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Fade to Black
October 3, 2014
The happiest I’ve ever been in my life was when I was talking with you. This can’t be it.
Being reminded of this message on one of the worst night’s of my life is the definition of a silver lining. I’d been truly blocked on what to write for my next screenplay, but now I’m eager to plot out a romance born of online messages and flirty glances shared with my best friend’s older brother, Graham. I’m on fire to write about millennial messaging angst and give these characters the happily ever after that Graham and I never got.
Will it be good enough for a theatrical release? I hope so. But the writing is a struggle almost as soon as I start, and it only gets harder when Graham texts to say he’ll be in Los Angeles for three weeks.
He wants me to tour him around LA and though we’ve formed a loose friendship over the years at his family Christmases and backyard BBQs, our resurrected message threads bring everything up for me. It’s infuriating because he has no idea.
Graham is as calm, cool, and cocky as I remember from those summer trips to Old Orchard, and it has me wondering if any of it had been real. If it could be again. Or if like many things, the question of us is better left in the past.
The happiest I’ve ever been in my life was when I was talking with you. This can’t be it.
Being reminded of this message on one of the worst night’s of my life is the definition of a silver lining. I’d been truly blocked on what to write for my next screenplay, but now I’m eager to plot out a romance born of online messages and flirty glances shared with my best friend’s older brother, Graham. I’m on fire to write about millennial messaging angst and give these characters the happily ever after that Graham and I never got.
Will it be good enough for a theatrical release? I hope so. But the writing is a struggle almost as soon as I start, and it only gets harder when Graham texts to say he’ll be in Los Angeles for three weeks.
He wants me to tour him around LA and though we’ve formed a loose friendship over the years at his family Christmases and backyard BBQs, our resurrected message threads bring everything up for me. It’s infuriating because he has no idea.
Graham is as calm, cool, and cocky as I remember from those summer trips to Old Orchard, and it has me wondering if any of it had been real. If it could be again. Or if like many things, the question of us is better left in the past.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
June 16, 2026
Fade to Black by Emily Prescott was an easy 5 stars for me.
I was only about 30% in before my eyes started tearing up.
This story took me right back to growing up with AIM and MySpace, staying up way too late waiting for the next message to come through. Somehow, hours of messaging that could have been a ten-minute phone call felt so much bigger back then. Every notification carried hope, anxiety, excitement, and sometimes heartbreak.
Prescott captures that feeling perfectly.
This is a story full of heartbreak, insecurity, longing, separation, regret, miscommunication, and SO. MUCH. YEARNING. The emotional tension between the characters had me completely invested. I felt like I had a personal stake in what happened to them.
One of my favorite things about Fade to Black was its structure. The blend of past and present timelines, screenplay excerpts, and old message exchanges creates such a rich reading experience. Every piece adds another layer to the story and makes it incredibly easy to become emotionally attached to these characters and their journey.
I also appreciated that the romance never takes the easy route. The characters are forced to make real compromises and difficult choices if they want their relationship to grow. It felt refreshing to read a love story where personal growth and hard conversations mattered just as much as the chemistry.
If you’re a fan of second-chance romance, best friend’s older brother, emotional angst, unresolved feelings, and stories that make your chest ache, put this one on your TBR right now!
Thank you to Whimsy Words PR and Emily Prescott for the ARC.
I was only about 30% in before my eyes started tearing up.
This story took me right back to growing up with AIM and MySpace, staying up way too late waiting for the next message to come through. Somehow, hours of messaging that could have been a ten-minute phone call felt so much bigger back then. Every notification carried hope, anxiety, excitement, and sometimes heartbreak.
Prescott captures that feeling perfectly.
This is a story full of heartbreak, insecurity, longing, separation, regret, miscommunication, and SO. MUCH. YEARNING. The emotional tension between the characters had me completely invested. I felt like I had a personal stake in what happened to them.
One of my favorite things about Fade to Black was its structure. The blend of past and present timelines, screenplay excerpts, and old message exchanges creates such a rich reading experience. Every piece adds another layer to the story and makes it incredibly easy to become emotionally attached to these characters and their journey.
I also appreciated that the romance never takes the easy route. The characters are forced to make real compromises and difficult choices if they want their relationship to grow. It felt refreshing to read a love story where personal growth and hard conversations mattered just as much as the chemistry.
If you’re a fan of second-chance romance, best friend’s older brother, emotional angst, unresolved feelings, and stories that make your chest ache, put this one on your TBR right now!
Thank you to Whimsy Words PR and Emily Prescott for the ARC.
June 9, 2026
This was a fab, summery read, that I think will be PERFECT for beach trips and holidays!
I loved how much the LA setting was brought to life in this book, and how integral it was to Beverly's happiness and feeling at home. I felt like I had a personal stake in this, as I spent my honeymoon in California and this felt like going right back there, especially the description of a touristy Hollywood bus tour that felt identical to the one I went on with my husband.
I really related to Beverly's desire to stay true to her writing dreams, but also to Graham's reliance on routines and stability, in his work as a teacher and his relationships. (I'm a teacher and aspiring writer, go figure.) It was so lovely to watch them fall back in love with one another all over again, but also refreshing to read something where the characters had to actually make hard compromises if they wanted their relationship to grow. These characters didn't believe in fate or soulmates, making their fight for their relationship all the more significant and meaningful.
I thought the writing was gorgeous and loved the screenplay scenes, where we go to see how life impacted Beverly's writing, and it's clear that the author's experience as a screenwriter has been a massively valuable asset to this novel, also bolstered by her humour and quality Millennial throwbacks.
Thank you to WhimsyWordsPR for the advanced copy of this book, which was a pleasure to read. And to Emily Prescott, thank you so much for taking me back to LA with your writing; I had a great time!
4.5 ⭐️
I loved how much the LA setting was brought to life in this book, and how integral it was to Beverly's happiness and feeling at home. I felt like I had a personal stake in this, as I spent my honeymoon in California and this felt like going right back there, especially the description of a touristy Hollywood bus tour that felt identical to the one I went on with my husband.
I really related to Beverly's desire to stay true to her writing dreams, but also to Graham's reliance on routines and stability, in his work as a teacher and his relationships. (I'm a teacher and aspiring writer, go figure.) It was so lovely to watch them fall back in love with one another all over again, but also refreshing to read something where the characters had to actually make hard compromises if they wanted their relationship to grow. These characters didn't believe in fate or soulmates, making their fight for their relationship all the more significant and meaningful.
I thought the writing was gorgeous and loved the screenplay scenes, where we go to see how life impacted Beverly's writing, and it's clear that the author's experience as a screenwriter has been a massively valuable asset to this novel, also bolstered by her humour and quality Millennial throwbacks.
Thank you to WhimsyWordsPR for the advanced copy of this book, which was a pleasure to read. And to Emily Prescott, thank you so much for taking me back to LA with your writing; I had a great time!
4.5 ⭐️
July 8, 2026
FADE TO BLACK by Emily Prescott
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
If you love a sweet, slow-burn romance and the best friend’s brother trope, this one’s worth picking up.
Beverly has carried a crush on Graham for most of her life, and even years apart, she’s never truly forgotten him. Now living independently in Los Angeles, fate brings them back into each other’s lives, giving them a second chance to explore what could have been.
This was a quick, enjoyable read. I especially liked the dual past and present timeline, which added depth to Beverly and Graham’s relationship and made their journey feel more meaningful. The story also explored the difficult choices and sacrifices that come with growing up and finding your own path, making life altering decisions to acquire the happiness deserved.
The cozy atmosphere, paired with Beverly’s heartwarming relationship with her neighbor, made this an even more comforting read.
Thank you Emily Prescott and Fiona from Whimsy Words for the opportunity to enjoy this book. ☀️
#whimsywordspr
#fadetoblackromance
#emilyprescottauthor
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
If you love a sweet, slow-burn romance and the best friend’s brother trope, this one’s worth picking up.
Beverly has carried a crush on Graham for most of her life, and even years apart, she’s never truly forgotten him. Now living independently in Los Angeles, fate brings them back into each other’s lives, giving them a second chance to explore what could have been.
This was a quick, enjoyable read. I especially liked the dual past and present timeline, which added depth to Beverly and Graham’s relationship and made their journey feel more meaningful. The story also explored the difficult choices and sacrifices that come with growing up and finding your own path, making life altering decisions to acquire the happiness deserved.
The cozy atmosphere, paired with Beverly’s heartwarming relationship with her neighbor, made this an even more comforting read.
Thank you Emily Prescott and Fiona from Whimsy Words for the opportunity to enjoy this book. ☀️
#whimsywordspr
#fadetoblackromance
#emilyprescottauthor
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC received from Emily Prescott in exchange for honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
⚡BLURB⚡
October 3, 2014
"The happiest I’ve ever been in my life was when I was talking with you. This can’t be it."
Being reminded of this message on one of the worst night’s of my life is the definition of a silver lining. I’d been truly blocked on what to write for my next screenplay, but now I’m eager to plot out a romance born of Lookbook messages and flirty glances shared with my best friend’s older brother, Graham. I’m on fire to write about millennial messaging angst and give these characters the happily ever after that Graham and I never got.
Will it be good enough for a theatrical release? I hope so. But the writing is a struggle almost as soon as I start, and it only gets harder when Graham texts to say he’ll be in Los Angeles for three weeks.
He wants me to tour him around LA and though we’ve formed a loose friendship over the years at his family Christmases and backyard BBQs, our resurrected message threads bring everything up for me. It’s infuriating because he has no idea.
Graham is as calm, cool, and cocky as I remember from those summer trips to Old Orchard, and it has me wondering if any of it had been real. If it could be again. Or if like many things, the question of us is better left in the past.
⚡REVIEW⚡
Going into this novel I knew very little about it, other than guessing from the title it would have a film related element. Now I've read it, is it an Oscar nominee or a Razzie nominee?
100% an Oscar! This is a really cleverly worked plot, which sees Beverly, having just been dumped by her fiancé, reminded of her history with Graham, her best friend's brother, who danced around the edges of a relationship but never quite made it, several times over the years. Prior to that moment she has been experiencing writer's block, and it unleashes a torrent of creativity - she'll base her next screenplay on real life. What she doesn't expect is Graham to rent out the AirBnB next to her home, in order to spend three weeks in Hollywood with her. This was a wonderful story that combined flashbacks and current time, and chunks of Beverly's script as she's writing it. The concept of the written screenplay filling in gaps of Beverly and Graham's history was an incredibly clever way to show flashbacks, and it also showed a little screenwriting technique (which I appreciated, having studied a screenwriting module in my Creative Writing degree).
Beverly is a dreamer - the perfect person to survive Hollywood. Film and screenwriting is her life, and she has never stopped dreaming of the day she makes it big. She has a metaphorical "pie" she uses to evaluate her life - each pie piece, be it work, family, friendships, and so on - has a rating. And all of her pie is high scoring - except her love life. The reminder of Graham's messages has her spinning. He's the one who got away, several times over - and she's furious with him over it, when he first arrives at the house next door. They have a rocky start as they adjust to being in each others company again, but it's clear that old flames burn bright. She knows in her heart that she couldn't bear to leave Hollywood. It's where she needs to be with the work she does, it's where she wants to make the best name for herself, it's where she wants to make connections. But she also knows she wants Graham. So she almost refuses to dream when it comes to him, despite it being the thing she always does. She's prepared to let that part of her pie be unfulfilled, if it means the rest stay high. A compromise like that is almost unheard of for a dreamer - so I'm glad, that she snaps out of it.
Graham Owens is very solid, very serious, very dependable, and very predictable. When he begged Beverly to give him a chance, and she turned him down, he found someone else. And turned her down. And honestly, you want to bang both their heads together at points in the history you are privy to throughout the book. He's a country boy through and through, so seeing him in Hollywood as a tourist is thoroughly entertaining. The real change you start to see in Graham comes when he spots Beverly's pie diagram. He sees her differently, begins to finally open up to her and ultimately it allows him to assess his own pie. It then becomes a case of compromise for him too - will he drop other parts in order to allow his love life piece to rise up?
I really did enjoy this book, although it felt like the build up to the HEA took a longer time than it could have - I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Graham and Beverly in the East before it wrapped up. The final chapter though - absolutely perfectly executed. The continued theme of Beverly's love of film was threaded through it expertly and it is one of my favourite final scenes of all time. The epilogue too, was incredible. This is incredibly different to Emily Prescott's last book - but I loved it even more. It is a very clever, very endearing romcom. What more could you want?!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
⚡BLURB⚡
October 3, 2014
"The happiest I’ve ever been in my life was when I was talking with you. This can’t be it."
Being reminded of this message on one of the worst night’s of my life is the definition of a silver lining. I’d been truly blocked on what to write for my next screenplay, but now I’m eager to plot out a romance born of Lookbook messages and flirty glances shared with my best friend’s older brother, Graham. I’m on fire to write about millennial messaging angst and give these characters the happily ever after that Graham and I never got.
Will it be good enough for a theatrical release? I hope so. But the writing is a struggle almost as soon as I start, and it only gets harder when Graham texts to say he’ll be in Los Angeles for three weeks.
He wants me to tour him around LA and though we’ve formed a loose friendship over the years at his family Christmases and backyard BBQs, our resurrected message threads bring everything up for me. It’s infuriating because he has no idea.
Graham is as calm, cool, and cocky as I remember from those summer trips to Old Orchard, and it has me wondering if any of it had been real. If it could be again. Or if like many things, the question of us is better left in the past.
⚡REVIEW⚡
Going into this novel I knew very little about it, other than guessing from the title it would have a film related element. Now I've read it, is it an Oscar nominee or a Razzie nominee?
100% an Oscar! This is a really cleverly worked plot, which sees Beverly, having just been dumped by her fiancé, reminded of her history with Graham, her best friend's brother, who danced around the edges of a relationship but never quite made it, several times over the years. Prior to that moment she has been experiencing writer's block, and it unleashes a torrent of creativity - she'll base her next screenplay on real life. What she doesn't expect is Graham to rent out the AirBnB next to her home, in order to spend three weeks in Hollywood with her. This was a wonderful story that combined flashbacks and current time, and chunks of Beverly's script as she's writing it. The concept of the written screenplay filling in gaps of Beverly and Graham's history was an incredibly clever way to show flashbacks, and it also showed a little screenwriting technique (which I appreciated, having studied a screenwriting module in my Creative Writing degree).
Beverly is a dreamer - the perfect person to survive Hollywood. Film and screenwriting is her life, and she has never stopped dreaming of the day she makes it big. She has a metaphorical "pie" she uses to evaluate her life - each pie piece, be it work, family, friendships, and so on - has a rating. And all of her pie is high scoring - except her love life. The reminder of Graham's messages has her spinning. He's the one who got away, several times over - and she's furious with him over it, when he first arrives at the house next door. They have a rocky start as they adjust to being in each others company again, but it's clear that old flames burn bright. She knows in her heart that she couldn't bear to leave Hollywood. It's where she needs to be with the work she does, it's where she wants to make the best name for herself, it's where she wants to make connections. But she also knows she wants Graham. So she almost refuses to dream when it comes to him, despite it being the thing she always does. She's prepared to let that part of her pie be unfulfilled, if it means the rest stay high. A compromise like that is almost unheard of for a dreamer - so I'm glad, that she snaps out of it.
Graham Owens is very solid, very serious, very dependable, and very predictable. When he begged Beverly to give him a chance, and she turned him down, he found someone else. And turned her down. And honestly, you want to bang both their heads together at points in the history you are privy to throughout the book. He's a country boy through and through, so seeing him in Hollywood as a tourist is thoroughly entertaining. The real change you start to see in Graham comes when he spots Beverly's pie diagram. He sees her differently, begins to finally open up to her and ultimately it allows him to assess his own pie. It then becomes a case of compromise for him too - will he drop other parts in order to allow his love life piece to rise up?
I really did enjoy this book, although it felt like the build up to the HEA took a longer time than it could have - I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Graham and Beverly in the East before it wrapped up. The final chapter though - absolutely perfectly executed. The continued theme of Beverly's love of film was threaded through it expertly and it is one of my favourite final scenes of all time. The epilogue too, was incredible. This is incredibly different to Emily Prescott's last book - but I loved it even more. It is a very clever, very endearing romcom. What more could you want?!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
First of all, thank you to whimsywordspr and Emily Prescott for the ARC copy of this book.
What happens when you think your life is exactly where it's supposed to be only to have everything change in an instant?
Beverly knows that feeling all too well. Living in Los Angeles, she has built a successful career writing stories and selling scripts. She also has a fiancé and a future that seems carefully planned, but when that future suddenly falls apart, Beverly is forced to reevaluate not only her life but also the choices that brought her here.
Just when she feels lost, someone from her past reappears.
Graham, her best friend's brother and longtime crush, is back in her life. Their history is complicated, marked by heartbreak, missed opportunities and feelings neither of them ever truly left behind. As they reconnect, they are faced with a new challenge: distance. Beverly's life is in Los Angeles while Graham remains in their hometown which forces them to decide whether what they have is worth fighting for.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was the relationship between Beverly and Graham. Their banter felt natural and filled with years of history but it was also layered with fear/vulnerability, and the pain of past mistakes.
I also loved all the movie references sprinkled throughout the story and getting an inside look into Beverly's journey as a screenwriter. As someone who enjoys seeing characters pursue their passions, I found that aspect especially engaging.
Fade to Black is a sweet second-chance romance about heartbreak, healing, taking risks, and finding the courage to choose love.
If you enjoy best friend's brother romances, second chances, long-distance relationships, movie references, and characters finding their way back to each other, I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR. 🎬✨
What happens when you think your life is exactly where it's supposed to be only to have everything change in an instant?
Beverly knows that feeling all too well. Living in Los Angeles, she has built a successful career writing stories and selling scripts. She also has a fiancé and a future that seems carefully planned, but when that future suddenly falls apart, Beverly is forced to reevaluate not only her life but also the choices that brought her here.
Just when she feels lost, someone from her past reappears.
Graham, her best friend's brother and longtime crush, is back in her life. Their history is complicated, marked by heartbreak, missed opportunities and feelings neither of them ever truly left behind. As they reconnect, they are faced with a new challenge: distance. Beverly's life is in Los Angeles while Graham remains in their hometown which forces them to decide whether what they have is worth fighting for.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was the relationship between Beverly and Graham. Their banter felt natural and filled with years of history but it was also layered with fear/vulnerability, and the pain of past mistakes.
I also loved all the movie references sprinkled throughout the story and getting an inside look into Beverly's journey as a screenwriter. As someone who enjoys seeing characters pursue their passions, I found that aspect especially engaging.
Fade to Black is a sweet second-chance romance about heartbreak, healing, taking risks, and finding the courage to choose love.
If you enjoy best friend's brother romances, second chances, long-distance relationships, movie references, and characters finding their way back to each other, I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR. 🎬✨
July 1, 2026
When you are dealing with the worst writer's block of your career, and your ultimate childhood crush suddenly rents the house next door for three weeks...
Fade to Black by Emily Prescott is a fantastic contemporary romance that had me hooked from start to finish. If you are a fan of second-chance love stories that completely pull at your heartstrings, you need to add this to your reading list immediately. It beautifully tackles the best friend’s older brother’s trope, mixing years of unspoken yearning with a healthy dose of nostalgia that hits just right.
This story centers on Beverly, a driven screenwriter who finds inspiration for her next project by revisiting old, forgotten messenger chats with Graham, her best friend's older brother. Because they grew up together, they have this immediate, unspoken connection the moment he shows up in LA, and with so many years of shared history and missed connections, it just made their slow burn feel so incredibly real. What really made this book stand out to me was the unique formatting. Emily Prescott brilliantly weaves bits of Beverly’s actual movie script and millennial messaging angst into the present-day narrative, giving the characters' backstory a wonderful amount of depth.
While they definitely have some communication hurdles to clear, which admittedly had me wanting to shake them both a few times, their chemistry is so natural and believable that you cannot help but root for them to finally figure things out. It is a sweet, cozy, and highly entertaining read about growth, compromise, and finding the courage to take a chance on love when the timing is finally right. It is absolutely perfect for a weekend read.
Thank you so much to Emily Prescott and Whimsy Words PR for providing me with my ARC. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Fade to Black by Emily Prescott is a fantastic contemporary romance that had me hooked from start to finish. If you are a fan of second-chance love stories that completely pull at your heartstrings, you need to add this to your reading list immediately. It beautifully tackles the best friend’s older brother’s trope, mixing years of unspoken yearning with a healthy dose of nostalgia that hits just right.
This story centers on Beverly, a driven screenwriter who finds inspiration for her next project by revisiting old, forgotten messenger chats with Graham, her best friend's older brother. Because they grew up together, they have this immediate, unspoken connection the moment he shows up in LA, and with so many years of shared history and missed connections, it just made their slow burn feel so incredibly real. What really made this book stand out to me was the unique formatting. Emily Prescott brilliantly weaves bits of Beverly’s actual movie script and millennial messaging angst into the present-day narrative, giving the characters' backstory a wonderful amount of depth.
While they definitely have some communication hurdles to clear, which admittedly had me wanting to shake them both a few times, their chemistry is so natural and believable that you cannot help but root for them to finally figure things out. It is a sweet, cozy, and highly entertaining read about growth, compromise, and finding the courage to take a chance on love when the timing is finally right. It is absolutely perfect for a weekend read.
Thank you so much to Emily Prescott and Whimsy Words PR for providing me with my ARC. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fade to black by Emily Prescott is a heartwarming novel. One can experience a lot of nostalgia while reading it. The plot and the characters are interesting, it can keep you hooked till the end. The writing style is poetic and there were moments where I was in awe of certain scenes. The dual timeline was portrayed in a unique way and I enjoyed that part a lot. The trope of Best friend's brother and the complexities of getting involved in it were executed well and I enjoyed reading the relationship growth between Beverly and Graham.
Beverly as a female lead came across as a relatable character and one can understand her conflict well. Her relationship dynamics with her best friend Jenna and the bond between them was intriguing throughout the story. Her urge to have a full pie was an understandable concept and it was a deep metaphor which can make one think about life from different perspective. Her professional growth as a screenplay writer was amazing. Her friendship with holly was heartwarming and I loved their scenes.Her relationship with Graham and their banter was the highlight of this story. How they developed their bond and overcame their insecurities was written really well.
Graham though came across as a sorted character but had a lot of depth in his personality. I enjoyed reading their messages and it was emotional to read their flashbacks.
Helen was my favorite side character and was adorable. This story was filled with love, nostalgia, banter and the irresistible Chemistry between the main leads.
Overall I enjoyed this story a lot and it was an amazing experience to read such a unique story.
Beverly as a female lead came across as a relatable character and one can understand her conflict well. Her relationship dynamics with her best friend Jenna and the bond between them was intriguing throughout the story. Her urge to have a full pie was an understandable concept and it was a deep metaphor which can make one think about life from different perspective. Her professional growth as a screenplay writer was amazing. Her friendship with holly was heartwarming and I loved their scenes.Her relationship with Graham and their banter was the highlight of this story. How they developed their bond and overcame their insecurities was written really well.
Graham though came across as a sorted character but had a lot of depth in his personality. I enjoyed reading their messages and it was emotional to read their flashbacks.
Helen was my favorite side character and was adorable. This story was filled with love, nostalgia, banter and the irresistible Chemistry between the main leads.
Overall I enjoyed this story a lot and it was an amazing experience to read such a unique story.
June 21, 2026
**Thank you to Emily Prescott for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
“If he wanted to, he would…”
Spanning decades, from childhood friends to adults on completely different paths, Fade to Black is a will they / won’t they romance filled with longing, nostalgia, heartbreak and hope.
Emily has captured Beverley and Graham beautifully, creating characters who feel authentic, flawed and totally relatable. Their story explores how the choices we make when we’re young can leave lasting impressions and how some connections never seem to fade, no matter how much time has passed.
I loved how Emily exposed the missed opportunities and unanswered questions. Beverley and Graham’s relationship is built on years of memories, unspoken feelings and the lingering wonder of what might have been. As their paths cross again, the story asks whether some people come back into our lives for a reason, or whether certain relationships are better left as memories.
The longing, the uncertainty, the frustration and the hope all felt incredibly real. I found myself becoming increasingly invested in whether these two could finally overcome the timing, distance and misunderstandings that had always seemed to stand between them.
Fade to Black is a thoughtful and emotional romance about second chances, growing up, and discovering whether love is something that simply happens to us or something we have to actively choose.
If you’re a romance reader who enjoys childhood connections, friends to lovers, missed chances and all the emotional turmoil that comes with it, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
“If he wanted to, he would…”
Spanning decades, from childhood friends to adults on completely different paths, Fade to Black is a will they / won’t they romance filled with longing, nostalgia, heartbreak and hope.
Emily has captured Beverley and Graham beautifully, creating characters who feel authentic, flawed and totally relatable. Their story explores how the choices we make when we’re young can leave lasting impressions and how some connections never seem to fade, no matter how much time has passed.
I loved how Emily exposed the missed opportunities and unanswered questions. Beverley and Graham’s relationship is built on years of memories, unspoken feelings and the lingering wonder of what might have been. As their paths cross again, the story asks whether some people come back into our lives for a reason, or whether certain relationships are better left as memories.
The longing, the uncertainty, the frustration and the hope all felt incredibly real. I found myself becoming increasingly invested in whether these two could finally overcome the timing, distance and misunderstandings that had always seemed to stand between them.
Fade to Black is a thoughtful and emotional romance about second chances, growing up, and discovering whether love is something that simply happens to us or something we have to actively choose.
If you’re a romance reader who enjoys childhood connections, friends to lovers, missed chances and all the emotional turmoil that comes with it, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
June 21, 2026
Fade to Black is a love letter to Hollywood, millennial nostalgia, and the kind of once-in-a-lifetime connection that never truly fades. It’s such a heartwarming read filled with longing, missed chances, and all the feels.
The story follows Beverly Mitchell, a successful screenwriter living in Los Angeles whose seemingly perfect life falls apart when her fiancé leaves her. Lost and creatively blocked, she finds herself revisiting the one story she never got closure on her feelings for Graham, her best friend’s older brother. Through memories, old conversations, and unexpected reunions, Beverly begins to question whether some stories deserve a rewrite.
When Graham unexpectedly visits LA, old sparks are reignited, bringing years of missed opportunities and unresolved feelings to the surface.
The chemistry between Beverly and Graham is built on history, longing, and years of missed timing. Their relationship isn’t based on instant attraction, it’s rooted in shared memories, inside jokes, and feelings that have quietly existed in the background for years. Emily Prescott captures yearning exceptionally well.
I liked the Hollywood setting, the way film and storytelling are used as metaphors for memory and romance. The Hollywood atmosphere and countless movie references reinforce that theme wonderfully and make the story feel incredibly cinematic.
✨ It’s a heartfelt romance for readers who love:
🎬 Hollywood settings
🍿 Pop culture and movie references
🖤 Best friend’s older brother romance
✨ Second chances
🥹 Stories overflowing with yearning
A beautifully nostalgic romance that reminds us that sometimes the stories we can’t let go of are the ones worth fighting for.
The story follows Beverly Mitchell, a successful screenwriter living in Los Angeles whose seemingly perfect life falls apart when her fiancé leaves her. Lost and creatively blocked, she finds herself revisiting the one story she never got closure on her feelings for Graham, her best friend’s older brother. Through memories, old conversations, and unexpected reunions, Beverly begins to question whether some stories deserve a rewrite.
When Graham unexpectedly visits LA, old sparks are reignited, bringing years of missed opportunities and unresolved feelings to the surface.
The chemistry between Beverly and Graham is built on history, longing, and years of missed timing. Their relationship isn’t based on instant attraction, it’s rooted in shared memories, inside jokes, and feelings that have quietly existed in the background for years. Emily Prescott captures yearning exceptionally well.
I liked the Hollywood setting, the way film and storytelling are used as metaphors for memory and romance. The Hollywood atmosphere and countless movie references reinforce that theme wonderfully and make the story feel incredibly cinematic.
✨ It’s a heartfelt romance for readers who love:
🎬 Hollywood settings
🍿 Pop culture and movie references
🖤 Best friend’s older brother romance
✨ Second chances
🥹 Stories overflowing with yearning
A beautifully nostalgic romance that reminds us that sometimes the stories we can’t let go of are the ones worth fighting for.
June 27, 2026
⭐⭐ 4.25/5 stars ⭐⭐
If you've read Henhouse and fell a little bit in love with Emily Prescott's writing, then Fade to Black is going to hit you just as hard. Possibly harder. I picked this up already a fan, and Emily did not let me down.
I am a sucker for a split timeline, and this one genuinely earns it. The history of Beverly and Graham unfolds through their messages, and the longing just seeps off the page... you don't just read it, you feel it. Beverly's feelings for Graham are so achingly real that I was fully invested before I even knew what was good for me. And when Graham got in that taxi? Reader, I had genuine, chest-tightening panic. No notes on the emotional devastation, it was entirely warranted.
The LA and movie-industry setting is such a vibe, and the little screenplay snippets woven throughout? Genuinely inspired. (Emily, I am formally requesting the full screenplay. Please. I will wait.)
Beverly herself is an absolute dreamer, the kind of creative soul who refuses to quit no matter how many times the world suggests she should, and I adored her for it. Graham, meanwhile, is predictable in the best possible way, steady, reliable, a walking green flag if ever there was one. The chemistry between them is palpable... everyone around them can clearly see it, which made the slow burn both delicious and deeply frustrating. The urge to either bang their heads together or simply lock them in a room for 24 hours was, at points, overwhelming.
Bring on the next book, Emily. You've got a fan in me.
Thank you to Emily Prescott for providing this ARC of Fade to Black in exchange for my honest review.
If you've read Henhouse and fell a little bit in love with Emily Prescott's writing, then Fade to Black is going to hit you just as hard. Possibly harder. I picked this up already a fan, and Emily did not let me down.
I am a sucker for a split timeline, and this one genuinely earns it. The history of Beverly and Graham unfolds through their messages, and the longing just seeps off the page... you don't just read it, you feel it. Beverly's feelings for Graham are so achingly real that I was fully invested before I even knew what was good for me. And when Graham got in that taxi? Reader, I had genuine, chest-tightening panic. No notes on the emotional devastation, it was entirely warranted.
The LA and movie-industry setting is such a vibe, and the little screenplay snippets woven throughout? Genuinely inspired. (Emily, I am formally requesting the full screenplay. Please. I will wait.)
Beverly herself is an absolute dreamer, the kind of creative soul who refuses to quit no matter how many times the world suggests she should, and I adored her for it. Graham, meanwhile, is predictable in the best possible way, steady, reliable, a walking green flag if ever there was one. The chemistry between them is palpable... everyone around them can clearly see it, which made the slow burn both delicious and deeply frustrating. The urge to either bang their heads together or simply lock them in a room for 24 hours was, at points, overwhelming.
Bring on the next book, Emily. You've got a fan in me.
Thank you to Emily Prescott for providing this ARC of Fade to Black in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Fade to Black is a beautifully nostalgic second-chance romance that perfectly captures the bittersweet ache of first love, missed opportunities, and the lingering “what ifs” that never quite leave us. It’s a story built on old messages, unresolved feelings, and the realization that sometimes the person you thought was firmly in your past may still have a place in your future.
One of the strongest aspects of this novel is its emotional authenticity. The premise of the heroine rediscovering old messages from Graham—her best friend’s older brother and the boy who unknowingly left a lasting imprint on her heart—immediately sets a reflective, wistful tone. Prescott does a wonderful job of portraying the way memories can be both comforting and painful, especially when they are tied to a version of yourself and a relationship that never had the chance to fully bloom.
The chemistry between the two leads is undeniably compelling. Their shared history, playful banter, and the tension created by years of unspoken feelings make their reconnection enjoyable to watch unfold. Graham’s confidence and charm contrast nicely with the heroine’s vulnerability and uncertainty, and their renewed friendship feels natural rather than forced. The inclusion of her screenplay—essentially using their almost-romance as inspiration—adds an interesting layer to the story, blurring the lines between art, memory, and reality.
I also appreciated how the book explored themes of timing and perception. The central question of whether Graham and the heroine’s past connection was real or simply romanticized over time gives the story an emotional depth beyond a standard romance. It captures the fear of reopening old wounds while also holding onto the hope that maybe the timing is finally right.
That said, while I found the romance heartfelt and engaging, I did feel that certain parts of the story could have benefited from a little more development. Some emotional revelations felt slightly rushed, and I would have loved more time spent exploring Graham’s perspective and his feelings about what happened between them years earlier. Given how much of the tension revolves around misunderstandings and things left unsaid, a deeper dive into his side of the story would have made the eventual payoff even more satisfying.
Overall, Fade to Black is a sweet, emotional, and nostalgic romance filled with longing, witty conversations, and the kind of quiet yearning that makes second-chance stories so addictive. Emily Prescott delivers a romance about remembering who you were, confronting what you lost, and discovering that sometimes the ending you imagined years ago might still be waiting to be written. It’s a heartfelt read that will especially appeal to fans of friends-to-lovers, best friend’s brother romances, and stories centered around missed chances and finding your way back to the person who always felt like home.
Fade to Black is a beautifully nostalgic second-chance romance that perfectly captures the bittersweet ache of first love, missed opportunities, and the lingering “what ifs” that never quite leave us. It’s a story built on old messages, unresolved feelings, and the realization that sometimes the person you thought was firmly in your past may still have a place in your future.
One of the strongest aspects of this novel is its emotional authenticity. The premise of the heroine rediscovering old messages from Graham—her best friend’s older brother and the boy who unknowingly left a lasting imprint on her heart—immediately sets a reflective, wistful tone. Prescott does a wonderful job of portraying the way memories can be both comforting and painful, especially when they are tied to a version of yourself and a relationship that never had the chance to fully bloom.
The chemistry between the two leads is undeniably compelling. Their shared history, playful banter, and the tension created by years of unspoken feelings make their reconnection enjoyable to watch unfold. Graham’s confidence and charm contrast nicely with the heroine’s vulnerability and uncertainty, and their renewed friendship feels natural rather than forced. The inclusion of her screenplay—essentially using their almost-romance as inspiration—adds an interesting layer to the story, blurring the lines between art, memory, and reality.
I also appreciated how the book explored themes of timing and perception. The central question of whether Graham and the heroine’s past connection was real or simply romanticized over time gives the story an emotional depth beyond a standard romance. It captures the fear of reopening old wounds while also holding onto the hope that maybe the timing is finally right.
That said, while I found the romance heartfelt and engaging, I did feel that certain parts of the story could have benefited from a little more development. Some emotional revelations felt slightly rushed, and I would have loved more time spent exploring Graham’s perspective and his feelings about what happened between them years earlier. Given how much of the tension revolves around misunderstandings and things left unsaid, a deeper dive into his side of the story would have made the eventual payoff even more satisfying.
Overall, Fade to Black is a sweet, emotional, and nostalgic romance filled with longing, witty conversations, and the kind of quiet yearning that makes second-chance stories so addictive. Emily Prescott delivers a romance about remembering who you were, confronting what you lost, and discovering that sometimes the ending you imagined years ago might still be waiting to be written. It’s a heartfelt read that will especially appeal to fans of friends-to-lovers, best friend’s brother romances, and stories centered around missed chances and finding your way back to the person who always felt like home.
June 21, 2026
Fade to Black by Emily Prescott
Emily Prescott's sophomore novel, Fade to Black, proves that Hen House was no fluke. In fact, I think this one goes toe-to-toe with her debut and may even edge ahead for me.
Told between the present day and flashbacks to a time when our main character, Bev, almost fell in love, this story is packed with missed opportunities, hidden feelings, near-misses, and all the emotional tension that makes you want to yell at the characters to just tell each other how they feel already.
The pacing never dips. Every chapter pulled me forward, and the characters felt incredibly real. Even characters I expected to dislike had depth and charm. The story gave me the same nostalgic feelings I had watching some of my favourite films growing up, like His Girl Friday and 10 Things I Hate About You.
What really stood out to me was the heart of the story. Bev's found family, the friendships she builds both back home and in Los Angeles, and her determination to chase the life she's always dreamed of made this such an emotional and uplifting read. The relationships felt authentic, messy, supportive, and full of life.
This is a nostalgic, feel-good romance filled with friendship, found family, second chances, and the kind of yearning that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
If you love Emily Henry's Happy Place or People We Meet on Vacation, you'll absolutely want to add this to your TBR. Better yet, skip the TBR and start reading it now.
A heartfelt, charming romance that reminded me why I love this genre.
Emily Prescott's sophomore novel, Fade to Black, proves that Hen House was no fluke. In fact, I think this one goes toe-to-toe with her debut and may even edge ahead for me.
Told between the present day and flashbacks to a time when our main character, Bev, almost fell in love, this story is packed with missed opportunities, hidden feelings, near-misses, and all the emotional tension that makes you want to yell at the characters to just tell each other how they feel already.
The pacing never dips. Every chapter pulled me forward, and the characters felt incredibly real. Even characters I expected to dislike had depth and charm. The story gave me the same nostalgic feelings I had watching some of my favourite films growing up, like His Girl Friday and 10 Things I Hate About You.
What really stood out to me was the heart of the story. Bev's found family, the friendships she builds both back home and in Los Angeles, and her determination to chase the life she's always dreamed of made this such an emotional and uplifting read. The relationships felt authentic, messy, supportive, and full of life.
This is a nostalgic, feel-good romance filled with friendship, found family, second chances, and the kind of yearning that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
If you love Emily Henry's Happy Place or People We Meet on Vacation, you'll absolutely want to add this to your TBR. Better yet, skip the TBR and start reading it now.
A heartfelt, charming romance that reminded me why I love this genre.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, Emily Prescott :)
I’m a very “pay attention to the details” girl. I’m also a very emotional person, so obviously I’ll be attached to this book for a while because first of all: it was my first ever ARC, and second of all I really enjoyed it! It’s been the perfect read before going on holiday and it just made my heart warm with nostalgia.
Screenwriter, Beverly, and her forever childhood crush, Graham. A love story that goes through stages of age: from young, raw, adventurous and fearless years; to a mature, deep and grounded end of story. Their love story goes through stages of stability, even when circumstances become difficult. A bit more quieter than a romantic obsession, but way deeper. A love story that allows both of them, Beverly and Graham, to remain fully themselves while building something shared.
Along this beautiful journey, you’ll get hugged by strong friendship, great movie recommendations, nostalgia and a fuzzy little feeling of wanting to read more.
My triggers
* Love can easily fade into comfort, if not nourished.
* Age, in majority of cases, dictates your priorities.
* The rawness of the youth era feeds the magic, until adulthood creeps in and steals it away.
* Nostalgia, you bittersweet little pain! The best and worst feeling when you start checking the memories box!
* Your dreams don’t have a deadline. Your dreams should always be chased.
I’m a very “pay attention to the details” girl. I’m also a very emotional person, so obviously I’ll be attached to this book for a while because first of all: it was my first ever ARC, and second of all I really enjoyed it! It’s been the perfect read before going on holiday and it just made my heart warm with nostalgia.
Screenwriter, Beverly, and her forever childhood crush, Graham. A love story that goes through stages of age: from young, raw, adventurous and fearless years; to a mature, deep and grounded end of story. Their love story goes through stages of stability, even when circumstances become difficult. A bit more quieter than a romantic obsession, but way deeper. A love story that allows both of them, Beverly and Graham, to remain fully themselves while building something shared.
Along this beautiful journey, you’ll get hugged by strong friendship, great movie recommendations, nostalgia and a fuzzy little feeling of wanting to read more.
My triggers
* Love can easily fade into comfort, if not nourished.
* Age, in majority of cases, dictates your priorities.
* The rawness of the youth era feeds the magic, until adulthood creeps in and steals it away.
* Nostalgia, you bittersweet little pain! The best and worst feeling when you start checking the memories box!
* Your dreams don’t have a deadline. Your dreams should always be chased.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed Fade to Black. This was such a well-written second chance romance, with all the almosts, missed timing, old feelings, and unresolved history that make the trope so satisfying.
Beverly and Graham’s relationship had so much depth because it wasn’t just about who they are now, but everything they had almost been to each other over the years. I loved the way their bond was shown through past moments, message threads, and the screenplay Beverly is writing, which takes inspiration from their own almost-romance. The script inserts were such a clever touch and gave us another way to understand Beverly’s feelings, her memories, and the complexity of what she and Graham had never quite managed to become.
I’ve really come to love second chance romances, especially when they show how life, bad timing, and other relationships can pull people in different directions before they eventually find their way back to each other. Beverly and Graham may very well be soulmates, but I appreciated that the story didn’t make love feel effortless. It still took communication, honesty, compromise, and a real willingness to make things work. Their dynamic had such lovely tension, and I was fully invested in seeing whether they could finally stop circling each other and take the chance they had missed before.
A thoughtful, heartfelt, and very enjoyable romance. I had such a good time with this one.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
Beverly and Graham’s relationship had so much depth because it wasn’t just about who they are now, but everything they had almost been to each other over the years. I loved the way their bond was shown through past moments, message threads, and the screenplay Beverly is writing, which takes inspiration from their own almost-romance. The script inserts were such a clever touch and gave us another way to understand Beverly’s feelings, her memories, and the complexity of what she and Graham had never quite managed to become.
I’ve really come to love second chance romances, especially when they show how life, bad timing, and other relationships can pull people in different directions before they eventually find their way back to each other. Beverly and Graham may very well be soulmates, but I appreciated that the story didn’t make love feel effortless. It still took communication, honesty, compromise, and a real willingness to make things work. Their dynamic had such lovely tension, and I was fully invested in seeing whether they could finally stop circling each other and take the chance they had missed before.
A thoughtful, heartfelt, and very enjoyable romance. I had such a good time with this one.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy
A massive thank you to the author Emily Prescott, and Fiona from Whimsy Words for this arc in return for my unbiased review.
Fade to Black is a sweet contemporary romance set in LA between talented screenwriter Beverly Mitchell and her unrequited childhood sweetheart Graham.
Graham and Beverly made a very sweet couple. At times they had me laughing, followed by wanting to bang my head against a wallbecause MISCOMMUNICATION PEOPLE! I loved the uniqueness of this book including a screenplay to break up the chapters, and that we got to see Graham and Beverly's past be retold through Beverly's eyes via her screenplay.
Zero spice in this one but plenty of attraction and sizzle between the two main characters.
I won't lie the third person present tense in the flashbacks were a little jarring for my brain. I think the reader was supposed to be picturing Beverly and Graham's history like it was a movie but it didn't work on the particular way my brain is wired for reading.
It's only a three star read for me because it's not a genre I chose to read, and it didn't have as much physicality as expected. HOWEVER! This book was easy to read, pacy and funny. A perfect summer read with a Old Fashioned (when you read it you'll see 😜) in the garden in the sun this summer.
Well done Emily Prescott 🖤
Fade to Black is a sweet contemporary romance set in LA between talented screenwriter Beverly Mitchell and her unrequited childhood sweetheart Graham.
Graham and Beverly made a very sweet couple. At times they had me laughing, followed by wanting to bang my head against a wallbecause MISCOMMUNICATION PEOPLE! I loved the uniqueness of this book including a screenplay to break up the chapters, and that we got to see Graham and Beverly's past be retold through Beverly's eyes via her screenplay.
Zero spice in this one but plenty of attraction and sizzle between the two main characters.
I won't lie the third person present tense in the flashbacks were a little jarring for my brain. I think the reader was supposed to be picturing Beverly and Graham's history like it was a movie but it didn't work on the particular way my brain is wired for reading.
It's only a three star read for me because it's not a genre I chose to read, and it didn't have as much physicality as expected. HOWEVER! This book was easy to read, pacy and funny. A perfect summer read with a Old Fashioned (when you read it you'll see 😜) in the garden in the sun this summer.
Well done Emily Prescott 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
Emotional depth, nostalgia, and slow-burn tension. Fade To Black by Emily Prescott is a tender, emotionally layered romance built around nostalgia, missed chances, and the complicated space between friendship and something more.
The story follows a writer reconnecting with feelings she thought she had buried, as old messages and memories resurface with the return of Graham—her best friend’s older brother and the one person tied to both her past and her unresolved emotions. The screenplay element adds a unique meta-layer to the narrative, blurring fiction and reality in a way that makes the emotional stakes feel even more personal.
The romance is slow, reflective, and emotionally charged rather than dramatic or chaotic. It focuses on hesitation, timing, and the fear of reopening something that was never fully defined in the first place. Graham’s calm, slightly distant presence contrasts beautifully with the narrator’s inner emotional turbulence, creating a quiet but compelling tension.
What stands out most:
* best friend’s older brother trope
* second-chance / almost-love dynamic
* slow-burn emotional romance
* nostalgic messaging/online connection element
* past vs present emotional conflict
* introspective, writer-coded storyline
It’s the kind of romance that feels soft but heavy at the same time—more about what was never said than what is.
The story follows a writer reconnecting with feelings she thought she had buried, as old messages and memories resurface with the return of Graham—her best friend’s older brother and the one person tied to both her past and her unresolved emotions. The screenplay element adds a unique meta-layer to the narrative, blurring fiction and reality in a way that makes the emotional stakes feel even more personal.
The romance is slow, reflective, and emotionally charged rather than dramatic or chaotic. It focuses on hesitation, timing, and the fear of reopening something that was never fully defined in the first place. Graham’s calm, slightly distant presence contrasts beautifully with the narrator’s inner emotional turbulence, creating a quiet but compelling tension.
What stands out most:
* best friend’s older brother trope
* second-chance / almost-love dynamic
* slow-burn emotional romance
* nostalgic messaging/online connection element
* past vs present emotional conflict
* introspective, writer-coded storyline
It’s the kind of romance that feels soft but heavy at the same time—more about what was never said than what is.
June 20, 2026
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 2/5
💧 Emotional: 5/5
Thank you to Emily Prescott and Whimsy Words PR for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fade to Black was my first book by Emily Prescott, and it completely pulled me into a story filled with heartbreak, longing, insecurity, missed chances, and emotional tension.
Beverly is a dreamer. Even after being dumped by her fiancé, she refuses to give up on her dream of making it as a screenwriter. I admired her determination and willingness to keep chasing the future she wanted, even when life seemed determined to knock her down.
Graham was such a compelling character. He’s dependable, steady, and predictable in all the best ways. As Beverly’s brother’s best friend, he’s spent years caring about her, wanting something more, and trying to move forward when she couldn’t see what was right in front of her.
The emotional tension between these two was incredible. The yearning, miscommunication, and unresolved feelings created a story that kept me completely invested. Every interaction carried the weight of what could have been and what might still be possible.
If you enjoy brother’s best friend romance, second chances, emotional slow burns, and stories packed with longing and heartache, Fade to Black is one you won’t want to miss.
🔥 Burn Level: 5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 2/5
💧 Emotional: 5/5
Thank you to Emily Prescott and Whimsy Words PR for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fade to Black was my first book by Emily Prescott, and it completely pulled me into a story filled with heartbreak, longing, insecurity, missed chances, and emotional tension.
Beverly is a dreamer. Even after being dumped by her fiancé, she refuses to give up on her dream of making it as a screenwriter. I admired her determination and willingness to keep chasing the future she wanted, even when life seemed determined to knock her down.
Graham was such a compelling character. He’s dependable, steady, and predictable in all the best ways. As Beverly’s brother’s best friend, he’s spent years caring about her, wanting something more, and trying to move forward when she couldn’t see what was right in front of her.
The emotional tension between these two was incredible. The yearning, miscommunication, and unresolved feelings created a story that kept me completely invested. Every interaction carried the weight of what could have been and what might still be possible.
If you enjoy brother’s best friend romance, second chances, emotional slow burns, and stories packed with longing and heartache, Fade to Black is one you won’t want to miss.
June 21, 2026
‘Fade to Black’ is one of the most romance yearning reads I’ve read and I’m not even mad about it because it kept me on my toes!
Bev is a firecracker of a character and I absolutely loved her sass and sarcasm, she made me giggle a lot. Here’s my top favourite quote from Bev: “Well, we can’t all pivot to producing like you, Steven. Some of us are only born with limited talents. Besides, I wouldn’t write off the entire romance genre just because it’s not in your wheelhouse.” Besides Bev’s sarcasm and sass, I admire how driven she is and the determination she had on her project. Graham’s another fantastic character, at first I couldn’t tell if he was a player but when I continued reading, it became clear he wasn’t. Graham and Bev are incredibly stubborn characters but the ending was satisfying!
As a whole, this book is lighthearted and cosy however it’s still got a kick to it, it has drama and it isn’t a straight forward romance, those kind of reads are my favourite! The screenplay scenes impressed me so much, it’s really helped bring this book to life, at the end there’s is a list of Bev's and Graham's favourite movies and I’m tempted to watch the ones I haven’t from that list.
Add this to you TBR if you fancy a yearning romance full of sarcasm and humour!
Bev is a firecracker of a character and I absolutely loved her sass and sarcasm, she made me giggle a lot. Here’s my top favourite quote from Bev: “Well, we can’t all pivot to producing like you, Steven. Some of us are only born with limited talents. Besides, I wouldn’t write off the entire romance genre just because it’s not in your wheelhouse.” Besides Bev’s sarcasm and sass, I admire how driven she is and the determination she had on her project. Graham’s another fantastic character, at first I couldn’t tell if he was a player but when I continued reading, it became clear he wasn’t. Graham and Bev are incredibly stubborn characters but the ending was satisfying!
As a whole, this book is lighthearted and cosy however it’s still got a kick to it, it has drama and it isn’t a straight forward romance, those kind of reads are my favourite! The screenplay scenes impressed me so much, it’s really helped bring this book to life, at the end there’s is a list of Bev's and Graham's favourite movies and I’m tempted to watch the ones I haven’t from that list.
Add this to you TBR if you fancy a yearning romance full of sarcasm and humour!
June 5, 2026
⭐️4.25 stars⭐️
Thank you to Whimsy Words PR & Emily Prescott for my ARC of Fade to Black. This review is in my own words!
Fade to Black is a fun friends to lovers & best friends brother love story! The main characters are Beverly, a screenwriter who wants to do a big theatrical release & Graham, Bev’s best friend’s brother who is an English teacher. Years ago Bev & Graham were constantly messaging through lookbook messenger, until one day Graham ghosts her. Now he’s in LA for a conference & needs a tour guide. Will they have their cute romantic comedy ending?
This book is very sweet. There is a lot of vulnerability throughout all of the chapters. I thoroughly enjoyed Bev’s character. She constantly feels out of place & while optimistic, expects the worst from people in her life. It’s refreshing to have a character with trust issues that is blunt.
My main issue is I felt like the build up of the romance was drawn out a bit long. It kinda made it confusing.
This is a no spice love story that has so many cute 2000s rom com moments & millennial messaging just like Facebook! It is a perfect quick read!
Thank you to Whimsy Words PR & Emily Prescott for my ARC of Fade to Black. This review is in my own words!
Fade to Black is a fun friends to lovers & best friends brother love story! The main characters are Beverly, a screenwriter who wants to do a big theatrical release & Graham, Bev’s best friend’s brother who is an English teacher. Years ago Bev & Graham were constantly messaging through lookbook messenger, until one day Graham ghosts her. Now he’s in LA for a conference & needs a tour guide. Will they have their cute romantic comedy ending?
This book is very sweet. There is a lot of vulnerability throughout all of the chapters. I thoroughly enjoyed Bev’s character. She constantly feels out of place & while optimistic, expects the worst from people in her life. It’s refreshing to have a character with trust issues that is blunt.
My main issue is I felt like the build up of the romance was drawn out a bit long. It kinda made it confusing.
This is a no spice love story that has so many cute 2000s rom com moments & millennial messaging just like Facebook! It is a perfect quick read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a sweet will they/won't they romance slowly developing over a span of many years & miles. Beverly has a crush on her best friend's brother. Graham has a crush on her too, but neither want to suffer his sister's wrath, so they keep their feelings secret. Instead they begin an intense online "messaging" friendship that slowly starts to build towards more. But before anything real can come of it, something always gets in the way and one of them always changes course. Despite many missed opportunities, years later, they still remain just friends. Now, years later, Bev is living in LA as a screenwriter and was recently dumped by her fiancé when Graham comes to visit her. Is their timing finally right? Can they finally have their love story despite the thousands of miles between them.
This is a light-hearted summer-type read, perfect for movie buffs, as there are a lot of movie and pop culture references. Also, some of the past history between the characters is told as a draft screenplay, which adds a unique element to the story. The author does a great job of highlighting Bev's life in LA and makes it sound fun and glamorous.
This is a light-hearted summer-type read, perfect for movie buffs, as there are a lot of movie and pop culture references. Also, some of the past history between the characters is told as a draft screenplay, which adds a unique element to the story. The author does a great job of highlighting Bev's life in LA and makes it sound fun and glamorous.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Just finished @emilyprescottwrites "Fade To Black" and what a refreshing read! 🥹
This book gave me a real summer vibes whilst also having me literally shaking my head and yelling at Graham's decisions 😂 IYKYK!
This was definitely a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me. I absolutely adored the way Emily wrote this book and really felt like I understood the characters, the angst and yearning and all the near-misses had me turning the pages as fast as I could to see what was going to happen.
I think what I really enjoy about this, is that it's actually such a REAL possible situation. The characters grow up together and go through life with twists and turns and issues they have to face, it's not just a simple boy-meets-girl...
But the addition of Helen's character? 🥺 I'm a true Helen fan now!!!
And, totally aside from the storyline - the mention of so many films! Every single time a film name was mentioned I was like OMG I LOVE THAT FILM! So I will now, be needing at some point to work through that watchlist 😂🙌🏻
Thank you to Emily and as always to @whimsywordspr for this ARC, and if this sounds like your vibe - it's coming very soon! 😍 Release day: 20/6/2026 ✨
This book gave me a real summer vibes whilst also having me literally shaking my head and yelling at Graham's decisions 😂 IYKYK!
This was definitely a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me. I absolutely adored the way Emily wrote this book and really felt like I understood the characters, the angst and yearning and all the near-misses had me turning the pages as fast as I could to see what was going to happen.
I think what I really enjoy about this, is that it's actually such a REAL possible situation. The characters grow up together and go through life with twists and turns and issues they have to face, it's not just a simple boy-meets-girl...
But the addition of Helen's character? 🥺 I'm a true Helen fan now!!!
And, totally aside from the storyline - the mention of so many films! Every single time a film name was mentioned I was like OMG I LOVE THAT FILM! So I will now, be needing at some point to work through that watchlist 😂🙌🏻
Thank you to Emily and as always to @whimsywordspr for this ARC, and if this sounds like your vibe - it's coming very soon! 😍 Release day: 20/6/2026 ✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
Emily Prescott completely swept me away with this nostalgic, heartfelt second-chance romance.
At its core, this is a story about timing, dreams, and the people who quietly stay in your heart long after you’ve convinced yourself you’ve moved on. Beverly and Graham’s relationship unfolds across years of missed chances, growing pains, and personal ambitions, making their journey feel incredibly authentic. Rather than relying on fate or grand romantic gestures, the story explores what it really takes for two people to choose each other and build a future together.
The romance itself is tender, mature, and deeply emotional. Beverly and Graham are both forced to examine what they truly want from life, love, and their own personal dreams. Their growth as individuals made their connection even more meaningful.
Warm, reflective, and full of longing, this is the perfect book to read before a holiday or whenever you’re in the mood for a romance that balances nostalgia, ambition, friendship, and love. A beautifully written reminder that some stories aren’t about finding the right person they are about finding the right time.
At its core, this is a story about timing, dreams, and the people who quietly stay in your heart long after you’ve convinced yourself you’ve moved on. Beverly and Graham’s relationship unfolds across years of missed chances, growing pains, and personal ambitions, making their journey feel incredibly authentic. Rather than relying on fate or grand romantic gestures, the story explores what it really takes for two people to choose each other and build a future together.
The romance itself is tender, mature, and deeply emotional. Beverly and Graham are both forced to examine what they truly want from life, love, and their own personal dreams. Their growth as individuals made their connection even more meaningful.
Warm, reflective, and full of longing, this is the perfect book to read before a holiday or whenever you’re in the mood for a romance that balances nostalgia, ambition, friendship, and love. A beautifully written reminder that some stories aren’t about finding the right person they are about finding the right time.
June 15, 2026
I have mixed feelings about this book. There were some parts that I absolutely loved and others that just didn’t land for me. Beverly, our FMC, was wonderfully written. I really got a feel for her and connected with her self doubt and fears. Graham on the other hand, I felt I never properly got to know outside of what he meant to Beverly. There was a strong cast of well developed female side characters and I especially liked Helen. The thing I struggled most with through the book was the switch from first to third person during the flashback chapters. It took my brain a while to catch up each time there was a switch and it just took me out of the book slightly each time.
There was no spice at all (a few losses but nothing more) but honestly I didn’t feel like the story was missing anything because of it. The slow burn of Beverly and Graham’s relationship was so perfectly executed but they seemed to flit between being able to communicate really well to not talking at all which did get a little frustrating.
Overall this was a nice little fast paced summer read that I didn’t feel enjoy, but I’m just not sure it’s “my thing”.
There was no spice at all (a few losses but nothing more) but honestly I didn’t feel like the story was missing anything because of it. The slow burn of Beverly and Graham’s relationship was so perfectly executed but they seemed to flit between being able to communicate really well to not talking at all which did get a little frustrating.
Overall this was a nice little fast paced summer read that I didn’t feel enjoy, but I’m just not sure it’s “my thing”.
June 30, 2026
Reading Fade to Black felt like a love letter to the romance stories so many of us grew up with.
There are movie references woven throughout, old AIM messages that immediately transported me back in time, snippets from a screenplay, and a story told through both the past and present. It captures that nostalgic feeling of looking back at the moments that shaped us - and the people who never quite left our hearts.
Bev and Graham’s relationship unfolds over decades, with all the missed opportunities, growth, and learning that come with real life. Rather than an instant romance, this is a slow build that allows both characters to become the people they need to be before finding their way back to one another.
It reminded me a little of Before Sunrise and Sliding Doors, stories that ask what timing means, how small moments can change everything, and whether some connections are meant to endure despite the years.
If you love second-chance romances, millennial nostalgia, and stories that celebrate love stories themselves, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to Whimsy Words PR & the author for the ARC copy of this novel.
There are movie references woven throughout, old AIM messages that immediately transported me back in time, snippets from a screenplay, and a story told through both the past and present. It captures that nostalgic feeling of looking back at the moments that shaped us - and the people who never quite left our hearts.
Bev and Graham’s relationship unfolds over decades, with all the missed opportunities, growth, and learning that come with real life. Rather than an instant romance, this is a slow build that allows both characters to become the people they need to be before finding their way back to one another.
It reminded me a little of Before Sunrise and Sliding Doors, stories that ask what timing means, how small moments can change everything, and whether some connections are meant to endure despite the years.
If you love second-chance romances, millennial nostalgia, and stories that celebrate love stories themselves, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to Whimsy Words PR & the author for the ARC copy of this novel.
May 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fade to Black completely swept me away. When I say this book is romantic, I don’t mean romance in the typical tropey, surface-level way. The kind of romance that lingers in every conversation, every memory, every tiny moment between two people who never really stopped belonging to each other. Like ACTUALLY romantic (Okay Taylor Swift).
The entire vibe gave me Lorelai and Christopher in the absolute best way possible. They have a messy messy history, undeniable chemistry, timing that never seems fair, and the feeling that these two people are always going to orbit each other no matter what. Down to the Casablanca references… IYKYK. And personally? They should’ve been endgame, but I digress.
What really made this story stand out for me was how real the relationships felt, not just romantically but platonically too. The female friendships added so much heart to the story, and the slice-of-life storytelling made everything feel intimate and genuine. Also, Jenna is the perfect antagonist. The kind of character that makes you want to scream while also appreciating how well-written she is.
This book feels like late summer nostalgia, old feelings resurfacing, and realizing some loves never fully fade to black. This book comes out on June 20th and you do not want to miss it.
Fade to Black completely swept me away. When I say this book is romantic, I don’t mean romance in the typical tropey, surface-level way. The kind of romance that lingers in every conversation, every memory, every tiny moment between two people who never really stopped belonging to each other. Like ACTUALLY romantic (Okay Taylor Swift).
The entire vibe gave me Lorelai and Christopher in the absolute best way possible. They have a messy messy history, undeniable chemistry, timing that never seems fair, and the feeling that these two people are always going to orbit each other no matter what. Down to the Casablanca references… IYKYK. And personally? They should’ve been endgame, but I digress.
What really made this story stand out for me was how real the relationships felt, not just romantically but platonically too. The female friendships added so much heart to the story, and the slice-of-life storytelling made everything feel intimate and genuine. Also, Jenna is the perfect antagonist. The kind of character that makes you want to scream while also appreciating how well-written she is.
This book feels like late summer nostalgia, old feelings resurfacing, and realizing some loves never fully fade to black. This book comes out on June 20th and you do not want to miss it.
Review of advance copy
✨Arc Review✨3.5 Stars
Massive thank you to Whimsy Words PR and author Emily Prescott for my E ARC of Fade to Black🖤
❤️Second Chance Romance
🖤Best Friends Older Brother
❤️Slow Burn
🖤Friends to Lovers
This book felt very nostalgic, throwing it back to the days of messaging your teenage crush on MSN / Facebook Messenger and it never going anywhere 😂
There were quite a few millenial rom com references made throughout the book which added to the nostalgic feel of it all, I personally loved 'The Holiday' reference! ❤️
This book is split into two timelines of The Past and The Present with added scenes of the Screenplay the FMC is writing which i thought was pretty cool to see!
I loved the side characters, especially the nosey neighbour - loved seeing their relationship grow throughout the book.
While the slow burn in this book was a little too slow for my liking, overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what Emily rights next! ✨️
Massive thank you to Whimsy Words PR and author Emily Prescott for my E ARC of Fade to Black🖤
❤️Second Chance Romance
🖤Best Friends Older Brother
❤️Slow Burn
🖤Friends to Lovers
This book felt very nostalgic, throwing it back to the days of messaging your teenage crush on MSN / Facebook Messenger and it never going anywhere 😂
There were quite a few millenial rom com references made throughout the book which added to the nostalgic feel of it all, I personally loved 'The Holiday' reference! ❤️
This book is split into two timelines of The Past and The Present with added scenes of the Screenplay the FMC is writing which i thought was pretty cool to see!
I loved the side characters, especially the nosey neighbour - loved seeing their relationship grow throughout the book.
While the slow burn in this book was a little too slow for my liking, overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what Emily rights next! ✨️
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you are a millennial who ever messaged someone you fancied on MSN messenger, MySpace, or if you're a younger millennial, FaceBook Messenger, but it never went anywhere this book is for you. It's a great second chance romance, friends to lovers and the MMC is the best friend's brother. I loved all the characters, the side characters are great and really add to the story. I love the FMCs outlook on life and I found all the characters really relatable. They are both sensible in the search for romance but it makes the small romantic gestures hit harder. The book has chapters set in the past, and these are written in the third person and when I first started the book I found the flicking between first person and third slightly jarring. If you like watching rewatching 90s and 00s romcoms I think you will love this book.
May 26, 2026
Like a romcom, but better! 🌴☀️
Fade to Black is out on June 6th on KU and here’s why you should read it.
The story shifts from 3rd person flashbacks to 1st person present following the story of Beverly, a screenwriter who left her home town to pursue her dreams in Hollywood, but when she hits a writers block she decides to revisit an old story of hers and just rewrite the ending to how she wishes it would have gone. Then the ghost himself reappears in her life - but what if this time, it is different? When everything in life is thriving except the romantic slice of the pie, do you risk it? Or end up left behind again, giving away another part of yourself for someone who won’t make you a priority?
(Oh, and for clarity, there is no 🌶️ here, but a whole heap of slow burn and yearning that makes up for it!)
Fade to Black is out on June 6th on KU and here’s why you should read it.
The story shifts from 3rd person flashbacks to 1st person present following the story of Beverly, a screenwriter who left her home town to pursue her dreams in Hollywood, but when she hits a writers block she decides to revisit an old story of hers and just rewrite the ending to how she wishes it would have gone. Then the ghost himself reappears in her life - but what if this time, it is different? When everything in life is thriving except the romantic slice of the pie, do you risk it? Or end up left behind again, giving away another part of yourself for someone who won’t make you a priority?
(Oh, and for clarity, there is no 🌶️ here, but a whole heap of slow burn and yearning that makes up for it!)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC REVIEW OF FADE TO BLACK BY EMILY PRESCOTT -
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fade to Black is honestly the perfect recipe for a top-tier romance: you get the best friend’s older brother trope and intense mutual pining! I absolutely loved the banter between the Beverly and Graham. The mature discussion instead of a third-act breakup makes the whole book so much more readable for me! I loved the way the slow burn was written as it made the love feel more intense instead of frustrating. It starts out a little slow as the groundwork is laid, but once they are stuck next door to each other, I couldn't put it down. It is witty, emotional, and just a beautiful second-chance story. If you love a good Hollywood backdrop and agonizingly good chemistry, please add this to your summer TBR immediately!
I would love to thank Emily Prescott and Whimsy Words PR for the opportunity to be apart of the ARC team.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fade to Black is honestly the perfect recipe for a top-tier romance: you get the best friend’s older brother trope and intense mutual pining! I absolutely loved the banter between the Beverly and Graham. The mature discussion instead of a third-act breakup makes the whole book so much more readable for me! I loved the way the slow burn was written as it made the love feel more intense instead of frustrating. It starts out a little slow as the groundwork is laid, but once they are stuck next door to each other, I couldn't put it down. It is witty, emotional, and just a beautiful second-chance story. If you love a good Hollywood backdrop and agonizingly good chemistry, please add this to your summer TBR immediately!
I would love to thank Emily Prescott and Whimsy Words PR for the opportunity to be apart of the ARC team.
June 13, 2026
Fade to Black by Emily Prescott was exactly the kind of romance I have been craving lately. Thanks to Whimsy Words PR for this gifted copy. All opinions are mine. While it is marketed as a rom com, this one leans much more heavily into the romance, and that was refreshing for me at this point in my TBR😊. Beverly and Graham’s relationship develops at a realistic pace, making every moment between them feel genuine, sweet, and earned. The middle section slowed down a little for me, but the emotional payoff at the end was absolutely worth it because that ending was perfection y’all! What I loved most was how authentic the entire story felt, capturing the messiness, vulnerability, and hopefulness of real life in a way that made me completely invested. If you are tired of romances that feel rushed, Fade to Black should be your next read.
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