The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Book Review: After Today by Jacqueline Hayley

Book Details:

Author: Jacqueline Hayley
Release Date: 
28th December 2021
Genre: Apocalyptic Fiction, Dystopia
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 258 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
Can love survive an apocalypse?
After a deadly virus ravages Chicago and destroys Mackenzie Lyons’ carefully curated world, Mac escapes the devastation and horror to her childhood hometown with the help of her best-friend’s little brother, Jake. But the small-minded community of Sanford isn’t exactly welcoming, and the virus isn’t the only battle brewing.
Jake Brent has secretly loved Mac forever, and while this isn’t the way he’d dreamed of their relationship beginning, with the uncertainty of the outbreak he’ll take every opportunity with Mac he can and hope—pray—for a better future.

But when Sanford’s misogynistic council torment the survivors with horrifying demands and a lawless motorcycle gang threatens their fragile sanctuary, somehow Jake and Mackenzie must form new alliances and face down dangerous enemies in a struggle far worse than the outbreak.
Surviving the virus was one thing, surviving humanity after is another.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

After Today by Jacqueline Hayley is a dystopian post-apocalyptic book with a great concept, amazing characters and a well-written plot.

I was sucked into the immersive world of this book right from the first page and was left wanting more after turning the last one. This book is full of ups and downs and that kept the tension so tight that it was impossible to put it down even for a minute. The writing is simple yet very effective and had a great flow. The execution of the plot and the world-building were spot-on and the characterisation felt realistic and relatable.

I enjoyed reading this book a lot and would highly recommend it to all dystopian and apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic genre fans. This book has a lot to offer to all its readers and I am sure that anyone who has the slightest interest in post-apocalyptic worlds would definitely enjoy it tremendously.


You can also read this review on:

Goodreads


Amazon


I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

January 2022
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Review: The Grey Winter of the Enslaved (The Journey of the Wish Book 1) by Stefanos Sampanis

    Book Details: Author: Stefanos SampanisRelease Date: 19 January 2026Series: The Journey of the Wish (Book 1 of 2)Genre: FantasyFormat: E-book Pages: 435 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:I perceived the world and acknowledged all of its colours. There was truth; the kind…

  • ARC Review: Play From Your Heart by Scott Martin and Coryanne Hicks

    Book Details: Author: Scott Martin and Coryanne Hicks  Release Date: 9 June 2026Series: Genre: Soccer BiographyFormat: E-book Pages: 227 pagesPublisher: Library Tales PublishingBlurb:When rising college soccer coach Scott Martin was struck down by a rare, flesh-eating infection that took both…

  • Book Review: Inconclusive Volume 1 by Alexandra Devane 

    Book Details: Author: Alexandra DevaneRelease Date: 31 August 2025Series: The Shards of Sansatia Series (Book 1 of 2)Genre: Fantasy, Dark RomantasyFormat: E-book Pages: 139 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:Eighteen-year-old Acteo Venand is an elite striker cadet at Inoton Academy, a military institution that…

  • Book Review: The Abnormal Gumshoe (The Fayetteville Series Book 2) by Tamar Anolic

    The Abnormal Gumshoe by Tamar Anolic is an unusual and engaging mystery that begins with a woman slowly realising that the life built around her may not be the life she wants. The novel follows Chloe…

  • Author Interview: Luanne Castle

    Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome Luanne Castle, author of Scrap: Salvaging a Family, for an author interview with The Reading Bud. About The Author Luanne Castle Luanne Castle’s hybrid flash memoir, Scrap: Salvaging a…