Fade Into the Bright by Jessica Koosed Etting & Alyssa Embree Schwartz Book Review

Title: Fade Into the Bright
Authors: Jessica Koosed Etting & Alyssa Embree Schwartz
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: April 27, 2021
Pages: 336

Abby needs to escape a life that she no longer recognizes as her own. Her old life--the one where she was a high school volleyball star with a textbook-perfect future--has been ripped away. Abby and her sister, Brooke, have received a letter from their estranged dad informing them he has Huntington's disease, a fatal, degenerative disorder that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. And when the sisters agree to genetic testing, one of them tests positive.

Fleeing to Catalina Island for the summer, Abby is relieved to be in a place where no one knows her tragic history. But when she meets aspiring documentary filmmaker Ben--tall, outdoorsy, easygoing, with eyes that don't miss a thing--she's thrown off her game. Ben's the kind of guy who loves to figure out people's stories. What if he learns hers? 

Buy it on Barnes & Noble or Amazon  

My Thoughts

**Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Children's for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!**

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.

Pretend it's not happening. Finally, an idea I was on board with. Maybe therapy wasn't so terrible after all.

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.

Because I never will. Not with the way I feel about him. I'll be left with my fate and a trove of painful, beautiful memories reminding me of just how much this disease has stolen from me. Until the disease takes that, too.

Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4)

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.

You can learn more about Huntington's Disease here.

About the Authors

Jessica Koosed Etting and Alyssa Embree Schwartz met on their first day of college and have informally shared a brain ever since. They've written in television and film for over a decade, and branched into the world of Young Adult Fiction several years ago. Their first YA four-book series Georgetown Academy debuted at #1 on the teen fiction Hot Release list on Amazon, and was named the top summer read by E! News. Their latest book, a YA thriller, The Lost Causes was released in fall 2017 by KCP Loft and was edited by Kate Egan, editor of The Hunger Games trilogy. Jessica lives in California with her husband, three children and neurotic Shih-Tzu. Alyssa resides in Maryland with her husband, twins and smug rescue mutt.

Jessica Koosed Etting and Alyssa Embree Schwartz met on their first day of college and have informally shared a brain ever since. They've written in television and film for over a decade, and branched into the world of Young Adult Fiction several years ago. Their first YA four-book series Georgetown Academy debuted at #1 on the teen fiction Hot Release list on Amazon, and was named the top summer read by E! News. Their latest book, a YA thriller, The Lost Causes was released in fall 2017 by KCP Loft and was edited by Kate Egan, editor of The Hunger Games trilogy. Jessica lives in California with her husband, three children and neurotic Shih-Tzu. Alyssa resides in Maryland with her husband, twins and smug rescue mutt.