Survival Instinct: A Post-Apocalyptic Romance

Apocalypse #1

by Cara Bristol

A nurse and an alien battle for trust in a devastated world

Laurel is a nurse working in her hometown hospital when disaster strikes. Aliens from planet Progg-Res attack Earth, vaporizing most of the population from huge spaceships. Then ground troops march town to town, house to house, eliminating the rest.

Laurel survives by hiding out in a cave, living day by day hoping to evade detection. After many months of quiet, she dares to venture out.

And finds a critically wounded Progg man in the woods. Instinct tells her to finish him off, but she can’t bring herself to kill in cold blood. Besides, he’s going to die anyway. However, she worries that leaving his body for his comrades to find will bring them too close to the hiding place that has served her well, so she drags the Progg’s body back to the cave.
Unfortunately, the alien scum survives and throws her into a dilemma. She can’t keep him prisoner forever, which means she has to release him and risk her life—or kill him.

Death at the hand of the enemy is an honorable one, but to his shame, Grav doesn’t want to die. Although he’s an aide to the admiral in charge of the Earth campaign, he’s never killed anyone, never even discharged his vaporizer. But he doesn’t think that will matter to the young human woman who took him hostage and looks at him with revulsion in her eyes.

The only thing he can do is try to build a rapport and convince her he’s harmless in hopes she’ll see him as a person and not one of the hated aliens who killed her family. If he can’t, he’s afraid he’s in deep trouble. Because he suspects she won’t release him. Which only leaves one other option.

Can two people bitterly divided by fear and loathing bridge the gap and trust one another so they both can survive?

Genres: Science Fiction Romance, Aliens, Adventure, Romance

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2025

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol writes science fiction romance about tough alien and cyborg heroes who fall hard for sassy heroines.

Cara is a homebody who married a wanderer. When she’s not writing or being distracted by squirrels cavorting outside her office window, she enjoys reading and traveling the world with her husband. Topping her bucket list is visiting all seven continents and petting a squirrel.

Visit her website to get a free sci-fi romance.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING 4.5 STARS

Survival Instinct: A Post-Apocalyptic Romance is a stand alone Sci-Fi Romance by Cara Bristol. I love Cara’s writing and adore post-apocalyptic romances so when this book was announced, I was so excited.



Laurel Knight is thirty years old. One year ago, her life completely turned upside down when the Progs descended on Earth and vaporized almost all of humanity, including her parents and brother. She has been hiding out in a cave dwelling she and her brother found when they were kids which is how she has survived for the past year. She was feeling brave that morning and ventured out into the woods to stretch her legs when she came upon a wounded Prog. She couldn’t end him in cold blood but couldn’t leave him there either. She was a nurse and it was against everything she was trained for. So she dragged him back to her cave. Which presents her with a new problem. Save him and let him go or the other obvious solution.

Grav was part of the program to take over Earth, except he personally had never hurt anyone. He was an aide to the admiral in charge of the Earth campaign so he blessedly had nothing to do with what his people were doing. After being separated from his people, he was wounded in the woods when Laurel found him. She has every right not to trust him. All he can hope for is to get her to see him as an individual and not as part of the invasion that took the lives of most of the humans of the world.



As Grav and Laurel spend time together, they do become acquainted. And when danger finds them, they are forced to find a way to trust each other and work together in order to survive. Can two people from different planets, from such different worlds, find a way to trust each other? Because if they can’t, neither of them will survive.

I really did enjoy this. I love the idea of the two different beings having to find a way to trust, even care for one another, despite everything they’ve been through. For Laurel, the Progs were the enemy for obvious reasons. For Grav, it went against everything that had been drummed into him since birth. They are raised with one goal and one goal only, to serve their race. I am most excited to learn that Cara is considering another book, making this a series. If she does, I am going to be right there on release day!

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel (h) has lost everything to the Progg invasion. Her family is gone. Her world is a ruin. Alone in a hidden cave with nothing but grief, guilt, and a gun, she trusts no one and is ready to shoot anything that moves. Until she finds a wounded Progg soldier clinging to life and doesn’t pull the trigger.

Grav (H) was abandoned after the failed invasion, left behind by his own kind. Sick, weaponless, and cut off from command, he becomes Laurel’s prisoner and patient, watched by the very species he was trained to destroy.

What begins as a tense standoff turns into a fragile truce built on quiet meals, close quarters, and the slow unraveling of old hatred. Together, they must confront what they’ve lost and what they might still have left to fight for.

Laurel starts as a hardened survivor, pushed by trauma and loss. Grav begins as a soldier of duty, disconnected from emotion. Over time, she finds compassion again, and he discovers what it means to truly care.

Their relationship moves from mistrust to understanding, then to a bond shaped by honesty, survival, and the decision to stay when it would be easier to walk away. In a world stripped of structure, they find something worth holding on to.

An alien-human, enemies to lovers, post-apocalyptic sci-fi romance exploring grief, trust, redemption, healing, identity, and the quiet strength of connection in a broken world. It's about how two individuals from opposite sides of a war find common ground in a world that no longer follows the old rules.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Laurel, the female human lead, is the sole survivor from her town, living in a cave on a property outside of town, after humanoid aliens vaporised most of humanity. Daring to emerge for some sunlight, she’s terrified to find an alien on the ground.

Grav, the male alien lead, was a general’s aide abandoned on Earth when his people withdrew because humans had a weapon that his people never foresaw and didn’t act appropriately for. He’s been told he’ll be picked up when his people return but that was months ago.

Laurel finds herself unable to kill the alien but she’s terrified of what he’ll do. Grav just wants her to let him go but he understands he’s supposed to kill her if he gets free…

This novella is dual POV, well written and edited, and a post-apocalyptic, Earth bound, closed door romance. I empathised with both characters, especially with Laurel’s grief and fear. I enjoyed the way she determined to try to build a life. I enjoyed Grav’s grudging acceptance and then empathy with Laurel. I’ve read many other stories from this author that I admit I’ve enjoyed more but, if you enjoy post-apocalyptic closed door romance, this story may be great for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful story by this author with excellent worldbuilding and an engaging plot! Survival Instinct was a one-sitting read for me with some laugh out loud moments even though both Laurel and Grav are dealing with some truly horrific circumstances in the aftermath of the Progg invasion and living a terrifying and lonely existence.
I really liked both characters and how they slowly began to empathize with and trust each other but, I honestly didn’t feel the romance. Imo there just wasn’t any build up of sexual tension. It just seemed to come out of nowhere and then the story ended and they were riding off into the sunset.
Still a great read though, just not a great love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! It is a bit different from the author’s usual books but really a great read. The two characters one from each species were very well written and lifelike with real controversy between them watching them slowly learning trust and going through issues made them so lifelike you felt you were there with them my only problem with the book was I wish it continued on !! Would love to read more about their adventures and find out how they get on with life. Thank you so much for the enjoyment

[Jean Stillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book from Sci-fi author Cara Bristol. Fans of her usual work will be pleasantly surprised by her newest book, Survival Instinct: A Post Apocalyptic Romance. Still very much a sci-fi story, Earth has been invaded by an alien race known as the Progg, who have obliterated the human race and almost all the animals, birds, and insects. The story is of a young nurse, Laurel, who, after losing her entire family, has been hiding out for more than a year in a cave in southwest Missouri. After being alone for so long, she has ventured from her cave to finally get some fresh air.
Laurel finds a wounded Progg soldier and plans to leave him to die, but decides to take him prisoner instead.

The author is a master storyteller, and this book is no different. The world-building is done in such a way that the reader is immersed in a world where everyone has been vaporized except for a very few. The characters are also well-written. My heart broke for Laurel in the loss of her family, and how she now has no one. Imagine being completely isolated for over a year. And the alien, Grav, has been isolated after most of his conquering race has died from a plague...the common cold. I love the plot and the whole storyline. While the author has written this book to be a stand-alone, I do hope she will add more books to this post-apocalyptic world. I loved it and would like to see the story continued.

[M.R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alien invasion and destruction of mankind. I love this author and rushed to read it. But, it read like a remake of War of the Worlds. The alien, Grav, was bland and Laurel, the nurse character had her moments, but not enough to keep me interested. As a nurse it was too technical and drawn out. I wanted more action and substance to the story. I miss the drama of Ms Bristol’s previous works. I wish I could score it higher.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

This book is set in the close future. The earth was attacked and the population mostly vaporized by the Progg-Res. Then ground troops came and systemically vaporized any survivors they found. Laurel has been hiding for almost a year. She was lucky and found an unmapped cave that was obviously set up by a doomsdayer, because it is stocked with years of food and furniture. She has not seen another human or Progg for many months. When she is out for the first time in months, she runs across an unconscious Progg. At first, she thinks he’s dead, until she touches him. She panics and runs back to her cave. Then she thinks she needs to kill him because if he recovers, he will hunt her down and kill her. But as a former nurse, she can’t bring herself to kill him. So, she drags hm to her cave and ties him to the bed!

Grav has been on earth for quite a while and has been separated from his unit. He is shot by one of the remaining humans and left for dead. What the remaining humans don’t know is that they gave the Progg a virus that they are calling the plague, and almost all of the Progg have died from it. Grav has not heard from his command for many months and he fears they are all dead and that he is going to be stranded on earth for the rest of his life. He figures he won’t last long because any remaining humans will try and kill him, not that he blames them. He has always felt the method they used to take over a planet was barbaric and not necessary. Not that he is dumb enough to say that out loud!

When Grav wakes up he is tied down to a bed in a cave. When he see’s Laurel, he is fascinated, but the feeling is not reciprocated! These two have a difficult road ahead of them. Grav is trying to get Laurel to trust him and release him. She doesn’t trust him at all, but doesn’t know what to do with him. She can’t bring herself to kill him, but she is afraid to release him. That could be very bad for her health. But as she cares for him and they get to know each other, she realizes that maybe all Progg aren’t the same. When he comes to her aid and saves her life when she is attacked by another human, she finally admits having him around isn’t so bad, and maybe he won’t kill her after all. But what could the future possibly hold for these two? A great book. Don’t miss it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survival and Understanding . . .

The sound she assumed was tree branches breaking after the ice storm turned out to be gunshots as Laurel found the body of an alien Progg the next morning. He had icicles hanging from his ears and nose. Bald, except for a mohawk band of bristles, and even those seemed to be frozen. Laurel had been a nurse at a rural hospital when the initial attack occurred. She hadn’t been home when her family and friends were vaporized, so she hadn’t seen one of these aliens up close. But not knowing if the aliens, she didn’t know if they would move on or were going to settle here. And if she left the corpse, they would see the bullet and start searching more carefully for the humans. So she turned to go back to her cave which she and her brother had found as children. She gave the alien a kick -- and it groaned and opened its eyes! She ran as fast as she could to get away. But where could she run to now? Grav watched her flee and assumed she had shot him. His blood freezing at the wound site had kept him from bleeding out, but he needed to get warm so his body could expel the object still in his chest. A large number of his people had left this planet when a plague started killing them. They still hadn’t sent a ship back to get the rest of their people still on Earth.

Laurel had nowhere else to go to escape a search party, so she would have to dispose of the alien’s body if it died or would have to kill it. Returning the next day, she panicked when it was gone until she looked up and saw a gray lump. She lined up her shot, but she just couldn’t make herself kill it like an execution and not truly an innocent act of self-defense. When it groaned and rolled over, it went unconscious again and woke up on a flat surface, tied to posts (a bunk bed). Being warmer here, his body had started to expel the object in his chest. As an aide to an Admiral, Grav’s translator chip was updated with all Earth languages, so he understood her but did not respond… until she put antiseptic on the wound and he cursed in English! Would this experience be the start of their getting to know each other? Could they even begin to trust and appreciate each other’s company? Or do enemies always remain enemies? What does the future hold for them?

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

DO IT ONCE. DO IT RIGHT.

The story is unique, and it is refreshing to read a book that is not copycatted like so many others on the market. The story takes place in a small town in America, Missouri, but the entire Earth has been affected. An alien species, Progg, has invaded and annihilated most humans and animals. There were warnings, and only a small handful of human survivors remained. But what happens when the aliens become ill? How will their DNA makeup handle a human illness?

The story will bring a lone human survivor, Laurel, a nurse by trade, to stumble on a Progg alien, Grav, injured and possibly dying if not helped. What will she do? Will her nursing skillset override her anger for the destruction of her family, her friends, and the majority of the human race? What happens if she helps him and he lives? Then what?

I will have to say that this story is very thought-provoking. Imagine hearing the warnings of Orson Wells, War of the Worlds, but instead, it is happening. The Progg have attacked, vaporizing humans and animals. Only a small number will survive, but everyone in your life is gone. How do you handle coming across a wounded Progg—and making a decision of moral conscience on what to do?

“Can two people bitterly divided by fear and loathing bridge the gap and trust one another so they can both survive?”

“When you always won, you had no idea what losing felt like.”

The story will detail the daily lives of Laurel and Grav—as an injured alien and a human nurse handle one another. The lack of trust, the concerns of ‘what if’ or ‘could I’, and then ‘what next?’ From fear to concern, to protector, and even confidant. These two are more alike in many ways than they are different. Maybe it is a good thing for these two survivors to find each other.

[Serena Buffaloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking , easy read !!!

Not much of a fan of dystopian type books. But , this book right Here, was a tremendous surprise !!!
Laurel , is a nurse when the aliens came. On her way to help a friend , the aliens very effectively exterminated practically everyone !!!
So , Laurel is alone .All alone .
Not far from where she grew up, there is a cave that had previously been taken over by a doomsday prepper . So , she had a lot of things that she needed. Except family. Friends . Anyone.
On this particular day , Laurel is out in the woods by the cave , when she comes across one of THEM ........

Grov has been hurt , and left for dead. His people , the Progg, have come to Earth . Protocol dictates inhalation. First by the ships , then the soldiers go from place to place. Except , there has been a problem. And his superior has fallen ill. With a plague !!!!! He has been left behind and now he's been hurt !!!!

Laurel and Grav are such an unlikely couple !! That's what makes them so special !!! She a a nurse. So she's naturally nurturing. He is so stern and ..... alien !!!!
Isn't that a great start ???
Lots of action , and some exciting things happen in this story !!! I'm very excited for what is next !!!

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earth was invaded by the alien Progg leaving most of the populace decimated.
But Earth had a little care package for the Progg to carry back to their home world Progg-Res, a plague…well that’s what they thought it was, and many of its inhabitants succumbed to it forcing a decision by their governing ministry to abandon the Earth campaign.
For those Progg left behind on Earth they couldn’t expect extraction until it was safe to do so. For Grav who was only a generals aide the prospects weren’t looking good after having been shot while in the woods and now would likely die.
Laurel a nurse who has been hiding out in a preppers abandoned cave in those same woods finds Grav and at first thinks he is dead, until he groans and she flees.
Returning the next day she finds him still alive as her nurse instincts take over and she brings him back to her cave.
Theirs is a tenuous relationship at first which soon evolves into one of trust and friendship, and for Grav emotions, which his people never display.
A nicely written story with well crafted characters I enjoyed this entertaining read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Serendipity had caused their paths to cross, and an unlikely bond had forged."

Grav is alone on an alien world, looking for beings of his own kind, and wondering if he will ever find a way home.

Laurel knows she was lucky to survive the initial invasion of Earth. Now she's just trying to survive one day at a time, until something happens that causes her to adjust her view of her own life, and start thinking about the future.

This done in one kindle unlimited book tells a solid stand alone story while doing some really interesting world building. Laurel and Grav have more in common that they initially want to believe, each surviving on their own in an unforgiving environment... but they started from very different points in global conflicts to get to the same basic situation of not knowing if there is anyone on this world they can trust.

I really enjoyed Grav coming to see the actions of his own people, and culture, in a different light as he begins to view them from Laurel's perspective. It "humanized" the alien, and his growth makes him easier to relate to, and at times even want to cheer for.

[Holly Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cara Bristol’s Survival Instinct nails the survival adventure during a freak ice storm. I just survived Michigan’s recent Icepocalypse, so I know of what I speak! Laurel has survived an alien attack on earth alone after losing her family. Then she stumbles on a wounded Prof, the aliens who attacked. As a nurse she can’t just kill him so winds up taking her back to the cave, tying him up and keeping him alive. Over time he reveals that his people had all died of the common cold or flu. Eventually they come to the realization that they enjoy each other’s company after he escapes while she’s at the family home and is attacked by a human male. She nurses him through the illness caught from her attacker. In the end, she and Grav become lovers and leave to find other survivors.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining and original story. After aliens arrive and basically vaporise most of humanity, they've left again. This is the grim setting we first find Laurel, a nurse, living in. She's been hiding in a cave for almost a year but has finally ventured out to see what's what. What she finds is a wounded Progg alien, Grav. He's been abandoned by his people and needs help to survive. She brings him back to her cave to try and decide how to move forward with him - help him or not... These two apparently very different people find they have more in common than they expected. Their relationship rolls from complete distrust to wary friendship to protector and more. This is a closed door romance but the world building and plot were fab and I loved seeing how this story would unfold :D

[Foodiegirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sci-fi author Cara Bristol this is another wonderful start of what I think will become a great series. I was surprised this book it proved how well Cara change genres. Survival Instinct. Is a Post-Apocalyptic Romance but defiantly a sci-fi story. The Progg invaded earth, and vaporized the humans, and almost all the animals, birds, and insects. Laurel is a young nurse, after losing her entire family to the Progg, has been hiding out for a year in a cave in southwest Missouri. She ventured from her cave, finding a wounded Progg soldier, she plans to leave him to die, but as a nurse she can't kill him and decides to take him prisoner instead. Mother nature does a get revenge on the Progg. Now we need the rest of this wonderful new series to find out exactly what has happened to Human and Progg survivors. I can't wait to read it 😍.

[Angela Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this was a different sort of read by Cara Bristol but still really good. Same amazing writing and fantastic characters. Just very light on the spice in this book. Just a few kisses and then discussion of bedroom time. But the story is still the same amazing Cara Bristol.
Laurel was a great character. She was a nurse when the invasion happened so had that core of compassion all the great nurses have. So when she runs across a wounded Progg she can’t end his life. So starts a slow journey of discovery and some healing. Grav is part of the Progg military but he’s always been just a little different from the rest. This comes in handy when faced with a human who should have been the enemy.
I loved their story and I truly hope we get more stories set in this world.

I did receive an ARC from Booksprout and this is my honest opinion.

[Nicole Normand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Booksprout and I'm willingly leaving a review. 3.5 stars rounded up.
TRIGGER: Assault on Laurel by a human survivor and the moment comes back in discussion 2-3 times.
I never, never say this, but yet, here I am: some sw**ring, but it's necessary, especially for Grav. It was surprising and funny. I think the funniest part is when Laurel starts to be curious about Progg anatomy. The flow of time heals a lot and we see simple concessions, conversations, eating and sleeping closely to each other, and then friendship turn into a romance. I really liked the description of the cave; I don't think I would have left... So, in a whole year, Laurel did not use the broom under the bed? Priorities then.

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stockholm Syndrome?
The world on Earth as we know it, is no more after the arrival of the aliens and the annihilation they caused. Only a few people were able to escape and Laurel is one, living by herself in a cave.
The way CB describes what happens when there is nobody around to communicate with, while being afraid and not knowing what the situation is really like, is very realistic as far as you can imagine. Also when Laurel finds an enemy shot and unconscious, her reaction is very natural. Grav is from a very different culture with some extreme convictions. Slowly the situation changes from ‘Progg vs human’ into two individuals learning what lives behind the differences. Beautiful! A book well worth while reading.

[MockeryMock · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars! This is a rather sweet, clean closed door romance. The MMC comes from a stern race, all work/no play. They go to other planets and eradicate their population to claim for themselves. Despite coming from a culture that literally commits genocide on a regular basis the MMC is sweet and actually comes across as a bit naive and innocent. The FMC makes a somewhat questionable choice when she finds him vulnerable after being shot by someone else but otherwise is a pretty sensible character. I definitely don’t think I would have brought an alien back to tend his wound in that circumstance! She is convincingly torn about it through.

I was given an arc to read for this review but the review is my geniuses opinion,

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel and Grav are true enemies. He has been trained to destroy humans and everything on the planet. And they have mostly succeeded. Laurel is one of very few survivors, she is lost everything and everyone and is hiding out doing her best to survive.

I love the journey that she takes with Grav. It's not easy or without bumps but they slowly move through the stages of trust and connection and honest communication.

The world building is well done, there is a lot of background and other things happening in the world to get to now. But the book was pretty contained and intimate with two characters and a cave, while also feeling expansive. I wouldn't mind a few more survivors popping up and needing a little romance in the future.

[Sassy Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I didn't want it to end. I was drawn in from the first page. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Laurel is just trying to survive in this new world after the aliens came. She lost everything when they came. She was able to survive by hiding from the Proggs. When she accidentally encounters one injured, she doesn't know which instinct to follow run or hide. Grav is a Progg who has been left to die with the others that came with him. There is a plague that is wiping them out so the homeland left them to suffer on Earth. These two shouldn't work but they did. They have a lot of things to get through first. Will they be able to overcome their differences?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Power of Empathy.
I really liked this story as it presented what felt like a much more “realistic “approach to the characters involved. In a world being taken over by aliens, it seems natural that fear and suspicion of the unknown – Both human and alien alike - would be the logical starting point. Both Laurel and Grav were wonderful characters, reflecting on their personal thoughts and interpretations of the situation. With time, dialogue, empathy, and patience comes greater understanding. Loved it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelley G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different type story with a unique plot where a human female survivor of an alien invasion rescues one of the hostile aliens after finding him injured on ground. She takes him hostage after finding he's not dead as she thought then discovers she's not like she expected him to be. Grav isn't your typical alien invader and after being held prisoner by Laurel finds himself caring for this human. This story describes when invasion doesn't go as planned and aliens get left behind with survivors and they must survive together. Not an exciting story but a good solid read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable slow burning enemy to lover's alien romance story I'd read. You have Grav a Progg from a warrior race whose mantra is to conquer and take want they want and a human survivor, Laurel who was a nurse that saw her family and the human race decimated. While out scouting on a cold day she finds a Progg who has been shot. What does Laurel do? The characters were likable in this entertaining story that kept me engage as I read. I also enjoyed that a common cold turned the war. Reminded me of the "War of the Worlds". I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel finds the body of an alien in the woods.
Earth was attacked by alien from their ships in orbit vaporizing the people in whole cities at a time and soon most human were gone. Laurel had lost her parents and brother and was hide in a cave. After a year she ventures out and find the body of a Progg the invading aliens in the woods which she thinks is dead until it makes a noise. She drags him into her cave but not expecting him to live since but as a nurse she was unable to kill him as she should for her safety.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so dang good! I'm really happy to hear that it won't be a standalone. And that Cara is looking at doing at least one more in this post apocalyptic world. I think she did an amazing job on the reality of their situation as well as keeping the feelings honest as well. Without trying to give anything away I'm meaning the anger that one would feel if a race killed everyone you knew and loved and back and forth with yourself about wanting to like a person of that race. And for him he was indoctrinated from the time he was a child to not be close to anyone and to follow the rules of his government. Both of them overcoming that to come together was really great to watch.

[Lori Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so different than any by this author before. An apocalypse, survivors and romance? The book is good, but I’m not sure I’d have been as strong as Laurel. Being one of the last people on the planet or at least what it seems like would be so hard. Then to come upon an alien, injured but also responsible for the destruction of your whole life?! What would you do? Finish him off? Run? This was a crazy story that I’m still thinking about. If you love post apocalypse alien romance this is your book! I received an ARC of this book and am happily leaving my review.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren got lucky that she survived an alien apocalypse. She had been on her own for so long that she even thought about consorting with the enemy just to interact with another person. Grav was stranded and on death's door, but Lauren decided to rescue him. They learn about each other and see things from the other's point of view. Going from one life or death situation to another brings them closer. This was a great story and I like the plot. I would love to get a future story about his brother.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Athena Diven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grav and Laurel's story is sweet in that Laurel, by saving Grav opens the door to understanding and maybe finding common ground. Putting aside her hate and him putting aside his innate superiority, to see not the human and the alien, but Laurel and Grav the individuals. When that happens everything gets even more interesting. Love the characters and the world building as well as the storyline. I found it engaging and entertaining. Bravo!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.