I have got to say that there hasn’t been a book that I’ve read by KA Tucker so far that I haven’t immensely enjoyed. Even though this is a Cinderella story and not something that is likely to happen in real life, I still found myself completely immersed in the story. I was totally rooting for Catherine and Brett the whole time. This is a bit on the more fluffier side than I’ve read from this author. Usually her characters have a mental illness or some sort of suspenseful undercurrent to it. However, this was just a sweet story about a single mother who falls in love with a major NFL player after she saves his life. There really was no conflict at all. I mean, the characters talked to each other instead of assuming or jumping to conclusions. There was no crazy ex-girlfriends/boyfriends that popped up and tried to steal the other away. There wasn’t even your typical “publicists thinks it’s better if he doesn’t slum it with the middle-class folk” conflict that you see so often in celebrity romances. Instead it was pretty straight forward and just a really enjoyable read.

One thing I love about this author’s work is that you can’t help but fall in love with all of the characters. I loved that they all seemed so real. I found myself chuckling a few times at some of the things in this book. Primarily it had to revolve around Catherine’s daughter. She was a cute little thing and while I don’t usually like kids in my romances, she fit into the story perfectly. I think it had to do with the fact that this is a very slow-building romance. The majority of the book is of Catherine and Brett talking via phone or having short visits for interviews and what not. They don’t actually start a relationship until later in the book. I loved that the author took this approach because you really got to see these two come together and build a relationship off of the fundamentals instead of lust.

Not only is this is a sweet romantic story, but I also loved the family aspect of it as well. Due to Catherine’s younger years, she has sort of a strained relationship with her family. She’s kept her distance from them over the years and you can really tell that everyone is still trying to come together and make it work. Not only do we get a feel for how things are now, but the storyline does go back in time to Catherine’s teen years and it definitely shows the dynamics of her family when everything was going down. I liked getting this flashbacks because it really helped you understand Catherine more and it added more depth to her character. You sort of understand what makes her tick and why she reacts to things the way she does.

All in all, Until it Fades is another amazing book by KA Tucker. While it’s definitely on the lighter and sweeter side than what I’m used to reading from her, I loved that she took a chance and wrote this story. I’m a fan of celebrity romances but they don’t always work for me. Between the slow-build romance, the lack of over-the-top drama, and the fact that the author makes you feel like this could actually happen, I was roped in from the beginning. KA Tucker is starting to become a 1-click author for me. Like I said, I haven’t read a book of hers that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy and Until it Fades was no exception.

I just wanted to give Catherine a hug. She had been through so much in her past and was struggling to keep her head above water and be a good mother while the town continues to gossip and judge her. When she happens upon Brett in a car wreck, Catherine rescues him and changes both of their lives. Little does she know that Brett is a famous hockey player and the world demands to know all the details about the wreck. Brett just wants to know Catherine better and invites her know the real him behind the spotlight. Catherine is tempted but her past always interferes. This was a delightful story that kept me reading late in the night. The characters seemed so real and their love story was natural and sweet to read. This was my first book by this author but not my last.

Grade: C+

Favorite Quote: “Maybe I can still make a great life for Brenna and me, here.”

Twenty-four year old single mother Catherine Wright never wanted to be the focus of her hometown’s attention again. That proves impossible to avoid when she risks her life to save a man from a burning car only to discover he is Brett Madden, a famous pro hockey player. Now she has to worry about her past being rehashed again, this time within her daughter’s hearing.

Catherine manages to keep her identity a secret until a townie outs her and Brett show up on her doorstep, eager to thank her for saving his life. What starts out a grateful friendship begins to grow into something as the chemistry sparks between Catherine and Brett. But Catherine has already been burnt badly by someone’s promises and she doesn’t trust the attraction growing between her and Brett because what can someone as special as him see in a nobody like her?

I will admit Until It Fades surprised me. As a long time fan of K.A. Tucker’s, I was shocked by how lightweight and predictable this story was. Tucker’s usual stories tend to be darker in conflicts and characterization. Though our heroine has had a tough row to hoe, she has survived with only some minor scrapes and bruises with some help from some friends.

Catherine Wright has lived in the small town of Balsam all her life. An affair with her high school English teacher (part of the town’s founding family) when she was sixteen led to her ostracization by the town and a huge falling out with her parents. At age eighteen, she moves out, secures a job waitressing at a local truck stop and discovers she’s pregnant. Now twenty-four, Catherine still works at the same job and with some government help, she is raising her little one all on her own.

Tucker tells Catherine’s backstory in great detail and merges it in with the present, taking up a lengthy portion of the story. I liked Catherine. She is honest in everything that has happened and the part she played in it. She spends quite a lot of time examining her relationships with her parents, her mother in particular, her siblings, the town, her friends, and even her own daughter. We learn she finally understands that it was the teacher who was in the wrong and that while the town wasn’t kind to her as a teen, it has grown and changed, just as she has, and quite a few of the townsfolk didn’t blame her for what happened.

Organic humor and an engaging narrative keep the story moving along though the romance is VERY slow to build. Catherine doesn’t trust anyone including herself and keeps our hero at arm’s length for most of the book. While I appreciated the realism behind Catherine’s emotional and mental struggles with everything that has happened, I found Brett’s attraction to Catherine questionable. Tucker makes sure to announce on several occasions that Brett’s attraction is unaffected by gratitude but I don’t see how it wasn’t. They don’t spend much time together and I never felt they got to know one another beyond a singular level. I felt a large part of that problem was the fact that Tucker spends so much time developing and characterizing Catherine and her inner circle. she seems to skimp on everything else-Brett and the romance.

A vibrant and personable cast of secondary characters adds to the energy of this storyline. Catherine and her daughter Brenna are a dynamic duo and I love how strong Brenna’s role is in here. Misty and Keith are Catherine’s best friends and it shows when they come to her rescue when she needs them most even if she doesn’t think she needs help. Catherine’s parents have their come to Jesus moment and I enjoyed seeing Catherine and her mother grow from their child/adult relationship into one of equal standing. I really wish the teacher who ruined Catherine’s life would have played a bigger role especially with the twist we get towards the end.

The ending is one in which fairy tales are written. Brett sweeps Catherine off her feet and takes her Brenna to the castle she drew about in her sketch book and they live happily ever after.

While I liked Until It Fades, it wasn’t a deep, meaningful, or particularly memorable book. It was a sweet opposite attraction romance with a low-key romance and some play on class differences. The perfect beach book.

It has been a while since I have read a book that stays with me days after finishing it. I loved every minute of this story and couldn’t put it down. K. A. Tucker sure has a way with words. This was beautifully written unconventional love story. This is my favorite book by this author.

Just reading the blurb for this had me anxious to get my hands on it. Let me tell from the minute I started I was pulled in. I loved the little bit of flash backs we got from Catherine’s past. Life has been very unkind to her for a while and she is trying to do what she can to get by. When something tragic happens and she happens to be near that changes her life and Brett’s. Trying to stay out of the spotlight is hard when you rescue a famous hockey player.

Brett is grateful for what Catherine did and wants to thank her. He never expected their friendship to turn into anything more. When Brett and Catherine are together they can conquer anything.

This was a slow burn story with the perfect build up. I loved the pace and the characters so much. This is a MUST READ and a top read for 2017.

This story is totally different from what K.A. Tucker usually writes. Where her other books are filled with feels and suspense, this one was more light, feel-good, and a total beach read!

Until It Fades features a small town where everybody is in each other’s business and knows anything and everything about what goes on in the town. Catherine’s name has been in everyone’s mouth ever since she got involved in something she shouldn’t have and the town judged her so harshly. She’s kind of moving past it when she comes face to face to a car crash. Not knowing who’s in the car, she risks her life to pull out the survivor, who turns out to be Brett, a famous hockey player. Catherine doesn’t want her name to be revealed to the media or Brett’s family, but her family and close friend urge her to do so and she relents. What unravels are a series of events she wasn’t expecting.

Honestly, I loved this book. It had me so giddy! My fave character has to be Brenna, Catherine’s daughter. She was the sweetest and cutest one of the bunch. The relationship that Catherine and Brenna have is to admire. It’s actually a very different relationship that Catherine had with her own mother. Their relationship was very strained over the years, especially when one specific event happened. But because of Catherine’s heroic action, her mom starts to see her daughter differently and starts to think that maybe she judged her in the past when she shouldn’t have.

I loved how this book showed Catherine’s past in flashbacks. It was easy to understand what went down and it made me feel more for Catherine. Everyone blamed her while the person who should have been blamed got away with no blame at all. It was sad and heartbreaking. Because of this, she really didn’t want anyone to find out what she had done to save Brett. But he wanted everyone to know who she was. Someone who had no idea who he was—she didn’t even know he was famous—yet risked her life to save him. Brett was so freaking swoony! He had this gentle and calm presence about him that I immediately loved. And how he was with Catherine and Brenna melted my heart! I actually thought that Brett wanted to spend more time with Catherine because she saved his life and he felt like he owed her, but that was not the case. He sincerely liked everything about who Catherine was, especially the fact that she was so genuine and could care less about his famous world.

The romance between Brett and Catherine was so slow burn and took it’s time to develop. At times, I did wanted to smack Catherine on the head because she kept being so guarded towards Brett. But overall, their relationship was so sweet and loving, despite the few hardships. Everything felt believable. What made me fall harder for Brett was that he always loved to have Brenna around. Even Catherine thought it was too much at times, but he genuinely loved to spend time with Brenna. She was so adorable! Reading about Brett’s and Brenna’s friendship was the sweetest thing ever.

Despite this story having all the positive feels and being so cute and romance-y, it also focuses on learning to forgive yourself, like Catherine had to learn to do. She had gone through a lot in her life and she had forgotten what it was like to have people support you and care for you unconditionally. Having found that, she got the push she needed to be stronger, fearless, and to forgive herself.

Overall, Until It Fades, is a beautifully written story about forgiveness, the importance of family, and ultimately, to learn to trust again. What makes this so wonderful is that it has a happily ever after feel to it that really fit the story and I ended up loving so much!

3.5 stars

I feel Until It Fades and He Will Be My Ruin couldn’t be more opposites. From mystery thriller to romance, quite a change-up again for K.A. Tucker, though I love that she pushes herself. Until It Fades is actually super sweet, though it wouldn’t be a K.A. Tucker novel if there weren’t some big secrets that keep you on your toes.

Most people wouldn’t mind their fifteen minutes of fame, definitely if it puts them into a positive spotlight. Though I completely understand why Catherine shuns that attention. While glad she could help someone for once, the aftermath she could have done without.

Though when hunky hockey icon Brett Madden gives you his attention, it’s hard to deny. Mixed feelings, his persistence, her past, more secrets, meddling family, it all keeps you severely invested in Until It Fades. The whole time you’ll be rooting for Brett and Catherine, she deserves that happiness. Meanwhile the secrets, and drama keeps you flipping the pages.

*I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Teenage love brings with it ups and down. For Catherine Wright - the crush she possessed in high school would stay with her for years. The kind of romance that one wants desperately to forget. Living in a small town means everyone ‘knows your name’ and your past is just as relevant as the present. Something Catherine knows all too well.

Trying to make ends meat as a waitress in a town where everyone views you as a ‘villain’ is hard. Add to that the struggles of being a single mother, and you have a picture of Catherine’s life at 24. With relations strained between Catherine and her family, and the long hours that Catherine puts in at the diner, there is little time for Catherine to find romance. Being ‘alone’ doesn’t bother Catherine one bit. After all, motherhood is the only thing that Catherine cares on focusing on.

One night after a HORRIBLE blind date, Catherine finds herself stumbling upon the scene of a horrific accident. Stopping to help was second nature, but the destruction was more than Catherine could process. With one last tug, Catherine was able to pull a survivor from the wreckage before the car blew up. Engulfing her car in flames from the wreckage. Catherine didn’t know it at the time, but the person she saved was about to turn her world upside down.

Brent Madden was a pro NFL hockey player, and the only survivor of that wreck. His teammate never made it out of the crash. Something that haunted Brent and his team. Determined to thank the person that saved his life, Brent and his family reached out to authorities to discover who was responsible. What he soon discovered is Catherine’s request to authorities to keep her name out of the spotlight. Something that Brent was reluctant to turn his back on.

After Catherine finally comes forward as his rescuer, Brent and his family decide to offer their thanks in person. Secrets of Catherine’s past come blazing into the present when Brent’s fame brings the camera crews to town. Something that reminds Catherine of a time that she just wants to forget. However - Brent can’t seem to forget the woman that risked everything to give him another chance at life. A single mother that clearly has a past, but one that Brent simply can’t get out of his mind.


Until It Fades is not the type of book you would typically expect from author K.A. Tucker. While this departure from her ‘normal’ writing style may come as a surprise, it certainly was a hit as far as I am concerned. This romance held the pain of scandal while teasing you with the anticipation of finding redemption. A unique look at young love and the scars that it leaves when things turn ‘ugly’.

As a HUGE hockey fan, I have to say that this book clearly made me giddy. I’m telling you….imagining a character like Brett *fans myself*. The highlights from the playoffs, the season tickets, and they way Cath’s family was crazy about hockey just added to the storyline!! I loved every single moment!!

This book, to sum it up in K.A. Tucker’s words, is very different when compared to her other books and I find it quite refreshing. In K.A. fashion we are absorbed into this amazingly descriptive and unique story and you never want to come up for air. This entire storyline is full of laughter and togetherness; it makes you want to pull the ones you love most closest to you and love them as hard as you can for as long as you can. It has a genuine, heart-felt plot and will leave you smiling for days after you are done.

This story is completely from Catherine’s POV. Even though this may be a turn off for some I found it enlightening because K.A. did it in a way that kept me both intrigued and entertained as a reader. She didn’t lay all of Catherine’s cards on the table from the start; she slowly built up this character in a way that left a good balance between feeling as if I knew who this character was as a person and still wanting to know more. K.A. never once rushed this story, she allowed the plot to reveal itself on its own time and I believe that is why this story is so good. She took the time to give us the backstory but interwove it into the present. She helped us really see who Catherine is and where she came from, and this helped us understand her reasoning behind wanting to stay out of the spotlight, not for just her sake but also her daughter’s. She had to grow up fast and in a way that no child ever should and becaue of this, it has had last affects on her repuation around her town. She wants to keep all of that as far away as she can from her daughter.

When she saves the life of a national hockey hero she can’t keep to herself any longer. She’s back in the media and even though this time it’s for a good cause, she can’t quite shake her past and the damage that it did.

Brett is a swoon-worthy character that you easily fall head over heels for because even though he’s this hockey-god and comes from millions of dollars, he’s this genuinely nice, down-to-earth guy that people just want to flock to. I loved everything about his character and I found that it seemed to fit perfectly with Catherine’s. He was patient and seemed to know when to push and when to let her breathe. He was a complete gentlemen and better yet….his interactions with Catherine’s daughter were the best. He 100% included her in everything he invited Catherine to. He knew she was part of the package and he never once made it seem like an inconvenience. That definitely made me fall more in love with him.

The romance between Brett and Catherine was a slow-burn one. It wasn’t instant and, again, I found that refreshing. Also, K.A. throws in some twists and turns that you may not see coming, but I think that is defnitely typical of her writing style and it enhanced the entire plot in general. I absoloutely loved everything this book had to offer; I read it in one sitting and it has definitely made it into my top 2017 reads!

My 4 star review is posted on Goodreads. It will be posted on blog and social media on blog tour upon release and links will be updated at that time. Main blog link is: http://tammyandkimreviews.blogspot.com/
UPDATED 6/27/17

4 stars

Catherine Wright has lived a not-so-charmed life in her twenty four years. A scandal when she was a teenager ruined her reputation and not long after she became a single mother with no support system. But she is a strong, determined woman and with a little help she has managed to survive and somewhat thrive as a single mom working at a diner. She tries to avoid complications, attention, and guards her privacy. She has lost the confidence she had as a youth, and is stuck in a rut.

One night changes everything. She acts as a good samaritan and saves a man's life. She tries to avoid any media attention over the incident. But saving a famous hockey players makes for good press. The mystery and speculation is nerve wracking and people won't rest til the savior is outed. And that brings her right into the path of hockey star Brett Madden and in the spotlight that she just wants to avoid.

Brett is appreciative, concerned, and caring. But he is also suffering pain, loss, and fear of losing his career. But he knows he is lucky and got a second chance to live. He is drawn to Cath and wants to help her, but she is stubborn and resistant. But there is an underlying chemistry there that both are scared to admit.

This is a slow build of two people tied together by tragedy but then forging a friendship and developing feelings. It is the handsome, charming, talented, famous, wealthy "Prince" and the poor, struggling, small town, young mom. The girl who just wants to avoid attention finds herself in the center of a media frenzy, while he was born famous and grew up to gain his own public attention. She is guarded, untrusting, scared, and trying to be smart and not make more poor choices. He is a man with good intentions just fighting for a chance.

But this all shakes up her life in ways she never expected...some good and some bad. It disrupts her normal, controlled life. It pushes her out of her comfort zone. It forces her to face her past. It brings some closure and understanding. Brett is a man who is now struggling, but also wants to make her life better and feels drawn to her. It makes them both realize that life it too short not to go after what they want. But their lives have some challenges. Their futures are uncertain. She can continue to resist. Or she can take what she can get as long as it lasts, but it runs the risk of more heartbreak.

The characters were really likable. I adored Brett, and even though Cath could be bit strong-willed, she had her reasons for her current decisions. Her past was not easy and it really damaged her, so it was understandable. But she also showed growth and acceptance. The side characters really added depth to the story. Her daughter, Brenna was darling. Her friends Keith, Lou, Leroy, and Misty made the town feel real. Her family had some dynamics that added to the drama, and his family was interesting.

This was sweet, flirty, and funny. It was a really slow build, and it was a longer book and with all the details it sometimes it felt slow paced. But it did really show Catherine's struggles and life in depth' and it made sense due to her issues. It was not a steamy or sexy book, but it had some swoon and a couple of surprises. It had some good messages about being brave, taking risks, and living a full life. And also about judgment, tolerance, acceptance, and generosity. It was really Catherine's life journey as she was a woman used to being let down, and then she gets an unexpected chance for love and a life change. But only if she is strong enough and brave enough to take it. Will she get the fairytale or will it fade?

When I read a KA Tucker book, I expect one of two things. Angst or suspense. This book was different for her. It was a sweet, slow burn romance with a lot of heart. The pace was a bit slower than I would have liked, but overall I enjoyed the story a lot!

Catherine Wright is a 24 year old single mother with a past. Because of that past, she keeps to herself. She has her five year old daughter, a waitressing job that keeps them fed, and that’s enough for her. One night, she witnesses a car accident and stops to help. She doesn’t know it at the time, but she saves a famous man’s life. Catherine does not want the attention or the accolades this brings. She lives in a small town and she’s had her fair share of ‘attention’ in the past. Thanks, but no thanks. So she asks her friend on the police force not to share her name with the public. And that works. For a while.

Brett Madden is a big time hockey player. After the accident that took his friends life, he’s trying to heal and part of that is meeting and thanking the person who saved his life. When he meets Catherine, he is blown away by her beauty and strength. He admires her. Someone with a child and so much to lose risked her life for him. He feels a connection with her he can’t explain.

The relationship between Catherine and Brett was pretty non-existent for a lot of the book. It started as a friendship and very slowly grew into much more. That’s okay with me, though. I don't mind when romance sometimes takes a bit of a back seat to the story. I feel like it worked with this book. With Catherine’s past, it made sense. I liked seeing into her past, why she was the way she was, and seeing her growth.

Until it Fades is a swoony, sweet, slow building Cindrealla-type romance. I loved both Catherine and Brett, the supporting characters, and all the interactions with Catherine’s adorable daughter. If you’re looking for a charming, small town romance, this is one I would recommend!

4.5 stars

"With Brett... I wouldn't fall in love, I'd plummet."

Until it Fades had been on my radar ever since I read the blurb. It is one of my most anticipated reads of 2017, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. KA Tucker hooked me from the start, the prologue was very unconventional and it intrigued me to find out more. Catherine Wright is a twenty-four-year-old single mother and truck stop waitress. Every decision she makes, she makes with her five-year-old daughter in mind. It was very obvious that she is a great mother to her cute little daughter Brenna. I loved how Cath saved Brett's life, it was very original and it had me curious to see how their relationship would develop. I was happy that Brett wasn't your typical athlete, and most of that was a result of his great upbringing.

"It's good to have dreams. Without dreams, we wouldn't have goals. And without goals...what's the point of living?"

Cath is very reluctant to be in the limelight and to start something with Brett. I loved both of their personalities, and I was glad the author took her time to develop the bond between them. I also loved the side characters, Keith (Cath's best friend) and Jack (Cath's brother) in particular. I wouldn't mind them getting their own story. There were so many amazing characters in this book that I couldn't get enough of. I especially loved the scenes with Brenna, she was such a cute, happy and curious little girl. I do wish there were a couple of extra chapters to really cement the relationship between Brett and Catherine, it really felt like that the last chapters were a bit rushed. Overall Until it Fades was a great contemporary romance and it kept me interested from start to finish. I really wish this was a series, and that the other characters would get their own book.

Until it Fades was a different side to K.A. Tucker than we’re used to, employing a fairytale kind of love story in place of her typical romantic suspense, but it still had her deeply vivid characters and a self-assured heroine we’re used to having from her. Both a romance and Women’s Fiction novel, this story delved deep into the small-town life, the far-reaching echoes of bad choices, and the reverberations of a selfless deed.

It beautifully and painfully captured the true upheaval and heartbreak of a family torn apart, a community involved, and the consequences from those actions years later on both sides of the fence. Catherine’s palpable strength, both as a woman and a mother, spoke volumes with each action. I don’t know that I’ve loved one of her heroines as much as I did her; there was such purity to her even with her muddied reputation. Tucker wrote her with a light hand, insisting we fall for her swiftly and easily by simple presence alone without interference. Everything Catherine was, mixed with Brett’s unbelievably sweet and caring self, created an unputdownable story with the ability to push and pull at your heart.

With one of the best slow-burn romances I’ve experienced in a long while, Until it Fades was deeply romantic and uplifting. The swirling angst of a sweet romance that built as the story turned gave me a constant swarm of butterflies. I was charmed by a strong, defined heroine that was selfless as well as self-aware, and the love that she deserved to have in return. Tucker’s skilled storytelling shone again, showing us both a different side to her writing as well as the power of love, within and outside of us. It was a truly fascinating story that lifted me up and gave me characters worth rooting for.

This is the first book I read by K.A. Tucker and I LOVED it! It was such a heartwarming, uplifting, sweet book. A modern day Cinderella story, but with a twist.

One thing I especially loved was that Tucker really allowed the reader to get to know Catherine. With flashbacks to the past, you get to be inside 17/18 year old Catherine’s mindset. I did feel this helped me understand why her character made some of the decisions she did, in the past as well as the present. I was definitely rooting for her to succeed, as well as to get her HEA.

Brett. Sigh. I loved his character. He was such a stand up guy. Genuinely nice and thoughtful. I liked that he wasn’t an overtly “alpha male.” In fact, I didn’t actually classify him as one at all. He honestly seemed like a normal guy I’d meet in real life. Other than the fact that he is a famous hockey player and extremely wealthy of course.

There was one particular twist that I didn’t see coming. Tucker did a masterful job at surprising me. I tend to believe I figure things out sooner, or at least see possibilities, but I honestly didn’t with this one.

Catherine’s life is far from perfect. Even though she does get her HEA (hopefully that isn’t a spoiler… I mean, it is a romance book so a HEA is pretty much guaranteed), not everything in her life is picture perfect at the end of the story; and I actually liked that. Not all her relationships were resolved or patched up. That made the story seem more relatable, and I really appreciated that.

Some stand-out characters for me were definitely Lou and Leroy, as well as Brett’s dad Richard, and of course Brenna. I also really liked Catherine’s close relationship with her brother Jack. There were honestly so many wonderful things and characters in this story I could go on and on.

This is the perfect read to enjoy anywhere and anytime. I wanted to start from the first page again, as soon as I had read the last. Highly recommended to everyone, especially those of you who are a sucker for a good romance novel.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Catherine had a moment of notoriety in high school and still lives with the scars. She strives to keep her head down, raise her daughter, and work hard. On her way home from yet another lackluster attempt at dating, Catherine finds herself acting the good samaritan, saving a man’s life. She doesn’t know who the man is at the time, and she couldn’t predict the ways her actions will change her life.

Brett Madden, hockey star, was lucky to survive the accident. He struggles with the recovery process and just wants to thank the woman who saved him, if he can track her down. She doesn’t want to be found, but he needs to meet her to continue on his road to health.

I loved Catherine’s whole take on learning Brett’s identity. She was so scarred from her previous media attention that she doesn’t want anything to do with the reporters, cameras, and attention that will swarm if her identity is revealed. As readers learn more about her past experience in the media spotlight, her reticence and standing in the community make more sense.

Brett is an interesting mix of confident, caring athlete and wounded, scared victim. He is used to being in control and getting what he wants. He is also one of those guys who is a genuine caretaker. He struggled with the changes and uncertainty he faced due to the accident and I loved watching him find comfort with Catherine and her daughter.

There were times this story felt a little on the long side. But once the two characters had their fateful meeting and Brett’s recovery began, I was hooked on the story. Even once they met, things didn’t move quickly between them. Catherine is much too set in her individual ways to fall for a man, even one with as many resources as Brett. I loved watching as they learned to lean on one another and even turn to the other in crisis situations.

I both loved and loathed certain of the side characters. Each person in Catherine’s life has their own agendas for the way they interact with her, and I couldn’t help but be surprised by some of the things we learn about the surrounding situations and characters. As the story continues to unfold and past scenes paint a better picture of what happened and why, I found myself fully engrossed in Catherine and Brett’s present.

This was a long, slow burn of a book. It pulled me in and kept me chasing after those missing pieces I knew had to be just out of reach. It felt a bit lighter than some of the author’s other works, but part of that was the additional of Brenna to many of the scenes. This was a great piece about moving beyond the past, facing challenges, and learning to trust.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm still fairly new to the KA Tucker train. I read He Will Be My Ruin last year and fell in love with her writing. She immediately became one of those authors who I knew I would read anything and everything she wrote. Until it Fades is only the second of her novels I've read, and while it's a completely different genre than the previous, I loved it just as much.

Brett and Catherine come from different worlds and only come together in the wake of tragedy. Catherine Wright is no stranger to the spotlight and bad press after a scandal during her teen years that rocked her small town. But getting involved with the famous hockey star, Brett Madden, brings a whole lot of publicity that she's not sure she can handle. Not to mention the old scars and possible secrets that could be dug up. But she can't deny the sparks between them for long, especially when Brett is so determined to be a part of her life.

Until it Fades is a sweet modern day cinderella story with a whole lot of heart. It's a story that will give you all the warm fuzzies and leave you just feeling really good inside and believing in fairy tales again. This is a perfect read for the summer and definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a light, heart warming read.

As a long time K.A. Tucker fan, I really felt like I knew what I was getting into when I picked up Until It Fades. Fortunately, my imagination has nothing on the reality of this book.

First of all, I have to say that Until It Fades has a vulnerability to it that you won't find in any of Tucker's other books. It was intriguing and completely captured my heart from the beginning.

Catherine has been run through the wringer, but she's come out smarter and stronger for it. I love how independent she is. When you've had no one to rely on but yourself, it's hard to let others step in and help you. For Catherine, there is also a certain amount of pride as well, but she puts all of that aside to make things better for her little girl.

I think Tucker thoroughly captures the essence of a seventeen-year-old in love during the flashbacks. Emotions run high and everything seems 'life or death' when you are young. and these little bits of the story bring these feelings back in grand fashion. They also slowly reveal what Catherine has been through and let you know little by little why she makes some of the choices she does.

Brett Madden is a great character. He is confident and kind. He is gentle and generous. I love how quickly he accepts Catherine and all the past baggage she comes with. He is the perfect balance to Catherine. He pushes her and stretches her and literally makes her dreams come true.

This book is about romance, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many great relationship stories happening in the background of this book. Brett and Catherine are obviously the focus of the book, but the story also shows how Catherine repairs the relationship between herself and her parents. Catherine has some great co-workers who teach her how friends are supposed to love each other, something that she lost in all of the drama in her past. Because of their kindness, Catherine is able to put away the bitterness that could've consumed her.

I feel a bit like I'm rambling, but I just loved so many different things about this book.

As I said, I've read Tucker's work in the past, but Until It Fades comes with something extra special that has secured it as a Favorite Read.

I've been missing K.A. Tucker's writing so very much. I was thrilled to find out she was releasing a new romance novel and I was even happier when I got an early copy of it. Of course, I got it so long ago that I didn't even dive right in immediately because I wanted to wait until closer to release before I read it. I managed to hold off until April before my willpower ran out. Haha.

Y'all know I love the famous person and regular person trope. (When done well.) When mashed up with the single parent trope, one that's becoming a new favorite, it worked perfectly for me. I really liked Catherine. I admired her strength and determination. Life isn't easy for her for a number of reasons, but she did what she could to give her daughter the life she deserves. When she saves a man from a burning car, she was fearful of her past being dragged back in the spotlight and, if there's one thing she doesn't want, it's *another* fifteen minutes of fame. Hockey player/son of a movie star, Brett, wasn't going to let the person who saved him go so easily though. Brett? SUPER swoony, sweet and down to earth. I adored him.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was easy to cheer on Catherine, even when her own doubts got to be too much for her, and swoon over Brett. Things might've been complicated between them — and there seemed to be obstacles at every turn — but I loved them together. Even when Catherine feared that Brett was mistaking gratitude for attraction, I knew better. What was building between them was real and I couldn't wait to see Catherine drop her walls and let him in.

Until It Fades was a fun book with a wonderful story and great characters. It was lighter and less-angsty than her other books and I enjoyed the switch up. (Not that I don't love her angsty books, too.) I still got my feels though. :) It was sweet and romantic and sexy. It's definitely going on my "reread in the future" book list.

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

FAVORITE QUOTES

"I don't think you're shallow. I just think you're caught up and the feelings you have for me won't last. And I'll be the one hurt when you finally figure that out."

With Brett... I wouldn't fall in love, I'd plummet.

"Its' good to have dreams. Without dreams, we wouldn't have goals. And without goals... what's the point of living?"

"I have never wanted anyone as much as I want you. Not even a fraction."

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Love KA Tucker's books and her newest one does not disappoint. She tells a story that will have you wondering what will happen next and if what you least except in life will become reality. You cheer for Catherine the whole book and hope that she will finally find what she is looking for and not give up on herself. Brett will steal your heart from the first moment you meet him and will have you rooting for him the whole book. If you are a KA Tucker fan this is a must read!!!

Catherine Wright has had a difficult couple of years. She had an affair with her art teacher when she was 17 and he was 30, she became pregnant at 18 with no where to go, no job and no help from the father and now at 24 she is trying to make ends meet by waitressing at Diamonds and taking care of her 5 year old, Brenna. But one fateful night after a disastrous blind date she is thrown into helping a man out of a burning car and thus changing her whole life.

Brett Madden is one of the best hockey players in the league and wouldn't be here today if not for the help of a Good Samaritan who pulled him out of a burning car. When he finally learns that the samaritan was Catherine, he cannot wait to meet her and tell her how much he appreciates what she did.

Catherine has tried to stay under the radar ever since the scandal about her affair with her teacher came out and when she finds out she saved one of the best NHL players, her whole left is about to come into the spotlight once again. And when she finally meets Brett she is instantly attracted to the man she saved, but refuses to let that change anything.

As they spend some time together Brett can't stop his attraction to Catherine and when he tries to broach the subject with her she refuses to give it a chance. She can't believe that a guy like him would like a girl like her, who has had some much happen to her and who also has a child.

Brett continues to show Catherine that they need to give each other a chance a see where it will lead. Hoping she will not only take a chance on him but also a chance on herself.

Will Catherine be able to see past all the reasons why they shouldn't be together or will she continue to live life without taking chances and without stepping outside her comfort zone?

*thank you to the author and publisher for providing an arc*

Catherine thought she was in love with her thirty-year old art teacher when she was seventeen. Her mother dragged her to the police and made her make a statement when she caught them sneaking off together. Her reputation was dragged through the mud and Catherine’s teacher let her take all the blame, crushing her heart in the process. Six months later, Catherine finds herself eighteen, pregnant and with very little job options seeing as most in town shun and whisper against her. My heart went out to Catherine, because her mother threw her under the bus and she was ostracized by the town when it should’ve been her lecherous art teacher who got in trouble! I was outraged for her! At any rate, Catherine let her dreams of going to Art College and now works as a diner waitress to support her and her five-year old daughter.

Catherine’s love life leaves something to be desired which is why she’s driving herself home after a blind date gone wrong on the stretch of highway that Brett Madden, a famous hockey player, has just crashed on. Seeing the wreck, Catherine stops and saves Brett, but won’t let her name be released to the press or Brett in an attempt to stay under the radar. She’s had her brush with fame or infamy and doesn’t want any more attention. It’s only a matter of time before Brett and the press gets a hold of her name. Brett is grateful, of course, but there’s an immediate connection and attraction. Is it just the gratitude drawing him to her or could it be something deeper they both feel? Catherine trusted those swoony feelings before and was burned, so she has a tough time letting her guard down.

I totally understand where Catherine was coming from; she went through so much at such a young age with little support from anyone except Lou, Misty and Keith. I would feel the need to be cautious, too, but it was a just a tiny bit frustrating in a few spots. I was irritated Catherine kept letting her relationship with Brett stagnate to the point he might move on. I so desperately wanted some happiness for Catherine romantically, that I wanted to shake her a few times. But, she really deserved to be swept off her feet after everything she went through. Brett, on the other hand, was an absolute dream come true. He was so steady, honest and humble in spite of being such a big star and a total hunk!

There wasn’t a ton of angst which I’m not real keen on, so good news for me, but Until It Fades wasn’t my favorite K.A. Tucker story. Still, it was a feel good, fairy tale sort of sweet romance that’ll leave you happy in the end.

Call me a softy, but Until It Fades really tugged at my heartstrings. Having read a lot of romantic comedies and erotic books lately, it was refreshing to read a story that has a little more depth to it but still retains the romantic elements that I enjoy.

Catherine is a young single mom who endured a crushing scandal in her small hometown. I appreciate a strong female character, and this independent and determined survivor, who never felt sorry for herself, won me over from the beginning. Her four-year-old daughter Brenna is absolutely adorable and a bit too observant. At times it creates frustration for Catherine and humor for the reader.

When Catherine saves Brett’s life, she has no idea he is a famous athlete and is unprepared for the media frenzy that follows. She prefers to remain an anonymous good Samaritan rather than have her painful past dredged up by greedy reporters. She wants no accolades or monetary support. I can never understand why heroines reject gifts from rich people who can easily afford to give them. Only in books. In real life, if I was driving a beaten up sedan held together with duct tape, I would gladly accept a shiny new car, but maybe that’s just me. In Catherine’s case, her pride gets in the way.

So Brett. Insert huge dreamy sigh here. Let me think of one major flaw. Nope. I’ve got nothing. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Given all the pressures, pain, and uncertainty, post-accident Brett was fascinating to me. I was anxious to see how he would measure up.

There’s a diverse group of characters that bring even more dimension to this heartwarming story. I enjoyed every single one of them, but my favorite supporting character is Lou. She’s the owner of the diner where Catherine works, and is a wise, no-nonsense, caring surrogate mom to her.

This story is engaging, touching, and sweet. It’s swoony without being too steamy. Some may find it too “fade to black,” but I was satisfied. It reminds me of the romance stories that made me fall in love with the genre, and for that alone it’s a winner in my book.

Recommended for fans of:
Single moms
Diners
Sweet romance