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The Sunburst Trilogy #1
Burst of Fate
Living far from the city, Avery worried only about her garden and farmer’s markets. She never expected love to appear on her doorstep. But after rescuing the tall red-headed stranger from a horrible crash, they both discover the world is much darker than they originally thought. Will Avery and Morgan find hope in this new, powerless world?
*Please note this portrays dark portions of humanity
- for a complete list of potential triggers, please visit the author's Instagram
*Please note this portrays dark portions of humanity
- for a complete list of potential triggers, please visit the author's Instagram
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2022
77 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 5, 2022
*3.35* Rounded way up because these are my favorite kinds of stories and I see huge potential for future books in this series! Post-apocalyptic, EMP, end-of-the-world story. I believe this is the author's first book.
The story begins with Avery (24) and her sister Carly (21) living in a farmhouse out in the country. Their parents died four years earlier and they've since learned to take care of each other and the farm. Carly is on her way to Seattle to attend college, and Avery is left at home feeling a bit like an empty nester.
Morgan (28) and his sister Maddy (16) are on their way to pick up a goat for her 4-H project when his truck suddenly loses all power and careens off the road. Avery hears the crash and rushes to help.
Story features:
Duo pov
Realistic farming and gardening techniques
Sweet family relationships
Decent world building
Insta-lust
Generous level of descriptive steam
End with hfn and slight cliffhanger for next in the series
There will be slight spoilers going forward so avoid reading further if you want to go in blind.
*
*
*
The overall set up of the story was done very well. The characters felt realistic, and the situations read as genuine. It was the insta-lust that felt out of place.
From the moment Avery is pulling Morgan out of his truck, wrapping his sister's leg with her shirt, he's internally lusting after her. And Avery isn't much better. Alternating with worrying about her sister who is stuck in Seattle, but also finding Morgan incredibly attractive and hard to resist.
On day three they're having sex. Besides the sex scene feeling incredibly out of place so soon in the story, I would think that having a severely broken arm (mended with nothing but a brace and an ace bandage), would make having vigorous sex a bit awkward and painful.
I really wanted this couple to get to know each other. Had this relationship started a month or two later, allowing their attraction to bloom while learning to survive together, would have felt far more authentic. I was honestly surprised how much sex was in this story, usually that's not a big complaint of mine, but for some reason it disrupted the overall flow of the story. There was quantity, but not quality. Where was that deeper emotional connection and intimacy? Why are they even together? Because he finds her hot and she finds him sexy? They are both in their 20s and single?
I found the drama that happens near the ending absolutely horrific and over-the-top unnecessary. The foreshadowing was all there, but I really hoped the author would go in a different direction.
Overall, I found the characters and main plot very entertaining, but wished the love story had been given time to simmer.
The story begins with Avery (24) and her sister Carly (21) living in a farmhouse out in the country. Their parents died four years earlier and they've since learned to take care of each other and the farm. Carly is on her way to Seattle to attend college, and Avery is left at home feeling a bit like an empty nester.
Morgan (28) and his sister Maddy (16) are on their way to pick up a goat for her 4-H project when his truck suddenly loses all power and careens off the road. Avery hears the crash and rushes to help.
Story features:
Duo pov
Realistic farming and gardening techniques
Sweet family relationships
Decent world building
Insta-lust
Generous level of descriptive steam
End with hfn and slight cliffhanger for next in the series
There will be slight spoilers going forward so avoid reading further if you want to go in blind.
*
*
*
The overall set up of the story was done very well. The characters felt realistic, and the situations read as genuine. It was the insta-lust that felt out of place.
From the moment Avery is pulling Morgan out of his truck, wrapping his sister's leg with her shirt, he's internally lusting after her. And Avery isn't much better. Alternating with worrying about her sister who is stuck in Seattle, but also finding Morgan incredibly attractive and hard to resist.
On day three they're having sex. Besides the sex scene feeling incredibly out of place so soon in the story, I would think that having a severely broken arm (mended with nothing but a brace and an ace bandage), would make having vigorous sex a bit awkward and painful.
I really wanted this couple to get to know each other. Had this relationship started a month or two later, allowing their attraction to bloom while learning to survive together, would have felt far more authentic. I was honestly surprised how much sex was in this story, usually that's not a big complaint of mine, but for some reason it disrupted the overall flow of the story. There was quantity, but not quality. Where was that deeper emotional connection and intimacy? Why are they even together? Because he finds her hot and she finds him sexy? They are both in their 20s and single?
I found the drama that happens near the ending absolutely horrific and over-the-top unnecessary. The foreshadowing was all there, but I really hoped the author would go in a different direction.
Overall, I found the characters and main plot very entertaining, but wished the love story had been given time to simmer.
December 6, 2022
I loved this book. I thought the author did a great job of balancing survival and romance. The love story was so great. I loved Morgan and Avery together. They balanced each other. The last 10% of the book was wild. I liked the small cast of characters, it allowed the story to focus on building the main relationships in the story. I cannot wait for next book! End on a slight cliffhanger, but nothing that takes away from the happy ending for now.
June 2, 2024
💥Post apocalyptic world ✔️Love against all odds ✔️Death ✔️ Despair ✔️ and Chaos ✔️ (I mean it is Ma. 😉)
“Love has existed long before electricity. It’s what got all of us to where we are.”
💥Everything was normal, fine and then all of a sudden it wasn’t. No cell service, no electricity, all vehicles disabled all in an instant, in a burst. The world would never be the same.
🥕Avery, an independent and self sufficient gardener is still reeling from the loss of her parents and trying to be there for her sister Carly when the unthinkable happens. On the heels of her sister leaving on a college visit, a truck wrecks near her home, carrying with it a man that will change everything for her. Her, she felt, was to rescue him. Linking them intrinsically forever.
“I bet he’s really good with his hands. I wish I knew how good.”
🛻Morgan, our cinnamon roll and protector, is mesmerized by the woman who saved him and his sister (Maddy) from certain death. She’s not only caring, smart, but also stunning. He’s in tune with her every movement, some of them even sending him into an unquenchable lust, but he is in love her heart above all else.
“I at least know what I want. I want her to know she isn’t alone. That I will be here whenever she needs me. In whatever capacity she is comfortable with.”
🐐Avery, Morgan and Maddy work to navigate this new reality, Carly is across the country with no way to contact her as her Morgen’s mother and brothers. With the help of her neighbors Laurie and Nick, they live off the land, learn through old books, and continue to fearlessly be there for each other. There is a balance in all things however, and where love blossoms, tragedy strikes and old nightmares come back to test us.
“Instead you were fetching a goat, in the best place on earth to survive the end of the world.”
📘This book is phenomenal, the fact that is one of MA’s earliest just makes even more impressive. I’m obsessed with these characters and the series and will keep going in. I think I’ve fallen in love with Morgan. There is everything you need in this read, I felt every emotion, the angst and build up for Morgan and Avery was perfection, and tears I spilled (a rarity) came in both happy and sad moments.
“The not knowing is the hardest part.”
💫If this sounds up your alley, just add it to your TBR. I promise you won’t regret it.
“I realized today how fast everything can change, and I can’t go another night without telling you. You have my heart, Avery, every piece of it. It’s yours.”
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🥺😱💪🏽😏🥰🥹🥵😈🤯🤬😍🥹
✨Tropes: Alpha/Protective Cinnamon roll MMC, Possessive MMC/FMC, Post apocalyptic, forced proximity, Boss baddie FMC, HEA, Touch her and ☠️, pregnancy
😈Kinks: Dirty Talk, Finger Licking Good, Public Play, exhibitionism, 🐓warming, br33ding
“Love has existed long before electricity. It’s what got all of us to where we are.”
💥Everything was normal, fine and then all of a sudden it wasn’t. No cell service, no electricity, all vehicles disabled all in an instant, in a burst. The world would never be the same.
🥕Avery, an independent and self sufficient gardener is still reeling from the loss of her parents and trying to be there for her sister Carly when the unthinkable happens. On the heels of her sister leaving on a college visit, a truck wrecks near her home, carrying with it a man that will change everything for her. Her, she felt, was to rescue him. Linking them intrinsically forever.
“I bet he’s really good with his hands. I wish I knew how good.”
🛻Morgan, our cinnamon roll and protector, is mesmerized by the woman who saved him and his sister (Maddy) from certain death. She’s not only caring, smart, but also stunning. He’s in tune with her every movement, some of them even sending him into an unquenchable lust, but he is in love her heart above all else.
“I at least know what I want. I want her to know she isn’t alone. That I will be here whenever she needs me. In whatever capacity she is comfortable with.”
🐐Avery, Morgan and Maddy work to navigate this new reality, Carly is across the country with no way to contact her as her Morgen’s mother and brothers. With the help of her neighbors Laurie and Nick, they live off the land, learn through old books, and continue to fearlessly be there for each other. There is a balance in all things however, and where love blossoms, tragedy strikes and old nightmares come back to test us.
“Instead you were fetching a goat, in the best place on earth to survive the end of the world.”
📘This book is phenomenal, the fact that is one of MA’s earliest just makes even more impressive. I’m obsessed with these characters and the series and will keep going in. I think I’ve fallen in love with Morgan. There is everything you need in this read, I felt every emotion, the angst and build up for Morgan and Avery was perfection, and tears I spilled (a rarity) came in both happy and sad moments.
“The not knowing is the hardest part.”
💫If this sounds up your alley, just add it to your TBR. I promise you won’t regret it.
“I realized today how fast everything can change, and I can’t go another night without telling you. You have my heart, Avery, every piece of it. It’s yours.”
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🥺😱💪🏽😏🥰🥹🥵😈🤯🤬😍🥹
✨Tropes: Alpha/Protective Cinnamon roll MMC, Possessive MMC/FMC, Post apocalyptic, forced proximity, Boss baddie FMC, HEA, Touch her and ☠️, pregnancy
😈Kinks: Dirty Talk, Finger Licking Good, Public Play, exhibitionism, 🐓warming, br33ding
August 15, 2023
Very good post-apocalyptic/prepper info. The entire story takes place on the farm, so it's all about preparing and utilizing what they have.
Loved the amount of smut (more is always better, haha). BUT I wasn't a fan of the extreme insta love. Like instant. Like his truck has just gone into a ravine, he's going in and out of consciousness with a broken arm, and he's panicking because he doesn't know what happened to his sister who was with him, but he stops multiple times to ogle the FMC even before she conveniently has to take her shirt off to bandage a wound. (Eye roll) Three (3) days later he's trying to get her pregnant because he can see a life with her and she's the one. Ok.
Editing and grammar errors.
Some pretty big ones, like unfinished words that have periods and commas in a few places, missing letters turning "she" into "he," and alternating tense.
Multiple continuity errors.
- A newborn baby goat has white fur then is described as "mainly brown with white speckles" a few pages later.
- This guy has a broken arm that had to be reset and splinted (no doctors for a cast), but he was walking around lifting stuff, using it to hold things, push things, carry the FMC, hold himself up during sex, etc.
-Others I didn't care to write down.
For the most part, though, I really enjoy these types of post-apocalyptic stories that are more slice of life than anything else, with the added drama of limited medical access. I enjoyed seeing the group become closer and eventually a family.
Unforgivable offense that wasn't given a trigger warning:
‼️HUGE SPOILERS
Gruesome death of a child.
It's only described after it happens, but the end result is described. That's a hard line for me. I have very low fucking bars for fiction, and can handle some very depraved things, but this was very unneeded. Also, while I'm at it, let's talk about how many adults sat back for months and ignored the signs that that little girl was being groomed then SAd, even after another little boy was tragically killed, AND the culprit was very open about his attentions towards the little girl and the teenage girl. They knew he was acting creepy towards them, she was looking gaunt, and she told them about the boogy man. I just can't.
Loved the amount of smut (more is always better, haha). BUT I wasn't a fan of the extreme insta love. Like instant. Like his truck has just gone into a ravine, he's going in and out of consciousness with a broken arm, and he's panicking because he doesn't know what happened to his sister who was with him, but he stops multiple times to ogle the FMC even before she conveniently has to take her shirt off to bandage a wound. (Eye roll) Three (3) days later he's trying to get her pregnant because he can see a life with her and she's the one. Ok.
Editing and grammar errors.
Some pretty big ones, like unfinished words that have periods and commas in a few places, missing letters turning "she" into "he," and alternating tense.
Multiple continuity errors.
- A newborn baby goat has white fur then is described as "mainly brown with white speckles" a few pages later.
- This guy has a broken arm that had to be reset and splinted (no doctors for a cast), but he was walking around lifting stuff, using it to hold things, push things, carry the FMC, hold himself up during sex, etc.
-Others I didn't care to write down.
For the most part, though, I really enjoy these types of post-apocalyptic stories that are more slice of life than anything else, with the added drama of limited medical access. I enjoyed seeing the group become closer and eventually a family.
Unforgivable offense that wasn't given a trigger warning:
‼️HUGE SPOILERS
Gruesome death of a child.
It's only described after it happens, but the end result is described. That's a hard line for me. I have very low fucking bars for fiction, and can handle some very depraved things, but this was very unneeded. Also, while I'm at it, let's talk about how many adults sat back for months and ignored the signs that that little girl was being groomed then SAd, even after another little boy was tragically killed, AND the culprit was very open about his attentions towards the little girl and the teenage girl. They knew he was acting creepy towards them, she was looking gaunt, and she told them about the boogy man. I just can't.
March 25, 2023
This is a cute post-apocalyptic story with a healthy main couple relationship. While I enjoyed the ride with this novel, things seemed very rushed and a little too 'perfect'.
• Instalove between main characters
• FML has perfect set up and skills to survive the apocalypse (food wise). She has equipment to can goods without electricity. Remote farm house with perfect, abundant garden, lots of farmland.
• ML can do everything else. He's a mechanic that can fix, build, or make their set up instantly better to fill in the gaps the FML lacks knowledge in.
• Supporting character (city girl) has vast knowledge of farm animals and loves to learn about homesteading.
• Neighbor has an animal farm and makes up for the lack of meat. It's literally a perfect set up.
Odd things:
• ML and Sister have broken bones from a crash. Despite the severity of the damage, the male lead still goes about doing things that normally wouldn't be done with broken bones. The author is consistent with keeping it in a sling or giving him time to heal but there are instances where he's still using it.
• Bad guy gets introduced as a 'family friend' and every single character (EVERY SINGLE ONE) feels uneasy about this guy, calls him a creeper, doesn't want to be around him....yet they're perfectly fine having him around small children. The adults notice the children are shying away from him, terrified of him, and even making comments about him being the boogieman and yet NO ONE does anything. During Thanksgiving, one of the little girls says "I'm thankful my sister is safe" to which the sister responds with "I'm thankful sister protects me from the boogieman" and the adults pause, are kind of like "weird", and then resume the dinner. The bad guy blatantly makes his interest in these kids known and yet they ignore it. Their ignorance leads to a terrible tragedy.
• Instalove between main characters
• FML has perfect set up and skills to survive the apocalypse (food wise). She has equipment to can goods without electricity. Remote farm house with perfect, abundant garden, lots of farmland.
• ML can do everything else. He's a mechanic that can fix, build, or make their set up instantly better to fill in the gaps the FML lacks knowledge in.
• Supporting character (city girl) has vast knowledge of farm animals and loves to learn about homesteading.
• Neighbor has an animal farm and makes up for the lack of meat. It's literally a perfect set up.
Odd things:
• ML and Sister have broken bones from a crash. Despite the severity of the damage, the male lead still goes about doing things that normally wouldn't be done with broken bones. The author is consistent with keeping it in a sling or giving him time to heal but there are instances where he's still using it.
• Bad guy gets introduced as a 'family friend' and every single character (EVERY SINGLE ONE) feels uneasy about this guy, calls him a creeper, doesn't want to be around him....yet they're perfectly fine having him around small children. The adults notice the children are shying away from him, terrified of him, and even making comments about him being the boogieman and yet NO ONE does anything. During Thanksgiving, one of the little girls says "I'm thankful my sister is safe" to which the sister responds with "I'm thankful sister protects me from the boogieman" and the adults pause, are kind of like "weird", and then resume the dinner. The bad guy blatantly makes his interest in these kids known and yet they ignore it. Their ignorance leads to a terrible tragedy.
November 24, 2024
A cottage-core, apocalyptic romance that will have you wishing for the end of the world.
What's the point of survival without a little spice?
Avery and her sister live in rural USA, spending their days gardening, canning and at farmers' markets. The day after Avery's sister flies to Seattle, an EMP blast shuts down all electronics in the world. Avery rescues Morgan and his sister from a car crash caused by the EMP blast as they all struggle to contend with what happened.
Avery and Morgan prove over and over again what they'll do to keep each other and those they love safe, and as they do, they grow closer.
The first 70% of this book is a cottage-core, cozy survival romance story and I love being with our characters and surviving with them.
The last 30% of this book is BAM! Drama and fear and murder. It had me gasping and flipping all the way to the last page.
Book two focuses on Avery's sister, who is trapped hundreds of miles away from her home in Seattle, trying to find her way home. I can't wait to keep reading this series!
This book is best read while wrapped in a handmade afghan and wondering why the front door is open.
What's the point of survival without a little spice?
Avery and her sister live in rural USA, spending their days gardening, canning and at farmers' markets. The day after Avery's sister flies to Seattle, an EMP blast shuts down all electronics in the world. Avery rescues Morgan and his sister from a car crash caused by the EMP blast as they all struggle to contend with what happened.
Avery and Morgan prove over and over again what they'll do to keep each other and those they love safe, and as they do, they grow closer.
The first 70% of this book is a cottage-core, cozy survival romance story and I love being with our characters and surviving with them.
The last 30% of this book is BAM! Drama and fear and murder. It had me gasping and flipping all the way to the last page.
Book two focuses on Avery's sister, who is trapped hundreds of miles away from her home in Seattle, trying to find her way home. I can't wait to keep reading this series!
This book is best read while wrapped in a handmade afghan and wondering why the front door is open.
August 17, 2023
Dystopian romance
A good post-apocalyptic romance. It’s the first story I’ve read where it’s the beginning of the apocalypse. As in people experiencing everyday life before the change, and then adapting. Avery and Morgan have great chemistry. They just evolve naturally.
I hope to see Carly’s story from Seattle. Also seeing what the future holds for Mary’s. That girl has been through it.
A good post-apocalyptic romance. It’s the first story I’ve read where it’s the beginning of the apocalypse. As in people experiencing everyday life before the change, and then adapting. Avery and Morgan have great chemistry. They just evolve naturally.
I hope to see Carly’s story from Seattle. Also seeing what the future holds for Mary’s. That girl has been through it.
September 20, 2025
I loved reading this dystopian end of electronics book. MA always captures my attention from the beginning.
This story follows Avery and Morgan while they navigate through the burst that takes out all electronics and vehicles. When they burst hits Morgan and his sister are in accident from the vehicle just stoped working. Avery rescues them both.
Avery lives off the land mostly and is prepared mostly for an event like the burst. Avery meets Morgan when she is rescuing him. She takes care of him and his sister while they navigate and discover what is going on in the world.
Morgan and Avery are instantly attracted to each other and they are nervous about it and try to fight it. They give in don’t worry the spice 🤌🏼🤌🏼. They first give in to their attraction and feelings for each other in a barn 😉.
They do more than survive, they also thrive. I definitely can’t wait to read what comes next!
This story follows Avery and Morgan while they navigate through the burst that takes out all electronics and vehicles. When they burst hits Morgan and his sister are in accident from the vehicle just stoped working. Avery rescues them both.
Avery lives off the land mostly and is prepared mostly for an event like the burst. Avery meets Morgan when she is rescuing him. She takes care of him and his sister while they navigate and discover what is going on in the world.
Morgan and Avery are instantly attracted to each other and they are nervous about it and try to fight it. They give in don’t worry the spice 🤌🏼🤌🏼. They first give in to their attraction and feelings for each other in a barn 😉.
They do more than survive, they also thrive. I definitely can’t wait to read what comes next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2023
a real page turner
I was hooked on this book. Finished really fast and now ready for more. The twist in this book is not for the faint of heart. I truly felt every emotion with this book
I was hooked on this book. Finished really fast and now ready for more. The twist in this book is not for the faint of heart. I truly felt every emotion with this book
December 8, 2022
Wonderful read!
Would high recommend this book if you love soul mates and the journey of finding the greatest love. Can’t wait to read more from this amazing author!
Would high recommend this book if you love soul mates and the journey of finding the greatest love. Can’t wait to read more from this amazing author!
January 7, 2023
3.5
A little insta-love for me, but still a little curious about the next book
A little insta-love for me, but still a little curious about the next book
February 9, 2023
So good!
I loved this book! Avery is amazing and I loved her personality. Morgan is awesome to and I loved Maddy and can't wait to read about her in the third book .
I loved this book! Avery is amazing and I loved her personality. Morgan is awesome to and I loved Maddy and can't wait to read about her in the third book .
January 15, 2024
M.A. Cobb writes a story of two people, Avery and Morgan, who find themselves trying to survive this near post-apocalyptic world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2024
Good ideas. Too much inappropriate body responses and behaviour for me.
March 15, 2024
This is definitely an overlooked book in the post-apocalyptic romance genre/space. The beginning was extremely thought provoking for me. How do you know the apocalypse has begun if all power/communication goes out? Particularly if you live in a rural area?
Overall, I thought the romance was sweet, if too much insta-lust for me. The angst is mostly light and they get their HEA.
Overall, I thought the romance was sweet, if too much insta-lust for me. The angst is mostly light and they get their HEA.
May 8, 2024
4.5 / 5 stars
heat rating: 3 / 5 peppers
First off I love stumbling upon these spicy end of the world romances. The can be hard to find the ones that actually have open door spice. I enjoyed Avery and Morgan together, and while many might think it was sorta instalove I will argue that extreme survival circumstances can magnify emotions. I had no issues with there connection. Other people may not like it as much. I liked that we are getting the view into the possible outcomes of an EMP. I will definitely be reading Carly's story next, I feel like there will be a lot more action since her story is going to start in Seattle rather than a smaller country home away from the city. I did feel the end (the last 10ish%) was a little more rushed than I would have preferred.
Side note: There are a few typos I noticed, but I was still able to read the book without an issue.
heat rating: 3 / 5 peppers
First off I love stumbling upon these spicy end of the world romances. The can be hard to find the ones that actually have open door spice. I enjoyed Avery and Morgan together, and while many might think it was sorta instalove I will argue that extreme survival circumstances can magnify emotions. I had no issues with there connection. Other people may not like it as much. I liked that we are getting the view into the possible outcomes of an EMP. I will definitely be reading Carly's story next, I feel like there will be a lot more action since her story is going to start in Seattle rather than a smaller country home away from the city. I did feel the end (the last 10ish%) was a little more rushed than I would have preferred.
Side note: There are a few typos I noticed, but I was still able to read the book without an issue.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews