Name: Gabriella Parker's review of It Started with Goodbye by Christina June
Item: It Started with Goodbye
Rating: 4
Author: Gabriella Parker

Christina June

Sixteen-year-old Tatum Elsea is settling in for the worst summer on record. After she's unfairly implicated in one of her best friend's ideas gone awry, Tatum's stepmother places her under virtual house arrest. But to Tatum's surprise, her summer doesn't turn out to be all bad. And things really begin to look up when she starts her own graphic design business and meets a cello-playing client, Seamus. If Tatum is reading his emails right, Seamus is funny, smart, and talented--and he seems to think the same about her. Too bad he's spending his summer across the ocean in Ireland...not that Tatum would be allowed to go on a date anyway. But over the course of the summer, Tatum will learn that sometimes going after what you want means breaking the rules. In the process, she'll discover things about her friends, her family, and herself that she never could have guessed. And when Seamus turns out to be closer than she thought, she might just get a perfect kiss in the bargain. A modern play on the Cinderella story arc, Christina June's It Started with Good-bye will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen, Stephanie Perkins, and Jennifer E. Smith.

It Started with Goodbye

Gabriella Parker

I felt like I’d just been transported to some alternate universe where everything I thought I knew was wrong. Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. 

Do not underestimate the power fear has over our choices.

People say there’s a fine line between pleasure and pain,

Cindy

This book was nice. Even if it was a Cinderella retelling, I loved how it was subtle with it. Although I was bit confused on what really was “at stake” here, was it how Tatum was going to spend her summer while on house arrest? Was it how Tatum’s friendship with Ashlynn would end up? There were just so many questions, (though all answered at the end) that you didn’t really know which was the main one to be answered - which is why I gave it a four star.

The chemistry between Tatum and Seamus was remarkable. I definitely love Blanche, she reminds me of my own grandma! I also liked how Tilly and Tatum managed to find common ground towards the end of the book. I also liked how Belen and Tatum were able to develop their relationship. 

This book was nice. Even if it was a Cinderella retelling, I loved how it was subtle with it. Although I was bit confused on what really was “at stake” here, was it how Tatum was going to spend her summer while on house arrest? Was it how Tatum’s friendship with Ashlynn would end up? There were just so many questions, (though all answered at the end) that you didn’t really know which was the main one to be answered - which is why I gave it a four star.

The chemistry between Tatum and Seamus was remarkable. I definitely love Blanche, she reminds me of my own grandma! I also liked how Tilly and Tatum managed to find common ground towards the end of the book. I also liked how Belen and Tatum were able to develop their relationship. 

Lynn Braden

It Started with Goodbye is the story of Tatum Elsea who starts her summer by being charged with shoplifting after unwittingly being the getaway driver. In reality, Tatum was only with her best friend because she was trying to protect her from her boyfriend who was the real thief. When Tatum tells the truth to the police, her best friend deserts her, she receives hours of community service as her punishment, and loses the trust of her father and stepmother. Nothing goes right for Tatum as she spends most of her time in her room resenting her stepmother for keeping her locked up in the house in what amounts to house arrest. Things start to change for Tatum when her stepgrandmother, Blanche comes to visit.

This modern Cinderella story very successfully conveys all of the emotions that Tatum is feeling from anger and hurt to frustration and loss. The "Goodbye" in the title refers to valediction or the closing of letters and emails that are sprinkled throughout the story. Tatum obsesses over these and that adds a level of realism and heightened emotion. A very well written story with lots of depth and feeling.

This book was adorable and swoony and gave me all the good feels. The characters were fantastic and the Cinderella retelling near perfect. I loved every little thing about it.

Kristina Sanders

Sixteen-year-old Tatum Elsea is settling in for the worst summer on record. After she’s unfairly implicated in one of her best friend’s ideas gone awry, Tatum’s stepmother places her under virtual house arrest. But to Tatum’s surprise, her summer doesn’t turn out to be all bad. And things really begin to look up when she starts her own graphic design business and meets a cello-playing client, Seamus. If Tatum is reading his emails right, Seamus is funny, smart, and talented—and he seems to think the same about her. Too bad he's spending his summer across the ocean in Ireland…not that Tatum would be allowed to go on a date anyway. But over the course of the summer, Tatum will learn that sometimes going after what you want means breaking the rules. In the process, she’ll discover things about her friends, her family, and herself that she never could have guessed. And when Seamus turns out to be closer than she thought, she might just get a perfect kiss in the bargain. A modern play on the Cinderella story arc, Christina June’s It Started with Good-bye will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen, Stephanie Perkins, and Jennifer E. Smith.

Cindy &
It Started with Goodbye by Christina June

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It Started with Goodbye by Christina June