This was a difficult book for me. I had never read this author before so I had no expectations for the story. The first 30% of the book was the hardest for me to get through. I had a lot of memories to work through. I had to go slow and take breaks with other books. I always came back, though. I was invested in the children of this book. All of them, not just Emma, Gracie and Izzy. Their story is heartbreaking and compelling. Sadly, it is a realistic one. If you haven’t known abuse, you may think the author is over the top. Maybe. The book is fiction. Abuse does happen, though. You may think that no one could get away with doing those things to their children. It is harder in some places, today, but it still happens. Even here in the USA where we like to believe that we protect our young. How many times have you questioned someone at the park about a child’s injuries? How many times do you accept your neighbor saying, “she is clumsy,” or, “he likes to roughhouse.”? How many times has your child mentioned a classmates injury and you just said, “that’s too bad.”. See how easy it is? Yes, after too many injuries, we may start whispering about it or possibly ask a deeper question. What happens then? They move. “A better job in a different state.” “Moving back with family.” “Buying a house.” Then it can start all over. This book will open your eyes to a very real problem around the globe. Children are the future. They should be valued not damaged.
I really liked Emma. I liked how the author took us inside her head and heart. I also liked the glimpse into Gracie. If I had a wish for this book, it would be for a companion book of Gracie’s journal. The story gripped me. After I got past the first 30%, I found myself eager to know what was going to happen next. I was hoping for a better life for Emma and Gracie. I won’t give away anything by saying more on the plot twists. There are several. They were surprising to me. The last 70% of the book was easier for me to read. It actually went fast because I didn’t want to put it down. A problem I had with it concerns Izzy. I found myself confused on time passing with her character. I felt like it went too fast and became easily confused about her age. It tripped me up a little.
Please heed the warning of the graphic nature of this book. It is not for everyone. If it is not something you can handle, then, pass it up. If you aren’t certain, please get the sample or check with your library. I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. All opinions expressed are my honest feelings regarding the book. At first I wasn’t certain I wanted to read another book by the author, (due to the explicit scenes). Now though, after having time to breathe and reflect, I think I will. I know what to expect and I know to give myself time. I think the author will captivate me with another heart searing, emotional, gripping read. Give the author a try. I would say, if you do but find yourself thinking it is a DNF, stay with the story until after the 30% mark before deciding if you can or can’t finish it. It is brutal but the author does let you breathe. ( )

This is the second book I read by Paige Dearth, the first being Believe Like a Child. I did not find this book as enjoyable.

In Believe Like a Child, I was really rooting for the main character because she was so strong. I felt like it was the opposite in this book. I found Emma to be very irritating, and I think she very much played the victim. Everything that went wrong came back to how her childhood was, and I found that I disliked her very much. I didn't know how to relate to her as a person. At first I was sympathetic to her character because she had such a rough childhood, then she just starts murdering people, and I was like, wtf. First her father, okay he abused you, this one I can write off as self defense. Then the next guy her mom brings home Jake, who also abused her, so okay fine I can look past that too. Then she seems to find herself a vigilante of sorts who kills people who are doing wrong, according to her. I'm not saying that the people she killed didn't necessarily deserve it, but at a certain point you have to look at her and be like, this isn't self defense anymore this is just you being sick.

I also didn't know what type of book this was I was reading, which is entirely my fault for not looking into the categorization of the book beforehand. I wrongly assumed it would be like Believe like a Child, sort of a fictional story that could be based on real events. However while I was reading it I wasn't convinced, it was almost like the author tried to make it a romance novel in the middle with the very sexual nature of the book.

Another thing that took me off guard is that the author seemed to think "oh hey I'll just throw part of Alessa's story in this book to sort of connect them" which would have been fine if she had put a hint of Emma in Believe like a Child. However with the thorough job the author did explaining everything about Alessa's life I found it hard that she would have skipped over meeting Emma if it hadn't been an afterthought of the author trying to connect the two story lines. ( )

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
When Smiles Fade" will break your heart, especially in the beginning. Poor Emma suffers horrible beatings at the hands of her father Pepper Murphy. She also gets verbally abused by her mother. When Emma becomes a teenager, she takes matters into her own hands. Then Emma is on the long road toward redemption.

Paige Dearth's writing is realistic and raw. She has violence in her book, but it is not gratuitous. Her characters can bring out real emotion in the reader. I hated Emma's mother and father. I cried for Emma. This book will put you through the emotional wringer. ( )

When Smiles Fade (Paige Dearth)

Emma Murphy was unloved from the day she was born. Brutally abused by her father Pepper, and verbally abused by her mother Valerie. She wants to protect her younger sister Gracie, she can not even think of her sister going through what she did.

As Emma matures the memories of her abuse haunt her, they hound her to no end. Soon she has a vengeance, she no longer wants to be the victim. She takes off and hopes to begin a new life. Along the way she makes new friends, learns that trust is something earned not given.

She finds it is not easy to be young and on her own, but with her hatred of her father and mother she hardens her heart and does what she must to survive.

A very emotional read. We are brought into the mind of Young Emma by Paige Dearths masterful writing, with vivid and often graphic detail I could actually feel what Emma was going through. ( )

'When Smiles Fade' is a riveting tale of, primarily, to sister who suffered atrocities at the cruel hands of parents who were meant to love and nurture them. Though constantly belittled and told the abuse was their fault, the eldest sister, Emma grew to know the abuse had nothing to do with the girls own actions. For a very short time an elderly neighbor offered love and praise..much too short of a time.
Emma was the care taker of her younger sister. Gracie. Emma suffered more abuse than she normally would have to bear to spare her sister.
The beatings got increasingly worse as she got older until she felt short of death, nothing could get worse ...or so she thought.
It was getting almost impossible to protect Gracie, but Emma felt she finally eliminated the threat to her sister. This solution didn't solve the problem. Emma & her new friend, Brianna were to a party one evening- when the unthinkable happened.
In desperation, Brianna, Emma & Gracie fled town to find a place the girls would be safer..or would they ever find safety?
This is a fast paced novel of a young girls effort to escape abuse and protect her sister. The resulting experiences and situations never cease. There are many unexpected twists.
The characters were clearly depicted, the background scenery was well portrayed.
The title picks up on a key phrase in the story but I am not firm in my acceptance of a good title for the story. The book cover is descriptive yet I feel is too limited to legitimately portray he main story.
The writing style was superb and never lacked adventure. It kept the reader eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
However, personally it was too sadistic and foul for my taste in books. I realize why the author used so much profanity and filthy language, along with quite explicit sex scenes, yet the point could have been clearly made without the crudeness and many more conservative readers would have read and appreciated the story.
Personally, I believe those who are abused the worse are not turned in to the authorities because of fear and insecurities they are made to feel. Unfortunately, those who spank their children for wrong doing are often the ones turned in.
I was sent this book by the author for an honest review, of which I have given. ( )