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How We End
Last of Us meets The Walking Dead in this post apocalyptic story. Perfect for fans of The Cascadia Series, and Until The End Of The World by Sarah Lyons Fleming.
A deadly infection. Seven Strangers. The fight for survival begins... Jake didn’t think his night could get worse, but that was before his train stops deep underground and zombies attack and things go from worst-day-ever to run-for-your-life terror.
Liv is good at running, mostly from other people straight into a bottle of vodka. But as chaos erupts on the city streets, depending on others may be her only chance at survival. London is gone. The world has ended. In the chaos that remains, seven strangers fight to escape the city. But as they navigate this new and dangerous world, they soon discover that surviving the apocalypse means confronting their deepest fears and making impossible choices.
How We End is a heart-pounding diverse story with a character driven plot that explores how societal collapse forces ordinary people into extreme situations and reveals the lengths they’ll go to survive in a world gone mad. Will they make it out alive, or will they become just another casualty?
What readers are saying about How We End...
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "I laughed and cried. A book that can make me feel like that is rare these days."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "The descriptions were out of this world - I honestly felt as if I was staring down a lurker or a brute myself."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "What really makes this book shine are the characters. They feel real. Their decisions make sense."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ " Zomtastic! This book is a great apocalypse read. I loved the take on things. I can not wait to see what happens next."
“The How We Survive series is zombies with a cool twist and real characters you root for. LM Juniper shoves you into the action while also tugging on your heartstrings.” - Sarah Lyons Fleming, Author of Until The End of The World Series
How We Survive Series reading
1. How We End
2. How We Began (companion novella that can be read first, but for the best reader experience, it is highly suggested to read it second.)
A deadly infection. Seven Strangers. The fight for survival begins... Jake didn’t think his night could get worse, but that was before his train stops deep underground and zombies attack and things go from worst-day-ever to run-for-your-life terror.
Liv is good at running, mostly from other people straight into a bottle of vodka. But as chaos erupts on the city streets, depending on others may be her only chance at survival. London is gone. The world has ended. In the chaos that remains, seven strangers fight to escape the city. But as they navigate this new and dangerous world, they soon discover that surviving the apocalypse means confronting their deepest fears and making impossible choices.
How We End is a heart-pounding diverse story with a character driven plot that explores how societal collapse forces ordinary people into extreme situations and reveals the lengths they’ll go to survive in a world gone mad. Will they make it out alive, or will they become just another casualty?
What readers are saying about How We End...
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "I laughed and cried. A book that can make me feel like that is rare these days."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "The descriptions were out of this world - I honestly felt as if I was staring down a lurker or a brute myself."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "What really makes this book shine are the characters. They feel real. Their decisions make sense."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ " Zomtastic! This book is a great apocalypse read. I loved the take on things. I can not wait to see what happens next."
“The How We Survive series is zombies with a cool twist and real characters you root for. LM Juniper shoves you into the action while also tugging on your heartstrings.” - Sarah Lyons Fleming, Author of Until The End of The World Series
How We Survive Series reading
1. How We End
2. How We Began (companion novella that can be read first, but for the best reader experience, it is highly suggested to read it second.)
355 pages, Hardcover
Published July 3, 2023
397 people are currently reading
2841 people want to read
About the author
L.M. Juniper
3 books149 followersGamer, writer, and nerd who writes fantasy, science fiction, and post apocalypse with a lot of heart.
When I'm not writing I'm still working on growing my mustache.
How We Survive Series Reading order:
For BEST experience I highly recommend this order.
1. How We End
2. How We Began
3. How We Survive
Upcoming project:
The Wishing Well (sapphic paranormal romance)
Sunstone Island (pan4bi romance)
Tales of Sunantar (sapphic romantasy)
When I'm not writing I'm still working on growing my mustache.
How We Survive Series Reading order:
For BEST experience I highly recommend this order.
1. How We End
2. How We Began
3. How We Survive
Upcoming project:
The Wishing Well (sapphic paranormal romance)
Sunstone Island (pan4bi romance)
Tales of Sunantar (sapphic romantasy)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
September 18, 2024
While the representation and the take on the zombie genre (very Last of Us-esque) were great it ended up feeling quite run-of-the-mill as far as zombie survival story goes. The red-shirting was a little too obvious as well and that's one of the biggest reasons I probably won't be continuing with the series. That being said, I did enjoy that the survivors were more prone to working together than to attacking one another and readers who don't read as much zombie fiction as I do will probably have a vastly different mileage with this book.
March 16, 2023
Hey y'all!
If like me you have just finished the season finale of The Last of Us and are already looking for ways to fill the void then I have the perfect book for you.*
*Pedro Pascal sadly not included
------
It is no secret that zombie books are my not so guilty pleasure but too often the genre is dominated by an almost formulaic combination of white, cishet alpha men, an improbably hot damsel in distress who doubles as a sharpshooter and maybe a token POC somewhere in the background. How We End has taken that and turned it on it's head, with an Asian trans masc MC, and a supporting cast of characters across the spectrum of ethnic diversity and neuro-divergence.
I loved that you can tell the author is a genuine fan of zombie subculture as there are plenty of nods to other works woven into the book. I also really appreciated how realistically the situation was handled in regard to civilian and governmental response, and that when the SHTF there wasn't the instantaneous fall of humanity that we typically see in the genre, with instead a more steady but gradual spreading of chaos and contamination. That paired with the fact that the zombies are fast, seemingly intelligent, and constantly mutating makes the story that much more unsettling for both the reader and the crew in the book, as they can never fully adjust to their new reality unlike in so many other series.
I don't really want to go into too much more detail as to avoid spoilers, however I will make an exception to say THE DOG SURVIVES.
I am so glad that the TikTok Gods graced my FYP with the absolute thirst trap that is the book trailer for How We End but now I have to wait for Season 2 of TLOU and Book 2 of HWE and that just seems a little unfair.
Available on Amazon & KU!
If like me you have just finished the season finale of The Last of Us and are already looking for ways to fill the void then I have the perfect book for you.*
*Pedro Pascal sadly not included
------
It is no secret that zombie books are my not so guilty pleasure but too often the genre is dominated by an almost formulaic combination of white, cishet alpha men, an improbably hot damsel in distress who doubles as a sharpshooter and maybe a token POC somewhere in the background. How We End has taken that and turned it on it's head, with an Asian trans masc MC, and a supporting cast of characters across the spectrum of ethnic diversity and neuro-divergence.
I loved that you can tell the author is a genuine fan of zombie subculture as there are plenty of nods to other works woven into the book. I also really appreciated how realistically the situation was handled in regard to civilian and governmental response, and that when the SHTF there wasn't the instantaneous fall of humanity that we typically see in the genre, with instead a more steady but gradual spreading of chaos and contamination. That paired with the fact that the zombies are fast, seemingly intelligent, and constantly mutating makes the story that much more unsettling for both the reader and the crew in the book, as they can never fully adjust to their new reality unlike in so many other series.
I don't really want to go into too much more detail as to avoid spoilers, however I will make an exception to say THE DOG SURVIVES.
I am so glad that the TikTok Gods graced my FYP with the absolute thirst trap that is the book trailer for How We End but now I have to wait for Season 2 of TLOU and Book 2 of HWE and that just seems a little unfair.
Available on Amazon & KU!
August 18, 2025
Stars: 3 out of 5.
Reading zombie books is my guilty pleasure, and I realize that there is only so much you can do with the genre before you run out of fresh ideas and start repeating common tropes, even inadvertently.
How We End surprised me in the beginning with how different it was from other zombie books: people cooperated and helped each other when faced with the horrors of zombie apocalypse, instead of being complete arsholes, as they are usually depicted in other books. In a way, this was a story of found family and overcoming hardships together more than a zombie survival book. Seven strangers are thrown together during the first outbreak in London, and they decide to stick together and try to survive this nightmare. It was refreshing to see this aspect of humanity brought to the forefront, rather than the cruelty, looting, and killing that are usually prevalent in zombie books.
The characters are also pretty interesting, though only two of them, Liv and Jake, get any sort of development or story arc. The rest are more there for support and to add necessary survival skills to the group. Like how convenient that the American couple stranded with them are a cop and a restaurant owner who can cook pretty much anything and knows how to forage? And for some reason know exactly what kind of edible wild plants and mushrooms are available in the UK, even though he is from Louisiana and was a tourist in London?
And here we come to the crux of my issue with this book - everything is a bit too convenient. Need a car? Fareena knows how to hotwire them! Need a houseboat to use the canals? Fareena's aunt used to live in one, so she knows how to navigate them! Need to stock up on food for the winter? Rob can forage! And cook! And pickle! And smoke meat! Need a water filtration system? Another member of the group used to be a cosplayer who loved to tinker with stuff... don't ask me how that translates into knowing how to make filtration systems. Oh, and Jake was a doomsday prepper with a stocked pantry and a bugout bag ready to go!
There is never a struggle or mad dash for survival, unless it's needed by the story to fridge a character. And even then, some characters survive against impossible odds when others just get offed seemingly immediately. How was Frances okay after an infected clawed all over her face and scalp? I distinctly remember the author mentioning blood and wounds... yet this is never mentioned again once they get on the boat. Jake has traumatic bruising on his arm... which is conveniently glossed over and never talked about again. More importantly, it never impedes him from doing anything.
And the action comes to a grinding halt in the last quarter of the book, once they all get to Jake's parents, and what we get is a long group therapy session with absolutely nothing else happening. Then the author remembered that this was actually a zombie book and decided to end it with a bang... so they go on a hospital raid... for no reason. Yes, they would eventually need meds, but going into ground zero for infection half-cocked with people they had never worked with before is the epitome of stupid. Not to mention, the action sequences in the hospital dragged way too long.
By the time they reached Jake's parents' house and everything that happened there, I was rapidly losing interest in the story. The hospital raid didn't really do anything to help with that. The book went from a solid 4 stars to about 2, so I rounded it up to 3 because the first half of the book had promise.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Reading zombie books is my guilty pleasure, and I realize that there is only so much you can do with the genre before you run out of fresh ideas and start repeating common tropes, even inadvertently.
How We End surprised me in the beginning with how different it was from other zombie books: people cooperated and helped each other when faced with the horrors of zombie apocalypse, instead of being complete arsholes, as they are usually depicted in other books. In a way, this was a story of found family and overcoming hardships together more than a zombie survival book. Seven strangers are thrown together during the first outbreak in London, and they decide to stick together and try to survive this nightmare. It was refreshing to see this aspect of humanity brought to the forefront, rather than the cruelty, looting, and killing that are usually prevalent in zombie books.
The characters are also pretty interesting, though only two of them, Liv and Jake, get any sort of development or story arc. The rest are more there for support and to add necessary survival skills to the group. Like how convenient that the American couple stranded with them are a cop and a restaurant owner who can cook pretty much anything and knows how to forage? And for some reason know exactly what kind of edible wild plants and mushrooms are available in the UK, even though he is from Louisiana and was a tourist in London?
And here we come to the crux of my issue with this book - everything is a bit too convenient. Need a car? Fareena knows how to hotwire them! Need a houseboat to use the canals? Fareena's aunt used to live in one, so she knows how to navigate them! Need to stock up on food for the winter? Rob can forage! And cook! And pickle! And smoke meat! Need a water filtration system? Another member of the group used to be a cosplayer who loved to tinker with stuff... don't ask me how that translates into knowing how to make filtration systems. Oh, and Jake was a doomsday prepper with a stocked pantry and a bugout bag ready to go!
There is never a struggle or mad dash for survival, unless it's needed by the story to fridge a character. And even then, some characters survive against impossible odds when others just get offed seemingly immediately. How was Frances okay after an infected clawed all over her face and scalp? I distinctly remember the author mentioning blood and wounds... yet this is never mentioned again once they get on the boat. Jake has traumatic bruising on his arm... which is conveniently glossed over and never talked about again. More importantly, it never impedes him from doing anything.
And the action comes to a grinding halt in the last quarter of the book, once they all get to Jake's parents, and what we get is a long group therapy session with absolutely nothing else happening. Then the author remembered that this was actually a zombie book and decided to end it with a bang... so they go on a hospital raid... for no reason. Yes, they would eventually need meds, but going into ground zero for infection half-cocked with people they had never worked with before is the epitome of stupid. Not to mention, the action sequences in the hospital dragged way too long.
By the time they reached Jake's parents' house and everything that happened there, I was rapidly losing interest in the story. The hospital raid didn't really do anything to help with that. The book went from a solid 4 stars to about 2, so I rounded it up to 3 because the first half of the book had promise.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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September 2, 2024
You know it's gonna be a good zombie book when it references Until the End of the World.
A bit uneven in pacing, but overall a really, really fun zombie book!
Quick and fast, with an Asian trans man as one of the main characters.
A bit uneven in pacing, but overall a really, really fun zombie book!
Quick and fast, with an Asian trans man as one of the main characters.
October 13, 2022
There where several things that I loved about this book and others that I didn’t specially like, I did like the characters, the points of view of Jake and Liv that brought the story to life, the details of the story of the characters that helped give life to them to make them special, and relatable, the fact that it started inside of London, their trip out of London and you could say, out of the frying pan into the fire, but that I will leave for people to dive in and understand what happened in their story, what was found and what was lost.
What I didn’t really like was how the characters where still being described more than halfway through the book, if it is important you’ll give the description when we first meet the character, not really after we have this character in our mind, and I don’t mean coming out, I mean their physical appearance, but this maybe its only my OCD acting on this, hmm other thing that kind of let me down is the exploding “zombies” when in London a couple of zombies died near our MCs and they didn’t explode but after they got out of London they started exploding spores, but again, not all exploded... I know that the author got inspiration in the last of us zombies, but it took to them (the last of us game) many years after the outbreak for them to have so many different kinds…
Yes it is close to the until the end of the world story, but at the same time quite different. When the action is fast the story moves really fast, when the story drags, it goes much more slower than you would expect it to go… Its really easy to get lost in the time frame of the book, from start to end, maybe more than the 2 – 3 months.
Its a good story, but feels rushed in some parts, I will still recommend this book when someone asks for a different take on a zombie story.
Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
What I didn’t really like was how the characters where still being described more than halfway through the book, if it is important you’ll give the description when we first meet the character, not really after we have this character in our mind, and I don’t mean coming out, I mean their physical appearance, but this maybe its only my OCD acting on this, hmm other thing that kind of let me down is the exploding “zombies” when in London a couple of zombies died near our MCs and they didn’t explode but after they got out of London they started exploding spores, but again, not all exploded... I know that the author got inspiration in the last of us zombies, but it took to them (the last of us game) many years after the outbreak for them to have so many different kinds…
Yes it is close to the until the end of the world story, but at the same time quite different. When the action is fast the story moves really fast, when the story drags, it goes much more slower than you would expect it to go… Its really easy to get lost in the time frame of the book, from start to end, maybe more than the 2 – 3 months.
Its a good story, but feels rushed in some parts, I will still recommend this book when someone asks for a different take on a zombie story.
Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
April 15, 2024
I'm buzzing!
I absolutely loved reading this book. It also sent my heart racing a thousand miles per hour.
From beginning to end, I was rooting for our group. Jake, Liv, and the group of strangers that become their found family are wonderfully diverse in their background, both culturally, personally, and professionally. All of them bring something unique to the group's (survival) dynamic. I wanted everyone to make it out alive, but of course, in the apocalypse, nobody is safe.
The story got under my skin right from the beginning. It is set in London and England's suburbia, and I enjoyed seeing a zombie apocalypse play out in a country that's closer to home for me than the USA and see them tackle problems that I have pondered such as, what is a suitable means of protection if a certain situation were to occur when you can't use firearms?
The author has also woven other struggles into the story, like the need for prescribed medication due to health reasons and struggling with addiction. All things that don't seize to exist just because the world is ending.
This story is for everyone who loves The Last of Us, Resident Evil, Dawn of the Dead, World War Z, and The Walking Dead. And for the people that are looking for more bipoc, queer and trans rep in this genre. I enjoyed it, and I hope others will, too!
𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 15𝐭𝐡:
I loved the story so much that I already did a re-read via audiobook just a few weeks after finishing the book. All my points still stand when it comes to the story, and the narrators did a great job at bringing these characters to life.
I absolutely loved reading this book. It also sent my heart racing a thousand miles per hour.
From beginning to end, I was rooting for our group. Jake, Liv, and the group of strangers that become their found family are wonderfully diverse in their background, both culturally, personally, and professionally. All of them bring something unique to the group's (survival) dynamic. I wanted everyone to make it out alive, but of course, in the apocalypse, nobody is safe.
The story got under my skin right from the beginning. It is set in London and England's suburbia, and I enjoyed seeing a zombie apocalypse play out in a country that's closer to home for me than the USA and see them tackle problems that I have pondered such as, what is a suitable means of protection if a certain situation were to occur when you can't use firearms?
The author has also woven other struggles into the story, like the need for prescribed medication due to health reasons and struggling with addiction. All things that don't seize to exist just because the world is ending.
This story is for everyone who loves The Last of Us, Resident Evil, Dawn of the Dead, World War Z, and The Walking Dead. And for the people that are looking for more bipoc, queer and trans rep in this genre. I enjoyed it, and I hope others will, too!
𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 15𝐭𝐡:
I loved the story so much that I already did a re-read via audiobook just a few weeks after finishing the book. All my points still stand when it comes to the story, and the narrators did a great job at bringing these characters to life.
May 25, 2025
⭐️3.75
this was definitely enjoyable. i probably wouldn’t have liked it as much if it didn’t remind me of the last of us. the vibes were good post-apocalyptic, emotional tension, all that. but the characters didn’t fully grab me, and some parts felt a bit slow. and plus wtf why end it like that??
this was definitely enjoyable. i probably wouldn’t have liked it as much if it didn’t remind me of the last of us. the vibes were good post-apocalyptic, emotional tension, all that. but the characters didn’t fully grab me, and some parts felt a bit slow. and plus wtf why end it like that??
August 15, 2024
Look, I would kill a million zombies if it meant all these characters make it out alive.
This pretty standard zombie story is elevated by a diverse and interesting found family trying to survive the end of the world. They all experience growth and hardships as they make their way across England looking for safety that may no longer exist. I love them all and want to scoop them out and give them hot chocolate and little forehead kisses.
Grim, but with a lot of heart, a great read! Looking forward to the next in the series.
This pretty standard zombie story is elevated by a diverse and interesting found family trying to survive the end of the world. They all experience growth and hardships as they make their way across England looking for safety that may no longer exist. I love them all and want to scoop them out and give them hot chocolate and little forehead kisses.
Grim, but with a lot of heart, a great read! Looking forward to the next in the series.
Read
April 1, 2025DNF at 2% I’m not feeling it, a really slow start.
June 28, 2025
I can't complain about a single thing from this zombie book. It was just what I needed after a bit of a slumpy feeling about romantasy. My heart hurt but also is so full at the same time. I loved the way the virus is being explained and I honestly cannot wait for the next book.
March 20, 2025
Brilliant
The slow reveal of our characters, the build up of the monsters, it all just worked. Loved the various representation, and subtle jokes.
The slow reveal of our characters, the build up of the monsters, it all just worked. Loved the various representation, and subtle jokes.
March 7, 2025
Finally, after a month! This put me in a reading slump in February 😅
This was enjoyable and entertaining enough. My biggest issue is somehow it didn't have that "umph" that hooked me or made me obsessed. Like somehow it felt like everything was happening, but also nothing was happening at the same time. The plot and world-building were not as engaging or complex as I hoped they would be. I think I expected it to be more exciting or gripping as a reader, given that it is a zombie/apocalyptic story.
Now, I could have been fine with that. I mean, there were books that I liked where it's kind of confusing and not really plot-driven, but the characters still hook you in. I don't think that was the case for this book. Because while I liked the characters, I feel like the characterization still lacked and seemed like surface level? See I've been reading like half of the book, and I still couldn't care less about some of the characters. Even Jake as the main character felt weird sometimes (it was mentioned that he was a prepper, but it was so unbelievable for me unfortunately 😅) Anyway, yeah it wasn't until close to the end that I got an inkling of backstory from some of them and deeper personality traits.
I think the trans rep was good. It was very subtle though. But I liked that Jake's trans journey was highlighted in one part of the book and showed that not every trans experience is the same.
I think that's it for me really. Entertaining enough, but felt standard and conventional for the most part.
(Read for the Indie Ink Awards 2024!)
This was enjoyable and entertaining enough. My biggest issue is somehow it didn't have that "umph" that hooked me or made me obsessed. Like somehow it felt like everything was happening, but also nothing was happening at the same time. The plot and world-building were not as engaging or complex as I hoped they would be. I think I expected it to be more exciting or gripping as a reader, given that it is a zombie/apocalyptic story.
Now, I could have been fine with that. I mean, there were books that I liked where it's kind of confusing and not really plot-driven, but the characters still hook you in. I don't think that was the case for this book. Because while I liked the characters, I feel like the characterization still lacked and seemed like surface level? See I've been reading like half of the book, and I still couldn't care less about some of the characters. Even Jake as the main character felt weird sometimes (it was mentioned that he was a prepper, but it was so unbelievable for me unfortunately 😅) Anyway, yeah it wasn't until close to the end that I got an inkling of backstory from some of them and deeper personality traits.
I think the trans rep was good. It was very subtle though. But I liked that Jake's trans journey was highlighted in one part of the book and showed that not every trans experience is the same.
I think that's it for me really. Entertaining enough, but felt standard and conventional for the most part.
(Read for the Indie Ink Awards 2024!)
[ Marking this book as part of my reading challenge: Read Queerly 2025.
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Storygraph | Fable | Blog ]
July 29, 2024
Nothing takes me out of a book quicker than pointless romance. Death all around you, you seeing people you love being killed, but hey, he looks great in those jeans. A more subtle approach would’ve made more sense. Let the slowly ease into liking each other instead of eye humping each other with every page.
The infected can hear and smell their victims. Why were there no precautions taken against this? Besides covering the windows, the group was constantly, and loudly, joking around. You’re talking outside, cooking outside, building fires, building devices and digging. Explain how they did not constantly get ran up on? It was written like the infected were everywhere so this just doesn’t make sense. Going into empty building to look for supplies but you’re bickering the whole time, it doesn’t make sense not to be caught! Some of the infected were freaking marathon runners but they had time to stop, make a stupid quip or pick locks?
I liked the secondary characters way more than the mains. Jake was way too good and pure for me to care anything about him. He’s like Superman without the powers. Liz was just ew. Frances, Roy and Angela were great. However, I didn’t enjoy the constant joking around. Not to say a few of them couldn’t be like this, but not a serious one in the bunch? It’s the end of the world and they were always joking around. All of them can’t deal with trauma and stress the same way.
BTW, Keith wasn’t wrong.
The infected can hear and smell their victims. Why were there no precautions taken against this? Besides covering the windows, the group was constantly, and loudly, joking around. You’re talking outside, cooking outside, building fires, building devices and digging. Explain how they did not constantly get ran up on? It was written like the infected were everywhere so this just doesn’t make sense. Going into empty building to look for supplies but you’re bickering the whole time, it doesn’t make sense not to be caught! Some of the infected were freaking marathon runners but they had time to stop, make a stupid quip or pick locks?
I liked the secondary characters way more than the mains. Jake was way too good and pure for me to care anything about him. He’s like Superman without the powers. Liz was just ew. Frances, Roy and Angela were great. However, I didn’t enjoy the constant joking around. Not to say a few of them couldn’t be like this, but not a serious one in the bunch? It’s the end of the world and they were always joking around. All of them can’t deal with trauma and stress the same way.
BTW, Keith wasn’t wrong.
April 25, 2024
Great read! Really enjoyed this novel, an end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it fungus-zombie premise with a diverse, three dimensional and thoroughly endearing cast of characters who form unlikely friendships and family, and find understanding and acceptance in the wake of destruction and tragedy. Since I used to live in London, the landscape for this book was familiar, which made it feel even more real and some of the areas used (the Tube was terrifying!) were inspired. Liv and Jake were excellent leading characters, both strong in their own ways, and with their own challenges to face and both with a whole lot of heart.
Looking forward to the next book, and if this becomes a series I will be getting each and every book!
Plus, I love Karma!
As an addition, I enjoyed this book so much I got the audio version too, and I highly recommend it!
Looking forward to the next book, and if this becomes a series I will be getting each and every book!
Plus, I love Karma!
As an addition, I enjoyed this book so much I got the audio version too, and I highly recommend it!
October 4, 2024
It was a very exciting book—reminds me a lot of The Last of Us. I really lost interest though when the MMC comes out as trans in the middle of the story and that’s the big secret the author has been alluding to this whole time. It could’ve been literally anything else to make the plot more exciting. And then 10 minutes later a black woman talks about how she’s had to really fight for her place on the police force and in society and whatever. Sigh. It’s not the addition of these characters that bothers me — it’s that it becomes a whole “thing”. an emotional sinkhole that feels out of place in a book where up until that point was not super touchy-feely/emptionally charged . Characters are just characters & they’re allowed to just exist as you imagine them, it doesn’t have to be a lecture every time you introduce one who’s not a straight white male. Major eyeroll.
December 25, 2022
If you’re into post apocalyptic fiction with plenty of action, great characters, and a good plot then this book is for you.
An engaging story with character development. Queer representation. A great look into human society and how we react during an unexpected crisis.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An engaging story with character development. Queer representation. A great look into human society and how we react during an unexpected crisis.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2025
I really loved this book. Jake and Liv are officially on my growing list of apocalypse heroes I am in love with and Frances isn't far behind. Also, Karma the dog!
If you're looking for a zombie book with a diverse and fun cast of characters, found family, and humour to balance the horror, you'll love this. The friendship dynamics are wonderful and heartwarming, and the chemistry between every single one of the characters sparks off the page in a way that makes you think perhaps if we can all find a group like this, we might survive the apocalypse.
I'm a simple woman, so I would have liked a climax to accompany the budding romance between Jake and Liv, but that not happening makes a lot of sense considering both characters are healing from their past. L.M. Juniper does an amazing job of somehow allowing that to happen even in the midst of the world's end, with themes of addiction and loss handled with hopeful delicateness, as well as a trans MC at the forefront of their survival. I hope we'll see more of these characters in the future; I have a feeling their stories aren't complete yet.
If you're looking for a zombie book with a diverse and fun cast of characters, found family, and humour to balance the horror, you'll love this. The friendship dynamics are wonderful and heartwarming, and the chemistry between every single one of the characters sparks off the page in a way that makes you think perhaps if we can all find a group like this, we might survive the apocalypse.
I'm a simple woman, so I would have liked a climax to accompany the budding romance between Jake and Liv, but that not happening makes a lot of sense considering both characters are healing from their past. L.M. Juniper does an amazing job of somehow allowing that to happen even in the midst of the world's end, with themes of addiction and loss handled with hopeful delicateness, as well as a trans MC at the forefront of their survival. I hope we'll see more of these characters in the future; I have a feeling their stories aren't complete yet.
February 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this take on a zombie outbreak! It's a dual POV with Jake and Liv being able to tell their tale. Jake was on the underground when the infection started. He was able to save the people in the subway car he was with, but when they made it to the surface, they were finding out information on the fly in the midst of pure chaos. Liv, on the other hand, was sleeping off a bender in her truck when two people woke her up to save them from the 'rioters'. As these two groups collide into one another and choose safety in numbers, it is clear that they will have to find out what's happening the hard way. This book is filled with beautiful characters and real people with real lives interrupted that must rely on each other to survive. It's a diverse cast dealt with in beautiful ways putting all stereotypes away. Also, LGBTQ representation in a real-life manner that didn't shy away from anything. I would read anything this author writes based on this book and how well it emerses you in the world and the lives of the characters.
“We don’t stop running or fighting. Unless we run out of luck, we keep going.”
“We don’t stop running or fighting. Unless we run out of luck, we keep going.”
May 3, 2024
To say this book surprised me is an understatement. I was hooked from the first chapter, swept up into the plot and the characters.
This is a diverse breath of fresh air. Liv and Jake are not only well developed and flawed in their own unique way but they felt like real people to me.
And a couple of scenes in this book brought a lump to my throat. I won't lie. I fell for the characters and the group of survivours in more ways than one.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy zombie survival books but this is more than just a zombie Apocalypse story. The characters are diverse, believable and if you don't have a tiny crush on Jake by the end then you're made of stone!
Eagerly awaiting the sequel! The easiest 5 stars!
This is a diverse breath of fresh air. Liv and Jake are not only well developed and flawed in their own unique way but they felt like real people to me.
And a couple of scenes in this book brought a lump to my throat. I won't lie. I fell for the characters and the group of survivours in more ways than one.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy zombie survival books but this is more than just a zombie Apocalypse story. The characters are diverse, believable and if you don't have a tiny crush on Jake by the end then you're made of stone!
Eagerly awaiting the sequel! The easiest 5 stars!
April 22, 2025
How We End is a zombie apocalypse novel that kept me hooked and was filled with emotion. I absolutely love found family, it’s my favorite trope and I feel the trope was done so well in this book. This group of strangers are all so different from one another. They all have different struggles, lives, and personalities. However, I love the way they came together and utilized their individual knowledge to survive! The diversity of the cast really added to my enjoyment of this book.
The zombies and the setting were well-written and I could really feel myself in this atmosphere. I could visualize every scene with such clarity, everything really jumped off the page!
I do feel this book ended a little abruptly, I wanted just a little more. But that’s my only complaint! I’m glad my book club chose this book
The zombies and the setting were well-written and I could really feel myself in this atmosphere. I could visualize every scene with such clarity, everything really jumped off the page!
I do feel this book ended a little abruptly, I wanted just a little more. But that’s my only complaint! I’m glad my book club chose this book
June 2, 2025
wow this book went in an entirely different direction than I was expecting for a post-apocalyptic book but damn if this wasn't like incredibly good??
Jake and Liv are amazing characters and I would love to see future books of them taking on more of this brand new world for them - and Karma of course, don't forget Karma, bestest girl.
I legit downloaded more powerwash simulator sections just to have an excuse to keep listening to the audiobook lol so I think that says enough on its own
Jake and Liv are amazing characters and I would love to see future books of them taking on more of this brand new world for them - and Karma of course, don't forget Karma, bestest girl.
I legit downloaded more powerwash simulator sections just to have an excuse to keep listening to the audiobook lol so I think that says enough on its own
June 18, 2025
Just do yourselves a favour and read this!
I'm obsessed with the characters on this book and the developments they go through as a group and personally. it almost has a cozy feeling to it... being a Zombie Apocalypse book
Also... it freaked me out something chronic having places soooo close to home being mentioned!
One of my fav reads of the year!
I'm obsessed with the characters on this book and the developments they go through as a group and personally. it almost has a cozy feeling to it... being a Zombie Apocalypse book
Also... it freaked me out something chronic having places soooo close to home being mentioned!
One of my fav reads of the year!
October 21, 2025
4.5🌟 I love a zombie apocalyps book and this is really well done! Walking dead meets Last of Us. I loved the depth of the characters and the queer rep! As a MHSU professional I also thought the substance use disorder of one of the MCs was handled with care and appropriate nuance. Really excited to read more from this author!
August 3, 2023
A solid apocalypse tale. It's not even a genre I'm super into, but I have to say I enjoyed it. The characters were interesting and complex, except narrator Jake who is just a straightforward sweet and supportive cinnamon roll and I love him. I would gladly read more from this author.
April 14, 2024
I ABSOLUTELY loved this story.
June 20, 2024
one of my favorites!
Honestly I can’t recommend this book enough. It had me on the edge of my seat and rooting so hard for every person even the assholes lol and being a trans man this felt amazing to read on a whole different level
Honestly I can’t recommend this book enough. It had me on the edge of my seat and rooting so hard for every person even the assholes lol and being a trans man this felt amazing to read on a whole different level
November 22, 2024
it's giving lgbtq+ last of us
March 22, 2025
YES
zombies
world ending
cool rep
palms sweating
its 11 pm i need to go to sleep
this book is amazing go get it now
no dog casualties!!!
So this book begins in a bus, there is a group of people, and one random man sneezes. Here’s the problem - there’s blood coming down from his face. Disease spread mega fast on a bus, and the MC needs to find a way to save everyone on the bus, and get out of the bus safely.
This definitely has a storyline of a zombie book, with a ton of gore, action, and excellent character development. This book will break you in half, so be warned.
zombies
world ending
cool rep
palms sweating
its 11 pm i need to go to sleep
this book is amazing go get it now
no dog casualties!!!
So this book begins in a bus, there is a group of people, and one random man sneezes. Here’s the problem - there’s blood coming down from his face. Disease spread mega fast on a bus, and the MC needs to find a way to save everyone on the bus, and get out of the bus safely.
This definitely has a storyline of a zombie book, with a ton of gore, action, and excellent character development. This book will break you in half, so be warned.
May 13, 2025
I didn’t know a zombie book could make me so goddamn emotional
May 17, 2025
3,5 ⭐️
Jag ska läsa fysiska eller E-boken igen, eftersom det kändes som jag missade en del nu när jag lyssnade på den.
Jag ska läsa fysiska eller E-boken igen, eftersom det kändes som jag missade en del nu när jag lyssnade på den.
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