Emerge
S. E. Hall
Series: Evolve Series
Published on May 15, 2013
Genres: Chick Lit, New Adult, Romance “You never have to be without me, Laney, never.”
He lied…my everything I ever knew, trusted, wanted…I am, in fact, without him.
On my own and out of my shell, I learn new things about life, friendship and…myself.
Like what you’ve always known may not be what you’ve always wanted.
Dane Kendrick awakened things within me that I never knew existed, unraveling and uncovering the real Laney Jo Walker.
I’m a NEW adult…so is my story.
Emerge, book one in S.E. Hall’s Evolve series, broke my heart and then slowly put the pieces back together. There may still be a few still missing, but I’m hopeful that book 2 will help mend those too.
I’m late to this series and I’m kicking myself in the ass for not bumping this up to the top of my reading list. I have had this book in my Kindle library for months, MONTHS! What was I waiting for? If you have it in your library, stop what you’re reading and start this series. You won’t be sorry.
S. E. Hall has created a sweet and endearing book consisting of likeable characters who tell a story about love, friendship, loyalty and growing up. I connected with the characters immediately. Throughout the book, I felt like I was right there, experiencing each moment with the crew of characters. I channeled my inner college self and in many ways experienced college all over again, with a bunch of really great, animated, loyal friends. I can’t emphasize enough how well these characters are written and brought to life. I want to be Beckett’s BFF. Oh, how I want to challenge Sawyer to a game of “Tour of Duty” and spend a Friday night talking with him as he tends bar at the Kickback. And I can’t forget Zach. (*swoon*) Every girl needs a best guy friend like Zach. He’s the one who gives it to you straight and is there when the going gets rough. But, enough about the secondary characters (yes, those are just the secondary characters)…the triangle in this book is simply perfect. Yes, I know I just mentioned a triangle, don’t let that fool you into NOT reading this book. I know so many people who won’t read a book if there’s a triangle because they think it is so predictable… this is no ordinary triangle. Trust me!
This “love triangle” consists of our female heroine, Laney- a sweet, outspoken, sassy tomboy who doesn’t realize her appeal; Evan, her childhood best friend turned possible love of her life; and Dane, the mysterious, charmer, hot new guy she meets at college and instantly connects with. However, is it a true love triangle when the high school sweethearts break up before college?
OH. MY. GAWD… the angst in this book is barely tolerable, it almost ripped my heart in pieces. I’m still in turmoil trying to process my feelings on this book. All the guys in this series are kick ass- the perfect blend of assertive with a dash of hot possessiveness and a bit of humor; the girls in this series are the perfect mix of witty, with a sprinkle of sass, a big dose of brains and overall extremely charismatic.
What resonated with me the most is how incredible the guys are who are intertwined with Laney. It’s the perfect mix of swoon worthy book boyfriends all rolled up into these two male characters. I mean Evan is the ideal beta boyfriend. He wants to do whatever it takes to give Laney her dreams and make her happy. He’s the quintessential all American college hot, athlete, good guy. He’s Laney’s everything, her best friend and together they share a love that lasts a lifetime…right? Enter Dane. Dane is HOT. He’s powerful. He’s sexy and just a bit possessive. He made my girlie parts tingle in the most delicious kind of way. He calls my inner cougar and I want to pounce on him. Throughout this book I was constantly battling with myself on who I wanted Laney to end up with; that makes the perfect “angsty”, new adult love story. And at the end of the book, did she really pick her man? Is he the right guy for her?
You know that feeling when you finish a book and you just sit there, processing and wishing you could pick up the book and reread it for the first time? That is this book. It is SO good. It’s filled with emotion, defines friendship and loyalty, embraces love, and overall is a story about life. This is new adult at its best. I’m can’t wait to get lost in the next book!
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