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The Veil #3
Los Angeles
Dr. Socorro Herrera is a mother, first year intern, and widow with a grudge against football players. Adam Gates is a single, dishonorably-discharged Army captain turned football star who almost took Los Angeles to the playoffs last year.
When a mysterious Veil surrounds Los Angeles they briefly cross paths and part ways amid the chaos. The next time they meet, however, is a literal collision, forcing Socorro to bring him home to meet the family.
As days turn into weeks and the horror of the X-Virus unfolds, Socorro and Adam find themselves trying to survive in a world neither recognizes, torn between believing in second chances and not making the same mistake twice.
All J.N. Smith books may contain some profanity, sexual situations, varying degrees of physical/sexual violence (though generally not graphically depicted), and triggers for sensitive readers. Please be aware of this and use discretion when deciding if this book is for you.
When a mysterious Veil surrounds Los Angeles they briefly cross paths and part ways amid the chaos. The next time they meet, however, is a literal collision, forcing Socorro to bring him home to meet the family.
As days turn into weeks and the horror of the X-Virus unfolds, Socorro and Adam find themselves trying to survive in a world neither recognizes, torn between believing in second chances and not making the same mistake twice.
All J.N. Smith books may contain some profanity, sexual situations, varying degrees of physical/sexual violence (though generally not graphically depicted), and triggers for sensitive readers. Please be aware of this and use discretion when deciding if this book is for you.
652 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2024
About the author
J.N. Smith
13 books49 followersJ.N. Smith is a scientist turned writer who lives in the rural Midwest with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 24, 2025
DNF.
‼️ SPOILERS
He walked out on her 20 years earlier after she fell in love with him bc he didn't think he could love her and spent those years literally fucking around and even married someone else for a bit. Meanwhile, she was devastated and celibate for YEARS because even though they never slept together, she couldn't feel arousal for anyone but the MMC who left her. I'm dead serious that's what this woman tells him. Even when another man is persistent enough to get her to marry him, she hopes that marrying him will help her feel arousal and it doesn't. 💀 She grows to love her husband (she SAYS) after a while, and they have 2 kids together, but he conveniently dies in time for the MMC (who never spared her a moment's thought in 20 years) to happen to run into her when the apocalypse happens.
I cannot express how much I despise it when authors write women like this. I think this is the end of the road for me with this author. I liked the two books before this one, but even those two FMCs were pushovers who never even let the MMCs grovel the few times they tried before instantly forgiving them because apparently love solves everything.
‼️ SPOILERS
He walked out on her 20 years earlier after she fell in love with him bc he didn't think he could love her and spent those years literally fucking around and even married someone else for a bit. Meanwhile, she was devastated and celibate for YEARS because even though they never slept together, she couldn't feel arousal for anyone but the MMC who left her. I'm dead serious that's what this woman tells him. Even when another man is persistent enough to get her to marry him, she hopes that marrying him will help her feel arousal and it doesn't. 💀 She grows to love her husband (she SAYS) after a while, and they have 2 kids together, but he conveniently dies in time for the MMC (who never spared her a moment's thought in 20 years) to happen to run into her when the apocalypse happens.
I cannot express how much I despise it when authors write women like this. I think this is the end of the road for me with this author. I liked the two books before this one, but even those two FMCs were pushovers who never even let the MMCs grovel the few times they tried before instantly forgiving them because apparently love solves everything.
November 4, 2024
I just found this author and this series this year and have immediately vowed to read every single thing she writes. This series in particular, I adore the plot and attention to detail. I can’t imagine all the research she has done to make the pandemic (and what the government does about it) believable. And to be honest, after Covid - I was sick of reading pandemic stories. But when I found this, it was like (ironically) a breath of fresh air. This pandemic is nothing like Covid (and i have it straight from the author that the first book was at least started BEFORE Covid). The day to day lives of her characters, struggling to survive, maintaining their mental health as best they can, and even finding and falling in love - it’s like being able to peer into these intimate moments and be touched by them and inspired by them. I find that rare in books these days, especially romance. These books are anything but superficial and I hope you jump on in and read them too.
June 2, 2025
More of the same - hot guy, romance, apocalypse, angst, action, some funny bits, but also a little different. We really got to see how smart Socorro is, and how brave. I found her to be the most relatable female character of the series. And I think Adam is my favorite male character of the series. I enjoyed the whole ride - even if I cried multiple times. This one really hit you emotionally.
I’m having trouble putting into words how I feel about this one… I loved it. It was emotionally intense - more than the others for me but perhaps that’s just because I relate to Socorro in so many ways. The character growth and depth was fabulous. I was a bit disappointed with the ending. Is that it for the series?! I wanted a more thorough wrap up, if so. If not then the ending makes sense.
All in all, I highly recommend this series! There are typos throughout but they don’t detract from the story. And for what it’s worth, at the end of this one, the author gives her email address for typos. But I am not going to reread it to note them all. But maybe you can if you have this info up front!
“He might be drunk, but he was pretty sure as far as pep talks went, this one wasn’t so great.”
“Do not let your own fear take over. It will steer you wrong every goddamn time. It will lie and isolate you, and you’ll find yourself a million miles from the people you love, who love you, and you will never find yourself way home if you listen to it.”
I’m having trouble putting into words how I feel about this one… I loved it. It was emotionally intense - more than the others for me but perhaps that’s just because I relate to Socorro in so many ways. The character growth and depth was fabulous. I was a bit disappointed with the ending. Is that it for the series?! I wanted a more thorough wrap up, if so. If not then the ending makes sense.
All in all, I highly recommend this series! There are typos throughout but they don’t detract from the story. And for what it’s worth, at the end of this one, the author gives her email address for typos. But I am not going to reread it to note them all. But maybe you can if you have this info up front!
“He might be drunk, but he was pretty sure as far as pep talks went, this one wasn’t so great.”
“Do not let your own fear take over. It will steer you wrong every goddamn time. It will lie and isolate you, and you’ll find yourself a million miles from the people you love, who love you, and you will never find yourself way home if you listen to it.”
March 30, 2026
The Veil: Book 3 – Los Angeles was a strong and satisfying conclusion to the series, and honestly, it delivered in all the ways I was hoping for. From the start, what stood out to me most was how the story gave more depth to the people inside the veil. Getting to see their perspective made everything feel more real and personal, instead of just something happening on the outside.
I really liked how the author explored what life was like within the veil—the challenges, the uncertainty, and especially how the characters adapted and pushed through it. It wasn’t just about surviving; it was about understanding their situation and finding ways to overcome it. That added a lot of emotional weight to the story and made me more invested in their journeys.
What made this book stand out the most for me was the ending. It felt complete and well-earned. After everything the characters went through, the resolution didn’t feel rushed or forced—it felt like the natural outcome of their struggles and growth. I closed the book feeling satisfied, which doesn’t always happen with series endings.
Overall, The Veil: Book 3 – Los Angeles was a great read. It wrapped up the story in a meaningful way while giving readers a deeper look into the lives of those inside the veil. If anything, it made me appreciate the entire series even more.
I really liked how the author explored what life was like within the veil—the challenges, the uncertainty, and especially how the characters adapted and pushed through it. It wasn’t just about surviving; it was about understanding their situation and finding ways to overcome it. That added a lot of emotional weight to the story and made me more invested in their journeys.
What made this book stand out the most for me was the ending. It felt complete and well-earned. After everything the characters went through, the resolution didn’t feel rushed or forced—it felt like the natural outcome of their struggles and growth. I closed the book feeling satisfied, which doesn’t always happen with series endings.
Overall, The Veil: Book 3 – Los Angeles was a great read. It wrapped up the story in a meaningful way while giving readers a deeper look into the lives of those inside the veil. If anything, it made me appreciate the entire series even more.
November 7, 2024
Los Angeles: The Veil Series
J.N. Smith
✨Dystopian
✨Second Chance
✨Single Mom
✨Loss x Comfort
✨Military Rep
Dr. Herrera Socorro a single mom of two boys in her first year of residency as a doctor and Adam Gates a professional football player and ex military find them selves an unlikely pair when the veil comes down in Los Angeles and tragedy strikes. It’s a race against time to save the city. All while shifting though old emotions as well as new ones to rekindle the love. The question really is will it even matter!?
On of my favorite thing about this series is the characters that J.N. writes are relatable and each are just ordinary people put into an impossible situation. I loved Adam and Socorro. Adam was just the sweetest underneath all the unresolved emotions of abandonment he was suffering from. Socorro was the bravest and smartest and fierce when it came to protecting her children and family. But is put in the impossible situation of making the choice that no one person should have to make.
This has been one of my absolute favorite in the dystopian trope. This can be read as a standalone but each one of these books has been amazing. Los Angeles takes place behind the Veil and we get to see the other side of things with these two where the previous books we were on the outside.
J.N. Smith
✨Dystopian
✨Second Chance
✨Single Mom
✨Loss x Comfort
✨Military Rep
Dr. Herrera Socorro a single mom of two boys in her first year of residency as a doctor and Adam Gates a professional football player and ex military find them selves an unlikely pair when the veil comes down in Los Angeles and tragedy strikes. It’s a race against time to save the city. All while shifting though old emotions as well as new ones to rekindle the love. The question really is will it even matter!?
On of my favorite thing about this series is the characters that J.N. writes are relatable and each are just ordinary people put into an impossible situation. I loved Adam and Socorro. Adam was just the sweetest underneath all the unresolved emotions of abandonment he was suffering from. Socorro was the bravest and smartest and fierce when it came to protecting her children and family. But is put in the impossible situation of making the choice that no one person should have to make.
This has been one of my absolute favorite in the dystopian trope. This can be read as a standalone but each one of these books has been amazing. Los Angeles takes place behind the Veil and we get to see the other side of things with these two where the previous books we were on the outside.
July 8, 2025
2.5
For the record I skipped book 2 because I wasn’t interested in how Katie the influencer survives a killer pandemic. I didn’t like what little we learned about her in book 1 so I wasn’t going to waste my time on a character I was already biased against. I think this book was a miss. I know these are labeled as “romance” but considering the world it’s happening in, there could be a lot more drama and action. This book was at least 100 pages too long for what was going on….which was mostly nothing. Socorro and Adam spent most of the time going over their past until I wanted to scream. When I found out how short their past actually was that they couldn’t move beyond I wanted to cry. Most of the interesting stuff happens almost as a side note. Things that will bug me until I forget about this book….Why did Sunyi act like such a nut? Who was the guy who protected Socorro and why? That whole scene was confusing and I couldn’t figure out who was shooting at who. Why didn’t Socorro go back to working at the hospital?
For the record I skipped book 2 because I wasn’t interested in how Katie the influencer survives a killer pandemic. I didn’t like what little we learned about her in book 1 so I wasn’t going to waste my time on a character I was already biased against. I think this book was a miss. I know these are labeled as “romance” but considering the world it’s happening in, there could be a lot more drama and action. This book was at least 100 pages too long for what was going on….which was mostly nothing. Socorro and Adam spent most of the time going over their past until I wanted to scream. When I found out how short their past actually was that they couldn’t move beyond I wanted to cry. Most of the interesting stuff happens almost as a side note. Things that will bug me until I forget about this book….Why did Sunyi act like such a nut? Who was the guy who protected Socorro and why? That whole scene was confusing and I couldn’t figure out who was shooting at who. Why didn’t Socorro go back to working at the hospital?
November 13, 2024
Thanks so much for allowing me to be an arc reader for you again.
This series js amazing. I love a good dystopian romance.
Los Angeles took on a different flavor with Coco & Adam being within the Veil. Instead of trying to make things work outside, they were reliant on the government and their lemons & avocados. But also, did they have a tremulous relationship. I liked them both instantly, separately, as I was taken back by all of their unfinished thoughts and words and anger most of the time . Thank goodness they finally talked it out and moved on with their new new life. She also has a few Easter eggs that I couldn’t get past and then boom, answers!! Also, congrats on finding a possible cure and I look forward to seeing where that leads us.
This series js amazing. I love a good dystopian romance.
Los Angeles took on a different flavor with Coco & Adam being within the Veil. Instead of trying to make things work outside, they were reliant on the government and their lemons & avocados. But also, did they have a tremulous relationship. I liked them both instantly, separately, as I was taken back by all of their unfinished thoughts and words and anger most of the time . Thank goodness they finally talked it out and moved on with their new new life. She also has a few Easter eggs that I couldn’t get past and then boom, answers!! Also, congrats on finding a possible cure and I look forward to seeing where that leads us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2024
This is one of my favorite series atm and this third book did not disappoint.
The struggles Socorro and Adam have are very relatable and one of my favorite things is when the MCs have sizzling chemistry, which they have. The kids were also funny and amazingly written as usual.
I was really happy the overall plot through out the books continued, this time from within the veil. It is all well thought out and I can’t wait for the next book!
The struggles Socorro and Adam have are very relatable and one of my favorite things is when the MCs have sizzling chemistry, which they have. The kids were also funny and amazingly written as usual.
I was really happy the overall plot through out the books continued, this time from within the veil. It is all well thought out and I can’t wait for the next book!
November 15, 2024
I have read the first 2 books in this series and have loved them. This one didn't disappoint either. I liked that this book was from a different point of view than the other 2 being from inside the vail. All 3 books can be stand alones but its better reading them in order. Definitely recommended buying the series great storyline and well written.
November 26, 2024
This was a really great read! Very well written, I was completely absorbed in this story from the very first chapter. A captivating idea, very chilling, with a few twists & turns in the plot that kept it interesting. I did like the characters & found I really wanted them to survive this nightmare apocalyptic adventure! A great read!
July 26, 2025
Of the 3 books, this was my least favourite, as I found that there was a lot of time spent rehashing the same things. That said, I still really enjoyed it. The ending wasnt what I was expecting, but it was still oddly satisfying.
Would I recommend this series? Absolutely! Im looking forward to reading more from this author!
Would I recommend this series? Absolutely! Im looking forward to reading more from this author!
July 11, 2025
Of the three books I felt this one was the most drawn out & took a long time to get to the “heart of the matter”.
The other two books to me were better.
This one I basically finished reading to finish the story I started.
The other two books to me were better.
This one I basically finished reading to finish the story I started.
January 5, 2026
Good read
I really enjoyed this trilogy, this was in particular. I just wish there weren’t so many errors in the contents. Auto correct is a great tool but it just corrects spelling. It doesn’t correct poor editing.
I really enjoyed this trilogy, this was in particular. I just wish there weren’t so many errors in the contents. Auto correct is a great tool but it just corrects spelling. It doesn’t correct poor editing.
January 13, 2025
Fascinating series. Great character development.
February 22, 2025
I really like the plot but these people huff too much and look between someone's eyes more than in any book I have ever read. 😂 Overall really good though!!
February 27, 2025
intense.
thrilling.
you never know with this author what is going to happen next.
thrilling.
you never know with this author what is going to happen next.
March 21, 2025
Great story of second chances. We need to have a second chapter in Adam and S
February 1, 2026
good read!!
Good!! Is there going to be another book!! I really want to know what happens next!! This book was exciting and funny!!
I did enjoy the whole series!
Good!! Is there going to be another book!! I really want to know what happens next!! This book was exciting and funny!!
I did enjoy the whole series!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews