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The Wild #1
Lost Song
I was nineteen when the world fell apart with news of an impending planet-altering disaster. To make the most of the time we had left, my high school boyfriend and I ran away to elope. We moved to a camper deep in the woods to escape the chaotic panic and violent struggle for food and supplies. We learned to survive on our own.
Three years later and he's long gone. But I'm still here. Living alone. Avoiding other survivors because no one can be trusted anymore.
Then an injured man drops at my feet, and I make the impulsive decision to help him. I'll tend to his wounds and wait for him to heal, but that's all I can offer. He's got his own demons--everyone who's made it this long does--and I won't let him drag me into danger.
I've done fine on my own. I can't risk everything that's kept me safe for him.
Lost Song is a post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe and includes some violent content and (secondary) character death.
Three years later and he's long gone. But I'm still here. Living alone. Avoiding other survivors because no one can be trusted anymore.
Then an injured man drops at my feet, and I make the impulsive decision to help him. I'll tend to his wounds and wait for him to heal, but that's all I can offer. He's got his own demons--everyone who's made it this long does--and I won't let him drag me into danger.
I've done fine on my own. I can't risk everything that's kept me safe for him.
Lost Song is a post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe and includes some violent content and (secondary) character death.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2026
134 people are currently reading
886 people want to read
About the author
Claire Kent
40 books2,196 followersClaire 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,
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,
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Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR...
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
❀⋆.ೃ࿔* LOST SONG ❀⋆.ೃ࿔* Is the first post-apocalyptic romance novel within (The Wild) series by author Claire Kent. This is Kat & Micah's story. And Molly Kat's much loved springer spaniel.
I may have squealed a little bit when this landed in my inbox..I think I have this author to thank *coughs* or blame for my obsession with this genre. With coffee in hand, my trusty iPad and my favourite couch to read on, I was good to go, life on hold and like a favourite programme this was binged from front to back. Like usual this author weaved her magic and I couldn't put this down, and like usual I wish it was longer, and I wish we had've stayed longer within the compound walls, as I was hoping for more within those scenes it was over with.
A strong independent heroine and a happy go lucky hero these two were bound to collide in the best way possible. All her hard edges aligned perfectly with him, together they were perfection.
Kat's marriage had lasted just a few weeks and hours past eleven months, when out of the blue he packs his things and left, leaving Kat behind all alone in their camper nestled within a secluded spot within the woods. Until a stranger is found on death's door outside her camper, she has no choice but to help him. Days turn into weeks as he heals, day after day she wants him to leave her sanctuary but that over part craves his companionship. A lost battle weaves itself around her heart as Micah breaks down all her defensives.
I crave that survival aspect of living within a dangerous changed world, and this author feeds that obsession of mine perfectly.
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
❀⋆.ೃ࿔* LOST SONG ❀⋆.ೃ࿔* Is the first post-apocalyptic romance novel within (The Wild) series by author Claire Kent. This is Kat & Micah's story. And Molly Kat's much loved springer spaniel.
I may have squealed a little bit when this landed in my inbox..I think I have this author to thank *coughs* or blame for my obsession with this genre. With coffee in hand, my trusty iPad and my favourite couch to read on, I was good to go, life on hold and like a favourite programme this was binged from front to back. Like usual this author weaved her magic and I couldn't put this down, and like usual I wish it was longer, and I wish we had've stayed longer within the compound walls, as I was hoping for more within those scenes it was over with.
A strong independent heroine and a happy go lucky hero these two were bound to collide in the best way possible. All her hard edges aligned perfectly with him, together they were perfection.
Kat's marriage had lasted just a few weeks and hours past eleven months, when out of the blue he packs his things and left, leaving Kat behind all alone in their camper nestled within a secluded spot within the woods. Until a stranger is found on death's door outside her camper, she has no choice but to help him. Days turn into weeks as he heals, day after day she wants him to leave her sanctuary but that over part craves his companionship. A lost battle weaves itself around her heart as Micah breaks down all her defensives.
I crave that survival aspect of living within a dangerous changed world, and this author feeds that obsession of mine perfectly.
...‘I'm thinkin' I've never met anyone as beautiful as you. Beautiful and fearless and tough and vibrant. Alive. And fragile underneath it in a way that it makes me wanna be a godamn hero’
Review of advance copy received from Author
When the world ends WHO WILL WARM YOUR HEART? 💚✨ Injured but HANDSOME man lands on the doorstep of a jaded girlie & she may as well put his smart mouth to use for something…
✨🌲 ⛺️💚🐶🧡⛺️ 🌲✨
Cozy. Dystopian. Heartwarming.
Kat is a smart prepper girlie surviving in her camper for years after a global catastrophe. She needs no one. Until one day an injured giant lands on her doorstep and now she’s trying to heal him fast so she can kick him out 💨 But he’s handsome & witty so…maybe she can just partake in some casual sex while he’s recovering, right?
“He loves me so much. It’s impossible not to feel it. Right now and every moment of my days.”
Perfectly executed reverse grumpy x sunshine trope!! Kat’s reserved/self-sufficient personality needed someone cheerful to spice up her life 🧡💚 Micah’s sunny personality was like a balm to her jaded soul & the way he thought she was PRECIOUS…how adorable!!
🏕️ HE FALLS FIRST! Micah thinks she’s the most beautiful creature he’s ever seen!
🏕️ emotionally open mmc *we love a man that can cry*
🏕️ blueprint for the SICK BED trope
🏕️ they sing to each other
This book is different than Claire Kent’s others because it’s filled with playful attraction from the start. The slow melting of Kat’s heart & Micah’s vulnerable approach made the story an emotional read. Definitely SPICIER too!!
dytopian
reverse grumpy x sunshine
forced proximity
sick bed
small communities
trading/scavaging
single POV
HEA
Thank you to Claire Kent for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
✨🌲 ⛺️💚🐶🧡⛺️ 🌲✨
Cozy. Dystopian. Heartwarming.
Kat is a smart prepper girlie surviving in her camper for years after a global catastrophe. She needs no one. Until one day an injured giant lands on her doorstep and now she’s trying to heal him fast so she can kick him out 💨 But he’s handsome & witty so…maybe she can just partake in some casual sex while he’s recovering, right?
“He loves me so much. It’s impossible not to feel it. Right now and every moment of my days.”
Perfectly executed reverse grumpy x sunshine trope!! Kat’s reserved/self-sufficient personality needed someone cheerful to spice up her life 🧡💚 Micah’s sunny personality was like a balm to her jaded soul & the way he thought she was PRECIOUS…how adorable!!
🏕️ HE FALLS FIRST! Micah thinks she’s the most beautiful creature he’s ever seen!
🏕️ emotionally open mmc *we love a man that can cry*
🏕️ blueprint for the SICK BED trope
🏕️ they sing to each other
This book is different than Claire Kent’s others because it’s filled with playful attraction from the start. The slow melting of Kat’s heart & Micah’s vulnerable approach made the story an emotional read. Definitely SPICIER too!!
dytopian
reverse grumpy x sunshine
forced proximity
sick bed
small communities
trading/scavaging
single POV
HEA
Thank you to Claire Kent for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Read for Content Pull.
I am the Author's Assistant!
I am the Author's Assistant!
March 1, 2026
4 stars
Claire Kent made me irremediably fall in love with the Post-Apocalyptic subgenera, and now to say that I’m obsessed with it is an euphemism. Love Song was no exception to the rule; i inhaled it in one sitting. everything played out perfectly in the narrative, to my opinion, from the impromptu circumstances that led the protagonists to meet and stay together for a relatively long period, to how their personalities were a prefect match to one another and lastly, how all the jam-packed with adrenaline part of the storyline was dextrally orchestrated, i was PANICKED. did i mention the toe-curling, delicious scenes? because one thing the author MASTERS other than making a dystopian, scary world the home for such beautiful and heartwarming love stories, is certainly writing multiple hot scenes without falling in a repetitive and boring loop. all in all, i would definitely recommend this book (or any by this author to be honest) especially if you are looking for something short and fast-passed to read.
many thanks to the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Claire Kent made me irremediably fall in love with the Post-Apocalyptic subgenera, and now to say that I’m obsessed with it is an euphemism. Love Song was no exception to the rule; i inhaled it in one sitting. everything played out perfectly in the narrative, to my opinion, from the impromptu circumstances that led the protagonists to meet and stay together for a relatively long period, to how their personalities were a prefect match to one another and lastly, how all the jam-packed with adrenaline part of the storyline was dextrally orchestrated, i was PANICKED. did i mention the toe-curling, delicious scenes? because one thing the author MASTERS other than making a dystopian, scary world the home for such beautiful and heartwarming love stories, is certainly writing multiple hot scenes without falling in a repetitive and boring loop. all in all, i would definitely recommend this book (or any by this author to be honest) especially if you are looking for something short and fast-passed to read.
many thanks to the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 6, 2026
Really enjoyed this one. It's set apart from the other series though still about survivors of the impact.
The heroine is strong and capable of caring for herself but when she helps the Hero who turns up injured she recognises that having other people in her life has it's advantages.
Simple things like being able to bathe on the river while the other stands watch adds to her safety.
The heroine was married young as the blurb says but he leaves, obviously with no modern communication she has no idea where he is or even if he's alive.
No details of the Hero with anyone else.
No intimate details except the Hero and heroine.
New enemy threat is a religious group who subjugate women, taking many wives.
I'm hoping this is book 1 in a new series as there is lots of potential.
HEA. Possibility of seeing that HEA in future books in the series through other couples books.
The heroine is strong and capable of caring for herself but when she helps the Hero who turns up injured she recognises that having other people in her life has it's advantages.
Simple things like being able to bathe on the river while the other stands watch adds to her safety.
The heroine was married young as the blurb says but he leaves, obviously with no modern communication she has no idea where he is or even if he's alive.
No details of the Hero with anyone else.
No intimate details except the Hero and heroine.
New enemy threat is a religious group who subjugate women, taking many wives.
I'm hoping this is book 1 in a new series as there is lots of potential.
HEA. Possibility of seeing that HEA in future books in the series through other couples books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2026
Loved this post apocalyptic romance with a super cute pup Molly. Two people feeling alone in the world coming together taking care of each other and singing around a campfire, loving in a trailer by the creek. Super cute with a hint of danger.🏕️
March 8, 2026
4.5 🌟!
I’ve been waiting for this book since a while now and it’s amazing.
It was so satisfying to read about a heroine who is a recluse, independent, grumpy and completely self sufficient. Kat was fantastic! A no nonsense and practical heroine. Surviving in apocalypse world where humanity is completely fallen is no small thing. But she did it and thrived. I loved her character.
Micah was her complete opposite. He is still hopeful and not jaded. He was also a sunshine to Kat’s grumpiness. I enjoyed their equation. It was satisfying to watch them figure it out and fall in love. They really had that special connection and were ready to work on it.
I loved Logan more in this book. He was more approachable. Can’t wait to read his book. Burgundy’s too.
-Post apocalypse romance.
-Forced proximity.
-Found family.
-Reverse grumpy x sunshine.
-Standalone, KU, safe and TW.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
I’ve been waiting for this book since a while now and it’s amazing.
It was so satisfying to read about a heroine who is a recluse, independent, grumpy and completely self sufficient. Kat was fantastic! A no nonsense and practical heroine. Surviving in apocalypse world where humanity is completely fallen is no small thing. But she did it and thrived. I loved her character.
Micah was her complete opposite. He is still hopeful and not jaded. He was also a sunshine to Kat’s grumpiness. I enjoyed their equation. It was satisfying to watch them figure it out and fall in love. They really had that special connection and were ready to work on it.
I loved Logan more in this book. He was more approachable. Can’t wait to read his book. Burgundy’s too.
-Post apocalypse romance.
-Forced proximity.
-Found family.
-Reverse grumpy x sunshine.
-Standalone, KU, safe and TW.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Want to read
November 9, 2024Whoo hoo!! I was hoping she'd start another series!!! I'll just be sitting over here very impatiently waiting for it, but I will be waiting. Lol. If you haven't read this talented writers other series, do yourself a favor and READ THEM.
March 10, 2026
A SPIN-OFF?! YAY - ANOTHER REASON TO LIVE!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Headlines:
Injured on her land
Don't wanna feel
The pull
When I say the anticipation has been high for this interconnected (to the Kindled series) series starter, I've only been ready for about a year but the wait was worth it. This post-apocalyptic romance had forced proximity written all over it and a dog, Molly who observed all.
Kat lived alone in a camper, shrouded by failing trees, hunting, growing a little food and trading for the other things she needed but she didn't want to live with others. Life had already taught her that no-one was worth the trust it would take. Micah was injured on her land and Kat had no choice but to offer some care to get him back out of the door.
I've always loved a bit of injured tragedy and the chemistry that can bubble from from those close quarters. Micah was respectful despite his attraction and Kat fought every feeling she developed. Alongside these two and their connection was a companionship that was precious, developing into shared goals.
There was a great plot afoot in Lost Song, Logan, Deck and Lilah who we met in Protected were fairly prevalent and I loved seeing Deck and Lilah especially. A lost loved one, an errant husband and a horrendous religious community all featured. I was glued to these pages and I finished it all too soon in two delicious bites.
Lost Song started off this series with characters I'm invested in. The Wild has such future promise and I am very intrigued about Logan and his daughter. I'm hoping his book will one day appear.
Thank you to the author for the eARC.
Injured on her land
Don't wanna feel
The pull
When I say the anticipation has been high for this interconnected (to the Kindled series) series starter, I've only been ready for about a year but the wait was worth it. This post-apocalyptic romance had forced proximity written all over it and a dog, Molly who observed all.
Kat lived alone in a camper, shrouded by failing trees, hunting, growing a little food and trading for the other things she needed but she didn't want to live with others. Life had already taught her that no-one was worth the trust it would take. Micah was injured on her land and Kat had no choice but to offer some care to get him back out of the door.
I've always loved a bit of injured tragedy and the chemistry that can bubble from from those close quarters. Micah was respectful despite his attraction and Kat fought every feeling she developed. Alongside these two and their connection was a companionship that was precious, developing into shared goals.
There was a great plot afoot in Lost Song, Logan, Deck and Lilah who we met in Protected were fairly prevalent and I loved seeing Deck and Lilah especially. A lost loved one, an errant husband and a horrendous religious community all featured. I was glued to these pages and I finished it all too soon in two delicious bites.
Lost Song started off this series with characters I'm invested in. The Wild has such future promise and I am very intrigued about Logan and his daughter. I'm hoping his book will one day appear.
Thank you to the author for the eARC.
4th-tier-upcoming-reads
September 13, 2024OH MY FUCKING GOD, ANOTHER APOCALYPSE THEME?? SIGN ME TF UP!!!
March 9, 2026
Claire Kent writes it and I read it.
I was excited when I figured out Micah was out MMC because I remembered liking him in Protected
Likable reverse grump sunshine paring with caretaking. Hot as always.
I was intrigued by the introduction of the "Holy Rollers" cult on the list of post-apoc threats in this world. I hope we explore that compound a bit more. I wonder if we get Burgundy's story now.
I was excited when I figured out Micah was out MMC because I remembered liking him in Protected
Likable reverse grump sunshine paring with caretaking. Hot as always.
I was intrigued by the introduction of the "Holy Rollers" cult on the list of post-apoc threats in this world. I hope we explore that compound a bit more. I wonder if we get Burgundy's story now.
March 7, 2026
I’m so excited for more books in this world! Cannot wait for Service and Hooded later this year :)
March 9, 2026
I'm really disappointed with this one. I loved this FMC, but for some reason the author decided the only way to get the plot moving was to make Kate become an effing idiot and make the dumbest decision. Why?!
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the moment I began Lost Song, I just couldn’t wait to pick it up at the end of each work day. It’s difficult to out my finger on just what it is that makes Claire Kent’s writing so compelling, but I think it’s a mixture of interesting storytelling combined with the ability to choose exactly the perfect word for each feeling and expression.
My experience reading post-apocalyptic romances is limited, but I found this world to be savage and unyielding and the perfectly wrong environment to forge a love story, which of course made Lost Song completely binge-worthy. You have a pretty badass heroine, Kat, who’s had to live on her own foraging and bartering for supplies amidst a time with no prospects, no future, and no promises of tomorrow. It’s a story of girl and her dog against the world. When Micah shows up on the scene, broad-shouldered, injured, and unanticipated, he seems like more trouble that Kat bargains for. I love an unlikely pairing and the work Kent puts in to breaking down Kat’s physical and metaphorical walls is truly beautiful to behold. I think Lost Song will appeal to all types of readers from fantasy, to romance, to new adult for the world building and character development, and these characters’ ability to navigate difficult situations. Call me a Claire Kent fan because I can’t wait to dive back in to this world and am excited to see what other character arcs she has in store for us. I received an early copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Please visit the author’s website for content warnings.
My experience reading post-apocalyptic romances is limited, but I found this world to be savage and unyielding and the perfectly wrong environment to forge a love story, which of course made Lost Song completely binge-worthy. You have a pretty badass heroine, Kat, who’s had to live on her own foraging and bartering for supplies amidst a time with no prospects, no future, and no promises of tomorrow. It’s a story of girl and her dog against the world. When Micah shows up on the scene, broad-shouldered, injured, and unanticipated, he seems like more trouble that Kat bargains for. I love an unlikely pairing and the work Kent puts in to breaking down Kat’s physical and metaphorical walls is truly beautiful to behold. I think Lost Song will appeal to all types of readers from fantasy, to romance, to new adult for the world building and character development, and these characters’ ability to navigate difficult situations. Call me a Claire Kent fan because I can’t wait to dive back in to this world and am excited to see what other character arcs she has in store for us. I received an early copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Please visit the author’s website for content warnings.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I actually don’t even know where to start with this, it’s no secret I LOVE Claire Kents books, and I have been waiting for the Lost song since CK announced it a while ago. This lived up to everything I was hoping it would be!! I didn’t want to stop reading, I was hooked from the start, we have like the perfect set up in a book with this story, I loved coming back to the Wild and finding out more about it, it has a very different feel from the books in the adjacent series set in the same world. I am really excited to see where CK takes this world!!
Micah, our MMC, oh what a golden retriever of a man who also has some trauma to deal with around his sister, who is also a protector, he was such a delightful MMC and the mouth on him!! He is a deep well who isn’t afraid of taking the back seat for a women, he was just so perfect. I loved his humor, I loved his care taking vibes, just everything!!!
Kat, our FMC, was just a prickly character, and I loved her for it! An FMC who isn’t afraid to be bad ass and stick up for what she believes is right. Kat was such a strong character to the point in one part she made a silly decision, but she got herself out of the situation while still learning her lesson!! I loved Kat and Micah together, the perfect reverse grumpy x sunshine, I am looking forward to them popping up in future books.
This was a fantastic start to the new series, and I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2!!!
3.5 🔥
Micah, our MMC, oh what a golden retriever of a man who also has some trauma to deal with around his sister, who is also a protector, he was such a delightful MMC and the mouth on him!! He is a deep well who isn’t afraid of taking the back seat for a women, he was just so perfect. I loved his humor, I loved his care taking vibes, just everything!!!
Kat, our FMC, was just a prickly character, and I loved her for it! An FMC who isn’t afraid to be bad ass and stick up for what she believes is right. Kat was such a strong character to the point in one part she made a silly decision, but she got herself out of the situation while still learning her lesson!! I loved Kat and Micah together, the perfect reverse grumpy x sunshine, I am looking forward to them popping up in future books.
This was a fantastic start to the new series, and I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2!!!
3.5 🔥
March 9, 2026
Claire Kent remains my favorite post apocalyptic romance author. 👏🏽 Her stories just vibe with me so well. This one is the answer to the question of what happens when a certified man hater falls in love with *gasp!* a man. The FMC was exactly as pessimistic and untrusting of men that I need an FMC to be after an apocalypse when she's living in a region filled with men from all angles taking advantage of women.
Oh and the praise kink chapter 18 delivered....🔥
Dubious cheating tag is bc she's married young but her husband leaves her after the apocalypse and she hasn't heard from him in years. No OW or OM drama outside of that.
Oh and the praise kink chapter 18 delivered....🔥
Dubious cheating tag is bc she's married young but her husband leaves her after the apocalypse and she hasn't heard from him in years. No OW or OM drama outside of that.
February 12, 2026
Definitely Claire’s spiciest book 🥵 their chemistry was hot. I liked how capable both MCs were. No third act breakup. I wish it was longer because I wanted to get more in depth with them and maybe explore more angst. But it was satisfying and it was fun to see Logan again. I can’t wait for his book. Sensing some Logan/Burgandy tension????
March 2, 2026
I love Claire Kent’s hopelessly devoted MMCs, and Micah is one of the best. There was some good pining, which I love, but I think I wanted a little more angst and emotion. I don’t know. I’m on my period.
March 6, 2026
Unfortunately this wasn’t a favorite. The heroine was a bit too much of a man hater for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a strong and compelling start to a new series! Lost Song is book one of The Wild (although, like the Kindled series set in the same universe, there is a precursor book, Protected). The events of this book take place about a year afterwards, so around three years after Impact. Kat is living with her dog in a trailer, her HS boyfriend she married at Impact having run off to join a gang in the first year. She stumbles across Micah suffering from a gunshot wound and takes him in. When we last saw Micah in Protected he was traveling with Logan and settled with him in the Wild. Right now though he's a loner, looking for his sister who was lost after a battle. In the year since we saw Logan settle in the area in Protected, he's holding and expanding territory, offering protection and provisions in return for favors. Kat is not a fan.
If there's one consistent through line in every Claire Kent book, it's that her heroes are stoic, non-communicative types who are secretly gone for their heroines, but the heroine doesn't know. Micah, however, forgot the get that memo. He's all "we're in sync somehow,[...] you feel it too?" and "every day like that for the rest of our lives" and "I don't think I can make it without you anymore." Kat is the one who needs to learn to open after years of being on her own, to be vulnerable and share her problems.
Kat can pretend she's taking it day by day, as she nurtures him after injury, risks her life to save him, does the impossible to bring him his heart's desire. But she knows "It feels like the embodiment of one truth I simply can't escape or deny. We're together. For real. All the way. And that's never not going to be true." The conflict here is mostly external, and even at one point, where another couple may have called it quits because of a discovered betrayal, Kat realizes she doesn't want to "hold on to a fairly small grievance just for the sake of the grievance." I love this couple and their dynamic, how they accept and protect the other for what they need and provide it while staying true to themselves.
If the overarching theme of the Kindled series is that to be fully human is to be in service and connected to others, then the Wild seems to examine what happens when we try to go it alone. Even in Beacon, set seven years after this book, characters note how life in the Wild is like year one after Impact, unsafe, constantly on alert, with no sense of shared humanity. Kat lives on her own, warily trading with others when necessary. This is where Logan is king, a man who is "not a good man. He never does the right thing just because it's the right thing. He doesn't help people out of the goodness of his heart." Contrast this with Haven Farm (lol, Wild/Haven, subtle) where as soon as they have extra food, they share it, if they are safe, they take in others.
Still, the titular Lost Song here "encapsulates a truth I've been ignoring in order to survive. So much that was good and beautiful in the world has been lost. [...] What's good that still remains is like the flickering light of the fire, flaming out only briefly before it withdraws. And Micah's song [...] has become the symbol for all that we've lost. That and the small, bittersweet hope that this brokenness won't last forever."
I'm so fascinated by this start to the series, and the premise of a setting in a society that did not bend toward community and care after impact. I'm eyeing with interest the evolution of Logan from Protected to Lost Song - the difference in keeping a found family together and safe and the mantle of leadership while on the move and eking out a survival that way and what’s needed to hold that safety and survival once established. I can’t wait for more Wild books to see what’s happened to take him from the way he is in year three all Tough but Fair but opening and welcoming to Kat to the unapproachable almost head of state / feared role he played in year ten in Beacon.
Thank you to the author for an arc.
If there's one consistent through line in every Claire Kent book, it's that her heroes are stoic, non-communicative types who are secretly gone for their heroines, but the heroine doesn't know. Micah, however, forgot the get that memo. He's all "we're in sync somehow,[...] you feel it too?" and "every day like that for the rest of our lives" and "I don't think I can make it without you anymore." Kat is the one who needs to learn to open after years of being on her own, to be vulnerable and share her problems.
Kat can pretend she's taking it day by day, as she nurtures him after injury, risks her life to save him, does the impossible to bring him his heart's desire. But she knows "It feels like the embodiment of one truth I simply can't escape or deny. We're together. For real. All the way. And that's never not going to be true." The conflict here is mostly external, and even at one point, where another couple may have called it quits because of a discovered betrayal, Kat realizes she doesn't want to "hold on to a fairly small grievance just for the sake of the grievance." I love this couple and their dynamic, how they accept and protect the other for what they need and provide it while staying true to themselves.
If the overarching theme of the Kindled series is that to be fully human is to be in service and connected to others, then the Wild seems to examine what happens when we try to go it alone. Even in Beacon, set seven years after this book, characters note how life in the Wild is like year one after Impact, unsafe, constantly on alert, with no sense of shared humanity. Kat lives on her own, warily trading with others when necessary. This is where Logan is king, a man who is "not a good man. He never does the right thing just because it's the right thing. He doesn't help people out of the goodness of his heart." Contrast this with Haven Farm (lol, Wild/Haven, subtle) where as soon as they have extra food, they share it, if they are safe, they take in others.
Still, the titular Lost Song here "encapsulates a truth I've been ignoring in order to survive. So much that was good and beautiful in the world has been lost. [...] What's good that still remains is like the flickering light of the fire, flaming out only briefly before it withdraws. And Micah's song [...] has become the symbol for all that we've lost. That and the small, bittersweet hope that this brokenness won't last forever."
I'm so fascinated by this start to the series, and the premise of a setting in a society that did not bend toward community and care after impact. I'm eyeing with interest the evolution of Logan from Protected to Lost Song - the difference in keeping a found family together and safe and the mantle of leadership while on the move and eking out a survival that way and what’s needed to hold that safety and survival once established. I can’t wait for more Wild books to see what’s happened to take him from the way he is in year three all Tough but Fair but opening and welcoming to Kat to the unapproachable almost head of state / feared role he played in year ten in Beacon.
Thank you to the author for an arc.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC kindly provided by the author
"Somehow, in some way, what´s good will always endure."
This story is exactly the kind of post-apocalyptic romance Claire Kent excels at, quiet, grounded, emotionally honest, and deeply human.
Kat is the kind of heroine I instantly love.
She’s young, but hardened by loss and survival.
Living alone in a trailer deep in the woods, abandoned years earlier by the man she trusted, she has built a life that is fragile but fiercely her own.
She is cautious, independent, and doesn’t trust easily, and in this world, that isn’t a flaw, it’s wisdom.
She reminded me of a cat: observant, wary, self-sufficient, and absolutely capable of defending herself when needed.
One of the details I loved most was Molly, the dog Kat takes in.
Animals matter to me in stories, especially in post-apocalyptic settings, and here Molly isn’t just background flavor, she’s loved, protected, and part of Kat’s small, hard-won sense of home.
That alone made Kat feel even more real to me.
When Micah appears injured on her land, Kat makes a decision that goes against every rule she’s set for herself, she helps him.
Not because she’s reckless, but because she’s human.
From the start, the chemistry between them is undeniable, yet refreshingly calm.
Micah is gentle, easygoing, quietly kind.
He never pushes, never demands, never tries to take space Kat hasn’t offered.
He carries his own pain, but he doesn’t let it turn him hard.
What truly deepened the story for me was Micah’s emotional wound: the loss of his sister.
And this is where Kat truly shines.
It’s a powerful moment that reinforces what this story is really about.
This is, at its core, a story about female strength.
About a woman who is fully capable of surviving the apocalypse on her own.
Who doesn’t need a man to protect her and yet, when she meets the right one, chooses love and companionship not out of fear or dependence, but out of desire.
That choice never feels like a loss of independence.
It feels like expansion.
The relationship between Kat and Micah is one of my favorite things about this book.
It’s not toxic.
Not melodramatic.
Not built on power imbalance.
Their connection feels genuine, respectful, and emotionally safe, which, in a broken world, feels quietly radical.
All the characters are well-written and engaging, and fans of the Kindled series will appreciate the familiar faces and connections (especially Micah).
As the first book in this series, this is a strong, confident opening, emotionally satisfying on its own while leaving me excited for what’s to come.
This was an easy five stars for me.
I loved the couple, loved the atmosphere, and loved the message woven gently through the story. The author once again proves she understands not just survival, but what makes life worth surviving for.
"Somehow, in some way, what´s good will always endure."
This story is exactly the kind of post-apocalyptic romance Claire Kent excels at, quiet, grounded, emotionally honest, and deeply human.
Kat is the kind of heroine I instantly love.
She’s young, but hardened by loss and survival.
Living alone in a trailer deep in the woods, abandoned years earlier by the man she trusted, she has built a life that is fragile but fiercely her own.
She is cautious, independent, and doesn’t trust easily, and in this world, that isn’t a flaw, it’s wisdom.
She reminded me of a cat: observant, wary, self-sufficient, and absolutely capable of defending herself when needed.
One of the details I loved most was Molly, the dog Kat takes in.
Animals matter to me in stories, especially in post-apocalyptic settings, and here Molly isn’t just background flavor, she’s loved, protected, and part of Kat’s small, hard-won sense of home.
That alone made Kat feel even more real to me.
When Micah appears injured on her land, Kat makes a decision that goes against every rule she’s set for herself, she helps him.
Not because she’s reckless, but because she’s human.
From the start, the chemistry between them is undeniable, yet refreshingly calm.
Micah is gentle, easygoing, quietly kind.
He never pushes, never demands, never tries to take space Kat hasn’t offered.
He carries his own pain, but he doesn’t let it turn him hard.
What truly deepened the story for me was Micah’s emotional wound: the loss of his sister.
And this is where Kat truly shines.
It’s a powerful moment that reinforces what this story is really about.
This is, at its core, a story about female strength.
About a woman who is fully capable of surviving the apocalypse on her own.
Who doesn’t need a man to protect her and yet, when she meets the right one, chooses love and companionship not out of fear or dependence, but out of desire.
That choice never feels like a loss of independence.
It feels like expansion.
The relationship between Kat and Micah is one of my favorite things about this book.
It’s not toxic.
Not melodramatic.
Not built on power imbalance.
Their connection feels genuine, respectful, and emotionally safe, which, in a broken world, feels quietly radical.
All the characters are well-written and engaging, and fans of the Kindled series will appreciate the familiar faces and connections (especially Micah).
As the first book in this series, this is a strong, confident opening, emotionally satisfying on its own while leaving me excited for what’s to come.
This was an easy five stars for me.
I loved the couple, loved the atmosphere, and loved the message woven gently through the story. The author once again proves she understands not just survival, but what makes life worth surviving for.
Review of advance copy received from Author
💚 “𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓.”
💚 “𝑾𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅.”
💚 “𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆. 𝑰𝒕 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆. 𝑨𝒔 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒔.”
I was so excited to read this book because Claire Kent originally planned for it's release last year but got pushed to this year. We first met Micah in Protected and I’ve always been curious about his character ever since. He felt quiet but strong and I just knew there was more to him. So when it finally dropped, I’m so happy and satisfied that he finally got his happily ever after. He really deserved it.
The chemistry between the character was good. Kat is such a strong character. She’s been alone in the wild for a long time and it makes sense why she’s so guarded. When you’ve survived on your own for years, trusting someone doesn’t come easily. I completely understood her perspective despite her bad judgements.
As for Micah, it must have been difficult at first to deal with Kat’s independence and walls. But even from the beginning, he understood her. He respected her space. He accepted who she was instead of trying to change her. I really appreciated that about him.
And I was also so excited while reading because I got to see familiar characters again. Burgundy! Then Deck and Leilah from Protected, still one of my favorite couples. Their story was really great and reading them again made everything feel connected. Logan too, I’ve been curious about him ever since I read Beacon. Getting glimpses of him in this past timeline made me even more interested in his story.
One thing I truly love about Claire Kent’s books is how connected her post-apocalyptic world feels. The characters overlap. The timeline flows. The world expands naturally. As someone who has followed her books for a while, I really appreciate that continuity.
Lastly, I really love that Claire Kent includes pets in her stories. The last time I watched a film, Last Night on Earth I didn’t see any trigger warnings. The villain brutally shot the dog. I was honestly pissed I couldn't finish it. I know it’s an action film and it’s meant to be brutal, but still? That scene stuck with me. So having Molly included in the story makes everything feel softer and less cruel. I have six dogs, and every time I read Claire Kent’s post-apocalyptic worlds, I always think, “Yeah… I would not survive this.”
Anyway, I’m very grateful to be part of Claire Kent's ARC team and to read Lost Song in advance. It’s truly an honor to support an author whose work I genuinely love. Honestly, I’m a sucker for her stories. Whenever she writes, I’m going to read it.
💚 “𝑾𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅.”
💚 “𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆. 𝑰𝒕 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆. 𝑨𝒔 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒔.”
I was so excited to read this book because Claire Kent originally planned for it's release last year but got pushed to this year. We first met Micah in Protected and I’ve always been curious about his character ever since. He felt quiet but strong and I just knew there was more to him. So when it finally dropped, I’m so happy and satisfied that he finally got his happily ever after. He really deserved it.
The chemistry between the character was good. Kat is such a strong character. She’s been alone in the wild for a long time and it makes sense why she’s so guarded. When you’ve survived on your own for years, trusting someone doesn’t come easily. I completely understood her perspective despite her bad judgements.
As for Micah, it must have been difficult at first to deal with Kat’s independence and walls. But even from the beginning, he understood her. He respected her space. He accepted who she was instead of trying to change her. I really appreciated that about him.
And I was also so excited while reading because I got to see familiar characters again. Burgundy! Then Deck and Leilah from Protected, still one of my favorite couples. Their story was really great and reading them again made everything feel connected. Logan too, I’ve been curious about him ever since I read Beacon. Getting glimpses of him in this past timeline made me even more interested in his story.
One thing I truly love about Claire Kent’s books is how connected her post-apocalyptic world feels. The characters overlap. The timeline flows. The world expands naturally. As someone who has followed her books for a while, I really appreciate that continuity.
Lastly, I really love that Claire Kent includes pets in her stories. The last time I watched a film, Last Night on Earth I didn’t see any trigger warnings. The villain brutally shot the dog. I was honestly pissed I couldn't finish it. I know it’s an action film and it’s meant to be brutal, but still? That scene stuck with me. So having Molly included in the story makes everything feel softer and less cruel. I have six dogs, and every time I read Claire Kent’s post-apocalyptic worlds, I always think, “Yeah… I would not survive this.”
Anyway, I’m very grateful to be part of Claire Kent's ARC team and to read Lost Song in advance. It’s truly an honor to support an author whose work I genuinely love. Honestly, I’m a sucker for her stories. Whenever she writes, I’m going to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ENG/ITA REVIEW
ENG
This amazing post-apocalyptic romance with a reverse grumpy/sunshine dynamic is here to comfort you with its unexpected sweetness.
BLURB
After the fall of an asteroid, the world collapses and is now inhabited by survivors.
Kat lives alone in her secluded camper with her dog, she’s self-sufficient and strong, until one day she finds a man injured and collapsed outside her camper. While she helps Micah to recover his strength, his sweet and serene ways soon enough break Kat’s hard exterior. But they are in danger and must protect everything they love at all costs.
Claire Kent is confirmed to be the queen of dystopian romance. It is not an easy genre, as it deals with catastrophe and loss, but the feelings the author describes, the hope and fight for survival, the unexpected, deep bonds are raw and real, amazingly built. This book was a comfort and Kat a surprise. While at first she seems too closed off and guarded, her behaviour makes her feelings even more sweet. Micah is sunshine personified and I loved their banter, how they learn to understand one another in such a difficult predicament.
Beautiful, can’t wait to read more!
RATE: 5/5
—
ITA
Lasciateci trasportare dall’inaspettata dolcezza di questo romance distopico, dove una ragazza indipendente e introversa si apre all’amore, l’unica cosa che conta in un mondo devastato.
TRAMA
Dopo la caduta di un asteroide il mondo è al collasso, abitato da sopravvissuti che farebbero di tutto per andare avanti.
Kat vive insieme al suo cane in un camper nella foresta. È forte, autosufficiente e chiusa a tutti. Finché non si trova ad occuparsi di Micah, uno sconosciuto ferito che trova sulla porta di casa. Micah è solare, ottimista e determinato. Presto tra loro nasce un inaspettato sentimento. Ma il pericolo è dietro l’angolo e i due dovranno difendersi per far sopravvivere il loro amore.
Claire Kent è di sicuro la regina dei romance distopici, che non sono un genere facile da scrivere o da leggere, perché parlano di perdita e catastrofe. Ma i sentimenti che crescono in situazioni disperate sono anche quelli più veri e intensi e l’autrice lo descrive benissimo in tutti i suoi libri.
Qui la meraviglia è come Kat, così incredibilmente dura, fa spazio dentro di sé al sole di Micah, simpatico e dolce. Insieme fanno scintille e si proteggono a vicenda. La loro crescita personale in un mondo che crolla è davvero meravigliosa.
Bellissimo, non vedo l’ora di leggere altro!
VOTO: 5/5
ENG
This amazing post-apocalyptic romance with a reverse grumpy/sunshine dynamic is here to comfort you with its unexpected sweetness.
BLURB
After the fall of an asteroid, the world collapses and is now inhabited by survivors.
Kat lives alone in her secluded camper with her dog, she’s self-sufficient and strong, until one day she finds a man injured and collapsed outside her camper. While she helps Micah to recover his strength, his sweet and serene ways soon enough break Kat’s hard exterior. But they are in danger and must protect everything they love at all costs.
Claire Kent is confirmed to be the queen of dystopian romance. It is not an easy genre, as it deals with catastrophe and loss, but the feelings the author describes, the hope and fight for survival, the unexpected, deep bonds are raw and real, amazingly built. This book was a comfort and Kat a surprise. While at first she seems too closed off and guarded, her behaviour makes her feelings even more sweet. Micah is sunshine personified and I loved their banter, how they learn to understand one another in such a difficult predicament.
Beautiful, can’t wait to read more!
RATE: 5/5
—
ITA
Lasciateci trasportare dall’inaspettata dolcezza di questo romance distopico, dove una ragazza indipendente e introversa si apre all’amore, l’unica cosa che conta in un mondo devastato.
TRAMA
Dopo la caduta di un asteroide il mondo è al collasso, abitato da sopravvissuti che farebbero di tutto per andare avanti.
Kat vive insieme al suo cane in un camper nella foresta. È forte, autosufficiente e chiusa a tutti. Finché non si trova ad occuparsi di Micah, uno sconosciuto ferito che trova sulla porta di casa. Micah è solare, ottimista e determinato. Presto tra loro nasce un inaspettato sentimento. Ma il pericolo è dietro l’angolo e i due dovranno difendersi per far sopravvivere il loro amore.
Claire Kent è di sicuro la regina dei romance distopici, che non sono un genere facile da scrivere o da leggere, perché parlano di perdita e catastrofe. Ma i sentimenti che crescono in situazioni disperate sono anche quelli più veri e intensi e l’autrice lo descrive benissimo in tutti i suoi libri.
Qui la meraviglia è come Kat, così incredibilmente dura, fa spazio dentro di sé al sole di Micah, simpatico e dolce. Insieme fanno scintille e si proteggono a vicenda. La loro crescita personale in un mondo che crolla è davvero meravigliosa.
Bellissimo, non vedo l’ora di leggere altro!
VOTO: 5/5
March 5, 2026
Tropes:
Post-apocalyptic
Black Cat and Golden Retriever (I refuse to say reverse grumpy and sunshine!)
Wounded MMC
He falls first
Forced proximity (my favorite!)
Found Family
The dog lives
This is the story of two damaged people in a post-apocalyptic world finding love! She lives in a camper out in the woods on her own with her dog and one day she finds a wounded man just outside her camper. Kat is fiercely independent and hates having anyone depend on her and encroach on her life. But Micah is disarmingly charming even with an injury and she ends up nursing him back to health. The forced proximity of them being in this one camper really helped them to get to know each other and care for each other.
It was pretty obvious he was really into her from the get go but she couldn’t trust this as so many people (mainly men) have let her down, disappointed her and betrayed her. You could really see how Micah seemed to fully see her and understand who she was as a person. He tried really hard to never push too much or expect her to give anything she couldn’t. I really loved this about Micah.
In terms of the plot, we get some solid post-apocalyptic storylines. They have to go scavenging for things and then barter with local settlements to exchange for food and goods. This is how Kat and Micah come into contact with others. Micah used to be part of Logan’s Group of people but he clearly doesn’t want to be involved with them at the moment as he lost the only person he loved, his sister Burgundy, when the Group was involved in an altercation with another group. This has caused Micah to feel incredibly depressed and almost lose his will to live. Kat doesn’t trust anyone but especially Logan and his people, she thinks he’s like a mafia boss. But this is due to her own prejudices rather than actually getting to know people.
As much as I really enjoyed this book and recommend it (I gave it 5 stars overall), I do have a couple of niggles. Micah was a great and solid guy. I don’t really understand why he felt he could only live either for Burgundy and when he lost her, to then live for Kat. He’s such a great guy and he didn’t seem to be able to see this. But it was never explained why he was like this. Also, I’m so annoyed with Kat at the end when she does a supremely dumb move to find Burgundy. I get that she’s always been on her own and is so fiercely independent and she does realise pretty quickly that it was a super dumb move but Lord was it annoying. She was so lucky to get out of the situation. It was luck, not smarts that saved her. But I also get that this is a plot device for conflict and is needed to propel the story forward. I was just shouting at my kindle as she was doing it!
I found this to be a really interesting read. I read it in one sitting as it was so well written and flowed easily. The sex scenes are hot. The yearning from Micah is present but very respectful. And you get some good character development from Kat in the end. I recommend this read especially if you like a good post-apocalyptic story that feels really realistic.
I want to thank the author for gifting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Post-apocalyptic
Black Cat and Golden Retriever (I refuse to say reverse grumpy and sunshine!)
Wounded MMC
He falls first
Forced proximity (my favorite!)
Found Family
The dog lives
This is the story of two damaged people in a post-apocalyptic world finding love! She lives in a camper out in the woods on her own with her dog and one day she finds a wounded man just outside her camper. Kat is fiercely independent and hates having anyone depend on her and encroach on her life. But Micah is disarmingly charming even with an injury and she ends up nursing him back to health. The forced proximity of them being in this one camper really helped them to get to know each other and care for each other.
It was pretty obvious he was really into her from the get go but she couldn’t trust this as so many people (mainly men) have let her down, disappointed her and betrayed her. You could really see how Micah seemed to fully see her and understand who she was as a person. He tried really hard to never push too much or expect her to give anything she couldn’t. I really loved this about Micah.
In terms of the plot, we get some solid post-apocalyptic storylines. They have to go scavenging for things and then barter with local settlements to exchange for food and goods. This is how Kat and Micah come into contact with others. Micah used to be part of Logan’s Group of people but he clearly doesn’t want to be involved with them at the moment as he lost the only person he loved, his sister Burgundy, when the Group was involved in an altercation with another group. This has caused Micah to feel incredibly depressed and almost lose his will to live. Kat doesn’t trust anyone but especially Logan and his people, she thinks he’s like a mafia boss. But this is due to her own prejudices rather than actually getting to know people.
As much as I really enjoyed this book and recommend it (I gave it 5 stars overall), I do have a couple of niggles. Micah was a great and solid guy. I don’t really understand why he felt he could only live either for Burgundy and when he lost her, to then live for Kat. He’s such a great guy and he didn’t seem to be able to see this. But it was never explained why he was like this. Also, I’m so annoyed with Kat at the end when she does a supremely dumb move to find Burgundy. I get that she’s always been on her own and is so fiercely independent and she does realise pretty quickly that it was a super dumb move but Lord was it annoying. She was so lucky to get out of the situation. It was luck, not smarts that saved her. But I also get that this is a plot device for conflict and is needed to propel the story forward. I was just shouting at my kindle as she was doing it!
I found this to be a really interesting read. I read it in one sitting as it was so well written and flowed easily. The sex scenes are hot. The yearning from Micah is present but very respectful. And you get some good character development from Kat in the end. I recommend this read especially if you like a good post-apocalyptic story that feels really realistic.
I want to thank the author for gifting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was sooo good!
While this author always packs an emotional punch to her stories, this one hit in a way I wasn’t expecting. It unfolded in a quiet, unhurried way that pulled me right in. I immediately stopped rushing through it and allowed myself to sink into it. The connection between Kat and Micah built slowly, naturally, and I savored it all.
I really loved Micah’s calm steadiness. He didn’t need big dramatic gestures to prove himself. It was the way he paid attention, the way he showed up, and the way he made space for her that proved his worth. Kat was figuring things out, carrying her own weight amid her vulnerabilities, and making it work. Their chemistry simmered under the surface until it finally spilled over, and when it did it was emotional and satisfying on every level. This story was filled with the drama of surviving in a world that has been turned upside down, laced with danger, and woven with tender, hopeful moments that had me sighing happily at its end.
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
While this author always packs an emotional punch to her stories, this one hit in a way I wasn’t expecting. It unfolded in a quiet, unhurried way that pulled me right in. I immediately stopped rushing through it and allowed myself to sink into it. The connection between Kat and Micah built slowly, naturally, and I savored it all.
I really loved Micah’s calm steadiness. He didn’t need big dramatic gestures to prove himself. It was the way he paid attention, the way he showed up, and the way he made space for her that proved his worth. Kat was figuring things out, carrying her own weight amid her vulnerabilities, and making it work. Their chemistry simmered under the surface until it finally spilled over, and when it did it was emotional and satisfying on every level. This story was filled with the drama of surviving in a world that has been turned upside down, laced with danger, and woven with tender, hopeful moments that had me sighing happily at its end.
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Lost Song” by Claire Kent
5⭐/5⭐
3🌶/5🌶
“I’m fine. I’ve been fine for two and a half years. And this hot, disturbing stranger isn’t going to change that about me.”
If Claire Kent writes it, I’m going to make damn sure to read it. The Kindled series, in addition to its extended stories, are one of my favorite romance series of all time. “Lost Song” is the newest edition, focusing on a new set of characters shortly after the Impact event.
Kat has been living on her own ever since her husband abandoned her, leaving Kat to survive in the Ozark wilderness on her own. But Kat is resourceful, intelligent, and independent. She makes the best of her situation and creates a suitable home for herself, in addition to her canine companion, Molly. She’s certain she’s fine alone, and that putting yourself in the situation where you’re dependent on others, is a recipe for disaster. Yet, all of this changes when Micah, an injured man who will certainly die without aid, collapses on her doorstep. Kat now has to break all of her rules to take care of Micah, which leads to life-altering consequences.
I loooooved the dynamic of Kat and Micah. Kat is definitely a ‘black cat’ personality FMC. She’s prickly, standoffish, and has a very hard time being vulnerable. Micah, meanwhile, is pure golden retriever energy. He’s sunshine! He’s radiating warmth and security, but that scares the hell out of Kat.
It was nice to see a flip on the usual couple dynamic I see in Claire Kent books: instead of the MMC being dominant, we see the FMC step into that role. Despite being so cautious, Kat is actually the one who makes the first move. I really enjoyed having Micah take a backseat and let Kat call the shots. She’s in charge, and he’s more than happy to go along with whatever she says.
If you want a little more context on this new set of characters, I do recommend reading “Protected” prior to “Lost Song”. “Protected” is a standalone, but serves as a nice prequel to “Lost Song”, and gives readers the chance to understand the new set of characters.
5⭐/5⭐
3🌶/5🌶
“I’m fine. I’ve been fine for two and a half years. And this hot, disturbing stranger isn’t going to change that about me.”
If Claire Kent writes it, I’m going to make damn sure to read it. The Kindled series, in addition to its extended stories, are one of my favorite romance series of all time. “Lost Song” is the newest edition, focusing on a new set of characters shortly after the Impact event.
Kat has been living on her own ever since her husband abandoned her, leaving Kat to survive in the Ozark wilderness on her own. But Kat is resourceful, intelligent, and independent. She makes the best of her situation and creates a suitable home for herself, in addition to her canine companion, Molly. She’s certain she’s fine alone, and that putting yourself in the situation where you’re dependent on others, is a recipe for disaster. Yet, all of this changes when Micah, an injured man who will certainly die without aid, collapses on her doorstep. Kat now has to break all of her rules to take care of Micah, which leads to life-altering consequences.
I loooooved the dynamic of Kat and Micah. Kat is definitely a ‘black cat’ personality FMC. She’s prickly, standoffish, and has a very hard time being vulnerable. Micah, meanwhile, is pure golden retriever energy. He’s sunshine! He’s radiating warmth and security, but that scares the hell out of Kat.
It was nice to see a flip on the usual couple dynamic I see in Claire Kent books: instead of the MMC being dominant, we see the FMC step into that role. Despite being so cautious, Kat is actually the one who makes the first move. I really enjoyed having Micah take a backseat and let Kat call the shots. She’s in charge, and he’s more than happy to go along with whatever she says.
If you want a little more context on this new set of characters, I do recommend reading “Protected” prior to “Lost Song”. “Protected” is a standalone, but serves as a nice prequel to “Lost Song”, and gives readers the chance to understand the new set of characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lost Song by Claire Kent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️
I was stoked when I found I was selected for an ARC copy of this book. Protected is one of my absolute favorite books by Claire Kent so I was ecstatic when I found out this book was coming out and that I would be able to get a glimpse of my favorite characters again. I absolutely loved Micah in protected so it was so cool to finally get his story. The book takes place about 8 months or so after Deck and Lilah’s story. In this book we get Kat, who’s hyper independent and happy to just be on her own with her dog Molly that is… until Micah shows up on her door step bleeding out and she’s forced to decide on whether to save him or not. Seeing their relationship over time develop was absolutely amazing, I loved getting to see Kat grow and accept that it’s ok to love in trust in this new world they’re living in post apocalypse. I truly loved this book especially the last half where we really get into the action of the story.
Also this might be a minor spoiler so please do not keep reading this if you don’t want to be spoiled…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
but I really really really hope we get Burgundy’s story after this one. I feel like the ending sets ups up for it and she definitely deserves her happy ending…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ok, potential spoiler over!!! But again this another amazing book by Claire Kent and I can’t to see what comes next after this one. The only thing I will say is that although this book can be read as a standalone, I would 100% recommend reading Protected first. I feel like it just makes the whole story feel even better knowing that you already met these characters before. Lastly I just wanted to say thank you to Claire Kent and her team for allowing me to read this ARC copy before the books release in exchange for my honest review
I was stoked when I found I was selected for an ARC copy of this book. Protected is one of my absolute favorite books by Claire Kent so I was ecstatic when I found out this book was coming out and that I would be able to get a glimpse of my favorite characters again. I absolutely loved Micah in protected so it was so cool to finally get his story. The book takes place about 8 months or so after Deck and Lilah’s story. In this book we get Kat, who’s hyper independent and happy to just be on her own with her dog Molly that is… until Micah shows up on her door step bleeding out and she’s forced to decide on whether to save him or not. Seeing their relationship over time develop was absolutely amazing, I loved getting to see Kat grow and accept that it’s ok to love in trust in this new world they’re living in post apocalypse. I truly loved this book especially the last half where we really get into the action of the story.
Also this might be a minor spoiler so please do not keep reading this if you don’t want to be spoiled…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
but I really really really hope we get Burgundy’s story after this one. I feel like the ending sets ups up for it and she definitely deserves her happy ending…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ok, potential spoiler over!!! But again this another amazing book by Claire Kent and I can’t to see what comes next after this one. The only thing I will say is that although this book can be read as a standalone, I would 100% recommend reading Protected first. I feel like it just makes the whole story feel even better knowing that you already met these characters before. Lastly I just wanted to say thank you to Claire Kent and her team for allowing me to read this ARC copy before the books release in exchange for my honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Claire Kent and her team for the ARC!
Three years after a global catastrophe, Kat has been surviving as best she can—abandoned by her ex-husband, avoiding other survivors, scavenging whatever she can to trade for food and supplies. Her only companion is her dog Molly, until she finds an injured man at her camper. Kat can't bring herself to let Micah die, but as days turn into weeks, she realises he has slowly broken down her walls...
Lost Song is a brilliant start to The Wild series. Claire Kent has always been able to portray a haunting world for all books set in the Kindled universe, and while I felt at home again in Lost Song, this story has its own brilliant unique spin.
Kat has become one of my favourite FMCs—strong and practical but distrusting in this new world around her. Even though she was alone (apart from sweet Molly the spaniel!) her story doesn't feel lonely. She has a quiet perseverance, I loved seeing how she was surviving on her own initially.
Micah was an instantly playful ray of sunshine in Kat and Molly's little sanctuary. I loved that he was so emotionally open yet had a protective nature when it came to Kat—and not in an overbearing way, he knew Kat was capable on her own. I found their shared love for music so endearing, it was very sweet when they would sing to each other.
Tropes and Themes:
Post-apocalyptic romance
Single POV
Reverse grumpy x sunshine
He falls first
Forced proximity
Caretaking
Found family
Doggy companion
Three years after a global catastrophe, Kat has been surviving as best she can—abandoned by her ex-husband, avoiding other survivors, scavenging whatever she can to trade for food and supplies. Her only companion is her dog Molly, until she finds an injured man at her camper. Kat can't bring herself to let Micah die, but as days turn into weeks, she realises he has slowly broken down her walls...
Lost Song is a brilliant start to The Wild series. Claire Kent has always been able to portray a haunting world for all books set in the Kindled universe, and while I felt at home again in Lost Song, this story has its own brilliant unique spin.
Kat has become one of my favourite FMCs—strong and practical but distrusting in this new world around her. Even though she was alone (apart from sweet Molly the spaniel!) her story doesn't feel lonely. She has a quiet perseverance, I loved seeing how she was surviving on her own initially.
"It will be no surprise to anyone that my hackles are nearly always up.
I didn't use to be like that, but I am now."
Micah was an instantly playful ray of sunshine in Kat and Molly's little sanctuary. I loved that he was so emotionally open yet had a protective nature when it came to Kat—and not in an overbearing way, he knew Kat was capable on her own. I found their shared love for music so endearing, it was very sweet when they would sing to each other.
"But I'm filled with something that spills out with my voice, that drums with the beat, that pulses with my blood.
Because I thought all of this was lost from the world.
But it's not."
Tropes and Themes:
Post-apocalyptic romance
Single POV
Reverse grumpy x sunshine
He falls first
Forced proximity
Caretaking
Found family
Doggy companion
March 10, 2026
Characters: Micah and Kat (short for Katherine)
Trope: strong female heroine, self sufficient, golden retriever hero
Content Warning: death, kidnapping, religious cult, gunshots
Kat has been living alone with a stray dog named Molly that she found over 3 years when she discovers a bleeding man near her trailer. She reluctantly takes him inside to care for him. The longer they hang out together, the more they fall for each other.
*I really enjoyed this book, and I love to see a self sufficient heroine who isn’t a total bitch. I have seen those types plenty of times in other romance novels, but with Kat, I didn’t feel like she was insufferable to be around. She actually reminded me of myself. Also she was willing to admit to herself and others that her self sufficiency wasn’t always a good thing. Sometimes (no matter how much it may annoy you), you have to ask for help, or accept help when it’s offered. I would say Kat is probably my second favorite heroine in this series (the first is Esther from Hero). Even though Lost Song is apart of a new series, it still takes place in the same universe as the kindled series.
For Micah, I loved his character when he was first introduced in Protected. He’s still a lovable character, he knows his limits and he brings humor to people and playing his guitar. I love how what drew a connection to Micah and Kat was music, because both of them can sing. That was a fun aspect to this story. Especially in the time they are in, and all of the heavy themes in this series and the kindled series, them bonding over music was beautiful.
There is a religious cult aspect in here that could have gotten very heavy and oppressive, but I had faith in Kat that she could get herself out of that bad situation.
I did feel like she got out of the situation a little too quickly/easily, but I was still happy with the results.*
Trope: strong female heroine, self sufficient, golden retriever hero
Content Warning: death, kidnapping, religious cult, gunshots
Kat has been living alone with a stray dog named Molly that she found over 3 years when she discovers a bleeding man near her trailer. She reluctantly takes him inside to care for him. The longer they hang out together, the more they fall for each other.
*I really enjoyed this book, and I love to see a self sufficient heroine who isn’t a total bitch. I have seen those types plenty of times in other romance novels, but with Kat, I didn’t feel like she was insufferable to be around. She actually reminded me of myself. Also she was willing to admit to herself and others that her self sufficiency wasn’t always a good thing. Sometimes (no matter how much it may annoy you), you have to ask for help, or accept help when it’s offered. I would say Kat is probably my second favorite heroine in this series (the first is Esther from Hero). Even though Lost Song is apart of a new series, it still takes place in the same universe as the kindled series.
For Micah, I loved his character when he was first introduced in Protected. He’s still a lovable character, he knows his limits and he brings humor to people and playing his guitar. I love how what drew a connection to Micah and Kat was music, because both of them can sing. That was a fun aspect to this story. Especially in the time they are in, and all of the heavy themes in this series and the kindled series, them bonding over music was beautiful.
There is a religious cult aspect in here that could have gotten very heavy and oppressive, but I had faith in Kat that she could get herself out of that bad situation.
I did feel like she got out of the situation a little too quickly/easily, but I was still happy with the results.*
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