What do you think?
Rate this book
The Outbreak Responses #2
Romancing in Rot
Clair Rains has survived the end of the world, but some wounds don’t stop bleeding just because the world has bigger problems.
After being left for dead by the man who was supposed to protect her, Clair is determined to become stronger for her daughter, her found family, and herself. She can shoot from a distance. She can patch a wound. She can keep moving when everything hurts. But up close, where survival gets messy and personal, doubt still has its claws in her.
Leon has seen Clair’s strength since the beginning.
Mute, guarded, and built like he was made to withstand the apocalypse, Leon has spent years watching Clair from a distance. Now that she and Poppy are part of his group, distance is no longer an option. He trains her. Protects her. Pushes her to see the woman she’s always been beneath the fear and scars.
And the more Clair learns to fight back, the harder it becomes to ignore the heat growing between them.
With fuel low, fast zombies closing in, and Chicago crawling with dangers far worse than the dead, the group is forced into a fight that will test every bond they’ve built. When Clair’s past comes back with teeth, she’ll have to decide once and for all what kind of woman she wants to be.
Romancing in Rot is a darkly funny zombie apocalypse romance packed with pining, love letters, spice, bloody vengeance, and a happily-ever-after worth fighting for.
After being left for dead by the man who was supposed to protect her, Clair is determined to become stronger for her daughter, her found family, and herself. She can shoot from a distance. She can patch a wound. She can keep moving when everything hurts. But up close, where survival gets messy and personal, doubt still has its claws in her.
Leon has seen Clair’s strength since the beginning.
Mute, guarded, and built like he was made to withstand the apocalypse, Leon has spent years watching Clair from a distance. Now that she and Poppy are part of his group, distance is no longer an option. He trains her. Protects her. Pushes her to see the woman she’s always been beneath the fear and scars.
And the more Clair learns to fight back, the harder it becomes to ignore the heat growing between them.
With fuel low, fast zombies closing in, and Chicago crawling with dangers far worse than the dead, the group is forced into a fight that will test every bond they’ve built. When Clair’s past comes back with teeth, she’ll have to decide once and for all what kind of woman she wants to be.
Romancing in Rot is a darkly funny zombie apocalypse romance packed with pining, love letters, spice, bloody vengeance, and a happily-ever-after worth fighting for.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
October 13, 2026
4.7/5
Fast paced fun read! Read this in one sitting, it kept me on my toes the whole time.
Super fun likable characters, that had me kicking my feet laughing.
I really enjoyed the overall interactions with the characters, Leon is honestly the best and my overall favorite. And his relationship with Clair is leaves high standards for any romance read after this.
Overall story was great, gory, tension filled, just the right amount of spice, and tension filled.
Highly recommend, perfect read for the spooky season.
Absolutely cannot wait for Flirting in Foul next year😭
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dating tip: Find someone who can help you clear a room of zombies.
I have been dying to read Clair and Leon's story and I was not disappointed! I consumed that feral little post-apocalyptic rom-com in one sitting and loved every second of it. Leon had me swooning and Clair made me want to grow up to be just like her. I don't think Lindsey can write a book that isn't exciting, chaotic, funny, thrilling and full of the absolute best found family. She’s out here proving that flirting while covered in undead guts is the best way to fall in love.
My early-reader heart is so full. Thank you Lindsey Montgomery for the ARC copy!
I have been dying to read Clair and Leon's story and I was not disappointed! I consumed that feral little post-apocalyptic rom-com in one sitting and loved every second of it. Leon had me swooning and Clair made me want to grow up to be just like her. I don't think Lindsey can write a book that isn't exciting, chaotic, funny, thrilling and full of the absolute best found family. She’s out here proving that flirting while covered in undead guts is the best way to fall in love.
My early-reader heart is so full. Thank you Lindsey Montgomery for the ARC copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Romancing in Rot by Lindsey Montgomery
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
I absolutely ate up (pun fully intended) Clair and Leon's zombie apocalypse-defying love story.
Clair is a single mother struggling to regain her confidence after her TOTALLY TRASH husband abandons her and their daughter the instant people start getting eaten. Which is BS, because Clair is awesome. She's super intelligent, kind, patient, and a secret badass. Who leaves a woman who knows which chemicals to use to take out zombies? A dumb man, that's who.
You know who isn't a dumb man? Leon. While his trauma-induced mutism may mean he's quiet, he's paying attention to EVERYTHING. He immediately clocks that Clair is the kind of woman he could only dream of, but he's patient enough to recognize that she has a lot of internal work to do before he's ready to make a move. And when he finally does? SO SWOONY. Love letters are a seriously underutilized form of communication, but Leon brings the sexiness back with his heartfelt confessions.
Arguably the most important relationship in the book is the bond that forms between Leon and Clair's daughter, Poppy. It's sweet and paternal, and I love that he empowers her by teaching her how to take care of herself rather than simply protecting her from everything. That simultaneously earns him major bonus points with Clair, whose number one mission in life is keeping Poppy safe. The two of them tugged at all my heartstrings, adding real emotional depth to the horror BBQ.
My favorite thing about both Clair and Leon is that they're sneakily funny. Based on her first two books, I've come to expect a lot of humor from Lindsey Montgomery's characters, but Clair and Leon aren't as outwardly funny or in-your-face as Lyla and Jacob (from the first book in the series). Instead, it's a sneaky side comment—or, in Leon's case, a note—that earns a little chuckle. It feels right for their personalities, especially as Clair regains her confidence and her sense of humor becomes bolder.
Fair warning: the book ends with one doozy of a cliffhanger. I may or may not have gasped, cried, and shrieked. Now I'll be DYING (pun still intended) until the next book comes out. In the meantime, I'll just have to reread Montgomery's entire catalog.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC!
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
I absolutely ate up (pun fully intended) Clair and Leon's zombie apocalypse-defying love story.
Clair is a single mother struggling to regain her confidence after her TOTALLY TRASH husband abandons her and their daughter the instant people start getting eaten. Which is BS, because Clair is awesome. She's super intelligent, kind, patient, and a secret badass. Who leaves a woman who knows which chemicals to use to take out zombies? A dumb man, that's who.
You know who isn't a dumb man? Leon. While his trauma-induced mutism may mean he's quiet, he's paying attention to EVERYTHING. He immediately clocks that Clair is the kind of woman he could only dream of, but he's patient enough to recognize that she has a lot of internal work to do before he's ready to make a move. And when he finally does? SO SWOONY. Love letters are a seriously underutilized form of communication, but Leon brings the sexiness back with his heartfelt confessions.
Arguably the most important relationship in the book is the bond that forms between Leon and Clair's daughter, Poppy. It's sweet and paternal, and I love that he empowers her by teaching her how to take care of herself rather than simply protecting her from everything. That simultaneously earns him major bonus points with Clair, whose number one mission in life is keeping Poppy safe. The two of them tugged at all my heartstrings, adding real emotional depth to the horror BBQ.
My favorite thing about both Clair and Leon is that they're sneakily funny. Based on her first two books, I've come to expect a lot of humor from Lindsey Montgomery's characters, but Clair and Leon aren't as outwardly funny or in-your-face as Lyla and Jacob (from the first book in the series). Instead, it's a sneaky side comment—or, in Leon's case, a note—that earns a little chuckle. It feels right for their personalities, especially as Clair regains her confidence and her sense of humor becomes bolder.
Fair warning: the book ends with one doozy of a cliffhanger. I may or may not have gasped, cried, and shrieked. Now I'll be DYING (pun still intended) until the next book comes out. In the meantime, I'll just have to reread Montgomery's entire catalog.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
OVERALL RATING: 5🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Format: Kindle📱
“I'd never make myself smaller just to keep someone else comfortable. That's where I found my strength."
Thank you Lindsey for the ARC!!
Plot 5🌟
The story continues with this bunch, now following Claire and Leon and the rest of the group as they head into Chicago for supplies before their long trip to Montana. If you've watched The Walking Dead, this is giving Terminus! While the group has their story to tell, the characters do too and I loved seeing how she brought all of it together. The found the plot in this installment immensely entertaining and also fucking terrifying!! The noises in Chicago I felt I could practically hear them, and I was reading this at night a lot! The end was satisfying and gory and just so freaking entertaining. Of course, she gives you a warning about the cliffhanger and I am so excited to see what happens next!
Characters 5🌟
Leon is my favorite character in this series right now. He is mute, but like Poppy says, his actions speak louder than most. He is so kind and caring, and doesn't need a voice to express that. I loved Clair's growth in this, it was so powerful and beautiful. To see the confidence in her by the end was amazing!
Writing & Pacing 5🌟
I love seeing an author's writing develop throughout their books, and it has been an absolute joy to see Lindsey's over the last year. The story building and the dialogue was incredible, and I felt like I could almost smell the details coming off the page. Multiple times I found myself gagging!!
Audio Experience N/A
Romance 5🌟
Leon and Claire's romance was so sweet, even more than Lyla and Jacob for me! I loved the slowness of it, and the buildup through the letters. The pen-pal styled trope is one of my favorites, even in this kind of setting! When they do come together, my heart just melted because Leon doesn't just choose Claire, he is choosing Poppy too and that just sent me over the emotional edge.
Plot to smut ratio 5🌟
Absolutely perfect. She knows exactly where to place the scenes in her books and how many are needed!
Spice Quality 5🌟
THE SCENE that is THE scene is so fucking good. It is so raw and full of passion, and I loved the set up of it even more than in the first book.
Overall Entertainment or Emotional Reactions 5🌟
Incredible installment, even better than the first! The end had me in a rollercoaster of emotions and I am feral for the next one!!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Format: Kindle📱
“I'd never make myself smaller just to keep someone else comfortable. That's where I found my strength."
Thank you Lindsey for the ARC!!
Plot 5🌟
The story continues with this bunch, now following Claire and Leon and the rest of the group as they head into Chicago for supplies before their long trip to Montana. If you've watched The Walking Dead, this is giving Terminus! While the group has their story to tell, the characters do too and I loved seeing how she brought all of it together. The found the plot in this installment immensely entertaining and also fucking terrifying!! The noises in Chicago I felt I could practically hear them, and I was reading this at night a lot! The end was satisfying and gory and just so freaking entertaining. Of course, she gives you a warning about the cliffhanger and I am so excited to see what happens next!
Characters 5🌟
Leon is my favorite character in this series right now. He is mute, but like Poppy says, his actions speak louder than most. He is so kind and caring, and doesn't need a voice to express that. I loved Clair's growth in this, it was so powerful and beautiful. To see the confidence in her by the end was amazing!
Writing & Pacing 5🌟
I love seeing an author's writing develop throughout their books, and it has been an absolute joy to see Lindsey's over the last year. The story building and the dialogue was incredible, and I felt like I could almost smell the details coming off the page. Multiple times I found myself gagging!!
Audio Experience N/A
Romance 5🌟
Leon and Claire's romance was so sweet, even more than Lyla and Jacob for me! I loved the slowness of it, and the buildup through the letters. The pen-pal styled trope is one of my favorites, even in this kind of setting! When they do come together, my heart just melted because Leon doesn't just choose Claire, he is choosing Poppy too and that just sent me over the emotional edge.
Plot to smut ratio 5🌟
Absolutely perfect. She knows exactly where to place the scenes in her books and how many are needed!
Spice Quality 5🌟
THE SCENE that is THE scene is so fucking good. It is so raw and full of passion, and I loved the set up of it even more than in the first book.
Overall Entertainment or Emotional Reactions 5🌟
Incredible installment, even better than the first! The end had me in a rollercoaster of emotions and I am feral for the next one!!
October 4, 2026
💜💚ARC Review💚💜
4.5 ⭐️ rounded to 5 ⭐️
I was so honored and excited to be selected to be an ARC reader for this book!! What an incredible read!!
This book is fast-paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time! I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. The plot is engaging, action-packed, and pulls at your heart strings in so many ways!!
I’m big on characters, character development and character relationships in my books. Romancing in Rot definitely does not disappoint. The two MCs, Leon and Clair, are absolutely adorable together. They see the best in each other and fight so the other sees it in themselves. Leon is such a great MMC. I’ve always been a sucker for the giant sweet silent types. 😉 The FMC Clair is a badass who learns to believe in her own strength.
The single mom trope was done as well! Clair’s love for her daughter showed through in everything she did. Leon was absolutely perfect with her and I love his interactions with Poppy.
Overall, this was a laugh-out-loud funny, “awwwww” kicking my feet adorable, awesomely gory zombie apocalypse book that was written so well!! I absolutely cannot wait to continue this series next year!! 🧟♀️💜💚
4.5 ⭐️ rounded to 5 ⭐️
I was so honored and excited to be selected to be an ARC reader for this book!! What an incredible read!!
This book is fast-paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time! I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. The plot is engaging, action-packed, and pulls at your heart strings in so many ways!!
I’m big on characters, character development and character relationships in my books. Romancing in Rot definitely does not disappoint. The two MCs, Leon and Clair, are absolutely adorable together. They see the best in each other and fight so the other sees it in themselves. Leon is such a great MMC. I’ve always been a sucker for the giant sweet silent types. 😉 The FMC Clair is a badass who learns to believe in her own strength.
The single mom trope was done as well! Clair’s love for her daughter showed through in everything she did. Leon was absolutely perfect with her and I love his interactions with Poppy.
Overall, this was a laugh-out-loud funny, “awwwww” kicking my feet adorable, awesomely gory zombie apocalypse book that was written so well!! I absolutely cannot wait to continue this series next year!! 🧟♀️💜💚
September 30, 2026
Romancing in Rot by Lindsey Montgomery • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read: 9/29 2026
🌸 Review 🌸
Thank you so much Lindsey Montgomery for this ARC!!
THE LETTERS!! I love letters. I want a Leon. Everyone needs a Leon. If he wanted to, he would, so never lower your standards for someone that doesn’t make you feel like your best self.
Lindsey Montgomery is extraordinary at writing thrilling, romantic, and funny books with lovable, relatable characters, and adorable found family.
And that ending? What? What does that mean? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??
Anyways… I’m really happy that I guessed who Flirting in Foul will be about. Lindsey had me there for a minute thinking it was going to be about someone else, and I would love to read their story, but I can’t wait to read this person’s story! This one’s being kept a secret, so you’ll have to read this amazing book if you want to know before FiF is published next year.
This was also my 100th read for the year! I’ll probably never reach this goal again, so I’m glad the big 100 got to be this incredible and spectacular book.
Preorder is open. Make sure to check out the author’s website for signed editions and special goodies!
Releases October 20, 2026
Read: 9/29 2026
🌸 Review 🌸
Thank you so much Lindsey Montgomery for this ARC!!
THE LETTERS!! I love letters. I want a Leon. Everyone needs a Leon. If he wanted to, he would, so never lower your standards for someone that doesn’t make you feel like your best self.
Lindsey Montgomery is extraordinary at writing thrilling, romantic, and funny books with lovable, relatable characters, and adorable found family.
And that ending? What? What does that mean? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??
Anyways… I’m really happy that I guessed who Flirting in Foul will be about. Lindsey had me there for a minute thinking it was going to be about someone else, and I would love to read their story, but I can’t wait to read this person’s story! This one’s being kept a secret, so you’ll have to read this amazing book if you want to know before FiF is published next year.
This was also my 100th read for the year! I’ll probably never reach this goal again, so I’m glad the big 100 got to be this incredible and spectacular book.
Preorder is open. Make sure to check out the author’s website for signed editions and special goodies!
Releases October 20, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
•ARC REVIEW•
Romancing in Rot 🧟♀️
By Lindsey Montgomery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Okay but how did this silly zombie apocalypse romance novel end up being so emotionally complex?
Books with mute characters are always emotionally powerful, but add an apocalypse and a traumatized FMC to the mix and you’ve got character chemistry GOLD.
Clair and Leon have a connection- one that doesn’t require words. She trusts him explicitly, and Leon is right there to push her toward her best self just enough without crossing any lines.
Romancing in Rot is most definitely gruesome/dark/tense and also funny and also heartfelt and sweet.
If I were in a zombie apocalypse I’d want to be with these people, they’re the ones who rebuild society the right way.
The tension 👏🏻 had me clenching my jaw so hard I got a headache, especially the last few chapters. The spice was INCREDIBLY done. Detailed but not overly specific, just enough to leave you blushing.
Epilogue made me UGLY CRY- that’s not usually how epilogues go but now I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for next year.
Romancing in Rot 🧟♀️
By Lindsey Montgomery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Okay but how did this silly zombie apocalypse romance novel end up being so emotionally complex?
Books with mute characters are always emotionally powerful, but add an apocalypse and a traumatized FMC to the mix and you’ve got character chemistry GOLD.
Clair and Leon have a connection- one that doesn’t require words. She trusts him explicitly, and Leon is right there to push her toward her best self just enough without crossing any lines.
Romancing in Rot is most definitely gruesome/dark/tense and also funny and also heartfelt and sweet.
If I were in a zombie apocalypse I’d want to be with these people, they’re the ones who rebuild society the right way.
The tension 👏🏻 had me clenching my jaw so hard I got a headache, especially the last few chapters. The spice was INCREDIBLY done. Detailed but not overly specific, just enough to leave you blushing.
Epilogue made me UGLY CRY- that’s not usually how epilogues go but now I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for next year.
October 31, 2026
Leon is everything
Ok I literally just closed this book and I have already ran to one of my friends to tell her to pick this series up.
I loved Dating in Decay with shocked me because zombies are not my thing. I hate them. They freak me out. I stay far away. So when I say I love this series please remember that.
Romancing in Rot picks up with Leon and Claire's story and it is everything I didn't know I needed. This man. The way he treats his girls. My heart literally swoons for Leon.
Claire is amazing. I love seeing a badass woman realize who TF she is and has always been. And again Leon by her side letting her fire grow is amazing. I can't talk about him and Poppy literal tears.
This one made me cry a few times which I was not prepared for and that ending is diabolical. I feel personally attacked and I will be sending my bill to Lindsey Montgomery ASAP.
Loved it. Hated it (you'll understand why 🤮 ) Loved it. Can't wait to see what happens in book three!!!
Ok I literally just closed this book and I have already ran to one of my friends to tell her to pick this series up.
I loved Dating in Decay with shocked me because zombies are not my thing. I hate them. They freak me out. I stay far away. So when I say I love this series please remember that.
Romancing in Rot picks up with Leon and Claire's story and it is everything I didn't know I needed. This man. The way he treats his girls. My heart literally swoons for Leon.
Claire is amazing. I love seeing a badass woman realize who TF she is and has always been. And again Leon by her side letting her fire grow is amazing. I can't talk about him and Poppy literal tears.
This one made me cry a few times which I was not prepared for and that ending is diabolical. I feel personally attacked and I will be sending my bill to Lindsey Montgomery ASAP.
Loved it. Hated it (you'll understand why 🤮 ) Loved it. Can't wait to see what happens in book three!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hold onto your seat with this one!
Fast paced, action packed, emotional, heartfelt, humorous, and GROSS 😝
Definitely check trigger warnings. If you can't watch anything with zombies and descriptive gore like the Walking Dead, this may not be for you. For me... LOVED IT! Could not peel my eyes away from this story.
A baddie FMC that you get to witness not only overcome her fear, but conquer it.
A lumberjack, broody, strong, yet gentle MMC that you will fall in love with.
The romance... oh honey! Lindsey makes you wait for it, and it's so worth it! 🔥🔥🔥
The found family in this will tug at your heart strings.
Oh, and plot twists with sweet revenge... yup. This story has all of the ingredients for a well rounded story.
And can we talk about that ending!!! GURL!
Absolutely cannot wait for book 3!
Fast paced, action packed, emotional, heartfelt, humorous, and GROSS 😝
Definitely check trigger warnings. If you can't watch anything with zombies and descriptive gore like the Walking Dead, this may not be for you. For me... LOVED IT! Could not peel my eyes away from this story.
A baddie FMC that you get to witness not only overcome her fear, but conquer it.
A lumberjack, broody, strong, yet gentle MMC that you will fall in love with.
The romance... oh honey! Lindsey makes you wait for it, and it's so worth it! 🔥🔥🔥
The found family in this will tug at your heart strings.
Oh, and plot twists with sweet revenge... yup. This story has all of the ingredients for a well rounded story.
And can we talk about that ending!!! GURL!
Absolutely cannot wait for book 3!
Review of advance copy received from Author
“There should be rules that a man can't be terrifying, sexy, sweet, and deadly at the same time.”
Oh, but Leon totally is.
Romancing in Rot is Leon and Clair’s story and it has everything I loved about Dating in Decay…and then some! Lindsey Montgomery is the queen of creating visceral and atmospheric fight scenes and emotions were definitely heightened in Romancing in Rot. I got even more attached to characters that I already loved and the stakes seemed that much higher. The crew is still traveling with the hopes of making it to Trish’s family farm and the pit stop in Chicago brings new comrades and reminders of characters’ pasts. I cried, I laughed, I gagged (Seriously. Those descriptions are incredibly sensory), and I gasped in shock. I didn’t see the end coming and it was the perfect conclusion to the book.
The only thing I don’t like? Having to wait until next October for the next book. I love each of these characters and I’m so invested in their stories.
Oh, but Leon totally is.
Romancing in Rot is Leon and Clair’s story and it has everything I loved about Dating in Decay…and then some! Lindsey Montgomery is the queen of creating visceral and atmospheric fight scenes and emotions were definitely heightened in Romancing in Rot. I got even more attached to characters that I already loved and the stakes seemed that much higher. The crew is still traveling with the hopes of making it to Trish’s family farm and the pit stop in Chicago brings new comrades and reminders of characters’ pasts. I cried, I laughed, I gagged (Seriously. Those descriptions are incredibly sensory), and I gasped in shock. I didn’t see the end coming and it was the perfect conclusion to the book.
The only thing I don’t like? Having to wait until next October for the next book. I love each of these characters and I’m so invested in their stories.
October 20, 2026
Clair is a newly single mom after being left for dead by her useless husband and being saved by a quiet and strong man, Leon. Leon has been eyeing Clair since they met in high school.
I was on the edge of my seat, devouring this delicious story! We watch Clair go on a journey of character growth, learning inner and outer strength, with the help of our lovely Leon. I love the banter between the characters and how their theories complemented each other. Also, my favorite part is the letters he leaves her. I have always adored love letters where they pour out their feelings and thoughts onto the page for someone they love. I cannot wait for the story to continue!
I was on the edge of my seat, devouring this delicious story! We watch Clair go on a journey of character growth, learning inner and outer strength, with the help of our lovely Leon. I love the banter between the characters and how their theories complemented each other. Also, my favorite part is the letters he leaves her. I have always adored love letters where they pour out their feelings and thoughts onto the page for someone they love. I cannot wait for the story to continue!
Read
October 3, 2026Warning this book causes sleepless nights, laughs, tears, and an absolute inability to put it down! Lindsey Montgomery proves beauty and brains aren't just for romance, they're a killer combination when the zombie apocalypse inspires date night!
October 13, 2026
A romance set during the zombie apocalypse that I can admit I shed a few tears over. Leon is such a good MMC that it almost hurt. His love for Clair and Clair’s daughter, Poppy, was beautiful and because he was mute his small bits of communication with them were so impactful. Clair made for a compelling FMC and her growth as a character was well done. The setting was also engaging. I felt immersed in their world with that lingering sense of stress about survival, which further contributed to the emotional connection to the characters. I’m greatly looking forward to the next book in the series!
Spice: 1.5 do it now because this is the apocalypse chili peppers
It should be noted that while the “what didn’t work so well for me” section is longer, I really did enjoy the book. I just tend to be more verbose with critiques.
What I loved:
-The found family in this book is so good. I didn’t read the first book so I don’t know how they all came together, but I could still feel how much they all mattered to each other.
-I appreciate that Clair was given the time and space to grow as a character. She had a good character arc and she felt more like a real person - like her responses and growth feel accurate if there were to be an actual apocalypse.
-I can fully admit to feeling emotional at various parts of the story. The emotional heaviness and sort of constant tension of having to survive an apocalypse was well-written. There was definitely moments of relief, but you could still feel that lurking sense of stress about the situation.
-Letters 😭😭
What didn’t work so well for me:
-I think I would’ve liked to see more background between Leon and Clair. Like what was their dynamic in high school? Did they lose touch afterwards?
-Where Clair is a flawed character who goes through periods of growth and change and comes out the other side better, Leon is too perfect from the get go. He essentially has zero flaws and his responses to everything (especially Clair and/or Poppy’s needs) are always exactly right. I love an idealized MMC but in contrast to Clair he maybe felt a bit too polished (but in a rugged, I’ll save you from every zombie way).
-This got better by the latter part of the book, but at the start I just wasn’t sold on Clair’s feelings for Leon. Leon’s love felt so deep and genuine, but Clair’s felt more situational or manufactured? Like we don’t really see her fall for Leon since there’s this base attraction built in and a sense of “second chance romance” even though they weren’t ever together? I don’t know how to describe it, but there’s just kind of a feeling that while Clair had always liked or admired Leon in his own way, she kind of fell for him because he was the first safe place she’s had. It’s like her love went from a confused lukewarm to full love and I think it either needed to start from 0 feelings or start at full love. Starting from the middle kind of gave “I love him because he loves me and is safer than my ex” vibes.
-I love spice in books, and while the scenes themselves were good, I felt a bit of an emotional mismatch. I don’t know if it was because there was too much emotional whiplash going from the drama of having to survive a zombie apocalypse to emotional and physical intimacy, if I was still feeling put off about Clair’s feelings (as stated above), or what, but I just couldn’t get into the mindset to actually enjoy the scenes.
Thank you to the author, Lindsey Montgomery, for my ARC ✨ the review is entirely my own opinion
SPOILER(ish) OPINION BELOW
While I did find Leon’s note writing charming, I felt so frustrated that Clair hadn’t learned any ASL prior to this point. If they were friends in high school she would have had plenty of time to learn at least basic signs for communication. This also contributed to my thoughts on Clair’s feelings for Leon seeming less genuine. If you loved or cared for him, even in a friendship way, wouldn’t you want to put in effort to better communicate with him (yes she does this later, but she’s definitely had time to learn before then)? The burden of communication is put entirely on Leon because he has to write anything he wants to say. Which is also MASSIVELY inconvenient during an apocalypse. Like if he loses a writing utensil or the paper how the hell is he supposed to say anything to anyone aside from three characters who know ASL? He also GESTURES TO COMMUNICATE WITH HER. Like why not just learn ASL at that point???? I might be getting too worked up about this, but man, the thought being put in to accessibility felt perilously low. Like if I was in a zombie apocalypse and someone in my group, who I frequently relied on to protect my life, would have an easier time communicating through ASL, you’d bet your ass I’d at least learn the basics regardless of having romantic feelings for them. At the very least it’s simply more convenient and effective in this situation. Plus the zombies are attracted to sound so communicating silently is a bonus.
Spice: 1.5 do it now because this is the apocalypse chili peppers
It should be noted that while the “what didn’t work so well for me” section is longer, I really did enjoy the book. I just tend to be more verbose with critiques.
What I loved:
-The found family in this book is so good. I didn’t read the first book so I don’t know how they all came together, but I could still feel how much they all mattered to each other.
-I appreciate that Clair was given the time and space to grow as a character. She had a good character arc and she felt more like a real person - like her responses and growth feel accurate if there were to be an actual apocalypse.
-I can fully admit to feeling emotional at various parts of the story. The emotional heaviness and sort of constant tension of having to survive an apocalypse was well-written. There was definitely moments of relief, but you could still feel that lurking sense of stress about the situation.
-Letters 😭😭
What didn’t work so well for me:
-I think I would’ve liked to see more background between Leon and Clair. Like what was their dynamic in high school? Did they lose touch afterwards?
-Where Clair is a flawed character who goes through periods of growth and change and comes out the other side better, Leon is too perfect from the get go. He essentially has zero flaws and his responses to everything (especially Clair and/or Poppy’s needs) are always exactly right. I love an idealized MMC but in contrast to Clair he maybe felt a bit too polished (but in a rugged, I’ll save you from every zombie way).
-This got better by the latter part of the book, but at the start I just wasn’t sold on Clair’s feelings for Leon. Leon’s love felt so deep and genuine, but Clair’s felt more situational or manufactured? Like we don’t really see her fall for Leon since there’s this base attraction built in and a sense of “second chance romance” even though they weren’t ever together? I don’t know how to describe it, but there’s just kind of a feeling that while Clair had always liked or admired Leon in his own way, she kind of fell for him because he was the first safe place she’s had. It’s like her love went from a confused lukewarm to full love and I think it either needed to start from 0 feelings or start at full love. Starting from the middle kind of gave “I love him because he loves me and is safer than my ex” vibes.
-I love spice in books, and while the scenes themselves were good, I felt a bit of an emotional mismatch. I don’t know if it was because there was too much emotional whiplash going from the drama of having to survive a zombie apocalypse to emotional and physical intimacy, if I was still feeling put off about Clair’s feelings (as stated above), or what, but I just couldn’t get into the mindset to actually enjoy the scenes.
Thank you to the author, Lindsey Montgomery, for my ARC ✨ the review is entirely my own opinion
SPOILER(ish) OPINION BELOW
While I did find Leon’s note writing charming, I felt so frustrated that Clair hadn’t learned any ASL prior to this point. If they were friends in high school she would have had plenty of time to learn at least basic signs for communication. This also contributed to my thoughts on Clair’s feelings for Leon seeming less genuine. If you loved or cared for him, even in a friendship way, wouldn’t you want to put in effort to better communicate with him (yes she does this later, but she’s definitely had time to learn before then)? The burden of communication is put entirely on Leon because he has to write anything he wants to say. Which is also MASSIVELY inconvenient during an apocalypse. Like if he loses a writing utensil or the paper how the hell is he supposed to say anything to anyone aside from three characters who know ASL? He also GESTURES TO COMMUNICATE WITH HER. Like why not just learn ASL at that point???? I might be getting too worked up about this, but man, the thought being put in to accessibility felt perilously low. Like if I was in a zombie apocalypse and someone in my group, who I frequently relied on to protect my life, would have an easier time communicating through ASL, you’d bet your ass I’d at least learn the basics regardless of having romantic feelings for them. At the very least it’s simply more convenient and effective in this situation. Plus the zombies are attracted to sound so communicating silently is a bonus.
October 14, 2026
This book was RIGHT UP MY ALLEY!! It was literally The Walking Dead meets a spicy romance novel and honestly, what more could a girl ask for?! 😂🖤 Fun fact: I had a Walking Dead-themed gender reveal, so clearly, the zombie apocalypse has always had a special place in my heart. 💀😂
I absolutely LOVED the little troop of survivors and the found-family vibes they created. In a world where everything is falling apart, watching these people come together, protect one another, and build a family was everything. 🥹❤️
🪓 Claire is a total BADASS mama who will do absolutely ANYTHING to survive and protect her daughter. As a mama, I adored her fierce determination and the lengths she’d go to for her little girl. That is MOMMA BEAR ENERGY! 🐻🔥
🥵 Leon… oh, LEON. This delicious lumberjack oozes that quiet, unassuming sexiness that makes a girl weak in the knees. He’s a vicious golden retriever in the BEST possible way. 🥹❤️🔥 Sweet, loyal, and devoted to his girls and his family, but an absolute NIGHTMARE for anyone who dares threaten them. The man is all soft cuddles and murderous rage, and I AM HERE FOR IT. 🪓😏
💖 Sweet Poppy and her princess murder sparkle! 😂👑🔪 This feisty little girl stole my heart! She’s got sass, spunk, and just the right amount of adorable little psychopath energy. I loved her SO MUCH! 😈💕
And the apocalyptic recipes?! 😂😭 They had me simultaneously feeling absolutely TERRIBLE for these survivors and giggling over what they had to make do with. The struggle is REAL when civilization collapses and dinner becomes a creative challenge. 💀🍽️
I genuinely never thought I’d be sitting here saying I LOVE a spicy zombie romance, but HERE WE ARE! 🧟♀️❤️🔥 Give me the danger, the found family, the protective lumberjack, the spice, and the princess murder sparkle ANY DAY.
10/10 WOULD ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Apparently, my reading taste has officially evolved to include getting hot and bothered during the zombie apocalypse, and I regret NOTHING. 😂🔥🖤
I absolutely LOVED the little troop of survivors and the found-family vibes they created. In a world where everything is falling apart, watching these people come together, protect one another, and build a family was everything. 🥹❤️
🪓 Claire is a total BADASS mama who will do absolutely ANYTHING to survive and protect her daughter. As a mama, I adored her fierce determination and the lengths she’d go to for her little girl. That is MOMMA BEAR ENERGY! 🐻🔥
🥵 Leon… oh, LEON. This delicious lumberjack oozes that quiet, unassuming sexiness that makes a girl weak in the knees. He’s a vicious golden retriever in the BEST possible way. 🥹❤️🔥 Sweet, loyal, and devoted to his girls and his family, but an absolute NIGHTMARE for anyone who dares threaten them. The man is all soft cuddles and murderous rage, and I AM HERE FOR IT. 🪓😏
💖 Sweet Poppy and her princess murder sparkle! 😂👑🔪 This feisty little girl stole my heart! She’s got sass, spunk, and just the right amount of adorable little psychopath energy. I loved her SO MUCH! 😈💕
And the apocalyptic recipes?! 😂😭 They had me simultaneously feeling absolutely TERRIBLE for these survivors and giggling over what they had to make do with. The struggle is REAL when civilization collapses and dinner becomes a creative challenge. 💀🍽️
I genuinely never thought I’d be sitting here saying I LOVE a spicy zombie romance, but HERE WE ARE! 🧟♀️❤️🔥 Give me the danger, the found family, the protective lumberjack, the spice, and the princess murder sparkle ANY DAY.
10/10 WOULD ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Apparently, my reading taste has officially evolved to include getting hot and bothered during the zombie apocalypse, and I regret NOTHING. 😂🔥🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
A zombie apocalypse, found family, a guarded man who shows his love through actions, and a woman learning to reclaim her strength? Add some dark humor, slow-burn yearning, and a whole lot of chaos, and I'm in! 🧟♀️🖤
Romancing in Rot brings together the perfect ingredients for an apocalyptic romance, balancing the danger of a world overrun by the undead with the softer, more emotional moments that make these stories so memorable.
Clair's journey is about so much more than survival. After being betrayed and left for dead, she's determined to become stronger for herself and her daughter. Watching her work through her fears and rebuild her confidence adds an emotional layer to the story, making her journey toward reclaiming her power especially meaningful.
And then there's Leon. 🖤 The quiet, guarded type who has seen Clair's strength all along, even when she struggles to see it herself. Their growing connection, combined with training scenes, pining, and the promise of love letters, sounds like such a satisfying slow-burn romance. Sometimes it's the quietest characters who have the most to say through their actions.
I also love the combination of found family, bloody vengeance, and dark humor against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse. There's danger around every corner, but there's also room for tenderness, healing, and the kind of connection that makes surviving everything just a little more worthwhile.
Overall, Romancing in Rot sounds like a fun, emotional, and action-packed addition to the series, with a romance that offers plenty of yearning alongside the blood, guts, and chaos. It's a great combination for readers who enjoy their love stories with a little danger and a lot of heart.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🖤🧟♀️
Romancing in Rot brings together the perfect ingredients for an apocalyptic romance, balancing the danger of a world overrun by the undead with the softer, more emotional moments that make these stories so memorable.
Clair's journey is about so much more than survival. After being betrayed and left for dead, she's determined to become stronger for herself and her daughter. Watching her work through her fears and rebuild her confidence adds an emotional layer to the story, making her journey toward reclaiming her power especially meaningful.
And then there's Leon. 🖤 The quiet, guarded type who has seen Clair's strength all along, even when she struggles to see it herself. Their growing connection, combined with training scenes, pining, and the promise of love letters, sounds like such a satisfying slow-burn romance. Sometimes it's the quietest characters who have the most to say through their actions.
I also love the combination of found family, bloody vengeance, and dark humor against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse. There's danger around every corner, but there's also room for tenderness, healing, and the kind of connection that makes surviving everything just a little more worthwhile.
Overall, Romancing in Rot sounds like a fun, emotional, and action-packed addition to the series, with a romance that offers plenty of yearning alongside the blood, guts, and chaos. It's a great combination for readers who enjoy their love stories with a little danger and a lot of heart.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🖤🧟♀️
Review of advance copy received from Author
💘High stakes zombie romance
🪓1st person dual POV
💘Cliffhanger.. kind of
🪓Insta-love…kind of
💘Moderate spice
🪓Book two of a series (somewhat standalone)
💘Mute MMC
I feel divided. It is consistently marketed as an interconnected standalone but I felt, very much, like I was plopped down in the middle of a plot without back story. Now, it is built up a bit more throughout the story but I strongly recommend reading the first book, first. I trusted the “standalone” marketing a bit too much considering this is an evolving plot even thought the romances are standalone.
With that out of the way, my main takeaways were that this was followed standard zombie lore, so no surprises there. And they were heavily included which was nice since I’ve read some zombie romances that barely included the zombies and that is always a disappointment.
I felt torn with the main characters romantic evolution. There was past history, in essence (went to high school together), but it almost felt a little insta-love. Considering it isn’t clear how much time elapsed between the prologue and the main timeline, things seemed to move too quickly. It felt like flipping a light switch. Honestly, the drama of the cannibal mall and the general zombie survival held my attention more than the romance.
My favorite aspect was our FMC finding herself after an emotionally abusive marriage to the man who contributed to her teenage pregnancy. I really loved the understanding and restraint portrayed by our MMC while our FMC gained her confidence. Excellent revenge plot in this regards. I also, didn’t know what to expect with a mute MMC but the execution was well done! This was my first read with a mute main character!
Overall, I do recommend! It’s likely I will continue the series, especially after that ending!
Thank you to our author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
🪓1st person dual POV
💘Cliffhanger.. kind of
🪓Insta-love…kind of
💘Moderate spice
🪓Book two of a series (somewhat standalone)
💘Mute MMC
I feel divided. It is consistently marketed as an interconnected standalone but I felt, very much, like I was plopped down in the middle of a plot without back story. Now, it is built up a bit more throughout the story but I strongly recommend reading the first book, first. I trusted the “standalone” marketing a bit too much considering this is an evolving plot even thought the romances are standalone.
With that out of the way, my main takeaways were that this was followed standard zombie lore, so no surprises there. And they were heavily included which was nice since I’ve read some zombie romances that barely included the zombies and that is always a disappointment.
I felt torn with the main characters romantic evolution. There was past history, in essence (went to high school together), but it almost felt a little insta-love. Considering it isn’t clear how much time elapsed between the prologue and the main timeline, things seemed to move too quickly. It felt like flipping a light switch. Honestly, the drama of the cannibal mall and the general zombie survival held my attention more than the romance.
My favorite aspect was our FMC finding herself after an emotionally abusive marriage to the man who contributed to her teenage pregnancy. I really loved the understanding and restraint portrayed by our MMC while our FMC gained her confidence. Excellent revenge plot in this regards. I also, didn’t know what to expect with a mute MMC but the execution was well done! This was my first read with a mute main character!
Overall, I do recommend! It’s likely I will continue the series, especially after that ending!
Thank you to our author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am OBSESSED with a good zombie story, and Romancing in Rot was a fast paced, hilarious, romantic, and just gory enough wild read!! I was on my toes the entire time!
I'm sooo thankful I got the chance to read this one early!
I loved every single character, especially Clair and Leon.. and let's not forget Poppy!! The found family dynamic is something I absolutely adore, and this book gave me ALL the feels.. This little group cared so much for eachother.
Clair is just so real to me. As someone whose been in a crappy relationship, and knows how much that can really effect you for a long time after... she was so strong and seeing her grow was amazing. Like mannn she turned into a force to be reckoned with.. I was SO proud of her!!
And LEON. This man has my heart! He's been through hell and back, and seeing him turn his trauma into strength really got to me. I'm so thankful he had people to fall back on and got some answers, even though they hurt like heck. Plus those letters... WOW. JUST WOW. Give me a brooding yet sweet redheaded badass any day!!
How can a book be so dark and gruesome but also make me laugh and cry?! The last two chapters had me in TEARS, and THEN THAT ENDING?!? LIKE WHAT?!?!
I also loved the hilarious recipes sprinkled throughout the book! Such a fun little touch.
Lindsey is an amazing writer who knows how to pull you into both the gore of a zombie apocalypse AND the emotions of her characters.
I'm definitely going to have to go back and read Dating in Decay now because this series is EVERYTHING I love, and I need to know how they all came together!!
If you love zombies, found family, spice, and a broody redheaded badass, ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR!!
I'm sooo thankful I got the chance to read this one early!
I loved every single character, especially Clair and Leon.. and let's not forget Poppy!! The found family dynamic is something I absolutely adore, and this book gave me ALL the feels.. This little group cared so much for eachother.
Clair is just so real to me. As someone whose been in a crappy relationship, and knows how much that can really effect you for a long time after... she was so strong and seeing her grow was amazing. Like mannn she turned into a force to be reckoned with.. I was SO proud of her!!
And LEON. This man has my heart! He's been through hell and back, and seeing him turn his trauma into strength really got to me. I'm so thankful he had people to fall back on and got some answers, even though they hurt like heck. Plus those letters... WOW. JUST WOW. Give me a brooding yet sweet redheaded badass any day!!
How can a book be so dark and gruesome but also make me laugh and cry?! The last two chapters had me in TEARS, and THEN THAT ENDING?!? LIKE WHAT?!?!
I also loved the hilarious recipes sprinkled throughout the book! Such a fun little touch.
Lindsey is an amazing writer who knows how to pull you into both the gore of a zombie apocalypse AND the emotions of her characters.
I'm definitely going to have to go back and read Dating in Decay now because this series is EVERYTHING I love, and I need to know how they all came together!!
If you love zombies, found family, spice, and a broody redheaded badass, ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR!!
October 29, 2026
ARC REVIEW of Romancing in Rot by Lindsey Montgomery
Life was life-ing, so this one took me a little longer to get through but OH MY GOD. WHAT A BOOK. 😭🧟♀️❤️
I absolutely loved every second of this. The characters, the chaos, the romance, the teamwork, the emotions, the introduction of new characters, getting to learn more about Leon and Clair AND getting to spend more time with Lyla, Jacob and the rest of the gang? This series has me in an absolute chokehold & I will be recommending it from the rooftops forever.
My only reason for not giving this five stars is that the first book had me absolutely HOWLING with laughter and I don’t think this one quite hit those same comedic heights for me. But that is genuinely the tiniest of criticisms because I still adored this book from beginning to end. 4.5 stars is an INCREDIBLE rating from me and this book absolutely deserves every bit of it.
BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT ENDING?! 😭
Lindsey Montgomery, I am FUMING WITH YOU. 😭 WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE LEAVING ME LIKE THAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK?! EXCUSE ME?!
I am devastated. Betrayed. Emotionally compromised. And yet, somehow, I would still happily go back and do it all over again - I’m just trying to figure out how I’m going to survive waiting so long for the third book
Zombies, romance, hilarious chaos, found family, emotional damage and characters you can’t help but fall in love with. What more could you possibly want?!
An incredible addition to an already incredible series. I need the next book immediately. Preferably yesterday. 🧟♀️🩷
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Life was life-ing, so this one took me a little longer to get through but OH MY GOD. WHAT A BOOK. 😭🧟♀️❤️
I absolutely loved every second of this. The characters, the chaos, the romance, the teamwork, the emotions, the introduction of new characters, getting to learn more about Leon and Clair AND getting to spend more time with Lyla, Jacob and the rest of the gang? This series has me in an absolute chokehold & I will be recommending it from the rooftops forever.
My only reason for not giving this five stars is that the first book had me absolutely HOWLING with laughter and I don’t think this one quite hit those same comedic heights for me. But that is genuinely the tiniest of criticisms because I still adored this book from beginning to end. 4.5 stars is an INCREDIBLE rating from me and this book absolutely deserves every bit of it.
BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT ENDING?! 😭
Lindsey Montgomery, I am FUMING WITH YOU. 😭 WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE LEAVING ME LIKE THAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK?! EXCUSE ME?!
I am devastated. Betrayed. Emotionally compromised. And yet, somehow, I would still happily go back and do it all over again - I’m just trying to figure out how I’m going to survive waiting so long for the third book
Zombies, romance, hilarious chaos, found family, emotional damage and characters you can’t help but fall in love with. What more could you possibly want?!
An incredible addition to an already incredible series. I need the next book immediately. Preferably yesterday. 🧟♀️🩷
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2026
When it comes to Lindsey Montgomery, I know I can always expect humor, romance, action, and an all-around good time. And Romancing in Rot did NOT disappoint!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this one, and I was SO excited to finally dive into Clair and Leon's story. Let me tell you, it was everything I hoped for and more!
The romance is a slow burn, and oh my goodness, is it swoon-worthy! The relationship between Leon and Clair's daughter, Poppy, is the absolute sweetest. My heart couldn't handle it!
One thing I especially loved was Leon's character. Even though he's mute, it doesn't stop him from expressing himself, showing his personality, or communicating how he feels. His actions speak volumes, and I absolutely adored him.
But don't let all the romance fool you. This is still a zombie apocalypse, after all!
The story is fast-paced, action-packed, and definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. Expect plenty of zombies, gore, and chaos, but also an emotionally complex story that gives you so much more than just surviving the undead.
And as always, Lindsey's descriptions are fantastic. She has a way of pulling you right into the world, making you feel like you're experiencing the chaos alongside the characters.
And THAT CLIFFHANGER?!
Ma'am. EXCUSE ME?!
Now I'm over here impatiently waiting for the next installment because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
If you love your zombie apocalypse stories with a side of slow-burn romance, humor, found family, and plenty of gore, definitely check this one out!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this one, and I was SO excited to finally dive into Clair and Leon's story. Let me tell you, it was everything I hoped for and more!
The romance is a slow burn, and oh my goodness, is it swoon-worthy! The relationship between Leon and Clair's daughter, Poppy, is the absolute sweetest. My heart couldn't handle it!
One thing I especially loved was Leon's character. Even though he's mute, it doesn't stop him from expressing himself, showing his personality, or communicating how he feels. His actions speak volumes, and I absolutely adored him.
But don't let all the romance fool you. This is still a zombie apocalypse, after all!
The story is fast-paced, action-packed, and definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. Expect plenty of zombies, gore, and chaos, but also an emotionally complex story that gives you so much more than just surviving the undead.
And as always, Lindsey's descriptions are fantastic. She has a way of pulling you right into the world, making you feel like you're experiencing the chaos alongside the characters.
And THAT CLIFFHANGER?!
Ma'am. EXCUSE ME?!
Now I'm over here impatiently waiting for the next installment because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
If you love your zombie apocalypse stories with a side of slow-burn romance, humor, found family, and plenty of gore, definitely check this one out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh, how I love Leon; let me count the ways—I love thee to the... oh yeah, that's Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Romancing in Rot is A magnificent combination of heavy, comical, and enduring. First off, I love the characters; Leon is the epitome of a man. I don't know if him being mute adds to his appeal or makes me sad because, finally, a man worth listening to, and he can't talk. Clair is relatable and fabulous, fully deserving of a Leon. Joanie might just be my favorite, though; I'm not sure if she's that funny or if she exposed how demented I am. She lightened the heaviness of the book with the perfect amount of comical relief, I especially enjoyed her relationship with "Peaches"
I read Romancing In Rot as a stand-alone and it was great and left me wanting more so I'll be reading Dating in Decay asap to get the scoop on other characters. I cannot wait until next year for book three; please let me be an ARC reader for that one, like, now! I loved everything about this book, I was invested from page one, I found myself thinking about the characters when I was not able to read for a couple of days, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I spent in the stinky apocalypse—okay, maybe not every moment, as there were a few that made my stomach turn. But I held strong just waiting to hear "atta girl"—well, okay, read "atta girl."
Lindsey Montgomery earned a permanent spot on my shelf 💚💜 I can't get enough!
🩶Joanie is my spirit animal🩶
Romancing in Rot is A magnificent combination of heavy, comical, and enduring. First off, I love the characters; Leon is the epitome of a man. I don't know if him being mute adds to his appeal or makes me sad because, finally, a man worth listening to, and he can't talk. Clair is relatable and fabulous, fully deserving of a Leon. Joanie might just be my favorite, though; I'm not sure if she's that funny or if she exposed how demented I am. She lightened the heaviness of the book with the perfect amount of comical relief, I especially enjoyed her relationship with "Peaches"
I read Romancing In Rot as a stand-alone and it was great and left me wanting more so I'll be reading Dating in Decay asap to get the scoop on other characters. I cannot wait until next year for book three; please let me be an ARC reader for that one, like, now! I loved everything about this book, I was invested from page one, I found myself thinking about the characters when I was not able to read for a couple of days, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I spent in the stinky apocalypse—okay, maybe not every moment, as there were a few that made my stomach turn. But I held strong just waiting to hear "atta girl"—well, okay, read "atta girl."
Lindsey Montgomery earned a permanent spot on my shelf 💚💜 I can't get enough!
🩶Joanie is my spirit animal🩶
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Disclaimer 🖤🧟♀️
First of all, thank you to Lindsey Montgomery! This book was AWESOME!! Two thumbs way up! The perfect read for spooky season!
This was my first venture into this series and don't be afraid, you can totally read this as a standalone BUT it's so fantastic that you'll want to read the rest. I know I certainly do!
This book focuses on a zombie apocalypse that had turned the world inside out. Our FMC, Clair, and MMC, Leon, are the stars of the show.
Clair alongside her daughter Poppy are finding their way after a traumatic start into this horrifying new world. Leon is mute, family focused, and a total heartthrob badass. He's the man you want with you during the end of the world and his internal dialogue about Clair....it'll make you melt.
The rest of the crew has a wide range of personalities and each add their own special part to the storyline. They give great humor during dark and gory moments.
This book is about found family, learning how to become one's true self, and making the most of the worst situation that could happen.
I loved all the relationships in this book, romantic and platonic. They were written realistically and the whole storyline was engaging. Halfway through I was like damn....this would make an incredible movie.
I cannot wait to delve into this series further. Just pick it up and read it. What are you waiting for?
5🌟
First of all, thank you to Lindsey Montgomery! This book was AWESOME!! Two thumbs way up! The perfect read for spooky season!
This was my first venture into this series and don't be afraid, you can totally read this as a standalone BUT it's so fantastic that you'll want to read the rest. I know I certainly do!
This book focuses on a zombie apocalypse that had turned the world inside out. Our FMC, Clair, and MMC, Leon, are the stars of the show.
Clair alongside her daughter Poppy are finding their way after a traumatic start into this horrifying new world. Leon is mute, family focused, and a total heartthrob badass. He's the man you want with you during the end of the world and his internal dialogue about Clair....it'll make you melt.
The rest of the crew has a wide range of personalities and each add their own special part to the storyline. They give great humor during dark and gory moments.
This book is about found family, learning how to become one's true self, and making the most of the worst situation that could happen.
I loved all the relationships in this book, romantic and platonic. They were written realistically and the whole storyline was engaging. Halfway through I was like damn....this would make an incredible movie.
I cannot wait to delve into this series further. Just pick it up and read it. What are you waiting for?
5🌟
October 5, 2026
Thank you to Lindsey Montgomery for this ARC episode in exchange for my honest review!
This is the second book in the Outbreak Response Series. Leon and Clair were a match made in heaven. The setting was perfect and depicts this apocalyptic rom—com perfectly. The descriptions put the pictures in my head so clearly it was like I was there hacking up zombies and eating Edith’s questionable food.
Clair our FMC gives the perfect single mom trope as well as facing your fears. She struggles with self confidence in herself but not those around her.
Leon is a mute who is dealing with his past traumas. His road shows the true meaning of resilience and strength that he pours into his environment.
This story is about overcoming obstacles, both mental and physical. I usually can’t say this about most authors, but DANG LINDSEY! You did an amazing job and I highly recommend anyone who loves zombies to read this book but start with Dating In Decay!
I laughed, I cried, and I even stood up and fist pumped. This books made me have all of the physical reactions one would hope to have in a book! Great job yet again.
Read if you like:
+ Zombies
+ Found Family
+ Trauma Bonding
+ Single Mom Trope
+ Tall, Dark, and Silent
This is the second book in the Outbreak Response Series. Leon and Clair were a match made in heaven. The setting was perfect and depicts this apocalyptic rom—com perfectly. The descriptions put the pictures in my head so clearly it was like I was there hacking up zombies and eating Edith’s questionable food.
Clair our FMC gives the perfect single mom trope as well as facing your fears. She struggles with self confidence in herself but not those around her.
Leon is a mute who is dealing with his past traumas. His road shows the true meaning of resilience and strength that he pours into his environment.
This story is about overcoming obstacles, both mental and physical. I usually can’t say this about most authors, but DANG LINDSEY! You did an amazing job and I highly recommend anyone who loves zombies to read this book but start with Dating In Decay!
I laughed, I cried, and I even stood up and fist pumped. This books made me have all of the physical reactions one would hope to have in a book! Great job yet again.
Read if you like:
+ Zombies
+ Found Family
+ Trauma Bonding
+ Single Mom Trope
+ Tall, Dark, and Silent
Review of advance copy received from Author
Romancing in Rot by Lindsey Montgomery was an absolute wild ride, and I’m honored to have been part of the eARC team! Lindsey delivers once again with a fast-paced, action-packed story that kept me turning pages because I needed to know what would happen next.
Set in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, we follow a group of survivors on their journey toward Montana, making a dangerous stop in Chicago to scavenge for supplies. Between zombie herds, a ruthless new enemy, brutal fights, and some truly gruesome moments, there is never a shortage of tension. And trust me, the gore is NOT for the faint of heart!
But this story is about more than survival. The characters are incredibly likable, and their relationships and interactions feel genuine. Clair and Leon’s relationship was a highlight for me, bringing emotional depth and just the right amount of spice to the chaos.
As a sign language interpreter, I especially appreciated the use of ASL with Leon and seeing other characters make an effort to communicate with him on his terms. It was refreshing and meaningful.
With humor, heartbreak, romance, and plenty of bloodshed, Romancing in Rot delivers a seriously entertaining apocalypse story. I loved the ride from beginning to end!
Set in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, we follow a group of survivors on their journey toward Montana, making a dangerous stop in Chicago to scavenge for supplies. Between zombie herds, a ruthless new enemy, brutal fights, and some truly gruesome moments, there is never a shortage of tension. And trust me, the gore is NOT for the faint of heart!
But this story is about more than survival. The characters are incredibly likable, and their relationships and interactions feel genuine. Clair and Leon’s relationship was a highlight for me, bringing emotional depth and just the right amount of spice to the chaos.
As a sign language interpreter, I especially appreciated the use of ASL with Leon and seeing other characters make an effort to communicate with him on his terms. It was refreshing and meaningful.
With humor, heartbreak, romance, and plenty of bloodshed, Romancing in Rot delivers a seriously entertaining apocalypse story. I loved the ride from beginning to end!
October 20, 2026
Yall. I love this series. I love the combination of scary end of the world and comedy because not everyone can do that as well as Lindsey Montgomery does.
Clair and Leon are ADORABLE. I know they're only the second couple we've seen but so far they're my favorite. The longing almost killed me.
Poor Clair and Poppy and the crap they had to put up with before. I both love and hate getting background on characters. Because yes! Tell me everything!! But also now I have a character I need to die a gruesome death before its over (spoiler -------- he does)
And honestly the same goes for Leon there's a crazy reveal that happens towards the end of the book that actually had me gasp out loud. Like what do you MEAN thats what happened??
It does make it more satisfying when our MCs finally get together, say they love each other, etc. But jfc the roller-coaster we have to go through to get to that point.
Also we have a handful of Edith's recipes breaking up the crazy and that's one of the best things too. I love the little snippets of side characters, with Earl's survival guide in book one.
Overall 10/10 story, romance and gore. I will definitely be rereading both one & two when the third book comes out next
Clair and Leon are ADORABLE. I know they're only the second couple we've seen but so far they're my favorite. The longing almost killed me.
Poor Clair and Poppy and the crap they had to put up with before. I both love and hate getting background on characters. Because yes! Tell me everything!! But also now I have a character I need to die a gruesome death before its over (spoiler -------- he does)
And honestly the same goes for Leon there's a crazy reveal that happens towards the end of the book that actually had me gasp out loud. Like what do you MEAN thats what happened??
It does make it more satisfying when our MCs finally get together, say they love each other, etc. But jfc the roller-coaster we have to go through to get to that point.
Also we have a handful of Edith's recipes breaking up the crazy and that's one of the best things too. I love the little snippets of side characters, with Earl's survival guide in book one.
Overall 10/10 story, romance and gore. I will definitely be rereading both one & two when the third book comes out next
October 20, 2026
I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of @authorlindseymontgomery’s ARC team for Romancing in Rot! As an avid reader and writer in in the horror romance genre, I was thrilled I got the chance to read it early. After that wonderful cliffhanger, though, having to wait for book three is going to be ROUGH!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As far as reviews go, I DEVOURED this book. Just like with book two, I fell in love with Clair and Leon. Their friends to lovers arc was everything, and I loved seeing two people who have been denied a voice throughout their lives (in two very different ways) develop and grow even at the end of the world. Their love story was broken and lovely and real, and I loved seeing them come together at last.
The amount of spice was PERFECT and beautifully done, and the amount of bone-chilling terror I felt for characters both new and old to the series was awful (in the best way). This book genuinely kept me up all night . . . it was UNPUTDOWNABLE!!
A huge thank you to Lindsey for giving me the chance to read book 2 early . . . I hope I get the chance to be on book 3’s ARC team as well. As I told her after I finished this book, Romancing in Rot’s cliffhanger will be my Roman Empire for the next year 😅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As far as reviews go, I DEVOURED this book. Just like with book two, I fell in love with Clair and Leon. Their friends to lovers arc was everything, and I loved seeing two people who have been denied a voice throughout their lives (in two very different ways) develop and grow even at the end of the world. Their love story was broken and lovely and real, and I loved seeing them come together at last.
The amount of spice was PERFECT and beautifully done, and the amount of bone-chilling terror I felt for characters both new and old to the series was awful (in the best way). This book genuinely kept me up all night . . . it was UNPUTDOWNABLE!!
A huge thank you to Lindsey for giving me the chance to read book 2 early . . . I hope I get the chance to be on book 3’s ARC team as well. As I told her after I finished this book, Romancing in Rot’s cliffhanger will be my Roman Empire for the next year 😅
October 21, 2026
I received this book as a ARC reader.
Romancing in the Rot by Lindsey Montgomery
Second book in The Outbreak Response series.
Romancing in the Rot is the perfect reminder that even in a world falling apart, love can still find a way to grow in the darkness. As the second book in the series, this book delivers a delightful mix of apocalyptic chaos, romance, and the kind of connection that makes you root for two people to find happiness in the middle of the rot and ruin.
These characters are amazing. Leon stole my heart, there’s something special about him even after losing his ability to speak he’s still so strong and confident, and secure enough in himself to help Claire find the same confidence and strength.
What I love most about their relationship is the trust they built between them. He sees her, all of her and makes her feel safe enough to be who she truly is.
If you love zombies and romance with heart, characters you can’t get enough of even while they are kicking the bad guys ass then this 5 star read is for you.
This book is loaded with great characters, love, funny, grit, and blood. Found love, found family and survival! I can’t wait for the next book by Lindsey Montgomery.
Romancing in the Rot by Lindsey Montgomery
Second book in The Outbreak Response series.
Romancing in the Rot is the perfect reminder that even in a world falling apart, love can still find a way to grow in the darkness. As the second book in the series, this book delivers a delightful mix of apocalyptic chaos, romance, and the kind of connection that makes you root for two people to find happiness in the middle of the rot and ruin.
These characters are amazing. Leon stole my heart, there’s something special about him even after losing his ability to speak he’s still so strong and confident, and secure enough in himself to help Claire find the same confidence and strength.
What I love most about their relationship is the trust they built between them. He sees her, all of her and makes her feel safe enough to be who she truly is.
If you love zombies and romance with heart, characters you can’t get enough of even while they are kicking the bad guys ass then this 5 star read is for you.
This book is loaded with great characters, love, funny, grit, and blood. Found love, found family and survival! I can’t wait for the next book by Lindsey Montgomery.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yet again, Lindsey Montgomery has smashed it out of the park (a poor attempt at an inside joke 😆)!
“Romancing in Rot” continues the Outbreak Response series with Leon and Clair’s story… and holy hell, it’s a good one. I went into this ARC read with high expectations and a need to be fully grossed out… and she did not disappoint, my friends.
There is something truly special how Lindsey Montgomery can create a perfect plot, amazing main and side characters that hold such depth, and action-packed scenes that cinematically play out in your mind—all while making you laugh AND cry. That ending though… book three can’t come soon enough!
She is, and will always be, a “will read anything she writes” author for me and continues to prove time and time again why.
The Outbreak Response series is an interconnected standalone zombie rom-com series that begins with “Dating in Decay.” You can find book one on KU and many indie bookstores. “Romancing in Rot” is available NOW for pre-order and will be released on October 20th!
💜 Zombie Apocalypse
💚 Horror Romance
💜 Healing & Growth
💚 Mute MMC x Single Mom
💜 Dark Humor
💚 Friends to Lovers
💜 Spice
💚 Action & Gore
“Romancing in Rot” continues the Outbreak Response series with Leon and Clair’s story… and holy hell, it’s a good one. I went into this ARC read with high expectations and a need to be fully grossed out… and she did not disappoint, my friends.
There is something truly special how Lindsey Montgomery can create a perfect plot, amazing main and side characters that hold such depth, and action-packed scenes that cinematically play out in your mind—all while making you laugh AND cry. That ending though… book three can’t come soon enough!
She is, and will always be, a “will read anything she writes” author for me and continues to prove time and time again why.
The Outbreak Response series is an interconnected standalone zombie rom-com series that begins with “Dating in Decay.” You can find book one on KU and many indie bookstores. “Romancing in Rot” is available NOW for pre-order and will be released on October 20th!
💜 Zombie Apocalypse
💚 Horror Romance
💜 Healing & Growth
💚 Mute MMC x Single Mom
💜 Dark Humor
💚 Friends to Lovers
💜 Spice
💚 Action & Gore
Review of advance copy received from Author
Romancing in ROT by Lindsey Montgomery
Okay, this book was an absolute ride! 🧟♀️ I went into it expecting a fun zombie romance, but I was completely hooked by the chaos, danger, tension, and romance. Lindsey Montgomery created a story that was both entertaining and addictive, and I found myself wanting to keep turning the pages.
I really enjoyed the unique take on zombie romance and the chemistry between the characters. There was a great balance of danger and romance that kept the story moving, and Leon… OOF. That man completely stole the show for me. 😂🔥 I definitely could have used a lot more Leon!
My only real complaints were that I wanted more world-building. I would have loved to explore the world and the circumstances surrounding everything a little more. And, selfishly, I wanted more spice and more Leon. Because why give us a man like that and then not give us enough?! 😂
Overall, this was a fun, chaotic, addictive read that kept me entertained from beginning to end. If you enjoy zombie romance, dark romance, danger, tension, and morally questionable men, definitely give this one a try!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tears: 💧
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! 🧟♀️💚
Okay, this book was an absolute ride! 🧟♀️ I went into it expecting a fun zombie romance, but I was completely hooked by the chaos, danger, tension, and romance. Lindsey Montgomery created a story that was both entertaining and addictive, and I found myself wanting to keep turning the pages.
I really enjoyed the unique take on zombie romance and the chemistry between the characters. There was a great balance of danger and romance that kept the story moving, and Leon… OOF. That man completely stole the show for me. 😂🔥 I definitely could have used a lot more Leon!
My only real complaints were that I wanted more world-building. I would have loved to explore the world and the circumstances surrounding everything a little more. And, selfishly, I wanted more spice and more Leon. Because why give us a man like that and then not give us enough?! 😂
Overall, this was a fun, chaotic, addictive read that kept me entertained from beginning to end. If you enjoy zombie romance, dark romance, danger, tension, and morally questionable men, definitely give this one a try!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tears: 💧
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! 🧟♀️💚
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
I devoured this book. This is book 2 of the Outbreak Responses series. It's an interconnected standalone and is Leon and Claire's story.
Leon is mute, strong, protective, demolishes zombies, yet he has always held a place for Claire in his heart. His relationship with her daughter, Poppy, was beyond adorable. Claire is strong and fierce. She's trying to move past what happened with her ex. She struggles with anything close ,both combat and people, and she's lost her confidence. Insert Leon. He gives her the space, training, and helps her begin to believe in herself again.
There's so much in this story. Found family, banter, suspense, the sweetest hand written letters, growth, spice and also gore, horrible humans, action and of course zombies! Lindsey blends all of the different elements of this human group with the uncertainty of the outside world perfectly. And the ending!!
I was not expecting it!
This is such a great story for those who love romance horror. Check your triggers. I highly recommend this book!
I devoured this book. This is book 2 of the Outbreak Responses series. It's an interconnected standalone and is Leon and Claire's story.
Leon is mute, strong, protective, demolishes zombies, yet he has always held a place for Claire in his heart. His relationship with her daughter, Poppy, was beyond adorable. Claire is strong and fierce. She's trying to move past what happened with her ex. She struggles with anything close ,both combat and people, and she's lost her confidence. Insert Leon. He gives her the space, training, and helps her begin to believe in herself again.
There's so much in this story. Found family, banter, suspense, the sweetest hand written letters, growth, spice and also gore, horrible humans, action and of course zombies! Lindsey blends all of the different elements of this human group with the uncertainty of the outside world perfectly. And the ending!!
I was not expecting it!
This is such a great story for those who love romance horror. Check your triggers. I highly recommend this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review: 💚💜 Romancing in Riot 💚💜
I absolutely loved reading Romancing in Riot by Lindsey Montgomery! The way Lindsey is able to create these vivid images of the story unfolding in your mind with just words is unreal. I truly felt like I was living in this post-apocalyptic world while reading.
Leon & Clair are the main characters and their romantic storyline is swoon worthy! Leon is left mute after a terrible accident as a young child, but he sure has quite a way with words. Clair had also faced a terrible trauma that leaves her broken, but not beyond repair. Throughout this book, as they face all that comes their way, they build a bond that is truly unbreakable.
Buckle up and hold on tight because not only does Romancing in Riot have romance, action, and the undead, but it has a major twist you don’t see coming and one SHOCKING cliffhanger!
If this sounds up your alley, add Romancing in Riot to your TBR or get your preorder in today for when it releases 10.20.26!
P.s. Frosted Strawberry Pop-tarts are top tier 🍓♥️
I absolutely loved reading Romancing in Riot by Lindsey Montgomery! The way Lindsey is able to create these vivid images of the story unfolding in your mind with just words is unreal. I truly felt like I was living in this post-apocalyptic world while reading.
Leon & Clair are the main characters and their romantic storyline is swoon worthy! Leon is left mute after a terrible accident as a young child, but he sure has quite a way with words. Clair had also faced a terrible trauma that leaves her broken, but not beyond repair. Throughout this book, as they face all that comes their way, they build a bond that is truly unbreakable.
Buckle up and hold on tight because not only does Romancing in Riot have romance, action, and the undead, but it has a major twist you don’t see coming and one SHOCKING cliffhanger!
If this sounds up your alley, add Romancing in Riot to your TBR or get your preorder in today for when it releases 10.20.26!
P.s. Frosted Strawberry Pop-tarts are top tier 🍓♥️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews