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The Broken Series #1

The Face You See

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Nestled in the Golden Coast of California, Danielle Lee lives a lie. As her senior year in high school begins and the escape of her dark secret draws near, she finds someone unexpected. Dannie struggles to move past her torments, hide the truth from her friends, and keep it together until she can finally have what she has always wanted: freedom.

Reed is a junior who just moved to California from Kansas. Wildly attracted to Dannie, he is convinced she is everything he has been waiting for. After fate leads them to finally meet in the school library, Dannie first tries to place Reed in the dreaded friend zone. But she too cannot ignore the obvious chemistry. As Reed teaches her how to find hope, trust, and even love, Dannie must decide whether to harbor her secrets or reveal the truth and risk everything. While she wrestles with her decision, Dannie has no idea that a secret obsession will drive another young man to stop at nothing until she is his and his alone.

The Face You See shares the compelling tale of a teenage girls quest to free herself from her past where she finds hope in the most unlikely of circumstances, the courage to embrace love, and the will to defy all odds.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2016

47 people are currently reading
92 people want to read

About the author

Amelia Legend

5 books24 followers
Amelia Legend lives in a small town in rural Canada. Although Amelia was born and raised in California, she much prefers a quiet life with her family in the countryside.

Contact her at amelialegend.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Lola Alvarado.
51 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2017
The Face You See
The Broken Series, Book 1
Author: Amelia Legend
Release Date: August 8, 2017



I received this beautifully well writing story for an honest review. This is not my typical reading. Young adult but I was trapped in Dannie’s world. I feel and think every emotion that she faced. But when I finished, more that have a book hangover I had to face with a reality that sometimes we take for granted. And this is why a love to read. Amelia gave me time to analyze what we do and what face we choses to give to others. I re-discover myself, analyze my surroundings. How many times we do not demonstrate our true self and we paint our face with clown makeup to represent happiness when the feeling that we have is the total opposite. I don’t want to told you Dannie story. I want that everyone have the opportunity to read and stop for one second and be true to yourself. Thanks Amelia for this beautifully story and so well written characters.
Profile Image for Alexa Kei.
120 reviews51 followers
August 9, 2021
I chose this book by randomly seeking free offers on Smashwords. I am so thankful I found The Face You See. It just blew my mind. I mean, it's great-and-fun-and-sad, and so many more emotions. The writing style is good, I liked it a lot, even though it had its flaws. I loved this book, I'm surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it. It's so complex and so tense, if I had more free time I would have eaten it up in a few hours.

FULL REVIEW
“Whoa. I see why you chose to ignore me. I’d have ignored me too.”

The Characters

• Danielle Lee – a broken girl, one that had nothing but bad things happen to her throughout life. There is a lot to love in this character, a lot to feel bad, sad, even teary about. A very strong personality, considering her situation.
• Reed – this is a character I like and would gladly be friends with. He’s fun and cute from the start. There is also something soothing about his POV, I really liked the chapters with his POV. Later he even seems perfect, you just can’t NOT love him.
“I freaking friend zoned myself!”

• Nick – my first thought was “What an ass”, but the third chapter gave me a different view on him, which made me appreciate him more as a character. Still think he’s an ass, though. Yet by the end of the book, I understood that all my positive feelings about him were… It’s just wrong guys, I hate him.
“He started calling me ‘slut’ right before we broke up, as if it were a cute thing to say to your girlfriend.”

Some Thoughts

• Interesting character growth. All the ups and downs of the story are told very vividly, I really like that about this book
• I was so stressed out by Nick. Because of him staying so anonymous, Dannie doesn’t know that it’s him, she thinks that all those letters and the gift came from Reed. And that just pisses me off
• Maybe it’s normal for Californians, but I was so disgusted by how easygoing Dannie was on the dance floor. Maybe it’s just me, but I felt wrong when she allowed Jett (even though she didn’t know it was him) and Nick to touch her, to have their hands on her waist. That is almost like cheating to me. Then again, maybe I’m wrong, yet I just can’t get over it. I would never let anyone touch me like that unless it’s my man
• I did not expect what happened in the book. I won’t give any spoilers, but I will say that all that character growth I thought was happening with Nick – forget all of that crap. He’s a dick – period. JUST. FUCK. I was SO NOT prepared for this
“We sit and begin eating dinner together. So this is what a family is like?”

ALL IN ALL
I simply loved this book. I loved everything about it. Even with its little flaws, it was so awesome. Of course for this read, I’m giving the book 5 stars. I most definitely will read the sequel, because I need more of this story, I NEED TO KNOW MORE.

I recommend this book to EVERYONE. I can’t say any more, if I will, I might explode. I was reading this mostly in university, and I was just exploding on breaks, everyone kept asking me if I was okay, and I said “I’M NOT OKAY, OKAY? THIS BOOK. OH, THIS BOOK. JUST. AAAAAAHHH!”.

“Stay silent. Be invisible. Don’t. Show. Emotion.”


Okay, guys, I hope you enjoyed this review, I would really appreciate if you would share it on any social media you can. This book really needs help getting out there. It’s just mindblowinglygreat. Read it yourselves, give it to your friends, just, AAAAAHHH!!!
Profile Image for Danielle.
807 reviews43 followers
January 28, 2018
On the surface I liked this book but I think it tried to make the heroine too tragic and it just got to be a little too much to me. I just didn't get the whole thing the the mom and the stepfather. I do not understand her loyalty to her mother after all that. I think the author should have just stuck with the Reed, Dannie and Nick storyline because it was the more compelling one to me. I mean Dannie had issues and her friends had issues, it just became overkill. Focusing on that storyline I liked, it was good. It ended a little too abruptly for me but I can see why with all the other stuff Dannie had going one and it was a cliffhanger. The one thing I did like was that she decided to see a therapist at the end because she had issues. 3stars
Profile Image for Kate.
681 reviews9 followers
August 26, 2017
I want to start this off by applauding the author by choosing to write about a topic that many skirt around or refuse to talk about. Sexual and mental abuse are serious issues and they should not be swept under the rug, ever.


Man I liked this concept, I just wish it had gone through another set of editing because it has strong bones, a solid concept but it just falls flat in my opinion.

It starts pretty slow imo. Usually a strong, enticing hook draws me into the beginning of a book and I devour it and I just didn't with this one. There have been books that aren't bright flames like that, slow burners that I learn to love and this one wasn't one.

For me the plot seemed a bit slow and choppy. Things sometimes happen because the plot needs them to and certain events happened to immediately soothe Dannie's suffering which was unrealistic in my opinion but the climactic event doesn't get solved like that, which I was relieved about.

I know Nick is supposed to be the creepy one but, Reed is just so lovestruck that he comes off a bit off creepy as well. Definitely not as creepy as Nick but still a little off. Nick also seemed a bit unrealistic in my opinion, I feel like a stalker and then rapist wouldn't think like he does and I would have to do research to actually understand but it just seems weird to me and not weird in the way it's intended.

Another awkward thing was some of the phrasing. I know the author's not a teenager but I have never heard a teen say W.T.Heck, I just found it awkward and it distracted me from the plot.

A main thing that I missed in this is the imagery. We get told what things are and what's going on but we don't see it, we don't have a clear image in our head (as the reader) of what's going on. That doesn't mean that you have to spend two pages describing a love interests eyelashes but giving us something to latch on to will make readers care about the characters.

Overall, it wasn't the worst but I don't think I will read the sequel. I think with more editing it could be a pretty good book.


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jenn.
288 reviews
October 10, 2017
Okay read with potential...

The prologue intrigued me to read this book. It was a bit confusing at first then I discovered it is written in Dannie, Reed, and Nick's alternating POV. It deals with some darker subject matter but I liked the fact that it didn't get too graphic or descriptive with those areas. I feel like maybe the author tried to cover too large of a time span, leaving a lot out. I have a lot of question and am curious how the next book will play out.


** Copy received in exchange for my honest review.
** Reviewed for Kylie's Fiction Addiction.
Profile Image for Rebecca Austin.
3,157 reviews3 followers
February 3, 2022
Danielle Lee feels like she is living two lives - one the outside world lives and one that she lives when she is alone. Living with her mom and step-father she and her siblings are abused by their step father, Mark, but all of them are afraid to let anyone know. In high school she is dealing with being dumped by her ex-boyfriend Jett, brother of her best friend Jemma, and she is grateful that this is her last year in high school so she can escape.

Reed Fischer, a junior, has just moved to town from Kansas and forms an unlikely friendship with Dannie. He is always there as a friend and the two slowly begin a relationship.

But Reed is not the only one interested in making Dannie his and notes and presents are left for Dannie. But how far will Dannie's stalker go to make her his?

This was such a beautiful story that deals with so many difficult subjects such as abuse and many family issues.

Dannie was torn between protecting her personal life with what she went through with her step-dad and not wanting to let her mom down in regards to her dad. Yet gradually we learn how many secrets her mom kept and how evil her mom and step-dad truly were.

But Dannie must also deal with the pressure of school and everything her ex-boyfriend Jett is saying about her. I found it super interesting that Dannie never said anything to Reed about the letters, etc that she was receiving even though she found it weird that he never said anything about it.

There were so many OMG moments in this moment and I was so heartbroken by the end for so many reasons!! I am crossing my fingers that Dannie is able to find some happiness in the next book!
Profile Image for Ashley.
Author 5 books25 followers
November 15, 2017
I really wanted to like this book but it was just an okay read. But I do have to give Amelia Legend credit she attempted to tackle tough subjects like abuse, stalking, and the resulting PTSD that can be endured from those events.

There was a lot of repetition, lots of terminology that felt forced and not something teenagers would actually use. There were a lot of issues that were touched on and then immediately brushed off which I didn’t like. There was an edge of darkness with Nick’s POV but there were times in the book I was reading and thinking, okay is he still in this story?

Reed I absolutely adored. There was something about the way he spoke, the way he acted that I could imagine. I wanted to know what he did that was so horrible before moving to California but I’m not sure if I will find that out. The epilogue with him, threw me for a loop. So much time had passed so quickly and there wasn’t any notation of the passage of time.

Dannie was a sweet heart who had a hell of a time but I kept feeling like there was something missing with her and Reed’s story.

There were a lot of things left unresolved (but there is a book two!), rushed and it felt skipped over. The beginning was so drawn out, I expected more from the ending.

If you’re looking for a quick read that starts out at a YA level and moves into the New Adult genre, this is a series for you. There were sweet relationship moments and growth.
Profile Image for Crissy.
2,819 reviews5 followers
October 18, 2017
This was an okay read. The story focuses on Danielle, Jett, Reed, Nick, Jemma and Melody. I expected more from this book based on the blurb but I didn't even come close to being amazed by this story. The story flow was so slow at times and I was just waiting for something to happen because there was a bit of suspense within it. However, when Nick finally got what he was after, it had me thinking, is that it? I can't even understand why his character was in the story because it wasn't even worth the part for what he did. Not everything in this story was bad. I enjoyed some of the characters as much as I hated others. Jemma, Melody and Danielle had a great friendship. Reed was really sweet and even though there was mentioned of how troubled he was before there was nothing in this story to back anything up to make you look at him differently, so he stayed a sweet and caring guy in my mind. The book ended with a bit of a cliffhanger and I feel there are still some things unresolved in the story with some of the characters but after reading this book and even though it was an okay read for me, I won't be reading the next book. There just wasn't enough to leave me wanting more of the characters story.
Profile Image for The_reading_foodie.
460 reviews16 followers
January 27, 2018
I was given a free copy of this book for my honest review.
The Face You See was a very emotional read. The story is told from the POV of Dannie, Reed and Nick.
Dannie is a quiet girl who is just trying to make it through her last year of high school with her two best friends while dealing with a difficult home life that she can't wait to escape.
Reed is the sweet, younger, country boy that falls for Dannie from the first moment he saw her.
Nick, or as I like to call him, Creepy McCreeperston, is, you guessed it, the creep obsessed with Dannie.
Despite the many wtf, why did or didn't she do that, moments I had, Dannie is doing fairly well dealing with her chaotic life. Then one night and a momentary lapse in judgement, she suffers a trauma that she feels she just can't come back from and decides to deal with it the only way she knows how, even when she knows it is going to hurt the people who love her the most.
Although she is a high school student, Dannie' s character comes across as very mature (most of the time). I had tocontradicting herself regarding how she felt about her family and her relationship with Reed.
I'll definitely be reading the next installment in this series.
Profile Image for Carla.
989 reviews3 followers
October 11, 2017
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Carla's Five Star Review

The Face You See is the first book in The Broken Series, and it is beyond amazing!

Danielle aka "Dannie" has been living a lie. To the outside world, her life and family appear perfect, but we all know that things aren't always what they seem to be. As she begins her senior year in high school, Dannie is exhausted. She is tired of lying to her friends along with trying to somehow keep her dysfunctional family intact. Finally, fate seems to smile down on her the day Reed walks into her life. He brings some much needed sunshine to her otherwise dreary life. However, just as she begins to trust again, her life is once again turned upside down. How much can one young woman take until she is broken beyond repair?

What a compelling and thought provoking story! I can't believe this is Amelia Legend's debut novel! Her style of writing and keen attention to detail rivals that of any seasoned author I have encountered. Hurry up and one click this book now! I promise you won't be disappointed!

Way to hit it out of the park from the very start, Amelia!!
Profile Image for Bookish.
1,474 reviews27 followers
October 30, 2017
This book is the emotional story of a young girl growing up in an abusive broken family. As Dannie struggles her way through her senior year of high school she is struggling to deal with her abusive mother and stepfather while recovering from the broke up with a cruel boyfriend. She has a support system of two good friends and new love interest but as with most abused girls she doesn't quite believe that she really deserves anything worthwhile. Reed is a new student and is immediately drawn to Dannie. As he slowly pursues her, Dannie starts to let Reed in and begins to fall in love. But as the year progresses so does the obsession of Dannie's stalker. After one fateful night the unthinkable happens, Dannie afraid and scared runs away leaving everyone behind and brokenhearted. This story is not a standalone and deals with some serious issues but its well written and draws the reader in, I read this story in one sitting and can't wait to read the follow up. I loved how well written this book was, I feel invested in Dannie and really want to find out how her story ends. I hope Dannie over comes her past and can find her way back to Reed. I can't wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for Ann Kelly-Uhryn.
220 reviews3 followers
October 31, 2017
Reviewed on behalf of Reading Through Her Eyes

Dannie has struggled with a difficult past, she does her best to suffer in silence to hide as much as possible from her friends who only know parts of what she's endured. She's a high school senior dreaming of her escape to college. Reed is a junior who moved to Cali from Kansas, happy to finally be free to be who he is, not the asshole he became in the small town he called home. Upon seeing one another they fight their attraction to each other and try to be friends. But what happens when lines become blurred.

Overall thoughts: This was a heart wrenching story that takes you on a journey of young love, when your naive about thing because you don't have the experience of age yet. My heart broke for both Dannie and Reed, I wept for what they've endured. This book had it all: tears, joy, anger and everything in between. This story is definitely one I'd recommend if you enjoy an emotionally charged tearjerker.
Profile Image for Mary Fazzi.
1,266 reviews10 followers
September 7, 2021
This book has a lot in it. Dannie or Danielle is a young girl in high school with lots of secrets that she has hidden. Wear mask to get through a normal teenage girl with a fake smile isn’t easy. When your ex calls you horrible names and your family isn’t great and causes harm to you physically and mentally. Dannie doesn’t want anything from a man. Just a friendship that’s all she can handle. When Reed comes into her life and makes her breath easier and see that there are those great friends there for you when you need them. Till you think everything is your fault and you can’t let it taint those you care about you choose to be alone so no one is affected by what’s been done to you. Dannie needs to find herself and closes herself off from everyone when more damages done to her. Instead of speaking about it she closes herself in and runs away to make everyone clean but her.
Profile Image for Keri Loves Books.
1,247 reviews206 followers
October 21, 2017
A story of true heartache. A girl just trying to grow up but nothing is ever easy for her.

Her life was full of torment, pain and cruelty by her own mother and stepfather. After she finally manages to escape to start anew with her father, another life altering event derails her progress.

Dannie is strong, but how much can one person take? Reed was her salvation, but she can’t get over her feeling of not being good enough. And once she is assaulted, she just can’t get past it.

This story will have you angry at the cruelty of a mother. Your heart will break for all that Dannie has to endure. But you will be cheering her on to overcome all of the ugly that life has given her. I am eager to continue with Dannie on her journey to healing.
Profile Image for Charlotte Coles.
54 reviews
October 15, 2017
WOW!
from the momemt i started reading this book i was totally gripped.
THe way in which the author tells this story couldnt be any more perfect. It lets you know enough of What has happened in Dannies life without going into graphic detail of the sensitive subjects.which i think worked well for this story.
I read this book so fast because i just wanted to know more, i wanted to see what happened next the suspense was amazing.
Im gonna start book 2 straight away because i want to know what happens next.
Overall great book written perfectly i would definately reccomemd and already have to friends. .
Profile Image for Amanda Adams.
164 reviews3 followers
October 15, 2017
the face you see is about a teenage girl, Dannie, that grows up in an abusive childhood home. As she learns to overcome the abuse from her mother and step-father she falls in love with a boy from her high school. After graduation she is abused by a neighbor who becomes her stalker. she in turn pushes everyone she loves away to try and forget about what happens.

This book is very well written. It starts out a little slow, but once the story picks up I couldn't put it down. The Face You See ends on a cliffhanger and I can't wait to read book 2!
Profile Image for Bobbi Elmore.
120 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2017
Reading this book made me want to reach in and do everything I could to help Dannie. I started out being pulled in by the prologue. Then realized that it was told in three POV's. At first I could decide if I liked Nick or Reed better. Each one seemed to have their own good qualities. As I read on I started to get creeped out by Nick. Boy did that feeling continue. I fell in love with Reed and my heart broke when his did. I fell in love with Dannie, and couldn't help wanting to "fix" her. All in all I loved this book! I can't wait to start the next one.
Profile Image for Charity.
231 reviews3 followers
November 22, 2017
The Face You See by Amelia Legend is the 1st book in The Broken Series. It deals with some very sensitive issues. This is not your typical YA romance. This is a story of survival. After Dannie escapes her horrible home life, she has a second chance to start over with her Dad and have a normal life. She finally has hope. She has even fallen in love. On the night of her high school graduation her life falls to pieces. This book shattered my heart. I cried my way to the end. If this is Amelia Legend's debut book I can't wait to see where she takes us from here.
Profile Image for Meeg.
150 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2017
This book is heartbreaking. I wish I hadn't started reading it on a work night since now its after 1 and I have to get up for work in a fee house. I just simply could not put it down. And I'm sure it'll be in my head all day at work tomorrow. It is just so good. I'm hoping I can get my hands on the sequence ASAP. If I had it now I would give up on sleep for the night just to be Blue to finish this a Heartbreaking tale
30 reviews
November 16, 2017
I fell in love with the characters and have to say I will read the next book when it comes out. I initially wanted more from the ending, but it makes sense because it is a series. I loved the letters in the end from real woman. This made me feel empowered by the ending and made me want to see how Dannie's story continues.
Profile Image for Katie Umbenhauer.
1 review10 followers
October 12, 2017
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down!

I was captivated by the characters, I was lost in their world. I did long for more imagery details. I had a hard time picturing certain aspects of the characters or locations.

The flow of the book was perfect in my opinion. It didn't feel rushed or like it was dragging on.

Profile Image for Lizzi.
2,109 reviews16 followers
November 30, 2017
Dannie and Reed forged a friendship. Then they discovered that they wanted more. Tragedy strikes which makes Dannie run away, hurt and alone. What will happen next? Can Red forgive Dannie for breaking his heart? Will Reed ever learn the truth?
Can't wait to read part 2!!
264 reviews14 followers
January 14, 2018
This book was amazing! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would! I felt that there were several themes that were approached in a meaningful way and I found myself reading this book late at night and not wanting to put it down! Looking forward to the next book!
Profile Image for Megan Woodward.
8 reviews
December 20, 2019
So I don't know why I was expecting this book to be a stand alone but it wasn't. I'm glad there are going to be more books. I can't wait to see more of Reed and Dannie!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jackie Roberts.
927 reviews8 followers
March 24, 2020
This was a hot steamy erotic romance story perfect for a quick afternoon read.
A great heart pounding read. The story was very well written with great characters. It drew me in and I had it finished in one sitting. I would highly recommend this read.

Profile Image for Michele Del Rey.
3,032 reviews30 followers
October 14, 2017
What an emotional story. Dannie and Reed both have serious demons. But, they find each other. Loved this book. I felt hope, anger, sadness and love throughout this book. Loved it.
Profile Image for Lori Caprio Tate.
498 reviews3 followers
October 28, 2017
Amazing well thought out book that deals with a lot emotion. I am looking forward to the confusion and see how these characters face the challenges.
1,156 reviews
October 29, 2019
Wow heartbreaking. R. A

So heartbreaking. Tissues is a must have . It's a must MUST read it's the kinds book you can't but down can't wait to read part two.
Profile Image for Nickie Sale.
909 reviews7 followers
November 30, 2021
First this is a book in 2 parts so there's no "final chapter" in part 1. Picking this up it looks like a high school love triangle. But, it's most definatly not, instead its the story of Dannie who has not had the easiest of childhoods living with mum and mum's boyfriend. Although it's not confirmed you get the feeling there's a lot more in Dannies past than is revealed in this book. Reed has just moved and is convinced Dannie is the girl for him. Dannie and Reed initially decide to stay in the friend zone, but when gifts and letters start arriving for Dannie, the reader is left in no doubt that these are not from Reed but Dannie assumes they are. Surprisingly despite the many letters and gifts, Dannie says nothing to Reed. I found the whole book very slow but kept reading thinking it would get better. Dannie's character for me was niave and not very believable. Reed, apparantly a reformed bad boy again didn't come across as very believable. It may just be that this being a 2 part story is to long for what it is, so I will read part 2 and maybe it will change my mind.
Profile Image for PJ.
124 reviews22 followers
May 31, 2022
Pros
This book tries to be serious and talk about hard topics, and I can sense within the book that the writer tried. Someone passionate about writing wrote it, and so I hope this person continues to write and improve their craft.
That being said...
Cons
These people do not sound like teenagers (They literally say "ball and chain"...I have never heard any teenager say that)
Reed and Danie's meet cute was literally Reed watching her read. They are attracted to each other for the longest time, but don't talk to each other
Reed's thoughts...I don't like his perspective. He goes on and on about skinny jeans, about how he hates every californians except DANNIE. It feels cliche.
The ending feels rushed, and overall it doesn't feel like the end of the book. It feels like the second book should be a part of the first...because as is, the ending is too abrupt.
CONCLUSION
This book wasn't for me. I don't hate it...but I definitely don't love it either.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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