THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. I am completely blown away by K.A. Tucker!

4 stars for Until It Fades!

K.A. Tucker is one of my favourite authors so I was excited to read this book, however, this is nothing like K.A. Tucker has written in the past. This book is like a completely different side of her that no one has seen before when it comes to her books.

I’ll start off by saying that this book is a very slow build. The characters take their time before they become more than friends. Brett is a famous hockey player who can make you swoon like any other, he’s grounded, caring, generous and kind. He was the perfect man, however, sometimes I felt like he was too perfect. Everyone has their flaws right? I was waiting to discover what Brett’s were since Catherine’s were focused on. Catherine is a sweet heroine, she needs to learn how to trust someone again. We learn about her past at the beginning but nothing about it feels rushed, it's all revealed perfectly.

This story felt like a modern fairy-tale just like it promises. Catherine learns to trust and love again with Brett. This is definitely a softer side to K.A. Tucker but her writing style is always amazing and she always ends up drawing me in. This is such a cute and sweet romance story for anyone that loves romance! I recommend!

I've heard a lot of people say that "Until it Fades" is quite different to this authors previous work. It's more light hearted, less angsty and it isn't suspenseful. I'll agree on the "less" suspenseful point but for me, this book wasn't light hearted at all. In fact it was pretty heart breaking considering some of the subject matters covered and as I worked my way through Catherine's story, I couldn't help but feel a sense of devastation for all this woman had been through but equally, all she continued to go through.

I want the happily ever after. Even if I’m having a hard
time allowing myself to believe it can exist.

In my opinion, "Until it Fades" wasn't primarily a romance. In fact there wasn't even a glimmer of anything remotely resembling more than friendship until well into the book, and I mean well into the book. But that was ok because I was so invested in Catherine's story and her journey from being a naive 17 year old (whose world was turned on it's head) to her becoming the strong, independent woman, that I was quite happy for that side of things to take a back burner.

I was in awe of Catherine's character. My heart broke for all this woman had endured over the years. Through no fault of her own, she had become the town pariah overnight, a social outcast with those closest struggling to deal with the fall out, leaving her more or less alone. Catherine's life had been an uphill struggle from that point on but through it all, she had shown enormous strength and resilience. Where most would have crumbled under the weight of it all, Catherine picked herself up, dusted herself off and carried on. She had to, after all, she had little Brenna to think off. I loved this side of the story. Seeing Catherine and how she had turned her life around for herself and her daughter really did provide that feel good factor. I rooted for this woman every single step of the way. I felt every ounce of her struggle but felt a sense of comfort and happiness when things went her way. And as for her daughter Brenna, how cute was she? I adored how she constantly but very innocently put her foot in it. It really made me chuckle.

“I wake up every morning thinking about you. I go to bed at
night thinking about you. Please tell me it’s not just me.”

So Brett, how could I not like him? He was just one of those all round Mr nice guys who was so down to earth, so honest and so upfront. I loved his patient nature and his go slow approach with Catherine. He knew she had reservations and she definitely had a truck load of fears that held her back. He knew this but gently continued his pursuit of the woman who was very slowly stealing his heart.

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

I completely understood Catherine's fears. So much had happened over the years and to top it off, on the face of it, her and Brett couldn't have been more opposite. But they do say "Opposites attract" and boy was I hoping that would be the case here!!!

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

This was a great addition to the works of K A Tucker. For me, it was angsty and heart breaking but there were also some uplifting moments too. The twist at the end did come as a bit of a "what the hell, I never saw that coming" surprise but did help answer a number of questions I'd had throughout this book.

I wonder whether this will be the first in a series. There are so many characters I've met now who I'd love to get to know more and see get their HEA. I can live in hope.

"Until It Fades" gets ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Cath's poor life choices when she was a teenager left her pregnant and desperate. Thanks to the kindness of the owner of a truck stop diner she has been able to survive. More than six years later she still works there, barely making ends meet for her and her daughter.
On the way home from a terrible date she saves a man's life who is stuck in a crashed car. And with that her quiet life comes to an end. The man she saved is no one else than star hockey player and son of a Hollywood star Brett Madden.

After her high school drama she tried to stay low-key. Saving the life of celebrity isn't conducive to flying under the radar but she does everything she can to keep her name out of the press. Until she is outed from an entirely unexpected direction.

Brett is devastated after the accident. His best friend didn't survive and the backlash of the crash makes his life even harder. Not only the injuries he suffered - will he ever be able to play hockey again? - but also critical voices because his team buddy was speeding are things he has to tackle each day. And on top of it, the person who saved his life doesn't want to be found and he wants nothing more than to thank her. When they are finally face to face he is entranced - by Cath's beauty, her resilience, the way she cares about her little family. And most of all he loves that she doesn't take advantage of him being a celebrity, although this time, his fame might be an obstacle.

“I’ve never had trouble making friends or finding girlfriends. But it’s always been harder figuring out exactly why they’re there. They say they don’t care who my mom is, or who I am. But everyone’s secretly angling for attention or money, or both. You, though . . . you really aren’t looking for either. Who I am seems to be working against me with you.”


I loved that Cath was strong. That she realized the mistakes she made. That her poor choices made her cautious of making the same ones again but I think she was a little too hard on herself. She is an amazing mother, her choices reflect on her child (who was more perceptive than she thought), and she is very aware of that. She doesn't permit herself more than friendship with Brett, who is so so obviously falling for her. Cath has to consider the consequences that come with dating a famous person and maybe losing him in the end.

***Wondering what kind of example I’m offering my daughter. A mother who has perpetually sad eyes. A mother who hides behind her fear. A mother who has forgotten how to let herself love. A mother who everyone keeps touting as brave but who isn’t, really. Not at all.***

Add to that her general aversion of attention and she is more than on the fence about it. I found this a tiny bit exasperating because it was obvious that Brett cared for Cath and would protect her and her child with everything he had.

Brett *cue dreamy sigh* He is a wonderful man, generous, kind, with a boyish and playful streak who never let his and his mother's fame change him. He is as down-to-earth as the guy next door. Brett shields Cath and helps her handle the press - he is a pro after all. He is so patient with her, so careful to give her space and time to come to terms with it all, I don't think you will find a more considerate man.

“It’s not just the media, Brett.” I wish it were.
“Then what else? You have to tell me.”
“Why?”
“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.

The relationship development leans towards a super-slow burn. About 65% of the book you don't get much interaction between hero and heroine, it all focuses on Cath. I would have loved to see a bit more of them together. The story touches on a serious subject - men preying on teenagers and using them to get their rocks off - and I appreciate that the author approached it with sensitivity.
The side cast adds to the multidimensional story and I loved Lou, the owner of the truck diner and her husband Leroy in particular. Cath's relationship with her brother was a thing of beauty.

I would have loved a proper epilogue - we got a HFN but I was told I'm tougher on epilogues so this one might be perfectly OK for you! There was a little last minute drama that I found could have been handled a little earlier in the story.
The writing was excellent and the story draws you in from the first page. It is poignant with very well fleshed out characters. I enjoyed Until It Fades a lot and I am looking forward to reading other books by this author!

I had this book in my list of most anticipated books of 2017. But as we knew more about it, and probably the fact it was classified as a new adult novel, I had lost some of my interest. I went into reading it with the expectation it may not do it for me. No, I hadn’t read any other early reviews really. It was just a gut feeling.

So now here I am proven completely wrong. UNTIL IT FADES is such a charmingly sweet story that you can’t help but fall in love with. Slow burn romance done to perfection. In fact, the thing that worried me about the fact that it’s a new adult novel was a non-issue. While both of these characters ARE very young, they are both so mature. Catherine forced to mature by circumstances and life, Brett because of his focus and commitment to his career and passion.

So while I don’t want to bore you recapping what this book is about, just know this. Catherine had a rough go of it as a teenager and has had to take a lot of criticism from her whole small town. She also became pregnant at a very young age and has been trying her best to raise her precocious little daughter with her GED education and the help of some good people. One night while driving home she saves a man from a burning car after an accident. This man turns out to be a living hockey legend. The friendship and connection that comes from that is endearing and EVERYTHING I wanted to read right now.

Catherine and Brett are adorable together. Chemistry and banter. Whether they admit to their feelings or not, I loved their interactions. How their connection moves from a quick one because of the event how they met, to a friendship and then to deeper feelings. While it should’ve seemed too quick, I think it was done so well that I forgot to worry about how much time had passed and just worried more about how good they fit, and the ease with which they were together.

This is something sweet and light which is a change for what I’ve come to expect from this author because of her previous work. But she proves that she’s an amazing writer no matter what she’s going for. This was one of my favorite reads this month and I can’t wait to read more books by Ms. Tucker. I’ve learned my lesson to not worry about what she’s writing and just pick it up expecting to enjoy.

Catherine has been through so much in her young life; an affair with her art teacher, social pariah, high school drop out, single mom and cut off from her family. Catherine doesn't let the bullying and small town gossip keep her down, she gets a job to support her and her daughter Brenna. Brenna is loved by so many people around her and has grown to be such a smart, sweet, and confident 5 year old. Then one night driving home from a the worst blind date she saves a man's life and her life is irrevocably changed for life.

Wonderful novel about all different kinds and ways to love and show love.

I straight-up loved this book! I learned about UNTIL IT FADES when I met K.A. Tucker at Apollycon earlier this year and I have been anxiously waiting for it ever since. And even though I have several of Tucker's books, it was the concept of a small town, a young woman with a past, and fear of the media spotlight, that put this book at the top of my TBR list.

This story sunk its hooks into me and I read it well into the night. I enjoyed Tucker's style of writing and the first person perspective and really getting to understand Catherine - her life, her friendships, and her relationship with her family.

What I liked:

* The idea of Catherine being a truck stop waitress. I knew this occupation/profession would bring a lot of interesting people into her life. (I was a waitress at a restaurant right off of the interstate, so I find this part of her life totally relatable.)
* Brett Madden - I fell for him immediately. His gratitude and that first hug he gave Catherine and I was a goner.
* Catherine's five year old daughter, Brenna. She was inquisitive and active and adorable. Her presence wasn't to add a cuteness factor to the story, but rather to show the love between a mother and her child. And to show the wonder of a child's love for the people in her life.
* The flashbacks - I enjoy this method of storytelling and getting to learn about the character's past
* This book made me laugh and filled my heart with hope. There were moments of intensity that had my heart pumping and the tears threatening to flow.


Favorite Quotes:

"for the fairy-tale lover in all of us" - THIS DEDICATION.I need more of the happily ever afters

"This is the problem with where I live. Small towns, small lives. Big mouths." - There are wonderful things about small towns, but when people get to talking and your life becomes everyone's business, Catherine can't help but focus on the negative.

"Because this is a good thing, and you deserve good things in your life, whether you'll accept that or not." Catherine is just too hard on herself

I feel foolish for waiting so long to read a book by this author because I enjoyed UNTIL IT FADES so much. I'm just thankful that I have a whole collection to dive in to.

I highly recommend this book because everyone deserves their happily ever after!

This book is easily a 5 star read. Great characterisation and story stelling. Read my review posted at Scandalicious Book Reviews.

KA Tucker has quickly become one of my go-to authors. Not only does she in Canada (oh hey!) but I love how her titles have a Colleen Hoover vibe with an edge.
Genre-bending structure, complex characters and the perfect amount of romance and tension make me devour her novels whole.
Her newest novel, Until It Fades, brings around the softer side of Tucker and reads like a new adult or contemporary romance novel. It follows Cath Wright, a single mother and truck stop waitress, who has been doing her best to live her life under the radar. After she ended her teenage years being the talk of her small town, she wants nothing more than to blend in and move on. That is, until one foggy night, she saves a man’s life. Soon, the media is at her door and it isn’t then until Cath realizes whom she has saved: Brett Madden, a hockey icon. Their friendship is immediate and soon Cath finds her feelings developing into something more, something she is afraid of and something she feels she cannot trust. Because how long can a man like Brett be into a woman like Cath….before the spark fades?
Like I mentioned Until It Fades is a little softer and less “thrilling” than some of her previous work. Tucker states in her acknowledgements that this was a different book for her; and, now that I have finished reading this novel, I completely understand what she is saying. There is really no “on the edge of your seat” type of moments in this book and it lacks any unreliability with the characters. However, this one absolutely had the same components that I have come to know and love with Tucker’s work: captivating prose, emotive writing, well-developed characters and realistic plot points that sucked me in.
This one did have a fair amount of predictability in the plot but I really liked it anyway. I don’t need to be blown out of my seat with every novel I read; I enjoyed being able to tell where the novel was going and relished in the fact that I knew there would eventually be a happy ending for Cath. I really appreciated the slow build of the plot; it really allowed me connect fully with the characters.
Overall, I think this one is the perfect read for summer and fans of Colleen Hoover will love this one! So, grab your beach bag and some sunscreen and bring this one with you to the pool.
You will not be disappointed.
I know I wasn’t.
I gave it a 5/5 stars.

A good single word description of Until It Fades would be “tantalizing” as author K. A. Tucker definitely makes you wait for it while the story of Brett Madden and Catherine Wright unfolds. She takes her readers ever so slowly through Brett and Cath’s story until you go from “Why would this rich hot guy from a privileged background fall for a small town girl with a troubled past?” to “How could he not love this brave strong woman who has reinvented herself?”

Until It Fades is a well-written story with very likable characters. There’s Cath, the unlikely heroine who puts aside her fear to save a man’s life. There is, of course, the hot hockey guy, Brett, who also happens to be a regular guy with very unpretentious parents even though they are rich and famous. There is a little girl named Brenna who will steal your heart. There isn’t a lovable pe,t but the lovable little girl has a solution for sadness which is to think about things that make her happy and what would that be? “My dog, Stella. I don’t have her yet, but I will one day.” ❤️ There is a buffoon of a used car salesman whose perspective on life and himself will definitely make you smile. And there are a few requisite bad guys who act true to form and give you someone to hate.

I think Until It Fades will be a good book to pack in your beach bag this summer. There will be some tense moments, but not a lot of angst to spoil your mood. You’ll be moved by how one woman goes from shame to pride when she accepts what Nelson Mandela knew — “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” It is a sweet romance with some steam about an indomitable spirit, hope and forgiveness, and fairy tales that do come true.

I don't know how much I've said this before, K.A. Tucker keeps getting better and better. I've been a fan of hers for years and every time she publishes a new book, I am in awe. I freaking love Until It Fades and so will you.

Nothing is as magical as a great romance story. One that can enchant and captive your attention from page one. That is what Until It Fades is about, magic. The magic of love. The magic to see good in people. The magic of goodness, of what one is capable of doing at a moment of tragic. The magic of letting go of the past and live life as it was meant to be. The magic that we need to believe. Until It Fades is magic.

Until It Fades is the story of Catherine Wright. At a young age, she did a mistake and was convicted by her family and her town. A mistake that she carries everyday. Her guilt of this mistake doesn't allow her to live as she should, to be happy. Although she tries to do her best for her young daughter, she doesn't allow to love or to be loved by a man. The scars of her past are too big.

Until an unfortunate event in which leads Catherine save the life of a man. He is a famous hockey player with a known family. She tries to keep this heroic act quiet but in a small town, things are hard to be kept as secret. Thankfully, the man she saves, Brett, is kind and wants nothing but to thank her. But when they meet face to face, the spark is ignite.

Catherine is a role model. She is strong and independent. Her unfortunate past did not keep her down. She strive and survived. With Brett, her courage and persona shine like a diamond. She forgave herself and she let go. With Brett she was able to trust and believe in love once again. These two will keep you swooning, like any other true love story.

I love Until It Fades so much. I highly recommend everyone to read it. To believe in the magic of love thru K.A. Tucker's words.

4.5 Stars!

I have to say, it's been a while since I've read one of K.A. Tucker's books, but I'm so glad I decided to pick this one to read!
I actually forgot how much I just love to read one of Kathleen's books. She just has a way with how she tells her stories, that just captivate you right from the start.
Until it Fades was exactly that, truly and utterly captivating. I did not want to put this book down once I started it.
Catherine or "Cath" for short hasn't had an easy start in life. Living in a small town and being part of a scandal years before that she does not come out of unscathed, life just seems to always be against her. But her life is soon thrown out of balance when she saves the life of NHL star Brett Madden.
Now she is the talk of the town yet again, and Cath wants nothing more than for things to go back to how they were before she saved Brett's life. But when she meets him, the pair instantly have a connection, and not just the fact that Cath is Brett's hero.
I went through so many emotions when reading this book, and felt like I constantly had my heart in my throat. I got so emotionally invested with Cath's character and the awful things that life threw at her. But she just proves time and again that she is one very strong woman and mother, and nothing will bring her down as long as she can help it.
Cath and Brett's relationship is a bit of a slow burner, but the sparks most certainly do fly between them, and you will be flying through the pages just like I did, just to see how their relationship unfolds.
The side characters just add so much more to this story, you can't help but love them as well. Especially Brenna, Cath's little girl. Who is the sweetest ever and will have you laughing so much with the things she comes out with!
So if you haven't read any of K.A. Tucker's books before, I highly recommend this one!

K.A. Tucker is an automatic must read for me. I never read the blurb, I never question if I am going to read the next book, I never check the release date to see if I can fit it in my schedule, my only concern is how quickly I can get my hands on it. To say I went in to Until It Fades blind is an understatement. Which is why I was incredibly surprised by a story that begins with a sixteen year old that has made some pretty significant mistakes, only to be even more surprised by the plight of a single mother struggling to make ends meet, and to be quite pleasantly surprised to find it is also a sports romance of sorts that is so sweet, fun, and swoony, I have only, just barely, refrained from shouting my love for this book from the rooftops. All the euphoria of an exquisitely feel-good read without over exaggeration, without undue angst, and without unnecessary drama, Until It Fades is packed with delightful merriment, good laughs, and silly grins and has shot right to the top of my list of favorites this year.

A uniquely touching story of a struggling single mother, Until It Fades may read like a famous fairytale at times, but is unlike any story I have read before. Starting with a young woman who is stubborn, who thinks she knows it all, who has been disgraced, and can't seem to catch much of a break, readers may hope for redemption, but the end to hard times doesn't seem to be anywhere in sight for this woman who faces misplaced guilt and shame, discrimination, and hardship after hardship along the way. This woman doesn't deserve the hole she has been dropped into and is meant for much bigger and better things, but when instinct takes over and a heroic act is performed, all the pieces finally begin to fall into place for this strong, intelligent, talented, courageous woman. Captivating, page-turning, and exceptionally compelling, if you are able to put this one down, Catherine's story will keep you coming back for more time and time again.

Brett Madden is nothing short of perfect. Everything you could possibly want in a hero; a gorgeous, talented hockey player, a man that knows what he wants and isn't afraid to work for it, the swooniest of attentive and adoring boyfriends, and an all around good, sweet, honorable, humble, and grounded man with a spectacular sense of humor. What's not to love? I dare even the most jaded and skeptical of readers to read this story and tell me they didn't fall absolutely head over heels for this man.

Enter a precocious and completely irresistible five year old who brings an immeasurable cuteness factor, tons of laughs, a few embarrassing situations, and the sweet contentment of family to the story that just makes you feel good. You will feel light, you will feel happy, you will feel satisfied, you will feel overjoyed, your heart will feel full to bursting, and you won't' be able to keep a smile off of your face no matter how hard you try to resist, guaranteed. When Brenna and Brett get together? Hold on to your ovaries ladies, the adorable meter is off the charts!

Something unexpected, but oh, so welcome from an all-time favorite author, Until It Fades is an easy, lighthearted, cheerful read that will have you smiling, swooning, squealing in delight, and singing its praises all while melting your heart and brightening your day. K.A. Tucker does it yet again.

*complimentary copy provided by publisher for an honest review

Until It Fades is a standalone by K.A. Tucker

All Catherine Wright wants is for her five year old daughter the best life she can have, but being the talk of the town makes it seem impossible. Especially when she ends up saving none other than Brett Madden, a hockey icon. Not only is the town talking, but now the media is wanting to know who the “mystery” woman is.



Will she be able to stay unidentified or will her name once again be center stage?

Until It Fades was a breeze to read. I enjoyed that it was a simple romance. After reading thousands of romance books, I did find Until It Fades predictable, but that didn’t take away from the story that K.A. Tucker produced. Even if the romance was enviable, I loved watching Brett and Catherine chemistry build and a reality of insecurities to surface. The reality was what sold me through the story.

Until it Fades is such a wonderful, good ole fashioned love story. It's a simple romance based in the most complex of situations and really spins a modern day Cinderella like fairy tale. I loved the goodness of the characters. Their honesty, their compassion, their intentions, all just pure good, which is rare in books these days. Even though it was somewhat predictable, there was still a twist I didn't see coming, and I still thoroughly enjoyed this sweet and charming tale.

Until it Fades is the first K.A. Tucker book that I’ve read in quite some time. It’s been at least a couple of years. She tends to write books that are on the darker or heavier emotional side and for me, I can only handle so much of that. But I loved the cover of this one so I read the synopsis and I was pleasantly surprised.

This book is definitely lighter than Tucker’s typical works. It leans much more rom-com and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The added bonus for me, of course, was the hockey player love interest. It’s the off season right now so I’ll take all the doses of hockey that I can get.

I will admit that the beginning of this book involving Catherine’s past made me pretty uncomfortable, but it’s pretty understated once you get the backstory. Cath has had a difficult life and she has no idea that her hero moment will set her on a course towards her happily-ever-after. I loved this Cinderella-like story.

Brett Madden is an incredibly sweet, talented, and surprisingly grounded guy. He grew up with a famous mother, a charmed life, and became a talented and revered professional hockey player. The fact that he’s humble and down-to-earth is a shocking and endearing quality.

I do wish I’d gotten a little bit more in the way of the build up from friendship to relationship though. I can see going through a traumatizing experience together sort of pushing on the gas pedal a bit, but it seemed to go very quickly from Zero to Like and even quicker from Like to Love. But really that’s the only “negative”—if you can call it that—that I have with this book.

The story is well-written, the is dialogue organic and funny, especially where Cath’s daughter is involved. It was an entirely enjoyable read from start to finish. I only wish I’d had more time to dedicate to reading it. Life made it difficult to find the time, and I have a feeling that if I’d been able to stay more immersed in the story and not had so many breaks in between reading sessions, I think I would have loved it even more. Either way, I definitely recommend this book when you need a feel good Cinderella story.

It's been a long time since I read a new adult novel and I'm so glad I chose this one to get back in the genre! A sweet story of a single mom and the hockey player whose life she saves, it was the HEA that I needed! KA Tucker writes characters that you can't help but fall in love with and root for the moment that you meet them. I hope we get to see more of Balsam in future novels as I'd love to find out the stories for the siblings, Keith and Mindy.

Since reading Ten Tiny Breaths in 2013, I have become an avid Tucker fan and read everything she writes without question. I went in blind with this one, as I often do with a favorite author. A few chapters into the story, I confess to sneaking onto Goodreads and reading the synopsis.  It was unlike anything I've read from Tucker, and I had to know what was going on. I enjoyed this light-hearted romance and loved seeing a new side to an author that has ripped me to shreds on multiple occasions. It's a sweet and entertaining romantic read for summer.

It's no secret of my adoration for slow burning romance and for a stand-alone, this is one of the slowest ones I've read in recent memory. Catherine is guarding her heart, and through well timed flashbacks we learn why. Brett is fabulous and the quintessential good guy hero. Even though it is slow burning, there is chemistry between these two from the first moments. The supporting cast is outstanding, and Tucker does a fabulous job with portraying a family's unconditional love and battles they face. The moments with Catherine and her parents were some of my favorite moments of the book.

While this is not the typical book you'd usually expect from Tucker, I recommend it nonetheless. There are tense moments to balance out the lighter ones, and I was engaged throughout the story. I continue to devour everything Tucker writes and cannot wait for what is next.

*Thank you to Atria Books and KA Tucker for my advanced copy.*