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Fallen Facades
Natalie Clarke, 28, tells ghost stories for a living, but nothing's more haunting than falling for the woman who's destroying everything she loves.
Sloane Preston is 44, brilliant, and dangerously sophisticated. She saves historic buildings by turning them into million-dollar homes that working people like Natalie could never afford. She's everything Natalie should hate. She's also everything Natalie wants.
When they meet in an abandoned mansion on Halloween night, the attraction is instant, electric, and completely impossible. Sloane's touch awakens something fierce in Natalie. Natalie's passion ignites something long-buried in Sloane.
But desire built on opposing sides can't last. And when Natalie discovers exactly how Sloane has been using her, the betrayal will test whether love can survive the ultimate deception.
Sloane Preston is 44, brilliant, and dangerously sophisticated. She saves historic buildings by turning them into million-dollar homes that working people like Natalie could never afford. She's everything Natalie should hate. She's also everything Natalie wants.
When they meet in an abandoned mansion on Halloween night, the attraction is instant, electric, and completely impossible. Sloane's touch awakens something fierce in Natalie. Natalie's passion ignites something long-buried in Sloane.
But desire built on opposing sides can't last. And when Natalie discovers exactly how Sloane has been using her, the betrayal will test whether love can survive the ultimate deception.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2025
17 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 13, 2025
**'Your euphoric artistic energy should help develop a certain ease in how to deliver and then make whatever you're writing be acceptable to readers..'
Delightful read!
A very surprisingly nice and enjoyable story.
And a very much recommendable book!
Delightful read!
A very surprisingly nice and enjoyable story.
And a very much recommendable book!
November 2, 2025
A contemporary NY fall setting.
The backdrop/conflict of historic building preservation. Sloane wants to develop this Gilded Age building preserving its valuable historic detailing and then sell for profit. Natalie young preservation photographer and activist wants affordable housing above gentrification.
The attention to technical detail here is so well researched and enriches the passions felt by both MCs. Sloane is out of Natalie's league and technically the 'enemy'. Still the chemistry between Natalie and Sloane is so hot and the results passionate.
At 240 pages I think I could have done with another 50 pages or so If it would provide us with more background to the actual characters of Sloane and Natalie. Its the type of book which once picked up you can't put down.
All in all I loved this book. Romance at its best and beautifully written.
The backdrop/conflict of historic building preservation. Sloane wants to develop this Gilded Age building preserving its valuable historic detailing and then sell for profit. Natalie young preservation photographer and activist wants affordable housing above gentrification.
The attention to technical detail here is so well researched and enriches the passions felt by both MCs. Sloane is out of Natalie's league and technically the 'enemy'. Still the chemistry between Natalie and Sloane is so hot and the results passionate.
At 240 pages I think I could have done with another 50 pages or so If it would provide us with more background to the actual characters of Sloane and Natalie. Its the type of book which once picked up you can't put down.
All in all I loved this book. Romance at its best and beautifully written.
January 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75 stars, rounded up here)
I really liked the story and especially the way the main characters met. It was soo cute and smart in my opinion. Besides, the story shined in giving the right atmosphere all throughout the book, one could practically feel that it’s Halloween there right now or then Christmas and so on. I loved how the seasons were woven into the story and also kind of played a role.
Moreover, our main characters (Natalie and Sloane) were amazingly written. I particularly liked how the age gap was handled and that it was actually a topic to be discussed between the characters. Especially because I think it’s important to voice one’s concerns about it and I loved how particularly Sloane as the older character (she’s in her forties) was actually concerned about it but through healthy and open communication with Natalie worked on it. Speaking on healthy and open, I also liked how we had a major character development in this story. I loved how not everything was smooth and easy but the story depicted actual struggles too! That was definitely a plus point for me.
However, I would’ve liked to have some more depth during the end when the characters find to each other again, I felt like it was kind of rushed. And I have to admit that I couldn’t fully connect with the characters as I’ve wished.
Nevertheless, I wanna stress that this is a solid book, the pace was fast, the writing was really good and I like the overall story. So I’d recommend ♡
I really liked the story and especially the way the main characters met. It was soo cute and smart in my opinion. Besides, the story shined in giving the right atmosphere all throughout the book, one could practically feel that it’s Halloween there right now or then Christmas and so on. I loved how the seasons were woven into the story and also kind of played a role.
Moreover, our main characters (Natalie and Sloane) were amazingly written. I particularly liked how the age gap was handled and that it was actually a topic to be discussed between the characters. Especially because I think it’s important to voice one’s concerns about it and I loved how particularly Sloane as the older character (she’s in her forties) was actually concerned about it but through healthy and open communication with Natalie worked on it. Speaking on healthy and open, I also liked how we had a major character development in this story. I loved how not everything was smooth and easy but the story depicted actual struggles too! That was definitely a plus point for me.
However, I would’ve liked to have some more depth during the end when the characters find to each other again, I felt like it was kind of rushed. And I have to admit that I couldn’t fully connect with the characters as I’ve wished.
Nevertheless, I wanna stress that this is a solid book, the pace was fast, the writing was really good and I like the overall story. So I’d recommend ♡
November 17, 2025
Take a ride with Sloane and Natalie as they discovery something old buildings are worth preserving. Both love old construction but for difference reason. Can love prevail when a major difference divides them? Prepare for twists and enjoy the ride!
October 31, 2025
I really enjoyed this autumnal sapphic romance between Natalie, who’s tells the ghost stories of the various neighbourhoods in New York and values the many old buildings that have the history of the city that never sleeps in each of their bricks, and Sloane who appreciates these same structures as the skeletons that can become homes for the wealthy.
This is a story of opposites attracting - especially for Natalie. Sloane is the epitome of everything she hates when it comes to her ethics and beliefs for the city she loves; however, she’s also drawn to her, and I loved how real she came across.
Ava Steele brings her New York to life in such a manner that you can feel as though you’re walking along the busy streets with both characters, and I could easily envision some of the abandoned buildings the two are drawn to as the story unfolds thanks to where I live in the UK. I enjoy stories so much more when an author takes the time to bring a setting to life, especially when it’s a real place so readers can become fully immersed in the story and either recognize familiar places, or those who don’t know it, can easily see it come to life due to the attention to detail.
It felt like there’s almost two stories initially, one is the romantic side between Sloane and Natalie where their differences can be put aside for the attraction they feel for one another – the two burn bright and strong, which is always dangerous both in books and real life, but I was here for it. The autumnal setting adds to the romance and makes their first encounter a little spooky and yet sweet, and I loved seeing Natalie take that risk. In truth, it could be a perfect Hallmark or similar movie because Steele really brings everything to life so well and despite the overwhelming feeling that Sloane is the opposite of what Natalie should look for? I loved them together and how protective in her own way; Sloane was towards Natalie.
Much like what happens in a good romance film, things took a turn for the worse; I pulled my Muppets Halloween blanket tighter around me and muttered about that infamous rule of love stories. We need things to fail only to get better plus, it opens up the story for character growth and redemption where needed, and redemption is key to this story.
I loved this story – it was exactly what I needed for a romance during the cold season, Natalie and Sloane are perfect for each other and I really liked how realistic they were as characters and could easily imagine being friends with Natalie in particular. If you’re looking for a cozy sapphic romance, where things go awry and of course fix themselves and both characters have growth before their reconnection then I’d say go get Fallen Facades, it’s only a short read but has everything you need in a HEA tale.
This is a story of opposites attracting - especially for Natalie. Sloane is the epitome of everything she hates when it comes to her ethics and beliefs for the city she loves; however, she’s also drawn to her, and I loved how real she came across.
Ava Steele brings her New York to life in such a manner that you can feel as though you’re walking along the busy streets with both characters, and I could easily envision some of the abandoned buildings the two are drawn to as the story unfolds thanks to where I live in the UK. I enjoy stories so much more when an author takes the time to bring a setting to life, especially when it’s a real place so readers can become fully immersed in the story and either recognize familiar places, or those who don’t know it, can easily see it come to life due to the attention to detail.
It felt like there’s almost two stories initially, one is the romantic side between Sloane and Natalie where their differences can be put aside for the attraction they feel for one another – the two burn bright and strong, which is always dangerous both in books and real life, but I was here for it. The autumnal setting adds to the romance and makes their first encounter a little spooky and yet sweet, and I loved seeing Natalie take that risk. In truth, it could be a perfect Hallmark or similar movie because Steele really brings everything to life so well and despite the overwhelming feeling that Sloane is the opposite of what Natalie should look for? I loved them together and how protective in her own way; Sloane was towards Natalie.
Much like what happens in a good romance film, things took a turn for the worse; I pulled my Muppets Halloween blanket tighter around me and muttered about that infamous rule of love stories. We need things to fail only to get better plus, it opens up the story for character growth and redemption where needed, and redemption is key to this story.
I loved this story – it was exactly what I needed for a romance during the cold season, Natalie and Sloane are perfect for each other and I really liked how realistic they were as characters and could easily imagine being friends with Natalie in particular. If you’re looking for a cozy sapphic romance, where things go awry and of course fix themselves and both characters have growth before their reconnection then I’d say go get Fallen Facades, it’s only a short read but has everything you need in a HEA tale.
November 29, 2025
I’m struggling with how to review this. Either 2.75 ⭐️ or 3 ⭐️
It was just an OK story. There were definitely some moments of amateur writing and a lot of repetitive phrases words and internal monologues. We’d hear something from Natalie’s POV to turn around and read the same thing as Sloane.
There were also a few contradicting statements like during the first intimacy scene which happens throughout the entire evening Sloane comments on Natalie‘s low back being ticklish, but her hips not being ticklish, and then a few hours later into the night she turns around and says that her hips were ticklish when she touched them. So it’s just confusing that things like this happened, multiple times.
With a little more editing and different wording this book could have been a lot more solid for me.
It was just an OK story. There were definitely some moments of amateur writing and a lot of repetitive phrases words and internal monologues. We’d hear something from Natalie’s POV to turn around and read the same thing as Sloane.
There were also a few contradicting statements like during the first intimacy scene which happens throughout the entire evening Sloane comments on Natalie‘s low back being ticklish, but her hips not being ticklish, and then a few hours later into the night she turns around and says that her hips were ticklish when she touched them. So it’s just confusing that things like this happened, multiple times.
With a little more editing and different wording this book could have been a lot more solid for me.
January 9, 2026
Fallen Facades by Ava Steele is the kind of story that shakes something loose inside you—especially through the delicate, charged, beautifully complicated relationship between Sloane Preston and Natalie Clarke and their shared love for historical buildings. Their age gap isn’t a gimmick; it’s the emotional fault line that shapes every moment between them, every hesitation, every stolen glance that feels too meaningful and too dangerous all at once.
This is a story of contrasts, connection, and the quiet magic of history — all embodied in the unlikely pairing of Sloane and Natalie. Their love for old buildings is what initially binds them, though their worlds could not be more different. Sloane, with her wealth and vision, rescues historic mansions from decay, transforming them into luxurious, million-dollar homes. Natalie, meanwhile, is captivated by the ghosts of the past in a more intimate, personal way — photographing the buildings she can’t afford to live in and spinning their stories as a professional ghost storyteller.
Their first encounter, on a spooky Halloween night in an abandoned mansion, is pure fate. The author captures the thrill of that night with cinematic clarity: the creaking floors, the flickering candlelight, and the eerie beauty of forgotten hallways. It’s in that haunted, history-steeped space that Sloane and Natalie discover a shared reverence for what came before, even as their lives are worlds apart.
What makes their connection so emotionally compelling is the tension between access and longing. Sloane can own these monuments to the past, but it’s Natalie’s eye, her lens, that sees their soul. The author portrays their interactions with exquisite subtlety: a shared laugh over a crumbling staircase, a quiet moment in a sunlit ballroom, the unspoken envy and admiration each holds for the other. Love here is inseparable from respect — for history, for beauty, and for the ways their hearts mirror one another.
Sloane is a character steeped in contradictions — confident yet guarded, commanding yet deeply fragile. Watching her navigate her own fears while simultaneously trying to protect Natalie is both heartbreaking and awe-inspiring. Steele captures Sloane’s inner turmoil in such a vivid way that readers feel the weight of her choices, the shadow of her past, and the relentless desire to do right in a world that constantly tests her limits.
Natalie, in contrast, is the emotional anchor of the duo. Her resilience and quiet strength provide balance, but the author doesn’t make her perfect; Natalie’s doubts, insecurities, and moments of raw honesty make her profoundly real. The tension between wanting to trust Sloane and fearing the inevitable fallout creates a constant undercurrent of suspense. Every shared glance, every fragile touch, is loaded with meaning — sometimes painfully so.
What makes their connection so powerful is how carefully Ava Steele tends to the emotional terrain between them. Sloane carries the weight of years—experience, regrets, responsibilities she can’t quite set down. Natalie brings a raw, unfiltered honesty that both unsettles and awakens Sloane in ways she didn’t expect. Watching them navigate the distance between who they are and who they allow themselves to be is quietly devastating.
There’s a tenderness in how they learn each other, a slowness that feels like the author is inviting you to sit with the tension instead of rushing past it. Sloane’s restraint, her fear of overstepping, makes every moment she lets her guard down feel monumental. And Natalie—oh, Natalie—she’s both bold and vulnerable in the same breath, trying to prove she knows her own heart even as she’s still discovering what love can demand of her.
Their age gap becomes less about years and more about emotional timing: Sloane afraid she’s too late for something real, Natalie afraid she’s too early to be taken seriously. That friction gives their relationship a pulse—tender, hesitant, intoxicating.
By the end, you’re left not just rooting for them, but understanding them. Their love doesn’t ignore the power imbalance or pretend the past doesn’t matter; instead, it asks whether two imperfect people can meet each other honestly despite all that stands between them. And, the answer Ava Steele offers is messy, truthful, and deeply human.
Fallen Facades stays with you because Sloane and Natalie stay with you—their longing, their fear, their courage to step toward something fragile and real.
It’s a story about breaking down walls, but it’s also about learning that some walls fall slowly, brick by brick, until you suddenly realize sunlight is coming through.
A beautifully emotional book—quietly brave, unexpectedly tender, and unforgettable.
This is a story of contrasts, connection, and the quiet magic of history — all embodied in the unlikely pairing of Sloane and Natalie. Their love for old buildings is what initially binds them, though their worlds could not be more different. Sloane, with her wealth and vision, rescues historic mansions from decay, transforming them into luxurious, million-dollar homes. Natalie, meanwhile, is captivated by the ghosts of the past in a more intimate, personal way — photographing the buildings she can’t afford to live in and spinning their stories as a professional ghost storyteller.
Their first encounter, on a spooky Halloween night in an abandoned mansion, is pure fate. The author captures the thrill of that night with cinematic clarity: the creaking floors, the flickering candlelight, and the eerie beauty of forgotten hallways. It’s in that haunted, history-steeped space that Sloane and Natalie discover a shared reverence for what came before, even as their lives are worlds apart.
What makes their connection so emotionally compelling is the tension between access and longing. Sloane can own these monuments to the past, but it’s Natalie’s eye, her lens, that sees their soul. The author portrays their interactions with exquisite subtlety: a shared laugh over a crumbling staircase, a quiet moment in a sunlit ballroom, the unspoken envy and admiration each holds for the other. Love here is inseparable from respect — for history, for beauty, and for the ways their hearts mirror one another.
Sloane is a character steeped in contradictions — confident yet guarded, commanding yet deeply fragile. Watching her navigate her own fears while simultaneously trying to protect Natalie is both heartbreaking and awe-inspiring. Steele captures Sloane’s inner turmoil in such a vivid way that readers feel the weight of her choices, the shadow of her past, and the relentless desire to do right in a world that constantly tests her limits.
Natalie, in contrast, is the emotional anchor of the duo. Her resilience and quiet strength provide balance, but the author doesn’t make her perfect; Natalie’s doubts, insecurities, and moments of raw honesty make her profoundly real. The tension between wanting to trust Sloane and fearing the inevitable fallout creates a constant undercurrent of suspense. Every shared glance, every fragile touch, is loaded with meaning — sometimes painfully so.
What makes their connection so powerful is how carefully Ava Steele tends to the emotional terrain between them. Sloane carries the weight of years—experience, regrets, responsibilities she can’t quite set down. Natalie brings a raw, unfiltered honesty that both unsettles and awakens Sloane in ways she didn’t expect. Watching them navigate the distance between who they are and who they allow themselves to be is quietly devastating.
There’s a tenderness in how they learn each other, a slowness that feels like the author is inviting you to sit with the tension instead of rushing past it. Sloane’s restraint, her fear of overstepping, makes every moment she lets her guard down feel monumental. And Natalie—oh, Natalie—she’s both bold and vulnerable in the same breath, trying to prove she knows her own heart even as she’s still discovering what love can demand of her.
Their age gap becomes less about years and more about emotional timing: Sloane afraid she’s too late for something real, Natalie afraid she’s too early to be taken seriously. That friction gives their relationship a pulse—tender, hesitant, intoxicating.
By the end, you’re left not just rooting for them, but understanding them. Their love doesn’t ignore the power imbalance or pretend the past doesn’t matter; instead, it asks whether two imperfect people can meet each other honestly despite all that stands between them. And, the answer Ava Steele offers is messy, truthful, and deeply human.
Fallen Facades stays with you because Sloane and Natalie stay with you—their longing, their fear, their courage to step toward something fragile and real.
It’s a story about breaking down walls, but it’s also about learning that some walls fall slowly, brick by brick, until you suddenly realize sunlight is coming through.
A beautifully emotional book—quietly brave, unexpectedly tender, and unforgettable.
October 24, 2025
Sloane and Natalie are both interested in historic buildings, but for different reasons. Sloane redevelops them, Natalie preserves their history in photographs. They meet in a abandoned building, bond over the history, and after Natalie hurts herself, Sloane helps out.
Later they meet again when Nat protests one of her developments. Various stuff happens, they flirted over drinks, then sleep together.
At a job site that Natalie tags along on, she learns Sloane has been using her Twitter to find sites to redevelop. Natalie is dismayed she's been doing this, and bolts.
Mid book breakup.
Natalie's Twitter on historic homes goes viral after she rants on the various redevelopment taking vintage homes and turning them into yuppie condos, like Sloane. This leads to a job offer from a preservation organization.
Sloane, after seeing all the protests and news pieces, has a 'Christmas Carol' moment and decides to look into preservation while keeping the buildings in the community.
They meet again nearly half a year later, reconcile, wrap up.
3.5 stars.
Later they meet again when Nat protests one of her developments. Various stuff happens, they flirted over drinks, then sleep together.
At a job site that Natalie tags along on, she learns Sloane has been using her Twitter to find sites to redevelop. Natalie is dismayed she's been doing this, and bolts.
Mid book breakup.
Natalie's Twitter on historic homes goes viral after she rants on the various redevelopment taking vintage homes and turning them into yuppie condos, like Sloane. This leads to a job offer from a preservation organization.
Sloane, after seeing all the protests and news pieces, has a 'Christmas Carol' moment and decides to look into preservation while keeping the buildings in the community.
They meet again nearly half a year later, reconcile, wrap up.
3.5 stars.
November 24, 2025
ok-ish
There are a few inconsistencies. The story started on Halloween, skip ahead two weeks, then skip another or two weeks, and it was mid November? Should've been late November or early December. There were several others.
I had to skim through the second half of the story because there was just so much going on that was unnecessary and did not advance the storyline at all. Most of it could've been summed up with one sentence: Nine months later.
There were also times when the same thing was said over and over to the point where I thought it may have been copied and pasted.
Three stars is really being generous.
There are a few inconsistencies. The story started on Halloween, skip ahead two weeks, then skip another or two weeks, and it was mid November? Should've been late November or early December. There were several others.
I had to skim through the second half of the story because there was just so much going on that was unnecessary and did not advance the storyline at all. Most of it could've been summed up with one sentence: Nine months later.
There were also times when the same thing was said over and over to the point where I thought it may have been copied and pasted.
Three stars is really being generous.
October 19, 2025
A perfect story with perfect characters captured perfectly.
Romance captured perfectly!
Made me want to be a part of the story! Caused me to think of relationships in my past. And of ways that I could have made them better
Romance captured perfectly!
Made me want to be a part of the story! Caused me to think of relationships in my past. And of ways that I could have made them better
November 4, 2025
I really like this one.
I explored Greenwich Village, both old and new, and discovered its architecture and ancient history.
When they broke up, it broke my heart.
A book you never want to finish, but you can stop reading.
I explored Greenwich Village, both old and new, and discovered its architecture and ancient history.
When they broke up, it broke my heart.
A book you never want to finish, but you can stop reading.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews