Book Review - After Life Lessons by Laila Blake and L.C. Spoering

After Life Lessons
by Laila Blake and L.C. Spoering
Published 2014
341 Pages

Ever since their world fell apart, and was overrun by zombies, Emily and her son have been been on the run, hiding out, and scavenging for food and shelter. And these zombies are no slow movers... they are fast, and they attack anything and everything in their path with such ferocity that little is left behind. 

Emily misses Sullivan, who was with them not long ago as they made their way out of New York City, by way of the storm drains. She continues to write to him, as a means of coping with the loss and isolation. Now huddled in the back room of a gas station, Emily senses time is running out. Her young son, Song, has taken ill and is burning up with a fever. As she watches her child sleep, a car pulls into the gas station parking lot. Barricading the back room door as best she can, she awaits her fate... 

Aaron has been living better than most. With an operational van, and supplies from the army base where he was stationed, he stays on the move at all times, helping where he can. Looking for the tank switch that will allow him to access the station's reserves, he tries to pry open the back room door... Emily is armed (although she has been out of bullets for some time), and desperate. But when she sees Aaron, face-to-face, her fears take the backseat, and she pleads for his help. A former Army Medic, Aaron knows Song is in bad shape. He agrees to help them with medication, safety, and a brief reprieve from danger. But their journey is only beginning. 

This was a captivating story with an absorbing plot. I enjoyed it from the beginning! The characters face many obstacles, and have to overcome not only the basics of survival but the trials and tribulations of getting to know one another under dire circumstances. They are thrown together in a fast and furious manner. And all three characters are dealing with personal struggles and loss, that only starts to come out as things get comfortable. 

Although I fully understood Emily's need to put Song's well being in the forefront, the dialogue surrounding his day to day experiences was excessive. I wanted to know more about the relationship developing between Emily and Aaron! Overall, the story was fresh and well written. There was romance in the mix, and lots of room for more to come! 

Reviewed by Stephanie
★★★★
4 STARS