Until It Fades by K.A. Tucker

Until It Fades

by K.A. Tucker

"Touching and complex...Tucker unerringly hits all the high notes of romance-the spark, the emotional depth, the mental and physical struggles-while creating a couple who seem perfectly attuned even when they are in conflict." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Twenty-four-year-old truck stop waitress and single mother Catherine Wright has simple goals: to give her five-year-old daughter a happy life and to never again be the talk of the town in Balsam, Pennsylvania (population three thousand outside of tourist season).

And then one foggy night, on a lonely road back from another failed date, Catherine saves a man's life. It isn't until after the police have arrived that Catherine realizes exactly who it is she has rescued: Brett Madden, hockey icon and media darling.

Catherine has already had her fifteen minutes of fame and the last thing she wants is to have her past dragged back into the spotlight, only this time on a national stage. So she hides her identity. It works. For a time.

But when she finds the man she saved standing on her doorstep, desperate to thank her, all that changes. There's an immediate connection, and it's more electric than the bond of two people who endured a traumatic event. It's something neither of them expected. Something that Catherine isn't sure she can handle; something she is afraid to trust.

Because how long can an extraordinary man like Brett be interested in an ordinary woman like Catherine...before the spark fades?

Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

4 of 5 stars

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Catherine lives in Balsam, Pennsylvania, a rural town that attracts tourist and everyone knows your business. She works as a waitress at the local truck stop. 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.  Before you know it,  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 Teacher-student relationship (high school)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 both as a victim and a survivor. 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 it 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 story. 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.

Copy provided by the publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 5 June, 2017: Finished reading
  • 5 June, 2017: Reviewed