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Review

“Not sure what’s going to happen in this life, but it’s you and me.”

4.5 stars

The sixth and final (at least for now) book of the Scorpius Syndrome, this book has been a long time coming, but it was SO worth the wait! Marcus and Penny’s story is sweet, funny, intense, super sexy and gorgeously romantic, set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world still searching for answers and dealing with every day dangers, but that is also finally starting to settle. I loved being back in this world, and loved every moment of this book.

Marcus Knight is the younger brother of Vanguard leader, Jax Mercury. Held prisoner, tortured and experimented on, he has lost not only his memory, but most of who he is, and he is pretty much emotionless except for the anger that is constantly simmering, and his obsession with the doctor who saved him, Penelope Kim.

“You’re angry. I can see it in your eyes.”
“It’s the only emotion I have left.”

Penny may just be one of the only doctors left alive after the Scorpius bacteria wiped out most of the world’s population. Since being rescued by Vanguard, she has quickly found her place and is working hard to help the survivors living in Vanguard-Merc territory. But her main focus is the find a way to help pregnant women deliver healthy babies, thus ensuring the continuation of the human race. But Penny has another problem – a strong, fierce and broody man who refuses to leave her side, and who has begun to infiltrate her fantasies.

This is such a fun set-up! Yes, Marcus is super-possessive and protective, and somewhat obsessed, and while Penny should possibly be scared of him, she’s one of the few people who treats him like a man, acknowledging the trauma that he’s been through and caring deeply for him. There is an underlying chemistry between them, and as they get to know each other outside of the bunker where they were both held, and Marcus starts to adjust back into the real world, things begin to change.

“I can’t be like everyone else. You’re all I think about now. If you let me in, if you let me have more, I can’t hold it back.” He clenched his fingers into fists. “I can’t hold myself back.”

Marcus and Penny have a fantastic dynamic. You can feel their chemistry and the sexual tension that sizzles between them, and once they give in to that, this book is seriously steamy. But there is a deeper connection between them that starts to bring out Marcus’ feelings, and that’s both beautifully sweet and seriously funny.

Marcus crossed his arms. “The parameters of this relationship are clear, remember? You keep safe and I try to have feelings. Well, guess what? I’m having a shitload of feelings right now, and you’re making yourself unsafe in the process.”

“Huh,” Marcus said, cocking his head and studying her with those deep eyes. “I believe you’re pissing me off.”

Apart from the dramas of living in a dangerous and deadly post-apocalyptic LA, Marcus and Penny have issues closer to home that they need to deal with. It seems that the secret to human-kind’s survival could be buried in Marcus’ lost memories, and as the Vanguard team dig for answers, he’s afraid of what may be unleashed – especially if Penny is in the firing line. It creates great intensity, and shows not only Marcus’ vulnerability, but also Penny’s strength, and I loved their honesty through it all and seeing their feelings for each other deepen as they figure it all out

“Promise me you’ll open yourself to falling in love with me.” Before he could remind her that he didn’t have feelings, she pressed on. “Just be open and willing. Maybe you feel love like others, maybe you don’t. Maybe your love is different, and that’s fine. All I’m asking is that you don’t stop yourself and that you be open. You can do that.”
“Baby, I’m already open. Anything inside me, you can have. No holding back.”

Alongside the romance, the members of the Vanguard-Merc crew are trying to survive in the post-Scorpius world. Death is always a possibility, and with the threat of gang wars, rippers on the loose, and a homicidal President after them (as well as the every-day struggles of food, water, shelter and medicine), the time has come for the move their settlement to a more permanent home. But with every step forward, there are two steps back, and it seems they have a traitor in their midst. It will take all of their combined strengths to make this final push to settle into their new world, and it’s an exciting and fast-paced ride as we watch it all happen.

The characters from previous books in the series all appear, and I loved catching up with them. All of those alpha males and strong females are a fantastic combination, and I loved seeing them all working together, teasing, bantering and arguing as they fight for their future. And in the middle of all of the action and excitement, Marcus and Penny’s love story unfolds beautifully.

“I can’t fight this world without you. It’s you and me, remember?”

I love this world, I love this series, and this is a great book to finish on. It’s exciting, funny, dramatic and romantic, and I thought the ending wrapped up really well, though maybe a little too quickly – but that could just be me and my mild obsession with the series, I’m not ready to let go and would have loved to have seen just a bit more. But Rebecca Zanetti hasn’t ruled out returning to this world for future books, and I would be right on board if she does!

As a bonus, the ebook has a short story at the end of it which is set before the series, and is a great little extra which helped dull the pain of it all being over.

I loved it! 4.5 stars.

 

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