Catherine is 24. Mother of almost 5 year old Brenna. Working as many shifts at the diner as she can get to put food in their bellies and a roof over their heads.
After some stupid and rebellious 'being-a-teenager-in-love' moments she ended up being a huge town scandal six years ago. She still has her problems with all that - with the town, with gossip, with her parents .... it was really hard to get to the life she now has with her little girl.
And suddenly she's about to be thrust into the town's - and even the country's - spotlight again.
She saved the life of a very famous person, and even though she told the police to not release her name, that Brett guy is looking for her to thank her for everything.

Poor, small-town single mom meets mega-rich hockey hottie ....
Can there be a happily ever after?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺

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I loved the book!
Poor Catherine had a lot to go through to get where she is now ... I might have cried a bit here and there. ☺
The reader thinks, YES, this amazingly sweet and kind and humble hockey hottie will finally pull her and her little girl out of that stupid town and its gossiping residents.
But of course it's not as simple as it sounds. Catherine is a strong and proud woman. She's made it this far, and no rich Hollywood star and her just as rich hockey-hottie son will be allowed to come in and save her!
But, the reader also knows that Catherine and Brett will not be able to resist each other for too long!

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This was such a sweet #FairyTaleLoveStory with lots of paparazzi and drama and sadness and laughter and love and hope and ugh ... I just loved it!
It's so adorable how Brett pursues Catherine and how sweet he is with her little girl. Brenna, btw. is the star of the book - she's too cute!!! We have a great supporting cast - Catherine has great friends and family and Brett too. I loved them all!
It was mayyybe a tiny little bit too long here and there - maybe 50 pages could've been cut. It was a bit too slow-romance-y for my tastes - I wanted more of Brett and Catherine together - but it's more of a women's lit thing. Catherine finding her place in life and all that. But that doesn't mean that we don't have any romantic and sexy times with Brett ☺☺ we do!!! He's sooo sweet and ugh ... I loved the book soooo very much!
Amazing story!

This is my first K.A. Tucker book and I'm kicking myself that I haven't read anything by her before. Until it Fades was a fairytale of sorts, that fills your heart with hope that everyone gets their second chance at love.

Cathrine Wright is a single mom and waitress who is just trying to make it through life. When she was seventeen she made a mistake that would change her life, taking her from a once likable student to now, the town's outcast.

When she saves the life of a mysterious stranger, she tries as hard as she can to stay anonymous and keep her and her daughter out of the limelight. She doesn't want what happened in her past to be brought up all over again. Little does she know, the stranger she saved is a famous hockey player, and Brett Madden is determined to find the woman who saved him and say thank you...

"He has what I would call "soul-searching" eyes. They meet yours, but they don't just look at you. They look into you, delving deeper, beyond the layers and guises, to uncover who you are at your core."

Catherine is hesitant to take her attraction to Brett any further as her heart has been broken and betrayed before. I loved how Brett was persistent and was willing to take it as slow as possible to show her that he and his feelings toward her were genuine. I also loved how he included her daughter in everything they did, realising they came as a package deal.

Brett Madden was a down to earth guy despite being a famous hockey player and having a famous mom. He was everything that Catherine needed; he was strong, patient, and totally and utterly swoon-worthy!

" I wake up every morning thinking about you." My head thumps softly against the wall as I close my eyes, reveling in the feel of his mouth against my ear. "I go to bed at night thinking about you." Blood rushes through my veins with the adrenaline his words create. "Please tell me it's not just me."

This story was a bit of a slow burn which actually made it more enjoyable. I couldn't put it down and completely devoured this in one day. K.A. Tucker has completely sucked me in with her words; I felt so much while reading this book. It was a beautiful, yet heartbreaking story about learning to trust again, opening your heart and knowing that someone will be there to take care of it.

Single mom, Catherine Wright, has had her fill of being in the limelight. After years of being persecuted for her (presumably false) assertion against the town’s beloved high school art teacher, Catherine was ostracized by many in her community. Now she lives a quiet, happy life with her 5 year old daughter, working as a waitress and dreaming of all the things she wishes she could provide.

While driving home from a disastrous blind date on a deserted road, Catherine bears witness to a fiery crash. With little forethought to her own safety, she struggles to free the lone survivor from the burning car. Despite the near impossibility of her endeavor, Catherine somehow manages to save the stranger’s life. But, with that rescue, comes an unwanted media frenzy, for Catherine unwittingly saved the life of hockey icon, Brett Madden. Now, once again, Catherine has become the talk of the town.

Catherine’s attempts to keep her identity hidden is suddenly thwarted when she is outed on national TV. Once her secret is revealed, Brett Madden lands on Catherine’s doorstep, utterly gorgeous and charming as he expresses his undying gratitude. Gratefulness aside, there’s also a spark of “something more” simmering just beneath the surface. But how can either of them be sure that what they feel is real and not just the resulting aftermath from their harrowing experience? Real or not, the injured Brett is determined to help return Catherine’s life back to normal before returning to the uncertainty of his own.

Brett is everything I could ask for in a book boyfriend and then some. He is sexy, charming, sweet, caring, thoughtful and forgiving. Who could possibly ask for anything more? And despite her past mistakes, I liked Catherine, just as well. She’s strong and determined and puts her daughter above all else. With secondary characters that are also delightful in their own unique and quirky way, “Until It Fades” offers a cast of characters that enhance this story as a whole.

As an already established fan of K.A. Tucker, I am not at all surprised by the depth of this story or the quality of her writing. Once again, she delivers a thought-provoking and inspiring story that’s so much more than your average romance. So, if you’re looking for your next romantic read and are craving something a little more exceptional, then look no further. “Until It Fades” is sure to strike all the right chords.

I was really interested after reading the description for this book. "Until it Fades" is my first K.A. Tucker read. I have heard great things about her books. I also read that this book is nothing like her other books. So I wasn't sure what to expect.

After being the "talk of the town" once in small town Balsam, Pennsylvania, twenty-four-year-old Catherine Wright isn't eager for that to happen again. She just wants to blend into the background and live in peace with her five-year old daughter.

Unfortunately, if you save the life of a hockey star that everyone...especially the media loves? It's not so easy keeping a low profile.

Catherine is heading home after a terrible first date. It's a foggy night so she's taking it slow, not like the red sports car that zips past her. But a few miles down the road she's horrified to see that the car that just sped by her has crashed. She jumps out of her car to help and ends up saving the life of Philadelphia Flyers star hockey player, Brett Madden.

Suddenly everyone wants to talk to the small town heroine. But Catherine wants to remain anonymous. She wants no part of the media circus that surrounds her act of heroism.

Catherine hasn't always made the best choices and has had some pretty crappy experiences which combined would understandably give anyone trust issues. And living in a small town where no one lets you forget your past is definitely not easy. Now that she has a child however, she is trying to move on with her life. However being alone can be very....lonely. And although she wants to be independent, somewhere in the back of her mind she hopes for a happily ever after.

We learn a lot about Catherine. Her history and present life. This takes up quite a bit of the book. Not that it's not interesting because it is, but the rest of the story really took it's time getting going. Sometimes I love a good slow burning read, but this one was quite a bit slower than normal. However, there was a lot about this book that I enjoyed. I really liked Catherine's relationship with her daughter, Brenna and how focused she was on being a good mother. Brenna was such a sweet character. They way she spoke and her mannerisms made me smile and laugh aloud at times.

The book is well written and the story was easy to follow. I don't read a lot of romance books, but I found Catherine and Brett interesting and enjoyed how they interacted with each other and other characters. So while it did take some time to get going and it was a bit predictable, it really was a sweet story with some surprises that made me glad I stuck with it.

I think that many people will love this book. Sometimes it's nice escaping reality into a sweet and sexy romance novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an advanced readers copy of this book for me to read in exchange for my honest review.

When I'm in the mood for a sizzling romance supplemented with nail-biting suspense, I know I can count on K.A. Tucker to deliver in spades. Her novels are edgy without being over the top; her heroes are swoon-worthy with just enough bad boy in them to keep things interesting and her heroines are spunky, loyal, and self-reliant. So I wondered what would result when Ms. Tucker decided to write something sweet, without even the smallest hint of mystery. To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd be a fan, but I'm pleased to report that while Until It Fades is unlike anything else the author has written, I enjoyed it just as much as her darker works.

Twenty-four-year-old Catherine Wright has had her fill of fame. Well, in her case, it might be infamy, but, call it what you will, she's through with it. When she was a senior in high school, she was sure she and her art teacher were destined to spend the rest of their lives together. He would risk everything to be with her, and while friends and family might initially have their doubts, everyone would soon see they were the perfect couple. Of course, things didn't go the way Catherine thought they would, and she soon finds herself something of a social pariah. She moves out of her parents' home, drops out of high school, and does her best to avoid everyone she knows.

Seven years later, Catherine is no longer the source of town gossip, but she still keeps a pretty low profile. She works as a waitress in a truck stop in order to pay the rent and care for her five-year-old daughter Brenna. Her relationship with her family, while still strained, is no longer hostile and for the most part, Catherine is content with her life. Sure, she'd like to fall in love with a kind, handsome, dependable man, but she's not sure she really believes in love these days.

Late one evening, as Catherine is heading home after a pretty terrible blind date, she witnesses a car accident. The driver is clearly dead, but she manages to pull the passenger from the wreck. I didn't quite buy into Catherine's act of superhuman strength, but decided just to go with it, and I'm glad I did.

After the police arrive, Catherine realizes the man she managed to save is none other than Brett Madden, a super famous hockey player and one of the stars of his team. Frantic to shield herself and her daughter from the media, Catherine orders the police to keep her identity a secret. As you might imagine, this serves only to whip countless reporters into a frenzy as they attempt to uncover the identity of hockey star’s mystery savior.

A week later, the media attention has not died down and Catherine knows she can't spend the rest of her life hiding in her apartment. She needs to get back to work, and Brenna needs to go back to school. She finally agrees to meet Brett, hoping the meeting will be quick and relatively painless, but one thing leads to another, and it soon becomes obvious that Catherine and Brett are attracted to one another. Clearly, Catherine isn't going to be able to sweep all of this under the rug and go on with her ordinary life.

Catherine and Brett have a wonderfully slow-building relationship, and unlike in many contemporary romances written today, they don't fall into bed shortly after meeting. Instead, they become friends first, and slowly realize they want more. Brett is pretty much the perfect hero; rich but responsible, handsome but not overly conceited, and his devotion to Catherine and Brenna made me smile. Some readers might be bothered by his tendency to swoop in to set Catherine's life to rights, but I found those inclinations quite charming. He isn't incredibly high-handed which helps a lot.

At first, I was ready to dislike the supporting characters because of how Catherine was sure they'd treat her, but, as I read, it became clear that our heroine had more love and support than she thought she did and I ended up adoring them. She had quite a few people on her side, and Ms. Tucker does a great job bringing Catherine's supporters to life. I enjoyed watching Catherine come to the realization that people were ready and willing to look past the mistakes of her teenaged years.

Until It Fades is sure to appeal to lovers of modern-day fairy-tales. It's not overly realistic, but that's part of its charm. It allows the reader to be transported to a world where anything is possible, where an extraordinary man and an ordinary woman can find true love in each other's arms and doesn't delve too deeply into the things that might keep them apart. We know those things exist, but Ms. Tucker doesn't shove them in our faces. Instead, she creates a couple almost any romance reader can root for, even if most of us know the story isn't something that is likely to happen in real life.

Buy Now: A/BN/iB/K

I always look forward to K.A. Tucker's books, and UNTIL IT FADES was a delightful, romantic and touching tale of overcoming one's past and finding their own slice of happy. With mentions of my beloved FLYERS, and Pennsylvania setting I quickly slipped into this story and connected with Catherine.

Not into sports? Don't let the hockey playing hero make you nervous. Yes, the game is mentioned from the Flyers to Tucker's own Maple Leafs, but this story is really about Catherine Wright facing her past, and learning to trust again.

Catherine lives in Balsam, Pennsylvania, a rural town that attracts tourist and everyone knows your business. Catherine is a waitress at the local truck stop and agrees to a blind date with her bosses brother. After an uneventful date, she begins to heads home to her five-year-old daughter when there is a car crash. Without thinking, she pulls the passenger to safety. Unbeknownst to her, she has saved Brett Madden, the FLYERS captain. Not wanting to make headlines she asked her friend and local police officer to withhold her name.

Of course, nothing stays secret in a small town, and it isn't long before the news is out, and Brett friggin Madden is on her doorstep wanting to thank her. I adored their first meeting, and while Catherine might have a colored past, she hasn't had much experience in dating and the opposite sex. I loved how protective she was of her daughter, and Tucker allowed me to connect and understand the things that have shaped Catherine.

UNTIL IT FADES touches on a dark subject matter shedding light on the victim's side, the strain on the family and societies reactions. Catherine is tenacious and has overcome a lot. She is finally in a good place with her parents, and folks have stopped talking in whispers around her, so the idea of making headlines freaks her out..but Brett is wonderful, sweet and smitten.

Tucker filled the story with gooey moments, laughter and adorkableness that made me grin. All of this balanced out Cathrine's past troubles. We learned what happened through flashbacks and these were honest and raw from the perspective of a seventeen-year-old girl who thought she knew everything. Her voice was genuine, as were her parent's struggles and the responses of the community. The story was relevant and one that frequents headlines. Catherine was an excellent voice but as a victim and as someone who overcomes setbacks. It was beautiful watching her hope, bloom and begin to heal.

The storyline was predictable, but that did not hinder my enjoyment, in fact, I loved the feeling of knowing what was going to happen and then seeing them come true. It had some Hallmark moments, and I devoured them. I enjoyed the character growth and seeing Catherine understand and forgive even herself.

Secondary characters from friends to Catherine's parents and siblings all added to the tale. I loved her families banter over hockey, Catherine's daughter had some great, realistic one-liners and Brett's family was sweet and down to earth. I know this is standalone, but I would love to get Catherine's BFF's story as well as that of a local officer.

If you are looking for a sweet romance that has character growth, you will want to add UNTIL IT FADES to your bookshelf.

Until It Fades is a fantastic read. Engaging and uplifting, it will remind you of the good in the world. Tucker seamlessly blends the ordinary with the extraordinary. Balancing memorable, extraordinary characters in ordinary everyday life situations.

Life in Balsam, Pennsylvania for Catherine Wright is trying. She’s had her share of heartbreak and disappointment. Finding a good man seems an impossible task. What I appreciate most about Catherine is her ability to keep life in perspective, never wallowing or thinking anyone owes her anything, she continues to make her way.

Enter Brett Madden ~ aka Mr. Super Swoon Worthy. My word! He's a keeper, and that's saying something because he brings with him a spotlight Catherine is desperate to avoid. I love that the reader gets to see who he is, his highs and lows. Whether he's Number Eighteen or just Brett, you know his smile is genuine, and his words are true.

Add in a precocious five-year-old, Brenna, and you have the makings of more than a few giggles and sweet moments. I adored her moments with Brett.

Until It Fades is magical. Your heart will melt, and when you turn the last page, you'll be smiling. Dreams do come true. K.A. Tucker's writing is a dream showing absolutely no signs of fading.

I loved that KA Tucker went in a very different direction with Until It Fades. Known for her work that for the most part involves some kind of intrigue and mystery, it was a very pleasant surprise to get lost in a what I like to think of as good old-fashioned love story.

As usual, the author lays the groundwork masterfully, writing both a bit of the past fused with the present so as to understand a little bit more about the life of Catherine Wright. The woman who has been cast as the pariah of her hometown on more than one occasion yet is the wonderfully strong and devoted single mother to her adorable daughter Brenna. Cath's selfless act one foggy night not only changes her entire world but that of Brett Madden, a famous hockey player who can't seem to walk away, when so many others did.

This is such a beautifully written book. Both Cath and Brett captured my attention with their pure intentions and their big hearts. Coming from such different worlds, there is that spark, that wild attraction that was evident right from the start. Yet their romance is taken very slowly, with Cath just wanting her life back while Brett tries to protect her from the media. Saving him from that horrific car crash certainly tied them together forever but it's the awe and the true admiration they have for one another that clearly sets them on the road to love.

Each character is written so very well. I couldn't help but adore each and every one of them. Those who have taken Cath under their wing when her own family basically shunned her, made me laugh and smile often. Whether it was her wonderful boss Lou, her overly enthusiastic yet very loyal friend Misty, the best friend she has in Keith or the devoted uncle that is Jack, this crew kept Cath safe and loved and happy when the rest of her community wanted nothing more than to spit at her feet. But it's her daughter Brenna who manages to steal each and every scene she is in. As precocious as she is adorable, this mini-me of her Mom's kept me smiling. A complete breath of fresh air, I was so impressed with the relationship she has with Cath. I just adored her.

As much as I loved Brett and the way he takes his time with Cath, the way he comes to worship and admire her and want to be her savior, I have to say it was Keith who intrigued me most. He defines loyalty and would do anything for Cath and her daughter. Although I knew he loved her in a way that wasn't reciprocated, I just couldn't help but want to see him gain some happiness. I'm hopeful we hear more from him and from Jack too, for that matter. They clearly have stories to tell and with Jack's apparent lust for Misty, I do believe there are some future book adventures in store.

KA Tucker has written the perfect tale of a small-town girl, the mistakes she makes as a teenager and the proud way she carries herself in the ensuing years, after she reluctantly finds her 15 minutes of fame. Although the pace might be slower than the author is known for, there is still plenty of angst and a whole plethora of drama that will keep you glued to each and every page.
A story that is timeless and full of love, I do hope we hear from Cath and Brett again. There is definitely more that can be told with an ending that still has me craving a bit more closure.

A very solid 4+ stars!

4.5 stars

Tragedy turns to a fairy tale, as two souls come together to save one another.

I have read nearly every book this author has written, and as she has stated upfront, this book is a bit of a departure for her. It is more tropey, less suspenseful. But the results are the same, with endearing characters and a plot that was easy to become immersed in.

If you've read some of my other reviews, you may already know that I'm a big hockey fan. What you may not know is that this book features my favorite team, the Philadelphia Flyers. Yes, they may one of the most hated teams in hockey, based on their bully days, but I love them and I've stuck by them no matter what. So I was downright ecstatic to see them as the main part of this story.

If you are a hockey fan, particularly a Flyers fan, then if I mention Pelle Lindbergh, there is one thing that will come to mind immediately, sadness. I won't get into his story (although it is a great yet tragic one to read up on), but reading this book immediately reminded me of him. All because a fast-red car. I don't know if the author intentional did this, but it helped me immediately connect to the story. Because of what happened to Pelle, and what it meant to the Flyers, was so similar to this story (to be clear, the H in this story is not Pelle).

Although the beginning of this story is heartbreaking, this story is actually filled with so much hope. And all of that hope is directed at one woman, Catherine "Cath" Wright, aka, the hero of the story.

Cath is a woman that is never made things easy on herself. She has made a number of big mistakes in her past, and she's paid for those mistakes in spades. All of her hopes and dreams were taken away, leaving her a single parent and full-time diner waitress, living paycheck to paycheck. While a lot of people turned on Cath during those down times, a few special people stuck by her throughout, and provide a great foundation for her to provide a good home for her daughter. Yet, something is still missing from her life.

Following a fateful night when Cath shows immeasurable strength to save another, everything begins to change. Instead of embracing her heroic role and seeking out compensation, her past and fear of judgment by anyone, leads her on a different path. And those actions don't go unnoticed.

This book is a bit of a slow burn. It takes some time before Cath ever officially meets Brett Madden, the Captain of the Philadelphia Flyers. *SQUEEEEE* But when they do meet, the connection felt very real. This isn't one of those stories where the guy is a jackass and the accident changes him. No, Brett is just a great guy. The accident does have an impact on him, but not the way you'd expect, and I'll leave it at that.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the author knows the sport of hockey well, or she just did some great research. While this book doesn't feature any game time play by play, I thought she nailed the Flyers fan base and their reaction to the accident. Parts were sadly just how Flyers fans would feel about losing multiple players at a key time. (Side note: some fans have gone to say that the Flyers have been cursed with goalies ever since Pelle. True story.) Why do I keep bringing this up? As I said before, because it made this story so easy to connect to. And what follows with Cath, is pretty much every puck bunny's fantasy. Trust me, I've read a lot of hockey fan fiction, lol.

Aside from two very likable main characters, this book features a bevy of great side characters, my favorites being Lou, Keith, Brenna, Meryl and Jack, as well a clear villain, Scott Philips. This cast comes together in a small Pennsylvania town where everyone knows your business, and where the kindness of a few can make all the difference in survival.

A fairy tale to make your heart swoon and two heroes to cheer for - what more can a romance reader want?

I have said this before, and I will say it again - I don't really care for sports romance. Like, I am on sports overload due to to my husband watching every freaking sport ever, and it really just makes me hate it. Sorry, sports loving ladies, but its true. Yet, I keep finding that authors that make a liar out of me. This time, it was one of my all time favorites. So Tucker made a liar out of me. Because its hard as hell not to love this book!

Hockey. One of the many sports I have no interest in. Thankfully, you don't have to have an interest or know anything about it in order to enjoy this book! It is not bogged down with the sports aspect of it, which I am eternally grateful for. While hockey does take part in the story, it is more the way hockey is involved in Brett's life, and possibly Catherine's, than it is about describing every single moment of a game to you. So if you are like me, and leery of sports themed romance, fear not.

Catherine is so likable, and easy to associate with, because she is a mom. I love when there is a single mom in a story, because it really grounds it better in reality for me. It also helps to show women out there who are single mom's that there is a voice they can connect with, that stories are written about them, and love is possible, even when there is a kid involved! (Maybe not with a celebrity hockey player, but ya never know!) I also like that Catherine's past and her struggle through life is something we have actually kind of seen in the media recently and is rather taboo. But she is normal, and struggling to make ends meet, like we all have at some point. I love how real she is to me.

And Brett.... swoon. Sweet, down to earth, basically perfect in every way.... yep. Perfect. I don't really know what else to say. Normally, the obvious perfect guy would make me mad, but... I just can't be. this whole love story just makes me so warm and fuzzy inside.

The beauty of this book is that it is slightly different than anything she has done before. It is much more obvious in it's happy ending. It's slightly more obvious in it's characters. It is lighter than you may find other tucker books. There is a strong sense of family, even when that family isn't by blood. This is just such a wonderful, light, New Adult romance. If you are already a fan, this will be a change to what you expect from Tucker. If you haven't read anything by her yet, please rectify this immediately. This would be a good place to start (though Ten Tiny Breaths is still my fave!).

I just loved everything about this book! I knew I would like it because K.A. Tucker wrote it but I was not expecting this book to pull me from the first page. This was truly a magical book that had me laughing, crying, and cheering for Catherine and Brett.

What I love most was this was just a good old fashion adult romance and exactly what I needed in my life. Catherine and Brett are just two adults trying to live their lives, find their place and following their dreams. There is nothing over the top or angsty in this book, just real life and real love.

Catherine was an amazing heroine. She has made mistakes in her life and has suffered consequences for her mistakes but also for the horrendous actions of others, but she is a women he owns what she did and makes a life for herself regardless of her past. She doesn't let the past define her and she also doesn't let her past hurts keep her locked up. She has learned the art of forgiveness and moving on and I find that very refreshing.

Brett was just totally swoon worthy. I love how he was just a nice guy living his dreams. Not expecting to fall in love with a single mother from a small town. I love nice guys that have their ish together and Brett is that guy. You can tell that Catherine impacted him like no other women has but he does not feel the need to force himself into her life and instead lets her come to him.

Catherine and Brett and two people who never should meet. There was no reason for their lives to cross path with each other, but through an almost act of divine intervention their worlds collided. Their meeting not only changed their lives but it will impact the lives of readers. K.A. Tucker has written a beautiful and real love story. A story that is magical and raw at the same time. A story that shows you can not always prevent the bad from happening to you, but you have the choice on how to respond to such adversity. You either let the adversity destroy you or you become a better person and you move forward.

First K.A. Tucker and absolutely not my last! Wow!

Cinderella retold…..

…and very well retold! I was a little surprised at how much I liked this book. Well…ahh…because troubled young girls, wild as reindeer young girls, pregnant young girls on welfare are mostly just pitiful and not all that romantic. K. A. Tucker changed my mind about that quickly. Catherine Wright is anything but pitiful. She’s great! Strong, independent, stubborn and determined, she has carved out a pretty nice life for herself and her daughter, Brenna.

The book blurb talks about the harrowing event that first brought Catherine into contact with hockey superstar, Brett Madden. Only by reading the book can you find out just how bad it was. Believe me, it was bad. Catherine put her on life in danger to save a helpless stranger.

Brett Madden is a hockey superstar, but he’s much more. His mother is a superstar actress, known internationally. His family is very rich. You would think that Brett would be an entitled prick. You would be wrong. He is an extremely nice man who is grateful to the woman who saved him from a fiery death.

How do a rich superstar and a waitress on welfare have a chance at romance? Yeah, it felt improbable, but the author developed such a believable storyline with such beautifully developed characters that I fell right into the fairytale and enjoyed every page. You should pick up a copy and…

Enjoy!

2shay

Served up “for the fairy-tale lover in all of us”, Until It Fades is a different side of K.A. Tucker; one we haven’t seen before. In the acknowledgements, she owns her veer off course, going so far to say, “I needed to write this story. It’s very different from the ones I’ve written recently.” She’s right, so don’t mince her words, this is nothing like her previous books. In fact, if someone had handed this to me with the author’s name omitted, K.A. Tucker would have been my last guess. This book is everything her two contemporary romance series’ were not—boring, repetitive and the ever dreaded . . . predictable. Where was the crazy intense chemistry that has in many ways become synonymous with K.A. Tucker and her utterly addicting reads?

Cath is a 24-year-old truck-stop diner waitress and single mother to a 5-year-old. She’s been slut shamed and made the villain by the small-town she lives in after the relationship she had with her art teacher in high school was made public knowledge. Getting pregnant a few mere months later, after a one-night stand, didn’t help the situation any either. She prides herself on not asking for monetary help and just wants to fade into the background and raise her daughter . . . alone.

That all changes when she witnesses a horrific car crash, late one night, on a remote road and she manages to pull a man twice her size from a burning vehicle. Turns out, he’s a mega hockey star, headed to the playoffs. Or he was.

I’m sure you can guess what happens from here. Cath and Brett’s relationship is a bit of a cliché—rich guy swoops in and saves the struggling poor girl—but that’s not what bothered me. It was the bland and drawn out execution that left much to be desired. Get comfortable because this is an extremely slow build; the author really takes her time setting up the story and it gets a little tedious. It isn’t until well past the 50% mark that anything remotely exciting happens between the waitress and the hockey star. The snail’s pace, along with the regurgitation of the same information over-and-over, had me contemplating whether I should just throw in the towel. For some reason, the thought of being labeled a quitter kept me going.

It didn’t matter how many times Brett claimed it wasn’t gratitude for Cath saving his life that was driving his feelings for her, I didn’t buy it. How could he be crazy about her when he didn’t even know her or let those insta-love-ish feelings fall out of his mouth? Brett’s character, at least for me, resembled a cardboard cutout of perfection, rather than any actual man. Where were his flaws and why were Cath’s made so prominent? I guess you could chalk Brett’s character traits up to the whole fairy-tale theme, if you’re like me, looking for some type of excuse or rational explanation.

This past year has definitely taught me a valuable and hard-learned lesson—just because I’ve loved one or even several of an author’s books in the past, does not guarantee I’m going to adore them all. While I won’t go so far to say this book is horrible, I much prefer the suspense riddled, fast-paced, exciting K.A. Tucker to the lighter, softer side.

I struggled between a 2.5 (rounded down to a 2, because I rarely round up) and a 3 star rating; in the end, I decided to be a little generous.

Thank you for allowing me to receive an ARC of this book. I had some trouble staying connected to the characters and the plot in this story. I am choosing to not review it at this time as I don't want to deter any readers from purchasing the book and reading it. I completely understand that just because I didn't end up loving the book doesn't mean others won't. I am still more than happy to help promote it on my blog. Thank you again for the opportunity to read it.

Catherine has had a rough go at life. Rebelled against her strict mother led to a relationship with a teacher that led her to be shunned by the town. She meets Brett in under distress and begins a whirlwind of a relationship with him but will his status be too much for her to take?

My favorite thing about KA Tucker's books is the characters that she writes. She writes them in a way that makes them feel like you know them personal and the emotions that writes for them are so vivid and real that it makes you feel the same emotions as the characters. We attach ourselves to Catherine's story and understand how and why she did the things that she did. It's an everyday struggle for her to provide for her daughter and we see the sacrifices she makes for her.

Brett we don't dive too much into. Yes there are stories and moments when we see the man he is, but for the most part he is the embodiment of a perfect man. And for me that was just too much. I like my flawed men that change for the love of a good woman. But not him he is pretty perfect already.

With that said, it brings me to the only part of the story that I had a time accepting. I have read every one of her books and I always loved the realistic nature (i.e. Timeframe used) for each of the relationships she wrote about. In this book, though, that time frame didn't seem to exist. Brett and Catherine went from strangers to being in love after only one meeting. Yes how they met certainly can accelerate feelings, but for me, I would have thought each side would have wanted to know each other more, especially Catherine considering she had a daughter.

I am not sure how I feel about the end. There wasn't really a conflict and in turn resolution. A part of me likes that because it gives a final HEA for the characters but at the same time, it felt unfinished.

Post will be live May 24th @ 12am cst.

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Atria Books via NetGalley
Genre: Adult Sports Romance
Standalone

My Until It Fades Review . . .

It has been forever since I read a K.A. Tucker book and what a mistake that was. I forgot how much I love her writing. And I absolutely loved this book. I can't remember the last time I read a book that I couldn't put down and had to keep reading.

This book had almost all of my favorite elements.

Sports Romance. Check
Rags to Riches. Check
Second Chances. Check
Modern day real life fairy tale. Check

Catherine Wright is a single mom and Brett Madden is a hockey icon and media darling.

Catherine Wright has made some bad choices but she was only a teen so you can't blame her. Unfortunately the consequences of her choices are still leaving a mark on her.

Clearly, the scars from Scott left me with run much deeper than I'd like to admit. "Come on, please? Just do it and see where it leads. Give me at least a shred or hope before I start dropping cats off on your doorstep."

Catherine may have been at the right place at the right time or fate was intervening but she ended up on a stretch of road that changed the lives instantly of all that were involved. After a split decision to save the stranger about to burn up, she just wants her life to stay normal but it will now be anything but after she saved NHL star Brett Madden.

Brett just wants to meet the person whom saved him, but he didn't expect to fall head over heels for that same person the moment he met her.

"Why do people even care? They don't know us. What happens between us has no impact on them."
"Because it's like a fairy tale!"

The last thing Catherine wants is to be in the spotlight but she now can't get away from it. Unfortunately her scars run deep so she can't see far from her mistakes.

"What do you mean, why?" He chuckles. "Because I'm crazy about you and you won't even answer my calls. I need to know how to fix that so you'll give me a chance. Please."

Brett has to fight like mad to convince Catherine to give him a chance. It's not easy for her especially because her whole life is upside down. Some for the better but its still all different and she's having a hard time with all the changes.

"Life is too short to do what other people think you should do. That's what I know."

One of my favorite characters is her daughter and how smart she's for such a young age.

"But what if he hurts me?"
"Then you just try it again."
"But you're not trying again."
There's a hint of accusation in her tone. At least, that's what I hear.
"That's . . . different."
"Why?"
I struggle for an answer. "it's not something I can explain right now. Maybe when you're older."
"Is it because you're scared?"
"Yeah."

Taking risks are tough and living life in fear is tougher. For Catherine, all she knows is how to survive, not how to live. So, even though she's still making bad choices she doesn't know any different. Brett is determined to have his HEA and that includes Catherine and all her choices good and bad. But it won't be an easy road when its full of insecurities and fear but at least their is hope as well. Which will make it worth the risk.

"Just remember that you're not alone in any of this. You have a lot of people who care about you. Including your family. And you'll find that you can deal with a lot more than you realize." He pauses. "If you decide that it's worth it."


Everything about this story I adored well almost everything. Except the dreaded . . . giggles. Argh! I hate gigglers in fiction and that was truly the only thing I didn't like. Until It Fades captivated me from the beginning to the end. I adored it and loved every second of the story. It's been forever since a book as done that and I'm so happy I got that experience again with this book. I can't wait for more K.A. Tucker, and this time I won't let so much time lapse between reading her stories.

4 . 5 Almost Perfect thumbs up!

This story was amazingly well written.
The delivery of the heroine's story packed quite the punch.
I will add that loved the first half of the story more than the last but that's my personal preference for slow burn romance talking.
I felt like there could have been more anguish squeezed from the hero, given his experiences in this book :)
All in all, I give this 4 stars.

What a wonderfully sweet story this book is! I fell in love with Catherine from the very first page to the end. As a teenager, she made a few mistakes and she's a really sweet girl. First, there's an inappropriate relationship with her teacher. Honestly, he was the adult, he was the one at fault. She was a young impressionable girl who thought she was in love.

Next comes a relationship that isn't healthy at all but ends with her being pregnant, alone and with a daughter. She overcomes gossip she hears about herself in her small town with small minded people.
She's working to support her daughter as a truck stop waitress. All is as well as it can be until one night she rescues Brett Madden from a auto accident.

Brett isn't just some man she rescues, no, he's a hockey star and media magnet. Wherever he goes, the media is sure to follow, they love him and he loves being in a positive spotlight. The last thing Catherine wants is to be talk of the town again and with Brett, it wouldn't just be her town talking about it would be a national media frenzy.

Brett just wants to find the woman who saved him and thank her but Catherine is trying to maintain a quiet, positive life for her daughter. The chemistry she feels for him though, can't be denied but can Catherine learn to live in the public eye? Can Brett live the quiet life that Catherine craves and needs for her daughter?

Wonderfully written book and I plan on reading more of the author's work.

I would like to thank K.A. Tucker, Atria Books and Netgalley for giving me this book for my honest review.
Review by Stephanie
5 Stars
OMG I am a serious K.A. Tucker junkie so I needed this book when I saw it on netgalley! K.A. Tucker’s books are always a sure thing for me; they are full of amazing storylines, amazing characters and just amazing all around! Until It Fades was different than what I have read by Tucker, I felt like it was a little lighter. I was obsessed with this book!
Catherine is a single mother with her hands full. She likes to keep to herself but one night everything changes when she saves someone…….

This book was amazing! K.A. is an amazing writing and this book is another example of this! The characters are so developed and complex! Catherine broke my heart over and over in this book, I literally wanted to give her a hug. Then there is Brett…..the someone Catherine saved. Oh did I tell you he is a hockey player?!?! I loved Brett, he is so hot and bad ass but completely caring and amazing! LOVED him! But my favorite character in this book was a little 5 year old spit fire…..Brenna.

Until it Fades is a must read!