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Trade
When my husband replaces me with a younger model, I’m entered into the lottery and traded to an Outsider for fuel.
I expect a wasteland, but when the bunker doors open, I see green trees, blue skies, and him—a man half my age with a stone-cold face and a machete strapped to his thigh.
I’ll be lucky to escape him alive. That’s what we’ve been told all our lives.
And the people in charge wouldn’t lie to our faces us about everything.
Would they?
I expect a wasteland, but when the bunker doors open, I see green trees, blue skies, and him—a man half my age with a stone-cold face and a machete strapped to his thigh.
I’ll be lucky to escape him alive. That’s what we’ve been told all our lives.
And the people in charge wouldn’t lie to our faces us about everything.
Would they?
184 pages, ebook
Published October 7, 2025
30 people are currently reading
1287 people want to read
About the author
Cate C. Wells
28 books3,055 followersCATE C. WELLS writes gut-wrenching paranormal and contemporary romance. Whatever the world, readers can expect character-driven stories that are raw, real, and emotionally satisfying. Cate's into messy love, flaws, long roads to redemption, grace, and happy ever after, in fiction and in life.
As well as books, Cate has collected a husband, two daughters, and a cat along the way. She lives in Baltimore when she’s not out exploring with the family.
Want a heads up on new releases and bonus content? Sign up for Cate's newsletter at catecwells.com
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As well as books, Cate has collected a husband, two daughters, and a cat along the way. She lives in Baltimore when she’s not out exploring with the family.
Want a heads up on new releases and bonus content? Sign up for Cate's newsletter at catecwells.com
Facebook: @catecwells
IG: @authorcatecwells
TT: @authorcatecwells
Threads: @authorcatecwells
Bookbub: @catecwells
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
November 1, 2025
I loved the theme of women reclaiming their power and questioning the lies they’ve been fed.
The setup is fascinating. Generations after a catastrophic event, humanity survives in underground bunkers, trading women like currency to the supposedly monstrous “Outsiders” who rule a ruined wasteland.
When the heroine’s husband replaces her with someone younger, she’s sent beyond the gates, expecting death… only to discover that everything she’s been told was a lie.
The world felt grim and believable, though I did wish for a bit less time inside the bunker and more time in the open, seeing the world (and the romance) unfold between the leads. There is an on-page rape scene, handled in a way that fits the brutal logic of this world, but not sensationalized.
The hero absolutely stole my heart. Sixteen years younger, a virgin, and completely smitten, he’s such a sweetheart in this brutal world. The reverse age gap dynamic was refreshing, I only wish we’d had more time with them together after everything they’d survived.
Tropes/themes:
* Dystopian romance
* Reverse age gap
* Virgin hero
* Single POV (fmc)
* Power imbalances
* Non-con (on-page)
* HEA
* Fine as a standalone
Overall, a dark but hopeful post-apoc/dystopian romance that balances survival, vulnerability, and the power to see the truth. If the ending had a bit more with the couple, it would’ve been an easy five stars.
The setup is fascinating. Generations after a catastrophic event, humanity survives in underground bunkers, trading women like currency to the supposedly monstrous “Outsiders” who rule a ruined wasteland.
When the heroine’s husband replaces her with someone younger, she’s sent beyond the gates, expecting death… only to discover that everything she’s been told was a lie.
The world felt grim and believable, though I did wish for a bit less time inside the bunker and more time in the open, seeing the world (and the romance) unfold between the leads. There is an on-page rape scene, handled in a way that fits the brutal logic of this world, but not sensationalized.
The hero absolutely stole my heart. Sixteen years younger, a virgin, and completely smitten, he’s such a sweetheart in this brutal world. The reverse age gap dynamic was refreshing, I only wish we’d had more time with them together after everything they’d survived.
Tropes/themes:
* Dystopian romance
* Reverse age gap
* Virgin hero
* Single POV (fmc)
* Power imbalances
* Non-con (on-page)
* HEA
* Fine as a standalone
Overall, a dark but hopeful post-apoc/dystopian romance that balances survival, vulnerability, and the power to see the truth. If the ending had a bit more with the couple, it would’ve been an easy five stars.
October 17, 2025
The entire concept, as well as the way it was written, was amazing!
October 24, 2025
She gets betrayed by her husband & traded for supplies to a YOUNGER MAN who has never touched a woman 🌱✨💚 my favourite story in the series because I loved it when women stand up to patriarchy!
Gloria thinks she is safe in the bunker. Until her piece of shit husband leaves her for his secretary & now she’s being traded for supplies from the Outside *insert intense rage* She get’s bought by a young strapping lad with huge shoulders & hearts in his eyes 💚✨ Her rage at the injustice finally has her shedding the shackles of patriarchal bunker oppression & allowing herself to enjoy that Outsider D!
I absolutely FEENED over the Tarzan-Jane dynamic between Gloria and Dalton. Women are scarce in the Outside and when Dalton finally gets a chance to touch one he can’t get enough. He is infinitely respectful & grateful she would even talk to him. Dalton was a DREAM!!!
🌱 he can’t stop staring & THE LONGING is precious!
🌱 when he weaves her a crown of flowers so he can trade it in for her kisses
🌱 older fmc that likes to be in charge!
🌱 he calls her my Queen
FIGHT THE PATRIARCHY! The way this book made my blood boil with the disgusting bunker men especially her husband. I really enjoyed reading about the covert female friendships & struggle for power. Gloria goes from patriarchal oppression to being treated like the sun & the moon, she deserves everything!!
I devoured this and my only complaint was that the ending was wrapped up too fast.
dystopian
virgin mmc
older fmc
age gap
tw: non con
single POV
HEA
Gloria thinks she is safe in the bunker. Until her piece of shit husband leaves her for his secretary & now she’s being traded for supplies from the Outside *insert intense rage* She get’s bought by a young strapping lad with huge shoulders & hearts in his eyes 💚✨ Her rage at the injustice finally has her shedding the shackles of patriarchal bunker oppression & allowing herself to enjoy that Outsider D!
I absolutely FEENED over the Tarzan-Jane dynamic between Gloria and Dalton. Women are scarce in the Outside and when Dalton finally gets a chance to touch one he can’t get enough. He is infinitely respectful & grateful she would even talk to him. Dalton was a DREAM!!!
🌱 he can’t stop staring & THE LONGING is precious!
🌱 when he weaves her a crown of flowers so he can trade it in for her kisses
🌱 older fmc that likes to be in charge!
🌱 he calls her my Queen
FIGHT THE PATRIARCHY! The way this book made my blood boil with the disgusting bunker men especially her husband. I really enjoyed reading about the covert female friendships & struggle for power. Gloria goes from patriarchal oppression to being treated like the sun & the moon, she deserves everything!!
I devoured this and my only complaint was that the ending was wrapped up too fast.
dystopian
virgin mmc
older fmc
age gap
tw: non con
single POV
HEA
December 17, 2025
✦✧✦ Plot ✦✧✦
Picture the classic, dystopia-induced, minutely planned everyday life in a bunker, but at least you don't know how gloomy everything is right up until you do.
Overall Gloria lives a life she seems to be content with. As if broken out straight from John Greens mind, there is an abundance of women and assumably, also Katherines. Gloria, after all, is one of the few lucky women who've been chosen by a man. Married couples receive better treatment in this society that exceeds greatly over simply getting assigned a bigger, better apartment and status. Her husband recently had to keep increasing his working hours, coming home late, but.. you know where this is going, right? Gloria doesn't, until she does...eventually.
✼✼✼ Thoughts ✼✼✼
I don't even know where to start. First things first, the plot as described above does not tell you a lot, and while I surely could've worded it more luridly I would recommend going into this novella with little preparation, let me only tell you that there's a lot to unpack. I advice checking the trigger warnings, as heavily loaded topics occur throughout the story, not all of them were easy to stomach.
My struggle is real because I want to talk about so many impressions the story left me with whilst not escalating the frame of this review or being too spoiler-y, even though I try my best to mark those as such. I'll start with why this is one of the books I've talked about the most extensively and in the most detail to date.
I am a connoisseur of reading books that, while not being necessarily light-weight and feel-good all the time, at the end of the day (or book) leave me in a better or at least not worse mood than when i started them. I don't often go for too serious, heavy-loaded reads. I can assure you my mind very responsibly and independently makes sure to not neglect wandering those roads every once in a while.
It's interesting that Gloria isn't entirely naive while appearing painfully so in the beginning; she suspects domestic violence happening to other women, which makes her own, painful unawareness regarding her own husband and situation all the more potent. And Bennett does her dirty—the immense betrayal this man delivers should almost gain him an award.
What I liked and why I think most people should consider reading Trade:
I appreciated the unapologetic, blunt and grim depiction of the bunker society, its power dynamics, and the constant mistreatment, which was subtly shown through witnessing rather than explicit narration.
Early signs of cohesion among the women were subtle and situational, strengthening noticeably only toward the end, a progression that felt realistic to me. The handling of the male characters and their decision-making felt believable because it didn't feel one-dimensional; the world-building was dark but well-executed.
Seeing Gloria and her life fall apart was pure heartbreak. The moments witnessing her in that hurt, powerless, desperate situation, begging Bennett not to do this to her on several instances, hurt so much to witness.
The story benefited from the time it took to evolve. It was necessary to set the scene of this grim world, depict the society, and establish the stakes before Dalton, the MMC, even appeared on-page. This time was needed for Gloria’s character arc, and it allowed the reader to care about the betrayal and see how she adapted mentally. While I would have liked more time with them together, I’m not mad the author chose this pacing.
My initial impression of Dalton was that there was no way I could end up liking him. As it turned out his character was more complex than that. Him and Gloria experiencing a massive a clash of cultures and the resulting the turnaround in his character was palpable once his perspective shifted.
Above all, I loved following Gloria as she had to find beauty, meaning, and distraction in the little things when everything else was collapsing around her, demonstrating immense strength even in her darkest moments.
What I didn't like:
The sheer abundance of grown-up men born with functioning brains and the rare ability (or willingness) to actually use them to challenge the system.
✧✧✧ Read If ✧✧✧
Read this if you are prepared for a dark read and have checked the trigger warnings. The vibe you're going to get should be clear from the review, but you should definitely read it if you enjoy:
⛰️ Dystopia/ Post Apocalyptic
🌳 Power Imbalance
⛰️ Naive FMC
🌳 But also ass-kicking, strong FMC
⛰️ cohesion within a group
🌳 age gap
⛰️ virgin mmc
🌳 non-con (on page)
⛰️ HEA
October 11, 2025
Once again proving men ain’t SHIT and sometimes we just need a younger himbo
October 17, 2025
There's more relationship development and world building in this novella than in a lot of full length books I've read. Humans are living in a bunker after some kind of cataclysmic event. The Outside is supposed to be this nightmarish landscape field with zombie like humans. Women are used like currency in this bunker and are traded regularly with the zombie outsiders for fuel and other necessities. When the FMCs husband decides to dump her for a younger model, she gets thrown to the wolves so to speak. Except the outside is nothing like she's been told her whole life and the man that traded for her is hot af and the sweetest lil cinnamon roll that ever strapped a machete to his meaty thigh 🔥
This was short but so emotionally satisfying. I do wish it was full length because I am so curious about this world and want to know what happens after the third act events. Excellent pacing and story with some spice and adventure thrown in. My only major quibble is that it needed to be dual POV. I really wanted to know what Dalton was thinking
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
older woman/younger man
road trip
CW: mentions of r*pe, domestic violence and gory depictions of violence.
This was short but so emotionally satisfying. I do wish it was full length because I am so curious about this world and want to know what happens after the third act events. Excellent pacing and story with some spice and adventure thrown in. My only major quibble is that it needed to be dual POV. I really wanted to know what Dalton was thinking
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
older woman/younger man
road trip
CW: mentions of r*pe, domestic violence and gory depictions of violence.
October 23, 2025
fuck men because they ruin everything even in a dystopian world😒🙄 love me a clueless virgin hero tho🤭 overall an interesting read? idk
“Why are you always watching me?” I ask him as the fire crackles, the faint traces of rosemary, lavender, and cedar blending with the fresh scent of the gathering dew.
“I lived twenty-three years before I first saw you. You think I’m wasting a second now?”
“Why are you always watching me?” I ask him as the fire crackles, the faint traces of rosemary, lavender, and cedar blending with the fresh scent of the gathering dew.
“I lived twenty-three years before I first saw you. You think I’m wasting a second now?”
October 11, 2025
4.5 stars! Trade is part of the After the End collection (a multi-author kickstarter collection of 8 standalone, dystopian romance novellas). I had to jump into this one immediately since I really enjoy this author’s writing and this book did not disappoint! The tropes: dystopian romance, next man>ex man, age gap (older heroine, younger hero), virgin hero.
Gloria has lived in a bunker her whole life, it’s all she knows and she’s content enough with her husband of 20 years, her love for plants, and her job as Assistant Head of Agricultural Preservation. Until one day her life gets shaken up when she finds out her husband wants a divorce because he got someone half her age pregnant. Now Gloria is forced to move to the unmarried women’s dorms and is in the running for the lottery system. Basically unmarried women are forcibly handed over to men from the outside world to use them however they see fit for a predetermined time in exchange for goods for the bunker community. Of course it’s sold to the women as being “for the good of the community” and it’s toxic and poisonous and dangerous out there and all that usual nonsense. But as soon as Gloria is shoved out and meets Dalton, her whole world is turned upside down again. There are rules set in place for their encounter (including no talking) and it starts off forced but things take a turn and get fun once Dalton says F the rules and they start talking!
I loved seeing Gloria, who first was traded and used as a commodity by men in her community, take control and leverage herself to Dalton in exchange for things she wanted. And him down for the ride she wants to take him on. It was fun seeing them talk and the more they said, the more they learned and realized how wrong they both were about the other side of things. Plus we get some sprinklings of her teaching him (she’s 39, he’s 23 and a virgin), controlling the speed of their encounters, and some ‘good boy’ moments. If you like shows like Silo and Fallout (or the books and games those are based off), these bunker-set dystopians are so fun! I really enjoyed the turns this one took, the characters, and the ending was oh so satisfying (IYKYK).
*check CW for this one
Gloria has lived in a bunker her whole life, it’s all she knows and she’s content enough with her husband of 20 years, her love for plants, and her job as Assistant Head of Agricultural Preservation. Until one day her life gets shaken up when she finds out her husband wants a divorce because he got someone half her age pregnant. Now Gloria is forced to move to the unmarried women’s dorms and is in the running for the lottery system. Basically unmarried women are forcibly handed over to men from the outside world to use them however they see fit for a predetermined time in exchange for goods for the bunker community. Of course it’s sold to the women as being “for the good of the community” and it’s toxic and poisonous and dangerous out there and all that usual nonsense. But as soon as Gloria is shoved out and meets Dalton, her whole world is turned upside down again. There are rules set in place for their encounter (including no talking) and it starts off forced but things take a turn and get fun once Dalton says F the rules and they start talking!
I loved seeing Gloria, who first was traded and used as a commodity by men in her community, take control and leverage herself to Dalton in exchange for things she wanted. And him down for the ride she wants to take him on. It was fun seeing them talk and the more they said, the more they learned and realized how wrong they both were about the other side of things. Plus we get some sprinklings of her teaching him (she’s 39, he’s 23 and a virgin), controlling the speed of their encounters, and some ‘good boy’ moments. If you like shows like Silo and Fallout (or the books and games those are based off), these bunker-set dystopians are so fun! I really enjoyed the turns this one took, the characters, and the ending was oh so satisfying (IYKYK).
*check CW for this one
January 5, 2026
3.5 stars
hey this one was actually good! the only one out of the entire collection I'd actually recommend! (First was good too, but not everybody likes omegaverse so...)
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
After the End collection:
⤹ first by ali hazelwood °‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡ [2.5 ⭐]
⤹ bait by adriana herrera .𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪⚝₊ ⊹˚ [1 ⭐] dnf
⤹ skyn by nikki payne ‧₊˚✧🪩✧˚₊‧ [2.5 ⭐]
⤹ m.a.y.a. by nina saxena ˙✧˖°🐺 ༘ ⋆｡˚ [0.5 ⭐]
⤹ brood by claire kent . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. [1 ⭐]
⤹ taken by elizabeth stephens .𖥔 ݁ ˖ ϟ ⚡︎ ϟ ˖ ݁ 𖥔. [0.5 ⭐] dnf
⤹ trade by cate c. wells [3.5 ⭐]
⤹ prima by sherry thomas ⊹ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ˖ [2 ⭐]
hey this one was actually good! the only one out of the entire collection I'd actually recommend! (First was good too, but not everybody likes omegaverse so...)
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
After the End collection:
⤹ first by ali hazelwood °‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡ [2.5 ⭐]
⤹ bait by adriana herrera .𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪⚝₊ ⊹˚ [1 ⭐] dnf
⤹ skyn by nikki payne ‧₊˚✧🪩✧˚₊‧ [2.5 ⭐]
⤹ m.a.y.a. by nina saxena ˙✧˖°🐺 ༘ ⋆｡˚ [0.5 ⭐]
⤹ brood by claire kent . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. [1 ⭐]
⤹ taken by elizabeth stephens .𖥔 ݁ ˖ ϟ ⚡︎ ϟ ˖ ݁ 𖥔. [0.5 ⭐] dnf
⤹ trade by cate c. wells [3.5 ⭐]
⤹ prima by sherry thomas ⊹ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ˖ [2 ⭐]
October 30, 2025
oh thank god that at least one book in this series is actually good!!!
Irene was right 🤭
Dalton (https://media.tenor.com/9F5Q1E6K9SkAA...) 🤭🤭
Irene was right 🤭
Dalton (https://media.tenor.com/9F5Q1E6K9SkAA...) 🤭🤭
October 22, 2025
well yeah!!!!!!
safety,
v mmc, reverse age gap 23 to 39, husband cheats on her and puts her out so she is in this rigged lottery to be traded with outsider to do what he pleases he doesn't know she didn't want to so only non con in the first time.
safety,
v mmc, reverse age gap 23 to 39, husband cheats on her and puts her out so she is in this rigged lottery to be traded with outsider to do what he pleases he doesn't know she didn't want to so only non con in the first time.
October 22, 2025
“Trade” by Cate C. Wells
5⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶
“We’re so valuable that we’re currency. We’re so worthless, we can be chucked outside. The men cannot make up their minds what we are.”
Holy shit, Cate C. Wells does it again. She is so dang talented when it comes to capturing the visceral emotions her characters go through.
“Trade” is the second book I’ve read in the After the End dystopian romance collection, and it takes place in a bunker. Unlike the Claire Kent story “Brood”, this bunker is hidden under a mountain, and is crude in its construction. You can practically smell the stale air, see the darkness these characters live through on a daily basis, and feel the grime from the rudimentary pathways carved between rooms.
Gloria is pushing forty and works a mid-level job in the bunker handling agricultural preservation. One morning she’s working her job like any other day, and by the afternoon everything has changed: her husband of twenty years asks for a divorce, forcing her to enter the bunker lottery. The lottery is somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it requires all single women to participate. If they’re drawn they must leave the bunker and trade their body for supplies from the outsiders. When Gloria’s name is drawn, she leaves and follows the directions given to her. She offers her body to the young man waiting outside the bunker. However, this young man, Dalton, sparks a new interest in what life could be like, that there’s more than what the bunker leaders are telling everyone.
This story is remarkably dark, with non-con and assault. I don’t think there are any content warnings given before these stories, but it’s really important readers understand that there is a scene with non-con. It’s not ambiguous, there’s no body betrayal, it’s very clearly non-con. However, the MMC does not realize the FMC has not consented, and regrets his actions because of this.
One aspect I really enjoyed about the story was the focus on nature. Living in the bunker, Gloria’s first-hand knowledge of plants and trees is very limited. She’s well read, having devoured all books she can get her hands on that talk about various trees and plant life. When she experiences the outside for the first time, she’s so awe-struck, and I just loved how Cate C. Wells wrote about those moments. You could really feel the emotions Gloria is going through, having finally seen the nature she’s read about. She never thought she would have these moments, and because she’s so attracted and attached to nature, it bolsters her decision to ultimately leave the bunker.
I couldn’t believe how much plot was covered in such a short story, but that just shows how talented of a writer Cate C. Wells is.
5⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶
“We’re so valuable that we’re currency. We’re so worthless, we can be chucked outside. The men cannot make up their minds what we are.”
Holy shit, Cate C. Wells does it again. She is so dang talented when it comes to capturing the visceral emotions her characters go through.
“Trade” is the second book I’ve read in the After the End dystopian romance collection, and it takes place in a bunker. Unlike the Claire Kent story “Brood”, this bunker is hidden under a mountain, and is crude in its construction. You can practically smell the stale air, see the darkness these characters live through on a daily basis, and feel the grime from the rudimentary pathways carved between rooms.
Gloria is pushing forty and works a mid-level job in the bunker handling agricultural preservation. One morning she’s working her job like any other day, and by the afternoon everything has changed: her husband of twenty years asks for a divorce, forcing her to enter the bunker lottery. The lottery is somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it requires all single women to participate. If they’re drawn they must leave the bunker and trade their body for supplies from the outsiders. When Gloria’s name is drawn, she leaves and follows the directions given to her. She offers her body to the young man waiting outside the bunker. However, this young man, Dalton, sparks a new interest in what life could be like, that there’s more than what the bunker leaders are telling everyone.
This story is remarkably dark, with non-con and assault. I don’t think there are any content warnings given before these stories, but it’s really important readers understand that there is a scene with non-con. It’s not ambiguous, there’s no body betrayal, it’s very clearly non-con. However, the MMC does not realize the FMC has not consented, and regrets his actions because of this.
One aspect I really enjoyed about the story was the focus on nature. Living in the bunker, Gloria’s first-hand knowledge of plants and trees is very limited. She’s well read, having devoured all books she can get her hands on that talk about various trees and plant life. When she experiences the outside for the first time, she’s so awe-struck, and I just loved how Cate C. Wells wrote about those moments. You could really feel the emotions Gloria is going through, having finally seen the nature she’s read about. She never thought she would have these moments, and because she’s so attracted and attached to nature, it bolsters her decision to ultimately leave the bunker.
I couldn’t believe how much plot was covered in such a short story, but that just shows how talented of a writer Cate C. Wells is.
January 3, 2026
Це саме той постапокаліпс в який можна повірити. Людство живе в бункері з чіткою ієрархією, вони впевнені, що на поверхні нічого живого немає, тому всі працюють для збереження бункера і інколи доводиться йти на жертви ...
November 6, 2025
This was very satisfying. That ending filled me with so much joy. I didn’t think I was gonna like it. But oh boy, I did. So much. It made me sick to my stomach with rage (for piece of shit Bennet and company) and worry (for Gloria, and later for the wonderfully complex female characters).
I loved that in the end every single question I had was answered. It didn’t read like a novella to me. I got what I bargained for and more. I loved the writing style of the author, how she introduced the lottery without really telling us what it is, how the characters were developed, how they were very flawed but oh so human, how the story unfolded, everything, I liked every single thing about this book. Wow.
I couldn’t concentrate doing anything else until I finished this book. I just couldn’t get enough. Definitely will be reading more from Cate C. Wells. I can’t recommend this book enough.
And remember kids, if you think ‘the government wouldn’t do that’ oh yes they would.
I loved that in the end every single question I had was answered. It didn’t read like a novella to me. I got what I bargained for and more. I loved the writing style of the author, how she introduced the lottery without really telling us what it is, how the characters were developed, how they were very flawed but oh so human, how the story unfolded, everything, I liked every single thing about this book. Wow.
I couldn’t concentrate doing anything else until I finished this book. I just couldn’t get enough. Definitely will be reading more from Cate C. Wells. I can’t recommend this book enough.
And remember kids, if you think ‘the government wouldn’t do that’ oh yes they would.
October 25, 2025
Loved this one and an older h with a much younger H was a nice change!! I wish we'd gotten more at the very end but it was pretty cool to get a tiny glimpse of another couple from another book in this series.
December 27, 2025
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. The author was soooo good at portraying dark feelings and emotions. I actually felt my stomach clenching. I honestly also loved the fact the FMC was the older than the MMC making this a slight age gap. it was the first time I have ever read a story with such unique backgrounds... I would love be for this world to be expanded upon... I just want more and that is what makes this a good story in my opinion.
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November 15, 2025
3.25 stars
MEN AIN’T SHIT. Omg. The premise/opening of this is so fucking upsetting and just really cements that men ain’t shit. How are you married to this woman for decades, doing domestic, intimate shit with her in the days leading up, saying you love her and then from one day to the next you admit you’ve cheated and want a divorce. Not only that but the 18 year old he cheated with is pregnant. And not only that but in this fucked up world being an unmarried woman means entering a lottery to get sent outside of the “safe” bunker to be raped and possibly murdered by “Outsiders”. This MAN, her HUSBAND, of over TWO DECADES, sentenced her to that without any real regret or second thoughts or care. They were friends first and foremost. The most fucked up thing is the reality of this situation (minus the apocalyptic trading situation) that men can just lie so fucking easily to your face, that their love can be so fickle, man. It upset me lol. And not just her husband but her dead dad’s friends, people who watched her grow up, friends, had no compunction about sentencing her to this either. Sick. So anyway…on to the review.
I liked that and it seems to be set in the same world as Brood by Claire Kent, another novella in this series that also took place in an underground bunker. So that was really interesting even though we don’t meet any characters from that novella.
The reason it didn’t get higher stars is that I liked the romance a little less than Brood for example. I just didn’t believe their attraction to each other, he’s the most beautiful man in the world, young and hot, but never talked to a woman before let alone touched one. So this insanely hot 23 year old is obsessed with a 39 year old who by all accounts is an old saggy butch looking lady. I’m sorry but the cover of this novella? I thought this was an MM romance💀 Why does she have to have such short hair. Idk I just can’t picture his attraction to her other than that he’s her only option. And after how her 20+ year marriage just dissolved I find it hard to believe this man wouldn’t also trade up if given the option. They’ve known each other for like 3 days and again are magically in love but I don’t believe it. For him: first and only woman he’s ever touched. For her: high off being outside for the first time.
This was a novella so we skip over world building questions mainly but I also don’t understand why if fertility is low in the bunker there would be an issue with the number of women “outside”. I don’t get why Dalton made the trade for her, one time, rather than a farm or whatever he could’ve gotten. It makes no sense! Im sorry. Because apparently with a farm, comes access to women so I just don’t get it. Also his “trade”…I don’t believe he didn’t know those women don’t want to have sex. Nothing about Glory’s actions said she wanted to do that. The way she was shoved out, the rules, what would a woman do with 100 barrels of oil in this society? Obviously it’s not all hers. I just don’t believe he didn’t know she wasn’t into it and that he was raping her and then he kept doing it…”trading”.
So yeah this novella was interesting but the romance part, my biggest draw, was a bit of a let down for a couple reasons. They were still kinda cute but I just didn’t feel their connection and with the set up of the novella I’m really not believing in the longevity of love atm lol. I’m also not sure what’s going down with the bunker/how the end is really gonna work out but again NOVELLA, so world building not as important… I think this will be the last story I read from this series. I’m not familiar with the other authors/interested in the stories they wrote based on blurbs and reviews so this is the end of my journey I think, but it was fun! Didn’t love them all but I do love authors coming together and writing short stories/novellas for a theme ☺️
MEN AIN’T SHIT. Omg. The premise/opening of this is so fucking upsetting and just really cements that men ain’t shit. How are you married to this woman for decades, doing domestic, intimate shit with her in the days leading up, saying you love her and then from one day to the next you admit you’ve cheated and want a divorce. Not only that but the 18 year old he cheated with is pregnant. And not only that but in this fucked up world being an unmarried woman means entering a lottery to get sent outside of the “safe” bunker to be raped and possibly murdered by “Outsiders”. This MAN, her HUSBAND, of over TWO DECADES, sentenced her to that without any real regret or second thoughts or care. They were friends first and foremost. The most fucked up thing is the reality of this situation (minus the apocalyptic trading situation) that men can just lie so fucking easily to your face, that their love can be so fickle, man. It upset me lol. And not just her husband but her dead dad’s friends, people who watched her grow up, friends, had no compunction about sentencing her to this either. Sick. So anyway…on to the review.
I liked that and it seems to be set in the same world as Brood by Claire Kent, another novella in this series that also took place in an underground bunker. So that was really interesting even though we don’t meet any characters from that novella.
The reason it didn’t get higher stars is that I liked the romance a little less than Brood for example. I just didn’t believe their attraction to each other, he’s the most beautiful man in the world, young and hot, but never talked to a woman before let alone touched one. So this insanely hot 23 year old is obsessed with a 39 year old who by all accounts is an old saggy butch looking lady. I’m sorry but the cover of this novella? I thought this was an MM romance💀 Why does she have to have such short hair. Idk I just can’t picture his attraction to her other than that he’s her only option. And after how her 20+ year marriage just dissolved I find it hard to believe this man wouldn’t also trade up if given the option. They’ve known each other for like 3 days and again are magically in love but I don’t believe it. For him: first and only woman he’s ever touched. For her: high off being outside for the first time.
This was a novella so we skip over world building questions mainly but I also don’t understand why if fertility is low in the bunker there would be an issue with the number of women “outside”. I don’t get why Dalton made the trade for her, one time, rather than a farm or whatever he could’ve gotten. It makes no sense! Im sorry. Because apparently with a farm, comes access to women so I just don’t get it. Also his “trade”…I don’t believe he didn’t know those women don’t want to have sex. Nothing about Glory’s actions said she wanted to do that. The way she was shoved out, the rules, what would a woman do with 100 barrels of oil in this society? Obviously it’s not all hers. I just don’t believe he didn’t know she wasn’t into it and that he was raping her and then he kept doing it…”trading”.
So yeah this novella was interesting but the romance part, my biggest draw, was a bit of a let down for a couple reasons. They were still kinda cute but I just didn’t feel their connection and with the set up of the novella I’m really not believing in the longevity of love atm lol. I’m also not sure what’s going down with the bunker/how the end is really gonna work out but again NOVELLA, so world building not as important… I think this will be the last story I read from this series. I’m not familiar with the other authors/interested in the stories they wrote based on blurbs and reviews so this is the end of my journey I think, but it was fun! Didn’t love them all but I do love authors coming together and writing short stories/novellas for a theme ☺️
October 18, 2025
I felt deeply uncomfortable the entire time I read this. The FMC was raped by the love interest and everything was swept under the rug immediately after.
October 9, 2025
Wow okay, quite an impact for such a short story. Sometimes when I read CCW I’m so utterly broken down by the gender roles presented in them. She always presents them as BAD but they are so normalized and accepted it gets a little disheartening.
But this book ? Wow. Same bad gender roles but the catharsis. Sometimes at the end of a 5 Packs book it still feels hopeless, like okay? The weirdos who want to live in a cave are capable of treating women with respect. This story delivers what I’m always wanting from her books at the end. So good. I love the FMC and the MMC but I really also loved the side characters. They felt so whole and real and developed which, once again, SHOCKING for such a short story.
This story is right there with Run Posy Run and The Tyrant Alpha for me, required reading for the CCW universe. (Then read Against A Wall, Plum, Nicky the Driver, Scrap and The Ravaged Wolf) this was truly so good, worth the $$ for the kickstarter alone.
But this book ? Wow. Same bad gender roles but the catharsis. Sometimes at the end of a 5 Packs book it still feels hopeless, like okay? The weirdos who want to live in a cave are capable of treating women with respect. This story delivers what I’m always wanting from her books at the end. So good. I love the FMC and the MMC but I really also loved the side characters. They felt so whole and real and developed which, once again, SHOCKING for such a short story.
This story is right there with Run Posy Run and The Tyrant Alpha for me, required reading for the CCW universe. (Then read Against A Wall, Plum, Nicky the Driver, Scrap and The Ravaged Wolf) this was truly so good, worth the $$ for the kickstarter alone.
October 20, 2025
5⭐️ wow this was so good, it felt like a 500 page book wrapped up in a novella package. And I am once again begging, please read the trigger warnings if you are sensitive!
November 5, 2025
damn ain’t no one wanna take this preorder off my hands 😭
December 8, 2025
i just love narratives in which women absolutely brutalize their abusers
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Audio: i stand by my statement. the explicit scenes are a bit goofy. but this was still fun
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Audio: i stand by my statement. the explicit scenes are a bit goofy. but this was still fun
October 11, 2025
I need a whole 5 books series about this world. Give me Cecily, give me Gina, I want all their stories.
January 12, 2026
3.5*
Wow, love this fmc!
She is strong, relatable and real despite the post-apo setting.
The om is the standard pissy, wimpy insecure beta who betray just because they can.
The mmc is wow!
The nasty ppl get their due.
The oppressed are finally free thanks to the fmc's courageous and resolute actions.
what's not to like?
The age gap though distracted me as I always want a hea - for few decades at least...so!
Wow, love this fmc!
She is strong, relatable and real despite the post-apo setting.
The om is the standard pissy, wimpy insecure beta who betray just because they can.
The mmc is wow!
The nasty ppl get their due.
The oppressed are finally free thanks to the fmc's courageous and resolute actions.
what's not to like?
The age gap though distracted me as I always want a hea - for few decades at least...so!
October 14, 2025
Bleak as hell but a somewhat hopeful/happy ending. I backed the kickstarter mostly cos I wanted to support authors coming together and doing something interesting. I don’t care for dystopian fiction, but I figured I should read what I paid for.
Gloria kicks ass. Bennett sucks in a very realistic way. Dalton doesn’t really have a personality but in a good way.
Gloria kicks ass. Bennett sucks in a very realistic way. Dalton doesn’t really have a personality but in a good way.
October 17, 2025
Perfection, what else could I say. The synopsis had me excited to read this book and it delivered. This was the first time all year, I’ve read a book in one sitting. The first time all year, I’ve stayed up late to keep reading because i didn’t want to put it down.
While this was a novella/short story l, it still felt like a full length novel in how the story progressed and concluded. I do wish it was either longer or a series though.
It’s definitely a 5 ⭐️ read for me.
While this was a novella/short story l, it still felt like a full length novel in how the story progressed and concluded. I do wish it was either longer or a series though.
It’s definitely a 5 ⭐️ read for me.
November 8, 2025
2.5/5⭐️
it was confusingly disturbing at first but i like how the whole story played out later. it’s quite a good one, though.
it was confusingly disturbing at first but i like how the whole story played out later. it’s quite a good one, though.
Want to read
February 4, 2026Can anyone tell me where I can find this please?
October 13, 2025
Ok so I’ve decided to rate these based on the fact they are novellas rather than thinking of them as books because the main issue I have with them is I want more!
This one made me so angry at the situation and I couldn’t wait for some revenge. I also loved that the FMC is older as most of the books I’ve read recently seem to focus only on 18 year olds.
I haven’t read this author before but definitely want to read more from them now.
This one made me so angry at the situation and I couldn’t wait for some revenge. I also loved that the FMC is older as most of the books I’ve read recently seem to focus only on 18 year olds.
I haven’t read this author before but definitely want to read more from them now.
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