A love stronger than tyranny. A truth darker than the apocalypse.
Ripped away from her husband on their honeymoon, Claire finds herself lost, alone, and inside another compound. Face to face with the Delta’s shadowy leadership, she learns that they intend to use her for their war propaganda, in a desperate bid to bolster confidence in a regime infiltrated by the Order of Odessa.
On the other side of the walls, John struggles with his grief as he tries to find a way into a fortress built to keep people out. Determined to rescue Claire at any cost, he and Kimmy enter into an uneasy bargain with a ragtag crew of resistance fighters intent on toppling the Delta’s leadership. They promise John entry into the impenetrable compound…for a deadly price.
Trapped and threatened at every turn, John and Claire grapple with the dark secrets and espionage that lurk around every corner, revealing haunting answers to the questions that have plagued them from the beginning. Battling forces greater than themselves, they fight to preserve the one thing that still matters in a world forever altered by the fierce, unyielding love between them.
The Sole Survivor is the third, penultimate book in The Wastelander Series. Like previous books in the series, it's a steamy post-apocalyptic romance that follows John Madigan and Claire Ainsley. A fourth and final book, The Wasteland Prince, will be coming before the end of 2026 to close out the series.
E.S. Luck is a copywriter by day and an author when no one is watching. She enjoys reading, writing genre-bending fiction, and extolling the virtues of grammar, much to the collective dismay of all who meet her. She owns too much makeup and lives in Ontario with her husband and their adorable dog, Rosie. The Wastelander is her debut novel.
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It's finally here: The Sole Survivor, the third book in my Wastelander Series is coming on June 5th! This is the penultimate (second-to-last) book in the series. It was originally supposed to be the final book, but it got so big that I split it in two. :) The last book, The Wasteland Prince will be coming before the end of the year to close out the series.
I'm so excited for everyone to read this one, as SO MUCH is covered in this volume---answers to many of the questions you've had since the beginning, and a huge reveal that I'm both nervous and excited for you to discover. There's secrets, lies, espionage, conspiracies, cults, and naturally, all the swoony romance and hot spice you can handle!
Book three in the "The Wastelander Series" and I am so excited right now😭♥️. One of my favourite fictional universes! It feels like liquid m🫦rphine running through my veins. AHEM. Anyways, I appreciate the recap at the beginning because as you all know, I have the memory of a ripe ✨potato✨. So it's definitely a need for moi.
John, our hero and MMC, is on a revenge and rescue mission to find his beloved wife, Claire. A good man who can be equally if not more violent to save those whom he loves. He's absolutely devoted and super protective husband to her and never gives up finding her. There's yearning to have her by his side again, angst, and frustration. He just wants his wifey back!
Claire, our fierce, sassy and brilliant FMC, is one of my favourite heroines. EVER. Although, she does endure a lot terrifying situations alone in this book, shows vulnerability because in the end, she is human after all, ad gets scared, she doesn't give up on John to find her. She's committed to him throughout the suffering and pain she endures. I love how well her character continues to grow/develop, taking control of her life.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster for me, I mean, there's so much happening! The world building is brilliant as always: intense, immersive. Written so well that I'm getting withdrawal symptoms for more. It's not as fast-paced as the previous ones - rather steadier, slower paced for me. Albeit, full of tension and anguish, revelations and plot-twists, danger and violence, rebel military forces and old and new characters. Speaking of new: Julius is messed up. And of course, Jim J takes the cake for being the Devil himself. Previously known characters make an appearance, too. We also get to experience life in the compounds and how people from the Sole Survivors navigate life now. There's some sizzling spicy scenes that will give you butterflies. So many questions I had are answered and secrets revealed, which get me hooked even more!
Rocking back and forth in my little corner for book four🥴. メ૦メ૦💋
I didn't know how much I needed this book. The pacing was so on point, I found myself wishing I had more time to read. This book continues Claire and Johns journey, so if you haven't read the previous books then I encourage you to do so.
Claire and Johns character arcs are flowing so well, they have grown so much since book one, especially for Claire. I adore them, they are such a power couple. I was excited to see Kimmy back and that she may have her own love story in the works, especially after what she went through with Asha. I really felt for Andrew's character and enjoyed all of the side characters. Jim J is still as creepy as ever. I do think that I had a good feel for every character, they were all distinct and had motives that fit. I also enjoyed the connection between this book and Asha's. No spoilers here, but it was a cool tie in.
I loved all of it from main plot to all the sub plots. There were a lot of working pieces but it all felt believable and it was so interesting to see it all coming together to the climax of the book. I liked having John and Claire's perspectives because each had pieces of the puzzle and had to figure out how to support each other as best as they could and stand up for what is right.
I do think there was a little less spice in this book, but man did it pack a punch. It was so well placed and the yearning is totally believable for their situation. One thing I really love about them is that they support each other no matter what. There's a calm affection, but also passion and yearning. Even if they argue, they talk about it and really try to see things from each other's perspectives.
This book was a must read for me. I can't wait to see how John and Clair develop even more in the next book.
Claire and John were on their honeymoon when she is captured by military soldiers and taken to the Delta compound. The man responsible for creating the compounds is losing control and he wants Claire to participate in his propaganda campaign to control the residents. John is outside the walls, desperate to find a way in, and will have to ream up with a group of soldiers living outside the compound walls after realizing that the orders they have been following are questionable at best. Worse, they will both discover that the reason for Claire’s abduction, and the propaganda being spread is that the Order of Odessa has a foothold in the Delta compound, and its leader wants Claire, too. I absolutely love Claire and John. These two have been through hell, but instead of accepting their circumstances the fight for what they want, what they believe in, and for a way back to each other, each in their own way. All of the characters are well written and utterly fascinating, even those with twisted motives that I found myself wanting to strangle. This is an action packed, character driven dystopian romance with some steam, murder, torture, violence, . . . and some twists and turns in the plot that left me reeling and made it impossible to put this down. I highly recommend this must-read book and series to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by the author.
absolutely loved The Sole Survivor by E.S. Luck. From the very first chapter, I found myself completely invested in the story and emotionally connected to the characters. This is one of those books that stays on your mind long after you've put it down. What I appreciated most was the protagonist's journey. The struggles, resilience, and determination felt genuine, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. There were moments that made my heart race, moments that made me emotional, and plenty of surprises that kept me turning the pages. E.S. Luck has a wonderful way of bringing scenes to life and creating an atmosphere that draws you in. The pacing was just right, and I never felt tempted to skim ahead because I didn't want to miss a single detail. The story is both engaging and meaningful, with themes of survival, strength, and hope that really resonated with me. By the time I reached the end, I wasn't ready to say goodbye to these characters. This book gave me everything I look for in a great read—strong storytelling, emotional depth, and a satisfying journey. As a fan of this series, I’m already counting down the days until Book 4 is released because I need to know what happens next. The anticipation is real! I highly recommend The Sole Survivor to anyone looking for a book that will keep them hooked and leave a lasting impression. E.S. Luck has created a series that I can’t get enough of, and I can't wait for the next installment.
I had the pleasure of beta reading this book and I just love this whole series. The world E.S. Luck has created, the developed characters, and the twists every time really have me roped in. My first thought after finishing this book was how deeply emotional it is. John and Claire have a connection that is unmatched, which we already knew, but I think in this book we really FELT it along with them. The yearning and commitment to each other is truly…chef’s kiss. It was a little slower paced than some of the other books, in my opinion, but we do get questions from books 1 + 2 answered which I loved! There is also a recap at the beginning of the book. Why are all authors not doing this?!? Genius. For the majority of The Sole Survivor they are back in a compound, an enjoyable change and stark contrast from the farm. A new bad guy and new good guys, a rebel military force, really shook up this storyline. Julius (new bad guy) was kind of quietly horrific, but Jim J still wins for creepiest and we see more of his planning and efforts in this one. All of that is topped off with some jaw dropping revelations that take your mind on a wild ride. There’s action, and twists, and some surprise visits from old characters…overall, a really enjoyable installment in the Wastelander series! But I will say, I know the next one is going to be completely EPIC!!
The Sole Survivor by E. S. Luck is the third book in the Wastelander series and it continues John And Claire’s story in a post apocalyptic wasteland.
Claire has been kidnapped during their honeymoon and is being held captive by the Delta. Meanwhile, John is going crazy trying to figure out how to save her. The Delta are trying to use Claire to show that any factions that are trying to revolt against them are dangerous. Meanwhile, John is working with these factions to try and save Claire. And what you get is an action packed, exciting book that you can’t put down.
I really enjoyed this third book in the series. And it was interesting to see how the people in the Delta have so much while the people in the wasteland are scrambling just to survive. A true dystopian, post apocalyptic nightmare. And if you’re one of those that likes the heat, this book certainly brings that as well.
Looking forward to how this all plays out in the last book of the series!
Plot twisting, third book in the the Wastelander series!
After a recap of the story (I loved this and wished all book series done a recap), we dive straight back in from Claire's abduction at the end of book two and follow her experiences inside the Delta and John's determination on the outside to get her back.
I don't want to give any spoilers but I will say we get old characters making an appearance as well as lots of new characters that I hope we get to see more of in future books.
There are serious content warnings in this book so please check your triggers.
I was so sucked in with this book. I love the relationship between John and Claire and I can't wait to see what book 4 unfolds.
This series is without a doubt one of the best post-apocalyptic series I've read with amazing characters and world building. Some of the revelations in the book were mind blowing and a little terrifying as the ideas are not too far fetched considering the world we currently live in!
The Sole Survivor was such a fantastic addition to this series! From the very beginning, I was completely invested & had a hard time putting it down. The story kept my attention the entire time w/ plenty of unexpected twists & moments that genuinely surprised me.
The romance was sweet, emotional, & definitely spicy. I loved watching the relationships develop along w/ all the tension & high-stakes survival elements!
One of my favorite things about this book were the characters. There were several side characters who really caught my attention, & I'm hoping we'll get to learn even more about them in future books.
Overall, this was a gripping, emotional, & entertaining read that had me hooked from start to finish. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic dystopian romance w/ action, suspense, twists, and plenty of spice, this series is absolutely worth picking up!
The Sole Survivor is the third book in The Wastelander series. Book 3 hooked me right away because it jumped right in after the cliffhanger in book 2. We get to see what life is like in the compounds in this one, and a lot of secrets about their origins and the nefarious things they have been up to are revealed. Claire's character continues to develop as she takes charge of her own life, and she is determined not to be a victim anymore. However, no worries, John is also there to save her, and there are multiple spicy romance scenes. Asha's story also continues to weave in and out of Claire's life, so Asha and Cade fans will get another glimpse of them when they make an appearance towards the end of the book. There is an HEA for now, but more story to tell in book 4!
Let’s start off with the recap at beginning - ufff top tier. This series is so amazing. The world building, the plot, the twists, and the characters are just so well layered you just keep turning pages. You get alot of questions answered from books 1&2 and I gasped out loud so many times. Some characters you’ve seen before pop up and some characters that tie in from other character’s lore from the other books do too. There’s action, violence, love, real emotions and spicy scenes. Everything you can expect from this series. Claire and John keep showing us why they’re the it couple and John just absolutely adores her. Amazing story and I can’t wait for more secrets to be revealed. Vibes: Far Cry 5, The Lost of Us, Mad Max, Book of Eli, Dune.
E. S. Luck has overwhelmed us again. *The Sole Survivor* is the third book in her *Wastelander* series. This book grabs you from the beginning and keeps you engaged on a roller-coaster ride of thrills and excitement. Claire is abducted immediately after her marriage by strange outside forces (don't want to be the spoiler here!). Her husband, John, is hellbent on bringing her home. And so, the plot thickens into multiple crescendos of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat and not wanting to put the book down. I honestly rescheduled my day to get to the end. This book is a must-read, an amazing thriller that does not disappoint. I'm looking forward to her next!
The deep, delicious love between Claire and John continues in the story! The last book left off on their honeymoon, being invaded by soldiers, you feel every emotion from both characters leap off the pages! The author just has such a magical way of pulling you in to this story, questions will be answered, nailbiting scenes, and of course the spice between Claire and John is even better! Honestly, without giving too much away, it feels like a package getting neatly tied up with the wrapping being as great as the present inside! You’ll see old characters as well, which for me is great even if they’re that the most loved, I like to revisit old friends. Don’t mess out on this incredible story!
Now that this couple has cemented their relationship, the tension shifts from them to the action-packed plot. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of heated moments, but they take place in the midst of absolute chaos. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and had no idea what to expect next! Claire was given so many opportunities to prove her unwavering strength and she never failed to deliver. The ever dependable John was tested on every level and rose to the challenge no matter what happened to him or his family. I just love the characters so much and I can’t wait to see how they take on their next challenge.
This picks up right where Book 2 ended, with Claire’s kidnapping and the reveal of her father's backstory. John and Kimmie were the real family she needed, and I loved seeing some familiar faces come back into the story. The action was nonstop, the spice was spicing, and I genuinely had no idea where the story was going next. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something new got revealed. I'm officially invested and cannot wait for the next book. The only thing that kept this from being a perfect read for me was that the beginning felt a little slow. Once it found its footing, though, I was hooked. Great read overall.
I have been waiting for book 3 in this series to come out from the moment I finished book 2 (The Outsider). Waiting for another installment of a story can really build some anticipation that can be hard to live up to… and I can say this was worth the wait and met all my hopes for the continuation of this story! I am just as in love with the main characters as I was from the beginning of the series (The Wastelander) and the fire and connection between John and Claire is as strong as ever. There was a lot of story/action and the steamy scenes again left me feeling absolutely continually enamored with the relationship between John and Claire. The author really did a great job continuing this story.
This book right here kept me up at night. Nonstop action, romance, fear and a crossover/meetup all rolled into one. Questions were answered, but some also with new questions. Anxieties for all are at an all time high. There were moments I was furious at John, at Asha, at new characters, but I also understood. My heart has been shattered but gently glued back together waiting for a piece to fall out of place. So much has happened to our girl Claire and there's no end in sight. I have a fear for Summerhurst, John, Kimmy and now Ashburn.
Love, yearning, mystery, intrigue, and the fight for survival. Continuing John and Claire's story, you think you might know how it will unfold. But you really don't.
The Wastelander series has been building with questions, and while most are answered, they come in unexpected ways. The spice is just right, the characters run the spectrum from good to morally grey, and just plain evil. I can't wait for the last book, and also the continuation of the spin off.
If you love dystopian romance, mysterious characters, and great banter, the Wastelander series has it all.
It was a true honor to beta read this book. It’s just so so good.
Wow. This was an action packed book with so many twists and turns. Book 3 did NOT disappoint? Are the evil guys evil as fuck? YES! Is John still the baddest thing from the wasteland? YES! Am I dying for book 4? HELL YES!
This one might be my favorite of the series. It’s emotional, intense, anxiety inducing (in the best way). I cried, I said “oh fuck” about 30 times, and I loved it.
Oh man! What a whirlwind! Back in the saddle with John and Claire and Kimmy! What chaos and adventure! E. S. Luck does not disappoint, the characters, further world building, tensions, twists and turns and uncertainty in post apocalyptic Ontario...hell yes! I thought this was gonna be the end ...but I'm soooo excited. Really glad they didn't just wrap it up because then I'd have been disappointed. I'm waiting eagerly now for the next book!
Loooooved this installment of the series! John and Claire are in serious need of an HEA Kimmy is beyond deserving of finding love I loved Asha’s reappearance and introduction to the team from Darkness I Become There are so many reveals in this installment! If you’ve been following along in this series you’ll immediately pick up what I mean.
Book three in the "The Wastelander Series" I do appreciate the recap as its been a while since i read the other two books! I love her books as usual. I find it wasn't as fast paced as the other two books. We get to experience what its like in the compound now. Claire and John have been through hell, and they are one of my favorite book couples!
I enjoyed the continuation of this book. There was definitely more of the storyline compared to the romance side of things, but it was still very exciting and engaging. It was good to see cameos from the other characters that we've seen. John is definitely still the dreamy guy I like-definitely someone I want in my corner at the end of the world. There will be a book 4.
This is a good third part to this end of the world series, a little spicier than my normal books so be warned if this is not your thing. A good progression of the plot, interesting ideas & good pacing made it a really good read!
This book truly brought me tears and I adored every piece of the romance in this book. It makes you smile laugh cry and be happy all at the same time lol.
Let me tell you this book had me bitting my nails with anticipation and shock my stress levels where high. But I loved every minute of cant wait for the next installment. Love Claire and John so much