I really love Claire Kent's post-apocalyptic novels, but I struggled with this one a bit. Cal was a frustrating character. I understand his reservations when it comes to a relationship with Rachel, but damn there is only so many times you can cycle me through hot and cold and back again before I feel wrung out.

I wanted to love this book, but it just isn’t all that lovable. Something is just off-the writing, the smut, something.
The plot, involving a very young woman dating her much older “kind of” father in law, following her boyfriends death, isn’t what put me off.
I managed to slog through, but a slog it was.
2/5 ⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and to NetGalley for the review copy.. All opinions are my own.

"Thank you to Victory Coop, Claire Kent, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I am a sucker for a good apocalyptic romance and this did not disappoint. Embers is the third book in the "Kindled" series and I don't believe you have to read the other two to know what is happening. Rachel is 18 when the apocalypse occurs, and she and her boyfriend are the only survivors of their family and friends until his Father shows up, an unkempt hillbilly who lives in an isolated cabin in the mountains. He brings them there, where Derek dies a few months later from the lung affliction that is killing off who is left. Kent doesn't explain why this happens to some and not others.

After a few years of living together, Rachel admits her attraction to Cal, described as smelly and hairy, but the question remains and is talked about in the book, would she be attracted to him in a normal situation. That question is never answered fully and remains in the back of my mind. That being said, I enjoyed the age gap and though both Rachel and Cal were great characters.

I recently discovered Claire Kent and this series and I can't stop reading everything by here. I didn't know how she was going to pull off this book considering the set-up but I found the romance believable. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Very good read, different from others I've read in the genre which made the story feel fresh. I will be reading the rest of the series!

The third installment in this Kindled world felt again a little different to each previous story. Rachel and Cal were the couple in this story and we had caught sight of them in a previous book. I knew this age gap romance might be a little more tricky to gel with and for me it was.

Rachel was the girlfriend of Cal’s son who died early into the post-disaster world. These two rubbed along as reluctant companions for a good few years. I liked both Cal and Rachel as characters but I struggled with them somewhat as a couple. To be fair, Cal also struggled with that a lot. I think it was the whole factor she was his son’s girlfriend.

The plot was good in general. I enjoyed seeing Rachel in the previous communities we’ve seen in Kindled. I didn’t buy into the couple or chemistry as much as I’d hoped.

Thank you to the author for the review copy through netgalley.

Full review coming asap.. just finished (in one sitting) and LOVED IT!
-age gap (very well done, good confrontation of issues)
-boyfriends💀 dad
-enemies to lovers
-forced proximity
-SLOW burn
-THE. SPICE. 🌶 panty melting (although the slow burn foreplay element was AGONY)
-major feels 😍 chest aches
-the heartbreak💔
-likeable heroine
-gruff grumpy male
- Christian Bale (reign of fire) vibes
-well done dystopian world
-amazing plot (although slow at times due to the world environment I didn't skim at all)
-interesting likeable side characters
-first I've read in the series, will definitely read the rest

I've read so many from this author, I'm a big fan. This series is so different from her other works and I love it.

This couple is unconventional, but come on, I've read so many that are I'm not shocked anymore, lol. This builds on her other books in the series and we see some familiar faces. You can read this one with out the others. But you should read the other books anyways!

Cal isn't your typical hero but it works. And Rachel is great, I totally understand this girl.

Ember to a blaze...

I did like Embers. Ok, it does have a lot of tropes, post apocalytic, major age gap (like Cal is her bf Derek's father) forced proximity, cabin in the woods. Rachel is forced to survive with her deceased boyfriend's dad, Cal. Cal is very uncommunicative (like he doesn't talk to her at one point). Cal has a major Jones for Rachel, which she is unaware of, as he pushes her away repeatedly. Their relationship does evolve and you can see just how immature Rachel is, but she grow a bit.
Liking this series.

4🌟
2.5🌶

TROPES: age gap, apocalyptic, forced proximity, mountain cabin vibes, ex boyfriends dad, grumpy rugged mountain hero

Cal & Rachel gave me every dang feeling. Since this is told in only Rachel’s pov (which let me say since that’s my name it always threw me off when reading it lol) we don’t know what Cal is ever thinking. We are only seen who he is & how he acts through Rachel’s eyes. While sometimes this can bug me, I found that it added so much more emotion & angst to the story. Very similar to how Mariana Zapata books are for me. Cal is your sexy, bearded, grumpy rough around the edges man who can be hella intimating. This does take place over several years but since it’s a shorter novella length story the pacing was well done. I felt like there was always a purpose or some kind of development we were meant to see when learning about the years since Rachel found herself living with Cal up in the secluded mountain. The plot and romantic relationship was enjoyable, I was invested in the from the beginning. This was a quick read for me & I felt like it was a solid story even though it is on the shorter side of length. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed their story & I’m excited to go back to the start of this series. This was also my first Claire Kent book so I’ll be picking up more from her as well!

4.5 stars

Embers is book 3 in the Kindled series and my favorite so far. The story begins one year after Impact with Rachel living with her boyfriend Derek and his mother. Unfortunately, his mother dies, and the streets become very dangerous, so they decide to leave and go to his dad's home. Once they decide to leave, they are confronted with dangerous men but lucky for them Cal is heading their way and takes them up the mountain. Sadly, tragedy strikes again and Derek dies leaving Cal and Rachel together. I loved this book so much and my favorite romances in this genre are when an unlikely couple becomes each other's everything. I loved watching them grow closer as the years pass. Rachel eventually decides it's Cal she wants but he really takes a long time due to his past and the fact that she is so much younger and his son's girlfriend. Cal makes a decision that really upset me, but I was able to forgive him as did Rachel because he really is a wonderful man. I can't wait for the next book.

3.5 stars

After reading the other books set in this world I had to get my hands on Cal’s and Rachel book. We’ve been teased with their relationship for a while now and that made this couple even more interesting.
Main tropes here are age gap, survival, post-apocalyptic setting and lots of steam.
We get to see how their relationship started , how it evolved in what tuned out to be a partnership and later on a romance.
Cal is closed up pretty much the entire book. He’s struggling with his desire for his dead son girlfriend and pushes her away at every turn, but he is always there when Rachel needed him.
Rachel is the main pursuer of their relationship, he is the only thing in the worl she has left close to a family and holds onto this with a tight grip. I appreciated her character as an individual although at times she came of as very needy.
I wanted to shake some sense into Cal some many time, but I understood where he came off, it was a 20 years different between the two and he decided he knew best, so acted a bit silly considering all they shared together.
Lots of previous characters are the supporting cast for this couple , and I enjoyed reading about how their life evolved after their hea.
Overall this series is pretty captivating and steamy and I enjoy Claire’s Kent storytelling.

I LOVED this book. It's book 3 in the Kindled series, though at the end of the book Kent says there are 3 others that have already come out?

I generally do not like dystopian anything but I read book 2 , Haven, for a reading challenge and I also gave that one 5 stars.. This one is even better, IMHO. It takes place after an asteroid impact, and there are few humans who are trying to work together to survive. This book is Cal and Rachel's story. Cal has been living off the grid in Kentucky, and his son Derek (who is the product of a one night stand and the mother barely gave him access to) comes to stay with him and brings his girlfriend, Rachel. Derek dies relatively early on, by one of the diseases that have been happening in this new world. Rachel and Cal stay on together trying to survive for a couple of years.

About 3 years after Derek dies, Rachel and Cal start becoming interested in each other. Serious Birthday Girl (Penelope Douglas) vibes. But he doesn't feel worthy and it's a hard slog for them to move from roommates to lovers. After awhile they are visiting New Haven, the farm that figures prominently in previous books, and finally tell each other they are in love. The next day Cal leaves Rachel has to put herself back together and learn to live without him.

Cal comes back to help the group help others, and they're thrown together again. They need to see if they can move on after his desertion . What a love story, interspersed with meeting new survivors of the impact, attacks from people trying to steal the supplies they have, and Rachel growing up and having more adult experiences. I adored these two and will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

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.

[ID: the ebook rests against a shelf filled with books in a crowded white bookcase.]

I read this series out of order but am definitely going back to read them all. I loved this story Rachel is living with her boyfriend and his mother after an apocalypse his mother dies and Derek gets sick. Where they are living is getting more dangerous so they decided to move on to find Derek's dad they end up at Cal's cabin. This story had everything even though it was short it never felt rushed, I felt so much for Rachel her loneliness and sadness made me mad at Cal and I did find him frustrating. I would have liked a chapter or two from his pov I think that would have helped me understand him better. In the end I loved their romance and I want to read more in this world. Highly recommend this one thanks to netgalley and the author for letting me read this.

*Thank you Netgallery and Claire Kent for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own*
This book really hit the spot for me.
I just love when an author can sell me an age gap romance. So many fail, but Claire Kent gets it right.
I really enjoy the Kindled series overall.
When I first began the series, with "Haven", I went in with no expectations and then I was basically blown away by how good it was and by how much I enjoyed it. The apocalyptic scenario is an interesting one and what I also liked was that, for me, it still maintains a low anxiety factor while reading.
So, I was really excited to read this new entry.
I have to say, sometimes I struggle with 1st pov writing but never in Claire Kent's books.
I absolutely adored the domestic atmosphere in "Embers". Them staying up the mountain, taking care of chores everyday, not being able to go outside during winter because of the cold temperatures, when they slept in the same the bed and shared body heat to fight the cold. And the hot bits... Arghh soo good. These books are quickly becoming comfort rereads for me. And I'm gonna be rereading this one as well.
It was a difficult dynamic, with a big age gap of 20 years, and he was the father of her boyfriend (who dies) and I appreciate that Cal was very very conflicted for a long time. Maybe Rachel was a bit immature at times but whatever, for me, it wasn't that bad.
I think there are a few parts and mentions here and there that will make more sense if you've been following the series however. I definitely recommend it. Do yourself a favor and after finishing this book, go back to read the entire series, starting from "Haven", a sort of spin off, and then starting from book one "Last light", which is another great entry with an age gap trope.
Can't wait to read the next installment, "Hero" coming out in December.
.

When the world ends, Rachel and her boyfriend Derek have no choice but to turn to Derek's ex-con father for shelter and safety. When Derek dies, Rachel is stuck with Derek's father, Cal, and she really doesn't like his mean and rough manners.

To start off, this is an age gap romance with a taboo element. The age gap here is 20 years, which is beyond what I'm usually comfortable with. But Claire Kent makes it work. Context, the characters, their background, and the overall setting help sell this age gap romance.

Rachel is 100% sure about her feelings for Cal, but he has realistic hangups about 1) their age gap and 2) him not deserving her. The relationship development is exceptionally well done, especially for a novella. Rachel starts off hating Cal, but after she's forced to live with him, she begins to see him differently. The forced proximity is absolutely delicious. The build up of chemistry and tension is 🔥

Claire Kent heroes are the grumpy and silent type and this applies to Cal as well. But I'd say that Cal opens up a lot more quickly when compared to Grant from Princess. Cal also has his moments of idiocy, but he does a good job groveling and putting Rachel's safety and comfort above everything else.

Embers packs a few emotional punches, but the HEA makes the angst worth it. And like always, I need more and more stories set in this world. I can't wait for Mack and Anna!

The world Claire Kent has created is extraordinary. It is dangerous but filled with people who care and want to help each other (despite those who don't). I've been addicted to this series since Last Light and each book continues to captivate me. I love reading about the daily challenges each couple faces and how they create a world where they can survive and find some sort of happiness. I wasn't as excited about Cal and Rachel's story, but I soon realized my error and fell for the couple. I can't wait for Mack and Anna's story!!! 5/5

Another great instalment in this series. You do not need to read the previous books to follow with what is happening. I'm a sucker for a stoic hero, and Cal was 100% that. Great steamy scenes, and I love how gone he is for Rachel and how well he takes care of her.

3.5*

I’m loving this series but that said this was my least favourite one so far. I was intrigued by Cal and Rachel and I’ve even hoping we’d get their story but…

Now Cal is Rachel’s ex-boyfriends father. This didn’t actually bother me that much. Her and Derek were best friends not lovers. Plus Cal hadn’t really featured in his life which made it easier.
So I got over that much, much quicker than Cal did.
I understood his struggle I really did. I liked him so much and I liked him for Rachel.
What I didn’t like was their early intimate scenes. I can’t say exactly what I didn’t like but I found them cringy. I had no issue with them getting together I’d been trying to hurry them up. I think it was the dialogue. Whatever it was it wasn’t working for me. But then I kept reading and as the story progressed I enjoyed it more. By the time it had finished I’d almost forgotten I hadn’t liked parts of it.

So bring on Hero. Mack and Anna’s story is next.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by Victory Editing and NetGalley.