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Worth the Ruin
Melody Morales
It’s been almost a decade since the world ended and zombies started roaming the earth. The beginning was dark and desperate, but my best friend Jonah and I managed to survive. We’ve found relative safety and a real community now, but when a dangerous situation threatens everything, I do what I have to in order to protect the ones I I offer myself up as a hostage to the leader of Haven, Austin Traeger.
He's psychotic, sadistic, and rules with an iron fist and a penchant for bloodshed—or at least that’s what we’re to believe. The truth is far more complicated. I promised myself that I would never let anyone in again, but no matter how hard I fight to hate him, my walls keep crumbling…
Austin Traeger
I do what has to be done. Always have. Always will. I’ll shoulder the burdens and permanently stain my hands red if it means keeping people safe. Let them think whatever the hell they want about me, I couldn’t care less.
At least that’s what I thought until Melody Morales walked into my life. With her, I need things to be different. I want her to know the truth. I want her to know the real me. I want to finally put this mask down for good and grab a chance at actual happiness in this screwed up world. But can she possibly love the monster I’ve had to become?
God I hope so, because I would burn what’s left of this world down for her…
It’s been almost a decade since the world ended and zombies started roaming the earth. The beginning was dark and desperate, but my best friend Jonah and I managed to survive. We’ve found relative safety and a real community now, but when a dangerous situation threatens everything, I do what I have to in order to protect the ones I I offer myself up as a hostage to the leader of Haven, Austin Traeger.
He's psychotic, sadistic, and rules with an iron fist and a penchant for bloodshed—or at least that’s what we’re to believe. The truth is far more complicated. I promised myself that I would never let anyone in again, but no matter how hard I fight to hate him, my walls keep crumbling…
Austin Traeger
I do what has to be done. Always have. Always will. I’ll shoulder the burdens and permanently stain my hands red if it means keeping people safe. Let them think whatever the hell they want about me, I couldn’t care less.
At least that’s what I thought until Melody Morales walked into my life. With her, I need things to be different. I want her to know the truth. I want her to know the real me. I want to finally put this mask down for good and grab a chance at actual happiness in this screwed up world. But can she possibly love the monster I’ve had to become?
God I hope so, because I would burn what’s left of this world down for her…
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2025
72 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 9, 2026
My internet is faulty so haven’t been able to do anything, will add more to my review once it’s fixed.
So I grabbed this one last year when it was highly recommended in a group I’m in. Dived in, but struggled to get into it, picked it up again since I couldn’t get on line and it did take me a bit to get into the second time around but preserved since I couldn’t open any of my books on my iPad without the internet.
I’m so glad I carried on because I ended up really enjoying this, really loved these characters and hope this author jumps back into this genre and gives us more.
So I grabbed this one last year when it was highly recommended in a group I’m in. Dived in, but struggled to get into it, picked it up again since I couldn’t get on line and it did take me a bit to get into the second time around but preserved since I couldn’t open any of my books on my iPad without the internet.
I’m so glad I carried on because I ended up really enjoying this, really loved these characters and hope this author jumps back into this genre and gives us more.
dnf
January 29, 2026DNF@20% when this book showed up on my recommendations I knew I had to read it. Unfortunately, I have been trying to read this book for 3 days and I’m bored to tears. It’s so bland and I’m not connecting with any of the characters. I decided to read some spoiler reviews and they said it’s really slow burn with nothing happening until 75%. If the story was keeping my attention I could have dealt with it but the fact that the H has a harem and he sleeps with a different woman each night and the h is in the adjacent room where she can listen each night is in no way romantic to me.
January 12, 2026
4.75⭐️
October 22, 2025
4.5 stars from me. In the mood for a zombie romance with a badass FMC and MMC? This is the perfect book for you. K.D Miller does a great job balancing action, romance and character development. This book read super quick for me and I connected with the characters very quickly. Pacing of the book was great. Melody is a badass lady who protects who she loves fiercely and finds it hard to be trusting. Traeger is a sadistic leader who rules with an iron fist to keep the communities safe. Overall loved the characters, I would love a prequel leading up to the start of this book!
October 12, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - If it's got a self-sacrificing FMC in a forced proximity situation and an MMC who's "not as bad as he seems" you know I'm going to read it.
KD did a great job setting up the world and the back stories so that you could get fully immersed in the story and wrote the characters in a way that you want to get more of them (as always)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ - the smut was smutting 🤭
KD did a great job setting up the world and the back stories so that you could get fully immersed in the story and wrote the characters in a way that you want to get more of them (as always)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ - the smut was smutting 🤭
October 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 3.25/ 5
Worth the Ruin by K.D. Miller was my very first indie ARC read, and I was really excited to dive into it.
The premise is engaging—a gritty zombie apocalypse, survival against the odds, communities trying to rebuild, and a heroine learning to navigate life after devastating loss. The setup felt very Walking Dead-esque, but with its own voice and twists.
What I liked: I really enjoyed the tone and humor in Mel’s narration. She’s sarcastic, strong, and doesn’t waste time with sugarcoating, which gave her a memorable voice. I also appreciated the way the story touched on trauma, grief, and starting over. The book had some solid survival elements, and Mel’s love of books added a nice personal touch that made her feel more human.
Where it didn’t work as well for me: The story is written in dual POVs, but the voices were very similar, which made it hard to tell them apart without chapter headers. I also felt like most of the book was building tension toward the romance, with the actual spice showing up late—around 75% in—and then running for several chapters nonstop. That balance just wasn’t my preference. While the survival and worldbuilding were there, I personally would have liked more development on those aspects and less focus on the attraction.
Overall, this book wasn’t entirely for me, but I can see it hitting the sweet spot for readers looking for a fast-paced, tension-filled zombie romance with heavy spice toward the end.
This was an ARC gifted by K.D. Miller, and I want to thank the author for the opportunity to read it early in exchange for my honest review.
Worth the Ruin by K.D. Miller was my very first indie ARC read, and I was really excited to dive into it.
The premise is engaging—a gritty zombie apocalypse, survival against the odds, communities trying to rebuild, and a heroine learning to navigate life after devastating loss. The setup felt very Walking Dead-esque, but with its own voice and twists.
What I liked: I really enjoyed the tone and humor in Mel’s narration. She’s sarcastic, strong, and doesn’t waste time with sugarcoating, which gave her a memorable voice. I also appreciated the way the story touched on trauma, grief, and starting over. The book had some solid survival elements, and Mel’s love of books added a nice personal touch that made her feel more human.
Where it didn’t work as well for me: The story is written in dual POVs, but the voices were very similar, which made it hard to tell them apart without chapter headers. I also felt like most of the book was building tension toward the romance, with the actual spice showing up late—around 75% in—and then running for several chapters nonstop. That balance just wasn’t my preference. While the survival and worldbuilding were there, I personally would have liked more development on those aspects and less focus on the attraction.
Overall, this book wasn’t entirely for me, but I can see it hitting the sweet spot for readers looking for a fast-paced, tension-filled zombie romance with heavy spice toward the end.
This was an ARC gifted by K.D. Miller, and I want to thank the author for the opportunity to read it early in exchange for my honest review.
October 9, 2025
A post apocalyptic dark romance with
🪦 Survival
🩸 Grief & Death
🪦 Angst (OW - “Traeger’s girls”)
🩸 Snowed in
🪦 One Bed
🩸”My WIFE!”
🪦 Love After Loss
I am enjoying the dystopian / post apocalyptic romance lately and K D Miller gave exactly what I’d been craving .
Traeger and Melody’s journey for survival had been intense , dark and dangerous . After agreeing to be collateral to save her area , The Cove, Mel had no idea what life would be like at FOS and what punishment Traeger, a ruthless world leader had in store .
The slow burn was painful but it gave the perfect pacing to their relationship- from hate to respect of each others roles and eventually to the “fuck it” moment . Traeger allowed Melody to see the real him , he held the whole world on his broad shoulders - he protected , cared and was desperate for a way out. Desperate to shed that persona he had created. He had a cold and heartless reputation to uphold and surviving was all that they had known.
They both shared the same darkness but trapped in a different version of pain and grief . Traeger being torn in the present while Mel was stuck in her past.
This book had me facing all sorts of emotions . The fun of their banter and one liners , the sadness of their loss and death of a loved one , and the loss of theirs lives they once lived , and the thick tension of each moment they were in danger or close to giving in to temptation. Their connection was everything!! I really enjoyed their intense story , the deadly missions , the desperations , the characters (and side characters too!) and the details . If there was ever an apocalypse I need Austin in charge and on his team.. preferably with the title Mrs Traeger !
“ Don’t read anything into this .” … “Wouldn’t dream of it “
K D Miller really pulled me into their world , I didn’t want to leave that island ! I need more ! I will admit I went back and re read a lot of the chapters because I totally fell in love with them and their story ! Two people that deserved their happy ever after .
Also , can we take a moment to appreciate that this author gave us a BADASS FMC , her journey to self discovery was powerful, her strength was everything!
✨ Thank you KD Miller for the opportunity to read this arc in return for an honest review ✨
🪦 Survival
🩸 Grief & Death
🪦 Angst (OW - “Traeger’s girls”)
🩸 Snowed in
🪦 One Bed
🩸”My WIFE!”
🪦 Love After Loss
I am enjoying the dystopian / post apocalyptic romance lately and K D Miller gave exactly what I’d been craving .
Traeger and Melody’s journey for survival had been intense , dark and dangerous . After agreeing to be collateral to save her area , The Cove, Mel had no idea what life would be like at FOS and what punishment Traeger, a ruthless world leader had in store .
The slow burn was painful but it gave the perfect pacing to their relationship- from hate to respect of each others roles and eventually to the “fuck it” moment . Traeger allowed Melody to see the real him , he held the whole world on his broad shoulders - he protected , cared and was desperate for a way out. Desperate to shed that persona he had created. He had a cold and heartless reputation to uphold and surviving was all that they had known.
They both shared the same darkness but trapped in a different version of pain and grief . Traeger being torn in the present while Mel was stuck in her past.
This book had me facing all sorts of emotions . The fun of their banter and one liners , the sadness of their loss and death of a loved one , and the loss of theirs lives they once lived , and the thick tension of each moment they were in danger or close to giving in to temptation. Their connection was everything!! I really enjoyed their intense story , the deadly missions , the desperations , the characters (and side characters too!) and the details . If there was ever an apocalypse I need Austin in charge and on his team.. preferably with the title Mrs Traeger !
“ Don’t read anything into this .” … “Wouldn’t dream of it “
K D Miller really pulled me into their world , I didn’t want to leave that island ! I need more ! I will admit I went back and re read a lot of the chapters because I totally fell in love with them and their story ! Two people that deserved their happy ever after .
Also , can we take a moment to appreciate that this author gave us a BADASS FMC , her journey to self discovery was powerful, her strength was everything!
✨ Thank you KD Miller for the opportunity to read this arc in return for an honest review ✨
October 26, 2025
Loved loved loved this! I have been looking for a dystopian, zombie apocalypse romance that had plot and some spice, K.D. Miller delivered it on a platter in this book. The main characters were the chefs kiss and the slow burn was fire. Great plot and character growth and just the right amount of spice.
January 17, 2026
dnf
FMC is a Mary sue and this was not for me. The premise was promising but I struggled to care about any of the characters
FMC is a Mary sue and this was not for me. The premise was promising but I struggled to care about any of the characters
October 21, 2025
The emotions in chapter two are palpable! The sadness and pain you feel for Kevin are absolutely heart-wrenching. Your writing really conveys the depth of your feelings.The selflessness of one person risking everything to save another, so that person can be there for their loved ones, is truly inspiring. It's a powerful act of bravery and sacrifice.I'm loving the multiple POVs too! It's really adding depth to the story. And yeah, the Walking Dead vibe is strong – the suspense and multiple perspectives are definitely reminiscent of that show!The "I told you I could do it" moment is always satisfying, especially when a woman proves a man wrong and shows she can absolutely get the job done! Empowerment at its finest 💪I adore how the author weaves in book references and the main character's annotations – it's such a beautiful touch! It adds depth to their personality and makes them feel more relatable and bookish 💫📚I love it when the guy falls first! It's so swoon-worthy to see them smitten and vulnerable. Gives the whole story a sweet, romantic feel
September 18, 2025
I need someone with Netflix connections to GET THIS BOOK ON SCREENS. LIKE RIGHT NOW.
January 21, 2026
-1000 stars.
My honest reaction:
Good first few chapters. Shitty everything else. NOT WORTH IT.
My honest reaction:
Good first few chapters. Shitty everything else. NOT WORTH IT.
January 10, 2026
⭐️ 3.4 stars
🧟♀️💔🔥
Did it scratch the zombie itch? Not really.
Does it contain the post-apocalyptic struggle for survival I crave reading? Not even a little bit.
Do the MMC and FMC have a real and obvious romantic connection? 100% yes — and it’s what saves this book.
I had a difficult time rating this one. I picked it up because zombie, post-apocalyptic romance is my absolute favorite trope. There just aren’t enough zombie romances out there, so whenever I spot one, it gets an automatic download. Unfortunately, this book didn’t deliver much in the way of zombies, and my rating is based almost entirely on the (very) slow-burn romance between Melody and Traeger. ❤️🔥
Aside from the zombie (or “bloodie”) Mel was stabbing in the opening scene, there were only two encounters that could be considered noteworthy. Honestly, you could remove every zombie moment from the book, and it wouldn’t change a thing.
The backstory is this: a cataclysmic illness caused the outbreak. The government bombed major cities to contain it (because that always works 🙄). I’m not sure how many years post-event this takes place, but it’s clearly many — at least six, maybe more. Mel and her BFF Jonah spent years together before ending up at a settlement called The Cove, where they lived comfortably for several more.
And that’s kind of the problem. There’s no struggle. No scarcity. No desperation. They have hot water, electricity, food, gas, and even vehicles to spare. Traeger travels with convoys and goes on joyrides — because apparently fuel is endless. Anytime they’re holed up somewhere, it’s fully stocked with food, water, and sometimes even an arsenal of weapons. After years? It just didn’t ring true. ⛽🍽️💡
The plot had more holes than Swiss cheese 🧀. Example: in one zombie battle, Mel escapes in a car that’s been parked with a “For Sale” sign since before the apocalypse — yet she hot-wires it and drives off with a full tank and a working battery. Really?
What I love about post-apocalyptic stories is the fight — watching characters struggle and overcome impossible odds. Here, every challenge was introduced and then instantly solved. There was no tension, no edge-of-your-seat urgency.
If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead, it’s impossible not to notice the similarities between this world and TWD’s Alexandria. Even Traeger felt at least loosely inspired by Negan. ⚔️
Yes, I have a lot of criticism, but that’s because I wanted more from it. The only thing that truly hooked me was the slow-burn angst between the two leads. The supporting characters were also likable, and the author clearly has writing talent — I just think the post-apocalyptic genre may not be her strongest fit. Still, I’d be open to trying something else from her backlist.
To sum it up: I came for the zombies but stayed for the romance. 🧟♂️❤️
🧟♀️💔🔥
Did it scratch the zombie itch? Not really.
Does it contain the post-apocalyptic struggle for survival I crave reading? Not even a little bit.
Do the MMC and FMC have a real and obvious romantic connection? 100% yes — and it’s what saves this book.
I had a difficult time rating this one. I picked it up because zombie, post-apocalyptic romance is my absolute favorite trope. There just aren’t enough zombie romances out there, so whenever I spot one, it gets an automatic download. Unfortunately, this book didn’t deliver much in the way of zombies, and my rating is based almost entirely on the (very) slow-burn romance between Melody and Traeger. ❤️🔥
Aside from the zombie (or “bloodie”) Mel was stabbing in the opening scene, there were only two encounters that could be considered noteworthy. Honestly, you could remove every zombie moment from the book, and it wouldn’t change a thing.
The backstory is this: a cataclysmic illness caused the outbreak. The government bombed major cities to contain it (because that always works 🙄). I’m not sure how many years post-event this takes place, but it’s clearly many — at least six, maybe more. Mel and her BFF Jonah spent years together before ending up at a settlement called The Cove, where they lived comfortably for several more.
And that’s kind of the problem. There’s no struggle. No scarcity. No desperation. They have hot water, electricity, food, gas, and even vehicles to spare. Traeger travels with convoys and goes on joyrides — because apparently fuel is endless. Anytime they’re holed up somewhere, it’s fully stocked with food, water, and sometimes even an arsenal of weapons. After years? It just didn’t ring true. ⛽🍽️💡
The plot had more holes than Swiss cheese 🧀. Example: in one zombie battle, Mel escapes in a car that’s been parked with a “For Sale” sign since before the apocalypse — yet she hot-wires it and drives off with a full tank and a working battery. Really?
What I love about post-apocalyptic stories is the fight — watching characters struggle and overcome impossible odds. Here, every challenge was introduced and then instantly solved. There was no tension, no edge-of-your-seat urgency.
If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead, it’s impossible not to notice the similarities between this world and TWD’s Alexandria. Even Traeger felt at least loosely inspired by Negan. ⚔️
Yes, I have a lot of criticism, but that’s because I wanted more from it. The only thing that truly hooked me was the slow-burn angst between the two leads. The supporting characters were also likable, and the author clearly has writing talent — I just think the post-apocalyptic genre may not be her strongest fit. Still, I’d be open to trying something else from her backlist.
To sum it up: I came for the zombies but stayed for the romance. 🧟♂️❤️
January 31, 2026
First Time Reading, Now Hooked !
I’ve read quite a few of this genre and this one easily slots in amongst the best of the best. Despite some minor spelling mistakes and only one snafu
It’s a post apocalyptic dystopian romance set in America, Melody Morales and her ride or die best friend Jonah share a house together. Their husbands were both in the same military unit and were both killed overseas on a mission. A phone call prompts a visit from an old military friend who has some really disturbing news. It turns out there’s an awful lot more to the virus that’s been spreading around.
After ten years surviving through some of the worst humanity has to offer they’ve found a place for themselves in a walled settlement. It’s part of a larger community that they trade with. The only downside is the community at large is run by a psychopath called Austin Traeger. He rules absolute with a tendency towards bloodshed. When one of the residents causes a major incident during one of Traeger’s visits, Melody offers herself up as hostage in return for the continued safety of her community. Melody’s initial assessment of Traeger doesn’t hold up to scrutiny, what’s going on? She’s reluctant to let anyone other than Jonah and his new partner into her life, more so now that she has to leave Jonah behind
Traeger isn’t what he presents to the public, but he’ll do what he has to, to keep things running smoothly and keep people safe. The one thing he hadn’t planned for was Melody, she sees too much and he finds himself getting attached to her. He never cared what people thought about him until her.
A seriously good read with actual plot, humour, sarcasm and realistic characters. It’s easy to empathise with their stories. Now I’m going to check out everything else by this author.
I’ve read quite a few of this genre and this one easily slots in amongst the best of the best. Despite some minor spelling mistakes and only one snafu
It’s a post apocalyptic dystopian romance set in America, Melody Morales and her ride or die best friend Jonah share a house together. Their husbands were both in the same military unit and were both killed overseas on a mission. A phone call prompts a visit from an old military friend who has some really disturbing news. It turns out there’s an awful lot more to the virus that’s been spreading around.
After ten years surviving through some of the worst humanity has to offer they’ve found a place for themselves in a walled settlement. It’s part of a larger community that they trade with. The only downside is the community at large is run by a psychopath called Austin Traeger. He rules absolute with a tendency towards bloodshed. When one of the residents causes a major incident during one of Traeger’s visits, Melody offers herself up as hostage in return for the continued safety of her community. Melody’s initial assessment of Traeger doesn’t hold up to scrutiny, what’s going on? She’s reluctant to let anyone other than Jonah and his new partner into her life, more so now that she has to leave Jonah behind
Traeger isn’t what he presents to the public, but he’ll do what he has to, to keep things running smoothly and keep people safe. The one thing he hadn’t planned for was Melody, she sees too much and he finds himself getting attached to her. He never cared what people thought about him until her.
A seriously good read with actual plot, humour, sarcasm and realistic characters. It’s easy to empathise with their stories. Now I’m going to check out everything else by this author.
October 4, 2025
ARC read Official Release day is Oct 21st, 2025!
So this was my first experience with a Zombie Apocalypse Romance 😳 and honestly I was so here for it.
The banter between our FMC and MMC had me laughing out loud and getting looks from those around me but I didn't care I was really into this book. I felt my heart warming and getting that feeling of wanting to cheer on the characters in this book while reading.
You experience grief, loss, happiness, anger, and heartfelt moments throughout this book ... I even started asking my spouse what we would do in a zombie apocalypse just for fun because of this book. You can tell the author really enjoyed writing this book and having fun with it.
I gave only 4 stars because it was advertised as morally gray MMC and for me personally, he was more of a burnt cinnamon roll kinda guy. But hey "don't read anything into it". You'll get it once you read this book. Which you absolutely should do I was also reading CC S&B and honestly, I had more fun picking up Worth the Ruin.
The character development is great and MMC clearly falls first. The romance is a true slow burn with a lot of push and pull. Our FMC is a badass! Our side characters are so memorable and you can't not love them.
Definitely character-driven with limited world-building and but a great story and the spicy scenes are spicy!
⭐️ Rating: 4
🌶 Rating: 4
Started: 9/28/25
Finished: 10/3/25
Pages: 368
Format: ARC ebook 📲
So this was my first experience with a Zombie Apocalypse Romance 😳 and honestly I was so here for it.
The banter between our FMC and MMC had me laughing out loud and getting looks from those around me but I didn't care I was really into this book. I felt my heart warming and getting that feeling of wanting to cheer on the characters in this book while reading.
You experience grief, loss, happiness, anger, and heartfelt moments throughout this book ... I even started asking my spouse what we would do in a zombie apocalypse just for fun because of this book. You can tell the author really enjoyed writing this book and having fun with it.
I gave only 4 stars because it was advertised as morally gray MMC and for me personally, he was more of a burnt cinnamon roll kinda guy. But hey "don't read anything into it". You'll get it once you read this book. Which you absolutely should do I was also reading CC S&B and honestly, I had more fun picking up Worth the Ruin.
The character development is great and MMC clearly falls first. The romance is a true slow burn with a lot of push and pull. Our FMC is a badass! Our side characters are so memorable and you can't not love them.
Definitely character-driven with limited world-building and but a great story and the spicy scenes are spicy!
⭐️ Rating: 4
🌶 Rating: 4
Started: 9/28/25
Finished: 10/3/25
Pages: 368
Format: ARC ebook 📲
November 12, 2025
Could have been 4 stars, but…..
Some spoilers below.
Pros: Melody was a super strong cool female MC. Good plot, moves along, great side characters and lots of action.
Cons: a few typos
The male MC, Austin, sleeps with a bunch of women through about the first 1/2 the book. Super gross. Not a fan of this in my romance novels. This is a personal thing, so maybe it doesn’t bother everyone, but I found it so icky. He had an arrangement with a different girl in his bed every night of the week, and worst of all, Melody had to listen to their liaisons through her bedroom wall. And all I could think was STDs!!! This being the apocalypse and all. Anyway, made me totally not feel the romance and didn’t even want to read the scenes where Austin and Melody finally got together.
Finally, this author did one of my all time pet peeves and had Melody and other characters “rolling their eyes” almost on very page. Melody, a tough as nails, special forces, spy, etc… rolled her eyes more than my teenage daughter. Like this is the only facial expression the author cared to write. Most adults don’t act like this and it yanked me out of the story every time. There are so many other expressions to use—frowns and sighs, face rubs and scowls, blowing out cheeks in frustration, just to name a few.
I gave it 3 stars because I did read to the end, although I started skimming to get through it.
Some spoilers below.
Pros: Melody was a super strong cool female MC. Good plot, moves along, great side characters and lots of action.
Cons: a few typos
The male MC, Austin, sleeps with a bunch of women through about the first 1/2 the book. Super gross. Not a fan of this in my romance novels. This is a personal thing, so maybe it doesn’t bother everyone, but I found it so icky. He had an arrangement with a different girl in his bed every night of the week, and worst of all, Melody had to listen to their liaisons through her bedroom wall. And all I could think was STDs!!! This being the apocalypse and all. Anyway, made me totally not feel the romance and didn’t even want to read the scenes where Austin and Melody finally got together.
Finally, this author did one of my all time pet peeves and had Melody and other characters “rolling their eyes” almost on very page. Melody, a tough as nails, special forces, spy, etc… rolled her eyes more than my teenage daughter. Like this is the only facial expression the author cared to write. Most adults don’t act like this and it yanked me out of the story every time. There are so many other expressions to use—frowns and sighs, face rubs and scowls, blowing out cheeks in frustration, just to name a few.
I gave it 3 stars because I did read to the end, although I started skimming to get through it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2026
I wanted to like this book more than I did. First off it’s the slowest slow burn ever. You get to 75% before the MCs act on their obvious attraction. Then it’s chapter after chapter of smut as a reward for waiting, I guess? By that point it was so boring that I skimmed through to the end of the book.
I had a problem with the fact that they’re still living off the scraps of the old world a decade after the apocalypse. Gas would be degraded, electrical lines would need repairs, food would be rotted, and there’s only so much scavenging you can do for weapons and clothes before you need to figure out how to make stuff.
My biggest issue with this is none of the timelines implied in the story make sense, and it’s impossible to guess how old these people are. Mel and Jonah met because their dead spouses were besties 20 years ago. So she was married, had a kid, and survived a decade of the zombie apocalypse. So what point did she do CIA training and work as a spy overseas? How many years did that last? Let’s say she was trained right out of college, spent time in specialized weapons and hand-to-hand training to become the badass she is, then worked for a few years as a spy before getting married, meeting Jonah, having a kid, etc. She’s either 45-50 years old or a total Mary sue. She states at the end thst she can’t have kids. Is she post-menopausal? Is she supposed to be like Carol on TWD? Because Austin is clearly modeled after Negan.
I didn’t like the ending very well either. The explanations for why Traeger had to pretend to be a sociopath while secretly being a good guy didn’t hold water. There’s no explanation for why the bad guys tried to kill Mel and Traeger. It’s all just plot convenience. Add in the copious typos and it all just fell flat.
I had a problem with the fact that they’re still living off the scraps of the old world a decade after the apocalypse. Gas would be degraded, electrical lines would need repairs, food would be rotted, and there’s only so much scavenging you can do for weapons and clothes before you need to figure out how to make stuff.
My biggest issue with this is none of the timelines implied in the story make sense, and it’s impossible to guess how old these people are. Mel and Jonah met because their dead spouses were besties 20 years ago. So she was married, had a kid, and survived a decade of the zombie apocalypse. So what point did she do CIA training and work as a spy overseas? How many years did that last? Let’s say she was trained right out of college, spent time in specialized weapons and hand-to-hand training to become the badass she is, then worked for a few years as a spy before getting married, meeting Jonah, having a kid, etc. She’s either 45-50 years old or a total Mary sue. She states at the end thst she can’t have kids. Is she post-menopausal? Is she supposed to be like Carol on TWD? Because Austin is clearly modeled after Negan.
I didn’t like the ending very well either. The explanations for why Traeger had to pretend to be a sociopath while secretly being a good guy didn’t hold water. There’s no explanation for why the bad guys tried to kill Mel and Traeger. It’s all just plot convenience. Add in the copious typos and it all just fell flat.
October 8, 2025
I give this book 3.5/5 stars.
When I first started reading this it definitely was giving The Walking Dead vibes and I was kind of disappointed to be honest since there was so many similarities. I didn’t think it was going to be its own story. But that quickly changed. If you love a good romance with a small side of zombie then this book is for you! I will say, for a good chunk of the book I found the MFC annoying as she was she was being stubborn as heck for no good reason, but that also kind of played into an enemies to lovers trope. Although the enemies to lovers was one sided. The story overall didn’t really have much of a plot, rather it was more so geared towards a love story. Would have loved more zombie scenes. It also seemed like the author did rush through scenes/events. There are so many areas where we could have gotten more from the story but it just felt rushed. I kind of had to slow my reading to be like okay we’re shifting gears as we skim through some stuff then back to the present. I will say it is a pretty good love story and the sex scenes were pretty juicy too. So if you’re looking for more so of a romance novel with a little action then this book is perfect for you.
I got the honor to ARC read for K.D. Miller for an honest review. Thank you K.D. Miller for allowing me to be one of your ARC readers!
When I first started reading this it definitely was giving The Walking Dead vibes and I was kind of disappointed to be honest since there was so many similarities. I didn’t think it was going to be its own story. But that quickly changed. If you love a good romance with a small side of zombie then this book is for you! I will say, for a good chunk of the book I found the MFC annoying as she was she was being stubborn as heck for no good reason, but that also kind of played into an enemies to lovers trope. Although the enemies to lovers was one sided. The story overall didn’t really have much of a plot, rather it was more so geared towards a love story. Would have loved more zombie scenes. It also seemed like the author did rush through scenes/events. There are so many areas where we could have gotten more from the story but it just felt rushed. I kind of had to slow my reading to be like okay we’re shifting gears as we skim through some stuff then back to the present. I will say it is a pretty good love story and the sex scenes were pretty juicy too. So if you’re looking for more so of a romance novel with a little action then this book is perfect for you.
I got the honor to ARC read for K.D. Miller for an honest review. Thank you K.D. Miller for allowing me to be one of your ARC readers!
October 23, 2025
I was admittedly skeptical of a zombie apocalypse story, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Melody is a fierce FMC whose sarcasm and bluntness helped take the edge off of some of the darker themes dealt with in the book. Traeger (Austin) was a harder sell for me. I did eventually see some of the appeal, but Melody is the clear stand out in the relationship and story.
I read through this pretty quickly with all the various action scenes and events that took place. With all the obstacles, this would definitely fall more under the slower burn type romance. There is a part where it all looks like it's going to finally happen and then an event occurs that throw Melody back into the loathing feelings for Austin. This was one of the only times were she annoyed me with her response because, in my opinion, she completely overreacted. It all sorts out, but she took way too long to get over something so seemingly small.
Overall it was enjoyable and even someone who isn't big into Walking Dead type stories can appreciate this book.
I received an ARC of this story and am providing my honest review.
I read through this pretty quickly with all the various action scenes and events that took place. With all the obstacles, this would definitely fall more under the slower burn type romance. There is a part where it all looks like it's going to finally happen and then an event occurs that throw Melody back into the loathing feelings for Austin. This was one of the only times were she annoyed me with her response because, in my opinion, she completely overreacted. It all sorts out, but she took way too long to get over something so seemingly small.
Overall it was enjoyable and even someone who isn't big into Walking Dead type stories can appreciate this book.
I received an ARC of this story and am providing my honest review.
October 28, 2025
Amazing Apocalyptic Romance
This writer is completely new to me but I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more her work. Though there's a few editing errors here and there, this is an incredibly well written story taking place after the world has been overrun by zombies, or 'Blodies' as they're called here.
The story follows Mel (Melody), a tough as nails former covert agent, who's trying to live a somewhat safe life in a small community in the middle of the end of the world. Her best friend Jonah means everything to her, after she has lost both her husband and child, so she is incredibly protective when it comes to him. So much so that she offers herself up to the psycho in charge of the entire area when he threatens Jonah's life. Traeger is ruthless and rules with brutality and deathly consequences to everyone who dares stand in his way. But when he meets Mel, this stubborn woman who's caught his eyes, it might be more than even he can handle.
It is definitely an adventure from start to end in the style of the Walking Dead, only with more likable characters. It's steamy and heartbreaking but that's the best kind of entertainment IMO.
This writer is completely new to me but I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more her work. Though there's a few editing errors here and there, this is an incredibly well written story taking place after the world has been overrun by zombies, or 'Blodies' as they're called here.
The story follows Mel (Melody), a tough as nails former covert agent, who's trying to live a somewhat safe life in a small community in the middle of the end of the world. Her best friend Jonah means everything to her, after she has lost both her husband and child, so she is incredibly protective when it comes to him. So much so that she offers herself up to the psycho in charge of the entire area when he threatens Jonah's life. Traeger is ruthless and rules with brutality and deathly consequences to everyone who dares stand in his way. But when he meets Mel, this stubborn woman who's caught his eyes, it might be more than even he can handle.
It is definitely an adventure from start to end in the style of the Walking Dead, only with more likable characters. It's steamy and heartbreaking but that's the best kind of entertainment IMO.
September 24, 2025
I don’t even know where to begin, other than to say, you NEED to read this book. It was incredible!
If you loved TWD and Negan was your favourite morally grey MMC, then this story is going to be right up your alley.
This was actually my first zombie apocalypse book (I’m now hooked, I need more!), and I tore through it. The FMC is an absolute badass. She's no damsel in distress. She’ll save you instead, and I bloody love her. The MMC is morally grey. He would burn the world down for her, and he’s secretly a cinnamon roll (but only for her).
The “my wife ” moment? 🥵
The second he says, “where the f*ck is my wife?” You just know chaos and bloodshed is about to follow.
The romance is a slow burn with the spice coming later, but it never takes away from the story. And when the spice does hit? It delivers.
Do check the trigger warnings (there is mention of child loss and death), but honestly, this book is 100% worth it. I need it made into a TV series immediately. I did not want it to end!
Thank you to @kdmillerauthor for a copy of this ARC to read and review 💜
If you loved TWD and Negan was your favourite morally grey MMC, then this story is going to be right up your alley.
This was actually my first zombie apocalypse book (I’m now hooked, I need more!), and I tore through it. The FMC is an absolute badass. She's no damsel in distress. She’ll save you instead, and I bloody love her. The MMC is morally grey. He would burn the world down for her, and he’s secretly a cinnamon roll (but only for her).
The “my wife ” moment? 🥵
The second he says, “where the f*ck is my wife?” You just know chaos and bloodshed is about to follow.
The romance is a slow burn with the spice coming later, but it never takes away from the story. And when the spice does hit? It delivers.
Do check the trigger warnings (there is mention of child loss and death), but honestly, this book is 100% worth it. I need it made into a TV series immediately. I did not want it to end!
Thank you to @kdmillerauthor for a copy of this ARC to read and review 💜
October 3, 2025
"Austin Traeger is a ruthless, heartless, annoyingly likeable SOB." Just reading this from Melody's point of view in Chapter 1 made me want to keep reading and not put the book down.
It is a great combination of zombie apocalypse and slow burn romance. The book did not focus on the gore and violence. Rather, human relationships and feelings were the core. From the stubborn attitude of Melody to the secret persona of Austin, this book will make you want to keep reading until the very end. Melody is a total bad ass and I agree with K.D. that Austin has some Negan like qualities as the MMC.
The spice does not appear until later in the book, so if you are not into those scenes, you can always skip a few chapters and not miss out on the main message.
This is a good book for those who read a lot of zombie novels as well as those who are new to the genre. There is something for everyone to enjoy.
There are some triggers, so make sure you check on those before you start reading.
It is a great combination of zombie apocalypse and slow burn romance. The book did not focus on the gore and violence. Rather, human relationships and feelings were the core. From the stubborn attitude of Melody to the secret persona of Austin, this book will make you want to keep reading until the very end. Melody is a total bad ass and I agree with K.D. that Austin has some Negan like qualities as the MMC.
The spice does not appear until later in the book, so if you are not into those scenes, you can always skip a few chapters and not miss out on the main message.
This is a good book for those who read a lot of zombie novels as well as those who are new to the genre. There is something for everyone to enjoy.
There are some triggers, so make sure you check on those before you start reading.
December 5, 2025
“I love you as certain dark things are to be loved.”
⭐️ 3.5/5
This book drops you straight into zombies, snowstorms, abandoned towns, and a sniper heroine who has no patience for nonsense. Mel is the definition of a badass. Trauger is the kind of apocalypse leader who should terrify you and attract you at the same time (aka Negan), which is probably why I kept turning pages.
Their slow burn finally sparks during a snowstorm and it feels like the world stops falling apart for a minute. They talk, connect, and finally let down the walls they have been hiding behind for years. Watching them trust each other in a world that gives no one a reason to trust felt surprisingly sweet in a very broken way.
By the end I enjoyed the full experience. I wanted it to be a little darker in tone, which is probably just a personal preference. As someone who loves The Walking Dead, this scratched that same itch with its survival edge, emotional grit, and violent tenderness.
⭐️ 3.5/5
This book drops you straight into zombies, snowstorms, abandoned towns, and a sniper heroine who has no patience for nonsense. Mel is the definition of a badass. Trauger is the kind of apocalypse leader who should terrify you and attract you at the same time (aka Negan), which is probably why I kept turning pages.
Their slow burn finally sparks during a snowstorm and it feels like the world stops falling apart for a minute. They talk, connect, and finally let down the walls they have been hiding behind for years. Watching them trust each other in a world that gives no one a reason to trust felt surprisingly sweet in a very broken way.
By the end I enjoyed the full experience. I wanted it to be a little darker in tone, which is probably just a personal preference. As someone who loves The Walking Dead, this scratched that same itch with its survival edge, emotional grit, and violent tenderness.
October 13, 2025
5⭐️ Post-apocalyptic romance that surprised me in the best way
I don’t usually reach for zombie or post-apocalyptic stories (in fact, I avoid them typically🫣), but because I’ve loved K.D. Miller’s other books, I had to give this one a try — and I’m so glad I did.
The pop culture references sprinkled throughout were such a fun touch, and Melody’s inner monologue added the perfect mix of humor and heart. Austin’s morally grey but secretly cinnamon roll energy completely won me over, and the dual POV made their dynamic even better.
What I enjoyed: 🧟♀️ A zombie world that feels surprisingly fresh 💬 Subtle humor and great character voice ❤️ A morally grey MMC with hidden softness 👩❤️👨 Dual POV that really enhances the story ⚡️ Emotional moments that actually land
Even if you’re not into zombie stories, Worth the Ruin is worth picking up!
Thank you K.D. Miller for this early copy!
I don’t usually reach for zombie or post-apocalyptic stories (in fact, I avoid them typically🫣), but because I’ve loved K.D. Miller’s other books, I had to give this one a try — and I’m so glad I did.
The pop culture references sprinkled throughout were such a fun touch, and Melody’s inner monologue added the perfect mix of humor and heart. Austin’s morally grey but secretly cinnamon roll energy completely won me over, and the dual POV made their dynamic even better.
What I enjoyed: 🧟♀️ A zombie world that feels surprisingly fresh 💬 Subtle humor and great character voice ❤️ A morally grey MMC with hidden softness 👩❤️👨 Dual POV that really enhances the story ⚡️ Emotional moments that actually land
Even if you’re not into zombie stories, Worth the Ruin is worth picking up!
Thank you K.D. Miller for this early copy!
September 30, 2025
Format: ebook
Rating 4.25 ⭐️
Thought:
What a great fall read! I’ve been wanting to read something with zombies and this was a great book to scratch that itch. In this book you follow Mel and her journey in the apocalypse. We start off in the middle and get some background information on how she ended up in the community known as the cove. There is a notorious bad guy that she ends up having go back to his compound with. Life in the apocalypse is not always what it seems and as she truly gets to know Traeger Mel perception starts to stray.
Although zombies are a main focus of this book it does really touch on the reality of humanity and the lack there of one the world has gone to crap. Overall a great read and recommend reading this fall!
Rating 4.25 ⭐️
Thought:
What a great fall read! I’ve been wanting to read something with zombies and this was a great book to scratch that itch. In this book you follow Mel and her journey in the apocalypse. We start off in the middle and get some background information on how she ended up in the community known as the cove. There is a notorious bad guy that she ends up having go back to his compound with. Life in the apocalypse is not always what it seems and as she truly gets to know Traeger Mel perception starts to stray.
Although zombies are a main focus of this book it does really touch on the reality of humanity and the lack there of one the world has gone to crap. Overall a great read and recommend reading this fall!
October 16, 2025
I don't know what I expected but I had not anticipated such a heartwarming love story in an apocalypse. Melody is a strong, bad a$$ woman who knows how to shoot & is very loyal to her people. Austin is the guy who puts on a mean persona to get things done. But he's really just a yummy cinnamon roll with a soft center. Once these two get together, it's hot chemistry.
This is a great enemy to lovers (kinda) that turns into truly finding your soulmate in the midst of the apocalypse, it wasn't on their agenda, but it was special to watch these two understand each other and find love in the chaos that they live in. I love the island & the whole starting over for them and their loved ones.
This is a great enemy to lovers (kinda) that turns into truly finding your soulmate in the midst of the apocalypse, it wasn't on their agenda, but it was special to watch these two understand each other and find love in the chaos that they live in. I love the island & the whole starting over for them and their loved ones.
October 21, 2025
This book absolutely owned me — hands down my favorite read of 2025 and the perfect choice for the spooky season. It’s got everything I love: a fierce, badass female main character, a deliciously morally gray love interest you can’t help but fall for, and a story that keeps you hooked from page one.
Be prepared for all the emotions — you’ll be laughing one minute, then wiping away tears the next. K.D. Miller’s writing just keeps getting better, and this one hit every mark for me. I’ve read most of her books, and this one easily takes the top spot. I can’t stop thinking about it — it’s one of those rare stories that sticks with you long after you finish.
If you’re looking for your next emotionally chaotic, unforgettable read this Halloween season… this is the one.
Be prepared for all the emotions — you’ll be laughing one minute, then wiping away tears the next. K.D. Miller’s writing just keeps getting better, and this one hit every mark for me. I’ve read most of her books, and this one easily takes the top spot. I can’t stop thinking about it — it’s one of those rare stories that sticks with you long after you finish.
If you’re looking for your next emotionally chaotic, unforgettable read this Halloween season… this is the one.
January 25, 2026
As my first zombie apocalypse read, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Mel is a freaking powerhouse, and I love her. Around the mid-way mark, she did get frustrating. BUT considering her internal war of feeling if she allowed herself happiness, she was betraying the memories of the family she grieved, I get it.
Austin Traeger? Yes. Sir. That’s it. The man gets shit done and wears one hell of a mask to do it.
In the beginning, the similarities to Walking Dead had me questioning whether I was about to get a 400 page recap of the whole series or a new story—I was thankful when it took a turn.
The slow burn? Okay, YES. I love how I didn’t see that 50% mark on my kindle followed by “yep, there it is.” I kept wondering WHEN and LOVED the wait.
Now to check the authors backlist.
Mel is a freaking powerhouse, and I love her. Around the mid-way mark, she did get frustrating. BUT considering her internal war of feeling if she allowed herself happiness, she was betraying the memories of the family she grieved, I get it.
Austin Traeger? Yes. Sir. That’s it. The man gets shit done and wears one hell of a mask to do it.
In the beginning, the similarities to Walking Dead had me questioning whether I was about to get a 400 page recap of the whole series or a new story—I was thankful when it took a turn.
The slow burn? Okay, YES. I love how I didn’t see that 50% mark on my kindle followed by “yep, there it is.” I kept wondering WHEN and LOVED the wait.
Now to check the authors backlist.
September 19, 2025
I absolutely LOVED this book—I devoured it within hours and literally could not put it down. It was the perfect mix of enemies-to-lovers with a deliciously satisfying slow burn romance. Both the FMC and MMC were amazing, and I adored watching their relationship blossom.
This was actually my first zombie book, but it hooked me from the very beginning. The drama, the comedy, the horror, the sadness—it all balanced so well, making this one of my top reads of the year. Austin’s “touch her and you die” personality was top notch, and I loved that Mel wasn’t just another innocent damsel in distress. And let’s talk about those Snowmageddon spice scenes…absolute perfection.
This was actually my first zombie book, but it hooked me from the very beginning. The drama, the comedy, the horror, the sadness—it all balanced so well, making this one of my top reads of the year. Austin’s “touch her and you die” personality was top notch, and I loved that Mel wasn’t just another innocent damsel in distress. And let’s talk about those Snowmageddon spice scenes…absolute perfection.
October 1, 2025
Five stars!! Made me cry. I’ll give any book that makes me emotional 5 Stars! This book did just that!! Gabby broke my heart.
I had never read a zombie apocalypse book before and I’m glad this book introduced me to it. Strong FMC and morally grey MMC. Melody and Austin my favorite Day Zero couple.
Favorite Quote: “If there’s one thing, we both know, it’s that life is too f****** short, especially in this world. Every heartbeat is a gift and we don’t want to waste a single one.”
Thank you to K.D. Miller and her Team for letting me be an ARC reader for Worth the Ruin.
I had never read a zombie apocalypse book before and I’m glad this book introduced me to it. Strong FMC and morally grey MMC. Melody and Austin my favorite Day Zero couple.
Favorite Quote: “If there’s one thing, we both know, it’s that life is too f****** short, especially in this world. Every heartbeat is a gift and we don’t want to waste a single one.”
Thank you to K.D. Miller and her Team for letting me be an ARC reader for Worth the Ruin.
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