frankkiet 's review for:

3.25
reflective tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This one is more about the characters than the collapse itself - the end of the world is more a setting than a plot device. A lot of the story is told in memory, and while I didn’t always feel attached to the characters, I did like the big twist and wished more of the book had focused on that backstory.

The pacing felt slow for me, and the ending wrapped up a little too neatly, but I loved the mom’s survival guide inserts. I thought those parts were clever and heartfelt. The author’s version of a dystopian America was interesting too, even if I wanted more of it.

If you’re looking for a quieter, more personal take on family, betrayal, and survival (rather than a full-on apocalypse story), this could work really well for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an ALC of this title in exchange for my honest review.