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Project Hometown
Introducing new characters, as well as shedding fresh light on ones we all know and love, Project Hometown is the action packed prequel to The Remaining Universe that shows the madness of how it all began and looks unflinchingly at the grit and determination of the men who died to make it happen, as well as the ones who survived to become the legendary warriors known simply as “Coordinators.”
This is where it begins…
If the candidates in the Project Hometown Selection Process have learned one thing, it’s that the whole program was designed to mess with their heads.
Dominic “Dom” Russo is one of those candidates. After nearly a year in the program, he has survived Phase 1 (AKA “Hell Indeterminate”) and the infamous Phase 2 (AKA “The Lord of the Flies Phase”). And now he’s HALO jumping into Phase 3, where simulations and training end, and a real-world test of his skills begins.
But where on earth can you send teams of operatives to test their mettle in a real-world environment, without causing a massive international incident?
Welcome to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country embroiled in a decades-long civil war, specifically chosen because it is so conspicuously ignored by the world. Like Vegas for violence, what happens here stays here.
To Dom, it seems pretty he and the other three guys on his small team simply have to prove they’re able to get strangers to work with them in order to stand up to a coalition of rebel forces amassing in the region of North Kivu. Pick a village, teach them how to defend themselves against the rebels, equip them, and then boogie out before things get too hot.
But nothing in this selection process is ever straightforward. Unbeknownst to the teams of operators scattered across North Kivu, a power struggle is in full swing back at home, where a slimy politician, a cold-hearted military contractor, and one lonely US Army colonel are battling for the very soul of Project Hometown. Because even as far as they’ve taken this secret project, they still have yet to agree on exactly what type of man they want to fill its ranks.
Who will be best prepared to resurrect the American government in the event of a society-ending disaster? Hard-core killers who will follow orders no matter what? Or men of high moral caliber, who will always do the right thing?
Caught between these warring philosophies, Dom and the other teams on the ground soon find themselves caught in yet another pressure cooker, where they will be forced to pick a side. Because in Phase 3, their choices have very real consequences—not only for their chances to complete the selection process, but for the people who have to keep living there after they are gone.
As the bullets start flying, and innocent lives are on the line, each of these candidates will have to dive into the deepest parts of themselves and decide what type of man they want to be.
This is where it begins…
If the candidates in the Project Hometown Selection Process have learned one thing, it’s that the whole program was designed to mess with their heads.
Dominic “Dom” Russo is one of those candidates. After nearly a year in the program, he has survived Phase 1 (AKA “Hell Indeterminate”) and the infamous Phase 2 (AKA “The Lord of the Flies Phase”). And now he’s HALO jumping into Phase 3, where simulations and training end, and a real-world test of his skills begins.
But where on earth can you send teams of operatives to test their mettle in a real-world environment, without causing a massive international incident?
Welcome to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country embroiled in a decades-long civil war, specifically chosen because it is so conspicuously ignored by the world. Like Vegas for violence, what happens here stays here.
To Dom, it seems pretty he and the other three guys on his small team simply have to prove they’re able to get strangers to work with them in order to stand up to a coalition of rebel forces amassing in the region of North Kivu. Pick a village, teach them how to defend themselves against the rebels, equip them, and then boogie out before things get too hot.
But nothing in this selection process is ever straightforward. Unbeknownst to the teams of operators scattered across North Kivu, a power struggle is in full swing back at home, where a slimy politician, a cold-hearted military contractor, and one lonely US Army colonel are battling for the very soul of Project Hometown. Because even as far as they’ve taken this secret project, they still have yet to agree on exactly what type of man they want to fill its ranks.
Who will be best prepared to resurrect the American government in the event of a society-ending disaster? Hard-core killers who will follow orders no matter what? Or men of high moral caliber, who will always do the right thing?
Caught between these warring philosophies, Dom and the other teams on the ground soon find themselves caught in yet another pressure cooker, where they will be forced to pick a side. Because in Phase 3, their choices have very real consequences—not only for their chances to complete the selection process, but for the people who have to keep living there after they are gone.
As the bullets start flying, and innocent lives are on the line, each of these candidates will have to dive into the deepest parts of themselves and decide what type of man they want to be.
Audible Audio
Published September 18, 2025
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
D.J. Molles
45 books1,436 followersD.J. Molles became a New York Times and USA today bestselling author while working full time as a police officer. He's since traded his badge for a keyboard to produce over 20 titles. When he's not writing, he's taking steps to make his North Carolina property self-sustainable, and training to be at least half as hard to kill as Lee Harden (his most popular protagonist).
Molles also enjoys playing his guitar and drums, drawing, cooking, and “shredding that green pow” on his Onewheel.
Most nights you can find him sitting on the couch surrounded by his dogs and family, trying to stream an hour of Netflix with his really sketchy satellite internet connection.
Are you interested in becoming a writer? I've started a video series called "Lessons in Writing" which you can find on all my socials.
Follow on IG & FB @djmolles
TikTok @djmollesauthor
Molles also enjoys playing his guitar and drums, drawing, cooking, and “shredding that green pow” on his Onewheel.
Most nights you can find him sitting on the couch surrounded by his dogs and family, trying to stream an hour of Netflix with his really sketchy satellite internet connection.
Are you interested in becoming a writer? I've started a video series called "Lessons in Writing" which you can find on all my socials.
Follow on IG & FB @djmolles
TikTok @djmollesauthor
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 10, 2025
Project Hometown goes back to the beginning for those of us addicted to The Remaining series. When the elite military operators chosen for the selection program are put through mind, body, and spirit evolutions that would break ordinary men. Molles introduces new operators and brings back heroes we already know and love in this look back on how it all started.
If you are new to this series, Molles created a not too distant future where a pandemic has taken out society. Project Hometown puts one top notch operator per state into a bunker filled with what they would need to rescue and rebuild. This is an exciting introduction and the unexpected need to step up, risking everything they have worked for, speaks to these men being the best of the best.
If you are new to this series, Molles created a not too distant future where a pandemic has taken out society. Project Hometown puts one top notch operator per state into a bunker filled with what they would need to rescue and rebuild. This is an exciting introduction and the unexpected need to step up, risking everything they have worked for, speaks to these men being the best of the best.
September 19, 2025
Want a new pre post apocalypse read?
Want a new pre post apocalypse read but not sure where to start? Project Hometown is the prequel to The Remaining and Lee Harden series but DJ Molles.
Military minded? This is for you
Like great story telling? This is for you
Want a kick ass team? This is for you
Project Hometown goes into more detail about the journey pre The Remaining so if you want to try a taster, this is for you.
Meet amazing character’s like Tomlin and Tex.
Project Hometown gives you the background into what drives Lee Harden, although he’s not the main character. A gritty journey into what it takes to qualify as an PHT Operative. Following the candidates through the tasks and challenges created by the circumstances they are dropped into.
Can they create a new world, maintain order and start the rebirth of nations, if a world wide event ended life as we know it? If there was no government to direct them, can they use their smarts and initiative to work together for the greater good?
Leaving their lives behind to prove if they have what it takes to be the right kind of solider.
Are you in?
Side note for DJ, I would absolutely love to meet Dom again in The Remaining Universe. Wink wink, nudge nudge.
I was given an ARC for my honest review
Want a new pre post apocalypse read but not sure where to start? Project Hometown is the prequel to The Remaining and Lee Harden series but DJ Molles.
Military minded? This is for you
Like great story telling? This is for you
Want a kick ass team? This is for you
Project Hometown goes into more detail about the journey pre The Remaining so if you want to try a taster, this is for you.
Meet amazing character’s like Tomlin and Tex.
Project Hometown gives you the background into what drives Lee Harden, although he’s not the main character. A gritty journey into what it takes to qualify as an PHT Operative. Following the candidates through the tasks and challenges created by the circumstances they are dropped into.
Can they create a new world, maintain order and start the rebirth of nations, if a world wide event ended life as we know it? If there was no government to direct them, can they use their smarts and initiative to work together for the greater good?
Leaving their lives behind to prove if they have what it takes to be the right kind of solider.
Are you in?
Side note for DJ, I would absolutely love to meet Dom again in The Remaining Universe. Wink wink, nudge nudge.
I was given an ARC for my honest review
September 18, 2025
Have you ever wondered what Hell Week looks like? This book will show you what Hell Indeterminate looks like instead. Meet some of the Project Hometown Coordinators as they learn how to do their jobs - rebuild society after the collapse - in a forgotten part of the world.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews