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The Ones We Protect: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Novel
THE SUN CHANGED. EVERYTHING ELSE FOLLOWED.
The world unraveled in a single morning.
The power dies. Cars stop running. Phones fall silent. When strange colors fill the sky and every modern system fails, thirteen-year-old Logan Hopkins realizes this is far more than a blackout.
His parents are hundreds of miles away. His younger brothers are looking to him for answers. And their nanny, Becca, may be the only adult left standing between them and a neighborhood beginning to collapse.
At first, people wait for help.
Then food disappears. Water runs low. Strangers come to the door. Neighbors who once waved from driveways start watching from windows. And as fear spreads, Logan learns the disaster may not be the greatest threat.
It may be the people left behind.
Their only hope lies somewhere to the south—if they can reach it.
But the road is no longer safe. Every mile brings new danger, impossible choices, and a truth Logan is not ready to when everything people depend on disappears, protecting the ones you love may require becoming someone you never expected to be.
Because when everything falls apart, the only thing that matters is the ones we protect.
The world unraveled in a single morning.
The power dies. Cars stop running. Phones fall silent. When strange colors fill the sky and every modern system fails, thirteen-year-old Logan Hopkins realizes this is far more than a blackout.
His parents are hundreds of miles away. His younger brothers are looking to him for answers. And their nanny, Becca, may be the only adult left standing between them and a neighborhood beginning to collapse.
At first, people wait for help.
Then food disappears. Water runs low. Strangers come to the door. Neighbors who once waved from driveways start watching from windows. And as fear spreads, Logan learns the disaster may not be the greatest threat.
It may be the people left behind.
Their only hope lies somewhere to the south—if they can reach it.
But the road is no longer safe. Every mile brings new danger, impossible choices, and a truth Logan is not ready to when everything people depend on disappears, protecting the ones you love may require becoming someone you never expected to be.
Because when everything falls apart, the only thing that matters is the ones we protect.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2026
About the author
Kevin Hawkinson
1 bookKevin Hawkinson is a commercial insurance professional moonlighting as an author, which sounds a little more mysterious than it probably is.
He writes grounded post-apocalyptic survival fiction focused on family, responsibility, resilience, and what ordinary people do when the world suddenly stops playing by the rules. A longtime reader of survival fiction, thrillers, and science fiction, Kevin has always been drawn to stories that ask big “what if” questions and then drop regular people into impossible situations. Some of his favorite influences include A. American, Andy Weir, Cormac McCarthy, Joshua Dalzelle, and Jack Carr, among others.
Writing began as a creative outlet and quickly became something closer to therapy. In his day job, Kevin spends a lot of time thinking about risk, planning, exposures, and worst-case scenarios. Fiction gives him a place to explore those same ideas with more imagination, more heart, and thankfully fewer spreadsheets.
His goal is to write fun, grounded stories that readers can enjoy while still taking something meaningful away from them. Although his work fits within science fiction and survival fiction, Kevin tries to write stories with threads that connect across different readers—teens and adults, mothers and fathers, casual readers and true survivalists alike.
Kevin’s interest in preparedness, outdoor skills, firearms training, amateur radio, and contingency planning helps shape fiction that feels realistic and close to home. He believes the best survival stories are not just about gear, food, or the end of the world. They are about people, choices, family, fear, courage, and the quiet responsibility of protecting those who depend on you.
Kevin lives in the American South with his wife and children. When he is not working, writing, reading, or spending time with family, he can usually be found training, organizing gear, or thinking through “what if” scenarios.
https://a.co/d/031XRZy0
He writes grounded post-apocalyptic survival fiction focused on family, responsibility, resilience, and what ordinary people do when the world suddenly stops playing by the rules. A longtime reader of survival fiction, thrillers, and science fiction, Kevin has always been drawn to stories that ask big “what if” questions and then drop regular people into impossible situations. Some of his favorite influences include A. American, Andy Weir, Cormac McCarthy, Joshua Dalzelle, and Jack Carr, among others.
Writing began as a creative outlet and quickly became something closer to therapy. In his day job, Kevin spends a lot of time thinking about risk, planning, exposures, and worst-case scenarios. Fiction gives him a place to explore those same ideas with more imagination, more heart, and thankfully fewer spreadsheets.
His goal is to write fun, grounded stories that readers can enjoy while still taking something meaningful away from them. Although his work fits within science fiction and survival fiction, Kevin tries to write stories with threads that connect across different readers—teens and adults, mothers and fathers, casual readers and true survivalists alike.
Kevin’s interest in preparedness, outdoor skills, firearms training, amateur radio, and contingency planning helps shape fiction that feels realistic and close to home. He believes the best survival stories are not just about gear, food, or the end of the world. They are about people, choices, family, fear, courage, and the quiet responsibility of protecting those who depend on you.
Kevin lives in the American South with his wife and children. When he is not working, writing, reading, or spending time with family, he can usually be found training, organizing gear, or thinking through “what if” scenarios.
https://a.co/d/031XRZy0
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 11, 2026
I don’t usually read post-apocalyptic novels, but a friend recommended this one, and I’m glad they did. I tend to avoid the genre because it leaves me feeling unprepared for the kind of scenario it depicts.
Hawkinson creates excellent tension throughout. It’s unsettling to imagine how neighbors and strangers might behave when desperate for food, water, and shelter. I was especially drawn to the story of a young boy, barely a teenager, who rises to the challenge of protecting his brothers under frightening circumstances.
A strong debut novel that left me thinking about how prepared any of us really are for the worst.
Hawkinson creates excellent tension throughout. It’s unsettling to imagine how neighbors and strangers might behave when desperate for food, water, and shelter. I was especially drawn to the story of a young boy, barely a teenager, who rises to the challenge of protecting his brothers under frightening circumstances.
A strong debut novel that left me thinking about how prepared any of us really are for the worst.
June 14, 2026
I would have gave this book a 5 Star review but......
I had read this book for hours, ignoring things I should have tended to and putting things off so I could read and then the epilogue where everywhere is supposed to be tied in a big bow and you walk away work a wow what an awesome ending,, BUT no it does not end, it actually has a cliff hanger. Those of you who read my reviews know I hate when a writer does this. If you are a talented enough writer folks will buy your next book because they want to know what happens with the other people they met in your story. So with a sad heart I am taking this author off the list of authors I want to follow and support.
I had read this book for hours, ignoring things I should have tended to and putting things off so I could read and then the epilogue where everywhere is supposed to be tied in a big bow and you walk away work a wow what an awesome ending,, BUT no it does not end, it actually has a cliff hanger. Those of you who read my reviews know I hate when a writer does this. If you are a talented enough writer folks will buy your next book because they want to know what happens with the other people they met in your story. So with a sad heart I am taking this author off the list of authors I want to follow and support.
June 15, 2026
protect the family
Excellent book. Characters that win you over. Reminding of what really matters. Of family. Loyalty. Discovering strength when all is going crazy around you. I highly recommend it and hope the author is working on a sequel.
Excellent book. Characters that win you over. Reminding of what really matters. Of family. Loyalty. Discovering strength when all is going crazy around you. I highly recommend it and hope the author is working on a sequel.
June 6, 2026
A fresh take on the post-apocalyptic genre with an exciting story from beginning to end. Great character development that shows how raw grit can help you persevere in almost any situation.
June 14, 2026
Great Read
A wonderful take on an old subject! Getting the bird's eye view of children was unexpected. I truly fell in love with poor Logan...what an unsung hero!
A wonderful take on an old subject! Getting the bird's eye view of children was unexpected. I truly fell in love with poor Logan...what an unsung hero!
June 21, 2026
Very good plot and workable story line.
Action and emotional behaviours were believable. Importance of family and how everyone working together just might end in a happy ending.
Action and emotional behaviours were believable. Importance of family and how everyone working together just might end in a happy ending.
July 1, 2026
Waiting for the next chapter!
The beginning was slow, but picked fast. Would love to find out the next, what happens to the parents. Will they see the children again?
The beginning was slow, but picked fast. Would love to find out the next, what happens to the parents. Will they see the children again?
June 9, 2026
Very well-written novel. Once I started I could not put it down, and I even read it a second time!! Both adults and adolescent readers can enjoy this amazing book, and I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews