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The Lucky Prepper: A Gardener's Story of Surviving a Pandemic
What do you eat when the shops run out of food?Zoe loves teaching science, she loves her garden, and most of all she loves her quiet peaceful bungalow. Then at school, people start falling ill.The virus is airborne and highly infectious. It starts with flu symptoms, confusion and sleepiness, which worsen until one day they just don’t wake up. It decimates the population and leaves chaos in its wake. Now Zoe has to find a way to survive.Luckily, when the pandemic strikes, she already has a greenhouse full of vegetable seedlings, but not everyone around is as prepared. Can she avoid the people hunting for the ‘knockers’ who don’t always just knock? And will her strategy of stay in, hide and wait, be enough? Released 9th November 2019Reviews coming soon...'Actually not that bad.' The Authors brother (1st draft)'Enjoyed reading it very much.' The Authors Tai-Chi-teacher's wife (2nd draft)'Good suspense.'beta reader (2nd draft)
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2019
263 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
August 15, 2020
Such an unusual, intriguing book.
A pandemic has swept the world, governments have fallen, anarchy has taken over. After that, you're probably expecting zombies, survivalists building forts and perhaps a trip to Walmart.
None of that.
This book owes much more to the John Wyndham classic, The Day of the Triffids than to the Zombie Apocalypse or Dystopian sub-genres. It's quiet, thoughtful, there are no guns and very little violence. And it's better for it.
There are no zombies in this book but I'm shelving it there because it's the closest to the themes explored by this great new series.
A pandemic has swept the world, governments have fallen, anarchy has taken over. After that, you're probably expecting zombies, survivalists building forts and perhaps a trip to Walmart.
None of that.
This book owes much more to the John Wyndham classic, The Day of the Triffids than to the Zombie Apocalypse or Dystopian sub-genres. It's quiet, thoughtful, there are no guns and very little violence. And it's better for it.
There are no zombies in this book but I'm shelving it there because it's the closest to the themes explored by this great new series.
February 9, 2020
Wow. Such a refreshing story.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the involvement of the students of varying ages. I love the gardening aspect and how it was such a vital part of the whole book. ( I enjoy gardening, too.) Every event was believable. I hope you have finished your second book. I am waiting and watching for it. 😊
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the involvement of the students of varying ages. I love the gardening aspect and how it was such a vital part of the whole book. ( I enjoy gardening, too.) Every event was believable. I hope you have finished your second book. I am waiting and watching for it. 😊
January 26, 2020
I adored Zoe and loved reading a post apocalyptic book that doesn’t have Mad Max villains all though it.
May 7, 2025
This was fantastic - ‘The Death of Grass’ done right.
March 9, 2024
"The Lucky Prepper" by Emma Zeth is a dystopian novel that takes the reader on a rollercoaster of disbelief. The protagonist, Zoe, a science teacher turned survivalist, navigates through a pandemic with a speed that would make Usain Bolt blush.
The book's societal collapse is alarmingly rapid, almost as if everyone but Zoe forgot how to function without their local supermarket. The pace at which civilization crumbles into chaos is improbable and serves the narrative more than reality.
Another point of contention concerns Zoe's transformation from self-centred to selfless saviour. It's as if the author flipped a switch, and Zoe, hoarding resources for one moment, suddenly becomes a saint, taking in all and sundry. This abrupt shift in character is jarring and lacks the gradual development one would expect.
Zeth's attempt at injecting humour into the narrative is commendable, but it often feels forced and out of place, like a clown at a funeral.
In conclusion, "The Lucky Prepper" is a dystopian novel that requires a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief. It's a wild ride that might leave you questioning the probability of the events rather than pondering the implications of a post-apocalyptic world.
⭐ ⭐ 1/2
The book's societal collapse is alarmingly rapid, almost as if everyone but Zoe forgot how to function without their local supermarket. The pace at which civilization crumbles into chaos is improbable and serves the narrative more than reality.
Another point of contention concerns Zoe's transformation from self-centred to selfless saviour. It's as if the author flipped a switch, and Zoe, hoarding resources for one moment, suddenly becomes a saint, taking in all and sundry. This abrupt shift in character is jarring and lacks the gradual development one would expect.
Zeth's attempt at injecting humour into the narrative is commendable, but it often feels forced and out of place, like a clown at a funeral.
In conclusion, "The Lucky Prepper" is a dystopian novel that requires a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief. It's a wild ride that might leave you questioning the probability of the events rather than pondering the implications of a post-apocalyptic world.
⭐ ⭐ 1/2
February 6, 2020
Very interesting and enjoyable. I like that it is not the typical doomsday novel.
Except for a few typos this book was well written. I enjoyed Zoe, but would have liked to learn a little more about the children. I like the gardening aspect of the novel. An enjoyable read, I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
Except for a few typos this book was well written. I enjoyed Zoe, but would have liked to learn a little more about the children. I like the gardening aspect of the novel. An enjoyable read, I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
January 27, 2020
I really enjoyed this novel. Written by an English author and based on England it was wonderful figuring out some of the English meanings (converting from proper English romAnticism English). The story flowed well and I kept reading to find out what happened next.
December 1, 2019
Great.
Liked this book and would read more if written, liked it was based in England as most are American. Could see the situations as something that could happen
Liked this book and would read more if written, liked it was based in England as most are American. Could see the situations as something that could happen
February 2, 2020
Although I loved the premise of the story I felt it lacked passion. It didn't have the feel factor that something written in the first person pov should have. She seemed to have more feelings for her garden than she did for her family. If it was me I would tear the world apart if my family went missing, especially in those circumstances, but what should have been a major plot point was just swept aside while she was planting more spuds.
It is a good storyline but it just missed expectations. It started to get there toward the end but it just lacked that feeling of drama, it was almost like Zoe was not really taking part in her own story.
It is a good storyline but it just missed expectations. It started to get there toward the end but it just lacked that feeling of drama, it was almost like Zoe was not really taking part in her own story.
November 22, 2024
I absolutely loved this read. If you ever want to know what to do with your home in an apocalypse, this is the book for you!
I'm looking forward to reading more
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm looking forward to reading more
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 30, 2020
Fun and good apocalyptic book. I was sorry when it ended. It makes me want to learn how to grow food!
November 27, 2021
Very interesting and different story.
As others have mentioned, it has the vibe of a zombies apocalypse, but without the Zombies. And it doesn't matter. As we know, desperate humans can be their own sorts of monsters. It still very much has some dystopian aspects.
The story follows the practical preppy person Zoey, and her journey from hermit to realizing everyone needs someone sometimes, along with following the countries journey into madness, following an even more contagious and also more deadly virus, than the one from the current pandemic of which it was written under.
It's more of an adult book, the retelling of a story with what seemed to me to be just the right amount of details someone would add to their personal memoir. Mostly quite bare to the point where I'd usually wish for just a little more details. Though more painting at specific more impactful moments or when it comes to a subject that has Zoey adoration, like gardening and occasionally prepping.
It had a fine balance between exitement and calm documentation. At some places a bit slow, sure, but I liked experiencing the world through Zoey's perspective at those moments. At other points, stuff is happening, and at some points I was caught in the dilemma of wanting to continue, but also wanting to put the book away for fear of some surely-soon-to-be-comming horrible turnaround.
The story keeps it quite realistic in my opinion, which I liked. Noting overly dramatic, and even at some dramatic points, Zoey might find a less confrontationally solution, rather than having it be all death and explosives. It was quite nice.
It's an interesting pandemic story, capturing the aspects of uncertancy, food focus and food fear, loneliness and pandemic related losses.
I really enjoyed it. I would read a sequel if one is to come :)
As others have mentioned, it has the vibe of a zombies apocalypse, but without the Zombies. And it doesn't matter. As we know, desperate humans can be their own sorts of monsters. It still very much has some dystopian aspects.
The story follows the practical preppy person Zoey, and her journey from hermit to realizing everyone needs someone sometimes, along with following the countries journey into madness, following an even more contagious and also more deadly virus, than the one from the current pandemic of which it was written under.
It's more of an adult book, the retelling of a story with what seemed to me to be just the right amount of details someone would add to their personal memoir. Mostly quite bare to the point where I'd usually wish for just a little more details. Though more painting at specific more impactful moments or when it comes to a subject that has Zoey adoration, like gardening and occasionally prepping.
It had a fine balance between exitement and calm documentation. At some places a bit slow, sure, but I liked experiencing the world through Zoey's perspective at those moments. At other points, stuff is happening, and at some points I was caught in the dilemma of wanting to continue, but also wanting to put the book away for fear of some surely-soon-to-be-comming horrible turnaround.
The story keeps it quite realistic in my opinion, which I liked. Noting overly dramatic, and even at some dramatic points, Zoey might find a less confrontationally solution, rather than having it be all death and explosives. It was quite nice.
It's an interesting pandemic story, capturing the aspects of uncertancy, food focus and food fear, loneliness and pandemic related losses.
I really enjoyed it. I would read a sequel if one is to come :)
July 22, 2021
A very interesting premise I just wasn't the biggest fan of the execution. The story is a very slow paced and non-action packed look at how an avid gardener and science teacher would handle a flu-like pandemic. And interesting fact: this was published in 2019.
The writing is very on the nose, almost clinical, and didn't evoke any emotions in me as a reader. This unfortunately resulted in me not being attached to any of the characters and not really caring what happened to them. Also the main character reflected very little on her situation and future in a larger scoop, only on how to keep feeding herself in the foreseeable future.
The main focus on gardening and other survival tactics are clearly intentional and I feel that the author succeeded in writing the book she wanted to. It just didn't work for me. I wanted to know more about the virus, how society was slowly collapsing, how the government and the refugee campes worked, what was happening in the rest of the world and so on. Oh and why is there still internet, water and electricity if infrastructure, food supply and health care are non-existent?
And a small thing that annoyed me greatly and feelt extremely unrealistic in the given situation, was the communication (or lack there of) between the main character and her brother when they got separated from each other. Nobody would write so unhelpful and uninformative messages if they actually wanted to find each other!
The writing is very on the nose, almost clinical, and didn't evoke any emotions in me as a reader. This unfortunately resulted in me not being attached to any of the characters and not really caring what happened to them. Also the main character reflected very little on her situation and future in a larger scoop, only on how to keep feeding herself in the foreseeable future.
The main focus on gardening and other survival tactics are clearly intentional and I feel that the author succeeded in writing the book she wanted to. It just didn't work for me. I wanted to know more about the virus, how society was slowly collapsing, how the government and the refugee campes worked, what was happening in the rest of the world and so on. Oh and why is there still internet, water and electricity if infrastructure, food supply and health care are non-existent?
And a small thing that annoyed me greatly and feelt extremely unrealistic in the given situation, was the communication (or lack there of) between the main character and her brother when they got separated from each other. Nobody would write so unhelpful and uninformative messages if they actually wanted to find each other!
March 31, 2020
How did Emma know this was going to happen 😱
Ironically, I purchased this book during a global pandemic. I enjoyed reading it and am really looking forward to reading lots more from this brilliant author.
Ironically, I purchased this book during a global pandemic. I enjoyed reading it and am really looking forward to reading lots more from this brilliant author.
April 6, 2022
5 stars
I found this book to be well written, with skillful dialogue and plenty of action . I hope book 2 will be out soon. I am looking forward to seeing more work by this author.
I found this book to be well written, with skillful dialogue and plenty of action . I hope book 2 will be out soon. I am looking forward to seeing more work by this author.
November 20, 2019
Excellent
Brilliant book, well written, great storyline, looking forward to reading more about this story, hope author does do another book😊
Brilliant book, well written, great storyline, looking forward to reading more about this story, hope author does do another book😊
December 3, 2019
Brilliant
Loved this book couldn't put it down. Thought the main character is brilliant can't wait for the next book hope it's soon x
Loved this book couldn't put it down. Thought the main character is brilliant can't wait for the next book hope it's soon x
June 5, 2020
Loved the plot, the writing was absolutely abysmal.
September 7, 2021
I've been looking for "cozy apocalypse" novels for years. Books that focus more on the daily life and communities of the protagonists instead of a "chosen one" rebuilding the world from scratch quest type thing.
This book is exactly what I was looking for and more.
I have read so many post-apocalypse books written by men and they tend to have similar tropes that get repetitive. Women are all care-givers or victims. Children either don't exist or are casually mentioned in passing as being in a school put together by a former teacher. Everyone loses any sense of decency and usually there's cannibalism at some point. Some are better than others.
Not this book! We actually got what seems like a more realistic view of how a societal breakdown would start and progress in the suburbs. Neighbors healthily distrustful, but also still overall good people.
Zoe is the English version of one of my best friends: Tai chi, martial arts, lives alone, teaches for a living, really nice, but actually capable and competent. She's even got EMT skills. So, the whole thing felt way more believable than I thought it would. I kept waiting to be disappointed by some internal inconsistencies, but never was!
This character was so relatable! My husband was chuckling every time I said, "girl, same" while listening to this book.
I adore this book. It was a fantastic audiobook. I found it by accident, but I'm so glad I did! I will now auto-buy anything this author puts out.
(I'm in Colorado, so I wasn't completely familiar with everything she mentioned, but I think she was saying courgette and those seem to be zucchini according to Google.)
This book is exactly what I was looking for and more.
I have read so many post-apocalypse books written by men and they tend to have similar tropes that get repetitive. Women are all care-givers or victims. Children either don't exist or are casually mentioned in passing as being in a school put together by a former teacher. Everyone loses any sense of decency and usually there's cannibalism at some point. Some are better than others.
Not this book! We actually got what seems like a more realistic view of how a societal breakdown would start and progress in the suburbs. Neighbors healthily distrustful, but also still overall good people.
Zoe is the English version of one of my best friends: Tai chi, martial arts, lives alone, teaches for a living, really nice, but actually capable and competent. She's even got EMT skills. So, the whole thing felt way more believable than I thought it would. I kept waiting to be disappointed by some internal inconsistencies, but never was!
This character was so relatable! My husband was chuckling every time I said, "girl, same" while listening to this book.
I adore this book. It was a fantastic audiobook. I found it by accident, but I'm so glad I did! I will now auto-buy anything this author puts out.
(I'm in Colorado, so I wasn't completely familiar with everything she mentioned, but I think she was saying courgette and those seem to be zucchini according to Google.)
November 16, 2025
Emma Zeth's debut novel tells the story of a young, socially-isolated teacher in suburban north London who has to contend with a mysterious flu-like virus. Both her skills as an educator and her green fingers help her as the crisis deepens.
What we liked:
- The focus on gardening.
- Seeing a pandemic play out in London.
- The writing - e.g. the writer did a good job of bringing out tension in some scenes and empathy in others.
What we didn't like so much:
- Some of the child characters didn't stand out from each other.
- Pandemic theming is quite a crowded market in the post-apocalyptic world, so we’re not sure this one will stand out.
Read this if: you like a pandemic story with a realistic start that focuses mainly on survivalism and children, with a slightly dystopian vibe
Give this a miss if: Covid19 is a difficult topic for you, or you like your post-apocalyptic reads to be action-heavy.
Our joint score: 2.38 / 5
For a more detailed review (with some mild to moderate spoilers) check out our episode on this book on our Post Apocalyptic podcast ‘Bookshelf in the Wasteland’: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0T97...
What we liked:
- The focus on gardening.
- Seeing a pandemic play out in London.
- The writing - e.g. the writer did a good job of bringing out tension in some scenes and empathy in others.
What we didn't like so much:
- Some of the child characters didn't stand out from each other.
- Pandemic theming is quite a crowded market in the post-apocalyptic world, so we’re not sure this one will stand out.
Read this if: you like a pandemic story with a realistic start that focuses mainly on survivalism and children, with a slightly dystopian vibe
Give this a miss if: Covid19 is a difficult topic for you, or you like your post-apocalyptic reads to be action-heavy.
Our joint score: 2.38 / 5
For a more detailed review (with some mild to moderate spoilers) check out our episode on this book on our Post Apocalyptic podcast ‘Bookshelf in the Wasteland’: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0T97...
May 18, 2020
Right please write book 2!
I started this book after checking the reviews. For a start it has a female author check and it’s post apocalyptic check and for something different it’s not set in America check. Not that I’m against American set post apocalyptic novels but when that’s mostly what’s in the market something set in a different country and not only that but while our main character Zoe or Z as she goes by has a basic garden and is a science teacher she is not hardcore prepping and so still has the fears that she might not have enough. There were lots I agreed would happen on par by then there was also lots I thought was a bit over the top but you know what I loved loved loved this book and I was so happy with her attitude at the end of it and you know what author I want you to please please please write a second book.
Basically other on the fence readers, this is a great book and worth getting. Yes I realise it was a little expensive but totally worth it!
Find out what happens for yourself :)
I started this book after checking the reviews. For a start it has a female author check and it’s post apocalyptic check and for something different it’s not set in America check. Not that I’m against American set post apocalyptic novels but when that’s mostly what’s in the market something set in a different country and not only that but while our main character Zoe or Z as she goes by has a basic garden and is a science teacher she is not hardcore prepping and so still has the fears that she might not have enough. There were lots I agreed would happen on par by then there was also lots I thought was a bit over the top but you know what I loved loved loved this book and I was so happy with her attitude at the end of it and you know what author I want you to please please please write a second book.
Basically other on the fence readers, this is a great book and worth getting. Yes I realise it was a little expensive but totally worth it!
Find out what happens for yourself :)
March 5, 2021
This is in England (always a plus) and it is very different from most pandemic and other post-apocalyptic books. It is a very slow moving story, focused on a likable lady who is also a science teacher. The creeping dread of loss and danger is there, but we don't have the usual violent breakdown of society. She is actually quite clever as to how she handles the horrible camp and social engineering and in helping some of the young people escape not once but twice. My biggest issue is that it ended abruptly with some questions unanswered. It doesn't appear to be part of a series so this was a bit of a let-down. The writing and editing were good and I enjoyed this story, apart from the ending.
June 24, 2020
Unique and intelligent, while maintaining tension
Having written my own apocalyptic novel, Evasion, by Erica Hernández, with vision for uniqueness, I was impressed by this author’s vision. We don’t need to starve in an apocalypse with all that Mother Earth can provide. This author provided a unique story line with well developed characters. Slightly slow in the beginning, it takes off, never letting the reader down. The heroine was intelligent, relatable, and resourceful. In the beginning, she isolated too much for my taste, but branched our later in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would be disappointed if you didn’t write book 2!!
Having written my own apocalyptic novel, Evasion, by Erica Hernández, with vision for uniqueness, I was impressed by this author’s vision. We don’t need to starve in an apocalypse with all that Mother Earth can provide. This author provided a unique story line with well developed characters. Slightly slow in the beginning, it takes off, never letting the reader down. The heroine was intelligent, relatable, and resourceful. In the beginning, she isolated too much for my taste, but branched our later in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would be disappointed if you didn’t write book 2!!
March 29, 2020
What an incredibly delightful book.
As a gardener myself, the premise of the book immediately intrigued me. Set in Great Britain, many of the locals references were lost on me. However, the garden and the wonder of working in the soil even in a disaster was enough. I loved how the characters were developed. There was mystery, suspense, intrigue, danger, and fear. In the end the story leaves a bit of a possibility for a book two and I hope there is one. This author is well worth reading.
As a gardener myself, the premise of the book immediately intrigued me. Set in Great Britain, many of the locals references were lost on me. However, the garden and the wonder of working in the soil even in a disaster was enough. I loved how the characters were developed. There was mystery, suspense, intrigue, danger, and fear. In the end the story leaves a bit of a possibility for a book two and I hope there is one. This author is well worth reading.
March 4, 2024
It was 'nice' to listen to a clean book in this genre set in the UK. I did find it interesting and very bingeable as I wanted to find out what happened next. At the beginning, and the perfection of hindsight I did question some of the plot devices but at the end it said it was released in 2019 so very interesting in did.
I really liked the narration and I found it really suited it.
Another great discovery on audible plus and I was gutted that there wasn't a second one in the series released as it left on such a note, that I just wanted to see what happens next.
I really liked the narration and I found it really suited it.
Another great discovery on audible plus and I was gutted that there wasn't a second one in the series released as it left on such a note, that I just wanted to see what happens next.
July 17, 2025
This follows Zoe, a science teacher and keen gardener living on her own as a virus decimates the population. Zoe is a great lead character and I enjoyed seeing her survival techniques and her interactions with other characters.
This book has a more realistic take on what may happen in a pandemic situation and is a lighter story than others in this genre. It really picks up pace in the second half with the first part concentrating on the immediate aftermath and lots of gardening. I'm really hoping there's going to be a sequel, I'd love to know what happens next to the characters.
This book has a more realistic take on what may happen in a pandemic situation and is a lighter story than others in this genre. It really picks up pace in the second half with the first part concentrating on the immediate aftermath and lots of gardening. I'm really hoping there's going to be a sequel, I'd love to know what happens next to the characters.
March 30, 2020
Apocalypse Cozy
Totally loved this. Since Swiss Family Robinson and Robinson Crusoe were childhood favorites...and lately I’ve been slogging through some pretty violent dystopian stuff, this was a charming respite. And, oddly, here we are in a worldwide pandemic lockdown...and we’ve just discovered that local, community-supported agriculture is how we’ll survive this. Cannot live on canned goods alone—must have fresh produce! Go, Zoe!
Totally loved this. Since Swiss Family Robinson and Robinson Crusoe were childhood favorites...and lately I’ve been slogging through some pretty violent dystopian stuff, this was a charming respite. And, oddly, here we are in a worldwide pandemic lockdown...and we’ve just discovered that local, community-supported agriculture is how we’ll survive this. Cannot live on canned goods alone—must have fresh produce! Go, Zoe!
April 23, 2020
I most DEFINITELY would like to see a second book!!!!
This was such a different type of survival book, and it's scary how close to our current reality with Covid-19 . I'd like the second book to give us a little more on the backgrounds of the children. And I'm sure we haven't seen the last of David. Is Peter possibly the new Prime Minister in disguise? You've DEFINITELY got me intrigued......I want MORE!!!!!!
This was such a different type of survival book, and it's scary how close to our current reality with Covid-19 . I'd like the second book to give us a little more on the backgrounds of the children. And I'm sure we haven't seen the last of David. Is Peter possibly the new Prime Minister in disguise? You've DEFINITELY got me intrigued......I want MORE!!!!!!
April 26, 2020
Surprise, lovely characters and a reasonable tale.
The book was great, although, I was planning on going to kindle to read the next one. Really, you,'re just beginning the second book? It is a sunny day book, That is absolutely what a spring to summer calls for. It also helps if you like gardening as I do! The characters and very real and are just ordinary, The children are knowable just like the kid in your neighborhood!
The book was great, although, I was planning on going to kindle to read the next one. Really, you,'re just beginning the second book? It is a sunny day book, That is absolutely what a spring to summer calls for. It also helps if you like gardening as I do! The characters and very real and are just ordinary, The children are knowable just like the kid in your neighborhood!
August 16, 2020
Engaging and heartwarming
I love apocalyptic fiction. I love it for a different reason than most. I like to ponder what we would all be when it is boiled down to the basics. I can relate to Zoe, the main character. I enjoyed hearing small tidbits of gardening knowledge and how Does rebuilt her world while staying safe. A lone female! An unheard of in apocalyptic fiction but common in real life circumstance. I recommend this book! Looking forward to more!
I love apocalyptic fiction. I love it for a different reason than most. I like to ponder what we would all be when it is boiled down to the basics. I can relate to Zoe, the main character. I enjoyed hearing small tidbits of gardening knowledge and how Does rebuilt her world while staying safe. A lone female! An unheard of in apocalyptic fiction but common in real life circumstance. I recommend this book! Looking forward to more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews