 Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.Claire Kent is giving us so much post apocalyptic romance this year & I’m grateful for it. I’m such a fan of how she captures a post-asteroid world, where there's so much sadness and uncertainty but love is still possible. Embers flirts with forbidden love, featuring Rachel, who’s in her early 20s & Cal, who’s in his mid-40s or so & happens to be her former boyfriend’s grumpy father. Their relationship goes through quite an arc throughout the book, with them meeting when Rachel is 17 & her boyfriend still alive, to the two of them living alone & becoming closer, to becoming something more—a span of 5+ years. Despite the progression of their physical relationship (or maybe because of it?) Kent ramps up the angst in this one. While there’s so much to enjoy about Embers—the voice, the heroine becoming more independent as the book progresses, and the story of two lonely people connecting, in general the premise is not my fave, especially since Rachel is 17 when she first moves into Cal’s home. Nothing physical or romantic happens until Rachel is 22, but I’m kind of with Cal in this one: the potential power dynamics are somewhat troubling here. I just wish some of the details had been written differently because the way they *are* written it doesn’t feel like they’re on totally equal footing—something Cal suggests. Not to mention that there’s a speech Cal makes when Rachel is 22, referencing his feelings for her & their history together, that gives me somewhat ick, uncomfortable vibes. While Embers isn’t an unreserved win for me I am excited about the author’s next release in December. 3.5 ⭐️. Out 08/09.Lots of CWs including death, violence.
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 Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own. Things are pretty brutal on a large scale IRL & yet somehow Claire Kent’s post apocalyptic romances hit the sweet spot every single time. I was talking with a friend about these books & what we love about them recently: 🌻 the steam (so good, especially because Kent really plays with the idea of people hooking up in the secret hours & there aren’t any feelings involved, definitely not ;) ). 🌻 The hope, even though the old world is gone & the new world is uncertain every day. 🌻 The voice. These are just so readable! In Princess, Olivia, the daughter of a billionaire techie, has been living in a bunker for five years—since right before a major asteroid hit Earth, destroying life as they knew it. She’s there with Grant, among others. He’s given her the impression that he’s unmoved by her again & again but one day they turn to each other, set the room on fire, & repeat repeat. But are those pesky feelings one-sided? Though this book isn’t my fave of her post apocalyptic collection—that goes to Haven—it’s got everything I love about her books. The steam is great, the tension & the romance arc feel developed for my maximum enjoyment ;), & there’s a nicely portrayed conflict between his wish to protect her—like he’s done since they’ve known each other—& her desire to be viewed as equal. Definitely check this series out if you’re looking for something dark but soft where it counts! 4 ⭐️. Out now.Lots of CWs, including death and violence.
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