Embers by Claire Kent is the third book in the Kindled series. This series brings to readers protagonists that finds themselves in a post-apocalyptic setting, when an asteroid hits the Earth ending life as everyone knew it. Ms. Kent has the ability to make tremendously challenging situations work, giving readers a feel of what life would be like under such circumstances. Embers follows the story of Rachel and Cal Evans, whose relationship is taboo, tender, and fierce in the way that brings joy to the reader’s heart amidst all the adversities they face.

When the story begins, Rachel is just seventeen years old, navigating a world ravaged by the catastrophic impact of the asteroid. Losing her only family during a food riot, Rachel seeks shelter with her boyfriend Derek and his mother, until that too becomes untenable. Moving in with Derek and his estranged father, an ex-convict with a rough exterior and a haunted past is the last thing Rachel would have envisioned for herself, but everyone makes do when the situation calls for it.

A couple of years go by and when circumstances end up with Rachel having to rely solely on Cal, the relationship dynamics between the two morphs into something that Cal initially tries to resist with all his might. Despite his gruff demeanor and troubled history, he is fiercely protective of Rachel and is guided by a strong moral compass, especially when it conflicts with his own personal desires. Even as Rachel gives every indication that she is more than willing, ready, and of age to be with him, Cal’s misplaced sense of unworthiness due to his past, creates barriers that prevents him from fully embracing his feelings for her.

It is Rachel’s determination that eventually wins him over, and even then, Cal is determined to do right by someone like Rachel, so full of life, with a bright future ahead of her, if only he were to step aside. Rachel is equally resolved to break through the emotional walls, with the intention to show Cal that theirs is a connection that is genuine, and one not borne out of convenience or desperation.

While the heat, tenderness, and romance blooms to life, the various adversities of the post-apocalyptic world they live in rears its ugly head every now and then. Amidst all of it, the tension that burgeons to life between the two starts to build slowly, beginning with a sense of mutual wariness, which evolves into a deep emotional and physical attraction. The “forced physical proximity” brings the accidental intimacy factor to the forefront which adds to the appeal of the story.

I loved Rachel for all that she was. She is a warrior woman if ever there was one, with circumstances having molded her into a person of undeniable strength. While her love for Cal is one that stands strong and true, it is not for her to make peace and reconcile with Cal’s own past and guilt, if ever there is to be a chance for the two to find their happily ever after.

I loved Cal too. He is a man ridden with guilt of a past that cannot be undone. Even with the age factor between Cal and Rachel, there is no sordidness to the tale because of the doubt and sense of misplaced guilt that assails him, the rough around the edges hero who got the short end of the stick when it came to his father and ended up on the wrong side of the law, who goes out of his way to ensure that he doesn’t take advantage of Rachel in any sense.

The period of separation between Cal and Rachel was much needed in my opinion, which perhaps added more depth to the feelings between the two. The groveling that Cal does upon his return was done well which of course made all of it better. The time apart gave the two the space to grow and mature in a setting where they were not dependent on each other, and perhaps they both needed that clarity for them to embrace a life of togetherness, especially for Cal whose guilt was driving him mad, even has he loves Rachel for everything she is.

Rachel coming to the realization when Cal leaves her behind, that if they were never to be together again she would still be whole; was the biggest sign of maturity perhaps, not that she needed it in my opinion. In all probability, Cal perhaps needed the distance and perspective more than Rachel did, so that he could accept his feelings for Rachel and embrace them for life.

Fans of survivalist romances with morally complex characters and a slow-building love story will find this novel to be a page-turner.

Final Verdict: A tender, emotionally rich journey that cements Rachel and Cal as one of the most unforgettable couples in the Kindled series!

Favorite Quotes

“The lotion is working.” I’ve got his back pretty well covered now, so I slide my hands up to his neck. I massage him there, then move my hands over to his shoulders to knead the tight muscles. He’s breathing heavily now. Loud enough for me to hear. For some reason, I like the sound of it.
I dig into the knots I find, pressing deeply, wanting them to loosen up.
Cal groans, low and soft and long and carnal.
All my female parts clamp down hard at the sound of it.
My hands grow still on his shoulders. Something thick and warm throbs in the air between us. “Cal?” I ask in almost a whisper.

Slowly I move down his hand to start rubbing his forearm, stroking the skin and coarse hair. The scars that slash down toward his wrist.
Something hurt him badly to create all these scars, and I have no idea what it was.
So I stroke them. Wish I could do the same to other parts of his body.
The more I caress his hand and arm, the tenser and hotter he grows behind me. His chest is snug against my back, and our legs are twined together. He starts to breathe heavier. His exhales waft against my hair and neck.
There’s a clench tightening inside me too now. Below my belly. It makes me want to shift my hips.
When I do, he mutters, “No wigglin’.”

I wake up overwhelmed with arousal. It somehow happened in my sleep.
My cheeks and neck are hot. My heart is racing, and my breath is coming out in little pants. Need is throbbing painfully between my legs. And I’m rubbing against a warm, hard male body.
He’s been asleep too. Maybe he still is. He’s grunting as he rocks his erection against my lower belly, and both his large hands are cupping my bottom.

He makes a growly sound and picks up his speed, his hips working vigorously as he thrusts. I start raising my pelvis to meet his motion, and it intensifies the sensations. The bed is making a soft, squeaky sound, and I can also hear the wet suction of his cock in my pussy.
I like it. It’s raw, carnal. Proof that we’re doing this for real.

He’s big. Full. Familiar. I gasp and let my head fall back at the tight penetration.
“Is’t all right?” he asks breathlessly.
“Yeah. Yeah, it’s good.” I shift above him, feeling myself stretch around him.
He takes some ragged breaths until he gets himself back under control. Then slides his hands up to cup my face. “You feelin’ good now?”
“Yeah. I’m feeling so good.”
“Nothin’s ever felt better than this. Bein’ inside you like this. Nothin’ in my whole life.”
“I feel…” I whimper as he rolls his hips. “I feel that way too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Since he can’t keep still, I start to move over him with a slow, steady rhythm. “You’ve always felt like home to me.”
He makes a choked sound. Jerks his head to the side. It takes him a minute to respond. “You’re home to me too, baby. Always have been.”

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