This is my first K. A Tucker novel and it will not be my last. I heard about her before, but never considered reading her work before, but when Until It Fades came on my radar, and I read the blurb I was intrigued.
What the story is about.
Until It Fades tells the story of Catherine Wright, a 24-year-old single mom to a spunky 5-year-old girl. She works as a waitress at truck stop in a small town. Her past was not pretty, and she wished for it to remain hidden. ย However, her selfless decision to rescue a stranger from a burning car, would lead to the events from her past becoming a fodder for the media.
The man she saved was none other than Brett Madden, famous hockey player and son of a movie star. So it was no surprise that the accident became the talk of every media house. Her attempts to keep her identity hidden proved futile, which became worse when Brett Madden turned upon her doorstep. ย What followed was an intense and immediate attraction, a friendship and a slow burn romance.
The Story
What I enjoyed about this story is glimpses I got into Catherineโs past, which allowed me to understand what happened to her and why she felt she had to keep it all hidden. This aspect of the story was detailed making it easy for me to relate to her struggles.
The story moved at a pace, which I believed was fitting for the events that were taking place. The shifts between the past and the present were flawless.
I enjoyed the romance, which I considered a slow burning one. Their instant, which I do not consider abnormal, given the circumstances. ย She saved his life so he will feel something for her, but is it love or just a sense of gratitude? ย I loved how the author explored this aspect of their relationship. ย I was glad to see they did not immediately act on their attraction for each other. They took getting to know each other to ensure that their feelings were genuine. In Brettโs case, he needed to ensure that his feelings were not borne out of sheer gratitude and for Catherine she needed assurance that her feelings did not stem from the fact that he was famous.
He grins sheepishly. โWhen I went home that night, I told my parents that I was madly in love with this brave and beautiful woman who saved my life.โ
Oh my God. My heartโs beating in my throat.
โOf course they convinced me that I was completely overwhelmed and that I needed to get some rest.โ
โIโm sure they were right,โ I mumble.
โI thought so too, honestly.โ He swallows hard. โBut then you had to go and be not just brave and beautiful but also humble, and funny, and honest. And I couldnโt stop thinking about what itโd be like to be with youโฆ So I need you to tell me what I need to do for you to give me that chance.โ His jaw tenses as he locks eyes with me. โPlease.โ
The emotions were heartfelt and intense.
The story was not unique by far, but it was still an enjoyable one. It was not hard figuring how it would end, but what intrigued me was watching it all unfold.
The Characters
I thought the character development was well done. They were believable and relatable. There was some that had me scratching my head, and then those who placed a smile on my face.
I enjoyed Brettโs interaction with both Catherine and her daughter. He always includes her whenever he invited Catherine to go anywhere. He knew they were a package deal and he was willing to accept it all.
Catherine struggled with being in the spotlight. She prefers to be in the background, to which I can totally relate. She is different from the women that move in Brettโs circles. ย She is independent and not looking for handouts. ย When he looked at her, he saw her for who she was, a woman of strength, a caring mother and a woman who conquered her past.
Conclusion/Recommendationย
My biggest issue with the story was my inability to connect with Brett the way I did with Catherine. It would have helped if I got the story through his eyes as well.
Until it Fades is a beautifully written story, which touches on thought provoking issues. It demonstrated how quickly persons are to judge another for their mistakes and how victims are harshly treated.
Overall, this was a wonderful, swoon worthy romance. I am not going to lie, there were moments I pictured myself in Catherineโs shoes minus the humiliating past of course. If you enjoy romances that have a Cinderella vibe then you will enjoy this story.
Favourite Quotes
โI wake up every morning thinking about you. I go to bed at night thinking about you. Please tell me itโs not just me.โ
“It’s good to have dreams. Without dreams, we wouldn’t have goals. And without goals…what’s the point of living?”
About K.A. Tucker
K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge. She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher’s Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women.ย K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.
Nadene's addiction to reading began at an early age, when a family friend gifted her a copy of Wuthering Heights. From that moment she was never without a book.She will read anything as long the material is compelling enough to hold her attention. She gained many experiences through the pages of the books she had the opportunity to read.She created this blog to share her love of books with like minded individuals hopes that in sharing reviews of the books read visitors to the blog will discover their next addictive read. When not reading, Nadene enjoys cooking, listening to music and watching television.
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I’ve enjoyed her books and while this one was a bit on the lighter side, I still really enjoyed it. Hopefully you get a chance to try some of her other work.
Am I the only blogger on the interwebs who hasn’t read this book? I think I might just be. I do want to give this one a go, because people have seemed to enjoy it so much!
I do love her books and this one has me curious because its not a suspense like the last ones. Bummer about not connecting with Brett, but glad you still enjoyed the overall story.
I’m a huge fan of this author. I don’t know why I haven’t picked up a copy yet. I’m also a fan of hockey players in a romance setting, though I must admit that the slow burning romance is a bit off putting in my opinion. Not a surprise, though. KA Tucker is known for her slow-burning romances!
I have my name of the list at the library for this one. It sounds like such a great book and everyone seems to love her writing. I am glad you enjoyed it.
K.A. Tucker definitely writes books that just suck you in and this one sounds like one that will do just that with me. It sounds amazing. Glad you enjoyed so much!
Someone else reviewed this a little while ago, and I was intrigued with the story. Definitely need to grab this one! Your review is really good. Hugs…RO
I heard a lot about this author! I haven’t tried her yet though I confess but I should! It’s already a good rating if you couldn’t connect to the character…
The plot and Catherine was what impressed me about this book. From what portrayed of Brett it clear he was a nice guy, but it would good to have more information on him and to be in tune with his feelings.
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sarabara081 @ Forever 17 Books
I haven’t read anything by this author yet but I am really interested in this one. Catherine sounds fantastic and I do love a slow burn!
Tucker really is a good author. So glad you enjoyed this!
I’ve enjoyed her books and while this one was a bit on the lighter side, I still really enjoyed it. Hopefully you get a chance to try some of her other work.
Am I the only blogger on the interwebs who hasn’t read this book? I think I might just be. I do want to give this one a go, because people have seemed to enjoy it so much!
Great review.
I do love her books and this one has me curious because its not a suspense like the last ones. Bummer about not connecting with Brett, but glad you still enjoyed the overall story.
I’m a huge fan of this author. I don’t know why I haven’t picked up a copy yet. I’m also a fan of hockey players in a romance setting, though I must admit that the slow burning romance is a bit off putting in my opinion. Not a surprise, though. KA Tucker is known for her slow-burning romances!
Great review!
I have my name of the list at the library for this one. It sounds like such a great book and everyone seems to love her writing. I am glad you enjoyed it.
I need to get this book! I keep reading all good things about it. I have been meaning to read a Tucker book, so maybe I will make this my first.
K.A. Tucker definitely writes books that just suck you in and this one sounds like one that will do just that with me. It sounds amazing. Glad you enjoyed so much!
Jenea’s Book Obsession
Ms. Tucker definitely knows how to write romances. I really liked her Water series. I have this one waiting to be read, nรฉed to get to it soon.
Someone else reviewed this a little while ago, and I was intrigued with the story. Definitely need to grab this one! Your review is really good. Hugs…RO
Everyone is raving over this one!
For What It’s Worth
Thank you for the wonderful review of this book. I haven’t read this author yet but this sounds like a book that I would enjoy.
You are welcome, Mary. I hope you do get a chance to read it.
I heard a lot about this author! I haven’t tried her yet though I confess but I should! It’s already a good rating if you couldn’t connect to the character…
The plot and Catherine was what impressed me about this book. From what portrayed of Brett it clear he was a nice guy, but it would good to have more information on him and to be in tune with his feelings.
I haven’t read anything by this author yet but I am really interested in this one. Catherine sounds fantastic and I do love a slow burn!
This was my first time reading her work. No regrets
Connection is sooo important
Yes it is.