Review ~ Masquerade by Nyrae Dawn

Masquerade (Games, #3)Title: Masquerade
Author: Nyrae Dawn
Series: Games #3
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Published: January 7th 2014






A biker. A tattoo artist. A love to last a lifetime.

Maddox Cross has always had to be tough. When his father went to jail for murder, the teenager took care of his sister and mother. Now on his own and working security at a night club, Maddox wants to become a tattoo artist-a dream that comes closer to reality when he falls for the hottest, most tatted woman he's ever seen. She's wild and beautiful, and Maddox will do anything to be with her.

Bee Malone came to town to open up her new tattoo parlor, Masquerade. Since being kidnapped as a young girl, Bee has had trouble getting close to anyone. But when she meets Maddox, she sees that under his hard biker's body is the sensitive soul of an artist. What starts out as a sizzling one-night stand soon becomes so much more.

Bee wants Maddox to join her tattoo business, but letting him into her life means revealing all her most intimate secrets. And as the past begins to intertwine with her present, Bee fears their love may not be as permanent as their ink . . .
After reading just the first line of the book description, I was in!! Who cannot resist a biker or a tattoo artist?? When I read the rest of the description I knew it was going to be an intense read, but it was going to be fascinating to see these broken characters find a path in their lives that makes them happy.

I was snickering when Bee and Maddox first met; Maddox working in a bar, Bee looking for no strings attached sex. Soon they are off to have a quickie at a hotel. There's no attachment, just a quick bang and then out. What they didn't expect was to cross paths again at Bee's new tattoo shop, where Maddox goes to ask the owner about an apprenticeship.

Bee is not sure who she is anymore and we learn what she has been through very early. It is understandable that she doesn't allow people in and prefers to keep people at arms length. She sees a kind of kinship with Maddox and believes they can work together without their one night stand interfering with their work life. But when their pasts unravel, it becomes more apparent as to how connected they are.

Maddox cares very deeply for his sister and believes he let her down in the past and she has been his number one priority as of late. Their family has been through so much and he cannot handle his mother anymore as she is demanding and selfish. He tries to avoid her at all times and doesn’t like the way she treats his sister. He is such a kind hearted guy that puts everyone else’s welfare in front of his own. He has issues with what happened with his father and wants to make everything right. I liked him straight away because he has that closed off personality and acts all tough and moody.

Bee and Maddox are so similar in personality and they both find it hard to deal with their emotions. They try for the no strings attached relationship but each time they think they are having meaningless sex, they become more attached. Slowly they both shed layers and let each other in. They have the same passions: drawing, tattooing, and they are able to find an easy groove together. Some of my favourite moments were of them relaxing with their art. However, when they came together, it was explosive! The passion is undeniable, but somehow they manage to keep their walls up.

The secondary characters in Masquerade were featured in earlier books of this series. Even though I haven’t read them, I learnt a bit about their history to see that they have all been through tough times themselves. It is easy to read this book as a standalone as the author has done a fantastic job tying all the stories together. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives to see how the characters were feeling inside. Nyrae has written a beautiful story about two broken characters who finally find themselves complete when they are together. It was a remarkable read that brought tears to my eyes occasionally. I will be reading more from this author, that’s for sure!

I received a copy of this book from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.



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14 comments:

  1. I can't wait to meet Bee & Maddox, Naomi. It sounds as though they're really combustible together. :)

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  2. I almost snagged this cause yeah it sounds so good, but stopped because it was book three..I am so glad to hear it was good!

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  3. I do still really want to read her books. This one probably more then others because ah...hello...bike and a tattoo artist? yes please heh

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  4. Love this premise and would love to see how they overcome the difficulties with their emotions and falling for each other

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  5. Great review girl! This book sounds awesome and intense. I'm glad to know you can read this as a stand alone too.

    Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.

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  6. I love when two chacracters try to convince themselves that it's no strings attached, only to realise they are falling for each other. The sexual tension is always so intense, which of course lead to those passionate scenes you mentioned! ;)

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  7. I love Nyrae Dawn! I'm so glad that you enjoyed Masquerade Naomi! I loved how these two thought that they were have meaningless sex without realizing that they were growing attached to one another two. I loved how they eventually let their walls down, and agree that some of their best times together was when they were doing their art/tattoo work. Great Review Naomi!


    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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  8. It was great as a standalone, I assure you! Maddox and Bee were great to read about *wink*

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  9. Uh huh!! I was like that too... Just had to read it!

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  10. Yeah, it was great to see them fall for each other.... without even realising!

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  11. It was a bit intense, but sweet too!! A great read!

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  12. Hehehe!!! Yeah, me too!! It was fun watching their relationship strengthen!!

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  13. Thanks Lindy!! It was a fantastic read. Maddox is so yummy!! I'm glad he found Bee!!

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