CHARADE by NYRAE DAWN

SYNOPSIS:

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.






REVIEW:

I grabbed this book when it was $.99 and it was SO worth it.  This is the first book that I have read from Nyrae Dawn and I will definitely be reading more of her work!

Cheyenne wanted everyone to think she had the perfect life, however it was far from perfect.  She wore a mask and didn't let anyone know the "real" Cheyenne.  After being abandoned by her mother at an early age, she vowed not to let anyone get close to her. 

After walking in on her boyfriend, Gregory, having sex with another girl, Cheyenne was not about to show her emotions to Gregory.  She would never let Gregory know that he hurt her.  Instead, she had a plan of her own.   A gorgeous, blond tattooed guy outside of the coffee shop. catches her eye.  She knows that he isn't someone that she would usually associate with, but there is just something about him that draws her to him.  Cheyenne approaches him and makes him an offer that is hard to refuse. 

Colt, is the tattooed bad boy, who curses like a sailor, that captured Cheyenne's attention.  Colt is battling his own demons as well.  Colt doesn't allow anyone in, he wears a mask just like Cheyenne does.  For some reason, Colt feels the need to protect Cheyenne.  He sees the hurt in Cheyenne's eyes and he knows the pain isn't just form the break up with Gregory, but he doesn't push her.  He has his own problems that he isn't ready to deal with or disclose, so they both seem to respect each others privacy.  Colt plays the role of the "good boyfriend" when needed, but he begins to develop feelings for Cheyenne.  After agreeing to play this "Charade" lines begin to blur for the both of them.  The Charade started off strictly as a game, but led to something that neither of them had expected.

"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 it.  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." ~ Cheyenne

Colt and Cheyenne seem to be what each other needs.  They both have built walls to keep everyone out, but as the walls begin to crumble the charade begins to turn "real".

"Be real with me." ~ Colt
He's almost more serious than I've ever seen him.  It takes my breath away.
"I thought this was a game, " I reminded him.
"Not anymore and you know it.  Everything else in my life is fucked up.  This is the only thing that's real."  ~  Colt

I thought Colt was a total sweetheart.  Yes, he was cocky, but he was also quite comical.  The chemistry between Colt and Cheyenne was instantaneous.  Both, Colt and Cheyenne tried their damnedest to keep their hearts closed off, but sometimes you can fight the inevitable. 

Charade was a quick read.  Once I started, I could not put the book down.  I felt the connection between the characters immediately. I think the characters were very well developed and the story flowed great.  I would definitely recommend this book to others. I  look forward to FACADE, which is the 2nd book in the series.

This review was prepared by Heather.

 

ONE CLICK

CHARADE

BY

NYRAE DAWN