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It Started with Goodbye is a young adult contemporary by Christina June. I really enjoyed this read. It was a fast paced story that was reminiscent of a modern day Cinderella story. (with the whole mean step mother element.) I really enjoyed the writing, the characters and most of all the focus of the book. All in All It Started with Goodbye was a cute read that gave me lots of warm and fuzzies.

It Started with Goodbye features our main character Tatum, who is in for a not so pleasant summer. She was accused of a crime and she sentenced to community service, and worst of all, being stuck in the house with her stepmother. I actually really liked the set up of the story. The writing is very character and relationship focused, and while there is a romance in It Started with Goodbye, the romance is no where near the main focus of the story. Which I found to be completely refreshing, and kind of perfect for this book. The main focus on the story was Tatum's relationships with her family and friends. I loved that. More than I can even say. It made this book feel charming and realistic in a way that is not easy to pull off, and is certainly not very common.

I really enjoyed the whole vibe of It Started with Goodbye. I liked the cast of characters, and I really liked Tatum. I can't wait to read more books by Christina June. I know she has written a story in part of an anthology a few years ago, but I haven't read anything by her. This was my first novel of hers I have picked up, and I am super impressed. It Started with Goodbye was a really great read. I really liked the way it wrapped up. It was a nice feel good standalone contemporary. I want more!

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs