Emerge (Evolve Series, #1) by S.E. Hall

Shelly rates this book:   5 stars

I was turned onto this book by an author friend of mine, who proclaimed it was "the best book she ever read!".  So of course I instantly added it to the top of my TBR list. I can't tell you enough how happy I was that I did just that!

Emerge is a story about a girl, Laney Walker, and a boy, Evan Allen, who meet at a young age, and become instant friends. She has always seen him as someone she can trust and depend on, and he has an overwhelming need to love and protect her. Through the years of high school, their friendship grows and turns into a romance.  Evan during their senior year, tells Laney of his true feelings, and they start dating. However, that ends up being short lived because college comes in between them. She decides to end the dating relationship before they head off, so that neither of them would feel guilty or hurt, and ruin their life long friendship.

At Southern University, Laney meets Dane Kendrick.  They are instantly attracted to each other in ways that neither of them have ever experienced.  Dane is so unlike Evan in ways that are irresistible to Laney.  They connect on a level she doesn't with Evan, however, even though they aren't dating, she feels like pursuing things with Dane would be wronging Evan in every way.  

Choices are made, relationships are changed,  friendships and loyalties are tested, and it all leads to the question...who will give up the most, and at what cost??

This story is written from many different POV's.  You will fall head over heals in love with both Evan and Dane, and will truly understand the love and pain that Laney experiences.  This book made me laugh, and it made me cry.  The author did an amazing job developing such a deep connection between all of these characters, it leaves you hungry for more!  S.E. Hall knocked this first novel outta the park!  She will forever have a fan in me!!  Book 2 of the Evolve Series is due out in Sept. of 2013, can't wait!!!