Wow, this book was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I thought this YA book was so well done - it talked about Huntington's disease and takes the reader on the journey with Abby and her sister as they find out they may have it to deciding if they want to get tested and know their outcomes and beyond. I felt like it was a realistic journey for Abby - there are ups and downs and lots of processing, I can only imagine. I loved Abby's time on Catalina Island and could really feel myself on the island with her! I would recommend this for adult readers but I think it's perfect for YA - I highly recommend.

Wow, so much emotion packed into this book! It made me want to go right out and raise money for research into a cure for Huntington’s Disease. It certainly raises a lot of soul searching questions about what I would do if I found myself in some of these characters situations.

I found this to be a surprisingly lovely read, considering the serious subject matter. As much as there is heartbreak, and you can feel sympathy for Abby, it's also a reminder to live life to the fullest and follow your heart.

My favourite thing about the book was the island setting. How dreamy it sounds to be able to escape to a remote community, almost cut off from the outside world, and just take time to heal and discover yourself. As if that isn't magical enough, you basically find your people there, a merry band of kind misfits who just accept you for who you are.

I enjoyed reading from Abby's perspective and my heart did hurt for her as she tried to come to terms with her diagnosis and the reintroduction of her dad to her life. It was so good to see her gradually open up to the people around her, and embrace the new experiences, even if that was sometimes in not the best of ways. Ben was of course another favourite, and what a dreamy way to experience your first love. I do think Cynthia and Chip stole the show for me though, whilst there were moments where they did the wrong thing, their kind, caring, patience with Abby, allowing her own space was admirable.

The inclusion of Huntington's disease added an interesting dynamic to the book. I had a similar debate about a similar disease with a friend not so long ago, about whether you would want to know the answer and have to deal with the consequences, or if it's better to just not know and to try and live your life. I thought the authors addressed it all very well and covered a lot of the main points and things you would need to consider. It can be truly heartbreaking no matter what the outcome, and it's such a big decision to make.

This was one of those books you could happily read on a beach, in the sunshine, the setting is perfect for that. It's not always easy going, but there are lots of lovely relationships that develop throughout the pages, and ultimately I found it to be a happy book, that reminds you that lifes little joys can outweigh the big heartbreaks, if you open yourself to them.

Thank you to @letstalkbookspromo and @netgalley for a copy of this book. Wow! This book pulls on all the emotions!! To be a high school senior that is having it all suddenly it all fall apart with a letter from your dad that left you years ago. Told in Abby’s past and present POV, I felt every emotion for her. I love how she her summer to figure out what she needed and making new friends at the same time. Ben was an amazing cinnamon roll and I loved how deep and mature he was. This is a new to me authors and I will be checking out their backlist.

Is it better to know or not know? 18 yr old Abby and older sister Brooke learn from their estranged father that they might have a fatal genetic disease. Abby who is content to let things happen and deal with the fall out (or not), thinks she wants to find out if she's a carrier for this life altering disease, until she doesn't. She thought she was on her way to college by way of an athletic scholarship, one envelope alter the course of her life, right?

I enjoyed Abby's story. I found her relationship with sister Brooke completely relatable. I liked getting to read about Catalina, and how remote it was in how that aided Abby in sorting out her life. Dreamy Ben and the rest of the hut family help solidify her ideas about herself and what her future will look like. An enjoyable, satisfying read!

4.5 stars ⭐️

What a beautiful story. I have definitely not gone through what Abby did. But I related to the feeling of having your life turned upside down and not knowing how to deal with that. I also have a habit of running away from problems, so I understood why she felt the way she did. Ben was amazing. Her friend group was awesome and supportive. Overall great characters. I was happy that even though the situation is sad, the book brought out the positives. I loved the ending.


Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fade Into The Bright is about Abby, a high school student that just graduated and is escaping to Catalina Island for the summer after discovering some devastating news. Her estranged father had sent her and her sister, Brooke, a letter letting them know he has been diagnosed with a fatal, degenerative disorder. And even more saddening that one of the two of them has also tested positive.

I loved this YA novel so much! Jessica Koosed Etting and Alyssa Schwartz do such a fantastic job taking you through this emotional story. They create these amazing characters that have heavy baggage and show them getting through the struggles on this small island. I would highly recommend this book to YA novel readers.

This book was so good. I learned some much about Huntington's and really came to respect what a diagnosis like that could do to someone's perspective, personality, and life in general. This book was so well-written and very well-done as it surrounded such a serious topic. I will definitely be reading more from these authors.

This book captured my attention right away! I really felt for Abby, as she struggled to find a new normal. I loved the way the authors helped the reader see into Abby’s head, and I felt so many emotions as I followed her character arc throughout the book! This book deals with hard questions about life and the future, as well as how to live in the present when the future is hanging over you like a wrecking ball. I especially loved the last two chapters! Definitely keep a tissue nearby while reading this book!

As a personal preference, I didn’t care for the amount of swearing and innuendo that was in the book. There was also an implied sex scene that I skipped over.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content:
Language: strong (many uses of the f word, as well as the s word)
Romance: kissing, implied sex scene, one gay side character

Such a warm and yet heartbreaking book. I really enjoyed it and shed some tears and my heart broke into million pieces

This was overall such a heartwarming read, but also tough at some points. My heart hurt so much for Abby and her sister and what the story revealed about their futures and all that comes with Huntington's Disease. This book was written quite beautifully and I could just picture myself in the hills and beaches of Carmel. The scenery sounded amazing. This book definitely covered some very difficult, dark topics, but the author handled it well and with grace. The characters were well developed and thought out and I really enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC.

After many years of no news from their father, Abby and Brooke suddenly receive a letter from him that changes their lives. Their father has Huntington's Disease (HD) and it's possible that both girls could have the gene too. After six months of counseling and testing, they get their results back and Abby's life is forever changed.

Believing her fate has been determined, Abby heads out to her Aunt Cynthia's house where she plans to spend the rest of her summer. Even though she's there for vacation, Abby ends up getting a job, a new group of friends, and Ben, a filmmaker.

This book brought tears to my eyes as I read about Abby's summer of coping. Being haunted by the effects of HD is scary but I think Abby was very mature and handled the situation well for the most part.

I loved the volleyball aspect of Abby and how it was an important part of her. She was going to play volleyball in college but HD kind of ruined her plans. Still, she took small steps and was able to play volleyball with her new friends.

Overall, Fade Into the Bright was a touching story about Abby's life after finding out about her HD diagnosis. It's a great read I definitely recommend it.

YA romances tend to follow a similar structure--boy meets girl, the two instantly click (even if they don't know it yet), something comes between them, they end up okay by the end of the book. It's a tried and true formula.
This book was no different, yet in spite of the occasional clichés, it was still such an enjoyable read!
The story follows Abby after she learns that her father who'd abandoned the family years ago has Huntington's Disease (HD). This means that she and her sister have a 50% chance of having HD, too, and suffocated by the constant feeling of helplessness and turmoil back at home, Abby leaves for Catalina Island, where she stays with her aunt and, of course, meets her love interest.
I don't want to give too much away so I won't go too in depth with the plot, but overall, I think this book was very well written. It had a certain flow to it that I feel is often absent in YA romances especially, and it made the book a quick yet worthwhile read. I also really loved the structure and how it went back and forth between the past and the present. It created a feeling of mystery, a feeling that lasted until maybe the second to last chapter, and it made the story a lot more dynamic and involving. We were only a few steps ahead of the side characters, so in a sense, we were characters too, learning more and more about Abby as we read on.
Also, while this was a romance novel, there was also a great emphasis on the complexities of navigating familial struggles, especially upon the introduction of a disease like HD. There were layers upon layers, motives within motives, and it made for characters and situations so relatable, if not in the exact details, then in the underlying, unpinnable desire we all have to simply do what we think is best, flawed be it may. The struggles and conflicts, too, were written in such a way that they were both deeply personal to the characters and universally felt, and it definitely led to a few tears shed.
There were, of course, lighter, cheesier moments, as well as triumphant, in-your-face scenes, and especially given the nostalgic, summery setting that tied the story together, it was just a really heartwarming book to read. The ending did feel a bit rushed and maybe even predictable, but it made the story no less emotional, uplifting, and touching. I'd definitely recommend this book to YA romance enthusiasts looking for a hopeful, cute, yet complex story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! I'm thoroughly grateful for the opportunity to have read this book. :)

Etting and Schwartz's newest heartfelt novel is sure to please teen readers. The novel centers around Abby, a lighthearted high schooler, a star volleyball player, and a foil to her serious older sister, Brooke. Abby and Brooke receive a letter from their long-absent father, revealing that he has been newly diagnosed with Huntington's disease, an incurable genetic disorder. Abby and Brooke each have a fifty percent chance of having Huntington's themselves, potentially facing a future of mental and physical decline in the coming decades.

Abby is sure she wants the genetic testing that will reveal whether or not she has Huntington's, but when she gets a positive result, her life unspools. She sets off for a summer on Catalina island with the intention of escaping her problems. Instead, the island brings her opportunities to reframe her thinking about her future and what her life will bring.

Readers will root for Abby, who is likable and relatable even when facing a crisis most will never experience. Her efforts to cope with her grief are realistically drawn and have a strong impact.

this is a powerful story of what happens when you learn the worst about your life and you have to go on living. When Abby finds out that she is gene positive for a debilitating disease, she decides to get away for the summer to think about her life. What does the next few years hold for her? When she meets Ben, she sees someone who she wants to spend time with but would that be fair to him. Abby's emotional state is always changing as she comes to grips with what is important in her life now and what her future holds. This is a very realistic look into what can happen when know your fate and how to deal with that knowledge. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fade into the Bright starts with Brooke and Abby getting a surprise letter from their estranged father telling them that he has Huntington’s disease (a fatal degenerative condition that is passed on genetically) and that there is a 50% chance that his offspring also have the gene for Huntington’s disease. As a result, Brooke and Abby agree to get genetically tested. After Abby tests positive for the gene, she decides to travel to Catalina Island to live with her Aunt for the summer to escape her new reality and avoid finalising her college decisions. Things get even more complicated for Abby when she meets Ben, a handsome filmmaker on the island, who seems determined to figure out Abby’s life story. Meanwhile, Brooke, who tests negative for the gene, might have a few surprises of her own.

First off, this book could be a trigger for anyone who is (or knows someone who is) currently battling a degenerative condition such as Huntington’s disease. It also may not be the best fit for anyone diagnosed with severe anxiety and/or depression and it could also be a trigger for anyone who is (or knows someone who is) battling an addiction. With that said, this well-researched and informative book comes across to be really inspiring; the main takeaway for me was that, in the words of the authors, “fear is never a reason to miss out on something you want”.

In my opinion, this book is geared towards teens and young adults, although it could still be enjoyed by an older audience. Fade into the Bright is reminiscent of a lot of popular titles such as Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson, Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider, and Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis. It deals with themes such as fate versus free will, family, inner darkness versus light, escapism, life and death, love and sacrifice, knowledge versus ignorance, hope (or losing hope), inner strength, as well as overcoming fears and weaknesses.

This book was very engaging, easy to read, hard to put down, even if it was relatively short. Despite this book dealing with some challenging real-life topics, I liked how it wasn’t overly tear-jerking; there is more to Abby’s story than just her diagnosis (such as her budding romance with Ben) and the novel ends on a mostly hopeful and positive note.

Even though I loved reading about Abby and Ben’s relationship, I thought that the big decisions that were made at the end of the book (after only knowing each other for a couple of months) were a tad far-fetched. Another critique would be that the book was almost too short and more details and descriptions as well as additional scenes (perhaps more insights into what Brooke, Abby’s Mom, or Abby’s friend Nina were up to while Abby was on Catalina Island) would have fleshed it out. Lastly, the novel alternated between before diagnosis and after diagnosis, which came across as a bit confusing at times.

Overall, if you are a teen or young adult who enjoys reading emotional love stories, this book is worth reading! I would also recommend this book to fans of All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

This book was received as an ARC from Random House Children's - Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such a heartfelt story and I did not want it to end. The life Abby had starting out was what every teenage girl wanted. Having a talent of playing a sport and for Abby it was volleyball and she achieved so much academic success that she found out that she tested positive for Huntington's disease which her father suffers from. Now, knowing this information and how fatal it is, Abby while scared still has a glimmer of hope when she meets Ben, an aspiring filmmaker and wants to know everything about her but her reluctance to tell him her story makes her hide many things from Ben but she does not realize how fascinating she really is. If you are a fan of The Fault In Our Stars you will be a fan of Fade into Bright. I can not wait to see this title out on our shelves and it's definitely a potential teen book club candidate for sure.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

the story begins with abby and her sister finding out their father has Huntington’s disease and since it is a genetic disease, they too may have it. they have to go through 6 months of rigorous genetic consultations and we find out that one of them does have it.

i thought this was very well written as well as a dark topic especially considering how young these two are. the characters were layered and the side characters were very fleshed out.

tws: disease, mental health

4/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As Abby finishes her senior year of high school and prepares to go to college, a letter arrives in the mail addressed to her and her sister. It turns out to be from their father who left them several years ago and hasn’t contacted them since. The letter is simple and blunt—their father has tested positive for Huntington’s disease, and there’s a 50/50 chance that the girls inherited that gene. When the test comes back, it shows that only one of the girls has it, but both of their lives are forever changed. Abby escapes to Catalina Island for the summer, hoping to at least try to have a normal summer. But then she meets Ben, an aspiring filmmaker, who tries to figure people out. What happens when the girl who wants to forget her problems meets the boy trying to figure them out?

I was really interested in this book as soon as I read the description! I wasn’t expecting this story to go the way it did. The alternating POVs from past and present were really good—Abby’s summer and the days leading up to the results gave the reader plenty of insight as to the emotional rollercoaster that came with that letter. Ben was such a sweet character and I loved his interactions with people, particularly Abby! It was kinda insta-love and I thought that their feelings were a bit rushed, but it was still cute. However, I was majorly disappointed with all the sexual comments and a non-graphic sex scene that occurred throughout the book. Between that and the darker themes, I would definitely say this should be upper YA or for more mature readers.

Overall, I thought this book was touching and provoked a lot of thought about life. Older readers who are looking for a romantic read similar to Five Feet Apart would probably enjoy this book.

Abby and her older sister Brooke have been raised by their mother since Abby was five. One day their dad was there, and the next he was gone - with no explanation as to where or why. So when the sisters receive a letter from their dad before Christmas Abby's senior year in high school, it is both a surprise and a shock.

In the letter, he tells his daughters that he has been diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, for which there is no cure, and that they have a 50% chance of having the gene. This is Abby's story as she finds out her test result and deals with what her future might look like.

While this wasn't a "feel good" story, it was one that made you think about the choices that you make, why you make them, and how your future might look because of them. Abby escapes to Catalina Island to the home of an aunt she hasn't seen since her dad left them. She stumbles into a job at a beach and becomes friends with her coworkers. Her aunt has told her she would give her space to deal with things, but Abby tends to just ignore everything and not make any decisions at all until it is almost too late.