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When Goodbyes Begin
Sometimes 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.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2026
8 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 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
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.🖤
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.
March 11, 2026
Thank you to Marissa for gifting our group BTP'S a ARC to read. If you enjoy a great charactor driven book like I do, then this is for you! coming out 3/24/26
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!
February 1, 2026
Such a heartwarming book, filled with love, drama, and loss. Follow the Capozzi family, an Italian family who knows how to love and knows how to eat - they are larger than life! Learn their secrets, their heartbreaks, and the new loves that enter their lives. I laughed and cried while reading this book! ❤️
March 31, 2026
Such a beautiful read that absorbs you quickly..hope you relate to all the relationships with this Italian family with food!!
March 25, 2026
My favorite this year!
April 6, 2026
Oh my gosh, I couldn't have picked a better book over the Easter weekend. An loud Italian family full of love, unexpected romance, heartbreak and a whole lot of awesome food. I couldn't stop thinking of my Italian grandmother who sat in her rocker taking everything in and my hard working dad. Reminiscing over holiday and Sunday dinners throughout every page, absolutely loved.
April 21, 2026
When Goodbyes Begin is a heartfelt, character driven novel that explores family, identity, and the difficult balance between personal dreams and responsibility.
The story follows Anna as she steps away from a structured life and begins to rediscover herself. This turning point sets the foundation for a narrative that feels both personal and emotionally grounded.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is its focus on family dynamics. The relationships feel authentic, shaped by tradition, expectation, and deep emotional ties. As challenges arise, those bonds are tested in ways that feel realistic and impactful.
The introduction of illness within the family adds emotional depth and urgency, highlighting how quickly priorities can shift and how resilience is built through difficult circumstances.
The story also explores hidden truths and generational identity, giving the narrative a broader sense of meaning beyond the immediate events.
What makes the book stand out is its emotional honesty. It captures the complexity of love, sacrifice, and growth in a way that feels sincere and relatable.
A strong choice for readers who enjoy family driven stories with emotional depth, personal transformation, and meaningful character development.
The story follows Anna as she steps away from a structured life and begins to rediscover herself. This turning point sets the foundation for a narrative that feels both personal and emotionally grounded.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is its focus on family dynamics. The relationships feel authentic, shaped by tradition, expectation, and deep emotional ties. As challenges arise, those bonds are tested in ways that feel realistic and impactful.
The introduction of illness within the family adds emotional depth and urgency, highlighting how quickly priorities can shift and how resilience is built through difficult circumstances.
The story also explores hidden truths and generational identity, giving the narrative a broader sense of meaning beyond the immediate events.
What makes the book stand out is its emotional honesty. It captures the complexity of love, sacrifice, and growth in a way that feels sincere and relatable.
A strong choice for readers who enjoy family driven stories with emotional depth, personal transformation, and meaningful character development.
April 7, 2026
Not my typical read. Family drama. I liked it. It was good. I read it in print and rather quickly. I wanted to keep reading. I like the three different voices. Sometimes I felt I jumped scenes and had to re-read. I’m not sure I felt invested in the love stories. Or like I still can’t decide how I feel about the love interests. I was invested in the family stories. I did feel connected and invested in the family members. I can’t decide how I feel about the ending. The story picked up as it went along and I felt like I wasn’t ready for the ending. I’m not sure everything was resolved.
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.
April 3, 2026
This debut novel was for me a peak into a very
Traditional Italian family and their dynamics. Lots of drama but oh so much familial love as well!! And secrets!! They dealt with a lot and gathered strength from each other.
So excited to read more from this author!!
Traditional Italian family and their dynamics. Lots of drama but oh so much familial love as well!! And secrets!! They dealt with a lot and gathered strength from each other.
So excited to read more from this author!!
May 5, 2026
It is a beautifully written story that will have you going through every emotion possible. An inside look of an Italian family who is going through the many obstacles of life! It's a book I didn't want to put down. This is the Author's first novel, and I am hoping for many more!
April 21, 2026
I loved this book. I cried many times as I was reading.
It’s a beautiful story about love and family.
It’s a beautiful story about love and family.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews