Radio Silence by Alyssa Cole (Off the Grid #1)
Released: February 3, 2015
Contemporary Romance
Carina Press

Reviewed by Mandi

This book has such a chilling first chapter. The power has gone out in the country (maybe the world?) for three weeks. Arden and her bestie John decide to hike from their New York apartment to John’s parents’ cabin near the Canadian border. When the book opens, John has been attacked and is out cold and Arden is being held by this dirty, strong scavenger guy. He means her great harm and it’s a well done scene. Then John’s brother, Gabriel, bursts onto the scene, kills the bad guy and saves John and Arden. They all head back to the family cabin.

And then nothing happens.

No really, the end of the action and conflict and chilling drama ends there. Arden arrives at the cabin with Gabriel, John and their sister Maggie. Their parents haven’t been seen for a week. They have a ton of food (their parents were active canners). They have a generator so they can cook and they have hot water. They have fires going. They have a ton of candles. They basically have all the amenities of a well stocked, cozy home. The outside conflict of no power and basically end of the world drama is now gone. BUMMER. I didn’t want to read about Arden playing cards with everyone and having fun. Or Arden cooking dinner. Or Arden doing laundry. I wanted action. I wanted scary end of the world things to happen. Maybe have them need to search for food or shelter. Maybe have them search for weapons. Instead, it’s painstakingly boring.

A romance develops between Arden and Gabriel with absolutely no chemistry. Arden kept telling me that her and Gabriel were sharing lusty glances or that there was all this sexual tension in the air – but I didn’t belive her. All I felt was Gabriel totally annoyed with her and then all of a sudden his pants were down. No chemistry. No sexual tension. No flirty fun. It was awkward.

There is a bit of action at the very end, but it didn’t save this story. What about the world building? What’s happening outside?? I could care less about this cabin – is the world ending? Are there riots? Are people really dying from hunger and panic? That is where the fun would have been.

Rating:D

Goodreads l Author Website l Series

Kindle l Nook