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n_malin_p's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Suicide
honeybluesky's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The queen of slow burn. Had me kicking my feet and my stomach doing flips. Loved the cute interactions with the kids.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
frankiereadstoomuch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Grief, and Racism
thatbakerthatreads's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Synopsis:
Diana is the guardian of her two nephews and now they have moved to a new house. But their new neighborhood holds big surprises for them.
Includes:
✨Age Gap (12 Years)
✨Single Guardian
✨Grumpy x Sunshine
✨Protective MMC
✨Independent FMC
✨Ex – Navy
✨Baseball
✨Mexican Culture
✨Grief
🌶️Heat Level:
One Open Door Scene
Language
My Opinion:
I only have one thing to say: Dallas has my heart. That's it, that's my review.
Okay, this is a slow burn! I wanted to enter MZCU (Mariana Zapata Cinematographic Universe) in order of release, but thanks to my challenge (Check my Reels), I managed to read this as my second book by her and I liked it much more than 'Under Locke'.
I found the 'Slice of Life' narrative interesting and how you can see the friendship and tension growing little by little, but there were times when I wasn't very interesting in every detail of their lives. Besides being very long, I love how she shows us their relationship and struggles as a Family, her as a new mother, dealing with the Family's drama as everyone tries to overcome their traumas. The writing built everything effortlessly and the reading was a lot of fun.
Yes, there is a lot of swearing, but not on every page and somehow the story felt more important and I could care a lot about them and less about the language (but if you are sensitive to this, you have been warned).
I love how Diana is a strong and independent woman and I loved Dallas. I've said before that a good Grumpy/Sunshine needs a good reason and they both had it. Dallas isn't rude, just reserved, but he's a sweetheart and I completely loved how well he treats everyone (who deserves it, of course).
I hope I can like next books from the author.
MMC = Male Main Character
FMC = Female Main Character
Close Door Modifications: Skip the End of the chapter 25
TW:Child Abandonment, Loss of a Parent and Relatives, Mentions of Divorce and Domestic Violence, House Fire.
Diana is the guardian of her two nephews and now they have moved to a new house. But their new neighborhood holds big surprises for them.
Includes:
✨Age Gap (12 Years)
✨Single Guardian
✨Grumpy x Sunshine
✨Protective MMC
✨Independent FMC
✨Ex – Navy
✨Baseball
✨Mexican Culture
✨Grief
🌶️Heat Level:
One Open Door Scene
Language
My Opinion:
I only have one thing to say: Dallas has my heart. That's it, that's my review.
Okay, this is a slow burn! I wanted to enter MZCU (Mariana Zapata Cinematographic Universe) in order of release, but thanks to my challenge (Check my Reels), I managed to read this as my second book by her and I liked it much more than 'Under Locke'.
I found the 'Slice of Life' narrative interesting and how you can see the friendship and tension growing little by little, but there were times when I wasn't very interesting in every detail of their lives. Besides being very long, I love how she shows us their relationship and struggles as a Family, her as a new mother, dealing with the Family's drama as everyone tries to overcome their traumas. The writing built everything effortlessly and the reading was a lot of fun.
Yes, there is a lot of swearing, but not on every page and somehow the story felt more important and I could care a lot about them and less about the language (but if you are sensitive to this, you have been warned).
I love how Diana is a strong and independent woman and I loved Dallas. I've said before that a good Grumpy/Sunshine needs a good reason and they both had it. Dallas isn't rude, just reserved, but he's a sweetheart and I completely loved how well he treats everyone (who deserves it, of course).
I hope I can like next books from the author.
MMC = Male Main Character
FMC = Female Main Character
Close Door Modifications: Skip the End of the chapter 25
TW:Child Abandonment, Loss of a Parent and Relatives, Mentions of Divorce and Domestic Violence, House Fire.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
kjenae's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s no surprise that I rated another Mariana Zapata book more than 4 stars!
This particular slow burn brought out a plethora of emotions within me. I didn’t expect to have a full on crying session, but i did.
Diana and Dallas’s strangers to friendship to lovers development was so good! ugh.
Diana and her relationship with her boys (Louie and Joshua) is so precious. They have been through a lot together.
i almost LOST it when the epilogue took place 5 years later and i found out that Josh and Lou were older😭 like Josh became a whole teenager
This particular slow burn brought out a plethora of emotions within me. I didn’t expect to have a full on crying session, but i did.
Diana and Dallas’s strangers to friendship to lovers development was so good! ugh.
Diana and her relationship with her boys (Louie and Joshua) is so precious. They have been through a lot together.
i almost LOST it when the epilogue took place 5 years later and i found out that Josh and Lou were older😭 like Josh became a whole teenager
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Drug use
emilyfrenchie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
lauralouise93's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I don't know how Mariana Zapata manages to write a book that gives me butterflies
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Domestic abuse
amanda_reads13's review
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is SO good. I laughed, I cried, I swooned.
Diane is a 29 year old hairstylist who is raising her two nephews (5&10). Her little family has endured so much and she is doing everything she can to give her boys the best life possible. When they move into a new house, she meets Dallas, a 41 year old retired from the navy. Not only is he her neighbor, but he also becomes her oldest nephew's baseball coach. As their friendship flourishes, so do their feelings for each other.
Diane is so incredibly strong and determined. She has taken on such a huge responsibility in raising her 2 nephews and will do anything for them. She is fierce, speaks her mind, and loves her family more than anything. Her boys are her whole world and she will fight anyone who tries to hurt them. As much as she worries and stresses about not being a good enough guardian for them, she is raising some incredibly smart and sensitive boys. Her relationship with them comes first and is more important than anything else in her life. She is very hesitant to let anyone in due to her past truama and the fear of her boys being hurt.
Dallas is grumpy and a bit closed off, but as he warms up to Diane, we see that there is so much more to him. He is generous, protective, and so caring. He takes care of his grandmother and even takes in his asshole brother. He loves Diane and her boys so fiercely and wants nothing more than to take care of them. He takes his time and truly gets to know her. He is honest and open with her. He takes a while to tell her how he feels, but he shows it in everything he does throughout their entire friendship.
I love that we get a peek into the characters from Kulti and Wall of Winnipeg. Vanessa is Diane's best friend and Sal is her cousin. I also really liked all the side characters.
Yes, it is a SLOW burn, but I love how much we get to see their relationship grows and their feelings develop. Their relationship develops slowly, but it makes sense considering their respective backgrounds. Neither would jump into something quickly, it wouldn't make sense for their characters.
That epilogue... Perfect ending.
My only issue is that I think that large age gap wasn't necessary, 12 years is a pretty big gap.
Tropes: slow burn, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, single parent
Diane is a 29 year old hairstylist who is raising her two nephews (5&10). Her little family has endured so much and she is doing everything she can to give her boys the best life possible. When they move into a new house, she meets Dallas, a 41 year old retired from the navy. Not only is he her neighbor, but he also becomes her oldest nephew's baseball coach. As their friendship flourishes, so do their feelings for each other.
Diane is so incredibly strong and determined. She has taken on such a huge responsibility in raising her 2 nephews and will do anything for them. She is fierce, speaks her mind, and loves her family more than anything. Her boys are her whole world and she will fight anyone who tries to hurt them. As much as she worries and stresses about not being a good enough guardian for them, she is raising some incredibly smart and sensitive boys. Her relationship with them comes first and is more important than anything else in her life. She is very hesitant to let anyone in due to her past truama and the fear of her boys being hurt.
Dallas is grumpy and a bit closed off, but as he warms up to Diane, we see that there is so much more to him. He is generous, protective, and so caring. He takes care of his grandmother and even takes in his asshole brother. He loves Diane and her boys so fiercely and wants nothing more than to take care of them. He takes his time and truly gets to know her. He is honest and open with her. He takes a while to tell her how he feels, but he shows it in everything he does throughout their entire friendship.
I love that we get a peek into the characters from Kulti and Wall of Winnipeg. Vanessa is Diane's best friend and Sal is her cousin. I also really liked all the side characters.
Yes, it is a SLOW burn, but I love how much we get to see their relationship grows and their feelings develop. Their relationship develops slowly, but it makes sense considering their respective backgrounds. Neither would jump into something quickly, it wouldn't make sense for their characters.
That epilogue... Perfect ending.
My only issue is that I think that large age gap wasn't necessary, 12 years is a pretty big gap.
Tropes: slow burn, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, single parent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide and Domestic abuse
sama_la's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Such a tender love story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse
cb4242's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I read it in 12 hours so that has to mean something. I def liked Rhodes better but I loved Josh and Louie in this, they were so adorable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Racism