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Review

“This was crazy. Even in a world already gone to insanity.”

5 HUGE STARS!

I freaking LOVE this series. Every book is an adventure with romance that sucks me in and makes me feel everything, and I relish every opportunity that I get to step back into Rebecca Zanetti’s post-apocalyptic world. And now we get the story of two series favourites, Damon and April, and it was every bit as amazing as I was hoping.

Firstly, I would also recommend that you don’t read this book as a standalone. The books are each about different couples, but each book builds on the previous, and you’d miss so much if you skipped, so do yourself a favour and read these in order! And be warned that I am completely in love with the way Zanetti writes her characters, so this review is heavy on the quotes because I was highlighting constantly!

Damon Winter is the best friend and right-hand man of Greyson Storm . Ex-SWAT and strategic genius of the Mercenaries, he has been enfolded into the Vanguard leadership now that the two groups have joined forces, and he has his eye on local sweetheart, April.

April Snyder has lost everything to Scorpius. First her husband, and then she nursed her daughter through her illness and death. She has thrown herself into making a difference within the Vanguard territory and cares for the children that live within the compound, but she has been hurt so badly that she has no intention of loving again, only to lose everything.

As two of the rare people within the compound who haven’t been subjected to the Scorpius virus, they are in the unique position of being courted by the self-proclaimed Pure Church – a ‘cult’ that exists within the Vanguard territory, and a group that is an unknown entity, posing a threat to the group as a whole. Vanguard leader, Jax Mercury decides to send the two in on a mission to get more information, creating a wonderful set up for much fun to come!

“First you’re going to assist Damon with integrating the Mercs into Vanguard territory so you have a reason to spend time together,” Jax said.
Easy enough. “Okay,” she said.
“And, second, he’s going to romantically pursue you. Big time,” Jax finished. “The church will see and will try to use you to manipulate him since he’s about to be so into you.”
Her body flushed hot. “Huh?”
“Men falling for women act like morons for a brief time,” Jax said simply.
Brief time? Right. April lifted an eyebrow.
Damon smiled, and this time, a dimple showed in his left cheek. “This might be my favorite mission ever.”

The chemistry is sizzling right from the beginning, especially considering that Damon and April are already attracted to each other, and Damon dives right on in there, acting the part while also letting April know his true intentions.

There was no reason for them to hold hands. Why couldn’t she breathe? His simple touch had overwhelmed her and forced sensations into her body that she had no business feeling. “We don’t need to pretend now.”
His eyes glittered with a light she couldn’t quite read. “Who’s pretending?”

I freaking LOVE Damon! He is a total badass of course, but he’s also smart, funny and so, so sweet. He is confident without being cocky and he speaks his mind, saying it exactly like it is. I could have easily highlighted almost every word out of his mouth.

“I’m attracted to you, too. So if you’re afraid of being embarrassed, of feeling something real while I’m pretending, then stop being afraid. I think you’re beautiful, smart, and kind. Your tits are unreal, and I’ve wanted to take your mouth from the first time you got sassy with me. Hard and deep.”
She freed her hands and threw them up. “Who says that? I mean, who in real life actually says that?”

He may have a smart mouth, but his feelings for April are absolutely beautiful. He is sweet and gentle with her, fully supportive and understanding of her feelings, and his protectiveness and soft heart absolutely melted me.

“It may take you a while to get settled into it, but you’re covered, April. I’m not letting anything happen to you. That’s a promise.”

In return, April is just as open with him, which I loved! Although she’s closed herself off to romance, she can’t help but be drawn to the sexy soldier with the kind heart.

He was just too much. Dark eyes, rugged jaw, cut cheekbones. His chest was wide and muscled. With a gun strapped to his thigh, and a knife to his calf, he oozed deadliness. That shouldn’t be sexy…but it was.

Damon was becoming a force she didn’t want to live without.

But despite what she’s feeling for him, she’s terrified of losing another love so she tries her hardest to fight everything that is happening between them. But we all know it’s a losing battle, and watching it all unfold is just delicious. In fact, I’m getting tingles just thinking about it! And even with all of that sweetness, when their time comes, holy hell it’s HOT! Damon is a big, strong alpha male, and amidst him throwing April over his shoulder, up against walls and into bed (*fans self*), there is some seriously steamy time!

“I’m not asking for true love or any promises of tomorrow – because tomorrow is an illusion these days. Let’s find pleasure where we can.”

Together they are sexy, intense and passionate, and though there is some back and forth as they figure out exactly what is happening between them, it’s understandable and realistic, and it’s handled functionally. I could feel everything right along with them, and I was cheering for them the whole way through.

“I’ve never been in love before, and it took the apocalypse to find you, but you’re it for me, April.”

He was the biggest risk she’d ever take. But he was worth it, and she wanted every second she might have.

*dreamy sigh*

The romantic storyline is strong, and would have been awesome enough on its own, but there’s also a whole lot of action doing on. Firstly, the business with the Church, which is intriguing and had me theorising madly as the danger builds and you just know something is coming, then there’s the hunt for the elusive second Bunker which will aid them in finding a cure for the disease, and thirdly there is the ongoing battle with the psychotic President who has seemingly waged war on the Vanguard compound. It’s exciting and action-packed, and I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough.

Characters from the earlier books are all a part of the story, and I loved catching up with them. As more and more characters come on board, the dynamics are shifting, and I love seeing all of the different relationships at play. In particular, I loved the depth of friendship between Grey and Damon, which was absolutely gorgeous. And now that the Mercenaries have joined the Vanguard, there is more opportunity for the characters to blend, and those moments are pure gold!

“Jesus,” Jax shook his head, the motion almost sad. “First, I had to deal with Raze and the shrink while stupid Greyson here kidnapped and seduced Raze’s sister.”
Grey reared back. “Hey. She seduced me.”
Raze calmly reached across the table and punched Grey in the face before settling back down.
Greyson rubbed his chin. “That was hardly necessary.”
…
Jax continued as if violence hadn’t just occurred at his table. “Then Tace and Sami danced around each other for ages, making gooly eyes. I had to send them both to our Bunker just to keep from puking. And now? Damon and April. Well, no. I’m just saying no this time. No romance, no fucking, no emotional shit. Got it, Damon?”
Damon finally calmed. “I think you’re a complete moron.”

It’s all kinds of awesome, full of everything that I love about this series, and I am eagerly anticipating Marcus and Penny’s book up next!

Fantastic – 5 stars!

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Scorpius Syndrome

 

For more reads like this one, see our Action/Adventure Recommendations Page

And check out our Rebecca Zanetti Author Spotlight for more reads from this author