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Love and Decay (Complete Series) #1
Love and Decay, Episode One
Zombies- as if that wasn’t enough to ruin any girl’s dream of a happily ever after.
Reagan said goodbye to love when she was forced to run her high school boyfriend over with her mom’s car just to keep him from eating her for dinner. Now, two years later, and in need of a serious shower, she’s just over the entire concept of a soul mate- or really, any kind of mate.
Well, mostly anyway. When she runs- literally- into a group of boys holed up in a relative utopia of peanut butter and bottled water, maybe all hope in the love department is not lost.
But at the end of the world, nothing can be simple. And with a horde of Zombies after her, Reagan is going to have to schedule falling in love between hunting and surviving. Hopefully she can last long enough find out if true love can still exist when everything else has started to fall apart.
Love and Decay, Episode One, the first in a novella series in a Dystopian Romance about Zombies, the end of the world and finding someone to share it with.
This story takes place over multiple episodes, with a release date every two weeks. Approximately 20,000 words.
Reagan said goodbye to love when she was forced to run her high school boyfriend over with her mom’s car just to keep him from eating her for dinner. Now, two years later, and in need of a serious shower, she’s just over the entire concept of a soul mate- or really, any kind of mate.
Well, mostly anyway. When she runs- literally- into a group of boys holed up in a relative utopia of peanut butter and bottled water, maybe all hope in the love department is not lost.
But at the end of the world, nothing can be simple. And with a horde of Zombies after her, Reagan is going to have to schedule falling in love between hunting and surviving. Hopefully she can last long enough find out if true love can still exist when everything else has started to fall apart.
Love and Decay, Episode One, the first in a novella series in a Dystopian Romance about Zombies, the end of the world and finding someone to share it with.
This story takes place over multiple episodes, with a release date every two weeks. Approximately 20,000 words.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2013
26 people are currently reading
1641 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Higginson
122 books3,494 followersRachel Higginson is the best-selling author of The Five Stages of Falling in Love, Every Wrong Reason, Bet on Us and The Star-Crossed Series.
She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days writing stories and raising five amazing kids.
She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days writing stories and raising five amazing kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
August 25, 2017
O.M.G This book took bad to a whole new level for me and it nearly made me throw my Kobo through my TV which would have been a disaster for my future entertainments. So I restrained myself. Just.
Meet Dipsy and Ditzy...I mean Reagan and Haley, our heroines. How two people this dumb survived two minutes of the zombie apocalypse is a mystery to me. They appear clueless, dopey and useless from page one, and going hunting in the dark department store so close to the time the zombies are most active pretty much says it all.
So, they are in the department store, and normal people would be filling up backpacks with food, weapons and useful crap but not this pair who decide to raid the makeup counter for as much eyeliner as they can grab! Their way of thinking is that just because the world has gone to hell is no reason to let yourself look ugly. I swear I wanted to climb in the book and eat them myself.
"I started swiping handfuls of products into my bag, not caring about color or usefulness. This was what Haley and I called the Grab and Go"
Try grabbing weapons and food, doughball. Then they get captured by the guys with guns and instead of cacking themselves like normal people, they start to giggle and say that they know the guys won't kill them.
"“But you’re not going to shoot us,” Haley argued.
“I’m not?”
“We’re hot. You’ll at least rape us first,” she explained on a hysterical giggle.
“At least,” I echoed, my laughter bouncing off the floor. “Just don’t give us herpes.
Seriously WTF is wrong with these stupid bitches? Is this supposed to be really funny coz I just wanted to strangle them. I'm not sure why the author decided to use two of the worst characters I have ever read in my life to try to get people to continue reading the series. This was the point in the book where I wasn't interested in even trying to read on, I hated it that much. Set a zombie on these dumb cows and let their lack of brains be eaten.
This book was a complete waste of time and I don't recommend it to ANYONE, ever. I won't be reading anything else by this author.
Meet Dipsy and Ditzy...I mean Reagan and Haley, our heroines. How two people this dumb survived two minutes of the zombie apocalypse is a mystery to me. They appear clueless, dopey and useless from page one, and going hunting in the dark department store so close to the time the zombies are most active pretty much says it all.
So, they are in the department store, and normal people would be filling up backpacks with food, weapons and useful crap but not this pair who decide to raid the makeup counter for as much eyeliner as they can grab! Their way of thinking is that just because the world has gone to hell is no reason to let yourself look ugly. I swear I wanted to climb in the book and eat them myself.
"I started swiping handfuls of products into my bag, not caring about color or usefulness. This was what Haley and I called the Grab and Go"
Try grabbing weapons and food, doughball. Then they get captured by the guys with guns and instead of cacking themselves like normal people, they start to giggle and say that they know the guys won't kill them.
"“But you’re not going to shoot us,” Haley argued.
“I’m not?”
“We’re hot. You’ll at least rape us first,” she explained on a hysterical giggle.
“At least,” I echoed, my laughter bouncing off the floor. “Just don’t give us herpes.
Seriously WTF is wrong with these stupid bitches? Is this supposed to be really funny coz I just wanted to strangle them. I'm not sure why the author decided to use two of the worst characters I have ever read in my life to try to get people to continue reading the series. This was the point in the book where I wasn't interested in even trying to read on, I hated it that much. Set a zombie on these dumb cows and let their lack of brains be eaten.
This book was a complete waste of time and I don't recommend it to ANYONE, ever. I won't be reading anything else by this author.
April 30, 2015
4 Ditzy Stars
Starting out this book, I found myself rolling my eyes and wondering how 2 ditzy girls could have survived as long as they did without any common sense.
But as I read on...I realized that they are definitely a comic relief to an otherwise depressing topic.
I asked myself - "Who the hell pillages eyeliner during a zombie apocalypse?"
Bwahahahahaha...and what do you get when you put 2 cheerleaders who still has their V-card?
Starting out this book, I found myself rolling my eyes and wondering how 2 ditzy girls could have survived as long as they did without any common sense.
But as I read on...I realized that they are definitely a comic relief to an otherwise depressing topic.
I asked myself - "Who the hell pillages eyeliner during a zombie apocalypse?"
Bwahahahahaha...and what do you get when you put 2 cheerleaders who still has their V-card?
March 1, 2015
... and two pages in, I completely refused to read this book. "Who knew the cure for herpes would turn all those sexual deviants into people-eating, brain-dead, infection-giving assholes?"
I completely refuse to condone, encourage profit, and promote this attempt at being lucrative. i have NEVER read anything so ignorant.
Note: I am a nurse, which gives me medical credibility. Herpes has nothing to do with sexual promiscuity. 1 in 5 people probably have genital herpes. and is just undiagnosed, because HSV-2 is not part of routine STD testing, UNLESS specified/requested. People who have oral cold sores? yeah you got herpes too. that's HSV-1. Which 50-80% of the world has. No one asks for herpes. Pretty much everyone who has it doesn't even know it because it is LARGELY asymptomatic (without symptoms).
Sorry. you do not have my vote. This is a book based off of perpetuating hate. I'm sure the author took this comment very lightly, attempting to generate amusement off of sarcasm, and to gain a few laughs, but I'm completely offended. It's like someone making fun of cancer. or slavery. or Nazi massacres.
Thank God this book was free. I refuse to give it a penny, much less turn another page.
I completely refuse to condone, encourage profit, and promote this attempt at being lucrative. i have NEVER read anything so ignorant.
Note: I am a nurse, which gives me medical credibility. Herpes has nothing to do with sexual promiscuity. 1 in 5 people probably have genital herpes. and is just undiagnosed, because HSV-2 is not part of routine STD testing, UNLESS specified/requested. People who have oral cold sores? yeah you got herpes too. that's HSV-1. Which 50-80% of the world has. No one asks for herpes. Pretty much everyone who has it doesn't even know it because it is LARGELY asymptomatic (without symptoms).
Sorry. you do not have my vote. This is a book based off of perpetuating hate. I'm sure the author took this comment very lightly, attempting to generate amusement off of sarcasm, and to gain a few laughs, but I'm completely offended. It's like someone making fun of cancer. or slavery. or Nazi massacres.
Thank God this book was free. I refuse to give it a penny, much less turn another page.
July 13, 2013
When I found out that Higginson had wrote and published a Zombie book I dropped the book I was reading and ran to buy it. I started it right away and was absolutely giddy with anticipation. I knew it would be great, I knew it would be hilarious, and I knew I would love the story. And I was right on all three accounts.
Her characters are some of the best I have ever read...from any of her books! I can relate to them. Well, sort of. I have yet to run over an ex boyfriend with an SUV. Hey, stranger things have happened right? But her characters are beyond relatable and I get their dry sense of humor. They crack me up and have me needing more of them when the story is over.
No, this is not a comedy read by any means. Just has some funny spots peppered throughout. But there is a lot of suspenseful moments and the hint of romance hangs in the air, right along with the scent of rotting flesh. Sounds fabulous right? I know! Who doesn't love rotting flesh and romance?
Got a little time on your hands? Need a zombie fix? Well then you are in luck. Higginson introduces us to her world of Zombies in a series of short story episodes that will release every couple of weeks. Go get your copy of episode one now. I will definitely be seeing this series until the very end.
Her characters are some of the best I have ever read...from any of her books! I can relate to them. Well, sort of. I have yet to run over an ex boyfriend with an SUV. Hey, stranger things have happened right? But her characters are beyond relatable and I get their dry sense of humor. They crack me up and have me needing more of them when the story is over.
No, this is not a comedy read by any means. Just has some funny spots peppered throughout. But there is a lot of suspenseful moments and the hint of romance hangs in the air, right along with the scent of rotting flesh. Sounds fabulous right? I know! Who doesn't love rotting flesh and romance?
Got a little time on your hands? Need a zombie fix? Well then you are in luck. Higginson introduces us to her world of Zombies in a series of short story episodes that will release every couple of weeks. Go get your copy of episode one now. I will definitely be seeing this series until the very end.
July 16, 2013
WOW!!!!!!!!!
Rachel I think this is one of my favorites of yours. (Who am I kidding, really? All your books are my favorites!) But this was just...AH! Amazing!
One of my favorite movies...
Why?
Because it is hilarious! Duh!
And that is why this novella is so amazing! It's comedic like Zombieland but it's a book. Genius!
There were so many lines in this novella that had me cracking up. And when I got to the end (even though I was so sad it was already over because I was having so much fun reading it), I was pumped.
Some of my favorite lines:
Very beginning where our lovely MC, Reagan, gives us a little slice of her life.
So I did what any loving, devoted girlfriend that just found out she had been serially cheated on by her now zombie boyfriend would do. I plunged a butcher knife into his eye socket and when that didn't effectively do the job, I drove over him with my mom's Escalade until his head detached from his body.
Double tap, my friends. Always remember that rule.
Now, there are some creepy people out there, and I am not talking about the zombies, but I was amused at the description of the old man creepers that thought we would make fantastic sister wives.
But Reagan has a technique for warding off these creepers...
I had been working the unshaven legs - totally owning the look - hoping if we were ever kidnapped the au natural style would work in my favor as a deterrent.
That sounds like a good idea. I'm going to remember that one.
And this next line is just something I love because...well because I love Damon Salvatore.
Team Damon every single day.
Amen!
Um...did I mention that I loved this book and am super excited for the next part to come out??? Because I am really, really excited about it!
Rachel I think this is one of my favorites of yours. (Who am I kidding, really? All your books are my favorites!) But this was just...AH! Amazing!
One of my favorite movies...
Why?
Because it is hilarious! Duh!
And that is why this novella is so amazing! It's comedic like Zombieland but it's a book. Genius!
There were so many lines in this novella that had me cracking up. And when I got to the end (even though I was so sad it was already over because I was having so much fun reading it), I was pumped.
Some of my favorite lines:
Very beginning where our lovely MC, Reagan, gives us a little slice of her life.
So I did what any loving, devoted girlfriend that just found out she had been serially cheated on by her now zombie boyfriend would do. I plunged a butcher knife into his eye socket and when that didn't effectively do the job, I drove over him with my mom's Escalade until his head detached from his body.
Double tap, my friends. Always remember that rule.
Now, there are some creepy people out there, and I am not talking about the zombies, but I was amused at the description of the old man creepers that thought we would make fantastic sister wives.
But Reagan has a technique for warding off these creepers...
I had been working the unshaven legs - totally owning the look - hoping if we were ever kidnapped the au natural style would work in my favor as a deterrent.
That sounds like a good idea. I'm going to remember that one.
And this next line is just something I love because...well because I love Damon Salvatore.
Team Damon every single day.
Amen!
Um...did I mention that I loved this book and am super excited for the next part to come out??? Because I am really, really excited about it!
January 4, 2017
This is my first zombie book. My brothers got me hooked on the TV show The Walking Dead last year and I've been wanting to check out the zombie genre ever since. I liked the idea of this series, each "episode" is pretty short, this one was only around 80 pages and I think each "season" has about twelve episodes. So, I don't know if I would binge read these all at once, I wasn't that sucked into the story, but I could see myself coming back here and there and reading an episode if the mood hit me.
Anyway, like I said this was pretty short and felt like an introduction to the characters and zombie-world. Reagan and Hayley were best friends before the apocalypse and have miraculously survived together for almost two years. The story opens with them running into another group, a family group of four brothers and their sister. First impression, I liked Reagan and Hayley okay, the brothers didn't really seem all that unique but hopefully their character development will get better as the story goes on. I did like her take on zombies, seemed like a mix of Walking Dead and World War Z or maybe even I Am Legend, but with their own uniqueness. I liked that they seem more threatening and dangerous than the TWD zombies.
Overall, I liked it. At times it felt a little youngish (I'd expect more maturity from two girls who have been living on their own fighting zombies and humans for the last two years), there's some innuendo, a little nervous there'll be an insta-love going on, but it was a pretty good setup to the story. I'll probably give the next one a try and see where it goes.
Content
Romance: Mild - more of a hint of what's to come
Sexual content: mild innuendo, talk of rape (being two girls on the run it's mentioned as a threat to them but nothing detailed)
Violence: Mild zombie fighting - nothing graphic
Language: Moderate (quite a bit of mild swearing and "f-ing" is used a few times)
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Anyway, like I said this was pretty short and felt like an introduction to the characters and zombie-world. Reagan and Hayley were best friends before the apocalypse and have miraculously survived together for almost two years. The story opens with them running into another group, a family group of four brothers and their sister. First impression, I liked Reagan and Hayley okay, the brothers didn't really seem all that unique but hopefully their character development will get better as the story goes on. I did like her take on zombies, seemed like a mix of Walking Dead and World War Z or maybe even I Am Legend, but with their own uniqueness. I liked that they seem more threatening and dangerous than the TWD zombies.
Overall, I liked it. At times it felt a little youngish (I'd expect more maturity from two girls who have been living on their own fighting zombies and humans for the last two years), there's some innuendo, a little nervous there'll be an insta-love going on, but it was a pretty good setup to the story. I'll probably give the next one a try and see where it goes.
Content
Romance: Mild - more of a hint of what's to come
Sexual content: mild innuendo, talk of rape (being two girls on the run it's mentioned as a threat to them but nothing detailed)
Violence: Mild zombie fighting - nothing graphic
Language: Moderate (quite a bit of mild swearing and "f-ing" is used a few times)
Source: Kindle Unlimited
September 21, 2013
Here's the deal. There is A LOT of YA books out there now. Lot's of zombies and vampires and love triangles and on and on and on. And tons of novellas. Which I find annoying. Because they just don't seem to GET IT. I need just enough to sink my teeth into or to push the story along. Rachel Higginson TOTALLY gets it.
I didn't expect much of this book honestly. My bestie had read it and couldn't stop raving and I need something quick so I thought, "Meh, why not?". I started and finished it at the gym. Yup, totally sucked in. I feel like Rachel writes like I would talk. I can see and hear these conversations. Reagan is strong without being obnoxious. She isn't the typical "I'm-so-beautiful-with-my-flowing-blonde-hair-but-just-think-I'm-so-plain-despite-the-fact-I'm-a-supermodel" girl. Those ones REALLY annoy me. The Parker brothers are adorable and awesome. I'm personally Team Hendrix. I feel like I could ramble on FOREVER about this and it is just a novella! Run, don't walk to grab this book. For reals. You won't regret. Rachel, I'm officially your biggest fan. Thank you for FINALLY writing a novella that doesn't suck and a story that I'm dying to follow along with.
I didn't expect much of this book honestly. My bestie had read it and couldn't stop raving and I need something quick so I thought, "Meh, why not?". I started and finished it at the gym. Yup, totally sucked in. I feel like Rachel writes like I would talk. I can see and hear these conversations. Reagan is strong without being obnoxious. She isn't the typical "I'm-so-beautiful-with-my-flowing-blonde-hair-but-just-think-I'm-so-plain-despite-the-fact-I'm-a-supermodel" girl. Those ones REALLY annoy me. The Parker brothers are adorable and awesome. I'm personally Team Hendrix. I feel like I could ramble on FOREVER about this and it is just a novella! Run, don't walk to grab this book. For reals. You won't regret. Rachel, I'm officially your biggest fan. Thank you for FINALLY writing a novella that doesn't suck and a story that I'm dying to follow along with.
October 10, 2013
First, let me say that I actually stumbled upon this series on accident. I was looking at the freebies to post on the blog so we could all get our "Guilty Free" One-Click on. I found episode one for free and checked it out...well, man oh man am I happy about that.
This is such a great, fun, adventurous read. I am a big fan of zombies, thanks to my husband having an abnormal love for them (I think he wants an actual Zombie Apocalypse to happen). I have seen all the movies and shows, from the cheesy blood spurting in an unnatural funny way and a strange color to Zombieland and The Walking Dead which YAY starts this coming weekend.
This first episode sucked me right in from the first sentence. We have two young girls who are doing everything in their power to survive this zombie outbreak. They have so far survived two years on their own and have an awesome sense of survival for such young girls.
The story is told in Reagan's POV. She was a high school senior about to graduate when the zombie outbreak started. She lost her parents in the beginning so she was forced to take care of herself from the start which to me is surprising since she was a popular, cheerleader type who even dated the qauterback...until he decided to try to eat her...OH MAN does that suck.
Reagan has been traveling with her best friend Haley. They have this relationship that rocks. To trust someone else with your life the way these to do is so great. They were such strong young girls...I love it, they weren't these little girly girls that were helpless.
"There was plenty of food for the bastard in the room he was in now, but I knew he would be able to sniff out our live, fresh flesh in the next two minutes and that was like the difference between prime rib and an old, moldy hot dog."
After a really funny analogy on how things happened, the story starts to really take off. While in a department store raiding the jean racks and of course make-up, hey, a girl still needs her eye liner even in a zombie apocalypse, they find themselves surrounded by super hungry zombies and only a small amount of ammo left...
...enter the Parker Brothers.
Whoa boy did I love these guys from the start. We have Vaughn, Hendrix, Nelson, King, Harrison and the little sister Page. Yes, those are their names and I love it. All Rock legends. This is a close knit family that trusts no one. They know how to survive, they protect each other with a fierceness that you would be stupid to try and mess with. Plus....the older ones are pretty hot.
"Hendrix, in the short time I had known him, was clearly the life of any party. He was like the black hole that sucked all the fun out of the room. "
Oh Hendrix. I am completely in love with him. He is so serious, so tense. I wanted him to be MINE the second we met him. How this girl is able to control herself and how long not seeing anyone this hot...is beyond me. I would have been ALL OVER THAT.
While yes, this is a short read of less than a hundred pages, we learn a lot and get to know the characters. They are instantly faced with normal zombie issues and their strengths and trust are put the test...this was a great start to a great series....ON TO THE NEXT!!
Casting To Come!
This is such a great, fun, adventurous read. I am a big fan of zombies, thanks to my husband having an abnormal love for them (I think he wants an actual Zombie Apocalypse to happen). I have seen all the movies and shows, from the cheesy blood spurting in an unnatural funny way and a strange color to Zombieland and The Walking Dead which YAY starts this coming weekend.
This first episode sucked me right in from the first sentence. We have two young girls who are doing everything in their power to survive this zombie outbreak. They have so far survived two years on their own and have an awesome sense of survival for such young girls.
The story is told in Reagan's POV. She was a high school senior about to graduate when the zombie outbreak started. She lost her parents in the beginning so she was forced to take care of herself from the start which to me is surprising since she was a popular, cheerleader type who even dated the qauterback...until he decided to try to eat her...OH MAN does that suck.
Reagan has been traveling with her best friend Haley. They have this relationship that rocks. To trust someone else with your life the way these to do is so great. They were such strong young girls...I love it, they weren't these little girly girls that were helpless.
"There was plenty of food for the bastard in the room he was in now, but I knew he would be able to sniff out our live, fresh flesh in the next two minutes and that was like the difference between prime rib and an old, moldy hot dog."
After a really funny analogy on how things happened, the story starts to really take off. While in a department store raiding the jean racks and of course make-up, hey, a girl still needs her eye liner even in a zombie apocalypse, they find themselves surrounded by super hungry zombies and only a small amount of ammo left...
...enter the Parker Brothers.
Whoa boy did I love these guys from the start. We have Vaughn, Hendrix, Nelson, King, Harrison and the little sister Page. Yes, those are their names and I love it. All Rock legends. This is a close knit family that trusts no one. They know how to survive, they protect each other with a fierceness that you would be stupid to try and mess with. Plus....the older ones are pretty hot.
"Hendrix, in the short time I had known him, was clearly the life of any party. He was like the black hole that sucked all the fun out of the room. "
Oh Hendrix. I am completely in love with him. He is so serious, so tense. I wanted him to be MINE the second we met him. How this girl is able to control herself and how long not seeing anyone this hot...is beyond me. I would have been ALL OVER THAT.
While yes, this is a short read of less than a hundred pages, we learn a lot and get to know the characters. They are instantly faced with normal zombie issues and their strengths and trust are put the test...this was a great start to a great series....ON TO THE NEXT!!
Casting To Come!
January 9, 2023
This is an interesting series.
It has humour so things don't get too heavy but at the same time they do loose people and there is violence and killing.
The series is a long one and these main characters stories continue for 3 seasons.
There is also a spin off series that deals with the sister later.
There is little intimacy. There is touching, hugging and a few kisses but no sex until much later in the last season.
The main 2 characters have love interests but due to the nature of the start of the virus and the constant threat there are no intimate scenes until the end of season 3.
Each season ends on a HFN with an enemy thread running through the whole series.
Each episode either ends as HFN with a goal set for the next or at times an immediate threat will run across several episodes.
At the time I read these the whole series was on Amazon KU so it was possible to read one after the other or complete in a box set.
If you start reading and want to get to a HEA you will need to read the entire 3 seasons.
There is the immediate zombie threat which is constant but also the series deals with humanities reaction to survival.
Often a bigger threat is the desire for power between the surviving groups and these at times use lack of resources and scientific experimentation to control the main threats.
Later in the series there is a love triangle situation of sorts for the heroine.
It's not exactly a love triangle but there is a dividing force between the main couple due to the interest from another man.
There are no intimate details but there is a kissing scene with the other man, but at the time the main couple are not together.
The characters are all very different, they have their flaws but they are college age so when they make mistakes and sometimes they are stupid ones I put it down to youth and although they have learnt survival through experience the threat is constant so it's not easy for them to be sensible all the time.
There is a good bit of banter between the group and a great deal of humour.
There are some serious issues dealt with too and the main human enemy threat is pretty evil.
It has humour so things don't get too heavy but at the same time they do loose people and there is violence and killing.
The series is a long one and these main characters stories continue for 3 seasons.
There is also a spin off series that deals with the sister later.
There is little intimacy. There is touching, hugging and a few kisses but no sex until much later in the last season.
The main 2 characters have love interests but due to the nature of the start of the virus and the constant threat there are no intimate scenes until the end of season 3.
Each season ends on a HFN with an enemy thread running through the whole series.
Each episode either ends as HFN with a goal set for the next or at times an immediate threat will run across several episodes.
At the time I read these the whole series was on Amazon KU so it was possible to read one after the other or complete in a box set.
If you start reading and want to get to a HEA you will need to read the entire 3 seasons.
There is the immediate zombie threat which is constant but also the series deals with humanities reaction to survival.
Often a bigger threat is the desire for power between the surviving groups and these at times use lack of resources and scientific experimentation to control the main threats.
Later in the series there is a love triangle situation of sorts for the heroine.
It's not exactly a love triangle but there is a dividing force between the main couple due to the interest from another man.
There are no intimate details but there is a kissing scene with the other man, but at the time the main couple are not together.
The characters are all very different, they have their flaws but they are college age so when they make mistakes and sometimes they are stupid ones I put it down to youth and although they have learnt survival through experience the threat is constant so it's not easy for them to be sensible all the time.
There is a good bit of banter between the group and a great deal of humour.
There are some serious issues dealt with too and the main human enemy threat is pretty evil.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2013
I find this series to be very entertaining. A bit of the story: A couple of girls have been together surviving since the apocalypse and are besties since third grade. They are trapped in a department store with the zombies after them. They are saved by a family of brothers and a little sister and of course they all merge. There is humor and some sexual tension between the brothers and the young women. There is plenty of zombie fighting and dangerous strangers. My only complaint is that the story itself is only about 50 pages long. It says 73 or so but at the end of each novella is a sample of another of the writers books. She is a prolific writer and I will be reading more from her. I just would like to have the option of buying this series all at one. Thankfully each one is only 99 cents.
August 28, 2015
This was a fun read!
September 5, 2015
I would steal eyeliner in a.world full of zombies too.
July 23, 2016
I guess it was suppose to be funny... well it wasn't, I found disgusting these ignorant, hateful bitches and was praying for them to be eaten no such luck...
December 9, 2015
Oh why didn't I find this book earlier?! It was an amazing read. I was hooked from chapter one!
February 17, 2018
Ok I gave it two stars because I love me some zombies, and this one seemed to have potential. Fun characters and a sort of mini-twist on typical zombies. But two major problems: 1) poor editing means lots of grammar and typo problems; 2) weak storytelling ... too much where the main character tells you how she's feeling, instead of *showing* you.
July 12, 2013
A zombie apocalypse book... I am almost surprised to say this was my first one. I mean, I have never really seen the appeal in the whole zombie craze (or the vampire craze, for that matter). But, given that I am a pretty big Rachel Higginson fan, I fervidly set my preconceived notions about zombies aside and dove right in.
And now, oi, I only hope July 26th gets here soon. Needless to say, I very much enjoyed Episode 1 of Love and Decay and am now impatiently awaiting the release of Episode 2.
Given this was just a novella (also a first for me; I usually wait until the entire series is out), I was pleasantly surprised to find so much action, suspense, thrill, and romance in it. Well, to be honest, I was not surprised to find that amount of romance, because to me that is one of the things Rachel Higginson does best. There is always a great deal of hot-and-steamy, butterflies-in-my-tummy romantic tension in her stories.
This novella was no exception to that. Even for a "short" introductory piece of the stories still to come, the romantic tension was so taut it was practically pulling me in; not to mention, the entire story was anchored by two thrill-packed action scenes.
So, this action-packed, swooning love story starts with two young women, Reagan and Haley, just getting by in a zombie-infested world. And, in what little remains of their endangered human race, Reagan and Haley live each day as half-starved, sleep-deprived vagabonds.
But then they find themselves trapped in the middle of a department store, low on ammunition, and surrounded by the walking dead.
If only there were some really well-stocked guys around to help...
Enter Hendrix, Nelson, Vaughn, Harrison, and King. (Can I just say, Rachel Higginson always has the BEST names in her books? I could give a list... Kiran, Avalon, Amory, Jericho, Tristan, Ryder, Fin, Eden, Stella, Ivy, Reagan, etc, etc.)
And somewhere in what follows I do believe we may have ourselves the kindling of a wee love triangle. I mean the key player and ultimate winner of Reagan's heart seems pretty obvious right now, but, honestly, that is exactly what I love about love triangles. It's a little mystery. Could go either way in the end. Just gotta read to find out.
So, given that my usual disappointments in books come from a lack of romance and/or action, it is safe to say that this initial leg of the journey was well-stocked with all the necessities for me and I can thus enthusiastically recommend this novella. Though, I could have told you that before I read it.
January 1, 2018
Two girls, alone, fighting for the right to wear eyeliner in a world gone crazy? Who wouldn't be interested in a story that starts with that? Running from zombies in Victoria's Secret matching sets of underwear, they find the loves of their life and peanut butter at the same time.
I was mildly interested to see if the whole world was infested with brain eating zombies and bad guys or if they made it through Texas, but I could not endure one more heavy breathing guy going berserk over Reagan.
I mean she is so SPECIAL. Although the only things she seems to be good at are mouthing off and shooting zombies in the head.
Neither of the heroines has enough brains to worry about a zombie making a meal out of them, even though we are told repeatedly that Haley is a genius. And then they add another brainless, helpless female so the older brother will have someone other than Reagan to obsess over.
The guys are simply unbelievable. Knights who want to protect woman kind from every one but themselves. Can you say Chauvinism? Or else they are troglodytes who capture women and treat them like trading goods.
I decided not to wade through the next "tingling session" of oversexed libido and another description of how gorgeously scruffy the guys were, in order to find out whether they made it to Peru. That would mean buying another book and I definitely will not be doing that.
I'm sorry girls, but this is absolutely mindless. Don't pollute your brain with it. Remember, "you are what you think."
I was mildly interested to see if the whole world was infested with brain eating zombies and bad guys or if they made it through Texas, but I could not endure one more heavy breathing guy going berserk over Reagan.
I mean she is so SPECIAL. Although the only things she seems to be good at are mouthing off and shooting zombies in the head.
Neither of the heroines has enough brains to worry about a zombie making a meal out of them, even though we are told repeatedly that Haley is a genius. And then they add another brainless, helpless female so the older brother will have someone other than Reagan to obsess over.
The guys are simply unbelievable. Knights who want to protect woman kind from every one but themselves. Can you say Chauvinism? Or else they are troglodytes who capture women and treat them like trading goods.
I decided not to wade through the next "tingling session" of oversexed libido and another description of how gorgeously scruffy the guys were, in order to find out whether they made it to Peru. That would mean buying another book and I definitely will not be doing that.
I'm sorry girls, but this is absolutely mindless. Don't pollute your brain with it. Remember, "you are what you think."
July 17, 2013
4.5 stars - OMG, do you ever have that favourite author that you actually forget how much you love their writing style until you read them again?? Well, Ms. Higginson is one of those for me. The novella was fabulous. Just....fabulous. It begins and ends with great characters for me, and Reagan was spot on for this one. Just was that perfect mix of sassy and quirky with a bit of badass mixed in. And Haley is looking like the perfect sidekick for her. The boys?? Oh dear lord the boys. There's so much I want to know about them!!! Like, well, everything. Even little Page was an adorable mix, and quite believable for the circumstances they were in (like, you know, she was actually terrified).
I've read a few novella series, and I actually don't mind them (minus my lack of patience for the next one). One of the things I love about this one is knowing that I only have to wait 2 weeks for the next installment. Otherwise I would probably die. This is the first series that has actually seemed to fit the TV motif perfectly. It was one heck of an exciting pilot episode. And it had it's own climax and little arc in itself....but I can see how much potential the story still has. I am HOOKED!
ps - The origin of the zombies??? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAA.....you kill me Ms. Higginson. Just kill me.
I've read a few novella series, and I actually don't mind them (minus my lack of patience for the next one). One of the things I love about this one is knowing that I only have to wait 2 weeks for the next installment. Otherwise I would probably die. This is the first series that has actually seemed to fit the TV motif perfectly. It was one heck of an exciting pilot episode. And it had it's own climax and little arc in itself....but I can see how much potential the story still has. I am HOOKED!
ps - The origin of the zombies??? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAA.....you kill me Ms. Higginson. Just kill me.
September 10, 2014
I can't. I'm reading the free preview before deciding whether or not to start this series and spend a ton of money on what is most likely shit. Seriously, releasing them as short serial novels makes me think Ms. Higginson thinks her fans are stupid or gullible. No way I'm spending this much money on probably four books worth of stuff. Almost $17 bucks on no more than four tiny books worth of material. That's a complete and total rip off. But god, the main character is just awful. This author is trying way too damn hard to try and make her witty and funny and snarky. She just comes across as stupid and mind-numbingly awful. The writing doesn't seem too bad from what I've read, but I can't handle the main character. And I'm only like five pages in and I can sense a bit of slut-shaming already. Not interested in the rest.
October 1, 2014
I know two people who will probably keel over and die from this review, BUT-----it wasn’t that great. The story line is cool. I enjoy zombies (especially that they hint they may be getting smarter (CHALLENGE!!)). The writing is well enough. However, the two main female characters are SUPER annoying. There are just certain characteristics about them that don’t hold true for people in their situations. A year and a half in their situation would make them a lot more sober than they actually are. They seem ditzy and useless. I can understand one character having a more positive upbeat, even silly, countenance at times but BOTH? Higginson must be doing something right to have so many fall over these series but I need a likable main character. Or a character I love to hate. I don’t think I will read more of the series.
June 24, 2017
It is official. I am in love with this mini series of novellas. And since I waited so long to start it there are like 10 of them out already:)
Reagan is one awesome surviving chick with her best friend Haley. The world has been taking over by zombies from a virus, and they have been on the run, hiding out, and learning to be sharp shooters. And they have just run into a family of brothers that are doing the same thing, but better.
I am so excited to see where this goes next, and to get more of these hot boys! I recommend Rachel Higginson's books to everyone.
Reagan is one awesome surviving chick with her best friend Haley. The world has been taking over by zombies from a virus, and they have been on the run, hiding out, and learning to be sharp shooters. And they have just run into a family of brothers that are doing the same thing, but better.
I am so excited to see where this goes next, and to get more of these hot boys! I recommend Rachel Higginson's books to everyone.
October 31, 2014
LOVED IT! LOVED IT!! LOVED!!! Typically I can't read young adult anymore. I usually stick to the romance super star types (fifty shades, cross fire, down to you) but this!!! I could. Not. Put it down!! It was fast paced, even from scene to scene, it never gets dull or boring with the main character thoughts that make me roll my eyes so intensely that my eyeballs almost fall out. And it's broken up into episodes!!! How clever! I've never read anything like that. It was fun. I can't wait to read the next six episodes. Two thumbs way up!
July 17, 2013
I loved Love and Decay and can't wait for the next installment! Reagan has some great lines that had me laughing. This book is Rachel Higginson's writing at its best! Her characters are always well developed, the swoon is always high, and the stories are always engaging. I am super impressed with how much I already like and care about the characters considering we just got a snippet of them. I am sure I'll be reading it again before the next installment!
July 2, 2023
I can't complain about the romance in this zombie book, since the title is hitting me in the face with it. Way too small a story, but not bad for a free book on my kindle--even if it's the dreaded kindle lure. Again my complaint about books these days is that I still don't really know the characters the way I would like to. Four stars for zombies, cause zombies are what makes the world go round. (Though it might be gravity or inertia!)
December 16, 2013
First, I've never really been into the whole zombie phenomenon, but I was shocked at how quickly I became hooked with just reading episode 1. Second, the girls are so...girlie, but completely fierce. I love how feminine they are, but they're survivors, too. Third, ooh-la-la the brothers. Enough said. Now onto episode 2.
June 1, 2017
I do like the series so far.....BUT.......
The one thing that I absolutely HATE is being nicked and dimed every two weeks for the next mini installment. This is the absolute LAST series like this that I will ever read. By the time the series ends you'll spend $80.00 for mini 30 e books that adds up to about the same seize as a normal 400 page, $10.00 book.
The one thing that I absolutely HATE is being nicked and dimed every two weeks for the next mini installment. This is the absolute LAST series like this that I will ever read. By the time the series ends you'll spend $80.00 for mini 30 e books that adds up to about the same seize as a normal 400 page, $10.00 book.
September 1, 2015
Loving this book so much, but my damn tablet ran out of battery.
Can't rave about this book enough it has all the ingredients, blood, gore, action, zombies, love, lust, more action and a thrilling, edge of the seat, nail biting action.
One of the best zombie books I have ever read.
*read the whole series - book one to 3.12 in 3 days.
Can't rave about this book enough it has all the ingredients, blood, gore, action, zombies, love, lust, more action and a thrilling, edge of the seat, nail biting action.
One of the best zombie books I have ever read.
*read the whole series - book one to 3.12 in 3 days.
July 30, 2013
LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! I can not wait for the rest of it :)
Action, and humor hit you right from the start. I am anxiously awaiting the rest!!!
Action, and humor hit you right from the start. I am anxiously awaiting the rest!!!
August 9, 2015
4 Stars.
May 3, 2017
This was ok until a couple of chapters ago. Now its just ridiculous.
Doubtful that I'll read any more of this series.
Doubtful that I'll read any more of this series.
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