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If It All Fades Away
A troubled high school senior falls in love with a compassionate new student who helps her navigate life and her parents’ abuse.
Whether it’s for telling a teacher off or punching the boy who harasses her, seventeen-year-old Blair Simons is used to getting into trouble at school. Anxious and lonely, Blair doesn’t trust many people as a result of being physically and emotionally abused and neglected by her parents at home. In her senior year of high school, Blair wants nothing more than to graduate and move out of her parents’ home in small-town Michigan.
When new student Andrew Stormant arrives at Blair’s school, he brings a welcomed distraction to Blair’s reality. Except, he’s so focused on studying he doesn’t have time to notice girls. Handsome and mysterious, Blair can’t help feeling attracted to him the first time she sees him. He seems like someone she can trust, someone she can find comfort in. She resolves to get his attention by picking on him, a tactic that forces Andrew to take notice of her. Sensing there is more than meets the eye, Andrew meets Blair’s antics with compassion instead of cruelty.
Feeling unworthy of love after years of abuse and neglect, Blair is unsure of how to respond to Andrew’s kindness. If she accepts it, she invites the possibility of revealing her vulnerability and risks getting hurt. If she rejects it, he will never know her true feelings. Blair must choose between trusting Andrew and having a chance at love or continue living the troubled, lonely existence she has been. And while she fantasizes about a better life after graduation, Blair has to make it through her senior year first. With classmates who like to bully her, her parents’ abuse, and internal feelings of inadequacy to change her circumstances, Blair will have to dig deep if she hopes to overcome the obstacles in the way of her happiness—including herself.
Whether it’s for telling a teacher off or punching the boy who harasses her, seventeen-year-old Blair Simons is used to getting into trouble at school. Anxious and lonely, Blair doesn’t trust many people as a result of being physically and emotionally abused and neglected by her parents at home. In her senior year of high school, Blair wants nothing more than to graduate and move out of her parents’ home in small-town Michigan.
When new student Andrew Stormant arrives at Blair’s school, he brings a welcomed distraction to Blair’s reality. Except, he’s so focused on studying he doesn’t have time to notice girls. Handsome and mysterious, Blair can’t help feeling attracted to him the first time she sees him. He seems like someone she can trust, someone she can find comfort in. She resolves to get his attention by picking on him, a tactic that forces Andrew to take notice of her. Sensing there is more than meets the eye, Andrew meets Blair’s antics with compassion instead of cruelty.
Feeling unworthy of love after years of abuse and neglect, Blair is unsure of how to respond to Andrew’s kindness. If she accepts it, she invites the possibility of revealing her vulnerability and risks getting hurt. If she rejects it, he will never know her true feelings. Blair must choose between trusting Andrew and having a chance at love or continue living the troubled, lonely existence she has been. And while she fantasizes about a better life after graduation, Blair has to make it through her senior year first. With classmates who like to bully her, her parents’ abuse, and internal feelings of inadequacy to change her circumstances, Blair will have to dig deep if she hopes to overcome the obstacles in the way of her happiness—including herself.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2026
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy
4.5 ⭐️ *ARC Review* Two young souls find a sweet, tender love that breaks away from the usual girl meets bad boy trope. Andrew is genuine, patient, and deeply caring. He enters Blair’s life when she needs him most. As she endures mistreatment at school and at home, her mental health suffers, causing her to act out. But Andrew looks beyond the surface and truly sees her. What unfolds is a beautiful, unconditional love filled with heart tugging emotional moments. Stories like this remind you that YA romance can still resonate deeply, no matter your age.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If it all fades away, what do you want remembered? Blair has her fair share to forget and sort, but also moments shaped for recall.
A well-structured and paced story with the full swathe of expected teen tropes: the new boy, the girl full of self-angst and no smooth path for either, all bubbling inside and outside a multifaceted Catholic school and a hostile home environment. Lead and secondary characters are well crafted with credible complexities. The themes of teen exploratory sex and harassment mix fluidly with study hall and time spent in church.
The back and side stories are slotted in as best fits, where they enhance the read. The writing style, however, includes passive sections that may impact the reading experience.
Overall, there are plenty of strongly written scenes that have physical and emotional resonance to carry the reader through the journey. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A well-structured and paced story with the full swathe of expected teen tropes: the new boy, the girl full of self-angst and no smooth path for either, all bubbling inside and outside a multifaceted Catholic school and a hostile home environment. Lead and secondary characters are well crafted with credible complexities. The themes of teen exploratory sex and harassment mix fluidly with study hall and time spent in church.
The back and side stories are slotted in as best fits, where they enhance the read. The writing style, however, includes passive sections that may impact the reading experience.
Overall, there are plenty of strongly written scenes that have physical and emotional resonance to carry the reader through the journey. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sometimes simple is better, and that’s exactly what worked here. If It All Fades Away isn’t pretending to be something it’s not — the writing is simple, but the character depth runs deep. I enjoyed this read far more than I realised; after finishing, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
The story is messy, real, and young in the best way. There were so many moments where I just wanted to hug the MCs. The author did a great job creating layered characters with flaws and realistic responses. No one was perfect, which, let’s face it, feels true to real life.
The ending was satisfying, healing, and necessary all at once. A five-star read for me. Check content warnings, as this book does explore darker themes.
The story is messy, real, and young in the best way. There were so many moments where I just wanted to hug the MCs. The author did a great job creating layered characters with flaws and realistic responses. No one was perfect, which, let’s face it, feels true to real life.
The ending was satisfying, healing, and necessary all at once. A five-star read for me. Check content warnings, as this book does explore darker themes.
March 21, 2026
I received an ARC of If It All Fades Away by Myra King thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a dark, yet surprisingly sweet, high school romance. There was significant character growth in the female lead, but the backslide really bothered me. It made sense but I wanted to scream when I was reading it. The love interest is too kind for this world. I love him. I really enjoyed the tension throughout the book and how it pushes and pulls the characters to make difficult choices. Very well written and I definitely recommend.
This was a dark, yet surprisingly sweet, high school romance. There was significant character growth in the female lead, but the backslide really bothered me. It made sense but I wanted to scream when I was reading it. The love interest is too kind for this world. I love him. I really enjoyed the tension throughout the book and how it pushes and pulls the characters to make difficult choices. Very well written and I definitely recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3 ⭐️
Arc Review from Booksirens
As Blair endures abuse and bullying both at school and in her home, her mental health suffers. The bullied becomes the bully, and Blair starts to act out. During the last months of her senior year, Andrew comes into Blairs life, and is the first person to truly see Blair's heart, not just what she shows people. This book was a beautiful heart tugging YA romance, slow start, strong finish!!
Arc Review from Booksirens
As Blair endures abuse and bullying both at school and in her home, her mental health suffers. The bullied becomes the bully, and Blair starts to act out. During the last months of her senior year, Andrew comes into Blairs life, and is the first person to truly see Blair's heart, not just what she shows people. This book was a beautiful heart tugging YA romance, slow start, strong finish!!
April 7, 2026
4* - ARC READ.
Very fast read. Could not put it down!
A troubled high school senior falls in love with a compassionate new student who helps her navigate life and her parents' abuse.
Was hooked.
4* - ARC READ.
Very fast read. Could not put it down!
Emotional book. Pulled at heart strings but foroughly enjoyed the book over all.
Very fast read. Could not put it down!
A troubled high school senior falls in love with a compassionate new student who helps her navigate life and her parents' abuse.
Was hooked.
4* - ARC READ.
Very fast read. Could not put it down!
Emotional book. Pulled at heart strings but foroughly enjoyed the book over all.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews