Mixed Signals

Off the Grid #3

by Alyssa Cole

Four years after the Flare, the world is finally starting to rebuild

For Maggie Seong, that means leaving the safety of her family's cabin for college. She won't be alone, though—hunky former military cadet Edwin Hernandez, family friend and self-appointed Protector of Maggie's Virtue, will be there. Maggie would much prefer that Edwin himself dispose of her "innocence," but he's already rejected her advances once, and a girl has her pride.

Things look pretty bleak romance-wise until Maggie discovers that Devon, the pre-Flare internet boyfriend she'd assumed was dead, is not only alive but on campus. Despite the passage of time, their bond is strong, and they quickly pick up where they left off. Even as Devon aims for a chance at love IRL—everything Maggie thought she'd wanted—Edwin's desire to protect her makes her question her heart.

Maggie's torn between the future she didn't dare to hope for and the past she can't let go of. And when a group of neo-Luddite terrorists threaten the campus, everyone's loyalties will be tested. To ensure that the world doesn't go back to the dark days following the Flare, Maggie might have to sacrifice it all.

Genres: Romance, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Fiction, New Adult, Audiobook, M F Romance

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2015

About the author

Alyssa Cole is an award-winning author of historical, contemporary, and sci-fi romance. Her Civil War-set espionage romance An Extraordinary Union was the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award’s Best Book of 2017 and the American Library Association’s RUSA Best Romance for 2018, and A Princess in Theory was one of the New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2018. She’s contributed to publications including Bustle, Shondaland, The Toast, Vulture, RT Book Reviews, and Heroes and Heartbreakers, and her books have received critical acclaim from The New York Times, Library Journal, BuzzFeed, Kirkus, Booklist, Jezebel, Vulture, Book Riot, Entertainment Weekly, and various other outlets. When she’s not working, she can usually be found watching anime or wrangling her pets.

Reviews

[Kerryn (RatherBeReading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie, I really enjoy the trope of a romance between a girl and her slightly older protective figure, so this installment in this series was right up my alley.

I really enjoyed getting to see more of Maggie as a character and getting to explore her a little more deeply.

I did still have the same problems with this installement as I have had with the previous two books in the series. The dialogue in some parts of the story feels off and the whole post apocalyptic/dystopian aspects of the story are really not properly fleshed out in my opinion. Overall though I enjoyed this installment and the series as a whole.

[Hallie (Hallie Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions)]

The conclusion, while still entertaining and fast-paced, is perhaps my least favorite of the three books. In terms of plot, the arc of this one wasn't quite as exciting as the prior ones. This is also the romance that I personally liked least, but I'm not a fan of age gap romances, so that's not a surprise. It was also definitely a choice to have the hero be one of the soldiers in book two who was allowing atrocities, if not directly approving them; this is something that will work really well for the right reader, but it didn't quite work for me. He's a nice guy, but I'd have liked him more without having just read book two.

Again, the audiobook narration does not, in my opinion, work for Mixed Signals. I would have preferred that they hire unique narrators for each installment.

[TabReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Maggie’s character evolution and seeing how the world was adapting post-flare. It was predictable at times but it still kept me very engaged in the story. I’m so happy to have Alyssa Cole’s back catalogue to explore.

[Catherine Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this end to the series. Definitely a New Adult story, as there's a lot going on with Maggie learning to be out on her own and figuring out her life woven in with the romance. The love triangle isn't really one, as it's clear from the get-go that one guy is a total jerk. I would have liked this book a little more if I didn't have serious issues with the MMC from what happened in book 2.
Again, CW for sexual assault.

[Janell Sutherland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in a post-apocalyptic series. I still haven’t read the first, but I reviewed (and enjoyed) the second book here. It’s been a few years since the Flare knocked out all the electricity. Long enough for small power grids to come back on. Long enough for Maggie, the youngest Seong sibling, to get her GED, learn to play the guitar really well, and head off to college.

As the story opens, Maggie is chopping off all of her hair. It’s been her most complimented feature, and she hid behind it a lot. Now that she’s going away to college, she’s ready for a new, more powerful identity.

Her brother’s friend Edwin is driving her there. Maggie has had kind of a crush on Edwin for a while, but he rejected her, so she’s working on getting over it.

“I didn’t want to be that creep, fawning over someone with the hopes that one day I’d beat them into submission and they’d settle for me. What kind of love song would that make? ‘It only took ten years, of you living in fear, but finally you’re mine, baby, please stop crying…’”

Maggie has the Seong sarcasm down. When a girl in the dorm assumes that Maggie loves anime because she’s Korean, Maggie says, “Okay. Am I supposed to ask you for the mayonnaise-based recipes of your people now?” I could fill this whole review with Maggie quotes. She’s tough. She’s adapting. She’s learning to use her words.

On her first day in the dorm, Maggie runs into Devon, the internet boyfriend she never met in person whom she thought was dead. Yeah, that’s a lot of emotional drama right there, and it kicked me in the gut. It’s like her teenage fantasy come to life, and then he kisses her. She takes a moment to swoon, but then it’s back to using her words, trying to find out what happened to him.

Don’t worry, Maggie doesn’t spend all of her time torn between Devon and Edwin. She’s more focused on finding her way in the world. She gets a job, she writes songs, and she texts her family members. She spends time with both guys and discovers qualities that she values in a person. She is also always on guard, well aware that there are power-tripping, smarmy, objectifying men all around her.

The author blends in some of what’s happening in the rest of the country, too. Maggie’s brother John and his boyfriend Mikael are helping to restore the power grid, but they stop by the cafeteria to tease her about boys and also give her lots of moral support. Edwin works with campus security, and Devon meets up with an environmental group that thinks that going back to the old system is a bad idea. It’s an interesting peek into what-ifs, but it doesn’t detract from the main story about Maggie.

This was a fun book with a great narrator. It manages to sustain the post-apocalyptic setting while allowing for progress in the world, and it features a smart, kick-ass heroine.

Rating: B+

*ARC provided by publisher
This review was originally posted on Red Hot Books

[Liz B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was a lot stronger than the second half. (And the first book in this series was a lot stronger than this one.)

Loved the MC's voice--would've liked this more as a non-romance YA, as a matter of fact. It's really, really new-adulty, and I'm just not that into reading about the romantic exploits and sexytimes of college kids. This is not particularly a flaw of the book--I'm just not its reader. Maggie just sounds and acts like what she is--a 20-year-old college freshman.

The guy is older and does act older. Late in the book he has to tell us what he sees in her...because it is really, really not obvious. Don't get me wrong--she's great! I just didn't see them as a pair based on the interactions they had.

I really liked secondary character/ best friend Danielle.

Verdict: I'm more than willing to try more by Cole, just not more new adult by her.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Periodically I read an actual romance novel because, hey, I like romance and I like to think I'm not snobby about genres. So, having had a go at some historical romance and finding it not to my taste, I decided to have a go at some sci-fi romance. And hey, turns out that's not to my taste either.
I'm sure this is a perfectly good example of its subgenre, but it's not for me, and I can't even put my finger on exactly why. The sexy bits were grand. The female characters were good. But I think the men were too blank for me, and there is too much time spent reminding me of their handsomeness. Still, I did not feel that my time was wasted, and the sci-fi background stuff was decent.

[Selina Durio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This post apocalyptic story was a definite page turner. As the third installment in the Off The Grid series, this is a stand alone, but is best read after the first two. All of the underlying events and characters in this book are set up by the other books. To get to delve in to Maggie's coming of age story, after she and her family have survived The Flare, was almost like reading about any young adult trying to find themselves. Her growing relationship with Edwin, in the midst of his own issues, was actually refreshing. This was a nice read.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s 4 years Post-Flare in the finale for this post-apocalyptic trilogy. The world is starting to get back to normal and Maggie is off to college, accompanied by Edwin. I loved the twists and turns that this final book took. It wrapped up the trilogy in a very satisfying way. I also loved the tension and buildup between Maggie and Edwin. I love age-gap romances when they’re done right and this was done right. Was it a little predictable? Of course, but it was still fun and entertaining. The entire series was a great read.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like Cole hit her stride with this one. I liked but didn’t love the first, the second stalled for me, and this one was a complete winner. Too Hot, Too Cold, Just Right? Yeah, something like that.
P.S. Edwin occasionally sounded like a mouthpiece but overall, he was the hero I’d been holding out for. I wouldn’t kick him out of bed for eating crackers. Or porridge.
P.P.S ARC provided by Netgalley

[Michael Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the three books in this series. The science fictional aspect of the world really came into its own in this book, and serves to support and frame the social and personal context of the romance.

[Kat at Book Thingo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Livetweets: https://twitter.com/bookthingo/status...

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

As long as I don't think about the hero's backstory, I liked this third book more than the other two. The elements with the conflict, setting, relationship development, and trope combination really did it for me. As a standalone, I would give it 4 stars. But, because I read book 2 and I can't HELP but think about the hero's backstory, I'm afraid it's another 3 stars. I have to stress though, I'm really happy I read this series. While I think Hernandez needs to do more before he earns a HEA, and while overall, I don't think apocalyptic romance works for me, Alyssa Cole's writing SHINES. I loved the Reluctant Royal Series and I saw a lot of the skill she put into those books in the Off the Grid series. It was still a great time, even though I got hung up on a few snags. YMMV. If it sounds interesting, if you've enjoyed other works by Alyssa Cole, you should 100% read these books.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley and Carina Press for the ARC of this book.
Mixed Signals By Alyssa Cole
A few years ago all I read was dystopian books. I have since moved away from them but this one drew me back into that world. It’s four years after the world has fallen apart everybody is trying to rebuild. Maggie is ready to head off to college and leave her family behind. Edwin who has deemed himself Maggie‘s protector will be there too. Much to her surprise on campus she runs into Devon. Her pre-flair internet boyfriend that she assumed was dead. Two boys one who holds the key to her past and the other who holds the key to her future, she’s going to have to choose. But before she has a chance to do that the campus is under threat by terrorists. Who will she choose? You’ll have to check out Mixed Singles by Alyssa Cole to find out.

[Sciammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this book way more than the second book in the series though the series as a hole tends to backload all the action-packed, plot-driven scene.

I do agree with commenters that it would be nice to get a greater sense of just why Edwin is so into the protagonist. Also I did note a discrepancy where Myhkail calls John, John instead of Jang-wan.

Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book. It is a unique premise (sci-fi-wise), the supporting characters are great, the first person pov builds amazing tension and I could picture the scenes well.

I obviously think this should be read as a series but books 1 and 3 stood out.

[Wendy Bunnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm falling behind on reviews, but not on reading. Going to give some quick reviews today to catch up.

Third in the series, and it was a little harder to buy the romance because the MC was a surly teen in the other two books. Yes, we had a time jump 4 years into the future. She's not supposed to be the same sullen teen who endangered her family by running away during a freaking apocalypse. But she is. She's still immature and somewhat flighty. And her love interest had shown up in a prior story, as an adult 4 years ago. Why is he interested in this girl?

I dunno. But I'm glad he got what he wanted. HFN, as these are youngsters still.

[Kioni · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book to the Off the Grid series gives the reader a satisfying (and realistically bittersweet) ending as we see the third sibling find love in the face of the worldwide calamity. Maggie confronts one of the most interesting love triangles I've ever seen, both of her men-to-be seeking redemption for a multitude of sins, both real and imagined. Cole really gets inside the head of a young twenty something woman as she navigates the strange ghost of the college experience that the solar flare left behind. We get to see her grow up before our eyes throughout the series but in Mixed Signals, Maggie is a heroine the reader will come to admire and adore.

[Riah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third in a series of post-apocalyptic romance novels, focused on a family of Korean Americans living in New York state after a worldwide blackout destroys society. This volume is focused on the youngest sister in the family, who goes off to college a few years later, after society has started to rebuild itself. While I didn't like it as much of the first two, since it features a very unbalanced love triangle and the post-apocalyptic part of the plot wasn't as strong, I still enjoyed reading it. I got bogged down in the middle for a bit, but the end was satisfying.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me feel OUT OF MY MIND. She had a HUGE task getting me to like a corner of this love triangle but she managed it with aplomb. I really loved everyone in this book (except for. YOU KNOW.) and the epilogue didn't suffer from redundancy like a lot of romance epilogues do (for me). TRULY GREAT I am going to read SO MANY more Alyssa Coles I can't wait. (I also won't comment on how tragically ahead of the curve Alyssa Cole was in the whole "rebuilding after a worldwide disaster of isolation" thing, but, you know......too real)

[Shaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two and a half stars

This one takes place a few years after the flare and the work of bringing back electricity and technology is slowly continuing. On that front, this wasn't terribly interesting. The plot tension comes from groups of people who oppose the technological advancement and I didn't find that particularly original though the final confrontation scenes are tense and compelling.

And likewise I wasn't too invested in the romance plot though it was realistic in its ups and downs. So over all, this was pleasant enough to read, but it's my least favourite of the three.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This didn't appeal to me as much as the other books in the series. Because of the main character's isolation, she knows very little of the world and she's naive. That all makes sense but made this book feel a little more YA than I expected. Now I think it would be an excellent book for teenagers to read.

[Reading into the Void · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyssa Cole is such a good writer! This was my favorite story in this series. I cannot put into words how healing it is to read about people struggling with and then learning how to deal with past traumas and the evil of the world. Plus Alyssa’s characters are always hilarious, heartwarming, and so fucking sexy.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad for getting Maggie's POV, but I'm also glad there was a time jump so that she was a little older. I could've done without the almost love triangle, but it was just oh so clear that it wasn't ever really one, so that helped.

[Bethany H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of the series! Maggie was a great character to jump into, and her emotional journey felt both real and unreal -- in the best, post-apoc way. Edwin was a bit less real, or maybe just a bit less explored, but the romance still worked for me.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about a time after a world shaking disaster. A girl who’s family survived is going to college with all the new rules and limitations. Maggie’s friends and family are her support.

[Michelle (Epically.Bookish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 but rounded up cuz I’m in a reading slump. I’m pretty convinced that Alyssa Cole can make me love any character because I was the least excited for these two MC’s. Cole has worked her dystopian romance magic yet again!

[Michelle]

Ok. The author stays true to all of the characters in this third book of the trilogy, but unfortunately that means that Maggie continues as the annoying younger sister coming of age. If she wasn't the focus of the book, it would be fine- but instead I wish I had skipped this one.

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! I really enjoyed seeing Maggie come in to her own, though things moved a little too quickly for me to get fully invested in.

Overall, a solid series from Alyssa Cole! So fascinating to see her backlist trajectory!

[Bambisok · Rating 2 out of 5]

New adult/ Teenage angst nightmare. The heroine was so annoying and bordered on stupid too often for my patience to handle.
I really appreciated the 1st book in the series so this is a real disappointment 😞