I’ve had everything taken from me. Everything. This is all I have left. A story to tell. And I want you to tell it.
C. F. White
Fade to Blank
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Accused of a murder he didn’t commit, vilified celebrity Jackson Young enlists the help of rookie journalist, Fletcher Doherty, to clear his name and write his biography.
Jackson has a secret, though. One he must keep from becoming public. But Fletcher’s dreamy green eyes, Irish drawl, and effortless charm makes it hard to suppress those long-buried feelings, even if it could compromise his innocence.
Uncovering the murky past behind Jackson’s rise to fame, Fletcher grows closer to a man he’d once declared as talentless and their intense attraction starts to affect not only his professional integrity, but the life he’d made since moving to London.
Falling for the subject of his book could be fatal for Fletcher, and Jackson should know better than to trust a journalist.
Point of view:
3rd person. Alternating perspectives, not always by chapter but clearly defined.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
First – this is a Cliffhanger. I’m generally not a huge fan of Duets & Trilogies. Too many of them feel like single stories needlessly dragged out or chopped into smaller sections to become multiple books. However, after enjoying White’s District Line Trilogy, I was more than happy to dive into this one. While there is a lot of story to justify breaking this into parts – this does not stand on its own. Be prepared for multiple books/audios to get the whole story.
Second – I think this will best be enjoyed knowing that the romance is secondary to what is a strong and compelling mystery/suspense storyline with some well written thriller elements as well. I think if I had realized this going in I wouldn’t have been so frustrated by what I initially felt was a slow start and unsubstantiated vagueness on Jackson’s part. Once I shifted my perspective – I was completely immersed in this world and with Jax & Fletcher as individuals.
Set in 1999, White has weaved a complicated tale of murder, emotional turmoil, secret lives, and manufactured celebrity. In addition to the secrets Jackson is keeping there is an enormous amount of tension created by trying to evade the press and whoever is really responsible for Tallulah’s death. The main characters don’t know who they can trust and that extends to each other. Jackson & Fletcher are flawed yet quite relatable characters. In the background is a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. Slow burn is right, don’t expect any sexy times in book 1 of the series. Honestly, I didn’t miss it because the suspense aspect is so captivating.
I have already grabbed Hide to Seek and can’t wait to dive in.
Narration:
I already knew from the District Line series that Piers Ryman is absolutely phenomenal. He again expertly navigated a large cast of characters using a variety of accents and registers consistently throughout the book. I always knew who was talking whether the text indicated it or not.
I purchased the ebook, however I did receive a free copy of the audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
About the author:
Brought up in a relatively small town in Hertfordshire, C F White managed to do what most other residents try to do and fail–leave.
Studying at a West London university, she realised there was a whole city out there waiting to be discovered, so, much like Dick Whittington before her, she never made it back home and still endlessly search for the streets paved with gold, slowly coming to the realisation they’re mostly paved with chewing gum. And the odd bit of graffiti. And those little circles of yellow spray paint where the council point out the pot holes to someone who is supposedly meant to fix them instead of staring at them vacantly whilst holding a polystyrene cup of watered-down coffee.
Eventually she moved West to East along that vast District Line and settled for pie and mash, cockles and winkles and a bit of Knees Up Mother Brown to live in the East End of London; securing a job and creating a life, a home and a family.
After her second son was born with a rare disability, C F White’s life changed and it brought pen back to and paper after having written stories as a child but never had the confidence to show them to the world. Now, having embarked on this writing journey, C F White can’t stop. So strap in, it’s going to be a bumpy ride
You can connect with CF White here:
My Favorite Quotes
Everyone had abandoned him. He was nothing. Faded. Blank slate. Where the hell did he go from here? – Fade to Blank by @CFWhiteUK #Audiobook narrated by Piers Ryman #MM #RomanticSuspense #Mystery #EnemiesToLovers
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I’ve had everything taken from me. Everything. This is all I have left. A story to tell. And I want you to tell it. – Fade to Blank by @CFWhiteUK #Audiobook narrated by Piers Ryman #MM #RomanticSuspense #Mystery #EnemiesToLovers
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There was a pull. A tug. Something tying itself around Jackson and winding toward Fletcher. Something enveloping them both. – Fade to Blank by @CFWhiteUK #Audiobook narrated by Piers Ryman #MM #RomanticSuspense #Mystery #EnemiesToLovers
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Rellim Reads 