What do you think?
Rate this book
Kindled #2
Princess
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.
When the asteroid hits and the world falls apart, I'm seventeen, and my dad buys us a place in an underground bunker. We're supposed to be safe down there, but we're not. Gradually, I lose everything until all I have left is a bewildering relationship with a stoic, unknowable man.
As one of the guards in the bunker, Grant has lurked in the background of my life for years, teaching me to defend myself, making sure I'm safe, and infuriating me by treating me like a sheltered princess in a tower. I don't even know if he likes me, even after we end up in bed together. All I know is that he's always there beside me—during the bleak half-life of the bunker and the hostile, unfamiliar world we discover when we finally come out of lockdown.
Maybe one day he'll open up. Let down his walls. And maybe eventually our days can be about more than surviving... Maybe I am one of the lucky ones, but right now all I have left in the world is him.
When the asteroid hits and the world falls apart, I'm seventeen, and my dad buys us a place in an underground bunker. We're supposed to be safe down there, but we're not. Gradually, I lose everything until all I have left is a bewildering relationship with a stoic, unknowable man.
As one of the guards in the bunker, Grant has lurked in the background of my life for years, teaching me to defend myself, making sure I'm safe, and infuriating me by treating me like a sheltered princess in a tower. I don't even know if he likes me, even after we end up in bed together. All I know is that he's always there beside me—during the bleak half-life of the bunker and the hostile, unfamiliar world we discover when we finally come out of lockdown.
Maybe one day he'll open up. Let down his walls. And maybe eventually our days can be about more than surviving... Maybe I am one of the lucky ones, but right now all I have left in the world is him.
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 12, 2022
374 people are currently reading
1611 people want to read
About the author
Claire Kent
40 books2,158 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,
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 400 reviews
July 5, 2023
I didn’t think a post-apocalyptic romance series could make me this happy but it does and this book delivered on so many things. 😭
This was just what my slumpish mood needed. I’m becoming obsessed with Claire Kent and I can’t wait to make my way through this series and her backlist.
So what can I tell you about this story?
Like I said, it’s set in a post-apocalyptic world. The main characters are very much on survival mode throughout the book and it hinders the progression of their romance in a way. I mean, naturally. They’re adapting to a new world that they’re not used to. Ain’t nobody got time for romantic feelings.
It’s an age-gap romance. It’s a story about our two main characters trying to make a relationship work, though they don’t really know how. They’re flawed, they’re real. Their stubbornness and miscommunication became annoying at times, but I also understood it.
Letting your feelings known isn’t the easiest in a normal everyday setting never mind when you’re on high alert constantly because of the world you’re living in.
“It’s a hope I never imagined I could have for myself— […] The hope changes things for me. It changes everything.”
The ending made it so worth it though. Grant is very much a hero that’s stoic and quiet and lets his feelings known through actions rather than words. Of course, the heroine, Olivia is just confused by it.
But the chemistry between these two is so real and so good. And I just loved the way things developed. They made mistakes but they also kept on learning. And when my baby, Grant, opened up? 🥹
I wish this series had a POV for the heroes. It’s not a need, more of a want.
I had a grand old time with this book and I can’t wait for the rest. And I especially CANNOT WAIT for Mack’s story. 😍 He’s been a side character throughout this series and I desperately want a HEA for him.
Gotta thank Jenn from TheBookRefuge on BookTube for this series rec! 😍
Recommended reading order:
* Last Light (prequel)
* Haven (but if you’re new to Claire Kent and want to see if her work is for you, you can start off with this novella.)
* Princess
* Embers
* Hero
This was just what my slumpish mood needed. I’m becoming obsessed with Claire Kent and I can’t wait to make my way through this series and her backlist.
So what can I tell you about this story?
Like I said, it’s set in a post-apocalyptic world. The main characters are very much on survival mode throughout the book and it hinders the progression of their romance in a way. I mean, naturally. They’re adapting to a new world that they’re not used to. Ain’t nobody got time for romantic feelings.
It’s an age-gap romance. It’s a story about our two main characters trying to make a relationship work, though they don’t really know how. They’re flawed, they’re real. Their stubbornness and miscommunication became annoying at times, but I also understood it.
Letting your feelings known isn’t the easiest in a normal everyday setting never mind when you’re on high alert constantly because of the world you’re living in.
“It’s a hope I never imagined I could have for myself— […] The hope changes things for me. It changes everything.”
The ending made it so worth it though. Grant is very much a hero that’s stoic and quiet and lets his feelings known through actions rather than words. Of course, the heroine, Olivia is just confused by it.
But the chemistry between these two is so real and so good. And I just loved the way things developed. They made mistakes but they also kept on learning. And when my baby, Grant, opened up? 🥹
I wish this series had a POV for the heroes. It’s not a need, more of a want.
I had a grand old time with this book and I can’t wait for the rest. And I especially CANNOT WAIT for Mack’s story. 😍 He’s been a side character throughout this series and I desperately want a HEA for him.
Gotta thank Jenn from TheBookRefuge on BookTube for this series rec! 😍
Recommended reading order:
* Last Light (prequel)
* Haven (but if you’re new to Claire Kent and want to see if her work is for you, you can start off with this novella.)
* Princess
* Embers
* Hero
July 14, 2022
4 Like Our Hearts Adapt Stars ⭐
Just imagine receiving a phone call that changes the very course of your life. An asteroid that decimates humanity and the 'lucky' ones get to live in a bunker for 5 years while Earth recovers. It's a shit show.
Things might change tomorrow. Or the day after. Or a week from now. But, at this moment, all I have left in the world is him.
Olivia may be daddy's Princess, but it means nothing in the new world. Having entered the bunker at 17 years old, she's missed out on the fundamentals of growing into an adult. She may be shadowed by one of her father's guards, Grant, but he's more of a protector than a friend. It's been quite solitary for her.
When finally they are released, lives have been lost and what they know is gone. While trying to carve out a new future, love blossoms in the unlikeliest ways. Grant and Olivia are initially drawn together for comfort and sexual release. It's not a romantic pairing. Both are emotionally stunted and in my opinion traumatised. It's an arrangement of convenience.
I should want gentleness. Softness. Comfort. Not rough sex in the dark with no romantic words or tender caresses. With a man who’s never once admitted he cares for me even a little. But he gave me what I needed tonight. He’s never not been there when I need him.
I understood it. Where Olivia was sheltered, Grant is methodical, almost robotic. But realistically staying alive takes precedence. In time there's a softening between the two and affection sets in. There's no real time for hearts and roses.
Was this next instalment in the Kindled world perfect? Nope, however I really liked the world setting. I just felt that the mechanical sex scenes and lack of intimacy ruined how good it could have been. I just wanted that intense feeling of desperation and passion behind closed doors that I didn't really get.
~BR with Rain. Here I was thinking we were divided on this one. Yet one great ending makes it all alright in our little hearts.~ 💙
Just imagine receiving a phone call that changes the very course of your life. An asteroid that decimates humanity and the 'lucky' ones get to live in a bunker for 5 years while Earth recovers. It's a shit show.
Things might change tomorrow. Or the day after. Or a week from now. But, at this moment, all I have left in the world is him.
Olivia may be daddy's Princess, but it means nothing in the new world. Having entered the bunker at 17 years old, she's missed out on the fundamentals of growing into an adult. She may be shadowed by one of her father's guards, Grant, but he's more of a protector than a friend. It's been quite solitary for her.
When finally they are released, lives have been lost and what they know is gone. While trying to carve out a new future, love blossoms in the unlikeliest ways. Grant and Olivia are initially drawn together for comfort and sexual release. It's not a romantic pairing. Both are emotionally stunted and in my opinion traumatised. It's an arrangement of convenience.
I should want gentleness. Softness. Comfort. Not rough sex in the dark with no romantic words or tender caresses. With a man who’s never once admitted he cares for me even a little. But he gave me what I needed tonight. He’s never not been there when I need him.
I understood it. Where Olivia was sheltered, Grant is methodical, almost robotic. But realistically staying alive takes precedence. In time there's a softening between the two and affection sets in. There's no real time for hearts and roses.
Was this next instalment in the Kindled world perfect? Nope, however I really liked the world setting. I just felt that the mechanical sex scenes and lack of intimacy ruined how good it could have been. I just wanted that intense feeling of desperation and passion behind closed doors that I didn't really get.
~BR with Rain. Here I was thinking we were divided on this one. Yet one great ending makes it all alright in our little hearts.~ 💙
July 27, 2023
2.5 Smut Scale Stars
I love this world, but this is my least favorite of those that take place it in so far. I loved Grant...but Olivia annoyed me. She came across as fairly selfish and whiny most of the time…in need of constant reassurance and lashing out in childish ways instead of acting like an adult. That near-stunt with Ben at the end? Pffffft. I lost what dwindling respect I had for her.
Her constant need for validation tainted her and Grant’s connection, in my opinion, and the book suffered for it. I had to fight to avoid skimming toward the end. Oh well.
I'm looking forward to Cal and Rachel’s story. And I’ll be honest, I got mixed up and thought Grant and Olivia were Cal and Rachel at the beginning of this book. I remembered their (Cal and Rachel's, that is) appearance in the last installment, forgot their names, and spent the first 25% of this book thinking it was their story. Whoops.
I love this world, but this is my least favorite of those that take place it in so far. I loved Grant...but Olivia annoyed me. She came across as fairly selfish and whiny most of the time…in need of constant reassurance and lashing out in childish ways instead of acting like an adult. That near-stunt with Ben at the end? Pffffft. I lost what dwindling respect I had for her.
Her constant need for validation tainted her and Grant’s connection, in my opinion, and the book suffered for it. I had to fight to avoid skimming toward the end. Oh well.
I'm looking forward to Cal and Rachel’s story. And I’ll be honest, I got mixed up and thought Grant and Olivia were Cal and Rachel at the beginning of this book. I remembered their (Cal and Rachel's, that is) appearance in the last installment, forgot their names, and spent the first 25% of this book thinking it was their story. Whoops.
July 14, 2022
*3.5* I'm so conflicted. While I love the world but Kent has created in this series, my favorite being Last Light this book fell a little short for me.
Olivia is 17 almost 18 at the beginning of the story (for the majority she's 23) but is still incredibly naïve and insecure. So this story reads more like a YA in terms of this couple's emotional development.
Grant (34) is a quiet, brooding soldier who takes his job incredibly seriously. There's a ton of miscommunication, non-communication, assumptions, and simply no communication.
It wasn't until 90% in I LOVED the last 10% of this story.
This author can write steam. Have you read Hold? So it came as a huge surprise to me that steam in this one was a bit basic and non-emotional.
I'm being extra generous with my rating here because I love this world, I just didn't love these characters as much as I had hoped. Can't wait for the next book in the series...I really hope the those characters will be fully grown adults with excellent communication skills LOL!
Side note* I found it completely ridiculous that she didn't
Thank you to my fearless BR Isabella, who reminded me the book was out and waiting for us to read!
Olivia is 17 almost 18 at the beginning of the story (for the majority she's 23) but is still incredibly naïve and insecure. So this story reads more like a YA in terms of this couple's emotional development.
Grant (34) is a quiet, brooding soldier who takes his job incredibly seriously. There's a ton of miscommunication, non-communication, assumptions, and simply no communication.
“Obvious? You thought it was obvious how you felt? Have you ever actually met yourself? It’s like trying to interpret a brick wall!”I can understand why these two characters act the way they do, but think this story would have benefited from a bit more character development. It's frustrating when you know ONE simple conversation would clear everything up! Since miscommunication/no communication is the theme of these books, I just had to take it with a grain of salt.
It wasn't until 90% in I LOVED the last 10% of this story.
This author can write steam. Have you read Hold? So it came as a huge surprise to me that steam in this one was a bit basic and non-emotional.
I'm being extra generous with my rating here because I love this world, I just didn't love these characters as much as I had hoped. Can't wait for the next book in the series...I really hope the those characters will be fully grown adults with excellent communication skills LOL!
Side note* I found it completely ridiculous that she didn't
Thank you to my fearless BR Isabella, who reminded me the book was out and waiting for us to read!
May 18, 2024
A Sweet Post-Apocalyptic Rapunzel
Another enjoyable and erotic entry to this series, this one was a bit different as it involved a bunker filled with elite people and luxuries. It was a class-difference, age-gap trope, but had the usual taciturn but capable hero and younger heroine. This one was nice because they had access to showers so the stink was much less.
My one complaint for this book is that I feel like we didn’t get to know Grant at all. He was an enigma the entire book and only a few sparse details were revealed about his former life, his thoughts and feelings. We don’t even learn his first name. As all of these are told in first person POV by the FMC, most of these MMCs are basically grumpy Ken dolls and accessories to the journey of Post-apocalyptic Barbie.
It’s not bad, I like a heroine centric story, but this was particularly hard to connect with when Grant was basically only a grumpy soldier. I needed to know him better and to believe she loved him for more than sex and loneliness and because he was the most capable man available.
But I still liked this. It was sweet and gritty and quick and entertaining.
Another enjoyable and erotic entry to this series, this one was a bit different as it involved a bunker filled with elite people and luxuries. It was a class-difference, age-gap trope, but had the usual taciturn but capable hero and younger heroine. This one was nice because they had access to showers so the stink was much less.
My one complaint for this book is that I feel like we didn’t get to know Grant at all. He was an enigma the entire book and only a few sparse details were revealed about his former life, his thoughts and feelings. We don’t even learn his first name. As all of these are told in first person POV by the FMC, most of these MMCs are basically grumpy Ken dolls and accessories to the journey of Post-apocalyptic Barbie.
It’s not bad, I like a heroine centric story, but this was particularly hard to connect with when Grant was basically only a grumpy soldier. I needed to know him better and to believe she loved him for more than sex and loneliness and because he was the most capable man available.
But I still liked this. It was sweet and gritty and quick and entertaining.
November 6, 2023
Reread in Nov 2023.
.
.
.
Reread in 2023. Just a little comfort reading this week.
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
Is it weird to say that I am excited to be back in this dangerous world? Well, who cares, I am. I was absolutely thrilled and tickled pink to read an ARC of this book. To be back in the Kindled world of Claire Kent's was a treat.
I read this book straight through, no stops, no passing GO, I was addicted. I love how each book that takes place in this Asteroid-stricken Earth gives us a little more info on what has happened. I feel like Princess gives us the most insight yet.
Getting to know Olivia briefly as a teenager who only has finals and swim team on her mind and watching her reality come crumbling down as she has to go underground to try and survive the catastrophe was so interesting. She is one of the "luckier" ones if you could call her that, and when it's time to emerge, everything is going to be different.
Grant is a stoic and serious older man, who begins our tale as a guard/security expert who is working for the company running the underground missile silo and he becomes vital yet an untouchable figure in Olivia's life. And as time goes on... they come to mean more to each other than they could have expected.
As I am finding with this author, I feel intimately connected to the characters. When there is no society left to say things are right or wrong, there are only our own perceptions and what we try to cling to. But our bodies and our hearts want different things. I feel like every book I've read by her does that so well.
I loved these two characters and I was extremely satisfied with this return to the Kindled series. I look forward to more.
5 stars
3 on the spice scale
.
.
.
Reread in 2023. Just a little comfort reading this week.
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
Is it weird to say that I am excited to be back in this dangerous world? Well, who cares, I am. I was absolutely thrilled and tickled pink to read an ARC of this book. To be back in the Kindled world of Claire Kent's was a treat.
I read this book straight through, no stops, no passing GO, I was addicted. I love how each book that takes place in this Asteroid-stricken Earth gives us a little more info on what has happened. I feel like Princess gives us the most insight yet.
Getting to know Olivia briefly as a teenager who only has finals and swim team on her mind and watching her reality come crumbling down as she has to go underground to try and survive the catastrophe was so interesting. She is one of the "luckier" ones if you could call her that, and when it's time to emerge, everything is going to be different.
Grant is a stoic and serious older man, who begins our tale as a guard/security expert who is working for the company running the underground missile silo and he becomes vital yet an untouchable figure in Olivia's life. And as time goes on... they come to mean more to each other than they could have expected.
As I am finding with this author, I feel intimately connected to the characters. When there is no society left to say things are right or wrong, there are only our own perceptions and what we try to cling to. But our bodies and our hearts want different things. I feel like every book I've read by her does that so well.
I loved these two characters and I was extremely satisfied with this return to the Kindled series. I look forward to more.
5 stars
3 on the spice scale
July 15, 2022
it's the end of the world, so let's grab our:
~hunky, and stoically handsome, men
~billionaire bunkers
~deodorant (we like that natural musk in this house)
~chlorine for the apocalypse pool
~miscommunication hats
~friends, travis and lane
~lack of brain cells (those are a must)
not gonna lie, i'm a bit disappointed. here's hoping the next two couples can bring that travislane magic *fingers crossed*
~hunky, and stoically handsome, men
~billionaire bunkers
~
~chlorine for the apocalypse pool
~miscommunication hats
~friends, travis and lane
~lack of brain cells (those are a must)
“So you… you love me? For real?”
“Of course I love you, princess. I can barely remember how it felt to exist when I didn’t.”
not gonna lie, i'm a bit disappointed. here's hoping the next two couples can bring that travislane magic *fingers crossed*
July 30, 2022
4 Stars
Claire Kent delivers yet another gritty, gripping, and raunchy AF romance with Princess.
This follow-up to Last Light and Haven kept pace with its predecessors, particularly in terms of the ever-expanding dystopian world-building, the passionate romances and high-stakes survival drama of it all.
What I appreciated most in this instalment was that it was the first to briefly take us back pre-apocalyptic event, opening with an exciting, edge-of-your-seat scene, where seventeen-year-old heroine Olivia gets whisked away from school by broody bodyguard/ex-military hero Grant, right on the cusp of the pending global catastrophe, to get her somewhere safe—at the request of her filthy rich father who has secured them a coveted spot in an underground bunker in middle-of-nowhere Kentucky, to survive the coming apocalypse.
I loved the whole idea of the bunker community and how they passed their time until life on the surface was more viable (roughly five years post-event). As we saw in the previous stories, the world really did go to hell in a handbasket, so having a group of people that were substantially better off for many of the bad years—when most of the world was dying from extreme weather events, starvation, health crises and human-on-human violence—only to come out of the bunker to face unknown dangers, was an exciting way to tell the story anew.
There were some time-jumps involved in this one, but they were welcomed on my part, with Olivia starting off as a sheltered teenager and growing through the phases of post-apocalyptic life, which forced her to grow into a brave, resilient, fairly kickass woman of twenty-two by book’s end. I loved the pacing of the story and the transition Olivia made across the story into a truly strong and worthwhile heroine.
Her slightly older, man-of-few-words, secret admirer and always protector, Grant, was possibly my favourite hunky hero of the series to date. This guy was stereotypically (for this series) broody, gruff, seemingly dismissive and hardened by the state of the world, but it was less in question how much he adored and worshipped Olivia, as compared to Jackson and Travis of the last two books, at least in my opinion. Grant was hot in all the right ways, and I was here for it!
The sex/relationship stuff was on point, always hot, hot, hot, but growing steadily in strength when it came to the tenderness, intimacy and feelings that Olivia and Grant increasingly showed each other. The relationships play a core part of this series, but they’re always perfectly balanced amongst the high-stakes plot and the emotional development of the characters, who went through some seriously intense situations throughout the story, making their endgame romance a big win.
I just love this series (this dystopian world) Claire Kent has built. It’s harsh and realistic, but hopeful and so sexy and romantic. It’s all too easy to care for these characters and root for their safe and happy survival. I’ll no doubt be reading any and all future stories Kent decides to give us in this world.
To any interested newcomers, I recommend starting with the prequel novel, Last Light, as I would not suggest reading these stories as standalones.
Claire Kent delivers yet another gritty, gripping, and raunchy AF romance with Princess.
This follow-up to Last Light and Haven kept pace with its predecessors, particularly in terms of the ever-expanding dystopian world-building, the passionate romances and high-stakes survival drama of it all.
What I appreciated most in this instalment was that it was the first to briefly take us back pre-apocalyptic event, opening with an exciting, edge-of-your-seat scene, where seventeen-year-old heroine Olivia gets whisked away from school by broody bodyguard/ex-military hero Grant, right on the cusp of the pending global catastrophe, to get her somewhere safe—at the request of her filthy rich father who has secured them a coveted spot in an underground bunker in middle-of-nowhere Kentucky, to survive the coming apocalypse.
I loved the whole idea of the bunker community and how they passed their time until life on the surface was more viable (roughly five years post-event). As we saw in the previous stories, the world really did go to hell in a handbasket, so having a group of people that were substantially better off for many of the bad years—when most of the world was dying from extreme weather events, starvation, health crises and human-on-human violence—only to come out of the bunker to face unknown dangers, was an exciting way to tell the story anew.
There were some time-jumps involved in this one, but they were welcomed on my part, with Olivia starting off as a sheltered teenager and growing through the phases of post-apocalyptic life, which forced her to grow into a brave, resilient, fairly kickass woman of twenty-two by book’s end. I loved the pacing of the story and the transition Olivia made across the story into a truly strong and worthwhile heroine.
Her slightly older, man-of-few-words, secret admirer and always protector, Grant, was possibly my favourite hunky hero of the series to date. This guy was stereotypically (for this series) broody, gruff, seemingly dismissive and hardened by the state of the world, but it was less in question how much he adored and worshipped Olivia, as compared to Jackson and Travis of the last two books, at least in my opinion. Grant was hot in all the right ways, and I was here for it!
The sex/relationship stuff was on point, always hot, hot, hot, but growing steadily in strength when it came to the tenderness, intimacy and feelings that Olivia and Grant increasingly showed each other. The relationships play a core part of this series, but they’re always perfectly balanced amongst the high-stakes plot and the emotional development of the characters, who went through some seriously intense situations throughout the story, making their endgame romance a big win.
I just love this series (this dystopian world) Claire Kent has built. It’s harsh and realistic, but hopeful and so sexy and romantic. It’s all too easy to care for these characters and root for their safe and happy survival. I’ll no doubt be reading any and all future stories Kent decides to give us in this world.
To any interested newcomers, I recommend starting with the prequel novel, Last Light, as I would not suggest reading these stories as standalones.
August 6, 2022
Trigger Warnings:
If y’all know me, y’all know I am a HUGE FAN of Last Light by Claire Kent. It’s this apocalyptic universe and the first book is definitely my fav from the series. The novella, Haven is good too but it’s more smut focused. This book is a mix of both, there’s a lot more world-building and action, but there’s smut too. Olivia, the FMC, is the typa girl that looks gorgeous and has had things given to her easily, but she isn’t spoiled. She’s a badass woman but she’s a little annoying at points, she wasn’t bad at the beginning but she’s very oblivious when it is obvious that someone has feelings for her. Grant, the MMC, is the typical emotionally unavailable guy that will become your simp and protect you. This focuses on the two characters rather than others, so you won’t see much interactions with them and others in the bunkers. I do think that it would be best if you read the books in order, you will enjoy the series a lot more since the other characters do appear in this book, but this can be read as a stand-alone. I highly recommend the other books, it’s all so fun, I love the world Claire created and I’m so excited for the upcoming releases! This is more chill for an apocalyptic romance, I did notice that there’s a lotta age gaps and I’m not usually a fan of that but I love Claire’s books so whateva. I’m not super picky and reliable cuz I’m a major fangirl so it wasn’t a surprise that I adored this.
The first two books followed characters who experienced the apocalypse as it happened on the outside. Whereas with this book, Olivia has a billionaire dad who knew about the apocalypse before it happened and bought spots in a bunker where she was able to live a luxurious life for 5 years. Olivia is taken away from class by Grant, someone who works for her dad. An asteroid was gonna hit Europe and affect the whole world but she was saved. 5 years later, Olivia has to face the outside since they are running outta supplies, she has no one in the world other than Grant, who doesn’t seem interested in her.
I think my order for Claire Kent book favs would be (don’t read in this order):
Last Light
Princess
Haven
Now for spoilers
Stay safe folks!
If y’all know me, y’all know I am a HUGE FAN of Last Light by Claire Kent. It’s this apocalyptic universe and the first book is definitely my fav from the series. The novella, Haven is good too but it’s more smut focused. This book is a mix of both, there’s a lot more world-building and action, but there’s smut too. Olivia, the FMC, is the typa girl that looks gorgeous and has had things given to her easily, but she isn’t spoiled. She’s a badass woman but she’s a little annoying at points, she wasn’t bad at the beginning but she’s very oblivious when it is obvious that someone has feelings for her. Grant, the MMC, is the typical emotionally unavailable guy that will become your simp and protect you. This focuses on the two characters rather than others, so you won’t see much interactions with them and others in the bunkers. I do think that it would be best if you read the books in order, you will enjoy the series a lot more since the other characters do appear in this book, but this can be read as a stand-alone. I highly recommend the other books, it’s all so fun, I love the world Claire created and I’m so excited for the upcoming releases! This is more chill for an apocalyptic romance, I did notice that there’s a lotta age gaps and I’m not usually a fan of that but I love Claire’s books so whateva. I’m not super picky and reliable cuz I’m a major fangirl so it wasn’t a surprise that I adored this.
The first two books followed characters who experienced the apocalypse as it happened on the outside. Whereas with this book, Olivia has a billionaire dad who knew about the apocalypse before it happened and bought spots in a bunker where she was able to live a luxurious life for 5 years. Olivia is taken away from class by Grant, someone who works for her dad. An asteroid was gonna hit Europe and affect the whole world but she was saved. 5 years later, Olivia has to face the outside since they are running outta supplies, she has no one in the world other than Grant, who doesn’t seem interested in her.
I think my order for Claire Kent book favs would be (don’t read in this order):
Last Light
Princess
Haven
Now for spoilers
Stay safe folks!
December 29, 2022
New characters. (Olivia Vincent & Grant)
I’m on a roll with this series, loving it, so glad I took that plunge and jumped out of my usual reading genre to try something new, and to date with this series it’s worked, I’m enjoying reading again!
God another day of barely moving off my reading spot 😳 I’m so glad I stumbled across this author, this series.
An asteroid hits and the world fell apart.
Olivia is only seventeen away at college when she receives a phone call from her father asking her to leave school immediately with a man that's at her door ready to whisk her away. That day is the day where her world changed forever. Her father had brought them a safe haven of sorts, a bunker underground, off the grid allowing them to live self sufficient along with many other families. Giving them enough supplies to last at least five years.
When Olivia's father passes away unexpectedly she's left alone in an unknown world, she gravitates towards Grant who instructors her in self defense.
Grant is similar in character to the other men in the previous books, stand-offish, rough around the edges, men who speak very little and struggle to make connections. (the sun-shine and the grumps) It's the woman by their sides which bring out the best in them. It took Olivia a long time to break through Grants hard exterior. But once she did we saw a softer side emerge.
![Profile Image for Lori [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1652024485i%2F125758944._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 13, 2022
3.5
I enjoyed this but not nearly as much as Last Light.
I think it all comes down to the length of it. This was more on the side of a novella than a full length book. A lot of details, especially for the action scenes, were glossed over. (Some scenes were just one sentence...)
I would have loved this a lot more if CK went more in depth with it.
Safe
I enjoyed this but not nearly as much as Last Light.
I think it all comes down to the length of it. This was more on the side of a novella than a full length book. A lot of details, especially for the action scenes, were glossed over. (Some scenes were just one sentence...)
I would have loved this a lot more if CK went more in depth with it.
Safe
January 2, 2023
I’m loving this series. Amazing stories.
This book isn’t different. The characters are great.
I love a good romance!
It’s worth the reading.
This book isn’t different. The characters are great.
I love a good romance!
It’s worth the reading.
September 14, 2022
I'm so happy the author has decided to continue this series. I truly think it's one of the best "Apocalyptic World" type of series I've read to date. It's the kind of series that would make a fantastic TV series. It's the most realistic storyline that makes you think this could truly happen. I think it stays realistic to the fears and struggles people would face, while also providing a love story that you can root for.
This is no instant love story. Or even a "forced to love because you are the only option" kind of story. This is a couple, Grant and Olivia, who take years to develop. It felt right for them. This is a couple that needed to develop slow and yet as you read it, it doesn't feel slow, it just feels right.
Grant is 12 years older than Olivia. He's the strong, silent, protective man that locks down his emotions. Olivia is learning to become an adult in a new world and doesn't have the support a young woman needs. Their differences is why their story takes time and I love that the author gave them that development that would have been lacking if it was rushed.
I also love the we are getting to see characters from the other two books in this world. It's like watching these people learn to grow and rebuild the world into something new. Anytime I think about how it would be if this really happened, it scares me. It also makes this series so fascinating to me. I'm looking forward to more.
This is no instant love story. Or even a "forced to love because you are the only option" kind of story. This is a couple, Grant and Olivia, who take years to develop. It felt right for them. This is a couple that needed to develop slow and yet as you read it, it doesn't feel slow, it just feels right.
Grant is 12 years older than Olivia. He's the strong, silent, protective man that locks down his emotions. Olivia is learning to become an adult in a new world and doesn't have the support a young woman needs. Their differences is why their story takes time and I love that the author gave them that development that would have been lacking if it was rushed.
I also love the we are getting to see characters from the other two books in this world. It's like watching these people learn to grow and rebuild the world into something new. Anytime I think about how it would be if this really happened, it scares me. It also makes this series so fascinating to me. I'm looking forward to more.
July 13, 2022
5 stars. Just wow. This was one of my most anticipated books this year, and it really did not disappoint. I am, however, a little angry at myself this morning, since I stayed up until nearly 4AM finishing this book - it was just THAT good! Now I’m going to be feeling like shit all day (still worth it 🤡).
If you haven’t read the other books that take place in this dystopian future created by CK, you’re missing out. But I’m going to go ahead and say that this is the best book yet. This book can definitely be read as a standalone, but past MCs do make several appearances.
The hero and heroine of this book meet right before an asteroid is supposed to hit earth. Her father is a very wealthy man and bought into a huge bunker with 200 other people. The hero is an employee of the bunker, past military, and assigned to retrieve the then 17 year old heroine from school and bring her to safety. He really takes his role as her protector seriously, and for years he keeps his distance, but always looks out for her. The book starts out 5 years in the past, and time jumps ahead to show snippets of how those years were spent.
Those years where the MCs have absolutely minimal contact made this book feel like a slow burn, without actually being one. My anticipation for their first few encounters was SKY HIGH. And let’s just say… I was not disappointed! 🥵🥵
Anyways, I’m going to stop now and just say that I highly recommend this book. I loved it, I want to read it again NOW. And if you, my goodreads friends, end up hating it, I’m going to pretend like I don’t see your reviews, and go on with my day. 😘
Safety is great, virgin heroine, hero isn’t a manwhore, no real details about his past but it was somewhat implied that he stayed celibate since entering the bunker. No major OM/OW drama, just some jealousy from both sides. No scenes with OM/OW, no cheating. Age gap: hero is 12 years older than the heroine.
If you haven’t read the other books that take place in this dystopian future created by CK, you’re missing out. But I’m going to go ahead and say that this is the best book yet. This book can definitely be read as a standalone, but past MCs do make several appearances.
The hero and heroine of this book meet right before an asteroid is supposed to hit earth. Her father is a very wealthy man and bought into a huge bunker with 200 other people. The hero is an employee of the bunker, past military, and assigned to retrieve the then 17 year old heroine from school and bring her to safety. He really takes his role as her protector seriously, and for years he keeps his distance, but always looks out for her. The book starts out 5 years in the past, and time jumps ahead to show snippets of how those years were spent.
Those years where the MCs have absolutely minimal contact made this book feel like a slow burn, without actually being one. My anticipation for their first few encounters was SKY HIGH. And let’s just say… I was not disappointed! 🥵🥵
Anyways, I’m going to stop now and just say that I highly recommend this book. I loved it, I want to read it again NOW. And if you, my goodreads friends, end up hating it, I’m going to pretend like I don’t see your reviews, and go on with my day. 😘
Safety is great, virgin heroine, hero isn’t a manwhore, no real details about his past but it was somewhat implied that he stayed celibate since entering the bunker. No major OM/OW drama, just some jealousy from both sides. No scenes with OM/OW, no cheating. Age gap: hero is 12 years older than the heroine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2022
The gist of it:
Apocalypse! Bunker down under!
Grant: Goes out of his way to let others to know she’s not available
Olivia: He thinks I’m a child, he doesn’t even like me
Grant: Teaches her self-defense at her request and often gets hard while at it
Olivia: It’s a physiological response, he doesn’t even like me
Grant: F@ucks her good and raw with orgasms galore
Olivia: Why doesn’t he liiiiike meeeee??
Grant: Stay in the bunker! Stay back in the farm! Don’t go into stranger danger! No, I said you can’t go!
Olivia: Waaaa! Stop treating me like a spoiled princess!! I’m not a child, Grant! Hey! I do stuff! Don’t treat me like a child! He treats me like a spoiled child! He doesn’t belieeeeve in me!
Mary: Get you sum!
Faith: He wants you
Ham: He’s gonna punch me for standing close to you
Mac: He’s being an asshole cause he luuuvs you
Olivia: We share a bed, he gives me multiple orgasms every night, we talk about having a kid together like it’s whatevs, but naah—he doesn’t want me like that!!
Grant: You ok? Are you ok Olivia? Hey, you alright? Did I hurt you, you ok? You feeling ok? You doing ok? How are you? Ok?
Olivia: But he’s so hard to reeeaaddd
🙄
Apocalypse! Bunker down under!
Grant: Goes out of his way to let others to know she’s not available
Olivia: He thinks I’m a child, he doesn’t even like me
Grant: Teaches her self-defense at her request and often gets hard while at it
Olivia: It’s a physiological response, he doesn’t even like me
Grant: F@ucks her good and raw with orgasms galore
Olivia: Why doesn’t he liiiiike meeeee??
Grant: Stay in the bunker! Stay back in the farm! Don’t go into stranger danger! No, I said you can’t go!
Olivia: Waaaa! Stop treating me like a spoiled princess!! I’m not a child, Grant! Hey! I do stuff! Don’t treat me like a child! He treats me like a spoiled child! He doesn’t belieeeeve in me!
Mary: Get you sum!
Faith: He wants you
Ham: He’s gonna punch me for standing close to you
Mac: He’s being an asshole cause he luuuvs you
Olivia: We share a bed, he gives me multiple orgasms every night, we talk about having a kid together like it’s whatevs, but naah—he doesn’t want me like that!!
Grant: You ok? Are you ok Olivia? Hey, you alright? Did I hurt you, you ok? You feeling ok? You doing ok? How are you? Ok?
Olivia: But he’s so hard to reeeaaddd
🙄
June 16, 2023
storywise it's bad, but I read this for the giggles and the smut, and it delivered😂
July 1, 2022
I love this world and all the amazing characters that have been created to survive it and then rebuild it. Grant and Olivia’s story was not only unique across the romance genre, it was different from the previous couples in this series. I found it to be extremely intriguing as I imagined actually living life at such a scarily monumental time.
Reading this from Olivia’s point of view, I like that we were able to see the beginning of the end as well as a few milestones along the way into present time. They were clearly marked and there were no time jumps back and forth. She was obviously a bit scattered at the start but as time went by, her character developed into a woman that learned to go after what she wanted while taking a place in this new society.
We might not have had Grant’s view point, but there were plenty of times that it was obvious what his actions and reactions meant…at least when you find them in romance. His body language, facial expressions and his taciturn disposition gave evidence of what he must be experiencing emotionally when reacting to Olivia. I loved this gruff, silent man and his determination to keep those in the bunker safe, especially Olivia.
This had scenes with characters from the previous books in the series, although it can be read as a standalone. The steam was full on nuclear and may require a little something to help ease your way…a cold glass of tea or an adjustment to the a/c setting. I can’t express how much I absolutely love every book in this series and this one has added to my overall love of this world. I can’t wait for the next book and I’m hoping this author will not end it there!
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
Reading this from Olivia’s point of view, I like that we were able to see the beginning of the end as well as a few milestones along the way into present time. They were clearly marked and there were no time jumps back and forth. She was obviously a bit scattered at the start but as time went by, her character developed into a woman that learned to go after what she wanted while taking a place in this new society.
We might not have had Grant’s view point, but there were plenty of times that it was obvious what his actions and reactions meant…at least when you find them in romance. His body language, facial expressions and his taciturn disposition gave evidence of what he must be experiencing emotionally when reacting to Olivia. I loved this gruff, silent man and his determination to keep those in the bunker safe, especially Olivia.
This had scenes with characters from the previous books in the series, although it can be read as a standalone. The steam was full on nuclear and may require a little something to help ease your way…a cold glass of tea or an adjustment to the a/c setting. I can’t express how much I absolutely love every book in this series and this one has added to my overall love of this world. I can’t wait for the next book and I’m hoping this author will not end it there!
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
July 29, 2022
Another good read. I’m really enjoying this series which is why that’s all you’re getting. I’m moving straight onto Embers now.
October 9, 2025
5 stars
I absolutely loved this! It was emotional and intense, and had me biting my nails whenever Grant and Olivia got into a life or death situation. The story tension was superb.
This follows Last Light and Haven, but I really liked how the story starts *before* the global catastrophe. We got to see how Olivia went from a normal college life, to living in an underground bunker where things are safe but also not safe. It made her a very sympathetic character, and I found her actions relatable (even if some of her actions would have annoyed me in another story).
Grant, though. Whewwwww. He’s introduced as one of the guards hired to keep the bunker secure, and was ultra competent and very controlled. He spoke little, but that just gave us a whole lot of taciturn caregiving 😍, and whenever he spoke it had me like 🥵 or 🥺 or 🥹.
Also, Claire Kent’s way of writing a raw and intimate sex scene? Unmatched.
I listened to the audiobook, and June deBorahae’s narration was fantastic. I really hope she does the rest of the series.
I absolutely loved this! It was emotional and intense, and had me biting my nails whenever Grant and Olivia got into a life or death situation. The story tension was superb.
This follows Last Light and Haven, but I really liked how the story starts *before* the global catastrophe. We got to see how Olivia went from a normal college life, to living in an underground bunker where things are safe but also not safe. It made her a very sympathetic character, and I found her actions relatable (even if some of her actions would have annoyed me in another story).
Grant, though. Whewwwww. He’s introduced as one of the guards hired to keep the bunker secure, and was ultra competent and very controlled. He spoke little, but that just gave us a whole lot of taciturn caregiving 😍, and whenever he spoke it had me like 🥵 or 🥺 or 🥹.
Also, Claire Kent’s way of writing a raw and intimate sex scene? Unmatched.
I listened to the audiobook, and June deBorahae’s narration was fantastic. I really hope she does the rest of the series.
July 12, 2022
This is set in the same world as Last Light and Haven but it could be read as a standalone. But, it would be more enjoyable if you’ve also read those, since characters from those appear in this.
Olivia was 17 when an asteroid hit Europe, causing the collapse of modern civilization. Her wealthy dad was able to get intelligence that this was coming, so he sent a bodyguard, Grant, to bring her to a bunker. In the 5 years since, she’s been living there in a community of 200 other people. She’s luckier than people on the outside, but her life is boring and lonely. Grant, who’s 12 years older, is her only real human connection after her dad died, even though they barely talk.
Her relationship with Grant starts with him being protective but distant, plus 1 night of random sex. He’s so stoic that it’s not clear for a while that he has feelings for her (although the story does a good job of weaving in small moments to show that he cares). So, this is a slow burn on the emotional part, even though there’s steam pretty early on.
Olivia is likeable and pragmatic. She’s got very little experience with guys by age 22 since living in a bunker interfered with that, but she’s not overly insecure or naive. Grant is the strong silent type. Just like Claire Kent’s best book, Hold, it works that this is only in the heroine’s POV. It feels fitting for us to be in Olivia’s shoes alongside her, trying to figure out what he’s feeling. (But, Cain, the hero of Hold, was more aggressive while Grant is a little TOO respectful, hanging back while Olivia is the one pursuing the relationship at first. So, Grant is a good hero, but not quite as good as Cain). But once their relationship gets going, Grant is more assertive, and he calls her “princess” and “good girl.”
I like how this started before the apocalyptic event, unlike the other books in this world. So we got a clear sense of Olivia’s mental state as she adjusted to these huge changes. Claire Kent is great at gritty storytelling with no frills, and a focus on the characters, and this book is just as good as any of her others. I’d actually say that it has more of a plot than the other books in this world. But, even so, all of these books are about how people get on with their daily lives after the civilized world has collapsed. So, these aren’t the right reads if you want an action-heavy dystopia (if you want that, read the Saving Setora series). But it’s a great quiet character-driven dystopia.
In terms of her other work, I didn’t love this as much as Hold, but I liked it more than Haven and about the same level as Last Light. I’m so glad we’re getting two more books in this world. I can’t wait for Mack’s book (the tease of his story that we got in this is him saying, “Sure, I’ve got a woman. She just hasn’t realized it yet”), and Cal and Rachel’s book (the tease of their story that we got in this was Olivia observing, “I assume she’s his daughter, since he treats her with dismissive entitlement and she often looks annoyed by him”). Claire Kent doesn’t miss, especially with her dystopian books.
Olivia was 17 when an asteroid hit Europe, causing the collapse of modern civilization. Her wealthy dad was able to get intelligence that this was coming, so he sent a bodyguard, Grant, to bring her to a bunker. In the 5 years since, she’s been living there in a community of 200 other people. She’s luckier than people on the outside, but her life is boring and lonely. Grant, who’s 12 years older, is her only real human connection after her dad died, even though they barely talk.
Her relationship with Grant starts with him being protective but distant, plus 1 night of random sex. He’s so stoic that it’s not clear for a while that he has feelings for her (although the story does a good job of weaving in small moments to show that he cares). So, this is a slow burn on the emotional part, even though there’s steam pretty early on.
Olivia is likeable and pragmatic. She’s got very little experience with guys by age 22 since living in a bunker interfered with that, but she’s not overly insecure or naive. Grant is the strong silent type. Just like Claire Kent’s best book, Hold, it works that this is only in the heroine’s POV. It feels fitting for us to be in Olivia’s shoes alongside her, trying to figure out what he’s feeling. (But, Cain, the hero of Hold, was more aggressive while Grant is a little TOO respectful, hanging back while Olivia is the one pursuing the relationship at first. So, Grant is a good hero, but not quite as good as Cain). But once their relationship gets going, Grant is more assertive, and he calls her “princess” and “good girl.”
I like how this started before the apocalyptic event, unlike the other books in this world. So we got a clear sense of Olivia’s mental state as she adjusted to these huge changes. Claire Kent is great at gritty storytelling with no frills, and a focus on the characters, and this book is just as good as any of her others. I’d actually say that it has more of a plot than the other books in this world. But, even so, all of these books are about how people get on with their daily lives after the civilized world has collapsed. So, these aren’t the right reads if you want an action-heavy dystopia (if you want that, read the Saving Setora series). But it’s a great quiet character-driven dystopia.
In terms of her other work, I didn’t love this as much as Hold, but I liked it more than Haven and about the same level as Last Light. I’m so glad we’re getting two more books in this world. I can’t wait for Mack’s book (the tease of his story that we got in this is him saying, “Sure, I’ve got a woman. She just hasn’t realized it yet”), and Cal and Rachel’s book (the tease of their story that we got in this was Olivia observing, “I assume she’s his daughter, since he treats her with dismissive entitlement and she often looks annoyed by him”). Claire Kent doesn’t miss, especially with her dystopian books.
July 13, 2022
3.5
something about the way claire kent writes emotionally unavailable characters is gonna do it for me every time 🤌🏽
something about the way claire kent writes emotionally unavailable characters is gonna do it for me every time 🤌🏽
February 17, 2024
3.75 STARS!
If you're into end of the world stories, this series is a must read. Very enjoyable.
"This world is hard enough. I don't need to ask for more pain by wanting something from a guy I can never get."Spoiler alert: She gets the guy. 😍
If you're into end of the world stories, this series is a must read. Very enjoyable.
July 17, 2022
Synopsis gives overall story plot.
*Hero and heroine live in upscale bunker. Heroines wealthy father bought and shortly after passed away.
*Hero teaches heroine how to defend herself.
*Is her protector and "body guard".
*Stoic hero and handsome to boot.
*Call's heroine Princess.
So this was a little different from my normal reading and it was a good read to pass the time.
I found the storyline fairly good and had solid development. The bunker life was interesting and seemed fairly plausible.
Hero and heroines relationship and development was a little rocky. I like the beginning of their relationship and how it evolved and became more than friendship. It then took a turn of does he or doesn't he really like me or is this just sex. Hero was stoic so not much communication until towards the end of the book. Felt a lot of the middle was more filler. Heroine at times seemed to behave little too immature for her age. Hero took a lot of responsibility on his shoulders for the people in the bunker, somewhat understand is character but still could have evolved into more of a communicator.
Liked the ending but book could have been a little more condensed without the filler in the middle, "does he or doesn't he".
*Hero and heroine live in upscale bunker. Heroines wealthy father bought and shortly after passed away.
*Hero teaches heroine how to defend herself.
*Is her protector and "body guard".
*Stoic hero and handsome to boot.
*Call's heroine Princess.
So this was a little different from my normal reading and it was a good read to pass the time.
I found the storyline fairly good and had solid development. The bunker life was interesting and seemed fairly plausible.
Hero and heroines relationship and development was a little rocky. I like the beginning of their relationship and how it evolved and became more than friendship. It then took a turn of does he or doesn't he really like me or is this just sex. Hero was stoic so not much communication until towards the end of the book. Felt a lot of the middle was more filler. Heroine at times seemed to behave little too immature for her age. Hero took a lot of responsibility on his shoulders for the people in the bunker, somewhat understand is character but still could have evolved into more of a communicator.
Liked the ending but book could have been a little more condensed without the filler in the middle, "does he or doesn't he".
July 13, 2022
I love reading this post-apocalyptic world that Ms. Kent has created. While I've read all three of the books in this world so far, each does standalone, it's just the added joy of seeing how the world changes and getting wonderful peeks at previous characters. Princess focuses on Olivia (h) who's a somewhat spoiled (but not behavior-wise) and protected teenager when the end of the world happens and she joins her father in a bunker. Grant (H) is the guard who was hired to pick her up and bring her to the bunker and who she has this undefined attraction/frictiony relationship with. We get time pre-bunker, in the bunker, and then venturing out with mini time jumps until we're in the present. Told in first person, single POV of Olivia. No ow/om drama, h is virgin and H is not but no history - he's focused on the h even before they're together though, and no bc.
Like with the other men in this series, Grant is older and appears to be stoic, reserved, and isn't the best with his words. Even without his POV, it's obvious that he's crazy about Olivia, but she's young and inexperienced so she misses those signs and spends much of the book questioning his interest and thus their relationship. While I enjoyed and basically inhaled this book, her insecurities niggled at my brain more than prior characters in the series have. There's lots of steam happening and Olivia does sometimes think that's all Grant wants. I understood why she was scared to ask him and once they do talk, his reasoning makes complete sense, I just wanted some of that uncertainty to be resolved a bit earlier. Personality-wise, these two work well and give each other much needed support. Although Grant does have his over-protective moments, along with some j/p times.
Some danger and suspense happens given the state of the world and there are some violent scenes, including a death of a side character that was pretty emotional. It was heartwarming to see the network of survivors work together though. A couple side characters have important roles and they'll be getting their own books in this series, which I'm really looking forward to. I have questions on some dynamics with one couple and I so badly want Mack, who's been amazing to so many others, to get his HEA.
This story ends with what I consider a HEA for this world. They're solidly together in an epilogue several months later and my heart was all gooey with the epilogue. I'm pretty confident we'll get glimpses of these two again given how the other couples have made appearances. I'll absolutely be continuing this series.
Like with the other men in this series, Grant is older and appears to be stoic, reserved, and isn't the best with his words. Even without his POV, it's obvious that he's crazy about Olivia, but she's young and inexperienced so she misses those signs and spends much of the book questioning his interest and thus their relationship. While I enjoyed and basically inhaled this book, her insecurities niggled at my brain more than prior characters in the series have. There's lots of steam happening and Olivia does sometimes think that's all Grant wants. I understood why she was scared to ask him and once they do talk, his reasoning makes complete sense, I just wanted some of that uncertainty to be resolved a bit earlier. Personality-wise, these two work well and give each other much needed support. Although Grant does have his over-protective moments, along with some j/p times.
Some danger and suspense happens given the state of the world and there are some violent scenes, including a death of a side character that was pretty emotional. It was heartwarming to see the network of survivors work together though. A couple side characters have important roles and they'll be getting their own books in this series, which I'm really looking forward to. I have questions on some dynamics with one couple and I so badly want Mack, who's been amazing to so many others, to get his HEA.
This story ends with what I consider a HEA for this world. They're solidly together in an epilogue several months later and my heart was all gooey with the epilogue. I'm pretty confident we'll get glimpses of these two again given how the other couples have made appearances. I'll absolutely be continuing this series.
August 3, 2022
I'm in a little rut, but I'm still pretty sure this book was not as good as the first book in the series. Couldn't even see the chemistry between these two, it was all summarised, and I hate books that summarised the development of a relationship for me.
Read
June 7, 2022OMG ITS HAPPENING! SHES COMING BACK 😭
May 14, 2025
*4.25
It’s been about around a year since I’ve read the second book in this series, and I was definitely not a fan of that one. I’ve tried to start this book physically about 3 times and I could never get into it, so I kind of wrote this series as a one off (as I gave the prequel/book 1 a 5 star). I did have an audible credit though and decided to get the audiobook to see once and for all if I was going to be done with this series.
Thankfully, I really enjoyed this book. The chemistry and tension between these two is great, and I enjoyed them both as characters. Also the praise kink??? Chef’s kiss. I still found book 1’s praise kink slightly better, but this was also extremely satisfying. And as always in typical Noelle Adams/Claire Kent fashion, we have miscommunication, he loves her but keeps a secret, a questioning and “unsure about him” heroine, and a lot of hot sex. Despite this following her formula to practically a T, I still very much loved this book. Just got book 3 on audio with another credit so hopefully I’ll get to that one soon!
It’s been about around a year since I’ve read the second book in this series, and I was definitely not a fan of that one. I’ve tried to start this book physically about 3 times and I could never get into it, so I kind of wrote this series as a one off (as I gave the prequel/book 1 a 5 star). I did have an audible credit though and decided to get the audiobook to see once and for all if I was going to be done with this series.
Thankfully, I really enjoyed this book. The chemistry and tension between these two is great, and I enjoyed them both as characters. Also the praise kink??? Chef’s kiss. I still found book 1’s praise kink slightly better, but this was also extremely satisfying. And as always in typical Noelle Adams/Claire Kent fashion, we have miscommunication, he loves her but keeps a secret, a questioning and “unsure about him” heroine, and a lot of hot sex. Despite this following her formula to practically a T, I still very much loved this book. Just got book 3 on audio with another credit so hopefully I’ll get to that one soon!
October 18, 2022
Princess is another story in Claire Kent’s post-apocalyptical romance series set in the near future after a global catastrophe. In this world, Earth was hit by an asteroid 5 years in the past and it not only wiped out an entire continent but it has since wreaked havoc on the environment, economies, population, and governments around the world. Now living in a post-apocalyptic world, daily life is dangerous and isolating.
“We’re all doing the best we can to survive and make a life here. There’s no such thing as princesses in this world. You’ve got to stop treating me like one.”
“You’re my princess. You can’t be surprised when I do anything—absolutely anything—to keep you safe.”
In this book we start off back before Impact happened. Olivia’s father is a billionaire who bought himself and Olivia a spot in a former missile silo that was converted into a bunker to outlast. They were among 200 people who were able to live in there when the Impact hit. The bunker has private apartments, gardens, a swimming pool, gym, movie theater, library, school, a clinic, a bowling alley, etc. Complete with food and supplies to last everyone 5 years. Grant, a hired security contractor for the bunker has been Olivia’s kind of/sort of bodyguard. He has taught her how to fight/defend herself and they swim daily together. Now the time has come for them to come out of the bunker and they’re able to go up to the surface.
I really enjoy this author’s post-apocalyptic world, loved seeing the couples and characters from her other books. Grant is a typical hero for this author, a bit quiet and broody but deeply protective over the heroine with the heroine not realizing he has feelings for her. The author’s stories and characters just work for me so well! I loved how protective Grant is over Olivia and their relationship. This one has age gap (she’s 22, he’s 34) and their bond has become so strong throughout the years. I liked seeing the dangers they have to face up on the surface and all that came with that.
“We’re all doing the best we can to survive and make a life here. There’s no such thing as princesses in this world. You’ve got to stop treating me like one.”
“You’re my princess. You can’t be surprised when I do anything—absolutely anything—to keep you safe.”
In this book we start off back before Impact happened. Olivia’s father is a billionaire who bought himself and Olivia a spot in a former missile silo that was converted into a bunker to outlast. They were among 200 people who were able to live in there when the Impact hit. The bunker has private apartments, gardens, a swimming pool, gym, movie theater, library, school, a clinic, a bowling alley, etc. Complete with food and supplies to last everyone 5 years. Grant, a hired security contractor for the bunker has been Olivia’s kind of/sort of bodyguard. He has taught her how to fight/defend herself and they swim daily together. Now the time has come for them to come out of the bunker and they’re able to go up to the surface.
I really enjoy this author’s post-apocalyptic world, loved seeing the couples and characters from her other books. Grant is a typical hero for this author, a bit quiet and broody but deeply protective over the heroine with the heroine not realizing he has feelings for her. The author’s stories and characters just work for me so well! I loved how protective Grant is over Olivia and their relationship. This one has age gap (she’s 22, he’s 34) and their bond has become so strong throughout the years. I liked seeing the dangers they have to face up on the surface and all that came with that.
August 21, 2022
I loved this one so much 😭.
This one really surprised me, because I wasn't expecting to like it this much- I think the thing that worked out for me was how different it was from the previous books in this world. Although it did obviously follow the same 'general formula', I was a huge fan of the bunker aspect of the story, and really enjoyed how it was written.
It was really cool to see a different take on how people survive these disasters differently, and the resources they had available- I love things like this, and thought that the facilities that they had was really nice to see/ were a nice change of pace. I also think the setting really helped the romance have way more time to flesh out, as they didn't have to worry too much about housing and food. But I mean that's not to say they took the easy way out, and actually talked to one another 💀.
And this is really rare for me to say this, but I didn't mind the miscommunication that much💀??? It obviously would've been nice to have seen the characters work things out earlier on in the book, but I just really liked Grant, and how emotionally stunted they were as a couple😭- it was weirdly endearing and worked for them. I loved how they acknowledged that they could've resolved these issues easily, but rather didn't know how to approach/ open up to one another.
This one definitely wasn't perfect, but it was really sweet, and I'm living for all the cameos (the ending omg 😭🙏🙏).
--
No, but what was up with all the ''silly little grunts'' 🧐🧐🧐.
This one really surprised me, because I wasn't expecting to like it this much- I think the thing that worked out for me was how different it was from the previous books in this world. Although it did obviously follow the same 'general formula', I was a huge fan of the bunker aspect of the story, and really enjoyed how it was written.
It was really cool to see a different take on how people survive these disasters differently, and the resources they had available- I love things like this, and thought that the facilities that they had was really nice to see/ were a nice change of pace. I also think the setting really helped the romance have way more time to flesh out, as they didn't have to worry too much about housing and food. But I mean that's not to say they took the easy way out, and actually talked to one another 💀.
And this is really rare for me to say this, but I didn't mind the miscommunication that much💀??? It obviously would've been nice to have seen the characters work things out earlier on in the book, but I just really liked Grant, and how emotionally stunted they were as a couple😭- it was weirdly endearing and worked for them. I loved how they acknowledged that they could've resolved these issues easily, but rather didn't know how to approach/ open up to one another.
This one definitely wasn't perfect, but it was really sweet, and I'm living for all the cameos (the ending omg 😭🙏🙏).
--
No, but what was up with all the ''silly little grunts'' 🧐🧐🧐.
July 17, 2022
Nothing like Last Light
I’m writing a small review so people who read this don’t feel alone.
MMC- 34 but can’t express his feelings, would never make a first move, doesn’t see the fmc as an equal, doesn’t apologize or see if the fmc is okay.
FMC- so immature, keep’s waffling on about whether she’s in a relationship or not. only has 2 personality traits- swimming/ being alone.
Writing- why does every conversation that she has with other people besides the mmc include talking about the mmc or any possible love interest. She didn’t not have a single conversation (excluding conversations with the mmc) that didn’t involve her love life. These characters were one dimensional.
I will say I absolutely loved Last Light and enjoyed Haven. With last light we got to see so much of them caring for each other, spending one on one time together. It felt like a real progression. I also loved that they were set on a journey with obstacles. With this book, it felt like nothing was happening, even when we came to the climax and obstacle. The fmc was left out of all the planning, all the heavy work so all she had time to do was ruminate about the mmc.
I might read the next book. We shall see…
I’m writing a small review so people who read this don’t feel alone.
MMC- 34 but can’t express his feelings, would never make a first move, doesn’t see the fmc as an equal, doesn’t apologize or see if the fmc is okay.
FMC- so immature, keep’s waffling on about whether she’s in a relationship or not. only has 2 personality traits- swimming/ being alone.
Writing- why does every conversation that she has with other people besides the mmc include talking about the mmc or any possible love interest. She didn’t not have a single conversation (excluding conversations with the mmc) that didn’t involve her love life. These characters were one dimensional.
I will say I absolutely loved Last Light and enjoyed Haven. With last light we got to see so much of them caring for each other, spending one on one time together. It felt like a real progression. I also loved that they were set on a journey with obstacles. With this book, it felt like nothing was happening, even when we came to the climax and obstacle. The fmc was left out of all the planning, all the heavy work so all she had time to do was ruminate about the mmc.
I might read the next book. We shall see…
Displaying 1 - 30 of 400 reviews