Evan Allen is a handsome, athletic, southern gentleman who now attends Georgia Southern University for no good reason.

After what he expected to be the romantic gesture of the century, Evan is looking at no friends, a year of ineligibility on the football team, and no girl.

He’s starting over alone and doesn’t know quite how to proceed. Certain members of The Crew refuse to let him face things by himself, taking him under their wing, and it doesn’t take the ladies long to notice him, either.

Sometimes life doesn’t go as you had planned. Sometimes it goes better.

Embrace it.

Embrace, the second book in the Evolve Series by S.E. Hall, follows the characters from her debut New Adult romance, Emerge

Laney

“Hello?”

“Zach, don’t say my name,” I choke out, storming across the lot as fast as my shaking legs will carry me.

“What’s wrong? Where’d you-“ his voice comes loud and worried through the phone.

“Don’t say that!” I interrupt, God, how embarrassing. “Can you walk away from everyone and talk to me for a minute? Where no one can hear you.” My voice is nasally and obnoxious, getting on my own nerves.

“Yeah Mom, hang on.” Zach- not a great actor. “Okay Laney, I’m by myself now,” he whispers.

“I’m sorry I bailed on practice, and I’m sorry to bug you now, but I need a Zach of infinite wisdom fix real bad right about now.”

“Let’s pretend I don’t already know what’s up your ass and you go ahead. It’ll give you a chance to vent.”

Alright, so that almost makes me grin.

“Basically, he just hung on that bitch in front of me just to piss me off, and it worked! Seriously? I don’t do that shit to him! Nothing I did was to purposely hurt him. How long did I absolutely torture myself NOT to hurt him Zach, huh? A long ass time!” I come up for air, waiting for him to tell me how right I am while I climb in my truck.

“Laney, you know I love you, right?”

This can’t be good.

“Yes…”

“Then you know it’s with love when I say this.” Dramatic pause that makes my skin crawl. “Get over yourself! I don’t care if he fucked her on the field and asked you to film it. You may not have meant to, but you destroyed that kid. He’s here with no friends, no girl and a new team. Sound familiar? He’s just trying to put one foot in front of the other every day, just like you did. You got your happily ever after, so back the fuck off and let him try to find his.”

Well then. Zach-1. Laney-0.

It hurts, not even gonna pretend it doesn’t, but his words are honest…and absolutely dead on. It angers me at myself for being the cause of such sad, but true words, describing the crushing of my Evan. It’s a lot to think on and I have to do that now, before I cruise right out of control.

“You’re right Zach. That’s why I call you. I’ll always get the straight-up what I need to hear. Thanks.”

“I luv ya Laney. Don’t be mad at me, but much like yourself, don’t ask for my advice if you don’t want it.”

I chuckle, “God, if that isn’t the truth. You’re harsh, but right. I’m not mad, I swear. Now go coach! I’ll talk to ya later.”

“Later Laney.”

I hang up and stare out my windshield, pondering. Zach is right, I’m being a selfish bitch.

 

***Do not read this review if you have not read Emerge, it contains spoilers for Book 1***

Embrace picks up right where Emerge left off, with a very heartbroken Evan Mitchell.  I liked Evan in Emerge but I loved him in Embrace.  With his heart-broken, I was really rooting for Evan to find love.  I loved his experiences in dating so much and at times, I was laughing out loud.  This was such a fun book that takes you through all the emotions.  The way SE Hall has written this “Crew” of characters, it’s hard not to fall in love with each and every one of them.  This was such a great story of growing up and learning what real love really is. 

In Emerge, Whitley is not a very likeable character.  But in Emerge we get to see all the different levels of Whitley and understand a little more about her.  I absolutely fell in love with her.  She plays such an important role in this book and I just loved her character.

While this is really Evan’s story we still get to see all the rest of the crew.  Laney and Dane have a prominent story line and face a few hurdles in their life.  It was a great addition to Evan’s story.  Sawyer plays a HUGE role in Emerge and I LOVE him.  I can’t wait for his book to come out.

All in all this is a fantastic series that grabs your attention from page one and I am dying to get my hands on more.

4 ****

♥ Sophie

S.E.Hall resides in Arkansas with her husband of 17 years and 3 beautiful daughters. When not in the stands watching her ladies play softball, she enjoys reading YA and NA romance.