REVIEW: FACADE (GAMES #2) by NYRAE DAWN

Series: Games #2
Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: 7/2/13
Format: Kindle
Pages: 304
Source: Received from author for review
Rating: 4 stars

Can love save them?

After her father commits a crime that shatters her family, eighteen-year-old Delaney Cross is tired of pretending everything is all right. Packing up her car, she sets out to find the people her father hurt. Her search leads her to places she’s never been—and into the arms of Adrian Westfall.

To the outside world, Adrian is a sexy, charming ladies’ man. But his playboy persona is just an act. Secretly his soul is tortured by a memory too painful to share. Only Delaney seems to see through his façade to the real man underneath. And for the first time in his life, Adrian feels he can begin to open up about his past.

Together, Adrian and Delaney share a passionate love they never expected to find. Yet both still harbor their own secrets. When the dark truth is finally revealed, will it bring them closer together—or tear them apart forever?

 

My gosh, Facade was an emotional heavy hitter from beginning to end. Adrian was introduced in Charade, and despite his seemingly carefree attitude, it definitely seemed like the boy was more than meets the eye.

Enter Delaney Cross, a girl who hold a few secrets of her own. Facade is one of those books with a story you just know will come to a tumultuous intersection. An intersection in which secrets and lies and pain and guilt all converge into a devastating moment. One of those scenes that blows the story and characters wide open.

I really thought I knew Adrian, but I had no idea this character was so broken. Adrian has a broken spirit and a poet's heart. His story was devastating and further proves that Nyrae Dawn is exceptionally gifted at creating her broken boys.

Delaney was a determined girl with a big heart and shame that was not her burden to carry. This poor girl is set on saving everyone around her, and slowly breaking apart in the process. I truly did love Delaney and Adrian together, and hoped lies and tragedy wouldn't stand in their way. I'm surprised by how much I was invested in her relationship with her brother Maddox, and am anxious for his book, Masquerade.

Facade got off to a quiet start. I was anxious to see Delaney and Adrian form that strong connection that would have me on the hook. Once that happened, I was in it. I really liked the turns Dawn took in the story. She didn't romanticize the darkness that made up the couple's lives, and didn't make the physical relationship between Adrian and Delaney into a cure-all that would take away their pain. Oh! I loved how much Colt and Chey were in the story. In fact, one of my favorite moments was a heart-to-heart between Colt and Adrian.

Façade is an intense and thoughtful story. Both characters were introspective and reflective, and experienced so much growth. Though I loved Charade a bit more, Facade is a great addition to the Games series. I cannot wait for Masquerade.


Favorite Quote:

  "When the worst shit in my life was happening, I had that girl with me. She never left me even though I probably didn't deserve her. I've never had something like that and let me tell you, it's fucking incredible."  ~ebook, 57%


  "If you go, let me go with you." She steps closer. "If you need to write, I'll be your paper. I have no idea what I'm doing here. I don't know if this is the right thing, but whatever you need, if you need to try to forget, let me help you."  ~ebook, 68%

The Games Series

(click on cover for GoodReads page)

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About the author:
I am a compulsive · and writer who loves YA fiction.

I love nothing more than writing about young adults. There is something so fresh and fun about it. You can pretty much always find me with a book in my hand or open document in front of me.


I live in Southern California with my husband and two children.

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