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Comets Fade With Summer
High school is hard enough without an imaginary friend you're falling in love with. . .
Social chameleon Halley Brighton thought she’d already found a way to shine in this world—by adjusting herself to reflect everyone else. But when a cross-country move leaves her ghosted by all of her friends, Halley learns how lonely blending in can really be. So lonely, in fact, that her long-forgotten childhood pal West reappears to offer moral support until she can find her place again.
Too bad West is completely imaginary. Especially since he’s much taller, sweeter, and more attractive than Halley remembers.
Mortified by the thought of being stuck with an imaginary friend through sophomore year, Halley scrambles to find a real friend before school starts. Except all of her strategies keep backfiring in her face. Not to mention that West makes Halley feel seen in a way no one ever has and she finds herself wishing for things that can never be.
With summer coming to a close, how can Halley possibly find anyone as perfect as West and get her normal life back? Or even worse—what happens if she doesn’t want to?
Social chameleon Halley Brighton thought she’d already found a way to shine in this world—by adjusting herself to reflect everyone else. But when a cross-country move leaves her ghosted by all of her friends, Halley learns how lonely blending in can really be. So lonely, in fact, that her long-forgotten childhood pal West reappears to offer moral support until she can find her place again.
Too bad West is completely imaginary. Especially since he’s much taller, sweeter, and more attractive than Halley remembers.
Mortified by the thought of being stuck with an imaginary friend through sophomore year, Halley scrambles to find a real friend before school starts. Except all of her strategies keep backfiring in her face. Not to mention that West makes Halley feel seen in a way no one ever has and she finds herself wishing for things that can never be.
With summer coming to a close, how can Halley possibly find anyone as perfect as West and get her normal life back? Or even worse—what happens if she doesn’t want to?
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2024
2 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Amber Lambda
4 books50 followersHailing from the Midwest plains where clouds and imagination roam, Amber Lambda is a young adult author, homeschool mom, K-drama and manga enthusiast, and a life-long dreamer. Though Amber’s ideas vary on the scale of whimsy and realism, her writer’s heart belongs to stories that are appropriate for the YA audience and filled with a blend of relatable characters, sweet romance, and relevant themes that will stay with the reader long after the last page.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 1, 2025
I didn't know quite what to expect from this book. A teenage girl is falling in love with her imaginary best friend? What? I got it as a gift from a friend who was confident I would like it, and they were right! I did.
This whole book reminded me a lot of a line from the 1995 movie Sabrina: "Illusions are dangerous people. They have no flaws." West is everything Halley wants... because she made him up. His only flaw is that he doesn't really exist, and he'll slowly fade when Halley makes some real friends.
The message in this book is really good: don't hide who you are in order to attract friends or significant others. The middle section of it started to drag for me after a while, as Halley made unfortunate choice after unfortunate choice, but the pacing picked back up again at the end. The last two chapters had me crying so much, I went through several Kleenex.
This whole book reminded me a lot of a line from the 1995 movie Sabrina: "Illusions are dangerous people. They have no flaws." West is everything Halley wants... because she made him up. His only flaw is that he doesn't really exist, and he'll slowly fade when Halley makes some real friends.
The message in this book is really good: don't hide who you are in order to attract friends or significant others. The middle section of it started to drag for me after a while, as Halley made unfortunate choice after unfortunate choice, but the pacing picked back up again at the end. The last two chapters had me crying so much, I went through several Kleenex.
August 2, 2024
I adored this book from start to finish! This is the book teenage me needed.
Okay I stayed up til 1am so I can finish Comets Fade With Summer. The next day I sought others out who have read this book so we can all fangirl together.
After reading this book, I’ve thought about this book for weeks and didn’t want to read another one because this one was so worth the headspace!
The themes like letting go of people and things that may not be the best for you, creating real friendship connections, restoring family relationships, etc…I can go on but all of these and more were so on point.
I don’t know how Lambda captured the essence of being a teenage girl so well, but she did good! 🥹 I think teenagers and adults alike will all feel like this story tugs at their inner child!
I loved Halley’s character voice! Her sarcasm 😆 For those who haven’t read it, this book is not all tears. There’s some genuine funny moments too! I felt all the feels reading this one.
Will keep thinking about this book for a long while.
You won’t regret reading it either!
Okay I stayed up til 1am so I can finish Comets Fade With Summer. The next day I sought others out who have read this book so we can all fangirl together.
After reading this book, I’ve thought about this book for weeks and didn’t want to read another one because this one was so worth the headspace!
The themes like letting go of people and things that may not be the best for you, creating real friendship connections, restoring family relationships, etc…I can go on but all of these and more were so on point.
I don’t know how Lambda captured the essence of being a teenage girl so well, but she did good! 🥹 I think teenagers and adults alike will all feel like this story tugs at their inner child!
I loved Halley’s character voice! Her sarcasm 😆 For those who haven’t read it, this book is not all tears. There’s some genuine funny moments too! I felt all the feels reading this one.
Will keep thinking about this book for a long while.
You won’t regret reading it either!
October 7, 2025
Review is coming soon. (Date I started the book incorrect. I started last week).
August 6, 2024
Beautiful, gripping, heartfelt, and swoony!
Such a lovely story about being who God created you to be. Everyone should read this!
Such a lovely story about being who God created you to be. Everyone should read this!
July 6, 2024
This book ripped my heart out. After binge-reading this in a day, I was DEVASTATED at the end. It was so good! One of the best books I’ve read all year (and I read a lot).
The characters feel realistic (other than West being imaginary) and the themes were so heart-warming and inspirational.
A clean read, though the MC does deal with a drunk sort-of boyfriend who tries to take things too far. She punches him (atta girl).
I loved that the parents weren’t idiots and that even though they weren’t perfect, they genuinely cared about their daughter and the mom chooses to make a sacrifice for her daughter’s sake.
The characters feel realistic (other than West being imaginary) and the themes were so heart-warming and inspirational.
A clean read, though the MC does deal with a drunk sort-of boyfriend who tries to take things too far. She punches him (atta girl).
I loved that the parents weren’t idiots and that even though they weren’t perfect, they genuinely cared about their daughter and the mom chooses to make a sacrifice for her daughter’s sake.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2024
This sweet book sends you on a summer rollercoaster ride to the stars and back.
I loved so many of these characters. Even the ones that made me mad; I forgive you and hope you find your way. Lol. Grandma is the true MVP. But, I loved seeing all the relationships unfold as Halley discovers what matters to her and what doesn't.
I think this book shines because it blends together that beautiful child-like wonder and the reality of growing up. Just like summer or your favorite ride, it has to end. It definitely left me with a warm heart and yet melancholic feeling all at once
Which, for me, is the signature of a satisfying read.
So, if you're looking for an imaginary swoony superhero to fan over or a star-filled adventure that you may not want to end, 10/10, highly recommend.
My favorite quote after reading the last chapter.
“But it floats out of reach to a fuzzy feeling that makes my heart warm and melancholy all at once.” - Comets Fade With Summer
I loved so many of these characters. Even the ones that made me mad; I forgive you and hope you find your way. Lol. Grandma is the true MVP. But, I loved seeing all the relationships unfold as Halley discovers what matters to her and what doesn't.
I think this book shines because it blends together that beautiful child-like wonder and the reality of growing up. Just like summer or your favorite ride, it has to end. It definitely left me with a warm heart and yet melancholic feeling all at once
Which, for me, is the signature of a satisfying read.
So, if you're looking for an imaginary swoony superhero to fan over or a star-filled adventure that you may not want to end, 10/10, highly recommend.
My favorite quote after reading the last chapter.
“But it floats out of reach to a fuzzy feeling that makes my heart warm and melancholy all at once.” - Comets Fade With Summer
August 2, 2024
If you’re looking for a clean teen read with a fantasy vibe, here’s the book you need to read. The author wove in themes about authenticity so well. West is truly a sweet hero and I really was unsure how I was going to be ok with the ending. (When you read it, you’ll understand what I mean there, since this has a speculative aspect and there’s an impossibility to the scenario). But big applause for a satisfying ending that should please any reader. Well-written engaging plot, layered characters, and a nod to all the astronomy lovers out there, this is a book comet that won’t fade anytime soon.
August 1, 2024
I tried to write a review without spoilers, but if you want to be surprised by everything, you might want wo skip my review.
This book was such a bittersweet read, I absolutely loved it, even though it took me much longer to read it than expected.
While I do love my books a bit angsty and am not a fan of cheesy and unrealistic happy endings, I did realize a few years ago that I do need at least a hopeful ending. Something that doesn’t leave me devastated when I finish the book.
So when I started the book, I was immediately drawn in and read through most of the book in one night. But then came a point where I felt too anxious to continue. I was afraid of what the ending would bring. Even though the author assured me that the ending would be hopeful, I continued by only reading a chapter at a time, loving the characters and their connection too much to read how this could come to an end.
Without wanting to give away spoilers please take my advice and don’t do as I did and stop after every chapter. If I had just continued instead of having a heartfelt cryfest after the second to last chapter (and I mean the sobbing, ugly crying, noisily blowing your nose kind of cryfest), my heartbreak would have been not as heavy and rather short lived.
(Yes, I am a grown woman and know this is fiction, YA at that, including an imaginary friend. But if a book is good, I live inside the book. And this book is so good, the characters so sweet and lovable. I could just not feel and root for them and their friendship.)
To be honest I kind of hoped for the sort of ending we’re given and I feel that Amber gave us enough room for interpretation that my heartbreak wasn’t reeeally necessary. (At least I insist on this interpretation.) And I really do hope we will get another book from another POV or for other characters of the Star Club.
Okay, I realize my review is all over the place. But so were my feelings. And I can’t really say much without spoilers.
So I will just try to summarize what stood out the most for me:
The characters are wonderful! West was absolutely the best, definitely one of my favorite characters this year.
Even though I was always the girl doing her own thing, I could so much relate to Halley's fears, worries and struggles and her character growth was perfect. She learned to not be ashamed of her interests, her friends, what she thought and who she was.
The most perfect friendship between Halley and West, but also the friendships Halley started to form in the end set a great example of how friendship should look like.
Angsty but hopeful. Like I said, a bittersweet book, while the emphasis is definitely on sweet.
Great side characters - loved the parents and the grandma. They weren’t perfect but also not villains or indifferent towards Halley. Loved how Halley grew closer to them while figuring out who she was and wanted to be.
Is this even a romance? I really don’t know. It somehow includes a love story but on the other hand it doesn’t and the focus is definitely on the finding and being true to yourself part. If you would consider it a romance, it is a clean one and something I personally would give a teenager to read.
This is a very special book that spoke to me and touched my heart and will stay there for quite a while. Also - it’s very rare that I beg authors for a sequel, but here I am. Amber, you know this could, no this SHOULD be a duology and/or a series starter. I mean, we need these stories now… So, pretty please..?
Absolutely loved this book and recommend it for teenagers and grown ups loving to read YA alike. If you ever felt like you don’t fit, like you are not seen for who you are or you have to change to have real friendships, this book is for you.
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
This book was such a bittersweet read, I absolutely loved it, even though it took me much longer to read it than expected.
While I do love my books a bit angsty and am not a fan of cheesy and unrealistic happy endings, I did realize a few years ago that I do need at least a hopeful ending. Something that doesn’t leave me devastated when I finish the book.
So when I started the book, I was immediately drawn in and read through most of the book in one night. But then came a point where I felt too anxious to continue. I was afraid of what the ending would bring. Even though the author assured me that the ending would be hopeful, I continued by only reading a chapter at a time, loving the characters and their connection too much to read how this could come to an end.
“I’m glad you came back, West. Or I’d never have figured out that all I want is to watch the stars again. And that I want to watch them with you over and over again. More than anyone else I could ever meet.”
“You’ll always be my favorite, too,” he says with a breathy laugh, staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars on the other wall. “Even when you forget.”
“Everything you needed was already here. I only helped you remember the Halley I never forgot.”
Without wanting to give away spoilers please take my advice and don’t do as I did and stop after every chapter. If I had just continued instead of having a heartfelt cryfest after the second to last chapter (and I mean the sobbing, ugly crying, noisily blowing your nose kind of cryfest), my heartbreak would have been not as heavy and rather short lived.
(Yes, I am a grown woman and know this is fiction, YA at that, including an imaginary friend. But if a book is good, I live inside the book. And this book is so good, the characters so sweet and lovable. I could just not feel and root for them and their friendship.)
To be honest I kind of hoped for the sort of ending we’re given and I feel that Amber gave us enough room for interpretation that my heartbreak wasn’t reeeally necessary. (At least I insist on this interpretation.) And I really do hope we will get another book from another POV or for other characters of the Star Club.
Okay, I realize my review is all over the place. But so were my feelings. And I can’t really say much without spoilers.
So I will just try to summarize what stood out the most for me:
The characters are wonderful! West was absolutely the best, definitely one of my favorite characters this year.
Even though I was always the girl doing her own thing, I could so much relate to Halley's fears, worries and struggles and her character growth was perfect. She learned to not be ashamed of her interests, her friends, what she thought and who she was.
The most perfect friendship between Halley and West, but also the friendships Halley started to form in the end set a great example of how friendship should look like.
Angsty but hopeful. Like I said, a bittersweet book, while the emphasis is definitely on sweet.
Great side characters - loved the parents and the grandma. They weren’t perfect but also not villains or indifferent towards Halley. Loved how Halley grew closer to them while figuring out who she was and wanted to be.
Is this even a romance? I really don’t know. It somehow includes a love story but on the other hand it doesn’t and the focus is definitely on the finding and being true to yourself part. If you would consider it a romance, it is a clean one and something I personally would give a teenager to read.
This is a very special book that spoke to me and touched my heart and will stay there for quite a while. Also - it’s very rare that I beg authors for a sequel, but here I am. Amber, you know this could, no this SHOULD be a duology and/or a series starter. I mean, we need these stories now… So, pretty please..?
Absolutely loved this book and recommend it for teenagers and grown ups loving to read YA alike. If you ever felt like you don’t fit, like you are not seen for who you are or you have to change to have real friendships, this book is for you.
Everything I like about West has to do with the way he sees me, the way he’s interested in what I’m thinking, how he makes me feel natural and unguarded. He makes me feel real. I can’t find that magical connection in real life if I’m not being that real me he brings out.
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
July 8, 2024
I read Amber Lambda's Comets Fade With Summer (almost the whole book in one sitting) and absolutely loved it!!! I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. :)
The story starts with Halley's family moving back to California after living in Virginia for a number of years, leaving Halley frustrated and friendless as she struggles with the idea of making friends with a completely new group of people. Then she bumps into a familiar figure--West, her long-forgotten imaginary friend from childhood--now a devastatingly handsome high schooler. And invisible to everyone except Halley.
Halley is incredibly relatable, and West is just so kind and dreamy and wonderful. I loved the dynamic between him and Halley, and I really, really rooted for their seemingly-impossible relationship, especially since West was so superior to every other guy Halley met. As the plot progressed my chest began to knot more and more with tension as I waited to learn what would happen to them!
I loved the complex relationship dynamics with Halley's family. Her grandma was my favorite--she reminded me so much of my own grandma, who's always a little mischievous and snarky. The dynamics of the different friend groups Halley encountered were great too--one group the "popular" people whose attention Halley was determined to court, the other group nerdy, astronomy-loving people that, along with West, spoke to interests Halley had long ago shoved down and set aside.
If you're looking for a whimsical, dreamy book with heart-tugging emotion, a compelling cast of characters, and a generous sprinkle of humor, you'll love Comets Fade With Summer!
The story starts with Halley's family moving back to California after living in Virginia for a number of years, leaving Halley frustrated and friendless as she struggles with the idea of making friends with a completely new group of people. Then she bumps into a familiar figure--West, her long-forgotten imaginary friend from childhood--now a devastatingly handsome high schooler. And invisible to everyone except Halley.
Halley is incredibly relatable, and West is just so kind and dreamy and wonderful. I loved the dynamic between him and Halley, and I really, really rooted for their seemingly-impossible relationship, especially since West was so superior to every other guy Halley met. As the plot progressed my chest began to knot more and more with tension as I waited to learn what would happen to them!
I loved the complex relationship dynamics with Halley's family. Her grandma was my favorite--she reminded me so much of my own grandma, who's always a little mischievous and snarky. The dynamics of the different friend groups Halley encountered were great too--one group the "popular" people whose attention Halley was determined to court, the other group nerdy, astronomy-loving people that, along with West, spoke to interests Halley had long ago shoved down and set aside.
If you're looking for a whimsical, dreamy book with heart-tugging emotion, a compelling cast of characters, and a generous sprinkle of humor, you'll love Comets Fade With Summer!
August 1, 2024
✨ARC REVIEW✨
Comets Fade with Summer will forever be one of my all time favorite books. I can’t be any more real with you guys. This sweet contemporary YA with a sprinkle of magical realism was crafted with such care and literal magic, I was smitten from page one! Halley and West will captivate your heart and pull you in with their journey together!
If you’re like me, you may still struggle to feel like you belong in your skin. And this book helped heal so many parts of my heart in present me and teenage me. I sobbed when I finished reading this masterpiece. I felt like I had just been hugged by these characters!
To the author: I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to read and review this book! You’ve created something so special here, please know that! I pray the girls searching for a good YA find this and fall in love with these characters like I have!
Please, please, please do yourself a favor and get this book—right. now. You won’t regret it! Comets Fade with Summer releases August 2nd to Kindle Unlimited and in paperback on Amazon. It is available to preorder now!
**All opinions are my own**
Comets Fade with Summer will forever be one of my all time favorite books. I can’t be any more real with you guys. This sweet contemporary YA with a sprinkle of magical realism was crafted with such care and literal magic, I was smitten from page one! Halley and West will captivate your heart and pull you in with their journey together!
If you’re like me, you may still struggle to feel like you belong in your skin. And this book helped heal so many parts of my heart in present me and teenage me. I sobbed when I finished reading this masterpiece. I felt like I had just been hugged by these characters!
To the author: I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to read and review this book! You’ve created something so special here, please know that! I pray the girls searching for a good YA find this and fall in love with these characters like I have!
Please, please, please do yourself a favor and get this book—right. now. You won’t regret it! Comets Fade with Summer releases August 2nd to Kindle Unlimited and in paperback on Amazon. It is available to preorder now!
**All opinions are my own**
August 15, 2024
This was an interesting read to say the least…I felt like a little kid again, along for the ride with an imaginary friend. I relate to Halley's feelings of social awkwardness and burning desire to fit in–especially at a critical point in her life.
Amber did a wonderful job conveying Halley's dilemma, but I feel that explaining the "imaginary friend" magic could have been helpful. I loved West and how he slowly encouraged Halley to rediscover herself–without the outside pressure of flaky friends. I think this story is a perfect reminder–no mater how old you are–that you should remain true to yourself and your passions…and to finding friends that cherish the "quirky" parts of yourself.
I was an ARC reader for this book, and my opinions are my own.
Amber did a wonderful job conveying Halley's dilemma, but I feel that explaining the "imaginary friend" magic could have been helpful. I loved West and how he slowly encouraged Halley to rediscover herself–without the outside pressure of flaky friends. I think this story is a perfect reminder–no mater how old you are–that you should remain true to yourself and your passions…and to finding friends that cherish the "quirky" parts of yourself.
I was an ARC reader for this book, and my opinions are my own.
March 16, 2025
Lambda captured the heart of a teenage girl, wrestled it onto the pages of her book, and then released it into the universe for us all to read and enjoy!
The slower winter months provided the perfect time for me to dream of summer and dive into this book, where real-world problems collided with a touch of whimsy that will delight young adult readers - both young and old! This book has been added to my classroom library for my high schoolers to check out.
The slower winter months provided the perfect time for me to dream of summer and dive into this book, where real-world problems collided with a touch of whimsy that will delight young adult readers - both young and old! This book has been added to my classroom library for my high schoolers to check out.
August 4, 2024
Oh, my heart. This book is such a delightful, heartfelt YA book. I was privileged to read an early copy many months ago and I have been dying for this to be published ever since! The way I cried at the end. So many sweet moments. There's not much I can say because it would most definitely spoil it, but it's one that both teens and adults will love.
Also, it NEEDS to be a movie!
*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Also, it NEEDS to be a movie!
*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews