Reviews

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

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theansen's review against another edition

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4.75

Ååå, liker denne fortsatt så godt. Men helt syyykt slow burn da ❤️

breanasingbeil's review against another edition

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5.0

I picked up this book for one reason and thats because I live in Winnipeg and wanted to know if it was the same one the title referenced! this book surpassed any expectations I had!

it was such a cute story that had me smiling to myself and wanting to cancel my plans to keep reading!

I highly suggest this book!

lynnooks's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I actually put this book on hiatus at 35% of reading this book because it was too slow for my liking.. but when I found myself in a book slump, I decided to pick this back up.. since I was already almost going to be finished. And just two days of reading this book + a 3 month hiatus of reading this book. I finally finished it today.

My thoughts: Aiden had a huge character development, and I was really happy about that. Vanessa's childhood trauma really got me.. it reminded me of binding 13. I admit I cried because of this book. Vanessa and Aiden deserve happiness, I love them both sm and I hope them a happy life with their kids, and their dog<3

eliseweber's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No

2.0

notmessy's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

colourful_kenyan's review against another edition

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4.0

3.75 STARS
This felt like a better version of Kulti and I have just confirmed that this was written after Kulti.

I don't know anyone who writes slow-burn the way Mariana does and I eat it up like no one's business. Vanessa has been working for Aiden for 3 years and now that she has saved up enough income to support herself for a year she wants to quit her job as a personal assistant. Aiden is an asshole with barely any friends who works hard in his sports career.
I love that Zapata always shows the behind-the-scenes that goes into sportsmanship. The amount of work people put into it. What an injury can do to the morale of the player and team. Aiden works for it and she shows it through Lana's eyes.
I liked Lana. She has had a rough childhood. She had an alcoholic mother, and abusive sisters and after being placed in a safe foster home she is drowning in debt. One thing she is not is a doormat. Once she hears her boss never defending her to his verbally abusive manager, she decides enough is enough and quits her job. Aiden tries to employ her again but understandably she is still mad because at the very least he should have discouraged Trevor from calling her names. She eventually forgives him after he grovels for some time and he asks her for her help in committing fraud. He offers to pay her debt if she agrees to marry him.

Their relationship grows over time. They become friends over time. It was not a linear progression but rather realistic. I love that she had goals of her own and worked hard to attain them. Aiden was so supportive. He grew to be a much better friend and a great husband. The way he calculates his risks is quite good

Spoiler

when he hit the other guy for being a douchebag to his wife

and his willingness to learn was heartwarming.

The main issue I had with this is the stark similarity to Kulti and in my head, I could not stop comparing them. Like a more well-done version of it. Also, I understand that Aiden is huge but it was repeated so many times, it made me think of [b:The Spanish Love Deception|54189398|The Spanish Love Deception|Elena Armas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610900883l/54189398._SY75_.jpg|84555384]