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The Aftermath #3
Hearts Invincible
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE HUMANITY.
Gabriel is alive, but broken. After being rescued from the clutches of the Vanguard Project, he and the rest of Squad 36 leave Region 520 and embark on a harrowing transatlantic journey to warn the Earth Defense Force of the growing threat. With their enemies gathering strength and a target on Gabriel's back, Central Command should be a safe place, but threats abound and time is running short for some members of the squad.
As Gabriel struggles with the fallout from his time in captivity, he begins to understand his enemy's ultimate goal and the role he's destined to play in it. When the time comes, it'll take all his strength to secure the future for those he loves.
Even if he never sees it for himself.
Gabriel is alive, but broken. After being rescued from the clutches of the Vanguard Project, he and the rest of Squad 36 leave Region 520 and embark on a harrowing transatlantic journey to warn the Earth Defense Force of the growing threat. With their enemies gathering strength and a target on Gabriel's back, Central Command should be a safe place, but threats abound and time is running short for some members of the squad.
As Gabriel struggles with the fallout from his time in captivity, he begins to understand his enemy's ultimate goal and the role he's destined to play in it. When the time comes, it'll take all his strength to secure the future for those he loves.
Even if he never sees it for himself.
- GenresDystopiaScience Fiction
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2026
About the author
Brigitte Cromey
10 books78 followersBrigitte Cromey has been known to daydream so heavily that a gong must be rung to retrieve her. (This annoys her family, who can never be sure if she’s actually heard what they’ve just said to her.)
When not submerged in worlds of her own making, she can be found cooking with bizarre ingredients, reading entire books in a single sitting, dressing her children up as fairies and knights, and occasionally responding to the world with kindness tainted by cynicism.
Brigitte lives in Southern Arizona with her husband and children. Should you encounter her, the kettle will always be on.
When not submerged in worlds of her own making, she can be found cooking with bizarre ingredients, reading entire books in a single sitting, dressing her children up as fairies and knights, and occasionally responding to the world with kindness tainted by cynicism.
Brigitte lives in Southern Arizona with her husband and children. Should you encounter her, the kettle will always be on.
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October 16, 2026After many years and three books, the series is complete.
It’s a hopeful dystopian, I say, and almost every time am greeted with raised eyebrows and furrowed foreheads. Then the faces soften as I explain what I mean—what I’ve meant all along.
This series is a place where the world is sharp and cold, and where humans behave with the selfishness that our natures doom us to. It’s also a place where marshmallows exist, as do friends to toast them with. A place where people are worth fighting for, no matter how broken, and where healing comes little by little or all at once. The Aftermath turns on a hinge of being known and loved, and concludes on the reassurance that some things are worth all the pain it took to reach them.
Hearts Invincible may not be the story you were expecting. Heaven knows it wasn’t what I expected, but it was the story that I needed to tell. Gabriel has walked through hell, and he hasn't gone alone. Very often, learning to accept love from those around us and growing in our own confidence comes with steps forward and back, and his journey (like my own) reflects that. This series can't be the answer to every reader's struggles, and it was never meant to . But it did save my life, deepen my faith, and bring me closer with the people who love me. And if it can provide anyone else with even a bit of hope in a broken world, then it's my responsibility to share it.
So for the final time, welcome (back) to the Aftermath. From those facing giants for the first time, to the ones who’ve walked through fire again and again, I hope you'll find home here.
It’s a hopeful dystopian, I say, and almost every time am greeted with raised eyebrows and furrowed foreheads. Then the faces soften as I explain what I mean—what I’ve meant all along.
This series is a place where the world is sharp and cold, and where humans behave with the selfishness that our natures doom us to. It’s also a place where marshmallows exist, as do friends to toast them with. A place where people are worth fighting for, no matter how broken, and where healing comes little by little or all at once. The Aftermath turns on a hinge of being known and loved, and concludes on the reassurance that some things are worth all the pain it took to reach them.
Hearts Invincible may not be the story you were expecting. Heaven knows it wasn’t what I expected, but it was the story that I needed to tell. Gabriel has walked through hell, and he hasn't gone alone. Very often, learning to accept love from those around us and growing in our own confidence comes with steps forward and back, and his journey (like my own) reflects that. This series can't be the answer to every reader's struggles, and it was never meant to . But it did save my life, deepen my faith, and bring me closer with the people who love me. And if it can provide anyone else with even a bit of hope in a broken world, then it's my responsibility to share it.
So for the final time, welcome (back) to the Aftermath. From those facing giants for the first time, to the ones who’ve walked through fire again and again, I hope you'll find home here.
October 17, 2026
Rating: 8/10
I read this book in one three-hour sitting, if that tells you anything 🤣 this was the perfect conclusion to the aftermath series!!! Cromey truly does the concept of “hopeful dystopian” justice—there is brokenness and there is trauma and there is grief. And yet there’s also hope and healing and joy and peace and THAT is what’s at the heart of this story.
The characters are forever my favorite fam. I adore them so much!!!
My only two “negatives” are that Josie wasn’t in it basically at all (understandable but also like…she’s part of the crewwww and I missed her) and that plot-wise I don’t think it was as strong as the first two. However, the themes are so well developed that I didn’t really mind at all (and also I’m one of those readers who will read literally anything for the characters so there’s also that!)
I HIGHLY recommend this series to literally anyone above the age of 14. It’s so freaking good and nostalgic and also new and unique. I’m a big aftermath fan, now and forever 🤍
I read this book in one three-hour sitting, if that tells you anything 🤣 this was the perfect conclusion to the aftermath series!!! Cromey truly does the concept of “hopeful dystopian” justice—there is brokenness and there is trauma and there is grief. And yet there’s also hope and healing and joy and peace and THAT is what’s at the heart of this story.
The characters are forever my favorite fam. I adore them so much!!!
My only two “negatives” are that Josie wasn’t in it basically at all (understandable but also like…she’s part of the crewwww and I missed her) and that plot-wise I don’t think it was as strong as the first two. However, the themes are so well developed that I didn’t really mind at all (and also I’m one of those readers who will read literally anything for the characters so there’s also that!)
I HIGHLY recommend this series to literally anyone above the age of 14. It’s so freaking good and nostalgic and also new and unique. I’m a big aftermath fan, now and forever 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have not read a series this beautiful in a long, long time. Each and every book made me cry, this one the most of all. Every single word was like both a stake and a balm to my heart. I hurt with the characters, but I like to think that I healed with them as well.
Cromey’s work is a masterclass in realistic characters, (finally, a book about adults where they act like adults!) found family, interesting settings, and a meaningful story. Not a single complaint. It was all perfect.
I’m so sad that the series is over, though. My story isn’t done but theirs is, despite how I feel I know them? Unfair 😂 I can’t wait to see what Cromey writes next.
I received an EARC from the author and each opinion expressed is my own.
Cromey’s work is a masterclass in realistic characters, (finally, a book about adults where they act like adults!) found family, interesting settings, and a meaningful story. Not a single complaint. It was all perfect.
I’m so sad that the series is over, though. My story isn’t done but theirs is, despite how I feel I know them? Unfair 😂 I can’t wait to see what Cromey writes next.
I received an EARC from the author and each opinion expressed is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just simply don't have words to describe how much I love this book. It's a fabulous conclusion to the series- really, everything I have ever wanted in a series conclusion. It feels like the author somehow stumbled across the blueprint of "literally everything Chloë wants from a book" and proceeded to write it. 😂 I'm never going to get over it.
One of my favorite things about this book is just how tight the found family gets. Again, blueprint for "everything I want from found family". The characters are so so dear, and I just want to give them all a great big hug because I love them SO. MUCH.
And of course, I can't go into detail because spoilers, but the title fits this book so well. There's a particular paragraph that ties into the title, and every time I read it I have to set the book down and have myself a little cry because it's such a powerful theme that just strikes me in all the right places.
All in all, I know this is a book I'll come back to over and over again (I already have) and I'm so so excited for it to release because I cannot wait to talk about it with other people. 😆
One of my favorite things about this book is just how tight the found family gets. Again, blueprint for "everything I want from found family". The characters are so so dear, and I just want to give them all a great big hug because I love them SO. MUCH.
And of course, I can't go into detail because spoilers, but the title fits this book so well. There's a particular paragraph that ties into the title, and every time I read it I have to set the book down and have myself a little cry because it's such a powerful theme that just strikes me in all the right places.
All in all, I know this is a book I'll come back to over and over again (I already have) and I'm so so excited for it to release because I cannot wait to talk about it with other people. 😆
Review of advance copy received from Author
“…For every self-absorbed maniac who’s hellbent on destruction, there are dozens of people ready to risk everything to protect those in danger. That’s why we fought back then, and it’s why we’re here now.”
One of the things I love so much about Brigitte’s books is the theme of community at the heart of them. In The Shattered Ones, we meet Gabriel. He’s something of an outsider among his companions in Squad 36. Young. Softspoken. A collector of stories, bearing a painful one of his own. As things heat up in the region he’s vowed to fight for, Gabriel discovers more than curious readings on his monitors and monsters in his backyard. Among the ranks of his veteran teammates, he gains a community, built on movie nights, meals together, and shared heartache.
In the Unbreaking tests these bonds. At what seems like their most triumphant moment, the squad is splintered by the cruel workings of those they once believed on their side.
Hearts Invincible finds Gabriel—and the rest of the squad—at what may be their lowest point. Things have been tough. They’ve been shattered (in more ways than one). Gabriel bears heavy burdens he didn’t ask for. But he’s not meant to bear them alone. The Aftermath Trilogy invites readers to join a community, and community is hard. It doesn’t always erase our personal struggles, but as Hearts Invincible explores, partaking in it is deeply necessary to fill in the cracks around our shattered pieces.
I love this book and series, and believe it will speak to many lonely readers searching for their own version of Squad 36.
I have had the privilege of being a part of the Aftermath Origins Street Team from book one to this glorious finale. In that sense, I am biased in having been granted the opportunity to be a small part of this series’s journey, but these thoughts and opinions here are entirely my own.
One of the things I love so much about Brigitte’s books is the theme of community at the heart of them. In The Shattered Ones, we meet Gabriel. He’s something of an outsider among his companions in Squad 36. Young. Softspoken. A collector of stories, bearing a painful one of his own. As things heat up in the region he’s vowed to fight for, Gabriel discovers more than curious readings on his monitors and monsters in his backyard. Among the ranks of his veteran teammates, he gains a community, built on movie nights, meals together, and shared heartache.
In the Unbreaking tests these bonds. At what seems like their most triumphant moment, the squad is splintered by the cruel workings of those they once believed on their side.
Hearts Invincible finds Gabriel—and the rest of the squad—at what may be their lowest point. Things have been tough. They’ve been shattered (in more ways than one). Gabriel bears heavy burdens he didn’t ask for. But he’s not meant to bear them alone. The Aftermath Trilogy invites readers to join a community, and community is hard. It doesn’t always erase our personal struggles, but as Hearts Invincible explores, partaking in it is deeply necessary to fill in the cracks around our shattered pieces.
I love this book and series, and believe it will speak to many lonely readers searching for their own version of Squad 36.
I have had the privilege of being a part of the Aftermath Origins Street Team from book one to this glorious finale. In that sense, I am biased in having been granted the opportunity to be a small part of this series’s journey, but these thoughts and opinions here are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book... How do I say this...
*incoherent screaming*
Ahem.
Let me try again.
Hearts Invincible started like a punch to the gut and ended like a warm hug. The action is paced perfectly with character growth and reflective moments, and the plot and climax were thematically, emotionally, and technically satisfying.
This story HURTS. But it also heals and gives hope. These characters are found family at its finest. It's got Star Wars: Rebels energy with a Miles Morales-coded hero, gentle, tortured, stronger than he knows.
The majority of things I'd like to rave about are pretty spoiler-heavy... So I'll just leave you with this...
This book is for the one who's been hit so many times you've lost count, but you keep getting up. You lean on your battle-bruised brothers and press on because you believe there is still something worth fighting for. Sometimes you waver, sometimes you wonder if you'll even see the future you're fighting for, but you don't back down, and you don't let go of your family.
This book, this series--Gabriel--is for you.
*incoherent screaming*
Ahem.
Let me try again.
Hearts Invincible started like a punch to the gut and ended like a warm hug. The action is paced perfectly with character growth and reflective moments, and the plot and climax were thematically, emotionally, and technically satisfying.
This story HURTS. But it also heals and gives hope. These characters are found family at its finest. It's got Star Wars: Rebels energy with a Miles Morales-coded hero, gentle, tortured, stronger than he knows.
The majority of things I'd like to rave about are pretty spoiler-heavy... So I'll just leave you with this...
This book is for the one who's been hit so many times you've lost count, but you keep getting up. You lean on your battle-bruised brothers and press on because you believe there is still something worth fighting for. Sometimes you waver, sometimes you wonder if you'll even see the future you're fighting for, but you don't back down, and you don't let go of your family.
This book, this series--Gabriel--is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was absolutely INCREDIBLE. Absolutely the PERFECT ending to a series filled with grief and joy and light and dark. I just want to always be reading this, but I'll settle for always reading anything this author produces
Gabriel is quite frankly one of my favorite main characters of all time. He's so real and wonderful and honestly, I aspire to be like him. His arc through this series is BEAUTIFULLY written. Honestly, ALL the characters are incredible, as are their arcs. Though I'm always gonna have a soft spot for Caleb. That's my boy.
I don't cry easily at books, but this one got me a couple times, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. Do yourself a favor, and read it. Now I have to go cry over it for a while
Gabriel is quite frankly one of my favorite main characters of all time. He's so real and wonderful and honestly, I aspire to be like him. His arc through this series is BEAUTIFULLY written. Honestly, ALL the characters are incredible, as are their arcs. Though I'm always gonna have a soft spot for Caleb. That's my boy.
I don't cry easily at books, but this one got me a couple times, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. Do yourself a favor, and read it. Now I have to go cry over it for a while
Review of advance copy received from Author
THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!
where to even begin???? getting sent an ARC of this book was such a kind and wonderful gesture from Brigitte Cromey—she is truly such a lovely person!!!
EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE. the CHARACTERS!!!!! THE FOUND FAMILY!!!! THE HECKING ROMANCE!!!! and don’t even get me STARTED on that glorious ending!!!!
I loved the first two books, but this somehow went above and beyond. easily my favorite of the three!!!
this series balances domestic scenes and action scenes so perfectly. it allows readers to truly bond with the characters and get to know them so deeply!!!!
the ANGST is so freaking painful but all the goodness and joy makes up for it!!!!!
this book is an incredible adventure!!!! don’t miss it!!!
where to even begin???? getting sent an ARC of this book was such a kind and wonderful gesture from Brigitte Cromey—she is truly such a lovely person!!!
EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE. the CHARACTERS!!!!! THE FOUND FAMILY!!!! THE HECKING ROMANCE!!!! and don’t even get me STARTED on that glorious ending!!!!
I loved the first two books, but this somehow went above and beyond. easily my favorite of the three!!!
this series balances domestic scenes and action scenes so perfectly. it allows readers to truly bond with the characters and get to know them so deeply!!!!
the ANGST is so freaking painful but all the goodness and joy makes up for it!!!!!
this book is an incredible adventure!!!! don’t miss it!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A masterpiece of a book to end this trilogy!!
Full review to come around release day.
Full review to come around release day.
September 16, 2026
Absolute perfection 😍🥹
I’ve never been one to need to see myself in the books I read, but this one just felt like me on the page in so many ways, and I think I needed that.
The self deprecation hit a little too close to home for comfort… Feeling like a failure; broken, but trying desperately to stuff it all down and soldier on… That’s what makes Gabriel so real, so relatable—despite the dystopian circumstances, and the actual horrors he’s been through, he’s just like us, really—uncertain, sometimes afraid, but doing his best.
The found family hit so hard in this one, in a way that I absolutely crave. It was deep—not just brotherhood and loyalty (which I absolutely adore), but also full family. We don’t get many homey moments in this one, but there were a few, and they were divine.
A beautiful ending to this part of Gabe’s story. Now I need to start it all over again…
I’ve never been one to need to see myself in the books I read, but this one just felt like me on the page in so many ways, and I think I needed that.
The self deprecation hit a little too close to home for comfort… Feeling like a failure; broken, but trying desperately to stuff it all down and soldier on… That’s what makes Gabriel so real, so relatable—despite the dystopian circumstances, and the actual horrors he’s been through, he’s just like us, really—uncertain, sometimes afraid, but doing his best.
The found family hit so hard in this one, in a way that I absolutely crave. It was deep—not just brotherhood and loyalty (which I absolutely adore), but also full family. We don’t get many homey moments in this one, but there were a few, and they were divine.
A beautiful ending to this part of Gabe’s story. Now I need to start it all over again…
Review of advance copy received from Author
''You can't stop the waves, but you can learn the swim with them.''
This sums it up. The rollercoaster ending of Gabriel and his friends' story.
What an epic end of the trilogy! If you're about to read this book, get ready to get emotionally wrecked.
Shame, guilt, anger, responsibility and...courage to face our deepest fears. Our biggest vulnerabilities.
Hearts invincible takes you on a ride.
Found family, as always. Buckets full of action and even a little intrigue, I got totally swept away during this one. It was everything I had been waiting for to end the series.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an early copy. My opinions expressed here are my own.
This sums it up. The rollercoaster ending of Gabriel and his friends' story.
What an epic end of the trilogy! If you're about to read this book, get ready to get emotionally wrecked.
Shame, guilt, anger, responsibility and...courage to face our deepest fears. Our biggest vulnerabilities.
Hearts invincible takes you on a ride.
Found family, as always. Buckets full of action and even a little intrigue, I got totally swept away during this one. It was everything I had been waiting for to end the series.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an early copy. My opinions expressed here are my own.
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Aaaaahhhhh nooooooooo the series is over!😭😭😭🥹🥹🥹
But it was a great ending. 👌👌👌👌👌
There were times when I thought their plans wouldn’t work out, but it all did in the end.
THANK YOU BRIGITTE FOR THIS AMAZING SERIES!!🫶🏻😍🥰☺️
I just want to give all the characters a big hug, but no, all I get to do is hug the books. I guess it’ll have to suffice…🥲
PLEASE READ THIS SERIES IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!!
But it was a great ending. 👌👌👌👌👌
There were times when I thought their plans wouldn’t work out, but it all did in the end.
THANK YOU BRIGITTE FOR THIS AMAZING SERIES!!🫶🏻😍🥰☺️
I just want to give all the characters a big hug, but no, all I get to do is hug the books. I guess it’ll have to suffice…🥲
PLEASE READ THIS SERIES IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Here's how I would rate the books TSO was a 9. ITU was a 10 and HI was a 8 in my rankings. As far as... the closest comparison I could come up with.
If there is one thing that makes Gil jump up and down with an extremely overstated grin absolutely smeared from ear to ear…
Its The Aftermath Series.
This book was no exception, but I had a few things I wish had been more present.
The first act was good… but it just wasn't as homey as In The Unbreaking was. I felt kinda drowned in the need to give reminders about everything that happened.
And honestly, I wish Gabe had opened the book with more confidence. The end of the last book was them stepping out with faith and a bond that couldn't be broken, this book didn't collapse that per se… but it kinda lapsed it. It took it back a few notches for quite a while. Almost felt like Gabe was beginning to regress.
Opening chapter was the worst of them, a lot of bits and pieces of stuff I knew, like telling where Sierra was from, how long it was since Gabe shattered, where and how he came to get his rosary… all that stuff. Which I personally didn't feel necessary and it pulled me from the story. Cause like… I knew all of this. And reading it I was wondering if I would win an Aftermath trivia game simple because of how much was restated as if the reminder was needed.
After that? It was cool for a while. It felt like the amount of time for connection amongst the characters like TSO and ITU had fostered was severely limited in an effort to get the gang from point A to point B. Which really took a toll on my ability to connect with Caleb, Tara, Deadeye, Bandit… Sierra just a little and Gabe just felt disconnected from who he was at the end of ITU.
Dunno. Logically him having a mental breakdown by now makes perfect sense… I mean… he's flying out to someone who hates him to take out someone else who wants to psychologically chain him with torture and mind control and frequential junk.
Id be freaking out too… But he was bad enough he needed all the other characters as a crutch for the first third or so, of book. So much so that their personalities were blanketed by the role: "An unflinching support group". Which in theory, is a perfect follow up to the last book. They got to the point where they are all family, they're working together to face whatever trash is in their way and giving grace, hope, support and validity to each other as they do this.
But like I said, that role blanketed their personalities. They were hugging, apologizing, forgiving, encouraging so much that room for conflict was limited. And in a high stress situation like that, emotions and such are flying left and right, or so you would think. Gabe, by the middle of the book, needed to realize that yes, these people are always there for him and always going to encourage him, but if he wants this fear to dissipate, he has to learn to take responsibility for it himself, with their help, yes. But he is himself, not them.
I feel like a slight disconnect should have been made, and then they should have come back stronger with Gabe taking responsibility for his own fear and tackling it head on, and learning to interact with them in a way that was still family, unflinchingly honest, faithful and caring, but also with some sort of… confidence in his own mind.
PTSD and such requires someone to lean on. Trauma requires someone to lean on… but the next step is to learn that you have it within yourself to knock that sucker out.
And that was the biggest issue I had with the story.
Gabe and Sierra… Im absolutely certain there is something that I need to re-read ITU for as far as their development… but they went a little too quickly. When Gabe totaled that guy in the gym for saying things about her I went giddy. Jumping up and down and bouncing in my seat. But the follow up, Sierra's reaction immediately after, didn't make a ton of sense to me. For what Sierra seems to have experienced in the past, based on her flashbacks and such… That connection needed more time to grow.
Or at least… more insight into Sierrra in the last story and beginning half of this one. Her personality was so strong it left some of her internal struggles on the wayside. She was there, with her citrus and blue skies and surfing… Being the bubbly perfection that Sierra is, but I missed a lot of her trauma and development that made her respond to Gabe in that way after the Gym scene.
In other words…. I wasn't able to track her arc well throughout the story.
Side characters that were only there for sections of the book were very simple, to the point and didn't hold a whole ton of significance in of themselves.
Benny from TSO I could always see clearly because of his role, even with so little page time. Most of the side characters here were there and gone
And here's what I think really went wrong with this book, there was too much focus on reaching the massive plot set piece/center of taking down the Vanguard once and for all.
So much was focused on the plot that character arcs were lost to pushing the plot forwards rather than being themselves and offering their own unique pushes and pulls on story progression.
Thats how I felt
And that's all that Gil has to say against it. I'm still addicted and will more than absolutely positively read the book again and continue to dote on the climax/ending.
GABES NEW THING AND CALEB AND TARA GETTING THE THING THAT I CAN'T SAY FOR REDACTED MADE ME SO HAPPY. I SHRIEKED OUT LOUD AND THEN RAN AROUND THE HOUSE ONE TIME AT 5 AM IN THE MORNING. ACK! I CANT EVEN!
Josie and Bandit. AHHHH!
I adored the full connection established between Bandit and Gabe and I feel like the leave off of the story left me with more clarity on the specific roles to be taken by Caleb and Tara vs Bandit and Josie.
Sierra and Gabe by the end… Forget my criticism, Im too giddy and idiotically grinning to care a whit about development problems. THEYRE HAPPY AND TOGETHER AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD.
The final standoff with Vangaurd was sweet STINKING CHEESECAKE. I COULDNT TELL YOU IF MY PRIMARY EMOTION WAS PLEASURE OR VIOLENCE.
STABBY BOOKS VERY MUCH ENCOMPASSED MY FEELINGS. I WAS BEING STABBED BY THE VANGUARD AND WAS DESPERATELY WISHING I COULD STAB THEM.
My immediate response to the opening line of stage 23… "AND SERVE IT HOT"
The whole thing with Gabe getting the new element to his Shattered state was fascinating. It only tracked with the one thing Caleb and Tara expressed wanting since book one… I must say I failed to pick up much of the foreshadowing to that point up until this book. It made sense… but it was… sudden.
I was eternally pleased with the peak of chaos after they broke into Vanguard and… the big ole shield wall that gave back the power…
ACK! IM GOING TO SPOIL..
Also as a warning, reading the whole thing in bookfunnel form messed with my brain. The layout was very different from either Google docs or physical soo… take that as you will.
And… yeah. Ultimately I think this could have been better… but Im too addicted to the characters to really have all that big of a problem with anything I mentioned above I shrugged it off for how the ending interpreted the affects of the story.
If there is one thing that makes Gil jump up and down with an extremely overstated grin absolutely smeared from ear to ear…
Its The Aftermath Series.
This book was no exception, but I had a few things I wish had been more present.
The first act was good… but it just wasn't as homey as In The Unbreaking was. I felt kinda drowned in the need to give reminders about everything that happened.
And honestly, I wish Gabe had opened the book with more confidence. The end of the last book was them stepping out with faith and a bond that couldn't be broken, this book didn't collapse that per se… but it kinda lapsed it. It took it back a few notches for quite a while. Almost felt like Gabe was beginning to regress.
Opening chapter was the worst of them, a lot of bits and pieces of stuff I knew, like telling where Sierra was from, how long it was since Gabe shattered, where and how he came to get his rosary… all that stuff. Which I personally didn't feel necessary and it pulled me from the story. Cause like… I knew all of this. And reading it I was wondering if I would win an Aftermath trivia game simple because of how much was restated as if the reminder was needed.
After that? It was cool for a while. It felt like the amount of time for connection amongst the characters like TSO and ITU had fostered was severely limited in an effort to get the gang from point A to point B. Which really took a toll on my ability to connect with Caleb, Tara, Deadeye, Bandit… Sierra just a little and Gabe just felt disconnected from who he was at the end of ITU.
Dunno. Logically him having a mental breakdown by now makes perfect sense… I mean… he's flying out to someone who hates him to take out someone else who wants to psychologically chain him with torture and mind control and frequential junk.
Id be freaking out too… But he was bad enough he needed all the other characters as a crutch for the first third or so, of book. So much so that their personalities were blanketed by the role: "An unflinching support group". Which in theory, is a perfect follow up to the last book. They got to the point where they are all family, they're working together to face whatever trash is in their way and giving grace, hope, support and validity to each other as they do this.
But like I said, that role blanketed their personalities. They were hugging, apologizing, forgiving, encouraging so much that room for conflict was limited. And in a high stress situation like that, emotions and such are flying left and right, or so you would think. Gabe, by the middle of the book, needed to realize that yes, these people are always there for him and always going to encourage him, but if he wants this fear to dissipate, he has to learn to take responsibility for it himself, with their help, yes. But he is himself, not them.
I feel like a slight disconnect should have been made, and then they should have come back stronger with Gabe taking responsibility for his own fear and tackling it head on, and learning to interact with them in a way that was still family, unflinchingly honest, faithful and caring, but also with some sort of… confidence in his own mind.
PTSD and such requires someone to lean on. Trauma requires someone to lean on… but the next step is to learn that you have it within yourself to knock that sucker out.
And that was the biggest issue I had with the story.
Gabe and Sierra… Im absolutely certain there is something that I need to re-read ITU for as far as their development… but they went a little too quickly. When Gabe totaled that guy in the gym for saying things about her I went giddy. Jumping up and down and bouncing in my seat. But the follow up, Sierra's reaction immediately after, didn't make a ton of sense to me. For what Sierra seems to have experienced in the past, based on her flashbacks and such… That connection needed more time to grow.
Or at least… more insight into Sierrra in the last story and beginning half of this one. Her personality was so strong it left some of her internal struggles on the wayside. She was there, with her citrus and blue skies and surfing… Being the bubbly perfection that Sierra is, but I missed a lot of her trauma and development that made her respond to Gabe in that way after the Gym scene.
In other words…. I wasn't able to track her arc well throughout the story.
Side characters that were only there for sections of the book were very simple, to the point and didn't hold a whole ton of significance in of themselves.
Benny from TSO I could always see clearly because of his role, even with so little page time. Most of the side characters here were there and gone
And here's what I think really went wrong with this book, there was too much focus on reaching the massive plot set piece/center of taking down the Vanguard once and for all.
So much was focused on the plot that character arcs were lost to pushing the plot forwards rather than being themselves and offering their own unique pushes and pulls on story progression.
Thats how I felt
And that's all that Gil has to say against it. I'm still addicted and will more than absolutely positively read the book again and continue to dote on the climax/ending.
GABES NEW THING AND CALEB AND TARA GETTING THE THING THAT I CAN'T SAY FOR REDACTED MADE ME SO HAPPY. I SHRIEKED OUT LOUD AND THEN RAN AROUND THE HOUSE ONE TIME AT 5 AM IN THE MORNING. ACK! I CANT EVEN!
Josie and Bandit. AHHHH!
I adored the full connection established between Bandit and Gabe and I feel like the leave off of the story left me with more clarity on the specific roles to be taken by Caleb and Tara vs Bandit and Josie.
Sierra and Gabe by the end… Forget my criticism, Im too giddy and idiotically grinning to care a whit about development problems. THEYRE HAPPY AND TOGETHER AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD.
The final standoff with Vangaurd was sweet STINKING CHEESECAKE. I COULDNT TELL YOU IF MY PRIMARY EMOTION WAS PLEASURE OR VIOLENCE.
STABBY BOOKS VERY MUCH ENCOMPASSED MY FEELINGS. I WAS BEING STABBED BY THE VANGUARD AND WAS DESPERATELY WISHING I COULD STAB THEM.
My immediate response to the opening line of stage 23… "AND SERVE IT HOT"
The whole thing with Gabe getting the new element to his Shattered state was fascinating. It only tracked with the one thing Caleb and Tara expressed wanting since book one… I must say I failed to pick up much of the foreshadowing to that point up until this book. It made sense… but it was… sudden.
I was eternally pleased with the peak of chaos after they broke into Vanguard and… the big ole shield wall that gave back the power…
ACK! IM GOING TO SPOIL..
Also as a warning, reading the whole thing in bookfunnel form messed with my brain. The layout was very different from either Google docs or physical soo… take that as you will.
And… yeah. Ultimately I think this could have been better… but Im too addicted to the characters to really have all that big of a problem with anything I mentioned above I shrugged it off for how the ending interpreted the affects of the story.
October 21, 2026
What doesn't kill you...
By this time, Gabe has already undergone a major character arc, but he still has more to learn before the story is fully through.
He doesn't even want to think about what he's experienced, much less talk about it with others. Why would he? What good would acknowledging it do?
But maybe bad things happen for a reason. Maybe "what doesn't kill you" was meant to reshape you. Maybe the person you were before could never have done the things you are meant to do now. Maybe the tragedy that destroys was meant to allow a stronger rebuilding after. What if a reason God let you get hurt was because you were the only one who, through that experience, could rescue another person's heart later?
Hard things happen in this series, but make no mistake, it is a story of hope.
Specific things I loved:
The structure and pacing of this entire trilogy.
Normally, I find that stories are either 100% calm or 100% action. This author seamlessly blends both in a manner I haven't really seen before. There are dramatic action scenes scattered throughout this book as in the others, of course, but there are also times to breathe, to exist, and to process. There is enough time given for emotions and arcs to actually flow.
The dismissal of tropes.
The author fulfills expectations perfectly, yet does so in her own unique way. I am used to tropes and recycled storylines. This author seems to have taken one look at the usual narrative templates before dismissing them entirely. At no point was I quite sure what was going to happen next - a rare happening for me.
The description.
I am not a person who appreciates paragraphs upon paragraphs of description. I much prefer the way Brigitte Cromey picks just a few specific details for each scene and uses them to create vivid pictures. It allows my imagination to fill in the gaps and build on the framework she's given. All in all, I was well immersed at every point.
The side characters.
Generally, I have one or two favorites and that's it. Inside of this trilogy, however, was an entire cast constantly vying for first place in my mind. This narrative is one of the very few that I would feel happy to meet the cast of if I could. They are all beloved to me.
Lastly, the touch of romance.
I'm not big on romance myself, but the sweet little touches in this story were some of the most wholesome, beautiful things I've read, and genuinely, I have shipped very few couples harder than I shipped a certain couple from this book.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who would want to read a beautiful narrative centered around hardship, strength, courage, healing, and hope.
--
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
By this time, Gabe has already undergone a major character arc, but he still has more to learn before the story is fully through.
He doesn't even want to think about what he's experienced, much less talk about it with others. Why would he? What good would acknowledging it do?
But maybe bad things happen for a reason. Maybe "what doesn't kill you" was meant to reshape you. Maybe the person you were before could never have done the things you are meant to do now. Maybe the tragedy that destroys was meant to allow a stronger rebuilding after. What if a reason God let you get hurt was because you were the only one who, through that experience, could rescue another person's heart later?
Hard things happen in this series, but make no mistake, it is a story of hope.
Specific things I loved:
The structure and pacing of this entire trilogy.
Normally, I find that stories are either 100% calm or 100% action. This author seamlessly blends both in a manner I haven't really seen before. There are dramatic action scenes scattered throughout this book as in the others, of course, but there are also times to breathe, to exist, and to process. There is enough time given for emotions and arcs to actually flow.
The dismissal of tropes.
The author fulfills expectations perfectly, yet does so in her own unique way. I am used to tropes and recycled storylines. This author seems to have taken one look at the usual narrative templates before dismissing them entirely. At no point was I quite sure what was going to happen next - a rare happening for me.
The description.
I am not a person who appreciates paragraphs upon paragraphs of description. I much prefer the way Brigitte Cromey picks just a few specific details for each scene and uses them to create vivid pictures. It allows my imagination to fill in the gaps and build on the framework she's given. All in all, I was well immersed at every point.
The side characters.
Generally, I have one or two favorites and that's it. Inside of this trilogy, however, was an entire cast constantly vying for first place in my mind. This narrative is one of the very few that I would feel happy to meet the cast of if I could. They are all beloved to me.
Lastly, the touch of romance.
I'm not big on romance myself, but the sweet little touches in this story were some of the most wholesome, beautiful things I've read, and genuinely, I have shipped very few couples harder than I shipped a certain couple from this book.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who would want to read a beautiful narrative centered around hardship, strength, courage, healing, and hope.
--
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Y’all, it’s gonna be challenging to tell you just how amazing this book is without spoiling it, but as the third and concluding book in the trilogy, this finale is reason enough to pick up the first two. This installment is excellent and a triumphant climax and resolution to a heartfelt, heartrending, and heartwarming story! From the first page we dive back into the action with only a couple of weeks having passed since the end of the last book, with our intrepid team heading out on a covert mission that quickly grows dire as they’re hunted by an organization that wants to use Gabriel for their inauspicious schemes.
Cromey does not shy away from the Hard Things the story addresses; there is grief and pain and hurt and fear in the experiences of these characters as they fight to protect their home, but she handles them with respect and care. And for all the Hard Things, there is also joy and healing and love and courage in the face of that darkness. In defiance to it—and that darkness has no chance but to flee.
In technical terms of storytelling and pacing, this book is completely immersive, engrossing, and pulls no punches with great action and greater characters that breathe life into the world and make it feel tangible. It’s a riot of deep meaning that will reacquaint you with your emotions, banter that will make you cackle, and an ending that is so incredibly satisfying it made my heart full. Because these characters are ones that stick with you from the beginning. They’ve become dearly beloved, and after—because of—what they’ve gone through, accomplished, suffered, and rose from; after the hope they’ve championed for not only their home, but for each other, this end is literally the best and brightest. This is a story of true bravery. Of bloody-knuckled hope, uncompromised justice, and unconditional love in the facets of brotherhood, adoption, and even a bit of wholesome romance. This is a story of brokenness restored and family rooted by bond and tempered by adversity into something pure and rich and beautiful. Indomitable. Invincible.
Oh, and there’s cochitos! Those are not to be missed.
Cromey does not shy away from the Hard Things the story addresses; there is grief and pain and hurt and fear in the experiences of these characters as they fight to protect their home, but she handles them with respect and care. And for all the Hard Things, there is also joy and healing and love and courage in the face of that darkness. In defiance to it—and that darkness has no chance but to flee.
In technical terms of storytelling and pacing, this book is completely immersive, engrossing, and pulls no punches with great action and greater characters that breathe life into the world and make it feel tangible. It’s a riot of deep meaning that will reacquaint you with your emotions, banter that will make you cackle, and an ending that is so incredibly satisfying it made my heart full. Because these characters are ones that stick with you from the beginning. They’ve become dearly beloved, and after—because of—what they’ve gone through, accomplished, suffered, and rose from; after the hope they’ve championed for not only their home, but for each other, this end is literally the best and brightest. This is a story of true bravery. Of bloody-knuckled hope, uncompromised justice, and unconditional love in the facets of brotherhood, adoption, and even a bit of wholesome romance. This is a story of brokenness restored and family rooted by bond and tempered by adversity into something pure and rich and beautiful. Indomitable. Invincible.
Oh, and there’s cochitos! Those are not to be missed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*incoherent fangirl shrieking*
I could think of absolutely NO better way to end this series!
There's so much brokenness in this book, but so much healing. So much pain that these characters have gone through, but so many beautiful moments that genuinely made me tear up because they hit HARD. Ms. Brigitte does an incredible job of balancing the heaviness of what Squad 36 is up against with hope. There is so much hope in this book, and that's a part of what I love about The Aftermath trilogy. I can't believe it's completed now. :')
The characters and their personalities and dynamics are, as always, amazing. They feel so real to me and I love the quiet in-between moments when they get to bond and process together. (I especially am a huge sucker for father-son dynamics, so the scenes between Gabe and Bandit had me MELTING. I am a puddle now.)
I can't believe this series has ended... my heart is aching, but in a good way. I got so attached to these characters and it feels so sad saying goodbye, but I genuinely couldn't imagine a better way to wrap everything up. I love this book so much.
If you're reading this but haven't picked The Aftermath up yet... GO READ IT!!! The characters, plot, worldbuilding, themes, everything is top notch. I can't recommend it highly enough and I'm not going to be over this series for a long time.
Thank you so much for sharing this story with us, Ms. Brigitte! :D
I could think of absolutely NO better way to end this series!
There's so much brokenness in this book, but so much healing. So much pain that these characters have gone through, but so many beautiful moments that genuinely made me tear up because they hit HARD. Ms. Brigitte does an incredible job of balancing the heaviness of what Squad 36 is up against with hope. There is so much hope in this book, and that's a part of what I love about The Aftermath trilogy. I can't believe it's completed now. :')
The characters and their personalities and dynamics are, as always, amazing. They feel so real to me and I love the quiet in-between moments when they get to bond and process together. (I especially am a huge sucker for father-son dynamics, so the scenes between Gabe and Bandit had me MELTING. I am a puddle now.)
I can't believe this series has ended... my heart is aching, but in a good way. I got so attached to these characters and it feels so sad saying goodbye, but I genuinely couldn't imagine a better way to wrap everything up. I love this book so much.
If you're reading this but haven't picked The Aftermath up yet... GO READ IT!!! The characters, plot, worldbuilding, themes, everything is top notch. I can't recommend it highly enough and I'm not going to be over this series for a long time.
Thank you so much for sharing this story with us, Ms. Brigitte! :D
Review of advance copy received from Author
The summary sounds unnecessarily grim for what is essentially a "recovering from trauma" book. Gabe understandably didn't handle book 2 well. The first half of the book is basically him trying to recover while the bad guys try to recapture him and the EDF treats him like a walking time bomb. The second half is sheer epic butt-kickage and also some sweet romantic moments as his girl falls for him. For an empath, he's remarkably clueless about this. I closed the book with a happy sigh for the good ending.
I read this series after reading some of the Halo licensed novels. Halo books are hardcore military scifi with a ridiculously high body count. As in, don't get attached, because only Master Chief is getting out of this alive. So when I picked up the Shattered Ones books, they have a very low body count (except of baddies and monsters). They also have lots of cozy moments when the team sit around and eat food and swap stories. It's kind of like ... military scifi for girls. :-D They're good reads when you want action but not TOO much. Also, the characters feel lived-in and not like stereotypes. I liked and enjoyed all of them and I was kind of sad when the books were over.
I wished this book had been longer, actually! I felt like we never really wrapped up whatever was in Judge's memories. But aside from that, I very much enjoyed this book. I can't wait until it's available and I can have the complete set on my shelf. :-D
I read this series after reading some of the Halo licensed novels. Halo books are hardcore military scifi with a ridiculously high body count. As in, don't get attached, because only Master Chief is getting out of this alive. So when I picked up the Shattered Ones books, they have a very low body count (except of baddies and monsters). They also have lots of cozy moments when the team sit around and eat food and swap stories. It's kind of like ... military scifi for girls. :-D They're good reads when you want action but not TOO much. Also, the characters feel lived-in and not like stereotypes. I liked and enjoyed all of them and I was kind of sad when the books were over.
I wished this book had been longer, actually! I felt like we never really wrapped up whatever was in Judge's memories. But aside from that, I very much enjoyed this book. I can't wait until it's available and I can have the complete set on my shelf. :-D
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving my free and honest review!
WHEW. WHAT AN ENDING. I haven't cried this much at a book in a long time. This story is heartbreakingly beautiful, incredibly well written, and just so worth it as a read
The characters are always my favorite part of any story, and this is no exception. Squad 36 is such a beautiful family. They love each other fiercely, even in the face of devastating loss and pain, and there is nothing that will stop them from helping those they love. (And the new addition to the crew, I might add, fits with them PERFECTLY)
The continuation of character dynamics from the previous books was amazing. Caleb and Gabriel will always be a friendship of all time for me, but I gotta admit that Bandit and Gabriel were my favorite. Let's just say they were responsible for about two thirds of the crying in this book. I also really liked seeing more of Sierra and Gabriel, and watching their dynamic grow!
The plot was brilliant, and I absolutely freaking LOVED how it was wrapped up, ten out of ten. Everything came together perfectly. I've never been disappointed by a Brigitte Cromey book, and I doubt that will ever change. So join me in her mega fan club. You will NEVER regret it. But you will probably cry
WHEW. WHAT AN ENDING. I haven't cried this much at a book in a long time. This story is heartbreakingly beautiful, incredibly well written, and just so worth it as a read
The characters are always my favorite part of any story, and this is no exception. Squad 36 is such a beautiful family. They love each other fiercely, even in the face of devastating loss and pain, and there is nothing that will stop them from helping those they love. (And the new addition to the crew, I might add, fits with them PERFECTLY)
The continuation of character dynamics from the previous books was amazing. Caleb and Gabriel will always be a friendship of all time for me, but I gotta admit that Bandit and Gabriel were my favorite. Let's just say they were responsible for about two thirds of the crying in this book. I also really liked seeing more of Sierra and Gabriel, and watching their dynamic grow!
The plot was brilliant, and I absolutely freaking LOVED how it was wrapped up, ten out of ten. Everything came together perfectly. I've never been disappointed by a Brigitte Cromey book, and I doubt that will ever change. So join me in her mega fan club. You will NEVER regret it. But you will probably cry
October 16, 2026
*Review of advance copy received from Author*
Never Underestimate Humanity–and never underestimate Brigitte Cromey’s ability to craft a powerful story of a loving community and hope even in pain. Hearts Invincible is the epic, perfect conclusion to the wonderful Aftermath series!
Hearts Invincible is a beautiful story of recovery and light in the dark. The characters go through hard and difficult things, but they grow together in inspiring ways. Gabriel continues to be a relatable and loveable main character, and his journey in this book is my favorite in the series. His epic, heroic moments made me cheer, and they’re perfectly balanced by his moments of vulnerability and pain that spoke to my own heart. His moments of deep connection with his found family were so meaningful and encouraging, and the light banter, movie nights, and family meals were some of my favorite moments throughout this whole series.
A community of love and support is worth everything, and it brings light to even the darkest moments of pain in this book.
Never Underestimate Humanity–and never underestimate Brigitte Cromey’s ability to craft a powerful story of a loving community and hope even in pain. Hearts Invincible is the epic, perfect conclusion to the wonderful Aftermath series!
Hearts Invincible is a beautiful story of recovery and light in the dark. The characters go through hard and difficult things, but they grow together in inspiring ways. Gabriel continues to be a relatable and loveable main character, and his journey in this book is my favorite in the series. His epic, heroic moments made me cheer, and they’re perfectly balanced by his moments of vulnerability and pain that spoke to my own heart. His moments of deep connection with his found family were so meaningful and encouraging, and the light banter, movie nights, and family meals were some of my favorite moments throughout this whole series.
A community of love and support is worth everything, and it brings light to even the darkest moments of pain in this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Possibly the coziest dystopian I've ever read.
That's not to say this is a fluffy book--far from it! The pain and trauma are real and raw, but the moments of family, brotherhood, and healing steal the show, as they should.
I love these characters so much. They feel as if they belong to my own family at this point. And Gabe...thanks for making me feel seen.
That's not to say this is a fluffy book--far from it! The pain and trauma are real and raw, but the moments of family, brotherhood, and healing steal the show, as they should.
I love these characters so much. They feel as if they belong to my own family at this point. And Gabe...thanks for making me feel seen.
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