Everything Is Just Beginning

Written by Erin Bartels

Narrated by Nick Mills

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781705083765

Erin Bartels

Erin Bartels writes character-driven fiction for curious people. Her readers know to expect that each of her novels will tell a unique story about fallible characters so tangible that it's hard to believe they are not real people. Whether urban, rural, or somewhere in between, her settings come alive with carefully crafted details that engage all the senses and transport the reader to a singular time and place. And her themes of reckoning with the past, improving the present, and looking with hope to the future leave her readers with a sense of peace and possibility. Erin is the author of We Hope for Better Things, The Words between Us, All That We Carried, The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water, and Everything Is Just Beginning. A two-time Christy finalist and winner of two 2020 WFWA Star Awards and two Michigan Notable Book Awards, Erin has been a publishing professional for more than twenty years. After eighteen years in Lansing, Michigan, Erin and her family are busy enjoying the simple blessings of a less urban life in a small town outside the capital city. You can find her online at ErinBartels.com, on Facebook @ErinBartelsAuthor, and on Instagram @erinbartelswrites.

Reviews for Everything Is Just Beginning

[Ann Bush · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved the music connection, but this book was about seizing the opportunities before you and not letting the bad pull you down.

[grammy57 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have a love-hate relationship with the books by Erin Bartels. I eventually get drawn into the story, that's the love, but I hate that even though these are published by Revell, a Christian publishing company, the books have nothing to do with Christianity.This book is the same. It's a good, clean book but the only thing remotely Christian is they pray at meals. The story was a slow start for me, but eventually, I was drawn into the story and enjoyed it for what it was.The main character is quite well-developed and you get a pretty good idea of who he is. You can probably think of someone you know that has his personality. The other characters are mostly believable. The story flows fairly well.In all, I give this a 3 out of 5-stars. I am disappointed in the lack of this being a Christian story. I am not sure if I would recommend this or not. This review is my own and freely given. I was given an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. The ARC copy was very well edited.

[milibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Michael's family considers him to be "bad luck." He is now living with his uncle after being kicked out of his band and apartment. But everything changes when he meets Natalie "Pinky" Wheeler. While Michael lacks confidence in his own abilities as a songwriter, Natalie is not only beautiful but incredibly talented musically (and a student at Julliard). Tempers flare when Natalie hires Michael's estranged father to provide the drum tracks for their band, and she must also face her mother's imminent death.Bartels explores many of the same themes as her previous novel (The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water)--family, love, forgiveness, and the need to understand others' pasts--but with a male protagonist and a 1990's musical backdrop. Recommended for those who enjoy character driven plots.

[pamelabarrett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Perfect title for the first review of the year, and I seem to remember that I reviewed another Erin Bartels’ book as my first one last year too. Thank you to Library Thing that sent me this advanced copy, which you can buy later in January. The story is about Michael a twenty something want to be rock star with a lot of emotional baggage who has to move in with his uncle Mike in a trailer on the property of a famous musician family. The mom and dad were well known in earlier decades and their daughter has inherited a double dose of their talent. At first, he thinks his break can be through rubbing shoulders with the dad and his well-known friends, but there is more to this family than he can see, and what they can offer him is more precious than stardom. He doesn’t realize it at the time, but his life is about to change, that is if he can get out of his own way and let go of the past. Lots of interesting characters, music/lyrics, a little mystery and a few surprises. Erin did a great job with this book it rings true; I know because I have a background in “garage band” having been married at one time to a drummer and written songs back in the day. Her characters have layers of to them, and there are multiple life lessons to be learned.

[techeditor_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Erin Bartels writes excellent dialogue—and without the F word! How pleasant to read a novel with no smut.I read three other novels written by Bartels. Each was better than the last. I missed THE GIRL WHO COULD BREATHE UNDER WATER, so I can’t speak for it. But she seems to be continuing her better–and–better pattern with EVERYTHING IS JUST BEGINNING.Michael, a rock ‘n’ roll singer who was just kicked out of his band, meets his neighbor Natalie. Together they form a band of their own. She writes most of the music; he writes most of the lyrics.Natalie‘s father is a famous music producer, and he arranges a concert (gig) for them. Will their band and their relationship continue, or will it all end after this one gig? Even though the story is somewhat predictable, it is still a pleasure to read. And the authentic-sounding songs throughout the book really are authentic songs.

[khoyt-43756 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Erin Bartels is on my list of top ten authors. Every novel she authors I put on my TBR list. I am fortunate to have won this ARC from Revell and LibraryThing.com so I can read it before publication. As always, the opinions expressed here are my own.I admit that "Everything is Just Beginning" was a little hard to get into at first. However, I knew if I kept reading I would become more involved in the storyline. And I did. The characters were flawed as in "real life" but you had to root for them. There were relationship issues, of course. You found yourself talking to these characters, torn between "Don't do that!" and "You must do this!". I liked the encouragement Erin gives to all people, especially the ones just starting on their life's journey, that no matter where you are in life, no matter the circumstances surrounding you, you can overcome your difficulties. Someone to encourage us, to help change our negative thinking into an optimistic worldview, can make all the difference in the world. We all need a Deb in our lives. We all need to know we can rise above our circumstances and become the best we can be.Erin's prose was interesting and made you think. I am ready for her next book.The best part is: Music is included!

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s December 31, 1989. Michael is a musician who just got kicked out his band. He moves in with his uncle, who is also struggling with his own problems. An invitation to a New Year’s Eve party comes to the uncle from a couple who are legends in the music business. Since he and his uncle share the same name, and since his uncle is conveniently out of town, Michael take the invitation and attends the party. He meets the daughter of the couple, also a musician. While Michael originally thought the father could make a way for him in the music world, it is really his daughter Natalie who changes Michael’s life. The story follows these two young people as they work together, writing songs and performing them. This novel is very well written, and while the focus is on music, it is much more than that. It contrasts two kinds of family relationships: Michael’s, where he grew up without a father in his life and with his mother’s series of boyfriends with Natalie’s tight knit and loving family. Her mother’s caring nature, helping those less fortunate and in trouble, never wavers, even as her health issues worsen. The story is gripping, the characters are well-defined, and the setting of the 1980’s into the next decade is well represented. The author does an excellent job of setting the scene, including references to the current events of that time frame. She also does an great job of writing lyrics for the songs that are included in the novel. This is quite a story, intriguing, interesting, and entertaining. Anyone who likes a good story should read this one - you don’t have to be a fan of rock music to enjoy it. Highly recommended.

[coverloverbookreview · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my. I love a story that touches my heart as deeply as this one does.Michael is so easy to love and I rooted for him and his dreams from the beginning. Coming from low places only raises the high places higher. And that's the case in his life. A chance invitation (of sorts) brings so much to his life and not only changes his trajectory, but his heart as well.Michael and Natalie makes a different kind of pair and it's such a sweet and genuine relationship. They are opposites in some ways but make each other fuller, bringing out the best in each other. I want a sequel!Thank you Librarything for my early reviewer copy.

[susan0316 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

December 31, 1989. The world is changing - the Berlin Wall coming down, the Soviet Union is becoming freer and Michael takes a chance that changes his entire life. Up until he goes to a New Year's Eve party, his life was in a holding pattern. He worked in a dead end job and didn't see much of a future. He loved music but had been kicked out of the bank he played in. He loved to write lyrics for songs but the band refused to play his music. So here he is living in his uncle's run down trailer and he sees an invitation to his uncle for a party at the mansion across the road. He has the same name as his uncle so he decides to go to the party in his uncle's place. The party is hosted by a famous music couple who've been very successful He also meets the young lady who will change his life -- Natalie. They hit it off and become friends, spending a lot of time listening to music. She is the daughter of a popular music couple and she's blind and very talented with her musical abilities. Their friendship will totally change both of their lives because they bring out the best in each other.I enjoyed Michael right from the first page. Even though his life has been tough, he appreciates the changes in it after he and Natalie start to make music together. Natalie may be blind but she sees more in Michael than he sees in himself. This is a story about family and forgiveness, hard life and hopes for the future plus fantastic music references. It's a look at two lonely young people who encourage each other in their quest to make music and work hard to look ahead at their futures instead of thinking about their failures in the past.