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Embracing #4
Fated
Zander Kelley has always had his heart set on Audrey Ridge…
However, he thinks Audrey doesn’t feel the same way. So Zander tries to push all thoughts of her out of his head—with a series of other girls. But this strategy doesn’t seem to work, so he decides to escape to New York University.
Even with almost a thousand miles between them, a year of working hard and playing hard—with all the wrong girls—isn’t enough to keep Audrey out of his mind.
Audrey Ridge loves Zander Kelley and always has…
But he’s never treated her as anything but a friend, so she foolishly settles for someone else. When her relationship ends badly, she decides to attend New York University, and is thrilled when Zander ends up as her roommate.
She hopes things have changed between them, but after one memorable night she finds herself right back in friendship territory.
The time finally comes…
Zander is ready to reveal his feelings, and Audrey has plans to share a secret of her own. But the past comes back to bite them before their truths can come to light, and fate once again tears away their chance at happiness.
Three years later…
A tragic event brings them back into each other’s lives. Are they finally destined to be together? Or does fate have different plans for them once again?
However, he thinks Audrey doesn’t feel the same way. So Zander tries to push all thoughts of her out of his head—with a series of other girls. But this strategy doesn’t seem to work, so he decides to escape to New York University.
Even with almost a thousand miles between them, a year of working hard and playing hard—with all the wrong girls—isn’t enough to keep Audrey out of his mind.
Audrey Ridge loves Zander Kelley and always has…
But he’s never treated her as anything but a friend, so she foolishly settles for someone else. When her relationship ends badly, she decides to attend New York University, and is thrilled when Zander ends up as her roommate.
She hopes things have changed between them, but after one memorable night she finds herself right back in friendship territory.
The time finally comes…
Zander is ready to reveal his feelings, and Audrey has plans to share a secret of her own. But the past comes back to bite them before their truths can come to light, and fate once again tears away their chance at happiness.
Three years later…
A tragic event brings them back into each other’s lives. Are they finally destined to be together? Or does fate have different plans for them once again?
- GenresNew Adult
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2014
151 people want to read
About the author
Delisa Lynn
21 books166 followersDelisa Lynn grew up in Columbus,Ohio. She works in the medical field by day, and let's her characters come to life at night. She is an avid reader, mainly any book with Alpha males or a good romance novel. If she isn't working or writing you can find her curled up with her fur baby and her kindle. Or watching a good movie with her husband. She is a huge reality TV junkie.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 7, 2014
I was fortunate enough to be gifted by the author as a beta reader ♥
I've read all of Delisa's work and I was stoked when she asked me to beta read , thank you Delisa for the privilege and for trusting me with your baby♥
Eventhough this is book 4 in the series I think this could be read as a stand alone as well
AUDREY~Had a rather traumatic first 10 years of her life with woman who has no maternal bone in her body :( fortunately her daddy adores her and dotes on her.♥ She also has Zander and Tatum Kelly , her crush and her best friend . After what could've been a fatal incident , her father finally takes a stand and this also signifies the end of her parents marriage ~good riddance to bad rubbish I say!She is a strong character with many sides to her character . She's very likeable and one could easily be friends with her . There were times when my heart shattered for her and there were 1 or 2 occasions I wanted to shake her and tell her to smell the roses.
SANDY~Audrey's "mother" what a psychotic ,sick bitch! A raging alcoholic living in the past with her soul festering in bitterness I wish I could've punched her ! This woman could bring out the monster in Mother Theresa ! Put it this way if she were on fire I would not spit on her !So I think I've bought my point across*LOL* she's not a nice person
ZANDER KELLEY~His heart has belonged to Audrey since childhood but until he can have the girl he wants he's a real cassanova! He's also a talented baseball player so one of the "perks" are ample and eager ladies.
TATUM KELLEY~ Zander's younger sister and Audrey's best friend. A beautiful girl witha good heart and a really good friend to Aubrey.
EVAN~Zander's best friend , roomie and team mate. He also happens to be Tatum's life long crush , he plays a huge role in their lives and what a guy , always there to support , listen, encourage and finally love .
DEXTER KELLEY~The Kelley patriarch , he's got a romantic history with Audrey's mother that he's long forgotten but u known to him Sandy hasn't and this had disastrous consequences years later.
VIVIAN KELLEY~The matriarch of the family , what a kind, loving woman who accepts Audrey as one of her own and she sadly gets a taste of Sandy and her bitter fruits she's been sucking on , but our Viv is a strong woman ♥
IAN~Audrey's high school boyfriend , Zander can't stand him and he's not all there . He becomes very obsessive and joins forces with Audrey's past with harrowing consequences.
Now that some of our key players have been introduced let's get back to Fated.....
After Audrey's mum left them her dad does find love again ♥ finally Audrey gets to experience a mother's love.Zander and Tatum are Audrey's best friends but there's a chemistry between Zander and Audrey that he wants but she denies , Zander keeps pushing and she keeps running but she feels it thats for sure she has her reasons I suppose but they belong together.
Zander heads off to university where Audrey joins them a year later after a frightening experience. She needs a roomie and our romeo, Zander,is only to happy to oblige ! I can just imagine the possibilities *wicked giggle*
After a rather emotional and testosterone filled evening Zander and Audrey finally give in to their carnal desire for one another! What an intense , private and emotional moment♥I felt like a bit of a peeping tom but I'm grateful tgey shared their moment with me . Audrey finds herself in a position but before she can share it with Zander her past comes to haunt her with heartbreaking and devastating consequences:
Fast forward 3 years ...After not speaking to each other for 3 years Audrey has to phone Zander and ask him to come to Alabama, Thayer , Tatum's boyfriend, nearly killed her and she's in hospital fighting for her life, Zander gets Evan and off they to be with Tatum. Zander vows never to let Audrey go again ,Evan and Tatum are joined at the hip.The chemistry between Zander and Audrey hasnt fizzled out over the years , its intensified rather!!!!
Zander finally gets Audrey to open up as to what happened those years ago as well as why she keeps fighting the obvious, Kleenex isnt my bestie for nothing , what a snot fest! My heart broke for them and I cried at the injustice if it all.
Yet again Audrey's past sneaks up on her but with an added twisted twist this time and when the realisation hit me, my blood ran cold ! Oh my shattered nerves!!!! After alot of chocolate I've managed to calm my nerves enough to carry on reading!
Six months after the entire debacle Zander snd Audrey's relationship is blossoming, there are a few pleasant surprises in store for these friends and my tear ducts are running marathons lol!
Audrey and Zander crept into my heart, thank you for sharing them Delisa Lynn♥ looking forward to "Healed"★★★★★
I've read all of Delisa's work and I was stoked when she asked me to beta read , thank you Delisa for the privilege and for trusting me with your baby♥
Eventhough this is book 4 in the series I think this could be read as a stand alone as well
AUDREY~Had a rather traumatic first 10 years of her life with woman who has no maternal bone in her body :( fortunately her daddy adores her and dotes on her.♥ She also has Zander and Tatum Kelly , her crush and her best friend . After what could've been a fatal incident , her father finally takes a stand and this also signifies the end of her parents marriage ~good riddance to bad rubbish I say!She is a strong character with many sides to her character . She's very likeable and one could easily be friends with her . There were times when my heart shattered for her and there were 1 or 2 occasions I wanted to shake her and tell her to smell the roses.
SANDY~Audrey's "mother" what a psychotic ,sick bitch! A raging alcoholic living in the past with her soul festering in bitterness I wish I could've punched her ! This woman could bring out the monster in Mother Theresa ! Put it this way if she were on fire I would not spit on her !So I think I've bought my point across*LOL* she's not a nice person
ZANDER KELLEY~His heart has belonged to Audrey since childhood but until he can have the girl he wants he's a real cassanova! He's also a talented baseball player so one of the "perks" are ample and eager ladies.
TATUM KELLEY~ Zander's younger sister and Audrey's best friend. A beautiful girl witha good heart and a really good friend to Aubrey.
EVAN~Zander's best friend , roomie and team mate. He also happens to be Tatum's life long crush , he plays a huge role in their lives and what a guy , always there to support , listen, encourage and finally love .
DEXTER KELLEY~The Kelley patriarch , he's got a romantic history with Audrey's mother that he's long forgotten but u known to him Sandy hasn't and this had disastrous consequences years later.
VIVIAN KELLEY~The matriarch of the family , what a kind, loving woman who accepts Audrey as one of her own and she sadly gets a taste of Sandy and her bitter fruits she's been sucking on , but our Viv is a strong woman ♥
IAN~Audrey's high school boyfriend , Zander can't stand him and he's not all there . He becomes very obsessive and joins forces with Audrey's past with harrowing consequences.
Now that some of our key players have been introduced let's get back to Fated.....
After Audrey's mum left them her dad does find love again ♥ finally Audrey gets to experience a mother's love.Zander and Tatum are Audrey's best friends but there's a chemistry between Zander and Audrey that he wants but she denies , Zander keeps pushing and she keeps running but she feels it thats for sure she has her reasons I suppose but they belong together.
Zander heads off to university where Audrey joins them a year later after a frightening experience. She needs a roomie and our romeo, Zander,is only to happy to oblige ! I can just imagine the possibilities *wicked giggle*
After a rather emotional and testosterone filled evening Zander and Audrey finally give in to their carnal desire for one another! What an intense , private and emotional moment♥I felt like a bit of a peeping tom but I'm grateful tgey shared their moment with me . Audrey finds herself in a position but before she can share it with Zander her past comes to haunt her with heartbreaking and devastating consequences:
Fast forward 3 years ...After not speaking to each other for 3 years Audrey has to phone Zander and ask him to come to Alabama, Thayer , Tatum's boyfriend, nearly killed her and she's in hospital fighting for her life, Zander gets Evan and off they to be with Tatum. Zander vows never to let Audrey go again ,Evan and Tatum are joined at the hip.The chemistry between Zander and Audrey hasnt fizzled out over the years , its intensified rather!!!!
Zander finally gets Audrey to open up as to what happened those years ago as well as why she keeps fighting the obvious, Kleenex isnt my bestie for nothing , what a snot fest! My heart broke for them and I cried at the injustice if it all.
Yet again Audrey's past sneaks up on her but with an added twisted twist this time and when the realisation hit me, my blood ran cold ! Oh my shattered nerves!!!! After alot of chocolate I've managed to calm my nerves enough to carry on reading!
Six months after the entire debacle Zander snd Audrey's relationship is blossoming, there are a few pleasant surprises in store for these friends and my tear ducts are running marathons lol!
Audrey and Zander crept into my heart, thank you for sharing them Delisa Lynn♥ looking forward to "Healed"★★★★★
July 3, 2014
This is a story of a couple who are clearly in love from a very young age but the main female character has deep issues about committing to the main male character. She did get annoying in the beginning of the book with the whole, "I do love you and want to be with you... But I can't", even though we know why, it still did get to me. But if you stick with this book you will come to really enjoy it, I thought it was a sweet story.
Zander knew he loved Audrey since the day he saw her and she loved him but with an abusive mum, Audrey learns that she can't let Zander into her heart for the fear that he will leave her heart broken. They grow up together since Audrey is Zander's sisters best friend.
I really wanted to hug Zander through a lot if this book and slap Audrey, he clearly loves her and would drop everything for her but I could also see where she was coming from. Even though he professed his love over the years he still had a harem of women, which didn't help his case. But on the other side, he couldn't wait for her forever. The author really did make you feel for both of them which I loved. Normally you pick a side but with this story you could clearly see both sides to the coin.
An event turns everything around and Audrey cuts herself off from Zander and her friends. It's only years later that they truly reconnect, not that Audrey has a choice because over the years Zander has become an alpha male, yay go Zander, also the sex scenes were steamy to say the least, wow. I loved how he told her they were together and that was the end of all the running. Even after the deep heart to heart Audrey gives Zander he still stands by her side.
With the stalker ex boyfriend and crazy mum dealt with they truly move on with their lives together, through all the years, it was Fate that kept bringing them together.
Really enjoyed this book.
4 stars
Amy
Eye Candy Bookstore (Manager)
Zander knew he loved Audrey since the day he saw her and she loved him but with an abusive mum, Audrey learns that she can't let Zander into her heart for the fear that he will leave her heart broken. They grow up together since Audrey is Zander's sisters best friend.
I really wanted to hug Zander through a lot if this book and slap Audrey, he clearly loves her and would drop everything for her but I could also see where she was coming from. Even though he professed his love over the years he still had a harem of women, which didn't help his case. But on the other side, he couldn't wait for her forever. The author really did make you feel for both of them which I loved. Normally you pick a side but with this story you could clearly see both sides to the coin.
An event turns everything around and Audrey cuts herself off from Zander and her friends. It's only years later that they truly reconnect, not that Audrey has a choice because over the years Zander has become an alpha male, yay go Zander, also the sex scenes were steamy to say the least, wow. I loved how he told her they were together and that was the end of all the running. Even after the deep heart to heart Audrey gives Zander he still stands by her side.
With the stalker ex boyfriend and crazy mum dealt with they truly move on with their lives together, through all the years, it was Fate that kept bringing them together.
Really enjoyed this book.
4 stars
Amy
Eye Candy Bookstore (Manager)
July 3, 2014
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.Let me start off by saying holy sex scenes. From start to finish this book has kept me hooked. I love how Delisa wrote from both Zander and Audrey's point of view. It allowed me to be a part of them.My emotions ran riot while I was reading this book. I felt all the frustration, heartache and love that was displayed in the book.My only problem with the book would be in the first few chapters where it seems like thw author is repeating the same thing over and over again. After the third chapter the repetition stops and the book just sucked me in.This book is definitely one of my favorites because of the sex alone. What can I say? I love a book that has it all. I will definitely be recommending this to my friends.
June 25, 2014
This book is the 4th book in the series but can be read as a standalone.
This story starts when Audery and Zander are kids and progresses into adulthood. Audery as liked Zander since she was ten and vice versa but shes scared to commit to him after all the abuse she suffered off her mother Plus shes knows Zanders a player.
Zander loves Audery but he's fed up of her always pushing him away. Do they get their happily ever after?
The story line in this book is intense, there are loads of twists and turns plus some shocker moments. Theirs happy times, frustrating times and even some heartbreak but this book is definitely worth reading!!
This story starts when Audery and Zander are kids and progresses into adulthood. Audery as liked Zander since she was ten and vice versa but shes scared to commit to him after all the abuse she suffered off her mother Plus shes knows Zanders a player.
Zander loves Audery but he's fed up of her always pushing him away. Do they get their happily ever after?
The story line in this book is intense, there are loads of twists and turns plus some shocker moments. Theirs happy times, frustrating times and even some heartbreak but this book is definitely worth reading!!
June 25, 2014
When Anna asked me to review this book, I asked her if I was going to like it. She told me to read to find out. I am so glad that I did.
I love the story. It has twists and turns and moments of oh my! I thought maybe there would be too much sexiness (since that is what Anna likes to read) but there wasn’t. It was about right.
I didn’t expect the outcome but I was glad with the way it ended for Zander and Audrey.
I love the story. It has twists and turns and moments of oh my! I thought maybe there would be too much sexiness (since that is what Anna likes to read) but there wasn’t. It was about right.
I didn’t expect the outcome but I was glad with the way it ended for Zander and Audrey.
July 3, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. This book is a steamy read. Audrey was abused by her mother as a young child. Her best friends family took her under their wing and she spent alot of time at their house growing up. She falls in love with her best friends brother, Zander. Zander loves Audrey, but she can't trust herself, because of her mother to love him. This is a must read
April 25, 2019
This series is amazing so I give it 4.5 🌟 stars !!! It’s got angst, betrayal, and a roller coaster of emotions but all the books are intertwined so you must read them In order to have the full stories!!!!
January 21, 2015
Sweet N Sassy Book A Holics Rating: 3.8
~~~~~~~~~~Zarah's 3 Star Review~~~~~~~~~~
The 4th installment in the 'Embracing Us' series and in terms of the story line is not that much different from the previous books.
Childhood friends, Zander and Audrey have always been attracted to each other and while he is keen to develop their relationship Audrey is adamant that they can never be more than friends. While she alludes in her own mind that anything more between them would be wrong, and 'yes' there are a few obstacles for them to move past - her reasoning was quite lost one me.
Things seem to move quite quickly in this authors mind. Within and hour of meeting Heather, Zander has her back at his place and they're getting down and dirty, despite her protests that she "will never go home with him" "I cant believe I've only known you for an hour". Sigh!
It was nice to finally see Evan and Tatum's back story, which in my opinion was the best part of this book.
Again, lots of editing errors, long strings of dialogue than makes reading it monotonous as you have to scan back up to find out what the last person was saying, and the use of different 'tenses' in the one paragraph.
There are twists and turns that I have come to expect from Delisa Lynn, but this one was a total "WHAT" moment that didn't see coming - and for me - saved this book.
~~~~~~~~~~Michelle's 3½ Star Review~~~~~~~~~~
“Fated” is book 4 in the Embracing Series… This is the story of Audrey and Zander. Audrey has had a rough childhood and doesn't trust people. Zander is her best friend’s brother who is in love with her. They have loved each other since they were younger, but Audrey is afraid to let him in the way she needs to. Zander is your typical Alpha male which I adored and once they got together the sex scenes were off the charts…(cold shower needed after reading).
The beginning started slow but eventually the story picked up. The flow of the book was good, there were still grammatical errors, but all in all I enjoyed this book better than the first three.
~~~~~~~~~~Dee's 5 Star Review~~~~~~~~~~
Passionate, frustrating, hot story of lust and love with a splash of mystery and danger. Zander is not into commitment; Audrey, understanding this, conceals her attraction to him. She keeps him at arms length and after a few years, they become friends with benefits. Their pasts, complete with emotional burdens, secrets, mistakes, misunderstandings, along with misguided, unbalanced individuals challenge and plague their secret budding love for each other.
The story was well written with hot lust, sweetness, laughter, suspense and danger. Enjoyed the excitement, anticipation and frustration with Audrey and her stubborn denial of what is truly important. I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Five Stars.
~~~~~~~~~~Zarah's 3 Star Review~~~~~~~~~~
The 4th installment in the 'Embracing Us' series and in terms of the story line is not that much different from the previous books.
Childhood friends, Zander and Audrey have always been attracted to each other and while he is keen to develop their relationship Audrey is adamant that they can never be more than friends. While she alludes in her own mind that anything more between them would be wrong, and 'yes' there are a few obstacles for them to move past - her reasoning was quite lost one me.
Things seem to move quite quickly in this authors mind. Within and hour of meeting Heather, Zander has her back at his place and they're getting down and dirty, despite her protests that she "will never go home with him" "I cant believe I've only known you for an hour". Sigh!
It was nice to finally see Evan and Tatum's back story, which in my opinion was the best part of this book.
Again, lots of editing errors, long strings of dialogue than makes reading it monotonous as you have to scan back up to find out what the last person was saying, and the use of different 'tenses' in the one paragraph.
There are twists and turns that I have come to expect from Delisa Lynn, but this one was a total "WHAT" moment that didn't see coming - and for me - saved this book.
~~~~~~~~~~Michelle's 3½ Star Review~~~~~~~~~~
“Fated” is book 4 in the Embracing Series… This is the story of Audrey and Zander. Audrey has had a rough childhood and doesn't trust people. Zander is her best friend’s brother who is in love with her. They have loved each other since they were younger, but Audrey is afraid to let him in the way she needs to. Zander is your typical Alpha male which I adored and once they got together the sex scenes were off the charts…(cold shower needed after reading).
The beginning started slow but eventually the story picked up. The flow of the book was good, there were still grammatical errors, but all in all I enjoyed this book better than the first three.
~~~~~~~~~~Dee's 5 Star Review~~~~~~~~~~
Passionate, frustrating, hot story of lust and love with a splash of mystery and danger. Zander is not into commitment; Audrey, understanding this, conceals her attraction to him. She keeps him at arms length and after a few years, they become friends with benefits. Their pasts, complete with emotional burdens, secrets, mistakes, misunderstandings, along with misguided, unbalanced individuals challenge and plague their secret budding love for each other.
The story was well written with hot lust, sweetness, laughter, suspense and danger. Enjoyed the excitement, anticipation and frustration with Audrey and her stubborn denial of what is truly important. I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Five Stars.
September 17, 2014
I absolutely love the embracing series. This book does not disappoint at all. I also like the fact that you still get glimpses of Evan,Tatum, Brody and Nikki but this is Zander and Audrey's story.
Zander and Audrey have been friends their whole lives and in love with each other. Certain circumstances have kept them apart, mostly Audrey's mom and her hatred for the Kelley's. Everything starts to change, first her mom goes away and then they start college. Tatum, Zander and Audrey have always been together until now. Audrey has some baggage to work thru including a stalker ex before she can give her heart to Zander. After all they have been thru, they finally get together. There is some suspense, action and a whole lot of babies being born in this book. I can't wait to read more from this author. She is one of my favorites!
A One-Click Addicts Book Blog
Zander and Audrey have been friends their whole lives and in love with each other. Certain circumstances have kept them apart, mostly Audrey's mom and her hatred for the Kelley's. Everything starts to change, first her mom goes away and then they start college. Tatum, Zander and Audrey have always been together until now. Audrey has some baggage to work thru including a stalker ex before she can give her heart to Zander. After all they have been thru, they finally get together. There is some suspense, action and a whole lot of babies being born in this book. I can't wait to read more from this author. She is one of my favorites!
A One-Click Addicts Book Blog
June 9, 2016
Fated is my 2nd favorite in this series,
Audrey and Zander's story was fantastic. They are the perfect mix of spit and fire together. They have known each other their whole lives. Audrey and Zander's sister Tatum have always been best friends.
I love how Audrey has a huge crush on Zander and Tatum has a crush on Evan Zander's Best friend. There were a lot of twists and turns that I didn't except. And that made the story that much better
Audrey and Zander's story was fantastic. They are the perfect mix of spit and fire together. They have known each other their whole lives. Audrey and Zander's sister Tatum have always been best friends.
I love how Audrey has a huge crush on Zander and Tatum has a crush on Evan Zander's Best friend. There were a lot of twists and turns that I didn't except. And that made the story that much better
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews