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Who We Remain
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26Twenty-year-old Olivia Arison learned long ago that survival means staying quiet and keeping your head down. She remembers the world before the Sovereign Council, and the wreckage it left behind. For eleven years, the Arison family managed the impossible, hiding beyond the Council’s reach and carving out a fragile life of freedom.
Until the day it falls apart.
One loss is all it takes. A single fracture in everything they built, and suddenly the life Olivia held together with both hands begins to unravel. Her family scatters. The safety they sacrificed everything for disappears overnight. The more she struggles to hold it together, the more she realizes how much her family was keeping from her.
Now the Council is closing in.
Forced out of hiding and into a world ruled by fear, Olivia finds herself drawn toward people she wasn’t prepared to meet and truths she wasn’t ready to uncover.
The Sovereign Council will do anything to keep control.
But Olivia may be the one thing they didn’t plan for.
Freedom always has a cost. The only question is how far she’s willing to go to claim it.
Who We Remain is a heartfelt dystopian story of an eldest sister torn between protecting her siblings and empowering them, as she steps into a future she was always meant for, just not like this.
Until the day it falls apart.
One loss is all it takes. A single fracture in everything they built, and suddenly the life Olivia held together with both hands begins to unravel. Her family scatters. The safety they sacrificed everything for disappears overnight. The more she struggles to hold it together, the more she realizes how much her family was keeping from her.
Now the Council is closing in.
Forced out of hiding and into a world ruled by fear, Olivia finds herself drawn toward people she wasn’t prepared to meet and truths she wasn’t ready to uncover.
The Sovereign Council will do anything to keep control.
But Olivia may be the one thing they didn’t plan for.
Freedom always has a cost. The only question is how far she’s willing to go to claim it.
Who We Remain is a heartfelt dystopian story of an eldest sister torn between protecting her siblings and empowering them, as she steps into a future she was always meant for, just not like this.
407 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 12, 2026
6 people want to read
About the author
Teresa Trencher
1 book3 followersBorn in Miami, Florida, Teresa Trencher writes dystopian fiction rooted in power, survival, and the psychology of control. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she is drawn to the ways trauma reshapes identity and how resilience is forged in impossible circumstances.
A mother and advocate for resilience while living with chronic illness, she writes stories about survival, moral complexity, and the quiet rebellions that change lives. Her work examines what breaks us and what refuses to stay broken.
A mother and advocate for resilience while living with chronic illness, she writes stories about survival, moral complexity, and the quiet rebellions that change lives. Her work examines what breaks us and what refuses to stay broken.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 30, 2026
This book wastes no time…right from the opening pages, it throws you into a fast-paced, pulse-pounding story. Blending dystopian tension with eerie thriller elements and touches of horror, it immediately hooked me. The stakes feel high from the start, and I found myself genuinely worried for the main characters almost instantly. The female main character, in particular, is easy to connect with, and I grew attached to her very quickly.
I appreciated the flashbacks to the “before” times, which added depth to the story and made the world feel more real. Piecing together the inner workings of what was happening was incredibly engaging, and I enjoyed uncovering the layers of the plot. What made it especially chilling, though, was how plausible it all felt..this is the kind of story that lingers because you can imagine it actually happening.
And that ending… the cliffhanger was intense and left me desperate for answers. The author does an excellent job of pulling readers in and keeping them invested until the very last page. I’m already looking forward to the next book!
I appreciated the flashbacks to the “before” times, which added depth to the story and made the world feel more real. Piecing together the inner workings of what was happening was incredibly engaging, and I enjoyed uncovering the layers of the plot. What made it especially chilling, though, was how plausible it all felt..this is the kind of story that lingers because you can imagine it actually happening.
And that ending… the cliffhanger was intense and left me desperate for answers. The author does an excellent job of pulling readers in and keeping them invested until the very last page. I’m already looking forward to the next book!
May 8, 2026
Wow!!! What a crazy cliff hanger...I need book 2 now pretty please.
I have read lots of dystopian lately and they are all so good yet so different.
We follow Olivia (Liv) and her siblings as they are escaping the Sovereign Council (SC), which is the entity that is governing at the moment. But what she learns more about in her escape is how deeply her family is in the rebellion fighting against the SC.
There is heartbreak but also so much courage and strength. Liv is so much stronger than she may have thought and willing to go to any lengths to get her brother back. And make sure the rest of her siblings are safe.
I have read lots of dystopian lately and they are all so good yet so different.
We follow Olivia (Liv) and her siblings as they are escaping the Sovereign Council (SC), which is the entity that is governing at the moment. But what she learns more about in her escape is how deeply her family is in the rebellion fighting against the SC.
There is heartbreak but also so much courage and strength. Liv is so much stronger than she may have thought and willing to go to any lengths to get her brother back. And make sure the rest of her siblings are safe.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
I was not expecting this book to hit me the way it did… but it absolutely did.
This is a deeply introspective story that leans heavily into themes of grief, identity, and what it means to rebuild yourself after everything falls apart. It’s very character-driven, and you spend a lot of time inside the main character’s thoughts, processing everything alongside them in a way that feels incredibly real.
The pacing is slower, but it works perfectly for this story. Instead of rushing, it allows you to fully connect with the characters—so when the emotional and plot-driven moments start to hit, they hit hard. I found myself completely invested.
Emotionally, this book takes you on a ride. You’re crushed, then given a little bit of hope, only to be crushed again. By the end, I was honestly just… mad—in that “gearing up for revenge” kind of way—and then left hanging for book two.
If I had any complaint at all, it would be that this story doesn’t fully wrap up in one book. I typically prefer series where each installment can stand on its own without a major cliffhanger. However… it worked. I need book two.
This author did not take it easy on my feelings, and I genuinely appreciated that. The story doesn’t try to neatly fix everything, which made it feel more honest and impactful.
Overall, I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy slower-paced, emotional, and introspective stories with strong character growth, real, raw feelings—and moments of action that hit when you least expect them.
This one hurt—in the best way.
I was not expecting this book to hit me the way it did… but it absolutely did.
This is a deeply introspective story that leans heavily into themes of grief, identity, and what it means to rebuild yourself after everything falls apart. It’s very character-driven, and you spend a lot of time inside the main character’s thoughts, processing everything alongside them in a way that feels incredibly real.
The pacing is slower, but it works perfectly for this story. Instead of rushing, it allows you to fully connect with the characters—so when the emotional and plot-driven moments start to hit, they hit hard. I found myself completely invested.
Emotionally, this book takes you on a ride. You’re crushed, then given a little bit of hope, only to be crushed again. By the end, I was honestly just… mad—in that “gearing up for revenge” kind of way—and then left hanging for book two.
If I had any complaint at all, it would be that this story doesn’t fully wrap up in one book. I typically prefer series where each installment can stand on its own without a major cliffhanger. However… it worked. I need book two.
This author did not take it easy on my feelings, and I genuinely appreciated that. The story doesn’t try to neatly fix everything, which made it feel more honest and impactful.
Overall, I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy slower-paced, emotional, and introspective stories with strong character growth, real, raw feelings—and moments of action that hit when you least expect them.
This one hurt—in the best way.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Who We Remain by Teresa Trencher was by far my favorite read of 2026.
The main character, Liv, continues to live in my mind well after finishing the book. Her strength and cunning, plus her fierce loyalty to those around her, is inspirational. I was sucked in on the first page, and could barely set the book down. The storyline is interesting and holds the reader's attention as it takes you through a journey no one wishes to live through, but felt real all the same.
The characters not only feel like real people, but the emotional connection built through Teresa's writing is palpable. There are so many amazing characters with specific personalities and traits. I feel as a reader that each character could represent someone in my life at some point in time, which is what makes the story feel so real.
The Arison's have to work for everything they have on their land, and they've worked hard. The family takes care of their home, so much so, that the homestead almost feels like a secondary character that links them all together.
Although everything listed above is already a good enough reason to read the book, my favorite thing by far, was the dialogue between the characters. They are sassy and witty, and their conversations come with ease. I saw the love each characters had for the other, and I was drawn to that connection.
The main character, Liv, continues to live in my mind well after finishing the book. Her strength and cunning, plus her fierce loyalty to those around her, is inspirational. I was sucked in on the first page, and could barely set the book down. The storyline is interesting and holds the reader's attention as it takes you through a journey no one wishes to live through, but felt real all the same.
The characters not only feel like real people, but the emotional connection built through Teresa's writing is palpable. There are so many amazing characters with specific personalities and traits. I feel as a reader that each character could represent someone in my life at some point in time, which is what makes the story feel so real.
The Arison's have to work for everything they have on their land, and they've worked hard. The family takes care of their home, so much so, that the homestead almost feels like a secondary character that links them all together.
Although everything listed above is already a good enough reason to read the book, my favorite thing by far, was the dialogue between the characters. They are sassy and witty, and their conversations come with ease. I saw the love each characters had for the other, and I was drawn to that connection.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Who We Remain
A House of Arison Saga book 1
By Teresa Trencher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🥾 New Adult
🐾 Dystopian
🥾 Strangers to Lovers
🐾 a Fight for Survival
🥾 Resistance
This beautifully emotional book follows the story of the Arison family and their fight against the government to survive after their dad was schmurdered, they have been raised to be survivalists in case everything turns upside down.
And upside down it went, they are forced to run from their safe haven homestead after their mum goes down with the fight to protect them.
Along their journey they find the resistance and uncover so many family secrets while suffering the loss of loved family members.
Really intriguing book, worth a read 🥰
Who We Remain releases May 12th 😘🖤
#dystopianbooks #newadultreads #whoweremain #bookreview #booktokfyp
A House of Arison Saga book 1
By Teresa Trencher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🥾 New Adult
🐾 Dystopian
🥾 Strangers to Lovers
🐾 a Fight for Survival
🥾 Resistance
This beautifully emotional book follows the story of the Arison family and their fight against the government to survive after their dad was schmurdered, they have been raised to be survivalists in case everything turns upside down.
And upside down it went, they are forced to run from their safe haven homestead after their mum goes down with the fight to protect them.
Along their journey they find the resistance and uncover so many family secrets while suffering the loss of loved family members.
Really intriguing book, worth a read 🥰
Who We Remain releases May 12th 😘🖤
#dystopianbooks #newadultreads #whoweremain #bookreview #booktokfyp
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25
I am writing this review voluntarily. I was given the opportunity to read an ARC of "Who We Remain". This is a dystopian novel of government regulation after a natural disaster and society breakdown resulting in heartache, loss and hope for change as, Liv, uses her survival training to protect her family and, ultimately, change the world. This is a well-written story that takes a complicated premise and makes it easy for the reader to follow. It is an emotional journey of grief and finding strength. There were times when reading this book that I was not ok. 🥹 And the cliffhanger! Definitely need to read the next one!
I am writing this review voluntarily. I was given the opportunity to read an ARC of "Who We Remain". This is a dystopian novel of government regulation after a natural disaster and society breakdown resulting in heartache, loss and hope for change as, Liv, uses her survival training to protect her family and, ultimately, change the world. This is a well-written story that takes a complicated premise and makes it easy for the reader to follow. It is an emotional journey of grief and finding strength. There were times when reading this book that I was not ok. 🥹 And the cliffhanger! Definitely need to read the next one!
April 24, 2026
ARC Reader
I really enjoyed this book. Liv’s journey is definitely a hard one, but watching her grow into her strong person in a world devoted to keep women weak and navigating all the secrets left behind by her parents and finding her place in the resistance is intriguing to read. The cliffhanger at the end has me on the edge of my seat for the next book.
I really enjoyed this book. Liv’s journey is definitely a hard one, but watching her grow into her strong person in a world devoted to keep women weak and navigating all the secrets left behind by her parents and finding her place in the resistance is intriguing to read. The cliffhanger at the end has me on the edge of my seat for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a dystopian novel with a little romance sprinkled in! I would love to see how the romance blooms in the next book. The ending definitely makes you want more. This is Theresas debut novel and I think she did a great job!
Comes out May 12th. Please give it a try ❤️
Comes out May 12th. Please give it a try ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I RECEIVED AN ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
If you enjoy dystopian reads, this is the book for you! Think Divergent and Hunger Games vibes…
It’s fast-paced, full of action, and kept me turning the pages. What I especially loved about the setting is how eerily believable it feels—like a potential near-future reality.
Once Liv, the FMC, discovers her truth, her character really takes off. She steps into her role without hesitation, making her easy to root for.
As a debut novel, this is a strong foundation for the series and an impressive accomplishment.
I’ll end with my favorite quote and side character:
“To abnormal, alive, and fabulous.” — Rowyn
If you enjoy dystopian reads, this is the book for you! Think Divergent and Hunger Games vibes…
It’s fast-paced, full of action, and kept me turning the pages. What I especially loved about the setting is how eerily believable it feels—like a potential near-future reality.
Once Liv, the FMC, discovers her truth, her character really takes off. She steps into her role without hesitation, making her easy to root for.
As a debut novel, this is a strong foundation for the series and an impressive accomplishment.
I’ll end with my favorite quote and side character:
“To abnormal, alive, and fabulous.” — Rowyn
Review of advance copy received from Author
A gripping dystopian novel, Who We Remain has captured me, enthralled me, and led me back to my love of dystopia.
The characters and their relationships are so well written that you begin to believe you’ve developed friendships with them, that you’re right there with them in their banter, their fear, their grief.
Through gripping storytelling, Teresa Trencher captures a world we have begun to fear, putting both our fear and our hope for change into words. Her imagery is powerful in a way that is hard to describe. Even as someone with aphantasia, I was able to experience the story fully, feeling everything from the warmth of the family farm to the raw emotion of grief.
The ending leaves you wanting more, eager for the next release, and truly wishing you could remain in the world of the Arison Saga just a little longer.
The characters and their relationships are so well written that you begin to believe you’ve developed friendships with them, that you’re right there with them in their banter, their fear, their grief.
Through gripping storytelling, Teresa Trencher captures a world we have begun to fear, putting both our fear and our hope for change into words. Her imagery is powerful in a way that is hard to describe. Even as someone with aphantasia, I was able to experience the story fully, feeling everything from the warmth of the family farm to the raw emotion of grief.
The ending leaves you wanting more, eager for the next release, and truly wishing you could remain in the world of the Arison Saga just a little longer.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Reading this book felt like watching an action movie in my head, fast paced and relentless from start to finish. It’s an emotional journey through a broken world, filled with hope, grief, and a slowburn romance that really adds depth. I really enjoyed the plot and would recommend it to any sci-fi/dystopian reader. Liv's story has just begun.. I’m excited for book two, it ends on a massive cliffhanger right when I was most invested! I'll Definitely keep reading.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews