3.5 STARS

I seem to read a hefty number of novels that I can't divulge many plot details on, and this one falls into that category as well. If you followed along with my Goodreads updates, you'll have noticed my extreme surprise at a particular twist; from the reviews I've read thus far it appears I wasn't alone, and I'd go as far as to say that no one has mentioned guessing it ahead of time yet. The twist alone earns it stars, but the writing also drew me in and kept me engaged. I will say my only issue was that, due to the twist, there was a change in the story that felt a bit rushed. If the twist had happened earlier, then perhaps we readers would have had more time to adjust to this shifting storyline and really connected with the second part much more. Overall, a great read and one I would recommend to fans of YA contemporary with a tinge of suspense and mystery.

I recieved this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read several of Glines' books, and liked them. I thought this book had lots of potential after reading the synopsis, but unfortunately it just fell flat for me. I ended up not finishing it, because the main character talks about almost nothing other than her boyfriend. Obviously, I know his situation is sad and bleak, but Vale really got on my nerves. The characters were very 2D to me, they seemed to have no depth, and I couldn't relate to anyone.

Very strange. I feel like the first 60% of the book was a waste of time. Maybe I am missing some deeper meaning but this book was a no for me

Loved the first half of the book and the twist but sadly the second part fell apart for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

This story was beautiful and intriguing and I loved reading it. I have loved everything I have read of Abbi's and this was no different. This story was addicting and I could not put it down. I definitely can't wait to read what's in store for us next!

This was a lovely story!This book really surprised me. As She Fades was such a quick read, and I feel like the pacing was steady right up to the very end.I loved the twist, as we know Abbi is a master with twists!Mostly I liked the story line and the characters but I also had some issues through the story!Overall, it was an ok story!

As She Fades by Abbi Glines is an unique young adult book which I enjoyed. This book is not a cute, fun book, it deals with serious issues. Vale and her boyfriend,Crawford, since grade school get into a car crash right after they graduate from high school. Crawford ends up in a coma, while Vale spend everyday at the hospital waiting for him to wake up. Vale gets to know her brother's fraternity brother who is also at the hospital a lot to see his dying uncle. Once I started this book, I could not stop reading until I was done. I will be reading more books by this author. I recommended this book for people who like YA books and want more than fluffy romance in their books. I recommended this book.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

While Abby Glines continues to be a huge hit with my students, this one is just too graphic in its sex scenes for me to hand it to 13-year-olds. This is disappointing as they are begging for more of her books.

This is a story of lifelong friends. Vale & Crawford grew up together. They easily transformed from young friends into boyfriend & girlfriend and soon to be college sweethearts. Except one fateful night……

On the night of her high school graduation, Vale McKinley and her boyfriend Crawford are in a terrible car accident that leaves Crawford in a coma.

Vale waits faithfully at Crawford’s bedside. She reads to him and encourages him to wake up. While waiting to visit Crawford she meets her brother’s fraternity brother, Slate Allen. Slate is gorgeous, and a player. Slate is at the hospital visiting his dying uncle. He sometimes takes turns reading to Crawford. Reluctantly Vale forms a friendship with Slate which turns into a growing attraction…….

“You know what. I like us. We work. I just can’t be more than what we are.”
“What are we, Slate?”
“Friends. Really damn good friends.”

As the summer passes Vale must make a decision. She does not want to leave Crawford and the life they planned. They were going to go off to the same college. That was their dream. Their plan. But after spending almost all of the summer at Crawford’s bedside, the time has come. She heads off to college at the urging of family and friends. After all, Crawford would want her to go forward and live her life. She begins to realize that plans change, life changes……

Abbi Glines weaves a beautiful tale of love and loss with an amazing twist that I never saw coming. I am so glad I did not read the spoilers! It was a truly wonderful story to read. And that twist….. As I said above, I never saw that coming!

What a wonderful surprise! I really enjoyed this story. I felt that it was different from her other stories. Please – go in “blind” and enjoy the ride!

Well. Well. Well. What do we have here?
A book that I received as an eARC that I actually FINISHED the day it was released.
Hooray for me!
 
The accurate part of the synopsis: On the night of her high school graduation, Vale McKinley and her boyfriend Crawford are in a terrible car accident that leaves Crawford in a coma. They were supposed to spend the summer planning for college, for a bright future full of possibility. Together. Instead, Vale spends long days in the hospital, hoping Crawford will awaken.

Slate Allen, a college friend of Vale’s brother, has been visiting his dying uncle at the same hospital. When he and Vale meet, she can’t deny the flutter of an illicit attraction. She tries to ignore her feelings, but she’s not immune to Slate’s charm. Slowly, they form a cautious friendship.

What did I think?

How bout a handy dandy list of pros and cons?

No? Well, you are going to get them anyway.

A list of “Yay’s”:
1. Quick read.
2. “Bad boy” hero.
3. A teensy, gigantic twist that I honestly should have seen coming.

A list of “WHY DID YOU DO THIS?”:
1. Too quick of a resolution, wrapped up in a lovely bow.
2. Not a terrible cover, but not a great one either.
3. The synopsis + the book? Not exactly accurate. Me no like.

At the end of the day, I did like this book. Why did I give it 3 stars? The resolution. It was too quick for me to justify giving it any higher of a rating.

Reader beware. Mostly YA, but has some NA moments.

Thank you to the publishers and those over at NetGalley for giving me an eARC of this book.

As She Fades is currently on sale at a retailer near you!

I love everything that Abbi Glines writes. As She Fades is different than what we normally expect from Abbi but it was phenomenal. Vale and Crawford were childhood friends who end up dating as teenagers. They have big plans to go off to college and spend their lives together but that changes when they get in a terrible accident on graduation night. Crawford ends up in a coma and Vale is by his side every day. She wants to head off to college but doesn't want to leave Crawford behind. She meets a mysterious boy named Slate that is at the hospital visiting his sick uncle. They spend lots of time together over the summer and Slate helps convince Vale to go to college. Vale starts feeling that maybe it's time to move on with her life but what happens when Crawford finally wakes up? I guess you will have to read it to find out!

I loved the connection between Vale and Slate. The secondary characters added lots of depth to the storyline. I loved all the twists and turns this story took. This is a definite must read book by Abbi Glines.

** spoiler alert ** Holy wow double rainbows 🌈 🌈 unicorns 🦄 in the ☁️ sky! This booook I was so intensely caught up in the story I didn’t realize it was the end! Y’all! That is when you know the book is amaze balls!!!!! Swooooon I am still reeling! It was perfect, pure and heart wrenching! I love how developed and mature the characters were! I love that they don’t play games. They are honest and it is soooo refreshing!
I did not see that twist coming and I am glad she saw Crawford's true colors. ONE DAY IS BAD ENOUGH but he waited a whole 3 days to see her. That is why I like when a person is comfortable in their own skin and loves themselves and thennnnn they find a person who compliments them. I wouldn't say complete because that doesn't do it justice either. Someone who pushes you and brings out the best. That is who she found in Slate.

some of my FAV quotes
“Life tosses you things you’re not expecting. This won’t be the first big hurdle in your life. What you have to learn is that you’re strong enough to live anyway.

“If I ever let a woman buy my coffee, my mother would fly here on her broom and beat me over the head with it.” The image made me laugh. “We won’t tell her.” Seriously made me LOL

What if he was that guy and didn’t know it? What if we had both been lost until now?

The first guy other than Crawford who I’d developed feelings for saw me as a sister. Until tonight and this moment, I hadn’t been able to admit I had feelings for Slate. I hadn’t been ready for all this to hit me at once.

Life had dealt me some difficult cards, but I was going to find my own path now. I didn’t need a guy to complete me. I never did. I just never had the opportunity to find that out. Until now.

That boy’s got the biggest one I’ve ever seen. When he loves, he loves big. He doesn’t let you down and he stands by you no matter what. I know it because he loves me. Don’t let his past mistakes and possibly his future mistakes let you miss out on being loved by a heart that damn big.”

Sometimes life throws changes our way that make us stronger and show us we don’t always know what is best.

I knew just listening to him that Vale McKinley was special. The kind of special that changed a person. That made a mark in life.

I knew he had a reputation, but he was also a human. Someone’s nephew. He had a soul.

“I will leave that Jeep right there and walk the entire way back with you if you don’t. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

“Actually, there’s a side of Slate no one sees because he doesn’t show them. Or they don’t look closely. You went out with him because of his reputation. Maybe you should have tried to see beyond what you thought you knew about him.”
“Crawford will regret this one day,” Slate said as he turned his body toward me. “He had you. He’d lived a perfect life with you and he didn’t even know what he had because he hadn’t tried anything else. Me . . . well, I’ve tried it all. I’m not wondering what’s on the other side. I’ve been there, and it is lonely. He’ll realize it one day, and it’ll be too late.”

my pulse raced with Slate. He made the world brighter and full of the unknown

Unusual YA drama involving two characters, Vale and Slate. ( three main characters but the third, Crawford, was never developed.) Vale and Slate were likeable and relatable for me. Slate and Vale's families were also enjoyable characters; Crawford's mother wasn't. The story was good, not great. Then came the second half! Totally unexpected and not necessary. A three star read became 2 1/2 stars.
Voluntarily read ARC for honest review.

If your a fan of Abbi Glines that her new book As She Fades is a must read. I think it has to be one of my favorite books that she had wrote. You will be shocked by the twist in Part 2. GREAT GREAT BOOK

I will say it’s been a minute since I’ve read a book by Author Abbi Glines. And to be honest, I was missing her work. She’s one of those authors that writes characters that you either absolutely LOVE or absolutely HATE. With this book, it was no different.

I was quite taken with the first half of the book. See it’s broken into two parts. Let’s call the first half, fast paced with a curve ball like no other, but also fast paced where I loved every second of it. From the start of the book I got the feeling this would be a different read from AG. I was used to her Rosemary Beach books, where everyone knows everyone (sort of like Cheers), or everyone is related. Those books were a little fun, with some naughty, and a bit of angst. As She Fades is pretty much night to the RB’s day. It’s a lighter feel. But it’s also fun. There’s quite a few parts where I found myself smiling from ear to ear because I loved where she took her characters. IMO I felt a whole new AG in As She Fades. She brought a world to life in an instant. One where I was eager to turn each page, because the story was so enticing. It’s catching. I couldn’t read the first half fast enough. It reeled me in and had me gaping when part two came about.

And then Part Two.....I didn’t see it coming. Hit me like a arrow hitting a dart board. I felt the tingles all over. The kind that make you shiver...part two left me shook.

Part two is a much slower pace than part one. It has a new feel to it. A feeling of loss, mixed emotions, fear. It’s a little deeper than part one. It tells the story in a different light. One that still keeps you guessing and has your feelings for these characters mixed up like trail mix. I savored those pages. I was enthralled but on a new level; compared to part one. AG tells this story almost as a fast forward or rewind button. It goes from one extreme to the next. Not every sentence but each chapter shares more insight to what you thought you knew or think you know.

If I’m leaving you a bit confused, I’m sorry but I’m also not sorry. This story is one where it’s best to go in blind. (Don’t tell anyone but that’s what I did.) I actually fell in love with the cover. I was drawn to it. It’s gorgeous and I felt like it told its own story.

Overall, I thought this was such a refreshing story. I believe I’ve read one other book that went along a similar storyline. I love that it isn’t a book that you think you’ll know what’s going to happen. I was left guessing. And I sure hope it leaves you guessing as well.

It has been a while since I have read an Abbi Glines book. While this one is not as up there as my boy Rush, I found myself immersed in the story that Glines brought forward. There was ups and downs and times where I was frustrated but I loved it at the same time. I think what I enjoyed the most was the character growth in this one. You really get to see it develop through the story. Overall a decent read.

I'm going to start with what I liked about this book: Slate Allen. He is multi-faceted, well-developed, and captivating. You will be far more worried about what becomes of Slate than you will about what becomes of Vale and Crawford. I liked how Abbi Glines wrote him, and I liked the way she showed his growth and maturity. He is fabulous.

I liked the plot twist. I thought it made the book more interesting, and I looked forward to what Glines would do with it.

Now let's get to some of the problems.

For one thing, there is a GLARING misstatement in the blurb. I won't tell you what it is because it would give away too much, but suffice it to say that there is a GLARING misstatement. I'm shocked by it, in fact.

Then there is the plot twist, which is wasted and reveals weaknesses in the story. The resolution after the twist is way too easy, way too convenient. So much so that you feel cheated somehow. You also realize just how undeveloped Crawford and his relationship with Vale are. You need more of their backstory. So in absence of that, you're left not really caring about some things that I think you're supposed to care about.

Everything up to and including the plot twist is pretty good and enjoyable. Everything after the plot twist feels weak in comparison.

A word about the YA/teen categorization of this book: I caution parents of young teen girls. There are a couple of sex scenes that may be too graphic for your daughter, so use your judgment. I categorized this book as new adult because I think it's a better fit there.

If you give this a read--and I think you should because Slate is pretty darn awesome--hit up the comments and let me know your thoughts.

I love everything everything Abbi Glines! So far she has not disappointed me! This book had me riding an emotional roller coaster and I loved the ride!