FADE TO US, by Julia Day, Wednesday Books, Feb. 6, 2018, Hardcover, $18.99 (young adult)
I signed up for the Fade To Us blog tour, curious about Julia Day’s book. What I found was much more.
Brooke’s summer is going to be EPIC― having fun with her friends and a job that lets her buy a car. Then her new stepfather announces his daughter is moving in. Brooke has always longed for a sibling, so she’s excited about spending more time with her stepsister. But she worries, too. Natalie has Asperger’s–and Brooke’s not sure how to be the big sister that Natalie needs.
After Natalie joins a musical theater program, Brooke sacrifices her job to volunteer for the backstage crew. She’s mostly there for Natalie, but Brooke soon discovers how much she enjoys being part of the show. Especially sweet is the chance to work closely with charming and fascinating Micah–the production’s stage manager. If only he wasn’t Natalie’s mentor…
When her summer comes to an end, will Brooke finally have the family she so desperately wants–and the love she’s only dreamed about? —Synopsis provided by Wednesday Books
Fade To Us is more than a YA romance. It’s more than a book about family. It’s about self-discovery and the willingness to think beyond one’s self — to see the big picture.
Brooke is a refreshing young adult protagonist — she’s not self-absorbed, super quirky or a savant. She’s a normal teen who’s working to buy her own car. Brooke’s got good friends and she’s on good terms with her “newish” stepfather. Beyond that, Brooke isn’t put out when Natalie moves in for the summer. Instead, Brooke adjusts; working to make sure her sister feels comfortable in an uncomfortable situation.
Natalie, too, is a multifaceted character who’s much more than her Asperger’s. Her blunt, honest nature adds humor — intentional or not — throughout.
Fade To Us is a fast, engrossing read. I picked it up after slogging through a so-so fantasy, and it was such a breath of fresh air. It feels familiar because so many readers can relate on one level or another. I received a digital arc for review, but I plan on purchasing a finished copy for my home library.
JULIA DAY lives in North Carolina, halfway between the beaches and the mountains. She has two twenty-something daughters, one geeky old husband, and too many computers to count. When she’s not writing software or stories, Julia enjoys traveling to faraway places, watching dance reality shows on TV, and making a dent in her To-Be-Read pile. Julia is the author of YA contemporary romances The Possibility of Somewhere and Fade to Us (Feb 2018). Visit Julia on Facebook and Twitter.
