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Hello, Goodbye
Emersyn Collins is coming home.
It's been four years since 19-year-old Emersyn has been back to her hometown of Coupeville, Washington. Four years since her grandma got sick, and she was forced to move in with her estranged mother in the city. Four years since she's seen her best friends. Four years since she's shared a meal with her Uncle Kiel. Armed with nothing but a bag brimming with clothes, art supplies, and a heartfelt letter from her grandmother bequeathing her the house she grew up in, Emersyn finds herself at a crossroads, uncertain about her future as she returns to her past.
But everything changes when she crosses paths with Zeke Thatcher, an enigmatic stranger with his own quest on the to locate his father's grave and uncover a hidden connection to a family he never knew. For reasons Emersyn can't quite understand herself, she feels the need to help him. Before long, her days are spent obsessing over the charismatically distant stranger who seems to be struggling not to fall in love with her. And her nights are devoted to the images of gravestones as she tries to translate her new obsession onto blank canvases with the strokes of acrylic paints. But unbeknownst to Emersyn, Zeke is on a deadline to find that familial link. The clock is ticking, and if they can't uncover it before time slips away, they risk losing much more than a passionate summer romance.
Hello, Goodbye is a poignant tale that delves into the depths of loss and the shadow it leaves behind. But it's also a testament to the power of love, and the ones who guide us back toward the light.
Goodbyes are never easy. But the hellos are what make them meaningful.
It's been four years since 19-year-old Emersyn has been back to her hometown of Coupeville, Washington. Four years since her grandma got sick, and she was forced to move in with her estranged mother in the city. Four years since she's seen her best friends. Four years since she's shared a meal with her Uncle Kiel. Armed with nothing but a bag brimming with clothes, art supplies, and a heartfelt letter from her grandmother bequeathing her the house she grew up in, Emersyn finds herself at a crossroads, uncertain about her future as she returns to her past.
But everything changes when she crosses paths with Zeke Thatcher, an enigmatic stranger with his own quest on the to locate his father's grave and uncover a hidden connection to a family he never knew. For reasons Emersyn can't quite understand herself, she feels the need to help him. Before long, her days are spent obsessing over the charismatically distant stranger who seems to be struggling not to fall in love with her. And her nights are devoted to the images of gravestones as she tries to translate her new obsession onto blank canvases with the strokes of acrylic paints. But unbeknownst to Emersyn, Zeke is on a deadline to find that familial link. The clock is ticking, and if they can't uncover it before time slips away, they risk losing much more than a passionate summer romance.
Hello, Goodbye is a poignant tale that delves into the depths of loss and the shadow it leaves behind. But it's also a testament to the power of love, and the ones who guide us back toward the light.
Goodbyes are never easy. But the hellos are what make them meaningful.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2024
3 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 7, 2025
This book is outside of my usual genre, but I’m so glad I picked it up. Hello, Goodbye is a heartfelt contemporary romance that surprised me with how much I connected to it. The story follows Emersyn as she returns to her small hometown after inheriting her grandmother’s house, and it’s just full of the messy, complicated emotions that come with family, grief, and starting over.
The relationship between Emersyn and Zeke was a highlight for me. Their slow burn connection felt natural, and I loved how their stories intertwined.. her return home, his search for family history, both of them pulled by loss and finding something new in the process. Zeke especially stood out; he’s got that mix of charm and distance that kept me hooked, and his dynamic with his uncle added so much emotional depth.
The setting is another piece that really worked for me. The backdrop and even the unusual focus on gravestones gave the book a cozy yet bittersweet atmosphere. There’s something nostalgic about how it all unfolds, like you’re sitting down with a warm drink and being invited into someone else’s journey of healing and love.
I genuinely liked this story, and it left me feeling warm and reflective. If you’re looking for a sweet, emotional, and slightly unconventional romance, Hello, Goodbye is definitely worth your time.
The relationship between Emersyn and Zeke was a highlight for me. Their slow burn connection felt natural, and I loved how their stories intertwined.. her return home, his search for family history, both of them pulled by loss and finding something new in the process. Zeke especially stood out; he’s got that mix of charm and distance that kept me hooked, and his dynamic with his uncle added so much emotional depth.
The setting is another piece that really worked for me. The backdrop and even the unusual focus on gravestones gave the book a cozy yet bittersweet atmosphere. There’s something nostalgic about how it all unfolds, like you’re sitting down with a warm drink and being invited into someone else’s journey of healing and love.
I genuinely liked this story, and it left me feeling warm and reflective. If you’re looking for a sweet, emotional, and slightly unconventional romance, Hello, Goodbye is definitely worth your time.
October 12, 2025
I began reading this book because I was told it was a love story which begins in a graveyard. But it turned out to be so much more.
Hello, Goodbye is a wholesome love story about two young people trying to navigate their own roads to healing after grief and loss. Emersyn returns to her hometown and is navigating grief, a failed relationship with her mother and figuring out what is next for her when she meets Zeke. Zeke is on his own mission to find his own family history with an unexpected turn of events.
The unconventional family dynamics and charming smalltown feel make the perfect background for a charming romance that left a tear in my eye in the end.
Hello, Goodbye is a wholesome love story about two young people trying to navigate their own roads to healing after grief and loss. Emersyn returns to her hometown and is navigating grief, a failed relationship with her mother and figuring out what is next for her when she meets Zeke. Zeke is on his own mission to find his own family history with an unexpected turn of events.
The unconventional family dynamics and charming smalltown feel make the perfect background for a charming romance that left a tear in my eye in the end.
May 25, 2025
A poignant tale of healing and love found in unexpected places. It's been quite a while since I read this work from Alysun, and I'm still reminded how it made me feel... a rollercoaster ride, but incredibly gripping. And unique plot. At first, I was wondering how the setting (a graveyard, yes!) could be utilized to write a romance novel, and man, I was blown away. Emersyn and Zeke are a perfect match. And Zeke is so adorable. Love his relationship with his Uncle (spoiler alert: I CRIED).
Thanks Alysun for sharing this with us! Looking forward to more!
Thanks Alysun for sharing this with us! Looking forward to more!
May 25, 2025
loved, loved, LOVED reading this book! The entire plot was a breath of fresh air, despite the sad beginning and the characters were lovable! It's one of my favorite books from Alysun Sanders because she made me cry!!! Totally deserves to be read and reread!!!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews