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Breaking Point #1
Breaking Point
A devastating earthquake. A fractured heartland. A family torn apart.
Cassidy Mason laughs with her classmates on a Kentucky school bus, twisting through backcountry roads. In an instant, the pavement cracks like glass, and the bus tumbles into a ravine. Buried in twisted steel and screams, she claws through agony and fear, forcing herself to emerge into an unknown disaster where safety might not exist.
Will Mason grips the wheel of his Ohio River tugboat, calling orders to his crew as another routine shift begins. But when the water heaves like a beast awakened, the river churns into chaos. He beaches the battered vessel amid splintering docks and rising wreckage, but with no radio signal and the world in ruins, one desperate urge consumes him: reach his wife and daughter before it's too late.
Erin Mason herds excited students through a hotel lobby on a field trip, her mind half on lesson plans. Suddenly, the floor bucks, walls groan, and ceilings rain down in deadly chunks. Amid the dust and cries of the trapped teens, she battles to shield them from the collapsing city, all while terror grips her. Has the quake claimed her family hundreds of miles away?
With bridges collapsed, power vanished, and aftershocks threatening more destruction, it's a brutal race to safety. Will, Cassidy, and Erin Mason must unearth raw strength to claw through the apocalypse and reunite, or die trying.
Breaking Point is book one in a post-apocalyptic disaster thriller series following ordinary people struggling to survive when a massive earthquake rips through the heart of America.
Cassidy Mason laughs with her classmates on a Kentucky school bus, twisting through backcountry roads. In an instant, the pavement cracks like glass, and the bus tumbles into a ravine. Buried in twisted steel and screams, she claws through agony and fear, forcing herself to emerge into an unknown disaster where safety might not exist.
Will Mason grips the wheel of his Ohio River tugboat, calling orders to his crew as another routine shift begins. But when the water heaves like a beast awakened, the river churns into chaos. He beaches the battered vessel amid splintering docks and rising wreckage, but with no radio signal and the world in ruins, one desperate urge consumes him: reach his wife and daughter before it's too late.
Erin Mason herds excited students through a hotel lobby on a field trip, her mind half on lesson plans. Suddenly, the floor bucks, walls groan, and ceilings rain down in deadly chunks. Amid the dust and cries of the trapped teens, she battles to shield them from the collapsing city, all while terror grips her. Has the quake claimed her family hundreds of miles away?
With bridges collapsed, power vanished, and aftershocks threatening more destruction, it's a brutal race to safety. Will, Cassidy, and Erin Mason must unearth raw strength to claw through the apocalypse and reunite, or die trying.
Breaking Point is book one in a post-apocalyptic disaster thriller series following ordinary people struggling to survive when a massive earthquake rips through the heart of America.
- GenresPost Apocalyptic
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2026
About the author
Harley Tate
50 books164 followersWhen the world as we know it falls apart, how far will you go to survive?
Harley Tate writes edge-of-your-seat post-apocalyptic fiction exploring what happens when ordinary people are faced with impossible choices.
Subscribe to Harley's newsletter for two exclusive prequels you can't get anywhere else: www.harleytate.com/subscribe
The end of life as we know it brings out the best and worst in all of us. The apocalypse is only the beginning.
Harley Tate writes edge-of-your-seat post-apocalyptic fiction exploring what happens when ordinary people are faced with impossible choices.
Subscribe to Harley's newsletter for two exclusive prequels you can't get anywhere else: www.harleytate.com/subscribe
The end of life as we know it brings out the best and worst in all of us. The apocalypse is only the beginning.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
❀⋆.ೃ࿔* BREAKING POINT ❀⋆.ೃ࿔* Is the first full length installment in a post-apocalyptic disaster thriller series by author Harley Tate.
(One family) Sixteen year old Cassidy is with a bus load of students making their way towards musical auditions, her mother Erin is one of four teachers leading a pack of twenty four students on a field trip, Will her husband with twenty years of experience under his belt is on the river with supplies on a tugboat run.
When an earthquake shatters what should've been a normal day, each character has to fight for their survival, Cassidy miles from home with a busload of injured and dead students. Erin, with buildings collapsed, and only with a smattering of student survivors, falls on her shoulders to lead them to safety, broken stairwells, closed off exits, and if that's not enough to contend with theres impending danger of looters within the rubbled building. Will's main focus is to breach the tug and reach his family hoping that they are all in one piece.
I’ve only read one other series by this author which got me putting my stalker feelers on high alert so when I’d seen that she’d just released a new book it was a no brainer but to purchase it..
If it’s not zombies this is my next go to genre, it’s all about that element of survival when the world as you knew it had ceases to exist.
This was no different. The focus on one family split apart each in separate directions when the unthinkable happens and they have to dig down deep and survive a world that’s fighting back.
Without warning earthquakes and tremors play havoc on the earth, but the thing is one man did predict this, he tried to warn the right authorities but Dr. Elijah Gentry was laughed at and ignored. Now it’s too late to heed his predictions. And the consequences are catastrophic.
❀⋆.ೃ࿔* BREAKING POINT ❀⋆.ೃ࿔* Is the first full length installment in a post-apocalyptic disaster thriller series by author Harley Tate.
(One family) Sixteen year old Cassidy is with a bus load of students making their way towards musical auditions, her mother Erin is one of four teachers leading a pack of twenty four students on a field trip, Will her husband with twenty years of experience under his belt is on the river with supplies on a tugboat run.
When an earthquake shatters what should've been a normal day, each character has to fight for their survival, Cassidy miles from home with a busload of injured and dead students. Erin, with buildings collapsed, and only with a smattering of student survivors, falls on her shoulders to lead them to safety, broken stairwells, closed off exits, and if that's not enough to contend with theres impending danger of looters within the rubbled building. Will's main focus is to breach the tug and reach his family hoping that they are all in one piece.
I’ve only read one other series by this author which got me putting my stalker feelers on high alert so when I’d seen that she’d just released a new book it was a no brainer but to purchase it..
If it’s not zombies this is my next go to genre, it’s all about that element of survival when the world as you knew it had ceases to exist.
This was no different. The focus on one family split apart each in separate directions when the unthinkable happens and they have to dig down deep and survive a world that’s fighting back.
Without warning earthquakes and tremors play havoc on the earth, but the thing is one man did predict this, he tried to warn the right authorities but Dr. Elijah Gentry was laughed at and ignored. Now it’s too late to heed his predictions. And the consequences are catastrophic.
April 12, 2026
Survival Begins at the Breaking Point
The following ratings are out of 5:
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😀😛
Character Information and Plot Dynamics
Breaking Point by Harley Tate throws readers straight into chaos, opening with a seemingly ordinary school trip that turns catastrophic in an instant. Cassidy Mason, a talented young violinist, is traveling with her classmates to Nashville for an audition when a devastating earthquake strikes. When Cassidy regains consciousness, she is faced with an unimaginable reality, many of her classmates have died, the bus is wrecked, and survival becomes her only priority. Despite her fear and injuries, Cassidy steps into a leadership role, helping the few survivors and attempting to aid the critically injured bus driver.
The story expands beyond Cassidy’s perspective to follow her parents, creating a multi-threaded narrative filled with tension. Her father, Will Mason, a tugboat captain, is caught in the aftermath on the water with his crew, facing dangerous conditions and limited resources. Meanwhile, her mother, Erin Mason, is trapped in a hotel elevator with a group of children when the quake hits. Their situation is particularly harrowing, another elevator group doesn’t survive, and an entire floor of the building is destroyed, raising the stakes and emphasizing the scale of the disaster.
As the novel unfolds, each storyline highlights the desperate struggle for survival in a shattered landscape. Communication is down, infrastructure is destroyed, and the Mason family must navigate overwhelming odds in the hope of reuniting. The emotional core of the story lies in that determination, each character pushing forward despite fear, injury, and uncertainty.
Highlights & Limitations
One of the strongest aspects of Breaking Point is its relentless pacing. The story rarely pauses, maintaining a constant sense of urgency that keeps readers engaged. Cassidy, in particular, stands out as a compelling protagonist. Her transformation from a young musician into a resilient survivor is believable and inspiring without feeling overly idealized. The alternating perspectives between family members also add depth, allowing readers to experience the disaster from multiple angles.
The survival elements are another highlight. The author does a solid job depicting the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, the confusion, the lack of resources, and the split-second decisions that can mean life or death. The scenarios feel grounded enough to be immersive, making it easy to imagine being in the characters’ positions.
However, the book isn’t without its limitations. At times, the multiple perspectives can feel slightly underdeveloped, with certain side characters lacking depth or distinct voices. Some readers may also find that the emotional beats move a bit too quickly, given the magnitude of the events, there’s not always enough time spent processing the trauma before the next crisis hits. Additionally, while the fast pace is a strength, it occasionally comes at the expense of richer world-building or deeper exploration of the broader disaster’s impact.
Final Opinion
Breaking Point is a gripping, fast-paced survival thriller that delivers exactly what it promises: high-stakes tension, emotional resilience, and a compelling fight for survival against overwhelming odds. While it may sacrifice some character depth and introspection for the sake of momentum, the story’s intensity and heart more than make up for it.
Fans of post-apocalyptic and disaster fiction will find plenty to enjoy here, especially those who appreciate strong young protagonists and family-driven narratives. It’s a tense, emotional ride that keeps you turning pages, eager to see not just who survives, but who finds their way back to the people they
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😀😛
Character Information and Plot Dynamics
Breaking Point by Harley Tate throws readers straight into chaos, opening with a seemingly ordinary school trip that turns catastrophic in an instant. Cassidy Mason, a talented young violinist, is traveling with her classmates to Nashville for an audition when a devastating earthquake strikes. When Cassidy regains consciousness, she is faced with an unimaginable reality, many of her classmates have died, the bus is wrecked, and survival becomes her only priority. Despite her fear and injuries, Cassidy steps into a leadership role, helping the few survivors and attempting to aid the critically injured bus driver.
The story expands beyond Cassidy’s perspective to follow her parents, creating a multi-threaded narrative filled with tension. Her father, Will Mason, a tugboat captain, is caught in the aftermath on the water with his crew, facing dangerous conditions and limited resources. Meanwhile, her mother, Erin Mason, is trapped in a hotel elevator with a group of children when the quake hits. Their situation is particularly harrowing, another elevator group doesn’t survive, and an entire floor of the building is destroyed, raising the stakes and emphasizing the scale of the disaster.
As the novel unfolds, each storyline highlights the desperate struggle for survival in a shattered landscape. Communication is down, infrastructure is destroyed, and the Mason family must navigate overwhelming odds in the hope of reuniting. The emotional core of the story lies in that determination, each character pushing forward despite fear, injury, and uncertainty.
Highlights & Limitations
One of the strongest aspects of Breaking Point is its relentless pacing. The story rarely pauses, maintaining a constant sense of urgency that keeps readers engaged. Cassidy, in particular, stands out as a compelling protagonist. Her transformation from a young musician into a resilient survivor is believable and inspiring without feeling overly idealized. The alternating perspectives between family members also add depth, allowing readers to experience the disaster from multiple angles.
The survival elements are another highlight. The author does a solid job depicting the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, the confusion, the lack of resources, and the split-second decisions that can mean life or death. The scenarios feel grounded enough to be immersive, making it easy to imagine being in the characters’ positions.
However, the book isn’t without its limitations. At times, the multiple perspectives can feel slightly underdeveloped, with certain side characters lacking depth or distinct voices. Some readers may also find that the emotional beats move a bit too quickly, given the magnitude of the events, there’s not always enough time spent processing the trauma before the next crisis hits. Additionally, while the fast pace is a strength, it occasionally comes at the expense of richer world-building or deeper exploration of the broader disaster’s impact.
Final Opinion
Breaking Point is a gripping, fast-paced survival thriller that delivers exactly what it promises: high-stakes tension, emotional resilience, and a compelling fight for survival against overwhelming odds. While it may sacrifice some character depth and introspection for the sake of momentum, the story’s intensity and heart more than make up for it.
Fans of post-apocalyptic and disaster fiction will find plenty to enjoy here, especially those who appreciate strong young protagonists and family-driven narratives. It’s a tense, emotional ride that keeps you turning pages, eager to see not just who survives, but who finds their way back to the people they
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February 20, 2026
Tate is back in a big way with Breaking Point!
Breaking Point, the 1st installment in an apocalyptic survival thriller based around a massive earthquake that tears the country apart. From beginning to end, Breaking Point is an intense, taut, white knuckle ride that will have you up reading well into the early morning. The writing is first rate, with great narrative quality, extremely clear descriptions of the disaster from 4 perspectives, well rounded characters, especially for the 1st book in the series. Cassidy is the standout character for me. Despite never wanting anything with leadership, but she steps up in big ways. I can't wait for the sequel given the cliffhanger ending! Overall, 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of apocalyptic survival thrillers, thrillers in general and anyone already a fan of Tate! Just about anyone will enjoy Breaking Point!
Breaking Point, the 1st installment in an apocalyptic survival thriller based around a massive earthquake that tears the country apart. From beginning to end, Breaking Point is an intense, taut, white knuckle ride that will have you up reading well into the early morning. The writing is first rate, with great narrative quality, extremely clear descriptions of the disaster from 4 perspectives, well rounded characters, especially for the 1st book in the series. Cassidy is the standout character for me. Despite never wanting anything with leadership, but she steps up in big ways. I can't wait for the sequel given the cliffhanger ending! Overall, 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of apocalyptic survival thrillers, thrillers in general and anyone already a fan of Tate! Just about anyone will enjoy Breaking Point!
February 20, 2026
Fair warning: If you've ever experienced a big earthquake, this book will make your heart race and your palms sweat. Breaking Point is a fast-paced thriller set in Kentucky and Missouri when the powerful New Madrid Fault once again lets loose. The writing is visceral, accurately describing the terrifying consequences and destruction of the modern infrastructure we rely on. If you've lived through strong earthquakes, you'll recognize the descriptions of your brain trying to make sense of what you're feeling initially. Even the strange stillness just before the quake and the way the air smells. And then, the panic when there is nothing to hold on to and nowhere to hide. In this story, through three family members, the reader experiences the powerful earthquake on a school bus in rural Kentucky, in downtown St. Louis, and on the Missouri River. (As a retired teacher who used to take students on out-of-state trips as Erin Mason did, this scenario made me nauseous.) Breaking Point reminds us that no matter how advanced our technology and engineering are, we cannot control plate tectonics, and we ignore the warnings at our own peril. This is an exciting start to a new series by Harley Tate!
March 10, 2026
An Intense Survival Thriller That Keeps You Turning The Pages!!
Fantastic!! This was an intense Apocalyptic Survival Thriller!! A family struggling to reunite, father working on his river boat, science teacher mother on a field trip with her students and daughter on a bus heading towards a violin interview with the musical band from her high school. Boy does disaster hit them all differently, but all horrific nonetheless!!
Tate writes disasters that have an emotional, family and friends, impact and not just the disaster. It’s much more character driven and that makes these types of stories have a stronger impact.
If this is your type of apocalyptic survival thriller, then I’d definitely recommend that you check it out!! That cover gives you chills, doesn’t it?!!
Fantastic!! This was an intense Apocalyptic Survival Thriller!! A family struggling to reunite, father working on his river boat, science teacher mother on a field trip with her students and daughter on a bus heading towards a violin interview with the musical band from her high school. Boy does disaster hit them all differently, but all horrific nonetheless!!
Tate writes disasters that have an emotional, family and friends, impact and not just the disaster. It’s much more character driven and that makes these types of stories have a stronger impact.
If this is your type of apocalyptic survival thriller, then I’d definitely recommend that you check it out!! That cover gives you chills, doesn’t it?!!
April 30, 2026
Great book 📖
This book was, overall, a great book! Breaking Point pulls you in and holds you captive from beginning to end! I loved that each chapter it rotated characters and told the story of what each character was going through and what they were doing to push through and overcome! The world building and story tell were top-notch 👌 The character building was perfectly done! Each character should have their own book from their chapters, and they would still be great books all on their own! I love it when an author can do that! I highly recommend this book and this author! 5/5 must read!
This book was, overall, a great book! Breaking Point pulls you in and holds you captive from beginning to end! I loved that each chapter it rotated characters and told the story of what each character was going through and what they were doing to push through and overcome! The world building and story tell were top-notch 👌 The character building was perfectly done! Each character should have their own book from their chapters, and they would still be great books all on their own! I love it when an author can do that! I highly recommend this book and this author! 5/5 must read!
May 9, 2026
There seems to be quite a few earthquake disaster books right now. This one is ok, though the teenagers add a lot of angst to it. New Madrid shifting would be a big deal, but I find it unlikely that most everyone dies in the two traveling groups except our key characters. In fact most everyone in St Louis dies. Not a lot of effort was made to get help for the people on Cassidy’s bus or Will’s tug. And will Will and Cassidy bother to give Gentry’s warning to their neighbors and her friends who live close by? There were quite a few typos and repetitive words. I will likely give book 2 a chance to see what happens and hope it improves.
April 26, 2026
Second time reading… It was a good post apocalyptic story. After a big earthquake everyone tries to survive. I love that some of the story goes through St. Louis and part in Kentucky and everything in between. I am from St. Louis with family in Kentucky so it was cool that I recognized a lot of the cities and places they were walking by. I am ready for the next book hopefully that will go better than this one. They use virtual voice for this one so at some points it felt boring and monotonous.
March 21, 2026
a frighteningly different apocalypse
I found myself so enmeshed in reading Breaking Point that it was impossible to stop. The thought of a planetary catastrophe of the magnitude of this one was frightening. The story emphasises the individual battles to survive and also that humanity doesn’t plan very well. Harley Tate knows how to tell a darn good story!
I found myself so enmeshed in reading Breaking Point that it was impossible to stop. The thought of a planetary catastrophe of the magnitude of this one was frightening. The story emphasises the individual battles to survive and also that humanity doesn’t plan very well. Harley Tate knows how to tell a darn good story!
May 23, 2026
Earthquakes happen all the time
Having grown up in Missouri, this region was a part of growing up. Even though I lived hundreds of miles away. My grandparents told stories of this earthquake and how affected the crops around central Missouri. This book just reinforces how dangerous and how quick they become. Well done. The characters are believyand are brave and resilient.
Having grown up in Missouri, this region was a part of growing up. Even though I lived hundreds of miles away. My grandparents told stories of this earthquake and how affected the crops around central Missouri. This book just reinforces how dangerous and how quick they become. Well done. The characters are believyand are brave and resilient.
February 21, 2026
disappointed in the ending
I enjoyed this book, but there is no ending so maybe there is a second book coming. I hope so, I want to see if they all get together. I liked the characters and thought them real to life
I enjoyed this book, but there is no ending so maybe there is a second book coming. I hope so, I want to see if they all get together. I liked the characters and thought them real to life
March 3, 2026
New Madrid fault-line rises
I know this is possible, just as a CME could as well.
Maybe this year, but maybe, not in a hundred years.
This is about one family, separated by jobs, commitments, dreams, who risk everything, determined to find one another.
I know this is possible, just as a CME could as well.
Maybe this year, but maybe, not in a hundred years.
This is about one family, separated by jobs, commitments, dreams, who risk everything, determined to find one another.
March 11, 2026
I have really enjoyed Harley Tate's post-apocalyptic books, so I was very excited to receive a notify that there is a new book out. I really enjoyed Breaking point and can't wait for the next book to come out! I read through this one pretty quick because I just couldn't put it down.
March 13, 2026
Excellent
I do hate cliff hangers, but this book was so well written, so thorough, that I don't care. Powerfully written, every chapter or two from a different perspective. I give this book ten stars for the research and emotional wear and tear.
I do hate cliff hangers, but this book was so well written, so thorough, that I don't care. Powerfully written, every chapter or two from a different perspective. I give this book ten stars for the research and emotional wear and tear.
March 21, 2026
Different in a good way
I enjoyed this story....I get tired of reading the same thing worked 20 different ways. This had substance to it and I look forward to the next book in the series.
I enjoyed this story....I get tired of reading the same thing worked 20 different ways. This had substance to it and I look forward to the next book in the series.
April 29, 2026
Not particularly well written
A sad story with so many typos it’s hard to believe it made it into a book. This is part of a trilogy but I have no interest in the next book. This was free with kindle unlimited.
A sad story with so many typos it’s hard to believe it made it into a book. This is part of a trilogy but I have no interest in the next book. This was free with kindle unlimited.
March 19, 2026
EOTWAWKI
The Earth underfoot moves and causes massive destruction.
A family separately coups and tries to get reunited.
Kindle unlimited read using Alexia audio application.
The Earth underfoot moves and causes massive destruction.
A family separately coups and tries to get reunited.
Kindle unlimited read using Alexia audio application.
April 9, 2026
Ndah
Not even close to realistic. Every one in the city dead except the small group of kids. Recognized fathers boat...lol...Just not really interesting !!!
Not even close to realistic. Every one in the city dead except the small group of kids. Recognized fathers boat...lol...Just not really interesting !!!
April 12, 2026
you will love this book
Just finished Breaking Point, really enjoyed it, can’t wait for the next one 👏👏👏 👏Harley Tate is a fantastic author
Just finished Breaking Point, really enjoyed it, can’t wait for the next one 👏👏👏 👏Harley Tate is a fantastic author
May 8, 2026
Excellent
My first book written by Harley Tate. I like the way she expresses her character's feelings and reactions. So far the story has a real feel.
My first book written by Harley Tate. I like the way she expresses her character's feelings and reactions. So far the story has a real feel.
May 10, 2026
Hopeful
When the world falls apart can Cassidy help her friends and herself safely back to their families, and if they make it home will they survive what happens next.
When the world falls apart can Cassidy help her friends and herself safely back to their families, and if they make it home will they survive what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews