Navigating our new reality has its ups and downs. My relationships with my men and most of my family continue to grow. Together, we've made it our duty to help those who can't help themselves. We're determined to ensure good prevails despite the evil forces against us. We make new friends, giving us hope we're not alone in our mission. We're learning to adapt, unfortunately, we're not the only ones. The infected are becoming a more significant threat. As they rise, so do other enemies. We're learning quickly that they're not the only ones hoping to watch us fail. So, my family and I would do what we do best. We will continue to fight even when we feel the odds are against us. *TW this is a Why Choose post-apocalyptic work of fiction involving the undead *This is book four, part one, of a continuing series.
This was not good. Almost 600 pages of word salad. So. Much. Useless. Filler.
Rinse and repeat from the previous three in the series. Will she add another man to her group? Will her sister dress up and pretend to be her yet again? Will ow continue to hate her for being so gosh darn perfect? Will all the new men they meet think she is amazingly sexy? Will there be any character depth or development? Will they be killed by zombies?
She currently has six men and four adopted children. Reading this is like playing a game of Sims, where it just becomes so exhausting you want to start the game all over again with one character, no kids and one love interest.
The parents are exposed as swingers of sorts, are you serious??
I will forever be a SM Olivier fan. I love her books so so much that I have to reread monthly. These are my comfort characters that I always turn to. Highly recommend you read anything from this author. Looking forward to seeing what's next from SM Olivier
This had a lot of filler and just general domestic life stuff that really slowed things down and made it a bit boring. Overall I would say there was really no plot progression at all, just a formulatic wash rinse repeat of the same that has happened in the previous books. This was part one of book four because apparently, this book has become so large it had to be split in two, I question the wisdom of this because I feel like a lot of stuff should just have been edited out making this a single full-length novel. I've started part 2 now, I'm hoping things pick back up to the pacing and interest the first 3 books in the series brought.
Hoards and Harbors Part I and II are my favorites of the whole series so far. The first three books were good and I found a lot of ideas to be amazing but it was so cliche and cringe like 60% of the time that I never thought I would read book 4. I’m happy I did and I can definitely say that the characters have grown and it feels more real and entertaining. I now look forward to book 6 if there will be one😊
Can't lie, this one was almost painful to read because there was SO MUCH extraneous shit that really wasn't necessary. I scanned about half this book. Don't even care if I missed something important, because even if i did, it'll be mentioned 5 more times in the next book. This indie author needs a better editor. Sorry, not sorry.
Sanctuary: Hoards and Harbours Part 1 begins about a month after the conclusion of the previous book, Sanctuary: Beyond Haven, and continues to follow Avery, her men and the community they established in their post-apocalyptic world. As with most of the books in this series there was an influx of new characters, some more interesting and likeable than others. The bunker that was also discovered in the previous book also became more talked about and I have a feeling that it will be an ongoing plot point for a while. I also liked that this book introduced a different type of threat which kept the story feeling fresh and new, as well as some evolutionary traits in the infected coming to light. This book does end on a slight cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see how it resolves itself. Overall, this was another enjoyable instalment in the Sanctuary series, which I found to be the most emotional instalment to date. It kept me on the edge of my seat and looking forward to what happens next.
POV: Single Perspective: First Person Pace: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book is like reading a word dump/stream of consciousness. It says there was an editor, but that's difficult to believe. It's been a year since I read the other books and I don't remember much of what happened previously because there was SO MUCH that happened. I find I no longer care about these characters or the story. If you're interested in reading this series, I wouldn't tell you not, but I'd wait for it to be complete and to expect a word salad of a plot.
I really love this series so far. But it doesn't take away the fact as a reader I didn't feel the need to add to the Harem because come on we know it's happening. They need to stop trying to push guys on her. If she comes to the conclusion herself fine they can talk about it but always pushing it in her face got irritating to be honest. Even if they say they do cause they know they like each other. Really it wasnt even said except him staring at her. Let her think for herself and come to it and then talk to the guys. If she says she is good with the 6 why not leave it alone and say ok. And if it changes just say you can come to us talk about it together. They barely get time together as it is. I mean Sylvia was open to it and has less men. She is no different they Ave. Anyways I didn't like how they dealt with the girl at the end. She has a right to have her trauma without being judged or treated like crap. She is right they don't know what they went through. Everyone deals I it separately. Ave makes me feel like she thinks she is better then everyone else Maybe not by her doing but she is always part of the group even before getting with them. She has no military ex and why was she part of the meetings. It's because it's her dad and uncles place. She even got a huge house. She gets to have all the food clothing etc she wants. She acts as the boss and doesn't listen to anyone. If anyone else does it they reprimanded. Like Roman. He has a right to feel his way. Nobody knows what he went through and has a right to lash out. Even if Kingston believes he needs the tough love this kid is like 11. Let him be mad for a bit. Let him trust you before you throw the knock that crap off. To me the Alpha Team and Ave seem above everyone. They arent treated the same as everyone else in the sanctuary. Everyone is busting the butts off yet they get tiny pay to buy some stuff at a store while these guys gets free stuff. Is their job harder yes but it's still a job and shouldn't make you feel you have more right then another person who is working in the garden cause hey they were assigned it not asked. Ok I'm getting off course her because even with the little irritating things in this book (which is good because the writer is getting to you makes for good writing) so please don't take my word as readers everyone seeing the story in different ways and this is mine. But please even with that I love this series so far. We do however need more Sanctuary interactions with everyone since it's building a community instead of her and her guys and an occasional meeting and road trip. There are alot of people and everyone shod interact kinda like the show the walking Dead. And more smutt individual and group. I mean there are 6 of them almost 7. Also maybe we can see Trevor and Rhys and who knows who else get together. And again I will say come on with BJ. Stop trying to put him with Mike he is 19 let him live it up with whoever he wants. If he can't be with Micheala now then stop teasing and let him do what he wants. It's kinda like what Corbin and Wyatt did when Ave was a teen. They both lived their lives and now they found each other. Same can be said about those 2. Who this author has me going lol. That's fine. I love it. I wish I had someone to talk to about this book. I love talking about what I love and dislike about a book. Anyways I off to book 5 so please read this you will love it and come to your own conclusions.
PSA: You have to go into this remembering that the author’s general style/format is more like… a collection of chapter instalments. In fact, it reads like a transcribed manhwa or for those unfamiliar with that—like if an author took their entire vella series and put it all zero proofread into one document. You’ll also have to really push through the serious editing that this needs. And yikes, does it direly need it. Some paragraphs I had to skim because they were either straight up word salad or near 90% previous paragraph/sentence repeats—again, like a manhwa or author picking up the last line of a previous instalment. Some parts had me cringing hard because this book DEFINITELY needed sensitivity readers or again at least a more diverse team of editors because… ouch.
Even with all the above, I’ll still be one of the people that pre-orders the next book whenever that is. Drink a margarita, lick up the grains of salt (you’ll need it), and enjoy!
I had been really enjoying this series but this installment was just a bit of a mess. So much telling and telling and no showing. I didn’t then need pages and pages of dialogue to tell us more about their past and then changing their parents dynamic at this late stage of the series was just weird and somewhat icky. I also don’t get why this is a part one? This makes sense in movies that are super long and only telling part of the story, but this book could have easily been edited way down to tell a complete story of some kind and not call it part one. I’m also not seeing any movement forward on the overall plot and beginning to wonder if that’s just not in the series plan. Anyway, I’m still moving on to the next one but this one feels like giving it three stars was being a little generous.
I'm getting burnt out on this story, but I really want to know how it is all going to wrap up. I just don't see everything getting answered in the next book since it is on the shorter side compared to the other books and we just have so many things that I need closure on! Anyway, I really liked this one, especially compared to the previous book. But it is still following the same format since we have the first half being at the camp and the second half out and about. I just wish we had a little bit more cohesion between the two. But here we meet Nolan, and I love him and Ari. I really hope he ends up with Sylvia but also, we are kind of surviving and it's the apocalypse and I'm just kind of ready to maybe lose some people. Plus, I still hate that we're only one POV since this harem keeps getting bigger and bigger.
And it was worth it. I absolutely am enthralled by Avery's story. I love the intricacies and dynamics with her found family. I love that her aunts and uncles have a love similar to hers. I appreciate all of the research that goes into the physical and mental response to tragedy and planning.
These books just keep getting better and better. For the life of me I can't understand why Emery hates the way she does, but it's realistic. I'm hoping she turns a new leaf before she ruins things further, but I'm doubtful.
I know this was just released, but I'm chomping at the bit for the next part 😅
Love the continuation of Avery’s story, and the addition of some new main & secondary characters. Needs more editing as others have mentioned, including formatting the who’s who charts at the beginning. Great story arcs with other groups, especially the bunker people (General, politicians, and staff) and a possible evil plot against Sanctuary leaders. Isabella’s letter to Ave wasn’t offset or italicized, so it took me a minute to grasp the info. Love the personalities interacting between Ave’s & Sylvia’s men. Loved Kiara’s prank. Please - keep the stories coming! <3 11/16/2023, I’ll update this review when I re-read this book in a few months
This author, what can I say? That I’ve bought every book in every series she’s written, that I reread them obsessively? All true. Her ardent fans keep looking for books like Sanctuary knowing it’s not out there. The world after the apocalypse keeps building and evolving, and we are here for it. It’s like eating a box of candy knowing you shouldn’t devour it in one sitting but you can’t help yourself. If you love strong female leads, why choose romance, suspense, drama, cute kids, and did I mention dogs? If it’s yes dive in!
The book was great but times I was confused who was talking since the dialogue of different characters was mashed together. At times names were spelt wrong which had me stumped for a few seconds trying to discover who was they were referred to. I would’ve loved to hear more about Mike and Rhys. Other than that I enjoyed this book so much that I slowed down after reading half the book not wanting it to end because the book 3 was uploaded a year and a half ago.
This series has been an unexpected surprise in the best way. I love it so so so much, I have not had one single thing I would change and I love the authors writing style.
I LOVE that the 5th book is out and I’m about to immediately dive into it, I genuinely hope this is a series that keeps on going because I do not want it to end. I have been obsessed with Zombie and Dystopian romance and this is top tier if not the best I’ve read so far.
SM Olivier has done it again! What an amazing exciting story. The characters are entertaining strong and badass. So many twists and turns to this story I couldn’t put it down..left me on pins and needles to see what happens next! Avery’s character is written with a strong heart, compassion and understanding. All of Avery’s men love how strong and soft she is and balance her and makes her a wonderful chrome read. I’m so looking forward to the next adventure for the Sanctuary survivors!
I honestly had to skim by the end of this book. I still enjoy the story, but it's getting extremely tiring with all the new side and main characters plus the same drama. The evil twin will strike again, and we're supposed to be on the edge of our seat to find out how exactly (I'm more interested in knowing how Gianna got mandatory therapy, but Emery is free to roam around). Our fmc is in denial about yet another new love interest. She is yet again amazing and no mission can succeed without her supernatural instincts and ninja skills.
Pros: Still love these characters. Still enjoy the storyline. Still hate the twin sister and the mom/ex from H3LL.
Cons: Started slower than normal and longer than I anticipated. But, it was a good juxtaposition for the latter half of the book. Also, more grammatical issues than the norm.
Disclosure (spolier): Mini cliffhanger but not too bad, and the author states Part II almost done. Definitely worth the read now.
Book four jumps ahead about a month. These two book by far were the best in the series. . The partnership between the Sanctuary and the Bunker are tested. There is more time spent at home surrounded by Corbin, Wyatt, Kingston, Easton, Axel and Zeke, the children and the rest of the family and her friends. Lots of drama with her exs baby momma and her sister. We also have a possible new love interest? By far my favorite book in the series.
This was a pleasant surprise, I normally don’t keep up with release dates and stuff so I didn’t know this book was coming soon. From time to time I check FB to see if there is a new update and if there is not new update I do a reread 😂 However imagine my surprise when I saw two new books. I love this series and I loved these two new books. I’ll be here waiting for the next one because I can’t get enough.
This was not a short read, however the storyline and storytelling is amazing you wont even feel the time pass by. So when I was down to that last chapters I was wishing for more! Im impatiently waiting for the last book of this series then will be doing a reread of the whole series. This is a hidden gem in the post apocolyptic theme genre and cannot recommend it more if you love this genre. Bouns its RH!!
I absolutely loved this book. Yes, there were errors but that’s OK. I think this would be a fantastic audiobook with real voice actors and not AI. This one had by far the most action and I loved it. I am really tired of all the random girls popping up. I really wish that Avery would get out of her head and just punch them in the face or something because she’s amazing and she’s bad ass and I think how she stays in her head and doesn’t speak up gets on my nerves a little. But this fuck was done so well I can’t wait for part two.
I was so excited to go on Facebook and see this beauty looking at me 😊 I may have squealed like a little girl which is not me lol I loved it so much avery is awesome and her guys 😍 I adore them all and ari well 🥵 I hope Nolan joins Sylvia I love him lol so excited for the next one ❤️
Love this series it's always full of drama and suspense and of course zombies I love that they are now evolving both the humans and the zombies and the characters are amazing and I'm loving the boy band aspect its brilliant and think it's brilliant how all the relationships have been expanded on especially avery and emery .... thank you
Every.time. with Olivier I need more...but this one... Omg it's not even a want it's a absolute need... The cliff hanger is phenomenal and I want to ensure so many things... The difference and growth of the characters and the author is huge and I cannot praise Olivier enough... All I'll say is more please...
I cannot even begin to say just how excited I was when I saw this book was out. I checked almost weekly for updates of any sort. Just as amazing as all the others. I cannot wait to see what the ending has in store for Avery, her men, and hopefully 1 more ;) Really hope Emery has some justice served to her. She is absolutely awful.