The Recommended Reading Order for the Evolve Series
To experience the full emotional weight, character growth, and tight-knit friendships of the Evolve series, it is highly recommended to read the books in a hybrid order that integrates the companion novellas and guides directly between the main novels. Because the narrative progresses chronologically alongside the publication timeline, this reading path ensures you do not miss any key milestones, character perspectives, or holiday reunions.
- Emerge (2013) — The foundational first novel focusing on Laney Walker, Evan, and Dane.
- Embrace (2013) — The second full-length novel focusing on Evan and Whitley.
- Entangled (2013) — Book 2.5, a novella detailing Dane and Laney's life in their off-campus duplex.
- Entice (2014) — The third full-length novel focusing on Sawyer Beckett and Emmett.
- Sawyer Beckett's Baby Mama Drama Guide for Dummies (2014) — Book 3.5, a companion novella tracking Sawyer's perspective.
- One Naughty Night (2014) — Crossover novella co-authored with Angela Graham, featuring Zach Reece from Evolve and Jax West from Harmony.
- Endure (2015) — The fourth main novel, bringing the whole Crew back together to resolve their major college arcs.
- Sawyer Beckett's Guide for Tools Looking to Date My Daughter (2016) — A humorous future-set guide centering on Sawyer and his daughter, Presley.
- A Crew Christmas (2018) — A heartwarming holiday novella gathering the entire Evolve crew.
- Entwined (2021) — A wedding novella celebrating Dane and Laney's big day.
Understanding the Evolve Publication Order
S.E. Hall released the Evolve books in an order that matches the narrative timeline. If you prefer to stick strictly to the release dates, the publication sequence is identical to the recommended reading order. This makes it incredibly easy to follow the series without having to jump backward or forward in time. The publication years are as follows:
- Emerge (2013)
- Embrace (2013)
- Entangled (2013)
- Entice (2014)
- Sawyer Beckett's Baby Mama Drama Guide for Dummies (2014)
- One Naughty Night (2014)
- Endure (2015)
- Sawyer Beckett's Guide for Tools Looking to Date My Daughter (2016)
- A Crew Christmas (2018)
- Entwined (2021)
What to Know Before You Start
The Evolve series is a quintessential New Adult contemporary romance saga. Set at the fictional Southern University in Georgia, it captures the raw emotion, angst, and humor of college life. Before diving in, readers should know that the series features heavy themes of found family, forgiveness, and self-discovery. S.E. Hall is known for her witty, fast-paced dialogue and steamy romantic scenes.
It is also helpful to note that the crossover novella, One Naughty Night, is co-authored with Angela Graham and contains highly explicit erotic content (an MFM ménage relationship). If you prefer to focus solely on the primary romance arcs of the main Evolve couples, you can skip this crossover without losing track of the main storyline. However, the other novellas and guides written by S.E. Hall add significant depth and humor to the characters, especially Sawyer Beckett's companion guides.
Breakdown of the Major Books and Novellas
Emerge
The book that started it all. Laney Walker is a tomboyish college softball star who finds herself caught in an intense love triangle. On one side is Evan, her childhood best friend who has harbored feelings for her for years. On the other side is Dane, a charismatic and confident newcomer who sparks immediate chemistry. Laney must navigate her transition to college and choose between the safe comfort of her past and the exciting potential of her future.
Embrace
Shifting focus from the love triangle of the first book, Embrace follows Evan as he attempts to pick up the pieces of his broken heart. During his journey to heal, he meets Whitley, a young woman dealing with her own emotional scars. Together, they navigate the complexities of trust, vulnerability, and finding a second chance at love.
Entangled
A short and sweet novella (Book 2.5) that returns to Dane and Laney. It offers a playful, intimate look at their relationship as they decorate their off-campus duplex and adapt to living together, serving as a bridge between the heavy angst of the first two novels.
Entice
This novel focuses on Sawyer Beckett, the comedic, protective playboy of the Evolve Crew. Sawyer is used to getting what he wants, but his charm is put to the test when he meets Emmett. Emmett is guarded, mysterious, and running from a past that she is desperate to keep hidden. Sawyer must prove he can be the reliable partner she needs to face her secrets.
Sawyer Beckett's Baby Mama Drama Guide for Dummies
Written from Sawyer's distinct, humorous, and sometimes unfiltered point of view, this guide acts as a companion piece to the events surrounding his relationship with Emmett, highlighting his trademark humor and devotion to those he loves.
One Naughty Night
A special crossover project with Angela Graham's Harmony series. The story brings Jax West (from Harmony) and Zach Reece (from Evolve) together with a character named Stormy for a wild, steamy night. It is a standalone erotic romance that exists in the wider universe of both authors' work.
Endure
The fourth full-length novel serving as a major culmination for the series. Endure brings the entire Crew back into the spotlight as they face new adult challenges, post-graduation decisions, and the endurance of their friendships. It ties together the romantic arcs established in the first three books.
Sawyer Beckett's Guide for Tools Looking to Date My Daughter
This quick, comedic companion piece jumps forward in time. It features a protective Sawyer Beckett establishing a set of humorous, strict rules for any boys hoping to date his daughter, Presley.
A Crew Christmas
A festive holiday novella that brings the entire Evolve Crew together under one roof. It offers fans a comforting update on all the couples, filled with holiday cheer, domestic banter, and the strong bond of friendship that defines the series.
Entwined
The final novella of the Evolve series. It places the focus back on Dane and Laney, detailing the lead-up to and celebration of their highly anticipated wedding, offering a definitive happy ending for the couple that kicked off the franchise.
Spin-offs and Collaborations
For readers who cannot get enough of S.E. Hall's contemporary romance universe, the author expanded her world with the Full Circle series. While these books function as standalones, they are set in the same universe and feature guest appearances and references to the Evolve Crew. Additionally, S.E. Hall has collaborated on other standalone novels, such as Matched and Stirred Up with Angela Graham, and the romantic suspense novel Conspire with Erin Noelle, showcasing her versatility in the romance genre.
Practical Reader Advice
If you are planning to read the Evolve series, the best starting point is absolutely Emerge. Because the books follow a close-knit group of friends, later novels contain heavy spoilers for previous relationships, and characters from earlier books frequently appear in the background of subsequent stories. While the main novels (Emerge, Embrace, Entice, and Endure) form the core narrative, reading the companion novellas like Entangled and Entwined is highly recommended to get the complete picture of Dane and Laney's romance. The Sawyer Beckett companion guides are optional but highly recommended if you enjoy the comedic side of the series.