****SPECIAL PRE-ORDER PRICE of $2.99. Price will change to $3.99 on January 23rd.****
My name is Amelia Blake, and I am one step away from securing a once-in-a-lifetime promotion as an Art Consultant at the prestigious, Seattle-based art gallery Victoria Weston Studios. All I have to do is prove to my boss, Mrs. Victoria Weston herself, that I have what it takes. Easy enough, right?
But when exotic art photographer Nolan Carter James steps through the gallery door and proposes a living exhibit of the sensual nature, EASY flies right out those Tiffany glass windows. This proposal is so out-of-the-box that it will either wow my boss and instantly guarantee my promotion, or it'll have me out the door and looking for a new job in five minutes flat. Is the risk worth it? Is he worth it?
The closer I work with Nolan, the more intrigued I become by his captivating work, and the more I want to know. About him. About the story within these photos. And about how far I can push my boundaries, both physically and mentally. With stark realization, it dawns on me that my job might not be the only thing I'm risking in this art deal.
When the opportunity presents itself for me to explore more about the life and mind of this sexy photographer, will I allow him to lure me into a world I’d only ever imagined in my wildest and most wicked fantasies?
If what I do in the shadows makes its way back to my boss, everything I've worked for will be for nothing. So the only way I’ll try any of this is if no one besides Nolan knows who I am.
So I’ll embrace the mystery with a facade.
*While this series will have a theme that is darker taboo with an overall steamy contemporary romance feel, this is NOT a BDSM Dom/Sub relationship story. Lia and Nolan's story revolves around the sexual experimentations that allows you to find out who you are under the Facade of what is considered "normal."
Writing has been a passion of mine since my later years of elementary school. As an avid beach lover, I am lucky enough to live along the Alabama/Florida coast. Most weekends you will find me out on the water with my family. Speaking of family, I have the best family and friend support system in the world. I can truly say it only takes the right people believing in you, that help you learn to believe in yourself, to make your dreams come true. If you put your mind to it, the possibilities in your life are endless. My goal is to be able to show that through my work
holy explicitative..... this book was hot. if you have a heart condition you may want to get a doctor's permission because this book will definitely get your heart racing. this book definitively has cussing, sexy time, and hot men so if you don't like that then I'm sorry. this book was the first book in a series so it ends in a cliffhanger. it introduces you to the main characters and the plotline. the world building was amazing. I could not put this book down. I wanted to cry when it said the end. I can't wait for book two.
Façade is an interesting take on a 'finding yourself' story. The book follows Lia on her journey of self discovery in the most exquisite of ways. Nolan, a photographer with a specific focus, breezes into the art studio Lia works at. And this sinfully gorgeous man just might be the one that allows her to discover what it means to truly to be herself. A tale wrapped in sexual tension and the underlying want to truly let go, we're in for a ride with this series.
This is such a riveting story I could picture every detail in my mind. Join Amelia in her journey outside her comfort zone in addition to meeting her friends, especially Nolan. I read this entire book in one sitting and can’t wait for the next one. You won’t regret buying this book.
**I want to start this review by saying that I received an unedited version. I have not gone back yet to read the revised copy. This review will be based on the copy I received, but please note that changes have been made to the book.**
Amelia works as an Art Consultant with the gallery Victoria Weston Studies. She has been given a huge opportunity to prove her worth by conducting interviews with potential artists to be the headliner for their Spring Show. Meeting Nolan at the coffee shop wasn't an ideal meeting, especially when she realizes he is one of the artists she will be interviewing. After seeing his work though, she knows he is the one that will be perfect for what she has in mind. She doesn't plan for the intense chemistry that is like static between them, every time they have to work together.
I'm not sure where to start exactly with this review. I enjoyed the plot of the story. I think it was one of those staple relationships cliches you see in books. Girl meets boy. Finds out boy is in her workplace. Girl falls for boy despite circumstances.
When I got my copy it was unedited and some of the issues that I had found within it were as follows: Words missing Sentence structure Punctuation Switching between tenses in paragraphs I know most of these have been corrected now, but it made the book hard for me to follow because I was seeing some many errors. I am not holding this against the authors. It is not a reason for my 3 Star rating.
My reasoning for my rating is because I felt like the book was building up a different type of romance when all of a sudden "taboo" practices jump out at you. There is a "note to our readers" at the beginning of the book stating that "while this series will have a theme that is a darker taboo with an overall sizzling contemporary romance feel, this is NOT a BDSM Dom/Sub relationship story." There is even a definition for exhibitionism before the book starts. When I see something like this I have an expectation. While I don't expect for intimate relationships to jump out at the very beginning, I would think an underlaying tension and concept would be spoken. Amelia meets her love interest, Nolan, very quickly in the book. His art is of the sensual aspect and you see some of the tension build between them during this, but it is later on in the book (the interview showed some but not enough). Their relationship with each other did not begin until 70% into the book. I felt as if the book was building up to more of an ordinary contemporary romance book up until this book then all of sudden he is taking her to a club where they have to wear masks and use code names. It didn't seem like a natural progression of the relationship or character development. Nothing about Amelia had screamed this would be something she would so easily jump into, which brings me to another point.
I did not care for Amelia's character. She seemed like a very shallow woman who cared only about materialistic items. Most of the time she is talking about how nice items look and how she wishes she could have such things. She came across as a very jealous and envious type character. She talks about her shoes, her co-workers shoes, her bosses shoes, and she even talks about her bosses furniture in the office. However, I did like Nolan's character. I think he was described perfectly well and his character matched his perceived attitude. He was very comfortable in who he was and wasn't afraid to let people know his meaning. There were quite a few people in this story and I believe they will all come into play in some way, whether in other books or within this series alone. At times I found it unnecessary to go into such description of secondary characters.
I'm not a big fan of the use of switching from present to past in narration. It is something I have never found appealing in books, but especially when I don't think there is a need for them. There was only a few times this technique was used and one of them I didn't feel was necessary (but it has now been changed).
Finally, I felt like the epilogue was lack-luster. Usually epilogues tend to give you more insight into what the next book will bring or a vital part in the story explained in a separate point of view. While this story did have its epilogue in a different POB, I didn't feel as if I got anything from it. We already knew Nolan's feelings due to the entire story in Amelia's POV. I just wished we got a little more insight into his mind or some future conversation he has with a friend about her. Something more than what we got.
I know this feels like I just completely bashed the story and this was never my intention. I did enjoy the story. I found it compelling and interesting, but not what I had in mind for what this story seemed to be about. I went in with a certain expectation of what was going to happen, but I felt almost like I was cheated out of it. I still highly recommend everyone reading this story. I think you will be surprised by it and enjoy it. I'm not 100% sure if this is a series for me, but I am going to give the next book (and this first one again) a chance before coming to a conclusion.
I think these are exceptional authors and I know how much hard work they put into this book. Maybe I just expected to much from this book in the beginning and will be surprised by the next one.
This was a bit different from any story I have ever read before. It focuses on the "taboo" and how many are conflicted with what society tells us we shouldn't want. And why shouldn't we want it? If it is desired, consensual, and harms no one, what is the harm? Aside from society saying "that's bad". Is it bad? Or our we allowing society to dictate our lives? This story is about delving into those desires, and shedding the constraints of society. And I love it!
Personally, I initially had some trouble connecting with the main character, Amelia. I don't think this is any fault of the story though, as I struggled to relate to the "girlier" aspects of the character, the expensive shoes and makeup that are far beyond me. But by a quarter of the way through the story, those were mentioned far less and I was really able to get into the characters and the story. By the end, I just wanted to keep going. And now I'm left thinking "No!! I can't wait that long for the next book!"
Fiery, Feisty, Fantastic, Fierce, Flaming HOT! If you are still considering whether or not to read this book, just save yourself now and add it to your list.
This story is about finding your own personal tastes and pleasures without letting societal taboos change or impact those interests. The authors do a fantastic job moving along at a fast pace, but in a way that sucks you in as a reader and makes you refuse to put this book down. You are inserted directly into Lia’s world with such intricate details, there are moments you forget your reading a well crafted story and not an actual setting in time.
Don’t waste anymore time considering whether or not to read, and just get on to enjoying an AMAZING story.
I enjoyed reading Facade by NR and NK. Our MC, Amelia, has a lot of growing up to do, but you already see results by the end of this book. She meets Nolan and together they help her explore things about herself she never knew, opening her eyes to new and amazing things. The MC was not my favorite in the beginning but she definitely grew on me. She is young so you need to take that into account and this book is the set-up for the series, so we need to see where she started from to appreciate where she is going. I am intrigued to see where this story goes, will definitely be picking up Book 2 when its available!
Facade is an interesting book and an intriguing ‘finding yourself’ read centred around Lia, who works in a gallery, and Nolan, an artist. This book have some real laugh out loud moments and I enjoyed the moments when Lia had some spunk! However there are a lot of moments where she doubts herself a lot and you can see in upcoming books she is going to mature and come into herself. Nolan annoyed me at times but I understand that is his personality. This story is very steamy and may not everyone’s taste, however give it a go as I think this story is going to get better and better as it continues!
Loved it!!! I hated to put this down! The authors did a great job introducing us to multiple characters we will meet over the series without making it seem like roll call. While I wasn’t in love with Lia in the first couple of chapters, I quickly developed an interest in what she would do next. Knowing she was 24 helped understand some of her habits. Nolan developed well, and I can’t wait to find out more of his secrets in the next book!
If you are looking for a story line that’s going to suck you in and leave you anxiously awaiting the next book, this is the series for you!
This was a good start to the series. I absolutely loved the premise of this book. It really makes you think about things that are considered taboo. Just because the majority doesn't like something, doesn't mean that you can't enjoy it. I've read complaints about people not liking the main character. So Lia was upset about coffee spilt on her Louboutins? They are expensive shoes that she worked hard for. She deserves to be upset. I thought she was an amazing character. She was likeable and I could relate to her. This is a must read. I can't wait for the next book.
This book was steamy. I loved it. It shows Amelia who wants to step up in the world of art. She is sarcastic and I just love how she is herself. She meets Nolan. A gorgeous photographer that makes her want to explore yourself. The tension in this book is amazing and you see the Cha grow. This book makes you think about what really is taboo. I would say that this book is for anyone looking for a steamy contemporary romance about a girl exploring her sexuality and discovering what is taboo. I can't wait for more from these authors.
Not what I was expecting! The story is more in-depth than I expected. It had more interpersonal tones to it, which was a great addition. It was original, authentic, and very intriguing. I felt connected to each character. It was sexy, yes, but there was more to it than that, which really makes it shine on its own. I do, however, feel like it would really benefit from a good editor's hand, so due to execution, I dropped a star. But as far as story and plot? Very, very strong. A great read, and I really look forward to the next one!
WOW! this book was so captivating. It pushed the boundaries of what society thinks is sexually appropriate and what it is like to give in to yourself and be honest, true and free. i cant wait for this story to continue. i didn't fall completely in love with the MC, BUT i enjoyed her short growth and will be counting down the days until book 2 comes out - and seeing her grow more! i want to see how much more the MC comes into her own, and out of societies grasps.
Holy hotness! This is one steamy contemporary romance. I loved this story and all its interesting characters. There is really some tension in this story and I can't wait to see what happens in this story line and the others that will come out of this world. I loved seeing the characters develop and grow as I read. My favorite scene was Lia's birthday. Be prepared to melt right along with the characters!
Facade is Book one in a planned 10+ book series, so be forewarned it does end on a bit of a cliffhanger. For me personally I did not really care for Amelia at the beginning, but by the end of the book she began to change and I can see the potential of where the story is going to go. So when you buy this book, and you should!, if you feel like I did.....keep going!! With so many books planed I look forward to the expansion of the world and the growth of characters within it.
I’m not normally into “taboo romance” of any kind. But this story changed my mind! I’ll be reading the full series for sure. I loved Amelia and Nolan’s first book and can’t wait for more. Their dynamic was so relatable and I felt every one of Amelia’s “stupid feelings.” I also noticed some familiar characters at the gallery opening! If you’re a fan of NR Spratlin, you’ll recognize them too! Keep an eye out. 😍
I very much enjoyed this book. Lia and Nolan were great together from the start. I also loved all of the bonus characters like Danni. The book does step into a world some may consider taboo but it’s not just a story about sex. You can see the characters grow through the story which is very important to me. I loved seeing the darker side of romance and can’t wait for the next book!
This is the first book in a planned series of 10. Multiple characters are introduced, the main two in this book being Amelia and Nolan.
Nolan is a character of many layers, some of which are peeled back in this book. Amelia has done interesting internal dialogue going on as she deals with Nolan, some of which made me laugh.
The setting of the book is the art world, specifically a gallery, something which I haven’t read much about. It will be interesting to see where this series goes.
This book was steamy and all about exploring your sexuality. I loved all the build up with sexual tension that the author created. This book is def not for prudes, chances are you'll get hot and bothered reading it. I'm excited to continue reading the series and seeing how "forbidden" desires are explored :)
Holy hotness!! Definitely and must read! The one thing that I really love is the way the characters develop, and the way the story moves. But if you are not one to read something that is normally considered, as another has previously said, "taboo", then you probably won't like this. But its a really fantastic book so if you're willing to give it a shot, PLEASE DO!
Holy hotness!! I thought this book was going to kill me with the sexual tension!! The chemistry between Lia and Nolan is unbelievable! I can’t wait to see what comes next!! I couldn’t put it down. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love how easy it was to sink into this book. It introduces several characters that I can’t wait to find out more about. I loved watching the main character of this book evolve and discover herself. The story line is captivating, I could not put the book down. I can’t wait for book 2!!!
Holy. Steam. What an awesome book! A spunky main character with some issues just like the rest of us, plus a sexy artsy man?! I couldn’t have asked for better! I am so excited for more I can’t contain myself!
This was a great start to a new series. I loved the tension and the play between Lia and Nolan. It was a seductive and sensual read that leaves you wanting more.
I loved this book and did not want to put it down. I cant wait to see where the plot line goes. Lia and Nolan were great together. I cant wait to figure out what Danni's story is.
Holy WOW! This was some story, I really loved it. I loved Lia, she was spunky. Lia and Nolan were just fantastic together. Great start to a series and I can't wait to see where things go!
Fantastic book! This is not your typical contemporary romance novel. The story that weaves around “taboo” ideas was incredibly well written and done in such a classy way, I was happily surprised. It’s sexy, snarky, and the characters and story are very realistic. You literally feel as though you are in the book while reading it! What’s better than that? Oh, a gorgeous female and sexy man with a “panty-melting smile”! I can’t wait to see what else these two authors have up there sleeves. I NEED more!