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He might be a wolf in disguise.
Ever since the world fell apart a year ago, I've been doing whatever I can to survive, serving food at a trading post in the flooded hills of eastern Virginia and sometimes taking men to my room upstairs.
They have to pay, of course.
Cade stops by every few weeks. He's gruff and quiet and not looking for friends, but he always treats me okay. I don't mind having him as a customer. I actually start to like him, which is the last thing I expect in the hellish place the world has become. But Cade isn't the harmless loner he's been pretending to be, and his secrets could drag me into danger.
I thought he was just a regular guy, but all this time he's been hiding a wolf.
Ever since the world fell apart a year ago, I've been doing whatever I can to survive, serving food at a trading post in the flooded hills of eastern Virginia and sometimes taking men to my room upstairs.
They have to pay, of course.
Cade stops by every few weeks. He's gruff and quiet and not looking for friends, but he always treats me okay. I don't mind having him as a customer. I actually start to like him, which is the last thing I expect in the hellish place the world has become. But Cade isn't the harmless loner he's been pretending to be, and his secrets could drag me into danger.
I thought he was just a regular guy, but all this time he's been hiding a wolf.
202 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2026
About the author
Claire Kent
42 books2,313 followersClaire has been writing romance novels since she was twelve years old. After teaching English at the university level for several years, she started writing full-time under two different pen names. She lives in Virginia.
Her early books are sexy contemporary romances filled with heat and real emotion, but with the Hold series she transitioned to science fiction romance. Her current books are steamy post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe. They feature smart, resilient women trying to survive in a new chaotic world and falling in love with strong, gruff, taciturn men.
Claire also writes softer contemporary romances as Noelle Adams,
Her early books are sexy contemporary romances filled with heat and real emotion, but with the Hold series she transitioned to science fiction romance. Her current books are steamy post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe. They feature smart, resilient women trying to survive in a new chaotic world and falling in love with strong, gruff, taciturn men.
Claire also writes softer contemporary romances as Noelle Adams,
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Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
📚 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗬 📚 [⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Star Review]
☀︎ ❥ ☀︎ HOODED ☀︎ ❥ ☀︎Is the third novel in the (Post-Apocalyptic fairy Tales ) series by author Claire Kent.
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
Once this beauty arrived in my inbox, I dived right in, I've loved this series from the get go but I have to say this one didn't hit me like the previous books did. Usually in the past I'd read these novels within a matter of hours, that wasn't the case with this one, it took me over a day. I just didn't feel that connection between these two.
-Transactional relationship.
-Dystopian romance.
-Loosely based fairytale retelling.
-Age gap
When the impact hit destroying the world as they knew it, life became unbearably harder for the survivors left in this new world. Twenty seven year old Jill used to be an account in the old world so solely for safety reasons and much needed protection she became a prostitute which entails three clients a week, and a small room to herself. The men pay the establishment's owner Nell who keeps a tight reign over her pub and the girls get paid in rations by the men they service.
Thirty six year old Cade is one of the semi regular men who sits in Jill's area, and observes, never speaking. Until he becomes one of Jill's clients, slowly deepening their transaction into one of fondness.
Also in the area the Militia have full control of the region but there's been some push back from 'The Silver Wolf' who fast became public enemy number one, this mysterious man has been alluding their traps and stealing their cache giving back to those who need it the most.
☀︎ ❥ ☀︎ HOODED ☀︎ ❥ ☀︎Is the third novel in the (Post-Apocalyptic fairy Tales ) series by author Claire Kent.
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
Once this beauty arrived in my inbox, I dived right in, I've loved this series from the get go but I have to say this one didn't hit me like the previous books did. Usually in the past I'd read these novels within a matter of hours, that wasn't the case with this one, it took me over a day. I just didn't feel that connection between these two.
-Transactional relationship.
-Dystopian romance.
-Loosely based fairytale retelling.
-Age gap
When the impact hit destroying the world as they knew it, life became unbearably harder for the survivors left in this new world. Twenty seven year old Jill used to be an account in the old world so solely for safety reasons and much needed protection she became a prostitute which entails three clients a week, and a small room to herself. The men pay the establishment's owner Nell who keeps a tight reign over her pub and the girls get paid in rations by the men they service.
Thirty six year old Cade is one of the semi regular men who sits in Jill's area, and observes, never speaking. Until he becomes one of Jill's clients, slowly deepening their transaction into one of fondness.
Also in the area the Militia have full control of the region but there's been some push back from 'The Silver Wolf' who fast became public enemy number one, this mysterious man has been alluding their traps and stealing their cache giving back to those who need it the most.
July 12, 2026
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I’m sad to say I was disappointed
There was no chemistry! The book in general was a nothing burger
And I love reading from this author but this one was so boring.
The more I think about it, this series is just not comparing to the rest of her work
Maybe I’ll read the next one in the series when it comes out, I don’t know 🤷🏾♀️
There was no chemistry! The book in general was a nothing burger
And I love reading from this author but this one was so boring.
The more I think about it, this series is just not comparing to the rest of her work
Maybe I’ll read the next one in the series when it comes out, I don’t know 🤷🏾♀️
June 17, 2026
A book that can be read in one sitting.
This was good and easy to read. I loved Jill- she was strong and amazing. Pete was another character I enjoyed.
Hats off to the author for connecting this book to the series. It was done wonderfully.
I didn’t give it more stars because Cade got on my nerves in the second half.
Happy to see Breanna, Cole and Del.
Epilogue was cute.
Can’t wait to read the next book.
Safety- heroine is a prostitute due to circumstances. And she does have client even after meeting and being intimate with Hero. No detailed scenes.
-Transactional relationship.
-Dystopian romance.
-Loosely based fairytale retelling.
-Matured characters.
-KU.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
This was good and easy to read. I loved Jill- she was strong and amazing. Pete was another character I enjoyed.
Hats off to the author for connecting this book to the series. It was done wonderfully.
I didn’t give it more stars because Cade got on my nerves in the second half.
Happy to see Breanna, Cole and Del.
Epilogue was cute.
Can’t wait to read the next book.
Safety- heroine is a prostitute due to circumstances. And she does have client even after meeting and being intimate with Hero. No detailed scenes.
-Transactional relationship.
-Dystopian romance.
-Loosely based fairytale retelling.
-Matured characters.
-KU.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
July 10, 2026
I keep expecting more but nothing…
The MMC gave me the ick after being too sacred to remove the fmc from a situation she didn’t want to be in anymore (the brothel). Even though he said he was scared to put her in a position to be hurt. She was already hurting from having to do a job she didn’t want to do.
I miss the old generation of Claire Kent’s book. The plot and writing style of her more recent book are too surface level imo. I will continue to read her book since her old ones are some of my favorites.
The MMC gave me the ick after being too sacred to remove the fmc from a situation she didn’t want to be in anymore (the brothel). Even though he said he was scared to put her in a position to be hurt. She was already hurting from having to do a job she didn’t want to do.
I miss the old generation of Claire Kent’s book. The plot and writing style of her more recent book are too surface level imo. I will continue to read her book since her old ones are some of my favorites.
July 11, 2026
Hooded aka o eski halinden eser yok şimdi 😒
Claire Kent çok severim ama bu sefer olmamış. İlk kez kıyametin bu kadar kısa süre sonrasını anlatması ve ana karakter kızcağızın 27 yaşında olmasıyla dedim sanki güzel bişiler olacak şimdi ⛺️
Kızın mesleğinden de kaynaklı bi değişik okuma olacağı sanrısına kapıldım ama heyhat! Neyse ki 200 sayfa bile değildi de kurtulduk.
Yahu kız bu hayattan kurtulmak istiyorum diye açık açık söylüyor, adam sen diğer türlü tehlikede olursun diyor?! Alo göktaşı düşmüş insanlık bitmiş sen aşık olduğun kadına muamele çektiriyorsun?!🥵 🥵 🥵
Ay yazarken iğrendim ÇÖP!🚮
Claire Kent çok severim ama bu sefer olmamış. İlk kez kıyametin bu kadar kısa süre sonrasını anlatması ve ana karakter kızcağızın 27 yaşında olmasıyla dedim sanki güzel bişiler olacak şimdi ⛺️
Kızın mesleğinden de kaynaklı bi değişik okuma olacağı sanrısına kapıldım ama heyhat! Neyse ki 200 sayfa bile değildi de kurtulduk.
Yahu kız bu hayattan kurtulmak istiyorum diye açık açık söylüyor, adam sen diğer türlü tehlikede olursun diyor?! Alo göktaşı düşmüş insanlık bitmiş sen aşık olduğun kadına muamele çektiriyorsun?!🥵 🥵 🥵
Ay yazarken iğrendim ÇÖP!🚮
July 11, 2026
Short and sweet, but wish I felt the connection with the couple more. Likable FMC. For the first year after impact I’m surprised it wasn’t grittier and more atmospheric.
-transactional relationship
-KU
-post apocalyptic romance
-hidden identity
-transactional relationship
-KU
-post apocalyptic romance
-hidden identity
July 11, 2026
3.25
claire kent always adds a certain amount of realism to her post-apolyptic books; everyone smells bad, she doesn't ignore gender roles, etc. so i know it's realistic that a prostitute heroine would be well, prostituting, but it did bother me that she was fucking loads of men until 80% into the book, and the hero was allowing it. likeee he could've found her somewhere else to live, even if it wasn't with him. other than that, i liked this one, especially the final twist with the town
claire kent always adds a certain amount of realism to her post-apolyptic books; everyone smells bad, she doesn't ignore gender roles, etc. so i know it's realistic that a prostitute heroine would be well, prostituting, but it did bother me that she was fucking loads of men until 80% into the book, and the hero was allowing it. likeee he could've found her somewhere else to live, even if it wasn't with him. other than that, i liked this one, especially the final twist with the town
July 11, 2026
This started off so good but then ya know what….. I think this man could have done more/tried more to improve her life like just a fucking notepad and some apples damn. But looking through the eyes of this as camp Claire Kent, couldn’t help but not rush to see the HEA. Lowkey love community too
July 11, 2026
Meh...
July 28, 2026
After spending the better part of a week immersed in the emotionally draining Love in the Realms of Time and the equally lengthy The Wildborn from last week, Hooded turned out to be exactly the palate cleanser I needed. Shorter, more intimate, and refreshingly straightforward, it reminded me just how effortlessly Claire Kent can tell a compelling love story without sacrificing the emotional depth that has made this post-apocalyptic world one of my favourite romance settings. Inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, Hooded may borrow familiar fairy tale beats, but it is very much Claire Kent’s own story. Set barely two years after the asteroid impact, it captures a world still struggling to find its footing, where survival often depends as much on the people beside you as the supplies in your pack.
Jill has carved out a fragile existence working at a trading post where serving drinks is only part of her job. She is practical, resilient, and fully aware of the compromises she has had to make simply to stay alive. I loved her almost immediately. She has grit without becoming invincible, vulnerability without ever feeling weak, and a quiet determination that keeps her moving even when the world seems determined to crush her spirit.
Then there is Cade. Gruff, broad-shouldered, and spectacularly awkward with his feelings, he is exactly the kind of Claire Kent hero I have been missing in her recent books. A former Navy serviceman with a failed marriage behind him, Cade says little, observes everything, and loves with a quiet intensity that speaks louder than grand declarations ever could. Beneath the beard and perpetual scowl is one of the kindest, most dependable heroes in the series.
What begins as a purely transactional arrangement slowly develops into something infinitely more complicated. Jill understands the dangers of letting emotions creep into an arrangement built on necessity, while Cade is equally convinced that caring for someone only paints a target on their back in a world where survival often demands impossible choices. Watching those walls gradually come down was easily my favourite part of the novel. Their connection grows through quiet conversations, shared late nights together, and countless small moments that feel entirely all too real. When deeper feelings inevitably surface, the conflict no longer comes from external circumstances alone but from two people trying to reconcile love with the brutal realities of the world they now inhabit.
Claire Kent once again proves why she excels at writing relationships that feel grounded. Cade’s tenderness completely won me over. This is a man who instinctively knows how to comfort, protect, and care for a woman who has almost forgotten intimacy can exist without obligation. Their physical relationship reflects that beautifully, evolving from something transactional into something deeply personal. I also found myself nodding along to Cade’s philosophy that mercy and justice simply cannot look the same when civilization has collapsed. It is a morally grey outlook, but within the context of this world, it feels painfully believable. The fairy tale elements sprinkled throughout the novel added another enjoyable layer without overwhelming the story, and longtime readers of the series will appreciate familiar faces appearing before the happily-ever-afters we already know await them. Those little connections made the world feel even richer.
If I had one criticism, it would be that I wanted Cade to take the leap just a little sooner. His caution is understandable, and it aligns perfectly with the burden he carries as a leader, but there were moments where fear kept him standing still when Jill was ready to move forward. Thankfully, Jill is no damsel waiting to be rescued. She has a fighting spirit that refuses to settle for half measures, and I admired the way she challenged Cade to stop merely surviving and start imagining a future worth fighting for. Their disagreements never diminished my affection for either of them. Instead, they highlighted how differently two strong people can respond to the same impossible world.
The epilogue was exactly what I wanted. Seeing how life continued to grow long after the dust settled, with familiar faces finding their place in a thriving community, left me with the same quiet satisfaction that has become one of the hallmarks of this series. It also made me unexpectedly nostalgic to revisit characters like Billy and Cole before the stories that would eventually become some of my favourites. More than anything, Hooded reminded me why I fell in love with Claire Kent’s post-apocalyptic romances in the first place.
Recommended For: Readers who enjoy gruff but deeply devoted heroes, post-apocalyptic romance, slow-burn emotional connections, survival stories, and fairy tale retellings with heart.
Final Verdict: A rugged hero, a remarkable heroine, and a romance that quietly blossoms into something beautiful. Hooded reminded me exactly why Claire Kent remains my favourite post-apocalyptic romance authors.
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
Jill has carved out a fragile existence working at a trading post where serving drinks is only part of her job. She is practical, resilient, and fully aware of the compromises she has had to make simply to stay alive. I loved her almost immediately. She has grit without becoming invincible, vulnerability without ever feeling weak, and a quiet determination that keeps her moving even when the world seems determined to crush her spirit.
Then there is Cade. Gruff, broad-shouldered, and spectacularly awkward with his feelings, he is exactly the kind of Claire Kent hero I have been missing in her recent books. A former Navy serviceman with a failed marriage behind him, Cade says little, observes everything, and loves with a quiet intensity that speaks louder than grand declarations ever could. Beneath the beard and perpetual scowl is one of the kindest, most dependable heroes in the series.
What begins as a purely transactional arrangement slowly develops into something infinitely more complicated. Jill understands the dangers of letting emotions creep into an arrangement built on necessity, while Cade is equally convinced that caring for someone only paints a target on their back in a world where survival often demands impossible choices. Watching those walls gradually come down was easily my favourite part of the novel. Their connection grows through quiet conversations, shared late nights together, and countless small moments that feel entirely all too real. When deeper feelings inevitably surface, the conflict no longer comes from external circumstances alone but from two people trying to reconcile love with the brutal realities of the world they now inhabit.
Claire Kent once again proves why she excels at writing relationships that feel grounded. Cade’s tenderness completely won me over. This is a man who instinctively knows how to comfort, protect, and care for a woman who has almost forgotten intimacy can exist without obligation. Their physical relationship reflects that beautifully, evolving from something transactional into something deeply personal. I also found myself nodding along to Cade’s philosophy that mercy and justice simply cannot look the same when civilization has collapsed. It is a morally grey outlook, but within the context of this world, it feels painfully believable. The fairy tale elements sprinkled throughout the novel added another enjoyable layer without overwhelming the story, and longtime readers of the series will appreciate familiar faces appearing before the happily-ever-afters we already know await them. Those little connections made the world feel even richer.
If I had one criticism, it would be that I wanted Cade to take the leap just a little sooner. His caution is understandable, and it aligns perfectly with the burden he carries as a leader, but there were moments where fear kept him standing still when Jill was ready to move forward. Thankfully, Jill is no damsel waiting to be rescued. She has a fighting spirit that refuses to settle for half measures, and I admired the way she challenged Cade to stop merely surviving and start imagining a future worth fighting for. Their disagreements never diminished my affection for either of them. Instead, they highlighted how differently two strong people can respond to the same impossible world.
The epilogue was exactly what I wanted. Seeing how life continued to grow long after the dust settled, with familiar faces finding their place in a thriving community, left me with the same quiet satisfaction that has become one of the hallmarks of this series. It also made me unexpectedly nostalgic to revisit characters like Billy and Cole before the stories that would eventually become some of my favourites. More than anything, Hooded reminded me why I fell in love with Claire Kent’s post-apocalyptic romances in the first place.
Recommended For: Readers who enjoy gruff but deeply devoted heroes, post-apocalyptic romance, slow-burn emotional connections, survival stories, and fairy tale retellings with heart.
Final Verdict: A rugged hero, a remarkable heroine, and a romance that quietly blossoms into something beautiful. Hooded reminded me exactly why Claire Kent remains my favourite post-apocalyptic romance authors.
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
July 15, 2026
“I’ll leave now, but it took me a lifetime to find you, so I’m not giving up now that I have.”
I've been anticipating the release of HOODED and grabbed it the second it was out. It was another quick, easy read that this author is known for. I liked our FMC Jill who because of her circumstances has to become a prostitute. While its not the life she wants for herself she makes the best of it. She meets Cade our MMC and takes him on as a new client. What starts out as just another job turns into feelings they both try to ignore. The only issue I had with this was Cade. His reasons for not being with her didn't hold up for me and that he was ok that she keeps taking on other clients bothered me. Not the kind of romance I want to read.
Highlights
-Transactional relationship
-Dystopian romance
-Loosely based fairytale retelling
-Age gap (27/36)
-KU
I've been anticipating the release of HOODED and grabbed it the second it was out. It was another quick, easy read that this author is known for. I liked our FMC Jill who because of her circumstances has to become a prostitute. While its not the life she wants for herself she makes the best of it. She meets Cade our MMC and takes him on as a new client. What starts out as just another job turns into feelings they both try to ignore. The only issue I had with this was Cade. His reasons for not being with her didn't hold up for me and that he was ok that she keeps taking on other clients bothered me. Not the kind of romance I want to read.
Highlights
-Transactional relationship
-Dystopian romance
-Loosely based fairytale retelling
-Age gap (27/36)
-KU
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5
If you know me, you know I absolutely love the post-apocalyptic world Claire Kent has created with her Kindled series. I have been loving these fairytale retellings set in that world and I loved that this one was a Red Riding Hood one.
This takes place a year after impact, so we are seeing the beginning stages of the world falling apart. Jill works as server/sex worker at a pub where she gets safety in exchange for her services. She starts a transactional relationship with her broody, yet sweet regular Cade. She reserves her weekends for him, but she still has to service other men. Cade is keeping a big secret on who he really is and how his life is too dangerous for more.
I honestly appreciate the way Claire Kent writes transactional relationships. She does an excellent job of showing the natural progression of a connection that begins as a practical, physical arrangement and gradually develops into something much deeper emotionally. The relationship never feels rushed or forced.
I also loved how some familiar characters showed up from the Kindled series. I found myself hooked by all the side characters too. Love this world!
Thank you to Claire Kent for providing the ARC.
🌶️🌶️.5
If you know me, you know I absolutely love the post-apocalyptic world Claire Kent has created with her Kindled series. I have been loving these fairytale retellings set in that world and I loved that this one was a Red Riding Hood one.
This takes place a year after impact, so we are seeing the beginning stages of the world falling apart. Jill works as server/sex worker at a pub where she gets safety in exchange for her services. She starts a transactional relationship with her broody, yet sweet regular Cade. She reserves her weekends for him, but she still has to service other men. Cade is keeping a big secret on who he really is and how his life is too dangerous for more.
I honestly appreciate the way Claire Kent writes transactional relationships. She does an excellent job of showing the natural progression of a connection that begins as a practical, physical arrangement and gradually develops into something much deeper emotionally. The relationship never feels rushed or forced.
I also loved how some familiar characters showed up from the Kindled series. I found myself hooked by all the side characters too. Love this world!
Thank you to Claire Kent for providing the ARC.
July 10, 2026
Same old same. But it’s good stuff so it’s still good.
July 11, 2026
oh well kinda disappointed not gonna lie
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Hooded” by Claire Kent
4⭐/5⭐
3🌶/5🌶
“There are no fairy tales here. No dreams come true. There’s only life. Mostly cold and heartless but with a few small gifts granted along the way. Cade is one of those gifts for me.”
This is a pretty short little novella, set in the dystopian world of the Kindled series. I really enjoy all of the characters and stories Claire Kent has created, and “Hooded” was no exception. I actually ended up reading this book in one sitting, that’s how much of a quick read it is.
I appreciate how gritty this story is, even compared to the other, more ‘dark’ stories in this series. Jill is a sex worker who entertains two clients a week while also working as a waitress in a bar. Before Impact she was an accountant, but given the state of the world, she’s willing to do anything to survive and make it to the next day. Readers don’t get too much of a glimpse into her interactions with her clients, except for one: Cade. Cade is a quiet loner, and immediately there’s a pull between him and Jill.
I loved witnessing their relationship unfold, especially seeing Jill let down her walls with Cade. She’s quite closed off, but her intuition tells her Cade will treat her right. And oh my, he does. Cade is always looking out for Jill, making sure she’s ok and taken care of. The only qualm I had with the story was the Cade was a little *too* protective of Jill, to the point where he was giving up the potential of a relationship before it could truly begin. Jill was put in a difficult position because of Cade’s stubbornness, but thankfully everything worked out in a satisfying way.
Overall, a really nice addition to the extended Kindled series!
4⭐/5⭐
3🌶/5🌶
“There are no fairy tales here. No dreams come true. There’s only life. Mostly cold and heartless but with a few small gifts granted along the way. Cade is one of those gifts for me.”
This is a pretty short little novella, set in the dystopian world of the Kindled series. I really enjoy all of the characters and stories Claire Kent has created, and “Hooded” was no exception. I actually ended up reading this book in one sitting, that’s how much of a quick read it is.
I appreciate how gritty this story is, even compared to the other, more ‘dark’ stories in this series. Jill is a sex worker who entertains two clients a week while also working as a waitress in a bar. Before Impact she was an accountant, but given the state of the world, she’s willing to do anything to survive and make it to the next day. Readers don’t get too much of a glimpse into her interactions with her clients, except for one: Cade. Cade is a quiet loner, and immediately there’s a pull between him and Jill.
I loved witnessing their relationship unfold, especially seeing Jill let down her walls with Cade. She’s quite closed off, but her intuition tells her Cade will treat her right. And oh my, he does. Cade is always looking out for Jill, making sure she’s ok and taken care of. The only qualm I had with the story was the Cade was a little *too* protective of Jill, to the point where he was giving up the potential of a relationship before it could truly begin. Jill was put in a difficult position because of Cade’s stubbornness, but thankfully everything worked out in a satisfying way.
Overall, a really nice addition to the extended Kindled series!
July 23, 2026
This story had an interesting premise and as a fan of Claire Kent's post-apocalyptic romances, I went into this one with fairly high expectations, especially after enjoying the previous book in the series so much.
Unfortunately, this installment felt a bit underwhelming.
The post-apocalyptic setting is still engaging, and I appreciated that the story didn't shy away from showing the harsh realities of survival.
The heroine has to do whatever she can to secure food and shelter, even if it means selling her body.
It's a heartbreaking situation, but it fits the brutal world the author has created.
My biggest issue, however, was the male lead.
Cade constantly tells the heroine that he cares about her, that he hates seeing her with other men, and that he's jealous.
Yet... he never actually does anything to change her situation. His justification is that he's being hunted by the militia because he's basically playing a Robin Hood figure, and he doesn't want to put her in danger.
I'm sorry, but that reasoning just didn't work for me.
She's already living in danger every single day.
Many of the very men hunting him are also her "clients."
If he truly cared about her as much as he claimed, it was hard for me to understand why leaving her in that situation seemed like the better option.
His actions simply didn't match his feelings, and that made it difficult for me to connect with him.
Ironically, the heroine ends up being the one who rescues him after he gets himself captured and tortured by the militia.
I actually didn't mind that she saved him, I enjoy capable heroines, but it made his earlier reluctance feel even less convincing.
The romance itself lacked emotional depth for me.
I never fully believed in their relationship, and while there were some sweet moments, the chemistry never reached the level I was hoping for.
Compared to the previous book, this one felt flatter and less emotionally satisfying.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read, but it was definitely my least favorite in the series so far.
The setting remained compelling, but the romance, and especially the "hero", left me wanting so much more.
Hopefully, the next book in the series will recapture the magic that this one was missing.
Unfortunately, this installment felt a bit underwhelming.
The post-apocalyptic setting is still engaging, and I appreciated that the story didn't shy away from showing the harsh realities of survival.
The heroine has to do whatever she can to secure food and shelter, even if it means selling her body.
It's a heartbreaking situation, but it fits the brutal world the author has created.
My biggest issue, however, was the male lead.
Cade constantly tells the heroine that he cares about her, that he hates seeing her with other men, and that he's jealous.
Yet... he never actually does anything to change her situation. His justification is that he's being hunted by the militia because he's basically playing a Robin Hood figure, and he doesn't want to put her in danger.
I'm sorry, but that reasoning just didn't work for me.
She's already living in danger every single day.
Many of the very men hunting him are also her "clients."
If he truly cared about her as much as he claimed, it was hard for me to understand why leaving her in that situation seemed like the better option.
His actions simply didn't match his feelings, and that made it difficult for me to connect with him.
Ironically, the heroine ends up being the one who rescues him after he gets himself captured and tortured by the militia.
I actually didn't mind that she saved him, I enjoy capable heroines, but it made his earlier reluctance feel even less convincing.
The romance itself lacked emotional depth for me.
I never fully believed in their relationship, and while there were some sweet moments, the chemistry never reached the level I was hoping for.
Compared to the previous book, this one felt flatter and less emotionally satisfying.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read, but it was definitely my least favorite in the series so far.
The setting remained compelling, but the romance, and especially the "hero", left me wanting so much more.
Hopefully, the next book in the series will recapture the magic that this one was missing.
July 11, 2026
My favourite in the series so far! I loved Jill and sometimes it’s down to a women to save the day!! I also loved grumpy Cade and his big secret! It was emotional that they couldn’t be together for so long but what a happy ending they got! I know these are only meant to be short books but I wish they were longer!!
July 14, 2026
i really enjoyed this, it was almost 4 stars but late in the book (typical 3rd act breakup time) the characters have a disagreement (and Jill is completely justified in her feelings imo) and i wanted to see Cade put his actions where his words were for her but it just kind of got fixed. like, sorry if i wanna see a man grovel a bit and put in some effort 🤪
but other than that, i loved it and read it in one sitting
but other than that, i loved it and read it in one sitting
July 15, 2026
This author definitely has a type of MMC and I am here for it. This one might be number 2 for me in this series. It was an interesting take on little red riding hood. Jill and Cade were really sweet together.
July 17, 2026
Nicely written and another interesting installment in this series. There are quite a few spicy romance scenes. Our heroine is a sex worker after the asteroid hit - her only way of surviving and our hero is a customer.
July 11, 2026
Loved it just wanted more and longer!
July 10, 2026
⭐️4.5⭐️
I was so lucky to receive an ARC of this one. Thank you to Claire Kent’s team.
If there is one thing Claire Kent is going to give us, it is a badass FMC and Jill is no exception.
Jill is a sex worker. Cade is one of her customers. Their relationship begins as transactional but in this post Impact world, intimacy and trust aren’t simple anymore and this story shows how the small shifts between two people’s actions and feelings are important.
I love this world so much and I especially loved that Hooded takes us closer to the immediate aftermath of the Impact. The skies are still thick with ash. Flooding is still happening. Everything feels unstable and dangerous because the new world has not yet settled into the version we see in the later books, five, ten, even forty years down the line.
There is something fascinating about watching people figure out how to survive while the rules are still being written.
And listen, I could not stop grinning when Jill knocked on the big bad militia’s door in her pigtails carrying a basket. The Little Red Riding Hood imagery was just chef’s kiss perfect. It was playful and clever without ever making the danger feel less real.
Jill is practical and completely capable of taking care of herself, but she is never written as emotionally unavailable.
Cade is guarded and intimidating, exactly the kind of dangerous man this post Impact world creates and watching the relationship between them slowly become something neither of them expected was great.
Hooded gave me everything I want from Claire Kent. A harsh post apocalyptic world, a competent strong heroine, a dangerous but loving man and their romance built on pragmatism and trust.
I was so lucky to receive an ARC of this one. Thank you to Claire Kent’s team.
If there is one thing Claire Kent is going to give us, it is a badass FMC and Jill is no exception.
Jill is a sex worker. Cade is one of her customers. Their relationship begins as transactional but in this post Impact world, intimacy and trust aren’t simple anymore and this story shows how the small shifts between two people’s actions and feelings are important.
I love this world so much and I especially loved that Hooded takes us closer to the immediate aftermath of the Impact. The skies are still thick with ash. Flooding is still happening. Everything feels unstable and dangerous because the new world has not yet settled into the version we see in the later books, five, ten, even forty years down the line.
There is something fascinating about watching people figure out how to survive while the rules are still being written.
And listen, I could not stop grinning when Jill knocked on the big bad militia’s door in her pigtails carrying a basket. The Little Red Riding Hood imagery was just chef’s kiss perfect. It was playful and clever without ever making the danger feel less real.
Jill is practical and completely capable of taking care of herself, but she is never written as emotionally unavailable.
Cade is guarded and intimidating, exactly the kind of dangerous man this post Impact world creates and watching the relationship between them slowly become something neither of them expected was great.
Hooded gave me everything I want from Claire Kent. A harsh post apocalyptic world, a competent strong heroine, a dangerous but loving man and their romance built on pragmatism and trust.
July 17, 2026
I love Claire Kent but this one was a mess.
-is the MMC the Wolf? The Captain? The Woodsman? Too many mixed metaphors here.
-the MMC did nothing for the FMC. He wanted to protect her by letting her work as a prostitute while his crew, which included senior citizens, lived in the woods. If it's safe enough for his friends, parents and other community members, why wouldn't it be safe enough for the FMC? This did not make sense. Also, if anyone did find out he was the Wolf, he is putting her in major jeopardy showing favoritism to her visiting her every single weekend. Remind me what's to like about this guy again?
-the use of the word "vibes" is remarkably lazy.
This was a big disappointment.
-is the MMC the Wolf? The Captain? The Woodsman? Too many mixed metaphors here.
-the MMC did nothing for the FMC. He wanted to protect her by letting her work as a prostitute while his crew, which included senior citizens, lived in the woods. If it's safe enough for his friends, parents and other community members, why wouldn't it be safe enough for the FMC? This did not make sense. Also, if anyone did find out he was the Wolf, he is putting her in major jeopardy showing favoritism to her visiting her every single weekend. Remind me what's to like about this guy again?
-the use of the word "vibes" is remarkably lazy.
This was a big disappointment.
July 10, 2026
Tropes:
Post-apocalyptic
Transactional relationship
Sex worker/Client
Hidden Identity
Age gap (10 years, FMC 27yo & MMC 37yo)
Fairy tale inspired (loosely)
I really enjoyed this book and literally read it in one sitting. It flowed really well and easily. I’m an avid Claire Kent reader and really enjoy her post-apocalyptic books and this fits in well in her universe. She mentions a couple of characters from previous books in the Kindled universe (but this is many years before those books).
I’m not a huge fan of sex worker/client books but Claire Kent makes it work really well. I highly recommend you read Escorted because it has similar vibes.
The thing that I found interesting in this book versus the other post-apocalyptic books she has written but it felt like it was sort of not of its time. It felt almost like a medieval story of this inn with its waitresses and the men they served. I understand how it works within the universe but the feel of it felt quite self contained and not quite connected that much to the outside world where in the other books it felt much more devastated and cut throat.
The relationship between Jill and Cade was really lovely. And I really, really loved the yearning that came first from Cade but then later on from Jill. I was quite annoyed with Cade for his reasons for them not to be able to be together because it also meant she was tied to the inn longer. It was weird how he kept his work and his relationship with her so separate. Because at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter (as we see in the book).
I would recommend this book if you enjoy yearning, good sex scenes, a grittier romance (it’s not unicorns and roses), and some interesting drama.
Thank you to the author for gifting me an advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
Post-apocalyptic
Transactional relationship
Sex worker/Client
Hidden Identity
Age gap (10 years, FMC 27yo & MMC 37yo)
Fairy tale inspired (loosely)
I really enjoyed this book and literally read it in one sitting. It flowed really well and easily. I’m an avid Claire Kent reader and really enjoy her post-apocalyptic books and this fits in well in her universe. She mentions a couple of characters from previous books in the Kindled universe (but this is many years before those books).
I’m not a huge fan of sex worker/client books but Claire Kent makes it work really well. I highly recommend you read Escorted because it has similar vibes.
The thing that I found interesting in this book versus the other post-apocalyptic books she has written but it felt like it was sort of not of its time. It felt almost like a medieval story of this inn with its waitresses and the men they served. I understand how it works within the universe but the feel of it felt quite self contained and not quite connected that much to the outside world where in the other books it felt much more devastated and cut throat.
The relationship between Jill and Cade was really lovely. And I really, really loved the yearning that came first from Cade but then later on from Jill. I was quite annoyed with Cade for his reasons for them not to be able to be together because it also meant she was tied to the inn longer. It was weird how he kept his work and his relationship with her so separate. Because at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter (as we see in the book).
I would recommend this book if you enjoy yearning, good sex scenes, a grittier romance (it’s not unicorns and roses), and some interesting drama.
Thank you to the author for gifting me an advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
August 2, 2026
This just did not live up to my usual expectations of CK's books. The pacing was off, the character interactions odd and stilted, and the whole book was a little bit cringe. I've never really felt that way about a CK book set in her dystopian universe so it caught me off guard every time I found myself wincing and rolling my eyes at how unbelievable and awkward different parts of the book were. I am very disappointed and hoping this is a one-off and that the next ones will be up to par with the rest of her books for me.
July 14, 2026
I'm not into multiple sex partners. Once Jill and Cade get together, it was a total turn off that Cade was fine with Jill fucking other men.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the earliest-set post Impact book in the Kindled universe. It's been 18 months, and Jill is working as a server at the Pub, and servers are obligated to take three clients a week for post closing time activities, Nell the manager gets their fee, they get tips from the clients. In return "I have my own small room, reasonable rations, and as much protection as any other woman in the area." This kind of transaction is ubiquitous in the Kindled world, and honestly sounds like Jill has the best arrangement possible under the circumstances. We've seen plenty of transactional relationships (like Homestead and less safe transactions as a way of surviving (Breanna in Sanctuary and flat out [professional] work, like Devotion. Anyway, Nell runs interference, there's some modicum of choice between the men who have paid extra, and Jill, a woman who was alone in the world even before Impact, has a found family at the Pub. Heads up that this is Jill's job, and she continues doing it (off page but referenced) for most of the book.
She has a regular (bar) customer who she kind of nudges into becoming a client. Cade quickly becomes a steady regular, and soon it's "But Cade doesn't really feel like work to me." Kent is unmatched at using intimate scenes to further character and relational development, and we see the incremental easing and increased intimacy, the "that's my girl. You're my girl. You're my girl." Nell knows, she *knows* Cade is a client, and "the customers are the ones who use us. They're the ones who walk out the door afterwards. We're the ones who will still be here after they're gone." This continues for months, increased intimacy, an event that leads to an understandings of real feelings, and the ultimate boundary of kissing.
There's always the fulcrum of a relationship between client and professional, one that starts as "a transaction. You get a [fork], the house gets paid, and I get a tip. I know it's not like that now, but the transition is kind of...fuzzy." Cade feels he can't offer more to Jill because of his dangerous line of work, and she might understand it, but it puts them in a dead end. They both have feelings. She states multiple times to him that she's doing this job because she doesn't have options, and that she would like to stop doing it. It could be as easy as the offer to "be my woman for real" as other clients offer to servers, and Cade won't say it.
This is an unusual book and relationship dynamic (even apart from the transactional nature) because nearly all the time the characters are together on page is during intimacy. There's no other shared tasks or goals for them, which is why the "he rescues her, she recuses him right back" (fittingly, a Pretty Woman movie reference) scenes make such a level-jump in their relationship dynamics. In one, Jill sees his universe for the first time, and gets confirmation of his feelings from outside sources, and in the other Kent brings in their shared community to validate their relationship, to remove the masks and impediments to their being together.
I liked the phone-booth aspect of the book. Kent is an author who takes the challenge of writing relationship building with professionals and really does it well. I have often said in my reviews that she writes on hard mode sometimes, picks a dynamic that should in no way work, and gets to the HEA. A running theme through all the books in the Kindled universe is community and what we owe to those around us. Here Cade's urge to protect others keeps him from claiming his own happiness, but it isn't a binary choice. The HEA comes for them all in the end.
This is a short book that packs a lot of punch, with emotional connection and universe building and side characters I'd like to see more of. There are a few Easter eggs for characters and settings we're familiar with. One of the really fun aspects of these new works set in the Kindled universe, but in different series is the skipping around in time, and seeing these characters and settings before or after their own books. Five stars I liked it as a romance, as another piece of the universe puzzle, and as a craft choice.
Thank you to the author for the arc.
She has a regular (bar) customer who she kind of nudges into becoming a client. Cade quickly becomes a steady regular, and soon it's "But Cade doesn't really feel like work to me." Kent is unmatched at using intimate scenes to further character and relational development, and we see the incremental easing and increased intimacy, the "that's my girl. You're my girl. You're my girl." Nell knows, she *knows* Cade is a client, and "the customers are the ones who use us. They're the ones who walk out the door afterwards. We're the ones who will still be here after they're gone." This continues for months, increased intimacy, an event that leads to an understandings of real feelings, and the ultimate boundary of kissing.
There's always the fulcrum of a relationship between client and professional, one that starts as "a transaction. You get a [fork], the house gets paid, and I get a tip. I know it's not like that now, but the transition is kind of...fuzzy." Cade feels he can't offer more to Jill because of his dangerous line of work, and she might understand it, but it puts them in a dead end. They both have feelings. She states multiple times to him that she's doing this job because she doesn't have options, and that she would like to stop doing it. It could be as easy as the offer to "be my woman for real" as other clients offer to servers, and Cade won't say it.
This is an unusual book and relationship dynamic (even apart from the transactional nature) because nearly all the time the characters are together on page is during intimacy. There's no other shared tasks or goals for them, which is why the "he rescues her, she recuses him right back" (fittingly, a Pretty Woman movie reference) scenes make such a level-jump in their relationship dynamics. In one, Jill sees his universe for the first time, and gets confirmation of his feelings from outside sources, and in the other Kent brings in their shared community to validate their relationship, to remove the masks and impediments to their being together.
I liked the phone-booth aspect of the book. Kent is an author who takes the challenge of writing relationship building with professionals and really does it well. I have often said in my reviews that she writes on hard mode sometimes, picks a dynamic that should in no way work, and gets to the HEA. A running theme through all the books in the Kindled universe is community and what we owe to those around us. Here Cade's urge to protect others keeps him from claiming his own happiness, but it isn't a binary choice. The HEA comes for them all in the end.
This is a short book that packs a lot of punch, with emotional connection and universe building and side characters I'd like to see more of. There are a few Easter eggs for characters and settings we're familiar with. One of the really fun aspects of these new works set in the Kindled universe, but in different series is the skipping around in time, and seeing these characters and settings before or after their own books. Five stars I liked it as a romance, as another piece of the universe puzzle, and as a craft choice.
Thank you to the author for the arc.
July 10, 2026
Romance Reader Report Card
❤️ Chemistry: 4.5/5
🔥 Tension: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 3.5/5
😭 Emotional Impact: 4/5
👨 Book Boyfriend Status: Very Good (Protective Survival Edition)
📚 Reread Worthy? Yes
Tropes
* Post-Apocalyptic Romance
* Slow Burn
* Sex Worker FMC
* Protective Hero
* Robin Hood Vigilante
* Found Family
* Survival Romance
* “I Can’t Keep You Safe If You’re With Me”
* Acts of Service
* Fairy Tale Retelling (Little Red Riding Hood… with a healthy dose of Robin Hood)
⸻
What I Loved
Claire Kent continues to do what she does best: make the apocalypse feel completely believable.
One of my favorite parts of this book is Jill herself. She’s a sex worker because that’s the most practical way for her to survive after society collapses—not because the story wants to shame or “redeem” her. She doesn’t hate herself for it. She isn’t portrayed as damaged or dirty. It’s simply work, and everyone around her largely treats it that way.
That realism carries through the entire novel.
Then Cade enters the picture.
He’s kind, respectful, and quietly protective without trying to “save” Jill from herself. Their relationship grows naturally through friendship before either of them admits what they’re feeling.
I also loved that Cade’s biggest flaw isn’t cruelty—it’s believing that loving Jill means keeping her away from his dangerous life. It’s frustrating, but it makes perfect sense given who he is.
⸻
What Didn’t Work for Me
There honestly wasn’t much.
If I have one complaint, it’s that this follows Claire Kent’s familiar formula pretty closely. If you’ve read several of her post-apocalyptic romances, you’ll recognize a lot of the emotional beats.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing—it just kept this from feeling truly unforgettable.
⸻
Favorite Moment
When Cade gets possessive about Jill continuing to see clients…
…and Jill shuts him down.
She points out that he doesn’t get to insist she stay safe while also expecting her to give up the very job that’s keeping her alive.
It’s one of those moments that feels incredibly grounded.
Neither of them is wrong.
They’re simply trying to survive in a world that doesn’t leave room for easy choices.
⸻
Final Thoughts
Claire Kent has a gift for writing romances that feel remarkably practical despite taking place after the end of civilization.
Every decision Jill makes feels believable.
Every sacrifice Cade makes feels believable.
Even the romance develops at a pace that feels earned instead of forced.
The apocalypse isn’t just a backdrop—it’s something that shapes every decision these characters make, and that realism is what keeps me coming back to Claire Kent’s books.
This may be marketed as a fairy tale retelling, but honestly I got far more Robin Hood than Little Red Riding Hood.
And I was perfectly happy with that.
⸻
If You Like…
* Post-Apocalyptic Romance
* Protective Heroes
* Survival Stories
* Sex Worker FMCs Written Without Shame
* Slow Burn Romance
* Practical, Grounded Characters
* Claire Kent’s Kind of Angst
⸻
Recommended For
Readers who want post-apocalyptic romance that prioritizes believable people over over-the-top drama. If you enjoy protective heroes, capable heroines, and relationships that grow out of mutual respect and survival rather than instant obsession, this is another solid Claire Kent entry. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it rolls that wheel extremely well.
❤️ Chemistry: 4.5/5
🔥 Tension: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 3.5/5
😭 Emotional Impact: 4/5
👨 Book Boyfriend Status: Very Good (Protective Survival Edition)
📚 Reread Worthy? Yes
Tropes
* Post-Apocalyptic Romance
* Slow Burn
* Sex Worker FMC
* Protective Hero
* Robin Hood Vigilante
* Found Family
* Survival Romance
* “I Can’t Keep You Safe If You’re With Me”
* Acts of Service
* Fairy Tale Retelling (Little Red Riding Hood… with a healthy dose of Robin Hood)
⸻
What I Loved
Claire Kent continues to do what she does best: make the apocalypse feel completely believable.
One of my favorite parts of this book is Jill herself. She’s a sex worker because that’s the most practical way for her to survive after society collapses—not because the story wants to shame or “redeem” her. She doesn’t hate herself for it. She isn’t portrayed as damaged or dirty. It’s simply work, and everyone around her largely treats it that way.
That realism carries through the entire novel.
Then Cade enters the picture.
He’s kind, respectful, and quietly protective without trying to “save” Jill from herself. Their relationship grows naturally through friendship before either of them admits what they’re feeling.
I also loved that Cade’s biggest flaw isn’t cruelty—it’s believing that loving Jill means keeping her away from his dangerous life. It’s frustrating, but it makes perfect sense given who he is.
⸻
What Didn’t Work for Me
There honestly wasn’t much.
If I have one complaint, it’s that this follows Claire Kent’s familiar formula pretty closely. If you’ve read several of her post-apocalyptic romances, you’ll recognize a lot of the emotional beats.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing—it just kept this from feeling truly unforgettable.
⸻
Favorite Moment
When Cade gets possessive about Jill continuing to see clients…
…and Jill shuts him down.
She points out that he doesn’t get to insist she stay safe while also expecting her to give up the very job that’s keeping her alive.
It’s one of those moments that feels incredibly grounded.
Neither of them is wrong.
They’re simply trying to survive in a world that doesn’t leave room for easy choices.
⸻
Final Thoughts
Claire Kent has a gift for writing romances that feel remarkably practical despite taking place after the end of civilization.
Every decision Jill makes feels believable.
Every sacrifice Cade makes feels believable.
Even the romance develops at a pace that feels earned instead of forced.
The apocalypse isn’t just a backdrop—it’s something that shapes every decision these characters make, and that realism is what keeps me coming back to Claire Kent’s books.
This may be marketed as a fairy tale retelling, but honestly I got far more Robin Hood than Little Red Riding Hood.
And I was perfectly happy with that.
⸻
If You Like…
* Post-Apocalyptic Romance
* Protective Heroes
* Survival Stories
* Sex Worker FMCs Written Without Shame
* Slow Burn Romance
* Practical, Grounded Characters
* Claire Kent’s Kind of Angst
⸻
Recommended For
Readers who want post-apocalyptic romance that prioritizes believable people over over-the-top drama. If you enjoy protective heroes, capable heroines, and relationships that grow out of mutual respect and survival rather than instant obsession, this is another solid Claire Kent entry. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it rolls that wheel extremely well.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay, full disclosure: I went in apprehensive. A heroine who's still sleeping with paying customers for most of the book isn't usually my thing, not even close.
But that's Claire Kent for you. 🤷🏼♀️
She doesn't really sell you on a trope so much as she just quietly makes you forget you ever had a problem with it.
Two chapters in, I wasn't worried anymore. I was just there, fully in it.
Hooded sits at the very start of the post-Impact timeline, and you can feel that. Everything's rawer, less settled, like the world hasn't even decided what its new rules are yet.
Jill works the floor at the Pub, drinks and food and sex, whatever pays. Cade's the quiet guy in the corner, gruff, tips well, watches her like she's the one worthy thing left in his world.
And here's what actually got me: Claire lets Jill keep working. Other customers, right up almost to the end. I expected that to drag the romance down a notch but it does the opposite. Every other transaction in that book is just that-a transaction, full stop.
What's going on with Cade isn't, even though technically, on paper, sure, it still counts as one. That gap between the two is basically the whole book's heartbeat.
I think I'm just addicted now, honestly, to this specific Claire Kent thing she does with transactional love stories that don't read as transactional at all. And weirdly, in this particular world, it all lands as more real, not less. Maybe because everyone's bartering for survival one way or another, so a sex-for-food/protection economy doesn't come off as a gimmick. It just feels like where everything was always going to end up once it all fell apart.
Jill's voice carries a lot of that too. Tired, sharp, funny when you don't expect it, never once dipping into self-pity.
And guys! Cole shows up and I genuinely said his name out loud at my phone. Small moment. But it's exactly the kind of detail that makes this whole world feel lived-in instead of built around just the one couple.
Anyway. I'm obsessed. If the next one came out tomorrow, it still wouldn't be fast enough.
I received an advance reader copy from the author and am sharing my honest review.
But that's Claire Kent for you. 🤷🏼♀️
She doesn't really sell you on a trope so much as she just quietly makes you forget you ever had a problem with it.
Two chapters in, I wasn't worried anymore. I was just there, fully in it.
Hooded sits at the very start of the post-Impact timeline, and you can feel that. Everything's rawer, less settled, like the world hasn't even decided what its new rules are yet.
Jill works the floor at the Pub, drinks and food and sex, whatever pays. Cade's the quiet guy in the corner, gruff, tips well, watches her like she's the one worthy thing left in his world.
And here's what actually got me: Claire lets Jill keep working. Other customers, right up almost to the end. I expected that to drag the romance down a notch but it does the opposite. Every other transaction in that book is just that-a transaction, full stop.
What's going on with Cade isn't, even though technically, on paper, sure, it still counts as one. That gap between the two is basically the whole book's heartbeat.
I think I'm just addicted now, honestly, to this specific Claire Kent thing she does with transactional love stories that don't read as transactional at all. And weirdly, in this particular world, it all lands as more real, not less. Maybe because everyone's bartering for survival one way or another, so a sex-for-food/protection economy doesn't come off as a gimmick. It just feels like where everything was always going to end up once it all fell apart.
Jill's voice carries a lot of that too. Tired, sharp, funny when you don't expect it, never once dipping into self-pity.
And guys! Cole shows up and I genuinely said his name out loud at my phone. Small moment. But it's exactly the kind of detail that makes this whole world feel lived-in instead of built around just the one couple.
Anyway. I'm obsessed. If the next one came out tomorrow, it still wouldn't be fast enough.
I received an advance reader copy from the author and am sharing my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"You changed everything for me. You changed the world."
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Determined to make a living after the Impact, Jill waitresses at the Pub, and takes clients after hours. One of these clients ends up being Cade - a rough and quiet type, who ends up coming back to see here every weekend. And as they toe the line between a transactional relationship and more, there ends up being more to Cade than meets the eye.
I am loving the Post-Apocalyptic Fairy Tales series, and I finished this one in a day! Hooded takes place a little over a year after Impact, and I enjoyed seeing that explored in their society - what was still available, how society has been effected. Jill has memories of her old life but is determined to be a survivor in this one, spending her time working at the Pub, and taking 3 clients to bed as part of her agreement with Nell. I liked how the Pub was portrayed, there were a lot of measures in place but the world is still post-apocalyptic so those horrors were still explored as well.
And when she starts to see Cade, you can tell he's already unlike her other clients, and I loved how their relationship tipped into more. Although he had no right to get jealous, the moments where he did had me kicking my feet (but I also loved how Jill called him out on it). And I also loved how they longed for more, even though in their current world it was hard for them to be together. And I especially loved how Jill fought for him - I adore Claire Kent's strong female leads and Jill was the coolest. The yearning in this too as they both thought about each other during the week,
Another absolute hit by Claire, this is definitely one I will be rereading! I am loving this series a lot 💖 And as always, loving the cameos in this!
Tropes & Tags:
🐺 dystopian romance
❤️ sex worker x client
🐺 transactional relationship
❤️ hidden identity
🐺 age gap
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Claire Kent! 📖]
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Determined to make a living after the Impact, Jill waitresses at the Pub, and takes clients after hours. One of these clients ends up being Cade - a rough and quiet type, who ends up coming back to see here every weekend. And as they toe the line between a transactional relationship and more, there ends up being more to Cade than meets the eye.
I am loving the Post-Apocalyptic Fairy Tales series, and I finished this one in a day! Hooded takes place a little over a year after Impact, and I enjoyed seeing that explored in their society - what was still available, how society has been effected. Jill has memories of her old life but is determined to be a survivor in this one, spending her time working at the Pub, and taking 3 clients to bed as part of her agreement with Nell. I liked how the Pub was portrayed, there were a lot of measures in place but the world is still post-apocalyptic so those horrors were still explored as well.
And when she starts to see Cade, you can tell he's already unlike her other clients, and I loved how their relationship tipped into more. Although he had no right to get jealous, the moments where he did had me kicking my feet (but I also loved how Jill called him out on it). And I also loved how they longed for more, even though in their current world it was hard for them to be together. And I especially loved how Jill fought for him - I adore Claire Kent's strong female leads and Jill was the coolest. The yearning in this too as they both thought about each other during the week,
Another absolute hit by Claire, this is definitely one I will be rereading! I am loving this series a lot 💖 And as always, loving the cameos in this!
Tropes & Tags:
🐺 dystopian romance
❤️ sex worker x client
🐺 transactional relationship
❤️ hidden identity
🐺 age gap
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Claire Kent! 📖]
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