Review: I love Dane, Laney, and The Crew!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 6, 2013
4.5 starsThis novella takes place right after Embrace as Laney is settling into her new duplex that Dane bought her that she will be sharing with Sawyer (and of course Dane will be visiting) and Bennett and Tate will be on the other side. They are leaving dorm life and curfews behind.Laney and Dane are having fun doing home improvement projects, making bets, and christening all the rooms in her new place. Their relationship just keeps getting stronger (and hotter). They are devoted, passionate, and loving. They truly compliment one another well even though Laney is spirited, opinionated, and often challenges Dane. Laney has really come into her own in this series. She is becoming more assertive and confident. She resists his help at times and is definitely not after his money. And she is also caring and supportive.Dane struggles a bit that he has to run a company while all of his friends are in school and living what feels like a "younger" lifestyle. Dane is such an awesome boyfriend. He is thoughtful, romantic, generous, mature, and completely enamored of Laney. But he is also still an alpha type male that is protective, bossy, and likes control. You can really feel how close they are in this one. They have become such a sweet, strong couple. As have some of the other couples that have formed in the crew.(Quote)Only Dane makes me forget that not too long ago I was simply a girl; a scared, unsure, shy girl a long way from home. With him, as his, I am anything but. He revealed the true me--a confident, sensual woman ready to embrace all that makes me feel alive."I have to know I live in your heart, your soul, Laney, like you do mine. That nothing can touch us, we are unbreakable."It is told in both points of view. I found some of their hidden inner monologues funny and entertaining. They seriously had me laughing at how they thought they were getting things over on the other one. And Sawyer and Bennett are always good for some laughs too. And they did not disappoint.“We’re a Crew. You screw with one of us, you screw with all of us.”S.E. Hall's writing just draws you in and you feel like you are part of the group. This novella was short, but was humorous and heartfelt. What I love about this series is the crew...all of them. Dane, Laney, Tate, Bennett, Sawyer, Zach, Evan Whitley, Parker and Hayden. They are a tight knit bunch who stands together and truly makes a family. They support each other, but also tease each other. They have really shown growth during the series. They have few secrets from each other so when one of them does, it becomes a big deal. And Sawyer is being mysterious. This novella transitions into his book and I am looking forward to his story that was also hinted at the end of Embrace. So bring on Sawyer! And more of the progression of the relationships with the rest of the crew. They are all growing up and have more stories to tell.(Quote)We're all just one, big, crazy, loving extended family...forever entangled in one another's lives, and pretty damn blessed. Life is good.