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? ~ Goodreads
Source: Provided by the publisher (Forever) via Netgalley for my honest review
Review:
When I was introduced to Adrian, Cole's best friend in Charade, I knew he had a story to tell. He is your typical NA cocky bad boy. Adrian gets high everyday and hooks up with random girls during the parties he’s constantly hosting at his house. I kind of liked him, because despite his persona you can tell he's loyal to his friends but to be honest he also seemed like a loser.
We all know that the love of a good woman can redeem him (in the book world at least) but I just wasn't sure if it was something I could buy into fully.
Enter Delaney Cross. Delaney is a really good person who's on a mission to right the wrongs of her father’s actions in hopes of finding closure for her and his victims family. Unfortunately (or fortunately), that leads her directly to Adrian. Their connection could be something that heals them both or the thing that threatens to destroy what little grasp on hope, love & forgiveness they have left.
Their story was somewhat predictable in it's early stages and I had a hard time with Adrian. He's in his own head a lot and after awhile I felt as foggy as him when he was high.
However, I really enjoyed how Delaney and Adrian developed and once we really get to the heart of Adrian's problems the story kicks into high gear and is heartbreaking. It was like a sucker punch to my heart. I didn't' expect THAT.
Their love does make things better but instead of hot sex wiping everything away - their friendship and acceptance of each other gives them the strength to confront their problems on their own. Loved that! Adrian needed to deal with things by himself before he could commit to anything with Delaney. And she gave him the space to do that.
Delaney makes quite a few mistakes along the way but her intentions are pure and you can't help but root for what she's trying to accomplish even if she takes a singular view and doesn't notice the toll it takes on others. Particularly her brother, Maddox. I think I may have enjoyed their relationship as much as Delaney and Adrian's. We don't get to see the sibling dynamic in play very often. It appears Maddox's story is up next and I'm very hopeful that Delaney is an important part of it.
Final thoughts: Facade was very emotional and I was blown away by how mature the characters became when they began to deal with their problems head on. The first half is slightly more predictable but Nyrae is one of my favorite NA writers out there. She brings heart to every character and story she writes.
Author: website | twitter | Goodreads
Buy the book! Facade (The Games Series)
I've heard a lot about Nyrae but haven't read this book. I like the sound of the characters becoming more mature!
ReplyDeleteI love her writing. She wrote a fun YA series starting with What a Boy Wants and then several NA books. My favorites are Measuring Up and Charade.
DeleteShe also has an upcoming book co-written with Jolene Perry called Out of Play that was a lot of fun.
While hot sex is all well and good, it certainly shouldn't be a panacea for issues a couple has. Good to hear this couple works through things like sensible adults rather than horny teens.
ReplyDeleteI've read a few, especially in the NA genre, where that seems to be the solution to almost everything.
DeleteThere is hot sex here lol but they really work on their issues alone (and give each other the space to do so) before committing to a relationship and I love that.
I chuckled when you said that you felt this foggy asAdrian when he was high. LOL I've been worried about reading this because of the big twist that everyone keeps talking about. I know it's something that is shocking and sad, and I will get emotional. But I love Nyrae and I love her writing, and I cannot wait to read this in a few weeks. I'm glad you're finally able to connect truly with the story once Adrian and Laney really got down to the heart of it. Great review, Karen!
ReplyDeleteDon't be afraid Andrea!! It's not so much a big twist as MORE than what you think. (she says cryptically lol)
DeleteIt is emotional but it's so good and helps elevate the story to something more. It's done very well.
Maybe..maybe I will try one NA one day
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't like that it's a specific genre. I find that it's limiting it to a certain type of story - usually damaged protag with hot sex, but it's really more about an age group that could encompass an genre.
DeleteBut that's just my little rant on the subject lol
There are a lot of great NA books/authors out there right now but also a lot of repetition that is limiting it's potential.
Oh I like characters that face problems head on! I'm so going to have to check out this series. I'm not much into contemporary, but have really enjoyed those that I do pick up. Sounds like this one would be for me.
ReplyDeleteTO be honest, I can't read too many in a row, but it makes me happy when the characters come together but don't necessarily NEED the other person to fix everything about them.
DeleteI've never heard of these! Glad to hear the characters deal with their problems eventually and it makes the story that much more interesting. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds a lot like Ten Tiny Breaths...at least from the premise and my guesses....I'm really not so much into NA or YA contemps but I likes that series a lot, so I think I may like this one as well.
ReplyDelete