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nitzanschwarz's review
4.0
OMG, thank you, Netgalley, so much for providing me with an ARC of this book! I've been dying to read it since I read Charade.
I've always loved Adrain - ever since I first saw a glimpse of him in Charade as Colt's best friend. I got this impression of a dangerous man but also a good man. I wanted to know more about him. Well, more is what we get.
Adrian is not what he first appears to be in Charade. For one, he's not the dangerous drug-user he first seemed to be. He uses drugs all right, but he's not addicted. He's just trying to run away from his own brain. From memories too painful to deal with. A heartbreaking tragedy. He's eaten by misplaced guilt and self-hatred. He does not trust himself with anyone. He's got the soul of a bruised poet, and he says the most stunningly beautiful things I've ever heard. What you see is not what you get with Adrian. Quite honestly, he surprised the hell out of me. I was not expecting him at all. But I'm not complaining one bit.
Delaney is trying to set things right. She's certain if she could just get Adrian's forgiveness - for it's her father who caused the tragedy that wrecked both their lives - she could do that. She can make her family... well, a family again. She's naive and kindhearted, a caretaker to boot, a woman who's always trying to pave her way forward. She's sweet and gentle, both fragile and strong. But throughout the entire book, I was shouting at Delaney over her decision not to tell Adrian who she really is. That's just one of those things you know are going to explode in your face.
Together, the two heal and mend something in each other. They find their peace, their stability.
I've always loved the idea of two people, scarred by the same tragedy on different ends, finding solace in each other. And it's done pretty perfectly here. The romance is just beautiful; you can really see the healing process in both and how they find something special in each other. I loved watching them grow closer, and I loved their days in the hotel, away from everything. Away from reality.
Sex is not the main point in their relationship at all, much to my relief. Do they think about it? Yes. But what they want from each other is deeper, and the physical is just an added bonus.
And then... that TWIST! I did not see that one coming! Dawn did an amazing job throwing us a ton of really subtle hints, the kind that somehow sticks with you enough that afterward, you go like, 'How did I not realize?!', but you don't actually catch what they're pointing at until after the fact.
But that TWIST! It broke my heart! I spend most of the last 20% of the book silently shading tears! Why must you do this to me?! *sniff*
The only thing I think this book could do without... is the epilogue. It felt unrealistic how... okay Adrian was. The scarred, broke man we saw begin a journey of healing and dealing with his issues seems to just... magically heal completely over a very short time. If this epilogue featured their future years down the road, that would be perfectly okay. But it doesn't.
In short, I found Facade to be a wonderful and enchanting follow-up to Charade, an emotional, engrossing, and beautiful read. Highly recommended, especially for fans of contemporary romance.
I've always loved Adrain - ever since I first saw a glimpse of him in Charade as Colt's best friend. I got this impression of a dangerous man but also a good man. I wanted to know more about him. Well, more is what we get.
Adrian is not what he first appears to be in Charade. For one, he's not the dangerous drug-user he first seemed to be. He uses drugs all right, but he's not addicted. He's just trying to run away from his own brain. From memories too painful to deal with. A heartbreaking tragedy. He's eaten by misplaced guilt and self-hatred. He does not trust himself with anyone. He's got the soul of a bruised poet, and he says the most stunningly beautiful things I've ever heard. What you see is not what you get with Adrian. Quite honestly, he surprised the hell out of me. I was not expecting him at all. But I'm not complaining one bit.
Delaney is trying to set things right. She's certain if she could just get Adrian's forgiveness - for it's her father who caused the tragedy that wrecked both their lives - she could do that. She can make her family... well, a family again. She's naive and kindhearted, a caretaker to boot, a woman who's always trying to pave her way forward. She's sweet and gentle, both fragile and strong. But throughout the entire book, I was shouting at Delaney over her decision not to tell Adrian who she really is. That's just one of those things you know are going to explode in your face.
Together, the two heal and mend something in each other. They find their peace, their stability.
I've always loved the idea of two people, scarred by the same tragedy on different ends, finding solace in each other. And it's done pretty perfectly here. The romance is just beautiful; you can really see the healing process in both and how they find something special in each other. I loved watching them grow closer, and I loved their days in the hotel, away from everything. Away from reality.
Sex is not the main point in their relationship at all, much to my relief. Do they think about it? Yes. But what they want from each other is deeper, and the physical is just an added bonus.
And then... that TWIST! I did not see that one coming! Dawn did an amazing job throwing us a ton of really subtle hints, the kind that somehow sticks with you enough that afterward, you go like, 'How did I not realize?!', but you don't actually catch what they're pointing at until after the fact.
But that TWIST! It broke my heart! I spend most of the last 20% of the book silently shading tears! Why must you do this to me?! *sniff*
The only thing I think this book could do without... is the epilogue. It felt unrealistic how... okay Adrian was. The scarred, broke man we saw begin a journey of healing and dealing with his issues seems to just... magically heal completely over a very short time. If this epilogue featured their future years down the road, that would be perfectly okay. But it doesn't.
In short, I found Facade to be a wonderful and enchanting follow-up to Charade, an emotional, engrossing, and beautiful read. Highly recommended, especially for fans of contemporary romance.
caseroo7's review against another edition
5.0
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Facade is the second book in the Games Series by Nyrae Dawn, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one after having read Charade. I loved Colt and Chey, but I was really excited to get Adrian's story. On the surface Adrian seems to be just a typical guy out to have fun and party, but I knew there was something below the surface that we just weren't aware of yet. This book was an awesome follow up to Charade and I loved getting to see some more of Chey and Colt.
After her father commits a horrible act Delaney's family is left in ruins. She decides that she needs to set out to try and make amends to the family that her father hurt in one of the worst possible ways. She never expects that in doing so, that she will end up in a huge mess of lies and develop feelings for the one person that she should never be with. Adrian is good at hiding behind his charming and easy going facade, but underneath he suffers with a secret he cannot share with anyone. He chooses to let others see what he wants them to see, and never actually letting them get to know the real him. But when he meets Delaney, for the first time he begins to think that he has found someone who he can actually begin to share his life with. Delaney and Adrian begin to form a friendship, but the attraction between them becomes something that neither of them can fight. With both of them bearing the damage of the past and keeping secrets from each other, its just a matter of time before the truth comes out. Can they help each other heal from the past, or will the truth tear them apart?
I loved Adrian. He was sexy and charming and a little bit damaged. Having been through a tragedy he places a lot of blame on himself and runs away to try and escape. He keeps up his facade even with his closest friends, but when Delaney comes along he finds that he starts to have feelings and actually wants to share parts of himself with her. I really loved seeing him start to let her in and watch as he began to heal. Delaney was strong and brave and had a general kindness to her that I really enjoyed reading. She was constantly trying to help others, even if they didn't deserve it. I also enjoyed seeing her growth, and it was nice to see her stand up for herself at the end. These two were absolutely perfect for each other and I really felt the emotions and connection that they shared. The attraction was also there from the beginning and that made for some really hot scenes together!
Overall, I really enjoyed this story! I didn't want to put it down. With Facade, Nyrae Dawn has written an emotional roller coaster of a story and I enjoyed every minute of the ride! There were some absolutely heartbreaking moments to this story and they were so well written that I felt every bit of them. But there were also many uplifting parts as well, and at its heart this story is the beautiful process of two broken people finding themselves and each other. I'm really looking forward to reading book number three, Masquerade, which centers around Delaney's brother Maddox. I think this is a must read for fans of the New Adult genre, but also for those who just love a good romance about people overcoming their past and finding love in the process.
**ARC provided by NetGalley**
Facade is the second book in the Games Series by Nyrae Dawn, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one after having read Charade. I loved Colt and Chey, but I was really excited to get Adrian's story. On the surface Adrian seems to be just a typical guy out to have fun and party, but I knew there was something below the surface that we just weren't aware of yet. This book was an awesome follow up to Charade and I loved getting to see some more of Chey and Colt.
After her father commits a horrible act Delaney's family is left in ruins. She decides that she needs to set out to try and make amends to the family that her father hurt in one of the worst possible ways. She never expects that in doing so, that she will end up in a huge mess of lies and develop feelings for the one person that she should never be with. Adrian is good at hiding behind his charming and easy going facade, but underneath he suffers with a secret he cannot share with anyone. He chooses to let others see what he wants them to see, and never actually letting them get to know the real him. But when he meets Delaney, for the first time he begins to think that he has found someone who he can actually begin to share his life with. Delaney and Adrian begin to form a friendship, but the attraction between them becomes something that neither of them can fight. With both of them bearing the damage of the past and keeping secrets from each other, its just a matter of time before the truth comes out. Can they help each other heal from the past, or will the truth tear them apart?
I loved Adrian. He was sexy and charming and a little bit damaged. Having been through a tragedy he places a lot of blame on himself and runs away to try and escape. He keeps up his facade even with his closest friends, but when Delaney comes along he finds that he starts to have feelings and actually wants to share parts of himself with her. I really loved seeing him start to let her in and watch as he began to heal. Delaney was strong and brave and had a general kindness to her that I really enjoyed reading. She was constantly trying to help others, even if they didn't deserve it. I also enjoyed seeing her growth, and it was nice to see her stand up for herself at the end. These two were absolutely perfect for each other and I really felt the emotions and connection that they shared. The attraction was also there from the beginning and that made for some really hot scenes together!
Overall, I really enjoyed this story! I didn't want to put it down. With Facade, Nyrae Dawn has written an emotional roller coaster of a story and I enjoyed every minute of the ride! There were some absolutely heartbreaking moments to this story and they were so well written that I felt every bit of them. But there were also many uplifting parts as well, and at its heart this story is the beautiful process of two broken people finding themselves and each other. I'm really looking forward to reading book number three, Masquerade, which centers around Delaney's brother Maddox. I think this is a must read for fans of the New Adult genre, but also for those who just love a good romance about people overcoming their past and finding love in the process.
**ARC provided by NetGalley**
talya_'s review against another edition
4.0
I love Adrian. I do. I'm not sure how I feel about Delaney, but I love Adrian.
ashcash04's review against another edition
3.0
This is a 2nd book in the Game series, it's companion series like Anna and the French Kiss (but not nearly as good). It wasn't as good as Charade. I definitely like the development of the characters. However I think my hate for the trope definitely skewed my opinion of the book.
You find out in the first couple chapters that Delaney and Adrian's pasts are connected. Her dad killed his nephew and it's what haunts them both. One thing I absolutely cannot stand in a story is when one person knows something and the other doesn't, yet they don't tell them! Delaney knows who Adrian is, she knows her father killed this little boy. She specifically sets out to find him to apologize for what her father did. She just happens to stumble upon him early on and he flirts with her, they start to hang out here and there and she just DOESN'T TELL HIM. So annoying. Seriously, you know the longer you wait it's just going to be harder.
My other negative was that it pretty much had the same theme as the first book, but I guess that's the point? Tough, broken boy who never meant to love any girl who just happens upon that one girl that's different from all the others and they don't know why.
With that being said, it still wasn't bad. I enjoyed it over all and reading about their characters.
You find out in the first couple chapters that Delaney and Adrian's pasts are connected. Her dad killed his nephew and it's what haunts them both. One thing I absolutely cannot stand in a story is when one person knows something and the other doesn't, yet they don't tell them! Delaney knows who Adrian is, she knows her father killed this little boy. She specifically sets out to find him to apologize for what her father did. She just happens to stumble upon him early on and he flirts with her, they start to hang out here and there and she just DOESN'T TELL HIM. So annoying. Seriously, you know the longer you wait it's just going to be harder.
My other negative was that it pretty much had the same theme as the first book, but I guess that's the point? Tough, broken boy who never meant to love any girl who just happens upon that one girl that's different from all the others and they don't know why.
With that being said, it still wasn't bad. I enjoyed it over all and reading about their characters.
mccorbin's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved Charade and could not wait to get my hands on Façade when it came out. I loved Adrian in the first book as a side character and I knew, I just knew, he would be wonderful as a main character and let me say, I WAS NOT LET DOWN! Nyrae Dawn rocked this book! I sat and heart ached while reading it and tears actually formed. I cried while reading this book!
Façade explains so much of why Adrian is the way he was in the first book. You really get to know him and understand him better all while Dawn rips out your heart because of her fantastic plot and writing. I never guessed how Ashton was woven into this plot until Dawn revealed it and it blew my mind. Of course, that is when the tears came.
Laney was a perfect character to get to know Adrian (that which he allowed to show) and was all around a good-hearted girl. To read her background story and see how troubled her past was (and still is) made me realize that her and Adrian were meant to be. They were not these cookie cutter people, whose world is always beautiful and their get-together is beautiful. Their lives are dark and it is a struggle between both of them to make anything out of their relationship (even though it comes easy between them…I know, it is confusing but it will make sense when you read it.)
Such a heart wrenching book and I loved every second of reading it and getting to feel all the emotions of the main characters.
Oh, third book is about Maddox...I need it now! :)
Façade explains so much of why Adrian is the way he was in the first book. You really get to know him and understand him better all while Dawn rips out your heart because of her fantastic plot and writing. I never guessed how Ashton was woven into this plot until Dawn revealed it and it blew my mind. Of course, that is when the tears came.
Laney was a perfect character to get to know Adrian (that which he allowed to show) and was all around a good-hearted girl. To read her background story and see how troubled her past was (and still is) made me realize that her and Adrian were meant to be. They were not these cookie cutter people, whose world is always beautiful and their get-together is beautiful. Their lives are dark and it is a struggle between both of them to make anything out of their relationship (even though it comes easy between them…I know, it is confusing but it will make sense when you read it.)
Such a heart wrenching book and I loved every second of reading it and getting to feel all the emotions of the main characters.
Oh, third book is about Maddox...I need it now! :)
stumpfed's review against another edition
5.0
Every book Nyrae Dawn writes moves me in some fashion. This was no exception. Heartbreak bringing people together and teaching them about the good in life. Always a bit of tragedy to overcome, but never a repetitive or predictable format.
Adrian was insanely hot because of his use of words, I fell in love with his broken tortured self right away.
Adrian was insanely hot because of his use of words, I fell in love with his broken tortured self right away.
thebooktrollop's review
4.0
So Delaney and Adrian are two hot messes full of remorse, guilt, sadness, secrets, ghosts etc, etc, etc..
Adrian was a character we met in Charade (the first book in The Game Series) this book is a standalone and can be read without reading the first one but to get a better sense of Adrian's character through other people's eyes, you probably should read the first one, first.
He seemed like the regular playboy stoner friend that is fun to party with but not to get close enough too, he was too shut off for that to happen. What people didn't know was he had secrets that were eating him alive. Throughout the book we know what happened with him and why he is the way he is but it isn't until towards the end that a curve ball is thrown at you that you didn't expect and you are left in a with a gut-wrenching revelation.
Delaney was the type of girl that tried to fix everyone's problems, she liked to shoulder the burden and she forgave easily even when people didn't deserve it. She set out on a journey with her brother in order to right the wrongs that her family caused, which leads her to the same place as Adrian. She notices his demons and her inner ghosts call out to him and all she wants to do is fix his demons while combating hers at the same time.
"He's broken, Maddy. I don't know how I know it, but I do"
Adrian didn't expect to start caring for this "little ghost" but he sees something in her and just like with her, they call out to him to try and help heal her. Their romance is frustratingly sweet but at the same time you are thinking that the secrets that Delaney needs to tell Adrian are way too big for her to keep from him and you are sighing, swooning, and then you remember what she needs to do and you are yelling at her for being so careless..
"Or it might be the ghosts in her eyes. The dark shadows that lurk there and make me wonder what's chasing her when the lights go out"
The characters are very likable in this book, I loved every single one of them, they were believable and real, like they could be your best friend and you'd never think twice about it.
The story was told in two POV's, Adrian and Delaney's, it was easy to follow along and I wasn't left confused on what was going on.
The book was really well-written and it flowed nicely but it was slow at first and I could easily put it down until a certain part where I wouldn't put it down, at all.
The ending was ok, I would have liked to see if Delaney's mom ever got her head out of her ass and even with the Epilogue I felt like their story needed a little more but I am happy with how it ended because that might mean more about them in the future (I know, I know I am a selfish book trollop ;)
I really enjoyed this book and the story of Delaney and Adrian, they were sweet and forgiving and it just made me feel all warm and fuzzy but at the same time it had the right amount of angst and gut wrenching moments that left you biting your nails to see what was going to happen next.
Both characters grew and changed, they weren't the same people at the end as they were in the beginning, they were good apart but better together. They completed one another and saved each other but at the same time they were also stronger apart. They were able to deal with their demons and ghosts on their own without falling apart.
"Skin to skin
Breath to breath
Touch to feel
Body to soul
But only
To Chase
Away
Your ghosts"
I give this book a 4/5
Adrian was a character we met in Charade (the first book in The Game Series) this book is a standalone and can be read without reading the first one but to get a better sense of Adrian's character through other people's eyes, you probably should read the first one, first.
He seemed like the regular playboy stoner friend that is fun to party with but not to get close enough too, he was too shut off for that to happen. What people didn't know was he had secrets that were eating him alive. Throughout the book we know what happened with him and why he is the way he is but it isn't until towards the end that a curve ball is thrown at you that you didn't expect and you are left in a with a gut-wrenching revelation.
Delaney was the type of girl that tried to fix everyone's problems, she liked to shoulder the burden and she forgave easily even when people didn't deserve it. She set out on a journey with her brother in order to right the wrongs that her family caused, which leads her to the same place as Adrian. She notices his demons and her inner ghosts call out to him and all she wants to do is fix his demons while combating hers at the same time.
"He's broken, Maddy. I don't know how I know it, but I do"
Adrian didn't expect to start caring for this "little ghost" but he sees something in her and just like with her, they call out to him to try and help heal her. Their romance is frustratingly sweet but at the same time you are thinking that the secrets that Delaney needs to tell Adrian are way too big for her to keep from him and you are sighing, swooning, and then you remember what she needs to do and you are yelling at her for being so careless..
"Or it might be the ghosts in her eyes. The dark shadows that lurk there and make me wonder what's chasing her when the lights go out"
The characters are very likable in this book, I loved every single one of them, they were believable and real, like they could be your best friend and you'd never think twice about it.
The story was told in two POV's, Adrian and Delaney's, it was easy to follow along and I wasn't left confused on what was going on.
The book was really well-written and it flowed nicely but it was slow at first and I could easily put it down until a certain part where I wouldn't put it down, at all.
The ending was ok, I would have liked to see if Delaney's mom ever got her head out of her ass and even with the Epilogue I felt like their story needed a little more but I am happy with how it ended because that might mean more about them in the future (I know, I know I am a selfish book trollop ;)
I really enjoyed this book and the story of Delaney and Adrian, they were sweet and forgiving and it just made me feel all warm and fuzzy but at the same time it had the right amount of angst and gut wrenching moments that left you biting your nails to see what was going to happen next.
Both characters grew and changed, they weren't the same people at the end as they were in the beginning, they were good apart but better together. They completed one another and saved each other but at the same time they were also stronger apart. They were able to deal with their demons and ghosts on their own without falling apart.
"Skin to skin
Breath to breath
Touch to feel
Body to soul
But only
To Chase
Away
Your ghosts"
I give this book a 4/5
raffaem's review
2.0
I'm sure all my Goodreads friends are hating me with this review...
First off, I just didn't connect with either Adrian or Delaney. The entire story was based off this one secret they both share, and we already know about it just by reading the synopsis. It felt like each chapter was just delaying the inevitable. Of course Adrian's going to find out that Delaney's past is linked to his own, otherwise absolutely nothing would have gone down in this book. Then there was this "big" reveal that really didn't change anything notable in the story.
First off, I just didn't connect with either Adrian or Delaney. The entire story was based off this one secret they both share, and we already know about it just by reading the synopsis. It felt like each chapter was just delaying the inevitable. Of course Adrian's going to find out that Delaney's past is linked to his own, otherwise absolutely nothing would have gone down in this book. Then there was this "big" reveal
Spoiler
surprise, it's Adrian's son, not his nephewjaimejustreadsromance's review
5.0
(Note: This is the 2nd book in the Game Series, however, it's not necessary to read the first book (Charade) to be able to enjoy this one.)
First let me say how much I love reading anything written by Nyrae Dawn. Seriously her books never leave me unhappy but this one, this one...WOW. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I'm crushin' on Adrian right now. I'll be adding him to my fav BBF's list for sure. I mean he writes, poems and stories. Seriously the words that come out of his mouth. Saaawoooooon!!!
"I feel pulled to her. A little poem beneath my skin that's called by her rhythm, but I hold it back. Don't let my pencil try and etch he words because it feels too close."
"Don't cry, Little Ghost."
"...I can't get you out of me. Your smile's in my head and your voice in my ear."
I wanted to cry for him when it was clear what happened to break him and then all over again when I knew that he was falling for Delaney and she was probably going to break his heart. Then "IT" happened and I was gutted. I NEVER saw that coming. I. was. sobbing. I mean I full on ugly cried! Poor Adrian. Poor Delaney. Poor Maddox. Poor Angel. Poor Ashton.
In the end I got my HEA but only after using an abundance of tissue, okay my shirt sleeve, I used my shirt sleeve. The only negative about this book I can find is that it ended and I had to stop reading about Adrian. I'm looking forward to reading #3 in the Game Series, Masquerade. Hopefully we'll get a few good moments with him again.
**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Read more of my reviews at:
http://fortheloveofbooksbyjaime.blogspot.com
First let me say how much I love reading anything written by Nyrae Dawn. Seriously her books never leave me unhappy but this one, this one...WOW. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I'm crushin' on Adrian right now. I'll be adding him to my fav BBF's list for sure. I mean he writes, poems and stories. Seriously the words that come out of his mouth. Saaawoooooon!!!
"I feel pulled to her. A little poem beneath my skin that's called by her rhythm, but I hold it back. Don't let my pencil try and etch he words because it feels too close."
"Don't cry, Little Ghost."
"...I can't get you out of me. Your smile's in my head and your voice in my ear."
I wanted to cry for him when it was clear what happened to break him and then all over again when I knew that he was falling for Delaney and she was probably going to break his heart. Then "IT" happened and I was gutted. I NEVER saw that coming. I. was. sobbing. I mean I full on ugly cried! Poor Adrian. Poor Delaney. Poor Maddox. Poor Angel. Poor Ashton.
In the end I got my HEA but only after using an abundance of tissue, okay my shirt sleeve, I used my shirt sleeve. The only negative about this book I can find is that it ended and I had to stop reading about Adrian. I'm looking forward to reading #3 in the Game Series, Masquerade. Hopefully we'll get a few good moments with him again.
**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Read more of my reviews at:
http://fortheloveofbooksbyjaime.blogspot.com