ABOUT
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.
BOOK TRAILER
REVIEW
This story was surprising to me. This was an underdog who had a difficult existence that made a decision and then watched everything change. This is not to say he didn't work hard or have to change on some level his prejudices and preconceived ideas, but the opportunity was presented to do that. Michael and Pinky help each other grow and develop past some of the ideas that blocked success.
Pinky and her family are deeply entrenched in the music industry. Michael just got kicked out of a band. He taught himself to play the guitar but lyrics are his strength.
I loved reading this story and watching it's beauty unfold. It was a story of life, of love, and of loss, because that is what life truly is. But it was a story of growth and of success, however unconventional.
This author got to the meat of the emotions of this story. I was the fly on the wall following Michael and seeing his heartache and struggle. I felt his pain, his embarrassment, and his unfamiliarity with success. Pinky had her own trials and struggles and it was beautiful to watch these two change and grow as their new challenges were given them. They were a balance to each other.
This is a beautiful story and definitely worth the read.
I received an early copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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. A two-time Christy finalist and winner of two 2020 WFWA Star Awards and the 2020 Michigan Notable Book Award, Erin has been a publishing professional for twenty years. She lives in Lansing, Michigan, with her husband, Zachary, and their son. Find her online at www.erinbartels.com.