

Plan on listening!

Great audiobook! Great story! I listened to it in one day! Very entertaining. I would highly recommend it in either form.

Slow to start but worth the wait!

The only thing was that it contained a lot of alcohol and let me thirsty. Difficult for struggling AA members like myself

Interesting Story Line/Narration way over the top

A woman with two great catches in pursuit. You can't help but cheer her on. Great story. Narration could have been more believable.

Our First Love

This was a wonderful story of a widow now 55 and how her thoughts turn of her first love and what he was doing now and then finds him on a dating website. There are so many things that I just LOL priceless. I was glad to see the man she choose for her future.
The narration was so so.

Chick lit for 50-somethings

Chick lit for the 50-something set ... Since I'm a member of that group, I did enjoy listening to it. The narrator speaks with an exaggerated New Jersey accent. At first, the accent felt fake and distracting. After awhile, just kind of grows on you. Nothing particularly meaningful about the book. Just a pleasant enough read.

Too liberal for me

I had trouble relating to the main character. She was very liberal. Overall story is well done.