Pre- or post-apocalyptic stories

I’m looking for books in a world either directly before an apocalypse or shortly thereafter. I don’t want something like “The Road,” but more so along the lines of a “Last of Us” vibe, if that makes sense…i.e., more focused on surviving and working with people and/or against aggressors, kind of like “The Walking Dead,” but not zombies. Something with emotion and characters that draw you in, and scenes you can picture vividly in your mind’s eye. (Nothing religious please.)