Now this is the post apocalyptic novel, I didn't know I needed. I've avoided COVID, lockdown and pandemic themed books for the past year. But halfway through reading this, I checked the author's note and realized that this author started writing this book long before COVID and it showed. Erik manages to tell a love story in a way that is refreshing without retracting from the seriousness of the situation they are in. I loved the exploration of identity that was more shown through action, than explicit explanation and that we see how the character's have been affected by this new world, without completely losing themselves. Throughout the story, they meet many individuals, both good and bad who contribute to their new perspective of the world they live in. The main characters Andrew and Jamison each face who they are and how they relate to each other and the rest of society (or what's left of it). The story actually created genuine suspense because what I thought was going to be the climax was nowhere near it. This books is written in a way where the pacing is much like running up and down a few small hills that progressively get bigger rather than a straight incline to a story climax. I definitely recommend it! (less)