3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Racquel Marie, Feiwel & Friends and Recorded Books for both the ARC and ALC copies of the physical and audiobooks!

"I never thought the disease they'd give cartoon animals via frothy mouths and wild eyes would become this. Maybe that was my naivete. I never thought I'd be mutated into something dangerous either."

First and foremost, I wouldn't classify this as run-of-the-mill YA zombie horror. It is more existential to me, personally, and it broke my heart a million times over. It is probably as true to the theme of "Coming of Age" without it being glaringly obvious. What would you do if the world as you knew ended, one parent went missing and the other ended up dead? The thought sent me into a panic, and I'm a full-fledged adult. It doesn't help the fact that the idea of an evolved version of the rabies virus turning people into zombies is literal nightmare fuel...

"Are they people? Maybe. Are they trying to kill me, the only thing standing between my brother and death? Yes. I act accordingly, letting the second take precedence over the first. Whatever might happen to my soul after death as a consequence cannot be worse that what it's endured in life."

I would highly recommend this to everyone who is intrigued by it. Racquel Marie is a brilliant author and incredible narrator. This will grab you in your feels, have you on the edge of your seat and just hoping for something good to come out of the dark for these kids.

"And I am my mom, aren't I? Made from her in blood and heart."

"... Because my life is not this. This moment. This place. This vast, empty grief. I will see sunshine tomorrow. I will pick up rocks the color of my eyes and I will fill my hair with flowers even if I have to watch for bees and I will suffer but I will also live."

I never thought about how OCD would impact surviving and existing in an apocalypse, but I'd imagine this is a pretty close portrayal. The complex, difficult relationships between the characters and their varying levels and types of connections were by far the strongest part of the novel. The plot felt more like a backdrop than a driving force, especially the subplot about Cris and Adan's backstory, but the character study was so good that it made up for it. Also, all of the dogs survive (and thrive).

Racquel Marie's If We Survive This is an emotionally intense, visceral book that starts in quiet resilience and slowly devolves into something entirely different. The realistic tragedy that unfolds from a tale of a band of teenagers trying to make sense of the aftermath devolves slowly into a study of survival, identity, and the complicated ways we connect with one another.

Marie's writing is particularly good at surprising yet not relying on melodramatic plot points to use as a shock tactic. Instead, the story develops naturally. The pace is contemplative, with pauses for the characters to catch their breath and the relationships between them to expand, even though there is a low-grade tension lurking in the shadows.

While all the characters contribute something worthwhile, Cain was the one who struck a chord with me on a personal level. I was able to identify with a bit of myself in him. His trajectory was realistic and authentic, but never once did it detract from the story. Rather, it added to the emotional resonance of the entire group dynamic and the choice that they all have to make.

This is a book that lingers with you. If We Survive This is unflinching, honest, and brutally human.

There are many great things I could say about this book but I'll focus on this: the way the intrusive thoughts were portrayed was stunning. To see someone with a complicated, intense inner world (with anxiety and grief and OCD) be such a strong person, taking the lead and battling the rabids like she did was so empowering.

This book bites—in the best, most emotional, scream-into-the-void way possible.

If We Survive This is raw, gripping, and beautifully heart-wrecking. It's The Walking Dead with feelings, Yellowjackets with more road trip trauma, and every chapter has you yelling, "Not the siblings!" while clutching your chest like a Victorian widow.

Flora Braddock Paz is not your typical apocalypse final girl—she's messy, anxious, creative, and full of complicated grief that doesn’t magically disappear just because the world’s gone full zombie-mode. But make no mistake: her softness is not weakness. Watching her grow from terrified teen to reluctant, resilient leader is like watching a flower bloom in blood-soaked concrete. (Messy, beautiful, slightly dangerous.)

Her bond with her brother Cain is the emotional engine of the story—equal parts snark, love, and shared heartbreak—and their road trip through a desolate California landscape is harrowing, hopeful, and sprinkled with just enough memory and meaning to keep your heart firmly lodged in your throat.

This isn’t just a survival story; it’s a meditation on who you are when everything familiar is gone. It’s queer, sharp, aching, and full of the kind of quiet bravery that doesn’t always make the highlight reel but saves lives anyway.

Highly recommend if you like your horror with humanity, your zombies with metaphor, and your protagonists scared but still standing. Flora doesn’t want to be the girl who survives—but you’ll be rooting for her every brutal, beautiful step of the way.

I am an absolute sucker for anything and everything zombie, so when I saw this sapphic zombie book I immediately knew I had to read it. Like many other books I've read by Racquel Marie, "If We Survive This" didn't disappoint. It was a poetic and insightful look into what OCD, specifically contamination OCD, which, for obvious reasons, becomes a huge problem in a post-apocalyptic world. It also became abundantly clear while reading that Marie had done a great deal of research into this mental illness, as it is often played off casually by society as 'wanting things neat and organized. '

As a big sibling to a person with OCD, I know how much stress these compulsions cause, and at no point in "If We Survive This" did Flora -- our main character -- become a joke or a burden because of what she deals with, which are things I've often heard my sister struggle with. Setting aside the neurodivergent aspect of this novel, the reader is also treated to some "Walking Dead" level zombie nonsense. Tie in a touch of queer romance, and you couldn't have made a book more perfectly suited to my interests.

My only gripe is that I don't have more of it to read!

I really loved Flora's narrative in this book. The zombie apocalypse through the lens of someone with OCD and the ways she learned (or didn't learn) to cope with everything that was going on around her was fascinating and so well done. Aside from the narrative, this story also delivered on gore and tense situations.

I’m sorry, but you had me at a rabies-fueled zombie apocalypse. But then add in a cross-country road trip to reunite with family and I’m running for this faster than a ravenous zombie herd. This story was raw and heartfelt and didn’t sugar coat it’s ending. Honestly, such a fun read.

I love a book that is set during an apocalypse or a disaster of some kind, and the way these stories talk about survival and resilience. Throw in a complicated sibling relationship, some great OCD rep, a dual timeline, wild zombies (or 'rabids' as they are called in the book) and of course, lesbian rep and you have a recipe for success. I have enjoyed Racquel Marie's writing and If We Survive This was so so good.

As I mentioned, there are two timelines - one set in present day, with rabids running...well, rabid across the country and then one in the past, centring Flora and her family going on one last camping trip to a cabin they are deeply attached to. At the same time, in both timelines, we see Flora deal with her OCD. The contrast in the ways she does so is presented beautifully. The book does such an incredible job of showing us Flora's thought process in both timelines and while the plot is amazing, the story is very much character driven and I honestly love that.

This book also balances multiple genres perfectly - its dystopia, has a touch of horror and the dual timeline offers us the vibes of a YA contemporary, showing us the complex relationship between family. This is also a study in loss and grief, and how that settles deep within your bones, becoming a part of everything that you do.

The dynamics of the group (Flora, her brother Cain, Cristina an old friend who maybe something more, and Adán and his dog Biscuit) are probably the best part about this book. It's like a beacon of human resilience and how very different people can become a team in the face of great danger.

With great queer and OCD rep, some incredible (and some gory) scenes, found family, If We Survive This is an incredible story about family, survival and fighting back when faced with danger unlike anything you've ever faced before. I had a blast reading this, and I can't wait to see what Racquel Marie writes next!

I listened to the audiobook and read this galley in tandem and really enjoyed both. I loved the relationship between Flora and her brother. This did end up being a heavier book than I was expecting dealing with OCD in an end of the world scenario (my literal nightmare) but I really enjoyed this. It was well paced and well developed

Honestly, this was one of the best manuscripts that I’ve had the privilege of reading this year. It was an accurate, heartfelt portrayal of OCD and other mental health issues. I loved the characters and story that we got to explore.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great sapphic YA horror! It kept me on my toes with the suspenseful action. I enjoyed the main character. She was flawed and multi-faceted. Her relationship with her brother was complicated and felt real. The flashbacks took me out of the story a bit, but I understand why they were there. However, I think the central conflict/twist towards the end with the love interest was obvious, and could have been done with more finesse.

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.