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Mutiny
A novice bowhunter, Jade Terrel followed her boyfriend Nick to a semi-remote island off northern Lake Michigan’s beautiful coastline for what was supposed to have been an extraordinary whitetail hunting trip. But, in one night, everything changes as
all communication with the mainland mysteriously severs,
leaving behind an ominous orange glow on the horizon.
Seven months later, Jade is managing--surviving--with her tribe of campers of Forest Dwellers Resort; the campground they’d been lodging that fateful night the mainland went quiet.
Now fiancés, Jade and Nick, and the fellow Dwellers, have banded together to create a new rhythm of life: Jade and Nick hunt for sustenance, others raid the island for resources, and everyone chips in and takes care of each other.
Until...
After going out for a solo hunt, Nick never returns.
The Dwellers are convinced he’s succumbed to the elements.
Or worse, has been picked off by either the ruthless convicts who’ve escaped the island’s prison or the rogue tactical fighters from the military academy at war with them in the north.
Jade’s not convinced her fiancé is dead at all.
Nick is alive.
And she’s going to find him. Now matter what gets in her way.
Even if it’s her own heart.
all communication with the mainland mysteriously severs,
leaving behind an ominous orange glow on the horizon.
Seven months later, Jade is managing--surviving--with her tribe of campers of Forest Dwellers Resort; the campground they’d been lodging that fateful night the mainland went quiet.
Now fiancés, Jade and Nick, and the fellow Dwellers, have banded together to create a new rhythm of life: Jade and Nick hunt for sustenance, others raid the island for resources, and everyone chips in and takes care of each other.
Until...
After going out for a solo hunt, Nick never returns.
The Dwellers are convinced he’s succumbed to the elements.
Or worse, has been picked off by either the ruthless convicts who’ve escaped the island’s prison or the rogue tactical fighters from the military academy at war with them in the north.
Jade’s not convinced her fiancé is dead at all.
Nick is alive.
And she’s going to find him. Now matter what gets in her way.
Even if it’s her own heart.
395 pages, Paperback
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
Calley Clover
4 books8 followersStoryteller of all things but always with a romance twist. Lover of flawed characters, complex situations, coffee, beeswax candles, and life on the farm.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 17, 2026
5-freaking-fantastic ⭐️!!! Some books linger, burrow under your skin and force you to wallow in the feelings, demand you dig deeper, sit with it longer, and give a piece of yourself in the process. Some books forever alter your brain chemistry, chew you up and spit you back out, make you thankful after the last page that you get to return to your peaceful, "normal" version of reality, all the while leaving you more aware than ever of how easily peace can be shattered, how relative normal is.
Mutiny is this kind of book.
This first-person, single POV story follows Jade, a novice bow hunter who finds herself trapped on an island after the collapse of modern society, desperate to be reunited with her missing fiance but getting caught in the crosshairs of a turf war between rogue soliders at a military base and convicts from a prison riot.
And though the description alone should be enough to convince you that you're in for a wild ride, this book is SO much more than that.
Jade lived a relatively normal life herself up until the collapse, and from her eyes, you'll witness what society has been reduced to: violence, control, moral ambiguity, trauma, depravity, a place where learning how to survive is a letting go of your humanity and your identity. We take this journey with Jade as she clings to the belief in a just and fair society and a world where people care about the well-being of others - only to come to the slow conclusion that this world no longer exists.
In this new world, it's kill or be killed (or something worse), and the reader will join Jade on a rollercoaster of emotions as she slowly adapts to the new normal and is forced into situations that leave her spiraling into depravity as well.
The other characters of this story whom she finds herself begrudgingly aligned with at a military academy are rich in personality, and the comraderie she forms with her "baddie besties," a small group of female soliders, as they begin to accept her into their "family," is believable and relatable, and their antics occasionally offer a welcome bit of lightness to the otherwise brutal setting.
One fascinating aspect of this book is that there are few characters whose real names are shared with the reader. Instead, most go by something like a military call sign, with their nicknames describing traits about themselves they've come to be known by during this chaotic time period (many of which, speak to their own acts of violence). Since true names hold power, this feels like another loss of identity - of being reduced to a descriptor instead of that which has made you uniquely you.
But the real meat of this story lies in the shared sense of belonging that begins to form between Jade and her superior, Landmine, as she clings to the memory of her lost love and a commendable though blind loyalty that slowly unravels.
Landmine is quietly dangerous and alluring. With a traumatic past, he is a true morally gray character who kills frequently without remorse, especially if it means protecting those he cares for. Forced into close proximity, Jade and Landmine move from reluctant allies, to friends, to something that still doesn't quite fit into a definition by the end of the book, but it is intense, sincere, and almost feels a bit tragic.
A lot of books claim to be a "slow burn" romance while not really living up to the hype. But THIS... THIS IS HOW YOU DO A SLOW BURN, MY FRIENDS!!! Thank you, thank you to the author for giving this connection between these two the time it deserved to feel believable, raw and REAL!
It's been a long time since I've felt such a powerful attachment to two characters like I do for Jade and Landmine - something similar to the way I felt years ago for Katniss and Peta in Mockingjay, praying for a happy ending for them despite knowing they were damaged beyond repair. Or for the characters in The Last of Us (minus the infected), clinging to their humanity and searching for a slice of normalcy amidst a world descending into lawlessness.
Mutiny is post-apocolyptic, dystopian romance done right. This book will leave you questioning who you might become in a similar situation or what (or who) you'd be willing to give up in the name of survival. If you enjoy books with a military-esque setting reminiscent of Silver Elite but with the traumatic shock factor and deep character study of The Last of Us plus a romance subplot, you'll probably feel moved - either to cry, rage or contemplate - by this book.
Thank you to the author for sharing an advanced reader copy of this book with me. This review is my honest opinion, and I'm leaving it voluntarily.
Mutiny is this kind of book.
This first-person, single POV story follows Jade, a novice bow hunter who finds herself trapped on an island after the collapse of modern society, desperate to be reunited with her missing fiance but getting caught in the crosshairs of a turf war between rogue soliders at a military base and convicts from a prison riot.
And though the description alone should be enough to convince you that you're in for a wild ride, this book is SO much more than that.
Jade lived a relatively normal life herself up until the collapse, and from her eyes, you'll witness what society has been reduced to: violence, control, moral ambiguity, trauma, depravity, a place where learning how to survive is a letting go of your humanity and your identity. We take this journey with Jade as she clings to the belief in a just and fair society and a world where people care about the well-being of others - only to come to the slow conclusion that this world no longer exists.
In this new world, it's kill or be killed (or something worse), and the reader will join Jade on a rollercoaster of emotions as she slowly adapts to the new normal and is forced into situations that leave her spiraling into depravity as well.
The other characters of this story whom she finds herself begrudgingly aligned with at a military academy are rich in personality, and the comraderie she forms with her "baddie besties," a small group of female soliders, as they begin to accept her into their "family," is believable and relatable, and their antics occasionally offer a welcome bit of lightness to the otherwise brutal setting.
One fascinating aspect of this book is that there are few characters whose real names are shared with the reader. Instead, most go by something like a military call sign, with their nicknames describing traits about themselves they've come to be known by during this chaotic time period (many of which, speak to their own acts of violence). Since true names hold power, this feels like another loss of identity - of being reduced to a descriptor instead of that which has made you uniquely you.
But the real meat of this story lies in the shared sense of belonging that begins to form between Jade and her superior, Landmine, as she clings to the memory of her lost love and a commendable though blind loyalty that slowly unravels.
Landmine is quietly dangerous and alluring. With a traumatic past, he is a true morally gray character who kills frequently without remorse, especially if it means protecting those he cares for. Forced into close proximity, Jade and Landmine move from reluctant allies, to friends, to something that still doesn't quite fit into a definition by the end of the book, but it is intense, sincere, and almost feels a bit tragic.
A lot of books claim to be a "slow burn" romance while not really living up to the hype. But THIS... THIS IS HOW YOU DO A SLOW BURN, MY FRIENDS!!! Thank you, thank you to the author for giving this connection between these two the time it deserved to feel believable, raw and REAL!
It's been a long time since I've felt such a powerful attachment to two characters like I do for Jade and Landmine - something similar to the way I felt years ago for Katniss and Peta in Mockingjay, praying for a happy ending for them despite knowing they were damaged beyond repair. Or for the characters in The Last of Us (minus the infected), clinging to their humanity and searching for a slice of normalcy amidst a world descending into lawlessness.
Mutiny is post-apocolyptic, dystopian romance done right. This book will leave you questioning who you might become in a similar situation or what (or who) you'd be willing to give up in the name of survival. If you enjoy books with a military-esque setting reminiscent of Silver Elite but with the traumatic shock factor and deep character study of The Last of Us plus a romance subplot, you'll probably feel moved - either to cry, rage or contemplate - by this book.
Thank you to the author for sharing an advanced reader copy of this book with me. This review is my honest opinion, and I'm leaving it voluntarily.
May 18, 2026
Thank you, Calley for the gifted ARC. All opinions are my own and freely given!
This post-apocalyptic dystopian world gives a small slice of what could happen to our society, should the worst happen.
Calley is amazing and her writing is so nuanced. She is able to pull conversations that we’re having in real life, and incorporate them flawlessly into this world. We actually have a “man versus bear” conversation in this book and it’s done SO WELL.
I am just obsessed. I love the growth in Calley, as an author; I love the story she crafted; I am obsessed with the characters; in short, I loved everything about this book.
Talk about complex relationships, with multifaceted personalities. Every character has something ELSE, under the surface. They all have depth and the way their personalities interplay is so fascinating.
So, deeply proud of Calley, and obsessed with this world.
This post-apocalyptic dystopian world gives a small slice of what could happen to our society, should the worst happen.
Calley is amazing and her writing is so nuanced. She is able to pull conversations that we’re having in real life, and incorporate them flawlessly into this world. We actually have a “man versus bear” conversation in this book and it’s done SO WELL.
I am just obsessed. I love the growth in Calley, as an author; I love the story she crafted; I am obsessed with the characters; in short, I loved everything about this book.
Talk about complex relationships, with multifaceted personalities. Every character has something ELSE, under the surface. They all have depth and the way their personalities interplay is so fascinating.
So, deeply proud of Calley, and obsessed with this world.
April 2, 2026
Such an honor to get to beta read this one! The story had me staying up way too late, constantly wanting to turn just one more page. It’s intriguing and unique, unlike anything I’ve read before, and I can’t wait to see what book two has in store!!!
Read
May 20, 2026Thanks for being here! Mutiny is a story of survival, grit, and the grappling of an increasingly mutinous heart. Please remember to read the content warnings and if you'd like to stay up to date with more from the author, check out my website at www.ccloverauthor.com or my social media pages. Thanks again! And remember...
Always listen to your mutinous heart.
-Calley
Always listen to your mutinous heart.
-Calley
April 21, 2026
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
This is a dystopian book with a subplot of romance.
This immediately had me hooked from the beginning. I will say if you don’t like super detailed plot books then maybe this isn’t for you but I did like the pacing of the story and I really felt like things picked up around 70% as far as the plot went to build for the next book.
Jade (Jaded) is our FMC trying to find her missing fiancé on a remote island that has no communication with the outside world since an incident happened. She ends up captured after venturing out for the fiancé and ends up in a military style camp where she is thrust into their way of life in order for her to be allowed to stay.
Landmine is our broody, dark, unknown MMC that you don’t know whether to trust or not but I really did enjoy watching jades and his friendship shape through out the book.
I won’t go into details on Jades fiancé cause it’ll spoil some of the surprise but let’s just say yeahhh…it’s messy and THAT ENDING????? I’m gonna need book 2 or a POV in JD’s eyes in that last chapter.
Overall I enjoyed this a lot, the timeline of the story was perfect, I think there could have been maybe a little more with the plot but maybe going forward it’ll ramp up more and I feel like we needed some more crossovers of JD but maybe that will all be answered in book 2!
This is a dystopian book with a subplot of romance.
This immediately had me hooked from the beginning. I will say if you don’t like super detailed plot books then maybe this isn’t for you but I did like the pacing of the story and I really felt like things picked up around 70% as far as the plot went to build for the next book.
Jade (Jaded) is our FMC trying to find her missing fiancé on a remote island that has no communication with the outside world since an incident happened. She ends up captured after venturing out for the fiancé and ends up in a military style camp where she is thrust into their way of life in order for her to be allowed to stay.
Landmine is our broody, dark, unknown MMC that you don’t know whether to trust or not but I really did enjoy watching jades and his friendship shape through out the book.
I won’t go into details on Jades fiancé cause it’ll spoil some of the surprise but let’s just say yeahhh…it’s messy and THAT ENDING????? I’m gonna need book 2 or a POV in JD’s eyes in that last chapter.
Overall I enjoyed this a lot, the timeline of the story was perfect, I think there could have been maybe a little more with the plot but maybe going forward it’ll ramp up more and I feel like we needed some more crossovers of JD but maybe that will all be answered in book 2!
Did Not Finish
August 18, 2026DNFed. Couldn't get passed the first chapter unfortunately. It had nothing to do with writing ability and everything to do with my inability to get past the fact that I don't think they would have survived the 7 months leading up to this book starting. Most books require a level suspension of disbelief, but for me, I am simply too big of a fan of realistic post-apocalyptic and dystopian settings to not get lost in unrealistic parts. If I had read the book description rather than going in blind based on just seeing it online, I would have known the book wasn't for me and kept going.
However, if you are a reader who is here for the romance, the desire to find out what happened to the missing fiancé, and the vibes of a post-apocalyptic (didn't sound dystopian) backdrop, you will probably enjoy it. Like I said, the writing itself seemed fine. The dialogue seemed fine and that is usually my number one issue with a book, so good on the author there! The pacing - I know I didn't read far yet - seemed fine. It wasn't for me, but I think folks who read the description and say, "wow, this sounds amazing" will read it and truly like it. If I read contemporary fiction, I would try the author's other books where my bias wouldn't hinder the experience.
However, if you are a reader who is here for the romance, the desire to find out what happened to the missing fiancé, and the vibes of a post-apocalyptic (didn't sound dystopian) backdrop, you will probably enjoy it. Like I said, the writing itself seemed fine. The dialogue seemed fine and that is usually my number one issue with a book, so good on the author there! The pacing - I know I didn't read far yet - seemed fine. It wasn't for me, but I think folks who read the description and say, "wow, this sounds amazing" will read it and truly like it. If I read contemporary fiction, I would try the author's other books where my bias wouldn't hinder the experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2026
Mutiny by Calley Clover absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. What did I just read?
This story was brilliant, exciting, terrifying, and completely impossible to predict. Every chapter seemed to raise the stakes, throwing the characters into intense fights, impossible choices, and life-or-death situations that kept me glued to the page. I never knew what was going to happen next, and that uncertainty made the journey even more gripping.
What stood out most was the emotional depth woven throughout the action. The characters are pushed to their limits, forced to make difficult decisions, confront their fears, and grow in ways that felt raw and authentic. The tension was relentless, but it was balanced beautifully with moments of vulnerability, heartbreak, and resilience.
Mutiny is the kind of book that grabs hold of you from the first page and refuses to let go. If you love high-stakes adventures, emotional character growth, and stories that keep you guessing until the very end, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
A personal note to Calley: the story is magnificent, but your writing is top-notch. I am so proud of you **hugs**
This story was brilliant, exciting, terrifying, and completely impossible to predict. Every chapter seemed to raise the stakes, throwing the characters into intense fights, impossible choices, and life-or-death situations that kept me glued to the page. I never knew what was going to happen next, and that uncertainty made the journey even more gripping.
What stood out most was the emotional depth woven throughout the action. The characters are pushed to their limits, forced to make difficult decisions, confront their fears, and grow in ways that felt raw and authentic. The tension was relentless, but it was balanced beautifully with moments of vulnerability, heartbreak, and resilience.
Mutiny is the kind of book that grabs hold of you from the first page and refuses to let go. If you love high-stakes adventures, emotional character growth, and stories that keep you guessing until the very end, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
A personal note to Calley: the story is magnificent, but your writing is top-notch. I am so proud of you **hugs**
April 27, 2026
This book is so good!! The story is captivating and keeps you wondering! The atmosphere is dark, dystopian, and compelling! The characters are entertaining and hold so much mystery and depth! Each chapter manages to hold as much, if not more, intensity than the last! Once I started, I couldn’t put it down!
Jade goes through a lot and grows so much throughout this book. She started out fighting and never stopped fighting! She is a motivational character! Landmine had me intrigued instantly. He’s such a complex character and his backstory is heartbreaking! I fell for him very quickly while reading this. Nick/JD is quite mysterious and entertaining! Who we’ve met is a combination of interesting, enraging, and enticing and I can’t wait to hopefully meet the real him next!
The ending has me CRAVING book 2! That last few pages are so gut wrenching and the last line has me absolutely desperate for the next piece of this story!!! Thank you so much for this ARC!! I can’t wait to see what comes next!!
Jade goes through a lot and grows so much throughout this book. She started out fighting and never stopped fighting! She is a motivational character! Landmine had me intrigued instantly. He’s such a complex character and his backstory is heartbreaking! I fell for him very quickly while reading this. Nick/JD is quite mysterious and entertaining! Who we’ve met is a combination of interesting, enraging, and enticing and I can’t wait to hopefully meet the real him next!
The ending has me CRAVING book 2! That last few pages are so gut wrenching and the last line has me absolutely desperate for the next piece of this story!!! Thank you so much for this ARC!! I can’t wait to see what comes next!!
May 18, 2026
*Review from an advanced readers copy*
This post apocalyptic story was gripping!! I couldn’t put it down! It touched base on mental health, what happens when the world ends, and how to survive. It follows Jaded who tries to go and find her fiancé but is met with challenges. I don’t want to give too much away, just read the book lol
The author’s writing was done well. She had me falling in love with most of the characters because they each brought something to the story.
But that ending! 🤯 I need more!
This post apocalyptic story was gripping!! I couldn’t put it down! It touched base on mental health, what happens when the world ends, and how to survive. It follows Jaded who tries to go and find her fiancé but is met with challenges. I don’t want to give too much away, just read the book lol
The author’s writing was done well. She had me falling in love with most of the characters because they each brought something to the story.
But that ending! 🤯 I need more!
May 21, 2026
Many thanks to the author for the advanced reader copy! All of the following thoughts and opinions are strictly honest:
Woof.... Same time next week?
Off the bat, this book lived up to every expectation I held for it AND MORE. I was a little unsure of how fast-paced it started, but quickly understood how needed it was as the story unraveled itself before me. It was so good, I found myself pacing my reading just so it wouldn't end too fast.
As for the romance side of it? THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A MORALLY GREY MMC IN A SLOW BURN! Holy pacing! "Mutiny" drew me, placed me on the edge multiple times, and had me holding my breathe only to rage at my screen moments later - in all the right ways.
The FMC is raw, real, and so so so believable. Soft and harsh in all the right places, I'm addicted to her character arc and I cannot wait to see where she takes us next.
Book 2 can NOT come out soon enough!
Woof.... Same time next week?
Off the bat, this book lived up to every expectation I held for it AND MORE. I was a little unsure of how fast-paced it started, but quickly understood how needed it was as the story unraveled itself before me. It was so good, I found myself pacing my reading just so it wouldn't end too fast.
As for the romance side of it? THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A MORALLY GREY MMC IN A SLOW BURN! Holy pacing! "Mutiny" drew me, placed me on the edge multiple times, and had me holding my breathe only to rage at my screen moments later - in all the right ways.
The FMC is raw, real, and so so so believable. Soft and harsh in all the right places, I'm addicted to her character arc and I cannot wait to see where she takes us next.
Book 2 can NOT come out soon enough!
August 3, 2026
What a ride this book was to read, from the dystopian world the author set up to the twists and turns she took me on all the way to the cliffhanger ending. I can’t wait to read book 2! I highly recommend this book to those that love dystopian/survival, slow burn, one bed and strong FMCS. I fell for these characters and even cried twice which I DO NOT DO so you know it was an emotional journey!
July 25, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down. My only complaint is that the book was too short. I feel like there could have been few hundred more pages to the story, but with how it ended I’m assuming there is going to be a second book!
April 10, 2026
Thank you for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews