This is How We Die: A zombie apocalypse romance

by Elle Richards

Sadie's spent two years perfecting the art of being invisible, and her neighbour, Theo, has spent just as long noticing her, anyway.

As months of lockdown deteriorate into riots, and rumours of the dead reanimating turn out to be terrifyingly real, residents grow to become family, and the walls of their once safe apartment building close in around them.

While chaos reigns and survival means doing things none of them could have imagined, Sadie learns to trust the man who makes her laugh, cry, and protects her from any threat, even one that lurks inside their building.

* From the same universe as the When the World Fell series, set in the weeks before humans turn and zombies rise. *

A first-person, dual POV, slow-burn, apocalyptic romance, for lovers of found family, friends to lovers, and zombies.

Genres: Zombies, Survival

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2026

About the author

Elle Richards has been a fan of end-of-the-world, post-apocalyptic stories for the longest time, and she loves romance. Put them together, and you have her When the World Fell series.

During her free time, she enjoys hiking, drawing, renovating, and Googling cast members while she's watching TV shows and movies.

She lives in Victoria, Australia, with her husband, her two children, and three dogs.

You can find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellerichard...

Reviews

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that this book was mostly pre-zombie - the buildup beforehand. It sucked me in and I really liked the relationship that the people who lived in the apartment building had. Theo and Sadie were both interesting characters and really cute together. I kind of thought Dustin wasn’t necessary though; there was enough going on without adding him to the mix. I wasn’t expecting that cliffhanger with Ava and am really excited to read her story next.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just finished this author’s first zombie-apocalypse trilogy, which I loved, so I was thrilled to see she’d released the first book in a new series. This one focuses on the beginning, after the virus hits, people get sick, and the rage-biting starts. With only nine people left in an apartment building, the slow realization of what’s happening outside is chilling. I loved Theo and Sadie, and honestly all of the characters, except for one creepy sleaze ball. Seeing familiar names from the previous series was definitely a surprise. Please don’t make us wait too long for book two!

[Jemma Grew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read - I could read so much more of these stories! Give me more of the journey and more of the zombies! But still, I really liked the concept and connected with all the characters. The ending perhaps felt a little rushed.

Elle writes tension really well - it’s always a good sign when I have to remind myself to slow down reading. In particular the scene in the sporting goods shop was so tense I was reading so quickly I was skipping whole sentences. And that’s pre the zombies!