It Started with Goodbye - by Christina June (Paperback)

About the Book

In this YA novel from author Christina June, Tatum Elsea's summer is off to a rough start, but neither strict stepmothers nor community service will keep her from chasing her dreams---especially when those dreams involve starting a graphic design business and getting a first date with a smart and funny musician who may be her Prince Charming.

Book Synopsis

After being falsely accused of a crime, Tatum is confined to her house under the watchful eye of her step-mother. But when a twist of fate comes in the form of a mysterious client to her graphic design business, maybe there's a bit of fairytale luck after all.

Sixteen-year-old Tatum Elsea is bracing for the worst summer of her life. Trapped under her stepmother-imposed house arrest and her BFF ghosting her, Tatum pours herself into the assigned community service. With a helpful push from her fellow community service member, Abby, Tatum fills her time at homebuilding her covert graphic design business, right under her stepmother's nose. When a cute cello-playing client sweeps Tatum off her feet, she's left breathless and eager to get out of these four walls.

But Tatum discovers she's not the only one in the house keeping secrets as she takes the chance to make amends with her family and friends. Encouraged by her feisty step-abuela/fairy-godmother, and filled with a new perception of life, Tatum is ready to start fresh and maybe even get her happy ending along the way.

A contemporary twist on the Cinderella tale, It Started With Goodbye features:

• secret admirer and hidden identity trope
• a strong, spunky female lead
• for fans of Elise Bryant, Meg Cabot, and Sarah Dessen

Review Quotes

"[A] fun, contemporary take on the Cinderella tale that explores what it takes to be yourself while finding your place in life, love, and your family. June's characters are vividly drawn, complex people that you'll want to root for, and Tatum's story will strike a chord for anyone who's felt like they were misunderstood."--Lisa Maxwell, author of Unhooked, Sweet Unrest, and Gathering Deep

"A sweet and satisfying portrait of family, friendship, and discovering your own path. Tatum's journey from fear and disappointment to honesty and freedom to be herself is one that will resonate with many readers."--Ashley Herring Blake, author of Suffer Love

"An unfailingly entertaining and thoroughly engaging read from cover to cover ... highly recommended."--Midwest Book Review

"Christina June's contemporary retelling of Cinderella is a delightful debut that addresses family, friendship, trust, and going for what you really want. A lovely story that's full of heart." Lauren Gibaldi, author of The Night We Said Yes--Lauren Gibaldi

"Honest, fun, and entirely compelling, this is a story about how being in the wrong place at the wrong time can lead to a whole lot of right. Tatum is a character you'll relate to, cheer for, and want to befriend."--Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of Firsts

"Tatum's complex and realistic relationships with her friends, family, and a potential love interest will have you savoring every chapter while heavily anticipating the next. It Started with Goodbye is an adorable and clever contemporary that will enthrall you with its fairytale-esque charm."--Ami Allen-Vath, author of Liars and Losers Like Us

"With an adorably charming heroine and a swoon-worthy love interest, Christina June has created true YA perfection." Heather Van Fleet, author of the Reckless Hearts series--Heather Van Fleet

"You won't be able to put this book down. This heartfelt read totally sucked me in."--Miranda Kenneally, bestselling author of Catching Jordan

After being falsely accused of a crime, Tatum is faced with a summer of community service. To make matters worse, her best friend is not speaking to her, and she is being kept under her stepmother's watchful eye. Looking for a way to be herself again after this tailspin, Tatum secretly starts a graphic design business. With a new friendship blossoming at her community service project, a flirty e-mail correspondence with a client, and a supportive stepgrandmother, Tatum's summer begins to turn around. In this modern take on Cinderella, Tatum embarks on a summer of learning, during which she tries to figure out who she is and to understand different points of view, leading to a changed perception of her family. While a few references feel dated and some of the supporting cast underdeveloped, Tatum's journey of understanding and self-reflection is relatable and appealing. Steer readers who enjoy the updated fairy tale angle toward this book and follow with Ashley Poston's Geekarella (2017). A nice addition where contemporary fiction is popular.--- Sarah Bean Thompson--Booklist

Sixteen-year-old Tatum Elsea is bracing for the worst summer of her life. After being falsely accused of a crime, she's stuck under stepmother-imposed house arrest and her BFF's gone ghost. Tatum fills her newfound free time with community service by day and working at her covert graphic design business at night (which includes trading emails with a cute cello-playing client). When Tatum discovers she's not the only one in the house keeping secrets, she finds she has the chance to make amends with her family and friends. Equipped with a new perspective, and assisted by her feisty step-abuela/fairy-godmother, Tatum is ready to start fresh and maybe even get her happy ending along the way. A modern play on a Cinderella them, 'It Started with Goodbye' shows us that sometimes going after what you want means breaking the rules. An unfailingly entertaining and thoroughly engaging read from cover to cover, 'It Started with Goodbye' is highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as high school and community library YA Fiction collections. It should be noted that 'It Started with Goodbye' is also available in a Kindle format ($7.99).--Children's Bookwatch