Fade to Blank

London Lies, Book 1

By: C F White

Narrated by: Piers Ryman

Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Fade to Blank is the first book in the London Lies trilogy set in 1999 and is a slow burn, enemies to lovers, hurt/comfort romantic suspense.

©2020 C F White (P)2020 C F White

Great story that keeps you on your toes!

This is not a fluffy fairytale. There’s no hearts and flowers. In fact, it starts off rather bleak. Not only can you picture it, but you can feel the despair Jackson feels, and picture the nonchalant mask he’s forced to put on in order to survive. He hasn’t had much to say, up until this point, but he knows just who to find, now that he’s decided he’s ready: Fletcher Doherty. //

This book is very well written. It consumed me through to the final page. There were quite a few surprises, and some bombs dropped. Some more shocking than others. It kept me on the edge of my seat more times than I would prefer, yet, I want more. The second book is going to be highly anticipated because I need to know what really happened! Ugh! The suspense is killing me, but I suspect the author knows exactly what was going to happen when she decided to end in a cliffhanger. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! //

Out of all the bad guys, and guys who just do bad things, I’m not sure who I dislike most - the obvious bad guys, Fletcher’s sleazy boyfriend, or the surprising betrayal near the end. All of them give justifiable reasons to dislike them. I hope karma is taking names. I know I am! //

This cannot be read as a stand-alone, as it ends with nothing resolved. It sets the scene for book two quite nicely. This is very much a slow burn. You will not find any hanky panky in this book, but you will witness some intimate moments between the main characters. I feel like the way their relationship has developed is genuine to the storyline. It just makes sense, and for that reason, alone, I’m okay with the heat level being a 1. If you were rating by kissing alone, the book would’ve caught on fire. I cannot wait for the next book! Pins and needles. Pins. And. Needles. //

Piers Ryman does a fantastic bringing this book to life. Having read the ebook before this came out, I already knew I loved it, but hearing it told by him enhanced the experience. He did such a good job portraying Jackson and Fletcher. You can hear the emotions through his voice, and I loved it!

Listened in one sitting

I received a free copy of this audio for my honest review

I absolutely loved this book and the moment I finished I immediately had to purchase book 2 and was sad to see book 3 wasn't out yet. I have a thing for enemies to lovers so this was right up my alley. It was a bit of a slow burn between the two main characters but it fit with the book.

I had a hard time with the narrator at first but by the second chapter it was no problem.

this is not a stand alone it is book 1 and ends on a partial cliffhanger

Excellent!!

This was excellent! I loved how it was set in 1999. I loved the hurt/comfort aspect of the story. Jackson is accused of a murder he did not commit, and he hires Fletcher to help him. As Fletcher starts unraveling Jackson's past, he starts to grow feelings for Jackson. I loved the twists and turns of the mystery. It was slow burn, high angst, and enemy to lover. Loved it!! Piers Ryman did a fantastic job with the narration!

I Liked It, Need More

I enjoyed the first book in the series and the beginning of the murder mystery. The story follows Jackson and Fletcher as they try to figure out who done it, and even though I didn't like Fletcher in the beginning, he grew on me throughout the book. Jackson's fall from grace was so real and the pain he felt when everyone turned away from him made him vulnerable and desperate. I liked character development and sparks of chemistry between Jackson and Fletcher, but I need more. Narrator did a good job telling this story, I felt his voices for both MCs were not very different but I learned to distinguish between them after few chapters. Fade to Blank was only the beginning of the murder mystery and I am looking forward to the next installment in London Lies to learn who did it and why.

I Need More !

This story follows Jackson and Fletcher . Jax is a celebrity accused of murder and trying to get his truth out to the world . Fletcher doesn't particulary like jax but is helping him to further his writing career . I felt really bad for jax considering he has no one in his corner . Ryman had a great english accent and a wonderful Irish accent.

The Cliffhangar left me wanting more

I really enjoyed Ms. White’s The District Line series. Two guys from opposite sides of the track trying to make it work. Well, Fade to Blank is also two guys from very different backgrounds – only this time there’s an element of mystery. Of suspense. Of, dare I say it, romantic suspense.

Fletcher is just an average reporter writing for an online gossip rag in late 1999. This book made me somewhat nostalgic, and wracking my brain for what technologies actually existed back then – only belatedly realizing it doesn’t really matter. I can’t remember what I ate for dinner last night, let alone when text messages became a thing. I was always about ten steps behind anyway, but I did work for a computer company just before Y2K. That was a thing.

Anyway, Fletcher is stuck in a dead-end job that he’s not really good at and certainly doesn’t enjoy. But it pays the bills. Or helps, anyway. He’s reliant on his much-older boyfriend Heston who is a bit of a pompous, arrogant, self-absorbed jerk. But that’s a whole other thing.

Then there’s Jackson. Child star, idol to many teenage girls - and maybe a few young gay boys. He’s had success beyond his wildest imagination, and his family has taken full advantage. That is until he’s accused of murder. The book starts with him being released from prison – but not because the authorities believe he’s innocent. No, they just don’t have enough evidence to prove guilt.

Fletcher wrote a scathing review of one of Jackson’s live theatre performances and Jackson hasn’t forgiven – or forgotten. But he also needs someone to write his side of the story – and Fletcher is just the man to do it.

The odd couple, to be sure. Neither trusts the other. Neither likes the other. And yet…

Okay, I only want to whet your appetite because I know there is so much more to come. There were a few turns in this book that I didn’t expect, and I can’t wait to see where the series goes next. Really well done for the mystery and that hint of romance.

Finally, Piers Ryman. He’s just perfect for these London stories and I’m so glad he and Ms. White have teamed up again. On to part two…

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Cliffhanger

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.

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.

Love it

So good, great story and good characters.
And with the always amazing Piers Ryman narrating. Very enjoyable and highly recommendable

A slow burn enemies to lovers romantic suspense!

Jackson Young is a famous actor and celebrity who has been accused for a murder he didn't commit. He needs to prove his innocence fast. So he enlists a rookie journalist to help clear his name and publish his side of the story.
Fletcher is an aspiring journalist.
He never thought in his wildest dreams that he would be growing close to a man he once thought was
talentless and undeserving of the fame he received. His growing feelings and intense attraction for Jackson, might wreck their professional relationship and even put the entire life he has built since he moved to London in jeopardy.

Jackson and Fletcher need to race against time to find the identity of the true murderer or will secrets kept between them tear up their budding relationship up first?

I absolutely loved the chemistry between Jackson and Fletcher. The mystery to find the identity of the killer was compelling.
If you like a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance with an interesting murder mystery thrown into the mix. You will love this one!

Piers Ryman performed an exceptional audio delivery as well!

amazing journey, more please

It was gutwrenching to see how the corrupt inner circle banned together to put out falsehoods and threats on Jax abd Fletcher. Major coverups. I was gutted and wrecked to see the lengths they went to to destroy an innocent man. I was overjoyed when Fletcher confronted Cam with their past when he tried to warn him off Jax. You can't preach false truths, especially when your feet are made of clay!! I enjoyed seeing the slow awakenings between Fletcher and Jax-it gave me warm and fuzzies all over. The big twist at the end made my heart feel lighter-karma or another coverup?? I need more now. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did an excellent job bringing it to life.