“Last Light” by Claire Kent – A Review
⭐ Rating: 5/5
Year Published: 2019
Genre: Romance, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
Page Count: 335
Quick Summary
Last Light is a post-apocalyptic, slow-burn romance that follows Layne, a 21-year-old woman struggling to survive after society collapses. Left alone in a brutal world, she turns to Travis, a gruff 35-year-old mechanic from her hometown, as they embark on a dangerous journey together. What begins as a reluctant survival partnership slowly evolves into a deep, emotional connection, as the two must rely on each other for safety, companionship, and ultimately, love.
What I Loved
A Perfect Blend of Survival & Romance: Last Light seamlessly balances tense survival stakes with intimate character development, making Travis and Layne’s relationship feel raw and earned.
Unlikely Partners to Lovers: One of my favorite romance setups—two very different people forced together in extreme circumstances, navigating what they mean to one another in a world that no longer plays by the old rules.
Deeply Emotional Character Growth: Layne and Travis’s relationship is achingly slow-burn, but that only makes the payoff sweeter. Their dynamic is complex—Travis is reluctant and protective, while Layne is determined and stubborn. Watching them figure each other out and build trust was incredibly satisfying.
Realistic Post-Apocalyptic Setting: The worldbuilding felt grounded and believable, making their journey across a devastated landscape all the more gripping. The threats were as much about nature and human desperation as they were about external dangers.
Tropes Done Right:
Age Gap Romance
Virgin Heroine
Us Against the World/Nature
Reluctant Caretaker to Devoted Partner
What Didn’t Quite Work for Me
Lack of Open Communication: Travis and Layne’s reluctance to talk about their feelings was frustrating at times. While it made sense for their characters, there were moments where just a single honest conversation could have saved them both a lot of heartache.
Who Should Read This?
If you love post-apocalyptic romance, slow-burn tension, and emotionally charged relationships, Last Light is a must-read. Perfect for fans of survival stories where love develops in the most unexpected places, and readers who enjoy protective, brooding older heroes.
Final Thoughts
To me, this is the perfect romance book—two people thrown together by extreme circumstances, slowly learning to trust and love each other in a world where nothing is guaranteed. Travis and Layne’s story stuck with me long after I turned the last page, and I dove right into the rest of the Kindled series after finishing!
