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Say You'll Stay: A Post Apocalyptic Romance
Olivia never imagined giving birth in a subway bathroom while the infected pounded on the door. She didn’t expect her husband to turn into one of them, either. Rescued by Cole, she clings to him as her only chance of survival for both her and her baby. He's gruff and reserved but she soon feels safer with him than she ever did with her late husband. She’ll fight to stay by Cole's side as the world crumbles around them.
Cole’s only mission is to find his best friend until Olivia and her newborn baby derail his plans. The world has fallen into chaos, and he's been surviving alone, but now he’s playing protector to a woman he just met. Navigating a crumbling city full of the undead is hard enough. Keeping them all alive might be the most dangerous challenge yet. As they journey to the safety of the mountains, they realize that they share similar pasts, and a bond forms between them. In a world shattered to pieces, love was never part of the plan, but sometimes, the end of everything is only the beginning.
Cole’s only mission is to find his best friend until Olivia and her newborn baby derail his plans. The world has fallen into chaos, and he's been surviving alone, but now he’s playing protector to a woman he just met. Navigating a crumbling city full of the undead is hard enough. Keeping them all alive might be the most dangerous challenge yet. As they journey to the safety of the mountains, they realize that they share similar pasts, and a bond forms between them. In a world shattered to pieces, love was never part of the plan, but sometimes, the end of everything is only the beginning.
284 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 2024
345 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
March 4, 2025
I had high hopes for this book, especially since I’ve enjoyed Anna Callaway’s work before, (The Sharpest Edges was amazing!!) but this one didn’t hit as hard. While the premise had potential, the execution felt rushed and disjointed, making it difficult to stay engaged. I almost DNF this one around 40%.
The premise immediately caught my attention, giving birth in a subway bathroom while the infected pound on the door? Olivia’s desperate fight for survival with her newborn and her growing reliance on Cole, a hardened survivor, had the potential to be a fantastic read.
Post-apocalyptic survival
Baby in the apocalypse
Found family
Forced proximity
Grumpy protector H
Trauma bonding
SLOW burn
HEA
One of the biggest challenges was the writing style, it often felt cluttered. The passage of time was handled poorly, leaving me confused about how many days had passed and how old the baby actually was. Speaking of the baby, some details felt unrealistic, like a newborn supposedly holding her head up after just a few days? Giggling?
Then there were the plot elements that ranged from eyebrow-raising to outright bizarre. The newly turned zombie husband biting off the umbilical cord? The miraculous healing Olivia seems to go through, just a few days after giving birth? Small moments, like her using up all the hot water, and then him immediately showering afterwards, just made you question if you missed something.
The story threw in every conceivable zombie apocalypse trope without giving them room to breathe. The gated community, zombie evolution, self-defense turning into foreplay, it was all there, but none of it felt particularly fresh.
I did feel that Olivia and Cole’s immediate connection made sense given the trauma and heightened emotions of their situation. Their shared pasts added some depth to their bond, and I could see why Olivia would cling to someone who made her feel safer than her late husband ever did. The pacing picked up around the halfway mark, but I still found it hard to connect with either character on a deeper level.
Overall, this book could have greatly benefited from a few beta readers to help smooth out the flow and refine the pacing. At times, I wanted to tell the author it was okay to let things simmer rather than force every possible plot point into the mix. If you’re a hardcore zombie or post-apocalypse fan, you might enjoy this one.
TW (Spoilers!): Previous physical and emotional abuse of a spouse, past child abuse off-page but described, violence/gore, stabbings, shootings, attempted rape, almost drowning (2x), biting off a penis.
The premise immediately caught my attention, giving birth in a subway bathroom while the infected pound on the door? Olivia’s desperate fight for survival with her newborn and her growing reliance on Cole, a hardened survivor, had the potential to be a fantastic read.
Post-apocalyptic survival
Baby in the apocalypse
Found family
Forced proximity
Grumpy protector H
Trauma bonding
SLOW burn
HEA
One of the biggest challenges was the writing style, it often felt cluttered. The passage of time was handled poorly, leaving me confused about how many days had passed and how old the baby actually was. Speaking of the baby, some details felt unrealistic, like a newborn supposedly holding her head up after just a few days? Giggling?
Then there were the plot elements that ranged from eyebrow-raising to outright bizarre. The newly turned zombie husband biting off the umbilical cord? The miraculous healing Olivia seems to go through, just a few days after giving birth? Small moments, like her using up all the hot water, and then him immediately showering afterwards, just made you question if you missed something.
The story threw in every conceivable zombie apocalypse trope without giving them room to breathe. The gated community, zombie evolution, self-defense turning into foreplay, it was all there, but none of it felt particularly fresh.
I did feel that Olivia and Cole’s immediate connection made sense given the trauma and heightened emotions of their situation. Their shared pasts added some depth to their bond, and I could see why Olivia would cling to someone who made her feel safer than her late husband ever did. The pacing picked up around the halfway mark, but I still found it hard to connect with either character on a deeper level.
Overall, this book could have greatly benefited from a few beta readers to help smooth out the flow and refine the pacing. At times, I wanted to tell the author it was okay to let things simmer rather than force every possible plot point into the mix. If you’re a hardcore zombie or post-apocalypse fan, you might enjoy this one.
TW (Spoilers!): Previous physical and emotional abuse of a spouse, past child abuse off-page but described, violence/gore, stabbings, shootings, attempted rape, almost drowning (2x), biting off a penis.
January 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75/5)
When I found out Say You’ll Stay by Anna Callaway was a post-apocalyptic romance, I couldn’t wait to dive in. It’s a genre mashup I’ve never read before, but it combines two things I love: survival stakes and heartfelt connection.
The story had me hooked for about 75% of the book. The plot centers around two main characters, both grappling with personal trauma, who meet by chance and are forced to trust each other in a world overrun by danger. From the infected to desperate survivors, the tension was constant, and I was fully invested in their journey.
The slow burn romance was the highlight for me. It built so naturally that, when the chemistry finally reached its peak, it felt deeply earned. Callaway captured the importance of human touch and love beautifully, especially in a world where both are hard to come by.
Where the book lost me a bit was in the last quarter. Without spoiling too much, the pacing shifted, and certain plot points felt a little rushed compared to the deliberate build earlier on. Still, the emotional payoff of the romance kept me satisfied.
If you’re looking for a unique love story with plenty of tension, this one is worth picking up. The blend of survival and emotional connection makes Say You’ll Stay stand out.
When I found out Say You’ll Stay by Anna Callaway was a post-apocalyptic romance, I couldn’t wait to dive in. It’s a genre mashup I’ve never read before, but it combines two things I love: survival stakes and heartfelt connection.
The story had me hooked for about 75% of the book. The plot centers around two main characters, both grappling with personal trauma, who meet by chance and are forced to trust each other in a world overrun by danger. From the infected to desperate survivors, the tension was constant, and I was fully invested in their journey.
The slow burn romance was the highlight for me. It built so naturally that, when the chemistry finally reached its peak, it felt deeply earned. Callaway captured the importance of human touch and love beautifully, especially in a world where both are hard to come by.
Where the book lost me a bit was in the last quarter. Without spoiling too much, the pacing shifted, and certain plot points felt a little rushed compared to the deliberate build earlier on. Still, the emotional payoff of the romance kept me satisfied.
If you’re looking for a unique love story with plenty of tension, this one is worth picking up. The blend of survival and emotional connection makes Say You’ll Stay stand out.
January 12, 2025
The world is over run with the walking dead and you’re giving birth to the next generation in a public bathroom. Not how Olivia pictured childbirth.
Enter Cole. He’s just looking for his bestie who ran after a woman and hasn’t been seen since.
Think The Walking Dead meets first date romantic adventure/will they won’t they 🧟♂️ 🧟♀️ Thrust together, Cole’s instinct to survive and protect and Olivia’s instinct to protect and learn to trust makes for a challenge as they navigate this dangerous world of and get to know one another.
This is a wild story for the grandkids for sure! You won’t believe what Olivia and Cole go through during their journey. I can’t imagine a post apocalyptic world, having just given birth. Cole and Olivia are rockstars and navigate parenting with a gold star. But seriously, Flower, stole my heart with her small role 🐱
Thank you author, Anna Callaway, and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read the book! I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Enter Cole. He’s just looking for his bestie who ran after a woman and hasn’t been seen since.
Think The Walking Dead meets first date romantic adventure/will they won’t they 🧟♂️ 🧟♀️ Thrust together, Cole’s instinct to survive and protect and Olivia’s instinct to protect and learn to trust makes for a challenge as they navigate this dangerous world of and get to know one another.
This is a wild story for the grandkids for sure! You won’t believe what Olivia and Cole go through during their journey. I can’t imagine a post apocalyptic world, having just given birth. Cole and Olivia are rockstars and navigate parenting with a gold star. But seriously, Flower, stole my heart with her small role 🐱
Thank you author, Anna Callaway, and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read the book! I am leaving my review voluntarily.
January 19, 2025
#Review: *Say you'll stay* - Anna Callaway - ARC [18+]
4.9/5✨
2.5/5🌶️
I liked the previous books I've read, so far, by Anna Callaway, so I was super curious about this one. Thank you so much for accepting for this ARC, Anna and Love Notes Pr🤗.
A strange disease was present in Cole's world, which transformed people in monsters. He was looking for provisions, as usual, when a strange sound caught his attention. What initially thought it was a lost kitten, turned out to be a newborn. Now he was face to face with a woman and her baby. Without thinking too much about what he was doing, Cole was now in the situation of protecting Olivia and little Lucy.
It was pretty hard to survive in those conditions, but being together made them fought harder to strive. Many events happened on their road to unknown, never knowing what tomorrow will bring. The only certain thing was relying on each other. Will they succeed in reaching a safe space, while not getting infected or murdered by the other survivors?
Even though it was an apocalyptic theme story, it had a beautiful side to it: The unconditional love Cole had for little Lucy. They bonded from the beginning and their relationship was really cute. It was even more endearing because Cole wasn't that type of sensible guy, but Olivia and Lucy broke his walls and infiltrated in his heart.
I enjoyed so much this book, being hooked by all the twists and turns of this story. It was a pleasure to see how the connection between Cole and Olivia grew stronger with each day passed and how determined they were to fight for each other. I wanted a bit more from that ending but it was ok overall.
✨Tropes
#StrangersToLovers
#ForcedProximity
#SingleMom
#SlowBurn
#FoundFamily
#ProtectiveMMC
#TouchHerAndDie
#FakeMarriage
4.9/5✨
2.5/5🌶️
I liked the previous books I've read, so far, by Anna Callaway, so I was super curious about this one. Thank you so much for accepting for this ARC, Anna and Love Notes Pr🤗.
A strange disease was present in Cole's world, which transformed people in monsters. He was looking for provisions, as usual, when a strange sound caught his attention. What initially thought it was a lost kitten, turned out to be a newborn. Now he was face to face with a woman and her baby. Without thinking too much about what he was doing, Cole was now in the situation of protecting Olivia and little Lucy.
It was pretty hard to survive in those conditions, but being together made them fought harder to strive. Many events happened on their road to unknown, never knowing what tomorrow will bring. The only certain thing was relying on each other. Will they succeed in reaching a safe space, while not getting infected or murdered by the other survivors?
Even though it was an apocalyptic theme story, it had a beautiful side to it: The unconditional love Cole had for little Lucy. They bonded from the beginning and their relationship was really cute. It was even more endearing because Cole wasn't that type of sensible guy, but Olivia and Lucy broke his walls and infiltrated in his heart.
I enjoyed so much this book, being hooked by all the twists and turns of this story. It was a pleasure to see how the connection between Cole and Olivia grew stronger with each day passed and how determined they were to fight for each other. I wanted a bit more from that ending but it was ok overall.
✨Tropes
#StrangersToLovers
#ForcedProximity
#SingleMom
#SlowBurn
#FoundFamily
#ProtectiveMMC
#TouchHerAndDie
#FakeMarriage
March 14, 2025
𐙚 ARC review
‘Relax.’ She would tell her past self if she could.
‘He won’t leave you.
You’ve never been safer than you are when you’re with him. Your family was born today in more ways than one.
You just don’t know it yet.’
𐙚 Post-Apocalyptic world
𐙚 Romance
𐙚 Slow Burn
𐙚 Stranger to lovers
𐙚 Found family
𐙚 Survival
𐙚 He protects her and her baby at all cost
𐙚 Cat dad
𐙚 Fake marriage
𐙚 Child Abuse (not from the MMC/MFC)
𐙚 Abuse (not from the MMC/MFC)
𐙚 Happy ending
Olivia meets Cole just after giving birth to her daughter. Having killed her abusive husband who had turned into a rotter, she has nothing left to lose and simply wants to survive. When Cole offers to help, she sees it as a means of survival, a form of protection. Cole, on the other hand, is searching for his missing best friend hoping that he's alive.
With survival as their common goal, they embark on a journey together toward a safe place—a journey during which their relationship gradually evolves.
I’m sacrificing sleep hours, but it doesn’t matter. I need to write this review right now, or I’m afraid I won’t be able to properly express how I feel.
First ARC of 2025, and it’s a five-star read.
This is a book I’ll remember and one I’ll definitely buy when released.
This book is everything.
This book means everything to me. The emotions I’m feeling right now are so raw?? I feel like I could cry because I’m so happy to have discovered Olivia, Cole, and Lucy’s story—so happy to have felt what I felt while reading this book.
I’m not usually a fan of apocalyptic settings or zombie themes. I can watch TV shows in that genre, but they leave me feeling indifferent. This is the first book I’ve read in that genre, and it was so damn good.
𐙚 Olivia and Lucy
She’s a fucking survivor. She went through abuse and gave birth to her daughter alone??
I absolutely loved getting to know this character.
Olivia has been through so much that she never should have, but she never let it break her, and I loved seeing her heal from her traumas.
She is determined to protect her baby at all costs. Lucy was the only thing that kept her going through the abuse of her ex-husband and the only thing that gave her the strength to move forward as the world fell apart. While at first, she sought only Cole’s protection, little by little, she also opened herself up to him and to what he could be for her and Lucy. And I loved seeing her accept everything she truly deserved.
𐙚 Cole
Cole is the kind of character who tries to come across as grumpy, or at least someone who pretends to be so he doesn’t have to deal with any burdens that might jeopardize his survival. But he quickly melts and simply can’t be selfish. Please, everyone deserves a Cole.
He never stopped looking out for Olivia and Lucy, and little by little, he realized that these two people meant everything to him. I loved seeing him open up to Olivia, talk to her about his traumas, and seek her presence. And I loved even more seeing him interact with Lucy and become a father.
He’s truly a papa bear—grumpy on the outside but soft at heart and with a big, loving soul.
𐙚 Their dynamic
The possibility that they met for a reason, that fate gave them a shove, seems even more likely than before. He might not believe that yet, but she can believe it enough for both of them.
Let me cry for a bit…
I needed this kind of dynamic. I needed to read Cole and Olivia’s story. I needed to read about a man like Cole falling for a woman and her child.
They are both broken by the events they’ve lived through, but together they rediscover themselves; they learn how to live again. And together, they are magnificent.
I haven’t read many books involving pregnancy or children, but my god, I loved this book and the trope here.
"They were someone else’s family when he found them. Someone who didn’t deserve or appreciate what he had, and now Cole would give anything to make them both his."
It was so gentle, so precious, and touching. I honestly couldn’t explain it better—every moment of their relationship made me smile like an idiot and feel so many emotions.
When I say I could cry right now, I mean it. I feel so many overwhelming emotions, but in the best way possible.
My heart warms just thinking about them. When I think of Cole and how gentle and protective he was with Olivia and Lucy.
Our brain can’t differentiate between fiction and reality, so everything feels real to it. And even without that fact, everything was written in a way that made us feel the rawness of their emotions and feelings. And that was just amazing.
𐙚 Flower
A quick note for Flower because everyone deserves some love. Thank you for making Cole a cat dad and for watching over Lucy.
𐙚 Wade
I wish things had turned out differently for him. I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil anything, but in my mind, he’s like the uncle who spoils his nieces and nephews.
𐙚 The story in itself
I didn’t really focus on writing about this point after my first read, but now that I’ve just finished my second, I think it’s worth mentioning.
The story is simply incredible from start to finish. Everything is well-written and well-structured. The characters are beautifully crafted, with just the right depth to make us connect with them. The blend of the apocalyptic setting and romance is executed flawlessly.
I absolutely loved this story.
𐙚 The ending
My heart is full.
I’m just so satisfied with this ending. It did my heart so much good.
I was afraid of being a little disappointed, like with The Sharpest Edges, where there was no epilogue. (Don't get me wrong, I still loved this book, I just was a bit disappointed by how the ending was rushed)
Here, there isn’t one formally, but the ending is written in a way that gives the feeling of an epilogue. And I just loved it. It was emotional, gentle, and beautiful to read.
It was everything I hoped for.
𐙚 Last words for this review
This book is everything I never imagined and everything I needed. I’m so happy I got to read it.
Thank you, Love Notes PR, and thank you, Anna Callaway, for letting me read this second ARC. Thank you for this gem I’ll never forget.
I'm on my way to re-read this book again !!! Yeah, already, because this book is part of those kind of books. I rarely re-read a book, but when i loved it this much and felt so much for it, it just feels right to re-read it again.
I simply felt in love with this book.
𐙚 Quotes
Her face screws up in concentration and he winces. “Are you making one of those toxic shits again? Warn a guy.”
“I was going to set them straight, and I still will about certain things, but I’d feel a lot safer if everyone thought we were together. This group and anyone else we meet.”
“Pffft. Some shitty proposal right there.”
She gasps, a full white-toothed smile blooming on her lips that he hasn’t seen before. “I was barely even awake when you married us! Not very romantic on your part, either.”
“Alright, alright. You wanna stay fake married, I’m in.”
“Thanks, honey. Sweetie. Darling.”
He scowls. “Already regretting this.”
“I didn’t wake up screaming this time. At least that’s a win.”
She braces her elbow on the pillow to face him. “I didn’t either. Maybe we kept each other’s nightmares at bay for one night.”
A smirk lifts his lips and one hand tucks long strands of hair behind her ear. “Were you shadowboxing my demons for me?”
Her cheek warms his palm as she nuzzles into his touch. “Absolutely.”
“This is the only place I wanna be,” he chokes out, giving her a soft squeeze and nestling his face into the nape of her neck to inhale her scent.
“You’d have better luck winning this bet if you tried for ‘dada’ instead.”
“Can I?” he asks carefully, so hopeful that she aches in all those hidden places only he can bring to life.
“Of course you can. You’ve loved her, protected her, saved her life more than once. She already knows who her father is, Cole. I see it every time she looks at you. She’s ours, if that’s what you want.”
“I do.”
D-Da… Dat… Ca. Caaaaat. Cat.
“I wish it didn’t take the apocalypse for us to meet, but finding you is still the best thing to ever happen to me,” he says into the darkness. “I’d do it all again if I knew we’d end up here.”
First read 02.01.25
Second read 03.01.25
‘Relax.’ She would tell her past self if she could.
‘He won’t leave you.
You’ve never been safer than you are when you’re with him. Your family was born today in more ways than one.
You just don’t know it yet.’
𐙚 Post-Apocalyptic world
𐙚 Romance
𐙚 Slow Burn
𐙚 Stranger to lovers
𐙚 Found family
𐙚 Survival
𐙚 He protects her and her baby at all cost
𐙚 Cat dad
𐙚 Fake marriage
𐙚 Child Abuse (not from the MMC/MFC)
𐙚 Abuse (not from the MMC/MFC)
𐙚 Happy ending
Olivia meets Cole just after giving birth to her daughter. Having killed her abusive husband who had turned into a rotter, she has nothing left to lose and simply wants to survive. When Cole offers to help, she sees it as a means of survival, a form of protection. Cole, on the other hand, is searching for his missing best friend hoping that he's alive.
With survival as their common goal, they embark on a journey together toward a safe place—a journey during which their relationship gradually evolves.
I’m sacrificing sleep hours, but it doesn’t matter. I need to write this review right now, or I’m afraid I won’t be able to properly express how I feel.
First ARC of 2025, and it’s a five-star read.
This is a book I’ll remember and one I’ll definitely buy when released.
This book is everything.
This book means everything to me. The emotions I’m feeling right now are so raw?? I feel like I could cry because I’m so happy to have discovered Olivia, Cole, and Lucy’s story—so happy to have felt what I felt while reading this book.
I’m not usually a fan of apocalyptic settings or zombie themes. I can watch TV shows in that genre, but they leave me feeling indifferent. This is the first book I’ve read in that genre, and it was so damn good.
𐙚 Olivia and Lucy
She’s a fucking survivor. She went through abuse and gave birth to her daughter alone??
I absolutely loved getting to know this character.
Olivia has been through so much that she never should have, but she never let it break her, and I loved seeing her heal from her traumas.
She is determined to protect her baby at all costs. Lucy was the only thing that kept her going through the abuse of her ex-husband and the only thing that gave her the strength to move forward as the world fell apart. While at first, she sought only Cole’s protection, little by little, she also opened herself up to him and to what he could be for her and Lucy. And I loved seeing her accept everything she truly deserved.
𐙚 Cole
Cole is the kind of character who tries to come across as grumpy, or at least someone who pretends to be so he doesn’t have to deal with any burdens that might jeopardize his survival. But he quickly melts and simply can’t be selfish. Please, everyone deserves a Cole.
He never stopped looking out for Olivia and Lucy, and little by little, he realized that these two people meant everything to him. I loved seeing him open up to Olivia, talk to her about his traumas, and seek her presence. And I loved even more seeing him interact with Lucy and become a father.
He’s truly a papa bear—grumpy on the outside but soft at heart and with a big, loving soul.
𐙚 Their dynamic
The possibility that they met for a reason, that fate gave them a shove, seems even more likely than before. He might not believe that yet, but she can believe it enough for both of them.
Let me cry for a bit…
I needed this kind of dynamic. I needed to read Cole and Olivia’s story. I needed to read about a man like Cole falling for a woman and her child.
They are both broken by the events they’ve lived through, but together they rediscover themselves; they learn how to live again. And together, they are magnificent.
I haven’t read many books involving pregnancy or children, but my god, I loved this book and the trope here.
"They were someone else’s family when he found them. Someone who didn’t deserve or appreciate what he had, and now Cole would give anything to make them both his."
It was so gentle, so precious, and touching. I honestly couldn’t explain it better—every moment of their relationship made me smile like an idiot and feel so many emotions.
When I say I could cry right now, I mean it. I feel so many overwhelming emotions, but in the best way possible.
My heart warms just thinking about them. When I think of Cole and how gentle and protective he was with Olivia and Lucy.
Our brain can’t differentiate between fiction and reality, so everything feels real to it. And even without that fact, everything was written in a way that made us feel the rawness of their emotions and feelings. And that was just amazing.
𐙚 Flower
A quick note for Flower because everyone deserves some love. Thank you for making Cole a cat dad and for watching over Lucy.
𐙚 Wade
I wish things had turned out differently for him. I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil anything, but in my mind, he’s like the uncle who spoils his nieces and nephews.
𐙚 The story in itself
I didn’t really focus on writing about this point after my first read, but now that I’ve just finished my second, I think it’s worth mentioning.
The story is simply incredible from start to finish. Everything is well-written and well-structured. The characters are beautifully crafted, with just the right depth to make us connect with them. The blend of the apocalyptic setting and romance is executed flawlessly.
I absolutely loved this story.
𐙚 The ending
My heart is full.
I’m just so satisfied with this ending. It did my heart so much good.
I was afraid of being a little disappointed, like with The Sharpest Edges, where there was no epilogue. (Don't get me wrong, I still loved this book, I just was a bit disappointed by how the ending was rushed)
Here, there isn’t one formally, but the ending is written in a way that gives the feeling of an epilogue. And I just loved it. It was emotional, gentle, and beautiful to read.
It was everything I hoped for.
𐙚 Last words for this review
This book is everything I never imagined and everything I needed. I’m so happy I got to read it.
Thank you, Love Notes PR, and thank you, Anna Callaway, for letting me read this second ARC. Thank you for this gem I’ll never forget.
I'm on my way to re-read this book again !!! Yeah, already, because this book is part of those kind of books. I rarely re-read a book, but when i loved it this much and felt so much for it, it just feels right to re-read it again.
I simply felt in love with this book.
𐙚 Quotes
Her face screws up in concentration and he winces. “Are you making one of those toxic shits again? Warn a guy.”
“I was going to set them straight, and I still will about certain things, but I’d feel a lot safer if everyone thought we were together. This group and anyone else we meet.”
“Pffft. Some shitty proposal right there.”
She gasps, a full white-toothed smile blooming on her lips that he hasn’t seen before. “I was barely even awake when you married us! Not very romantic on your part, either.”
“Alright, alright. You wanna stay fake married, I’m in.”
“Thanks, honey. Sweetie. Darling.”
He scowls. “Already regretting this.”
“I didn’t wake up screaming this time. At least that’s a win.”
She braces her elbow on the pillow to face him. “I didn’t either. Maybe we kept each other’s nightmares at bay for one night.”
A smirk lifts his lips and one hand tucks long strands of hair behind her ear. “Were you shadowboxing my demons for me?”
Her cheek warms his palm as she nuzzles into his touch. “Absolutely.”
“This is the only place I wanna be,” he chokes out, giving her a soft squeeze and nestling his face into the nape of her neck to inhale her scent.
“You’d have better luck winning this bet if you tried for ‘dada’ instead.”
“Can I?” he asks carefully, so hopeful that she aches in all those hidden places only he can bring to life.
“Of course you can. You’ve loved her, protected her, saved her life more than once. She already knows who her father is, Cole. I see it every time she looks at you. She’s ours, if that’s what you want.”
“I do.”
D-Da… Dat… Ca. Caaaaat. Cat.
“I wish it didn’t take the apocalypse for us to meet, but finding you is still the best thing to ever happen to me,” he says into the darkness. “I’d do it all again if I knew we’d end up here.”
First read 02.01.25
Second read 03.01.25
January 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5
🌶🌶 out of 5
💥Post-Apocalyptic
😱Suspense/Thriller
☠️Survival Romance
❤️🔥Slow Burn
🗡Touch Her and D1e
👶Single Mom
🥺Tr@matic Pasts
❤️🩹Hurt/Scars/Comfort/Healing
✨️Review:
First 2025 five star read and I was riveted outta the gate with this one! This story was astonishing in its gutteral embrace of raw immediacy. It startlingly brings to life the a world that's gone to zombie-like "rotters". It's vivid in its descriptions and gives us a sense of the state of the world now, not so long after the outbreak.
I love me suspense and thrillers but the balance of the romance and survival aspect is handled with effortless, precise balance. The ebbs and flows of pacing between intimate moments of calm character development and the white knuckled moments of survival that kicks in, are truly like the best episodes of The Last of Us x The Walking Dead with a little bit of 12 Monkeys thrown in (even with the character being named Cole, which may totally be a coincidence of just mine to connect lol)
Cole, sweet broody Cole, with scars of all kinds and the heart of a fierce protective lion. He may be a loner and at first feel ill equipt emotionally when it comes to bonding with others, but Olivia wears away at his armor with her genuine kindness. She may be scared at first due to her past but they each find a building comfort and trust and I absolutely fell for Cole and this pair!
This was unputdownable! It's hard to find nail-biting suspense realized not at the expense of the romance. This does it with an expert and deft hand, crafting a finely tuned spotlight on this couple's journey in a world going to he11 whilst grappling with personal and external horrors. Their bond that forms is just a thing of beauty. This is spice i absolutely love because it's purposeful, it's real, not exaggerated, not "dirty".
I read Anna's other book The Sharpest Edges and knew I was mesmerized by her writing style and would wanna read more. Her characters and her intense focus on exploring their every thought, intention, apprehension, fears etc is just top shelf. I can't recommend this story enough for those who want a survival romance but it's also for those that can appreciate true depth and connection to characters!
🌶🌶 out of 5
💥Post-Apocalyptic
😱Suspense/Thriller
☠️Survival Romance
❤️🔥Slow Burn
🗡Touch Her and D1e
👶Single Mom
🥺Tr@matic Pasts
❤️🩹Hurt/Scars/Comfort/Healing
✨️Review:
First 2025 five star read and I was riveted outta the gate with this one! This story was astonishing in its gutteral embrace of raw immediacy. It startlingly brings to life the a world that's gone to zombie-like "rotters". It's vivid in its descriptions and gives us a sense of the state of the world now, not so long after the outbreak.
I love me suspense and thrillers but the balance of the romance and survival aspect is handled with effortless, precise balance. The ebbs and flows of pacing between intimate moments of calm character development and the white knuckled moments of survival that kicks in, are truly like the best episodes of The Last of Us x The Walking Dead with a little bit of 12 Monkeys thrown in (even with the character being named Cole, which may totally be a coincidence of just mine to connect lol)
Cole, sweet broody Cole, with scars of all kinds and the heart of a fierce protective lion. He may be a loner and at first feel ill equipt emotionally when it comes to bonding with others, but Olivia wears away at his armor with her genuine kindness. She may be scared at first due to her past but they each find a building comfort and trust and I absolutely fell for Cole and this pair!
This was unputdownable! It's hard to find nail-biting suspense realized not at the expense of the romance. This does it with an expert and deft hand, crafting a finely tuned spotlight on this couple's journey in a world going to he11 whilst grappling with personal and external horrors. Their bond that forms is just a thing of beauty. This is spice i absolutely love because it's purposeful, it's real, not exaggerated, not "dirty".
I read Anna's other book The Sharpest Edges and knew I was mesmerized by her writing style and would wanna read more. Her characters and her intense focus on exploring their every thought, intention, apprehension, fears etc is just top shelf. I can't recommend this story enough for those who want a survival romance but it's also for those that can appreciate true depth and connection to characters!
January 21, 2025
ARC Review!
First of all, I am so happy Olivia and Cole found their safe haven together. Both characters have had a lot of traumatic experiences prior to meeting each other, and they beautifully gave each other grace in exploring a new relationship together. The world is crumbling around them, but they hold each other up! What I loved so much about their relationship is that they brought out the best in each other. They had their own identities with some facets of their beings being acknowledged and discovered for the first time.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I love the relationship Cole has with Lucy and that they never hid their story from their daughter. Olivia and Cole’s story of meeting and falling in love was never hidden or kept secret, which I ABSOLUTELY loved. Just from the snippet we were given of Lucy in the future, I can see so much of both of her parents in her.
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is because I felt like the ending was a bit rushed. I would’ve loved more parts of Lucy growing up, giving us a peek into Olivia and Cole’s relationship through the years a bit more.
I loved the concept of a romance during an apocalypse and the power of human connection.
First of all, I am so happy Olivia and Cole found their safe haven together. Both characters have had a lot of traumatic experiences prior to meeting each other, and they beautifully gave each other grace in exploring a new relationship together. The world is crumbling around them, but they hold each other up! What I loved so much about their relationship is that they brought out the best in each other. They had their own identities with some facets of their beings being acknowledged and discovered for the first time.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I love the relationship Cole has with Lucy and that they never hid their story from their daughter. Olivia and Cole’s story of meeting and falling in love was never hidden or kept secret, which I ABSOLUTELY loved. Just from the snippet we were given of Lucy in the future, I can see so much of both of her parents in her.
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is because I felt like the ending was a bit rushed. I would’ve loved more parts of Lucy growing up, giving us a peek into Olivia and Cole’s relationship through the years a bit more.
I loved the concept of a romance during an apocalypse and the power of human connection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2025
I fear I should’ve dnf’d this :(
January 22, 2025
4.5, rounding up to 5!
This book was quite honestly incredible. Dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction happen to be among my favorite genres, and this romance between a guy who protects a woman and the baby she quite literally just birthed from the "rotters" was so well done. I really liked the name for the undead too--rotters is so much better than "walkers" (The Walking Dead). The character development and backstories were authentic and well-developed. Olivia's past--her abusive husband--and her realistic experience through postpartum recovery while trying to escape to safety had me hooked, and I just love Cole for her. I really enjoyed this book and would love to read other books by Anna!
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for the ARC!
This book was quite honestly incredible. Dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction happen to be among my favorite genres, and this romance between a guy who protects a woman and the baby she quite literally just birthed from the "rotters" was so well done. I really liked the name for the undead too--rotters is so much better than "walkers" (The Walking Dead). The character development and backstories were authentic and well-developed. Olivia's past--her abusive husband--and her realistic experience through postpartum recovery while trying to escape to safety had me hooked, and I just love Cole for her. I really enjoyed this book and would love to read other books by Anna!
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for the ARC!
February 15, 2025
This was fun!
February 3, 2025
Huge thank you to Love Notes PR & Anna Callaway for providing me with an e-ARC of Say You'll Stay in exchange for an honest review!
Let me just start by saying, I am SOBBING while writing this. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the post-apocalyptic setting, but from the very beginning, I was hooked. I immediately connected with Olivia's characters and I loved watching her grow in strength while overcoming some serious hardships. She is nothing less than a strong, smart, badass FMC.
Cole's character also stole my heart. There's just something about a tough army man stepping up to care for a baby that isn't even his, without even being asked (because we both know Olivia never would've asked). The imagery of him cradling little five-pound Lucy got me in my feels every time. I loved getting to witness both of their emotional growth and Cole's patience with both Olivia and Lucy is absolutely unmatched. He is just the sweetest.
The plot was super captivating and very action packed, I never knew what was going to happen next. AND THE LAST CHAPTER??? sobbing. I already want to re-read this.
If you're looking for a looking for something that will captivate you & break you, in all the best ways possible, I 10000% recommend Say You'll Stay.
Let me just start by saying, I am SOBBING while writing this. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the post-apocalyptic setting, but from the very beginning, I was hooked. I immediately connected with Olivia's characters and I loved watching her grow in strength while overcoming some serious hardships. She is nothing less than a strong, smart, badass FMC.
Cole's character also stole my heart. There's just something about a tough army man stepping up to care for a baby that isn't even his, without even being asked (because we both know Olivia never would've asked). The imagery of him cradling little five-pound Lucy got me in my feels every time. I loved getting to witness both of their emotional growth and Cole's patience with both Olivia and Lucy is absolutely unmatched. He is just the sweetest.
The plot was super captivating and very action packed, I never knew what was going to happen next. AND THE LAST CHAPTER??? sobbing. I already want to re-read this.
If you're looking for a looking for something that will captivate you & break you, in all the best ways possible, I 10000% recommend Say You'll Stay.
March 25, 2025
3.5 stars. This was a pretty solid zombie book and held my interest. It was a decent mix of zombie and bad people. I liked Olivia and Cole and how their relationship developed. I can't imagine how stressful and frightening it would be to navigate a world like that with a baby. I adored Flower. I felt a tiny bit let down with the epilogue; I guess I was just expecting a little more...story or closure or something?
January 15, 2025
3.5 stars
The story starts off a week or so after the zombie apocalypse. The details of how it started are very vague, which I don't mind. I liked Cole and Olivia's characters in this story. I didn't feel as much of a connection between these two as I have with other AC books. But I thought what Olivia went through, especially post partum, seemed mostly realistic. Caring for a baby during the zombie apocalypse just sounds like a nightmare.
Overall, I really enjoyed this post-apoc story. I look forward to reading more from AC, especially if she writes in this genre.
My only complaints:
Only because I have binged her three books over the last couple of weeks, but I noticed that the characters in all three books are very similar. So it is hard for me to not compare them to each other. So far the couple from Sharpest Edges is my favorite duo.
Slight spoilers:
The time jump with wanting more kids felt like a grab for more spice but I was bummed with the outcome. I thought the last epilogue/time jump was a little frustrating. Lucy wasn't exactly likeable but I did like the reflection on the pictures. I also wish we got more closure with Wade. I was hoping he would make an appearance after a while.
The story starts off a week or so after the zombie apocalypse. The details of how it started are very vague, which I don't mind. I liked Cole and Olivia's characters in this story. I didn't feel as much of a connection between these two as I have with other AC books. But I thought what Olivia went through, especially post partum, seemed mostly realistic. Caring for a baby during the zombie apocalypse just sounds like a nightmare.
Overall, I really enjoyed this post-apoc story. I look forward to reading more from AC, especially if she writes in this genre.
My only complaints:
Only because I have binged her three books over the last couple of weeks, but I noticed that the characters in all three books are very similar. So it is hard for me to not compare them to each other. So far the couple from Sharpest Edges is my favorite duo.
Slight spoilers:
The time jump with wanting more kids felt like a grab for more spice but I was bummed with the outcome. I thought the last epilogue/time jump was a little frustrating. Lucy wasn't exactly likeable but I did like the reflection on the pictures. I also wish we got more closure with Wade. I was hoping he would make an appearance after a while.
October 22, 2025
It tried..
As a zombie book, this gets an F.
As a romance book, this gets a D.
This really didn't need to be about zombies since it was really just a backdrop anyway.
But since it was so lowkey, it was probably better suited to any other dystopian setup.
The romance was okay. The healing from trauma was okay, too, just a bit rushed. But everything else was lacking sense, cohesion, and even vague plausibility.
The wind down took forever and was mostly unnecessary. Especially the pages trying to have another baby, given how that panned out. And also, Wade was dropped like a bad habit.
I wouldn't recommend it, but if you got stuck with it, it's not the worst book.
As a zombie book, this gets an F.
As a romance book, this gets a D.
This really didn't need to be about zombies since it was really just a backdrop anyway.
But since it was so lowkey, it was probably better suited to any other dystopian setup.
The romance was okay. The healing from trauma was okay, too, just a bit rushed. But everything else was lacking sense, cohesion, and even vague plausibility.
The wind down took forever and was mostly unnecessary. Especially the pages trying to have another baby, given how that panned out. And also, Wade was dropped like a bad habit.
I wouldn't recommend it, but if you got stuck with it, it's not the worst book.
July 20, 2025
I enjoyed this. I really wanted to love it and had all the elements that should make me love it, but I like my post-apocalyptic novels to be rooted in realism, and this played a little too loose with it. This starts in Washington DC and at one point they literally drive into the heart of DC, which if anyone has ever driven in DC knows there is no effing way the streets would be drivable in a time where chaos has ensued. You can barely get through traffic on a Tuesday. I can't imagine what it would be like during a zombie takeover.
Then there's the baby and the timeline. Things just didn't add up. Baby can lift her head around 1 month old and laugh around 2 months? And from my rough estimations, they're traveling around February which is the coldest time of the year for the area they're in, but there's only a few small nods to the weather aspect of their journey. Just odd little things like that, that took me out of the story.
And honestly I could overlook all that if the story overall was amazing, but it was just ok. Something didn't fully lock me in, so I'd get easily distracted by all the little things that didn't make sense. Romance was a little flat (although I really did have a soft spot for Cole way more than the chick) and the flow was just a little off.
Then there's the baby and the timeline. Things just didn't add up. Baby can lift her head around 1 month old and laugh around 2 months? And from my rough estimations, they're traveling around February which is the coldest time of the year for the area they're in, but there's only a few small nods to the weather aspect of their journey. Just odd little things like that, that took me out of the story.
And honestly I could overlook all that if the story overall was amazing, but it was just ok. Something didn't fully lock me in, so I'd get easily distracted by all the little things that didn't make sense. Romance was a little flat (although I really did have a soft spot for Cole way more than the chick) and the flow was just a little off.
January 21, 2025
My very first ARC Review
Thank you @lovenotes.pr and author @annacallawayauthor for sending the ARC copy
Book releasing TODAY on 1/14/2025.
Available on Amazon US, UK, CA
⭐ 5/5
🌶️ 2.5/5, few explicit descriptions
Genre: romance, dystopia
Post-apocalyptic setting, fake marriage, found family, slow-burn, dual POV
Trigger warnings: childhood abuse, physical/sexual abuse
Blurb:
Olivia never imagined giving birth in a subway bathroom while the infected pounded on the door. She didn't expect her husband to turn into one of them, either. Rescued by Cole, she clings to him as her only chance of survival for both her and her baby. He's gruff and reserved but she soon feels safer with him than she ever did with her late husband. She'll fight to stay by Cole's side as the world crumbles around them.
Cole's only mission is to find his best friend until Olivia and her newborn baby derail his plans. The world has fallen into chaos, and he's been surviving alone, but now he's playing protector to a woman he just met. Navigating a crumbling city full of the undead is hard enough. Keeping them all alive might be the most dangerous challenge yet. As they journey to the safety of the mountains, they realize that they share similar pasts, and a bond forms between them. In a world shattered to pieces, love was never part of the plan, but sometimes, the end of everything is only the beginning.
Opinion: 5 star read! I was sceptical about the apocalyptic setting but the story was captivating. I devoured the book in 3 days. I loved the writing style. It was simple yet elegant. The story was emotional. I have cried on several incidences. The book will emotionally wreck you but in good ways.
I loved how Cole's and Olivia's relationship developed slowly over the book, mutually fighting against their own traumatic past as well as facing an apocalyptic environment and sharing a healing journey, eventually falling in love and finding their happily ever after
Thank you @lovenotes.pr and author @annacallawayauthor for sending the ARC copy
Book releasing TODAY on 1/14/2025.
Available on Amazon US, UK, CA
⭐ 5/5
🌶️ 2.5/5, few explicit descriptions
Genre: romance, dystopia
Post-apocalyptic setting, fake marriage, found family, slow-burn, dual POV
Trigger warnings: childhood abuse, physical/sexual abuse
Blurb:
Olivia never imagined giving birth in a subway bathroom while the infected pounded on the door. She didn't expect her husband to turn into one of them, either. Rescued by Cole, she clings to him as her only chance of survival for both her and her baby. He's gruff and reserved but she soon feels safer with him than she ever did with her late husband. She'll fight to stay by Cole's side as the world crumbles around them.
Cole's only mission is to find his best friend until Olivia and her newborn baby derail his plans. The world has fallen into chaos, and he's been surviving alone, but now he's playing protector to a woman he just met. Navigating a crumbling city full of the undead is hard enough. Keeping them all alive might be the most dangerous challenge yet. As they journey to the safety of the mountains, they realize that they share similar pasts, and a bond forms between them. In a world shattered to pieces, love was never part of the plan, but sometimes, the end of everything is only the beginning.
Opinion: 5 star read! I was sceptical about the apocalyptic setting but the story was captivating. I devoured the book in 3 days. I loved the writing style. It was simple yet elegant. The story was emotional. I have cried on several incidences. The book will emotionally wreck you but in good ways.
I loved how Cole's and Olivia's relationship developed slowly over the book, mutually fighting against their own traumatic past as well as facing an apocalyptic environment and sharing a healing journey, eventually falling in love and finding their happily ever after
February 1, 2025
4 ⭐️
2 🌶️
“Your family was born today in more ways than one. You just don’t know it yet.”
Olivia never imagined she would end up giving birth in a subway bathroom alone during a zombie apocalypse after her husband becomes part of the walking dead. Rescued by a stranger named Cole, she clings to him feeling as if he is her and her newborn baby’s only chance at survival. As they begin their journey together they soon realize they share similar pasts and a bond forms between them. Love was never part of the plan, but sometimes, the end of everything is only the beginning.
I don’t read romance books often, but this one caught my attention. The cover for one is very pleasing, and two it’s a romance set in an apocalyptic setting. Our two main characters Olivia and Cole, are both very likable making me more invested in the story. This is a slow burn, so the relationship between these two takes time but I honestly enjoyed that. The tension in the chapters leading up to the end had me REELING. That is what I was hoping to get out of this book and I was happy I got it! It’s what I needed in a zombie apocalypse romance story. I do wish we had more of those tense moments but the ones we do get show just how fearful our characters are about losing one another. Also, there’s a cat and I love her!
I’d say if you ever watched The Walking Dead or played The Last of Us and enjoyed all the romantic scenes this book is one you will most likely enjoy.
2 🌶️
“Your family was born today in more ways than one. You just don’t know it yet.”
Olivia never imagined she would end up giving birth in a subway bathroom alone during a zombie apocalypse after her husband becomes part of the walking dead. Rescued by a stranger named Cole, she clings to him feeling as if he is her and her newborn baby’s only chance at survival. As they begin their journey together they soon realize they share similar pasts and a bond forms between them. Love was never part of the plan, but sometimes, the end of everything is only the beginning.
I don’t read romance books often, but this one caught my attention. The cover for one is very pleasing, and two it’s a romance set in an apocalyptic setting. Our two main characters Olivia and Cole, are both very likable making me more invested in the story. This is a slow burn, so the relationship between these two takes time but I honestly enjoyed that. The tension in the chapters leading up to the end had me REELING. That is what I was hoping to get out of this book and I was happy I got it! It’s what I needed in a zombie apocalypse romance story. I do wish we had more of those tense moments but the ones we do get show just how fearful our characters are about losing one another. Also, there’s a cat and I love her!
I’d say if you ever watched The Walking Dead or played The Last of Us and enjoyed all the romantic scenes this book is one you will most likely enjoy.
January 14, 2025
sooo I might just have a new obsession and it might just be post apocalyptic romance novels 😍😍😏
Read this is you like:
🧟♂️ the walking dead vibes
🖤”hands off my wife”
🧟♂️ slowww burn ❤️🔥
🖤 found family
🧟♂️ love after trauma/@bu$e
🖤 a cat named Flower 🐱🌼
🧟♂️ grumpy man caring for a baby that’s not his 🥹
••
I loved this story! It was so sweet how we could see Cole’s dedication and eventual love for Olivia and Lucy and his instinctual need to protect them from the beginning!Both of their pasts make them think the other would never be able to love them, because they’re so broken and their flaws are too irreparable. That is my ONLY complaint in this entire book because that theme goes on till about 70% and it just got annoying 🫣 But even that didn’t stop me from loving this book! The found family was so cute and the epilogues, don’t even get me started 😭😭🥹
I will definitely be looking for more books like this in the future!
Thank you to Love Notes PR for selecting me to read and review this ARC
Read this is you like:
🧟♂️ the walking dead vibes
🖤”hands off my wife”
🧟♂️ slowww burn ❤️🔥
🖤 found family
🧟♂️ love after trauma/@bu$e
🖤 a cat named Flower 🐱🌼
🧟♂️ grumpy man caring for a baby that’s not his 🥹
••
I loved this story! It was so sweet how we could see Cole’s dedication and eventual love for Olivia and Lucy and his instinctual need to protect them from the beginning!Both of their pasts make them think the other would never be able to love them, because they’re so broken and their flaws are too irreparable. That is my ONLY complaint in this entire book because that theme goes on till about 70% and it just got annoying 🫣 But even that didn’t stop me from loving this book! The found family was so cute and the epilogues, don’t even get me started 😭😭🥹
I will definitely be looking for more books like this in the future!
Thank you to Love Notes PR for selecting me to read and review this ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2025
Say You’ll Stay is a zombie apocalypse romance novel. Two people cross paths by chance, and through this chance meeting band together to stay alive. Cole was simply out looking for his friend who disappeared when he comes across Olivia. Olivia has just given birth, and fought to protect her innocent child from the danger that surrounds her. It’s not an ideal situation either of them find themselves in, but they make the decision to stick together.
This book is a real page-turner. You’ll quickly find yourself drawn in and eager to find out what happens next. The author weaves this story in a believable manner of where the strong and the vicious are the ones you cross paths with most. The characters story unfolds little by little with the romance aspect gradually developing in a realistic way.
Gritty, dark, and realistic this novel will cover a lot of ground, give you sweet romance, “instant” family, and answer most of your questions before you reach the final page.
This book is a real page-turner. You’ll quickly find yourself drawn in and eager to find out what happens next. The author weaves this story in a believable manner of where the strong and the vicious are the ones you cross paths with most. The characters story unfolds little by little with the romance aspect gradually developing in a realistic way.
Gritty, dark, and realistic this novel will cover a lot of ground, give you sweet romance, “instant” family, and answer most of your questions before you reach the final page.
January 7, 2025
➖ As soon as I saw this was a post-apocalyptic romance, I had to sign up for an ARC, and it did NOT disappoint!
➖ This book masterfully blends romance, suspense, and survival! It was a slow burn that focused on the storyline rather than solely on romance. It definitely gave The Walking Dead vibes, and I enjoyed it so much!
➖ You could literally feel the connection growing between Cole & and Olivia, though. It was raw and real! And how Cole was with sweet baby Lucy 🥹 Let’s not forget about the cat, Flower 😊 ( If you read it, you’ll understand)
➖ This is my second book by Anna, and I have to say I really like her writing! I love her ability to craft a compelling narrative that fosters a deep emotional connection between characters.
➖ I definitely would recommend this book! Especially if you’re into shows like The Walking Dead, The Last Of Us, etc ….
➖ This book masterfully blends romance, suspense, and survival! It was a slow burn that focused on the storyline rather than solely on romance. It definitely gave The Walking Dead vibes, and I enjoyed it so much!
➖ You could literally feel the connection growing between Cole & and Olivia, though. It was raw and real! And how Cole was with sweet baby Lucy 🥹 Let’s not forget about the cat, Flower 😊 ( If you read it, you’ll understand)
➖ This is my second book by Anna, and I have to say I really like her writing! I love her ability to craft a compelling narrative that fosters a deep emotional connection between characters.
➖ I definitely would recommend this book! Especially if you’re into shows like The Walking Dead, The Last Of Us, etc ….
January 10, 2025
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Anna Calloway writes such unique stories that I’ve never read before and end up loooooving. and this was no different. when I saw that she announced an apocalyptic romance, my first thought was, this will be a first for me. and I love when a book does that. when a plot is so different and unique from others. Anna does that with all her stories and I’m utterly obsessed. I’m so lucky to have reviewed this arc and I read it in two days. the relationship that blossomed between Cole and Olivia will have you in shambles. the “don’t touch my wife” moment???? PERFECTION. the found family of it all, the suspense, the intimacy? all of it worked so well and turned into one of my favorite reads in a long time.
thank you to the author and love notes pr for the arc! I loved it!!
thank you to the author and love notes pr for the arc! I loved it!!
January 27, 2025
It was my first time reading Post-Apocalyptic Romance and it didn't disappointment me at all as it had me hooked from the start to the finished .... This bookjust blends the Romance, suspense and the survival..... It is a slow burn but it does focused on the storyline rather than on the Romance side of things ... I love how it's gave me the Walking Dead Vibes and I love it so much !
and here are my favorite sentences that i love in this book:
1. ‘Don’t you even look at my wife.’ oh my 😍😍😍😍
2. "The taste of a first kiss, warm and sweet, so passionate he feels nothing but her until she’s seared into his skin like a brand. Her supple body against his while he presses her into the mattress and the moan she makes when his weight nudges between her legs. The perfect whisper of ‘I love you’ after she comes around his cock."
and here are my favorite sentences that i love in this book:
1. ‘Don’t you even look at my wife.’ oh my 😍😍😍😍
2. "The taste of a first kiss, warm and sweet, so passionate he feels nothing but her until she’s seared into his skin like a brand. Her supple body against his while he presses her into the mattress and the moan she makes when his weight nudges between her legs. The perfect whisper of ‘I love you’ after she comes around his cock."
January 22, 2025
When the world succumbs to a zombie apocalypse, those who remain alive must fight for their lives. When Olivia and Cole meet through some… special circumstances, they quickly form a bond in order to stay alive.
The spice is low, but the chemistry is hot. These two, thrust together under dire circumstances, find ways to be cute and compassionate with one another. And since Olivia just had a baby, their relationship isn’t solely founded on physical chemistry. They had the chance to fall for and care for one another as they navigated towards safety.
For me, this book didn’t hit as hard as other work I’ve read from Anna Callaway. The writing style was a little wonky, and I felt like I needed to read parts multiple times to understand what was happening. I did enjoy the story, and I think it would be awesome to see more apocalyptic romances in the romance-bookish space.
⭐️Strangers to lovers
⭐️Found family
⭐️Fake marriage for safety
⭐️Touch her and die vibes
Thank you to Anna Callaway and Love Notes PR for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The spice is low, but the chemistry is hot. These two, thrust together under dire circumstances, find ways to be cute and compassionate with one another. And since Olivia just had a baby, their relationship isn’t solely founded on physical chemistry. They had the chance to fall for and care for one another as they navigated towards safety.
For me, this book didn’t hit as hard as other work I’ve read from Anna Callaway. The writing style was a little wonky, and I felt like I needed to read parts multiple times to understand what was happening. I did enjoy the story, and I think it would be awesome to see more apocalyptic romances in the romance-bookish space.
⭐️Strangers to lovers
⭐️Found family
⭐️Fake marriage for safety
⭐️Touch her and die vibes
Thank you to Anna Callaway and Love Notes PR for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
April 25, 2025
Slow burn post-apocalyptic romance that starts with the MMC finding the FMC just after she's given birth. It's as sweet of a zombie romance one can be, while also having the typical dangers and scenarios one might come across in this genre. Nothing here was particularly new, but I enjoyed it anyway. Sometimes I just need a basic post-apocalyptic romance and that's what this is.
I especially loved the ending and that it shows their little family years out from things. Definitely left me kicking my legs smiling.
Why this isn't the 4-star I wanted it to be:
1. Needed a lot of editing.
2. I had zero idea how much time had passed at any given time in this book. I was confused on whether things were happening hours, days, or even weeks after the last passage, and then we'd find out it had been days, or longer/shorter, or we wouldn't find out at all. It was confusing.
I especially loved the ending and that it shows their little family years out from things. Definitely left me kicking my legs smiling.
Why this isn't the 4-star I wanted it to be:
1. Needed a lot of editing.
2. I had zero idea how much time had passed at any given time in this book. I was confused on whether things were happening hours, days, or even weeks after the last passage, and then we'd find out it had been days, or longer/shorter, or we wouldn't find out at all. It was confusing.
July 16, 2025
Cole is searching for his friend when he hears commotion coming from a subway bathroom. He comes across a woman (Olivia) who just gave birth and a zombie (her now ex-husband) with a knife in his head. He brings them back to his apartment and makes a promise to stay with them.
The 3 of them travel together with the plan of getting to a safe, remote location (somewhere Cole went to as a kid). Their journey to the safe house is filled with close encounters with zombies, dangerous people, and people searching for a cure.
The romance is slow burn and they both have traumatic back stories that bring them closer together. Cole is very protective of Olivia and Lucy from day one. He helps train Olivia to protect herself, which definitely comes in handy! This was a fun read overall.
The 3 of them travel together with the plan of getting to a safe, remote location (somewhere Cole went to as a kid). Their journey to the safe house is filled with close encounters with zombies, dangerous people, and people searching for a cure.
The romance is slow burn and they both have traumatic back stories that bring them closer together. Cole is very protective of Olivia and Lucy from day one. He helps train Olivia to protect herself, which definitely comes in handy! This was a fun read overall.
January 18, 2025
3.5🌟 I was really intrigued by this since I loved the walking dead and so something similar, but giving me a romance story on top of it grabbed my attention. Cole is the definition of a protector. The bond he forms with the baby and Olivia is sweet. The last 20% had me on the edge of my seat. I think I would have liked a little more survival scenes and how they were navigating the Apocalypse but overall enjoyed.
Tropes:
Touch her and ☠️
Spicy
Fake marriage for safety
Post-apocalyptic romance
Found family
Healing together
This was provided as an advance reader copy however my thoughts are entirely my own. Thanks to the author for allowing me to read.
Tropes:
Touch her and ☠️
Spicy
Fake marriage for safety
Post-apocalyptic romance
Found family
Healing together
This was provided as an advance reader copy however my thoughts are entirely my own. Thanks to the author for allowing me to read.
January 3, 2025
I received an ARC for this book and I am so glad I did!
I LOVE a good post-apocalyptic romance 💕
Who doesn’t love a guy who tries to act grumpy when he is really a softy at heart?!?
Cole is exactly that, he has a rough exterior but is truly a softy at heart and will do whatever it takes to take care of Olivia and her newborn Lucy.
Add Flower 🐱 into the mix and Cole is the perfect fake husband, dad/cat dad out there.
Olivia is one strong Momma, from giving birth on a bathroom floor while trying to defend herself and her baby Lucy - to fighting for what she wants when it comes to Cole and their survival.
I would hope that if there was ever an apocalypse that I would be as strong and courageous as she is.
I am so glad that Cole, Olivia, Lucy and Flower received the happy ending they worked so hard for 💕
I LOVE a good post-apocalyptic romance 💕
Who doesn’t love a guy who tries to act grumpy when he is really a softy at heart?!?
Cole is exactly that, he has a rough exterior but is truly a softy at heart and will do whatever it takes to take care of Olivia and her newborn Lucy.
Add Flower 🐱 into the mix and Cole is the perfect fake husband, dad/cat dad out there.
Olivia is one strong Momma, from giving birth on a bathroom floor while trying to defend herself and her baby Lucy - to fighting for what she wants when it comes to Cole and their survival.
I would hope that if there was ever an apocalypse that I would be as strong and courageous as she is.
I am so glad that Cole, Olivia, Lucy and Flower received the happy ending they worked so hard for 💕
January 2, 2025
All I do on the internet is cry, and this book made me so emotional.
Olivia is everything I want to be and is so brave and strong. Cole is the best reluctant grumpy partner who grows into an amazing partner. And Lucy is absolutely precious! Also, who wouldn't love a little tripod cat named Flower? Could there be anything cuter?
The struggles that Olivia and Cole go through make their relationship grow exponentially stronger as they help each other out. I loved every second of this book and I can't wait to read more!
Olivia is everything I want to be and is so brave and strong. Cole is the best reluctant grumpy partner who grows into an amazing partner. And Lucy is absolutely precious! Also, who wouldn't love a little tripod cat named Flower? Could there be anything cuter?
The struggles that Olivia and Cole go through make their relationship grow exponentially stronger as they help each other out. I loved every second of this book and I can't wait to read more!
January 8, 2025
Arc Review
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story definitely surprised me by how good it is. I was hooked from page 1!
Some people like vampire romance, i like zombie apocalypse romance. I loved the storyline, man finds woman and newborn baby in a subway station about to be eaten by ‘Rotters' the Slow-Burn was well done and such a nice touch in this end of the world post-apocalyptic book.
The writing was so good I couldn't put the book down and devoured it in one sitting! Five stars all the way!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story definitely surprised me by how good it is. I was hooked from page 1!
Some people like vampire romance, i like zombie apocalypse romance. I loved the storyline, man finds woman and newborn baby in a subway station about to be eaten by ‘Rotters' the Slow-Burn was well done and such a nice touch in this end of the world post-apocalyptic book.
The writing was so good I couldn't put the book down and devoured it in one sitting! Five stars all the way!
January 23, 2025
*ARC provided by @lovenotes.pr*
Title: Say You’ll Stay by Anna Callaway ( @annacallawayauthor )
Release Date: Available Now!!
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cute Family Moments: 5/5 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼
Cats: 1 🐈⬛
Favorite Tropes: Apocalypse, Single Mother, Insta-Fatherhood, fake marriage
When the apocalypse attacks, a heroic man rescues a single mother & her baby only to slowly fall for her & quickly adopt her child as his. This book left me speechless!! As a long time zombie apocalypse fan, this book fits every perfect little box of suspense and romance. It is totally worth the time & read!
Title: Say You’ll Stay by Anna Callaway ( @annacallawayauthor )
Release Date: Available Now!!
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cute Family Moments: 5/5 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼
Cats: 1 🐈⬛
Favorite Tropes: Apocalypse, Single Mother, Insta-Fatherhood, fake marriage
When the apocalypse attacks, a heroic man rescues a single mother & her baby only to slowly fall for her & quickly adopt her child as his. This book left me speechless!! As a long time zombie apocalypse fan, this book fits every perfect little box of suspense and romance. It is totally worth the time & read!
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