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Love and Decay 1 #7
Love and Decay, Episode Seven
Zombies- as if that wasn’t enough to ruin any girl’s dream of a happily ever after.
Reagan and crew are making their way through Oklahoma, still heading south and still trying to survive. They are low on food, without any firearms and fresh from a week of walking around in the midst of aggressive, intellectual Zombies.
They are exhausted and more than a little bit nervous about their current situation.
But that all seems to turn around when they not only find a van big enough to hold them all comfortably but a safe place to stay for the night. The girls take time to pamper themselves and bond and Reagan and Hendrix get close with some much needed alone time.
When they decide to loot a gun emporium, they hope for the best but find the worst. They have to fight their way through hordes of Zombies, praying the reward is greater than the risk. And that they all make it out alive.
Love and Decay, Episode Seven, is the seventh 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 and crew are making their way through Oklahoma, still heading south and still trying to survive. They are low on food, without any firearms and fresh from a week of walking around in the midst of aggressive, intellectual Zombies.
They are exhausted and more than a little bit nervous about their current situation.
But that all seems to turn around when they not only find a van big enough to hold them all comfortably but a safe place to stay for the night. The girls take time to pamper themselves and bond and Reagan and Hendrix get close with some much needed alone time.
When they decide to loot a gun emporium, they hope for the best but find the worst. They have to fight their way through hordes of Zombies, praying the reward is greater than the risk. And that they all make it out alive.
Love and Decay, Episode Seven, is the seventh 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.
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First published September 27, 2013
182 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Higginson
122 books3,497 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 7, 2013
I always enjoy a good Love and Decay episode and this one didn't disappoint! The action in this episode was just as great as the previous episodes. It did have a lot more Hendrix and Reagan interaction than previous episodes. My one issue is that I am finding Hendrix to be borderline stalker with his intensity especially in this episode. If he wasn't a Parker brother I would be encouraging Reagan to get a restraining order against him. Vaughan on the other hand only gets better with each episode. I am hoping to get an installment from his POV soon. I am also hoping he doesn't end up with Tyler just because there aren't any other girls around.
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 7, 2013
ok.... I like this series but I'm getting pretty tired of all this suspense, Im ready for the drama, and is it me or are the episodes getting shorter with only a little action. I wish I would have read the first one towards the end of the episodes because im really starting to loose interest. Don't get me wrong im still into this but the more chapters without an arch and an end and all the things going on in Reagan's head are really starting to get boring. I love all the brothers and now tyler too. This episode had lots of danger and some close calls. I think I will wait a month so I have something to look forward to.
October 14, 2013
This is a spoiler free review on Love & Decay Episodes 1-7
(Giveaway at the end of the review...Giveaway if for the entire first season of Love & Decay, some are not yet released but will be sent to the winner upon release.)
This has been such a great, fun, and exciting read. I am a huge fan of zombies. Have been for as long as I can remember. Now, it is so easy to get your zombie fix so easy...we have The Walking Dead, the millions of movies out there, from World War Z, Zombieland and the classics like Night of the Living Dead but when it comes to getting a zombie fix in a book with the added bonus of a romance...Love & Decay is PERFECT.
Let me start by telling you that while Love & Decay is in fact a series of Novella's, it is also a lot like a show. Every two weeks a new episode is released. They are short quick reads but a packed full of action, romance and lots of gross gooey zombie blood.
Love & Decay reflects around a tight knit family, The Parker's and 2 young ladies. The Parker's are from oldest to youngest, Vaughan, Hendrix, Nelson, Harrison, King and the 8 year old little sister Page. They have survived the past two years by being careful of their surroundings, untrustworthy of others and relying on their awesome survival skills.
Reagan and Haley are two 20 year old girls who seriously kick ass...figuratively and literally. They lost everyone the cared for right in the beginning of the spreading zombie virus (which has a pretty funny start btw). They were not always the zombie ass kicking, bad ass girls they are now. They were the popular cheerleaders, into boys, nice clothes, girly girls. It is seriously pretty damn impressive that they have survived this long.
This whole series or I should probably should say season has been about two groups joining together and forming a bond that is a force to be reckoned with. During a zombie apocalypse, the last thing on anyone's mind is love. Finding the one, living a normal life for a girl right out of high school, well almost out of high school (damn zombies).
Reagan is the main story teller. We got one episode in Haley's POV which was nice, got to get inside her head a bit and learn more about her take on the whole zombie thing and a bit of how she feels about a certain Parker Brother. There is also a couple added members in the later episodes, brother and sister Tyler and Miller. I am now reading episode 8 which happens to be Tyler's POV so I'm hoping that I start to like her more and understand her more.
I really enjoy reading these novella's. They are super fun and you actually picture the scene in front of you. While, yes, there are a bit of editing problems here and there, I don't really pay much attention to it since the author has to be pretty darn busy to be releasing them every 2 weeks. Editing take some time and well, I'd rather have the book instead of waiting.
This book has everything. I mean everything...there is blood, guns, action, HUMOR, love, kissing, drama, fighting...I can't think of anymore to type but its all there. Rachel Higginson has a true talent. This has a mix of your zombieland humor, your walking dead action and seriousness and MORE...
I highly recommend this series to everyone. Even if your not a zombie fan you will definitely not care after this, its just so much fun to read and am so happy I found this series.
There will be 12 total episodes is this season and the author has said there is 3 seasons planned so far. The first season should end in November. We should expect Episode 9 October 25th.
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March 1, 2019
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September 29, 2013
The group is trying its hardest to get as far away from Arkansas and the evil that once held some of them captive. Fear still lurks in Reagan's mind that Kane will find her and make good on his promise to keep her. But right now, they need to find food and weapons before they can go any further. Because without both you are as good as zombie food.
***
I was humming, vibrating with feelings from him- with what he did to me, with how he made me feel. It was like I was dead before Hendrix. Like I had become the same as the desolate wasteland of the once thriving civilizations I lived in but Hendrix was the cure-he was my vibrancy again, my safe haven. He was my utopia in a world where nothing good remained.
***
I am enjoying this whole new side of Reagan we are getting. I love watching her internally explore her feelings for Hendrix and even some dormant ones for Vaughan. Yes, however small they seem, there is still something there. But for now, she is focusing on the ones she has for Hendrix. She can no longer deny him; he absolutely overcomes her and she is realizing she is enjoying it. Very much so.
***
He was so much more than I could have asked for-so much more than I ever expected to find.
And I have no idea what to do with all my emotions.
***
This episode, just like each one before, was intense as usual. One part I feared for Reagan and thought it might be the end for her after all. (I feel like I am repeating myself here from a previous review)But she came out like a gun slinging champ. (Not really a spoiler...where would this series be if Higginson killed her off? Am I right?) But the emotion that Higginson packs into such a short little story is beyond crazy. I always have to take a few minutes to come down from the adrenaline rush it puts me in. These short stories are such a rush!
Now that they have more people in the group we can count on things will get a bit crazier, that is for sure. I am eager to see what will come of Tyler and the obvious elephant in the room: her and Vaughan’s feelings for each other. What seems like hate…I feel is much, much more. As always, I need more and looking forward to more adventures Higginson is sure to dish out.
***
I was humming, vibrating with feelings from him- with what he did to me, with how he made me feel. It was like I was dead before Hendrix. Like I had become the same as the desolate wasteland of the once thriving civilizations I lived in but Hendrix was the cure-he was my vibrancy again, my safe haven. He was my utopia in a world where nothing good remained.
***
I am enjoying this whole new side of Reagan we are getting. I love watching her internally explore her feelings for Hendrix and even some dormant ones for Vaughan. Yes, however small they seem, there is still something there. But for now, she is focusing on the ones she has for Hendrix. She can no longer deny him; he absolutely overcomes her and she is realizing she is enjoying it. Very much so.
***
He was so much more than I could have asked for-so much more than I ever expected to find.
And I have no idea what to do with all my emotions.
***
This episode, just like each one before, was intense as usual. One part I feared for Reagan and thought it might be the end for her after all. (I feel like I am repeating myself here from a previous review)But she came out like a gun slinging champ. (Not really a spoiler...where would this series be if Higginson killed her off? Am I right?) But the emotion that Higginson packs into such a short little story is beyond crazy. I always have to take a few minutes to come down from the adrenaline rush it puts me in. These short stories are such a rush!
Now that they have more people in the group we can count on things will get a bit crazier, that is for sure. I am eager to see what will come of Tyler and the obvious elephant in the room: her and Vaughan’s feelings for each other. What seems like hate…I feel is much, much more. As always, I need more and looking forward to more adventures Higginson is sure to dish out.
September 28, 2013
Shoot! I've been adamant to keep my annoyance and dislike of Tyler strong and unyielding but I just can't seem to keep my resolve.
Most people seem to have loved Tyler from the get go and I've been determined to stay away from that. Especially when it comes to the whole shipping Tyler and Vaughan thing.
I mean, why must we have to pair people up and make couples out of everyone??? This is like a running theme in every book! Readers are always begging for every character to find a life partner and they always grasp for that life partner to be the first single girl/guy that comes into view. And in this case Tyler is the girl who comes onto the scene and poor Vaughan is probably gonna be matched with her some day just because she was the closest available option. Grrr. Can't we just wait and see if there are other options out there people?
But despite my obvious dislike for a Tyler/Vaughan relationship in the future and despite my irritation with Tyler's grating personality (I mean, did you see her in the last episode? She was impossible!), I couldn't help but start to actually, kinda, maybe like Tyler in the episode.
Ah!
I know! I'm horrible! How could I change my opinion of her so quickly when I was so determined to dislike her for eternity? Rachel happened. That's what. She totally wrote a story and actually made Tyler a kinda likable person, even with her irritating personality still floating around in my face. Humph!
And yes I did like this episode. Awesome zombie carnage just the way I like it. If I could title the episode I'd call it "Fighting for weapons when you have no weapons", because that was exactly the plot was. Sounds riveting, doesn't it??
Now I have to go yell at myself for starting to like Tyler. I'm still not on board with a Tyler/Vaughan romantic connection, but I'm willing to let Tyler be a part of the gang now. Grudgingly. I want to hate her but I can't seem to find the strength. Gah!
Most people seem to have loved Tyler from the get go and I've been determined to stay away from that. Especially when it comes to the whole shipping Tyler and Vaughan thing.
I mean, why must we have to pair people up and make couples out of everyone??? This is like a running theme in every book! Readers are always begging for every character to find a life partner and they always grasp for that life partner to be the first single girl/guy that comes into view. And in this case Tyler is the girl who comes onto the scene and poor Vaughan is probably gonna be matched with her some day just because she was the closest available option. Grrr. Can't we just wait and see if there are other options out there people?
But despite my obvious dislike for a Tyler/Vaughan relationship in the future and despite my irritation with Tyler's grating personality (I mean, did you see her in the last episode? She was impossible!), I couldn't help but start to actually, kinda, maybe like Tyler in the episode.
Ah!
I know! I'm horrible! How could I change my opinion of her so quickly when I was so determined to dislike her for eternity? Rachel happened. That's what. She totally wrote a story and actually made Tyler a kinda likable person, even with her irritating personality still floating around in my face. Humph!
And yes I did like this episode. Awesome zombie carnage just the way I like it. If I could title the episode I'd call it "Fighting for weapons when you have no weapons", because that was exactly the plot was. Sounds riveting, doesn't it??
Now I have to go yell at myself for starting to like Tyler. I'm still not on board with a Tyler/Vaughan romantic connection, but I'm willing to let Tyler be a part of the gang now. Grudgingly. I want to hate her but I can't seem to find the strength. Gah!
September 28, 2013
ARC Review:
OMG!!! Prepare yourselves for the awesomeness of Episode 7???? Rachel takes time from all the zombies and blood to develop several relationships, yet again reinforcing the reason to survive in their hellish world. All the girls bonded over none other than nail polish (what's better than that right??) I hate to admit it, but I actually kind of like Tyler now!! Weird right?? Rachel sheds a bit of light on Tyler's past. It'll make you say oooooh so that explains it! P.S. her dad and brother are totally crazy!! (perhaps a bit of foreshadowing here?)
OK let's talk about my favorite relationship, Reagan & Hendrix *sigh* I just LOVE Hendrix!!! He wants to make Reagan his and in a world where they can die at any moment, Hendrix doesn't plan on waiting long. On a dangerous trip to get much needed guns and ammo, Reagan has a very close call and realizes the importance of love.
As always I LOVED this episode!!!! Rachel really took the time to weave and bind important relationships against the background of a blood soaked violent world. She really humanizes the characters and makes the readers just absolutely love all of them. Oh for you adrenaline junkies, don't worry, Rachel didn't forget about you!! Look out for the gun store! There's something for everyone in these stories! Blood, love, zombies, romance, guts and a group of hot brothers!! Did I miss anything?? Um, that's a big NO!!! This is a MUST read episode!
OMG!!! Prepare yourselves for the awesomeness of Episode 7???? Rachel takes time from all the zombies and blood to develop several relationships, yet again reinforcing the reason to survive in their hellish world. All the girls bonded over none other than nail polish (what's better than that right??) I hate to admit it, but I actually kind of like Tyler now!! Weird right?? Rachel sheds a bit of light on Tyler's past. It'll make you say oooooh so that explains it! P.S. her dad and brother are totally crazy!! (perhaps a bit of foreshadowing here?)
OK let's talk about my favorite relationship, Reagan & Hendrix *sigh* I just LOVE Hendrix!!! He wants to make Reagan his and in a world where they can die at any moment, Hendrix doesn't plan on waiting long. On a dangerous trip to get much needed guns and ammo, Reagan has a very close call and realizes the importance of love.
As always I LOVED this episode!!!! Rachel really took the time to weave and bind important relationships against the background of a blood soaked violent world. She really humanizes the characters and makes the readers just absolutely love all of them. Oh for you adrenaline junkies, don't worry, Rachel didn't forget about you!! Look out for the gun store! There's something for everyone in these stories! Blood, love, zombies, romance, guts and a group of hot brothers!! Did I miss anything?? Um, that's a big NO!!! This is a MUST read episode!
February 9, 2014
I LOVED the little bit of fun and normalcy that the girls were able to achieve to lighten up the start of this episode...at the same time, the contrast to their daily lives made it all the more poignant. Starting to fall in love with Tyler...it was nice to see a bit more depth to her in this episode.
And the action...dear lord almighty, this one was hard on my heart. It was kind of interesting to see Reagan's observations of the bigger city, and the differences from where they are usually traveling.
LOVING the Hendrix and Reagan togetherness bits. Yup, so totally satisfied with that.
And the action...dear lord almighty, this one was hard on my heart. It was kind of interesting to see Reagan's observations of the bigger city, and the differences from where they are usually traveling.
LOVING the Hendrix and Reagan togetherness bits. Yup, so totally satisfied with that.
October 15, 2013
Um.. Yeah. Let's talk about not being able to put the damn book down.
Seriously - the zombie fighting was so intense, you seriously forget everything else that is going on around you. And you obviously cannot put the darn thing down, because you can't just leave Reagan hanging in that place.
I just... Yeah. I don't like close calls - and Rachel is just giving us more and more of them with these stories. I'm probably going to have a panic attack reading one of these episodes soon!!
Seriously - the zombie fighting was so intense, you seriously forget everything else that is going on around you. And you obviously cannot put the darn thing down, because you can't just leave Reagan hanging in that place.
I just... Yeah. I don't like close calls - and Rachel is just giving us more and more of them with these stories. I'm probably going to have a panic attack reading one of these episodes soon!!
September 29, 2013
ARC Review
Yet another winner. I love these characters! This episode heated up a bit and I liked it a lot. And the most recent zombie skirmish had me at the edge of my seat! Since these are novellas, I really don't want to say too much, but you will never go wrong picking up a book from Rachel Higginson!
Yet another winner. I love these characters! This episode heated up a bit and I liked it a lot. And the most recent zombie skirmish had me at the edge of my seat! Since these are novellas, I really don't want to say too much, but you will never go wrong picking up a book from Rachel Higginson!
September 30, 2013
this episode............ wow not many words here. loved every thrilling edge of seat minute reading this. I want to read it again. and again. I really hate paying for each episode but again they are amazingly addictive.
October 14, 2013
What can I say about episode Seven...zombies, zombies and more zombies! Big city Zombies too! The group needs to reload, literally, so they venture into a gun supply store filled with what else? Zombies! Yeah, that about sums it up!
June 24, 2017
Yay! This one got a little more gory, but it ended with a huge success. And Hendrix and Reagan are getting closer...well as close as possible living in close encounters with everyone. Love this series!
August 13, 2016
AHHHHH How can you manage to put me on the edge again??? Loved this episode. You get a little of everything in these novellas that it just blows my mind. This one was so good that I'm pretty sure at one point my heart stopped....
December 12, 2013
What a fantastic read. I don't know how you keep coming up with this story line, don't stop. The love I feel between all the characters almost overwhelming. Love of family and the love for other half keeps me engrossed.
April 11, 2014
I've become accustomed with this amazing series so this episode was brilliant for me.
At the end there it was full of anxiety bu I am glad that the kick ass continued and everything turned out ok in the end.
On to the next!
At the end there it was full of anxiety bu I am glad that the kick ass continued and everything turned out ok in the end.
On to the next!
July 13, 2014
Yet another great episode!
October 2, 2013
Keeps getting better and better!
July 23, 2014
Still loving the series. There are a few misspellings but come on, she puts these out every two weeks! Give her a break. They are amazing and a bunch of fun!
June 1, 2014
Loved this whole series. The episodes are short but very good. I loved the characters and the action, plenty of zombies.
December 17, 2013
Whew! Some close calls in 7. Ready for Tyler's POV in 8.
March 25, 2017
This series is so addictive, it would be more awesome with a bit more editing.
July 2, 2015
One of my favorite episodes so far!
March 11, 2014
This one had me really worried! So good!
April 29, 2014
The girl bonding was the best. I love how they all support each other and watch each other's back. Go girl power!
September 8, 2016
Zombies and a love story = fantasmic.
April 3, 2016
So excited to continue reading this season. I noticed the next episode it Tyler's perspective. Not too excited about that, but I might change my mind.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews