Sanctuary

Kindled #6

by Claire Kent

Ever since civilization fell apart eight years ago, I've used my body in any way necessary to protect my younger sister and stay alive. Now she's safe and settled, I'm free to travel my own path, never again confined by walls or the demands of any man. Everyone says a woman isn't safe by herself in the dangerous wilderness the world has become, but I'm doing just fine on my own.

My job as a messenger and courier offers me freedom and the means to provide for the people I love. No one is going to take it away from me--especially not clever, cynical Aidan, who insists I'm moving in on his territory. He's starting to compete with me for jobs, but I've never backed down to a challenge. Not when I was young and helpless, and certainly not now that I'm not. If he wants a war, he'll get one.

I'll never back down to a man again, even one I'm starting to want.

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Forced Proximity, Survival, Apocalyptic

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2023

About the author

Claire has been writing romance novels since she was twelve years old. After teaching English at the university level for several years, she started writing full-time under two different pen names. She lives in Virginia.

Her early books are sexy contemporary romances filled with heat and real emotion, but with the Hold series she transitioned to science fiction romance. Her current books are steamy post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe. They feature smart, resilient women trying to survive in a new chaotic world and falling in love with strong, gruff, taciturn men.

Claire also writes softer contemporary romances as Noelle Adams,

Reviews

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Trust me, no one is more surprised by my rating than me, but I just felt zero investment in Breanna and Aiden's story. And perhaps it's just me (most likely it is) but I feel like the last two books felt a lot shorter and a lot more phoned in than previous books in the series.

Again, I'm sure this is just me and perhaps bad timing. Perhaps I will love this upon re-reading it later. And I will still for sure be reading the next book. I still love this series and world overall.

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

❀ 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐘 ❀ Is the sixth novel within the (kindled) series by author Claire Kent.

This is a genre I stumbled on last year and I honestly can't get enough!! I love the survival/scavenging/foraging aspect of it..Now I'm on a mission to hunt for similar books to this series!!

Damn, we’ll this was shamelessly inhaled, I loved jumping back into this world and I’m ecstatic to read that there’s two more books to follow this one!

Breanna aged twenty-five first makes her appearance in Citadel where she did anything in the name of survival to protect her younger sister even if it mean't giving herself to a man in exchange for food and shelter.

Now that her sister is settled within a strong community and in love Breanna can now focus on forging her own path in this changed world, she works as a courier for other settled colonies trading goods, but in doing that she's stepping on thirty eight year old Aidan 's toes whose established and locked down many outposts to work with him solely. So these two butt heads often, as they try to outsmart, out walk the other into getting the good jobs.

Things come to a head when a competition is offered to them, whoever brings the goods of wine to one of the outposts gets other jobs. Everything seemed to be going to plan for Breanna until she takes a fall and Aidan comes to her rescue.

Now she has to rely on the one man she despises as they are trapped in an abandoned church as a snow storm rages around them.

During this time they put their differences aside, each earn't so much more about the other, bonding them, coming to a compromise for their future dealings.

Even though this didn't have as much depth it seemed as the other books within this series, I still enjoyed it.

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[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5* “You don’t have to thank me for doing something any decent man would.”

“Maybe. But I’ve never been with a decent man before. So thank you.”

Breanna (25) is the older sister from book 5. Vibrant red hair, carries a pistol on her hip. She works as a courier trading goods with other colonies.

Aidan (38) is a lone wanderer. British accent, tall and stoic. He travels from colony to colony, trading for supplies, passing messages, and sometimes dealing with very bad people.

Post apocalyptic m/f romance
No virgins
Age gap
Decent world building
Excellent character arcs
SA survivor
HFN

Aiden and Brianna are in competition with each other for trading routes. Nothing like some healthy rivalry to get emotions involved. This story stands out from the others in the series by the fact that this couple communicates beautifully.

“Connecting emotionally is much more difficult—much more dangerous—than seeing someone else as an enemy. Empathy exposes us as much as the other person.”

There was one tiny misstep, where something was blown out of proportion in order to make the couple split. Yes, there was a lie involved, but the explanation made complete sense.

While I deeply enjoyed this story (and series), there is a missing element for me. The series has rich details but is missing some kind of love/light/joy of life? Idk, can’t quite figure it out.

Last Light is still my favorite in this world, but this one comes close in matching that magic.

The book that started it all: Last Light
Book one:Haven
Book two:Princess
Book three:Embers
Book four:Hero
Book five:Citadel

TW: Suicide and sexual assault. Further details in spoiler.

A few years after Impact, Aidan’s wife takes her own life in the life of their two twin boys while Aidan is off hunting for the family. This is told in a conversation, so this isn’t happening on page, but it is still shocking to hear about. Graphic descriptions of Brianna’s sexual assaults before the couple meets. Again, this is told during conversation and not on page.

This entire conversation is very mature, and allows these two characters to open up a part of themselves they had kept hidden for a very long time. This moment of vulnerability is the change in their relationship.

As always with this series, this was a BR with Isabella. So happy this author continues to write stories you and I love to read together.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ✨

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5.
It’s a good story but the previous books are better.
It’s worth the reading.

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread in 2024 for Patreon
.
.
.

This series continues to enthrall me.

I am always immediately sucked into these books. Since the very time I cracked a cover, I dive in and see what my survivors are up to. I was particularly intrigued by Breanna after seeing her through her sister's eyes in Citadel. While you can read most of the Kindled series out of order, this book is best served by reading that one first.

Breanna is finally free to do things her own way, now that her sister is safely paired up. She plans to steer clear of men now and never have to trade her body for security again. She does trading runs and drifts from town to town, making connections and seeing the new world. But when Aidan, a rival trader, tries to claim more territory than he should, they end up in a rivalry.

They end up going head to head in a bet for new business and it leads them to disaster. Or is it? Locked in their own world for a snow storm, they are forced to face the tension and learn more about each other. They come away with a new understanding and possibly a new outlook for the future.

I was riveted by each conversation between these two. They both have traumas in their past, as most survivors do at this point. Only the strong survive. I loved them both and my heart was hurting for what they have been through. I couldn't look away. This was also some of the deepest intimacy I've seen in the series thus far. The spicy scenes were so beautiful and thoughtful. I felt raw after each one.

Claire Kent just has a way of cutting right to the heart without things being overly emotional or too painful. You still come away with an aching heart but hopeful for the future in this dystopian world. I'm already sad this series is wrapping up this year.

5 stars
2.5 on the spice scale

CW: death of loved ones, PTSD, trading your body for safety (not with hero), violence, death

[Christina (stinarinareads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3✨
2🌶️

☄️Post apocalyptic USA, collapse of society
☄️Survival, dystopian romance
☄️Rivals-to-lovers
☄️FMC with past SA trauma
☄️MMC with emotional trauma (loss of entire family)
☄️Trauma bonding, learning to trust again
☄️Unnecessary third-act breakup
☄️Discussion of infertility
☄️HEA

Sanctuary by Claire Kent is Book 6 of her interconnected post-apocalyptic romance series Kindled. It is an almost direct continuation of the prior book, Citadel, which had the characters of Del (FMC) and Cole (MMC) as the romantic leads. Sanctuary focuses on Del's older sister Breanna, who had to go through some serious shit in order to protect her sister from this new, dystopian world.

I had really high expectations for this book, because I really wanted Breanna to finally get her own HEA, and it was being heavily hinted at it being with a certain mysterious British courier - and I was right! Aidan, with a tragic backstory of his own, is our MMC in Sanctuary. With Breanna and Aidan's rivalry over territory and jobs spilling from the previous book into this one, I was hopeful for a really amazing hate-to-love romance.

One thing I did love was how Breanna and Aidan were able to share their traumas and connect, and use that as the basis for their romance, and even how it flavors the spice. The sex in this book is pretty mild compared to the others of the series, with more heart and praise and comfort focus vs the more rough and rawness we're used to reading. I'm not complaining! I think it really, really worked for this couple, and some of the conversations they had around it were really kind, and endearing.

However... I can't think of much else that I really loved. This entry in the series was probably the weakest one so far, which is such a pity. Other than trauma bonding, I didn't feel Breanna and Aidan's attraction, connection, or commitment to each other beyond a surface level. It was all very tell and not show, almost manufactured. What felt the most off for me was that throw in of Aidan's "betrayal" to Breanna, which didn't even make sense, which is then used as the third-act breakup. It didn't need to happen, and felt SO forced. It was just there so the characters could breakup, just to get back together soon after. Didn't need to happen at all, and went against all character actions we as the reader had been shown leading up.

I'm still a huge fan of the Kindled world, and I definitely think they are things to enjoy about this installment of the series, so if you are looking to fully read the series, I wouldn't skip out on this. I have an arc for Book 7 of this series so I wanted to make sure I read all the books before so I could be fully prepared, although you are able to sneak in and out of this series if you prefer to read as standalones!

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

-=- 3.5 stars -=-

From rightfully weary interactions:

“Are you somehow the main character of everyone else’s story? Believe it or not, I make decisions that have nothing to do with you.”

To deep, meaningful conversations:

“Connecting emotionally is much more difficult—much more dangerous—than seeing someone else as an enemy. Empathy exposes us as much as the other person.”

I felt like this book did Breanna & Aidan right.

Their understanding of one another was so special to read about. It felt intimate and real, and I really loved those deep conversations that they had.

The above sentiment holds more so for the first half of the book than the second: The 3rd act conflict just felt really blown out of proportion to me 🤷‍♀️.

Overall I didn't love the book plainly because it was quite plot-heavy towards the end, and the parts that I looked forward to the most were the intimate scenes between the two. I wished there was more of that, especially to establish their relationship a bit more, but I still really liked it overall.

I'll forever be obsessed with this world 😭🙏.

Also, hearing that Travis & Layne had a second baby?? My hearttt 🥹.

-=-

Sidenote hearing that there are only going to be two more books in this series has me so emotional- I'm not ready for it to be over 🥲.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars! Sanctuary is the 6th book in Claire Kent’s post-apocalyptic Kindled series! While most of the books in the series can be read as standalones, this book in particular should be read as a follow-up to Citadel, the previous book in the series. This book is also described by the author as having the most traumatic backstories for both main characters.

This series really works for me! They are post-apocalyptic romances set in the near future after a global catastrophe and feature smart, resilient women trying to survive in a new chaotic world and falling in love with strong, gruff, taciturn men!

This book takes place 8 years after Impact, when an asteroid hit Europe, decimating the continent and causing catastrophic effects on the entire planet. Civilization fell apart after Impact and Breanna used her body in any means necessary to protect her younger sister and stay alive. But now with her sister safe and settled (her book is Citadel), Breanna is now free to travel on her own path and works as a messenger and courier. Breanna runs into Aidan a lot, they both do the same work and seem to be covering the same area and taking one another’s jobs.

The last couple books have felt a little different than previous books in the series. Aidan was more outspoken and charming than some of the previous heroes in this series. So I did miss the more cold and stoic heroes 😅! Not to say Aidan wasn’t super sweet and perfect for Breanna! He and Breanna butt heads over jobs they’re both wanting to take and get hired for, one of their leads makes them compete for a job and that’s kind of where their relationship kicks off. They end up in a snowstorm and seeking sanctuary (the tie-in of the title) in an old abandoned church for shelter. They both feel a pull to one another and like taking care of each other as time goes on! The relationship in this one felt pretty easy, they definitely had past traumas to share and work through, but they just fit so perfectly into one another’s lives. This does have age gap as well like most of the series (she’s 25, he’s 38). Since the romance does come together somewhat easily we do have more of plot to the story with multiple characters coming together to take down some baddies. While this one wasn’t a fav, I’m excited for more in the series later this year!

[Emma B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy visiting this world that Claire Kent has created, but the last few books, including this new release, haven’t hit the spot for me. I can’t put my finger on what is missing, but I still keep reading and probably will continue to read the series to see if the magic from the first few books comes back.

I did like both Breanna and Aidan, Breanna’s back story we know from the previous book, but Aidan’s we didn’t. I did like the conversations they had, they communicated well.

I’m quite intrigued by Maria and her group of warrior women, and wonder if a spin off series may come in the future.

There are 2 more books to come in 2024 before the series ends and despite my misgivings, I will continue to the end.

The sneaky peak at the next book looks promising, the relationship/marriage/arrangement of convenience trope is one that this author (mainly under her other pen name) writes really well. So I am looking forward to this one.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sanctuary” by Claire Kent

3⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶

“I swear he’s holding me together. The only place of sanctuary in the storm of my life.”

The next installment in Claire Kent’s dystopian romance series. This book follows Bre, the sister of the previous book’s FMC. She struggles to carve a place for herself in the township of Monument, and butts heads with Aidan, a fellow traveler. The two are constantly at odds, and become rivals of sorts when they accept delivery jobs. One day they become stranded, and are then forced to come to terms with their traumatic pasts, and what their new future will look like.

-I *love* the Kindled series by Claire Kent, and even if I give a book an average star rating (i.e., three stars), I still would recommend the series as a whole. It’s always interesting when people list which books they liked vs. disliked within this series, because opinions are truly all over the place.

-Going into this book, I had high hopes. The previous book, “Citadel”, is the precursor to “Sanctuary” and must be read in order to understand the characters and their motivations. I enjoyed “Citadel”, and was very intrigued by the pairing of Bre and Aidan; how was Claire Kent going to make two adversaries love interests when they absolutely hate each other? Well, she accomplished that, and she did in a way that made sense for both characters independent from their romantic interest in one another.

-I was fully prepared to give this book four stars until I hit the third act conflict. Simply put, it didn’t make any sense. Aidan has a reputation for making trade deals with gangsters, but he’s actively trying to sever that connection. However, it will take time, if he ends their partnership immediately then they could retaliate, but if it’s something he slowly backs away from, then they’ll just forget about him. This is where I couldn’t understand Bre’s intense reaction. She knows he has to do these shady deals, she knows he HATES doing them, she knows he wants to make different/better choices going forward. But she still throws a huge fit over him making this trade deal. Yes, it’s with a gang that previously kidnapped her, but he was already working with them prior to that happening. Everyone in this new and dysfunctional world has to make choices that nine times out of ten are really shitty. That’s just the way the world works, it’s not black and white. I found her reaction to be really frustrating. That being said, I DO understand being mad at him for lying to her. The lie was totally unnecessary, he should have just said what he was doing; he made it too dramatic and complicated.

-Usually these books follow a formula, and it’s especially apparent in the smutty scenes. The guys will say the same thing, book after book, the girls will orgasm over and over, rinse and repeat. However, I found the sex scenes to be much more original in this book. So kudos to Claire Kent.

-Allll of that aside, I need to talk a little bit about the preview for the next book in the series, “Homestead”. It looks really unique compared to the set up for her previous couples. It’s like a marriage of convenience, the MMC has a house and needs a partner/partner with benefits, the FMC needs a stable living/working environment. I’m so intrigued! I can’t wait to read it when it's released.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Citadel, I wasn't immediately interested in reading Breanna's story for reasons I couldn't really understand. I then recently read Protected which I absolutely loved and that made me turn to Sanctuary. The cover is gorgeous and this title... it was all so fitting. I think next to Last Light and Protected, Sanctuary is #3 on my favorite of this world.

I loved Breanna and Aidan's respective journey into healing and added bonus that Breanna legit didn't like him in the beginning. The third-act break up was a little dramatic, but I understand why so I'm not going to let it drop my love of the overall story.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings: Death of loved ones, murder, misogyny, guns, gangs, graphic violence, kidnapping, sexual assault/rape (coercion for sex), trauma, PTSD, sex as a minor at 17 with man who killed her dad the age is not confirmed but I believe he was older so statutory rape, forced public sex work, homicide of wife and kids where wife killed kids and commited suicide, infertility, possible pedophilia, human trafficking, amputation

“So take those supplies out of your cart right now and lay them on the road. Then walk away and don’t turn back.”
“That’s not going to happen, love.”
“And stop calling me fucking love. I just told you I’ll shoot you.”

1 Last Light
2 Haven
3 Princess
4 Embers
5 Hero
6 Citadel

I LOVED THIS, I think this might be tied up with Last Light as my fav book in the series. You don’t have to read all the books in the series to read this but you need to read Citadel. Citadel is the first part for Del, Breanna’s sister, and this takes place years after. I didn’t enjoy Del’s book as much but I am glad I read it. I recommend reading Last Light to fully understand the world that Claire Kent has created. I fucking LOVED Breanna, I admire her strength and have so much respect for her. I was rooting for her to be happy and Aiden was the perfect match. Aiden felt like a mix of Flynn Rider/Arthur Morgan, my fictional crushes (Joel Miller too). Aiden had so much more of a personality compared to the other MMCs (whom I still love), he managed to make me laugh with his dry humour. The characters communicate with each other and are openly vulnerable, this book is on the heavier end. The world is like The Last of Us minus the zombies. Breanna and Aiden have gone through dark shit, their stories reached me to a point where I was crying for them. We do see some characters from the previous books.


Me. Breanna. Back off. As if everything Aidan lays his eyes on belongs to him.
I’ll never back off. Not for him.
Not for any man who demands it of me.
Not anymore.

Breanna has gone through a lot of sexual trauma. This isn’t a major spoiler since we know in the previous book but not in detail (it's mentioned she fucks men for protection in the first chapter of the last book). Growing up, Breanna has had sex with men as a means to survive and protect her sister Del. Breanna does not want to be viewed as a victim. Even if she doesn’t want to be viewed this way, she was raped on all occasions. This discussion comes up in the book and I do appreciate it. If anyone ever feels coerced into have sex because they fear for their life, it isn’t consented sex, it is rape. It fucking sucks to see Breanna feel the need to say that she wasn’t raped since she consented. But she would not have had sex with these men if she didn’t have to. I don’t want to take away from Breanna’s experience and trauma, I just wanted to mention it in case anyone has experienced this. If you were ever forced to have sex with someone or feel pressured to because you feel your life was at risk, you are not consenting, it is rape. Breanna is a survivor and fighter, she has a big heart, and she deserves the world, and so do you.

It will be a risk—of course it will—but this whole job is a risk. Leaving the safety of walls is a risk. Living is a risk in this world, and I’m not willing to dull my own flame for fear of being snuffed out.
Not anymore.

After an asteroid hit the Earth, everyone’s lives changed and the only priority was to survive. Breanna did what she had to do to survive and so did Aiden. Now they are both messengers running jobs between communities. Aiden doesn’t want Breanna to interfere with his territory but Breanna is done with men pushing her around.

No one needs me. No one is my responsibility anymore. And there’s something about Aidan that has awakened a defiance inside me I didn’t know existed before.

Now for spoilers


It has been 8 years since the Impact, where an asteroid hit the Earth and the world went to shambles. Breanna has lived her whole life protecting Del, her sister who is younger by 2 years. It gutted me to find out Breanna was 2 years older since we know what she’s been through. Del and Cole live in the same place with Breanna but Breanna is a messenger who goes between communities to get jobs. She stays in the Monument, the town they are in, but she can’t see herself settling in one place. The person Breanna despises is her British messenger rival named Aiden who has been taking jobs everywhere. Aiden was someone who traded with anyone, did not seem to care for anyone, and only looked out for his best interests. He told Breanna to back off but this pisses her off more. Aiden has solid partnerships with most communities. Breanna is 25 and Aiden is 38, its a huge age gap but I’m used to it in this series. She gets a job from a town to get school supplies in exchange for a wedding dress for Del and some flour. Del is going to marry Cole so Breanna wanted to surprise her. Aiden is pissed she took the job and points his gun at her so she does it back to him. They both race for the supplies and loot. When Breanna threatened to shoot him, Aiden knew she wouldn’t do it. The town gave Aiden some flour but Breanna was able to get a little bit of flour and the wedding dress.


Breanna is pissed Aiden interfered with her job so she decides to steal one of his clients. She goes to a guy named James in a town who is married and has kids. This guy cheats on his wife with any woman but he only fucks people who want to. He asked Breanna in the past and she hasn’t slept with anyone since the time she was kidnapped by the gang in the last book. She a deal to get half of what Aiden charges for the same work. James gives her a parcel to deliver.


While Breanna is sleeping, Aiden tries to steal her parcel. They start wrestling and Aiden says that she stole the job from him and it's his. Breanna knew she was never in danger around Aiden, he just wanted the parcel. I loved the idea of their rivalry, it was fun to read. Maria travelled all the way to their area and catches them wrestling. She threatens to kill Aiden if Breanna wants it. Breanna says she knows Aiden wouldn’t have hurt her and lets him leave. Maria came since the gang that kidnapped Breanna were taking over the area. The gang is in a hotel and Maria is there to take them out. I love Maria for saving all the women in this fucked up world. Breanna says she will join when they do the attack. Breanna goes home worried that Del was worried about her and walks into Del and Cole having loud sex. They were so fucking loud that you could hear them from outside. I felt so bad for Breanna, I know Del can’t always be there worried and waiting for her but ever since the last book, I can’t stand these two. Breanna feels trauma and runs out to vomit, she has a breakdown and was crying. Aiden asks if she is okay and offers to split up territories. He tries to give Breanna the bad territories with nothing or with dangerous people but Breanna saw through him. He tells her to split it but she doesn’t trust him. Aiden leaves and Breanna decides to get another job with a militia group run by Agatha, an old lady who propositioned her for sex in the past but Breanna said no.


Before Breanna leaves, I respected Del for saying that she was scared for Breanna. Del did love her sister, it was just annoying seeing her fuck Cole while Breanna was kidnapped. Seeing Breanna feel like she was alone in the world since Del didn’t need her anymore made me so sad. She was so real for feeling bitter that Cole stole Del away, but she also was happy for her sister. Agatha wants to do a competition between Aiden and Breanna. Whoever can go to the mountains and get her 8 bottles of wine the fastest can be her messenger for risky jobs. Breanna and Aiden go on this dangerous journey on separate paths. A snow storm starts and Breanna tries to cross this risky bridge. She slips and injures herself and can’t get up. Aiden runs into her and helps her up. Aiden told her he isn’t a monster and picked her up.

“Hush, love. This isn’t exactly easy. You’re no featherweight.”
I gasp again. “Asshole.”

They end up at a church and Breanna is surprised he saved her and Aiden helps Breanna get warm. He finds robes, lights a fire, and rubs Breanna’s hands to get her warm. Breanna opens up about her sexual history with the men and it is horrific. The first man was when she was 17, there was a raid and her dad was killed. Breanna had to fuck the man who killed her father at 17. Firstly, she is a minor, second, he was definitely older even if she describes him as youngish so it was statutory rape, third she was a virgin. And to add on the fact that he killed her father is insane. Then he was killed and this other group took over and the leader was dominant. He fucked with Breanna mentally while having sex with her. He would find ways to make her come and then withhold it from her. Breanna felt like this was all she deserved, she was forced to give him blow jobs in public. He wanted her to come while he fucked her as a way to demean her and wanted her to beg for it. Then her mom died during childbirth to their baby sister and they were ambushed again. The new leader was dangerous so they ran to where they were in the previous book. Breanna offered herself to the leader in his 50s and she said the sex wasn’t bad since he didn’t have much energy. Once that was over, they went to the Monument and after that, Breanna was kidnapped by the gang. I was scared she was gang raped but she was smart to figure out who the leader was and offered herself to him. She made him possessive so he didn’t share her with the others but she described him as gross, still fucked up that she had to have sex with him to survive. In each instance she had to act like she liked it to manipulate the men. She hates dominant sex with spanking and dirty talk because of her trauma. She says she consented but she was raped, she was cornered into giving her body to these men.

“It wasn’t rape,” I blurt out. “I offered myself to him. I just didn’t… want it. But it was still my choice.”
“A choice made when the other option is to die isn’t a real choice.”

Aiden was the first person Breanna opened up to about this and he tells her he never expects anything from her and he isn’t that type of person. Breanna asks about Aiden’s past and it was devastating. He had a wife and two twin boys, he was a marketing executive. When the Impact happened, they were in a cabin starving with no food. The one day he finally managed to catch something, he goes home to find all of his family dead with slits on them. The knife was found beside his wife, meaning his wife killed the boys and then herself. I can’t imagine how he must’ve felt to walk into that. Both Breanna and Aiden are scared to open up to others.

“Connecting emotionally is much more difficult—much more dangerous—than seeing someone else as an enemy. Empathy exposes us as much as the other person.”

Aiden knew that fighting over territory was stupid but he couldn’t get Breanna out of his head. Breanna wakes up cold so Aiden makes a fire and cuddles her to stay warm. If he wakes up aroused, he feels terrible but Breanna told him to masturbate in the other room. I loved how cautious and careful Aiden was, he was originally going to stand outside in the cold. Breanna tells him that she isn’t a victim, that she did these things to survive. If someone who dealt with these things do not want to be labelled as a certain thing, you just respect it.

“But I’m not some sort of victim. I made choices at every step of the way. I took control of anything I could and used every resource I had at hand, including my own body. Everyone has had to do hard things to survive. You don’t get to start thinking about me like a victim.”

They spend days cuddling until the snow storm stops but Breanna’s leg is still hurt. Aiden says that he can get the wine. Aiden leaves and he isn’t back in a long time so Breanna leaves since she is worried. Aiden hugs her and is thankful that she cared enough to come after him. I loved how they kissed here and Aiden was just happy to be with her. Breanna realizes that Aiden is injured and helps him. Aiden isn’t used to being taken care of and they make out. Breanna says she wants to have sex and Aiden was so soft and tender with her. Breanna has never had sex for personal pleasure, and Aiden put her pleasure first. As they leave, Aiden asks what Breanna wants to do and give her options. His last option was to do jobs together and Breanna wants that. Aident hasn’t had sex with anyone since his wife 6 years ago. He offers to let Breanna take the wine to Agatha but Breanna says they will do it together. Agatha says they didn’t agree on this but pays them. Breanna tells Del everything and Del feels cautious. She is scared Aiden will break Breanna’s heart since he seems like a selfish man. But Breanna assures her that he isn’t and is annoyed even if her sister is concerned. I was a bit annoyed at first since Del said things were going fast between them when she and Cole were hella fast, even if they had a 2 year break. But I was glad it was addressed and once Aiden comes back, Breanna shares her room with him.


Aiden and Breanna start to do jobs together and they’re both so happy. But one day, Aiden tells Breanna to sleep in. Since Breanna was awake, she runs to catch up with him and he is doing business with the gangs. Aiden was known for not caring who his customers were as long as he got paid. But Breanna felt betrayed since she thought he stopped doing business with them, especially since she is with him now. The person he was talking to was the person who kidnapped her in the gang. Aiden knew she was there and tells her to come out. He tells her that this was the final job. He would be killed if he pulls out of their partnership quickly so he has been doing it slowly. This was honestly reasonable even if it were fucked up. He is sorry and didn’t want her to know and hurt her but she says he should’ve been honest at least. Breanna says that Del was right about him, that he only cares about himself. Aiden tells her that he loves her but Breanna can’t believe he did business with them.


Del hugs Breanna and she spends weeks at the Monument. Maria shows up weeks later with recruits saying they are ready for the attack. We see Gail from New Haven, Cal, Rachel, Mack, Ham, and a couple others. Faith is pregnant again so Travis couldn’t make it, love that they are happy. Cole and Del are there and Maria is trying to figure out a way to get the door open in the hotel to ambush the gang. Aiden appears and says he will do it and Breanna is his distraction hostage. Aiden can act like he has something to bribe the gang with and cut ties (Breanna offered to be the bait). When Breanna talks to Aiden before the ambush, she could tell Aiden was ready to sacrifice himself. Cole was there to find his brother and I was like bruh just give it up already. Aiden told Breanna no one will touch her. When he goes in, he tells the gang members he has a bribe and when the men try to touch Breanna, he says not to touch before a deal is made. They get the door open and it was chaos. I was stressed the whole time and Gail dies from gunshots. They took her body back to New Haven afterwards. Cole runs into his brother Mark who calls him crazy for coming there. When they are cornered, Mark says that Cole is a good guy and should live. Mark distracts the gang members and gets shot in the head, Cole is devastated. I couldn’t care less for Mark, especially since you see all the women and little girls who were held by the gang. Most of them women were being used for sex but the little girls? I can’t man. Mark has none of my sympathy. Cole gets shot and there is no way that both he and Breanna can make it. So he tells Breanna to run to Del and take care of her. But Aiden gets Breanna to safety and is going to sacrifice himself. He gets Cole to safety and gets shot multiple times. At this point I was crying even though I knew he had to live. Breanna went to Aiden, I loved that he said he was playing dead. It kinda reminded me of Flynn Rider complimenting Rapunzel’s hair when she was crying over him.

“Something I’ve learned the hard way from living the life I’ve led.” He has to clear his throat before he continues. “When you’re trapped in a gunfight…” There’s an irrepressible glint in his green eyes as he finishes. “Play dead.”


They successfully overtook the gang and saved the women and children. Aiden’s one hand was shot and they had to amputate it but he will live. Cole is still grieving his brother who he buried. Breanna plans to get her own place with Aiden. She eventually says she loves Aiden and they decide to do jobs together once he has healed, nothing too crazy since he isn’t in the same state anymore. Breanna opens up to Aiden about not liking rough sex. She can’t get pregnant, some of them men were careless but she never got pregnant. They go back to the church where they fell in love and Breanna says she is sorry she can’t have kids. Aiden doesn’t want kids since he lost his two boys but if she ever gets pregnant, he will accept it. They both prefer to just be together as is while Del is pregnant. This story had me so emotional, and I loved how vulnerable and open Breanna and Aiden were with each other. Can’t wait to read the next book.


Stay safe folks!

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series has delivered a dose of angst and emotional heartache at some point. This book gave it to me in layers as each characters' past is slowly revealed. Breanna’s layers began in the previous book Citadel. I admit, I was a bit apprehensive going into this one. However, Ms. Kent exposed the dark part of Breanna's life in a manner that pulled me into her story and gripped my heart.





While we are not given Aiden's point of view, there were enough hints along the way to guess where his heart and mind were. Of course, there were also those times that I found myself questioning his motivations. His gentle care of Breanna when she needed it won me over big time.





This is filled with a lot of action, some serious danger and drama, as well as moments that had me tearing up. It's also laced with the perfect amount of steam, written in a way that had me moving Aiden to the top of my recent favorite hero list.

Heroine POV
Safe no ow/om drama; h not a virgin; H not a manwhore
Triggers in the past, h had to use sex to help her and her sister survive - not on page and not in this book;
Per the author:
Most of the books in the Kindled series can be effectively read as standalones, but Sanctuary is a book best read after the previous one. You’ll lose a lot of the emotional power if you jump into it out of context. While you certainly don’t need to start from the beginning of the series, I recommend you at least read Citadel before reading this one. Sanctuary also features main characters with the most traumatic backgrounds in the series. Both Breanna and Aidan have gone through a lot. Last Light and the Kindled series have always included violence, death, and sexual assault as part of the backdrop of the post-apocalyptic world, but this book hits harder on those themes. Breanna was repeatedly sexually abused in the past. While those acts are explained as backstory, there is no on-page sexual assault in this book. Aidan’s family history is violent and traumatic—again, only explained after the fact and not shown on page. If you’ve already read Citadel, then Breanna’s history won’t be a surprise, but Aidan’s might be, and I thought I’d give an early warning about the book as a whole in case you’d prefer to avoid these themes.

Steam 3 /5; explicit; no condoms in this world

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

7/30/25: Just finished my first reread and I still say this is my favorite of the series. CK/NA really knows how to do a true enemies to lovers relationship (she knows how to do it all tbh 🫶🏻).

1/9/24: shoutout to claire kent for releasing this book on my birthday bc i feel like it was a personal gift to me. this one was hands down my favorite in the series (apart from last light), and it even had a forced proximity/snowed in inside a remote, abandoned cabin (i mean it was actually a church but whatever) in the mountains trope? i'm screaming. i was a little apprehensive to read this one, bc the previous book in this series was probably my least favorite, but goshhh this one more than made up for it. i really loved that breanna and aiden's story didn't have to end with having kids or even the plan to have kids. that works well in some stories but not all couples need that to complete or fulfill their love story. their determination that they did not want kids and that simply being with each other and having a life together is enough for them made the ending even sweeter for me. just such a good one :')

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like it isn’t fair to rate this book with the others, it’s just not the same quality ya know?

The characters are flat and the development is non existent. We go from zero to one hundred when we find out Aiden likes Breanna, not build up whatsoever.

And don’t get me started on the “drama” in the middle.

[Catheryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite of the series (Last Light still the best).

Breanna and Aiden's story was tragic and sweet. They both are running from different traumas but find comfort in each other. I'm glad the 'enemies' part of this book did not last long. Something about their story together just tugged at my heart. They are the first of the series to have such traumatic pasts. I feel like this series keeps getting better (except for Hero, I love it but it's not the strongest).

Overall, I loved it. We got to see the characters connect more on an emotional level. I also loved seeing a hero just be so sweet and tender. They had great communication (for the most part).

[AvidReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75🌟!

I didn’t give it more stars because the conflicts weren’t conflicting.

Loved the first half and Aidan and Breanna are love! I also got royally pissed about Aidan’s injury and the aftermath. Like, Girl give that man a break.

Still this series is 🩵.

-rivals to lovers.
-post apocalyptic romance.
-forced proximity, TW, KU and recommended.

No cheating or ow drama. Safe.

[Ilaria 🌸 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice but not the fav in the series

[Anne in VA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this series, but unfortunately, this was my least favorite of them all. I think by not including Aiden and Breanna's first meet, Kent did a disservice to them here. I read the previous book, but don't remember much about Aiden. Definitely not enough to understand how he was half in love with Breanna already at the start of this book. I liked their little battles against each other, but once they hooked up, everything happened so fast---too fast. This couple was kinda boring, to be honest. The whole war at the end, also didn't jive with me. There wasn't much explanation or backstory given on why it needed to be done the way it was done. I needed to understand more because honestly, I felt like they wasted lives doing all that. All-in-all, just an ok read this time. I'm very excited about the next book based off the sneak peak.

[Valerie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked both MCs. They both had terrible pasts and were able to connect to one another. Also enjoyed the battle scene at the end, provided some much needed excitement.

[hea booktubes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really didn’t love their third act breakup. But it did help the plot. Even if I thought it was kind of a betrayal of both of their traumas. This book is the darkest in the series so far. Proceed with caution. CW past sexual trauma, our mc was trading sex for survival and has trauma from it, and it’s discussed quite a bit, the hero’s wife killed herself and their children, hero is injured and loses his hand.

[Izzie d · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have been following the series you will want to read this one.
If you haven't read previous books in the series this book is best read after the previous book, Citadel, as the 2 books deal with 2 susters and events from Citadel are related in this book as its part of the heroine's past.
No intimate details other than the Hero and heroine.
HEA.

Spoilers.
Hero was previously married with twin boys, they died. He's not hung up on his dead wife but is jaded by his experiences.


AUTHOR’S NOTE Most of the books in the Kindled series can be effectively read as standalones, but Sanctuary is a book best read after the previous one. You’ll lose a lot of the emotional power if you jump into it out of context. While you certainly don’t need to start from the beginning of the series, I recommend you at least read Citadel before reading this one. Sanctuary also features main characters with the most traumatic backgrounds in the series. Both Breanna and Aidan have gone through a lot. Last Light and the Kindled series have always included violence, death, and sexual assault as part of the backdrop of the post-apocalyptic world, but this book hits harder on those themes. Breanna was repeatedly sexually abused in the past. While those acts are explained as backstory, there is no on-page sexual assault in this book. Aidan’s family history is violent and traumatic—again, only explained after the fact and not shown on page. If you’ve already read Citadel, then Breanna’s history won’t be a surprise, but Aidan’s might be, and I thought I’d give an early warning about the book as a whole in case you’d prefer to avoid these themes.

[Danny Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite of the series so far. It was rather slow compared to the other ones, and had couple of plot holes. This starts off 8 yrs after impact. We already met Breanna and Aiden in the previous book that was 6 yrs after impact. In those two years its told that Breanna and Aiden don't like one another as Breanna is trying to share his territory as message and supply runner. But apparently Aiden has been falling in love with Breanna which to me wasn't obvious because we didn't get a whole lot of explanation of what occurred between them in those two years. Breanna at this point hates all men because of her past traumas. It was understandable, but by the end she realized that she can't do that as all men are not the same and can not be lumped together. Aiden's past broke my heart. Seriously it was sad. And he lost himself along the way because of it. He does something I didn't think was that big a deal because he was trying to protect Breanna's feelings, but she flies off the deep end and breaks it off with him. Really weak plot excuse there. Fast forward a few months and everyone is gathering up from the other settlements to take down the Wolf Pack staying in a hotel they took over in West Virginia. Unfortunate thing's happen, some people getting hurt or killed, but Breanna and Aiden find their HEA together. But it just wasn't as convincing as the other couples from previous books.

[Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

This is my last book of the year and I'm sad to say this was a disappointment.

I couldn't feel a genuine connection between Breanna and Aiden. They went from bitter competitors for more than a year to lovers in a span of 2 to 3 days when they ended stuck together in a snowstorm. I didn't understand how Aiden could have fallen for Breanna (he supposedly pined after her all this while) when they barely spent time with one another before the "competition" / snowstorm incident. All the emotional development supposedly took place off-page before the start of this story and so, it was difficult for me to really care about their relationship.

Overall, this was a 'meh' addition to the series. The best, in my opinion, are still Embers and Hero. There are two stories left in this series, and I certainly hope they would be much better!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books always pack a heavy emotional punch to go along with the romance and this one definitely didn't hold back.

Breanna and Adian both have their own traumas they've been through in this post apocalyptic world and the push and pull they go through to get their HEA makes total sense when you have that context and I can not wait to see what comes next in this series

4/5 stars

[kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

my least favorite book out of the series.

[Sandra R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good book in this series. 3.5 stars. 😍

[Taylor H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Sanctuary more than Citadel, but it feels like something is missing in the last couple of books.
We follow Breanna, Del's older sister, and Aiden, a lone messenger we briefly meet in Citadel.
There's a bit of enemies to lovers, as they compete with each other trying to get jobs from other towns.



Despite the last couple of books just being okay I will of course finish this series. I love this post-apocalyptic world Kent has created and the teaser for the next book sounds intriguing. An arranged marriage in a dystopian world, I am sold.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily a top favorite of the Kindled series. It took a different direction than most of the other books which was a refreshing change up.

Rivals to lovers
Low angst
Healing journey