Love and Other Malfunction: The World Ends Politely

The end of the world doesn’t sound like screaming. It sounds like, “It’s okay. I can help you.” Gwen is good at keeping people calm. It’s what she’s trained for, what she’s built her life around. But when the power glitches, the voices get friendlier, and the rules of ordinary life start to fail, that instinct becomes dangerous. In a world where “help” can be a lure, the reflex to respond can get you killed. When Gwen crosses paths with Diego, a man who hears patterns where everyone else hears comfort, she’s forced to learn a new kind of survival. Stay low. Stay forgettable. Don’t move like prey. Don’t move like anything worth noticing. Because something is listening. As they push through the rainy woods and ruined edges of the Pacific Northwest, Gwen and her growing group of strangers must decide what they’re willing to become to stay alive. The systems that once kept people safe are still speaking, still offering guidance, still remixing whatever used to work on humans: prayer, family, rescue. And Gwen’s two fiercely loyal dogs refuse to leave anyone behind, even when loyalty is the most dangerous instinct of all. Love and Other Malfunctions is a tense, character-driven survival thriller with dark humor, creeping tech horror, and the kind of found-family bond you earn the hard way. All author proceeds from this book will go to support Woofington Manor Rescue & Rehabilitation, helping dogs in need through rescue and rehabilitation. Perfect for readers who love: Near-future dystopian suspense Creepy “friendly” AI and surveillance dread Found family under pressure Quiet, rainy wilderness survival Dogs with big hearts and strong opinions