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Matron's Watchmen #2
Run and Hide
They walk the earth, their bite a sentence worse than death. Allow them too close and they will not hesitate to tear you from life and curse you to bear the infection alongside them. The lucky ones do not escape their bite and instead become the meal. The unlucky suffer for eternity.
I cannot allow myself to be bit. I cannot allow myself to be torn from life. No matter how easy it may be to surrender to the pain and horror of this new life, to willingly walk into oblivion, the boys rely on me. To care for them, to keep them safe.
The dead walk the earth aimlessly, driven by a primal need to feed. We—the living—walk the earth just as aimlessly, driven by a desire to survive. To carve out the smallest amount of safety and comfort wherever we can find it.
It is nearly impossible to find anywhere that is not haunted by death and grief and terror. But we keep searching, unwilling to let go of the last sliver of hope clutched so tightly in our hearts. Into the woods we disappear, traveling only in the daylight, where we are certain we can see them coming for us. But one of my boys is sick, and I have no choice but to keep pushing them into the night, searching for food, safety, and something now more coveted than anything else in this world. Medicine.
When we stumble upon the camp to see the three men sleeping by the fire, desperation takes over and I cannot help myself. We try and take from them. We are all thieves now. It’s the only way to survive. We take what we need from anyone weaker than ourselves.
Only my desperation has clouded my judgment. These men are not weak. They are bigger than me, harder than me, quicker to act on their baser instincts.
They catch us. They catch me, and now we have something they need. Something he needs.
Cuffed to his wrist, he will not let me go until he’s dragged me through hell and back again. But I’m not so easily contained. I fight back every mile of our journey, meeting his iron will with my own. Hate and lust battling inside me.
The world around us piles on obstacle after horrific obstacle. Forcing us closer together. By the time we reach our destination my heart is more tightly entwined with his than the metal cuffing our wrists. And when Ren finally releases me, I don’t run from him, I chase after him.
My name is Charlotte.
His name is Ren.
I hated him. He couldn’t stand me. He wanted my body just as strongly as I wanted his. Having allowed the desire coursing through my veins for him to rule my emotions, that hate has steadily rolled out like a tide, a stronger more terrifying emotion rolling through with the power of a tsunami.
He’s dragged me through hell and back again and I’ll be damned if I‘ve gone through it all only to watch him kill himself trying to save me.
Run and Hide is a dystopian romance that ends in a cliffhanger. It can be read on its own but it is HIGHLY recommended that you read the series from the beginning, starting with Defy the Ravaged.
Warning: For Readers 18 years and older. Contains explicit sexual situations, possible triggers, dark themes, language, and violence.
I cannot allow myself to be bit. I cannot allow myself to be torn from life. No matter how easy it may be to surrender to the pain and horror of this new life, to willingly walk into oblivion, the boys rely on me. To care for them, to keep them safe.
The dead walk the earth aimlessly, driven by a primal need to feed. We—the living—walk the earth just as aimlessly, driven by a desire to survive. To carve out the smallest amount of safety and comfort wherever we can find it.
It is nearly impossible to find anywhere that is not haunted by death and grief and terror. But we keep searching, unwilling to let go of the last sliver of hope clutched so tightly in our hearts. Into the woods we disappear, traveling only in the daylight, where we are certain we can see them coming for us. But one of my boys is sick, and I have no choice but to keep pushing them into the night, searching for food, safety, and something now more coveted than anything else in this world. Medicine.
When we stumble upon the camp to see the three men sleeping by the fire, desperation takes over and I cannot help myself. We try and take from them. We are all thieves now. It’s the only way to survive. We take what we need from anyone weaker than ourselves.
Only my desperation has clouded my judgment. These men are not weak. They are bigger than me, harder than me, quicker to act on their baser instincts.
They catch us. They catch me, and now we have something they need. Something he needs.
Cuffed to his wrist, he will not let me go until he’s dragged me through hell and back again. But I’m not so easily contained. I fight back every mile of our journey, meeting his iron will with my own. Hate and lust battling inside me.
The world around us piles on obstacle after horrific obstacle. Forcing us closer together. By the time we reach our destination my heart is more tightly entwined with his than the metal cuffing our wrists. And when Ren finally releases me, I don’t run from him, I chase after him.
My name is Charlotte.
His name is Ren.
I hated him. He couldn’t stand me. He wanted my body just as strongly as I wanted his. Having allowed the desire coursing through my veins for him to rule my emotions, that hate has steadily rolled out like a tide, a stronger more terrifying emotion rolling through with the power of a tsunami.
He’s dragged me through hell and back again and I’ll be damned if I‘ve gone through it all only to watch him kill himself trying to save me.
Run and Hide is a dystopian romance that ends in a cliffhanger. It can be read on its own but it is HIGHLY recommended that you read the series from the beginning, starting with Defy the Ravaged.
Warning: For Readers 18 years and older. Contains explicit sexual situations, possible triggers, dark themes, language, and violence.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2020
97 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Raegan
9 books156 followersErin Raegan is an obsessed reader, a dedicated writer, and a lover of all things fantastically impossible. When she's not plotting her next project, she spends hours on her kindle, though nothing beats a real book in your hands. She writes science fiction romance under Erin Raegan but she also writes fantasy and paranormal romance under her pen name E.M. Raegan. She can be found at home in Connecticut with her chihuahua Minnie, and her German Shepard Odin, waiting with her son for her active duty husband to come home. You can contact her at author.erinraegan@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 4, 2023
So glad we got Ren’s story as he took of on a dangerous mission with two brothers in arms (Monty & Cam) in search of his sister, who he hadn't heard from since the sat phone went flat, going back months, so he'll be traveling in the thick of 'the ravaged' which is what the media calls them.
Along the way they encounter a small band of survivors who they frisk searching for medicine for one of the young ones under Charlie’s care. Thus leading to Ren kidnapping them and using Charlies knowledge to get him closer to where the last safe zone was in hs sisters town.
Ren had big dick energy in this book, took me a wee while to warm up to him.
I think the reason why I've really enjoyed this new to me genre is that it's borderline dark without being too dark, the survival aspect of the storyline, hunting for supplies, dodging not only the zombies but bad men too, there's been so many boxes ticked in this series, the biker gang throughout, the strong heroines, the alpha heroes what's not to love.
The only sad thing is that at the end of this book there was more to come, doing a search and the author hasn't progressed in finishing them up since 2021 :(
So we were mean't to get Cam's story as that kind of left in a cliffy and the author has not finished with this couple. So double sucky!!
October 8, 2021
I have come across Zeds, Biters, Crazies, Ravagers, Zs, Walkers, Undead but zombies referred to as Laylas and Freds caught me off guard😂. Anyways this was short and sweet but not satisfying.
January 6, 2021
3.5 stars
Run and Hide is book 2 in the Matron's Watchmen series and while I enjoyed it I didn't love it as much as I was hoping. Ren is a jerk, he was a jerk in book 1 and made a decision that almost cost him his friendship with Jay but I did like him. Charlie started off great, she's strong and loyal to the boys but her stubbornness became too much and it made her reckless. The excitement from battling the ravaged was there but as a romance it was seriously lacking. I felt absolutely no connection between Ren and Charlie and when they finally got together at the end of the book it was unbelievable to me. I also wish since we didn't get a clear idea of what happened to Cam the least we could of been given was Ren and the group making it back to Jake and Willow. So overall I'm glad I read the book but if I'm being honest it felt incomplete. Now with that said I do plan to continue this series.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
Run and Hide is book 2 in the Matron's Watchmen series and while I enjoyed it I didn't love it as much as I was hoping. Ren is a jerk, he was a jerk in book 1 and made a decision that almost cost him his friendship with Jay but I did like him. Charlie started off great, she's strong and loyal to the boys but her stubbornness became too much and it made her reckless. The excitement from battling the ravaged was there but as a romance it was seriously lacking. I felt absolutely no connection between Ren and Charlie and when they finally got together at the end of the book it was unbelievable to me. I also wish since we didn't get a clear idea of what happened to Cam the least we could of been given was Ren and the group making it back to Jake and Willow. So overall I'm glad I read the book but if I'm being honest it felt incomplete. Now with that said I do plan to continue this series.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
July 30, 2021
Oh boy…
So I loved the first book. This one had some issues. The bathroom scene with Ren and Charlie was cringy. He was creepy, not sexy or strong. There wasn’t a lot redeeming qualities about Ren and by the time I started to see some it was too late. This book felt rushed so much and I really could’ve read more. More of the teen brothers and their travels back to the lake community would have been a better ending. Also…fade to black sex scene after so much build up? I feel cheated lol.
So I loved the first book. This one had some issues. The bathroom scene with Ren and Charlie was cringy. He was creepy, not sexy or strong. There wasn’t a lot redeeming qualities about Ren and by the time I started to see some it was too late. This book felt rushed so much and I really could’ve read more. More of the teen brothers and their travels back to the lake community would have been a better ending. Also…fade to black sex scene after so much build up? I feel cheated lol.
January 24, 2022
Almost Average
Ren's not a likable, believable, or attractive character IMO - certainly not sexy - while the female character, Charlie & the boys would have been much better off without ever meeting up with the guys... regardless of what the authors wrote - show not tell - remember? Anyway - because of that the romance portion was a total dud. Additionally the entire plot & purpose of the trip, increasing chances of danger etc.. had ZERO point or payoff. BUT the action & zombie portion of the book was good - it was the lame men that let this book fizzle.
Ren's not a likable, believable, or attractive character IMO - certainly not sexy - while the female character, Charlie & the boys would have been much better off without ever meeting up with the guys... regardless of what the authors wrote - show not tell - remember? Anyway - because of that the romance portion was a total dud. Additionally the entire plot & purpose of the trip, increasing chances of danger etc.. had ZERO point or payoff. BUT the action & zombie portion of the book was good - it was the lame men that let this book fizzle.
January 3, 2021
Yes! We finally got Ren's book. I FLOVED Defy the Ravage, (Matron's Watchmen) where we initially met Ren. He was the asshole we all hated all the way till the end. He doesnt start off that different in this second book of the series. He's an arrogant stubborn jerk, but we see a side of him that we had not seen before. Charlie is definitely no damsel in distress and she makes it known from the first second they meet. She has iron steel willpower and will do anything to protect those she loves. Ren has one goal- to claim her and make her his. Charlie has one goal- to survive her encounter with the Matron's Watchmen. But little does she know that once she's been claimed by Ren she will be part of something way bigger than herself and her small crew. Charlie is the fiery heroine I didnt know I needed to start off this year with a powerful bang!
January 7, 2021
Another young love crazy ride
September 20, 2024
Devouring 5 books of a series only to see that the next book should have come out 2021 BUT IT DIDN'T COME OUT. screaming crying throwing up
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2024
2.5 stars
December 28, 2021
Rating: 2.75 ⭐
I liked the setting, and I liked the FL. But the ML was trash, and my hatred of him eclipsed the good parts of the story.
August 13, 2021
This is book two of the Matron’s Watchmen series and continues the story of survivors fleeing from the Ravaged, those infected by a virus and turned into zombie like animals, which quickly infect others with their bite. Many large cities have been overrun by the biters and are larger in number than any survivors. One of the main characters in the book is Charlie, who had to escape Washington with three teenage boys she feels responsible for, as news of the danger quickly spread and the horror came ever closer. Charlie is travelling with Ronny, Neil and Danny (13), after their nanny Layla tried to take a bite out of them, followed by Fred the postman. Charlie was renting the family’s guest house and had stepped in to kill Layla and Fred. This is how the foursome now identify the ravaged or biters. They have been on the road, or rather the side roads and wooded areas, ever since. They are short on supplies and when they spot two men asleep in the woods with large rucksacks possibly full of much needed supplies, they decide to try and steal them. They are desperate, as Danny is sick and she knows she needs medicine for him, to keep him alive.
Unfortunately, it turns out there is a third man, with a dog, out on patrol in the woods and they get caught, but their main target is Charlie and her too tight clothing making her extremely attractive to the two younger men who have been without a woman’s touch for quite some time! They are travelling from their safe haven, where the rest of their Matron’s Watchmen biker family, led by Jay and Willow from the first book in the series, in search of Ren’s sister, who is possibly at a secret bunker in Washington. Charlie tells them there is nothing left there and the four leave, only to be followed by the men, wanting her knowledge of the city and where this secret location may be. When they catch back up to the foursome, Charlie ends up handcuffed to Ren, who makes it plain he wants her for her body, whilst the older man Monty isn’t too happy with them taking along three young teens as well as kidnapping Charlie for their own means. Fellow biker Cam is also interested in her, but Ren calls rank on him. The three teen boys are forced into the truck that Monty drives, whilst Ren takes Charlie with him, as he and Cam are on their bikes.
Charlie makes it very plain how much she hates Ren for what he is doing and tries to make life difficult for him and his friends. There is a fine line between hate and lust between the two, and the continued danger they all face on their journey to Washington. They try to survive and also get some antibiotics for Danny, but against huge numbers of ravaged. Ren doesn’t often think before he acts, in his rush to find his sister, placing all of them in severe danger. But she is also someone he won’t allow to die, even being willing to get himself killed trying to keep her alive and safe. He has dragged her right back to where she began her journey and she isn’t keen to see him die in a hopeless situation, against huge numbers of ravaged. Theirs is a relationship that soon heats up, as much as their personalities clash between hate, need and desire, but also becomes very protective of each other. A point of no return will be made and Ren must decide whether to continue to try and save his sister, location unknown, or to concern himself with the person in front of him, who is worth living for. Ren starts off as a very unlikeable character at the beginning, but begins to grow on Charlie and the boys as well as the reader, as the story goes on. I presume there will be another book in the series, for their journey back to the lakeside haven, in which case, I look forward to reading it. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Unfortunately, it turns out there is a third man, with a dog, out on patrol in the woods and they get caught, but their main target is Charlie and her too tight clothing making her extremely attractive to the two younger men who have been without a woman’s touch for quite some time! They are travelling from their safe haven, where the rest of their Matron’s Watchmen biker family, led by Jay and Willow from the first book in the series, in search of Ren’s sister, who is possibly at a secret bunker in Washington. Charlie tells them there is nothing left there and the four leave, only to be followed by the men, wanting her knowledge of the city and where this secret location may be. When they catch back up to the foursome, Charlie ends up handcuffed to Ren, who makes it plain he wants her for her body, whilst the older man Monty isn’t too happy with them taking along three young teens as well as kidnapping Charlie for their own means. Fellow biker Cam is also interested in her, but Ren calls rank on him. The three teen boys are forced into the truck that Monty drives, whilst Ren takes Charlie with him, as he and Cam are on their bikes.
Charlie makes it very plain how much she hates Ren for what he is doing and tries to make life difficult for him and his friends. There is a fine line between hate and lust between the two, and the continued danger they all face on their journey to Washington. They try to survive and also get some antibiotics for Danny, but against huge numbers of ravaged. Ren doesn’t often think before he acts, in his rush to find his sister, placing all of them in severe danger. But she is also someone he won’t allow to die, even being willing to get himself killed trying to keep her alive and safe. He has dragged her right back to where she began her journey and she isn’t keen to see him die in a hopeless situation, against huge numbers of ravaged. Theirs is a relationship that soon heats up, as much as their personalities clash between hate, need and desire, but also becomes very protective of each other. A point of no return will be made and Ren must decide whether to continue to try and save his sister, location unknown, or to concern himself with the person in front of him, who is worth living for. Ren starts off as a very unlikeable character at the beginning, but begins to grow on Charlie and the boys as well as the reader, as the story goes on. I presume there will be another book in the series, for their journey back to the lakeside haven, in which case, I look forward to reading it. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Want to read
November 2, 2020There's no summary on GoodReads but there is on Amazon, and it sounds amazing! I can't wait for December 1st! (The release date according to Amazon)
Amazon Summary:
They walk the earth, their bite a sentence worse than death. Allow them too close and they will not hesitate to tear you from life and curse you to bear the infection alongside them. The lucky ones do not escape their bite and instead become the meal. The unlucky suffer for eternity.
I cannot allow myself to be bit. I cannot allow myself to be torn from life. No matter how easy it may be to surrender to the pain and horror of this new life, to willingly walk into oblivion, the boys rely on me. To care for them, to keep them safe.
The dead walk the earth aimlessly, driven by a primal need to feed. We—the living—walk the earth just as aimlessly, driven by a desire to survive. To carve out the smallest amount of safety and comfort wherever we can find it.
It is nearly impossible to find anywhere that is not haunted by death and grief and terror. But we keep searching, unwilling to let go of the last sliver of hope clutched so tightly in our hearts. Into the woods we disappear, traveling only in the daylight, where we are certain we can see them coming for us. But one of my boys is sick, and I have no choice but to keep pushing them into the night, searching for food, safety, and something now more coveted than anything else in this world. Medicine.
When we stumble upon the camp to see the three men sleeping by the fire, desperation takes over and I cannot help myself. We try and take from them. We are all thieves now. It’s the only way to survive. We take what we need from anyone weaker than ourselves.
Only my desperation has clouded my judgment. These men are not weak. They are bigger than me, harder than me, quicker to act on their baser instincts.
They catch us. They catch me, and now we have something they need. Something he needs.
Cuffed to his wrist, he will not let me go until he’s dragged me through hell and back again. But I’m not so easily contained. I fight back every mile of our journey, meeting his iron will with my own. Hate and lust battling inside me.
The world around us piles on obstacle after horrific obstacle. Forcing us closer together. By the time we reach our destination my heart is more tightly entwined with his than the metal cuffing our wrists. And when Ren finally releases me, I don’t run from him, I chase after him.
My name is Charlotte.
His name is Ren.
I hated him. He couldn’t stand me. He wanted my body just as strongly as I wanted his. Having allowed the desire coursing through my veins for him to rule my emotions, that hate has steadily rolled out like a tide, a stronger more terrifying emotion rolling through with the power of a tsunami.
He’s dragged me through hell and back again and I’ll be damned if I‘ve gone through it all only to watch him kill himself trying to save me.
Run and Hide is a dystopian romance that can be read as a standalone but it is recommended that you read the series from the beginning.
Amazon Summary:
They walk the earth, their bite a sentence worse than death. Allow them too close and they will not hesitate to tear you from life and curse you to bear the infection alongside them. The lucky ones do not escape their bite and instead become the meal. The unlucky suffer for eternity.
I cannot allow myself to be bit. I cannot allow myself to be torn from life. No matter how easy it may be to surrender to the pain and horror of this new life, to willingly walk into oblivion, the boys rely on me. To care for them, to keep them safe.
The dead walk the earth aimlessly, driven by a primal need to feed. We—the living—walk the earth just as aimlessly, driven by a desire to survive. To carve out the smallest amount of safety and comfort wherever we can find it.
It is nearly impossible to find anywhere that is not haunted by death and grief and terror. But we keep searching, unwilling to let go of the last sliver of hope clutched so tightly in our hearts. Into the woods we disappear, traveling only in the daylight, where we are certain we can see them coming for us. But one of my boys is sick, and I have no choice but to keep pushing them into the night, searching for food, safety, and something now more coveted than anything else in this world. Medicine.
When we stumble upon the camp to see the three men sleeping by the fire, desperation takes over and I cannot help myself. We try and take from them. We are all thieves now. It’s the only way to survive. We take what we need from anyone weaker than ourselves.
Only my desperation has clouded my judgment. These men are not weak. They are bigger than me, harder than me, quicker to act on their baser instincts.
They catch us. They catch me, and now we have something they need. Something he needs.
Cuffed to his wrist, he will not let me go until he’s dragged me through hell and back again. But I’m not so easily contained. I fight back every mile of our journey, meeting his iron will with my own. Hate and lust battling inside me.
The world around us piles on obstacle after horrific obstacle. Forcing us closer together. By the time we reach our destination my heart is more tightly entwined with his than the metal cuffing our wrists. And when Ren finally releases me, I don’t run from him, I chase after him.
My name is Charlotte.
His name is Ren.
I hated him. He couldn’t stand me. He wanted my body just as strongly as I wanted his. Having allowed the desire coursing through my veins for him to rule my emotions, that hate has steadily rolled out like a tide, a stronger more terrifying emotion rolling through with the power of a tsunami.
He’s dragged me through hell and back again and I’ll be damned if I‘ve gone through it all only to watch him kill himself trying to save me.
Run and Hide is a dystopian romance that can be read as a standalone but it is recommended that you read the series from the beginning.
April 29, 2025
At 58% of the book done and I'm really struggling here with Ren. He's such a fucken asshole that I just simply cannot enjoy the book. And what is worse is that you obviously know Charlie is going to end up with him, or at least fuck him once which is honestly stupid as fuck. He treats her like garbage, gropes her whenever he fucken pleases, literally kicks her or near her head when they are being attacked, threatens her and the kids, uses her as bait because she's got tits and an ass, got her shot and... AND he was smug about her being trapped with him now that she was injured. As if Daniel being sick wasn't enough... yeah, no. Sorry but if Charlie does end up with him the only reasoning behind it would she has brain damage from all the fighting for their lives they are doing because it literally makes no sense unless she has Stockholm syndrome.
I didn't mind Ren too much until the last two books of the previous series (or I guess about the last 3rd of the compilation of the four books), but this one is really making me hate him in so many more ways. I honestly wish Monty was younger because he's a good guy at least and deserves someone. I also hated the fact that Ren always referred to her as Doll Face or Baby. Never using her name but we are expected to believe he cares about her? No. He cares about what's between her legs and getting a piece of that.
While the book is decent the amount of spelling mistakes or wrong words being used was enough to feel that the author clearly just spat out this book and didn't bother to proof read it later. I think I even caught the wrong name being used at one point as well.
In the end I did end up enjoying the book more than I thought because despite how much of an absolute ass Ren was, he got better... a little bit. I felt bad that he couldn't find his sister, and I wish the whole book had a happier ending in general - Especially since Cam is now off with some chick and a bunch of masked kids and there doesn't seem to be any news on his book ever coming out (was originally stated for 2021). I guess I wanted more? I wanted to see them develop more as characters and in a relationship... at the very least know they ended up back at the lake with the others. I mean it definitely left me wanting more and I'm sad that it's over.
I didn't mind Ren too much until the last two books of the previous series (or I guess about the last 3rd of the compilation of the four books), but this one is really making me hate him in so many more ways. I honestly wish Monty was younger because he's a good guy at least and deserves someone. I also hated the fact that Ren always referred to her as Doll Face or Baby. Never using her name but we are expected to believe he cares about her? No. He cares about what's between her legs and getting a piece of that.
While the book is decent the amount of spelling mistakes or wrong words being used was enough to feel that the author clearly just spat out this book and didn't bother to proof read it later. I think I even caught the wrong name being used at one point as well.
In the end I did end up enjoying the book more than I thought because despite how much of an absolute ass Ren was, he got better... a little bit. I felt bad that he couldn't find his sister, and I wish the whole book had a happier ending in general - Especially since Cam is now off with some chick and a bunch of masked kids and there doesn't seem to be any news on his book ever coming out (was originally stated for 2021). I guess I wanted more? I wanted to see them develop more as characters and in a relationship... at the very least know they ended up back at the lake with the others. I mean it definitely left me wanting more and I'm sad that it's over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2021
The writing and editing of the ARC version of the manuscript was clean, with only a few typos that I found and well constructed sentences. The world building was vivid, with the devastated scenes of civilization coming to vibrant life. The characterization was great, with both hero and heroine being sympathetic individuals with strengths and weaknesses. The development of the romantic relationship was okay, but I did not really feel like this relationship reached a satisfying stage by the end of the novel. The hero had not told the heroine he loved her by the end, and it did not feel like the heroine was fully committed to the hero. By the end, I felt like the hero and heroine were quite attracted to each other, but I did not really feel like they were deeply in love and committed to each other. The heat level was three chili peppers. The plot was exciting and the pacing was quick, meaning that I read this novel in one sitting. There was a medium amount of well justified angst and high stakes, which tends to be one of my preferred narrative structures for a romance novel. This novel used the Kidnapping trope, the Enemies to Lovers trope, and the Insta-love trope, where the hero wanted the heroine at first sight. The world building was five stars. The plot and pacing were both four stars. The characterization was four stars, and the development of the romantic relationship was three stars. This novel ended really abruptly, on a bit of a cliffhanger instead of a Happy Ever After ending, so that was a big drawback to this novel. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy well written, exciting zombie apocalypse romances with vibrant world building. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, though the cliffhanger ending almost made me lose interest in continuing the series. I will probably not buy myself a keeper copy of this novel because of the development of the romantic relationship and the ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 25, 2022
Erin Raegan is one of my go to authors for romance and my discovery of her was actually with this book’s predecessor. This book however was not it for me and miles away from the beautiful, dramatic and suspenseful romance The Ravaged series gave.
I wasn’t a big fan of Ren in the first series, mainly due to how he treated Willow. While Jay made up for his treatment towards her with action, Ren never did, so I was super annoyed with his cold behavior and lack of acknowledgment of it. With this book I was kind of hoping for some sort of redemption of his character and maybe even to understand him better considering we would be following him now, but that hope died real quick with his less than ideal behavior towards Charlie. I guess he was supposed to come of as a bit rough around the edges and as a badass hottie but to me he came across as a total creep and assaulter. He came off way too strongly towards Charlie to an actual sexual assault degree. The book however tried to convince me that that was romantic because Charlie secretly wanted it despite fighting him off. Books doing romance this way (sadly not that uncommon) just sits wrong with me.
Ren did however have a bit of a redemption with actually acknowledging that he did come off too strongly, albeit having some weird reasoning that it was obvious to everyone that he would not actually force himself on Charlie. As the reader, sure, I knew he wouldn’t based on the style of the writing and genre, but that wouldn’t have been obvious between characters-wise. Ren was a stranger who manhandled and tried to get it on with Charlie. She would not think his intentions were obvious even though the story made it seem like she did. However, moving on, Ren did back of a bit, though he still acted as a total douche to her behavior-wise, which is were the main issue is for me for the rest of the story. I couldn’t find anything in him that would suggest Charlie had something to fall in love with and yet, somehow she did. Even more annoying was the fact that he, just like in the Ravaged, never apologized for his doucheness. There were hints of guilt, sure, but nothing to make me believe he truly regretted what he did and that made the ending of the story so strange for me. It went from 0 to 100 real quick where Charlie was cold and distant (rightfully so) yet attracted to him one second and the next they were over the whole plot point that had lead the entire story and was now pretty much planning a life together.
I was honestly kind of surprised that Ren and Charlie’s story ended with only one book considering that the story built up for a whole thing with Seattle and the sister, the lake (which Charlie suddenly knew about without any of the guys ever telling her). I may be wrong about this but it seems like the author started writing this with the plan for more books to follow but then either got bored with it or felt that the story wasn’t landing the way she wanted and on a whim just ended it with the rushed and out of the blue ending we got. It definitely hurt the story as a whole since the whole reason for Ren leaving the lake and the kidnapping and travel all seemed pretty pointless at that point.
Even though I did not at all like Ren’s behavior I did like the drama that ensued so I give it three stars in total. Overall the characterization was problematic, the story plain and the ending rushed and left things unfinished
I wasn’t a big fan of Ren in the first series, mainly due to how he treated Willow. While Jay made up for his treatment towards her with action, Ren never did, so I was super annoyed with his cold behavior and lack of acknowledgment of it. With this book I was kind of hoping for some sort of redemption of his character and maybe even to understand him better considering we would be following him now, but that hope died real quick with his less than ideal behavior towards Charlie. I guess he was supposed to come of as a bit rough around the edges and as a badass hottie but to me he came across as a total creep and assaulter. He came off way too strongly towards Charlie to an actual sexual assault degree. The book however tried to convince me that that was romantic because Charlie secretly wanted it despite fighting him off. Books doing romance this way (sadly not that uncommon) just sits wrong with me.
Ren did however have a bit of a redemption with actually acknowledging that he did come off too strongly, albeit having some weird reasoning that it was obvious to everyone that he would not actually force himself on Charlie. As the reader, sure, I knew he wouldn’t based on the style of the writing and genre, but that wouldn’t have been obvious between characters-wise. Ren was a stranger who manhandled and tried to get it on with Charlie. She would not think his intentions were obvious even though the story made it seem like she did. However, moving on, Ren did back of a bit, though he still acted as a total douche to her behavior-wise, which is were the main issue is for me for the rest of the story. I couldn’t find anything in him that would suggest Charlie had something to fall in love with and yet, somehow she did. Even more annoying was the fact that he, just like in the Ravaged, never apologized for his doucheness. There were hints of guilt, sure, but nothing to make me believe he truly regretted what he did and that made the ending of the story so strange for me. It went from 0 to 100 real quick where Charlie was cold and distant (rightfully so) yet attracted to him one second and the next they were over the whole plot point that had lead the entire story and was now pretty much planning a life together.
I was honestly kind of surprised that Ren and Charlie’s story ended with only one book considering that the story built up for a whole thing with Seattle and the sister, the lake (which Charlie suddenly knew about without any of the guys ever telling her). I may be wrong about this but it seems like the author started writing this with the plan for more books to follow but then either got bored with it or felt that the story wasn’t landing the way she wanted and on a whim just ended it with the rushed and out of the blue ending we got. It definitely hurt the story as a whole since the whole reason for Ren leaving the lake and the kidnapping and travel all seemed pretty pointless at that point.
Even though I did not at all like Ren’s behavior I did like the drama that ensued so I give it three stars in total. Overall the characterization was problematic, the story plain and the ending rushed and left things unfinished
December 31, 2020
I want more of E.M. Raegan's Matron's Watchman series, and with Cam being focus of the next book I'm so excited to continue to read more about this rough crew of motorcycle club men. I loved this addition to the series. This series began with Defy the Ravaged (Jay and Willow) where we were first introduced to Ren, Jay's best friend. Ren caught my attention because his brief appearance seemed so alpha and loner type outside the brotherhood.
This book focused on Ren's journey to hunt down his sister. I have to say Charlie was awesome, she is so tough, loyal and yet vulnerable. Her and Ren's banter was HOT. I wished we were able to get more (of course) of their journey back to the crew at the Lake. I feel like there was a lot put in this fairly short book and there is so much more to explore. We get to see them hook up toward the end of the book, and I want to read more about Ren, Charlie, her boys (her neighbors kids she banded together with to survive) and see what is happening with Jay, Willow and the rest of the crew.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book focused on Ren's journey to hunt down his sister. I have to say Charlie was awesome, she is so tough, loyal and yet vulnerable. Her and Ren's banter was HOT. I wished we were able to get more (of course) of their journey back to the crew at the Lake. I feel like there was a lot put in this fairly short book and there is so much more to explore. We get to see them hook up toward the end of the book, and I want to read more about Ren, Charlie, her boys (her neighbors kids she banded together with to survive) and see what is happening with Jay, Willow and the rest of the crew.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 27, 2025
3⭐️
Estuvo muy bueno, me gusto que haya historia de Ren y siento que tiene el mismo ritmo que Willow que es el primer libro de Defy the Ravaged. Todo parece una peli y hay acción absolutamente todo el tiempo, eso me encanto la escena del hospital god!!! lit parece que estas viendo una serie en tu cabeza!
Charlie me encanto! y los chicos también siento que sin buenos personajes agregados, lastima que no hay proximo libro la verdad me hizo mierda saber eso podria seguir leyendo miles de libros de todos en esta serie! quiero saber que pasa con Cam y quiero saber como vuelven al lake Ren y Charlie y que paso mientras no estaban, como esta Jay y Low quiero saber muchas cosas que jamas tendrán respuesta!
Pero bueno necesitaba apocalipsis y tuve una BUENA dosis de apocalipsis con estos libros! ahora solo puedo pensar en que necesito conocer a alguien que pertenezca a un mc para sobrevivir un apocalipsis lol
Estuvo muy bueno, me gusto que haya historia de Ren y siento que tiene el mismo ritmo que Willow que es el primer libro de Defy the Ravaged. Todo parece una peli y hay acción absolutamente todo el tiempo, eso me encanto la escena del hospital god!!! lit parece que estas viendo una serie en tu cabeza!
Charlie me encanto! y los chicos también siento que sin buenos personajes agregados, lastima que no hay proximo libro la verdad me hizo mierda saber eso podria seguir leyendo miles de libros de todos en esta serie! quiero saber que pasa con Cam y quiero saber como vuelven al lake Ren y Charlie y que paso mientras no estaban, como esta Jay y Low quiero saber muchas cosas que jamas tendrán respuesta!
Pero bueno necesitaba apocalipsis y tuve una BUENA dosis de apocalipsis con estos libros! ahora solo puedo pensar en que necesito conocer a alguien que pertenezca a un mc para sobrevivir un apocalipsis lol
May 31, 2023
excellent
I loved this story!! I also feel like there is so much left undone with it. Ren and Charlie barely have time together in this installment of the series. Really liked Charlie’s group. She’s teamed up with the kids she used to care for- still does- it’s just not a job anymore, it’s a clan. Appreciate the authors imagination in the creation of this series. Love that Monty is back. And his dog Bozo. Joy.
Cam and Ren are on a mission of foolishness. Just so foolhardy. The risks. The extreme impossibility of success. Yikes. They are tough men. However this mission is doomed.
Really need the author to continue the series.
I loved this story!! I also feel like there is so much left undone with it. Ren and Charlie barely have time together in this installment of the series. Really liked Charlie’s group. She’s teamed up with the kids she used to care for- still does- it’s just not a job anymore, it’s a clan. Appreciate the authors imagination in the creation of this series. Love that Monty is back. And his dog Bozo. Joy.
Cam and Ren are on a mission of foolishness. Just so foolhardy. The risks. The extreme impossibility of success. Yikes. They are tough men. However this mission is doomed.
Really need the author to continue the series.
dnf
June 19, 2025I kind of feel sorry for not finishing this but I was 38% in and bored out of my mind.
Did not like the characters this time around and they weren’t written in a way I felt really comfortable with. The lust with no essence paired with the rest of the plot was very dry and still kind of out of nowhere, it just gave me whiplash while I was already getting disinterested.
Everything just added up and I didn’t pick it up again. DNF’ed a while ago but just updated this now.
Won’t be rating this though, and I did like the Willow Series.
That one had issues as well but I didn’t mind too much. This just somehow was.
Did not like the characters this time around and they weren’t written in a way I felt really comfortable with. The lust with no essence paired with the rest of the plot was very dry and still kind of out of nowhere, it just gave me whiplash while I was already getting disinterested.
Everything just added up and I didn’t pick it up again. DNF’ed a while ago but just updated this now.
Won’t be rating this though, and I did like the Willow Series.
That one had issues as well but I didn’t mind too much. This just somehow was.
May 5, 2021
I enjoyed the romance between Charlie and Ren but I will say the ending left me wanting more. Do they make it back? I would've liked to see more of them as a couple, they literally verbally get together in the epilogue...
She already mentioned Cams book is next and she's not done with Charlie and Ren but with the series unfinished it kind of leaves me in a funk.
Still overall i liked the action, Charlie was badass and didn't mind getting dirty/killing some zombies instead of being a helpless h (no offense Willow)
She already mentioned Cams book is next and she's not done with Charlie and Ren but with the series unfinished it kind of leaves me in a funk.
Still overall i liked the action, Charlie was badass and didn't mind getting dirty/killing some zombies instead of being a helpless h (no offense Willow)
July 25, 2021
1pov SX3 EL2.5 HL2 OA HFN
This book is told in 1st person by the H and h. The rating scale is 1-5, 5 being the highest. SX=Steam EL=Emotion Level HL=Humor Level OA=H and h are older than 21. Although this is in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
The tropes and elements of the story are listed below. May be considered Spoilers.
KidnappedByVillain
ZombieApocalypse
Dystopian
MotorcycleClub Light
SlowBurn
This book is told in 1st person by the H and h. The rating scale is 1-5, 5 being the highest. SX=Steam EL=Emotion Level HL=Humor Level OA=H and h are older than 21. Although this is in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
The tropes and elements of the story are listed below. May be considered Spoilers.
KidnappedByVillain
ZombieApocalypse
Dystopian
MotorcycleClub Light
SlowBurn
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2024
I despise cliffhangers but I get them🙄
This series is a gigantic MF cliffy and it appears the ending will never happen. Per the authors FB page she is taking a break and might never get back to this.
Such a shame as this was a pretty enjoyable series. This book being better than the first. Hope all is well with her though.
I need closure and this is why I generally don’t read unfinished series with cliffhangers.
This series is a gigantic MF cliffy and it appears the ending will never happen. Per the authors FB page she is taking a break and might never get back to this.
Such a shame as this was a pretty enjoyable series. This book being better than the first. Hope all is well with her though.
I need closure and this is why I generally don’t read unfinished series with cliffhangers.
January 1, 2021
Come on Hollywood option these books for the screen!
Great follow up book to Defy the Ravaged! Another heart stopping thrill ride through a zombie ravaged world continues. Got to love a zombie saga with a little hot romance thrown in.
Love this series and can’t wait for the next book, Cam’s story!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great follow up book to Defy the Ravaged! Another heart stopping thrill ride through a zombie ravaged world continues. Got to love a zombie saga with a little hot romance thrown in.
Love this series and can’t wait for the next book, Cam’s story!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2021
This is the 2nd book I've read written by E.M. Raegan; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
February 7, 2021
Oh Ren and Charlie
Ok so Ren was not my favorite person in Jay and Willows stories. But man what a roller coaster for him and Charlie. I loved this book so much. No easy love story for this one.. which let's be honest he kinda deserves to have to work at getting his lady.. Charlie was perfect kick ass with an attitude to match. ERIN your a brilliant writer.
Ok so Ren was not my favorite person in Jay and Willows stories. But man what a roller coaster for him and Charlie. I loved this book so much. No easy love story for this one.. which let's be honest he kinda deserves to have to work at getting his lady.. Charlie was perfect kick ass with an attitude to match. ERIN your a brilliant writer.
May 22, 2021
Very well written and realistic!
I am enjoying this series. I’ve almost peed myself it so suspenseful! I love the romance and it is all very believable. Great for Saturday cleaning breaks. I was my dishes.... jump into zombie world till I want to scream. Sweep and mop my floor....l fight off some biters.....
I am enjoying this series. I’ve almost peed myself it so suspenseful! I love the romance and it is all very believable. Great for Saturday cleaning breaks. I was my dishes.... jump into zombie world till I want to scream. Sweep and mop my floor....l fight off some biters.....
October 4, 2021
I want to be her when I grow up….
Let me just say, Charlie is one kick ass woman! Ren is slightly obnoxious, cam is annoying, and as always, I love Monty!
The kids were amazing all on their own, and I hope they get a little bit of a story at some point.
Book 2 is as amazing as book 1!
Let me just say, Charlie is one kick ass woman! Ren is slightly obnoxious, cam is annoying, and as always, I love Monty!
The kids were amazing all on their own, and I hope they get a little bit of a story at some point.
Book 2 is as amazing as book 1!
November 8, 2021
I just finished the first two books in this series and I tore through them. I have never read this author before but I am glad I stumbled across her as it is so hard to find good post apocalypse romance books and this series definitely hits the mark. Now, when is Cam’s story coming out? I need to get my hands on it soon.
November 14, 2024
Probably 2.5 stars
This was almost unnecessary. There wasn't really any build or reason for the romance and it didn't further the plot to the series. I didn't end up caring for either character at the end. I know Cam's book was supposed to be next, but I don't really care about him either. I don't think that there will be anymore to this series because Cam's book was supposed to be released in 2021.
This one just didn't live up to the first in the series.
This was almost unnecessary. There wasn't really any build or reason for the romance and it didn't further the plot to the series. I didn't end up caring for either character at the end. I know Cam's book was supposed to be next, but I don't really care about him either. I don't think that there will be anymore to this series because Cam's book was supposed to be released in 2021.
This one just didn't live up to the first in the series.
January 6, 2021
This book was quite a trip! I couldn’t put it down! Compelling plot and characters that keep the reader coming back for more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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