This is my second Erin Bartels book and it won’t be my last.

Everything is Just Beginning is a marvelous story that weaves together relatable situations, historical events, and music to craft a tale that will pull you in from the beginning.

From the back of 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.

I was left wanting more of the characters and their journeys and I continue pondering the deep lessons contained within. Erin has a way of dispensing wisdom through her writing in such a subtle way that you can’t help but absorb it. The underlying theme of forgiveness was powerful. Also, she set the story in 1990, before the Internet and cell phones, which was during my own childhood, and I appreciated that. Her musical knowledge was accurate and this musician was pleased with her choices of artists to include throughout the book.

I definitely recommend this book. I can’t wait for her next one.