Safe

After the Plague #4

by Imogen Keeper

The addictive fourth installment of author Imogen Keeper's wild ride After the Plague Series. Frankie and Yorke are trapped in a post-apocalyptic pot, the flame's on high, and they're a breath away from boiling over.

For months, we fought to get out of the city, away from the gun collectors and kidnappers at the White House. And here we are at Thornewood, a historic hot-spring resort nestled in the wild green forests of the Blue Ridge mountains.

It’s supposed to be our safe place, but while we may be far from DC, we’re not alone. Between an unfriendly local population, a mysterious stranger who leaves bodies and flowers while we sleep, and the unyielding ghosts of our past, life at Thornewood feels anything but safe.

Friendships are forged, enemies made, and death ever-present.

I sit on a precipice, my past behind me, the future before me, teetering between love for two very different men. One a memory, the other alive and hurting. Yorke needs me, and I will be strong for him even if it means turning my back on the past, even if it breaks me.

One thing is clear: surviving the plague that killed humanity was the easy part. It’s living after the plague that hurts.

Frankie and Yorke’s spellbinding journey continues through the chaos of life without law or order, the menacing rise of petty dictators, fomenting clans, the scramble for resources, and a love that proves that sometimes one-true-love actually can come twice.

Genres: Romance, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic, Apocalyptic, Slow Burn, Science Fiction, Survival

Unknown Binding

About the author

An Amazon best-selling and award-winning author, Immy writes romantic apocalypse and dystopian stories. Her books are a shade too dark to be light, and a tinge too light to be dark. They'll make you cry and worry and wonder, but there's always a layer of hope and laughter and sexy times to brighten it all.

In addition to writing, Immy loves her children, her husband, books about steam and darkness, flowers (even if she accidentally shmurgles half of them), coffee, DIY projects, trying new things, learning new facts, sunshine, guacamole, and sticky toffee pudding.


KEEP UP WITH IMMY ON ALL PLATFORMS

Newsletter VIP room for a FREE BOOK ➜ https://www.imogenkeeper.com/

Facebook➜ https://www.facebook.com/ImogenKeeper

Join her private readers' group ➜ https://www.facebook.com/groups/52366...

Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Instagram➜ https://www.instagram.com/imogenkeepe...

Twitter➜ https://twitter.com/Imogen_Keeper

READING ORDER

After the Plague Series

- Broken #1
- Lost #2
- Found #3
- Safe #4
- Home #5 (coming soon)

The City of a Thousand Lies Trilogy
- Outlaw
- Wanted (coming soon)
- Captive (coming soon)

Dirty Little Secret Series
- Talk Dirty to Me
- Fight Dirty with Me
- Draw Dirty for Me (available in installments on Vella)

Reviews

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep breath😤, Yup I'm ready to lay it all out.
First of all, I would have actually been surprised if Yorke and Frankie would have been all rainbows and sunshine in this one cuz even though the third book ended with a happy-ish note, there were a lot of issues left unresolved between them.
I ate up Frankie's pov. Her journey of conflict, guilt and grief was torturously beautiful. It's been three books but not even a year has passed since she lost Jimmy. I'm kinda glad that she finally got to grieve Jimmy properly in peace. The part where they reminisce about their loved ones and pay their condolences was so heartwrenching.
Yorke, my man's the epitome of patience. I can't wait for them to finally make peace with their pasts and build a future of rainbows and sunshine!
Did I mention that I freaking love the picture that's on the website of the author? It's PERFECT! It symbolises them so well❤
Thank you Imogen Keeper for the arc. I'm super excited for Home!! AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR WANTED TO BE OUT!!

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ...📚 Re-Reading the entire series because I realised I haven't finished it... 4 ⭐️'s (2023) and 4 ⭐️'s (2025)

☀︎ SAFE☀︎ Is the fourth full length post apocalyptic book within the (After the Plague) series by author Imogen Keeper. Spoken in dual POV's. (Frankie & Yorke) This kicked off right where the previous book left off. So they MUST be read in order.

This picks up right where the previous book left off.

I didn't write up a review in 2023 when I first read this, xo here's my (2025 review) even though I enjoyed this the second time around it was a bit of a slower burn without much action compared to the previous books, though the heat factor is building up and burning away in the background between Frankie & Yorke. It's been about 3 or so months since Frankie lost Jimmy so she's still going through the grieving process, but is coming out the other side slowly.

They are making a home for themselves but aren't alone, there's a group in the nearest town dominating power over their group, a dead body has been left for them to find, who dunnit it has been left unanswered but he did belong to the group in the next town over.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts: I loved this series, the feelings, everything, but the female character was grief a lot, I know… everyone has you time, but… I think Yorke deserved every kindness the word can give him.
It’s the best series I read this year 🙌🏻🫶🏻

[Twinkle {semi-hiatus} · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

Hmm. I'll be honest, I've struggled with this review for a long while now. If you follow my reviews you probably know how much I adore this family and this series. So giving this book anything less than 5 stars is a punch to the gut. But I've had my issues.

I love-and I truly mean that word- the world the author has created and I'm grateful to have experienced it all right along with Auden, Yorke and Frankie. But I struggled with the first half of the book, mainly with Frankie. While she is usually the ray of sunshine in these people's lives, I failed to reconcile that image with the Frankie in this book. I get that she was grieving but it felt almost selfish. My heart kept hurting for Yorke throughout this book and let me tell you, this man is a treasure. I'll readily have his post-apocalypse babies any day.
The Jimmy issue was a valid one, no doubt, but it was hardly mentioned in the last book and it almost felt like it was being thrown in my face in this one. Also, at one point Frankie's word vomit stopped being cute and crossed into the annoying territory.
And I'm so glad that Immy chose the name Jimmy! (Hi Rain :) )

While I agree that I couldn't get past some things, like the time period-has it really been three months? I'm pretty sure it's been longer, Frankie dragging Jimmy into every single intimate moment and refusing to communicate with Yorke about her problems while forcing him to be open about himself etc. , there were positives as well.

Things/People I loved:
1. YORKE- He's the right amount of patient, caring and alpha. Just the perfect trifecta.
2. This family (I really need to come up with a nickname for them)
3. Shasta- Never in a million years would I have thought that I would come to care for this woman and even anticipate more of her than Frankie.
4. Ruby- Just the perfect caring but sassy older woman that gave me warm grandma feelings.
5. Wendell- The 4 Ws!! My heart hurt for this man and I appreciated the kind of person he is.
6. Shane- Watching him around Shasta was hilarious as hell!
7. Beast just ramming into people's nuts is top notch.
8. The comedic relief is just perfect. Just like Immy says, her books are a shade too bright to be called dark and a shade too dark to be called light. And that's just the right combination for me.

I might come back to this review later to make some changes after I berate myself for not rating it higher, but for now this is how I feel about it.

I had an amazing time doing this buddy read with Rain and you should check out her review, she did an excellent job because she's cool like that.

PS: Can someone please drop the name of the guy on the cover? Asking for a friend :)

Thank you to Immy for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5* After the Plague is one of my favorite post-apocalyptic series. These stories are filled with amazing world building, excellent characters, and witty, intelligent dialogue.

Book four picks up right where we left our little group in the previous story. They've survived a shootout and have made their way to Thornewood. This resort has natural hot springs, and room for a garden and orchard. Unfortunately, it’s not all positive as the local town brings new people and trouble for our group.

This story stumbles under the heavy weight of Frankie's sorrow. Her constant need to insert thoughts of Jimmy into every situation was frustrating. She was such a beacon of light for everyone in the earlier books, so this feels very unlike her. As with any personal journey, it often comes with growing pains, and this must be Frankie’s.

Yorke is growing emotionally as well. He’s lost his brother and feels an overwhelming amount of guilt for not being a better sibling. He craves a serious relationship with Frankie, but understands that she needs more time. He has never-ending patience and is willing to do whatever it takes until Frankie is ready. Yorke is the absolute definition the word swoonworthy.

Huge thank you to Imogen Keeper for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Additional thanks to my friend Twinkle for suggesting we buddy read it.

[XR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously diggin' this series... even if it's hetero. I have my fingers crossed that Keeper gets Shasta and Colleen together heheh but that's just my little lesbian heart hoping for the impossible.

When's the next book coming out?? I need to know that Renata and Ben get what's coming to them. Evil fcuks!

[Donna (BookDragonGirl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!!! It’s sooo addictive, totally unpredictable and the romance is super swoon worthy!! It’s also very realistic as far as the trauma these people are dealing with and the people that are massing followers to try and become dictators. Charging taxes for protection and some are stealing kids to turn them into soldiers. But the group Frankie is in is more like family and friends. But they don’t have the numbers to protect them. I am dying for another book.

[Poppy Minnix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the feels!

This installment of the After the Plague series really solidifies Yorke and Frankie's relationship, making it a satisfying HFN ending, which made my romance heart really happy. There is more for them to get to their HEA, but it's coming; I can feel it!

Frankie is struggling with grief and that really rained down through this book. Jimmy's been gone for 3 months, and she's pushed aside her grief up until now because... apocalypse and Auden and Yorke, and now that they're settling, making Thornwood their home, it's forcing its way to the surface, though she continues to try to tamp it down. She still has healing to do, but I was happy with her progress and love that she's on the right path now and set up to become even stronger in the next book.

The world for them is still unsteady though, with new neighbors who are forcing new rules on the group that goes against their ideas of what will make a good and steady community.

I'm so excited for the next book!

Pick up if you love dystopian series, romance sagas with a tough path to HEA, and episodic pandemic/harsh world/rebuilding series.

And make sure you start with book 1. This is an episodic series.

[Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought I was over Jimmy, this book proves I'm not. Oh, sweet Jimmy.

Frankie and Yorke steadily grow closer and closer, but I'll tell you one thing: these two are going to burn the pages up when they finally do the deed.

I loved getting inside their heads more and learning more about them. Absolutely can't wait for the next installment! (Even though the waiting is killing me...)

[Elle Wylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

She did it again. Imogen Keeper made me cry. Again. So many feels to this instalment of Frankie and Yorke's story. It turns out that the hard part wasn't getting out of the city, it's starting over and dealing with grief and the loss of the ones they left behind while they try to build their new life. There are some laughs and some steam and some heart warming moments of community along the way with this amazingly written story, but there's also a whole bunch of tension and some brand new post apocalypse bad guys. I've officially fallen even more in love with, not just the MCs, but every single one of the side cast too.

If you didn't cry over Wendell's 4 W's I'm not sure we can be friends.

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just wow! This is probably my favorite. I know I’m not supposed to pick favorites. The last three were my favorite… but now Keeper has gone and wrote this beautiful “Safe” story. I’m in love with Yorke. Don’t tell my husband. If your looking for an EPIC romance, This is it. Frankie and Yorke make relationship goals an Olympic Sport.
I highly recommend this book. It has Romance, sure. But the big seller here is Frankie and Yorkers relationship. Reading about them navigate the apocalypse and their love… a masterpiece.
You could start here at book 4 but to get the totality of their relationship start at Book 1.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very excited about this book, but it turns out nothing really happened in it. Yorke and Frankie's relation had no progress, she still cries and feels guilty about Jimmy. Everything was the same. I guess the purpose of the book was to bring new mean characters: Renata, Ben, and the group. I'm just annoyed because this book was unnecessary. The main characters' relationship isn't going anywhere, and it's been 5 books. They are together... But they're not. The book was bad because of the lack of progress, but on top of that Frankie had dramatic attitudes that were just over the top and unnecessary.
When I started this series I was hoping for romance in the apocalypse and in the beginning I thought we were going somewhere between Yorke and Frankie. It turns out the books have the apocalypse, but not much of the romance.
I'm not very confident in the next book, after the disappointment of this one.

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Exceptional Read.

Safe is Number four in the After the Plague series and I loved it. It's another five stars and it would be a crime to rate it below that. A great book, series and obviously author.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent post-apocalypse romance with a fantastic and distinct voice and a captivating yet heartwarming love story, and a truly devious villain.

[R.V. Wilbur · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐈 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐈 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬’ 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐳𝐞𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐝. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬. 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬. 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥. 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥. 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲. 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐝—𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐥𝐮. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞, 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭, 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐈𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥. 𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧.”

_______________________

*REVIEW CONTAINS MINOR PLOT POINT SPOILERS FOR THE PREVIOUS 3 VOLUMES*

This passage occurs very early on in the book and honestly sets the tone for this entire chapter of Frankie and Yorke’s story. While safety brings about an innate sense of comfort that should allow you to relax, it also means that crisis mode begins to wane and reality begins to creep back to the surface and bring along all of the trauma, feelings, and emotions that were shelved in order to focus on and survive the most difficult parts of the crisis. And that is exactly what we see as the central story here in “Safe”.

Picking up immediately after “Found” ends we start out with a devastated, guilt ridden, and shaken Yorke processing his loss and the twists at the end of Volume 3 that allowed them to finally escape DC and the group trying to prevent their leaving. We watch as Frankie rallies for him and decides to put her own trauma on the back burner in order to be strong for Yorke like he has always been strong for her. For what it’s worth she has incredibly good intentions and it’s honestly the exact thing I would have done. Except that it’s the very last thing she or anyone should be doing.

We see soon enough that Frankie is torn entirely in two. Slowing down enough to begin to truly feel her own grief and loss but determined enough to push it away and continue moving forward into a life with Yorke and Auden, she ends up sending herself into a confused and also guilt ridden spiral with every good intention that she has. She so desperately wants to just buck up and move on from the loss of Jimmy and she tries so hard, but the reality of it is she cannot move on from something she has not fully accepted as her reality yet. Plus it’s good to mention as a reminder that it has ONLY been a handful of months and that she needs to allow herself time to grieve his loss before it destroys her from the inside out.

And this is where the passage above comes into play. If there was any doubt or hesitation about the characters having realistic enough viewpoints in the first 3 volumes, volume 4 strikes that notion entirely. We truly do get to the crux of both Yorke and Frankie as people; who they were before, who they became during, who they are now, and who they want to be in the future. It is honest, it is raw, and it is beautiful. Their humor and comfortable banter makes you laugh through your tears as they slowly begin to share the weight of each other’s bricks and figure out how to pull their sled together. And seriously for two people hell bent on not having sex, they manage to be extremely hot in their “doorstep waiting” abstinence!!

Beyond our main characters we also get to know other members of the group better in this book. There is one chapter where the group holds a sort of collective memorial service for everyone they have lost. It was absolutely beautiful and gave so much depth and insight to every single one of them. You can’t help but love and become attached to them all, even grumpy Gus.

Outside of that, however, while this Volume dealt more with the heavier emotional toll of the times they are living through it also served as a more transitionary/filler section of the story overall. Having now reached their destination in West Virginia to make a new home and life for their colony they are shocked when a body turns up soon after they arrive…a freshly dead body of a survivor NOT from their group, mortally wounded by another human being and not a disease. We are first introduced to the local group that Yorke, Frankie, and crew have run ins with in the prologue of this book, so when they eventually turn up later on, and after us as the reader getting a small peek inside the head of their leader, it begs the question what ARE their intentions?

Ending this book felt ever so slightly like a cliffhanger. We reach a satisfying and beautiful resolution in the relationship between Frankie and Yorke after so much tumult throughout the Volume, but close with WAY more questions looming ahead regarding the safety and future of the group and their world as a whole. I’m anxiously excited to see where the next Volume leads them!!

[Dani Dinwoodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect finish for now

Really enjoying this series and if it ended like this it would be ok! Fine piece of writing really enjoyed

[Debbie Mathis PA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book four in the After the Plague series and all I can say is that I need book five now!!! Please... 😁 I love Imogen's writing style and have fallen in love with our main characters, Frankie, Yorke and Auden. If I was caught in the apocalypse I would want to be with them.

If you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories, without zombies, this series is for you. I absolutely loved it!

[&ris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok

I'm really disappointed. Really nothing exciting happened in this book. It was kind of boring. The new bad guys were introduced but that was just ok. This book could have been longer. I feel a little cheated we waited a long time for this book it could have at least been hot. I get the author is trying to have a real love story a romance but it just seems drawn out. I guess we'll wait another year for the next book..............

[Tracy Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie and Yorke might be physically in a safer place than they have been since the world ended, but their hearts are more vulnerable than ever. That’s probably normal since they finally have a chance to breathe. They’ve made it to Thornewood, they’re in a group with people they trust (with other kids for Auden), and they are a good distance from the WHW.

But Yorke is dealing with the fallout of seeing his brother, who he thought he’d killed when he attacked Frankie, sacrifice himself so they could get away in the first place. He quite literally has Carl’s blood on his hands. And Frankie is still mourning Jimmy, but more than that she’s feeling guilty because she wants Yorke maybe more than she ever wanted Jimmy. Their relationship is more equal. And she has fallen in love with Yorke, while Jimmy’s only been dead three months. She’s not thinking rationally. Jimmy would probably tell her, “Babe, the world ended and you’re trying to survive the apocalypse, you adopted a kid, these aren’t normal times; of course everything is going to be accelerated and that’s okay.” To her mind, she just sees that her husband died recently and whenever her and Yorke start to get physical, she ends up bawling the next day. That's not okay with Yorke. He's so good and so patient, but a person can only take so much.

Yorke … OMG what can I say about this man. Of course he’s flawed, but barely (at least to me). Can I just say that Imogen Keeper has created the best hero I’ve ever read? So much more Yorke is revealed in this book, through his actions, his words when he finally opens up. Yummy, yummy Yorke. We find out more about the war, about his psychology, his childhood. We spend more time with him in this book.

Now back to the “not so safe” I alluded to in my title. There was another group living at Thornewood right before our people got there. It is now led by an enigmatic woman named Renata and a Jimmy doppelgänger (without any of his good traits), and they claim the nearby town as theirs. Including gas, pharmacy, houses, etc. Then they go further, but I won’t spoil it.

Other groups are gathering also, making announcements over a ham radio to join them. What does the future hold for our people?

This is Book #4 in an ongoing series. It’s longer than the other books and delves deeper into the growing relationship between Frankie and Yorke. We get to see them step back (at Yorke’s insistence) and slow down the physical aspect because he wants her to truly heal. As he puts it, “I don’t want to be the rebound guy. I want to be THE guy.”

Imogen Keeper can write passages that make me feel the way only really great music can. Her characters jump off the page and you forget that they aren’t actually alive. Read the first three books first, available separately or in a single “After the Plague” edition. I promise you’ll love them! Well, if you enjoy heroes who would die to protect those they love, heroines who are stronger than they ever knew and bring joy to those around them, anything post apocalyptic, and slow burn sex with enough teases to let you know it will be explosive. It’s unlike anything I’ve read, which is saying a lot. Romance and survival at their best with a HFN ending that you absolutely know will be that much better in the end after building in each book. I laughed, I cried, and at times I wanted to throw things at the characters. Start reading after turkey and you can be done with book 4 by Monday (but don’t blame me if you miss out on shopping because you can’t put these books down - think of it as a favor)!

Highly recommended. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankie and Yorke and the rest of the survivors have escaped DC and made it to what they hope will be their final destination. Someplace they can rebuild their lives and form a new home with their new family. It’s a going to take a lot of work, lots of planning, and a lot of healing. But they aren’t alone. And so the survival saga continues in Safe.

When I first started the After the Plague series, I really felt I could relate to it. After all, we are currently in the middle of a real-life pandemic…although not nearly as deadly as the one between these pages. I could really see myself relating to Frankie. All the pain, the lost and the guilt of continuing without Jimmy. You could really feel the survivor’s guilt coming through. Not with just Frankie but with all the characters. Struggling to carry on. Man, the feels this series brings me to. The relationship between Frankie and Yorke is so intense, so real, as they try to move forward while dealing with past memories. Their patience of waiting, of healing, and not rushing the physical while their heads and hearts catch up. Oh yes, it will be finally worth it.

There’s a moment in the book where all of them, all the surviving people, finally share who they lost and mourn together that just tore heart out. It was painful and beautiful all at the same time. And yet, it’s not all sadness. There were also moments of levity and fun as they work to rebuilt. As well as scary moments. They are not alone! They find that the local population is not so unfriendly and that there are others like the collectors and kidnappers at the White House. Are the locals they same? And what about the dead body they find. The very dead body that was their BEFORE they arrived. It’s tied to the locals but how and why still remains to be seen. Seems this apocalyptic romance is now turned into a murder/mystery. I freaking love that! Can’t wait to read what happens next!


Stars: 4
I received this book from author. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Gabrielle (belle.bookcorner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We need anyone with enough hope in their heart to plant seeds when everyone around them is reaching for guns."

There's a lot of new things in this fourth book from After the Plague series.
New characters, new friendship, new place and also new problems which is a nice change to the series.

I love the community that Frankie was in with Colleen and the others, they are building a new society and everybody has a part to play in it. Unlike some other groups who's trying to take control and rule over everybody.

One of my favorite part in this book is the scene where the survivors lit up the pyre and holding a funeral for their loved ones. It was a heart breaking moment.... The grief and loss were written really well. I was crying out when I read that part....

Now that Yorke and Frankie had time to breathe, they started to deal with some things. Frankie's grief finally start to hit her and she doesn't really know how to deal with it beside pushing it down.

Yorke is absolutely one of the sweetest and kindest person on earth. He's so patient with Frankie while also dealing with some heavy stuff himself.
I just want to hug him! I'll be forever grateful if I ever found myself a person like him in an apocalyptic situation.

As much as I love this book, I think the pace turns a bit slower this time. There's not a lot of action in here unlike the previous book but there are some intense situation happening.
Frankie and Yorke are still in a complicated relationship and I just want them to finally take a step forward together! I'm hoping we'll get to see them together in the next book.

"The only power we have over life and death is making sure that the people we love know deep down, all the way, in all the hard-to-reach places, how much we love them."

Overall, this is a great introduction to a new world after succeeding in getting away from DC. I hope we will have more answers with the mysterious body-mover and the unfriendly locals.
I'm really looking forward to see where Frankie and Yorke journey will take next!

***Book kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. ***

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Ruby, once everyone has said something practical and survival-based, opens her mouth and rasps, “I want to know everyone’s birthday and favorite cake. Life is grim. We need reasons to party.”

“Six months ago, I didn’t believe in love. I thought there was lust and making choices. You met someone, you were attracted, and then at some point, you decided yes or no, and then you stuck with that choice. I thought that was duty. I never wanted to decide yes. Never thought I should or would or even could consider it.” I swallow, remembering the lonely man I used to be. I wasn’t bitter or angry or resentful. But I was empty. Vacant. My brightest memories before the plague are of war. And they are dingy and dank compared to the light that is her. “Then I met you and Auden, and now I know better. Love is real. So are choices. So third time, Frankie. For the win, charm-time, last time, get your listening ears on, light of life, my someday sunshine lover.”

"The present is right here, right now. My family. A woman who loves me. A kid who needs me. We even have a dog. And they’re all sleeping safely in clean beds for now. That’s better than okay."

"We may be living in a war zone, but it doesn’t have to feel like one. We will carve a life out of this apocalypse, and we’ll do it together. We will make a future worth having."

[GMW · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this installment of the series, Frankie, Yorke & Auden finally get out of the city – it picks up where book 3 left off. Frankie is still mourning her husband , Yorke is coming to terms with his brother’s death & Auden is so sweet. Of course, when the group gets to Thornewood (a resort that Frankie had stayed at prior to the plague), everything is definitely not sunshine and roses. There’s a group in the nearby town that is bullying them, and that causes more problems for these survivors who just want to heal and try to get on with their lives after the plague. You really need to read the first three books in the series to appreciate this book. I received an arc of this installment and am anxiously waiting for the next installment of after the plague.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to wait until I finished this final book before leaving a review. This series was popping up in my FB feed quite a bit and seeing it was a dystopian read (which I LOVE) I decided to give it a go. The books are relatively short, which was fine, bit the MFC…..she drove me a nuts. **** A little spoiler-y here ****. I get she lost her hubby to the sickness and not much time has passed but to keep stringing the MMC along and crying every time….yep, if I was him I have to move on.

I thought when I started this book it was the final one in the series…..which I hope is not the case as we are just left hanging with that ending.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25
While the book moved forward in time, I felt like Frankie regressed emotionally.
Her dead husband was more prominent then the live characters. And it seemed more prevalent in this book, then the previous books.
It was annoying and unfair to Yorke, who was pretty perfect.
The secondary characters were great, and I enjoyed how they formed a community. The outside stressors were upsetting but realistic. People can’t just live and let live.
I’ll keep reading the series for now, but if Frankie doesn’t come around and get her head on straight, I might get fed up.

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series so far. I haven't read this author before but I'll definitely be reading more of her books. I enjoy her writing style - this series has hit me with the major feels. I'm sad at times and smiling others. I really love Frankie, Yorke, Auden and Beast and am starting to get attached to the others as well. Not a fan of Renata and Ben at all though.

[Kristen Weber-Moll · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there wasn’t a lot of action in this book… the character development is insanely beautiful.

Yorke is a masterpiece and I will take no criticism of him.

Frankie is so real, and while as a reader I want her to have a HEA with Yorke, I think Imogen has done an amazing job of capturing realistic feelings in a post apocalyptic world.

I’m really intrigued to see where things go with our new neighbours (looking at you not Jimmy)…

[SheLove2Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever cried so hard in my life reading a book. By this point, you should know the background story of Yorke, Frankie, Auden, and now Colleen, Wendell, Shane, Shasta and the new group at Thornewood. The funeral pyre scene broke my heart. Little Auden...every time I think about how Frankie found him it rips me up inside. To hear him tell Frankie now that he loves her? No words.

You have to read this series. It's fucking amazing.

[Zoe]

Not bad, on par with the others, but got bored of the series and DNFd at 70%

[mali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing

"Tears are like flies now, and we’re all smacking and swiping irritably at our eyes."

"Why are people making armies when they could just make gardens?"