I Was Told It Would Get Easier Audiobook By Abbi Waxman cover art

I Was Told It Would Get Easier

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

I Was Told It Would Get Easier

By: Abbi Waxman
Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan, Bailey Carr
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.00

Buy for $18.00

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

“Abbi Waxman is both irreverent and thoughtful.” (Number one New York Times best-selling author Emily Giffin)

Squashed among a bus full of strangers, mother-daughter duo Jessica and Emily Burnstein watch their carefully mapped-out college tour devolve into a series of off-roading misadventures, from the USA Today best-selling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

Jessica and Emily Burnstein have very different ideas of how this college tour should go.

For Emily, it's a preview of freedom, exploring the possibility of her new and more exciting future. Not that she's sure she even wants to go to college, but let's ignore that for now. And maybe the other kids on the tour will like her more than the ones at school....They have to, right?

For Jessica, it's a chance to bond with the daughter she seems to have lost. They used to be so close, but then Goldfish crackers and Play Doh were no longer enough of a draw. She isn't even sure if Emily likes her anymore. To be honest, Jessica isn't sure she likes herself.

Together with a dozen strangers - and two familiar enemies - Jessica and Emily travel the East Coast, meeting up with family and old friends along the way. Surprises and secrets threaten their relationship and, in the end, change it forever.

©2020 Abbi Waxman (P)2020 Penguin Audio
Family Life Fiction Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction Witty
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"Waxman shines at creating characters that feel like best friends, inspiring compassion, laughs, and cheers, and fans of Katherine Center and Linda Holmes’ Evvie Drake Starts Over (2019) will adore this. (Booklist, on I Was Told It Would Get Easier)

“Funny and insightful.” (BookRiot)

“Waxman expertly navigates the fraught shoals of college admissions in this spot-on tale...Waxman’s alternating first-person narration from Jessica and Emily rings true, while a memorable supporting cast…provide excellent support…This sweet treat doesn’t require a college-bound child to enjoy, though anyone who has helped their offspring weather the admissions process will definitely appreciate this sharp send-up.” (Publisher's Weekly, on I Was Told It Would Get Easier)

What listeners say about I Was Told It Would Get Easier

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    118
  • 4 Stars
    81
  • 3 Stars
    37
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    127
  • 4 Stars
    65
  • 3 Stars
    25
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    100
  • 4 Stars
    70
  • 3 Stars
    35
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Helpful anc entertaining

This book actually helped me understand my teen better - in an entertaining way. Good read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A must read for any parent with a daughter looking at colleges

This story was entertaining and reassuring that all parents go through similar mood swings, doubt and teenage battles especially during the college exploration process.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Mother / Daughter Relationships!

An uplifting story of the nuances of a mother-daughter relationship and the many complexities that exist in such a bond. Jessica Burnstein is a career driven attorney, a single-mother raising her troubled sixteen-year-old daughter Emily when difficulties at work make it a perfect time for the two to take a college tour in the northeast.

For those who may remember, the relationship between a mother and teen daughter is usually a love /hate relationship, often fraught with drama, histrionics, and screaming matches. Emily is not the best student and feels her mother’s example is a lot to live up to. Jessica has lived such a regimented life for so long she has forgotten what it is like to be young and carefree. The trip proves to be the catalyst that opens the lines of communication between the two. They travel with a group of other parents and students and along the way there are more fights, humor and revelations bringing the two closer together.

This was enjoyable book about coming of age for both the daughter and the mother and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Basic

This feels basic, and reminds me why I lean towards non fiction most of the time. It was a nice story, but predictable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

relatable dialogue and relationship dynamics

I loved the dynamic between working single mother and adolescent daughter. very relatable. looking forward to reading more of the author's books.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Delightful!

The cross-communication between Mother and Daughter in this book is so rich it's ridiculous! I have waffled back and forth between wanting to share this with my now adult daughter and being mortified that she might say. "yep! covers it!" That said - what a great book for the interpersonal plot. The premise of the "scandal" fell short and was a little weak when all was said and done. There was room to fully develop both.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

yes, please!

another cute book from this author! mother daughter stuff, yes, but so much more! I'm so glad I got this...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I wasn't told it would be this helpful! But it was

I loved the 2 points of view - the mother and her work/life problems, and the teenage daughter who is mostly oblivious to these and only sees herself, but not even considering that her mother can help her deal with her own problems.
It also met me at a point where I really needed this book, so I got more than I expected :)
I didn't LOVE the narrators - especially the "teenager" - but hey, I don't LOVE listening to MY teenagers whine all day either, so.
I recommend it like all of Abbi Waxman's books.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I just loved this story!

Anyone that is raising or have raised teenagers will love this audiobook (or book.) Some of the instances between the parents and their children exactly mirrored the instances between my son and I, although in a more humorous setting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fun, easy listen

I liked the 2 viewpoints of the mom and daughter both describing their college tour and hearing each perspective, often on the same event. This was a fun listen!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!