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When the World Ended
Not yet published
Expected 14 Nov 26For Tate Matthews, the apocalypse began with a hockey game and ended in a basement.
Max has survived the collapse by learning one simple take what you need, trust no one, and keep moving.
Then he finds Tate.
With Biters hunting them and the world falling apart around them, staying alive means relying on each other.
But survival gets complicated when the person who makes you feel safest is also the person you’re terrified to lose.
Because the world may have ended.
But somehow, they’re still here.
Max has survived the collapse by learning one simple take what you need, trust no one, and keep moving.
Then he finds Tate.
With Biters hunting them and the world falling apart around them, staying alive means relying on each other.
But survival gets complicated when the person who makes you feel safest is also the person you’re terrified to lose.
Because the world may have ended.
But somehow, they’re still here.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 27, 2026
This was phenomenal! It’s a dystopian MM romance!
Tate is dating Simone at the start of the book but his boyfriend is closeted! So when they go out to a bar his boyfriend goes off to flirt with some women so no one suspects anything! The is left all alone and he accepts a drink from a stranger next thing he knows he’s waking up in a basement chained up! Months go by and Tate finally gets the courage to try and escape the basement because he hasn’t been fed in so long when he crawls out of the basement his captor isn’t there but someone his age is! Max is scavenging for supplies when he comes across Tate max knows who Tate is he had a crush on him back in school but Tate never noticed him
Tate is obviously freaked out when Max tries to explain the whole apocalypse has happened and he didn’t believe him until he saw a biter himself then he just rolled with it! Max is very protective of Tate automatically bringing him to his camp where he meets everyone Max has been staying with! Max is attracted to Tate absolutely but Tate has so much trauma to work though but max is there for him from the beginning as a friend at first! He stays in the tent with max but he’s scared of enclosed spaces because of all the stuff he went through when he was kidnapped!
I loved how their relationship developed it was slow and steady Tate was all for touching Max but when it came to Max touching him he couldn’t let him now for awhile because of the assault he went through! He let Max take care of him and he was slowly but surely able to let Max in! Their time in the mattress store both times was amazing! You could see the connection! I LOLed when they said I love you before asking to be his boyfriend! I love that Tate was alllll of Maxs firsts!
The camp had an interesting bunch of people! I loved the connection tate and max and the twins it was so cute!
I would LOVE to say more but I don’t want to spoil any surprises but this whole book was just so damn good! Max and Tate deserved all the happiness they could get in this stressful world!! I would absolutely love to go back to this universe!
Tate is dating Simone at the start of the book but his boyfriend is closeted! So when they go out to a bar his boyfriend goes off to flirt with some women so no one suspects anything! The is left all alone and he accepts a drink from a stranger next thing he knows he’s waking up in a basement chained up! Months go by and Tate finally gets the courage to try and escape the basement because he hasn’t been fed in so long when he crawls out of the basement his captor isn’t there but someone his age is! Max is scavenging for supplies when he comes across Tate max knows who Tate is he had a crush on him back in school but Tate never noticed him
Tate is obviously freaked out when Max tries to explain the whole apocalypse has happened and he didn’t believe him until he saw a biter himself then he just rolled with it! Max is very protective of Tate automatically bringing him to his camp where he meets everyone Max has been staying with! Max is attracted to Tate absolutely but Tate has so much trauma to work though but max is there for him from the beginning as a friend at first! He stays in the tent with max but he’s scared of enclosed spaces because of all the stuff he went through when he was kidnapped!
I loved how their relationship developed it was slow and steady Tate was all for touching Max but when it came to Max touching him he couldn’t let him now for awhile because of the assault he went through! He let Max take care of him and he was slowly but surely able to let Max in! Their time in the mattress store both times was amazing! You could see the connection! I LOLed when they said I love you before asking to be his boyfriend! I love that Tate was alllll of Maxs firsts!
The camp had an interesting bunch of people! I loved the connection tate and max and the twins it was so cute!
I would LOVE to say more but I don’t want to spoil any surprises but this whole book was just so damn good! Max and Tate deserved all the happiness they could get in this stressful world!! I would absolutely love to go back to this universe!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my heart! I have loved every Marina Bennett book that’s come out, but this one is my favorite. I was hooked from the first page and didn’t put it down until the last one. When the World Ended is the perfect blend of post-apocalyptic zombies (I’m sorry, biters), romance, and a found family that I would love to have on my side at the end of the world.
Let’s talk about our MCs, Tate and Max, for a minute. Max is the peanut butter to Tate’s jelly, the yin to his yang. He helps Tate feel safe when he hasn’t felt safety in a long time. Mas was the first one to find Tate after the outbreak. From that moment, Max became the person that he turned to. And Tate, that poor boy has been through it. His apocalypse began a few months prior to the outbreak. Max is the cinnamon roll that gives him all the support, tenderness, and care that he needs to help heal. Their relationship progressed quickly from friendship/apocalypse buddies to lovers. While it feels like insta-love, Max had been crushing on Tate for a long time.
This story was well paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. There were moments when my heart was in my throat and I couldn’t turn the page fast enough to see what happened next. There were moments I cried and there were moments I couldn’t stop giggling, For me, those are the signs of a great book, one that makes you feel.
One thing that I have come to love about Marina’s books is her characters. They are all so different with huge personalities. They become your friends as you read their stories and you feel all their feels and go through everything with them.
Please check your triggers before diving in. There are some heavy topics in this one. However, Marina handled them with the grace and care they deserve.
Let’s talk about our MCs, Tate and Max, for a minute. Max is the peanut butter to Tate’s jelly, the yin to his yang. He helps Tate feel safe when he hasn’t felt safety in a long time. Mas was the first one to find Tate after the outbreak. From that moment, Max became the person that he turned to. And Tate, that poor boy has been through it. His apocalypse began a few months prior to the outbreak. Max is the cinnamon roll that gives him all the support, tenderness, and care that he needs to help heal. Their relationship progressed quickly from friendship/apocalypse buddies to lovers. While it feels like insta-love, Max had been crushing on Tate for a long time.
This story was well paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. There were moments when my heart was in my throat and I couldn’t turn the page fast enough to see what happened next. There were moments I cried and there were moments I couldn’t stop giggling, For me, those are the signs of a great book, one that makes you feel.
One thing that I have come to love about Marina’s books is her characters. They are all so different with huge personalities. They become your friends as you read their stories and you feel all their feels and go through everything with them.
Please check your triggers before diving in. There are some heavy topics in this one. However, Marina handled them with the grace and care they deserve.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Insert giddy squealing here. Omg I adored this. The second it hit my inbox I sent it to my kindle so fast so I could start reading immediately. Was I at work and supposed to be working, yep, but who cares about that when you have a book you’re excited about. And needless to say, from the first page I was hooked and did not want to stop reading. So let’s get into it.
Tate. He really goes through it in this book. Ensures some horrific things that no one should ever have to just to come make it out and land smack dab in the middle of the apocalypse. I’m not going to lie, if it were me, I would stomp my feet, cry like a baby and let life swallow me whole. But not Tate. He finds strength. It’s not always easy but that boy is a survivor and it’s inspiring.
Max. I loved him instantly. He’s all the green flags. Every single one. And omg does he know how to pine, to yearn, to love. He was perfect for Tate. The yin to his yang in every way.
Listen, check your trigger warnings of course because there is some heavy topics in this one. But the heart of this is a truly adorable love story and you don’t want to miss it. Run don’t walk to get this one. You won’t regret it. Happy reading kids.
And on a more personal note. I just want to thank Marina for sharing this with us on her street team. I hate that there are people out there who are actively making the reading space and unsafe space. Those kind of people can get fucked.
Tate. He really goes through it in this book. Ensures some horrific things that no one should ever have to just to come make it out and land smack dab in the middle of the apocalypse. I’m not going to lie, if it were me, I would stomp my feet, cry like a baby and let life swallow me whole. But not Tate. He finds strength. It’s not always easy but that boy is a survivor and it’s inspiring.
Max. I loved him instantly. He’s all the green flags. Every single one. And omg does he know how to pine, to yearn, to love. He was perfect for Tate. The yin to his yang in every way.
Listen, check your trigger warnings of course because there is some heavy topics in this one. But the heart of this is a truly adorable love story and you don’t want to miss it. Run don’t walk to get this one. You won’t regret it. Happy reading kids.
And on a more personal note. I just want to thank Marina for sharing this with us on her street team. I hate that there are people out there who are actively making the reading space and unsafe space. Those kind of people can get fucked.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yet another of Marina’s books that grabbed me by the heart and refused to let go. Did I forget to sleep because I simply HAD to finish this story? You can bloody believe I did. From the very first page, the pace was spot on, dragging me right to the edge of my seat, white-knuckling every chapter, not knowing if I’d be blubbing like a baby or cracking up laughing — and yep, I was kicking my feet in pure, unfiltered emotion.
What truly gets me about Marina’s books, time and time again, are her characters. Each one is a unique bloody legend, bursting with personality and realness. They don’t just feel like characters; they become your mates, your family even. As you walk their path, you live every joy, every heartbreak, and every moment of sheer wonder right alongside them. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that’s impossible to resist.
What truly gets me about Marina’s books, time and time again, are her characters. Each one is a unique bloody legend, bursting with personality and realness. They don’t just feel like characters; they become your mates, your family even. As you walk their path, you live every joy, every heartbreak, and every moment of sheer wonder right alongside them. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that’s impossible to resist.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was very fortunate to be entrusted with an ARC of this book. And I am so happy I was! What a ride. There are so many twists and turns in this story right from the start. This is not just a story of surviving in a zombie (we don't call them that!) apocalypse but also about how one of the mmcs has to battle with trauma after a rather horrific ordeal right at the start. I love our pairing in this story so much and I cannot wait to see where this world takes us next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review: I loved this story! Such a unique take on romance and found family. In short, an MM romance in the world of the Walking Dead! There are some tough elements, but Max and Tate really work hard to be there for each other and find a way through. Loved the extended found family and a bit of hope that humanity could be better during an apocalypse. Fun, quick read!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews