WeaveReads

I went into this one a bit hesitant, as it wasn’t necessarily a book I would have picked up on my own, but I did my best to give it a fair chance, and ultimately landed at a solid three stars.

My biggest struggle was with the dialogue and character dynamics early on. Conversations often felt stiff or unrealistic, and certain tropes — like the “boys tease the girls they like” mindset — immediately grated on me. It made it difficult to fully invest in the romantic elements, which already leaned heavily into familiar and predictable territory. The love triangle, in particular, was frustrating; neither option felt especially compelling, and it was hard to root for either side when both characters had significant flaws that weren’t meaningfully addressed.

That said, the premise itself was engaging. I found the apocalyptic elements far more interesting than the romance. Once the story leaned into survival, tension, and the unpredictability of the early days of the outbreak, it picked up considerably. There were moments that genuinely surprised me and raised the stakes, adding a sense of urgency that the interpersonal drama lacked.

I also appreciated the exploration of how different personalities react under pressure. Even when certain characters annoyed me (and they did), their reactions felt believable in high-stress situations (i.e., impulsive decisions, poorly timed humor, emotional outbursts).

However, some character choices and plot conveniences pulled me out of the story. Certain individuals seemed to have all the answers too easily, and a few emotional conflicts felt either overextended or underdeveloped, making it harder to fully connect with their arcs.

Overall, while the romance didn’t work for me, the survival aspects and moments of intensity kept me engaged enough to finish. If you’re a reader who enjoys post-apocalyptic settings with a strong romantic focus, this may work better for you. But if you’re like me and more drawn to the darker, high-stakes elements, your enjoyment may vary.