Dive into the sizzling world of Scorch, where a deadly pandemic meets steamy romance and heart-pounding action! The Scorch series, a thrilling collaboration between bestselling authors Emily Kimelman and Toby Neal, follows the six Luciano brothers as they navigate a collapsing society, each finding love amidst chaos. Perfect for fans of romance thrillers and apocalyptic sagas, this series is a rollercoaster of emotion and adventure.
Picture this: a flu virus ravages the nation, society crumbles, and the Lucianos—passionate, resourceful, and fiercely independent—emerge as heroes. With its blend of dystopian drama and scorching chemistry, Scorch hooks you from page one and never lets go.
How Scorch Began
In 2017, Emily Kimelman, known for her Sydney Rye mysteries, and Toby Neal, creator of the Lei Crime series, joined forces to craft a new kind of story. Inspired by their shared love for high-stakes thrillers and complex characters, they envisioned a series that married apocalyptic tension with heartfelt romance. The result was Scorch, a six-book saga that explores love and survival in a world on the brink. Their seamless collaboration, honed through meticulous outlining and a shared passion, produced a series that feels both cinematic and intimate.
The Heart of Scorch
The Scorch series kicks off with Scorch Road, where JT Luciano, a widowed environmental biologist, meets Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, a virologist carrying a vaccine for the deadly Scorch Flu. After her plane crashes in his potato field, they embark on a perilous journey to Washington, DC, sparking a romance as intense as the apocalypse around them. Cinder Road follows Adolfo Luciano, who falls for his late twin’s widow, Avital, as they flee a flu-ravaged city. Smoke Road introduces Luca Luciano, an ex-special forces soldier, whose faith shapes his bond with bioterrorist expert Dr. Haunani Kagawa. Burnt Road shines with Dante Luciano, a tech genius on the autism spectrum, whose tender connection with actress Melody Parker steals hearts.
The series weaves themes of resilience, family, and redemption against a dystopian backdrop. The Luciano brothers, each with distinct wounds and strengths, face not only external threats—skinheads, anarchy, and the flu—but also their own fears and pasts. Kimelman and Neal’s vivid prose and steamy romance scenes amplify the stakes, making every book a page-turner. The pandemic setting, eerily prescient, grounds the story in raw, relatable stakes, while the Haven compound in Idaho symbolizes hope and unity.
Why Scorch Resonates
Scorch stands out in the romance thriller genre for its bold mix of apocalyptic grit and emotional depth. Fans praise its fast-paced action, likening it to Stephen King’s The Stand with a romantic twist. The series’ diverse characters, from Dante’s neurodiversity to Lucy’s fierce spirit in Smolder Road, offer representation and relatability. Kimelman and Neal’s ability to craft flawed yet heroic protagonists keeps readers invested, while the series’ exploration of love as a force for rebuilding resonates long after the final page.
Though not a cultural juggernaut, Scorch has carved a niche among fans of dystopian romance, with glowing reviews for its character-driven storytelling and the authors’ dynamic partnership. Its relevance in a post-2020 world only amplifies its impact, making it a must-read for those craving escape and connection.
- Publication Years: 2017–2018
- Number of Books: 6
- Genres: Romance, Thriller, Dystopian
- Setting: Pandemic-ravaged United States
Ready to feel the heat? Grab Scorch Road and plunge into a world where love conquers all—even the end of the world!