The End of All Things

The End of All Things #1

by Lissa Bryan

After a terrible virus ravages the planet, Carly Daniels, one of the few survivors, hides in her apartment in Juneau trying to survive the best she can with only occasional forays to gather food. With her is Sam, a wolf puppy she found starving on the streets. He becomes her companion and a reason to continue when giving up sometimes seems like the more attractive option. Still dazed with shock and grief, she hopes for the world to go back to normal soon. She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature. Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs. But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way. This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.

Genres: Romance, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Survival, Science Fiction, Zombies, Apocalyptic

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2013

About the author

Lissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure for athlete's foot.... though only in her head. Real life isn't so interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.

She is the author of four novels, Ghostwriter, Under These Restless Skies, The End of All Things and its sequel, Land of the Shadow. She has short stories in Romantic Interludes and Tales from the End.

Lissa is also a fanfiction author, whose stories can be found here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/3300533/L...

http://www.lissabryan.com
http://www.facebook.com/lissa.bryan
https://twitter.com/LissaBryan
http://lissabryan.tumblr.com/

Reviews

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Shadows Have Gone, book three in this series at the beginning of this year and I found the book very good. But it has taken me ages to get to reading the first book in this series. But now as I'm going through my NetGalley books have I finally gotten to this one.

Carly Daniels has survived a terrible virus that has devastated the planet and she hides in her apartment in Juneau, Alaska with her puppy Sam. One day she sees a man outside her apartment and, at first, she is wary, but slowly the man persuades her out of her hiding place and she learns that the man's name is Justin and he is an ex-soldier. Together they decide to travel to Florida where it is warmer and where they will have a better chance to survive.

What I like with this series is that there are no zombies or any other kind of monsters, if it is a "monster" is it people that still have the flue or ordinary people that have turned ruthless to survive. Carly and Justin have a rocky start, but they she slowly learns to trust him and realize that he is right, that they must leave Juneau if they are going to survive. I found that part and then ending the best in the book, Unfortunately, I started to get a bit annoyed somewhere along the way. Annoyed that Carly was so incompetent and Justin was so well trained in surviving. Could be the scout in me that just found her unbearable ignorant sometimes. Either way, it seems that she has lived a very sheltered life and hardly set foot outside a town. One moment that really mad eme annoyed were when Justin ripped a wedding dress to pieces to use as a bandage for future needs and she got upset because he was ripping apart someone's dream. I mean, come on, they are on the way to Florida, she doesn't know the women whose dress it is and they are trying to survive.

And, then we have the romance part. I can understand the need for human contact, for warmth and for the basic need like sex. But suddenly it's a love story. It's a Hallmark movie. After that part, the story just felt meh! Fortunately, the ending was tragically good. yeah. Except for one thing that I didn't like, someone that I liked very much died.

2.5 stars

Thanks to The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different twist on the Zombie Apocalypse! Good book but I felt that it dragged a bit in the middle. The heroine was a bit annoying at times but likable. Justin was every girls dream but very insecure in himself.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Infectious Stars!! I'm not sure what I'm thinking right now!! I'm kind of shell-shocked!

The author did a great job with the plot and creating this world where disease is killing off humanity, except for a few lucky ones. The reason why is quite plausible and I could see something like that happening, it's not really too far fetched. The writing could use a little fine-tuning, some of the story, especially concerning Carly's 'pet' was stretching it a bit, but for the most part it was a captivating read and held my attention from the first to the last page. I wanted to follow Carly and Justin on their journey!! The ending surprised the heck out of me. I never saw it coming! I loved and hated it. Bravo to the author!

I had no idea going in that this was going to be a continuing series and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.


**ARC received from The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing via NetGalley**

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn. I didn't see 'read an apocalyptic romance book' in my bingo card this morning.

What a ride!

I don't think you should go into this hoping for high action, tension sort of reading, expecting to see zombies-I mean infected-in every corner. It's a more leisurely pace, realistic experience to what a future would be when the society collapsed.

And reading this, after COVID, especially to note that this book was published in 2013, just made my experience reading it a whole lot anxiety-ridden.

Anyway, probably wouldn't continue with the series though. I kinda like the way the book left the characters. And sequels always ruin things.

[Sydney Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor of receiving an ARC of The End of All Things by Lissa Bryan.

At first, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the summary totally grabbed me, and I couldn't wait to see how Ms. Bryan tackled this topic. As always, her narratives are descriptive and concise, and her characters are fantastic. Carly is this wonderful mixture of innocence and determination. And Justin, with his Special Ops survival skills and complete dedication to Carly, is now one of my favorite heroes in fiction. Love him!

I was 90% finished and wondered how in the world she was going to wrap up this story in just a few short pages. That's when I realized a sequel was in the works! I am thrilled that I don't have to say goodbye to these characters, even though I do worry about their future in their new community. However, I trust Lissa Bryan, and I can't wait to read the sequel.

[Elle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Original review posted here: http://www.yourentertainmentcorner.co....

I must have read a completely different story than what is alluded to on the book’s inside flap because I feel duped. I realize this is fiction—the author is allowed liberties with regard to their characters and plot—but I expect a certain amount of realism when a novel isn’t labeled as a fantasy. I swear this book is the apocalypse in freaking la-la land with human-esque animals and quickly resolved troubles. I kept expecting unicorns and rainbows to randomly appear in every chapter to prove just how unrealistic this story is.

This may sound mean, but the protagonist, Carly, is written like a mentally deficient, virginal teenage girl. She’s 22 but doesn’t know the simplest every-day things and blushes at every compliment given to her by Justin. Carly is beyond sheltered and it’s a hindrance to her state of mind. Living in her own little bubble has left her inept. Alas, Carly doesn’t understand how the world has changed since the Crisis (a worldwide flu-like pandemic), and tends to act as if things will return to normal in the blink of an eye. It’s not rational thinking on her part when she can see the destroyed state of the world. Justin telling Carly she’s smart and that others would be in a similar predicament is Bryan’s way of justifying how immature and silly she’s made her protagonist. Carly’s stubbornness and overwhelming naiveté is annoying. “I can go more, honest!” she says during a bike ride. What kind of adult speaks like this?

The End of All Things is very slow going for most of the novel. Not much of consequence occurs in the first third of the book to make me care about the characters. The way the animals that flock to Carly react to her and Justin is beyond farfetched. It is amazing that Sam, the wolf, and Shadowfax (I hate that name with a passion!), the horse, are protective, empathic, and exhibit human emotions after being with them for such a short time. I have to admit, I’ve never heard of a horse physically attacking someone to save a human life.

Observations:

Many of the details aren’t well researched. For example, the duo and their menagerie of animals hole up in a brick house that Carly refers to as “warm and cozy.” I wish! I live in a brick house. It’s cold in the winter with the fireplace blazing.

**

Something that bothers me tremendously is Carly’s description of other survivors. They are called “looters” while she and Justin “forage” for supplies. This reminds me of the way the media portrayed survivors of Hurricane Katrina who were getting food from abandoned supermarkets. I won’t go into more detail than that because I’ll get pissed, but just know it did not endear this book to me at all.

**

There’s too much repetition. Bryan has a character say something, and then two lines later repeats it, as if we’ve already forgotten what was said. Either she thinks her readers aren’t able to follow the story, or her characters like to hear themselves speak.

**

I expected the heroine to be more of a modern woman. Bryan has written Carly as the ultimate damsel in distress and it’s upsetting to read. Bryan is trying to display a “real” person, but with so much knowledge to pick up on in the readily available in the real world, she falls short of the mark. Carly’s father was in the military and never bothered to teach her anything beyond how to fish and fire a gun. You’d think he’d have given her the basics on surviving in the wild at least. Carly knows next to nothing about survival or first-aid and it’s frustrating to read her reaction to Justin thinking she’s stupid (which he doesn’t, of course). Hell, even I know she’s stupid!

**

The supposed “troubles” Justin and Carly encounter are laughable. There’s no real suspense; no feeling of danger. You know they will be written out of their predicament after reading how easy it is for them to find food. ‘Cause yeah, it’s realistic to think everyone in America keeps canned goods in their home, stocked to the teeth in case of emergency food shortages. Did I fail to mention the book takes place in 2013 and not during the Great Depression? Oh, and they are able to spend the night in one of these fully stocked abandoned homes with no worries. What kind of apocalypse is this? It’s boring. Ideal for someone experiencing this in real life, yes, but this is fiction and should be intriguing and suspenseful. I want danger at every corner; it’s what keeps my attention while reading. Getting into The End of All Things was quite the chore because the characters, setting and plot fall flat.

**

I can’t forget to mention the long awaited love scene, which is like something straight out of fan fiction. I should have been leery when Justin magically produces a condom. The part that made me laugh out loud is when Justin goes outside the tent he and Carly are in and comes back with a “warm cloth” to clean her up with. Are you kidding me? They’re in the woods, not a bedroom in a house with functioning amenities! I’m not buying it.

**

I have other gripes but I’ll keep them to myself because I’m sure you can guess at this point, this book is on my Do-Not-Read list. This is like the adult version of Ilsa J. Bick’s Ashes, but Ashes is done so much better. The End of All Things is overly far-fetched in its trip-down-the-yellow-brick-road approach to an apocalypse for my tastes. I can’t recommend this for any reason other than a paper weight. And no, I won’t be reading the follow-up.

I was provided an ARC by Net Galley and the publisher The Writer’s Coffee Shop for an honest review.

[Raina {The LUV'NV} · Rating 4 out of 5]

The End of All Things was a lovely surprise. I'm a fan of dystopia and post-apocalyptic novels, but Lissa Bryan happened to do something different. She brought love to the forefront, weaving relationships and romance with an end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it into an overall theme of the things taken for granted.

As with any post-apocalyptic novel, tangible things like electricity, running water, medicinal and protective services, government and military intervention, household pets, and the like are all gone. But in The End of All Things , the absence of the intangible are the most glaring.

The sense of community, of civilization, is scarce. Duty to fellow man is almost non-exist; the choice to not share a thing is hard-pressed and heart-breaking to make. And everyday, human contact, whether it be running into the neighbor from across the hall or watching a national news anchorman on TV, is startlingly missing. It's not simply every man for himself, but is there anyone else? Did anyone not die, get affected, or start becoming crazed from the virus that swept throughout the entire world?

In a setting so desolate and hopeless, the blooming relationship between two survivors, Carly and Justin, is the light. I love how Lissa Bryan uses their own little bubble as a contrast to the world, along with their individuality as different perspectives of it. Carly is young, a bit too optimistic, and unprepared to survive a winter or even a lifetime in the circumstances. She believes everything will right itself soon enough and that people will always do the right thing. Justin, on the other hand, is older, always prepared and thinking ahead, and is more realistic, if not pessimistic, though he also has a soft center and a strong sense of duty and honor. They complemented each other wholly, helping one another accept, hope, and grow.

And they made me melt. Lissa Bryan captured the little things that make a relationship—everything from as silly as hair ties to as big as the choice of bringing a baby into the world, virus-ravaged or not. Their fears of being parents were common and old-age, as well as specific to the circumstances. The fact a baby brings so much hope to the world, that just to see one in this book because that's another aspect taken for granted, was not lost on me, either.

I would've like to see Carly and Justin think more ahead, though, to collect seeds, gardening and farming books, etc., especially since one of the main reasons to move south was so they can cultivate food. A little more info on the cause of such a devastating virus would've topped off this book nicely for me, too. The info we got was fantastic, really intriguing and plausible, but it only brushed my need for explanations that's expected in the genre.

But overall, The End of All Things was truly a wonderful read, a believable world with realistic people and relationships. There's also a lovable cast of animals, and the ending was a breath-taker. I'm definitely going to pick up the next book in the series.

If you're a fan of post-apocalyptic novels heavy on the love story, I recommend you try The End of All Things .


A huge thank-you to The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House and the author, Lissa Bryan, for the eARC.

Review also on The LUV'NV blog.

[Jess Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lissa Bryan told me she was writing a Dystopian love story, my initial reaction was, “Oh. Is there such a thing?” Evidently, yes. I would like to thank TWCS for allowing me to read the final draft of this novel’s manuscript.

I’ve been a fan of Lissa’s for some time, going right back to her early hobby fiction. I’m not a big fan of Dystopian novels, although I must admit to a secret love of zombies. Let’s just get it out of the way: this is my favourite of her stories to date. I was hooked from the very first sentence: four arresting words told me a lot. Then, came some unexpected twists.

Carly is young and sheltered. She is Every Girl: an animal-lover with a passion for family, music, Monty Python and The Lord of the Rings. However, she has somehow managed to make it through a plague that has wiped out –as far as she knows- all of humanity. She is not alone: a Harley-riding ex-army guy named Justin Thatcher stumbles across her in his quest for sustenance. He sees something in her that she can’t see in herself: she is a survivor.

The pair decides to trust each other with their lives. Assuming that society cannot be restored, a harsh winter in Alaska would be life-threatening. Carly and Justin undertake a journey South, in search of a safe haven, food, medicine, defenses and decent human beings. Everything seems to be in short supply.

On their journey, Carly picks up stray animals and mystifies the cynical Justin with her naïveté. But events transpire to make her prove her mettle, and when she does, you can’t help falling in love with her. Unlike Sarah Conner, she can be tough without sacrificing all her softness. Unlike Katniss Everdeen, she never loses her compassion, optimism, or faith.

Justin is hard cookie on the outside and chocolate caramel on the inside. Although he can drop a foe at fifty paces, he also has a penchant for bad 80’s music and has a habit of quoting chick flicks to make Carly’s day. He does a lot of things that are highly endearing. It’s nice to see a hero evolve; there are far too many anti-heroes in modern fiction. I definitely have a crush on him.

This story raised all the questions in my mind for which I was hoping. What endures after an apocalypse? What makes a ‘survivor’? How does one make decisions determining life and death, not just for the self, but for others? How much is too much? How hard is too hard? How do you stay sane? Is compassion affordable? What about love? Are fond feelings genuine, or a product of useless wishes? What is real? Where does humanity go from here?

In addition, the novel left me with big questions significant to the plot that I’m anxious to see answered in the sequel. Far be it from me to give you any spoilers.

All the characters are well-drawn and thought-provoking. I particularly liked the animals in the story, to which Justin refers as ‘Carly’s strays’. Well, isn’t he one of her strays, too?

In the course of the book, we meet all manner of human beings. Perhaps it takes a motorcycle-riding tough guy who’s never had a family to show the world that in times of extremity, our common values of love, hope and honour endure.

A Dystopian novel, and a romance novel. Lissa delivers on both counts. I heartily recommend this read, and it may just be the romance novel that a man and woman can read together with enjoyment. I give it five stars.

[Roselover24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to be on a streak of books that I really like
This is an end of the world story that feels like stephen kings The Stand without the supernatural creepy old lady

What I liked : the connection to the characters that this author gives us you can actually like them I felt such empathy for the girl Carly when we first meet her it is not obvious just how stressed and traumatized this young woman is she is 22 the world around her has fallen apart and she is holed up in her little apartment trying to hang onto what was normal as best she can

I enjoy that the author shows us how different people would handle this type of situation some are survivors others are avoiders. some take advantage of the situation while others just give up

I like that the relationship did not build up overnight it took time to build some level of trust
I love the spunk in Carly and that she is willing to stand up for herself while still maintaining an innocence and a hopeful attitude
she is not a pollyanna just hopeful

now Biker guy as Carly calls him till she learns his name
he is another story
he is a trained survivor (ex military)he frightens Carly a strange man that has taken up "camp" within sight of her apartment window It is through him that we are able to learn more about Carly we find out just how much this situation has put her into a state of shock before that almost everything she does feels like it is a sensible thing to do

I like how he helps her to grow as a person
I really like how he does not take advantage of her
I even like how he sees himself as an old man in comparison to her (he is 34 she is 22)
ONLY thing I did not like is that on their trek south when they went scavenging in stores they did not look for seeds! or gardening supplies
they both talk of the move south and how they will have find someplace with warm weather year round so they can garden and yet they do not try to collect seeds the gardener in me was just wondering about that one I think I need to talk to Lissa about this hmmmm...

the book is a complete story you will not feel all upset because of a cliff hanger however this is the beginning of a story Im guessing there will be another book coming out and if not that is OK I am satisfied to let my imagination run away with me

the action in the story was well done especially the feelings associated with anything that happened
the only way I can describe it is
I was emotionally manipulated by Lissa and I liked it
Thanks for a great story and giving me a chance to review this one

[Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unexpected surprise! Wonderful book!
The story is actually very simple: two people traveling in a world destroyed by a pandemic to find a new home in a better climate.
In a world where civilization as we get it is gone and where surviving people are very few, Carly, a shy and naive young woman, and Jastin, a solitary and jaded but surprisingly gentle ex military, get together and decide to go from an inhospitable Alaska to Florida.
One would thought it boring, but actually it was very interesting. I enjoyed very much the pace of the story, the dialogue, the thoughts, the animals' antics, the budding and very satisfactory and true love story.
Everything in it could be really happening if a pandemic should come. It was so true: people gone crazy because of the fever, people loot to steal food, those who cannot get it that the world is no more and delude themselves that the madness is only temporary, those who kill because there's no more law to stop them...
Carly starts as one of those delusional ones, but with Jastin's help she learns and grows. At the beginning she's on the brink of going mad, but at the end she's full of hope. But it's not a hope that the things will return as they were before, but a hope that the batter part of the human nature has a chance to survive.
Jastin too starts as a disillusioned and solitary man, but actually he's the one who spurs Carly to accept the grim reality. He struggles with his issues, but with Carly's help he learnes to think with his heart, instead only with his hea.
This book is really good. Simple but deep. It made me think. It made me smile. It made me cry. Very, very good!

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY REVIEW
I downloaded this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I was then contacted by The Writers Coffee shop to ask if I would be interested in being part of the blog tour, which is why I also have an Interview with the Author, Lissa Bryan.
The cover in my opinion is to represent both going through a tunnel and also the journey from the world with electricity, and running water to the new world of survival, no running water and no electricity, no stores etc. I would say the two figures in the tunnel are Carly and Justin.
So the basic story line is that a virus has run through the world and killed many people. The world as we know it has completely changed. There is no police force, the hospitals can't cope, the food stores are being looted and it is basically a "survival of the fittest" environment.
Carly has nursed both her parents during their fight with the virus. Carly has had to make some very stark and difficult choices during this time. Both her parents have died so she has moved back to her own apartment within the same block, and is more "existing" tan living. She has befriended a little puppy, whom she is now taking care of. the puppy is something to take Carly's mind off the terrible and worsening situation she is in all alone. She appears to be the only survivor around and then she notices a man literally camped out in front of her apartment block.
The male Carly see's is in fact an ex-soldier from her fathers old regimental unit. A special ops unit. The guy is called Justin and is very practical, he seems to be surviving quite well using his army training.
Justin eventually but not very easily manages to gain Carly's trust little by little he learns her father was once one of his instructors. In fact it is Justin's old regimental tattoo that finally gives Carly the extra push of courage to trust him. Justin reasons, argues and pleads with Carly to go with him. His plan is to head South to warmer climates with farming land that they can plant an grow food in.
They eventually set off after many minor and some quite major arguments. Carly's pet puppy turns out to be a wolf pup that she insists on bringing along on the journey, or she refuses to leave.
On their travels they do meet other survivors, some good and some really bad individuals. Hard and some times heart breaking decisions have to be made. The two traveller's endure many hardships but still find themselves becoming closer and more attached to each other in time. Even tough Justin tries his best to distance himself from any sort of romantic involvement with with Carly. The inevitable happens and things move along for some time. Justin and Carly are adapting well and all seems to be falling into place, they may even reach their original destination of getting near to Florida if luck stays on their side, and they can keep up the pace they are travelling at. Then after an accident which costs them precious time they have to decide to "hole up" for winter. They search for a house to call their "home" and finally find one suitable. Then fate intervenes and one thing leads to another and they find out Carly is pregnant. Though both are extremely worried, thy are also secretly happy in their own ways too. A baby gives hope of a future. Though there are so very many things that could go wrong. There's no medical check ups, scans, midwife care let alone a hospital to go give birth in. And that's all I am going to say about the story. I will tell you that so much more happens too. There are sad, sometimes heartbreaking events that occur, but there is also humor and lighter moments within the book. The relationship that develops between Justin and Carly is beautifully written and is subtly brought into the plot. We gradually learn more about Justin and why he is the person he is, as well as learning more about Carly and her family life too.
The scenery, landscapes, and living conditions are well described and so detailed you can visualize them. You can imagine and almost feel Carly's discomfort at not being able to shower or use a flushing toilet anymore. You seriously empathize with the fact Carly feels itchy and unclean, and you feel her joy and her elation at finding a cold creek to bathe in, or a house with running water to shower in even if it is icy cold water. The differences between the characters are shown well within the book, the way Carly is to begin with really emotional and wants to help every person and creature she comes across, whereas Justin is more practical and uses any spare supplies they have to trade for other items they need. Justin is more adaptable to the harsh conditions they have to survive in. Carly ends up having to toughen up somewhat, but I feel even in the subsequent books in this series (which I can hardly wait to read) Carly will always be the softer, more emotional and sentimental character of the two.
So did I enjoy the book? Oh wow YES I l.o.v.e.d, loved it! I mean look at the length of my review of the book, I could really go on and on about this book forever. Would I recommend this book? YES! to all those readers that love dystopian/post apocalyptic genre books. I have to add I highly recommend this book. Would I read a BK#2? Oh yes I would read it now if I could get my hands on it! I'd love to read it now to see what else the world has in store for Justin and Carly. Would I read more by Lissa Bryan? Yes I would certainly try other books by Lissa Bryan as I really enjoyed her style of writing and how everything flowed so easily.

[Letitia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: A- ... Heat: Sweet (Changed my rating since this story and characters stuck with me for days!)

Carly Daniels is scared and very much in denial about her situation. Still in shock over being one of the last humans alive – and not Infected – after an event known as the Crisis. Carly rarely ventures out of her apartment, still maintaining the government-ordered quarantine. The only reason she leaves at all is to take care of her pup, Sam.

Which is the first, but definitely not the last, time that Sam saves Carly’s life. Because during one of her trips to the local grocery store, she catches the attention of Justin. A scraggly, bearded guy who decides to camp out in front of her apartment building.

Justin Thatcher is the epitome of tough and determined. Ex-military and trained in survival, he recognizes in Carly the strength and fortitude needed to make it in this new world. He also knows they can't survive a winter in Alaska. so he gradually wins her trust and nudges her out of the shell she’s been hiding in.

Carly and Justin’s travels takes them south, hopefully as far as Florida, where they can grow their own crops and not have to brave a snowy winter. Walking and biking from Alaska to Florida is not an easy trek, however. Along the way they encounter survivors and Infected, both of which test Carly and Justin’s mettle. And Carly realizes she’s made of sterner stuff than she expected.

With Justin’s encouragement and lessons, Carly grows and finds courage and confidence in herself. And, because of Carly’s gentleness and love, Justin grows too. Learns to listen to his heart as well as his head. Their love was definitely a friends to lovers situation and I adored them for it. They were cute and silly and made smile over and over. And, of course, I loved their intimate moments. I would've taken a few more of those and a couple less reconnaissance excursions but, well, that’s just me.

I also loved the visuals and feel given to their progress. Terrain shifting, weather changing. The way that they chart their days by the sun and their progress by map. The interesting spots they’d stop at and find refuge. The importance given to things like tampons and french fries. All those little clues and details made their journey and the life they’re living feel real.

And, of course, my most favorite part: the menagerie of animals they accumulate. Sam, the pup who was actually a wolf cub, who is very loyal and intuitive (and a great provider of food). Shadowfax, the mare, who is always gentle and watchful (and prone to biting if need be). Both of whom are protective of Carly and always seem to know exactly what she needs. They’re both quite the characters and such scene stealers! I want a Sam of my own!

The End of All Things is a gradual and meandering tale, where you actually feel like you are right along with them. Riding a bike next to Carly or camping in a tent snuggled up to Justin. It almost feels like a vacation in your head—albeit one you really wouldn’t want to find yourself on (unless, of course, there were no Infecteds and food wasn’t in short supply). And, even though the ending is left open and unresolved, I can see where Miz Bryan is taking us and I’m eager to keep following!

Favorite Quote:

"See? Nothing to it."
"I see all right," Carly said, her tone full of awe. She gaped at him.
"What?"
"Um..."
"Jesus, Carly, what is it?" He spun around to make sure there wasn't something behind him that would justify her reaction and the look of impressed astonishment on her face.
"You... Maybe the current was a little faster than you thought."
He followed the direction of her gaze and discovered he had lost his boxers. He snickered. She giggled. They both burst into laughter, and Justin flushed a little.

 

-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review.

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[Sandi Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by TEOTWAWKI - The End of the World as We Know It. The Stand, by Stephen King, remains one of my top-ten-forever works of fiction. So, I was all excited when I saw that Lissa Bryan was bringing out a book of this nature.

I was absolutely not disappointed.

We meet Carly at what is the nadir of her life, when she and her "puppy" Sam are hungry in Juneau, Alaska, after a vicious viral disease has wiped out almost everyone. Carly is a determined - I might even say dogged - optimist, though, and she keeps hoping for the return of civilization. Aside from being naïve about how to survive in a post-TEOTWAWKI world, she's smart, sentimental, and compassionate. Not perfect, not by any means, but she's got a capacity to care about people and animals that is beautiful. Justin refers to her as the Pied Piper of the Apocalypse. (And you can bet I highlighted that in my Kindled ARC of this book.)

Justin who? Justin is the hero in this story, and a wonderful hero he is. Former Special Ops (you have to read about it to understand), he is decidedly the best person in the depopulated world to find and support Carly in the vast new world they find together. He's not perfect, either, but his imperfections are utterly understandable and are strengths as the story carries on.

Together, they bring hope to many. And it's lovely.

Not to spoil anything, but really, they're a wonderful couple and I hope to see more of them.

Lissa Bryan's storytelling kept me at this story, wondering about shoes dropping and new horrors and the possibilities of other plots that tickle my imagination. She let us in to the minds of both her protagonists, enough so that we were allowed to understand them without being kept in the dark, and we get a more well-rounded idea of the post-Infection world in which they find themselves. Bryan's prose is descriptive with enough details to inform but not overwhelm, and her characterizations are solid.

I do hope that, here at The End of All Things we see a light to a new beginning. I'll read it when it comes.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House in exchange for an honest review.

[Betti Gefecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

The End of All Things is a deceptive title for this novel, because no matter how much the world around the two protagonists keeps falling apart all throughout the book, it feels like a beginning from almost page one, and in the end you just want more. More of this journey, more of these lovers, Carly and Justin, and especially more of the male lead. Justin has this special (and rare) Jamie Frazier magic about him that makes you want to follow him where ever the story might lead. You just don't want him to leave, i.e. you just don't want the book to end because of him. You want to watch him move and hear him speak, learn his secrets and skills and flaws and all. In other words, you fall in love with him.
So I really hope, there will be more. The book found a good place to end, but I feel there's enough left untold for a sequel... or even a trilogy? Well, a girl can hope...

The storytelling is compelling and carries you through this book in a perfect pace and rhythm. There's always a mild touch of fatalism underlying, and it feels natural and appropriate, given the apocalypse scenario. It would have been easy to drift of into common drama, but thankfully the author never walks that road... the world is what it has become, and Carly and Justin deal with it - and they grow on you the further they get and the more challenges they face. And it is this somewhat dry depiction of the unfathomable, what makes their love and friendship stand out, sharp and bright and incredibly precious, even in the beginning while it still blooms in obscurity.

To me, this book has an air of Stephen King's storytelling about it - that special part of it when King didn't write about fantasy creatures and monsters, but when he laid out the strength, love and compassion of human beings in the face of fear and danger. That was always what he did best and what made him stand out among 'ordinary' horror writers. He could make you love the characters, fear for them, hope for them in the most powerful way. I adore King's work for that, and I found the same power in the way Lissa Brian lets us intimately follow Carly's and Justin's journey.

I will read this book again, because it's just that kind of book. But even more so, it's the kind of book you want to see continued. It certainly has that potential, so I will selfishly keep my fingers crossed...

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

I was going to read this book at the start of the year, but somehow I never managed to. That is, until I drew this book from the TBR bowl, which was very nice since I actually was looking forward to another apocalyptic read.

The story starts with Carly being stuck in her apartment after her parents and the rest of Juneau, Alaska, died from some kind of virus attack. While she's living her simple life of collecting food cans waiting for rescue a mysterious camper shows up opposite her street. They embark on a road trip to Florida. (Yes, from Alaska to Florida, I kid you not).

Well, it wasn't completely what I expected because the story really focusses a lot on the developing romance between the two main characters. The apocalyptic events are all quite tame but overall it was an enjoyable read even though there were some things that bugged me.

First there was a lot of Carly thinking that Justin is far to good for her and being angsty. I could have easily done with out all that. She also gave me some Ayla-vibes from Earth Children series because every living thing is attracted to Carly, some of which are a wolf and a horse. Sounds familiar, huh? Obviously, she's also perfect, despite her angst...

Also, what I never understand from the view of the characters is why Carly and Justin go try and find the origins of their immunity against the virus. The whole time they are only focussed on (eachother and) their survival, but near the end there this 'we must find out where it's coming form' journey that they suddenly embark on.



At first I was just laughing at the enormous amount of talk about contraception, but after she got pregnant it just felt ironic. Not necessarily in a good way though.



The ending however I thought was really good, and I'm looking forward to find out where the story is going from here.

The End of All Things is the first book in the series with the same name, the other books are The Land of The Shadow and Shadows Have Gone. There's also a short story collection called Tales of the End.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Kathie (katmom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

AVAILABLE NOW!!! Maybe you'll love it TOO!

This is a fabulous book! There's adventure, romance, animals, drama, sweetness and a mystery.

Justin...I need one of him for each of my daughters.

Carly, she has a backbone and a way with animals.

It's the end of all things...except for a handful of humans and animals.

How would you deal with that scenario? With grace and skill and hope?

This is how Carly and Justin deal with it and what an adventure it is!

I loved this, truly.

Edited on 3/23/2013 - I got my very own paperback copy in the mail today. And there was squeeing all over the house. Time for me to brag. The words inside are fabulous, the words written by Lissa Bryan. The COVER! That's where the bragging comes in. Lissa spotted a picture that my eldest daughter took while we were on vacation last year. A picture of a tunnel. She came to me and asked if she could use it for her cover. My eldest, Amanda, said SURE. And that picture became the base of the cover for THE END OF ALL THINGS. My second daughter was driving...and my third daughter was IN the van. Yes, they all are grabbing their little bit of fame. Jada D'Lee took that picture (cut out the GPS) and created this gorgeous cover for Lissa.

It's even more beautiful in hand than it is on-line.

Okay, done bragging...but maybe you'll be intrigued enough by the story to read it yourself!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not usually fond of The End of the World As We Know It books, but this book was so much more than a post apocalypse story. It contained adventure, mystery, sadness and a truly sweet romance.

The Hero is an ex soldier that traveled to Alaska for a bike rally and finds himself trapped there when a virulent virus attacks the people and some mammals in the world. Only a few people survive; some are immune like him and the heroine and some people recover, but with severe brain damage.

While traveling through Juneau the hero spots the heroine, a young adult city raised woman, living alone in an apartment complex. She is barely eking out an existence by scavenging food. Hero knows that if he leaves her she will surely die when winter hits because she is obviously lacking in survival skills.

After finally gaining her trust, the Hero, heroine and a menagerie of animals start to travel to warmer climes in hopes of escaping the upcoming northern winter. They scavenge, fight off predators (human) and fall in love.

And yes you do get a HEA when they find a community where they can live with their growing family and friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this books and can easily recommend it to others.

ARC obtained through Netgalley.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is also available on My Fiction Nook.

After a bit of thought, I'm upping my rating to FIVE shiny stars. Yeah, it was that good.

Not only does Lissa Bryan tell a convincing end of the world as we know it story, but also a wonderfully emotional romance.

Meet Carly, 22, living in Juneau, Alaska, on her own, one of the very few survivors of a pandemic that wiped out most of the world's population. There is no electricity, no food, no police, no order, and nobody to help her make it from day to day. Her parents have succumbed to the disease, and Carly is all alone, with only her little puppy, Sam, for company.

It is Sam and his need for food that prompts Carly to make the trip to the nearby grocery store again, to scavenge for dog food and anything else she might still find. If only it weren't for Biker Dude who's been standing outside of her apartment building for the last few days.

Biker Dude turns out to be Justin, 34, a fellow survivor. He, with some a bit of 'tricksy hobbit' attitude, convinces Carly that their best bet for survival is to make the long trip south, through Canada, into the US and eventually to Florida, where the climate is better for farming. Justin is ex-Special Ops, and while he has quite a few survival skills, Carly learns to stand her own along the way.

It can be really tricky to merge a post-apocalyptic plot with a generous dose of romance. As the feelings between Justin and Carly grow, there are a couple of missteps and hurt feelings, but once they give in to the attraction, they both become stronger because of it.

The characterizations were extremely well done. There is growth for both main characters throughout the novel, and it is a credit to the author that the growth never felt forced or artificial. When Carly's skills are challenged, she finds the strength she needs to push through the difficulties, and Justin finds that place he's always longed for.

Hardship is inevitable in the situation they find themselves in, but neither of them ever considers giving up. The dystopian aspects of this novel are both realistic and outright scary. They certainly made me think - could I survive this kind of scenario? How far would I go to ensure the survival of my family? Would I kill, steal, pillage and harden my heart against the plight of others, to keep my own family alive?

The author also inserted a bit of mystery - why did some people survive the pandemic without ever getting sick? What makes them different? There isn't an answer (yet), but I hope the sequel (yes??) will introduce more of that element.

I also enjoyed the supporting cast of characters. Each of them served a purpose, whether to move the plot along, or to make a specific point, or to introduce the elements of the sequel (yes???) that I'm hoping and salivating for.

This novel is well researched, well executed and well-rounded, and I wasn't able to put it down for any length of time. A great book transports you to the world it describes and hooks you from the start - this one definitely fit that description.

Dear Lissa Bryan, please write the sequel!

If you like dystopian/post-apocalyptic kinds of stories with a good dose of romance, this is the book for you. Please give it a shot.

I received a free copy of the ARC directly from the publisher. A positive review was not promised, but in this case well deserved.

[Karla Mae (Reads and Thoughts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s forging ahead despite that fear."

Intriguing - isn’t that what most dystopian books is all about?

I'm not really a huge fan of Dystopian books but a dose of it from time to time makes me feel good. The thing about them is that it brings endless questions to my mind and the anticipation if your hunch is true or not is enough to keep the pages rolling.

The End Of All things offers us the doom of the world from the get go - people are dying because of the sudden infection. Carly and Justin one of the few sane survivors. In a world where things are beginning to deteriorate, finding second chances, hope and love could be a great help.

The world created on this book gripped my curiosity and I easily delved into it. Everything was realistic and very much believable. I really like the fact that the story makes a progress. It didn’t happen in a week or in a month - it takes a long time for the hero and the heroine to get through this whole story. The visuals presented on the book were also believable; from them taking bikes to ride, camping out on the woods, foraging houses for food and creating fire.

Carly started out as a scared naive and sheltered city girl who can't do nothing but stare at the loss of humanity but she did surprise me with her continuous courage and perseverance and the will to surpass the things that are happening around. She's too optimistic and sees good in everything, it’s a good trait but during their time, it’s not handy. Justin: Tough and determined is the best words that would suit him. He's older and is always prepared to do things or go to a fight with what being a military man. I like how he eases his walls and accept the feeling of love he has never shown or given or felt before.

Well developed characters - that's Justin and Carly . Things kicked off with me eagerly curious about them and at around a fourth of reading the story, they already got me and I'm into them and their story 110%.With the simple things they do involving hair ties or eating French fires - watching them survive a tragic event and have blossoming relationship and family is really really beautiful to read. Silly at times yet they really made me smile for a couple of times.

While reading it, I sometimes forgot that Justin and Carly was on the run - a run to get to a safe place where they could live with enough food that is - because the typical things that humans need are still with them. It's only like they’re taking a cross country trip or whatsoever and adventure or sort for my part except for the fact that it’s scarier.

The End Of All Things isn’t just a story about two people falling in love or finding happiness at the wrong time. It was all about survival and having courage and hopes to go through another day and survive it. It was a very interesting story that would surely grip your post-apocalyptic minds.

It was a wonderful read; with very realistic characters and environment and relationship it was wonderful. It left me wanting for more! There's a hint of next book at the end of this and I'll surely pick that one up! :)

*Advanced copy kindly provided for review*
*Blog Tour deets posted at Reads and Thoughts.

[Emily Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

As seen on Ed and Em's Reviews!

Once upon a time, I read a Twilight fanfiction story about a girl, Bella, brought to an alien planet to become the queen of a dying alien race. She goes through trials and hardships, falls in love with an alien king, Edward, and eventually helps save the world. The story was Written in the Stars and the author was Lissa Bryan. I adored that fanfiction piece, still do. Ms. Bryan seems to just breathe compelling story lines because I enjoyed The End of All Things just as much as Written in the Stars.

In the not-so-distant future, everyone who got the Infection either died, or was changed because of the severe affect the illness had on their brains. Carly has only seen one normal, living person since she hid away from the Infection in her apartment. The person, is an ex-soldier named Justin. Justin's presence frightens her at first, but as they get to know each other, they fall in love. Once Justin is able to convince Carly that they need to get out of Alaska, they encounter desperate thieves, dangerous villains, an unwanted pregnancy and make new friends on an epic adventure to find a place in this highly dangerous world where they can live safely and thrive.

I loved the characters! Justin was an absolutely awesome companion for Carly during the apocalypse not only because of his survival skills, but because he is a genuinely good person. You could tell that he really grew to care for Carly as a friend, before he started falling in love with her, and hated when he couldn't help someone they saw as they continued their journey, but he always made decisions that needed to be made. His knowledge on survival actually taught me something, too! It would probably take me longer to die now! Score! Carly was a good main character as well. She's my age, which made it easier to relate to her emotions and actions. I enjoyed reading from both of their perspectives, especially as the tension grew and their relationship developed. I not only rooted for them to survive, but for them to take advantage of the time they had together and realize that they cared for each other beyond just being traveling companions.

This book was good. Really good. Really, really good. I was hooked immediately and finished it in a few hours because I didn't want to put it down. Everything about it sucks you in. The writing style and setting reminded me a lot of the movie, The Mist, which is based off of the novella written by Stephen King. That may sound random, but it really felt like they could be in the same world, ya know… minus the flesh-eating monsters. Reading this from start to finish wasn't hard. In fact, it seemed to fly by and by the end, I wished it had been longer! The End of All Things is addictive and absolutely brilliant. The readers will be so drawn in that they have to continue because they just have to know how it ends.

There is going to be continuation of The End of All Things titled The Beginning. Lissa Bryan says it will be a extension of Carly and Justin's story, but there isn't a release date yet. I definitely will be reading it! This world that the author created has really left an impression on me and I'm not ready to let it go. Plus, I would like to see how the author expands the story and what is next in store for Carly, Justin and their child.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley.

[Jade Kerrion · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lissa Bryan offered me an ARC of her latest novel, The End of All Things, non-apocalyptic fan that I am, I accepted with a bit of trepidation. Who wants all that doom and gloom anyway? Fortunately, The End of All Things is more about hope and second chances, and I very much enjoyed the tale.

After an illness sweeps through the world, wiping out large chunks of its population, Carly finds herself among the few survivors, eking out a meager life in Juneau, Alaska, accompanied by a dog (who is actually a wolf.) Another survivor, Justin, an ex-soldier, finds her and persuades her to travel south with him to warmer climates.

From that simple premise, Lissa Bryan spins a beautifully written story. The author has a talent for writing deep point-of-view and her main characters, Carly and Justin are wonderfully realized with distinct voices. Both are likeable, and they grow and change as the story progresses and as love blossoms between them.

The pace moves quickly for the most part, but takes the time to focus on important conversations and scenes. All in all, I thought it was well-balanced, spiced with enough humor to enliven what is inherently a fairly depressing concept of a worldwide plague that decimates the human race (lots of people die, no cable TV, no high speed internet, no hot water, you get the drift.)

Ms. Bryan definitely hooked me. Toward the end of the novel, after a certain twist that I saw coming but that I hoped wouldn't come, I was mentally railing at Ms. Bryan and calling her a heartless and cruel woman. Few books can get that kind of reaction out of me, so kudos to Ms. Bryan for her skill in storytelling. The good news, the novel does end on a hopeful note, so I forgave Ms. Byran again, and all is well.

The End of All Things is highly recommended for all fans of apocalyptic fiction. It's a well-written book with excellent pace, plot, and best, it has real soul.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I blazed my way through Lissa's first book 'Ghostwriter' and loved it immensely so when I heard she had another book coming out soon, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. ASAP. Being the awful tease that she is Lissa posted the first chapter on her blog so fans could sink their teeth into the story early. Within the first few paragraphs I was hooked. Suffice it to say I was severely upset when I came to the end of the chapter and A) There was nothing more to read and B) The book wasn't being published until January 24th! It seemed way too long to wait. After stumbling on ARC Indie Reviews I got a copy of the rest of the book sent to me (early!) as long as I agreed to write an honest review of the book once I was done reading it. Sign me up!

Now, I detest reviews that pretty much tell you everything that happens in the book. Trust me, if I try to do that I will do you, Lissa, and The End of All Things a huge disservice. I don't want to tell you the story because I want you to read it for yourself and enjoy it as much as I did. However, I will try to sum up my thoughts as best I can without giving anything away.

Carly and Justin are both interesting characters. It was enjoyable to see them both grow and change as they adapted to their circumstances. Carly leaves everything she ever knew behind. The world is not the safe cocoon she once thought it was and she can either move on or die. As the story goes on, she realizes that she is capable of more than she ever thought possible. She also comes to see the hard truth that even though she wants to help everyone she comes across, she has to put herself first. Justin, on the other hand, learns about showing compassion and letting others into his heart. Sometimes you have to make decisions that aren't solely based on logic.

The story was funny, exciting, romantic, adventurous and (at times) heartbreaking. Lissa, once again, manages to weave together a wonderful story.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world has been decimated by a lethal virus. Carly Daniels, one of the few survivors, hides in her apartment in Juneau, AK, trying to survive the best she can with only occasional forays to gather food. With her is Sam, a wolf puppy she found starving on the streets. she seems paralyzed into staying with her current existence, alone, afraid.

One day, she sees a man camping out in front of her apartment building, he offers hand waves and tries to communicate with her, only to have her hide in fear.

Justin, an ex-soldier, convinces Carly to leave her sanctuary and travel with him to Florida, where he is convinced they will be able to survive. As they travel the devastated land, they discover they are not the only survivors and not all survivors are honorable or smart. They face injuries, Mother Nature at her worst, attacks, and a firsthand view of how the world as they knew it was gone.

Along the way, their tenuous relationship blossoms into love and the hope that the world CAN be rebuilt!

In spite of Carly's inability to leave what she knew, she was a very strong and self-reliant woman, as well as a bit of a 'Dr. Doolittle' in the way she found animals that seemed to relate to her on a special level along the way! She had a damaged sweetness about her that was endearing! Justin was a self-reliant, well-trained soldier, able to survive in the harshest of conditions. He also demonstrated a well of patience and compassion with the ability to make the decisions necessary to survive.

Lyssa Bryan has written an amazing story using great talent and imagination!

This edition was given to me by NetGalley and The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House in exchange for an honest review!

[M.B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review and rating to follow Jan 22 as part of Blog tour!

*update* 22 Jan 2013 (also posted on: http://michbookreviews.wordpress.com

4.5 stars

When I started reading this book, I hadn't read the blurb. As I'd read the author's previous book, Ghostwriter, which I'd really enjoyed, I knew I wanted to read it.

I was actually really surprised with how different the storyline was. Most authors tend to stick to a certain type of story and find different ways to express it, but not Lissa Bryan.

In the End is the kind of book I would pick up browsing a book shop. Not quite apocalyptic, but the world as we know it has changed thanks to an unknown infection ravishing the human race.

If that doesn't grab your attention, then this is not the book for you.

As soon as I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Just reading about Carly's life as she tries to stay alive with her puppy Sam (possibly one of my favourite characters). She's scared, but doesn't know where to go. Her home is the only things she knows and is able to control. Then Biker Guy shows up.

What follows is a well structured and well thought out journey, not only to possible safety, but also a journey f discovery as cliché as I make it sound. Especially for Justin (Biker Guy) in accepting that others do actually care about him.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes well written stories with romance cleverly weaved in. I may have loved Ghostwriter, but I think this is my favourite of Lissa Bryan's books thus far. I can't wait for more from her.

[Lisa B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts

When I first started reading this, I wasn’t too sure if I was going to like it. Well, guess what? I ended up loving it. Yes - a sappy, sweet, nice, often upbeat, positive, post apocalyptic love story.

I fell in love with Carly and Justin. I loved how they made each other better people and formed such a committed relationship. I enjoyed the clean story line - there were a few sex scenes, but they were appropriate for the story and not just tossed in.

Most post apocalyptic books I have read recently have left me saying - ok, if this is how it is going to go down, I would not want to be one of the survivors. This book left me saying - ok, maybe there could be hope left after devastation. When I finished this book, I felt good about what I had just read.

I am definitely interested in reading more from this very talented author.

Thanks to The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: January 24, 2013

[Allie Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading a lot of dystopian novels lately. With the world in the state it is in today, it’s easy to see how this society can quickly end up in an “Apocalyptic” type scenario. For me, it’s more realistic than many of the other types of genres I like to read, yet fantasy at the same time.




That being said, it is very hard to pull off a well thought out plot line that is both believable and logical in reality, yet has that aspect of fantasy that keeps the readers guessing at what will happen next. Lissa Bryan’s The End Of All Things has this key aspect and has nailed it down perfectly. More importantly, I can actually picture myself in the same scenario as the characters, which is paramount to making any dystopian novel plausible.




I truly enjoyed this novel. In fact, I couldn’t put it down! Every page left me wanting to find out what happened next. I’ve been a big fan of Lissa’s for a while now, but this story let me see a new side of her imagination that left me wanting more.

[nightlyreadingheather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone whom loves dystopians or books about the end of life as we know it will really enjoy this read! Carly is just trying to mind her own business and trying to stay alive in her apartment with her "dog" which actually turns out to be a wolf! Justin takes up residence across the street on the sidewalk and tries to win Carly's trust. When the two finally learn that they will find no harm in each other, they decide to head to Florida where they can grow their own food and will not have to worry about the cold elements. Throughout their trek, they run into all kinds of different people. Some good and some down right scary. Once I started this book, I had a very hard time putting it down. We are not really left with a cliffhanger, the book seems to wrap itself up nicely, but, I would like to see more of what happens with these characters and would LOVE a sequel!!!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Lissa's debut novel, I was actually counting down the days until her next one would be published. It was worth the wait.

The wonderful thing about Lissa's stories is that you feel as though you are an active participant in the exciting drama that is unfolding.

As far as leading men go, Justin is a perfect man, flaws and all.

I love reading about strong women and was impressed by how Carly evolved in this story. I found myself cheering her on.

Animal lovers will be highly entertained by Carly and Justin's entourage. Although,I must say that Sam's loss is utterly heartbreaking.

I absolutely loved this story with all of it's unexpected twists and turns. It is a beautiful love story about survival that will draw you in and keep you hooked until the last page.

[Andrea (mrsaubergine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Lissa Bryan, and perhaps the most amazing thing about her is that every one of her books is unlike the last. She can switch genres seemingly effortlessly, and here she tackles a post-viral dystopia tale of love and survival.

Carly is grief-stricken and ill-equipped for an Alaskan winter when ex-soldier Justin finds her in Juneau. Together, they take off for warmer climes, along the way gathering a group of animals and finding love. If you've watched The Walking Dead you will realise their reality - some people they meet are still sick, some have turned to crime, and some are simply not prepared enough to survive.

I loved this book, and am so happy to hear there will be more written about Justin and Carly. I highly recommend this one!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited to be able to read Lissa Bryan's latest book. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic America after a horrible illness has wiped out most of the population. The main characters, Justin and Carly, are a young man and woman who are immune to the illness and survived. They are clever and resourceful, and we see their character development as the story progresses.

Although there are no supernatural elements like in Stephen King's "The Stand." Carly has a way of communicating with animals that is sweet and entertaining.

This is a story about love and survival, but there is also a mystery to solve. Which are the clues and which are the red herrings? There is a clever twist at the end.

This is a story that I could not put down and I know I will read it again!