Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book! I Honestly enjoyed the ride. I love zombie books, and I thought this was a great take on a zombie apocalypse. I do wish that I connected with the characters a bit more. To me, that aspect took me out of the world. I also feel like there wasn’t as much world building as I would have liked. Overall, good book.

This is what I was missing without even knowing I was missing it. I was a HUGE fan of The Walking Dead and every spin-off they had, so yeah, I was hella excited that it worked out. This was everything I needed and more.

Ok so the main thing about this book was the zombies. They were actually scary! I’ve read a few zombie books this year and none of them really had that scare factor I was looking for. But then I read this one and it surprised me. Marie not only tells us, but shows us how their skin is coming off, what they look like when they’re trying to bite her, and how they smell and everything. I was so creeped out when I read this lol But the whole world-building was so good. I guess since I had watched TWD, I knew what the world around them looked and felt like. The empty buildings and scrounging, really made this feel lonely and destitute.

What I loved the most about this tho was how it was also so much more than just the zombies. Flora is so jaded but still giving it her all. She is so strong and giving this life her all. And to also be taking care of her brother too impressed me so much. I’m not sure I would have done any of the things she did when I was her age. Shit, idk if I would do it now as an adult. This was so crazy. And let me just say, I can’t imagine going through this and also having OCD. Her brother was also strong. That’s the only way you can survive something like this.

The tension in this never lets up tho, so just make sure you’re ready for it. This book… WHEW! Just when you think they’re doing something good, something else pops up. And I mean up until the very end. This book had me on the literal edge of my seat! There’s so many surprises. I called one of them, but even that didn’t make me like it less. It was definitely a good way to show the characters and the way they were trying so hard to normalize everything.

This book was so good! I don’t want to say too much more for fear of spoilers, but let’s just say, don’t read this at night. Racquel Marie had too much fun with this one and it shows lol Perfect way to start your Summerween! I hope y’all pick this up immediately!

This was such a fun take on the zombie apocalypse! I loved, first and foremost, that the zombies were scientifically based. They came from a transformed rabies virus, which made sense to me. I love when outlandish things have an air of plausibility! So I was already pretty into it. Then, you have siblings Flora and Cain, who are likable too- you can't help but feel for them. Flora has been trying to keep them alive since their mom died and their dad left to find a better living option, and Flora is dealing with some major OCD which also includes panic and anxiety. Cain has broken his leg, and it all falls to Flora.

I loved that she is dealing with the more "daily" issues we all deal with, while trying to navigate this impossible situation. She knows that she and Cain cannot stay in their current home forever, because human-humans are just as, if not more, deadly than rabid-humans. So it is obviously an exciting story as they travel along the west coast, and there are a ton of twists and action, but it is also a really great story in terms of character growth, relationships, and mental health discussion. There is a lot of good stuff packed into these pages, and it flows well. It is also wonderfully messed up and dark, and the atmosphere was fabulous. My only minor complaint was that the ending did feel a bit rushed and I'd hoped for a little more from it, but overall, this was a very enjoyable, emotive, and exciting story!

This is a character based book and I love it! The what happens is fun, but the who it happens to is why we care. Thank you for sharing with us.

Now I didn't really get a dash of Yellowjackets, but the Walking Dead is all over this. It too had questionable writing for the characters at hand, just like this one does too. I would highly recommend If We Survive This. Especially for the people wanting a violent take on Zombies in YA.

Racquel never disappoints me. There is something about her writing that speaks so directly to my soul.

If We Survive This is a very heavy novel, not just because it takes place in the middle of a devastating apocalypse, but because we follow Flora surviving in this new world while living with OCD and depression. Flora has spent her life battling intrusive thoughts outlining the most horrific scenarios. So the irony isn’t lost on her that those obsessive anxiety spirals have made her uniquely qualified to survive in what is currently the worst case scenario: the end of the world.

However, her desperate attempts to wield control in an uncontrollable environment have caused her to lose hope and trust in the world. She has been forced to step up as the protector and leader while her older brother heals from a debilitating broken leg. And when they decide to venture up north to find safety in the secluded cabin they vacationed in growing up, run-ins with other survivors add a whole new layer of danger and uncertainty.

Their journey up through California is interspersed with flashbacks of the last roadtrip they took to the cabin as a family a year prior. We get to see the very jarring contrast between who Flora was before the outbreak and who she is after. The girl who once wore her heart on her sleeve, and was coddled by those around her, has now become jagged and ruthless. She would rather spurn everyone who comes near, then let them become another ghost haunting her. Even if it means distrusting the childhood friend they reconnect with. The girl who she has always loved, and now reminds of her who she once was.

This is a gory heart racing story that makes you squirm from the violence and the unrelenting thoughts of impending doom. But it is also one of humanity, hope, family, and forgiveness. How kindness and love can still prevail. And most prominently, what it takes to continue on when everything tells you not to. What it is to choose to live.

Spice Level: YA book, none included.

Flora and Cain, like the rest of the world around them, have been thrust into a world where they must fight to survive. One day, Flora catches a snippet of a broadcast from her father coming from their family cabin, hours away, in a different part of California.

Flora and Cain embark on a trip to the cabin to locate their father. On this trip, they come across Crisanta, a family friend, and Adan, who was traveling with Crisanta. They merge their groups and travel together to the cabin. Along the way, they have many run-ins with the “rabids.” Otherwise known as the infected living dead roaming the land. On the way to the cabin, they take on a side quest. They came across a young teen who is stuck in a dangerous situation with “rabids” and are able to pull her to safety and journey to take her to her parents.

I “read” this as an audiobook. I am a sucker for apocalypse / post-apocalyptic times books and this book hit the spot for me. Even though this is a YA book, the descriptive aspect of the attacks with the infected “rabids” is satisfying. I also get a 28 Days Later meets The Walking Dead vibe with this book. The cause of the apocalypse is rabies, yes, rabies. A communicable disease that can be spread from animals to humans. One of the characters is “Biscuit” a 15 year old chihuahua(?) that belongs to Adnan and one of the groups constant worries, other than making sure that she has enough to eat, is whether she is going to die or get bitten by one of the “rabids.”

This book alternates between then and now and is all from Flora’s perspective. I don’t know if it is specifically said (because I was listening) but I believe Flora might have OCD and may be a germaphobe(?). I cannot imagine being obsessed with cleanliness and then being thrust into a world where bacteria and viruses are everywhere and there not being the proper methods to dispose of those threats.

Listening to this book, there was only one downside for me, the narration. I actually feel bad for giving a bad rating for the narration because the narrator is the author but the narrating was very uninspired. There were some very climactic areas of the book that I didn’t realize were climactic because of how it was being read. Honestly, I usually DNF audiobooks that are drull like this, for me, but I enjoyed the story so much I was actually able to work through the narration issues.

Content Warnings:
🔪 Death / Dead Loved Ones / Dead Bodies
🩸 Violence
🔪 Graphic Violence
🩸 Implied Threats of Sexual Violence
🔪 Weapon Usage
🩸 Amputations (on & off page)
🔪 Vomiting
🩸 General Peril
🔪 Starvation
🩸 OCD Intrusive Thoughts
🔪 Suicidal & Morbid Ideation
🩸 Blood Clots
🔪 Gore
🩸 Dog in Danger
🔪 Cursing

I have mixed feelings for this book. The apocalyptic story was really interesting and well thought out. The way people were surviving and moving around while staying alive kept you intrigued. And the relationships that developed between uninfected people was as complicated as all relationships are.
The main character was a struggle for me. There were several times when she deliberately sabotaged plans and caused more problems. It took the mood and scary buildup away from the story and almost felt forced.
It had a lot of potential but fell a little short for me.

If We Survive This is the third book I’ve read by this author. I’m also a big zombie fan so it was a win win choice. First thing that took my attention is how fast this author has gotten so good. Flora is a teenager who should be celebrating milestones like her 18th birthday, prom, and graduation but instead is fighting for her life against a world of rabids and evil humans. She is also trying her best to watch out for her older brother, Cain, who sometimes seems more vulnerable in this new life.

I love when books take a running leap into a story, especially when it’s meant to be scary or suspenseful. When we join Flora and Cain, a year has gone by since the rabies mutation began to devastate the population so the horror is now ever present. They are managing alone in their family home but decide that survival means taking a risk and leaving for a better place. This hellish road trip toggles back and forth with a family trip to a cabin that took place in the past during more innocuous times.

This author never writes about just the subject at hand. That’s what I love best about her books. Flora fears the world, the micro details of daily life. Her brain captures the possible dangers and sends everything to worst case scenarios. Though she struggles, she still finds joy in her family, her fashion art, and the world at large. But in the present, all of those fears are real. Death and loss are the here and now. The give and take of the sibling relationship is strongly written as well. Of course, Flora and Cain love each other but the dynamics between siblings can be complicated too. The book has action, violence, and some Queer romance. Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of dystopian worlds, zombie/pandemic stories, sibling YA mains, and young adult characters struggling but also finding meaning in life.

Imagine trying to survive a world gone to hell but also trying to survive your own mind? When the rabies virus mutates and turns humans into the living dead, that is exactly what Flora has to do. With only her brother left, she has to put aside her fears and face the world for both of them.

This story not only had a unique take on zombies and their "creation" but also showed us the inside of someone's mind with OCD. This story is beautiful, profound, gory, and heartbreaking.

As someone who is obcessed with all things apocolypse and zombies, this book was addicting from the first page, and I need more like this immediately.

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I haven't read a zombie novel in awhile that I loved as much as this one. There was so much heart and while there's always a touch of romance in YA I'm happy it wasn't a huge part. The flashback chapters were short and helpful to the story and didn't take you out of the story. I will definitely be handselling this one.

What a beautiful, dark, and emotional story.

I love zombie/apocalypse media, and this was such a fun edition to the genre! It does such an amazing job of showcasing the true horrors (beyond the zombies) of an apocalypse and how it can bring out the worst in people.

The characters are the shining stars of this novel. Despite being in a literal zombie apocalypse, they all feel very grounded and are not overshadowed by what is happening to or around them. Flora has such a unique voice as a result of her OCD, and seeing how she navigates the new world she has been thrown into while also grappling with her internal thoughts was my favorite aspect of the book.

I was the perfect mix of afraid for our characters, while also rooting for them to meet their goals. The stakes actually felt high, and I was genuinely afraid for Flora and her traveling companions several times, and was even moved to tears at one point.

Racquel Marie's writing always does it for me, and this was no exception. The way she writes connections between characters and beautifully depicts emotions somehow fits perfectly against the backdrop of the end of the world and fighting for your life. I really felt like I was in the thick of it with these characters and felt so much love, heartbreak, and fear.

If We Survive This by Racquel Marie was a fun YA thriller/horror that pulls you straight into a post-apocalyptic world through the eyes of these captivating, relatable, well-drawn teens.
The well-developed and compelling characters hooked me from the start.

I've been obsessed with zombie novels on and off since I was in high school and I truly love this version of the virus that causes people to become zombies. This book is one that I wish I could reach back in time to my high school self and give it to her, because it would have been lifechanging for her to read a queer zombie horror novel.
This book was so good. I loved the characters, especially Flora. I often am stuck in thought patterns similar to hers, and so I felt like I understood what she was going through throughout the book.

I know that this book is a deviation from the types of books Racquel Marie typically writes, but after reading If We Survive This, I can't wait to read their other books!

The book was removed from my netgalley app so I lost my notes so bare with me.

Im not a horror reader I 100% picked this up because of the author so I feel like I cant rate it on where it stands as a horror book but just a book overall.

I enjoyed the main character SO much. She's definitely not perfect but who is in an apocalypse? I actually dont read about sibling relationships often but I enjoyed it here. Also really loved the ending.

I did have a hard time connecting the the side characters tho, and its not a story that'll be sticking around in my head long.

I’m a fan of The Walking Dead and zombie stories in general, so this was a guaranteed hook for me.

Make no mistake – there’s a good amount of blood and gore in this novel, but I’d hesitate to classify it as horror. Clashes with the rabid are on the backburner as this is more of a character driven story. Flora navigates this apocalyptic world with OCD, something that magnifies her fears in an already terrifying situation. She’s highly protective of older brother Cain and would rather risk her own life before his. The two of them leave their suburban LA house for a cabin in northern California where they vacationed with their family for many years. During their journey they come across Cris, an old friend/love interest, who’s traveling with Adan and an adorable dog named Biscuit (for my fellow animal lovers, Biscuit lives), but Flora doesn’t trust them. As with The Walking Dead, the real danger is other people more so than the rabid.

Chapters rotate between the world before the rabid when Flora’s family was together and present day. Through conversations with her brother and Cris, Flora learns their perceptions of her were very different than how she perceived herself before the outbreak, and it’s something she struggles to come to terms with. The ending wasn’t what I’d expected going into the novel, but it fit with the characters and their motivations.

Recommended for fans of coming of age stories, survival/thriller more than horror, and diverse casts of characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was marketed as "if Walking Dead meets Yellowjackets," and while Yellowjackets is still on my tbr (I know, I know) I have seen walking dead two, if not three times through now with all the spin off's, I'm a zombie girl. With that being said I can be very critical on the "how's," of Zombie novels. "If We Survive This," did not disappoint. I loved all the Zombie aspects, the how they became, the info of how they act and why they act different at different "stages."

Now the characters. Flora was probably one of my favorite FMC I've come across in awhile. I love the way the author did not make her OCD or her being a lesbian the first thing we learn or the main focus of her character. I think both aspects of her character were flushed out so well, I did not even notice at times! Additionally, I did not mind any of the others, and thought all of them were very believable easy to read about people.

I honestly wanted someone to die, and maybe that is messed up of me, but again Zombie girl, someone would of died. At the end I was like......ohhhh....ohhhh.... lol .... iykyk but I did love the ending and all of it will 100% be persuading me to buy a physical copy and I followed this author as well.

Flora has spent much of her life in constant fear of losing the people she loves in any number of traumatic ways. When she is thrust into a real life zombie apocalypse, she knows that she's the last one who is supposed to make it. But being responsible for her brother gives Flora strength she didn't know she had. When the siblings set out to see if their dad made it to their secluded cabin, they encounter expected and unexpected dangers along the way. Their relationships and fortitude will be tested, and that's if they even survive.

At first glance, If We Survive This is just another zombie apocalypse story. What really stands out though is Flora's character growth and the way her anxiety/OCD are handled. I'm always up for another dystopia novel, but I think the focus on mental health and relationships gives the story a different feel. It still contains all the blood, gore, and zombie killing that one would expect, and the details are definitely gruesome. Probably a book that will end up in our horror section, but that has a strong character depth as well.

flora braddock paz has always considered herself weak. there’s no room for weakness during the apocalypse, though, and somehow she and her older brother are still alive half a year into it. now, they’re on their way from their desolate LA suburb to their secluded cabin in northern california. but no matter how far they run, death is never far behind.

i’ve enjoyed racquel marie’s romances, so i was very excited for her first horror novel! i loved how flora had OCD and how this was discussed in the midst of an apocalypse. this story was focused on her journey rather than the apocalypse itself (though, obviously, this did play a big role in her development), and i liked seeing how she changed throughout the book. we also get flashbacks to flora’s pre-zombie world, providing more insight into her story. overall, this was a great book, and i highly recommend this to anyone looking for a character-driven YA horror.

a post-apocalyptic ya story that explores grief and the fear of living in the unknown

if we survive this follows flora, a young adult who was preparing to go to fashion school, and her brother cain, as they make their way from their "relatively safe" home in search of their father, who they believe is in a cabin up north. this is a post-apocalyptic setting, with rabids everywhere as a result of a mutated rabies virue. along the way, they bump into old acquaintances, who they proceed to make the journey with. the story has two timelines, switching between flora and her family going to the cabin before the apocalypse, and flora and her ragtag crew after.

this novel is described as yellowjackets meets the walking dead. i do see the walking dead in here, but not really yellowjackets. nevertheless, i'm a fan of flora. i'm around the same age as her, and i really do understand her. she's dealing with the fear and grief that comes with losing people you care,her constant fear of death, the anxiety over the world becoming something entirely else from what you're used to, and the uncertainty that comes with your life changing. flora is dealing with OCD and anxiety, and it's magnifiied by the world she's in now. i thought her relationship with cain was accurate and well-written; they love each other, but at the same time, they can't agree on a lot of important topics.

i also really liked the other characters; adán lowkey annoyed me but i grew to like him. the cast felt very developed and solid; i loath the found family dynamic if not done right but i will say they were like a found family (even though two of them are related). flora and crisanta's relationship was very slow burn; i think i was 50% through the book and they were still building up for it. BUT I enjoyed it i can't lie okay when crisanta sleeps near flora in the hospital(?) i was seeing the vision

honestly, i wouldn't really describe this book as horror; maybe more thriller? it reads to me as a coming-of-age in the unknown, especially since flora is quite literally coming of age in the apocalypse. this is trademark marie; balanced diversity, well-written and emotional relationships, and a complex main character. i def recommend this book to fans of marie's previous works, fans of zombie stories, or fans of ya coming-of-age stories.

thanks to netgalley and macmillan for the arc!