Embody by S.E. Hall 
Series: Full Circle #1
Genres: New Adult
Source: ARC
Also by this author: Elusive
Goodreads
I'm not "damaged." No horrible childhood or demons in my past I'm trying to outrun. In fact, my family is ideal — funny, supportive and filled with couples that all follow "our" golden rule:
Find her. Protect her. Love only her, with everything you are, every day, for the rest of your life.
So why is it the mere thought of a monogamous relationship, more than one night with the same woman, sends me bolting in the other direction?
Because I hadn't met Bellamy Morgan yet.
When I do cross paths with her, everything starts to slowly make sense. Why men change overnight — suddenly blind to all women but her, happy to hold her purse and watch corny movies.
Just one problem — she's my little sister's best friend.
Embody is exactly what I love about new adult romance. Sometimes I feel that this genre has been twisted and warped into something misguided and over the top. But, Hall does this genre perfectly, every time! She keeps the basics: college kids, self discovery, and a touch of angst. However, what Hall creates with her characters is much more satisfying that other authors in the genre. Her characters are genuine and delightful!
Bellamy is a young girl, living on her own while attending college. Her parents are not wealthy and paying for college has been very difficult. So, Bellamy has a part time job as a waitress to help out. Her BFF, Brynn, comes from a LOT of money. Brynn is more than a stereotypical spoiled girl. She is sweet and shy and has finally made a friend in Bellamy. Neither of them have many friends. Both girls are more reserved; they aren’t into the typical college party scene (a welcome change for this genre!). Bellamy is an only child, but Brynn has a very protective older brother named JT (Jefferson Tate). Jefferson falls for Bellamy pretty quick and wants to pursue something but Brynn does not want him to mess things up, potentially costing Brynn her BFF.
While the plot is predictable, the story is still butterflies in your tummy inducing. Jefferson is just like his dad, and once he knows he wants Bellamy, he makes it happen. Bellamy doesn’t let him steam roll her though. She keeps him on his toes and I loved that about her. Jefferson and Bellamy have a great give and take with each other that is endearing and heartwarming. Embody reminded me why I fell in love with the new adult genre at a time when I was tiring of it pretty quickly.
If you haven’t read Hall’s other series, Evolve, you should. You don’t have to read it first to enjoy this story, but you should read it to see why I feel in love with NA romance in the first place!
- POV: dual
- Tears: no
- Trope: Best Friends sibling
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone (book 1 of a planned series of interconnected stand alones)
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden, Wait for You by J. Lynn, Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry…then you will probably like Embody!
Embody
[…] [8 Feb] Embody by S.E. Hall ★★★★★ […]