I didn't realise just how much I needed this book. Or how much the post apocalyptic, travelling through the US genre needed two queer boys navigating a new and uncertain world, while grappling with their feelings for each other and trying to find their place in the new world.

The best moments in this story were the early quiet ones. When Andrew and Jami hunkered down for a few weeks in Jami's house, Andrew telling him the plots of entire movies to pass the time. I could have spent hours with these two. However, the later introduction of Cora was much needed, and I'm hoping she's also in the sequel.

This does use the post apocalyptic tropes we know, like the creepy cults, but it didn't linger, and never felt boring - helped by the fact that they both clocked that something was wrong quickly, and chose to leave as soon as possible. The last scenes were harrowing, but I was so glad that the ending left on a hopeful note.