Monday, August 26, 2013

Review: Facade by Nyrae Dawn

Title: Facade (Games #2)
Author: Nyrae Dawn
Published: July 2nd 2013
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
*A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review*


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?

I remember reading Charade when it has less than a thousand ratings on Goodreads and look where this story has taken itself to! A huge deal with Hachette and mouth-to-mouth word about Nyrae and her talent. I'm so happy for her since she's an incredible author. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read Facade since I've been waiting for this pretty forever. Adrian was one of my favorite characters in book 1 and his story touched me in ways I didn't expect.

“Your heart beats so strong, I feel it against my chest. You make mine want to catch up, to match the rhythm.”

The story. Adrian is the kind of guy who, at first sight, seems careless, a typical party-boy who is always high. We saw that he has a sweet, caring side, but its hidden behind a facade. He carries a secret with him that explains all of his behaviour and this is where Delaney comes into play--she's connected to this crushing secret that's destroying Adrian every day more and more. The thing is thoug, Adrian doesn't know Delaney's involvement and it may very well be the thing that destroys any chance they have as a couple.

My thoughts. Adrian--my poor baby! I loved him so much in Charade and it pained me to see him waste away his life by being high all the darn time. Having these stupid parties and being with girls, but having incredible pain behind his eyes. I loved his bromance with Colt. I had no idea hidden behind his mask was unimaginable pain. I really thought I had it all figured out since Laney tells us her version of the story, but I couldn't have been a bigger fool! It turned out to be bigger than anything I imagined. It broke my heart and ugly-crying was involved in the healing process.

I liked their sweet, light romance which was actually a beginning of a really deep connection neither of them was expecting. I liked how Laney made Adrian work for her attention and time even though she wanted desperately to meet him, tell him how sorry she is for what kind of pain her family has caused him. It broke my heart to watch them open up and make their woonds worse, but I understand that it was necessary in order for them to heal which was beautiful to watch. The thing that maybe bothered me, was that the writing, while strong in general, for me Adrian's point of view was a little too similar to Colt's. It's probably just me though.

However much I loved Adrian's story, I liked Colt and Chey's more and I have to stay true to myself so the rating is as it is. 4 stars doesn't take away the meaning and amazingness that is this story which was absolutely stunning and painful. I know that Nyrae loves happy endings so I had no doubt that Adrian and Delaney would find their way to each other. I advise you to pick up Charade asap and if you've already read it, give Adrian's book a try. It was gorgeously haunting!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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12 comments:

  1. I love this review so hard, Siiri! I love it when someone I know also ends up loving a book as much as I did. You already know how much I fell for Adrian and Delaney. It was such a heart-breaking story though! :(
    Were you expecting that twist about Adrian?
    Glad you loved this, Siiri! I can't wait for the next book! I love the cover of that one.
    Lovely review! :)

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  2. It seems to me that you have a new fictional boy crush! :) Now now Siiri should I meet that young man and see if he is good enough for you? ;)
    Kidding it sounds like a great story with great characters and I might want to give it a try. I love heart-breaking stories so this might be just for me.
    Great review :)

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  3. Ooh, I love a good bromance lol :) I haven't read this series yet, but I know lots of people adore it. I'm definitely going to have to start and see what Adrian is all about. He sounds like a broken character, which I shouldn't love, but I do. Great review, Siiri!!

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  4. Oh, nice to see you enjoyed this. I loved Charade but it's been a while since I read it so I can't remember all the details of Adrian. Maybe that's a good thing because I won't be bothered by the similarities in POV from Colt to him. I can't wait to find out what this painful secret is. Wonderful review, Siiri! :)

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  5. I loved Colt and Adrian's bromance too!! And yes, Colt and Chey are still my favorite too, but this was a really great story.
    Beautiful review, Siiri!

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  6. I couldn't finish the previous book in the series but I might finish this one especially if you think this is better :)

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  7. The romance sounds sweet. I haven't started this series but I should

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  8. I've read the first book in the series but I haven't gotten to this one yet. It's sounds so good though! Great review!

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  9. I still haven't read anything by Nyrae Dawn Siiri! *hangs head in shame and hides in a corner* I know, you don't even have to say it, I'm missing out on epicness. *sigh* Damn all these good books that make me want to take off work so I can read them, but then of course I wouldn't have any money with which to buy books. It's a vicious cycle Siiri. Vicious. I promise you I will get to Charade, I definitely want to meet Colt, and I'm sure after meeting Adrian in Colt's book I'll be wanting to spend more time with him as well:)

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  10. "A huge deal with Hachette and mouth-to-mouth word about Nyrae and her talent." Isn't it wonderful when you get to see the authors you love succeed? Best part. :)

    "I loved him so much in Charade and it pained me to see him waste away his life by being high all the darn time" <-- D'aww Adrian reminds me of the other one we like who also a similar problem with mind-altering substances.

    Bromances (and sistomances? ? ? ) are so fun to read about. Eee about the ugly-crying and the healing process and all the pain! Sometimes it's so rewarding to read about stories that are so fulfilling about the internal conflict. And it's good that Adrian had to work for her!

    Shame that Adrian's POV was similar to Colt's for you, and shame that you still liked Colt's story more :P, but maybe the next in the series will be the best-thing-ever, though it does sound like you loved Colt...

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  11. I've been going back and forth with Charade, as it isn't my usual sort of read, but I think you might have just convinced me again. ;) I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Adrian's story! It's great that it was able to leave an impact on you, even if you did prefer Colt and Chey's slightly more. Lovely review, Siiri! :)

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  12. I need to read this series! I have the first one, but I haven't started it yet. EEK! Isn't it wonderful when small indie authors start getting more and more notice, and explode? It makes me so very happy. I have a friend that liked this one better than the first, so I'm eager to see which of you agree with. Also, I like that this is a slow-burn romance with lots of emotion behind it. Those are sometimes the best kind. Great review!

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