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Slimbies: Girl
A Gift in the Dark
When the Slimbies outbreak began, the warnings sounded like just another emergency broadcast.
A few bad reactions.
A precaution.
Nothing to fear.
But in one small Delaware home, just before Christmas, everything falls apart. Evan brings home a frightened puppy to brighten the holiday, unaware that the world has already begun to die. By morning, Noah, Mara, and the puppy are on the run, leaving behind the only family they’ve ever known. What follows is two harsh years of cold floors, shuttered towns, thin rations, and the too-quiet dead. Together, the three of them learn the rules of a broken move early, trust nothing, and stay away from anything that moves.
Bleak, intimate, and rooted in the small mercies that keep us alive, Girl is the haunting origin story of the dog who becomes the heart of the Slimbies world.
When the Slimbies outbreak began, the warnings sounded like just another emergency broadcast.
A few bad reactions.
A precaution.
Nothing to fear.
But in one small Delaware home, just before Christmas, everything falls apart. Evan brings home a frightened puppy to brighten the holiday, unaware that the world has already begun to die. By morning, Noah, Mara, and the puppy are on the run, leaving behind the only family they’ve ever known. What follows is two harsh years of cold floors, shuttered towns, thin rations, and the too-quiet dead. Together, the three of them learn the rules of a broken move early, trust nothing, and stay away from anything that moves.
Bleak, intimate, and rooted in the small mercies that keep us alive, Girl is the haunting origin story of the dog who becomes the heart of the Slimbies world.
155 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2026
About the author
D. R. Long
11 books74 followersD. R. Long is a Delaware indie author writing quiet, strangely hilarious, haunting stories that rarely stay inside a single genre.
His work follows ordinary people through impossible situations, from apocalyptic collapse and moral horror to vampires, demons, terrible decisions, and road trips through Paradise and Hell. No matter how strange the world becomes, his stories remain grounded in consequence, human connection, and the families people choose along the way.
Prolific? Maybe. But readers never have to wait long for something new from D. R. Long.
When he isn’t writing, he can usually be found playing D&D with close friends, playing fetch with his dog, Girl, or traveling with his partner.
His work follows ordinary people through impossible situations, from apocalyptic collapse and moral horror to vampires, demons, terrible decisions, and road trips through Paradise and Hell. No matter how strange the world becomes, his stories remain grounded in consequence, human connection, and the families people choose along the way.
Prolific? Maybe. But readers never have to wait long for something new from D. R. Long.
When he isn’t writing, he can usually be found playing D&D with close friends, playing fetch with his dog, Girl, or traveling with his partner.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 17, 2026
This book was meant to introduce a full length trilogy entitled Slimbies.
Slimbies was the first novel I wrote. I started it many years ago, but wasn't ready to finish it. And once I found myself, it poured out of me... To the tune of three full length novels.
Now the first one, very rough. The second though, felt strong. And the third... It let me know I could really do this. After I finished the third, I went back and read the first. I had a good long laugh at how naive I really was... It was horrible. But the second and third, they were solid.
I wanted to write new stuff, not get stuck in this endless spiral of working and reworking the same project. I rewrite book 1, then book 2 isn't as good, then rewrite that, then book 3 isn't as good, then back to 1, and so on forever. This is a cycle a lot of authors get caught in that I wanted to avoid.
I didn't want to give up on this. I was too invested. So I rewrote book 1, and then I moved on. I started working on other projects. And even though Girl had made it into the Slimbies series... Both her, and the series, deserved a proper introduction.
And Slimbies: Girl was born.
I learned a lot writing this. I learned my strength in the novella style, as well as being able to move forward from a project and let it be what it is.
The Slimbies series is far from perfect. But it's my baby. My first. And I'm pretty fucking proud of it.
And I hope you all enjoy it as much as I loved writing it.
Slimbies was the first novel I wrote. I started it many years ago, but wasn't ready to finish it. And once I found myself, it poured out of me... To the tune of three full length novels.
Now the first one, very rough. The second though, felt strong. And the third... It let me know I could really do this. After I finished the third, I went back and read the first. I had a good long laugh at how naive I really was... It was horrible. But the second and third, they were solid.
I wanted to write new stuff, not get stuck in this endless spiral of working and reworking the same project. I rewrite book 1, then book 2 isn't as good, then rewrite that, then book 3 isn't as good, then back to 1, and so on forever. This is a cycle a lot of authors get caught in that I wanted to avoid.
I didn't want to give up on this. I was too invested. So I rewrote book 1, and then I moved on. I started working on other projects. And even though Girl had made it into the Slimbies series... Both her, and the series, deserved a proper introduction.
And Slimbies: Girl was born.
I learned a lot writing this. I learned my strength in the novella style, as well as being able to move forward from a project and let it be what it is.
The Slimbies series is far from perfect. But it's my baby. My first. And I'm pretty fucking proud of it.
And I hope you all enjoy it as much as I loved writing it.
January 27, 2026
Praise for Slimbies Girl
This book was a very easy read. It had me captured from page 1 and the story was awesome. I enjoyed going on a journey with the characters and my heart broke a few times when I read it. If you get the chance to read this zombie story , do it. It will keep you entertained!
This book was a very easy read. It had me captured from page 1 and the story was awesome. I enjoyed going on a journey with the characters and my heart broke a few times when I read it. If you get the chance to read this zombie story , do it. It will keep you entertained!
January 10, 2026
This is a quieter post-apocalyptic story, but that’s what makes it work.
Slimbies: Girl is really about connection and survival, not action. The relationship at the center feels honest and earned, and the emotional weight sneaks up on you instead of being shoved in your face. Short, heavy in a good way, and easy to think about after you’re done.
Slimbies: Girl is really about connection and survival, not action. The relationship at the center feels honest and earned, and the emotional weight sneaks up on you instead of being shoved in your face. Short, heavy in a good way, and easy to think about after you’re done.
July 23, 2026
My Rating 4⭐️
Set in a dystopian world at Christmas time, we join Evan and family, as they try to make the most of Christmas, when a zombie outbreak begins.
This is a fast paced, short story that packs a punch. We follow Evan and family as they cope with the devastating effects of the outbreak. It’s emotional, tense and action packed. I loved the cause of the outbreak, it made me laugh due to the current popularity of it and also slightly terrified me as you never know it could come true.
I enjoyed the MC changing as the story progresses. I don’t think I’ve read a book that did anything similar, so really enjoyed that. I loved Moon, she was the star of the book.
I listened to this on audiobook and the sound quality and editing was good. I found the narrator to be a little flat, which may have been intentional due to the tone of the book but it wasn’t always clear when different characters were speaking. The narration was clear though and well paced.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from this author. I rate this 4⭐️ and I recommend it to fans of fast paced dystopian thrillers.
Set in a dystopian world at Christmas time, we join Evan and family, as they try to make the most of Christmas, when a zombie outbreak begins.
This is a fast paced, short story that packs a punch. We follow Evan and family as they cope with the devastating effects of the outbreak. It’s emotional, tense and action packed. I loved the cause of the outbreak, it made me laugh due to the current popularity of it and also slightly terrified me as you never know it could come true.
I enjoyed the MC changing as the story progresses. I don’t think I’ve read a book that did anything similar, so really enjoyed that. I loved Moon, she was the star of the book.
I listened to this on audiobook and the sound quality and editing was good. I found the narrator to be a little flat, which may have been intentional due to the tone of the book but it wasn’t always clear when different characters were speaking. The narration was clear though and well paced.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from this author. I rate this 4⭐️ and I recommend it to fans of fast paced dystopian thrillers.
August 16, 2026
I listened to Slimbies: Girl by D. R. Long on audiobook, and this one hit me way more emotionally than I liked. I went into it thinking I was getting a darker, creepy story, but I definitely wasn't prepared for how attached I would become.
The dog absolutely got me. That bond brought so much emotion into the story, and as a dog lover, there were parts that were genuinely hard to listen to. I found myself worrying about the dog, hoping everything would be okay, and feeling every emotional moment right along with the characters. If a book can make me this concerned about a fictional dog, it has officially gotten to me!
Listening to it on audiobook made those moments even stronger. Hearing the fear, sadness, and emotion instead of just reading the words really pulled me into the story.
This wasn't just creepy or strange for me—it had heart. It made me anxious, sad, hopeful, and completely invested. Slimbies: Girl ended up being one of those audiobooks where the emotional parts stayed with me after I stopped listening. And yes…the dog completely stole my heart!
May 3, 2026
This is a really strong book, and once again D. R. Long shows his ability to write across different genres.
The story is a dystopian, end of the world scenario that gives off a similar feeling to a Will Smith style survival movie, where danger is always lurking and you have to stay alert.
It follows a small family trying to survive after government approved injections begin turning people into zombie like creatures. The story focuses closely on their daily struggle to stay alive in a world that has completely fallen apart.
One thing I really appreciated was that the dog survives until the end. I often feel more emotional about animals in stories, so that part meant a lot to me. I’m not sure if the dog’s gender was ever clearly mentioned, though.
The story is a dystopian, end of the world scenario that gives off a similar feeling to a Will Smith style survival movie, where danger is always lurking and you have to stay alert.
It follows a small family trying to survive after government approved injections begin turning people into zombie like creatures. The story focuses closely on their daily struggle to stay alive in a world that has completely fallen apart.
One thing I really appreciated was that the dog survives until the end. I often feel more emotional about animals in stories, so that part meant a lot to me. I’m not sure if the dog’s gender was ever clearly mentioned, though.
March 20, 2026
This is such a great book and again D.R. Long surprises me with the way how he can write so many different types of books - genres.
This is a dystopic end of the world story- reminds me of a way of the Will Smith movie - where he has be on the lookout for the butterfly.
We have people who have been talking shots, that have been approved by the government, turning into zombies.
We mainly focus on one family - and see there lives - even if you can call it that.
One good thing the dog lives at the end - sometimes, hell most of the time, I have more sympathy for the animals, so I was glad to see she lived. I don't know if we were ever told its sex.
This is a dystopic end of the world story- reminds me of a way of the Will Smith movie - where he has be on the lookout for the butterfly.
We have people who have been talking shots, that have been approved by the government, turning into zombies.
We mainly focus on one family - and see there lives - even if you can call it that.
One good thing the dog lives at the end - sometimes, hell most of the time, I have more sympathy for the animals, so I was glad to see she lived. I don't know if we were ever told its sex.
May 7, 2026
This was a surprisingly enjoyable read. I’m not usually drawn to zombie stories, but this one stood out by avoiding many of the typical tropes the genre often leans on.
It’s a short, fast-paced story that quickly introduces the family and pulls you in.
What really makes it memorable is Moon, the dog, who creates an immediate emotional connection from the start. Her presence adds warmth and depth that carries through the entire story.
Even though the outcome for the family isn’t a happy one, there’s something comforting in knowing they experienced love and companionship through Moon. That emotional thread gives the story a lasting impact.
It’s a short, fast-paced story that quickly introduces the family and pulls you in.
What really makes it memorable is Moon, the dog, who creates an immediate emotional connection from the start. Her presence adds warmth and depth that carries through the entire story.
Even though the outcome for the family isn’t a happy one, there’s something comforting in knowing they experienced love and companionship through Moon. That emotional thread gives the story a lasting impact.
April 23, 2026
This book was amazing! Its a new take on zombies called slimbies. Its a short read and I wasn't able to put it down so I finished it in one day. It's an emotion and shocking story about survival and loyalty. It follows a family and thier puppy Moon right before an outbreak and into a world that you have to survive with Slimbies. Parts are very sad and heart breaking. If you're looking for a different take on zombies and a short story then this is a must read! This is my first book I've read by D. R. Long and I will be reading his other books.
July 21, 2026
*mini spoiler*
I went in without reading the description and was pleasantly surprised that it was completely different from what I thought. I’ve never read a book where the MC changed multiple times. Especially in such a short time. This book was so sad and heartbreaking. I felt bad for every MC, the mom the most. This was a great introduction to Slimbies! It kept me locked in from the first few minutes. I just have a question. Why in the world were people obsessed with this weight loss drug when they were already starving?
Thank you D. R. Long for sharing this arc with me!
I went in without reading the description and was pleasantly surprised that it was completely different from what I thought. I’ve never read a book where the MC changed multiple times. Especially in such a short time. This book was so sad and heartbreaking. I felt bad for every MC, the mom the most. This was a great introduction to Slimbies! It kept me locked in from the first few minutes. I just have a question. Why in the world were people obsessed with this weight loss drug when they were already starving?
Thank you D. R. Long for sharing this arc with me!
January 28, 2026
A Gift in the Dark is quietly devastating in the best way. Instead of spectacle, it leans into intimacy—fear, exhaustion, love, and the fragile hope that survives when the world ends. The pacing is restrained, the tone bleak but humane, and the bond between Noah, Mara, and the puppy is deeply moving. This isn’t just an apocalypse story; it’s about endurance, loyalty, and the small mercies that keep people (and dogs) alive when everything else is gone. Haunting and unforgettable.
January 28, 2026
Another incredible novella from D. R. Long who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. The horror of watching this unfold left a mark on me I am still thinking about even though I read this a couple months ago now. I was gripped with fear and heartache all at the same time. Definitely a must read for anyone who loves post apocalyptic novels but is looking for a new twist. I cannot wait for the trilogy!
July 29, 2026
I liked this book a lot. It was very short, but was packed full of emotions. There were so many sad moments, so many deaths that hit me harder than I thought they would. There was also plenty of gore, and some tense, scary moments. And at the heart of the story is the dog Girl, who was one of my favorite things about Slimbies. She's just as good in this story, a wonderful furry companion to root for. I received a free copy of this story and write this review voluntarily.
February 14, 2026
Slimbies: Girl is such a refreshing and heartfelt read! The author beautifully captures emotion, growth, and strength in a way that feels real and inspiring. The story is engaging, the characters are relatable, and the message truly resonates. A wonderful book that leaves you feeling uplifted and empowered highly recommend!
May 4, 2026
With diet drugs of all kinds making their way into people's lives, you have to wonder about the side effects they don't share with the public. Christmas is usually a happy time of year, visiting friends and family, until people start acting erratically and your told to stay indoors. Can anyone survive this new world? If you like apocalyptic type stories you will love this twist on a zombie tale.
June 1, 2026
Poor Girl
Oh my gosh! The emotions. NO DOG LEFT BEHIND!! A nice introduction to Slimbies. I was hoping for the best from day one. And then, when you throw in familial loss and add a dog to it ... it just hurts. I can't wait to see what kind of journey the author takes us on. We can only hope for an ok outcome when the Zombie (Slimbies) apocalypse is upon us.
Oh my gosh! The emotions. NO DOG LEFT BEHIND!! A nice introduction to Slimbies. I was hoping for the best from day one. And then, when you throw in familial loss and add a dog to it ... it just hurts. I can't wait to see what kind of journey the author takes us on. We can only hope for an ok outcome when the Zombie (Slimbies) apocalypse is upon us.
July 27, 2026
I did not read the blurb or description before listening and I am soooo glad I didn't. This was such a good story and I loved everything about it. As an audio I was able to sit back and visualize everything happening. The story it's self is actually heartbreaking and I did cry as I could not imagine if that where to happen to my family. I really loved how this ended. Definitely check this out.
August 9, 2026
Weight loss Zombies and a tough canine companion that just happens to be the goodest girl definitely make for a fun read! Even though it contained some cool zombie gore as expected, the story itself was deep and played on some real emotions 🧟♂️🐕🦺 I highly recommend this Indie author, and I'm looking forward to making my way through the rest of his books 📚
March 15, 2026
Slimbies
I enjoyed this shorter zombie story! It definitely had me angry at a lot of the characters (which is a good thing) and some crazy shocking moments I wasn't expecting. Girls storyline was great!
I enjoyed this shorter zombie story! It definitely had me angry at a lot of the characters (which is a good thing) and some crazy shocking moments I wasn't expecting. Girls storyline was great!
March 26, 2026
This book is a fast paced, super short zombie apocalypse type book! im here for it. my only complaint was I felt the story deserved more.. maybe a little too short. but otherwise it was super good and worth a read!
July 30, 2026
A quick but impactful read. Absolutely heartbreaking!
May 30, 2026
Hooked from the beginning! Read it in a sitting and really enjoyed following the characters through the start of a "Slimbie" apocalypse. The root cause of the apocalypse had me grinning. It was perfect. I experienced so many emotions in such a short time and definitely recommend this short story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews