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Reciprocity: A Novella
The mission had been about rescue. Now it was about survival.
For Agent Charlotte Ford of the Bio-Disaster Response Force, wading through the aftermath of viral outbreaks is just part of the job. But after she becomes separated from her team on what should have been a routine operation, she discovers that there’s more to this job than meets the eye, and there are more players in the game—including a very mouthy mercenary with whom she ends up on the run through a city filled with ravenous infected.
Adam Emerson is a lot of things: an opportunist, a bioterrorist, a survivor. He prefers money to morals, and Charlotte would be only too happy to leave him behind in the dust. Still, there’s far more at stake here than personal feelings. If they’re going to live, they need each other—just until they get out, of course. If they get out at all.
For Agent Charlotte Ford of the Bio-Disaster Response Force, wading through the aftermath of viral outbreaks is just part of the job. But after she becomes separated from her team on what should have been a routine operation, she discovers that there’s more to this job than meets the eye, and there are more players in the game—including a very mouthy mercenary with whom she ends up on the run through a city filled with ravenous infected.
Adam Emerson is a lot of things: an opportunist, a bioterrorist, a survivor. He prefers money to morals, and Charlotte would be only too happy to leave him behind in the dust. Still, there’s far more at stake here than personal feelings. If they’re going to live, they need each other—just until they get out, of course. If they get out at all.
- GenresDystopia
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2024
About the author
Natalie Benz
2 books10 followersAuthor, reader, born-and-bred Texan. Current favorite genres to write in: horror, action/adventure, zombance (zombie survival + romance).
Find me (and my art!) on Instagram @thetexaslass.
Find me (and my art!) on Instagram @thetexaslass.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 6, 2024
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book about a zombie apocalypse in my life. That being said, it was HIGHLY enjoyable and I laughed a lot while reading. I was slightly concerned going into it because I absolutely cannot read gore, and while there were a few descriptions that made me cringe, it was never anything I couldn’t handle. Overall, a fun read and a fairly quick one too. Go read Reciprocity.
March 27, 2025
Zombies and snark? I will take it, pleaseandthankyou.
The novella follows Charlotte Ford of the Bio-Disaster Response Force on a routine mission to clear out a city after a recent viral outbreak—standard procedure. But after she gets separated from her team, she is forced to join forces with Adam Emerson, a man who only seems to know how to break the rules and spout out snarky comments. Not exactly a guy Charlotte wants to have to rely on in the middle of a zombie-infested city that's about to be burned to the ground.
Ah, this story! This is a quick read that captured me from page one to the end. Benz has a gift for snark. I was living for every single witty, sarcastic line, and there were some zingers, let me tell ya. Charlotte and Adam were something else. But beneath their constant snark, we bit by bit got to see who they were as people and their dynamics build. I absolutely fell in love with this disaster pair.
The narrative itself was so sharp and vivid. I often struggle to picture the movement of high-action scenes in novels, but Benz has an incredible knack for capturing every moment in quick detail that I forgot I was reading. I felt as though I was there. It was some of the best written action I've seen in a long, long time.
I was entirely hooked by the plot. There were some twists along the way, and though it was short, it never felt rushed.
This novella feels like an adrenaline rush, a giant dose of snark, and a thread of heart hidden beneath all in one. It's the type of story that hooks you from the start and refuses to let go.
Content Cautions: This is a zombie story, so expect gory descriptions, lots of danger, intense action, and injuries. But beyond the violence and 2 or 3 light curse words, it stayed family-friendly.
The novella follows Charlotte Ford of the Bio-Disaster Response Force on a routine mission to clear out a city after a recent viral outbreak—standard procedure. But after she gets separated from her team, she is forced to join forces with Adam Emerson, a man who only seems to know how to break the rules and spout out snarky comments. Not exactly a guy Charlotte wants to have to rely on in the middle of a zombie-infested city that's about to be burned to the ground.
Ah, this story! This is a quick read that captured me from page one to the end. Benz has a gift for snark. I was living for every single witty, sarcastic line, and there were some zingers, let me tell ya. Charlotte and Adam were something else. But beneath their constant snark, we bit by bit got to see who they were as people and their dynamics build. I absolutely fell in love with this disaster pair.
The narrative itself was so sharp and vivid. I often struggle to picture the movement of high-action scenes in novels, but Benz has an incredible knack for capturing every moment in quick detail that I forgot I was reading. I felt as though I was there. It was some of the best written action I've seen in a long, long time.
I was entirely hooked by the plot. There were some twists along the way, and though it was short, it never felt rushed.
This novella feels like an adrenaline rush, a giant dose of snark, and a thread of heart hidden beneath all in one. It's the type of story that hooks you from the start and refuses to let go.
Content Cautions: This is a zombie story, so expect gory descriptions, lots of danger, intense action, and injuries. But beyond the violence and 2 or 3 light curse words, it stayed family-friendly.
March 22, 2025
Zombie apocalypses? Not really my thing. But trust Natalie to keep me hooked through the entirety of this short, bloody, and thrilling escapade.
September 6, 2026
WELCOME TO THE BDRF!!! Anyone who knows me also knows I'm a leisurely paced reader... but that is no reflection of the speed and charm of the stories I take my time on. <3 More than anything, I read stories so I can get attached to adorable characters and give my weary head a rest by watching *said characters* get pummeled by chaos and adventure.
Speaking of which, I know this is a zombie adventure, but what's a little extra growling and frothing from the bad guys compared to any other warzone action novel I've picked up? Just as soon as I got acquainted with the (very... judgy... but charming) miss Charlotte, I got to watch her deal in real time with the equally witty other main character - and without spoiling, the feeling was *angelic*
Shoutout to Park who gets shown for two seconds and is a) No. 1 Driver and b) No.1 character in my mind. I would tell you about all the other characters that jumped into my heart, but I think it's better you read for yourself 💕 (I wasn't even a zombie person but I came outta this converted)
Speaking of which, I know this is a zombie adventure, but what's a little extra growling and frothing from the bad guys compared to any other warzone action novel I've picked up? Just as soon as I got acquainted with the (very... judgy... but charming) miss Charlotte, I got to watch her deal in real time with the equally witty other main character - and without spoiling, the feeling was *angelic*
Shoutout to Park who gets shown for two seconds and is a) No. 1 Driver and b) No.1 character in my mind. I would tell you about all the other characters that jumped into my heart, but I think it's better you read for yourself 💕 (I wasn't even a zombie person but I came outta this converted)
May 2, 2024
Apart from one comic book on The Walking Dead, I’ve never read a zombie apocalypse book, especially not one where they are used by bio-terrorists. Regardless, it was still a highly engrossing tale that hooked its claws into you from the offset. The mix of action and comedy was nigh on perfect, and it created a really enjoyable reading experience. For a debut novel from this author, this was a fantastic work of literature that I’d recommend to anyone wanting a quick, easy, and fun read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews