Everything Is Just Beginning - Paperback

by Erin Bartels (Author)

2024 Michigan Notable Book

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An Immersive Story of Music, Struggle, and Starting Over from an Award-Winning Author

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.

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"Bartels's spirited writing enlivens the earnest tale. Readers will root for these characters as they chase their dreams."--Publishers Weekly

"I was completely absorbed in this book from the first chapter. I sat in my chair and did not get up until I finished it! . . . . Bartels smacks this out of the park."--Interviews & Reviews

Back Jacket

It was just one of those nights. One of those crazy, impossible nights that change your life. Forever.

When guitarist Michael Sullivan gets kicked out of his band (and his apartment), landing a record deal seems an impossible dream. And nothing about Michael's prospects points toward a better future. Until the invitation for a swanky New Year's Eve party shows up in the mailbox. It's addressed to his uncle, with whom he shares both name and living space, 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 falling apart, 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.


What people are saying about the novels of Erin Bartels

"Emotions leap off the page."--Library Journal

"Taut and engaging."--Foreword Reviews

"Deftly crafted, entertaining, thought-provoking."--Midwest Book Reviews


Erin Bartels is the award-winning author of We Hope for Better Things, The Words between Us, All That We Carried, and The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water. She lives in Lansing, Michigan, and misses the 1990s more with every passing year. You can find her at www.erinbartels.com.

Author Biography

Erin Bartels is the award-winning author of contemporary, historical, and dual time fiction, including We Hope for Better Things, The Words between Us, All That We Carried, The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water, Everything Is Just Beginning, and The Lady with the Dark Hair. A two-time Christy finalist and winner of two WFWA Star Awards and three Michigan Notable Book Awards, Erin is Editor in Chief at the Historical Society of Michigan. Find her online at ErinBartels.com.