Charade

Games #1

by Nyrae Dawn

Nineteen-year-old Cheyenne tries to portray the perfect life to mask the memories of her past. Walking in on her boyfriend with another woman her freshman year in college threatens that picture of perfection.

Twenty-one-year-old Colt never wanted college and never expected to amount to anything, but when his mom's dying wish is for him to get his degree, he has no choice but to pretend it's what he wants too.

Cheyenne needs a fake boyfriend to get back at her ex and Colt needs cash to take care of his mom, so they strike a deal that helps them both. But what if Cheyenne’s past isn’t what she thought? Soon they’re trading one charade for another—losing themselves in each other to forget about their pain. The more they play their game, the more it becomes the only thing they have that feels real.

Both Cheyenne and Colt know life is never easy, but neither of them expect the tragedy that threatens to end their charade and rip them apart forever.

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, College, Contemporary Romance, Young Adult, Chick Lit

345 pages, Nook

First published October 22, 2012

About the author

I am a compulsive reader 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.

Reviews

[Dd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hello Readers!!

Her life's perfect.

She's Cheyenne Marshall.She was the captain of the dance team.Voted most popular girl in her high school.She had friends.Tons of them.

But here in college she knows everyone through her perfect boyfriend Gregory.

But then...she finds Gregory cheating on her with someone else.

'What is it about me that makes people think they can take advantage and toss me aside?Why am I so easy to betray?'

No,not everything is as it seems.

So,her seemingly perfect life is a..... CHARADE!!

A charade she has always played to perfection.

All her life she has hidden behind a mask no one can see.

The mask of a perfect person with a perfect life.

Now no one can just toss aside and leave a perfect person.Can they??



His life is as far from perfect as you can get.

Colt's mom is dying.And she wants him to be better than what his legacy is.She wants him to get a degree.

So,he's in college getting a degree for his mom.

Tall,messy blonde hair and skin covered with ink,he's hot.

But he's also an asshole,to be very precise!!

Also,he's the only guy who Gregory is afraid to cross.


So,the two of them decide to play a new charade together.

Chey wants to show Gregory and others that her life is still absolutely perfect.So seeing the animosity between Colt and Gregory,she asks Colt to pose as her boyfriend to make Gregory jealous.In return she will pay him.

Colt needs money anyhow,for his mom.He agrees.


And thus begins the greatest charade of their lives....



Charade.It's all a charade.

Then why can't she hide from him? Why only he can see the real her?

Why,when she has never needed anyone,does she ask him to keep her safe?

'Him being here is like he's picking at the edge of a sticker.Using his nail to peel back a layer of me that I can't handle removing.'


Charade.It's all a charade.


Then why does he give a damn? Why is he intent upon baring the real her?

Why,when he doesn't give a damn about anyone else except his mother,is he doing everything to make her feel safe and happy?And most importantly,why does he want to change?

'I'm tired.So fucking tired of fighting it and feeling this way--whatever the hell way it is.I lie about everything.I'm a dick to everyone.I can't even truthfully answer the question "are you happy".But she sees more in me.'


And suddenly they find that this little charade of theirs,is more real than anything else.

"I thought this was a game."

"Not anymore and you know it.Everything else in my life is all fucked up.This is the only thing that's real."


But is this???


After they have been playing for so long,they will now have to prove that what they have is real.

Specially in the face of an impending tragedy.

Will they be able to do so???

Well you have to read this to find out.


That's all for now,Readers.

Ta-Ta!!

[Angie - Angie's Dreamy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 HEART WARMING STARS


HEART ACHE
ANGER
REVENGE
LIFE
LOVE
DEATH
GRIEVING
HEALING
MOVING ON
LIVING
HAPPINESS
E.M.O.T.I.O.N.A.L

This book covers everything that can happen to you that I would consider 'tragic' but it's also a message of a love that can heal and can help you learn to move on, to emerge stronger. To not carry all of life's up's and downs on your shoulders but to let someone you LOVE shoulder those burdens with you. Let them carry you through those tough days. Love can be healing. Love is amazing. Love can make a broken heart whole again!!


WOW this was an amazing surprise. I was paging through my Kindle trying to figure out what I wanted to read when I landed on it and thought "hmmmm...let me read a couple pages and see what I think,"!!!! Well, I.COULD.NOT.PUT.IT.DOWN!!!!!! This is the first Nyrae Dawn book I have read and most certainly will not be my last. I was an emotional wreck while reading it. I don't know what I was expecting, maybe another fluffy romance type book which it most definitely was not. I think this book falls in to the New Adult category which I'm really coming to love. It was heartbreaking to see these two young people struggle with tragedy's that would cripple even a full grown adult. It was beautifully written and the ENDING was OH.MY.GOD intense. It was a full reading experience. I loved every second.


"This is a game. Our game. One that I asked for, but with each day it feels more real. More real than anything ever has and I'm not sure how I feel about that. What to do. I shouldn't fall for this guy. He's got so much on his plate and he's not the kind of guy to really fall for someone. ~~ Chey


Cheyenne is two weeks into College her freshmen year when she walks in on her Boyfriend of two years with another girl. Upset and angry Chey decides she's going to teach Gregory a lesson and let him know that she doesn't really need him anymore. She's intent on keeping up an image that she has everything in her life going perfectly. She see's Colt in a coffee shop after he's had a confrontation with Gregory and decides he's the perfect guy to teach her ex a lesson. After striking a deal with Colt they begin a charade to make her ex jealous. It's not one sided though Colt get's something out of this to. His mother is dying of cancer and Colt is struggling to pay for things. He needs extra money to be able to afford some additional bills that are coming up in the future. So together they begin a mutually beneficial relationship but little do they know, they're going to be getting a lot more than they signed up for.


Cheyenne has some deep personal issues. Her mother abandoned her when she was younger. She dropped her off at her aunt's house and never came back. Her mother had a habit of deserting her though and an episode that she experienced when she was younger leaves her scarred and with reoccurring panic attacks and nightmares. Cheyenne learned at a young age to never depend on anyone but her break up with Gregory leaves her vulnerable and on edge.

Colt's a little rough around the edges. He's a bad boy with tattoo's and a dirty mouth. He's struggling with the fact his mom is dying from Cancer and to mask the pain that causes, he's an asshole to everyone around him. It's just a facade though, he's really the sweetest, kindest person. I adored him, cried over him and wanted to hug him. My heart broke for him. One part in this book had me clutching my chest. His pain is palpable. It's really intense.

"I thought this was a game," I reminded him.
"Not anymore and you know it. Everything else in my life is all f*cked up. This is the only thing that's real." ~~ Colt


Together Chey and Colt find a safe place in each other. A place they can go to, to forget about their problems and their struggles. It starts out as a charade but quickly develops into an escape and then something so much deeper. It's beautiful to read. I loved that at the worst times in their lives they were able to find something as sweet and incredible as love in each other.

"This girl is mine. I've had quite a few girls before, but none of them were mine. I didn't want them a part of me, to keep them, and with her I want nothing more that to keep her safe and keep her with me all the time."

Overall...I thought this book was fantastic. The writing was incredible. I wanted and craved the characters. I was sad when it came to an end. I think Colt and Chey are perfect for each other and the epilogue left me feeling amazing. I can't wait for the second installment in this series. This is an absolute MUST READ.



I Thought this little poem fit Colt and Chey perfectly.




I saw this and it made me think of Colt 3

["That's All" Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book literally starts out with a *bang* as college freshman, Cheyenne, catches her boyfriend in bed with another girl. Betrayal isn’t even in the same ballpark for what Cheyenne feels when she walks in on “the guy she was supposed to live happily ever after with” getting it on with someone else.

No no no no no no no no no NO!

This wasn’t supposed to happen to her: the girl voted “Most Popular” in high school; captain of her dance squad; the girl with a million friends. She had written the perfect life for herself and getting cheated on wasn’t in the script!

Of course, the cheating jerk tries to manipulate the situation by telling Cheyenne that “he just missed her too much and what was a guy to do?” But she won’t have any of it, as she’s determined to live life as the strong girl she made herself become.

So she does the smart thing, walks away, and completely removes him from her life.

But not until she tells her good ol’ cheating ex that she cheated on him first. Which is a big, fat, massive, obese lie. But what’s a girl supposed to do, right? Hell hath no fury like a girl who just caught her boyfriend in bed with a buxom red-head and all that jazz. ;)

So now all Cheyenne has to do is find a guy to pretend to be her boyfriend for a little bit. It’s just a simple problem that just needs a simple answer.

Too bad she finds probably the most complex guy on campus to act as her simple solution.

Enter: Colt. A mega badass badboy with dark blonde hair, an upper body rippled with tattoos, and bedsheets that should probably be washed on a daily basis. (I’m not going to lie to you, Colt gave me hot flashes. Aaaaaaaand I’m only twenty-three.)

So when Cheyenne sees Colt nearly come to blows with her ex in the middle of a coffee house, she knows she’s found a guy who hates the egotistical slime ball as much as she does.

Bingo.

Too bad he turns her down faster than she can even introduce herself.

“Forget it,” Colt says. “Good luck, Princess.”

He’s walking away. My one chance to save face is walking away, and I can feel myself clinging, needing something, anything.

“I’ll pay you!” I say to his back.

“Wrong answer. I don’t need your money.”

And with that, he walks away.

But don’t worry, friends. This is all the beginning. If that was all to the story, we’d have a very short book on our hands, wouldn’t we? Besides… remember when I told you that Colt is a very sexy and complicated guy?

Well he’s also a very broke sexy and complicated guy. And he desperately needs money for something. So what does he do? He finds the very sexy, but annoyingly high maintenance girl who proposed a ludicrous idea to him.

And then he pretends to be her boyfriend.

I absolutely loved these two characters when they were together! They had such a thick wire of sexual tension between the two, and what I really loved was that they desperately didn’t want it to be there. The didn’t want to share this super strong attraction, but at the same time… they couldn’t stop it.

”Neandertals have better mouths than you do.”

“I think you’d like my mouth, Princess.”

She gasps and I suddenly want to make good on my threat. I want to suck the lobe of her ear into my mouth. Kiss the spot behind it to see if it drives her wild.

I also loved when they weren’t around people and it was just the two of them… not only did they stop pretending; they started becoming real. Real people with excruciatingly real problems covered in real secrets.

While pretending to be lovers and driving Cheyenne’s ex absolutely crazy… they became friends in a sense. True, they still couldn’t decide whether they wanted to kiss or kill one another… but they began to see that the other wasn’t quite who they thought they were. Cheyenne begins to see why Colt has such a hardened exterior. And Colt starts to understand why Cheyenne wants to be so perfect all the time.

I feel her shaking as she cries, but no sounds come out. She’s locked up so tight and I both respect her for protecting herself and want to set her free at the same time.”

And soon what began as a charade turns into something else entirely. As hard as they fight the attraction between them, it keeps building and building until it becomes a wildfire that helps them shed light on the darkness they hold inside.


I hold her while she sleeps. I don’t know how in the fuck we got here, but somehow this game is more real than anything else.

And I want it.

I fucking want it.

As this book dwindled down towards its ending, I’m not going to lie: I had NO IDEA how big and consuming that darkness was! Holy frijoles, dude! I wasn’t expecting that! But I think that’s what really drove this book home for me. Because things got way intense!

Well played, Nyrae Dawn…

Well played. ;)

4 stars.

CASTING

[Kristen]

DNF at 48%

It kills me to mark this book DNF, as I know Nyrae Dawn is a much loved author with many of my friends (sorry Karla), but I don't think her writing style works for me. I had a devil of a time with the prose. I found it erratic and disjointed and in need of an editor to help with the pacing and transitions. For instance, flashback memories were confusing when they were interjected into current dialogue without the author indicating that such memories were taking place. It would have been helpful had italics been used instead of quotation marks. The prose would not have felt so jarring.

From what I read, I did LOVE the hero, Colt. He's everything I love in a bad boy who has a hidden golden heart. As for the heroine, Cheyenne, I really liked her at time, but her immaturity, melodrama, and random thoughts grated on my nerves. She was very young so I did take that into consideration.

As much as I tried...and I really did try...I just wasn't able to get past the flow of the prose. That said, I cared enough about these characters to skip to the end to make sure they found their HEA.

[Aestas Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This is a game. Our game. One that I asked for, but with each day it feels more real. More real than anything every has.... What to do. I shouldn't fall for this guy."

When Cheyenne's heart is broken after finding her boyfriend in bed with another girl, she wants to find a way to make it clear to him that she doesn't need him in her life. Colt is struggling with pushing himself though school to keep a promise he made to his dying mother. When Cheyenne sees him in a coffee shop, she proposes a deal. She will pay him to pose as her boyfriend in an effort to make her ex jealous. Desperate for the money, he agrees and so begins their charade. Their game face they show the outside world. But the more the continue it, what feels most right in their lives is the charade.

“This isn’t a fucking game anymore. No charades here. I don’t know exactly what to call it, but whatever it is, it’s ours. I’m going to latch onto it. And never let go.”

The second half of this book was sooo good! It was heart breaking and had me in tears by about 90% (don't worry, there is still a HEA!). I did liked the story in the beginning and there were a few moment I really felt for but, overall I was a little distanced from the characters for the first half. No specific complaints. I liked each of them, I liked the story, I just wasn't feeling fully connected to it from the start, but I got steadily into it the more I read and about half way through, it got gooooood and my heart strings were pulled to the point of ending up in tears by the end. Ohhhh gosh, seriously, the 90% mark was painful!! My heart went right out to them.

I really liked the idea of how two people who barely even liked each other at first, who jumped to all the wrong conclusions about each other and seemingly weren't suited to each other at all ended up falling head over heals in love.

"Tomorrow... don't remind me I said this. I won't want to talk about it, but tonight... keep me safe."

We get alternating POVs that help familiarize us with how different each of their lives were and the pain they were each going through. I loved Colt's POV. What a sweet heart bad boy! He was really easy to fall for :)

"No more games, I want you." he says into my ear."

This book dealt with a lot of hard themes - young characters dealing with abandonment and death and trying to hold it together and stay strong. I loved that they were able to find support and strength in each other and that out of all the heart ache, they came away with each other and with a love and a bond that you knew was going to last.

"It's that stupid girl heart-pounding, hearts-floating-by-my-head thing. Where the guy who fights so hard to keep the distance, does something so small, it's huge. I can't help but let it inside. Let it mean something."

Its not very long and could be easily read in one sitting. If you are looking for an emotional New Adult read, its definitely one to consider!

Book 2 "Facade" will follow the story of Colt's best friend Adrian (who we see a fair bit of in this book). I'm very much looking forward to his book which will be out Spring 2013.

CASTING: I'm kind of seeing this guy as Colt... just tattoo him up in your minds and maybe dye his hair a little :P



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[Kellie Maddox-Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

”I might not be able to do much for you, but I’ll hold your secrets.” – Colt

wow.
WoW.
WOW.
WOW.

Anyone who knows me, knows I loved Nyrae’s writing and am totally a fangirl



I have read pretty much everything she has written in YA. This NA novel was awesome!

This book starts out with a bang! (Yes bad Pun intended) as Cheyenne walks in on her boyfriend of 2 years having sex with someone else in his College Dorm.

Chey has abandonment issues because of her Mom. She has so many walls up around her that no-one can break through. She doesn’t actually love Greg, never did. But the fact he left her for someone else hurts. She decides that she can’t show him how much he hurt her.

Enter Colt.

After seeing an altercation at the coffee shop between Greg and “Hot Tattoo Guy” she decides that she is going to approach Tattoo guy and see if he wants to play the game of Charades in front of Greg.

Colt turns her down. He is a badass tattoo guy who is basically an asshole and doesn’t have time to deal with the “Princess.” He has other things to worry about. His mother is dying of cancer, and to give her everything she has ever wanted to make her happy in the time she has left, Colt has taken up the role of a drug dealer.

At a party Colt see’s Greg kiss Chey, when they are caught by Greg’s GF it becomes a bit of a scene. Colt can’t stand Greg so decides to walk up to Chey and accept the offer of the Charade.

What starts as a Charade for the rest of the world to see becomes real to Chey and Colt. They have never been themselves with anyone. Yet all of a sudden they are with each other. It was supposed to be having sex and hanging out for a distraction from their shitty lives. However it turns much more real than that as they begin to lean on each other for support, and the charade starts to crumble.

In this half-dark room while my mother sleeps on the bed next to us, we make our vows to each other, to stop pretending. To grow up. To do what the hell we need to do to not be the people who had to play a fucked up game of charades to fall in love.


I love the cover of this book! I need to state that, it was real and suited the book.
However as soon as I started to read about Colt for some reason I pictured Chace Crawford



(with tattoo’s) and only confirmed it with this quote

“But when he smiles? Really smiles, it’s perfect. Like toothpaste commercial, boy-next-door beauty that makes it really hard to be pissed at him.”



There are still some funny giggle moments but it is very serious and VERY emotional as well.

In typical form it was written in both Chey and Colts POV that changed chapter to chapter so no confusion as whose POV you were reading from.
at about 84% my eyes were welling up for the rest of the book.

The sex scenes were fade to black. I can deal with that. Would of liked a bit more steam but that’s just me I’m a pervert. Oh and glad to see safe sex was being practiced!

I really liked the Epilogue it made me smile.
I also added to the end in my mind that they got married, become rich, got 2 dogs had a billion children so that they would never be alone anymore!

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Charade was not on my radar, but when I saw a ton of my Goodreads friends reading and loving it, I had to find out what all the commotion was about. I’m so glad I decided to pick this up, because it was such a beautiful and emotional story! This book made me cry, but I loved it anyhow!

Nineteen year-old Cheyenne, has just found out her boyfriend of two years, Gregory, is cheating on her. She followed him to college and thought they’d be together forever. To save face, Cheyenne falsely led Gregory to believe that someone else was interested in her, and now with him out of the way, she was going to go for it. When she runs into Colt, and sees the animosity between Gregory and him, she approaches him to make a deal. Pretend to be her boyfriend she’ll pay. Cheyenne has created a careful façade of being strong and happy, and she needs to keep it up. She doesn’t want people know she’s hurt or affected by Gregory, to see weakness in her.

Colt is a typical bad-boy, on the surface. He’s strikingly handsome, but with tattoos and attitude for days, he has an edge to him. Underneath, he’s struggling to keep things together. His mother is dying of cancer and with her being a single parent, there’s no father to shoulder the weight or responsibility of her care. He loves his mother. She always put his well being first and is the reason he worked hard to get into college. When Cheyenne first proposes her deal, he shrugs her off as a shallow princess only caring about what others think of her.

Cheyenne has worked hard at keeping people at arm’s length, dealing with abandonment issues from her mother leaving her at a young age. Her thinking is if you don’t let them too close, they won’t have the power to hurt you. At first, because she doesn’t really care what Colt thinks of her, she allows him to see her true self. I think she realized Colt was someone who could understand her darkness, and wouldn’t judge her for it. Cheyenne is completely opposite of the spoiled princess Colt thought she was at first. He finds a kindred spirit in her and before you know it, these two have a connection neither was planning on. I just loved these two broken souls trying to deal with their pasts and being there for each other.

”I thought this was a game,” I remind him. “Not anymore and you know it. Everything else in my life is all f%*ked up. This is the only thing that’s real.” I gasp. It’s what I want to hear. What I need to hear. What I feel in each of my scarred heartbeats.

Like I said in the outset, this story made me cry. I lost my Mom when I was twenty-one and went through much of the same experience as Colt, so it was easy to feel his pain. His relationship with his mom was so heartbreaking. They didn’t have the best circumstances, but love was the predominant quality between them. I think that’s why he had so much to give to Cheyenne.

Ms. Dawn’s writing found a way into my heart, it was poignant and felt real. This certainly won’t be the last story I pick up from her. I’m officially a fan!

Favorite quote:

“This isn't a f&*king game anymore. No charades here. I don't know exactly what to call it, but whatever it is, it's ours. I'm going to latch onto it. And never let it go.” --Colt

You can find this review and more at The Readers Den.

[♡Karlyn P♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* 'Where are the last names, folks?!' stars.

Summary: I liked it, but no "OMG!" gushing here folks.

Charade is a quick YA-M read with some emotional twists that will guarantee to make you cry at the end, but the romance and relationship was pretty standard fare. Fans of angst-filled college life stories with some steamy parts, some family life drama, and a budding romance between two opposite types will enjoy this one.

There was an odd generic simplicity with the story, which didn't bother me too much but it did leave me wanting to know more about these people and their lives. Nothing seemed to have full names and identities. None of the characters had last names, the college name was unspecified, the town and state was unspecified and could be Anywhere, USA. Even Colt's mothers cancer type was unspecified. She just had cancer. The coffee shop was just that - the coffee shop. And so forth.

Cheyenne catches her boyfriend of two-years, Greg, in bed with another girl, Red, which triggers her to lie about having another guy interested in her. Colt, a tattooed college junior, and Greg are fast enemies. When Cheyenne witnesses a confrontation between these two, she approaches him with a game plan of Charades. This is meant to sooth her ego more than it is to make Greg jealous. Colt refuses at first, but later agrees. Cheyenne and Colt start off on a rocky path and many small fights occur, but in no time the game of Charades fades away and it becomes something real.

Despite the generic tone of the story, it did have a surprising amount of depth (but I would have liked more!) We might not learn their last names or even what town they live in, but we learn enough about their personal lives to believe in these two. Their family lives are center to the story, and it will absolutely tug at your heart.

The romance moved pretty fast, despite being fresh out of a two year relationship. The ex-boyfriend Greg was a bit of an anomaly. He didn't have much of a role except to incite problems every few chapters. Colt was probably the best part of this story, I think we learn the most about him and see him go through the most emotional angst. The bad-boy who doesn't want to get serious finds his match with Cheyenne.

I did enjoy this one, but wasn't blown away. The romance took time to warm up and make me believe that these two really cared for each other, but by the end I was convinced. There is a secondary story between Colt and his mother which was quite tender, and IMO it out shined the main romance story between him and Cheyenne.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! JUST…. WOW. SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BOOK!!!

I’m such a sucker for the fake relationship set up, so this was a winner for me before I even started. But it soon became clear to me that there is so much more to this book. The way they initially came together is a little weird, but is an indicator of how screwed up these two characters are at the beginning of the story, and a great starting point for some major character development.

Colt and Cheyenne are two very real, very honest (and yes, screwed up) characters. Cheyenne has some trauma in her past, while Colt is dealing with some major stuff in his present. With their fake relationship fizzling out but developing into a tentative friendship, both of them are looking for a way to deal with their pain, and they turn to each other, finding a way to be together in a way that helps them forget about all of the drama in their lives. But this quickly develops into more as two people who never let anybody close, discover that they actually make each other’s lives better.

I grab her arms and pull her toward me. Now she has her arms wrapped around my waist and we’re chest to chest. She’s laughing and I almost want to laugh with her. For a second it feels real and okay. The knot in my gut loosens and I’m not scared to breathe.

Amidst the funny banter, and some gorgeously tender moments, the romance develops slowly and realistically.

“I thought this was a game,” I remind him.
“Not anymore and you know it. Everything else in my life is all fucked up. This is the only thing that’s real.”

And watching them both realise that they’d finally let somebody in and fallen for each other was just magic.

I don’t know how in the fuck we got here, but somehow this game is more real than anything else.
And I want it.
I fucking want it.

I fell in instant love with both Colt and Chey. The interactions and dialogue between them is incredibly real and with the story being in both of their POVs, we get right inside of their heads to see what they are going through, and it’s sensational. I could very easily put myself in their positions and understand everything that they were feeling. They were both honest with each other, and there was no stupidness at all. And not once did I want to smack either of them (believe me - this is a rare event that should be treasured!).

This isn’t a fucking game anymore. No charades here. I don’t know exactly what to call it, but whatever it is, it’s ours. I’m going to latch onto it. And never let go.

This is a beautifully written, very emotional read. The things that the characters go through are intense and heartbreakingly tragic (I was in tears for an entire chapter!). But there is enough humour, lightness and swoony romance to balance out the heavier stuff nicely. The highlight of the book for me was watching them go through everything they went through together, leaning on each other, but still standing strong, it was just beautiful.

We may have been brought together because of a stupid ass game. Or because we were both screwed up, or needed to change, but we got somewhere important and that’s the only thing that counts.

I absolutely loved this story, and read it in one sitting, unable to put it down. It was my first book from Nyrae Dawn, and I can’t wait to read more from this incredibly talented author.

4.5 stars!

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

”I thought this was a game,” I reminded him. “Not anymore and you know it. Everything else in my life is all fucked up. This is the only thing that’s real.”



There is so much more to this book! If you think it’s a quick story about faking a relationship and then the feelings become real you would be correct but yet again there is depth, heartbreak, love and loss as well.

You may think you have your typical girl, Cheyenne who walks in on her boyfriend of two years Gregory with another girl after following him to college. She wants revenge, to show him that she wasn't that invested in their relationship and you would be correct in thinking that to an extent.

Colton is spotted at the campus coffee shop appearing to be the perfect person to set Gregory off. The two men are enemies and the animosity oozes off them. Cheyenne strikes a conversation and asks for Colton to pretend they are dating in exchange for money.

Now here’s where you would think well they realize they are perfect for each other and they live happily ever after…

Cheyenne is broken from her past. Colt is dealing with the anticipation of the greatest loss of his life. They help each other, they support each other and they love each other!

This story is sad and it’s happy. Both characters povs’ make it a good read.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 42%


This is bad. Two DNFs in two days!

I seriously tried to keep on going and this was one I wanted to DNF the second we meet Cheyenne which is in the first chapter but I resisted.

But I can't anymore.

All I kept thinking about was the time I was wasting that could be used to read much better books. I couldn't for the life of me connect with any part of the story.

This book is lifeless.

Everything and everyone feels flat. Every conversation feels forced. The banter was horribly cheesy and OMG the writing was puke-worthy.

I think...I think I'm going to take a break from NA.

[Isabella Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE IT. NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS.

85% of the book I'm like:






The last 15% was like:






Overall, two-thumbs up for this book! Whopping 5-stars! Recommended for all YA lovers out there. :)


Beautiful. Just beautiful. *sighs* :)


Favorite Quotes:


There’s something in a man’s voice… in the inflection or how he talks to you or about you that says a lot.

***************

“Did you ever think you caught me in the middle of something? You know how guys are in the morning, and I did get left high and dry last—”
“Colt! Oh my God. You’re disgusting. I swear you’re the crudest person I ever met.”

***************

Who are any of us, really? Do we ever really know someone else? Hell, do we know ourselves?

***************

“Blanket,” I mutter, between kisses.
“If you’re cold I’m doing something wrong.”

***************

“I’m tired of running.” Colt fingers my hair. “I want one thing that’s not broken…that’s not fucked up or dying. Mom’s life has always been broken. She had a drug addicted mom and lived in the system. My old man was a prick and a druggie. This is the only thing that’s real. Don’t run from me, Tiny Dancer.”

***************

“I’m fucking good at this boyfriend shit. Who would have thought?”

[Vishous · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't prepared for this. .. This book ripped my heart out. I cried all the time because I had no idea that this would be happening. I thought it would be funny and angsty... but this.... the sad note through the whole book... It hit me hard because I was in Chey's shoes when it comes to Colt's situation and I wasn't prepared for that at all... It hit home too close.
I felt every situation with his mom and her like it was mine. I love this book because it is how it is. Sometimes you just know and words are not needed.

[Irene Sim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm adding half a star with my 2018 reread of this story. The rest of my previous review stands as it is but I guess I appreciated the author's work more this second time. It was a delight to revisit Colt and Chey's story, they are two unique characters and I really loved them. I'm curious about Adrian's story and I think it's about time to start his book....



3,5 stars!
I really liked this story. It was very emotional with many heart-warming and heart-wrenching scenes without being cheesy or lame about it.
The main characters are Cheyenne, a nineteen y.o. girl who struggles to come to terms with her mother's abandonment in early childhood, and twenty-one y.o. Colton "Colt" who is losing his only parent to a fatal disease.
In the middle of the whirlwind that's their everyday life, these two lost souls find in each other the calm and peace that's been absent for so long. It is a beautiful story indeed.
Then why only 3,5 stars you'll wonder. Though it is a beautiful story, as I aforementioned, it isn't beautifully told. Many spelling or grammar errors bordering to annoying and many second characters unexplored.
Also, I had a major issue with the cover. Seeing this cover what first comes to mind is that the story is another romantic comedy, a fun and light read. You couldn't be more wrong. I often don't pay much attention to the covers, there are so many shirtless guys out there so what's one more, but in this case I felt that it devalued the depth of the story. Their relationship wasn't as light or as easy as the cover insinuates.
Anyway, that's just my opinion, and I'm definitely going to read more of the author's works.

[Hanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book! It’s emotional and beautiful. My heart broke sometimes and I felt for the characters. Cheyenne and Colt are wonderful characters. They are sweet, caring and a little lonely. Their relationship may have started as a fake one, but it didn’t take long before they developed romantic feelings for each other. I loved Cheyenne and Colt together.

[Smitten's Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic. I really enjoyed this book. I've given it four stars because I felt that it was a bit predictable, but other than that, it was great.

The situation with Colt's Mum was so heart breaking, yet so beautiful. I loved the person Colt became when he was with her and I enjoyed reading his POV, even though it was devastatingly sad. This is a real tear jerker.

"He loves you," she adds. "And I love you. You're everything I could have hoped for, for him."

I loved how each of the characters drew strength from one another and each endured their own hardships, whilst steadfastly supporting the other. Their relationship was so beautiful and so unexpected for both of them.

"I thought this was a game," I reminded him.
"Not anymore and you know it. Everything else in my life is all f*cked up. This is the only thing that's real."

There was a lot of pain in this book, but it made the moments of joy and love all the more intense.

Aside from all of the hurt, anguish and also romance... Colt is hot. It's got to be said. People may die and there may be a lot of heartbreak, but credit where credit is due, Colt will get your panties in a twist!

"I'm fucking good at this boyfriend shit. Who would have thought?"

I really enjoyed Nyrae Dawn's writing style and I do love a good alternate POV book. I'll definitely be investigating more of her work in the future.

To read more reviews go to my Book Blog: http://smittensbookblog.wordpress.com/
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[Tessamari ♥Many Waters...♥ ~ Sweet Spot Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars

That’s what we have – we’re both damaged with baggage and somehow it works.

**Wipes away tears** I’m crying like a baby, but I don’t care. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS! **Sniff** Wow! This was a pleasant surprise. After my last read, which was angst on steroids, I wanted something light and predictable. This my friends, was not light, though it was a little predictable. The H/h were both incredible characters and their story is chalk full of emotions, anger and love. It all equaled to one big beautiful story.

He has dark blond, clouds-over-sunset colored hair. It’s messy, like he hasn’t combed it all day. A black t-shirt stretches across his chest and all the way down his right arm are tattoos. Like, so many of them I can’t even see his skin.

Tattoos. With that one word describing our Hero, Colt, I immediately fell in love. Superficial of me, I know, but I can’t help what I like and fantasize about. However underneath his tough guy exterior, lays a man who is going through the toughest time of his life. His beloved mother is dying. She is all the family he has left and means the world to him. He’s a good son, most of the time. All his mother wants is for Colt to be happy. She constantly encourages him to be a better man. No more drug dealing and concentrate on school. Colt tries, but his overwhelming feeling of responsibility to help his mom, financially and emotionally, take a toll on him. Where else can he make fast money to help?

This is a game. Our game. One that I asked for, but with each day it feels more real.

Cheyenne is prone to panic attacks. When she was very young, her mother abandoned her during a party. There’s more to that story as we later find out, but just know, it does a number on her. She refuses to let anyone too close to her. Even her sleazy, now ex-boyfriend never got that close. But still. She had plans with Gregory. He was her normal, but the bastard broke her heart anyway.

I vow to myself right then and there I will never make that mistake again. People hurt you if you let them. I won’t be hurt again.

After being together for two years, she caught Gregory cheating on her. Not only that, but apparently the jackass accidentally let it slip that it was more than a one time thing. Dumbass. He does his best to convince her its still she he loves, but she’s buying any of that bull. So she dumps him. Before they part ways, she’s casually mentions that he wasn’t the only guy interested in her. Unfortunately, all her friends are all his friends. She needed to prove to him, to them all, that she can move beyond this. After seeing Colt and Gregory argue, she decides then and there exactly how to punish and piss off Gregory. An arrangement is made that changes both, Cheyenne and Colt's lives.

Something happens inside my chest. I’ve been really good at keeping him at arm’s length so far. We’re nothing alike. I think he hates me half the time and we don’t belong together. We’re a means to an end, but with his simple request, I begin to soften inside…
I should leave. Run right now because Colt and I wouldn’t work.

These two clashed from the very beginning. They got on each other’s nerves and fought…a lot. However, for some strange odd reason, they find solace and comfort with each other. They were both reluctant at first, but fate keeps intervening and they find themselves constantly being thrown together.

Cheyenne never thought she would open up to anyone, ever, but when she needs someone, Colt is always there, comforting her. Colt is having a tough time with his ailing mother, but found himself happy when he’s with Cheyenne. No girl has ever made him feel wanted or needed like she did. Together they made sense and together they begin to heal.

Fuck. I LOVED this story. I just fell in love with everything that happened. There were several times I swooned and a couple of times I just outright cried. Such a moving and beautiful story. This is my first Nyrae Dawn book and it will most definitely not be my last. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

[Jenny Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read from Nyrae Dawn. DAMN was it beautiful. I love Colt, eventhough he swears a lot. And Cheyenne, she's so strong, so admirable. ALL THE FREAKIN' FEELS!!!

Oh, this is me while reading:



Btw, I will read everything this author writes/wrote/will write ;)

READ ON YOU GUYS!!!

[Wendy Higgins]

Ahhhhh!!!!!! In love with Colt. Cried many emotional tears. So good.

Nyrae's first NA (New Adult) story. *sigh* I love being a beta reader for this chick.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nyrae has won me over again. I love this authors stories.

In Charade we meet two people in desperate need to have someone at their back to help them fight their fights in life.

Cheyenne lives a life in such a way no one will want to leave her. She dawns a perfect mask and behind this mask is a very panic ridden life. She has to be as "perfect" as she can be. She's off at college with the "love of her life" Gregory who turns out to not be so perfect after all. Now she's looking for a fake boyfriend to prove that she can be left by someone and still stand on her own two feet.
-------ENTER---------
Colton. This man is living through his worst fears when he first meets Cheyenne. He's going to college to please his mom and to fill her wishes that he can be better than her & his father. She believes he can be someone. However, he doesn't have the most legal job, good attitude or talking mouth. He lives behind a mask being the biggest jerkface and doesn't mind getting in to a fight. He lives a bit too free with his life to mask his every day pains. However deep down, there's a really good guy lurking underneath. He just needs to find the right woman.

Little do these two know that they are the perfect person for each other. They fit in such a way that the lines of their Charade games are starting to blur and soon they need to figure out which road to take: the one that leads to peace and happiness with each other OR to go their separate ways.

What I loved
1. The roommate: Adrian
2. Bev's words of wisdom
3. Colt's sweet, loving, funny & caring side
4. Cheyenne's trust in Colt and feelings for him
5. How Colt and Chey slowly built their relationship, learned to lean on each other, trust in each other and how they were able to only show each other the true sides of themselves.
6. Colt & Chey never played head games with each other and were always honest with each other. The one game they played, they were both on the same page and in the know.
7. NO major angst
8. Colt's love for his mom and how he bared for the reader his feelings.
9. At 81% picture Chey & Colt from the cover of the book when they are sitting on his bed... It's the same mental pic the words are describing.

Finally, I loved that this story felt real and the characters didn't play the push/pull/I can't have you game. Colt pushed me from a 4.5 rating to a 5 as certain aspects of his character and the over all choices he made were the deciding factors.

What I love about this author's writing style
She cuts out all the extra:
1. BS
2. Extra drama
3. Needless angst/living in the characters head
4. Head games between the couples
5. The characters are cut & dry with out adding unneeded extra drama/angst. They pack a powerful punch in such a realistic way that they are very easy to relate to.

[Jolene Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

BE EXCITED PEOPLE! This is awesome :D

"A laugh jumps out of my mouth, surprising me. I can’t even remember the last time I laughed and it puts me on edge. I suddenly want to do the same thing to her. Let her see how it feels to teeter on that cliff."

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK! <3 This is the first book I've read by Nyrae Dawn and I can tell you right now that I'll be reading all her other books if they are as amazing as this one!

I loved Colt & Chey so much! They were both such real and raw characters that I felt a connection to them and felt what they were feeling the whole time! Colt was such an alpha bad boy jerk but his relationship with his mom and Chey was so endearing and damn near broke my heart at times. I wasn't expecting there to be so much depth considering the story starts with them pretending to be together to make her feel better and make her boyfriend jealous. I'm glad that pretty soon that wasn't even a major part of the story, just a minor detail. The connection between Colt & Chey was so honest and real and just beautiful....

“Just know that you can. I won’t tell. I might not be able to do much for you, but I’ll hold your secrets.”

“I’m a prick half the time, but you make me better. You make me happy. I don’t want to lose you. I love you. I don’t want to lose you.”

The dialogue was great also, that is something that really annoys me in other books if it doesn't sound real, but in this, it was perfect. The writing and pace of the story was also right on for me. This book made me cry multiple times (which I've only done twice before, so that is a BIG deal), made me so happy, and also so so mad. There was a point when I literally yelled' "Are you fucking kidding me right now?!" And almost threw my iPad across the room. Of course I was happy in the end and can't wait for more in the series. I have no idea what it'll be about, but it says its part of (The Game Series), so a girl can only hope for more Colton <3 and Chey! ;)

4.5 Stars

[ChelSEA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeez, I don't even know where to begin on this one. Charade is the first book I've read since my all time favorite, Beautiful Disaster, that has actually made me feel a thousand different emotions while reading it.
I started this book thinking that it would be one of those light-hearted, feel-good romances. So boy was I surprised, when about a quarter of the way through, I realized that my initial assumption, was about the last thing from the truth. This book was amazing and when I say amazing, I mean it. I rarely give books 5 stars, but this one definitely deserved each and every one it received.
The book starts off with the main character, Chey, finding out that her boyfriend (douche-bag Greg) of two years is cheating on her. From there, Chey concocts a plan to make him jealous by dating the hot and sexy tattooed guy named Colt. From here, there relationship changes and what once was a simple charade, becomes something so much more.
I absolutely loved the chemistry between the two main characters. All of their conversations felt so real and unrehearsed that I couldn't help but fall in love with this read.
Yes, this book was essentially about two people falling in love. But honestly, it was that and so much more. It was about a boy and girl finding each other when they didn't feel like there was anyone in the world they could rely on. Colt and Chey have gone through so much in life but through finding each other, they become better people in the end.
Honestly, if you have any hesitations about reading Charade, don't. I guarantee that once you start reading this book, you won't be able to stop until it's over. You'll hole up in you're room and stop any and all communication with friends and family. Well at least that's what I did, lol.

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.5 stars***

A story of two broken college students who find what they need in each other.

Cheyenne's fear of abandonment leaves her emotionally stunted until she meets, Colt. As a child, Cheyenne, was abandoned by her mother and she has never let that fear go.

"Don't cry. Princess. You know what they say. You have to kiss a lot of frong before you meet your prince."

Colt is losing the one person who matters most in his life; his mom. Her dream was for her son is to: "Live your life."



SERIES:

No cliffhangers

[Rosalinda *KRASNORADA* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charade is a very beautiful story... It made me cry and it made me remember things that hurt but I love the way the author tells us their story. I really recommend Charade to everyone who loves NA.

[Aria ・❥・Biblioaria ˚ · . · Rating 4 out of 5]

We may have been brought together because of a stupid ass game. Or because we were both screwed up, or needed a change, but we got somewhere important and that’s the only thing that counts.

REACTION AFTER READING THE BOOK





This book just made me so happy. It dealt with so much more than just the relationship of the characters. It dealt with life, pain, moving on and most especially love.

THE GIST

Cheyenne was so not expecting to see her boyfriend of two years to be fooling around with some other girl behind her back. To make things worse, that wasn’t the first time it happened. Chey was willing to do whatever it takes to make sure Gregory knows that he made a big mistake cheating on her. And whatever it takes includes her paying for someone to pretend as her boyfriend to make her ex jealous as hell.

Colt may seem like he doesn’t have a problem in the world but really he does. His mother is sick and may be dying any time soon and there was nothing he could do about it. So when Chey proposed the deal, he accepts it.

Chey and Colt have their own struggles. They had their own ways of dealing with the hurt and pain. But what they both didn’t expect was the game they started for the wrong reasons ended up something that they both needed.



FIRST IMPRESSION

My first impression of the book was not really that good. I mean the synopsis was good but the cover just didn’t do well with me. And to make matters worse, as I was reading the book I found out that Colt don’t look anything like that guy on the cover. That guy looked more like Gregory and I hate that guy’s guts to hell! Colt’s tattoos were missing and he seemed very happy wherein the Colt that I knew from the book was not so much until the later part of the book. It didn’t make a good impression but it made a LASTING impression on me. This book was AWESOME!

CHARACTERS

CHEYENNE

This girl was easy to love. I mean seriously. She’s been through a lot growing up. Her thinking all the time that her mom didn’t love her, that was why she left but all the while there was something else that happened. I mean she may have not been deprived of material stuff but emotionally she lacked a lot. She wanted to always be in control so that people around couldn’t hurt her like what her mom did. The only thing I didn’t agree on with her was the fact that she tried to shut herself out from the people who really cared about her like her aunt and uncle. Another thing would be how she thinks getting revenge and paying someone to help her with her dirty work will solve anything. But other than that I loved Chey. She was a great character to me. Damaged yet she tried to fix herself up and help Colt in the process too.

COLTON

I just love that fucking name. It sounds so sexy. Colt. Colton. Sounds so masculine and firm and geezz my imagination is going wild. Anyways, Colt like Chey was very easy to love. His situation wasn’t though. It was hard to be in the position wherein you are caught between doing what you want and doing what your dying mother asks of you and doing what everything you can to make sure she lives. I have never been in that kind of situation but I am pretty sure it was hard. Colt was once again, one of my tattooed book boyfriends. He wasn’t perfect. He agreed to be a hired boyfriend to make payments for his mom’s needs. That is saying something about him. He’ll do anything for the people he loves and cares about which also means Chey is one LUCKY woman.

ADRIAN

I like this guy. Reading about him here, he seems to be the type that was high all the time but could still manage to be a friend when you need him the most. And I am happy to hear that this guy will also get his own story told, so I am so excited to read all about Adrian. I’m sure I’ll enjoy him as much as I enjoyed reading about Chey and Colt.

CHEY + COLT = CONSTRUCTIVE LOVE

It’s not every day that you meet that person who will make a difference in your life. Chey and Colt didn’t expect that they will fall for each other. They weren’t expecting that they were each other’s missing pieces and that they will build each other up. Chey and Colt were both damaged characters but they healed each other. They made each other better and I think that is what I loved the most about this book. I loved how it showed that love sometimes does move in mysterious ways. Who would have thought Chey and Colt will fall in love with each other? Who would have thought that they were each other’s missing puzzle pieces?



He doesn’t have to say with what. I know he means his mom. That’s what we have – we’re both damaged with baggage and somehow it works. I never thought something like this would work for me.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

"He loves you," she adds. "And I love you. You're everything I could have hoped for, for him."

"I thought this was a game," I reminded him.
"Not anymore and you know it. Everything else in my life is all f*cked up. This is the only thing that's real."

?"I'm fucking good at this boyfriend shit. Who would have thought?"

”You’re fucking cocky is what you are.”
“You have the worst mouth.”
“I thought we decided women like my mouth. You like my mouth don’t you?”

”It’s not because of how I feel right now or how well we move together. It’s about him. Us. I know that it’s no longer just an empty thought. It’s the truth.
I’m falling for Colt.”

HIGHLIGHTS
> Alternating POVs is yet again another plus for me. The effect of the story would not be as full blown if it weren’t for that type of writing. We get to see both sides of the story. We get to see what Colt and Chey are experiencing and it gets you to relate with the characters more.

> It was not all fun and games. I liked how balanced everything was. There was just the right amount of humour, life issues and sexy time. Hahaha. Yeah I loved reading about the steamy scenes. Hahaha.

> The emotions of the characters felt so real.

> Chemistry between the characters was smoking!

> I liked the secondary characters: Adrian, Colt’s mom, Chey’s aunt and uncle and yeah even the asshole Gregory and the Redhead.

FINAL WORDS

I wasn’t really expecting much when I picked up this book for the buddy reads. I really wasn’t because honestly, the cover wasn’t doing much justice to this book.

I am so happy I picked up this book and read it. The story was beautiful. It wasn’t perfect but it was so good that it actually made me cry towards the end. I don’t know what it is with authors and their intent to always make the readers cry towards the end. Can’t they put it on the early part of the book or the middle? Jeez! But anyway, I am so not complaining. I loved having a good cry over a good book.

I’d like to emphasize again how good this book is. I loved the story, the characters, the pacing and the ending. Damn! I loved that ending. Hahaha.

This will definitely not be my last Nyrae Dawn book. I am so going to hunt all of your books down and devour it like this one.

Will I recommend it?

Highly!



"I’m right where I belong and where she wanted me to be. Where I want to be... with you.”

[Natasha is a Book Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I don’t know if I like him, but he was there. He’s been there. And even though I don’t like it, there’s something about him that pulls out my secrets. Like he’s a magnet, my past, my secrets and my pain, little shards of metal unable to resist his pull.”

Cheyenne is a nineteen-year-old college girl whose life is all about emotional walls and happy appearances. Her story starts with her finding her long-term boyfriend in bed with another woman. But while an ordinary girl scorned might have cried, screamed, consumed her weight in chocolate, for Cheyenne that act of betrayal awakens much deeper triggers in her relating to an inherent fear of abandonment and resulting in severe panic attacks. Her own mother’s neglect and ultimate leaving when she was a child have shaped her into a young woman subconsciously convinced of being unworthy of love and deserving of being overlooked and discarded by those closest to her. Her boyfriend’s infidelity does not break her heart, it crushes her self-esteem and makes her desperate to re-build her fragile little wall of appearances around her. She does not wish him back, she does not even mourn the loss of him in her life – she just wants everyone around her, including him, to think that she is moving on.

“What is it about me that makes people think they can take advantage and toss me aside? Why am I so easy to betray? … I’ve worked so hard not to be that girl— the girl whose own mother couldn’t love her enough to stay around.”

Colton is in so many ways the opposite of Cheyenne. He does not care what people think of him, he does not even care what he thinks of himself, the only person in the world whose opinion counts for something to him being that of his dying mother. He is a young man with no real ambitions, plans, or dreams for the future. He moves steadily ahead in life only to fulfil and honour his mother’s wishes for him. He is unmotivated for himself but does everything her can to make sure that his mother is well looked after and wanting for nothing. Even when the means to that end involve doing the very thing his mother fears the most for him.

“You can do anything in the world. I’ve always known that. Don’t forget it.”

Cheyenne and Colton meet at a low point in both their lives. They need very different things from each other but are desperate enough to reach an agreement to play a little charade for the sake of those around them - Cheyenne getting a fake new boyfriend in the process and Colton finding a source of funds necessary to continue paying his mother’s medical and living expenses. What starts as a simple little arrangement, an innocent game of pretence between two uninvested and uncommitted individuals, quickly becomes the very thing they were both needing in life – someone to lean on.

“Tomorrow… don’t remind me I said this. I won’t want to talk about it, but tonight… keep me safe.”

The more time they spend together, the more they are drawn to each other, and soon real emotions are at stake. They get into each other’s heads and for the first time in their lives they show their vulnerable sides to another person. While they pretend to be together for the benefit of others, emotionally they are stripped bare before one another, keeping each other’s secrets, making the very thing they are faking into the most real thing in their lives.

“For most of my life I’ve never been able to count on anyone. Even when I could, I hated it. I mean, really depend on someone. Not pretend to or play it off. You saw me at my worst… the part of me I hate and I don’t want anyone else to see, but you were there. That means something to me.”

Through heartbreak, personal tragedies and inner demons from the past, this is a genuinely romantic and beautifully written story about wanting more out of life and finding someone to be your true self with. It is also a story about overcoming unbearable pain and conquering it rather than emotionally succumbing to it. This is a book about love and all the hope it fills us with.

“I thought this was a game,” I remind him.
“Not anymore and you know it. Everything else in my life is all f*cked up. This is the only thing that’s real.”

4.5 STARS

~ N ♥

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[Amber Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review may contain spoilers

5+++++++ Stars

"It's easier to hide in the dark...but easier to let go too."

This book starts off great. Cheyenne catches her boyfriend Gregory cheating on her with little miss Red. So Chey decides she is going to teach Gregory that she doesn't need him and that there are other men who are intersted in her.

"I might not be able to do much for you, but I'll hold your secrets."

Then you meet Colt. My god I love him from the very beginning. Hot guy with a lot of Tattoos with an attitude, what else isn't there to love? Chey offers to pay Colt to be her fake boyfriend to get back at Gregory. At first he won't do it, he thinks Chey is a spoiled princess. But my god I felt horrible for him with all that he has to go through. His mother is dying of cancer and he could use the money. At a party he decides to go ahead and take Chey on her offer. Something that he will never forget nor regret.

"This isn't a fucking game anymore. No charades here. I don't know exactly what to call it, but whatever it is, it's ours. I'm going to latch onto it. And never let go."

Chey and Colt make a perfect damn couple. You will want them to be together so bad it hurts. They both have had so many fucked up issues happen to them and with Colt so many more having to go though. He takes such great care of his mother. It's heart warming reading how sweet he is to her. She is Colt's world. It made me love him even more.
This is amazing read. You must read it if you haven't already. Passion and so much emotion in this one that you will not regret. These characters will be with me for a while. He is one of my new favorite book boyfriends. :)

Favorite quotes :

"I love that grin so much. It's so boy-ish. Such a contradiction to his dirty mouth and bad attitude."

My heart breaks for him-calls to him. I want to open it up and lock him inside."

"You make me want to live. Fuck that. Not just live, you make me want to enjoy it. To fucking love it. I don't pretend anymore. Don't play games anymore".

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. Nyrae Dawn is becoming one of my favorite authors. Everything I have read by her has been fantastic. Colt and Cheyenne were wonderful. I thought it was great that their love story grew over time. Colt is a sexy bad boy but the love he felt for his mom and Cheyenne was endearing. I was really happy that he decided he was worth more and decided to head down a better path. I liked how Cheyenne and Colt leaned on each other and together realized that it was OK to ask for help and that not everyone leaves you. This book was 5 ++++ Stars for me because it was a great story that held my attention but it also made me feel so many different emotions. I love when a book can do that. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. A MUST READ. This is one for my favs shelf :)

[Anupama CN · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was worth it!
worth EVERY SINGLE DAY i spent waitin for Nyrae to finish the book n then publish it
TOTALLY worth it!
so it starts of with this messed up chick n this 'fucked' up guy
for a second i thot this was goin to be jst another YA romance. but i was happy to be proved wrong!
it was so intense and so raw!
it was painfully beautiful. if u get wat i mean
towards the end i actly shed a tear or two!

Nyrae, THANK U sooo much!
iv read ur books n this is ur BEST one so far
after readin the teaser u released, i was not expecting sumthin like this
THANK U!

ps: God i m in LOVE with the cover!!!
for once the cover is not only related to the book but is an actual scene from the book

o n here's the song for the book
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROqTa1...