Don’t miss the breathtaking second installment in the sexy and gut-wrenching After the Plague saga from bestselling award-winning author, Imogen Keeper.
The world ended. It just forgot to take me with it. Those of us still alive are the leftovers, the forgotten ones. We're grieving. Lost. Traumatized. Or some of us, anyway. There are others gathering guns, hoarding supplies, shaking people down, especially interested in children. And then there's me, responsible for a defenseless little boy who looks at me with gray-green eyes so full of trust, I have no choice. I'm his whole world. I'm the only thing that stands between him and the gun hoarders.
If someone asked to sit down and draw up a list of all my stellar post-apocalyptic skills, the things that would make me an asset to any group I hoped to join, my sheet would be empty. I've got nothing. I'm not strong. I'm not a fighter or a farmer or a chef. I can't rig up electrical lines or plumbing lines or engineer a better light bulb. I'm useless. I'm an artist. I can hardly fight off the growing army with my paintbrush and a hopeful heart.
So we set out for the city, looking for people--decent people, willing to let us join them. And what do we find? Yorke, a man uniquely designed for this world. Tried and trained to survive. He's big and brave and strong, and he wants to train us to be brave and strong too. There's just one problem. He wants me. And I want him.
And that can never happen, because my heart is not my own. It's buried in a shallow grave on Capitol Hill beside a man named Jimmy, and it won't ever beat again. I won't let it. And Yorke, for all the hot and hard and handsome of him, he deserves more than a heartless rebound lay from a woman with one foot in the grave.
Lost is the second book in the After the Plague Series. Don’t miss Book 1, Broken, to enjoy the story in order. Gripping, emotional, and packed with suspense, Fans of Outlander, Station Eleven, and The Leftovers will love this series.
An Amazon best-selling and award-winning author, Immy writes romantic apocalypse and dystopian stories. Her books are a shade too dark to be light, and a tinge too light to be dark. They'll make you cry and worry and wonder, but there's always a layer of hope and laughter and sexy times to brighten it all.
In addition to writing, Immy loves her children, her husband, books about steam and darkness, flowers (even if she accidentally shmurgles half of them), coffee, DIY projects, trying new things, learning new facts, sunshine, guacamole, and sticky toffee pudding.
I hate the dead ex trope but the way it's handled in here is so damn beautiful. Yorke is an absolute sweetheart😍 This series is killing me (In a good way of course). I'm gonna go read the third one now!!
You know how there are some books that you feel like sharing with the world because they just are that good, while you simultaneously never want to speak a word about them and just keep them all to yourself? This series is part of that category for me. I wrote a long review with all the quotes and scenes that spoke to me, the emotions that this book evoked in me and everything that worked or didn't work for me. And then I realized that me telling what the book did for me would somehow undervalue how I feel about it. Or that I wouldn't be able to justify it in words. So I'm leaving this review here and moving on to book 3.
PS: Auden, Beast, Frankie and Yorke are my favourite family😇
“I can’t replace a dead man. I can’t erase him either. And I can’t rebuild the world into something safe or sensible. But if she’d let me, I could be there for her.� Oh my gawwwwwd! These characters and the world in this book are amazing. This is being better and better! It’s worth the reading.
I'm honestly getting kind of obsessed over this serialized apocalyptic suspense romance. Frankie and Yorke meet in this one and its....ugh. I just love them. on to the next episode!
First thing - go read book one if you haven't! It's the perfect setup for book two, and if you don't read it first, it will be like walking into a room where strangers are deep in a conversation. Okay, read one? Good...
The romance plot has begun, and it's beautiful bittersweetness!
The way Yorke blazes into the scene was heroic and I may have yelled, "Hell yes," as I punched air and confused my family. He's the ultimate sweetpea badass and utter book boyfriend material. Frankie is his North Star, and I can't even stop aww-ing with these two. And Auden is this little man who's innocence keeps everyone on track to survive this terrible event. Because...
They're in a pandemic. Life kinda sucks. Frankie has had a terrible, tear-jerking loss and you feel her battle between grieving and attempting normalcy down to your bones. She's making a family though, and this was a key book for that setup. I'm dabbing at tears and grinning like a loon.
If you like rough road romance, teddy bear badasses, and humor among a dark setting, read this right now! Well, after book 1.
I found the first book extremely compelling and heart wrenching, making an apocalyptic plague seem realistic, not to mention showing us a FL that was already married and had a life with a man she loved. I found this set up extremely unique and brave of the writer to start the series with a FL that is fully in love and invested on someone other than our ML.
The problem is that the writer was not able or unwilling to move away from that initial relationship at all. I was FOUR books in and the FL is still unable to start a new relationship because of her feelings for her dead husband. Which is fair in real life, but not what we are looking for when we are reading a romance.
Which leads me to my main complaint. For me, this series has been categorized by one phrase: "I get it, but..."
Again, and again, and again, there are situations where you can potentially understand why things are happening, but it does not make it the most reasonable choice or the most enjoyable to a reader. You have to pause and try to explain why they are doing the things they are, which knocks you out of the story.
For example:
- Yorke (ML) is noticing Shasta's (a side character) attention not because he’s interested in her necessarily, but because the one he is interested in (FL) is not ready for a relationship yet and cries every time they make any progress. Which makes perfect sense, but not necessarily what I want to read when reading a romance novel.
- Frankie (FL) waiting two months before she goes searching for Colleen (news anchor and leader of a survivors group). It could potentially make sense if we think of it from the angle of she was giving herself and Auden (child she has adopted) some time to adapt and grieve. But at the same time it really makes no sense to wait that long and expect this group of people to still be there.
- Or staying in a dangerous city that is getting more and more dangerous by the day, to look for Colleen and her group when they don’t know each other at all (they were together a few hours), and there is really no benefit for them to do so. It doesn’t make sense, but you could also try and explain it as they are being super, super, duper nice and wanting to help this other group of people. And then going back into the very dangerous city they just escaped from to try and find this group of people that for all we know have already left, been captured, or are dead. It’s just stupidity that we need to try and explain away again.
This is why so far the situations are: "I get it, but..."
Which is the reason I stopped reading on book 4. I couldn't bring myself to read some more about this lady mourning for her dead husband and not starting a relationship with a man that loves her and treats her and her adopted child extremely well. Now the writer introduced someone that looked just like the dead husband, but is an ass, and the FL is loosing her mind over it.
In other words, the writer doesn't want this healthy relationship to progress and keeps waving the dead husband flag as a plot device to keep the leads separate until the end of the series. But it has gotten contrived and extremely painful to read, so I stopped on the 4th book.
Book 1: 4 stars Book 2: 3 stars Book 3: 3 stars Book 4: 2 stars (where I dropped off this series)
Overall I give the series (first 4 books) 3 stars.
I am on my knees and thanking this author for writing a book that gives me -sinces ages- all those wild emotions. Tears of joy, of sadness, loss and grief, anger, desperation. Giggles, sighs and silent tears. I don't want them to end!!!
Great story very well written. Very contemporary - feels like we are in covid era romance. I like the slow burn relationship ; the well written child and the dog!
“Home used to smell like Jimmy. Now it smells like Auden. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him.� -Frankie
“Maybe in the solar system of us, we’re the planets, Auden, me, and Beast, and we all revolve around Frankie. Maybe she’s our sub.� -Yorke
This book mending my heart, broke it, then put it back together again! I enjoyed the first volume, but this second volume made me love these characters!
In Lost you continue following Frankie, Auden, and Yorke as they try and navigate life after the apocalypse. Frankie and Auden meet Yorke in this book and they all become a sort of unit together.
I loved how this story grew the feelings Yorke and Frankie had for each other while also still respecting Jimmy. It made it seem more realistic that Frankie was still in love and grieving her husband but still cared for Yorke.
This to me is a very character driven story. Yes there is a great plot, but I love this story for the characters. They are just so amazing developed and you really just fall in love with them all in this volume!
There is so much more I could say about this but I don’t want to include spoilers.
Ok book 2 is where our FMC meets other people but still needs to take care to watch her back bc they are strangers after all and she's got a little boy to watch after.
I couldn't wait for Frankie and Yorke to meet up. You can just feel the sparks building between them. And we get to experience those intimate moments that Imogen is so talented at writing. Her scenes are always written at the right time and with the right pace making them realistic and enjoyable.
This is also the book where Frankie comes into some real danger. Read the book and see how she deals.
Oof. This book is so good, things keep getting crazier. The fine balance Frankie walks between missing Jimmy and wanting things to progress with Yorke, without making her feel so guilty it ruins the whole thing, is very well done. The tub scene and the aftermath were excellently emotional. Yorke shows admirable restraint, he takes comfort in knowing it's almost inevitable, but still waiting is tough. And just when the story gets to the part where...just maybe...nope! Something terrible happens and boy it made me sick. Thank goodness the author isn't cruel enough to leave it hanging that way! Now of course I want to read book three right away!
This second installment from the After the Plague series continued to entertain me. The first book really set up the fall of society and the heartbreaking loss of Frankie's husband. This one focuses on what happens months later as society is regrouping. It's a tough book. It's action packed and lots of hard stuff happens to Frankie and Yorke. A high point of the book was them meeting and developing their friendship/relationship. These books are quick reads that keep you on the edge of your seat! 3.5 rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley for this digital book in exchange for an honest review!
Mild spice, grieving widow and the start of a new love.
This story leans into the 'found family' trope. I liked the story. Not my favorite post-apocalyptica story. Its driving me nuts that they spend so much time waiting for people...like go make homestead somewhere! Still interesting story.
Aunque es un libro corto, es más largo que el anterior, pero el ritmo es frenético y no he podido soltarlo. El final ha sido angustiante, necesito leer el pov de Yorke de la última escena. Así que me empiezo el tercero ahora mismo 🤓
Probably one of the more realistic depictions of the fall of society. Yorke is really what makes this book for me. He could take this situation in so many directions yet he chooses the higher road. Great read.
Frankie and Yorke and Auden and Beast are together. Yorke is pretty perfect. These books are on the shorter side so I breezed right through this one. On to book 3.
Worth it! I t was a bit short but totally worth it!! I highly recommend this series! Book 1 was well worth it, bc book 2 is all about Yorke and Franke and Ayden and of course Beast! Don't worry he gets lost but then found shortly after. If the dog does die, I will not continue. That is the worst. That's a hard NO for me!
Great characters, exhilarating plot, very descriptive, and more than anything it'll keep you turning the pages!!! I'm new to this author and look forward to more! Ive already pre-ordered book 3! Can't wait!
Visceral and heartbreaking. I expected no less. Keeper really takes things to the next level here. You become more attached to these wonderful characters. And you feel for them every step of their tortorus journey through a post apocalyptic America. 5 stars.
Again, this is not a complete book. This whole trilogy could probably be one book and it would be fine. I feel like with this book and the last there is no real climax or ending to the story. However, this book was more enjoyable to read than the last one. This book at least has a bit of action in it.
An unfortunate noise may just become the best thing that Frankie ever does... danger lurks in the dark. Will she trust the stranger who appears right at the brink of disaster? Will her adopted son Auden become the one familial link she can hope on? Can the new found introduction of Yorke be just what she needs to start healing from her loss? And just what is going on with the White House Woman? Book 2 in the serial so it starts from the cliffhanger of book one and leads to the cliffhanger for book 3.
reread of the series in prep for book 5 coming out - Auden really is the cutest. Oink-Oink and a flashlight for safety. Count me in!
Frankie and Yorke finally get some page time. I love love love these two together. For Frankie it's bittersweet to feel the feels for a man so soon after losing her hubs, but for Yorke it's eveeeeeerything. Its a wild ride. Scary at times, sweet at times and down right depressing at times. Imogen, as always take you down a vivid rabbit hole of emotions with her writing. I don't want to give away spoilers but if you loved the first book, you'll adore this one. (Can't wait for the audiobook)
Me adelanto y me permito hacerlo. Me inclino y le doy un beso en la frente a Auden, le subo la manta por los hombros y mi nariz se posa en el pelo de su cuero cabelludo. El hogar solía oler a Jimmy. Ahora huele a Auden. No hay nada que no haría por él. ---------------- Tenía los ojos más amables, y su sonrisa era todo mi mundo. Miro cada una de las fotos, atormentándome con los recuerdos de un pasado inalcanzable, de un hombre que ha muerto y se ha ido, y lloro tan fuerte que juro que me tiemblan los huesos. Le echo tanto de menos que es un dolor físico. Jimmy. ---------------- No se puede dormir. Me planteo varios escenarios. Podría subir, abrir la puerta, sacarla de la bañera, envolverla en una manta, pero no serviría de nada. Podría subir, abrir la puerta, sentarme en el suelo junto a ella, de espaldas a su desnudez, hacerle saber que no está sola, pero no serviría de nada. Y probablemente la asustaría. Yo soy la razón por la que está llorando de todos modos. La presioné demasiado, demasiado pronto. Cada sollozo es como un golpe físico. Así que no hago nada. Me tumbo en la oscuridad y escucho cómo llora como si alguien le hubiera arrancado el alma y la hubiera utilizado como leña.
culo perfecto, las protuberancias de sus vértebras, su esbelta cintura. Mi pulgar encuentra el hueso de su cadera bajo el vestido, mientras el otro palmea su nuca, la acerca. Sólo un suspiro nos separa. -Frankie. - Mi voz se quiebra. Nuestros labios se tocan. Suaves. Flexibles. Suaves. Y luego no es suave o flexible o suave en absoluto. Exigente. Duro. Mojado. Jadeando. Mueve las caderas, las manos frenéticas tiran de mis pantalones, de su vestido. Chupo su interminable cuello, encuentro su teta con mi mano. Es frenético. Los dos. Tirando, empujando, respirando con fuerza, meciéndonos el uno contra el otro como si fuéramos a incendiarnos si no le meto la polla. ---------------- Deslizo el jersey por su hombro y sus mejillas se vuelven rosas, mi mirada cae sobre la plenitud de sus labios. Auden mira de un lado a otro entre nosotros con curiosidad. � Se van a besar ahora? - -No! - Frankie enrosca los dedos en sus mangas. - ¿Por qué preguntas eso? - Porque el chico es un maldito lector de mentes. Definitivamente quería hacerlo. -Cuando papá miraba a mamá así, le daba besos. - Oculto mi boca con una mano. ---------------- Seríamos eléctricos. Lo sé por cómo nuestros cuerpos encajan. Lo sé por cómo puedo leerla a pesar de que apenas hemos pasado un tiempo juntos, y ella puede leerme a mí. Operamos en la misma longitud de onda. Ella tenía algo con su marido. No lo dudo. Algo bueno y maravilloso. Pero también tiene algo conmigo. Algo diferente, claro. Pero algo grande.