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When Goodbyes Begin
Not yet published
Expected 24 Mar 26Sometimes the life you're meant to live comes together after everything falls apart. For years, Anna Capozzi followed the rules. She put family and career before love and dreams and never missed a Sunday dinner with her demanding Italian parents and her brother, Frank. When she shocks herself by walking off the job and away from her nursing career, Anna’s life falls apart...which sets the real Anna free to come together, as she starts her own business and meets the man of her dreams.
But before she can celebrate her new life, her father’s growing forgetfulness leads to a devastating diagnosis. Once again, Anna’s dreams are put on hold to put the family first, while Frank faces a turning point in a serious relationship complicated by a hidden past.
When a long-buried family secret comes to light, Anna and Frank begin to question everything they thought they knew about their parents, their roots, and themselves.
Bound by love, burdened by secrets, and shaped by tradition, Anna must find the strength to let go of the life she thought she wanted and embrace the one she’s meant to live.
When Goodbyes Begin is a heartfelt, multi-generational story about identity, sacrifice, and coming home.
But before she can celebrate her new life, her father’s growing forgetfulness leads to a devastating diagnosis. Once again, Anna’s dreams are put on hold to put the family first, while Frank faces a turning point in a serious relationship complicated by a hidden past.
When a long-buried family secret comes to light, Anna and Frank begin to question everything they thought they knew about their parents, their roots, and themselves.
Bound by love, burdened by secrets, and shaped by tradition, Anna must find the strength to let go of the life she thought she wanted and embrace the one she’s meant to live.
When Goodbyes Begin is a heartfelt, multi-generational story about identity, sacrifice, and coming home.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 24, 2026
1 person is currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 16, 2025
I love a family driven book - and this book didn’t disappoint! I laughed, I cried and I smiled through so many parts.
The prologue to this book is one of the sweetest and yet is one of the most heart-wrenching scenes ever. It sets the stage for a wonderful story about family.
In WHEN GOODBYES BEGIN, Anna suddenly walks away from her nursing job and goes in search of her own happiness with the support of her brother Frank,but despite the demands of her parents. As she starts to find herself, she is quickly faced with her father’s sudden diagnosis of dementia, and her dreams are put aside temporarily. As the family adjusts to their new normal - a deep family secret surfaces making them question everything they knew.
Grab a glass of wine, a box of tissue and pull up a chair to join the Capozzi’s for their Sunday dinners and be reminded of how important family, tradition, love and hope really are.
Thank you to Marissa for letting me read a copy of this manuscript in its early stages. I am so proud of you! ♥️
Preorder your copy today!
The prologue to this book is one of the sweetest and yet is one of the most heart-wrenching scenes ever. It sets the stage for a wonderful story about family.
In WHEN GOODBYES BEGIN, Anna suddenly walks away from her nursing job and goes in search of her own happiness with the support of her brother Frank,but despite the demands of her parents. As she starts to find herself, she is quickly faced with her father’s sudden diagnosis of dementia, and her dreams are put aside temporarily. As the family adjusts to their new normal - a deep family secret surfaces making them question everything they knew.
Grab a glass of wine, a box of tissue and pull up a chair to join the Capozzi’s for their Sunday dinners and be reminded of how important family, tradition, love and hope really are.
Thank you to Marissa for letting me read a copy of this manuscript in its early stages. I am so proud of you! ♥️
Preorder your copy today!
November 22, 2025
I give this book every star in the galaxy!
Having married into an Italian family, I could definitely relate to this book. Maria reminded me of my own mother in law (good and bad 🤣🫣). Nonna reminded me of my husband’s grandmother in the best of ways. I could see parts of myself in Anna. This book dealt with a family going through several crises at once - a devastating diagnosis for Tony (the father), a fall that leaves Nonna’s independent living hanging in the balance, and a secret from the past that has the ability to shake up the whole family. I loved every page!
Having married into an Italian family, I could definitely relate to this book. Maria reminded me of my own mother in law (good and bad 🤣🫣). Nonna reminded me of my husband’s grandmother in the best of ways. I could see parts of myself in Anna. This book dealt with a family going through several crises at once - a devastating diagnosis for Tony (the father), a fall that leaves Nonna’s independent living hanging in the balance, and a secret from the past that has the ability to shake up the whole family. I loved every page!
October 19, 2025
I was honored to read an early manuscript of this debut novel and I was hooked from the beginning. This multigenerational family book grabs your heart, twists it, and has you holding on right up to the end…you will not want to put it down because you will see yourself reflected in this family drama. Available for pre-order now; go grab your copy and support my friend as she launches her first novel into the world on 3/24/26
October 14, 2025
When Goodbyes Begin is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you finish it. Marissa McFarland writes with so much heart…I felt every emotion Anna went through as she tried to balance family, loss, and her own dreams. The story beautifully captures the pull between duty and self-discovery, with moments that are both tender and powerful. It’s emotional, real, and deeply relatable. Highly recommended for anyone who loves stories about family, resilience, and second chances.
January 19, 2026
When Goodbyes Begin
By: Marissa McFarland
Pub date: March 24, 2026
5 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝
First off, I am honored to read an ARC from one of our favorite Book Club members and we are all so proud of your first book, Marissa.
🍝
This story is of a Catholic, Italian family who look forward to their Sunday dinners and catching up with each other.
🍝
Life will give each family member a challenge. Relationships, challenges and a hard diagnosis, will bond the Capozzi family as they face life supporting each other.
🍝
I was so invested in the characters and thrilled there will be a sequel. You will laugh, cry and enjoy this novel about the Capozzi family. Traditions are powerful and trying to keep memories passed down through generations are two themes, along with the medical diagnosis that hit home for me.
🍝
I highly recommend this novel and have already pre-ordered a copy. This ARC is traveling with our bookclub Beyond the Pages and is heading to South Carolina.🖤
By: Marissa McFarland
Pub date: March 24, 2026
5 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝
First off, I am honored to read an ARC from one of our favorite Book Club members and we are all so proud of your first book, Marissa.
🍝
This story is of a Catholic, Italian family who look forward to their Sunday dinners and catching up with each other.
🍝
Life will give each family member a challenge. Relationships, challenges and a hard diagnosis, will bond the Capozzi family as they face life supporting each other.
🍝
I was so invested in the characters and thrilled there will be a sequel. You will laugh, cry and enjoy this novel about the Capozzi family. Traditions are powerful and trying to keep memories passed down through generations are two themes, along with the medical diagnosis that hit home for me.
🍝
I highly recommend this novel and have already pre-ordered a copy. This ARC is traveling with our bookclub Beyond the Pages and is heading to South Carolina.🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an amazing story of family,love and loss.
This debut author captures family life with humor and sensitivity.Anna always does the right thing for her Italian family often putting her own goals aside. Then…. She must learn to choose her own path yet remain strong for her parents, grandmother and brother. You’ll laugh and cry.
Out March 24,2026. Preorder now.
This debut author captures family life with humor and sensitivity.Anna always does the right thing for her Italian family often putting her own goals aside. Then…. She must learn to choose her own path yet remain strong for her parents, grandmother and brother. You’ll laugh and cry.
Out March 24,2026. Preorder now.
December 23, 2025
This multigenerational story will make you laugh and cry. I truly felt what it was like to be a part of a close knit Italian family while reading this book. Of course there is drama and scars of life along with all of the chaos families bring.
January 7, 2026
I love a family driven book and this book provided that and so much more. I laughed, I cried and I smiled through so many parts.
In WHEN GOODBYES BEGIN, Anna suddenly walks away from her nursing job and goes in search of her own happiness with the support of her brother Frank,but despite the demands of her parents. As she starts to find herself, she is quickly faced with her father’s sudden diagnosis of dementia, and her dreams are put aside temporarily. As the family adjusts to their new normal - a deep family secret surfaces making them question everything they knew.
This story follows this family as they deal with new loves, new careers, difficult health issues and just being a family! Join the Capozzi’s for their Sunday dinners and be reminded of how important family, tradition, love and hope really are. You will find this one very hard to put down!!
Thank you Marissa for the honor to read the ARC!!!
Preorder your copy today!
In WHEN GOODBYES BEGIN, Anna suddenly walks away from her nursing job and goes in search of her own happiness with the support of her brother Frank,but despite the demands of her parents. As she starts to find herself, she is quickly faced with her father’s sudden diagnosis of dementia, and her dreams are put aside temporarily. As the family adjusts to their new normal - a deep family secret surfaces making them question everything they knew.
This story follows this family as they deal with new loves, new careers, difficult health issues and just being a family! Join the Capozzi’s for their Sunday dinners and be reminded of how important family, tradition, love and hope really are. You will find this one very hard to put down!!
Thank you Marissa for the honor to read the ARC!!!
Preorder your copy today!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews