“Everything is Just Beginning” by Erin Bartels – Book Review

“Everything Is Just Beginning” By Erin Bartels

Revell Reads Copy

My rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

About the Book:

Michael Sullivan is a talented lyricist and a decent guitarist, but since he was kicked out of his band (and his apartment), he’s not sure he’ll ever get a record deal. Living with his loser uncle in a beat-up trailer and working a dead-end job, Michael has little reason to hope for a better future. Until the invitation for a swanky New Year’s Eve party shows up in the mailbox. It’s for his uncle, with whom he shares his name, but his uncle is going out of town . . .

On the effervescent night of December 31, 1989–as the Berlin Wall is coming down, the Soviet Union is inching toward democracy, and anything seems possible–Michael will cross paths with the accomplished and enigmatic young heir to a fading musical dynasty, forever altering both of their futures.

Award-winning novelist Erin Bartels enchants with this story of two lonely souls who have exactly what the other one needs–if they could simply turn their focus from what is ending to what is just beginning.

My Thoughts:

The writing was beautiful and the characters were messy and real. I loved that.
I loved how the novel was told through Micahel’s point of view, and I also loved how his perception of life slowly changed throughout the course of the story. He was pretty hopeless at times, had a naturally negative inclination in how he viewed life, but by the end…it had shifted, and I thought it happened naturally and poignantly.
The deep way music was at the center of the novel was lovely. It was varied in its tone, and added so much depth to it all.
Main characters Michael and Natalie both wrote some of their own music, and what was so fun is that those songs were included in the novel – they weren’t just mentioned or eluded to, but written out, and I loved the creativity of that.
The spiritual thread wasn’t too strongly present. God was mentioned a couple times, and the message of hope was present, but I’d say the faith message as a whole was definitely more of a subtle undertone. I personally would have liked to have seen it be more integral to the story.
That aside, “Everything is Just Beginning” was an enjoyable novel and I’m glad for the opportunity to have read it!(Also side note here about the cover – the texture is so cool! The guitar strings stick up and I love that!)
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.