Caitlyn Can't Die

by Liz Hambleton

Since when did surviving the apocalypse become a good thing?

Caitlyn was doing okay before the end of the world. She had a decent job, dated around, and there was nothing a glass (bottle) of wine couldn't fix. When a Halloween haunted house proves to have real-life monsters turning everyone into creatures with black goo for blood, she manages to survive a few months on pure luck. The thing is... she doesn't want to anymore.

Riley doesn't leave people behind. It's not in his nature to give up, so when he finds a woman bleeding out in the woods, he stops to help. It's only when she wakes up the next day, furious that she isn't dead, that he realizes she didn't want to be saved. The duo are complete opposites who can't stop arguing with one another about how to survive, or if they even want to anymore.

It's not just the lack of heat, clean water, and tampons. This new world is horrible for those left alive. People have become more dangerous than the beasts they are running from. Who would want to live like this? But day after day, and despite all odds, Caitlyn and Riley keep going. They start to wonder if the lack of every modern convenience combined with the threat of impending doom isn't all that bad. They have each other, and maybe, that's enough.

Genres: Dystopia, Romance, Post Apocalyptic, Zombies, Contemporary, Humor, Survival

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2025

About the author

Liz Hambleton writes imperfectly beautiful romance. Her heroines are always strong-willed, and her heroes, resilient. Her characters live in alternate worlds and futuristic times, and putting yourself in their stories lets you escape reality while still feeling the power of true love.

If she’s not reading, she’s writing, and her deep adoration for the written word shines in everything she creates. Liz is married with two children, two large dogs, and a fish that refuses to die.

Connect with Liz on Social Media:

https://lizhambletonbooks.com/

Facebook:

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TikTok: @lizhambletonauthor

Instagram: @lizhambletonauthor

Reviews

[Stitching Ghost]

It started so strong and I was certain this one would sail to an easy 5 stars but after the first half Caitlyn gets a personality transplant or something and her sense of humor just goes MIA. I guess you can be funny or you can be a sexually satisfied, not both.

I do appreciate that this one actually did address the difficulties of menstruations in the apocalypse though, it was kind of a refreshing thing to see in a zombpoc adjacent story.

[Breanna]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

“𝕋𝕚𝕡𝕤 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕧𝕚𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕒𝕡𝕠𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕪𝕡𝕤𝕖. 𝔻𝕆ℕ’𝕋”

Caitlyn is tired and ready to give up. The world has gone downhill and people have turned into these undead beings called, Bloats. The Bloats tend to be fast and smart making it hard to outrun them. Not only are there Bloats, but there are halflings too which are half human/alive and half bloat. They can talk like normal and communicate with Bloats. Caitlyn is so very tired of running from them and ready to give it all up when she gets badly injured escaping a horde. Riley happens to find her and helps nurse her back to life even though she just wants to die and slowly but surely he gives her a reason to want to live.

There was quite a bit of comedy in this book. I really enjoyed the aspect of the surviving and all the things they had to overcome in order to survive. I am looking forward to reading the next book when it comes out. Was a unique read.

Tropes:
🧟‍♀️-Dystopian
🩷- Dark humor
🧟‍♀️- Forced Proximity
🩷- Found Family
🧟‍♀️- Interconnected Standalone

[Jessica (Bestie Book Reviews)]

This book is going down as one of my favorites for 2025! I am a sucker for a great apocalyptic romance and Liz did an amazing job with this one. There is enough humor to keep it lighthearted, but the serious moments still hit the way they should. I love the banter between Caitlyn And Riley. The slow burn of this romance was perfect and I love that Liz talked about all the things that we don’t think about when it comes to the apocalypse. Like being dirty and not getting to shower, the deodorant, brushing teeth, and how horrible it would actually be to live through the apocalypse and then get your PERIOD!!!! I also love that her heroines are always older because let’s face it a 18-year-old does not have the Life skills to make it without help and I mean a lot of help!

this book was perfect, and I loved it so much!

[Cassie]

Honestly, I have LOVED every single one of Liz Hambleton’s books that I've read. I found Liz Hambleton on TikTok and absolutely devoured two of her series before reading this one! If you haven't checked her out yet, you're missing out!

I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC copy of Caitlyn Can't Die so mark your calendars for March 15th! I'm not usually into zombie type media but this was perfect. The banter, sarcasm, slow burn, grumpy, no filter, and character development *chef's kiss*. As always, check trigger warnings to protect your mental health.

[Catheryn]

DNF around 42%

I thought the story had an interesting start. Caitlyn is tired of living in a post-apocalyptic world and just needs tampons. I thought Brian, the guy she is with in the beginning, was actually very sweet and competent. Her character kept trying to convince us that he was just a bumbling idiot, who is only good for sex. But later she also describes him and someone who helped her survive. I didn't like that she kept talking bad about him. I almost wish she didn't start the story with him at all.

The romance, at almost halfway through, was still stunted. They pick up a lost child and once that happened, any sexual tension was killed. At this point I decided to give up. I had hard time caring for Caitlyn and Riley was carrying the whole story.

Overall, it was starting to remind me of Wildflowers by Kylie Scott (no shade and I know this came out before Wildflowers) but I didn't like that story either.

[thaís]

i just love apocalyptic romances, what can i say? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Shayla Marie Just.a.touch.of.books]

4.5/5⭐️
1/5 🌶
𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒛𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒑𝒔𝒆. 𝑫𝑶𝑵'𝑻
This book takes place 3 months after the "zombie" apocalypse started. It follows a woman named Caitlin and her love interest Riley who keeps saving her life time and time again. He first finds her bleeding out from an arm injury she got trying to escape bloats (thats what she calls them). She had accepted her fate and was ready to fall asleep and never wake up again. She is pretty tired of this world anyway and doesn't want to fight anymore. To her surprise, she woke up bandaged and with 2 men dragging her through a forest auguring with each other, and that is when the real fun begins!

Caitlin is sarcastic and feisty with a lot of dark humor she can't keep to herself and no real survival skills, and Riley is just a grumpy man that was once a nurse... who seems to find her charming. What could go wrong...excepted everything!

There is a lot of comical banter, life or death situations, and Sexual tension you could cut with a butter knife

My only complaint and the only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because there isn't a lot of spice for a romance book, there are only 2 scenes and they are very, very short and after the 90% mark of the book. I enjoyed the lead up and the tension I just wish with how much tension and lead up there was that the scenes would have been a lot spicier and a lot longer. Otherwise, this book is perfect!

If you love the walking dead and want a little Spice added in, this book is definitely for you!

[Micronova]

Caitlyn Can’t Die, book one in the Serial Survivors Collection
By Liz Hambleton
Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
3.5 stars (rounded up.)

I want to preface this review by stating that I’m a huge fan of Liz Hambleton and I was excited when I found out that she was going to be publishing a new series.

This is definitely perfect for someone looking for that post (zombie- esque) apocalyptic rom-com. I enjoyed the FMC Caitlyn. She pretty much has no filter and speaks first, worries about consequences and feelings later. The sarcasm, wit and banter between Caitlyn and Riley is one of the best parts of this book. This has humor, light romance, light spice and it’s fun to watch the dynamic between Caitlyn and Riley evolve.

While this was a fast, easy read, it did leave me feeling a little bit underwhelmed. I was disappointed with the ending and this book just didn’t draw me in the way I’m accustomed to Liz’s books doing. There is nothing wrong with this book at all, it just missed the mark for me. I’ve learned that I prefer Liz’s dystopian romances that are hard hitting and destroy me emotionally.

Thank you to Liz Hambleton for providing the advance readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Patrick Mothershaw-Hall]

3.75 ⭐️

[Kaitlin Ashwood]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Finished this ARC last night and my goodness was it an adventure. This book was not my typical style read, but I’m glad I ventured out! The banter was the highlight for me, I was giggling at every page turn, I can relate to Caitlyn in name and also the fact that I speak what’s in my mind. I had anxiety during certain moments because.. zombies, and then I was sweaty in others 🤭 I loved the characters and their found love during difficult times (not you Landon) if you are willing to give a zombie apocalypse love story a try like I did I would definitely add it to your TBR! 🤗

[Pene|ope • Reading Slump, Send Help]

"I’m wired differently, too practical for the end of the world."

Humorous post-apocalyptic romance. I enjoyed this one, especially both of the MCs.

TW for suicidal ideation. To me (a realist) it's actually so much more realistic a thought process for an apocalypse, but it's some pretty heavy and possibly triggering content to read through. They discuss it often, and we see the way the FMC practically longs for death in the beginning morph into thoughts of choosing the way she goes, and then morph subtly into deciding to live.

I liked this progression but it's not one I see often in a genre that's usually full of "will to live" rhetoric. (I like both, what can I say?)

These are not zombies, but they fall into that category of creatures turned from humans. I can't say that I understand all of their rules even after finishing the book since they apparently can't be unalived by guns and such, but they presented interesting obstacles to the MCs throughout the story. I do want to read more about this world.

There were some disjointed areas of the book (the girl they find and then "lose" within a day, etc.), and the ending skips ahead past things I would have liked to see on page. But in all, I enjoyed the two MCs and seeing them come to rely on each other as they fell in love. 

Random notes from reading:

She mentions them exploding in the beginning of the book then halfway through when someone else mentions that they explode, she's surprised as if she's never heard or seen that information before. 

Suspending disbelief that he's able to do all that he does with the broken/cracked ribs he has. Especially sleeping with her on his chest, carrying her, sex, etc.

Ew. She just threw up half the lake sheet cpr and now you're making out with no teeth brushing?

Wait so what about his uncle?!

I actually can't remember which city and state this is set in but they're headed North to Canada and it's Christmas in December. Where's the snow??? They talk about being so cold but they're also laying down on the bare ground to make out, laying the child down on the bare ground, traveling with soaked clothes from falling in the river, etc. She was planning to take a bath in someone's pool. Would it not have been emptied for the winter? Otherwise, it can't be that cold lol.

Edit: It's Kentucky. And later they definitely talk about leaving footprints so where's the snow?? And why are they rolling around in it (if they were leaving footprints it was there) in soaking wet clothes?!!

[Melissa]

This was such an easy fun read mixed with a little bit of spice. Caitlyn has survived an apocalyptic type of virus that has infected the majority of the population, but has zero survival skills. Her original partner in survival unfortunately gets caught by thr infected during one of their stock up trips. Injured she comes to terms with death as this is no way to live, and she does not want to become one of them. But life has a different plan for her, and she is found and saved by Riley. Riley originally survived with his sister, but likewise she passed during an outing for supplies. Caitlyn and Riley have quite a bit of humourous banter as they travel looking for safety. They get themselves into a few sticky situations and in the process of surviving, they fall for each other. This story has a happy ending as they find other survivors and are able to do more than just live to survive.

[Jelysse]

OMG this book. It’s like The Walking Dead but much better. It stared off slow and it took me a while to really get into it. But once it gets to a certain point and chapter in the book, you are guaranteed to finish it. The ending was perfect, the action was amazing, these characters gave me life. The witty banter, the slow burn, the sexual tension, the tension and anxiety of the world being as it is. I was afraid the end would fall short but it didn’t. I recommend this book to anyone.

[Jessica (piscesbooklover)]

Who would have thought that apocalyptic romance would be a genre that I would willingly run to? Liz and her lovable (and hate-able) characters get me every time. End of the world, throw in a slow burn romance with witty banter? I’m completely hooked. I just hope the sequel is close behind because I need to know whats in store for Caitlyn and Riley next!

[Jennifer]

"Caitlyn Can't Die" was my first book by Liz Hambleton, and it certainly won’t be my last. As a fan of horror and post-apocalyptic fiction, I found this novel to be an exciting journey from start to finish. I couldn't put it down and finished it in just two sittings. After reading it, I was so captivated that I immediately added Liz Hambleton's other books to my TBR.

The story centers around Caitlyn, a strong-willed woman who uses humor and sharp wit to cope with her trauma in a post-apocalyptic world. Her resilience and ability to laugh and make jokes in the face of danger are standout qualities, and her character feels real despite the extraordinary circumstances she endures. Riley, the male protagonist, perfectly complements Caitlyn. He is protective, caring, and the kind of man you’d want by your side if the world were to collapse. Together, they form a dynamic team that is always in trouble but consistently manages to pull through with heart and humor. Their witty banter is enjoyable, and the slow-burn romance between them is incredibly satisfying.

One refreshing aspect of the book is how Liz Hambleton highlights the everyday challenges of surviving in an apocalyptic setting. For instance, she humorously points out the struggle of managing necessities like tampons—something we usually take for granted. This unique perspective on often-overlooked survival needs adds depth to the story, making it relatable and thought-provoking.

Overall, "Caitlyn Can't Die" is a fast-paced, engaging, and witty read that balances humor and heart in the face of a crumbling world. Caitlyn and Riley’s journey is one I won’t soon forget, and I look forward to diving into more of her work.

Thank you, Liz Hambleton, for the ARC!

[Dayna]

Caitlyn sure tries to die... but makes the whole read worth it

I loved everything about this book. Caitlyn isn't your normal apocalypse surviver. She doesn't want to keep running, and she certainly doesn't want to turn into one of those that chase her. One chance encounter after a supermarket run changes the entire course of her apocalypse, and she really can't decide for a while if she wants to keep surviving or not. Riley is heading north. He supposes that the infected won't be able to handle the cold. But a chance encounter upends his carefully regimented barricades.

I loved Caitlyn. She's sassy, has a mouth that talks back, and says whatever pops into her head. As anyone still alive, she has a trunk of trauma, but she also finds something worth surviving for. Riley is strong and smart but also willing to save those who he feels are worthy of saving. His desire to not only see the worst of everyone was refreshing, even at the end of civilization. This was my first read by Liz Hambleton I have read, and I will be diving into her entire library now. She did an amazing job bringing me into this world with both main characters. The anxiety and fear they feel throughout the book was clearly delivered. As well as the lighter moments and successes. It was fantastic, and another great take on the zombie apocalypse that had me hooked from the first page.

[A. Page]

This was my first post-apocalyptic romance book, and what a fun ride! You have all the tension of a well written post-apocalyptic story, but it's so well contrasted by a developing love story. Highly recommend.

The pacing is fast and executed to perfection. The plot flows in a logical, cohesive manner, much to my chagrin. The character choices make sense, but there was one plot line I wanted to see more resolved than it actually was. I am being vague so as to not post spoilers, but there was one part I wished had wrapped up I a slightly different manner. I still enjoyed the read, but it's part of why this wasn't a five-star read for me. I loved the realistic touches in the story, small things that are normally glossed over in almost every book, but that you would be worried about at the end of the world.

The character development and growth we saw in this story were fantastic. This was one of my favorite parts of this book, and I loved how visible the change was in both of our main characters. Both characters start off in a somewhat rough place mentally, so be sure to check your trigger warnings. Especially if suicidal ideation or attempted rape is a trigger. The focus on suicidal ideation was a bit much for me, and it isn't a trigger of mine. It's the other reason this book was only a four star read for me. Thankfully, it was only a large focus on the beginning part of the book and not throughout the rest of the book. Otherwise, I loved the characters and their respective developments.

I really enjoyed this story. It was such a fun first foray into this genre. While I am excited to read more by this author, I don't know if I will be continuing this series. Although, the next book could potentially wrap up that plot point i was hoping for a better resolution of. It's definitely worth reading, and it was so refreshing to read this new to me genre. Thank you to the author for the ARC, I really enjoyed reading your work for the first time.

[Ellis]

Caitlyn Can’t Die is a post-apocalyptic romance that has it all! Strong female lead? Check! McDreamy male costar? Check! Witty banter and a dystopian good time? Check! Spice? Cheecccckkkkk!

This is my third Liz Hambleton series and they keep getting better and better! I really love the premise of this series - when the apocalypse arrives, who can you trust and who needs to be left behind so you can survive? …is survival even worth it?

Caitlyn is real, relatable, and fed up with living through “unprecedented times” (seems oddly familiar, no?). So, why does she keep trudging on and surviving? You’ll have to read and find out!

Perfect for fans of TWD, Butcher & Blackbird, The Last of Us, Lost, Revolution, etc.

[Sally]

Tips for surviving the apocalypse. DON’T.

With a start like that, adventure is coming. I loved Caitlyn and Riley, and going on this adventure with them was absolutely an adventure! I inhaled this book and wanted it to keep going. Watching Riley and Caitlyn start to open up to each other and slowly fall was so good! They have the perfect amount of banter and the tension, who boy, that tension is top-notch!

I can't wait to read more in this series, and if you need a book that takes place in the apocalypse, so yes - apocalypse/darker type things do happen, with a chance for love and plenty of laughs, this is the book for you!

[Stephanie Bennett]

This was such a fun read! In a post apocalyptic world full of a virus that turns people into “bloats”, you’ll still need tampons, have primal urges, and encounter love (and evil). Caitlyn almost died many times through the book, but Riley refused to let her. Her goal seems to make life as hard as it can be, while his is to make sure she keeps living. This is such a fun rom-com with a bit of fear thrown in!

[Jessica Aranda]

✨This was my first read by Liz Hambleton and it certainly won’t be the last. Caitlyn Can’t Die was definitely not what I was expecting! But I absolutely loved it! If it wasn’t for feeling sick I would have finished this in a day!
✨I loved the witty banter between Caitlyn and Riley. The grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity added another fun layer to this book! You just never know what will happen when you’re trying to survive a zombie apocalypse!
✨I would highly recommend this book!

[Hannah Bariola]

Caitlyn can’t seem to die. She was on a date and the apocalypse hits…. On Halloween. Will she survive the bloats?

This kept me super captivated and interested! At first I was like hmmmm idk if this is for me, I’m not into the zombie apocalypse because it could happen before we know it. BUT I did end up really enjoying it!! If you’re into a bit of a thriller that you can’t put down with some weird zombies and lots of anxiety, here it is 😀

[Becki G]

I thought this book was very well written. It kept you on the edge of your seat with all the action but also had the dark comedy elements that lightened it up a bit. The banter between the main characters made the slow burn worth the wait!

[Katelyn Kimball]

LOVED THIS BOOK! From start to finish I couldn’t put this book down. It was funny and spicy. This book is going down at one of my favorites of 2025. And I can’t wait to read the next book!

[Darcy]

We have the zombie apocalypse, trying to survive, and meeting survivors. We meet Caitlyn and she is just tired as she does everything she can to find a way to survive. We then meet Riley. He is this caring and kind man that really just wants to help not only himself but others as well. I had mixed feelings with Caitlyn as at times she is just whiny and not very helpful at all. But, then we have times that she definitely shows how she has been able to survive as long as she has. This story is one action/drama moment after another. Throughout the story I am definitely rooting for them to make it to where they are safe. The story is well written and developed. I throughly enjoy Liz Hambleton’s writing. The stories she writes always draw me in and keep me glued to it. This one is no different, I absolutely could not put it down as I had to see what happens. This definitely a fantastic story that absolutely needs to be read.

[Caitlyn Casper]

* This is an ARC review. The opinion is my own. *

Absolutely fantastic book. I could NOT put it down. I giggled so many times it's insane. It was my first RomCom, as a fantasy reader, and it's hooked me on a genre I've waved away in the past. PLEASE pick up if you need to escape reality.

There were some weird world building stuff that didn't make sense at all times, but it's a Rom Com so it's easy to overlook.

[Rose]

I read the storm series by LH & for me it was just kinda blah… I’m really glad I gave them this author another chance.

-forced proximity
-post apocalyptic
-perfect amount of spice, and build up to it. I really hate when a book starts off so well & then suddenly just becomes a smut novel & the plot takes a back seat. LH did a good job of building the tension, giving the spice & then carrying on with the story.
-original take on the zombie apocalypse, although these weren’t necessarily zombies i guess, because they weren’t eating people. I liked that they died off relatively fast and the changelings were interesting. Although, I wouldn’t have minded a POV from the changelings at some point. I really wanted to hear more of their story. Sometimes zombie apocalypse can feel too overwhelming/hopeless, so I like that this one gave us a light at the end of the tunnel.
-HEA. The ending did feel a little rushed, but I cant imagine what other direction it would go, so I guess it’s best not to drag it out.
-I read a lot of reviews that said they didn’t like the MFC, but obviously that’s subjective. I LOVED her. Her personality reminded me of my best friend Amber. Pessimistic but not in a depressing way, witty, and realistic about her skill level. I really hate books where the MFC goes from not being able to tie her own shoes to suddenly being a certified bad ass in like 2 chapters. This was more realistic IMO. Also, I loved that she’s open about not wanting to live anymore, but also not wanting to die in a terrible way. It was an original take on the whole apocalypse theme.
-I loved how the baby situation resolved itself. I was honestly about to be really anxious for the rest of the book worrying about that baby.
-Also, this one’s totally subjective, but I love the IUD mention. Like y’all got enough problems going on without getting pregnant.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who like post-apocalyptic romance.

[Serena Books]

’Estamos haciendo esto juntos. Estar con ella: eso es vivir.’




•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.



Caitlyn Cant Die de Liz Hamblenton Serie The Serial Survivors libro 1

Argumento:

¿Desde cuándo sobrevivir al apocalipsis se convirtió en algo bueno?

Caitlyn estaba bien antes del fin del mundo. Tenía un trabajo decente, salía con chicos y no había nada que una copa (o botella) de vino no pudiera arreglar. Cuando una casa embrujada de Halloween resulta tener monstruos de la vida real que convierten a todos en criaturas con una sustancia negra viscosa en lugar de sangre, logra sobrevivir unos meses por pura suerte. El problema es que... ya no quiere seguir así.

Riley no abandona a nadie. No está en su naturaleza rendirse, así que cuando encuentra a una mujer desangrándose en el bosque, se detiene a ayudarla. Solo cuando ella despierta al día siguiente, furiosa por no estar muerta, se da cuenta de que no quería ser salvada. El dúo son polos opuestos que no paran de discutir sobre cómo sobrevivir, o si siquiera quieren seguir haciéndolo.

No es solo la falta de calefacción, agua potable y tampones. Este nuevo mundo es horrible para los que quedan con vida. La gente se ha vuelto más peligrosa que las bestias de las que huyen. ¿Quién querría vivir así? Pero día tras día, y contra todo pronóstico, Caitlyn y Riley siguen adelante. Empiezan a preguntarse si la falta de todas las comodidades modernas, sumada a la amenaza de una catástrofe inminente, no es tan mala después de todo. Se tienen la una a la otra, y tal vez, eso sea suficiente.


Mi humilde opinión:

Romance postapocalíptico, después de un virus, de extraños a amantes

Tenia dudas sobre leer algo mas de esta autora porque no me fue muy bien con la serie The Storm que leí hace muy poco pero me dije, vamos a darle otro intento…

Me dio mucha pena Brian, creí que no era fuerte pero sus acciones para proteger a Caitlyn me demostraron lo contrario. Quería detestar a la protagonista por sus pensamientos pesimistas e ironías pero parte de mi podía entenderla, estaba cansada de luchar después de tanta mala suerte y tragedia en su vida. Porque según lo que contaba sobre ella antes y tras el virus debía ser la mujer con menos suerte del mundo. Entendía que tuviera miedo de convertirse en algo que teme, de acercarse a alguien y perderla para siempre como le paso con su madre. Me costó un poco pero me termine encariñando con ella.

Riley me gusto al instante, él era un enfermero y solo estaba sobreviviendo tras perder a su hermana por culpa de los zombis. A pesar de que no conoce a Caitlyn, a diferencia de Landon quien lo acompañaba, se notaba que era un buen tipo. Era un héroe con cicatrices y este la tenia literal en la mitad del rostro. Me dio pena que perdiera de la forma en que lo hizo a su hermana, cuando hablaba de ella se notaba cuánto la amaba y dolor de la culpa por como la perdió, la forma en que la recordaba me parecía hermoso.

Ahora Landon, el tipo que iba con él y no entiendo la razón todavía, me dio mala espina desde el principio. No solo era cobarde sino porque me recordó al psicópata de Dean que fue el villano en otra serie de esta autora. Esta autora parece tener la manía de hacer pasar a las protagonistas por situaciones abusivas. Como sea, Landon droga a Caitlyn (no lo muestra, y no se en que momento este logra hacerlo) e intenta abusarla. Menos mal que Ryan la salva a tiempo pero por un momento me asuste, hasta pensé que lo haría. Esa sensación de impotencia de no poder defenderse me la transmitió y fue dura de leer.

El romance es instantáneo. Cuando Ryan conoce a Caitlyn se propone mantenerla a salvo y no solo porque no porque salvaba vidas en el hospital y no pudo salvar a su hermana sino porque se siente extrañamente atraído por ella a penas la encuentra casi sin pulso, en ese momento decide que debe cuidarla y protegerla. Y Caitlyn también se siente atraída por él desde que lo conoce. Me gusto el compañerismo que crece entre ellos, un acercamiento que no logro con Brian a pesar de las dos citas que tuvieron y estar juntos después del fin del mundo. Con Ryan se entienden y eso hace que ella se abra a él como nunca hizo con nadie.

Mientras los protagonistas viajan juntos pasan por situaciones de no creer. Encuentran a una niña pequeña. Apareció de la nada, de donde salió? De pronto formaban una familia encontrada. Buscando medicamentos para la bebé que enfermó, que resultó llamarse Lana, los zombis atacan y los salva un abuelo que los lleva a un edificio que parece ser una colonia de ancianos… nudistas, sí, para sorpresa de Ryan y Caityn los abuelos andaban desnudos por el lugar sin ninguna preocupación. Su líder era una mujer llamaba Missy bastante malvada. Esta gente tenia medicamentos para tratar a Lana pero si Caitlyn y Riley no los reemplazaban la iban a dejar morir, era una bebé! A pesar de todo esto Lana tiene un final feliz protegida con todos esos abuelos.
Caitlyn siempre esta en peligro de morir y Riley esta siempre allí para rescatarla. Momentos increíbles siguen sucediendo. Los protagonistas quedan atrapados dentro de un auto, es un estacionamiento y hay un grupo de personas que sabe que están escondidos allí, según Caitlin son caníbales. La cosa es que los están buscando y hasta tienen zombis con ellos que usan como sabuesos? Yo me pregunto si están escondidos dentro del auto, como saben todos los detalles sobre los hombres y lo que estaban haciendo con los zombis, tan buena visión tenia Riley? Pero tengo que reconocer que fue inteligente la forma en que escapan de esa.

Para mi estos “bloats” como los que Caitlyn llama, son todo un misterio para mi, tengo muchas preguntas. No saben como se convierten en uno porque no son exactamente zombis tampoco. Además parecen estar tomando inteligencia, algunos hasta pueden hablar, una mujer parece guiarlos porque al comienzo del libro decide no atacar a Caitlyn. Descubren también que no pueden nadar y quedan flotando hasta hincharse y explotar!? Y hay gente que esta infectada pero no se convirtió totalmente. Estos están ayudando a los no infectados a llegar a unas cuevas seguras donde hay más sobrevivientes que formaron una comunidad.

En fin, toda la aventura que estaban teniendo Caitlyn y Ryan intentando llegar a Canadá por momentos era ridícula pero se resolvió lógicamente. Todo tiene un final feliz por ahora pero me quedaron preguntas. El libro es por momentos divertido, absurdo y la aventura es entretenida.

[Allison Hebert]

Caitlyn Can’t Die is a refreshing new take on an apocalyptic world. Filled with witty banter and sarcastic remarks, you fall in love with the main characters - Caitlyn who is one of the most relatable FMCs I’ve read and Riley who is all green flags. Loved this book and can’t wait for the rest of the series! Would recommend for people who enjoy sarcasm, a little bit of comedy, a little bit of suspense and a little bit of romance in their books.

[Kate]

4.5 rounding up to 5 stars!

Imagine you woke up to find your city overrun by zombies, your survival instincts questionable at best, and your only real weapon is biting sarcasm!

Zombie apocalypse isn’t my go-to genre (I am not opposed either!) but I knew within a few paragraphs that I was going to love this one. The biting humor, mixed with genuinely high-stakes action, creates the perfect balance of chaos and comedy. It never tries too hard to be funny. It just is.

Caitlyn is an absolute delight. She cracked me up repeatedly and she’s very relateable. I honestly think I could be her in a similar scenario: flailing, stubborn, and somehow making it work. The male main character (Riley) is also a standout — supportive, engaging, and just the right kind of charming without stealing the spotlight. He adds to the story rather than competing with Caitlyn or bringing her down in any way, which is refreshing.

The story jumps into action immediately and the pacing hits that sweet spot: fast enough to keep me flying through chapters, but never so quick that I felt lost or rushed. And while the plot leans fast paced, the romance is definitely a slow burn - with some spice! I love a slow burn!

Bonus points for the promise of more standalone stories set in this world. I’m really enjoying this approach to series storytelling lately, and this world has so much more potential to explore.

If you like your end-of-the-world scenarios with sharp wit, smart characters, and just enough gore to remind you that yes, zombies are still terrifying — you’ll want to read this one.

I read this as an ARC Review. Thank you so much to Liz Hambledon for the early copy!