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    After The Ending: A Post-Apocalyptic Romance: The Ending Series, #1
    Unavailable
    After The Ending: A Post-Apocalyptic Romance: The Ending Series, #1
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    After The Ending: A Post-Apocalyptic Romance: The Ending Series, #1
    Ebook679 pages10 hours

    After The Ending: A Post-Apocalyptic Romance: The Ending Series, #1

    By Lindsey Pogue and Lindsey Fairleigh

    3/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    The first book in the emotionally charged post-apocalyptic series, The Ending. 

     

    They may have survived the apocalypse, but the Virus changed them... 

     

    Grad student Dani O'Connor won't let a cross-country move end her closest friendship. But when a mysterious virus consumes the world and Dani,herself, falls violently ill, she fears she'll never see her loved ones again.After her fever finally breaks, she barely recognizes the devastated world around her. Everyone is dead. Dani is all alone. Or so she thinks... 

     

    As a bartender, Zoe is used to dealing with hotheads and dirtbags, but nothing could have prepared her for the twisted thoughts of her fellow survivors.Her family is gone, and anyone left alive in the world is either sick, crazy, or changed...like her. As her newfound super senses gain strength, Zoe must learn to control them before she loses herself to madness completely. 

     

    Perilous terrain spans the distance between them, and deranged survivors lurk in dark corners everywhere. Can Dani and Zoe overcome deadly attacks and unseen dangers in order to find each other? Or will they lose their way--and their lives--along the journey? 

     

    After The Ending is the first book in the evocative, superpowered post-apocalyptic adventure, The Ending Series. If you like unbreakable friendships, gritty dystopian settings, and a touch of romance, then you'll love Lindsey Pogue and Lindsey Fairleigh's heart-wrenching tale.

     

    THE ENDING SERIES
    Beginnings: The Ending Series Origin Stories
    After The Ending
    Into The Fire
    Out Of The Ashes
    Before The Dawn World
    World Before: A Collection of Stories

    THE ENDING LEGACY
    World After
    The Raven Queen

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherL2 Books
    Release dateApr 11, 2014
    ISBN9781498995955
    Unavailable
    After The Ending: A Post-Apocalyptic Romance: The Ending Series, #1
    Author

    Lindsey Pogue

    Lindsey Pogue has always been a little creative. As a child she established a bug hospital on her elementary school soccer field, compiled books of collages as a teenager, and as an adult, expresses herself through writing. Her novels are inspired by her observations of the world around her--whether she's traveling, people watching, or hiking. When not plotting her next story line or dreaming up new, brooding characters, Lindsey's wrapped in blankets watching her favorite action flicks or going on road trips with her own leading man.

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    Reviews for After The Ending

    3/5

    105 ratings23 reviews

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    • 4/5
      After the Ending was a book that I had kicking around on my Kindle for the better part of the last year. I knew it was one I wanted to read but just never seemed to find the time to sit down and read it. Boy was I wrong to wait. Not only was After the Ending an extremely well written story but it blended the best parts of several genres and left me wanting more by books end. One of the things I really liked about After the Ending were the characters. Due to the story following two groups, the cast of characters was large but I never had a problem distinguishing who was on the page at any given moment. I'd say my favorite character was Sarah (Book nerds unite!) but by the ending Dani (shockingly) started to grow on me as well. While both girls (Zoe and Dani) do have the most focus in the story, the background characters are still allowed to shine as well and at times even outshined the leads. Another thing that I liked about this story was the fact it felt like a Stand for this generation. Sure, nobody can replace Stephen King but these two ladies do a good job of trying. I can't wait to see where they take the story in the sequel especially after that ending, woah boy. Lastly, I liked the nature of the virus itself. It was merciless and killed without prejudice. It also changed those who survived. The powers the characters develop was a nice little twist to the story and also set up those unaffected as potential antagonists for future books. In fact, we even see a glimpse of the prejudice against the changed in the middle of the story and trust me what went down wasn't pretty. It just goes to show how powerful fear of the unknown can be. Now although I really enjoyed After the Ending and will certainly be reading the sequel that's not to say that I didn't find fault with a few things. First off, I absolutely hated Dani in the beginning. Her boyfriend and supposed love of her life is dead barely 3 days and she's already lusting after her best friends brother Jason. Yes, I understand an attraction and even flirtation was inevitably happening but damn girl go take a cold shower already, rub one out even, just cool it with the sexy thoughts for awhile. Secondly, I really wish we had learned a bit about mystery guy. He's obviously powerful to be appearing in peoples dreams (many miles away) and yet Dani never takes a moment to think that maybe, just maybe, he has his own agenda and it might not be something she wants to be involved in. Instead she was basking in the attention and it's only when Jason starts giving her the time of day that she seems to not care about MG disappearing on her. Of course there is a reason for this but still it doesn't help her cause any. Her need for male approval just made her seem incredibly self obsessed. Lastly, I really thought it was silly that no cell phones or power was working but yet the internet is up running fine and well. The emails in the beginning, OK, but they should've stopped long before they did or at the very least made it known that the service was very shoddy as they made their way cross country. Yet, without fail, every stop Dani and Zoe along with other companions in their group use the internet to email loved ones stuck in their respective territories while the rest of the world goes to hell in a hand basket. It was too convenient for them to know exactly what was going on with each of them as they made there way to each other. Final ThoughtsAfter the Ending was a fast paced, emotionally charged, thrill ride through an apocalyptic landscape. Not only did the story meet my expectations but it far exceeded them. I highly recommend picking up this title if you haven't already. In fact, go ahead and pick up the sequel as well because trust me, you'll want to read these back to back. With that being said, I'll be rating After the Ending by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue ★★★★.
    • 4/5
      A great read! Interesting turn of events when a virus wipes out mankind.
    • 4/5
      Nabbed this as a free download on Kindle and I enjoyed it! I will definitely be reading more into the series!
    • 4/5
      Dystopian & apocalyptic is not something you see often outside of books targeted more for teenagers so I actually really enjoyed seeing an ADULT apocalyptic romance novel. It was a bit quirky, immature, and unrealistic in places but overall I really enjoyed the series.
    • 2/5
      After The Ending by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue is a post apocalyptic novel that focuses on two 26 year-old friends, Dani O'Connor and Zoe Cartwright, and their journey from opposite coasts to join up with each other. A pandemic flu virus has either killed or changed everyone. Some survivors develop special talents and abilities, some just go insane. Dani and Zoe discover their new abilities while traveling with others and trying to meet up in Colorado.

      The novel is told in first person and features Dani and Zoe exchanging emails while they survive the flu and then try to get to Colorado. Zoe is on the east coast while Dani is on the West. Both women grew up in Bodega Bay (of The Birds). After Zoe's brother, Jason finds her, Dani heads south with his group to check up on their relatives. Zoe heads out with friends who survived on the east coast.

      Here in lies my dilemma with this novel: I love post apocalyptic fiction, so I was predisposed to love this novel and overlook all sorts of flaws in order to follow the action. And I tried to do just that to the bitter end of After The Ending. But there are simply too many flaws and inconsistencies and "why" and "what"questions that kept popping up.

      The biggest what" had to"be the emails exchanged between the two on still operating Wi Fi access. This is totally improbable, and, well, annoying. Honestly then why weren't they using cell phones or tweeting since technology is available. And, okay, gas is scarce, but the internet is up and running and emails can still be exchanged. Really? Wouldn't there be some sort of official information on this miracle internet? Why would Zoe have to see the headlines of a paper to be shocked that so many were dead. Uh, the young adults in their mid-twenties that I know would have already been following the news - online - rather than have to read newspaper headlines.

      As After The Ending is the first book in proposed series of novels.

      So, I read to the end of the novel, ignoring everything that was bothering me - and the list grew pretty long. I also grew to dislike both characters. And the men they want. And most of the other characters. But, most importantly, why, in a novel with a superflu that kills so many and changes others, would you have people heading to Colorado where a group, The Colony, is broadcasting, when they can get a signal through (they should have used the internet)? This all just screams comparison to Stephen King's The Stand. This novel isn't as fully realized as The Stand.

      Okay - so After The Ending had the potential to be very interesting, but, alas, it wasn't the novel I thought it would be. If you like romance novels with a post-apocalyptic-lite setting, this may be a recommended choice for you.


      Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of L2 Books via Netgalley for review purposes.
    • 4/5
      Liked the narrative style. The idea of a virus affecting people differently was also interesting.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Shocked to see that there are no members with this book in their library or reviews. This book is great. A well-written, fast paced story about a post-apocalyptic world. Characters are like able with just enough development to give me a picture of who they are (although the book is slow on that development). I didn't think I'd like it because it includes "abilities" that are gained after surviving. However, that doesn't seem to be the overriding storyline, merely a part of it. One thought that kept running through my head as I read this, is that this would be a great movie...I can only hope!
    • 1/5
      I really haven't read it yet
    • 4/5
      Post apocolyptic story of two young women who are searching for each other from different parts of the country. Each one with their on unique set of circumstances and how they will get to each other. Very good story line and anxious to get to the rest of the series, although at sometimes it was difficult to go back and forth between the story lines. I would get so caught up in one life, and then it would change to other's, I have to readjust.
    • 5/5
      This is a good book, well written and with believable characters. I will only warn you that the end is a cliff hanger, which annoyed me. But I am about to read the next one.

      The book is written about two friends who are in different parts of the country as a plague hits the US, and their stories dovetail.
    • 1/5
      I received this book as a Readers Copy.

      This was a very disjointed story. It was not well thought out. Inconsistencies in the timing and technology in the story. The characters seemed so immature that it took me a while to realize they are adults.

      The cover is well done. I was intrigued by the synopsis but it just didn't follow through.
    • 1/5
      This genre is normally one of my favorites. Lately that seems to be changing though. Cuz there is some crappy books coming out and shaming the whole idea of it. This is one of them. 2 BFF's (gag) email each other as they face the end of the world. Everyone has the flu and is dying off. (Good idea for a book-but this one squashed the life out of it) I mean dang one of them loses her boyfriend and does it bother her? Not. She has to email said BFF and let her know as she drinks wine.

      Please save trees and not produce drivel like this.
    • 1/5
      Not for me. Barely made it past 20%. I didn't like the two main characters, they seemed far too girlie and silly to be dealing with something on the magnitude of apocalyptic mess this novel was trying to convey. The idea was an interesting one, but I just did not like it. The tone was too flippant and I did not like the emails switching back and forth between the two girls which made them sound like tweens bitching about bad days and boys. I like the idea of trying to stay in touch with a loved one - but urg.

      Thank you Netgalley for the Arc, but since I can't stomach any more of this novel, on this one, I will not be providing a full review.
    • 4/5
      If you have a problem with descriptive PDA, death and language, this is not the book for you.

      3.5-4 stars, I go back and forth.

      The best thing about this book was the pace. It was a real page turner that I just could not put down, and any conflicts that posed serious threats were handled almost -immediately-. I've never read anything quite like it. Part of me was relieved because I don't enjoy evil being drawn out, and part of me was like, that's it? So easy? But like I said, it really kept the pace moving.

      I did think the language was a -little- overdone. I was a little annoyed with how anyone opposed to the main character was immediately, emphatically, relentlessly called a bitch. Like five times per paragraph. And of course they were pure evil. This book kind of categorizes people as good or evil. There's no in between. I'm not sure if it's fair since this seems to be a requirement of the plot (either you're a crazy or a survivor...) but it made for kind of flat characters which bugged me.

      The funny thing was that I didn't feel like the plot was clear; death strikes almost immediately and I wasn't really sure what the whole point/problem/plot was. It kind of seemed like I just got to experience it with them and -that- was the point. Normally this would really frustrate me, but it kind of added an element of authenticity.

      I felt like Dani and Zoe were the same person, but not in a good way; their sex scenes were literally described exactly the same way.

      And I thought that the Abilities were not distinctive/unique enough. I thought it was kind of lame to give Dani SUCH a strong power. I mean being able to speak to animals would have been enough, but to be telepathic with people too? And hundreds /thousands at a time? Overkill. As a side note, I totally would have sent all manner of lethal wild cats after Cece and Carla. Problem solved.

      Those were the things I had problems with, but they were not enough to keep me from getting into it. Like I said, it was hard to put down. I like the apocalypse AND super power themes put together and I feel like there's so much mystery left to uncover that I'm really looking forward to the next one.

      *I was given a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
    • 1/5
      I received this book as a Readers Copy.

      This was a very disjointed story. It was not well thought out. Inconsistencies in the timing and technology in the story. The characters seemed so immature that it took me a while to realize they are adults.

      The cover is well done. I was intrigued by the synopsis but it just didn't follow through.
    • 3/5
      I'm still unsure about my rating for this one.
      I love Post Apocalyptic books so after reading the synopsis I knew I'd read it. A world wide virus hits and within weeks most of the population is dead. Dani and her boyfriend get the virus but he dies and she barely survives. Zoe, Danis' BFF, is hundreds of miles away and her roommate gets the virus and dies so she decides to send her brother to see if Dani is still alive(he lives near Dani). She is and they decide to meet up in this supposedly safe place. Each group leaves and checks on their own family members along the way.
      The virus that killed everyone has changed others. Some of them have become 'Crazies' and some seem to have developed special powers. The Crazies are extremely dangerous and some of the people with the powers have let it gone to their heads and turned bad. Each group has their work cut out for them trying to stay alive.

      OK, I wanted to love this, I really did but I have a few WTFudge moments and was like Ugh!! First of all there was the emails between Dani and Zoe. While it was a good idea it kind of fell flat. To me it was like they were just rehashing what we already knew and I found myself skimming most of them. Also how would the internet be working when there was no phones???? And how would they have WiFi everywhere they went? Also the way the girls were about meeting up was kind of obsessive. They would go on their own just to meet up even with what happened and the Crazies.
      I hate being negative but so much annoyed me in this book. Dani 'loved' her boyfriend but within days of meeting up with Jason she was fawning all over him. The Crazies were another thing. They weren't explained well, how did they become like that? Maybe it will be explained in the next book though!!

      Now saying that, I ended up liking it. The whole Virus giving super powers was unique to me and I liked the idea. Also there wasn't really a dull moment in the book. Something was always happening. The "villians" were really bad which I enjoyed and I liked most of the characters. Overall it wasn't a bad book it just raised a lot of What?? moments. The ending was a real cliffhanger and felt a bit abrupt but it will make you want to read the next book just to see what happens, also the hinting that the virus may not have been natural is another thing that will make you want to pick up book 2.
    • 2/5
      There's a virus. Most of us die. Some of us who survive develop strange abilities. Some just go crazy and either kill themselves or others. It's not a happy America out there, but it's the America best friends Dani and Zoe have to cross in order to reunite with each other and hopefully with their families.

      After the Ending is written by two authors, I suspect each one writing one of the main characters. They've done it well enough, but there are times, especially toward the ending, where one character's chapters dragged while the other's were full of adventure, which is, in the case of a novel like this, a pacing problem.

      There is a plot underneath there, one with a mysterious man who shows up in Dani's dreams and explains to her about her Abilities, and a Colony that some people swear is our last hope and others say is a very dangerous place to go. There are also rumors that the military, or at least part of it, knew of the virus before it began to spread. But the majority of that is lost beneath Dani's and Zoe's travels and feelings. Toward the beginning of the book that worked well, especially when both Dani and Zoe were traveling with people who could not be trusted. But toward the ending, when the pacing was off as I noted above, and when all the immediate crises were solved, it turned into nothing more than a series of emails, parties, and steamy looks.

      Consider my rating a 2.5. If the book were edited to tighten it up it would be a much better read.

      (Provided by publisher)
    • 4/5
      I was hooked right away and thoroughly enjoyed this romp through devastation after a viral plague (not so funny after reading about MERS, the latest coronavirus that's killing 56% of those who get it). We follow the double storyline of two friends who try to get back together after the world falls apart. Plenty of thrills and chills as the two groups struggle to get supplies, create some kind of order and cooperation, avoid the crazies and the nasties (while trying to decide if strangers they meet fall into the avoid category--not always easy to do), deal with (sometimes murderous) jealousies and overwhelming loss, and try to make sense of the new "abilities" the virus spawned in survivors. Mother Nature throws a few punches as well.There are some flaws: a good copy editor would clear up many of the irritating small ones (using the wrong word ("reign" instead of "rein" for example), mis-hyphenated words, left out words (or left in), unnecessary commas, etc.). Although there are some likable things found in the emails exchanged (with believable increasing interruptions) between the girls, too often they're a rehash of what you've just read, which is both tedious and tends to break the flow of the narrative. The girls' voices are not disparate enough; it is often hard to remember which girl you're on at the moment (along with attendant storyline). This could have been solved so simply by having one girl in first person and the other in third as a cue to the reader...(sorry, I'm sure it's more politically correct to say "women" but people my own children's age or younger are still kids to me although I see them as definitely adult).The romances are handled well with enough teasing, misunderstandings, etc., to be compelling (although how many times do I have to hear about a guy's perfect bod?). The guys in said romances are Jake and Jason; I kept wishing one was Bill just to get away from the similarity (oh yeah, they're both perfect physical specimens, have a hard time opening up emotionally, keep the girl guessing, etc., etc.).Some things were a bit beyond belief (hundreds of animals responding to a telepath who loses consciousness but then no prey/predator or predator/predator problems while they wait around for her to wake?...putting a novice on a Thoroughbred and no problems? I grew up in the saddle but will never forget my first time aboard one of those magnificent animals) but these are relatively minor problems that don't interfere much with the enjoyment of the adventure.The ending is satisfying, with an added little flip that sparks your interest to dive into the continuing adventure. The authors have built a great world for marching forward on more adventures and write well enough that I expect a series will do well. I will certainly be looking for the next one.I often wish we had the option of giving a book 4.5 stars--this one would get that extra half star from me.
    • 3/5
      Billions have succumbed to a virus and have died. Dani and Zoe are in their mid-twenties and best friends. They are among the survivors, but they are on opposite sides of the country and desperate to reunite. Those who are still alive are divided into crazies (people who have gone berserk) and others struggling to survive amid a landscape of death and terror. Some survivors are showing signs of telepathy or other paranormal powers. Dani and Zoe are trying to get to Colorado where a group of survivors are gathering. Travel is difficult because of the lack of fuel, the crazies and sabotage among the survivors themselves. Both Dani and Zoe are victims of personal attacks, despite having military members among their small cadre of travelers. All the survivors have lost family members and they turn to others in their group for comfort and as a distraction from the bleak reality. It doesn’t hurt that the men with the group are hot and muscled. The plot moves quickly, though the action is more about quickening pulses and jealousy than danger from outsiders. Characters are one-dimensional and their libido is front and center in this survival story. Sexual tension lies at the heart of this post-apocalyptic tale. This book is sure to please those who like their books steamy and alluring.
    • 1/5
      I thought the premise of this book was interesting, but ultimately, I did not want to read a bunch of e-mails and text. After about the fifth or sixth e-mail I put the book down. When I pick up a book I want to see character interaction, dialogue, etc. Not endless e-mail communications.
    • 2/5
      Post-Apocalyptic lit is my favorite genre, and I was very grateful to receive this ARC from NetGalley. The story began with promise, but the plausibility of the plot and the immaturity of the characters caused me to lose interest by the first third of the book. I prefer my female protagonists to be more independent, fierce and complex than Zoe and Dani, and I was distracted by both the romantic overtones of the plot and the back and forth narration of the main characters, using email to communicate. Widely available internet in the collapse of civilization made no sense at all. I finished reading the entire book, because I was curious where the story was heading, but the startling cliffhanger left me very unsatisfied.I imagine that readers of romance novels and young adult literature may find this an enjoyable read, but hard-core post-apocalyptic enthusiasts will find this story lacking.
    • 3/5
      wow this book was great, thanks net galley for supplying this The formatting for kindle was a bit off but about 20% into the book it didn't matter because you were so drawn in.
    • 3/5
      Well, The Stand this ain't.

      There are numerous plot holes that are not properly dealt with, eg the phones are down (no one knows how or why) but not only is it possible to send and receive emails (so some firm of Internet) at every site they're at, but enough electricity to keep the computers charged and running. People crop up in scenes but are soon discarded when no longer necessary to the plot with little fanfair.

      Dani and Zoe are on different sides of America and after the virus has devastated much of he population, the two of them are making heir way to a mutual meeting point. However you soon forget where and why (if you ever knew the latter).

      There seems to be a lot of "hurry up and wait" with people getting to the next stop and staying there for several days. For dani's group the premise is to allow others to search for family and friends but apart from cce we don't know how the searches are undertaken or the results. For Zoe and dani's lovers friends and roommates all die and apart from the occasional nightmare about dani's boyfriend noone is given a second thought. In writing this review I've noticed one website (goodreads) mentioning this was the first in a post-apocalypse Romance Series. That does change my review - slightly - but not by much - as this does explain all the extraordinary amount of time is spent lusting after the attractive men in the group and both women become the focus of jealously and suspicion from other women in their mutual groups. The sex scenes - after a remarkable number of times they get interrupted mid grope - are reasonably sexy.

      The set ups of the two groups were too similar to keep track off - both had lead males starting with J (Jack, Jason), both sets with dogs, psycho girls who couldnt be trusted or were downright dangerous. Switching the narrative between the two - with is logical with the two writers just became too confusing to keep track off in the end.

      So in summary: reasonably sexy romance story, with too many holes in the story line (I like to hold my Romance novels to the same level of critique as every other book I read!) and too many similarities between the two narratives to keep me truly happy