Review: Awesome follow up to Emerge!! A definite must-read!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 2, 2013
I really cannot praise this series enough! S.E. Hall is so unbelievably talented. Her writing style and ability to construct a perfectly detailed, even paced, captivating story is just incredible. I can honestly say that in both of my experiences with her books I had a hard time parting once they were over. I don't care if this series ends up being 50 books long, I'm in it for the long haul, completely committed! So please, keep 'em coming! It's just so easy to get completely wrapped up in her stories and lose track of time. I was absolutely blown away by Emerge and expected only greatness the second time around. Needless to say, she nailed it!Embrace picks up where Emerge left off. Evan is left to pick up the pieces of his broken heart after he finds out the love of his life has moved on. He's given up his scholarship and relocated to a new school with no place to live and no friends, all for Laney, who was too busy canoodling with her new beau to worry about the damage she was causing to poor unsuspecting Evan.First let me just say, what the hell is going on with Laney in this book?? I was actually on her side in Emerge and could kinda sympathize with her dilemma (two incredibly hot guys vying for her affection), especially b/c she never intentionally wanted to cause either of them any pain or heartache. She was literally torn between two amazing guys who would give her anything and everything her heart desired, it's a decision any girl would have a tough time making. But in Embrace I just wanted to punch her in the face!! She was super snotty and obnoxious, plus ridiculously selfish wanting to cry over her lost friendship with Evan to her new boyfriend Dane. Seriously?! Wake the hell up, girl. I was just completely put off by her rude and childish behavior and was seriously glad when the story shifted almost entirely over to Evan.Whereas I was initially swooning over Dane, this time around his over abundance of money and resources just didn't impress me. I'm definitely over his wealth and sexy bad boy persona. I've officially given my heart to country boy Evan with his southern charm and boy next door looks. He is an absolute sweetheart, simply trying to adjust the best he possibly can in his new situation after his heart has been stomped on. It's not easy for him to be so close to Laney now that she's given her heart to someone else, and to have to witness it on an almost daily basis is just plain torture. But he's a trooper, and fully emerges himself into the recovery process...dating and all.Poor misunderstood Whitley! I'm not going to lie, I couldn't stand her based on the one sided version we were introduced to in Emerge. In Embrace however, we get to see who she really is. And she is absolutely precious!! Whitley puts up with a lot and doesn't say much about it. She has such an incredibly big heart and the best of intentions, truly selfless. She's the kind of friend you can only hope you'd be lucky enough to find in your lifetime. I saw the sparks flying from the very beginning and knew immediately who's side I was on. Team Whitan for the win! Yea I definitely just made that up.I hadn't read the synopsis ahead of time b/c, to be completely honest, Emerge was AMAZING, so I just knew Embrace was going to knock my socks off. I was pleasantly surprised with the direction this story went in and I'm so glad Evan got his own book. He deserves for his story to be told and to find his own happily ever after, especially after the way Laney screwed him over. (Not a fan of Laney anymore, can you tell??) I'm looking forward to the next installment...and Sawyer of course. I can't wait for his story! As always (in my 2 book experience with Ms. Hall) the character development was excellent, the story flowed perfectly and the witty banter/humor had me laughing out loud at times. At this point, it doesn't even matter what she writes b/c I'll be all over it. So yes I HIGHLY recommend this series!