What do you think?
Rate this book
After the Plague #1
Broken
From award-winning author Imogen Keeper comes a spellbinding story of love and hope after the end.
Who would you become if the world ended?
The whole of humanity sits on the precipice of total annihilation.
The worst part is the survivors—broken people, lost, grieving, plunged into a world without order, and no one to enforce it anyway.
At least, no one but him.
I never thought I'd love again. In fact, I actively planned against it. But when the world collapses around us, and I grow to fit the wreckage, one thing becomes clear: fate has other plans for me.
Before the apocalypse, we were strangers. Now our lives will forever be entwined.
The romance of Outlander and the grittiness of Walking Dead (minus the zombies). Fans of swoon-worthy heroes, high-stakes action, and a heroine who grows into her power will love this unforgettable slow-burn saga.
Look for the next three books in the series available now!
★★★★� "STOP! Think you don't love the apocalypse, you're wrong. The world keeps getting bigger and the heroes will break your heart and put it back together again." - ŷ Reviewer
★★★★� Do yourself a favor and go read this. You can thank me later, when you've laughed and cried and fallen in love with every single character in this incredible series. - ŷ Reviewer
★★★★� This book was simply amazing. Tensions run high, secrets are revealed, and a new hope is found. 5 complete stars from me for this awesome slow-burn post-apocalyptic romance! - Amazon Reviewer
Who would you become if the world ended?
The whole of humanity sits on the precipice of total annihilation.
The worst part is the survivors—broken people, lost, grieving, plunged into a world without order, and no one to enforce it anyway.
At least, no one but him.
I never thought I'd love again. In fact, I actively planned against it. But when the world collapses around us, and I grow to fit the wreckage, one thing becomes clear: fate has other plans for me.
Before the apocalypse, we were strangers. Now our lives will forever be entwined.
The romance of Outlander and the grittiness of Walking Dead (minus the zombies). Fans of swoon-worthy heroes, high-stakes action, and a heroine who grows into her power will love this unforgettable slow-burn saga.
Look for the next three books in the series available now!
★★★★� "STOP! Think you don't love the apocalypse, you're wrong. The world keeps getting bigger and the heroes will break your heart and put it back together again." - ŷ Reviewer
★★★★� Do yourself a favor and go read this. You can thank me later, when you've laughed and cried and fallen in love with every single character in this incredible series. - ŷ Reviewer
★★★★� This book was simply amazing. Tensions run high, secrets are revealed, and a new hope is found. 5 complete stars from me for this awesome slow-burn post-apocalyptic romance! - Amazon Reviewer
Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 2022
694 people are currently reading
2,256 people want to read
About the author
Imogen Keeper
25books352followersAn 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.
KEEP UP WITH IMMY ON ALL PLATFORMS
Newsletter VIP room for a FREE BOOK �
Ǵǰ�
Join her private readers' group �
ŷ � /author/show...
Բٲ�
շɾٳٱ�
READING ORDER
After the Plague Series
- Broken #1
- Lost #2
- Found #3
- Safe #4
- Home #5 (coming soon)
The City of a Thousand Lies Trilogy
- Outlaw
- Wanted (coming soon)
- Captive (coming soon)
Dirty Little Secret Series
- Talk Dirty to Me
- Fight Dirty with Me
- Draw Dirty for Me (available in installments on Vella)
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.
KEEP UP WITH IMMY ON ALL PLATFORMS
Newsletter VIP room for a FREE BOOK �
Ǵǰ�
Join her private readers' group �
ŷ � /author/show...
Բٲ�
շɾٳٱ�
READING ORDER
After the Plague Series
- Broken #1
- Lost #2
- Found #3
- Safe #4
- Home #5 (coming soon)
The City of a Thousand Lies Trilogy
- Outlaw
- Wanted (coming soon)
- Captive (coming soon)
Dirty Little Secret Series
- Talk Dirty to Me
- Fight Dirty with Me
- Draw Dirty for Me (available in installments on Vella)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
November 11, 2021
Omg I knew I would fall in love with this and I so freaking did. This was so heart wrenchingly beautiful. I want to write more but I can't cuz I'm jumping right into the next one.
July 21, 2023
I've only just seen this series doing the rounds on here now and I couldn't wait to grab it and dive in and with no regrets this was inhaled. Between arcs this series will be on top of my list to finish. I'm already excited to get to the next one.
This was such a great start to this plague new world I've been thrust into and a nice change from my usual go to genres. These characters easily slipped into my heart as I read their fears, their loss of loved ones, their need to survive, wondering what tomorrow may bring as the world was cloaked in darkness.
If anyone had've said to me to read anything remotely like this in the past I would've laughed in their faces because this genre had never even been on my radar, but now that I've had a taste of it, I want more.
October 11, 2021
Reread/listen time! 10.11.21
Huge thank you to for the audiobook! This was my second time with this story and I found even more to love listening to William Travino and Imogen voicing these characters. This is one of my very favorite post apocalyptic series. Highly recommend in both book and audiobook formats.
*
4.6.21
Reading this book was such a pleasure! I was expecting the usual post-apocalypse story but this one took it up a notch. The amount of love between the couple at the start of the story was incredibly touching and melted my heart.
Auden and Beast are such a sweet addition to the story. They help our MC's to grow emotionally and in Frankie’s case, realize the inner strength she carries. Yorke is simply one of the most compassionate male leads I’ve read in a long time.
Ends on a cliffhanger so have that second book queued up and ready to go!
Huge thank you to for the audiobook! This was my second time with this story and I found even more to love listening to William Travino and Imogen voicing these characters. This is one of my very favorite post apocalyptic series. Highly recommend in both book and audiobook formats.
*
4.6.21
Reading this book was such a pleasure! I was expecting the usual post-apocalypse story but this one took it up a notch. The amount of love between the couple at the start of the story was incredibly touching and melted my heart.
Anyone who says you can’t belong to another human has never had this, and I feel sorry for them. You can belong to someone.The characters in this story are real, flawed, and all struggling to survive the new world they live in. The weaving of this book is build on these people, I think that's why it felt more realistic than most books of this genre. There was plenty of horror, but it was man-made rather than zombies...and that is honestly more terrifying.
Auden and Beast are such a sweet addition to the story. They help our MC's to grow emotionally and in Frankie’s case, realize the inner strength she carries. Yorke is simply one of the most compassionate male leads I’ve read in a long time.
Ends on a cliffhanger so have that second book queued up and ready to go!
July 17, 2023
What a great surprise! This story is great and a want more�
November 14, 2021
I couldn't wait to start Broken after seeing high ratings from GR friends. Even though I'm strictly a romance reader I decided to give this one a try. I went in knowing that the h is going to lose her husband who is the love of her life and that the romance with Yorke was going to be slow. What I didn't expect was a slow boring story. The concept of the book was great unfortunately all the News info dumps were boring and I honestly lost interest. Add to that she hasn't even met Yorke yet. Now I did love how caring she was with Auden and how quickly she started to care for him. Overall this book wasn't for me and at this time I have no plans on continuing but I'm not opposed to maybe giving it another try.
January 26, 2025
Book 1 serves absolutely nothing, so expectations are tamed. It’s just an intro, a sneak peek, but so far, this series is giving predictable vibes. Let’s see if it surprises me.
August 27, 2022
This is just the start of the After the Plague series. Book one is a short read with only 144 pages or so, but damn it's beautiful. I'm completely drawn to Frankie right now.
December 15, 2022
I really liked this book but i would read it at least in one go up to book 3 and view it as 1 book.
Dual POV.
The heroine is living with her husband who she utterly is devoted to and he as with her as the plague hits.
The other POV is the Hero, who is not her husband.
So SPOILER
#
#
#
#
I guessed hubby wasn't going to make it.
It is very sad.
I felt the author was either very brave to have the heroine in love with another man, who she obviously will struggle to move on from or shot herself in the foot, as some readers I know will struggle to move on from this.
The writing is great.
The end of the world scenario is chillingly believable, though I did feel the news reports were perhaps a bit too much, I'm not so interested in every detail of the spread.
The other issue some may have is the Hero and heroine don't meet in this book which is why I would recommend reading books 1-3 in one hit.
There is a vague intimate scene with her husband, its not detailed.
Each book ends on a cliffhanger of sorts tbc
The author has hinted this will be an 8 book series, why do I do this to myself as they are not all out yet..
Dual POV.
The heroine is living with her husband who she utterly is devoted to and he as with her as the plague hits.
The other POV is the Hero, who is not her husband.
So SPOILER
#
#
#
#
I guessed hubby wasn't going to make it.
It is very sad.
I felt the author was either very brave to have the heroine in love with another man, who she obviously will struggle to move on from or shot herself in the foot, as some readers I know will struggle to move on from this.
The writing is great.
The end of the world scenario is chillingly believable, though I did feel the news reports were perhaps a bit too much, I'm not so interested in every detail of the spread.
The other issue some may have is the Hero and heroine don't meet in this book which is why I would recommend reading books 1-3 in one hit.
There is a vague intimate scene with her husband, its not detailed.
Each book ends on a cliffhanger of sorts tbc
The author has hinted this will be an 8 book series, why do I do this to myself as they are not all out yet..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2022
This series contains both an apocalypse and a surprisingly tender romance - not the kind of mash-up I was expecting to work, but it does.
Keeper makes it work! The relationships (both love and friendship) are incredibly touching, and I just...melted. And I want more.
The characters are well developed, real, flawed, and the struggle to survive in this new desolate world feels realistic. I love them all, am worried for them all, and will gladly adopt them all.
Broken and its sequels are very character-driven and the plot is at times heart-breaking but also hopeful in nature. Yorke especially is one of the wonderful male protagonists I've encountered in a long time.
The books are short and entertaining and can be read in one sitting. I can't recommend this series enough if you're a romance fan even if apocalypse isn't your jam.
Keeper makes it work! The relationships (both love and friendship) are incredibly touching, and I just...melted. And I want more.
The characters are well developed, real, flawed, and the struggle to survive in this new desolate world feels realistic. I love them all, am worried for them all, and will gladly adopt them all.
Broken and its sequels are very character-driven and the plot is at times heart-breaking but also hopeful in nature. Yorke especially is one of the wonderful male protagonists I've encountered in a long time.
The books are short and entertaining and can be read in one sitting. I can't recommend this series enough if you're a romance fan even if apocalypse isn't your jam.
February 5, 2021
What a beginning!!
I loved the start of this saga and soared through book 1 in one sitting. There were moments that made me laugh out loud at Frankie's zaniness and then a chapter later need a box of tissues at all the hard things an apocalyptic pandemic could bring. It's truly a natural emotional story I'm utterly invested in. I'm intrigued by Yorke, his background and skills, and can't wait for him to find his coconut bun woman!
The story and voice are "kick you in the babymaker" strong. It ends in a cliffhanger and I'm not even a little mad about it because I can feel that this was the opening chapter to a kick-ass book. This is a story to follow and be patient for, and yes, I am moving right along to book two.
If you like survivalist slow burn romance reads—ones full of pain and glory, where the main characters are hardening/growing up and seeking others in this great big apocalyptic world, this is the exact book you need to read.
I loved the start of this saga and soared through book 1 in one sitting. There were moments that made me laugh out loud at Frankie's zaniness and then a chapter later need a box of tissues at all the hard things an apocalyptic pandemic could bring. It's truly a natural emotional story I'm utterly invested in. I'm intrigued by Yorke, his background and skills, and can't wait for him to find his coconut bun woman!
The story and voice are "kick you in the babymaker" strong. It ends in a cliffhanger and I'm not even a little mad about it because I can feel that this was the opening chapter to a kick-ass book. This is a story to follow and be patient for, and yes, I am moving right along to book two.
If you like survivalist slow burn romance reads—ones full of pain and glory, where the main characters are hardening/growing up and seeking others in this great big apocalyptic world, this is the exact book you need to read.
January 5, 2024
4 Stars
It was pretty good. Sorta wish Jimmy was the MC. I cried a lot too, heh 😅 wish it was longer too
It was pretty good. Sorta wish Jimmy was the MC. I cried a lot too, heh 😅 wish it was longer too
February 21, 2025
On the way to the second. The author did an amazing job narrating her story. I am curious how things turn out.
June 29, 2022
After the Plague is a dual POV story that follows Yorke (a returning soldier) and Frankie (an artist) as they navigate the very beginnings of a plague-brought apocalypse. The writing flows well, the characters are likable, and the apocalyptic details feel real and hit close to home. My biggest critique is that this very short book doesn’t feel complete. It really reads like part one of a bigger novel. And while there may be action and romance in the sequels, I didn’t find as much of it here as I would’ve liked to hook me into book 2. However, the introduction of Beast and Auden was cute, and I have a feeling a future found family might be in order once the two MCs meet up.
So if you’re looking for a post-apocalyptic read and are committed to reading more than just the first one, I’d say definitely give it a look!
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC!
(3.75/5)
So if you’re looking for a post-apocalyptic read and are committed to reading more than just the first one, I’d say definitely give it a look!
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC!
(3.75/5)
March 24, 2022
Broken was a great start to this apocalyptic series. It was well written, had great pacing, and had both a heart-warming and heart-wrenching story line. Broken packs an emotional punch for a relatively short book. I look forward to reading the next books in this series and getting to know these characters more.
Thank you to NetGalley for this digital book in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley for this digital book in exchange for my honest review!
October 21, 2021
ETA Audio Review 10/2021:
The book is perfectly narrated in dual POV by Imogen and William. This was more than just a book being read, it was an audio experience. If you don't know by now, I am one of those people who like sound effects in my audio books, and although that's not the case here, there were parts of the book that were different. For example, the news anchors when they speak, the sound is different, just as if it were on TV. We get a lovely French accent as well. It just lends so much to the experience of an audiobook for me. Totally pulls me into the story.
If you like a little romance in your post-apoc world, you definitely need to give this series a try.
Too close to real life
The beginning of the book made me feel like I was reliving life about a year ago when a pandemic brought all of our lives to a halt.
The storyline and world building are excellent. I am experiencing loss, hope and excitement right along with the characters.
Frankie loses someone near and dear to her but then she finds someone (2 someones if you count the doggie). She goes from being taken care of to having to care for another. This really helps with her character growth.
Yorke is out there prepping. Getting things done.
Off to read book 2.
The book is perfectly narrated in dual POV by Imogen and William. This was more than just a book being read, it was an audio experience. If you don't know by now, I am one of those people who like sound effects in my audio books, and although that's not the case here, there were parts of the book that were different. For example, the news anchors when they speak, the sound is different, just as if it were on TV. We get a lovely French accent as well. It just lends so much to the experience of an audiobook for me. Totally pulls me into the story.
If you like a little romance in your post-apoc world, you definitely need to give this series a try.
Too close to real life
The beginning of the book made me feel like I was reliving life about a year ago when a pandemic brought all of our lives to a halt.
The storyline and world building are excellent. I am experiencing loss, hope and excitement right along with the characters.
Frankie loses someone near and dear to her but then she finds someone (2 someones if you count the doggie). She goes from being taken care of to having to care for another. This really helps with her character growth.
Yorke is out there prepping. Getting things done.
Off to read book 2.
December 15, 2021
I first found Keeper through her book Outlaw and loved how bold and brave her writing was. There was no holding back from the reader and I couldn't stop turning the pages. Broken was the same brutal, raw, real characters and I once again found myself gobbling up her work.
Frankie is the star of the show for me in this book and her inner thoughts are so relatable, it's piercing. Caught in the middle of a plague, she has to reevaluate what she thinks she's capable of and what she can actually do. I was cheering for her and crying with her. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Huge fan of Imogen Keeper.
Frankie is the star of the show for me in this book and her inner thoughts are so relatable, it's piercing. Caught in the middle of a plague, she has to reevaluate what she thinks she's capable of and what she can actually do. I was cheering for her and crying with her. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Huge fan of Imogen Keeper.
Want to read
August 7, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/26/2021)! 🎁
February 17, 2024
as the world is falling apart, succumbing to a super virus, you follow 2 people's origin stories in this start to an apocalyptic romance series. this was short and sad but also I loved it? you know exactly what is gonna happen but are willfully trying to avoid inevitability like the heroine. the hero is in full on survival mode but the care he has with the people he finds around him is lovely. this surprised me. I'm surprised I could even read this with me having a lot of anxiety over covid kinds of stuff. but I loved it and will continue.
May 6, 2024
Been sleeping on this series apparently. This was as great start to another post-apocalyptic survival romance.
This one is set in the future as a plague sweeps the world killing about 80% of the population. Really loved the fmc and the mmc and the entire set up to the story. Just great development and enjoyable writing.
This one is set in the future as a plague sweeps the world killing about 80% of the population. Really loved the fmc and the mmc and the entire set up to the story. Just great development and enjoyable writing.
October 18, 2024
Series Review:
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 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.
January 1, 2025
Read August 2022
3.5 stars = really good, but won't be reread
A Post-Apocalyptic Romance
What happens after a deadly virus wipes out most of the global population.
� 🇦� 💀 🇵🇱🇦🇬🇺🇪� �
I had a hard time reading the first 20%. This is where all the info. about the plague is given in great detail. Much of it is eerily similar to what we all went through in 2020. With people masking up, wearing protective gloves, social distancing, trying to stay home and stay safe. With little to no effect. I skimmed & skipped over most of it.
I slowed down and read it carefully once the story began. It shifts between the lives of Jimmy and Frankie, a husband and wife, and Yorke, an ex-soldier. The writing is excellent, and I found myself captivated, anxious about what would happen next and dreading the obvious outcome. The realism was moving, leaving me feeling quite sad. The characters are genuine and flawed. The wife starts off weak but learns to be stronger and survive.
For some, this may hit too close to home. It imagines what life could be like if a deadly virus wiped out 90% of the world's population. It's not romantic or fun—it's harsh and cruel. The power goes out, fuel runs out, and staying clean is difficult. Survival truly is for the fittest. It's clear the author did her research!
The best part was the middle. The love between Jimmy and Frankie was so strong that I could really feel it. I wish I could have learned more about them before . When they reminisce about how they met and fell in love,
I was like this -
It's tough to share more without giving away the ending, but life does go on. I hope the next book brings love and healing. I enjoyed the sweet young child and the cute dog in the story—I like them so much that I almost want to create a "kids and pets" bookshelf!
Even though it wasn't easy, I'm glad I read this. It will stick with me for a long time to come. I will be reading the next book.
Edited to Add: I enjoyed book 1, but I didn't finish book 2. The world feels too dark and bleak for me. I checked out book 3, and it seems to get even worse. I read for entertainment and to feel good, not to feel depressed. No, thank you!
3.5 stars = really good, but won't be reread
A Post-Apocalyptic Romance
What happens after a deadly virus wipes out most of the global population.
� 🇦� 💀 🇵🇱🇦🇬🇺🇪� �
I had a hard time reading the first 20%. This is where all the info. about the plague is given in great detail. Much of it is eerily similar to what we all went through in 2020. With people masking up, wearing protective gloves, social distancing, trying to stay home and stay safe. With little to no effect. I skimmed & skipped over most of it.
I slowed down and read it carefully once the story began. It shifts between the lives of Jimmy and Frankie, a husband and wife, and Yorke, an ex-soldier. The writing is excellent, and I found myself captivated, anxious about what would happen next and dreading the obvious outcome. The realism was moving, leaving me feeling quite sad. The characters are genuine and flawed. The wife starts off weak but learns to be stronger and survive.
For some, this may hit too close to home. It imagines what life could be like if a deadly virus wiped out 90% of the world's population. It's not romantic or fun—it's harsh and cruel. The power goes out, fuel runs out, and staying clean is difficult. Survival truly is for the fittest. It's clear the author did her research!
The best part was the middle. The love between Jimmy and Frankie was so strong that I could really feel it. I wish I could have learned more about them before . When they reminisce about how they met and fell in love,
I was like this -
It's tough to share more without giving away the ending, but life does go on. I hope the next book brings love and healing. I enjoyed the sweet young child and the cute dog in the story—I like them so much that I almost want to create a "kids and pets" bookshelf!
Even though it wasn't easy, I'm glad I read this. It will stick with me for a long time to come. I will be reading the next book.
Edited to Add: I enjoyed book 1, but I didn't finish book 2. The world feels too dark and bleak for me. I checked out book 3, and it seems to get even worse. I read for entertainment and to feel good, not to feel depressed. No, thank you!
April 19, 2021
Wow
Ok. I love this genre and this book was written so well. Ill be honest I cried alot. It was realistic and heartbreaking. I've gotten through all three of the books in this series in 2 days. Definitely well worth the read
Ok. I love this genre and this book was written so well. Ill be honest I cried alot. It was realistic and heartbreaking. I've gotten through all three of the books in this series in 2 days. Definitely well worth the read
July 13, 2021
Ahhhhh, honestly, this book. I wasn't sure what to expect with a romance set in the plague, but this worked. It worked so good.
The heartbreak of losing it all, the hopelessness of having nothing, and no one to get you through it. The descriptions, the visuals, the chemistry between Yorke and Frankie from the get go. The burn is slow, but it hurts so good. These two have a powerful connection. The world Immy has created here is terrifyingly real, especially living in the world we live in today. Her characters, even the side ones, EVEN THE DEAD ONES, climb on in there a steel a little piece of your heart. Auden and Beast, I worry about them like they're my very own little post apocalyptic fam.
I can't recommend this story enough, even if, like me, post apocalypse normally isn't your jam. This story is a winner in the romance stakes and it blows it right out of the park with its super layered and detailed world building. The writing is spellbinding.
Go read. Now.
The heartbreak of losing it all, the hopelessness of having nothing, and no one to get you through it. The descriptions, the visuals, the chemistry between Yorke and Frankie from the get go. The burn is slow, but it hurts so good. These two have a powerful connection. The world Immy has created here is terrifyingly real, especially living in the world we live in today. Her characters, even the side ones, EVEN THE DEAD ONES, climb on in there a steel a little piece of your heart. Auden and Beast, I worry about them like they're my very own little post apocalyptic fam.
I can't recommend this story enough, even if, like me, post apocalypse normally isn't your jam. This story is a winner in the romance stakes and it blows it right out of the park with its super layered and detailed world building. The writing is spellbinding.
Go read. Now.
March 11, 2021
When the world is crap, a lot of other things are crap, too. Frankie goes through a whole lot of that crap; this definitely isn't a "light" book, but I sped through it nonetheless. She deals with a lot of bad, but comes through it all, refuses to give up, and in the end...makes me want to read book two!
December 13, 2020
Pretty good, at least after the heroine gets a grip on herself and stops being needy, whiny and helpless. Still horrible naive. After the apocalypse she really seems to think that the world is no different, just less people and more difficulties to find supplies. Not realizing that the varnish of civilization is so very thin and when there is no-one to enforce the laws anymore some nasty men (and it is always the men) will take over.
Will find out in part 2 how it goes.
Will find out in part 2 how it goes.
February 24, 2023
6 months into the Corona-virus pandemic and I read this story. What was I thinking??? A simple premise: the world is destroyed by a deadly plague and the survivors are few and far between. Two characters emerge, both very different in their perceptions. Frankie's love for her husband and what happens in a few short days is enough to bring tears to my eyes. Yorke's survivalistic approach, gather as many weapons as possible, stockpile food stuffs, etc. is more appropriate but comes off as being dispassionate. While there is humor and lighter moments, the traumas experienced are hard to handle. Book one in the serial and I am off to read the second story
re-reading the second time (book 5 is coming out soon) and I still cry when ... dies. whaaah!
re-reading the second time (book 5 is coming out soon) and I still cry when ... dies. whaaah!
June 16, 2022
I was aware that this was part of a series, but I didn't pay attention to the fact that it was a novella. It's 12 chapters and took about an hour to read. Frankie does lose the love of her life, but that doesn't happen until the story is more than half over, so I wish it hadn't been spoiled in the blurb. Yorke doesn't get as much page time, but so far seems like a typical soldier trying to survive the apocalypse.
It was good enough for me to be interested in the next one, but honestly I think they're overpriced for novellas.
It was good enough for me to be interested in the next one, but honestly I think they're overpriced for novellas.
January 17, 2021
🎶 It’s the end of the world as we know it 🌎
Absolutely loved this book! Starts off a bit slow, but the world building is awesome. Exactly what I was looking for!
I’m not too fond of the series style, but it’s so good that I’m willing to keep with it! This one gets you in the feels...
Absolutely loved this book! Starts off a bit slow, but the world building is awesome. Exactly what I was looking for!
I’m not too fond of the series style, but it’s so good that I’m willing to keep with it! This one gets you in the feels...
February 7, 2021
A good start to this series and very poignant to what is happening right now in the world with covid 19, but I was just starting to get in to it when it ended.
Thankfully I already have book 2 ready to dive straight into.
I’m hoping Frankie learns to stand on her own 2 feet a bit more especially now she has Auden and beast to protect in the next book.
Thankfully I already have book 2 ready to dive straight into.
I’m hoping Frankie learns to stand on her own 2 feet a bit more especially now she has Auden and beast to protect in the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.